“Why, we're not late, Brownie, are we?” asked Norah.
“Not very.” The old housekeeper2 smiled at her. “Only when your Pa's away I allers feels a bit nervis about you—sech thoughtless young people, an' all them animals and snakes about!”
“Gammon!” said Jim laughing. “D'you mean to say I can't look after them, Brownie?”
“I'd rather not say anythink rash, Master Jim,” rejoined Mrs. Brown with a twinkle.
“Oh, well,” said Jim resignedly, “a chap never gets his due in this world. I forgive you, Brownie, though you don't deserve it. Got a nice tea for us?”
“Sech as it is, Master Jim, it's waitin' on you,” said Mrs. Brown, with point.
“That's what you might call a broad hint,” cried Jim. “Come on, chaps—race you for a wash-up!”
They scattered4, Mrs. Brown laying violent hands on the indignant Norah, and insisting on arraying her in a clean frock, which the victim resisted, as totally unnecessary. Mrs. Brown carried her point, however, and a trim little maiden5 joined the boys in the dining-room five minutes later.
Mrs. Brown's cooking was notable, and she had excelled herself over the boys' farewell tea. A big cold turkey sat side by side with a ham of majestic6 dimensions, while the cool green of a salad was tempting7 after the hot walk. There were jellies, and a big bowl of fruit salad, while the centre of the table was occupied by a tall cake, raising aloft glittering white tiers. There were scones9 and tarts10 and wee cakes, and dishes of fresh fruit, and altogether the boys whistled long and softly, and declared that “Brownie was no end of a brick!”
Whereat Mrs. Brown, hovering11 about to see that her charges wanted nothing, smiled and blushed, and said, “Get on, now, do!”
Jim carved, and Jim's carving12 was something to marvel13 at. No method came amiss to him. When he could cut straight he did; at other times he sawed; and, when it seemed necessary, he dug. After he had finished helping14 every one, Wally said that the turkey looked as if a dog had been at it, and the ham was worse, which remarks Jim meekly15 accepted as his due. Nor did the inartistic appearance of the turkey prevent the critic from coming back for more!
Everyone was hungry, and did full justice to “Brownie's” forethought; while Norah, behind the tall teapot, declared that it was a job for two men and a boy to pour out for such a thirsty trio. Harry helped the fruit salad, and Harry's helpings16 were based on his own hunger, and would have suited Goliath. Finally, Norah cut the cake with great ceremony, and Wally's proposal that everyone should retire to the lawn with a “chunk” was carried unanimously.
Out on the grass they lay and chattered17, while the dusk came down, and slowly a pale moon climbed up into the sky. Norah alone was silent. After a while Harry and Wally declared they must go and pack, and Jim and his sister were left alone.
Wally and Harry scurried18 down the hail. The sound of their merry voices died away, and there was silence on the lawn.
Jim rolled nearer to Norah.
“Blue, old girl?”
Jim felt for her hand in the darkness—and found it. The small, brown fingers closed tightly round his rough paw.
There was no answer. Jim knew why—and also knowing perfectly21 well that tears would mean the deepest shame, he talked on without requiring any response.
“Beastly hard luck,” he said. “We don't want to go a bit—fancy school after this! Ugh! But there are three of us, so it isn't so bad. It wouldn't matter if Dad was at home, for you. But I must say it's lowdown to be leaving you all by your lonely little self.”
“Brownie'll be awfully good to you,” went on Jim. “You'll have to buck24 up, you know, old girl, and not let yourself get dull. You practise like one o'clock; or make jam, or something; or get Brownie to let you do some cooking. Anything to keep you 'from broodin' on bein' a dorg,' as old David Harum says. There's all the pets to look after, you know—you've got to keep young black Billy up to the mark, or he'll never feed 'em properly, and if you let him alone he changes the water in the dishes when the last lot's dry. And, by George, Norah”—Jim had a bright idea—“Dad told me last night he meant to shift those new bullocks into the Long Plain. Ten to one he forgot all about it, going away so suddenly. You'll have to see to it.”
“I'd like that,” said Norah, feeling doubtfully for her voice.
“Rather—best thing you can do,” Jim said eagerly. “Take Billy with you, of course, and a dog. They're not wild, and I don't think you'll have any trouble—only be very careful to get 'em all—examine all the scrub in the paddock. Billy knows how many there ought to be. I did know, but, of course, I've forgotten. Of course Dad may have left directions with one of the men about it already.”
“Rather. They'd be glad to have you.”
“Well, I'll be glad of something to do. I wasn't looking forward to to-morrow.”
“No,” said Jim, “I know you weren't. Never mind, you keep busy. You might drive into Cunjee with Brownie on Tuesday—probably you'd get a letter from Dad a day earlier, and hear when he's coming home—and if he says he's coming home on Thursday, Wednesday won't seem a bit long. You'll be as right as ninepence if you buck up.”
“I will, old chap. Only I wish you weren't going.”
“So do I,” said Jim, “and so do the other chaps. They want to come again some holidays.”
“Well, I hope you'll bring them.”
“My word! I will. Do you know, Norah, they think you're no end of a brick?”
“Do they?” said Norah, much pleased. “Did they tell you?”
“They're always telling me. Now, you go to bed, old girl.”
He rose and pulled her to her feet.
“Good night,” she said. “I—I do love you, Jimmy!”
Jim hugged her.
“Same here, old chap,” he said.
There was such scurrying27 in the early morning. Daylight revealed many things that had been overlooked in the packing overnight, and they had to be crammed28 in, somehow. Other things were remembered which had not been packed, and which must be found, and diligent29 hunt had to be made for them.
Norah was everybody's mate, running on several errands at once, finding Jim's school cap near Harry's overcoat while she was looking for Wally's cherished snake-skin. Her strong brown hands pulled tight the straps30 of bulging31 bags on which their perspiring32 owners knelt, puffing33. After the said bags were closed and carried out to the buggy, she found the three toothbrushes, and crammed each, twisted in newspaper, into its owner's pocket. She had no time to think she was dull.
Mrs. Brown, who had been up since dawn, had packed a huge hamper34, and superintended its placing in the buggy. It was addressed to “Master James, Master Harry, and Master Wallie,” and later Jim reported that its contents were such as to make the chaps at school speechless—a compliment which filled Mrs. Brown with dismay, and a wish that she had put in less pastry35 and perhaps a little castor oil. At present she felt mildly safe about it and watched it loaded with a sigh of relief.
“Boom-m-m!” went the big gong, and the boys rushed to the dining-room, where Norah was ready to pour out tea.
“You have some, Norah,” said Harry, retaining his position close to the teapot, whence Wally had vainly striven to dislodge him.
“Yes, old girl, you eat some breakfast,” commanded Jim.
“Lots of time afterwards,” she said, a little sadly.
“No time like the present.” Wally took a huge bite out of a scone8, and surveyed the relic37 with interest. Someone put a smoking plateful before him, and his further utterances38 were lost in eggs and bacon.
Mrs. Brown flitted about like a stout39 guardian40 angel, keeping an especially watchful41 eye on Jim. If the supply on his plate lessened42 perceptibly, it was replenished43 with more, like manna from above. To his laughing protests she merely murmured, “Poor dear lamb!” whereat Wally and Harry laughed consumedly, and Jim blushed.
“Well, you've beaten me at last, Brownie,” Jim declared finally. He waved away a chop which was about to descend44 upon his plate. “No truly, Brownie dear; there are limits! Tea? No thanks, Norah, I've had about a dozen cups already, I believe! You fellows ready?”
There was a final survey of the boys' room, which resembled a rubbish heap, owing to vigorous packing.
Everybody ran wildly about looking for something.
Wally was found searching frantically46 for his cap, which Norah discovered—on his head. There was a hurried journey to the kitchen, to bid the servants “Good-bye.”
“All aboard!”
“All right, Evans!” Jim appeared in the doorway49, staggering under a big Gladstone bag. Billy, similarly laden50, followed. His black face was unusually solemn.
“Chuck 'em in, Billy. Come on, you chaps!”
The chaps appeared.
“Good-bye, Norah. It's been grand!” Harry pumped her hand vigorously.
“Now then, Master Jim!” Evans glanced at his watch.
“Right oh!” said Jim. He put his arm round the little girl's shoulders and looked keenly into her face. There was no hint of breaking down. Norah met his gaze steadily52 and smiled at him. But the boy knew.
“Good-bye, little chap,” he said, and kissed her. “You'll keep your pecker up?”
She nodded. “Good-bye, Jimmy, old boy.”
Jim sprang into the buggy.
“All right, Evans.”
They whirled down the drive. Looking back, waving their caps, the boys carried away a memory of a brave little figure, erect53, smiling and lonely on the doorstep.
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收听单词发音
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1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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6
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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scone
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| n.圆饼，甜饼，司康饼 | |
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scones
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| n.烤饼，烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 ) | |
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tarts
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| n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞 | |
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11
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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12
carving
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| n.雕刻品，雕花 | |
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marvel
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| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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14
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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16
helpings
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| n.（食物）的一份( helping的名词复数 )；帮助，支持 | |
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17
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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18
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
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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20
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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24
buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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27
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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28
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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30
straps
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| n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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31
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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32
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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33
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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34
hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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36
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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38
utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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40
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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41
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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42
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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43
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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44
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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45
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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46
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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47
scrunched
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| v.发出喀嚓声( scrunch的过去式和过去分词 )；蜷缩；压；挤压 | |
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48
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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49
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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50
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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51
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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52
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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53
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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