Peter opened the library door and advanced with awkward hesitation1. Behind his respectfully blank expression there was visible a touch of anxiety; he was not clear in his own mind as to the reason for this peremptory3 summons to the house. It might mean that he was to be rewarded for having saved Master Augustus's life and the contents of the waggon-shed; it might mean that he was to be censured4 for any one of a dozen innocent and unpremeditated faults. But Mr. Carter's expression as he turned from the writing table banished5 all doubt as to the meaning of the interview. His bearing contained no suggestion of honourable6 mention to come.
"Close the door," he said dryly.
Peter closed the door and stood at attention, grasping with nervous fingers the brim of his hat. Mr. Carter allowed a painful silence to follow while he sat frowning down at a newspaper spread on the table before him. Peter, having studied his master's face, lowered his troubled eyes to the headlines of the paper:
COMANCHE BRAVES ON THE WAR PATH
FIRE THREATENS DESTRUCTION
TO JEROME B. CARTER'S ESTATE
"This has been a very shocking affair," Mr. Carter began, in a tone of impressive emphasis. "The damage, fortunately, was slight, but the principle remains7 the same as if every building on the place had burned. The blame on the surface rests with the boys who started the fire; and," he added, with a touch of grimness, "they have been fittingly punished. But I find, upon looking into the matter, that the blame does not stop with them. I have[Pg 83] here a copy of a New York evening paper of an—uh—sensational order, giving a grossly exaggerated account of the incident. There is one particular, however, in regard to which they do not exaggerate—exaggeration being impossible—and that is in their description of the outrageous9 apparel which my son and my nephews were wearing at the time."
Mr. Carter adjusted his glasses and picked up the paper, his frown darkening as he glanced rapidly down the column. A facetious10 young reporter had made the best of a good story.
"'Volunteer firemen—Gallant11 behaviour of Chief McDougal—Threatened tragedy—H'm——" His eye lighted on the offending paragraph, and he settled himself to read.
"'Conspicuous12 among those present were the authors of the conflagration13, Master Robert Carter, twelve-year-old son of Jerome B. Carter, and his three cousins, sons of John D. Brainard, of Philadelphia. Whatever may be said of Philadelphians in general, there is nothing slow about the Brainard boys. In the character of Comanche braves the four were clothed in simple but effective costumes of black and red war-paint. The paint, we are informed, was composed of axle grease and brass14 polish, and had been artistically15 laid on by one Peter Malone, who occupies the position of head groom16 in the Carter stables. Young Malone has missed his calling. His talents point to the field of decorative17 art.'"
A fleeting18 grin swept over Peter's face. It struck him, for the hundredth time, that there was a singular absence of a sense of humour in the Carter family. But he quickly recomposed his features. Mr. Carter had laid the paper down again, and was waiting. Peter glanced dubiously19 about the room, and finally ventured in a tone of conciliation20:
"It weren't so shockin' as the paper made out, sir. They was wearin' stri-ped bathin' trunks and a row o' chicken feathers in addition to the grease."
Mr. Carter waved the remark aside as irrelevant21.
"That has nothing to do with the point. The question which I am discussing is the fact that you painted my son with axle grease. I am not only shocked, but astonished. I have always entertained the highest opinion of your sense of propriety22 and fitness. I should have believed this story a pure fabrication on the part of an unprincipled reporter, had I not heard it corroborated23 from Master Bobby's own lips. Before passing judgment24 it is only right that I hear your version of the affair. What have you to say?"
Peter shifted his weight uneasily. An invitation to tell a story rarely found him wanting, but he liked to feel that his audience was with him, and in the present instance Mr. Carter's manner was not surcharged with sympathy.
"Well, sir," he began, with an apologetic cough, "If ye'll excuse me mentionin' it, them three Brainard boys is young limbs o' Satan, every one o' them. Their badness, so to speak, is catchin', an' Master Bobby's got it. 'Tis demoralizin', sir, to have them about; I'm losin' me own sense o' right an' wrong."
"Very well," said Mr. Carter, impatiently, "what I want to hear about is this Indian business."
"Yes, sir, I'm comin' to it, sir. Yesterday mornin' I got an order early to drive Mrs. Carter to the country club, an' when I went into the carriage-house to see about hitchin' up, what should I find but them four little div——"
Peter caught Mr. Carter's eye, and hastily altered his sentence.
"I found the four young gentlemen, sir, dressed in stri-ped bathin' trunks, engaged in paintin' their skins with axle grease ready for the war-path. They'd got two cans on before I seen 'em, and all I done was Master Bobby's back an' Master Wallace's legs. I mistrusted it wouldn't come off, sir, and I told 'em as much; but they was already so nearly covered that it seemed a pity to spoil the sport. Ye see, I was mindin' what their mother said about takin' a sympathetic interest in their innocint divarsions."
"And this struck you as an innocent diversion?"
"Comparatively speakin', sir. None o' their divarsions strikes me as fittin' for a Sunday-school."
"Go on," said Mr. Carter, sharply.
"It weren't my fault about the fire, sir. When I drove off they was playin' in the paddock as innocint as ye please. How should I know that as soon as me back was turned they'd be takin' it into their heads to burn Master Augustus at the stake? It ain't no ordinary intilligence, sir, that can keep up wid them. And as for the damage, there wouldn't 'a' been none, aside from losin' the waggon-shed, if it weren't for that meddlin' fire department. Ye see for yerself the mess they made."
He came to a sudden pause, and then added with an air of reviving cheerfulness:
"'T was bad, sir, but it might have been worse. We saved the buckboard, an' we saved the garden tools, to say nothin' o' Master Augustus."
Mr. Carter grunted27 slightly, and a silence followed, during which Peter glanced tentatively toward the door; but as his companion gave no sign that the interview was at an end, he waited. Mr. Carter's eye had meanwhile travelled back to the paper, and his frown was gathering28 anew. He finally faced the groom with the deliberative air of a counsellor summing up a case.
"And you think it consonant29 with the dignity of my position that a New York paper should be able to print such a statement as that in regard to my son?"
Peter smiled dubiously and mopped his brow, but as no politic30 answer occurred to him, he continued silent.
"There is another matter which I wish to speak of," added Mr. Carter, with a fresh assumption of sternness. "I am informed that you called the boys, in their presence," he paused, as though it were painful for him to repeat such malodorous words—"damned little devils! Is that so?"
Peter sighed heavily.
"I don't know, sir. I might 'a' said it without thinkin'. I was excited when I see the roof a blazin' and I may have spoke31 me mind."
"Are you not aware, Peter, that such language should never, under any circumstances, be used in Master Bobby's presence?"
"Yes, sir, but if ye'll pardon the liberty, sir, there's times when the Angel Gabriel himself would swear in Master Bobby's presence."
"That will do, Peter. I won't bandy words with you any further; but I wish this to be a warning. You are now head groom—I was even considering, as you know well, the advisability of advancing you still further. Whether or not I do so will depend upon yourself. I regret to say that this episode has shaken my confidence."
There was a sudden flaring32 of anger in Peter's eyes. He recalled the long years of honest service he had given Mr. Carter, a service in which his employer's interest had always been his own; and his Irish sense of justice rebelled. It was on his tongue to say: "I've worked ten years at Willowbrook, and I've always done my best. If my best is not good enough, you'll have to look for another man. Good evening, sir."
But he caught the words before they were spoken. Since Annie had come to Willowbrook, Peter's outlook on life had changed. If a secret dream concerning himself and her and the coachman's cottage were ever to come true, he must swallow his pride and practise wisdom. His mouth took a straighter line, and he listened to the remainder of his master's homily with his eyes bent33 sulkily on the floor.
"Had it been one of the other grooms34 who was guilty of using such language before my son, and of committing such an—er—unpardonable breach35 of decorum as to paint him with axle grease, I should have discharged the man on the spot. Your past record has saved you, but I warn you that it will not save you a second time. In future, I shall expect you to set an example to the under stablemen. You never find me forgetting the dignity of my position; let me see that you remember the dignity of yours. You may go now."
Mr. Carter dismissed him with a nod, and turned back to the desk.
Annie was waiting in the kitchen to hear the history of the interview. Peter stalked through the room without a word, his face set in ominous36 lines. She followed him to the back veranda37, and caught him by the coat lapel.
"What's the matter, Petey? What are you mad at? Didn't he thank you for savin' the things?"
"Thank nothin'," Peter growled38. "Do the Carters ever thank you? All the blame is fixed39 on me for the things them little divvels do—damn little divvels—that's what they are. 'An' is it fittin',' says he, 'that ye should use such language before Master Bobby?' Lor'! I wish he could hear the language Master Bobby used before me the time he fell into Trixy's manger. I'd like to meet Mr. Carter in the open once, as man to man. I'd knock him out in the first round with me right hand tied behind me."
Peter was clearly fighting mad.
"I'd like to get a whack40 at that reporter what wrote that paper. Young Malone has missed his callin', has he? I'd show him where young Malone's talents lie; I'd knock[Pg 93] him into the middle o' next week. 'Gallant work o' Chief McDougal.' Bloomin' lobster41 in a rubber helmet. I'll teach him his dooty if I ever ketch him out alone. It was me as saved the buckboard an' all the tools, an' Master Augustus in the bargain—wish I'd let him burn, I do. 'An',' says Mr. Carter, 'do ye think it consonant wid the dignity o' me position,' he says, 'that me son should be painted with axle grease—me—the Honourable Jerome B. Carter, Esquire?' His dignity! Take away his money an' his dignity, an' there wouldn't be enough of him left to fill a half-pint42 measure. I'll get it back at him; you see if I don't. I risks me life and I burns me best pants, an' that's all the thanks I get!"
A week had passed over Willowbrook. The charred43 ruins of the waggon-shed had been carted to the barnyard; the Comanche braves had become white again—though in the course of it they had lost a layer of skin—and the subject of axle grease and brass polish had been allowed to fade into the past. Mr. Carter, having once eased his mind, had banished all rancour from his thoughts. Being a lawyer, with influence in high places, he had received an unexpectedly adequate insurance, and he was beginning to regard the matter as a funny after-dinner story. But Peter persisted in being sulky. Though his blistered44 hands were healed, his wounded feelings were still sore. As he drove his employer to and from the train, he no longer permitted himself the usual friendly chatter45; his answers to all queries46 were respectful but not cordial. Peter was steadfastly47 determined48 to keep Mr. Carter in his place. Meanwhile, he was looking longingly49 for the chance to "get it back." And suddenly the chance presented itself—fairly walked into his hands—a revenge of such thorough-going appropriateness that Peter would have held himself a fool to let it slip.
The yearly circus had arrived—the Nevin[Pg 95] Brothers' Company of Trick Animals and Acrobats—and every billboard50 in the village was blazing with pictures of Rajah, the largest elephant in captivity51. The Nevin Brothers confined themselves to one-night stands. On the day of the performance, Peter, having driven Mr. Carter to the station, stopped on his way home at Scanlan's to have the shoe tightened52 on Trixy's off hind2 foot. The shop was just around the corner from the vacant lot where the tents were going up, and while he was waiting, Peter strolled across to watch.
To his surprise and gratification he discovered that the elephant trainer was a boyhood friend. Arm in arm with this distinguished53 person, he passed by the curious crowd of onlookers54 into the animal tent for a private view of Rajah. Once inside, and out of sight, it transpired55 that his friend would be obliged if Peter could lend him a dollar. Peter fortunately had only fifty cents about him; but the friend accepted this, with the murmured apology that the boss was slow in forwarding their wages. He more than paid the debt, however, by presenting Peter with a pass for himself and "lady," and Peter drove home in a pleasant glow of pride and expectation.
He submitted the pass to Annie, and drove on to the stables, casually56 informing the groom who helped him unhitch that he had gone to school with Rajah's trainer, and wished he had a dollar for every time he'd licked him.
Toward seven o'clock that evening, as Peter was happily changing from plum-coloured livery into checked town clothes, a telephone call came out from the house, ordering the waggonette and the runabout. "Yes, sir, in fifteen minutes, sir," said Peter into the mouthpiece, but what he added to the stable boy would scarcely have been fit for Master Bobby's presence. He tumbled back into his official clothes, and hurried to the kitchen to break the news to Annie.
"It's all up with us," said Peter gloomily. "They've ordered out the two rigs, and both Billy an' me has to go—if it had only been ten minutes earlier they'd uv caught Joe before he got off."
"'T is a pity, it is, an' you with the lovely pass!" she mourned.
"Why the dickens should they take it into their heads to go drivin' around the country at this time o' night?" he growled.
"They're goin' to the circus themselves!" said Annie. "Miss Ethel's after havin' a dinner party; I was helpin' Simpkins pass the things, and I heard them plannin' it. The whole crowd's goin'—all but Mrs. Carter; she don't like the smell o' the animals. But Mr. Carter's goin' and all four boys—Master Augustus was in bed an' they got him up an' dressed him. They're laughin' an' carryin' on till you'd think they was crazy. Mr. Harry57 Jasper pretended he was a polar bear, an' was eatin' Master Augustus up."
"Mr. Carter's goin'?" asked Peter, with a show of incredulity. "An' does he think it consonant wid the dignity o' his position to be attendin' circuses? I wouldn't 'a' believed it of him!"
"He's goin' to help chaperon 'em."
"I'm glad it ain't for pleasure. I'd hate to think o' the Honourable Jerome B. Carter descendin' so low."
"I'm to serve supper to 'em when they come home, an' I'll have somethin' waitin' for you on the back stoop, Pete," she called after him as he turned away.
Peter and Billy deposited their passengers at the entrance of the main tent, and withdrew to hitch25 the horses to the fence railing. A number of miscellaneous vehicles were drawn59 up around them—mud-spattered farmers' waggons60, livery "buggies"—but private carriages with liveried coachmen were conspicuously61 lacking. Peter could not, accordingly, while away the tedium62 of waiting with the usual pleasant gossip; as for opening a conversation with Billy, he would as soon have thought[Pg 99] of opening one with the nearest hitching-post. Billy's ideas were on a par8 with Billy's sparring, and in either case it was a waste of breath to bother with him.
Peter sat for a time watching the crowd push about the entrance, the pass burning in his pocket. Then he climbed down, examined the harness, patted the horses, and glanced wistfully toward the flaming torches at either side of the door.
"Say, Bill," he remarked in an offhand63 tone, "you stay here and watch these horses till I come back. I'm just goin' to step in an' see me friend the elephant trainer a minute. Sit on the lap robes, and keep yer eye on the whips; there's likely to be a lot o' sneak64 thieves around." He started off, and then paused to add, "If ye leaves them horses, I'll come back an' give ye the worst tannin' ye ever had in yer life."
He presented his pass and was admitted. The show had not begun. A couple of clowns were throwing sawdust at each other in the ring, but this was palpably a mere65 overture66 to keep the audience in a pleasant frame of mind until the grand opening march of all the animals and all the players—advertised to take place promptly67 at eight, but already twenty minutes overdue68. Peter, aware that it would not be wise to let his master see him, made himself as inconspicuous as possible. Hidden behind the broad back of a German saloon-keeper, he drifted with the crowd into the side tent, where the animals were kept.
Here, vociferous69 showmen were urging a hesitating public to enter the side-shows, containing the cream of the exhibit, and only ten cents extra. Vendors70 of peanuts and popcorn71 and all-day-suckers were adding to the babel, while the chatter of monkeys and the surly grumbling72 of a big lion formed an intoxicating73 undertone.
Across the tent, gathered in a laughing group about the elephant, Peter caught sight of the Willowbrook party—the ladies in fluffy74, light gowns and opera coats, the gentlemen in immaculate evening clothes. They were conspicuously out of their element, but were having a very good time. The bystanders had left them in a group apart, and were granting them as much attention as Rajah himself. The elephant, in scarlet75 and gold trappings, with a canopied76 platform on his back, was accepting popcorn balls from Master Augustus's hand, and Master Augustus was squealing77 his delight. Above the other noises Peter could hear his former schoolmate declaiming in impressive tones:
"Fourteen years old, and the largest elephant in captivity. Weighs over eight thousand pounds, and eats five tons of hay a month. He measures nine feet to the shoulders, and ain't got his full growth yet. Step up the ladder, ladies and gentlemen, and get a bird's-eye view from the top. Don't be bashful; there's not the slightest danger."
Mr. Harry Jasper and Master Bobby [Pg 102]accepted the invitation. They mounted the somewhat shaky flight of steps, sat for a moment on the red velvet78 seat, and with a debonair79 bow to the laughing onlookers, descended80 safely to the ground. They then urged Mr. Carter up, but he emphatically refused; his dignity, it was clear, could not stand the strain.
"Step up, sir," the showman insisted. "You can't get any idea of his size from the ground. There's not the slightest danger. He's as playful as a kitten when he's feeling well."
Miss Ethel and one of the young men pushed Mr. Carter forward; and finally, with a fatuous81 smile of condescension82, he gave his overcoat to Master Bobby to hold, his walking-stick to Master Augustus, and having settled his silk hat firmly on his head, he began climbing with careful deliberation.
Peter, hidden in the crowd, fingering in his pocket the dollar he had intended to spend, suddenly had an infernal prompting. His revenge spread itself before him in tempting83 array. For one sane84 moment he struggled with the thought, but his unconquerable sense of humour overthrew85 all hesitation. He slipped around behind Rajah and beckoned86 to the trainer. All eyes were fixed upon Mr. Carter's shining hat as it slowly rose above the level of the crowd. The two men held a hurried consultation87 in a whisper; the bill inconspicuously changed hands, and Peter, unobserved, sank into the crowd again. The trainer issued a brief order to one of the bandmen and resumed his position at Rajah's head.
Mr. Carter had by this time gained the top, and with one foot on the platform and the other on the upper round of the ladder was approvingly taking his bird's-eye view, with murmured exclamations88 to those below.
"Stupendous! He must measure six feet across—and not reached his full growth! A wonderful specimen—really wonderful."
Rajah suddenly transferred his weight from one side to the other, and the ladder shook unsteadily. Mr. Carter, with an apprehensive89 glance at the ground, prepared to descend58; but the keeper shouted in a tone of evident alarm:
"Take your foot off the ladder, sir! Sit down. For heaven's sake, sit down!"
The ladder wavered under his feet, and Mr. Carter waited for no explanations. With a frenzied90 grasp at the red and gold trappings he sat down, and the ladder fell with a thud, leaving him marooned91 on Rajah's back. On the instant the band struck into "Yankee Doodle," and Rajah, with a toss of his head and an excited shake of his whole frame, fell into a ponderous92 two-step.
"Stop him! Hold him! The ladder—bring the ladder!" shouted Mr. Carter. His voice was drowned in the blare of trumpets93.
Without giving ear to further orders, the elephant plunged94 toward the opening between the two tents and danced into the ring at the head of a long line of gilded95 waggons and gaudy[Pg 105] floats. The grand opening march of all the players and all the animals had begun.
Peter looked at the Willowbrook party. They were leaning on each other's shoulders, weak with laughter. He took one glance into the ring, where Mr. Carter's aristocratic profile was rising and falling in jerky harmony with the music. And in the shadow of the lion cage Peter collapsed96; he rocked back and forth97, hugging himself in an ecstasy98 of mirth. "Gee99! Oh, gee!" he gasped100. "Will ye look at the dignity of his position now?" In one perfect, soul-satisfying moment past slights were blotted101 out, and those booked for the future were forgiven.
Rajah completed the circuit and two-stepped back into the animal tent drunk with glory. Half a dozen hands held the ladder while Mr. Carter, white with rage, descended to the ground. The language which he used to the keepers, Peter noted102 with concern, should never have been spoken in Master Bobby's presence.
The elephant trainer waited patiently until the gentleman stopped for breath, then he took off his hat and suggested in a tone of deprecation:
"Beg your pardon, sir, but the price for leading the grand march is fifty cents at the evening performance."
"I'll have you arrested—I'll swear out an injunction and stop the whole show!" thundered Mr. Carter, as he stalked toward the entrance.
Peter, coming to a sudden appreciation103 of his own peril104, slipped out behind him. He ran smack105 into Billy who was hovering106 about the door.
"So I caught ye," hissed107 Peter. "Get back to them horses as fast as ye can," and he started on a run, shoving Billy before him. Mr. Carter, fortunately not knowing where to find the carriages, was blundering around on the other side.
"What's yer hurry?" gasped Billy.
"Get up and shut up," said Peter sententiously, as he shot him toward the waggonette. "An' ye can thank the saints for a whole skin. We ain't neither of us left our seats to-night—d'ye hear?"
To Billy's amazement108, Peter jumped into the runabout, and fell asleep. A second later Mr. Carter loomed109 beside them.
"Peter? William?"
His tone brought them to attention with a jerk. Peter straightened his hat and blinked.
"What, sir? Yes, sir! Beg pardon, sir; I must 'a' been asleep."
Mr. Carter leaped to the seat beside him.
"Drive to the police station," he ordered, in a tone that sent apprehensive chills chasing up Billy's back.
"Yes, sir. Whoa, Trixy! Back, b-a-c-k. Get up!" he cut her with the whip, and they rolled from the circle of flaring torches into the outer darkness.
"She's a trifle skittish110, sir," said Peter, in his old-time conversational111 tone. "The noise o'[Pg 108] the clappin' was somethin' awful; it frightened the horses, sir."
Mr. Carter grunted by way of response, and Peter in the darkness hugged himself and smiled. He was once more brimming with cordial good-will toward all the world. Mr. Carter, however, was too angry to keep still, and he presently burst into a denunciation of the whole race of showmen, employing a breadth of vocabulary that Peter had never dreamed him capable of.
"Yes, sir," the groom affably agreed, "It's true what ye say. They're fakes, every one of them, an' this show to-night, sir, is the biggest fake of all. The way they do people is somethin' awful. Fifty cents they charges to get in, an' twenty-five more for reserved seats. Extra for each of the side shows, an' there ain't nothin' in them, sir. Peanuts is ten cents a pint when ye can buy them at any stand for five, an' their popcorn balls is stale. I've quit goin' to shows meself. I spent a dollar[Pg 109] in five minutes at the last one, sir. I had a good time and I ain't regrettin' the money, but 'tis expensive for a poor man."
Mr. Carter grunted.
"The worst sell I ever heard of, though," Peter added genially112, "is chargin' fifty cents to ride the elephant in the openin' grand march. Ye wouldn't think it possible that anybody'd want to do it, but they tells me that never a night goes by but somebody turns up so forgettin' of his dignity——"
Mr. Carter glanced at Peter with a look of quick suspicion. The groom leaned forward, and with innocent solicitude113 examined Trixy's gait.
"Whoa, steady, ole girl! She's limpin' again in her off hind foot. They never shoe her right at Scanlan's, sir. Don't ye think I'd better take her down to Gafney's in the mornin'?"
They were approaching the station house. Peter glanced sideways at his companion, and picked up the conversation with a deprecatory cough.
"Yes, sir, the show's a fake, sir, an' no mistake. But if I was you, sir, I wouldn't be too hard on 'em. 'Twouldn't be a popular move. If ye're thinkin' of runnin' for judge," Peter broke off and started anew. "If ye'll excuse me tellin' it, sir, I heard 'em sayin' in Callahan's saloon the other day that they guessed ye was a better man than Judge Benedict all right, but that ye was too stuck up. They didn't care about votin' for a man who thought he was too good to mix with them. An' so, sir, you're appearin' at the circus so familiar like was a politic move—meanin' no offence. I know ye didn't do it on purpose, sir, but it'll bring ye votes."
Mr. Carter appeared lost in thought. Finally he roused himself to say:
"Well, after all, perhaps there isn't any use. You may drive back and pick up the others. I've changed my mind."
该作者的其它作品
《The Wheat Princess小麦公主》
该作者的其它作品
《The Wheat Princess小麦公主》
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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hind
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peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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censured
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| v.指责，非难，谴责( censure的过去式 ) | |
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banished
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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remains
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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outrageous
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facetious
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| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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conspicuous
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conflagration
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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artistically
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groom
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| vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁 | |
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decorative
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fleeting
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dubiously
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conciliation
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irrelevant
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propriety
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corroborated
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| v.证实，支持（某种说法、信仰、理论等）( corroborate的过去式 ) | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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25
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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28
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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29
consonant
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| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
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30
politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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31
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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32
flaring
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| a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的 | |
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33
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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34
grooms
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| n.新郎( groom的名词复数 )；马夫v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的第三人称单数 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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35
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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37
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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38
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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whack
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| v.敲击，重打，瓜分；n.重击，重打，尝试，一份 | |
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41
lobster
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| n.龙虾，龙虾肉 | |
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42
pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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43
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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blistered
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| adj.水疮状的，泡状的v.（使）起水泡( blister的过去式和过去分词 )；（使表皮等）涨破，爆裂 | |
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45
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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queries
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| n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问 | |
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steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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longingly
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| adv. 渴望地 热望地 | |
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billboard
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| n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌 | |
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51
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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52
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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53
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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transpired
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| （事实，秘密等）被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 )； 泄露； 显露； 发生 | |
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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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58
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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59
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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60
waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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tedium
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| n.单调；烦闷 | |
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offhand
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| adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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overture
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| n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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overdue
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| adj.过期的，到期未付的；早该有的，迟到的 | |
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vociferous
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| adj.喧哗的，大叫大嚷的 | |
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vendors
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| n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方 | |
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71
popcorn
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| n.爆米花 | |
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72
grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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intoxicating
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| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
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fluffy
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| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
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75
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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canopied
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| adj. 遮有天篷的 | |
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77
squealing
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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debonair
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| adj.殷勤的，快乐的 | |
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80
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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81
fatuous
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| adj.愚昧的；昏庸的 | |
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82
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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83
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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84
sane
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| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
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85
overthrew
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| overthrow的过去式 | |
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86
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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87
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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88
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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90
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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91
marooned
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| adj.被围困的；孤立无援的；无法脱身的 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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93
trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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96
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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97
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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98
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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99
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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100
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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101
blotted
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| 涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 )； （用吸墨纸）吸干 | |
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102
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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103
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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104
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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105
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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106
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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107
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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108
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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109
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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110
skittish
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| adj.易激动的，轻佻的 | |
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111
conversational
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| adj.对话的，会话的 | |
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112
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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113
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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114
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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