Within half an hour Esther was smiling pallidly1 and drinking tea out of Debby's own cup, to Debby's unlimited3 satisfaction. Debby had no spare cup, but she had a spare chair without a back, and Esther was of course seated on the other. Her bonnet4 and cloak were on the bed.
"And where is Bobby?" inquired the young lady visitor.
"Bobby is dead," she said softly. "He died four years ago, come next _Shevuos_."
"I'm so sorry," said Esther, pausing in her tea-drinking with a pang6 of genuine emotion. "At first I was afraid of him, but that was before I knew him."
"There never beat a kinder heart on God's earth," said Debby, emphatically. "He wouldn't hurt a fly."
Esther had often seen him snapping at flies, but she could not smile.
"I buried him secretly in the back yard," Debby confessed. "See! there, where the paving stone is loose."
Esther gratified her by looking through the little back window into the sloppy7 enclosure where washing hung. She noticed a cat sauntering quietly over the spot without any of the satisfaction it might have felt had it known it was walking over the grave of an hereditary9 enemy.
"So I don't feel as if he was far away," said Debby. "I can always look out and picture him squatting10 above the stone instead of beneath it."
"But didn't you get another?"
"Oh, how can you talk so heartlessly?"
"Who would make friends with me, Miss Ansell?" Debby asked quietly.
"I shall 'make out friends' with you, Debby, if you call me that," said Esther, half laughing, half crying. "What was it we used to say in school? I forget, but I know we used to wet our little fingers in our mouths and jerk them abruptly13 toward the other party. That's what I shall have to do with you."
"Oh well, Esther, don't be cross. But you do look such a real lady. I always said you would grow up clever, didn't I, though?"
"You did, dear, you did. I can never forgive myself for not having looked you up."
"Oh, but you had so much to do, I have no doubt," said Debby magnanimously, though she was not a little curious to hear all Esther's wonderful adventures and to gather more about the reasons of the girl's mysterious return than had yet been vouchsafed14 her. All she had dared to ask was about the family in America.
"Still, it was wrong of me," said Esther, in a tone that brooked15 no protest. "Suppose you had been in want and I could have helped you?"
"Oh, but you know I never take any help," said Debby stiffly.
"I didn't know that," said Esther, touched. "Have you never taken soup at the Kitchen?"
"I wouldn't dream of such a thing. Do you ever remember me going to the Board of Guardians16? I wouldn't go there to be bullied17, not if I was starving. It's only the cadgers who don't want it who get relief. But, thank God, in the worst seasons I have always been able to earn a crust and a cup of tea. You see I am only a small family," concluded Debby with a sad smile, "and the less one has to do with other people the better."
Esther started slightly, feeling a strange new kinship with this lonely soul.
"But surely you would have taken help of me," she said. Debby shook her head obstinately20.
"Well, I'm not so proud," said Esther with a tremulous smile, "for see, I have come to take help of you."
Then the tears welled forth21 and Debby with an impulsive22 movement pressed the little sobbing23 form against her faded bodice bristling24 with pin-heads. Esther recovered herself in a moment and drank some more tea.
"Are the same people living here?" she said.
"Not altogether. The Belcovitches have gone up in the world. They live on the first floor now."
"Not much of a rise that," said Esther smiling, for the Belcovitches had always lived on the third floor.
"Oh, they could have gone to a better street altogether," explained Debby, "only Mr. Belcovitch didn't like the expense of a van."
"Then, Sugarman the _Shadchan_ must have moved, too," said Esther. "He used to have the first floor."
"Yes, he's got the third now. You see, people get tired of living in the same place. Then Ebenezer, who became very famous through writing a book (so he told me), went to live by himself, so they didn't want to be so grand. The back apartment at the top of the house you used once to inhabit,"--Debby put it as delicately as she could--"is vacant. The last family had the brokers25 in."
"Are the Belcovitches all well? I remember Fanny married and went to Manchester before I left here."
"Oh yes, they are all well."
"What? Even Mrs. Belcovitch?"
"She still takes medicine, but she seems just as strong as ever."
"Becky married yet?"
"She must be getting old."
"She is a fine young woman, but the young men are afraid of her now."
"Then they don't sit on the stairs in the morning any more?"
"No, young men seem so much less romantic now-a-days," said Debby, sighing. "Besides there's one flight less now and half the stairs face the street door. The next flight was so private."
"I suppose I shall look in and see them all," said Esther, smiling. "But tell me. Is Mrs. Simons living here still?"
"No."
"Where, then? I should like to see her. She was so very kind to little Sarah, you know. Nearly all our fried fish came from her."
"She is dead. She died of cancer. She suffered a great deal."
"Oh!" Esther put her cup down and sat back with face grown white.
"I am afraid to ask about any one else," she said at last. "I suppose the Sons of the Covenant27 are getting on all right; _they_ can't be dead, at least not all of them."
"They have split up," said Debby gravely, "into two communities. Mr. Belcovitch and the Shalotten _Shammos_ quarrelled about the sale of the _Mitzvahs_ at the Rejoicing of the Law two years ago. As far as I could gather, the carrying of the smallest scroll28 of the Law was knocked down to the Shalotten _Shammos_, for eighteenpence, but Mr. Belcovitch, who had gone outside a moment, said he had bought up the privilege in advance to present to Daniel Hyams, who was a visitor, and whose old father had just died in Jerusalem. There was nearly a free fight in the _Shool_. So the Shalotten _Shammos_ seceded29 with nineteen followers30 and their wives and set up a rival _Chevrah_ round the corner. The other twenty-five still come here. The deserters tried to take Greenberg the _Chazan_ with them, but Greenberg wanted a stipulation31 that they wouldn't engage an extra Reader to do his work during the High Festivals; he even offered to do it cheaper if they would let him do all the work, but they wouldn't consent. As a compromise, they proposed to replace him only on the Day of Atonement, as his voice was not agreeable enough for that. But Greenberg was obstinate19. Now I believe there is a movement for the Sons of the Covenant to connect their _Chevrah_ with the Federation32 of minor33 synagogues, but Mr. Belcovitch says he won't join the Federation unless the term 'minor' is omitted. He is a great politician now."
"Ah, I dare say he reads _The Flag of Judah_," said Esther, laughing, though Debby recounted all this history quite seriously. "Do you ever see that paper?"
"I never heard of it before," said Debby simply. "Why should I waste money on new papers when I can always forget the _London journal_ sufficiently34?" Perhaps Mr. Belcovitch buys it: I have seen him with a Yiddish paper. The 'hands' say that instead of breaking off suddenly in the middle of a speech, as of old, he sometimes stops pressing for five minutes together to denounce Gideon, the member for Whitechapel, and to say that Mr. Henry Goldsmith is the only possible saviour35 of Judaism in the House of Commons."
"Ah, then he does read _The flag of Judah_! His English must have improved."
"I was glad to hear him say that," added Debby, when she had finished struggling with the fit of coughing brought on by too much monologue36, "because I thought it must be the husband of the lady who was so good to you. I never forgot her name."
Esther took up the _London Journal_ to hide her reddening cheeks.
"Oh, read some of it aloud," cried Dutch Debby. "It'll be like old times."
Esther hesitated, a little ashamed of such childish behavior. But, deciding to fall in for a moment with the poor woman's humor, and glad to change the subject, she read: "Soft scents37 steeped the dainty conservatory38 in delicious drowsiness39. Reclining on a blue silk couch, her wonderful beauty rather revealed than concealed41 by the soft clinging draperies she wore, Rosaline smiled bewitchingly at the poor young peer, who could not pluck up courage to utter the words of flame that were scorching43 his lips. The moon silvered the tropical palms, and from the brilliant ball-room were wafted44 the sweet penetrating45 strains of the 'Blue Danube' waltz--"
"I have been in brilliant ball-rooms and moonlit conservatories," said Esther evasively. She did not care to rob Dutch Debby of her ideals by explaining that high life was not all passion and palm-trees.
"I am so glad," said Debby affectionately. "I have often wished to myself, only a make-believe wish, you know, not a real wish, if you understand what I mean, for of course I know it's impossible. I sometimes sit at that window before going to bed and look at the moon as it silvers the swaying clothes-props, and I can easily imagine they are great tropical palms, especially when an organ is playing round the corner. Sometimes the moon shines straight down on Bobby's tombstone, and then I am glad. Ah, now you're smiling. I know you think me a crazy old thing."
"Indeed, indeed, dear, I think you're the darlingest creature in the world," and Esther jumped up and kissed her to hide her emotion. "But I mustn't waste your time," she said briskly. "I know you have your sewing to do. It's too long to tell you my story now; suffice it to say (as the _London Journal_ says) that I am going to take a lodging50 in the neighborhood. Oh, dear, don't make those great eyes! I want to live in the East End."
"You want to live here like a Princess in disguise. I see."
"No you don't, you romantic old darling. I want to live here like everybody else. I'm going to earn my own living."
"Oh, but you can never live by yourself."
"Why not? Now from romantic you become conventional. _You've_ lived by yourself."
"Oh, but I'm different," said Debby, flushing.
"Nonsense, I'm just as good as you. But if you think it improper," here Esther had a sudden idea, "come and live with me."
"What, be your chaperon!" cried Debby in responsive excitement; then her voice dropped again. "Oh, no, how could I?"
"Yes, yes, you must," said Esther eagerly.
Debby's obstinate shake of the head repelled51 the idea. "I couldn't leave Bobby," she said. After a pause, she asked timidly: "Why not stay here?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Esther answered. Then she examined the bed. "Two couldn't sleep here," she said.
"Oh yes, they could," said Debby, thoughtfully bisecting the blanket with her hand. "And the bed's quite clean or I wouldn't venture to ask you. Maybe it's not so soft as you've been used to."
Esther pondered; she was fatigued52 and she had undergone too many poignant53 emotions already to relish54 the hunt for a lodging. It was really lucky this haven offered itself. "I'll stay for to-night, anyhow," she announced, while Debby's face lit up as with a bonfire of joy. "To-morrow we'll discuss matters further. And now, dear, can I help you with your sewing?"
"No, Esther, thank you kindly55. You see there's only enough for one," said Debby apologetically. "To-morrow there may be more. Besides you were never as clever with your needle as your pen. You always used to lose marks for needlework, and don't you remember how you herring-boned the tucks of those petticoats instead of feather-stitching them? Ha, ha, ha! I have often laughed at the recollection."
"Oh, that was only absence of mind," said Esther, tossing her head in affected56 indignation. "If my work isn't good enough for you, I think I'll go down and help Becky with her machine." She put on her bonnet, and, not without curiosity, descended57 a flight, of stairs and knocked at a door which, from the steady whirr going on behind it, she judged to be that of the work-room.
"Art thou a man or a woman?" came in Yiddish the well-remembered tones of the valetudinarian58 lady.
"A woman!" answered Esther in German. She was glad she learned German; it would be the best substitute for Yiddish in her new-old life.
"_Herein_!" said Mrs. Belcovitch, with sentry-like brevity.
Esther turned the handle, and her surprise was not diminished when she found herself not in the work-room, but in the invalid's bedroom. She almost stumbled over the pail of fresh water, the supply of which was always kept there. A coarse bouncing full-figured young woman, with frizzly black hair, paused, with her foot on the treadle of her machine, to stare at the newcomer. Mrs. Belcovitch, attired59 in a skirt and a night-cap, stopped aghast in the act of combing out her wig60, which hung over an edge of the back of a chair, that served as a barber's block. Like the apple-woman, she fancied the apparition61 a lady philanthropist--and though she had long ceased to take charity, the old instincts leaped out under the sudden shock.
"Becky, quick rub my leg with liniment, the thick one," she whispered in Yiddish.
"It's only me, Esther Ansell!" cried the visitor.
"What! Esther!" cried Mrs. Belcovitch. "_Gott in Himmel!"_ and, throwing down the comb, she fell in excess of emotion upon Esther's neck. "I have so often wanted to see you," cried the sickly-looking little woman who hadn't altered a wrinkle. "Often have I said to my Becky, where is little Esther?--gold one sees and silver one sees, but Esther sees one not. Is it not so, Becky? Oh, how fine you look! Why, I mistook you for a lady! You are married--not? Ah well, you'll find wooers as thick as the street dogs. And how goes it with the father and the family in America?"
"Excellently," answered Esther. "How are you, Becky?"
Becky murmured something, and the two young women shook hands. Esther had an olden awe48 of Becky, and Becky was now a little impressed by Esther.
"I suppose Mr. Weingott is getting a good living now in Manchester?" Esther remarked cheerfully to Mrs. Belcovitch.
"No, he has a hard struggle," answered his mother-in-law, "but I have seven grandchildren, God be thanked, and I expect an eighth. If my poor lambkin had been alive now, she would have been a great-grandmother. My eldest62 grandchild, Hertzel, has a talent for the fiddle63. A gentleman is paying for his lessons, God be thanked. I suppose you have heard I won four pounds on the lotter_ee_. You see I have not tried thirty years for nothing! If I only had my health, I should have little to grumble64 at. Yes, four pounds, and what think you I have bought with it? You shall see it inside. A cupboard with glass doors, such as we left behind in Poland, and we have hung the shelves with pink paper and made loops for silver forks to rest in--it makes me feel as if I had just cut off my tresses. But then I look on my Becky and I remember that--go thou inside, Becky, my life! Thou makest it too hard for him. Give him a word while I speak with Esther."
Becky made a grimace65 and shrugged66 her shoulders, but disappeared through the door that led to the real workshop.
"A fine maid!" said the mother, her eyes following the girl with pride. "No wonder she is so hard to please. She vexes67 him so that he eats out his heart. He comes every morning with a bag of cakes or an orange or a fat Dutch herring, and now she has moved her machine to my bedroom, where he can't follow her, the unhappy youth."
"Who is it now?" inquired Esther in amusement.
"Shosshi Shmendrik."
"Shosshi Shmendrik! Wasn't that the young man who married the Widow Finkelstein?"
"Yes--a very honorable and seemly youth. But she preferred her first husband," said Mrs. Belcovitch laughing, "and followed him only four years after Shosshi's marriage. Shosshi has now all her money--a very seemly and honorable youth."
"But will it come to anything?"
"It is already settled. Becky gave in two days ago. After all, she will not always be young. The _Tanaim_ will be held next Sunday. Perhaps you would like to come and see the betrothal68 contract signed. The Kovna _Maggid_ will be here, and there will be rum and cakes to the heart's desire. Becky has Shosshi in great affection; they are just suited. Only she likes to tease, poor little thing. And then she is so shy. Go in and see them, and the cupboard with glass doors."
Esther pushed open the door, and Mrs. Belcovitch resumed her loving manipulation of the wig.
The Belcovitch workshop was another of the landmarks69 of the past that had undergone no change, despite the cupboard with glass doors and the slight difference in the shape of the room. The paper roses still bloomed in the corners of the mirror, the cotton-labels still adorned70 the wall around it. The master's new umbrella still stood unopened in a corner. The "hands" were other, but then Mr. Belcovitch's hands were always changing. He never employed "union-men," and his hirelings never stayed with him longer than they could help. One of the present batch71, a bent72, aged74" target="_blank">middle-aged73 man, with a deeply-lined face, was Simon Wolf, long since thrown over by the labor75 party he had created, and fallen lower and lower till he returned to the Belcovitch workshop whence he sprang. Wolf, who had a wife and six children, was grateful to Mr. Belcovitch in a dumb, sullen76 way, remembering how that capitalist had figured in his red rhetoric77, though it was an extra pang of martyrdom to have to listen deferentially78 to Belcovitch's numerous political and economical fallacies. He would have preferred the curter dogmatism of earlier days. Shosshi Shmendrik was chatting quite gaily79 with Becky, and held her finger-tips cavalierly in his coarse fist, without obvious objection on her part. His face was still pimply80, but it had lost its painful shyness and its readiness to blush without provocation81. His bearing, too, was less clumsy and uncouth82. Evidently, to love the Widow Finkelstein had been a liberal education to him. Becky had broken the news of Esther's arrival to her father, as was evident from the odor of turpentine emanating83 from the opened bottle of rum on the central table. Mr. Belcovitch, whose hair was gray now, but who seemed to have as much stamina84 as ever, held out his left hand (the right was wielding85 the pressing-iron) without moving another muscle.
"_Nu_, it gladdens me to see you are better off than of old," he said gravely in Yiddish.
"Thank you. I am glad to see you looking so fresh and healthy," replied Esther in German.
"You were taken away to be educated, was it not?"
"Yes."
"And how many tongues do you know?"
"Four or five," said Esther, smiling.
"Four or five!" repeated Mr. Belcovitch, so impressed that he stopped pressing. "Then you can aspire86 to be a clerk! I know several firms where they have young women now."
"Don't be ridiculous, father," interposed Becky. "Clerks aren't so grand now-a-days as they used to be. Very likely she would turn up her nose at a clerkship."
"I'm sure I wouldn't," said Esther.
"There! thou hearest!" said Mr. Belcovitch, with angry satisfaction. "It is thou who hast too many flies in thy nostrils87. Thou wouldst throw over Shosshi if thou hadst thine own way. Thou art the only person in the world who listens not to me. Abroad my word decides great matters. Three times has my name been printed in _The Flag of Judah_. Little Esther had not such a father as thou, but never did she make mock of him."
"Of course, everybody's better than me," said Becky petulantly88, as she snatched her fingers away from Shosshi.
"No, thou art better than the whole world," protested Shosshi Shmendrik, feeling for the fingers.
"Who spoke to thee?" echoed Becky. And when Shosshi, with empurpled pimples91, cowered92 before both, father and daughter felt allies again, and peace was re-established at Shosshi's expense. But Esther's curiosity was satisfied. She seemed to see the whole future of this domestic group: Belcovitch accumulating gold-pieces and Mrs. Belcovitch medicine-bottles till they died, and the lucky but henpecked Shosshi gathering93 up half the treasure on behalf of the buxom94 Becky. Refusing the glass of rum, she escaped.
The dinner which Debby (under protest) did not pay for, consisted of viands96 from the beloved old cook-shop, the potatoes and rice of childhood being supplemented by a square piece of baked meat, likewise knives and forks. Esther was anxious to experience again the magic taste and savor97 of the once coveted98 delicacies99. Alas100! the preliminary sniff101 failed to make her mouth water, the first bite betrayed the inferiority of the potatoes used. Even so the unattainable tart18 of infancy102 mocks the moneyed but dyspeptic adult. But she concealed her disillusionment bravely.
"Do you know," said Debby, pausing in her voluptuous103 scouring104 of the gravy-lined plate with a bit of bread, "I can hardly believe my eyes. It seems a dream that you are sitting at dinner with me. Pinch me, will you?"
"You have been pinched enough," said Esther sadly. Which shows that one can pun with a heavy heart. This is one of the things Shakspeare knew and Dr. Johnson didn't.
In the afternoon, Esther went round to Zachariah Square. She did not meet any of the old faces as she walked through the Ghetto105, though a little crowd that blocked her way at one point turned out to be merely spectators of an epileptic performance by Meckisch. Esther turned away, in amused disgust. She wondered whether Mrs. Meckisch still flaunted106 it in satins and heavy necklaces, or whether Meckisch had divorced her, or survived her, or something equally inconsiderate. Hard by the old Ruins (which she found "ruined" by a railway) Esther was almost run over by an iron hoop107 driven by a boy with a long swarthy face that irresistibly108 recalled Malka's.
"Is your grandmother in town?" she said at a venture.
"Y--e--s," said the driver wonderingly. "She is over in her own house."
Esther did not hasten towards it.
"Your name's Ezekiel, isn't it?"
"Yes," replied the boy; and then Esther was sure it was the Redeemed109 Son of whom her father had told her.
"Are your mother and father well?"
"Father's away travelling." Ezekiel's tone was a little impatient, his feet shuffled110 uneasily, itching42 to chase the flying hoop.
"How's your aunt--your aunt--I forget her name."
"Aunt Leah. She's gone to Liverpool."
"What for?"
"She lives there; she has opened a branch store of granma's business. Who are you?" concluded Ezekiel candidly111.
"You won't remember me," said Esther. "Tell me, your aunt is called Mrs. Levine, isn't she?"
"Oh yes, but," with a shade of contempt, "she hasn't got any children."
"How many brothers and sisters have _you_ got?" said Esther with a little laugh.
"Heaps. Oh, but you won't see them if you go in; they're in school, most of 'em."
"And why aren't you at school?"
The Redeemed Son became scarlet112. "I've got a bad leg," ran mechanically off his tongue. Then, administering a savage113 thwack to his hoop, he set out in pursuit of it. "It's no good calling on mother," he yelled back, turning his head unexpectedly. "She ain't in."
Esther walked into the Square, where the same big-headed babies were still rocking in swings suspended from the lintels, and where the same ruddy-faced septuagenarians sat smoking short pipes and playing nap on trays in the sun. From several doorways114 came the reek115 of fish frying. The houses looked ineffably116 petty and shabby. Esther wondered how she could ever have conceived this a region of opulence117; still more how she could ever have located Malka and her family on the very outskirt of the semi-divine classes. But the semi-divine persons themselves had long since shrunk and dwindled118.
She found Malka brooding over the fire; on the side-table was the clothes-brush. The great events of a crowded decade of European history had left Malka's domestic interior untouched. The fall of dynasties, philosophies and religions had not shaken one china dog from its place; she had not turned a hair of her wig; the black silk bodice might have been the same; the gold chain at her bosom119 was. Time had written a few more lines on the tan-colored equine face, but his influence had been only skin deep. Everybody grows old: few people grow. Malka was of the majority.
It was only with difficulty that she recollected120 Esther, and she was visibly impressed by the young lady's appearance.
"It's very good of you to come and see an old woman," she said in her mixed dialect, which skipped irresponsibly from English to Yiddish and back again. "It's more than my own _Kinder_ do. I wonder they let you come across and see me."
"I haven't been to see them yet," Esther interrupted.
"Ah, that explains it," said Malka with satisfaction. "They'd have told you, 'Don't go and see the old woman, she's _meshuggah_, she ought to be in the asylum121.' I bring children into the world and buy them husbands and businesses and bed-clothes, and this is my profit. The other day my Milly--the impudent-face! I would have boxed her ears if she hadn't been suckling Nathaniel. Let her tell me again that ink isn't good for the ring-worm, and my five fingers shall leave a mark on her face worse than any of Gabriel's ring-worms. But I have washed my hands of her; she can go her way and I'll go mine. I've taken an oath I'll have nothing to do with her and her children--no, not if I live a thousand years. It's all through Milly's ignorance she has had such heavy losses."
"What! Mr. Phillips's business been doing badly? I'm so sorry."
"No, no! my family never does bad business. It's my Milly's children. She lost two. As for my Leah, God bless her, she's been more unfortunate still; I always said that old beggar-woman had the Evil Eye! I sent her to Liverpool with her Sam."
"I know," murmured Esther.
"But she is a good daughter. I wish I had a thousand such. She writes to me every week and my little Ezekiel writes back; English they learn them in that heathen school," Malka interrupted herself sarcastically122, "and it was I who had to learn him to begin a letter properly with 'I write you these few lines hoping to find you in good health as, thank God, it leaves me at present;' he used to begin anyhow--"
She came to a stop, having tangled123 the thread of her discourse124 and bethought herself of offering Esther a peppermint125. But Esther refused and bethought herself of inquiring after Mr. Birnbaum.
"My Michael is quite well, thank God," said Malka, "though he is still pig-headed in business matters! He buys so badly, you know; gives a hundred pounds for what's not worth twenty."
"But you said business was all right?"
"Ah, that's different. Of course he sells at a good profit,--thank God. If I wanted to provoke Providence126 I could keep my carriage like any of your grand West-End ladies. But that doesn't make him a good buyer. And the worst of it is he always thinks he has got a bargain. He won't listen to reason, at all," said Malka, shaking her head dolefully. "He might be a child of mine, instead of my husband. If God didn't send him such luck and blessing127, we might come to want bread, coal, and meat tickets ourselves, instead of giving them away. Do you know I found out that Mrs. Isaacs, across the square, only speculates her guinea in the drawings to give away the tickets she wins to her poor relations, so that she gets all the credit of charity and her name in the papers, while saving the money she'd have to give to her poor relations all the same! Nobody can say I give my tickets to my poor relations. You should just see how much my Michael vows128 away at _Shool_--he's been _Parnass_ for the last twelve years straight off; all the members respect him so much; it isn't often you see a business man with such fear of Heaven. Wait! my Ezekiel will be _Barmitzvah_ in a few years; then you shall see what I will do for that _Shool_. You shall see what an example of _Yiddshkeit_ I will give to a _link_ generation. Mrs. Benjamin, of the Ruins, purified her knives and forks for Passover by sticking them between the boards of the floor. Would you believe she didn't make them red hot first? I gave her a bit of my mind. She said she forgot. But not she! She's no cat's head. She's a regular Christian129, that's what she is. I shouldn't wonder if she becomes one like that blackguard, David Brandon; I always told my Milly he was not the sort of person to allow across the threshold. It was Sam Levine who brought him. You see what comes of having the son of a proselyte in the family! Some say Reb Shemuel's daughter narrowly escaped being engaged to him. But that story has a beard already. I suppose it's the sight of you brings up _Olov Hashotom_ times. Well, and how _are_ you?" she concluded abruptly, becoming suddenly conscious of imperfect courtesy.
"Oh, I'm very well, thank you," said Esther.
"Ah, that's right. You're looking very well, _imbeshreer_. Quite a grand lady. I always knew you'd be one some day. There was your poor mother, peace be upon him! She went and married your father, though I warned her he was a _Schnorrer_ and only wanted her because she had a rich family; he'd have sent you out with matches if I hadn't stopped it. I remember saying to him, 'That little Esther has Aristotle's head--let her learn all she can, as sure as I stand here she will grow up to be a lady; I shall have no need to be ashamed of owning her for a cousin.' He was not so pig-headed as your mother, and you see the result."
She surveyed the result with an affectionate smile, feeling genuinely proud of her share in its production. "If my Ezekiel were only a few years older," she added musingly130.
"Oh, but I am not a great lady," said Esther, hastening to disclaim131 false pretensions132 to the hand of the hero of the hoop, "I've left the Goldsmiths and come back to live in the East End."
"What!" said Malka. "Left the West End!" Her swarthy face grew darker; the skin about her black eyebrows133 was wrinkled with wrath134.
"Are you _Meshuggah_?" she asked after an awful silence. "Or have you, perhaps, saved up a tidy sum of money?"
Esther flushed and shook her head.
"There's no use coming to me. I'm not a rich woman, far from it; and I have been blessed with _Kinder_ who are helpless without me. It's as I always said to your father. 'Meshe,' I said, 'you're a _Schnorrer_ and your children'll grow up _Schnorrers_.'"
Esther turned white, but the dwindling135 of Malka's semi-divinity had diminished the old woman's power of annoying her.
"I want to earn my own living," she said, with a smile that was almost contemptuous. "Do you call that being a _Schnorrer_?"
"Don't argue with me. You're just like your poor mother, peace be upon him!" cried the irate136 old woman. "You God's fool! You were provided for in life and you have no right to come upon the family."
"But isn't it _Schnorring_ to be dependent on strangers?" inquired Esther with bitter amusement.
"Don't stand there with your impudence-face!" cried Malka, her eyes blazing fire. "You know as well as I do that a _Schnorrer_ is a person you give sixpences to. When a rich family takes in a motherless girl like you and clothes her and feeds her, why it's mocking Heaven to run away and want to earn your own living. Earn your living. Pooh! What living can you earn, you with your gloves? You're all by yourself in the world now; your father can't help you any more. He did enough for you when you were little, keeping you at school when you ought to have been out selling matches. You'll starve and come to me, that's what you'll do."
"I may starve, but I'll never come to you," said Esther, now really irritated by the truth in Malka's words. What living, indeed, could she earn! She turned her back haughtily137 on the old woman; not without a recollection of a similar scene in her childhood. History was repeating itself on a smaller scale than seemed consistent with its dignity. When she got outside she saw Milly in conversation with a young lady at the door of her little house, diagonally opposite. Milly had noticed the strange visitor to her mother, for the rival camps carried on a system of espionage138 from behind their respective gauze blinds, and she had come to the door to catch a better glimpse of her when she left. Esther was passing through Zachariah Square without any intention of recognizing Milly. The daughter's flaccid personality was not so attractive as the mother's; besides, a visit to her might be construed139 into a mean revenge on the old woman. But, as if in response to a remark of Milly's, the young lady turned her face to look at Esther, and then Esther saw that it was Hannah Jacobs. She felt hot and uncomfortable, and half reluctant to renew acquaintance with Levi's family, but with another impulse she crossed over to the group, and went through the inevitable140 formulae. Then, refusing Milly's warm-hearted invitation to have a cup of tea, she shook hands and walked away.
"Wait a minute, Miss Ansell," said Hannah. "I'll come with you."
"I'm collecting money for a poor family of _Greeners_ just landed," she said. "They had a few roubles, but they fell among the usual sharks at the docks, and the cabman took all the rest of their money to drive them to the Lane. I left them all crying and rocking themselves to and fro in the street while I ran round to collect a little to get them a lodging."
"Poor things!" said Esther.
"Ah, I can see you've been away from the Jews," said Hannah smiling. "In the olden days you would have said _Achi-nebbich_."
"Should I?" said Esther, smiling in return and beginning to like Hannah. She had seen very little of her in those olden days, for Hannah had been an adult and well-to-do as long as Esther could remember; it seemed amusing now to walk side by side with her in perfect equality and apparently142 little younger. For Hannah's appearance had not aged perceptibly, which was perhaps why Esther recognized her at once. She had not become angular like her mother, nor coarse and stout143 like other mothers. She remained slim and graceful144, with a virginal charm of expression. But the pretty face had gained in refinement145; it looked earnest, almost spiritual, telling of suffering and patience, not unblent with peace.
Esther silently extracted half-a-crown from her purse and handed it to Hannah.
"I didn't mean to ask you, indeed I didn't," said Hannah.
"Oh, I am glad you told me," said Esther tremulously.
The idea of _her_ giving charity, after the account of herself she had just heard, seemed ironical146 enough. She wished the transfer of the coin had taken place within eyeshot of Malka; then dismissed the thought as unworthy.
"You'll come in and have a cup of tea with us, won't you, after we've lodged147 the _Greeners_?" said Hannah. "Now don't say no. It'll brighten up my father to see 'Reb Moshe's little girl.'"
"I heard of all of you recently," she said, when they had hurried on a little further. "I met your brother at the theatre."
Hannah's face lit up.
"How long was that ago?" she said anxiously.
"I remember exactly. It was the night before the first _Seder_ night."
"Was he well?"
"Oh, I am so glad."
She told Esther of Levi's strange failure to appear at the annual family festival. "My father went out to look for him. Our anxiety was intolerable. He did not return until half-past one in the morning. He was in a terrible state. 'Well,' we asked, 'have you seen him?' 'I have seen him,' he answered. 'He is dead.'"
"Of course he wasn't really dead," pursued Hannah to Esther's relief. "My father would hardly speak a word more, but we gathered he had seen him doing something very dreadful, and that henceforth Levi would be dead to him. Since then we dare not speak his name. Please don't refer to him at tea. I went to his rooms on the sly a few days afterwards, but he had left them, and since then I haven't been able to hear anything of him. Sometimes I fancy he's gone off to the Cape95."
"More likely to the provinces with a band of strolling players. He told me he thought of throwing up the law for the boards, and I know you cannot make a beginning in London."
"Do you think that's it?" said Hannah, looking relieved in her turn.
"I feel sure that's the explanation, if he's not in London. But what in Heaven's name can your father have seen him doing?"
"Nothing very dreadful, depend upon it," said Hannah, a slight shade of bitterness crossing her wistful features. "I know he's inclined to be wild, and he should never have been allowed to get the bit between his teeth, but I dare say it was only some ceremonial crime Levi was caught committing."
"Certainly. That would be it," said Esther. "He confessed to me that he was very _link_. Judging by your tone, you seem rather inclined that way yourself," she said, smiling and a little surprised.
"Do I? I don't know," said Hannah, simply. "Sometimes I think I'm very _froom_."
"Surely you know what you are?" persisted Esther. Hannah shook her head.
"Well, you know whether you believe in Judaism or not?"
"I don't know what I believe. I do everything a Jewess ought to do, I suppose. And yet--oh, I don't know."
Esther's smile faded; she looked at her companion with fresh interest. Hannah's face was full of brooding thought, and she had unconsciously come to a standstill. "I wonder whether anybody understands herself," she said reflectively. "Do you?"
"No, I don't think anybody does, quite," Hannah answered. "I feel sure I don't. And yet--yes, I do. I must be a good Jewess. I must believe my life."
Somehow the tears came into her eyes; her face had the look of a saint. Esther's eyes met hers in a strange subtle glance. Then their souls were knit. They walked on rapidly.
"Well, I do hope you'll hear from him soon," said Esther.
"It's cruel of him not to write," replied Hannah, knowing she meant Levi; "he might easily send me a line in a disguised hand. But then, as Miriam Hyams always says, brothers are so selfish."
"Oh, how is Miss Hyams? I used to be in her class."
"I could guess that from your still calling her Miss," said Hannah with a gentle smile.
"Why, is she married?"
"No, no; I don't mean that. She still lives with her brother and his wife; he married Sugarman the _Shadchan's_ daughter, you know."
"Bessie, wasn't it?"
"Yes; they are a devoted151 couple, and I suspect Miriam is a little jealous; but she seems to enjoy herself anyway. I don't think there is a piece at the theatres she can't tell you about, and she makes Daniel take her to all the dances going."
"Is she still as pretty?" asked Esther. "I know all her girls used to rave8 over her and throw her in the faces of girls with ugly teachers. She certainly knew how to dress."
"She dresses better than ever," said Hannah evasively.
"That sounds ominous," observed Esther, laughingly.
"Oh, she's good-looking enough! Her nose seems to have turned up more; but perhaps that's an optical illusion; she talks so sarcastically now-a-days that I seem to see it." Hannah smiled a little. "She doesn't think much of Jewish young men. By the way, are you engaged yet, Esther?"
"Well, you're very young," said Hannah, glancing down at the smaller figure with a sweet matronly smile.
"I shall never marry," Esther said in low tones.
"Don't be ridiculous, Esther! There's no happiness for a woman without it. You needn't talk like Miriam Hyams--at least not yet. Oh yes, I know what you're thinking--"
"No, I'm not," faintly protested Esther
"Yes, you are," said Hannah, smiling at the paradoxical denial. "But who'd have _me_? Ah, here are the _Greeners_!" and her smile softened153 to angelic tenderness.
It was a frowzy154, unsightly group that sat on the pavement, surrounded by a semi-sympathetic crowd--the father in a long grimy coat, the mother covered, as to her head, with a shawl, which also contained the baby. But the elders were naively155 childish and the children uncannily elderly; and something in Esther's breast seemed to stir with a strange sense of kinship. The race instinct awoke to consciousness of itself. Dulled by contact with cultured Jews, transformed almost to repulsion by the spectacle of the coarsely prosperous, it leaped into life at the appeal of squalor and misery156. In the morning the Ghetto had simply chilled her; her heart had turned to it as to a haven, and the reality was dismal157. Now that the first ugliness had worn off, she felt her heart warming. Her eyes moistened. She thrilled from head to foot with the sense of a mission--of a niche158 in the temple of human service which she had been predestined to fill. Who could comprehend as she these stunted159 souls, limited in all save suffering? Happiness was not for her; but service remained. Penetrated160 by the new emotion, she seemed to herself to have found the key to Hannah's holy calm.
With the money now in hand, the two girls sought a lodging for the poor waifs. Esther suddenly remembered the empty back garret in No. 1 Royal Street, and here, after due negotiations161 with the pickled-herring dealer162 next door, the family was installed. Esther's emotions at the sight of the old place were poignant; happily the bustle163 of installation, of laying down a couple of mattresses164, of borrowing Dutch Debby's tea-things, and of getting ready a meal, allayed165 their intensity166. That little figure with the masculine boots showed itself but by fits and flashes. But the strangeness of the episode formed the undercurrent of all her thoughts; it seemed to carry to a climax167 the irony168 of her initial gift to Hannah.
Escaping from the blessings169 of the _Greeners_, she accompanied her new friend to Reb Shemuel's. She was shocked to see the change in the venerable old man; he looked quite broken up. But he was chivalrous170 as of yore: the vein171 of quiet humor was still there, though his voice was charged with gentle melancholy172. The Rebbitzin's nose had grown sharper than ever; her soul seemed to have fed on vinegar. Even in the presence of a stranger the Rebbitzin could not quite conceal40 her dominant173 thought. It hardly needed a woman to divine how it fretted174 Mrs. Jacobs that Hannah was an old maid; it needed a woman like Esther to divine that Hannah's renunciation was voluntary, though even Esther could not divine her history nor understand that her mother's daily nagging175 was the greater because the pettier part of her martyrdom.
* * * * *
They all jumbled176 themselves into grotesque177 combinations, the things of to-day and the things of endless yesterdays, as Esther slept in the narrow little bed next to Dutch Debby, who squeezed herself into the wall, pretending to revel178 in exuberant179 spaciousness180. It was long before she could get to sleep. The excitement of the day had brought on her headache; she was depressed181 by restriking the courses of so many narrow lives; the glow of her new-found mission had already faded in the thought that she was herself a pauper182, and she wished she had let the dead past lie in its halo, not peered into the crude face of reality. But at bottom she felt a subtle melancholy joy in understanding herself at last, despite Hannah's scepticism; in penetrating the secret of her pessimism183, in knowing herself a Child of the Ghetto.
And yet Pesach Weingott played the fiddle merrily enough when she went to Becky's engagement-party in her dreams, and galoped with Shosshi Shmendrik, disregarding the terrible eyes of the bride to be: when Hannah, wearing an aureole like a bridal veil, paired off with Meckisch, frothing at the mouth with soap, and Mrs. Belcovitch, whirling a medicine-bottle, went down the middle on a pair of huge stilts184, one a thick one and one a thin one, while Malka spun185 round like a teetotum, throwing Ezekiel in long clothes through a hoop; what time Moses Ansell waltzed superbly with the dazzling Addie Leon, quite cutting out Levi and Miriam Hyams, and Raphael awkwardly twisted the Widow Finkelstein, to the evident delight of Sugarman the _Shadchan_, who had effected the introduction. It was wonderful how agile186 they all were, and how dexterously187 they avoided treading on her brother Benjamin, who lay unconcernedly in the centre of the floor, taking assiduous notes in a little copy-book for incorporation188 in a great novel, while Mrs. Henry Goldsmith stooped down to pat his brown hair patronizingly.
Esther thought it very proper of the grateful _Greeners_ to go about offering the dancers rum from Dutch Debby's tea-kettle, and very selfish of Sidney to stand in a corner, refusing to join in the dance and making cynical189 remarks about the whole thing for the amusement of the earnest little figure she had met on the stairs.
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1
pallidly
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| adv.无光泽地，苍白无血色地 | |
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pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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unlimited
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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sloppy
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| adj.邋遢的，不整洁的 | |
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rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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10
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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12
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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14
vouchsafed
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的过去式和过去分词 )；允诺 | |
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brooked
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| 容忍，忍受（brook的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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17
bullied
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| adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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18
tart
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| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
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19
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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24
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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brokers
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| n.（股票、外币等）经纪人( broker的名词复数 )；中间人；代理商；（订合同的）中人v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的第三人称单数 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排… | |
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26
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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29
seceded
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| v.脱离，退出( secede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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stipulation
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| n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明 | |
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32
federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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34
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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monologue
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| n.长篇大论，（戏剧等中的）独白 | |
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scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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conservatory
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| n.温室，音乐学院；adj.保存性的，有保存力的 | |
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39
drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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40
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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42
itching
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| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
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43
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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44
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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46
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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47
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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49
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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50
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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51
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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52
fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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54
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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55
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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56
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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57
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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58
valetudinarian
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| n.病人；健康不佳者 | |
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59
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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61
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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63
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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64
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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65
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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66
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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67
vexes
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| v.使烦恼( vex的第三人称单数 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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68
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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69
landmarks
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| n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址） | |
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70
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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71
batch
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| n.一批(组，群)；一批生产量 | |
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72
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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73
middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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74
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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75
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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76
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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77
rhetoric
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| n.修辞学，浮夸之言语 | |
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78
deferentially
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| adv.表示敬意地，谦恭地 | |
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79
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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80
pimply
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| adj.肿泡的；有疙瘩的；多粉刺的；有丘疹的 | |
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81
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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82
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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83
emanating
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| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的现在分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
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84
stamina
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| n.体力；精力；耐力 | |
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85
wielding
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的现在分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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86
aspire
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| vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于 | |
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87
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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88
petulantly
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89
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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90
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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91
pimples
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| n.丘疹，粉刺，小脓疱( pimple的名词复数 ) | |
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92
cowered
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
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93
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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94
buxom
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| adj.（妇女）丰满的，有健康美的 | |
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95
cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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96
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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97
savor
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| vt.品尝，欣赏；n.味道，风味；情趣，趣味 | |
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98
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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99
delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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100
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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101
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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102
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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103
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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104
scouring
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| 擦[洗]净，冲刷，洗涤 | |
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105
ghetto
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| n.少数民族聚居区，贫民区 | |
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106
flaunted
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| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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107
hoop
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| n.（篮球）篮圈，篮 | |
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108
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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109
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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110
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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111
candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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112
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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113
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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114
doorways
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| n.门口，门道( doorway的名词复数 ) | |
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115
reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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116
ineffably
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| adv.难以言喻地，因神圣而不容称呼地 | |
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117
opulence
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| n.财富，富裕 | |
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118
dwindled
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| v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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119
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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120
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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121
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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122
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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123
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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124
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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125
peppermint
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| n.薄荷，薄荷油，薄荷糖 | |
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126
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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127
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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128
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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129
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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130
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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131
disclaim
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| v.放弃权利，拒绝承认 | |
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132
pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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133
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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134
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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135
dwindling
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| adj.逐渐减少的v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的现在分词 ) | |
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136
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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137
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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138
espionage
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| n.间谍行为，谍报活动 | |
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139
construed
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| v.解释（陈述、行为等）( construe的过去式和过去分词 )；翻译，作句法分析 | |
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140
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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141
facetious
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| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
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142
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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144
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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145
refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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146
ironical
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| adj.讽刺的，冷嘲的 | |
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147
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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148
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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149
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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150
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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151
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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152
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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153
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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154
frowzy
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| adj.不整洁的；污秽的 | |
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155
naively
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| adv. 天真地 | |
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156
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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157
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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158
niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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159
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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160
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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161
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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162
dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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163
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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164
mattresses
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| 褥垫，床垫( mattress的名词复数 ) | |
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165
allayed
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| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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167
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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168
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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169
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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170
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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171
vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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172
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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173
dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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174
fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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175
nagging
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| adj.唠叨的，挑剔的；使人不得安宁的v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的现在分词 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
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176
jumbled
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| adj.混乱的；杂乱的 | |
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177
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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178
revel
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| vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢 | |
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179
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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180
spaciousness
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| n.宽敞 | |
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181
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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182
pauper
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| n.贫民，被救济者，穷人 | |
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183
pessimism
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| n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者 | |
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184
stilts
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| n.（支撑建筑物高出地面或水面的）桩子，支柱( stilt的名词复数 )；高跷 | |
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185
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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186
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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187
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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188
incorporation
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| n.设立，合并，法人组织 | |
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189
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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