Then the Angel came in sight of the forge, where Sandy Bright's brother was shoeing a horse for the carter from Upmorton. Two hobbledehoys were standing1 by the forge staring in a bovine2 way at the proceedings3. As the Angel approached these two and then the carter turned slowly through an angle of thirty degrees and watched his approach, staring quietly and steadily4 at him. The expression on their faces was one of abstract interest.
The Angel became self-conscious for the first time in his life. He drew nearer, trying to maintain an amiable5 expression on his face, an expression that beat in vain against their granitic6 stare. His hands were behind him. He smiled pleasantly, looking curiously7 at the (to him) incomprehensible employment of the smith. But the battery of eyes seemed to angle for his regard. Trying to meet the three pairs at once, the Angel[Pg 113] lost his alertness and stumbled over a stone. One of the yokels8 gave a sarcastic9 cough, and was immediately covered with confusion at the Angel's enquiring10 gaze, nudging his companion with his elbow to cover his disorder11. None spoke12, and the Angel did not speak.
Then all three of them laughed. One tried to sing something and found his throat contained phlegm. The Angel proceeded on his way.
"Who's e then?" said the second hobbledehoy.
"Ping, ping, ping," went the blacksmith's hammer.
"Spose he's one of these here foweners," said the carter from Upmorton. "Däamned silly fool he do look to be sure."
"Got something very like the 'ump," said the carter from Upmorton. "Dää-ä-ämned if 'E ent."
[Pg 114]
Then the silence healed again, and they resumed their quiet expressionless consideration of the Angel's retreating figure.
"Very like the 'ump et is," said the carter after an enormous pause.
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1
standing
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n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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2
bovine
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adj.牛的;n.牛 | |
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3
proceedings
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n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报 | |
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4
steadily
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adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
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5
amiable
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adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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6
granitic
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花岗石的,由花岗岩形成的 | |
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7
curiously
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adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地 | |
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8
yokels
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n.乡下佬,土包子( yokel的名词复数 ) | |
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9
sarcastic
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adj.讥讽的,讽刺的,嘲弄的 | |
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10
enquiring
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a.爱打听的,显得好奇的 | |
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11
disorder
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n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
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12
spoke
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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 | |
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13
tune
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n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整 | |
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14
sagely
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adv. 贤能地,贤明地 | |
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