Chapter 33 Staking Out A Claim

     Psmith, in the matter of decorating a study and preparing tea in it,was rather a critic than an executant. He was full of ideas, but hepreferred to allow Mike to carry them out. It was he who suggestedthat the wooden bar which ran across the window was unnecessary, butit was Mike who wrenched¹ it from its place. Similarly, it was Mike whoabstracted the key from the door of the next study, though the ideawas Psmith's.

　　"Privacy," said Psmith, as he watched Mike light the Etna, "is what wechiefly need in this age of publicity². If you leave a study doorunlocked in these strenuous³ times, the first thing you know is,somebody comes right in, sits down, and begins to talk about himself.

　　I think with a little care we ought to be able to make this room quitedecently comfortable. That putrid⁴ calendar must come down, though.

　　Do you think you could make a long arm, and haul it off the parenttin-tack? Thanks. We make progress. We make progress.""We shall jolly well make it out of the window," said Mike, spooningup tea from a paper bag with a postcard, "if a sort of youngHackenschmidt turns up and claims the study. What are you going to doabout it?""Don't let us worry about it. I have a presentiment⁵ that he will be aninsignificant-looking little weed. How are you getting on with theevening meal?""Just ready. What would you give to be at Eton now? I'd give somethingto be at Wrykyn.""These school reports," said Psmith sympathetically, "are the verydickens. Many a bright young lad has been soured by them. Hullo.

　　What's this, I wonder."A heavy body had plunged⁶ against the door, evidently without asuspicion that there would be any resistance. A rattling⁷ at the handlefollowed, and a voice outside said, "Dash the door!""Hackenschmidt!" said Mike.

　　"The weed," said Psmith. "You couldn't make a long arm, could you, andturn the key? We had better give this merchant audience. Remind melater to go on with my remarks on school reports. I had several brightthings to say on the subject."Mike unlocked the door, and flung it open. Framed in the entrance wasa smallish, freckled⁸ boy, wearing a bowler⁹ hat and carrying a bag. Onhis face was an expression of mingled¹⁰ wrath¹¹ and astonishment¹².

　　Psmith rose courteously¹³ from his chair, and moved forward with slowstateliness to do the honours.

　　"What the dickens," inquired the newcomer, "are you doing here?"[Illustration: "WHAT THE DICKENS ARE YOU DOING HERE?"]

　　"We were having a little tea," said Psmith, "to restore our tissuesafter our journey. Come in and join us. We keep open house, wePsmiths. Let me introduce you to Comrade Jackson. A stout¹⁴ fellow.

　　Homely in appearance, perhaps, but one of us. I am Psmith. Your ownname will doubtless come up in the course of general chit-chat overthe tea-cups.""My name's Spiller, and this is my study."Psmith leaned against the mantelpiece, put up his eyeglass, andharangued Spiller in a philosophical¹⁵ vein¹⁶.

　　"Of all sad words of tongue or pen," said he, "the saddest are these:

　　'It might have been.' Too late! That is the bitter cry. If you hadtorn yourself from the bosom¹⁷ of the Spiller family by an earliertrain, all might have been well. But no. Your father held your handand said huskily, 'Edwin, don't leave us!' Your mother clung to youweeping, and said, 'Edwin, stay!' Your sisters----""I want to know what----""Your sisters froze on to your knees like little octopuses¹⁸ (oroctopi), and screamed, 'Don't go, Edwin!' And so," said Psmith, deeplyaffected by his recital¹⁹, "you stayed on till the later train; and, onarrival, you find strange faces in the familiar room, a people thatknow not Spiller." Psmith went to the table, and cheered himself witha sip²⁰ of tea. Spiller's sad case had moved him greatly.

　　The victim of Fate seemed in no way consoled.

　　"It's beastly cheek, that's what I call it. Are you new chaps?""The very latest thing," said Psmith.

　　"Well, it's beastly cheek."Mike's outlook on life was of the solid, practical order. He wentstraight to the root of the matter.

　　"What are you going to do about it?" he asked.

　　Spiller evaded²¹ the question.

　　"It's beastly cheek," he repeated. "You can't go about the placebagging studies.""But we do," said Psmith. "In this life, Comrade Spiller, we must beprepared for every emergency. We must distinguish between the unusualand the impossible. It is unusual for people to go about the placebagging studies, so you have rashly ordered your life on theassumption that it is impossible. Error! Ah, Spiller, Spiller, letthis be a lesson to you.""Look here, I tell you what it----""I was in a motor with a man once. I said to him: 'What would happenif you trod on that pedal thing instead of that other pedal thing?' Hesaid, 'I couldn't. One's the foot-brake, and the other's theaccelerator.' 'But suppose you did?' I said. 'I wouldn't,' he said.

　　'Now we'll let her rip.' So he stamped on the accelerator. Only itturned out to be the foot-brake after all, and we stopped dead, andskidded into a ditch. The advice I give to every young man startinglife is: 'Never confuse the unusual and the impossible.' Take thepresent case. If you had only realised the possibility of somebodysome day collaring your study, you might have thought out dozens ofsound schemes for dealing²³ with the matter. As it is, you areunprepared. The thing comes on you as a surprise. The cry goes round:

　　'Spiller has been taken unawares. He cannot cope with the situation.'""Can't I! I'll----""What _are_ you going to do about it?" said Mike.

　　"All I know is, I'm going to have it. It was Simpson's last term, andSimpson's left, and I'm next on the house list, so, of course, it's mystudy.""But what steps," said Psmith, "are you going to take? Spiller, theman of Logic²⁴, we know. But what of Spiller, the Man of Action? Howdo you intend to set about it? Force is useless. I was saying toComrade Jackson before you came in, that I didn't mind betting youwere an insignificant-looking little weed. And you _are_ aninsignificant-looking little weed.""We'll see what Outwood says about it.""Not an unsound scheme. By no means a scaly²⁵ project. Comrade Jacksonand myself were about to interview him upon another point. We may aswell all go together."The trio made their way to the Presence, Spiller pink and determined,Mike sullen²⁶, Psmith particularly debonair²⁷. He hummed lightly as hewalked, and now and then pointed²⁸ out to Spiller objects of interest bythe wayside.

　　Mr. Outwood received them with the motherly warmth which was evidentlythe leading characteristic of his normal manner.

　　"Ah, Spiller," he said. "And Smith, and Jackson. I am glad to see thatyou have already made friends.""Spiller's, sir," said Psmith, laying a hand patronisingly onthe study-claimer's shoulder--a proceeding²⁹ violently resented bySpiller--"is a character one cannot help but respect. His natureexpands before one like some beautiful flower."Mr. Outwood received this eulogy³⁰ with rather a startled expression,and gazed at the object of the tribute in a surprised way.

　　"Er--quite so, Smith, quite so," he said at last. "I like to see boysin my house friendly towards one another.""There is no vice²² in Spiller," pursued Psmith earnestly. "His heart isthe heart of a little child.""Please, sir," burst out this paragon³¹ of all the virtues³², "I----""But it was not entirely³³ with regard to Spiller that I wished to speakto you, sir, if you were not too busy.""Not at all, Smith, not at all. Is there anything----""Please, sir--" began Spiller.

　　"I understand, sir," said Psmith, "that there is an ArchaeologicalSociety in the school."Mr. Outwood's eyes sparkled behind their pince-nez. It was adisappointment to him that so few boys seemed to wish to belong to hischosen band. Cricket and football, games that left him cold, appearedto be the main interest in their lives. It was but rarely that hecould induce new boys to join. His colleague, Mr. Downing, whopresided over the School Fire Brigade, never had any difficulty infinding support. Boys came readily at his call. Mr. Outwood ponderedwistfully on this at times, not knowing that the Fire Brigade owed itssupport to the fact that it provided its light-hearted members withperfectly unparalleled opportunities for ragging, while his own band,though small, were in the main earnest.

　　"Yes, Smith." he said. "Yes. We have a small Archaeological Society.

　　I--er--in a measure look after it. Perhaps you would care to become amember?""Please, sir--" said Spiller.

　　"One moment, Spiller. Do you want to join, Smith?""Intensely, sir. Archaeology³⁴ fascinates me. A grand pursuit, sir.""Undoubtedly³⁵, Smith. I am very pleased, very pleased indeed. I willput down your name at once.""And Jackson's, sir.""Jackson, too!" Mr. Outwood beamed. "I am delighted. Most delighted.

　　This is capital. This enthusiasm is most capital.""Spiller, sir," said Psmith sadly, "I have been unable to induce tojoin.""Oh, he is one of our oldest members.""Ah," said Psmith, tolerantly, "that accounts for it.""Please, sir--" said Spiller.

　　"One moment, Spiller. We shall have the first outing of the term onSaturday. We intend to inspect the Roman Camp at Embury Hill, twomiles from the school.""We shall be there, sir.""Capital!""Please, sir--" said Spiller.

　　"One moment, Spiller," said Psmith. "There is just one other matter,if you could spare the time, sir.""Certainly, Smith. What is that?""Would there be any objection to Jackson and myself taking Simpson'sold study?""By all means, Smith. A very good idea.""Yes, sir. It would give us a place where we could work quietly in theevenings.""Quite so. Quite so.""Thank you very much, sir. We will move our things in.""Thank you very much, sir," said Mike.

　　"Please, sir," shouted Spiller, "aren't I to have it? I'm next on thelist, sir. I come next after Simpson. Can't I have it?""I'm afraid I have already promised it to Smith, Spiller. You shouldhave spoken before.""But, sir----"Psmith eyed the speaker pityingly.

　　"This tendency to delay, Spiller," he said, "is your besetting³⁶ fault.

　　Correct it, Edwin. Fight against it."He turned to Mr. Outwood.

　　"We should, of course, sir, always be glad to see Spiller in ourstudy. He would always find a cheery welcome waiting there for him.

　　There is no formality between ourselves and Spiller.""Quite so. An excellent arrangement, Smith. I like this spirit ofcomradeship in my house. Then you will be with us on Saturday?""On Saturday, sir.""All this sort of thing, Spiller," said Psmith, as they closed thedoor, "is very, very trying for a man of culture. Look us up in ourstudy one of these afternoons."

1 wrenched   

v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛

参考例句：

• The bag was wrenched from her grasp. 那只包从她紧握的手里被夺了出来。
• He wrenched the book from her hands. 他从她的手中把书拧抢了过来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 publicity   

n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告

参考例句：

• The singer star's marriage got a lot of publicity.这位歌星的婚事引起了公众的关注。
• He dismissed the event as just a publicity gimmick.他不理会这件事，只当它是一种宣传手法。

3 strenuous   

adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的

参考例句：

• He made strenuous efforts to improve his reading. 他奋发努力提高阅读能力。
• You may run yourself down in this strenuous week.你可能会在这紧张的一周透支掉自己。

4 putrid   

adj.腐臭的；有毒的；已腐烂的；卑劣的

参考例句：

• To eat putrid food is liable to get sick.吃了腐败的食物容易生病。
• A putrid smell drove us from the room.一股腐臭的气味迫使我们离开这房间。

5 presentiment   

n.预感，预觉

参考例句：

• He had a presentiment of disaster.他预感会有灾难降临。
• I have a presentiment that something bad will happen.我有某种不祥事要发生的预感。

6 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

7 rattling   

adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词

参考例句：

• This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
• At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时，一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来，把窗玻璃震得当当地响。

8 freckled   

adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Her face was freckled all over. 她的脸长满雀斑。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Her freckled skin glowed with health again. 她长有雀斑的皮肤又泛出了健康的红光。 来自辞典例句

9 bowler   

n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手

参考例句：

• The bowler judged it well,timing the ball to perfection.投球手判断准确，对球速的掌握恰到好处。
• The captain decided to take Snow off and try a slower bowler.队长决定把斯诺撤下，换一个动作慢一点的投球手试一试。

10 mingled   

混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系]

参考例句：

• The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
• The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候，这一男一女就开始交往了。

11 wrath   

n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒

参考例句：

• His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
• The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。

12 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

13 courteously   

adv.有礼貌地，亲切地

参考例句：

• He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
• Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会，他就很客气地站起来，让她走开。

15 philosophical   

adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的

参考例句：

• The teacher couldn't answer the philosophical problem.老师不能解答这个哲学问题。
• She is very philosophical about her bad luck.她对自己的不幸看得很开。

16 vein   

n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络

参考例句：

• The girl is not in the vein for singing today.那女孩今天没有心情唱歌。
• The doctor injects glucose into the patient's vein.医生把葡萄糖注射入病人的静脉。

17 bosom   

n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的

参考例句：

• She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
• A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。

18 octopuses   

章鱼( octopus的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Snails and octopuses are molluscs. 蜗牛和章鱼是软体动物。
• Limpets, snails and octopuses are mollusks. 帽贝、蜗牛和章鱼都是软体动物。

19 recital   

n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会

参考例句：

• She is going to give a piano recital.她即将举行钢琴独奏会。
• I had their total attention during the thirty-five minutes that my recital took.在我叙述的35分钟内，他们完全被我吸引了。

20 sip   

v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量

参考例句：

• She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
• Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。

21 evaded   

逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出

参考例句：

• For two weeks they evaded the press. 他们有两周一直避而不见记者。
• The lion evaded the hunter. 那狮子躲开了猎人。

22 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

23 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

24 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

25 scaly   

adj.鱼鳞状的；干燥粗糙的

参考例句：

• Reptiles possess a scaly,dry skin.爬行类具有覆盖着鳞片的干燥皮肤。
• The iron pipe is scaly with rust.铁管子因为生锈一片片剥落了。

26 sullen   

adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的

参考例句：

• He looked up at the sullen sky.他抬头看了一眼阴沉的天空。
• Susan was sullen in the morning because she hadn't slept well.苏珊今天早上郁闷不乐，因为昨晚没睡好。

27 debonair   

adj.殷勤的，快乐的

参考例句：

• He strolled about,look very debonair in his elegant new suit.他穿了一身讲究的新衣服逛来逛去，显得颇为惬意。
• He was a handsome,debonair,death-defying racing-driver.他是一位英俊潇洒、风流倜傥、敢于挑战死神的赛车手。

28 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

29 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

30 eulogy   

n.颂词；颂扬

参考例句：

• He needs no eulogy from me or from any other man. 他不需要我或者任何一个人来称颂。
• Mr.Garth gave a long eulogy about their achievements in the research.加思先生对他们的研究成果大大地颂扬了一番。

31 paragon   

n.模范，典型

参考例句：

• He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
• Man is the paragon of animals.人是万物之灵。

32 virtues   

美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处

参考例句：

• Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。
• She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。

33 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

34 archaeology   

n.考古学

参考例句：

• She teaches archaeology at the university.她在大学里教考古学。
• He displayed interest in archaeology.他对考古学有兴趣。

35 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

36 besetting   

adj.不断攻击的v.困扰( beset的现在分词 )；不断围攻；镶；嵌

参考例句：

• Laziness is my besetting sin. 懒惰是我积重难返的恶习。 来自辞典例句
• His besetting sin is laziness. 他所易犯的毛病就是懒惰。 来自辞典例句