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首页 » 经典英文小说 » Auld Licht Idyls » CHAPTER VIII. THE COURTING OF T'NOWHEAD'S BELL.
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CHAPTER VIII. THE COURTING OF T'NOWHEAD'S BELL.
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 For two years it had been notorious in the square that Sam'l Dickie was thinking of courting T'nowhead's Bell, and that if little Sanders Elshioner (which is the Thrums pronunciation of Alexander Alexander) went in for her, he might prove a formidable rival. Sam'l was a weaver2 in the Tenements3, and Sanders a coal-carter, whose trade-mark was a bell on his horse's neck that told when coal was coming. Being something of a public man, Sanders had not, perhaps, so high a social position as Sam'l, but he had succeeded his father on the coal-cart, while the weaver had already tried several trades. It had always been against Sam'l, too, that once when the kirk was vacant he had advised the selection of the third minister who preached for it on the ground that it came expensive to pay a large number of candidates. The scandal of the thing was hushed up, out of respect for his father, who was a God-fearing man, but Sam'l was known by it in Lang Tammas' circle. The coal-carter was called Little Sanders to distinguish him from his father, who was not much more than half his size. He had grown up with the name, and its inapplicability now came home to nobody. Sam'l's mother had been more far-seeing than Sanders'. Her man had been called Sammy all his life because it was the name he got as a boy, so when their eldest4 son was born she spoke5 of him as Sam'l while still in the cradle. The neighbors imitated her, and thus the young man had a better start in life than had been granted to Sammy, his father.
 
It was Saturday evening—the night in the week when Auld7 Licht young men fell in love. Sam'l Dickie, wearing a blue glengarry bonnet8 with a red ball on the top, came to the door of a one-story house in the Tenements, and stood there wriggling9, for he was in a suit of tweed for the first time that week, and did not feel at one with them. When his feeling of being a stranger to himself wore off, he looked up and down the road, which straggles between houses and gardens, and then, picking his way over the puddles10, crossed to his father's hen-house and sat down on it. He was now on his way to the square.
 
Eppie Fargus was sitting on an adjoining dyke11 knitting stockings, and Sam'l looked at her for a time.
 
“Is't yersel, Eppie?” he said at last.
 
“It's a' that,” said Eppie.
 
“Hoo's a' wi' ye?” asked Sam'l.
 
“We're juist aff an' on,” replied Eppie, cautiously.
 
There was not much more to say, but as Sam'l sidled off the hen-house, he murmured politely, “Ay, ay.” In another minute he would have been fairly started, but Eppie resumed the conversation.
 
“Sam'l,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye, “ye can tell Lisbeth Fargus I'll likely be drappin' in on her' aboot Mununday or Teisday.”
 
Lisbeth was sister to Eppie, and wife of Tammas McQuhatty, better known as T'nowhead, which was the name of his farm. She was thus Bell's mistress.
 
Sam'l leaned against the hen-house as if all his desire to depart had gone.
 
“Hoo d'ye kin1 I'll be at the T'nowhead the nicht?” he asked, grinning in anticipation12.
 
“Ou, I'se warrant ye'll be after Bell,” said Eppie.
 
“Am no sae sure o' that,” said Sam'l, trying to leer. He was enjoying himself now.
 
“Am no sure o' that,” he repeated, for Eppie seemed lost in stitches.
 
“Sam'l!”
 
“Ay.”
 
“Ye'll be speirin' her sune noo, I dinna doot?”
 
This took Sam'l, who had only been courting Bell for a year or two, a little aback.
 
“Hoo d'ye mean, Eppie?” he asked.
 
“Maybe ye'll do't the nicht.”
 
“Na, there's nae hurry,” said Sam'l.
 
“Weel, we're a' coontin' on't, Sam'l.”
 
“Gae wa wi' ye.”
 
“What for no?”
 
“Gae wa wi' ye,” said Sam'l again,
 
“Bell's gei an' fond o' ye, Sam'l.”
 
“Ay,” said Sam'l.
 
“But am dootin' ye're a fell billy wi' the lasses.”
 
“Ay, oh, I d'na kin, moderate, moderate,” said Sam'l, in high delight.
 
“I saw ye,” said Eppie, speaking with a wire in her mouth, “gae'in on terr'ble wi' Mysy Haggart at the pump last Saturday.”
 
“We was juist amoosin' oorsels,” said Sam'l,
 
“It'll be nae amoosement to Mysy,” said Eppie, “gin ye brak her heart.”
 
“Losh, Eppie,” said Sam'l, “I didna think o' that.”
 
“Ye maun kin weel, Sam'l, 'at there's mony a lass wid jump at ye.”
 
“Ou, weel,” said Sam'l, implying that a man must take these things as they come.
 
“For ye're a dainty chield to look at, Sam'l.”
 
“Do ye think so, Eppie? Ay, ay; oh, I d'na kin am onything by the ordinar.”
 
“Ye mayna be,” said Eppie, “but lasses doesna do to be ower partikler.”
 
Sam'l resented this, and prepared to depart again.
 
“Ye'll no tell Bell that?” he asked, anxiously.
 
“Tell her what?”
 
“Aboot me an' Mysy.”
 
“We'll see hoo ye behave yersel, Sam'l.”
 
“No 'at I care, Eppie; ye can tell her gin ye like. I widna think twice o' tellin' her mysel.”
 
“The Lord forgie ye for leein', Sam'l,” said Eppie, as he disappeared down Tammy Tosh's close. Here he came upon Henders Webster.
 
“Ye're late, Sam'l,” said Henders.
 
“What for?”
 
“Ou, I was thinkin' ye wid be gaen the length o' T'nowhead the nicht, an' I saw Sanders Elshioner makkin's wy there an oor syne13.”
 
“Did ye?” cried Sam'l, adding craftily14, “but it's naething to me.”
 
“Tod, lad,” said Henders, “gin ye dinna buckle15 to, Sanders'll be carryin' her off.”
 
Sam'l flung back his head and passed on.
 
“Sam'l!” cried Henders after him.
 
“Ay,” said Sam'l, wheeling round.
 
“Gie Bell a kiss frae me.”
 
The full force of this joke struck neither all at once. Sam'l began to smile at it as he turned down the school-wynd, and it came upon Henders while he was in his garden feeding his ferret. Then he slapped his legs gleefully, and explained the conceit16 to Will'um Byars, who went into the house and thought it over.
 
There were twelve or twenty little groups of men in the square, which was lit by a flare17 of oil suspended over a cadger's cart. Now and again a staid young woman passed through the square with a basket on her arm, and if she had lingered long enough to give them time, some of the idlers would have addressed her. As it was, they gazed after her, and then grinned to each other.
 
“Ay, Sam'l,” said two or three young men, as Sam'l joined them beneath the town-clock. “Ay, Davit,” replied Sam'l.
 
This group was composed of some of the sharpest wits in Thrums, and it was not to be expected that they would let this opportunity pass. Perhaps when Sam'l joined them he knew what was in store for him.
 
“Was ye lookin' for T'nowhead's Bell, Sam'l?” asked one.
 
“Or mebbe ye was wantin' the minister?” suggested another, the same who had walked out twice with Chirsty Duff and not married her after all.
 
Sam'l could not think of a good reply at the moment, so he laughed good-naturedly.
 
“Ondootedly she's a snod bit crittur,” said Davit, archly.
 
“An' michty clever wi' her fingers,” added Jamie Deuchars.
 
“Man, I've thocht o' makkin' up to Bell mysel,” said Pete Ogle18. “Wid there be ony chance, think ye, Sam'l?”
 
“I'm thinkin' she widna hae ye for her first, Pete,” replied Sam'l, in one of those happy flashes that come to some men, “but there's nae sayin' but what she micht tak ye to finish up wi'.”
 
The unexpectedness of this sally startled every one. Though Sam'l did not set up for a wit, however, like Davit, it was notorious that he could say a cutting thing once in a way.
 
“Did ye ever see Bell reddin' up?” asked Pete, recovering from his overthrow19. He was a man who bore no malice20.
 
“It's a sicht,” said Sam'l, solemnly.
 
“Hoo will that be?” asked Jamie Deuchars.
 
“It's weel worth yer while,” said Pete, “to ging atower to the T'nowhead an' see. Ye'll mind the closed-in beds i' the kitchen? Ay, weel, they're a fell spoilt crew, T'nowhead's litlins, an' no that aisy to manage. Th' ither lasses Lisbeth's hae'n had a michty trouble wi' them. When they war i' the middle o' their reddin' up the bairns wid come tumlin' about the floor, but, sal, I assure ye, Bell didna fash lang wi' them. Did she, Sam'l?”
 
“She did not,” said Sam'l, dropping into a fine mode of speech to add emphasis to his remark.
 
“I'll tell ye what she did,” said Pete to the others. “She juist lifted up the litlins, twa at a time, an' flung them into the coffin-beds. Syne she snibbit the doors on them, an' keepit them there till the floor was dry.”
 
“Ay, man, did she so?” said Davit, admiringly.
 
“I've seen her do't mysel,” said Sam'l.
 
“There's no a lassie maks better bannocks this side o' Fetter21 Lums,” continued Pete.
 
“Her mither tocht her that,” said Sam'l; “she was a gran' han' at the bakin', Kitty Ogilvy.”
 
“I've heard say,” remarked Jamie, putting it this way so as not to tie himself down to anything, “'at Bell's scones22 is equal to Mag Lunan's.”
 
“So they are,” said Sam'l, almost fiercely.
 
“I kin she's a neat han' at singein' a hen,” said Pete.
 
“An' wi't a',” said Davit, “she's a snod, canty bit stocky in her Sabbath claes.”
 
“If onything, thick in the waist,” suggested Jamie.
 
“I dinna see that,” said Sam'l.
 
“I d'na care for her hair either,” continued Jamie, who was very nice in his tastes; “something mair yalloweby wid be an improvement.”
 
“A'body kins,” growled23 Sam'l, “'at black hair's the bonniest.” The others chuckled24. “Puir Sam'l!” Pete said.
 
Sam'l not being certain whether this should be received with a smile or a frown, opened his mouth wide as a kind of compromise. This was position one with him for thinking things, over.
 
Few Auld Lichts, as I have said, went the length of choosing a helpmate for themselves. One day a young man's friends would see him mending the washing-tub of a maiden's mother. They kept the joke until Saturday night, and then he learned from them what he had been after. It dazed him for a time, but in a year or so he grew accustomed to the idea, and they were then married. With a little help he fell in love just like other people.
 
Sam'l was going the way of the others, but he found it difficult to come to the point. He only went courting once a week, and he could never take up the running at the place where he left off the Saturday before. Thus he had not, so far, made great headway. His method of making up to Bell had been to drop in at T'nowhead on Saturday nights and talk with the farmer about the rinderpest.
 
The farm kitchen was Bell's testimonial. Its chairs, tables, and stools were scoured26 by her to the whiteness of Rob Angus' saw-mill boards, and the muslin blind on the window was starched27 like a child's pinafore. Bell was brave, too, as well as energetic. Once Thrums had been overrun with thieves. It is now thought that there may have been only one, but he had the wicked cleverness of a gang. Such was his repute that there were weavers28 who spoke of locking their doors when they went from home. He was not very skilful29, however, being generally caught, and when they said they knew he was a robber, he gave them their things back and went away. If they had given him time there is no doubt that he would have gone off with his plunder30. One night he went to T'nowhead, and Bell, who slept In the kitchen, was awakened31 by the noise. She knew who it would be, so she rose and dressed herself, and went to look for him with a candle. The thief had not known what to do when he got in, and as it was very lonely he was glad to see Bell. She told him he ought to be ashamed of himself, and would not let him out by the door until he had taken off his boots so as not to soil the carpet.
 
On this Saturday evening Sam'l stood his ground in the square, until by and by he found himself alone. There were other groups there still, but his circle had melted away. They went separately, and no one said good-night. Each took himself off slowly, backing out of the group until he was fairly started.
 
Sam'l looked about him, and then, seeing that the others had gone, walked round the town-house into the darkness of the brae that leads down and then up to the farm of T'nowhead.
 
To get into the good graces of Lisbeth Fargus you had to know her ways and humor them. Sam'l, who was a student of women, knew this, and so, instead of pushing the door open and walking in, he went through the rather ridiculous ceremony of knocking. Sanders Elshioner was also aware of this weakness of Lisbeth's, but though he often made up his mind to knock, the absurdity32 of the thing prevented his doing so when he reached the door. T'nowhead himself had never got used to his wife's refined notions, and when any one knocked he always started to his feet, thinking there must be something wrong.
 
Lisbeth came to the door, her expansive figure blocking the way in.
 
“Sam'l,” she said.
 
“Lisbeth,” said Sam'l.
 
He shook hands with the farmer's wife, knowing that she liked it, but only said, “Ay, Bell,” to his sweetheart, “Ay, T'nowhead,” to McQuhatty, and “It's yersel, Sanders,” to his rival.
 
They were all sitting round the fire; T'nowhead, with his feet on the ribs33, wondering why he felt so warm, and Bell darned a stocking, while Lisbeth kept an eye on a goblet34 full of potatoes.
 
“Sit into the fire, Sam'l,” said the farmer, not, however, making way for him.
 
“Na, na,” said Sam'l; “I'm to bide35 nae time.” Then he sat into the fire. His face was turned away from Bell, and when she spoke he answered her without looking round. Sam'l felt a little anxious. Sanders Elshioner, who had one leg shorter than the other, but looked well when sitting, seemed suspiciously at home. He asked Bell questions out of his own head, which was beyond Sam'l, and once he said something to her in such a low voice that the others could not catch it. T'nowhead asked curiously36 what it was, and Sanders explained that he had only said, “Ay, Bell, the morn's the Sabbath.” There was nothing startling in this, but Sam'l did not like it. He began to wonder if he were too late, and had he seen his opportunity would have told Bell of a nasty rumor37 that Sanders intended to go over to the Free Church if they would make him kirk-officer.
 
Sam'l had the good-will of T'nowhead's wife, who liked a polite man. Sanders did his best, but from want of practice he constantly made mistakes. To-night, for instance, he wore his hat in the house because he did not like to put up his hand and take it off. T'nowhead had not taken his off either, but that was because he meant to go out by and by and lock the byre door. It was impossible to say which of her lovers Bell preferred. The proper course with an Auld Licht lassie was to prefer the man who proposed to her.
 
“Ye'll bide a wee, an' hae something to eat?” Lisbeth asked Sam'l, with her eyes on the goblet.
 
“No, I thank ye,” said Sam'l, with true gentility.
 
“Ye'll better.”
 
“I dinna think it.”
 
“Hoots aye; what's to hender ye?”
 
“Weel, since ye're sae pressin', I'll bide.”
 
No one asked Sanders to stay. Bell could not, for she was but the servant, and T'nowhead knew that the kick his wife had given him meant that he was not to do so either. Sanders whistled to show that he was not uncomfortable.
 
“Ay, then, I'll be stappin' ower the brae,” he said at last.
 
He did not go, however. There was sufficient pride in him to get him off his chair, but only slowly, for he had to get accustomed to the notion of going. At intervals38 of two or three minutes he remarked that he must now be going. In the same circumstances Sam'l would have acted similarly. For a Thrums man, it is one of the hardest things in life to get away from anywhere.
 
At last Lisbeth saw that something must be done. The potatoes were burning, and T'nowhead had an invitation on his tongue.
 
“Yes, I'll hae to be movin',” said Sanders, hopelessly, for the fifth time.
 
“Guid nicht to ye, then, Sanders,” said Lisbeth. “Gie the door a fling-to, ahent ye.”
 
Sanders, with a mighty39 effort, pulled himself together. He looked boldly at Bell, and then took off his hat carefully. Sam'l saw with misgivings40 that there was something in it which was not a handkerchief. It was a paper bag glittering with gold braid, and contained such an assortment41 of sweets as lads bought for their lasses on the Muckle Friday.
 
“Hae, Bell,” said Sanders, handing the bag to Bell in an off-hand way as if it were but a trifle. Nevertheless he was a little excited, for he went off without saying good-night.
 
No one spoke. Bell's face was crimson42. T'nowhead fidgeted on his chair, and Lisbeth looked at Sam'l. The weaver was strangely calm and collected, though he would have liked to know whether this was a proposal.
 
“Sit in by to the table, Sam'l,” said Lisbeth, trying to look as if things were as they had been before.
 
She put a saucerful of butter, salt, and pepper near the fire to melt, for melted butter is the shoeing-horn that helps over a meal of potatoes. Sam'l, however, saw what the hour required, and jumping up, he seized his bonnet.
 
“Hing the tatties higher up the joist, Lisbeth,” he said with dignity; “I'se be back in ten meenits.”
 
He hurried out of the house, leaving the others looking at each other.
 
“What do ye think?” asked Lisbeth.
 
“I d'na kin,” faltered43 Bell.
 
“Thae tatties is lang o' comin' to the boil,” said T'nowhead.
 
In some circles a lover who behaved like Sam'l would have been suspected of intent upon his rival's life, but neither Bell nor Lisbeth did the weaver that injustice44. In a case of this kind it does not much matter what T'nowhead thought.
 
The ten minutes had barely passed when Sam'l was back in the farm kitchen. He was too flurried to knock this time, and, indeed, Lisbeth did not expect it of him.
 
“Bell, hae!” he cried, handing his sweetheart a tinsel bag twice the size of Sanders' gift.
 
“Losh preserve's!” exclaimed Lisbeth; “I'se warrant there's a shillin's worth.”
 
“There's a' that, Lisbeth—an' mair,” said Sam'l firmly.
 
“I thank ye, Sam'l,” said Bell, feeling an unwonted elation45 as she gazed at the two paper bags in her lap.
 
“Ye're ower extravegint, Sam'l,” Lisbeth said.
 
“Not at all,” said Sam'l; “not at all. But I widna advise ye to eat thae ither anes, Bell—they're second quality.”
 
Bell drew back a step from Sam'l.
 
“How do ye kin?” asked the farmer shortly, for he liked Sanders.
 
“I speired i' the shop,” said Sam'l.
 
The goblet was placed on a broken plate on the table with the saucer beside it, and Sam'l, like the others, helped himself. What he did was to take potatoes from the pot with his fingers, peel off their coats, and then dip them into the butter. Lisbeth would have liked to provide knives and forks, but she knew that beyond a certain point T'nowhead was master in his own house. As for Sam'l, he felt victory in his hands, and began to think that he had gone too far.
 
In the mean time Sanders, little witting that Sam'l had trumped46 his trick, was sauntering along the kirk-wynd with his hat on the side of his head. Fortunately he did not meet the minister.
 
The courting of T'nowhead's Bell reached its crisis one Sabbath about a month after the events above recorded. The minister was in great force that day, but it is no part of mine to tell how he bore himself. I was there, and am not likely to forget the scene. It was a fateful Sabbath for T'nowhead's Bell and her swains, and destined47 to be remembered for the painful scandal which they perpetrated in their passion.
 
Bell was not in the kirk. There being an infant of six months in the house it was a question of either Lisbeth or the lassie's staying at home with him, and though Lisbeth was unselfish in a general way, she could not resist the delight of going to church. She had nine children besides the baby, and being but a woman, it was the pride of her life to march them into the T'nowhead pew, so well watched that they dared not misbehave, and so tightly packed that they could not fall. The congregation looked at that pew, the mothers enviously48, when they sang the lines—
 
  “Jerusalem like a city is
   Compactly built together.”
 
The first half of the service had been gone through on this particular Sunday without anything remarkable49 happening. It was at the end of the psalm50 which preceded the sermon that Sanders Elshioner, who sat near the door, lowered his head until it was no higher than the pews, and in that attitude, looking almost like a four-footed animal, slipped out of the church. In their eagerness to be at the sermon many of the congregation did not notice him, and those who did put the matter by in their minds for future investigation51. Sam'l, however, could not take it so coolly. From his seat in the gallery he saw Sanders disappear, and his mind misgave52 him. With the true lover's instinct he understood it all. Sanders had been struck by the fine turn-out in the T'nowhead pew. Bell was alone at the farm. What an opportunity to work one's way up to a proposal! T'nowhead was so over-run with children, that such a chance seldom occurred, except on a Sabbath. Sanders, doubtless, was off to propose, and he, Sam'l, was left behind.
 
The suspense53 was terrible. Sam'l and Sanders had both known all along that Bell would take the first of the two who asked her. Even those who thought her proud admitted that she was modest. Bitterly the weaver repented54 having waited so long. Now it was too late. In ten minutes Sanders would be at T'nowhead; in an hour all would be over. Sam'l rose to his feet in a daze25. His mother pulled him down by the coat-tail, and his father shook him, thinking he was walking in his sleep. He tottered55 past them, however, hurried up the aisle56, which was so narrow that Dan'l Ross could only reach his seat by walking sideways, and was gone before the minister could do more than stop in the middle of a whirl and gape57 in horror after him.
 
A number of the congregation felt that day the advantage of sitting in the laft. What was a mystery to those downstairs was revealed to them. From the gallery windows they had a fine open view to the south; and as Sam'l took the common; which was a short cut though a steep ascent58, to T'nowhead, he was never out of their line of vision. Sanders was not to be seen, but they guessed rightly the reason why. Thinking he had ample time, he had gone round by the main road to save his boots—perhaps a little scared by what was coming. Sam'l's design was to forestall59 him by taking the shorter path over the burn and up the commonty.
 
It was a race for a wife, and several onlookers60 in the gallery braved the minister's displeasure to see who won. Those who favored Sam'l's suit exultingly61 saw him leap the stream, while the friends of Sanders fixed62 their eyes on the top of the common where it ran into the road. Sanders must come into sight there, and the one who reached this point first would get Bell.
 
As Auld Lichts do not walk abroad on the Sabbath, Sanders would probably not be delayed. The chances were in his favor. Had it been any other day in the week Sam'l might have run. So some of the congregation in the gallery were thinking, when suddenly they saw him bend low and then take to his heels. He had caught sight of Sanders' head bobbing over the hedge that separated the road from the common, and feared that Sanders might see him. The congregation who could crane their necks sufficiently63 saw a black object, which they guessed to be the carter's hat, crawling along the hedge-top. For a moment it was motionless, and then it shot ahead. The rivals had seen each other. It was now a hot race. Sam'l, dissembling no longer, clattered64 up the common, becoming smaller and smaller to the on-lookers as he neared the top. More than one person in the gallery almost rose to their feet in their excitement. Sam'l had it. No, Sanders was in front. Then the two figures disappeared from view. They seemed to run into each other at the top of the brae, and no one could say who was first. The congregation looked at one another. Some of them perspired65. But the minister held on his course.
 
Sam'l had just been in time to cut Sanders out. It was the weaver's saving that Sanders saw this when his rival turned the corner; for Sam'l was sadly blown. Sanders took in the situation and gave in at once. The last hundred yards of the distance he covered at his leisure, and when he arrived at his destination he did not go in. It was a fine afternoon for the time of year, and he went round to have a look at the pig, about which T'nowhead was a little sinfully puffed66 up.
 
“Ay,” said Sanders, digging his fingers critically into the grunting68 animal; “quite so.”
 
“Grumph,” said the pig, getting reluctantly to his feet.
 
“Ou, ay; yes,” said Sanders, thoughtfully.
 
Then he sat down on the edge of the sty, and looked long and silently at an empty bucket. But whether his thoughts were of T'nowhead's Bell, whom he had lost forever, or of the food the farmer fed his pig on, is not known.
 
“Lord preserve's! Are ye no at the kirk?” cried Bell, nearly dropping the baby as Sam'l broke into the room.
 
“Bell!” cried Sam'l.
 
Then T'nowhead's Bell knew that her hour had come.
 
“Sam'l,” she faltered.
 
“Will ye hae's, Bell?” demanded Sam'l, glaring at her sheepishly.
 
“Ay,” answered Bell.
 
Sam'l fell into a chair.
 
“Bring's a drink o' water, Bell,” he said. But Bell thought the occasion required milk, and there was none in the kitchen. She went out to the byre, still with the baby in her arms, and saw Sanders Elshioner sitting gloomily on the pig-sty.
 
“Weel, Bell,” said Sanders.
 
“I thocht ye'd been at the kirk, Sanders,” said Bell.
 
Then there was a silence between them.
 
“Has Sam'l speired ye, Bell?” asked Sanders stolidly70.
 
“Ay,” said Bell again, and this time there was a tear in her eye. Sanders was little better than an “orra man,” and Sam'l was a weaver, and yet—But it was too late now. Sanders gave the pig a vicious poke6 with a stick, and when it had ceased to grunt67, Bell was back in the kitchen. She had forgotten about the milk, however, and Sam'l only got water after all.
 
In after days, when the story of Bell's wooing was told, there were some who held that the circumstances would have almost justified71 the lassie in giving Sam'l the go-by. But these perhaps forgot that her other lover was in the same predicament as the accepted one—that of the two, indeed, he was the more to blame, for he set off to T'nowhead on the Sabbath of his own accord, while Sam'l only ran after him. And then there is no one to say for certain whether Bell heard of her suitors' delinquencies until Lisbeth's return from the kirk. Sam'l could never remember whether he told her, and Bell was not sure whether, if he did, she took it in. Sanders was greatly in demand for weeks after to tell what he knew of the affair, but though he was twice asked to tea to the manse among the trees, and subjected thereafter to ministerial cross-examinations, this is all he told. He remained at the pig-sty until Sam'l left the farm, when he joined him at the top of the brae, and they went home together.
 
“It's yersel, Sanders,” said Sam'l.
 
“It is so, Sam'l,” said Sanders.
 
“Very cauld,” said Sam'l.
 
“Blawy,” assented72 Sanders.
 
After a pause—
 
“Sam'l,” said Sanders.
 
“Ay.”
 
“I'm hearin' ye're to be mairit.”
 
“Ay.”
 
“Weel, Sam'l, she's a snod bit lassie.”
 
“Thank ye,” said Sam'l.
 
“I had ance a kin' o' notion o' Bell mysel,” continued Sanders.
 
“Ye had?”
 
“Yes, Sam'l; but I thocht better o't.”
 
“Hoo d'ye mean?” asked Sam'l, a little anxiously.
 
“Weel, Sam'l, mairitch is a terrible responsibeelity.”
 
“It is so,” said Sam'l, wincing73.
 
“An' no the thing to tak up withoot conseederation.”
 
“But it's a blessed and honorable state, Sanders; ye've heard the minister on't.”
 
“They say,” continued the relentless74 Sanders, “'at the minister doesna get on sair wi' the wife himsel.”
 
“So they do,” cried Sam'l, with a sinking at the heart.
 
“I've been telt,” Sanders went on, “'at gin ye can get the upper han' o' the wife for a while at first, there's the mair chance o' a harmonious75 exeestence.”
 
“Bell's no the lassie,” said Sam'l appealingly, “to thwart76 her man.”
 
Sanders smiled.
 
“D'ye think she is, Sanders?”
 
“Weel, Sam'l, I d'na want to fluster77 ye, but she's been ower lang wi' Lisbeth Fargus no to hae learnt her ways. An a'body kins what a life T'nowhead has wi' her.”
 
“Guid sake, Sanders, hoo did ye no speak o' this afore?”
 
“I thocht ye kent o't, Sam'l.”
 
They had now reached the square, and the U.P. kirk was coming out. The Auld Licht kirk would be half an hour yet.
 
“But, Sanders,” said Sam'l, brightening up, “ye was on yer wy to spier her yer-sel.”
 
“I was, Sam'l,” said Sanders, “and I canna but be thankfu' ye was ower quick for's.”
 
“Gin't hadna been you,” said Sam'l, “I wid never hae thocht o't.”
 
“I'm sayin' naething agin Bell,” pursued the other, “but, man Sam'l, a body should be mair deleeberate in a thing o' the kind.”
 
“It was michty hurried,” said Sam'l, wo-fully.
 
“It's a serious thing to spier a lassie,” said Sanders.
 
“It's an awfu' thing,” said Sam'l.
 
“But we'll hope for the best,” added Sanders in a hopeless voice.
 
They were close to the Tenements now, and Sam'l looked as if he were on his way to be hanged.
 
“Sam'l!”
 
“Ay, Sanders.”
 
“Did ye—did ye kiss her, Sam'l?”
 
“Na.”
 
“Hoo?”
 
“There's was varra little time, Sanders.”
 
“Half an 'oor,” said Sanders.
 
“Was there? Man Sanders, to tell ye the truth, I never thocht o't.”
 
Then the soul of Sanders Elshioner was filled with contempt for Sam'l Dickie.
 
The scandal blew over. At first it was expected that the minister would interfere78 to prevent the union, but beyond intimating from the pulpit that the souls of Sabbath-breakers were beyond praying for, and then praying for Sam'l and Sanders at great length, with a word thrown in for Bell, he let things take their course. Some said it was because he was always frightened lest his young men should intermarry with other denominations79, but Sanders explained it differently to Sam'l.
 
“I hav'na a word to say agin the minister,” he said; “they're gran' prayers, but, Sam'l, he's a mairit man himsel.”
 
“He's a' the better for that, Sanders, isna he?”
 
“Do ye no see,” asked Sanders compassionately80, “'at he's tryin' to mat the best o't?”
 
“Oh, Sanders, man!” said Sam'l.
 
“Cheer up, Sam'l,” said Sanders, “it'll sune be ower.”
 
Their having been rival suitors had not interfered81 with their friendship. On the contrary, while they had hitherto been mere82 acquaintances, they became inseparables as the wedding-day drew near. It was noticed that they had much to say to each other, and that when they could not get a room to themselves they wandered about together in the churchyard. When Sam'l had anything to tell Bell he sent Sanders to tell it, and Sanders did as he was bid. There was nothing that he would not have done for Sam'l.
 
The more obliging Sanders was, however, the sadder Sam'l grew. He never laughed now on Saturdays, and sometimes his loom69 was silent half the day. Sam'l felt that Sanders' was the kindness of a friend for a dying man.
 
It was to be a penny wedding, and Lisbeth Fargus said it was delicacy83 that made Sam'l superintend the fitting-up of the barn by deputy. Once he came to see it in person, but he looked so ill that Sanders had to see him home. This was on the Thursday afternoon, and the wedding was fixed for Friday.
 
“Sanders, Sanders,” said Sam'l, in a voice strangely unlike his own, “it'll a' be ower by this time the morn.”
 
“It will,” said Sanders.
 
“If I had only kent her langer,” continued Sam'l.
 
“It wid hae been safer,” said Sanders.
 
“Did ye see the yallow floor in Bell's bonnet?” asked the accepted swain.
 
“Ay,” said Sanders reluctantly.
 
“I'm dootin'—I'm sair dootin' she's but a flichty, light-hearted crittur after a'.”
 
“I had ay my suspeecions o't,” said Sanders.
 
“Ye hae kent her langer than me,” said Sam'l.
 
“Yes,” said Sanders, “but there's nae gettin' at the heart o' women. Man, Sam'l, they're desperate cunnin'.”
 
“I'm dootin't; I'm sair dootin't.”
 
“It'll be a warnin' to ye, Sam'l, no to be in sic a hurry i' the futur,” said Sanders.
 
Sam'l groaned84.
 
“Ye'll be gaein up to the manse to arrange wi' the minister the morn's mornin',” continued Sanders, in a subdued85 voice.
 
Sam'l looked wistfully at his friend.
 
“I canna do't, Sanders,” he said, “I canna do't.”
 
“Ye maun,” said Sanders.
 
“It's aisy to speak,” retorted Sam'l bitterly.
 
“We have a' oor troubles, Sam'l,” said Sanders soothingly86, “an' every man maun bear his ain burdens. Johnny Davie's wife's dead, an' he's no repinin'.”
 
“Ay,” said Sam'l, “but a death's no a mairitch. We hae haen deaths in our family too.”
 
“It may a' be for the best,” added Sanders, “an' there wid be a michty talk i' the hale country-side gin ye didna ging to the minister like a man.”
 
“I maum hae langer to think o't,” said Sam'l.
 
“Bell's mairitch is the morn,” said Sanders decisively.
 
Sam'l glanced up with a wild look in his eyes.
 
“Sanders!” he cried.
 
“Sam'l!”
 
“Ye hae been a guid friend to me, Sanders, in this sair affliction.”
 
“Nothing ava,” said Sanders; “dount mention'd.”
 
“But, Sanders, ye canna deny but what your rinnin oot o' the kirk that awfu' day was at the bottom o'd a'.”
 
“It was so,” said Sanders bravely.
 
“An' ye used to be fond o' Bell, Sanders.”
 
“I dinna deny't.”
 
“Sanders, laddie,” said Sam'l, bending forward and speaking in a wheedling87 voice, “I aye thocht it was you she likit.”
 
“I had some sic idea mysel,” said Sanders.
 
“Sanders, I canna think to pairt twa fowk sae weel suited to ane anither as you an' Bell.”
 
“Canna ye, Sam'l?”
 
“She wid mak ye a guid wife, Sanders, I hae studied her weel, and she's a thrifty88, douce, clever lassie. Sanders, there's no the like o' her. Mony a time, Sanders, I hae said to mysel, 'There's a lass ony man micht be prood to tak.' A'body says the same, Sanders, There's nae risk ava, man: nane to speak o'. Tak her, laddie, tak her, Sanders; it's a grand chance, Sanders. She's yours for the spierin'. I'll gie her up, Sanders.”
 
“Will ye, though?” said Sanders.
 
“What d'ye think?” asked Sam'l.
 
“If ye wid rayther,” said Sanders politely.
 
“There's my han' on't,” said Sam'l. “Bless ye, Sanders; ye've been a true frien' to me.”
 
Then they shook hands for the first time in their lives; and soon afterward89 Sanders struck up the brae to T'nowhead,
 
Next morning Sanders Elshioner, who had been very busy the night before, put on his Sabbath clothes and strolled up to the manse.
 
“But—but where is Sam'l?” asked the minister; “I must see himself.”
 
“It's a new arrangement,” said Sanders.
 
“What do you mean, Sanders?”
 
“Bell's to marry me,” explained Sanders.
 
“But—but what does Sam'l say?”
 
“He's willin',” said Sanders.
 
“And Bell?”
 
“She's willin', too. She prefers't.”
 
“It is unusual,” said the minister.
 
“It's a' richt,” said Sanders.
 
“Well, you know best,” said the minister.
 
“You see the hoose was taen, at ony rate,” continued Sanders. “An' I'll juist ging in til't instead o' Sam'l.”
 
“Quite so.”
 
“An' I cudna think to disappoint the lassie.”
 
“Your sentiments do you credit, Sanders,” said the minister; “but I hope you do not enter upon the blessed state of matrimony without full consideration of its responsibilities. It is a serious business, marriage.”
 
“It's a' that,” said Sanders, “but I'm willin' to stan' the risk.”
 
So, as soon as it could be done, Sanders Elshioner took to wife T'nowhead's Bell, and I remember seeing Sam'l Dickie trying to dance at the penny wedding.
 
Years afterward it was said in Thrums that Sam'l had treated Bell badly, but he was never sure about it himself.
 
“It was a near thing—a michty near thing,” he admitted in the square.
 
“They say,” some other weaver would remark, “'at it was you Bell liked best.”
 
“I d'na kin,” Sam'l would reply, “but there's nae doot the lassie was fell fond o' me. Ou, a mere passin' fancy's ye micht say.”

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 kin 22Zxv     
n.家族,亲属,血缘关系;adj.亲属关系的,同类的
参考例句:
  • He comes of good kin.他出身好。
  • She has gone to live with her husband's kin.她住到丈夫的亲戚家里去了。
2 weaver LgWwd     
n.织布工;编织者
参考例句:
  • She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快,而且布的质量很好。
  • The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。
3 tenements 307ebb75cdd759d238f5844ec35f9e27     
n.房屋,住户,租房子( tenement的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Here were crumbling tenements, squalid courtyards and stinking alleys. 随处可见破烂的住房、肮脏的庭院和臭气熏天的小胡同。 来自辞典例句
  • The tenements are in a poor section of the city. 共同住宅是在城中较贫苦的区域里。 来自辞典例句
4 eldest bqkx6     
adj.最年长的,最年老的
参考例句:
  • The King's eldest son is the heir to the throne.国王的长子是王位的继承人。
  • The castle and the land are entailed on the eldest son.城堡和土地限定由长子继承。
5 spoke XryyC     
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
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
6 poke 5SFz9     
n.刺,戳,袋;vt.拨开,刺,戳;vi.戳,刺,捅,搜索,伸出,行动散慢
参考例句:
  • We never thought she would poke her nose into this.想不到她会插上一手。
  • Don't poke fun at me.别拿我凑趣儿。
7 auld Fuxzt     
adj.老的,旧的
参考例句:
  • Should auld acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind?怎能忘记旧日朋友,心中能不怀念?
  • The party ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Sync.宴会以《友谊地久天长》的歌声而告终。
8 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
9 wriggling d9a36b6d679a4708e0599fd231eb9e20     
v.扭动,蠕动,蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 );(使身体某一部位)扭动;耍滑不做,逃避(应做的事等);蠕蠕
参考例句:
  • The baby was wriggling around on my lap. 婴儿在我大腿上扭来扭去。
  • Something that looks like a gray snake is wriggling out. 有一种看来象是灰蛇的东西蠕动着出来了。 来自辞典例句
10 puddles 38bcfd2b26c90ae36551f1fa3e14c14c     
n.水坑, (尤指道路上的)雨水坑( puddle的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The puddles had coalesced into a small stream. 地面上水洼子里的水汇流成了一条小溪。
  • The road was filled with puddles from the rain. 雨后路面到处是一坑坑的积水。 来自《简明英汉词典》
11 dyke 1krzI     
n.堤,水坝,排水沟
参考例句:
  • If one sheep leap over the dyke,all the rest will follow.一只羊跳过沟,其余的羊也跟着跳。
  • One ant-hole may cause the collapse of a thousand-li dyke.千里长堤,溃于蚁穴。
12 anticipation iMTyh     
n.预期,预料,期望
参考例句:
  • We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着,期待她的到来。
  • The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安,像是感到了地震即将发生。
13 syne wFRyY     
adv.自彼时至此时,曾经
参考例句:
  • The meeting ended up with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.大会以唱《友谊地久天长》结束。
  • We will take a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne.让我们为了过去的好时光干一杯友谊的酒。
14 craftily d64e795384853d0165c9ff452a9d786b     
狡猾地,狡诈地
参考例句:
  • He craftily arranged to be there when the decision was announced. 在决议宣布之时,他狡猾地赶到了那里。
  • Strengthen basic training of calculation, get the kids to grasp the radical calculating ability craftily. 加强计算基本训练,通过分、小、百互化口算的练习,使学生熟练地掌握基本的计算技能。
15 buckle zsRzg     
n.扣子,带扣;v.把...扣住,由于压力而弯曲
参考例句:
  • The two ends buckle at the back.带子两端在背后扣起来。
  • She found it hard to buckle down.她很难专心做一件事情。
16 conceit raVyy     
n.自负,自高自大
参考例句:
  • As conceit makes one lag behind,so modesty helps one make progress.骄傲使人落后,谦虚使人进步。
  • She seems to be eaten up with her own conceit.她仿佛已经被骄傲冲昏了头脑。
17 flare LgQz9     
v.闪耀,闪烁;n.潮红;突发
参考例句:
  • The match gave a flare.火柴发出闪光。
  • You need not flare up merely because I mentioned your work.你大可不必因为我提到你的工作就动怒。
18 ogle f0UyA     
v.看;送秋波;n.秋波,媚眼
参考例句:
  • He likes to ogle at the pretty girls.他爱盯着漂亮的女孩子。
  • All she did was hang around ogling the men in the factory.她所做的就只是在工厂里荡来荡去,朝男人抛媚眼。
19 overthrow PKDxo     
v.推翻,打倒,颠覆;n.推翻,瓦解,颠覆
参考例句:
  • After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后,这个国家处于混乱中。
  • The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。
20 malice P8LzW     
n.恶意,怨恨,蓄意;[律]预谋
参考例句:
  • I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
  • There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。
21 fetter Vzbyf     
n./vt.脚镣,束缚
参考例句:
  • This does not mean that we wish to fetter the trade union movement.这并不意味着我们想限制工会运动。
  • Reform will be deepened to remove the institutional obstacles that fetter the development of productive forces.继续深化改革,突破束缚生产力发展的体制性障碍。
22 scones 851500ddb2eb42d0ca038d69fbf83f7e     
n.烤饼,烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • scones and jam with clotted cream 夹有凝脂奶油和果酱的烤饼
  • She makes scones and cakes for the delectation of visitors. 她烘制了烤饼和蛋糕供客人享用。 来自辞典例句
23 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
v.(动物)发狺狺声, (雷)作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 );低声咆哮着说
参考例句:
  • \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道:“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
25 daze vnyzH     
v.(使)茫然,(使)发昏
参考例句:
  • The blow on the head dazed him for a moment.他头上受了一击后就昏眩了片刻。
  • I like dazing to sit in the cafe by myself on Sunday.星期日爱独坐人少的咖啡室发呆。
26 scoured ed55d3b2cb4a5db1e4eb0ed55b922516     
走遍(某地)搜寻(人或物)( scour的过去式和过去分词 ); (用力)刷; 擦净; 擦亮
参考例句:
  • We scoured the area for somewhere to pitch our tent. 我们四处查看,想找一个搭帐篷的地方。
  • The torrents scoured out a channel down the hill side. 急流沿着山腰冲刷出一条水沟。
27 starched 1adcdf50723145c17c3fb6015bbe818c     
adj.浆硬的,硬挺的,拘泥刻板的v.把(衣服、床单等)浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • My clothes are not starched enough. 我的衣服浆得不够硬。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The ruffles on his white shirt were starched and clean. 白衬衫的褶边浆过了,很干净。 来自辞典例句
28 weavers 55d09101fa7c612133657b412e704736     
织工,编织者( weaver的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The Navajo are noted as stockbreeders and skilled weavers, potters, and silversmiths. 纳瓦霍人以豢养家禽,技术熟练的纺织者,制陶者和银匠而著名。
  • They made out they were weavers. 他们假装是织布工人。
29 skilful 8i2zDY     
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的
参考例句:
  • The more you practise,the more skilful you'll become.练习的次数越多,熟练的程度越高。
  • He's not very skilful with his chopsticks.他用筷子不大熟练。
30 plunder q2IzO     
vt.劫掠财物,掠夺;n.劫掠物,赃物;劫掠
参考例句:
  • The thieves hid their plunder in the cave.贼把赃物藏在山洞里。
  • Trade should not serve as a means of economic plunder.贸易不应当成为经济掠夺的手段。
31 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
32 absurdity dIQyU     
n.荒谬,愚蠢;谬论
参考例句:
  • The proposal borders upon the absurdity.这提议近乎荒谬。
  • The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.情况的荒谬可笑使每个人都笑了。
33 ribs 24fc137444401001077773555802b280     
n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 );(船或屋顶等的)肋拱;肋骨状的东西;(织物的)凸条花纹
参考例句:
  • He suffered cracked ribs and bruising. 他断了肋骨还有挫伤。
  • Make a small incision below the ribs. 在肋骨下方切开一个小口。
34 goblet S66yI     
n.高脚酒杯
参考例句:
  • He poured some wine into the goblet.他向高脚酒杯里倒了一些葡萄酒。
  • He swirled the brandy around in the huge goblet.他摇晃着高脚大玻璃杯使里面的白兰地酒旋动起来。
35 bide VWTzo     
v.忍耐;等候;住
参考例句:
  • We'll have to bide our time until the rain stops.我们必须等到雨停。
  • Bide here for a while. 请在这儿等一会儿。
36 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
参考例句:
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
37 rumor qS0zZ     
n.谣言,谣传,传说
参考例句:
  • The rumor has been traced back to a bad man.那谣言经追查是个坏人造的。
  • The rumor has taken air.谣言流传开了。
38 intervals f46c9d8b430e8c86dea610ec56b7cbef     
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
参考例句:
  • The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴,有阵雨。
  • Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。
39 mighty YDWxl     
adj.强有力的;巨大的
参考例句:
  • A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
  • The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。
40 misgivings 0nIzyS     
n.疑虑,担忧,害怕;疑虑,担心,恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 );疑惧
参考例句:
  • I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。
  • Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后, 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧! 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
41 assortment FVDzT     
n.分类,各色俱备之物,聚集
参考例句:
  • This shop has a good assortment of goods to choose from.该店各色货物俱全,任君选择。
  • She was wearing an odd assortment of clothes.她穿着奇装异服。
42 crimson AYwzH     
n./adj.深(绯)红色(的);vi.脸变绯红色
参考例句:
  • She went crimson with embarrassment.她羞得满脸通红。
  • Maple leaves have turned crimson.枫叶已经红了。
43 faltered d034d50ce5a8004ff403ab402f79ec8d     
(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃
参考例句:
  • He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
  • "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着:“这孩子脑袋真长。”
44 injustice O45yL     
n.非正义,不公正,不公平,侵犯(别人的)权利
参考例句:
  • They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
  • All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。
45 elation 0q9x7     
n.兴高采烈,洋洋得意
参考例句:
  • She showed her elation at having finally achieved her ambition.最终实现了抱负,她显得十分高兴。
  • His supporters have reacted to the news with elation.他的支持者听到那条消息后兴高采烈。
46 trumped ccd8981ef2e9e924662f9825da2c2ce2     
v.(牌戏)出王牌赢(一牌或一墩)( trump的过去分词 );吹号公告,吹号庆祝;吹喇叭;捏造
参考例句:
  • That woman trumped up various baseless charges against him. 那个女人捏造种种毫无根据的罪名指控他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Several of his colleagues trumped up a complaint to get him removed from the job. 他的几位同事诬告他,使他丟掉了工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》
47 destined Dunznz     
adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的
参考例句:
  • It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
  • The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。
48 enviously ltrzjY     
adv.满怀嫉妒地
参考例句:
  • Yet again, they were looking for their way home blindly, enviously. 然而,它们又一次盲目地、忌妒地寻找着归途。 来自辞典例句
  • Tanya thought enviously, he must go a long way south. 坦妮亚歆羡不置,心里在想,他准是去那遥远的南方的。 来自辞典例句
49 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
50 psalm aB5yY     
n.赞美诗,圣诗
参考例句:
  • The clergyman began droning the psalm.牧师开始以单调而低沈的语调吟诵赞美诗。
  • The minister droned out the psalm.牧师喃喃地念赞美诗。
51 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查,调查研究
参考例句:
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
52 misgave 0483645f5fa7ca7262b31fba8a62f215     
v.使(某人的情绪、精神等)疑虑,担忧,害怕( misgive的过去式 )
参考例句:
  • Her mind misgave her about her friend. 她对她的朋友心存疑虑。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The air was pitilessly raw and already my heart misgave me. 寒气透骨地阴冷,我心里一阵阵忐忑不安。 来自辞典例句
53 suspense 9rJw3     
n.(对可能发生的事)紧张感,担心,挂虑
参考例句:
  • The suspense was unbearable.这样提心吊胆的状况实在叫人受不了。
  • The director used ingenious devices to keep the audience in suspense.导演用巧妙手法引起观众的悬念。
54 repented c24481167c6695923be1511247ed3c08     
对(自己的所为)感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He repented his thoughtlessness. 他后悔自己的轻率。
  • Darren repented having shot the bird. 达伦后悔射杀了那只鸟。
55 tottered 60930887e634cc81d6b03c2dda74833f     
v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 );踉跄;蹒跚;摇摇欲坠
参考例句:
  • The pile of books tottered then fell. 这堆书晃了几下,然后就倒了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The wounded soldier tottered to his feet. 伤员摇摇晃晃地站了起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
56 aisle qxPz3     
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道
参考例句:
  • The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
  • The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。
57 gape ZhBxL     
v.张口,打呵欠,目瞪口呆地凝视
参考例句:
  • His secretary stopped taking notes to gape at me.他的秘书停止了记录,目瞪口呆地望着我。
  • He was not the type to wander round gaping at everything like a tourist.他不是那种像个游客似的四处闲逛、对什么都好奇张望的人。
58 ascent TvFzD     
n.(声望或地位)提高;上升,升高;登高
参考例句:
  • His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
  • Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮,电梯开始缓慢上升。
59 forestall X6Qyv     
vt.抢在…之前采取行动;预先阻止
参考例句:
  • I left the room to forestall involvements.我抢先离开了这房间以免受牵累。
  • He followed this rule in order to forestall rumors.他遵守这条规矩是为了杜绝流言蜚语。
60 onlookers 9475a32ff7f3c5da0694cff2738f9381     
n.旁观者,观看者( onlooker的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • A crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene of the crash. 在撞车地点聚集了一大群围观者。
  • The onlookers stood at a respectful distance. 旁观者站在一定的距离之外,以示尊敬。
61 exultingly d8336e88f697a028c18f72beef5fc083     
兴高采烈地,得意地
参考例句:
  • It was exultingly easy. 这容易得让人雀跃。
  • I gave him a cup of tea while the rest exultingly drinking aquavit. 当别人继续兴高采烈地喝着白兰地的时候,我随手为那位朋友端去了一杯热茶。
62 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
63 sufficiently 0htzMB     
adv.足够地,充分地
参考例句:
  • It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
  • The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。
64 clattered 84556c54ff175194afe62f5473519d5a     
发出咔哒声(clatter的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • He dropped the knife and it clattered on the stone floor. 他一失手,刀子当啷一声掉到石头地面上。
  • His hand went limp and the knife clattered to the ground. 他的手一软,刀子当啷一声掉到地上。
65 perspired a63dc40f0cd5e754eb223baaff7c3c36     
v.出汗,流汗( perspire的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The air became cooler but Feliks perspired all the same. 空气凉爽了,但费利克斯仍然浑身出汗。 来自辞典例句
  • Sit down, you look perspired. 坐下,看你满头是汗。 来自辞典例句
66 puffed 72b91de7f5a5b3f6bdcac0d30e24f8ca     
adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 );喷着汽(或烟)移动;吹嘘;吹捧
参考例句:
  • He lit a cigarette and puffed at it furiously. 他点燃了一支香烟,狂吸了几口。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He felt grown-up, puffed up with self-importance. 他觉得长大了,便自以为了不起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
67 grunt eeazI     
v.嘟哝;作呼噜声;n.呼噜声,嘟哝
参考例句:
  • He lifted the heavy suitcase with a grunt.他咕噜着把沉重的提箱拎了起来。
  • I ask him what he think,but he just grunt.我问他在想什麽,他只哼了一声。
68 grunting ae2709ef2cd9ee22f906b0a6a6886465     
咕哝的,呼噜的
参考例句:
  • He pulled harder on the rope, grunting with the effort. 他边用力边哼声,使出更大的力气拉绳子。
  • Pigs were grunting and squealing in the yard. 猪在院子里哼哼地叫个不停。
69 loom T8pzd     
n.织布机,织机;v.隐现,(危险、忧虑等)迫近
参考例句:
  • The old woman was weaving on her loom.那位老太太正在织布机上织布。
  • The shuttle flies back and forth on the loom.织布机上梭子来回飞动。
70 stolidly 3d5f42d464d711b8c0c9ea4ca88895e6     
adv.迟钝地,神经麻木地
参考例句:
  • Too often people sat stolidly watching the noisy little fiddler. 人们往往不动声色地坐在那里,瞧着这位瘦小的提琴手闹腾一番。 来自辞典例句
  • He dropped into a chair and sat looking stolidly at the floor. 他坐在椅子上,两眼呆呆地望着地板。 来自辞典例句
71 justified 7pSzrk     
a.正当的,有理的
参考例句:
  • She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
  • The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。
72 assented 4cee1313bb256a1f69bcc83867e78727     
同意,赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The judge assented to allow the prisoner to speak. 法官同意允许犯人申辩。
  • "No," assented Tom, "they don't kill the women -- they're too noble. “对,”汤姆表示赞同地说,“他们不杀女人——真伟大!
73 wincing 377203086ce3e7442c3f6574a3b9c0c7     
赶紧避开,畏缩( wince的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She switched on the light, wincing at the sudden brightness. 她打开了灯,突如其来的强烈光线刺得她不敢睜眼。
  • "I will take anything," he said, relieved, and wincing under reproof. “我什么事都愿意做,"他说,松了一口气,缩着头等着挨骂。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
74 relentless VBjzv     
adj.残酷的,不留情的,无怜悯心的
参考例句:
  • The traffic noise is relentless.交通车辆的噪音一刻也不停止。
  • Their training has to be relentless.他们的训练必须是无情的。
75 harmonious EdWzx     
adj.和睦的,调和的,和谐的,协调的
参考例句:
  • Their harmonious relationship resulted in part from their similar goals.他们关系融洽的部分原因是他们有着相似的目标。
  • The room was painted in harmonious colors.房间油漆得色彩调和。
76 thwart wIRzZ     
v.阻挠,妨碍,反对;adj.横(断的)
参考例句:
  • We must thwart his malevolent schemes.我们决不能让他的恶毒阴谋得逞。
  • I don't think that will thwart our purposes.我认为那不会使我们的目的受到挫折。
77 fluster GgazI     
adj.慌乱,狼狈,混乱,激动
参考例句:
  • She was put in a fluster by the unexpected guests.不速之客的到来弄得她很慌张。
  • She was all in a fluster at the thought of meeting the boss.一想到要见老板,她就感到紧张。
78 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
79 denominations f2a750794effb127cad2d6b3b9598654     
n.宗派( denomination的名词复数 );教派;面额;名称
参考例句:
  • Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
  • The service was attended by Christians of all denominations. 这次礼拜仪式各教派的基督徒都参加了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
80 compassionately 40731999c58c9ac729f47f5865d2514f     
adv.表示怜悯地,有同情心地
参考例句:
  • The man at her feet looked up at Scarlett compassionately. 那个躺在思嘉脚边的人同情地仰望着她。 来自飘(部分)
  • Then almost compassionately he said,"You should be greatly rewarded." 接着他几乎带些怜悯似地说:“你是应当得到重重酬报的。” 来自辞典例句
81 interfered 71b7e795becf1adbddfab2cd6c5f0cff     
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉
参考例句:
  • Complete absorption in sports interfered with his studies. 专注于运动妨碍了他的学业。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am not going to be interfered with. 我不想别人干扰我的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
82 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
83 delicacy mxuxS     
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴
参考例句:
  • We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
  • He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。
84 groaned 1a076da0ddbd778a674301b2b29dff71     
v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦
参考例句:
  • He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
  • The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
85 subdued 76419335ce506a486af8913f13b8981d     
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He seemed a bit subdued to me. 我觉得他当时有点闷闷不乐。
  • I felt strangely subdued when it was all over. 一切都结束的时候,我却有一种奇怪的压抑感。
86 soothingly soothingly     
adv.抚慰地,安慰地;镇痛地
参考例句:
  • The mother talked soothingly to her child. 母亲对自己的孩子安慰地说。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He continued to talk quietly and soothingly to the girl until her frightened grip on his arm was relaxed. 他继续柔声安慰那姑娘,她那因恐惧而紧抓住他的手终于放松了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
87 wheedling ad2d42ff1de84d67e3fc59bee7d33453     
v.骗取(某物),哄骗(某人干某事)( wheedle的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He wheedled his way into the building, ie got into it by wheedling. 他靠花言巧语混进了那所楼房。 来自辞典例句
  • An honorable32 weepie uses none of these33) wheedling34) devices. 一部体面的伤感电影用不着这些花招。 来自互联网
88 thrifty NIgzT     
adj.节俭的;兴旺的;健壮的
参考例句:
  • Except for smoking and drinking,he is a thrifty man.除了抽烟、喝酒,他是个生活节俭的人。
  • She was a thrifty woman and managed to put aside some money every month.她是个很会持家的妇女,每月都设法存些钱。
89 afterward fK6y3     
adv.后来;以后
参考例句:
  • Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏,然后吃饭。
  • Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来,这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。


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