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CHAPTER XIII THE PEACE DISTURBED
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The bluebird came again to perch1 on Garibaldi’s cap, the baby maples2 put forth3 their leaves, and Signor Di Bello told Bertino it was time to give the Wooden Bunch a new coat of yellow. Once more the fire-escapes on either side of Corso di Mulberry bloomed with potted geraniums; glistening4 radishes lent their vernal blush to the vegetable stalls, and the thoughts of Sara the Frier of Pepper Pods turned to summer profits. The building trades had set the winter idlers to work, and the Alley5 of the Moon resounded6 no longer with the wild shouts of mora players. The hokey-pokey man, tiding over the cold months with an ancient hand organ, yearned7 to put away [Pg 154]The Blue Danube and The Marseillaise, and wheel out his gorgeous ice-cream cart. The old gondolier, selling pine-cone seeds at the foot of China Hill, could leave his toe-toaster at home now, and let the May sunshine economize8 the charcoal9.
 
Bertino mixed the paint, selected a cheap brush from the stock of the shop, and set to work on the Bunch. It is doubtful that he heard the swish, swish of the brush. His thoughts were of Juno. Her absence had extended long over the six months, and for more than thirty days he had not heard from her. There was no excuse for this neglect, he reasoned, since her education had been so liberal that she could spell and write as well as any woman in Mulberry. Of the few letters received from her, each had contained a tale of woe10—the woe of a ballet lady striving to live on the road with a salary of ten dollars a week. The missives, rich in terms of endearment11, always touched his pocket as well as his heart, and by return mail he never failed to send her a dollar or [Pg 155]two. But why had she been silent this last month of the tour, instead of writing to tell him where to meet her when she should reach the city? Already she ought to be here. What if she never came back—if she forsook12 him? In the shock of this terrible thought he upset the pail of yellow just as Signor Di Bello stepped out of the shop.
 
“Soul of a cat!” exclaimed the grocer, the toe of one of his black shoes tipped with the paint. “What the rhinoceros13 are you about? Gran Dio, what stupendous stupidity!”
 
Re-entering the shop, he cleaned off the paint, fuming14 the while and growling15. Then he flew out, scowling16 at Bertino as he passed, and made straight for the Caffè of the Three Gardens.
 
“The monkey!” said Bertino to himself. “When the bust17 arrives I’ll be rid of him.”
 
A moment afterward18 the letter carrier handed him a large envelope addressed in a big, round hand to “Bertino Manconi, Esq.” It was from a customhouse agent, [Pg 156]announcing the arrival of the bust, and offering to attend to the business of clearing it. To this end it would be necessary for Bertino to forward the amount of the duty, a hundred and forty dollars. He put the letter in his pocket, filled with apprehension19 of trouble, for his English was so weak that he could not make out the meaning of the part about the duty, though he suspected that the sum of a hundred and forty dollars was in some way required of him. That evening, after he had lugged20 in the Wooden Bunch and locked the shop door, he took the mysterious paper to Signor Tomato, who told him the awful truth.
 
“It must be a great work of art,” said the banker; “very valuable.”
 
“Valuable!” said Bertino. “Ah, caro mio, if you only knew! Well, I will tell you. It is a bust of her Majesty21 the Presidentessa.”
 
“What Presidentessa?”
 
“Of the United States.”
 
“St. Januarius! Is it possible?”
 
[Pg 157]
 
One hundred and forty dollars! The sum rose like an impassable mountain between Bertino and the hopes he had cherished so long and fervidly22. As well have been forty thousand. He could not pay the duty. Marriage had eaten up the savings23 brought from Italy and what he had earned since. When Signor Tomato told him that the Government would retain the marble until the impost24 were paid, he blotted25 out the poor lad’s fondest anticipations—his dreams of release from Signor Di Bello and the misery26 of his secret marriage, the freedom to say to his uncle, “Juno is my wife.” To the bust he had looked forward as to a loyal friend, who should come some day to lift him to the plane whereon a man ought to stand. But now that the friend was near, some power which he comprehended but vaguely27 had clapped her in a prison, from which the future held no promise of letting her go. There came over him the terrible throbbing28 of blood and the fire of brain that he felt the night he crouched29, burning with [Pg 158]suspicion, in the doorway30 with a ready knife waiting for Juno. He could not have answered if asked just now whom he wished to kill. Some infernal prank31 was playing at his expense, and the time had come to end it. A strange calm possessed32 him as he began to cast about for the joker. He had been walking in Mulberry Street. At the corner of Spring Street he entered the Caffè of the Three Gardens. Dropping into a chair near the door, he ordered a glass of Marsala; but before the waiter had returned with the wine, Bertino sprang up and darted33 out of the place. At a table in the caffè’s depth he had seen Juno and Signor Di Bello with their heads together! Holy blood of the angels!
 
No need of looking further for the joker. His wife returns after six months, does not let her husband know, and goes first to meet another. Yes, the prank has gone far enough.
 
It was only a block to Casa Di Bello. In a few minutes he was there and in his [Pg 159]room. When he came into the street again he had his right hand in his coat pocket.
 
The meeting of Juno and Signor Di Bello came about in this manner: The signore was walking in Mulberry Street, on his way to the caffè to smoke an after-dinner Cavour, and help some good comrades empty a flask34 of Chianti. Suddenly he stopped, stood still, his eyes staring and his mouth a gulf35 of astonishment36.
 
“By the Egg of Columbus!” he exclaimed. “It is she, or I am dreaming!”
 
There she was, moving toward him on the same side of the street, dressed no better than when he last came face to face with her, but her grand air not a whit37 impaired38.
 
“At last, at last I find you!” he cried, catching39 up her hand and kissing it with a loud smack40. “Ah! the good God knows how I have hunted for you. But joy, joy! I find you! I see you! My eyes look into yours! Come, away from here! Ah, the Three Gardens! Let us enter. I have [Pg 160]something to say—something very important.”
 
He drew her into the caffè, and sought a table far from the door.
 
“What do you want to say to me?” asked Juno. She had responded not at all to Signor Di Bello’s passionate41 greeting.
 
“Ah, my angel! I want to say to you what I would have said long ago if I had found you. The hunt I have had! And once when I caught sight of you, it was only to have you vanish again like a wine bubble. Where have you been? How beautiful you are! Oh, the grand hunt!”
 
“Why have you hunted for me?” she said, releasing her hand from his, and moving her chair.
 
“To offer you what you demanded—a wedding ring.”
 
“You wish to make me your wife?”
 
“Yes. Before the Madonna, it is true! Months and months ago I was ready.”
 
For a moment Juno was silent, contemplative. Then she said, eying him steadily42:
 
[Pg 161]
 
“Would you have married me before I left Mulberry?”
 
“Yes; Dio my witness.”
 
“Why did you not come to me and say so?”
 
“But I could not find you. My nephew, Bertino, will tell you that I speak truth. I told him that I intended to make you my wife.”
 
“When did you tell him that?” she asked quickly, leaning forward and awaiting the answer eagerly, while Signor Di Bello strove to recollect43.
 
“Ah, yes, now I have it,” he said at length. “I remember because it was the day after my sister Carolina sailed for Genova—two days after the Feast of San Giorgio, my saint.”
 
The recollection rose clear to Juno that it was on the day following Carolina’s departure that she and Bertino went to the little rectory in Second Avenue. And equally vivid to her consciousness stood forth the inflaming44 truth that Bertino, with [Pg 162]full knowledge of Signor Di Bello’s purpose to take her for wife, had hastened their union in order to checkmate his rival. So this moneyless clerk had tricked her into marriage, and cheated her of a rich husband!
 
“Maledetto!” she said in a half-stifled voice. At the same instant there flashed in her brain a resolve to rid herself of Bertino.
 
“Why maledetto?” asked the signore. “Do you not accept my offer?”
 
“Another time I will give you my answer,” she said, rising. “I must go.”
 
They stood outside, he holding her hand and looking up into her face with worshipful eyes. Suddenly she drew back, and without a parting word took herself off. A face that she had seen in a near-by doorway made her eager to end the interview. She had gone but a few paces when Bertino was by her side.
 
“So you are here, and putting horns on your husband?” he said, gripping her arm. “Welcome, signora, welcome!” A smile of hellish mockery played on his livid face.
 
[Pg 163]
 
“No, I am not,” she pleaded, a tremor45 in her voice, because she knew her race.
 
He laughed, and gripped her arm tighter.
 
“I know,” he said. “You want a rich man.” Then, with his lips close to her ear: “Do you think you will live?”
 
“It is not my fault,” she said, still pleading. “What can a woman do when a man plays the fool and annoys her?”
 
“He annoys you?”
 
“Yes,” she answered, seizing her chance. “If you were a man you would make him leave me alone. I do not want him.”
 
“I will kill the dog!” said Bertino, letting go of her arm. A moment he regarded her with the old tenderness, but a black look settled again on his face, and he asked slowly, “Why did you not let me know you were back?”
 
“I have not been in the city an hour. The shop was closed. Luigia the Garlic Woman will tell you that I asked her if she knew where you had gone. I was going to send a note to Casa Di Bello. We met in [Pg 164]the street and—he annoyed me.” She thought now only of saving herself.
 
“By the heart of Mary!” he said, “this shall stop. I will go to him and tell him you are my wife.”
 
“No, no! Don’t do that. Wait—wait until you are rid of him—until you are your own padrone—until the bust is here and you have sold it and are a free man.”
 
“The bust?” he said hopelessly. “It is here, but as well might it have remained in Armando’s studio.”
 
“What?” she said. “It is here? Where? Let me see it.”
 
“No; I can not. The Government has it, and will keep it until I pay one hundred and forty dollars. Seven hundred lire! Gesù Bambino! Where shall I get them?”
 
As they walked on he recounted the distress46 that had overtaken the supposed First Lady of the Land; her captivity47 in the hands of revenue officials, and his inability to pay the kingly ransom48 demanded. This news was a cut and thrust at the hope [Pg 165]whereon Juno’s crude self-love had fed for many a month, and it killed the solitary49 motive50 that made her hold to Bertino. By neither word nor sign, however, did she betray her disgust and anger; she even feigned51 sympathy, and bade him be of good cheer, saying tenderly that ill fortune would not dog them forever; that by luck or pluck they should get possession of the bust, and carry out his plan for money-making. These were the first heartening words she had ever spoken to him—the first kindness he could recall as coming from her lips. Despite the black cloud that had risen so suddenly from behind the customhouse, a sweet rapture52 filled his soul. What mattered it all?—his wife loved him. Their joys and griefs were one. The loneliness that had burdened his spirit since the day of his marriage departed, and his heart lost its bitterness.
 
“True, my precious,” he said, pressing her hand, “we love each other, and shall know how to manage in spite of the Government.”
 
At the same time Juno said to herself, [Pg 166]“How can I get rid of the fool and marry his uncle?”
 
They came to a halt at the mouth of the Alley of the Moon, a wide passage between two tenements53 that led to a rear court heaped with push-carts laid up for the night. Halfway54 up the alley a large gas lamp with a sputtering55 light hung over a doorway. On its green glass showed the words, Restaurant of Santa Lucia. In three dingy56 rooms above, Luigia the Garlic Woman lived with a lodger57 known to the public of Mulberry as Chiara the Hair Comber. The latter had her shop and living apartment in the “front” room, looking on the alley, and directly over the green light, which shed its rays on her sign, Hair Combing in Signora Style, Two Cents. The remaining room of the trio had been engaged that day by Juno, who had merely fibbed when she told Bertino that she had been in town only an hour. It was the same humble58 chamber59 she had occupied during her brief career of starhood on the stage of La Scala.
 
[Pg 167]
 
“I have come here because it costs only twenty soldi a day,” she said to Bertino, “and here I shall remain until—until we can do better. Good night, my dear husband. Courage. Be allegro60, and our fortune will sing.”
 
“Ah, yes; allegro I will be. Good night, my precious wife. Until to-morrow.”
 
In the solitude61 of her dreary62 little coop, while the hoarse63 shouts of mora players in the restaurant below sounded in her ears, Juno set her wits calmly to the knotty64 puzzle that the day had brought forth: How to get rid of her husband that she might accept Signor Di Bello’s offer of marriage? A few grains of poison dropped in wine for Bertino to drink would accomplish the needful state of widowhood, but this method, she discerned, had its faults. It was likely to bring man-hunters from the Central Office about one’s head, and detectives were given to putting awkward questions. Moreover, they had a trick of locking up persons whose answers did not suit them. No; in a strictly65 private [Pg 168]matter of this kind it would never do to have the police meddling66. That might spoil all. She thought of other plans of removal that she had heard talked about in the Porto quarter of Naples. And while she considered these there darted into her mind one of those mystic shafts67 of memory that come unbidden by cognate68 suggestion. It was a Sunday afternoon, and she and Bertino, walking in the suburbs, stood upon Washington Bridge. From the height of the great span she looked down again on the slopes of the Harlem Valley beautiful in the gold and flame of autumn; the sedge marshes69 that waved to the temperate70 wind, and far below, growing narrow in the distance, the silvery ribbon of water that glimmered71 yet faintly in the gloam of sunset. It was one of those Sundays that Bertino brought her a package of bob veal72, and she recalled the desire that had seized her to throw him over the parapet. Had she done so in the darkness that soon fell not a soul would have known. What she could have [Pg 169]done then she could do now. By this method there would be no police knocking at one’s door and prying73 into secrets. The quicker he were out of the way the better, and next Sunday, if no moon shone, the thing could be done. With deep satisfaction she viewed her brawny74 arms and stalwart frame and felt sure of the strength needful to execute the task without bungling75. Then she went to bed and slept soundly.
 
But the morrow had in its teeth a fine marplot for her little tragedy. It happened in the evening in this wise: The shutters76 of the shop put up, Bertino hastened to the Restaurant of Santa Lucia, where Juno had promised to await him. He opened the door, and what he saw caused him to pause on the threshold, but for only a moment. She was not alone. Seated by her side on the rough wooden bench that flanked the long oil-clothed table was Signor Di Bello. Their backs were turned to the door, but Bertino knew both at first glance. On the opposite side of the board the gaslight fell [Pg 170]upon a row of dusky faces, into the caverns77 of which large quantities of spaghetti coiled about forks were being despatched. In other parts of the low-ceiled room, muggy78 with smoke of two-cent cigars, coatless men, engaged in furious combats at cards, shouted and rained sledge-hammer blows on the tables. Before any one had seen him enter, Bertino sprang across the floor like a jaguar79 and snatched from his uncle’s hand a knife with which he was in the act of conveying a bit of sheep’s-milk cheese to his mouth. Then without ado the gudgeon who believed that his wife was annoyed fell to the performance of a husband’s duty. It was a wild thrust, but well enough aimed to have found a mortal course had the tool been of the standard pattern used in Mulberry for odd jobs of this kind—the long thin steel, fine tempered, and needlelike of point. As it chanced, Signor Di Bello’s left shoulder blade was stabbed flesh deep, and a second lunge only slit80 his coat sleeve, because he dropped sidewise out of harm’s way just as [Pg 171]Bertino brought down the knife again. Every eye in the restaurant had witnessed the second blow and the fall of Signor Di Bello from the end of the bench, so the conclusion was instant and general that the odd job had been finished.
 
“Fly!” they cried, one and all, rising and pointing to the door. “Your work is done.”
 
Bertino stood a moment, grasping the knife and looking at Juno; then he flung it down and made for the door. One of the card players held it open for him as he passed out; for the vendetta81 is a man’s sacred right—a strictly private matter to be settled by him in his own way, free of outside interference. Enough that he use the genteel knife and not the clumsy pistol, which is seldom sure of its mark, and brings the police to make trouble for one’s friends.
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 perch 5u1yp     
n.栖木,高位,杆;v.栖息,就位,位于
参考例句:
  • The bird took its perch.鸟停歇在栖木上。
  • Little birds perch themselves on the branches.小鸟儿栖歇在树枝上。
2 maples 309f7112d863cd40b5d12477d036621a     
槭树,枫树( maple的名词复数 ); 槭木
参考例句:
  • There are many maples in the park. 公园里有好多枫树。
  • The wind of the autumn colour the maples carmine . 秋风给枫林涂抹胭红。
3 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
4 glistening glistening     
adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》
5 alley Cx2zK     
n.小巷,胡同;小径,小路
参考例句:
  • We live in the same alley.我们住在同一条小巷里。
  • The blind alley ended in a brick wall.这条死胡同的尽头是砖墙。
6 resounded 063087faa0e6dc89fa87a51a1aafc1f9     
v.(指声音等)回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 );产生回响;(指某处)回荡着声音
参考例句:
  • Laughter resounded through the house. 笑声在屋里回荡。
  • The echo resounded back to us. 回声传回到我们的耳中。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 yearned df1a28ecd1f3c590db24d0d80c264305     
渴望,切盼,向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The people yearned for peace. 人民渴望和平。
  • She yearned to go back to the south. 她渴望回到南方去。
8 economize Sr3xZ     
v.节约,节省
参考例句:
  • We're going to have to economize from now on. 从现在开始,我们不得不节约开支。
  • We have to economize on water during the dry season. 我们在旱季不得不节约用水。
9 charcoal prgzJ     
n.炭,木炭,生物炭
参考例句:
  • We need to get some more charcoal for the barbecue.我们烧烤需要更多的碳。
  • Charcoal is used to filter water.木炭是用来过滤水的。
10 woe OfGyu     
n.悲哀,苦痛,不幸,困难;int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌
参考例句:
  • Our two peoples are brothers sharing weal and woe.我们两国人民是患难与共的兄弟。
  • A man is well or woe as he thinks himself so.自认祸是祸,自认福是福。
11 endearment tpmxH     
n.表示亲爱的行为
参考例句:
  • This endearment indicated the highest degree of delight in the old cooper.这个称呼是老箍桶匠快乐到了极点的表示。
  • To every endearment and attention he continued listless.对于每一种亲爱的表示和每一种的照顾,他一直漫不在意。
12 forsook 15e454d354d8a31a3863bce576df1451     
forsake的过去式
参考例句:
  • He faithlessly forsook his friends in their hour of need. 在最需要的时刻他背信弃义地抛弃朋友。
  • She forsook her worldly possessions to devote herself to the church. 她抛弃世上的财物而献身教会。
13 rhinoceros tXxxw     
n.犀牛
参考例句:
  • The rhinoceros has one horn on its nose.犀牛鼻子上有一个角。
  • The body of the rhinoceros likes a cattle and the head likes a triangle.犀牛的形体像牛,头呈三角形。
14 fuming 742478903447fcd48a40e62f9540a430     
愤怒( fume的现在分词 ); 大怒; 发怒; 冒烟
参考例句:
  • She sat in the car, silently fuming at the traffic jam. 她坐在汽车里,心中对交通堵塞感到十分恼火。
  • I was fuming at their inefficiency. 我正因为他们效率低而发火。
15 growling growling     
n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼
参考例句:
  • We heard thunder growling in the distance. 我们听见远处有隆隆雷声。
  • The lay about the deck growling together in talk. 他们在甲板上到处游荡,聚集在一起发牢骚。
16 scowling bbce79e9f38ff2b7862d040d9e2c1dc7     
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • There she was, grey-suited, sweet-faced, demure, but scowling. 她就在那里,穿着灰色的衣服,漂亮的脸上显得严肃而忧郁。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Scowling, Chueh-hui bit his lips. 他马上把眉毛竖起来。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
17 bust WszzB     
vt.打破;vi.爆裂;n.半身像;胸部
参考例句:
  • I dropped my camera on the pavement and bust it. 我把照相机掉在人行道上摔坏了。
  • She has worked up a lump of clay into a bust.她把一块黏土精心制作成一个半身像。
18 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。
19 apprehension bNayw     
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑
参考例句:
  • There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑,于是她越来越担心。
  • She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
20 lugged 7fb1dd67f4967af8775a26954a9353c5     
vt.用力拖拉(lug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • She lugged the heavy case up the stairs. 她把那只沉甸甸的箱子拖上了楼梯。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They used to yell that at football when you lugged the ball. 踢足球的时候,逢着你抢到球,人们总是对你这样嚷嚷。 来自辞典例句
21 majesty MAExL     
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权
参考例句:
  • The king had unspeakable majesty.国王有无法形容的威严。
  • Your Majesty must make up your mind quickly!尊贵的陛下,您必须赶快做出决定!
22 fervidly c7b06bcdd3e7c35d3a25b10f905e07f9     
adv.热情地,激情地
参考例句:
  • We fervidly a zonal clients come to do business with us. 我们热切欢迎国内外新老客户前来洽谈业务。 来自互联网
  • Mr. Sunguojin, board chairman and general manager, welcome with us fervidly, and abroad businessman. 董事长兼总经理孙国金先生热忱欢迎国内外客商真诚合作,共创辉煌! 来自互联网
23 savings ZjbzGu     
n.存款,储蓄
参考例句:
  • I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假,那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
  • By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时,他的存款已全部用完。
24 impost fcszK     
n.进口税,关税
参考例句:
  • Exemption from wharfage dues and any export tax,duty,impost and fees.免除任何码头费及任何出口税、关税、进口税费。
  • In the situation of zollverein,the basic principles of impost reformation are the same.作者认为,在单边、多边或者在关税同盟的情况下,关税改革的基本原则都是一样的。
25 blotted 06046c4f802cf2d785ce6e085eb5f0d7     
涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 ); (用吸墨纸)吸干
参考例句:
  • She blotted water off the table with a towel. 她用毛巾擦干桌上的水。
  • The blizzard blotted out the sky and the land. 暴风雪铺天盖地而来。
26 misery G10yi     
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦
参考例句:
  • Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
  • He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
27 vaguely BfuzOy     
adv.含糊地,暖昧地
参考例句:
  • He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad.他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
  • He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes.他迷迷糊糊的望着前面,对一切都视而不见。
28 throbbing 8gMzA0     
a. 跳动的,悸动的
参考例句:
  • My heart is throbbing and I'm shaking. 我的心在猛烈跳动,身子在不住颤抖。
  • There was a throbbing in her temples. 她的太阳穴直跳。
29 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
30 doorway 2s0xK     
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。
31 prank 51azg     
n.开玩笑,恶作剧;v.装饰;打扮;炫耀自己
参考例句:
  • It was thought that the fire alarm had been set off as a prank.人们认为火警报警器响是个恶作剧。
  • The dean was ranking the boys for pulling the prank.系主任正在惩罚那些恶作剧的男学生。
32 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
33 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
34 flask Egxz8     
n.瓶,火药筒,砂箱
参考例句:
  • There is some deposit in the bottom of the flask.这只烧杯的底部有些沉淀物。
  • He took out a metal flask from a canvas bag.他从帆布包里拿出一个金属瓶子。
35 gulf 1e0xp     
n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂
参考例句:
  • The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
  • There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。
36 astonishment VvjzR     
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。
37 whit TgXwI     
n.一点,丝毫
参考例句:
  • There's not a whit of truth in the statement.这声明里没有丝毫的真实性。
  • He did not seem a whit concerned.他看来毫不在乎。
38 impaired sqtzdr     
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》
39 catching cwVztY     
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住
参考例句:
  • There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
  • Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
40 smack XEqzV     
vt.拍,打,掴;咂嘴;vi.含有…意味;n.拍
参考例句:
  • She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
  • I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。
41 passionate rLDxd     
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的
参考例句:
  • He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
  • He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。
42 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
43 recollect eUOxl     
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得
参考例句:
  • He tried to recollect things and drown himself in them.他极力回想过去的事情而沉浸于回忆之中。
  • She could not recollect being there.她回想不起曾经到过那儿。
44 inflaming 680d9d4b23288e1c2a803752cc2520a4     
v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • And, by inflaming the liver, hepatitis can adversely affect dozens of life processes. 而肝脏的炎症又会对数十种生命过程产生有害影响。 来自辞典例句
  • Your throat are inflaming. 你的喉部发炎了。 来自互联网
45 tremor Tghy5     
n.震动,颤动,战栗,兴奋,地震
参考例句:
  • There was a slight tremor in his voice.他的声音有点颤抖。
  • A slight earth tremor was felt in California.加利福尼亚发生了轻微的地震。
46 distress 3llzX     
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
参考例句:
  • Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
  • Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。
47 captivity qrJzv     
n.囚禁;被俘;束缚
参考例句:
  • A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
  • He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。
48 ransom tTYx9     
n.赎金,赎身;v.赎回,解救
参考例句:
  • We'd better arrange the ransom right away.我们最好马上把索取赎金的事安排好。
  • The kidnappers exacted a ransom of 10000 from the family.绑架者向这家人家勒索10000英镑的赎金。
49 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
50 motive GFzxz     
n.动机,目的;adv.发动的,运动的
参考例句:
  • The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
  • He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。
51 feigned Kt4zMZ     
a.假装的,不真诚的
参考例句:
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work. 他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
  • He accepted the invitation with feigned enthusiasm. 他假装热情地接受了邀请。
52 rapture 9STzG     
n.狂喜;全神贯注;着迷;v.使狂喜
参考例句:
  • His speech was received with rapture by his supporters.他的演说受到支持者们的热烈欢迎。
  • In the midst of his rapture,he was interrupted by his father.他正欢天喜地,被他父亲打断了。
53 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
54 halfway Xrvzdq     
adj.中途的,不彻底的,部分的;adv.半路地,在中途,在半途
参考例句:
  • We had got only halfway when it began to get dark.走到半路,天就黑了。
  • In study the worst danger is give up halfway.在学习上,最忌讳的是有始无终。
55 sputtering 60baa9a92850944a75456c0cb7ae5c34     
n.反应溅射法;飞溅;阴极真空喷镀;喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 );发劈啪声;喷出;飞溅出
参考例句:
  • A wick was sputtering feebly in a dish of oil. 瓦油灯上结了一个大灯花,使微弱的灯光变得更加阴暗。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • Jack ran up to the referee, sputtering protest. 贾克跑到裁判跟前,唾沫飞溅地提出抗议。 来自辞典例句
56 dingy iu8xq     
adj.昏暗的,肮脏的
参考例句:
  • It was a street of dingy houses huddled together. 这是一条挤满了破旧房子的街巷。
  • The dingy cottage was converted into a neat tasteful residence.那间脏黑的小屋已变成一个整洁雅致的住宅。
57 lodger r8rzi     
n.寄宿人,房客
参考例句:
  • My friend is a lodger in my uncle's house.我朋友是我叔叔家的房客。
  • Jill and Sue are at variance over their lodger.吉尔和休在对待房客的问题上意见不和。
58 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
59 chamber wnky9     
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所
参考例句:
  • For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
  • The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
60 allegro MLyyu     
adj. 快速而活泼的;n.快板;adv.活泼地
参考例句:
  • The first movement is a conventional symphonic Allegro.第一乐章是传统的交响乐快板。
  • My life in university is like allegro.我的生活在大学中像急速的乐章。
61 solitude xF9yw     
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方
参考例句:
  • People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
  • They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。
62 dreary sk1z6     
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的
参考例句:
  • They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。
  • She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。
63 hoarse 5dqzA     
adj.嘶哑的,沙哑的
参考例句:
  • He asked me a question in a hoarse voice.他用嘶哑的声音问了我一个问题。
  • He was too excited and roared himself hoarse.他过于激动,嗓子都喊哑了。
64 knotty u2Sxi     
adj.有结的,多节的,多瘤的,棘手的
参考例句:
  • Under his leadership,many knotty problems were smoothly solved.在他的领导下,许多伤脑筋的问题都迎刃而解。
  • She met with a lot of knotty problems.她碰上了许多棘手的问题。
65 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地
参考例句:
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
66 meddling meddling     
v.干涉,干预(他人事务)( meddle的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He denounced all "meddling" attempts to promote a negotiation. 他斥责了一切“干预”促成谈判的企图。 来自辞典例句
  • They liked this field because it was never visited by meddling strangers. 她们喜欢这块田野,因为好事的陌生人从来不到那里去。 来自辞典例句
67 shafts 8a8cb796b94a20edda1c592a21399c6b     
n.轴( shaft的名词复数 );(箭、高尔夫球棒等的)杆;通风井;一阵(疼痛、害怕等)
参考例句:
  • He deliberately jerked the shafts to rock him a bit. 他故意的上下颠动车把,摇这个老猴子几下。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
  • Shafts were sunk, with tunnels dug laterally. 竖井已经打下,并且挖有横向矿道。 来自辞典例句
68 cognate MqHz1     
adj.同类的,同源的,同族的;n.同家族的人,同源词
参考例句:
  • Mathematics and astronomy are cognate sciences.数学和天文学是互相关联的科学。
  • English,Dutch and German are cognate languages. 英语、荷兰语、德语是同语族的语言。
69 marshes 9fb6b97bc2685c7033fce33dc84acded     
n.沼泽,湿地( marsh的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Cows were grazing on the marshes. 牛群在湿地上吃草。
  • We had to cross the marshes. 我们不得不穿过那片沼泽地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
70 temperate tIhzd     
adj.温和的,温带的,自我克制的,不过分的
参考例句:
  • Asia extends across the frigid,temperate and tropical zones.亚洲地跨寒、温、热三带。
  • Great Britain has a temperate climate.英国气候温和。
71 glimmered 8dea896181075b2b225f0bf960cf3afd     
v.发闪光,发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • "There glimmered the embroidered letter, with comfort in its unearthly ray." 她胸前绣着的字母闪着的非凡的光辉,将温暖舒适带给他人。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
  • The moon glimmered faintly through the mists. 月亮透过薄雾洒下微光。 来自辞典例句
72 veal 5HQy0     
n.小牛肉
参考例句:
  • She sauteed veal and peppers,preparing a mixed salad while the pan simmered.她先做的一道菜是青椒煎小牛肉,趁着锅还在火上偎着的机会,又做了一道拼盘。
  • Marinate the veal in white wine for two hours.把小牛肉用白葡萄酒浸泡两小时。
73 prying a63afacc70963cb0fda72f623793f578     
adj.爱打听的v.打听,刺探(他人的私事)( pry的现在分词 );撬开
参考例句:
  • I'm sick of you prying into my personal life! 我讨厌你刺探我的私生活!
  • She is always prying into other people's affairs. 她总是打听别人的私事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
74 brawny id7yY     
adj.强壮的
参考例句:
  • The blacksmith has a brawny arm.铁匠有强壮的胳膊。
  • That same afternoon the marshal appeared with two brawny assistants.当天下午,警长带着两名身强力壮的助手来了。
75 bungling 9a4ae404ac9d9a615bfdbdf0d4e87632     
adj.笨拙的,粗劣的v.搞糟,完不成( bungle的现在分词 );笨手笨脚地做;失败;完不成
参考例句:
  • You can't do a thing without bungling it. 你做事总是笨手笨脚。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • 'Enough, too,' retorted George. 'We'll all swing and sundry for your bungling.' “还不够吗?”乔治反问道,“就因为你乱指挥,我们都得荡秋千,被日头晒干。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛
76 shutters 74d48a88b636ca064333022eb3458e1f     
百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 ); (照相机的)快门
参考例句:
  • The shop-front is fitted with rolling shutters. 那商店的店门装有卷门。
  • The shutters thumped the wall in the wind. 在风中百叶窗砰砰地碰在墙上。
77 caverns bb7d69794ba96943881f7baad3003450     
大山洞,大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Within were dark caverns; what was inside them, no one could see. 里面是一个黑洞,这里面有什么东西,谁也望不见。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • UNDERGROUND Under water grottos, caverns Filled with apes That eat figs. 在水帘洞里,挤满了猿争吃无花果。
78 muggy wFDxl     
adj.闷热的;adv.(天气)闷热而潮湿地;n.(天气)闷热而潮湿
参考例句:
  • We may expect muggy weather when the rainy season begins.雨季开始时,我们预料有闷热的天气。
  • It was muggy and overcast.天气闷热潮湿,而且天色阴沉。
79 jaguar JaPz8     
n.美洲虎
参考例句:
  • He was green with envy when he saw my new Jaguar car.看见我那辆美洲虎牌新车,他非常妒忌。
  • Should you meet a jaguar in the jungle,just turn slowly,walk away.But slowly,never look back.你在丛林中若碰上美洲虎,就慢慢转身走开,可一定要慢,切莫回头看。
80 slit tE0yW     
n.狭长的切口;裂缝;vt.切开,撕裂
参考例句:
  • The coat has been slit in two places.这件外衣有两处裂开了。
  • He began to slit open each envelope.他开始裁开每个信封。
81 vendetta IL5zx     
n.世仇,宿怨
参考例句:
  • For years he pursued a vendetta against the Morris family.多年来他一直在寻求向莫里斯家族报世仇。
  • She conducted a personal vendetta against me.她对我有宿仇。


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