Sickin' de dog till dey jomp de wall,
So de milk ain't good for not'ing at all—
An you're only five an' a half dis fall,
Little Bateese!
—WILLIAM HENRY DRUMMOND.
In Elmbrook, parental3 discipline was simple and direct, and consisted of but one method of procedure: when the rising generation departed from the ways of its mothers it was promptly5 spanked6 back into the path of rectitude, and no more about it.
But when the Sawyers found themselves possessed7 of a large and lively family, all methods of discipline, whether sanctioned by long custom or invented on the spur of the moment, through the extreme urgency of the case, alike failed.
The orphans9 presented an entirely10 unique problem in the rearing of children. In the first place, the community was completely taken aback by their unexpected character. Not one of them at all conformed to the picture of a forsaken11 child, as conceived by the village. The Elmbrook ideal was the sort that languished12 on the front page of the Sunday-school library books. It was quiet and pensive13 and hungry, and gave all its meager14 earnings15 to a small invalid16 brother or drunken father. But the Sawyer orphans were neither pensive nor appealing. There was a defiant17 belligerency about them that stifled18 the avenues of pity and put one on the defensive19. They were wild and gay, and uproarious, too, and with the exception of Tim, the eldest20, they were strong and robust21. He certainly looked as though he had been starved, body and soul; but his other unorphan-like qualities were so obtrusive22 that he was looked upon as the biggest counterfeit23 of the crowd.
During school hours the three eldest were kept in some sort of conformity24 to law and order by the strong hand of the Duke of Wellington; but at home and abroad they were a law unto themselves, and kept the whole community in a state of apprehension25, like people living near the crater26 of an active volcano.
Their life had been largely spent in the slum district of a crowded city, and the change to the freedom of the Oro fields and woods was almost too much for the orphans. After school hours they all, with one consent, went mad, and ranged far and wide over hill and dale, until Granny Long's old hands grew weary readjusting the telescope. Then when she did catch sight of them it was only to be grossly insulted; for whenever the small scalawags guessed they were within range of the spyglass they would stand in line, and go through frightful27 contortions28 of the face and body, expressive29 of contempt for the instrument and everything behind it.
Wherever the orphans went, depredations30 of all sorts followed. They chased the neighbors' cows from the fields out to the road, and the pigs from the road into the fields. They climbed trees and stole birds' nests. They dammed the creek31 and flooded Cameron's pasture. They teased Sandy McQuarry's old ram32 until it was mad with rage, and butted33 the ex-elder all over the barnyard. They smashed windows, and broke down fences, and, in fact, were a caution, and no mistake.
But in spite of all, their foster-parents lived in happy unconsciousness of their imperfections. For they were so wonderfully clever that Jake and Hannah were lost in admiration34.
Certainly they worked a reform in the slow-moving Sawyer household. They started with the garden, and even Mrs. Winters had to admit they made an improvement there. Jake and Hannah had long felt the humiliation35 of their scratched and scarred front yard, in such ugly contrast to its trim surroundings, but they had never been able to better matters. Hannah had received a present, some years before, of twelve new fowls37, which, as was their pious38 custom, she and Jake presented with Bible names, calling them for the twelve sons of Israel. And now each, like its namesake, had many descendants that had multiplied upon the face of the garden, and turned that promising39 land into a desert. Every year Jake faithfully dug flower-beds, and Hannah as faithfully planted seeds; but, just as regularly, they were scratched up by the Twelve Tribes.
But when the orphans arrived the marauders were taught their true place. Though it was late in the season, the twins planted a half bushel of flower seeds, and dug and raked enough for a plantation40. Then, the first time the Twelve Tribes emigrated from the back yard they were promptly shooed across the street and over into the doctor's garden. Davy Munn, indignant at this unsolicited presentation, as promptly shooed them back again, and war was declared. Tim had hitherto looked upon the gardening enterprise with contempt, but now he entered heartily41 into it, and the battle raged tumultuously. Each side was bombarded with sticks and stones and clods of dirt and hysterical42 hens, until Granny Long sent word to the doctor that if he didn't want to be buried alive he'd better do something to the orphans, and that right speedily. So the young man marched into the field, routed both sides, and chased the Twelve Tribes back to their own country. For a long time the eldest orphan8 felt the terrifying strength of the arm that had lifted him from the ground and shaken him till his teeth chattered43. Thereafter he had such a profound admiration for the doctor that his viceroy, Davy Munn, was allowed to rule his own yard in peace.
But the hens had still to be conquered, so the orphans set to work and built around the back yard a lofty fence of wire and laths, borrowed from the sawmill when Sandy McQuarry was away. Inside this the Twelve Tribes were shut up in Egyptian bondage44 until the garden was in bloom. Even Isaac and Rebekah were permitted to promenade45 in the barnyard only, among the dogs, cats and rabbits with which that interesting place swarmed47.
Within the house, too, the children accomplished48 a revolution. The girls did nearly all the work, Hannah declared, and did it so swiftly they left her in a state of dazed admiration. Of course, they were liable to drop an unfinished task and take a sudden excursion to field or wood, but, on the whole, even Mrs. Winters was forced to confess that they were a caution, and no mistake, and might be smart housekeepers49 some day, if Hannah would only make them behave.
Sometimes a doubt of their absolute perfection would darken, for a moment, their foster-mother's placid50 sky, but even then her blame was tempered with praise.
"Well! well! well!" she remarked one evening, "yous youngsters is awful smart, that's a fact; but I'm 'most scared you're too smart."
This confession51 was wrung52 from her by the black-haired twin's dexterity53 in catching54 a plate that the fair-haired one had let fall, and at the same instant administering a sharp slap to the delinquent's ear.
Hannah was preparing the evening meal, with spasmodic assistance from the family. She stood over the stove, frying pancakes, while the orphans darted55 about her like swallows. Tim, always the swiftest, in spite of his lameness57, was rushing about in his usual capacity of superintendent58, cramming59 more wood into the already red-hot stove, tasting the pancakes to see if they were just right, and rapping Joey over the head with the dripping batter-spoon when he attempted to follow his example. At brief intervals60 he would dart56 into the dining-room to settle a dispute between the belligerent61 twins.
The latter were setting the table with the best china teaset, a precious relic62 handed down from Jake's grandmother, and used only when there was distinguished63 company. No visitors were expected to-night, but the twins loved variety, and had arrayed the table in its best as a pleasant surprise for daddy. Joey was busiest of all. He had wailed64 loudly for a task, and Hannah had given him permission to fill the woodbox and the water-bucket. He was diligently65 carrying out her instructions, with one slight variation that showed him to be a true orphan. He filled the bucket with sticks, and then went paddling to and from the water-barrel, leaving a wet and muddy trail behind him, and gleefully deposited dipperfuls of water into the woodbox. He was finally discovered by his brother, promptly cuffed66, and set to reverse the order of his going.
The arrival of Jake from the mill was the signal for a shrieking67 exodus68 in his direction, and soon afterward69 they were all seated around the table. The twins were placed opposite each other, to prevent hair-pulling—making faces did not cause much disturbance—and Jake and Hannah sat at either end, gazing at the array with much the same air as that with which a pair of good-tempered, puzzled hens might regard a swarm46 of agile70 ducklings.
After Jake had rapturously praised the fine appearance of the table, the orphans were, with some difficulty, prevailed upon to sit still while the blessing71 was being asked; and then the pancakes and the hot biscuits and the maple72 syrup73 began to disappear in an amazing manner.
"Well, an' how's daddy's little woodpecker?" asked Jake, passing his big hand fondly over Joey's red curls. "Been a good boy to-day?"
"Yep," answered the baby in muffled74 tones. He looked up at his foster-father cunningly. "You won't t'rash me w'en I been a good boy, will yeh?"
"Bless the baby's heart! Who'd talk o' thrashin' you?" roared the big man. "If any fellow lifts a finger to you, you let daddy know—an'—an'—he'll bash their heads in for them!" he added explosively.
The elder boy glanced up at the man with an admiring flash in his old, weary eyes. "Ole Mis' Cummins uster lambaste him when she came home at night," he said in a hard voice. "That's what's made them marks on his legs."
Jake Sawyer set his teeth and Hannah sighed and shook her head. Any mention of the old drunken woman with whom the children had lived, before the Home rescued them, the orphans well knew always stirred their foster-parents' tender hearts.
"Tim uster throw stones at her, an' stick pins into her when she was drunk!" cried the black-haired twin, in shrill75 triumph. "An' she uster pull my hair, too, an' Lennie's, an' we stole her scissors an' cut it off awful short. But it didn't do no good, 'cause she uster whack76 us over the heads with her walkin'-stick."
"Well, there ain't nobody goin' to whack any o' yous any more," said big Jake Sawyer grimly. "'Ceptin' it's me, when you're bad," he added warningly.
This awful threat was received with loud laughter, and Joey hammered the table with his spoon and shouted joyfully77, knowing there must be a grand joke somewhere.
Hannah looked across the table and nodded to her husband; it was a good time to disclose an important secret.
"Now we want yous to be awful good kids to-night," said Jake, pushing back his plate, and taking Joey on his knee, "because the minister's comin' to see you."
"The minister! Why, he's been here already!" cried the black-haired twin indignantly. "What's he comin' again for?"
"That was jist a call," said Hannah. "This is different. It's a pastoral visitation this time," she added solemnly. The orphans looked at each other apprehensively78.
"What's that?" demanded Tim.
"It's when he comes to hear you say your verses an' your catechism," explained Jake soothingly79; "and you'll all show him how much you know; an' then he prays, and you must be awful good and quiet. Eh, little woodpecker?"
The black-haired twin looked across the table at the fair-haired twin, and each read aright the other's rebellious80 thought; one sharp glance from Tim, and the matter was settled. The minister might make his pastoral visitation, if he wanted to, but if he thought they were going to stay home to say verses, and be quiet, he was mistaken.
The Sawyer parents were dreading81 signs of rebellion, and Hannah now added enticingly83: "We're goin' to pass 'round the gingerbread and the ras'berry vinegar, and Susan Winters said yous girls could dress up in your new plaid dresses."
The twins looked doubtful. Gingerbread and their new frocks! This gave the pastoral visitation a festive84 aspect. They slipped away from the table, and followed their elder brother out to the back yard.
"Whatter ye goin' to do, Tim?" asked the black-haired twin, divided between dread82 of what the pastoral visitation might bring forth85 and a natural curiosity to sound its unknown depths.
"Mammy says we can wear our Sunday dresses," said the fair-haired one weakly.
Tim was drifting slowly, but surely, toward a hole in the back fence.
"Why, what'll he do?" The black-haired twin balanced herself miraculously87 on the edge of the water-barrel and stared.
"He'll ast ye"—Tim's voice was sepulchral—"he'll ast ye if ye're saved."
"If ye're what?" cried the twins, in alarm.
"If ye're saved. Preachers always does that. It means if ye're goin' to the bad place."
"Me neither," promptly echoed her sister.
Their brother regarded them darkly. "You can't never tell," he answered ominously. "You'd better look out, when the minister's 'round. He ast Billy Winters if he'd got his soul saved."
"His sole?" The fair-haired twin looked down at the flapping and worn foundation of the shoes so lately purchased, and then at the family oracle89.
"Aw, it ain't your boot-sole," he said disdainfully; "it's somethin' in your insides; an' if ye don't get it fixed90 up, an' saved, the minister'll send ye to the bad place, sure. He'll ast ye about it," he added threateningly.
This was too much for the courage of the twins. Even the charms of the gingerbread and their new plaid dresses could scarcely compensate91 for the terrors of that occult something concerning whose mysteries the minister would be sure to inquire.
Their brother was backing through the hole in the fence. "He'll tell ye ye've gotter to be awful good, too," he added, more explicitly92.
That settled it. This was something one could understand, and was not to be tolerated for a moment. The twins made a dive after him, and the three did not stop running until they began to roll down the bank of the ravine. When they were safely hidden in the green depths Tim delivered his ultimatum93. "Yous two kids ain't goin' to tag after me, mind ye that," and swaggered away.
The black-haired twin stood for a moment glaring after him, in dark rebellion. She opened her mouth to scream imprecations, but thought better of it. Tim had a long memory, and an uncomfortable way of exacting94 penalties for any such indignity95. She soothed96 her outraged97 feelings somewhat by throwing a stone after the little, limping figure, her erratic98 aim saving her from discovery.
"Le's go an' play lady," said the fair-haired twin comfortingly. "I bar be Elsie Cameron."
"No, you don't!" cried her stronger-minded sister. "I'm goin' to be Elsie. You can be old Arabella Winters, an' you can have Rebekah for your parrot," she said derisively99.
But the fair-haired twin, though of a yielding disposition100, was subject to stubborn fits. "I won't play, then," she said, sitting down heavily upon a stone.
Her sister understood the sign, and compromised.
"Well, we'll say 'Eevery ivery,' an' see who's to be her," she suggested.
"All right." The answer was delivered in a weary tone and with a total lack of interest.
The black-haired one mounted a stone, and pointing her finger alternately at herself and at her sister, went through the incantation:
"Eevery, ivery, ickery Ann,
Fillacy, fallacy, Nicholas Dan;
Queevery, quavery,
English navy,
Come striddle, come straddle, come out!"
The last word was uttered as she pointed101 at her sister, and the fair-haired twin sprang up in triumph. "It's me!" she chanted, "it's me! I'm to be Elsie Cameron!"
Her sister succumbed102 to the inevitable103 as good-naturedly as possible. No one ever dreamed of calling into question the final decision of the mystic rhyme. They flew down the bank to a green bower104 which had been their playhouse ever since their arrival, and soon were amicably105 engaged in a charming drama, in which Lenora was Miss Cameron, and Lorena Dr. Allen, who, mounted upon a barrel-hoop, dashed gallantly106 up to the door to take the young lady for a drive.
Meantime, Tim was still hurrying up the ravine, fired with a new purpose. Ever since the day he had seen the strange, dark man of the Drowned Lands defy the minister, the eldest orphan had regarded the offender107 with worshiping interest. Among the other peculiarities108 of the child's queer, twisted nature, was a feeling of comradeship with the wicked and outcast. He had belonged to that class all his life, and as public opinion grew in strength against John McIntyre, in like proportion grew Tim's admiration.
To-night he was resolved to visit him. It was a fine opportunity, for he could let the man see that he, too, was frightfully wicked, and despised ministers—in fact, had left home that night because one was coming.
As he scrambled110 along beneath the bridge he heard footsteps and voices above him. He crouched111 down among the bracken. Billy Winters and the other fellows might be there, and he did not want them when he went to visit a man like John McIntyre. The voices passed, and he peeped out. It was only Dr. Allen and that Cameron girl who sang. Tim decided112 not to throw a stone, after all. The girl had come over and sung Joey to sleep when he was sick, and the doctor was an uncomfortable sort of person to hit with a rock.
He limped along the bank of the pond, dodging113 behind the willows114, until his feet sank in the soft sawdust. Then he paused behind a heap of logs to reconnoiter.
Yes, there was the man sitting in the doorway115 of the engine-room, and looking as dark and wicked as he had done that night when he had thrilled Tim's heart by his shocking conduct. The boy drew slowly near, half fearful of his own daring. What if the dark man should not at first recognize him as a kindred spirit, and should leap at him with a hand-spike? John McIntyre looked up.
"What do you want?" he asked harshly. "You'd better go home."
This was not a propitious116 beginning, and the visitor squirmed around in embarrassment117. His pride was rather hurt at the man's failure to recognize him, and he could scarcely announce, just at the outset, that he had run away from the minister and had come to him as a companion in iniquity118. Suddenly he thought of a remark that had hitherto never failed to arouse the liveliest interest in a new acquaintance.
"I'm one o' the Sawyer orphants," he announced proudly.
The dark man looked no whit119 impressed. He made no reply, and Tim gained courage to sidle up closer, and finally seated himself, in an insinuating120 manner, on the extreme end of a piece of timber that lay before the door. He turned cautiously and peered with absorbed interest into the engine-room. The great black monster lay there, dimly outlined in the warm darkness, giving forth a hissing121 sound, like a giant breathing heavily in his sleep. The man arose and opened the furnace door. That was like the giant's mouth, and he was eating his supper of porridge, Tim thought, as the watchman shoveled122 in the sawdust. The red glow lit up the dark man's face and arms, and the boy's small, pinched countenance123, and sent a red splash out on the surface of the pond. The door slammed, and again only one bright line beneath the damper showed against the darkness. The man came back, and in silence resumed his seat. Tim was vastly interested in all machinery124, and Spectacle John, knowing the eldest orphan's peculiar109 propensity125 toward accidents, had ordered him, on pain of sudden death, not to show his face in the flour mill. Now, here was a chance to examine a far bigger engine than Spectacle John's. There was another charm besides his wickedness in this strange man. Tim became very ingratiating.
"Who made that engine?" he asked in a friendly tone.
"Must have been somebody awful smart," added the visitor insinuatingly127.
Still no answer.
"Mebby God made it," he ventured, just to see what effect this pious remark would have on such a wicked unbeliever.
The man turned and looked at him. "You know better than that," he said sharply.
Tim felt ashamed. John McIntyre would think him young and innocent, like Billy Winters and Johnny McQuarry, who believed everything their Sunday-school teacher said.
"Huh! I bet God ain't smart enough to make an engine like that," he said profanely128. He waited for the effect of this, but there was apparently129 none; so he proceeded to give forth some more of the unorthodox views that never failed to shock pretty Miss Marjorie Scott, his Sunday-school teacher. "I don't believe half folks tell about God, 'cause I'm a—I'm a——" He hesitated, rummaging130 through his memory for that terribly wicked name that Silas Long had given the new watchman. It came to light at last. "I'm a infiddle!" he burst forth proudly.
He waited, but even this tremendous disclosure called forth no remark. Probably the man had consorted131 with infidels and such like all his life, and thought nothing of them. Tim drew a deep breath. It gave one a feeling of ecstatic fear to be able to utter such statements unrebuked. He tried another.
"Miss Scott says—she's my Sunday-school teacher, only I don't go to Sunday-school much, you bet—she says God made everybody, but I told her if He made Spectacle John Cross He'd orter be ashamed. An' I bet the devil made ole Mis' Cummins. She was the woman that brought us up, an' I say, she was a corker!"
The man slowly turned his weary eyes and fixed them on the child's face. The reflected light from the glimmering132 pond lit up the small, wizened133 countenance, and for the first time he noted134 the signs it bore of cruel suffering and ill usage.
"Another," he said, half aloud.
The man did not repeat it. "Where do you live?" he asked.
"Up at Jake Sawyer's. I'm one o' the Sawyer orphants, I told you."
It was impossible for even John McIntyre, living a life apart, though he did, not to have heard something of the Sawyer orphans' fame. He nodded.
"Are they good to you?"
Tim hesitated. He would have liked to tell a tale of woe136 and terrible tortures, but his genuine regard for his foster-parents forbade. "Yes, course," he answered shortly. "Only they tried to make me stay home to-night 'cause the preacher was comin'. But I cut out, you bet; I can't stand preachers."
The man made no comment. His sudden interest seemed to have as suddenly vanished. He arose and took up his lantern.
"You must go home now," he said. "I have work to do."
He spoke137 in a voice that the child understood must be obeyed. Tim arose and moved away, slowly and reluctantly.
"I'm comin' another night," he called back, in a voice half appealing, half threatening. The man took no notice, and accepting this as permission, the boy limped away, whistling gaily138.
Meanwhile, at home, dire4 events were pending139 for the orphans. When the minister arrived, and Jake and Hannah could produce only Joey as the sole representative of their large family, they were covered with humiliation. Never before, except in cases of severe illness, had it been known throughout the whole Elmbrook congregation that the family had failed to appear in full force at an official visit from the minister. The visitor himself did not treat the matter lightly. He hinted that Jake and Hannah had better keep a firm hand on their children, if they intended to do their duty by them, and that obedience140 must be exacted, at all costs. When he was gone the husband and wife sat despondently141 in the empty parlor142, while Joey ate the remains143 of the gingerbread and drank all the raspberry vinegar, unnoticed. This was a serious problem. The orphans had really disgraced themselves this time, and something must be done.
"Let's go and ask Susan Winters; she'll know," suggested Hannah. "Mebby hers might 'a' run away once when the minister called."
Jake shook his head mournfully. He was quite sure such a thing could never have happened in the Winters' well-managed family. Nevertheless, he shouldered Joey, and they went down the street to consult the village oracle. The Duke of Wellington had dropped in for a chat, and the two vigorously took up the case of the absconded144 orphans. Mrs. Winters, backed up by the schoolmistress, declared that the family's only salvation145 lay in a thorough, all-around thrashing; and after much scolding, and dire prophecies of the gallows146 as the termini of the orphans' careers, Jake and Hannah, like two frightened children, were driven to make the desperate promise that as soon as the culprits returned they would administer to each a severe castigation147.
When the stern parents returned home, and sat on the front step to consider what was before them, they were filled with dismay.
"If the little woodpecker'd been into it I wouldn't 'a' promised—no, not even for Susan Winters," announced Jake gloomily, as he watched Joey tumbling about the grass with Joshua, the dog. "Spankin' kids ain't a man's work, anyhow," he added, glancing meaningly at his wife.
"Oh, Jake!" she cried tremulously, "you wouldn't think o' makin' me do it? I—jist couldn't!"
"Well, somebody's got to," said Jake, setting his teeth, "'cordin' to Susan an' the Dook. What does an old maid like her know about bringin' up kids, anyhow?" he added rebelliously148.
"That's them!" cried Jake in a terrified voice. "You go and order them to come 'round here, Hannah," he added, with the air of one who is putting off the day of execution, "an' I'll get the gad152."
Hannah arose and slowly passed out to the back door. The three truants153 were trying to make themselves invisible behind the pump.
"Come on 'round to the front, children!" called their foster-mother, in a voice that trembled. "You've been awful bad children, so you have!"
With this bold statement Hannah's courage vanished. She turned and fled indoors to find refuge with Jake. But, alas154 for the poor wife! In the most trying ordeal155 of her life her husband had basely deserted156 her. Neither Jake nor Joey was to be seen. The instrument of execution, a small, twig-like branch from the lilac bush, was lying upon the doorstep. Mrs. Sawyer took it up with a Spartan157 air. If Jake could so meanly fly from his duty then she must so much the more face hers.
"Yous youngsters has been awful bad," she reiterated158, returning to the back door, and shaking the innocent-looking branch menacingly, "an' you've jist got to be—to be—whipped," she ended up faintly.
The orphans stared at her for a moment in open-mouthed amazement159; then, with shrieks160 of hysterical laughter, the twins bounded off the veranda161 and scrambled up to the safe sanctuary162 of the woodpile.
Tim alone stood his ground. He surveyed the meager weapon in the woman's hand, contempt in his wise old eyes. "Ye kin2 lick me, if ye like, for the hull163 o' them," he said, with weary indifference164. "I don't care. I'm used to it."
At this pathetic confession, Mrs. Sawyer threw down the disciplining rod and sank upon the doorstep. She buried her face in her apron165 and burst into sobs166. At the sight of her grief, so inexplicable167, so terrifying, the twins pitched themselves off the woodpile and flung themselves upon her. They wound their arms chokingly about her neck; they petted and caressed168, and besought169 her not to cry; they bewailed their own shortcomings, and made unconditional170 promises of perfection in the future. And even Tim sidled up, and volunteered a vague hint concerning contemplated171 reformation.
So Hannah dried her tears, and lighting172 a lamp, fetched more gingerbread and raspberry vinegar from the cellar, and they all repaired to the parlor to celebrate the family reunion. They were in the midst of the feast when there came a stealthy movement at the back door, and Jake crept sheepishly in, leading Joey by the hand. He looked at his wife with an expression of mingled173 contrition174 and frightened inquiry175. Hannah beamed back perfect forgiveness and assurance, and in his overwhelming relief Jake caught up the twins and swung them over his head. The whole family immediately gave itself up to riot, and when the Duke of Wellington and Mrs. Winters came over to see if the orphans had been properly subdued176 they found the undisciplined household, Hannah included, engaged in a glorious game of blind man's buff. Even while the two officers of the law were peeping through the kitchen window, Jake upset the water-pail, and the twins broke a glass pitcher177, all unheeded.
Mrs. Winters and the Duke turned, and marched indignantly homeward.
"Well!" exclaimed the exasperated178 village manager, as she stumbled through the Sawyers' lumpy garden, "what we've got to do 'fore36 we can raise them orphants, is to raise them two old fools they've got for a father and mother, and I guess it's about fifty years too late!"
Not till the still unchastened orphans were in bed and asleep did Jake again broach179 the subject of corporal punishment. For some time he walked up and down the kitchen, scratching his head, as he always did when worrying out a mental problem.
At length he gave a sigh of satisfaction, and paused before the table where Hannah sat mending Tim's riven trousers.
"We ain't a-goin' to try that Winters dodge180 no more, Hannah," he announced firmly, "an' that's all about it."
Hannah looked up joyfully. "Oh, Jake, I'm awful glad! I couldn't do it—I jist couldn't!"
"Of course you couldn't," he cried sympathetically, "An', what's more, you don't have to try any more. We'll do our best by them kids other ways, an' the good Lord'll see they don't turn out bad. But there's one thing dead sure, an' you can tell Susan Winters, and the Dook, too—I ain't a-goin' to raise my hand to no motherless child; no, not if they burn down the mill; and may the Lord help me so to do!"
该作者其它作品
《The End of the Rainbow》
该作者其它作品
《The End of the Rainbow》
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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spanked
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| v.用手掌打( spank的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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13
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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14
meager
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| adj.缺乏的，不足的，瘦的 | |
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15
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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16
invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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17
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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18
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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19
defensive
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| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
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20
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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21
robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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22
obtrusive
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| adj.显眼的；冒失的 | |
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23
counterfeit
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| vt.伪造，仿造；adj.伪造的，假冒的 | |
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24
conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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25
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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26
crater
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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27
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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28
contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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29
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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30
depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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31
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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32
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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33
butted
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| 对接的 | |
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34
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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35
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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36
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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37
fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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38
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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39
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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40
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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41
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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42
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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43
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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44
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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45
promenade
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| n./v.散步 | |
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46
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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47
swarmed
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| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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48
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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49
housekeepers
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| n.（女）管家( housekeeper的名词复数 ) | |
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50
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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51
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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52
wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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53
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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54
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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55
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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56
dart
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| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
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57
lameness
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| n. 跛, 瘸, 残废 | |
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58
superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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59
cramming
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| n.塞满，填鸭式的用功v.塞入( cram的现在分词 )；填塞；塞满；（为考试而）死记硬背功课 | |
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60
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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61
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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62
relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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63
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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64
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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66
cuffed
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| v.掌打，拳打( cuff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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68
exodus
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| v.大批离去，成群外出 | |
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69
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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70
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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71
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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72
maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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73
syrup
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| n.糖浆，糖水 | |
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74
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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75
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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76
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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77
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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78
apprehensively
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| adv.担心地 | |
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79
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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80
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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81
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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82
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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83
enticingly
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84
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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85
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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86
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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87
miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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88
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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89
oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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90
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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91
compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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92
explicitly
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| ad.明确地，显然地 | |
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93
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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94
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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95
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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96
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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97
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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98
erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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99
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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100
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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101
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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102
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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103
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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104
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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105
amicably
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| adv.友善地 | |
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106
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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107
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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108
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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109
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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110
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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111
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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113
dodging
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| n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避 | |
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114
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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115
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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116
propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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117
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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118
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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119
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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120
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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121
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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122
shoveled
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| vt.铲，铲出（shovel的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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123
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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124
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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125
propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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126
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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127
insinuatingly
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128
profanely
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| adv.渎神地，凡俗地 | |
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129
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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130
rummaging
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| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的现在分词 )； 海关检查 | |
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131
consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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132
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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133
wizened
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| adj.凋谢的；枯槁的 | |
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134
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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135
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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136
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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137
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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138
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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139
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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140
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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141
despondently
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| adv.沮丧地，意志消沉地 | |
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142
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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143
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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144
absconded
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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145
salvation
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| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
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146
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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147
castigation
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| n.申斥，强烈反对 | |
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148
rebelliously
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| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
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149
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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150
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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151
giggles
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| n.咯咯的笑( giggle的名词复数 )；傻笑；玩笑；the giggles 止不住的格格笑v.咯咯地笑( giggle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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152
gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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153
truants
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| n.旷课的小学生( truant的名词复数 )；逃学生；逃避责任者；懒散的人 | |
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154
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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155
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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156
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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157
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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158
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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159
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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160
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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161
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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162
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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163
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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164
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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165
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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166
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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167
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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168
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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169
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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170
unconditional
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| adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的 | |
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171
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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172
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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173
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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174
contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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175
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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176
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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177
pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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178
exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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179
broach
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| v.开瓶，提出(题目) | |
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180
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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