Rosa awoke very early, for her sleep had been light and troubled. She dressed hastily and sat down to compose a note which could be altered slightly in case she found some one better than the half-breed; but before she was half through the phrasing she heard a slight disturbance1 below her window and a muttering in guttural tones from a strange voice. Glancing hastily out, she saw some Indians below, talking with one of the men, who was shaking his head and motioning to them that they must go on, that this was no place for them to stop. The Indian motioned to his squaw, sitting on a dilapidated little moth-eaten burro with a small papoose in her arms and looking both dirty and miserable2. He muttered as though he were pleading for something.
We believe that God's angels follow the feet of little children and needy3 ones to protect them; does the devil also send his angels to lead unwary ones astray, and to protect the plan's of the erring4 ones? If so then he must have sent these Indians that morning to further Rosa's plans, and instantly she recognized her opportunity. She leaned out of her window and spoke5 in a clear, reproving voice:
"James, what does he want? Breakfast? You know father wouldn't want any hungry person to be turned away. Let them sit down on the bench there and tell Dorset I said to give them a good hot breakfast, and get some milk for the baby. Be quick about it, too!"
James started and frowned at the clear, commanding voice. The squaw turned grateful animal eyes up to the little beauty in the window, muttering some inarticulate thanks, while the stolid6 Indian's eyes glittered hopefully, though the muscles of his mask-like countenance7 changed not an atom.
Rosa smiled radiantly and ran down to see that her orders were obeyed. She tried to talk a little with the squaw, but found she understood very little English. The Indian spoke better and gave her their brief story. They were on their way to the Navajo reservation to the far north. They had been unfortunate enough to lose their last scanty8 provisions by prowling coyotes during the night, and were in need of food. Rosa gave them a place to sit down and a plentiful9 breakfast, and ordered that a small store of provisions should be prepared for their journey after they had rested. Then she hurried up to her room to finish her letter. She had her plan well fixed10 now. These strangers should be her willing messengers. Now and then, as she wrote she lifted her head and gazed out of the window, where she could see the squaw busy with her little one, and her eyes fairly glittered with satisfaction. Nothing could have been better planned than this.
She wrote her note carefully:
Dear Margaret [she had heard Hazel call Margaret by her first name, and rightly judged that their new friendship was already strong enough to justify11 this intimacy],—I have found just the opportunity I wanted for you to come to us. These Indians are thoroughly12 trustworthy and are coming in just the direction to bring you to a point where we will meet you. We have decided14 to go on to Walpi at once, and will probably meet you near Keams, or a little farther on. The Indian knows the way, and you need not be afraid. I trust him perfectly15. Start at once, please, so that you will meet us in time. John has to go on as fast as possible. I know you will enjoy the trip, and am so glad you are coming.
Lovingly,
Hazel Radcliffe Brownleigh.
Rosa read it over, comparing it carefully with the little yellow note from her Testament16, and decided that it was a very good imitation. She could almost hear Mrs. Brownleigh saying what she had written. Rosa really was quite clever. She had done it well.
She hastily sealed and addressed her letter, and then hurried down to talk with the Indians again.
The place she had ordered for them to rest was at some distance from the kitchen door, a sort of outshed for the shelter of certain implements17 used about the ranch18. A long bench ran in front of it, and a big tree made a goodly shade. The Indians had found their temporary camp quite inviting19.
Rosa made a detour20 of the shed, satisfied herself that no one was within hearing, and then sat down on the bench, ostensibly playing with the papoose, dangling21 a red ball on a ribbon before his dazzled, bead-like eyes and bringing forth22 a gurgle of delight from the dusky little mummy. While she played she talked idly with the Indians. Had they money enough for their journey? Would they like to earn some? Would they act as guide to a lady who wanted to go to Walpi? At least she wanted to go as far as Keams, where she might meet friends, missionaries23, who were going on with her to Walpi to visit the Indians. If they didn't meet her she wanted to be guided all the way to Walpi? Would they undertake it? It would pay them well. They would get money enough for their journey and have some left when they got to the reservation. And Rosa displayed two gold pieces temptingly in her small palms.
The Indian uttered a guttural sort of gasp24 at sight of so much money, and sat upright. He gasped25 again, indicating by a solemn nod that he was agreeable to the task before him, and the girl went gaily26 on with her instructions:
"You will have to take some things along to make the lady comfortable. I will see that those are got ready. Then you can have the things for your own when you leave the lady at Walpi. You will have to take a letter to the lady and tell her you are going this afternoon, and she must be ready to start at once or she will not meet the missionary27. Tell her you can only wait until three o'clock to start. You will find the lady at the school-house at noon. You must not come till noon—" Rosa pointed28 to the sun and then straight overhead. The Indian watched her keenly and nodded.
"You must ask for Miss Earle and give her this letter. She is the school-teacher."
The Indian grunted29 and looked at the white missive in Rosa's hand, noting once more the gleam of the gold pieces.
"You must wait till the teacher goes to her boarding-house and packs her things and eats her dinner. If anybody asks where you came from you must say the missionary's wife from Ganado sent you. Don't tell anybody anything else. Do you understand? More money if you don't say anything?" Rosa clinked the gold pieces softly.
The strange, sphinx-like gaze of the Indian narrowed comprehensively. He understood. His native cunning was being bought for this girl's own purposes. He looked greedily at the money. Rosa had put her hand in her pocket and brought out yet another gold piece.
"See! I give you this one now"—she laid one gold piece in the Indian's hand—"and these two I put in an envelope and pack with some provisions and blankets on another horse. I will leave the horse tied to a tree up where the big trail crosses this big trail out that way. You know?"
Rosa pointed in the direction she meant, and the Indian looked and grunted, his eyes returning to the two gold pieces in her hand. It was a great deal of money for the little lady to give. Was she trying to cheat him? He looked down at the gold he already held. It was good money. He was sure of that. He looked at her keenly.
"I shall be watching and I shall know whether you have the lady or not," went on the girl, sharply. "If you do not bring the lady with you there will be no money and no provisions waiting for you. But if you bring the lady you can untie30 the horse and take him with you. You will need the horse to carry the things. When you get to Walpi you can set him free. He is branded and he will likely come back. We shall find him. See, I will put the gold pieces in this tin can."
She picked up a sardine-tin that lay at her feet, slipped the gold pieces in an envelope from her pocket, stuffed it in the tin, bent31 down the cover, and held it up.
"This can will be packed on the top of the other provisions, and you can open it and take the money out when you untie the horse. Then hurry on as fast as you can and get as far along the trail as possible to-night before you camp. Do you understand?"
She stayed a few minutes more, going carefully over her directions, telling the Indian to be sure his squaw was kind to the lady, and that on no account he should let the lady get uneasy or have cause to complain of her treatment, or trouble would surely come to him. At last she felt sure she had made him understand, and she hurried away to slip into her pretty white dress and rose-colored ribbons and ride to school. Before she left her room she glanced out of the window at the Indians, and saw them sitting motionless, like a group of bronze. Once the Indian stirred and, putting his hand in his bosom32, drew forth the white letter she had given him, gazed at it a moment, and hid it in his breast again. She nodded her satisfaction as she turned from the window. The next thing was to get to school and play her own part in the Commencement exercises.
The morning was bright, and the school-house was already filled to overflowing33 when Rosa arrived. Her coming, as always, made a little stir among admiring groups, for even those who feared her admired her from afar. She fluttered into the school-house and up the aisle34 with the air of a princess who knew she had been waited for and was condescending35 to come at all.
Rosa was in everything—the drills, the march, the choruses, and the crowning oration36. She went through it all with the perfection of a bright mind and an adaptable37 nature. One would never have dreamed, to look at her pretty dimpling face and her sparkling eyes, what diabolical38 things were moving in her mind, nor how those eyes, lynx-soft with lurking39 sweetness and treachery, were watching all the time furtively40 for the appearance of the old Indian.
At last she saw him, standing41 in a group just outside the window near the platform, his tall form and stern countenance marking him among the crowd of familiar faces. She was receiving her diploma from the hand of Margaret when she caught his eye, and her hand trembled just a quiver as she took the dainty roll tied with blue and white ribbons. That he recognized her she was sure; that he knew she did not wish him to make known his connection with her she felt equally convinced he understood. His eye had that comprehending look of withdrawal42. She did not look up directly at him again. Her eyes were daintily downward. Nevertheless, she missed not a turn of his head, not a glance from that stern eye, and she knew the moment when he stood at the front door of the school-house with the letter in his hand, stolid and indifferent, yet a great force to be reckoned with.
Some one looked at the letter, pointed to Margaret, called her, and she came. Rosa was not far away all the time, talking with Jed; her eyes downcast, her cheeks dimpling, missing nothing that could be heard or seen.
Margaret read the letter. Rosa watched her, knew every curve of every letter and syllable43 as she read, held her breath, and watched Margaret's expression. Did she suspect? No. A look of intense relief and pleasure had come into her eyes. She was glad to have found a way to go. She turned to Mrs. Tanner.
"What do you think of this, Mrs. Tanner? I'm to go with Mrs. Brownleigh on a trip to Walpi. Isn't that delicious? I'm to start at once. Do you suppose I could have a bite to eat? I won't need much. I'm too tired to eat and too anxious to be off. If you give me a cup of tea and a sandwich I'll be all right. I've got things about ready to go, for Mrs. Brownleigh told me she would send some one for me."
"H'm!" said Mrs. Tanner, disapprovingly44. "Who you goin' with? Just him? I don't much like his looks!"
She spoke in a low tone so the Indian would not hear, and it was almost in Rosa's very ear, who stood just behind. Rosa's heart stopped a beat and she frowned at the toe of her slipper45. Was this common little Tanner woman going to be the one to balk46 her plans?
Margaret raised her head now for her first good look at the Indian, and it must be admitted a chill came into her heart. Then, as if he comprehended what was at stake, the Indian turned slightly and pointed down the path toward the road. By common consent the few who were standing about the door stepped back and made a vista47 for Margaret to see the squaw sitting statue-like on her scraggy little pony48, gazing off at the mountain in the distance, as if she were sitting for her picture, her solemn little papoose strapped49 to her back.
Margaret's troubled eyes cleared. The family aspect made things all right again. "You see, he has his wife and child," she said. "It's all right. Mrs. Brownleigh says she trusts him perfectly, and I'm to meet them on the way. Read the letter."
She thrust the letter into Mrs. Tanner's hand, and Rosa trembled for her scheme once more. Surely, surely Mrs. Tanner would not be able to detect the forgery50!
"H'm! Well, I s'pose it's all right if she says so, but I'm sure I don't relish51 them pesky Injuns, and I don't think that squaw wife of his looks any great shakes, either. They look to me like they needed a good scrub with Bristol brick. But then, if you're set on going, you'll go, 'course. I jest wish Bud hadn't 'a' gone home with that Jasper Kemp. He might 'a' gone along, an' then you'd 'a' had somebody to speak English to."
"Yes, it would have been nice to have William along," said Margaret; "but I think I'll be all right. Mrs. Brownleigh wouldn't send anybody that wasn't nice."
"H'm! I dun'no'! She's an awful crank. She just loves them Injuns, they say. But I, fer one, draw the line at holdin' 'em in my lap. I don't b'lieve in mixin' folks up that way. Preach to 'em if you like, but let 'em keep their distance, I say."
Margaret laughed and went off to pick up her things. Rosa stood smiling and talking to Jed until she saw Margaret and Mrs. Tanner go off together, the Indians riding slowly along behind.
Rosa waited until the Indians had turned off the road down toward the Tanners', and then she mounted her own pony and rode swiftly home.
She rushed up to her room and took off her fine apparel, arraying herself quickly in a plain little gown, and went down to prepare the provisions. There was none too much time, and she must work rapidly. It was well for her plans that she was all-powerful with the servants and could send them about at will to get them out of her way. She invented a duty for each now that would take them for a few minutes well out of sight and sound; then she hurried together the provisions in a basket, making two trips to get them to the shelter where she had told the Indian he would find the horse tied. She had to make a third trip to bring the blankets and a few other things she knew would be indispensable, but the whole outfit52 was really but carelessly gotten together, and it was just by chance that some things got in at all.
It was not difficult to find the old cayuse she intended using for a pack-horse. He was browsing53 around in the corral, and she soon had a halter over his head, for she had been quite used to horses from her babyhood.
She packed the canned things, tinned meats, vegetables, and fruit into a couple of large sacks, adding some fodder54 for the horses, a box of matches, some corn bread, of which there was always plenty on hand in the house, some salt pork, and a few tin dishes. These she slung55 pack fashion over the old horse, fastened the sardine-tin containing the gold pieces where it would be easily found, tied the horse to a tree, and retired56 behind a shelter of sage-brush to watch.
It was not long before the little caravan57 came, the Indians riding ahead single file, like two graven images, moving not a muscle of their faces, and Margaret a little way behind on her own pony, her face as happy and relieved as if she were a child let out from a hard task to play.
The Indian stopped beside the horse, a glitter of satisfaction in his eyes as he saw that the little lady had fulfilled her part of the bargain. He indicated to the squaw and the lady that they might move on down the trail, and he would catch up with them; and then dismounted, pouncing58 warily59 upon the sardine-tin at once. He looked furtively about, then took out the money and tested it with his teeth to make sure it was genuine.
He grunted his further satisfaction, looked over the pack-horse, made more secure the fastenings of the load, and, taking the halter, mounted and rode stolidly60 away toward the north.
Rosa waited in her covert61 until they were far out of sight, then made her way hurriedly back to the house and climbed to a window where she could watch the trail for several miles. There, with a field-glass, she kept watch until the procession had filed across the plains, down into a valley, up over a hill, and dropped to a farther valley out of sight. She looked at the sun and drew a breath of satisfaction. She had done it at last! She had got Margaret away before Forsythe came! There was no likelihood that the fraud would be discovered until her rival was far enough away to be safe. A kind of reaction came upon Rosa's overwrought nerves. She laughed out harshly, and her voice had a cruel ring to it. Then she threw herself upon the bed and burst into a passionate62 fit of weeping, and so, by and by, fell asleep. She dreamed that Margaret had returned like a shining, fiery63 angel, a two-edged sword in her hand and all the Wallis camp at her heels, with vengeance64 in their wake. That hateful little boy, Bud Tanner, danced around and made faces at her, while Forsythe had forgotten her to gaze at Margaret's face.
点击收听单词发音
1 disturbance | |
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
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2 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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3 needy | |
adj.贫穷的,贫困的,生活艰苦的 | |
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4 erring | |
做错事的,错误的 | |
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5 spoke | |
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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6 stolid | |
adj.无动于衷的,感情麻木的 | |
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7 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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8 scanty | |
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的 | |
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9 plentiful | |
adj.富裕的,丰富的 | |
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10 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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11 justify | |
vt.证明…正当(或有理),为…辩护 | |
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12 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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13 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
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14 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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15 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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16 testament | |
n.遗嘱;证明 | |
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17 implements | |
n.工具( implement的名词复数 );家具;手段;[法律]履行(契约等)v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 );执行;贯彻;使生效 | |
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18 ranch | |
n.大牧场,大农场 | |
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19 inviting | |
adj.诱人的,引人注目的 | |
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20 detour | |
n.绕行的路,迂回路;v.迂回,绕道 | |
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21 dangling | |
悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 ); 摆动不定; 用某事物诱惑…; 吊胃口 | |
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22 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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23 missionaries | |
n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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24 gasp | |
n.喘息,气喘;v.喘息;气吁吁他说 | |
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25 gasped | |
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要 | |
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26 gaily | |
adv.欢乐地,高兴地 | |
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27 missionary | |
adj.教会的,传教(士)的;n.传教士 | |
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28 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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29 grunted | |
(猪等)作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 ); (指人)发出类似的哼声; 咕哝着说 | |
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30 untie | |
vt.解开,松开;解放 | |
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31 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
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32 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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33 overflowing | |
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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34 aisle | |
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道 | |
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35 condescending | |
adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
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36 oration | |
n.演说,致辞,叙述法 | |
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37 adaptable | |
adj.能适应的,适应性强的,可改编的 | |
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38 diabolical | |
adj.恶魔似的,凶暴的 | |
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39 lurking | |
潜在 | |
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40 furtively | |
adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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41 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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42 withdrawal | |
n.取回,提款;撤退,撤军;收回,撤销 | |
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43 syllable | |
n.音节;vt.分音节 | |
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44 disapprovingly | |
adv.不以为然地,不赞成地,非难地 | |
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45 slipper | |
n.拖鞋 | |
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46 balk | |
n.大方木料;v.妨碍;不愿前进或从事某事 | |
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47 vista | |
n.远景,深景,展望,回想 | |
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48 pony | |
adj.小型的;n.小马 | |
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49 strapped | |
adj.用皮带捆住的,用皮带装饰的;身无分文的;缺钱;手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词);用皮带抽打;包扎;给…打绷带 | |
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50 forgery | |
n.伪造的文件等,赝品,伪造(行为) | |
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51 relish | |
n.滋味,享受,爱好,调味品;vt.加调味料,享受,品味;vi.有滋味 | |
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52 outfit | |
n.(为特殊用途的)全套装备,全套服装 | |
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53 browsing | |
v.吃草( browse的现在分词 );随意翻阅;(在商店里)随便看看;(在计算机上)浏览信息 | |
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54 fodder | |
n.草料;炮灰 | |
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55 slung | |
抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 ); 吊挂; 遣送; 押往 | |
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56 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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57 caravan | |
n.大蓬车;活动房屋 | |
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58 pouncing | |
v.突然袭击( pounce的现在分词 );猛扑;一眼看出;抓住机会(进行抨击) | |
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59 warily | |
adv.留心地 | |
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60 stolidly | |
adv.迟钝地,神经麻木地 | |
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61 covert | |
adj.隐藏的;暗地里的 | |
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62 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
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63 fiery | |
adj.燃烧着的,火红的;暴躁的;激烈的 | |
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64 vengeance | |
n.报复,报仇,复仇 | |
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