CHAPTER I HIS BIRTH

 On an evening in 1866 (exactly eight hundred years after the Battle of Hastings) Mr. Henry 

 

Knight¹, a draper's manager, aged² forty, dark, clean-shaven, short, but not stout³, sat in his 

 

sitting-room⁴ on the second-floor over the shop which he managed in Oxford⁵ Street, London. He 

 

was proud of that sitting-room, which represented the achievement of an ideal, and he had a 

 

right to be proud of it. The rich green wall-paper covered with peonies in full bloom 

 

(poisoning by arsenical wall-paper had not yet been invented, or Mr. Knight's peonies would 

 

certainly have had to flourish over a different hue) matched the magenta⁷ table-cloth of the 

 

table at which Mr. Knight was writing, and the magenta table-cloth matched the yellow roses 

 

which grew to more than exhibition size on the Axminster carpet; and the fine elaborate effect 

 

thus produced was in no way impaired⁸, but rather enhanced and invigorated, by the mahogany 

 

bookcase full of imperishable printed matter, the horsehair sofa netted in a system of 

 

antimacassars, the waxen flowers in their glassy domes⁹ on the marble mantelpiece, the 

 

Canterbury with its spiral columns, the rosewood harmonium, and the posse of chintz-protected 

 

chairs. Mr. Knight, who was a sincere and upright man, saw beauty in this apartment. It 

 

uplifted his soul, like soft music in the gloaming, or a woman's face.

 

Mr. Knight was writing in a large book. He paused in the act of composition, and, putting the 

 

pen between his teeth, glanced through the pages of the volume. They were filled with the 

 

drafts of letters which he had addressed during the previous seven years to the editors of 

 

various newspapers, including the Times, and several other organs great then but now extinct. 

 

In a space underneath¹⁰ each letter had been neatly¹¹ gummed the printed copy, but here and there a 

 

letter lacked this certificate of success, for Mr. Knight did not always contrive¹² to reach his 

 

public. The letters were signed with pseudonyms¹³, such as A British Citizen, Fiat¹⁴ Justitia, Audi 

 

Alteram Partem, Indignant, Disgusted, One Who Knows, One Who Would Like to Know, Ratepayer, 

 

Taxpayer¹⁵, Puzzled, and Pro⁶ Bono Publico—especially Pro Bono Publico. Two letters, to a trade 

 

periodical, were signed A Draper's Manager of Ten Years' Standing¹⁶, and one, to the Clerkenwell 

 

News, bore his own real name.

 

The letter upon which he was now engaged was numbered seventy-five in the series, and made its 

 

appeal to the editor of the Standard. Having found inspiration, Mr. Knight proceeded, in a hand 

 

distinguished¹⁷ by many fine flourishes:

 

' ... It is true that last year we only paid off some four millions, but the year before we 

 

paid, I am thankful to say, more than nine millions. Why, then, this outcry against the 

 

allocation of somewhat less than nine millions out of our vast national revenue towards the 

 

further extinction¹⁸ of the National Debt? It is not the duty of the State, as well as of the 

 

individual, to pay its debts? In order to support the argument with which I began this 

 

communication, perhaps you will permit me, sir, to briefly¹⁹ outline the history of the National 

 

Debt, our national shame. In 1688 the National Debt was little more than six hundred thousand 

 

pounds....'

 

After briefly outlining the history of the National Debt, Mr. Knight began a new paragraph 

 

thus:

 

'In the immortal²⁰ words of Shakspere, wh——'

But at this point he was interrupted. A young and pleasant woman in a white apron²¹ pushed open 

 

the door.

 

'Henry,' she called from the doorway²².

 

'Well?'

 

'You'd better go now.'

 

'Very well, Annie; I'll go instantly.'

 

He dropped the pen, reduced the gas to a speck²³ of blue, and in half a minute was hurrying along 

 

Oxford Street. The hour was ten o'clock, and the month was July; the evening favoured romance. 

 

He turned into Bury Street, and knocked like fate at a front-door with a brass²⁴ tablet on it, 

 

No. 8 of the street.

 

'No, sir. He isn't in at the moment, sir,' said the maid who answered Mr. Knight's imperious 

 

summons.

 

'Not in!' exclaimed Mr. Knight.

 

'No, sir. He was called away half an hour ago or hardly, and may be out till very late.'

 

'Called away!' exclaimed Mr. Knight. He was astounded²⁵, shocked, pained. 'But I warned him three 

 

months ago!'

 

'Did you, sir? Is it anything very urgent, sir?'

 

'It's——' Mr. Knight hesitated, blushing. The girl looked so young and innocent.

 

'Because if it is, master left word that anyone was to go to Dr. Christopher's, 22, Argyll 

 

Street.'

 

'You will be sure to tell your master that I came,' said Mr. Knight frigidly²⁶, departing.

 

At 22, Argyll Street he was informed that Dr. Christopher had likewise been called away, and 

 

had left a recommendation that urgent cases, if any, should apply to Dr. Quain Short, 15, Bury 

 

Street. His anger was naturally increased by the absence of this second doctor, but it was far 

 

more increased by the fact that Dr. Quain Short happened to live in Bury Street. At that moment 

 

the enigma²⁷ of the universe was wrapped up for him in the question, Why should he have been 

 

compelled to walk all the way from Bury Street to Argyll Street merely in order to walk all the 

 

way back again? And he became a trinity consisting of Disgusted, Indignant, and One Who Would

 

[Pg 6] Like to Know, the middle term predominating. When he discovered that No. 15, Bury 

 

Street, was exactly opposite No. 8, Bury Street, his feelings were such as break bell-wires.

 

'Dr. Quain Short is at the Alhambra Theatre this evening with the family,' a middle-aged²⁸ and 

 

formidable housekeeper²⁹ announced in reply to Mr. Knight's query³⁰. 'In case of urgency he is to 

 

be fetched. His box is No. 3.'

 

'The Alhambra Theatre! Where is that?' gasped³¹ Mr. Knight.

 

It should be explained that he held the stage in abhorrence³², and, further, that the Alhambra 

 

had then only been opened for a very brief period.

 

'Two out, and the third at the theatre!' Mr. Knight mused³³ grimly, hastening through Seven 

 

Dials. 'At the theatre, of all places!'

 

A letter to the Times about the medical profession was just shaping itself in his mind as he 

 

arrived at the Alhambra and saw that a piece entitled King Carrot filled the bill.

 

'King Karrot!' he muttered scornfully, emphasizing the dangerously explosive consonants³⁴ in a 

 

manner which expressed with complete adequacy, not only his indignation against the entire 

 

medical profession, but his utter and profound contempt for the fatuities³⁵ of the modern stage.

 

The politeness of the officials and the prompt appearance of Dr. Quain Short did something to 

 

mollify the draper's manager of ten years' standing, though he was not pleased when the doctor 

 

insisted on going first to his surgery for certain requisites³⁶. It was half-past eleven when he 

 

returned home; Dr. Quain Short was supposed to be hard behind.

 

'How long you've been!' said a voice on the second flight of stairs, 'It's all over. A boy. And 

 

dear Susan is doing splendidly. Mrs. Puddiphatt says she never saw such a——'

 

From the attic³⁷ floor came the sound of a child crying shrilly³⁸ and lustily:

 

'Aunt Annie! Aunt Annie! Aunt Annie!'

 

'Run up and quieten him!' Mr. Knight commanded. 'It's like him to begin making a noise just 

 

now. I'll take a look at Susan—and my firstborn.'

 

1 knight   

n.骑士，武士；爵士

参考例句：

• He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
• A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3   

参考例句：

4 sitting-room   

n.（BrE）客厅，起居室

参考例句：

• The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
• Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。

5 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

6 pro   

n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者

参考例句：

• The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.辩论的两组从赞成与反对两方面辩这一问题。
• Are you pro or con nuclear disarmament?你是赞成还是反对核裁军？

7 magenta   

n..紫红色（的染料）；adj.紫红色的

参考例句：

• In the one photo in which she appeared, Hillary Clinton wore a magenta gown.在其中一张照片中，希拉里身着一件紫红色礼服。
• For the same reason air information is printed in magenta.出于同样的原因，航空资料采用品红色印刷。

8 impaired   

adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Much reading has impaired his vision. 大量读书损害了他的视力。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• His hearing is somewhat impaired. 他的听觉已受到一定程度的损害。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 domes   

n.圆屋顶( dome的名词复数 )；像圆屋顶一样的东西；圆顶体育场

参考例句：

• The domes are circular or ovoid in cross-section. 穹丘的横断面为圆形或卵圆形。 来自辞典例句
• Parks. The facilities highlighted in text include sport complexes and fabric domes. 本书重点讲的设施包括运动场所和顶棚式结构。 来自互联网

10 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

11 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

12 contrive   

vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出

参考例句：

• Can you contrive to be here a little earlier?你能不能早一点来？
• How could you contrive to make such a mess of things?你怎么把事情弄得一团糟呢？

13 pseudonyms   

n.假名，化名，（尤指）笔名( pseudonym的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• But on newspaper websites, pseudonyms are allowed and are widely used. 但在报纸的网站上，读者可用假名评论且普遍会这么做。 来自互联网
• All materials should bear the writer's name, address and phone number andbe published under pseudonyms. 文章可用笔名发表，惟投稿者须附真实姓名、地址及联络电话。 来自互联网

14 fiat   

n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布

参考例句：

• The opening of a market stall is governed by municipal fiat.开设市场摊位受市政法令管制。
• He has tried to impose solutions to the country's problems by fiat.他试图下令强行解决该国的问题。

15 taxpayer   

n.纳税人

参考例句：

• The new scheme will run off with a lot of the taxpayer's money.这项新计划将用去纳税人许多钱。
• The taxpayer are unfavourably disposed towards the recent tax increase.纳税者对最近的增加税收十分反感。

16 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

17 distinguished   

adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的

参考例句：

• Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
• A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

18 extinction   

n.熄灭，消亡，消灭，灭绝，绝种

参考例句：

• The plant is now in danger of extinction.这种植物现在有绝种的危险。
• The island's way of life is doomed to extinction.这个岛上的生活方式注定要消失。

19 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

20 immortal   

adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的

参考例句：

• The wild cocoa tree is effectively immortal.野生可可树实际上是不会死的。
• The heroes of the people are immortal!人民英雄永垂不朽！

21 apron   

n.围裙；工作裙

参考例句：

• We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
• She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。

22 doorway   

n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径

参考例句：

• They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
• Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。

23 speck   

n.微粒，小污点，小斑点

参考例句：

• I have not a speck of interest in it.我对它没有任何兴趣。
• The sky is clear and bright without a speck of cloud.天空晴朗，一星星云彩也没有。

24 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

25 astounded   

v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶

参考例句：

• His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。
• How can you say that? I'm absolutely astounded. 你怎么能说出那种话？我感到大为震惊。

26 frigidly   

adv.寒冷地；冷漠地；冷淡地；呆板地

参考例句：

27 enigma   

n.谜，谜一样的人或事

参考例句：

• I've known him for many years,but he remains something of an enigma to me.我与他相识多年，他仍然难以捉摸。
• Even after all the testimonies,the murder remained a enigma.即使听完了所有的证词，这件谋杀案仍然是一个谜。

28 middle-aged   

adj.中年的

参考例句：

• I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
• The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。

29 housekeeper   

n.管理家务的主妇，女管家

参考例句：

• A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
• She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。

30 query   

n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑

参考例句：

• I query very much whether it is wise to act so hastily.我真怀疑如此操之过急地行动是否明智。
• They raised a query on his sincerity.他们对他是否真诚提出质疑。

31 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

32 abhorrence   

n.憎恶；可憎恶的事

参考例句：

• This nation has an abhorrence of terrrorism.这个民族憎恶恐怖主义。
• It is an abhorrence to his feeling.这是他深恶痛绝的事。

33 mused   

v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事）

参考例句：

• \"I wonder if I shall ever see them again, \"he mused. “我不知道是否还可以再见到他们，”他沉思自问。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• \"Where are we going from here?\" mused one of Rutherford's guests. 卢瑟福的一位客人忍不住说道：‘我们这是在干什么？” 来自英汉非文学 - 科学史

34 consonants   

n.辅音，子音( consonant的名词复数 )；辅音字母

参考例句：

• Consonants are frequently assimilated to neighboring consonants. 辅音往往被其邻近的辅音同化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Vowels possess greater sonority than consonants. 元音比辅音响亮。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

35 fatuities   

n.愚昧，昏庸( fatuity的名词复数 )；愚蠢的言行

参考例句：

36 requisites   

n.必要的事物( requisite的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It is obvious that there are two requisites. 显然有两个必要部分。 来自辞典例句
• Capacity of donor is one of the essential requisites of \"gift\". 赠与人的行为能力是\"赠与\"的一个重要前提。 来自口语例句

37 attic   

n.顶楼，屋顶室

参考例句：

• Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
• What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理？

38 shrilly   

尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的

参考例句：

• The librarian threw back his head and laughed shrilly. 图书管理员把头往后面一仰，尖着嗓子哈哈大笑。
• He half rose in his seat, whistling shrilly between his teeth, waving his hand. 他从车座上半欠起身子，低声打了一个尖锐的唿哨，一面挥挥手。