By Caroline M.S. Kirkland (1801–1864)
Master William Horner came to our village to school when he was about eighteen years old: tall, lank1, straight-sided, and straight-haired, with a mouth of the most puckered2 and solemn kind. His figure and movements were those of a puppet cut out of shingle3 and jerked by a string; and his address corresponded very well with his appearance. Never did that prim4 mouth give way before a laugh. A faint and misty5 smile was the widest departure from its propriety6, and this unaccustomed disturbance7 made wrinkles in the flat, skinny cheeks like those in the surface of a lake, after the intrusion of a stone. Master Horner knew well what belonged to the pedagogical character, and that facial solemnity stood high on the list of indispensable qualifications. He had made up his mind before he left his father’s house how he would look during the term. He had not planned any smiles (knowing that he must “board round”), and it was not for ordinary occurrences to alter his arrangements; so that when he was betrayed into a relaxation8 of the muscles, it was “in such a sort” as if he was putting his bread and butter in jeopardy9.
Truly he had a grave time that first winter. The rod of power was new to him, and he felt it his “duty” to use it more frequently than might have been thought necessary by those upon whose sense the privilege had palled10. Tears and sulky faces, and impotent fists doubled fiercely when his back was turned, were the rewards of his conscientiousness12; and the boys—and girls too—were glad when working time came round again, and the master went home to help his father on the farm.
But with the autumn came Master Horner again, dropping among us as quietly as the faded leaves, and awakening13 at least as much serious reflection. Would he be as self-sacrificing as before, postponing15 his own ease and comfort to the public good, or would he have become more sedentary, and less fond of circumambulating the school-room with a switch over his shoulder? Many were fain to hope he might have learned to smoke during the summer, an accomplishment16 which would probably have moderated his energy not a little, and disposed him rather to reverie than to action. But here he was, and all the broader-chested and stouter-armed for his labors17 in the harvest-field.
Let it not be supposed that Master Horner was of a cruel and ogrish nature—a babe-eater—a Herod—one who delighted in torturing the helpless. Such souls there may be, among those endowed with the awful control of the ferule, but they are rare in the fresh and natural regions we describe. It is, we believe, where young gentlemen are to be crammed18 for college, that the process of hardening heart and skin together goes on most vigorously. Yet among the uneducated there is so high a respect for bodily strength, that it is necessary for the schoolmaster to show, first of all, that he possesses this inadmissible requisite19 for his place. The rest is more readily taken for granted. Brains he may have—a strong arm he must have: so he proves the more important claim first. We must therefore make all due allowance for Master Horner, who could not be expected to overtop his position so far as to discern at once the philosophy of teaching.
He was sadly brow-beaten during his first term of service by a great broad-shouldered lout20 of some eighteen years or so, who thought he needed a little more “schooling,” but at the same time felt quite competent to direct the manner and measure of his attempts.
“You’d ought to begin with large-hand, Joshuay,” said Master Horner to this youth.
“What should I want coarse-hand for?” said the disciple21, with great contempt; “coarse-hand won’t never do me no good. I want a fine-hand copy.”
The master looked at the infant giant, and did as he wished, but we say not with what secret resolutions.
At another time, Master Horner, having had a hint from some one more knowing than himself, proposed to his elder scholars to write after dictation, expatiating22 at the same time quite floridly (the ideas having been supplied by the knowing friend), upon the advantages likely to arise from this practice, and saying, among other things,
“It will help you, when you write letters, to spell the words good.”
“Pooh!” said Joshua, “spellin’ ain’t nothin’; let them that finds the mistakes correct ’em. I’m for every one’s havin’ a way of their own.”
“Because I could lick him, easy,” said the hopeful Joshua, who knew very well why the master did not undertake him on the spot.
Can we wonder that Master Horner determined24 to make his empire good as far as it went?
A new examination was required on the entrance into a second term, and, with whatever secret trepidation25, the master was obliged to submit. Our law prescribes examinations, but forgets to provide for the competency of the examiners; so that few better farces26 offer than the course of question and answer on these occasions. We know not precisely27 what were Master Horner’s trials; but we have heard of a sharp dispute between the inspectors28 whether a-n-g-e-l spelt angle or angel. Angle had it, and the school maintained that pronunciation ever after. Master Horner passed, and he was requested to draw up the certificate for the inspectors to sign, as one had left his spectacles at home, and the other had a bad cold, so that it was not convenient for either to write more than his name. Master Homer’s exhibition of learning on this occasion did not reach us, but we know that it must have been considerable, since he stood the ordeal30.
The candidate writhed32 a good deal, studied the beams overhead and the chickens out of the window, and then replied,
“It is so long since I learnt the first part of the spelling-book, that I can’t justly answer that question. But if I could just look it over, I guess I could.”
Our schoolmaster entered upon his second term with new courage and invigorated authority. Twice certified33, who should dare doubt his competency? Even Joshua was civil, and lesser34 louts of course obsequious35; though the girls took more liberties, for they feel even at that early age, that influence is stronger than strength.
Could a young schoolmaster think of feruling a girl with her hair in ringlets and a gold ring on her finger? Impossible—and the immunity36 extended to all the little sisters and cousins; and there were enough large girls to protect all the feminine part of the school. With the boys Master Horner still had many a battle, and whether with a view to this, or as an economical ruse37, he never wore his coat in school, saying it was too warm. Perhaps it was an astute38 attention to the prejudices of his employers, who love no man that does not earn his living by the sweat of his brow. The shirt-sleeves gave the idea of a manual-labor school in one sense at least. It was evident that the master worked, and that afforded a probability that the scholars worked too.
Master Horner’s success was most triumphant39 that winter. A year’s growth had improved his outward man exceedingly, filling out the limbs so that they did not remind you so forcibly of a young colt’s, and supplying the cheeks with the flesh and blood so necessary where mustaches were not worn. Experience had given him a degree of confidence, and confidence gave him power. In short, people said the master had waked up; and so he had. He actually set about reading for improvement; and although at the end of the term he could not quite make out from his historical studies which side Hannibal was on, yet this is readily explained by the fact that he boarded round, and was obliged to read generally by firelight, surrounded by ungoverned children.
After this, Master Horner made his own bargain. When schooltime came round with the following autumn, and the teacher presented himself for a third examination, such a test was pronounced no longer necessary; and the district consented to engage him at the astounding40 rate of sixteen dollars a month, with the understanding that he was to have a fixed42 home, provided he was willing to allow a dollar a week for it. Master Horner bethought him of the successive “killing-times,” and consequent doughnuts of the twenty families in which he had sojourned the years before, and consented to the exaction43.
Behold44 our friend now as high as district teacher can ever hope to be—his scholarship established, his home stationary45 and not revolving46, and the good behavior of the community insured by the fact that he, being of age, had now a farm to retire upon in case of any disgust.
Master Horner was at once the preëminent beau of the neighborhood, spite of the prejudice against learning. He brushed his hair straight up in front, and wore a sky-blue ribbon for a guard to his silver watch, and walked as if the tall heels of his blunt boots were egg-shells and not leather. Yet he was far from neglecting the duties of his place. He was beau only on Sundays and holidays; very schoolmaster the rest of the time.
It was at a “spelling-school” that Master Horner first met the educated eyes of Miss Harriet Bangle, a young lady visiting the Engleharts in our neighborhood. She was from one of the towns in Western New York, and had brought with her a variety of city airs and graces somewhat caricatured, set off with year-old French fashions much travestied. Whether she had been sent out to the new country to try, somewhat late, a rustic47 chance for an establishment, or whether her company had been found rather trying at home, we cannot say. The view which she was at some pains to make understood was, that her friends had contrived48 this method of keeping her out of the way of a desperate lover whose addresses were not acceptable to them.
If it should seem surprising that so high-bred a visitor should be sojourning in the wild woods, it must be remembered that more than one celebrated50 Englishman and not a few distinguished51 Americans have farmer brothers in the western country, no whit52 less rustic in their exterior53 and manner of life than the plainest of their neighbors. When these are visited by their refined kinsfolk, we of the woods catch glimpses of the gay world, or think we do.
That great medicine hath
With its tinct gilded—
many a vulgarism to the satisfaction of wiser heads than ours.
Miss Bangle’s manner bespoke54 for her that high consideration which she felt to be her due. Yet she condescended55 to be amused by the rustics56 and their awkward attempts at gaiety and elegance57; and, to say truth, few of the village merry-makings escaped her, though she wore always the air of great superiority.
The spelling-school is one of the ordinary winter amusements in the country. It occurs once in a fortnight, or so, and has power to draw out all the young people for miles round, arrayed in their best clothes and their holiday behavior. When all is ready, umpires are elected, and after these have taken the distinguished place usually occupied by the teacher, the young people of the school choose the two best scholars to head the opposing classes. These leaders choose their followers58 from the mass, each calling a name in turn, until all the spellers are ranked on one side or the other, lining59 the sides of the room, and all standing41. The schoolmaster, standing too, takes his spelling-book, and gives a placid60 yet awe-inspiring look along the ranks, remarking that he intends to be very impartial61, and that he shall give out nothing that is not in the spelling-book. For the first half hour or so he chooses common and easy words, that the spirit of the evening may not be damped by the too early thinning of the classes. When a word is missed, the blunderer has to sit down, and be a spectator only for the rest of the evening. At certain intervals62, some of the best speakers mount the platform, and “speak a piece,” which is generally as declamatory as possible.
The excitement of this scene is equal to that afforded by any city spectacle whatever; and towards the close of the evening, when difficult and unusual words are chosen to confound the small number who still keep the floor, it becomes scarcely less than painful. When perhaps only one or two remain to be puzzled, the master, weary at last of his task, though a favorite one, tries by tricks to put down those whom he cannot overcome in fair fight. If among all the curious, useless, unheard-of words which may be picked out of the spelling-book, he cannot find one which the scholars have not noticed, he gets the last head down by some quip or catch. “Bay” will perhaps be the sound; one scholar spells it “bey,” another, “bay,” while the master all the time means “ba,” which comes within the rule, being in the spelling-book.
It was on one of these occasions, as we have said, that Miss Bangle, having come to the spelling-school to get materials for a letter to a female friend, first shone upon Mr. Horner. She was excessively amused by his solemn air and puckered mouth, and set him down at once as fair game. Yet she could not help becoming somewhat interested in the spelling-school, and after it was over found she had not stored up half as many of the schoolmaster’s points as she intended, for the benefit of her correspondent.
In the evening’s contest a young girl from some few miles’ distance, Ellen Kingsbury, the only child of a substantial farmer, had been the very last to sit down, after a prolonged effort on the part of Mr. Horner to puzzle her, for the credit of his own school. She blushed, and smiled, and blushed again, but spelt on, until Mr. Horner’s cheeks were crimson63 with excitement and some touch of shame that he should be baffled at his own weapons. At length, either by accident or design, Ellen missed a word, and sinking into her seat was numbered with the slain64.
In the laugh and talk which followed (for with the conclusion of the spelling, all form of a public assembly vanishes), our schoolmaster said so many gallant65 things to his fair enemy, and appeared so much animated66 by the excitement of the contest, that Miss Bangle began to look upon him with rather more respect, and to feel somewhat indignant that a little rustic like Ellen should absorb the entire attention of the only beau. She put on, therefore, her most gracious aspect, and mingled67 in the circle; caused the schoolmaster to be presented to her, and did her best to fascinate him by certain airs and graces which she had found successful elsewhere. What game is too small for the close-woven net of a coquette?
Mr. Horner quitted not the fair Ellen until he had handed her into her father’s sleigh; and he then wended his way homewards, never thinking that he ought to have escorted Miss Bangle to her uncle’s, though she certainly waited a little while for his return.
We must not follow into particulars the subsequent intercourse68 of our schoolmaster with the civilized69 young lady. All that concerns us is the result of Miss Bangle’s benevolent70 designs upon his heart. She tried most sincerely to find its vulnerable spot, meaning no doubt to put Mr. Homer on his guard for the future; and she was unfeignedly surprised to discover that her best efforts were of no avail. She concluded he must have taken a counter-poison, and she was not slow in guessing its source. She had observed the peculiar71 fire which lighted up his eyes in the presence of Ellen Kingsbury, and she bethought her of a plan which would ensure her some amusement at the expense of these impertinent rustics, though in a manner different somewhat from her original more natural idea of simple coquetry.
A letter was written to Master Horner, purporting72 to come from Ellen Kingsbury, worded so artfully that the schoolmaster understood at once that it was intended to be a secret communication, though its ostensible74 object was an inquiry75 about some ordinary affair. This was laid in Mr. Horner’s desk before he came to school, with an intimation that he might leave an answer in a certain spot on the following morning. The bait took at once, for Mr. Horner, honest and true himself, and much smitten76 with the fair Ellen, was too happy to be circumspect77. The answer was duly placed, and as duly carried to Miss Bangle by her accomplice78, Joe Englehart, an unlucky pickle79 who “was always for ill, never for good,” and who found no difficulty in obtaining the letter unwatched, since the master was obliged to be in school at nine, and Joe could always linger a few minutes later. This answer being opened and laughed at, Miss Bangle had only to contrive49 a rejoinder, which being rather more particular in its tone than the original communication, led on yet again the happy schoolmaster, who branched out into sentiment, “taffeta phrases, silken terms precise,” talked of hills and dales and rivulets80, and the pleasures of friendship, and concluded by entreating81 a continuance of the correspondence.
Another letter and another, every one more flattering and encouraging than the last, almost turned the sober head of our poor master, and warmed up his heart so effectually that he could scarcely attend to his business. The spelling-schools were remembered, however, and Ellen Kingsbury made one of the merry company; but the latest letter had not forgotten to caution Mr. Horner not to betray the intimacy82; so that he was in honor bound to restrict himself to the language of the eyes hard as it was to forbear the single whisper for which he would have given his very dictionary. So, their meeting passed off without the explanation which Miss Bangle began to fear would cut short her benevolent amusement.
The correspondence was resumed with renewed spirit, and carried on until Miss Bangle, though not overburdened with sensitiveness, began to be a little alarmed for the consequences of her malicious83 pleasantry. She perceived that she herself had turned schoolmistress, and that Master Horner, instead of being merely her dupe, had become her pupil too; for the style of his replies had been constantly improving and the earnest and manly84 tone which he assumed promised any thing but the quiet, sheepish pocketing of injury and insult, upon which she had counted. In truth, there was something deeper than vanity in the feelings with which he regarded Ellen Kingsbury. The encouragement which he supposed himself to have received, threw down the barrier which his extreme bashfulness would have interposed between himself and any one who possessed85 charms enough to attract him; and we must excuse him if, in such a case, he did not criticise86 the mode of encouragement, but rather grasped eagerly the proffered87 good without a scruple88, or one which he would own to himself, as to the propriety with which it was tendered. He was as much in love as a man can be, and the seriousness of real attachment89 gave both grace and dignity to his once awkward diction.
The evident determination of Mr. Horner to come to the point of asking papa brought Miss Bangle to a very awkward pass. She had expected to return home before matters had proceeded so far, but being obliged to remain some time longer, she was equally afraid to go on and to leave off, a dénouement being almost certain to ensue in either case. Things stood thus when it was time to prepare for the grand exhibition which was to close the winter’s term.
This is an affair of too much magnitude to be fully73 described in the small space yet remaining in which to bring out our veracious90 history. It must be “slubber’d o’er in haste”—its important preliminaries left to the cold imagination of the reader—its fine spirit perhaps evaporating for want of being embodied91 in words. We can only say that our master, whose school-life was to close with the term, labored92 as man never before labored in such a cause, resolute93 to trail a cloud of glory after him when he left us. Not a candlestick nor a curtain that was attainable94, either by coaxing95 or bribery96, was left in the village; even the only piano, that frail97 treasure, was wiled98 away and placed in one corner of the rickety stage. The most splendid of all the pieces in the Columbian Orator99, the American Speaker, the——but we must not enumerate—in a word, the most astounding and pathetic specimens100 of eloquence101 within ken14 of either teacher or scholars, had been selected for the occasion; and several young ladies and gentlemen, whose academical course had been happily concluded at an earlier period, either at our own institution or at some other, had consented to lend themselves to the parts, and their choicest decorations for the properties, of the dramatic portion of the entertainment.
Among these last was pretty Ellen Kingsbury, who had agreed to personate the Queen of Scots, in the garden scene from Schiller’s tragedy of Mary Stuart; and this circumstance accidentally afforded Master Horner the opportunity he had so long desired, of seeing his fascinating correspondent without the presence of peering eyes. A dress-rehearsal102 occupied the afternoon before the day of days, and the pathetic expostulations of the lovely Mary—
Mine all doth hang—my life—my destiny—
Upon my words—upon the force of tears!—
aided by the long veil, and the emotion which sympathy brought into Ellen’s countenance103, proved too much for the enforced prudence104 of Master Horner. When the rehearsal was over, and the heroes and heroines were to return home, it was found that, by a stroke of witty105 invention not new in the country, the harness of Mr. Kingsbury’s horses had been cut in several places, his whip hidden, his buffalo-skins spread on the ground, and the sleigh turned bottom upwards106 on them. This afforded an excuse for the master’s borrowing a horse and sleigh of somebody, and claiming the privilege of taking Miss Ellen home, while her father returned with only Aunt Sally and a great bag of bran from the mill—companions about equally interesting.
Here, then, was the golden opportunity so long wished for! Here was the power of ascertaining107 at once what is never quite certain until we have heard it from warm, living lips, whose testimony108 is strengthened by glances in which the whole soul speaks or—seems to speak. The time was short, for the sleighing was but too fine; and Father Kingsbury, having tied up his harness, and collected his scattered109 equipment, was driving so close behind that there was no possibility of lingering for a moment. Yet many moments were lost before Mr. Horner, very much in earnest, and all unhackneyed in matters of this sort, could find a word in which to clothe his new-found feelings. The horse seemed to fly—the distance was half past—and at length, in absolute despair of anything better, he blurted110 out at once what he had determined to avoid—a direct reference to the correspondence.
A game at cross-purposes ensued; exclamations111 and explanations, and denials and apologies filled up the time which was to have made Master Horner so blest. The light from Mr. Kingsbury’s windows shone upon the path, and the whole result of this conference so longed for, was a burst of tears from the perplexed112 and mortified113 Ellen, who sprang from Mr. Horner’s attempts to detain her, rushed into the house without vouchsafing114 him a word of adieu, and left him standing, no bad personification of Orpheus, after the last hopeless flitting of his Eurydice.
“Won’t you ’light, Master?” said Mr. Kingsbury.
“Yes—no—thank you—good evening,” stammered115 poor Master Horner, so stupefied that even Aunt Sally called him “a dummy116.”
The horse took the sleigh against the fence, going home, and threw out the master, who scarcely recollected117 the accident; while to Ellen the issue of this unfortunate drive was a sleepless118 night and so high a fever in the morning that our village doctor was called to Mr. Kingsbury’s before breakfast.
Poor Master Horner’s distress119 may hardly be imagined. Disappointed, bewildered, cut to the quick, yet as much in love as ever, he could only in bitter silence turn over in his thoughts the issue of his cherished dream; now persuading himself that Ellen’s denial was the effect of a sudden bashfulness, now inveighing120 against the fickleness121 of the sex, as all men do when they are angry with any one woman in particular. But his exhibition must go on in spite of wretchedness; and he went about mechanically, talking of curtains and candles, and music, and attitudes, and pauses, and emphasis, looking like a somnambulist whose “eyes are open but their sense is shut,” and often surprising those concerned by the utter unfitness of his answers.
It was almost evening when Mr. Kingsbury, having discovered, through the intervention122 of the Doctor and Aunt Sally the cause of Ellen’s distress, made his appearance before the unhappy eyes of Master Horner, angry, solemn and determined; taking the schoolmaster apart, and requiring, an explanation of his treatment of his daughter. In vain did the perplexed lover ask for time to clear himself, declare his respect for Miss Ellen and his willingness to give every explanation which she might require; the father was not to be put off; and though excessively reluctant, Mr. Horner had no resource but to show the letters which alone could account for his strange discourse123 to Ellen. He unlocked his desk, slowly and unwillingly124, while the old man’s impatience125 was such that he could scarcely forbear thrusting in his own hand to snatch at the papers which were to explain this vexatious mystery. What could equal the utter confusion of Master Horner and the contemptuous anger of the father, when no letters were to be found! Mr. Kingsbury was too passionate126 to listen to reason, or to reflect for one moment upon the irreproachable127 good name of the schoolmaster. He went away in inexorable wrath128; threatening every practicable visitation of public and private justice upon the head of the offender129, whom he accused of having attempted to trick his daughter into an entanglement130 which should result in his favor.
A doleful exhibition was this last one of our thrice approved and most worthy131 teacher! Stern necessity and the power of habit enabled him to go through with most of his part, but where was the proud fire which had lighted up his eye on similar occasions before? He sat as one of three judges before whom the unfortunate Robert Emmet was dragged in his shirt-sleeves, by two fierce-looking officials; but the chief judge looked far more like a criminal than did the proper representative. He ought to have personated Othello, but was obliged to excuse himself from raving132 for “the handkerchief! the handkerchief!” on the rather anomalous133 plea of a bad cold. Mary Stuart being “i’ the bond,” was anxiously expected by the impatient crowd, and it was with distress amounting to agony that the master was obliged to announce, in person, the necessity of omitting that part of the representation, on account of the illness of one of the young ladies.
Scarcely had the words been uttered, and the speaker hidden his burning face behind the curtain, when Mr. Kingsbury started up in his place amid the throng134, to give a public recital135 of his grievance—no uncommon136 resort in the new country. He dashed at once to the point; and before some friends who saw the utter impropriety of his proceeding137 could persuade him to defer138 his vengeance139, he had laid before the assembly—some three hundred people, perhaps—his own statement of the case. He was got out at last, half coaxed140, half hustled141; and the gentle public only half understanding what had been set forth142 thus unexpectedly, made quite a pretty row of it. Some clamored loudly for the conclusion of the exercises; others gave utterances143 in no particularly choice terms to a variety of opinions as to the schoolmaster’s proceedings144, varying the note occasionally by shouting, “The letters! the letters! why don’t you bring out the letters?”
At length, by means of much rapping on the desk by the president of the evening, who was fortunately a “popular” character, order was partially145 restored; and the favorite scene from Miss More’s dialogue of David and Goliath was announced as the closing piece. The sight of little David in a white tunic146 edged with red tape, with a calico scrip and a very primitive-looking sling147; and a huge Goliath decorated with a militia148 belt and sword, and a spear like a weaver’s beam indeed, enchained everybody’s attention. Even the peccant schoolmaster and his pretended letters were forgotten, while the sapient149 Goliath, every time that he raised the spear, in the energy of his declamation150, to thump151 upon the stage, picked away fragments of the low ceiling, which fell conspicuously152 on his great shock of black hair. At last, with the crowning threat, up went the spear for an astounding thump, and down came a large piece of the ceiling, and with it—a shower of letters.
The confusion that ensued beggars all description. A general scramble153 took place, and in another moment twenty pairs of eyes, at least, were feasting on the choice phrases lavished154 upon Mr. Horner. Miss Bangle had sat through the whole previous scene, trembling for herself, although she had, as she supposed, guarded cunningly against exposure. She had needed no prophet to tell her what must be the result of a tête-à-tête between Mr. Horner and Ellen; and the moment she saw them drive off together, she induced her imp11 to seize the opportunity of abstracting the whole parcel of letters from Mr. Horner’s desk; which he did by means of a sort of skill which comes by nature to such goblins; picking the lock by the aid of a crooked155 nail, as neatly156 as if he had been born within the shadow of the Tombs.
But magicians sometimes suffer severely157 from the malice158 with which they have themselves inspired their familiars. Joe Englehart having been a convenient tool thus far thought it quite time to torment159 Miss Bangle a little; so, having stolen the letters at her bidding, he hid them on his own account, and no persuasions160 of hers could induce him to reveal this important secret, which he chose to reserve as a rod in case she refused him some intercession with his father, or some other accommodation, rendered necessary by his mischievous161 habits.
He had concealed162 the precious parcels in the unfloored loft163 above the school-room, a place accessible only by means of a small trap-door without staircase or ladder; and here he meant to have kept them while it suited his purposes, but for the untimely intrusion of the weaver’s beam.
Miss Bangle had sat through all, as we have said, thinking the letters safe, yet vowing164 vengeance against her confederate for not allowing her to secure them by a satisfactory conflagration165; and it was not until she heard her own name whispered through the crowd, that she was awakened166 to her true situation. The sagacity of the low creatures whom she had despised showed them at once that the letters must be hers, since her character had been pretty shrewdly guessed, and the handwriting wore a more practised air than is usual among females in the country. This was first taken for granted, and then spoken of as an acknowledged fact.
The assembly moved like the heavings of a troubled sea. Everybody felt that this was everybody’s business. “Put her out!” was heard from more than one rough voice near the door, and this was responded to by loud and angry murmurs167 from within.
Mr. Englehart, not waiting to inquire into the merits of the case in this scene of confusion, hastened to get his family out as quietly and as quickly as possible, but groans168 and hisses169 followed his niece as she hung half-fainting on his arm, quailing170 completely beneath the instinctive171 indignation of the rustic public. As she passed out, a yell resounded172 among the rude boys about the door, and she was lifted into a sleigh, insensible from terror. She disappeared from that evening, and no one knew the time of her final departure for “the east.”
Mr. Kingsbury, who is a just man when he is not in a passion, made all the reparation in his power for his harsh and ill-considered attack upon the master; and we believe that functionary173 did not show any traits of implacability of character. At least he was seen, not many days after, sitting peaceably at tea with Mr. Kingsbury, Aunt Sally, and Miss Ellen; and he has since gone home to build a house upon his farm. And people do say, that after a few months more, Ellen will not need Miss Bangle’s intervention if she should see fit to correspond with the schoolmaster.
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lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shingle
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| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
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prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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palled
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| v.（因过多或过久而）生厌，感到乏味，厌烦( pall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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imp
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| n.顽童 | |
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12
conscientiousness
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| 责任心 | |
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13
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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14
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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15
postponing
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的现在分词 ) | |
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16
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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17
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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18
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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19
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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20
lout
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| n.粗鄙的人；举止粗鲁的人 | |
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21
disciple
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| n.信徒，门徒，追随者 | |
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22
expatiating
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的现在分词 ) | |
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23
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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24
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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25
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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26
farces
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| n.笑剧( farce的名词复数 )；闹剧；笑剧剧目；作假的可笑场面 | |
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27
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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28
inspectors
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| n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官 | |
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29
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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30
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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31
orthography
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| n.拼字法，拼字式 | |
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32
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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34
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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35
obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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36
immunity
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| n.优惠；免除；豁免，豁免权 | |
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37
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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38
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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39
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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40
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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41
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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42
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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43
exaction
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| n.强求，强征；杂税 | |
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44
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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45
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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46
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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47
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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48
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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49
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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50
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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51
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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52
whit
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| n.一点，丝毫 | |
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53
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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54
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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55
condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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56
rustics
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| n.有农村或村民特色的( rustic的名词复数 )；粗野的；不雅的；用粗糙的木材或树枝制作的 | |
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57
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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58
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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59
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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60
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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61
impartial
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| adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的 | |
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62
intervals
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| 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 | |
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63
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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64
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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65
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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66
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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67
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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68
intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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69
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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70
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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71
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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72
purporting
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| v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的现在分词 ) | |
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73
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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74
ostensible
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| adj.(指理由)表面的，假装的 | |
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75
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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76
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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77
circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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78
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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79
pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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80
rivulets
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| n.小河，小溪( rivulet的名词复数 ) | |
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81
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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82
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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83
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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84
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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85
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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86
criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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87
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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89
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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90
veracious
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| adj.诚实可靠的 | |
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91
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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92
labored
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|
| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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93
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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94
attainable
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| a.可达到的，可获得的 | |
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95
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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96
bribery
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| n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿 | |
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97
frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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98
wiled
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| v.引诱( wile的过去式和过去分词 )；诱惑；消遣；消磨 | |
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99
orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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100
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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101
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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102
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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103
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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104
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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105
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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106
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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107
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) | |
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108
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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109
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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110
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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112
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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113
mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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114
vouchsafing
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的现在分词 )；允诺 | |
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115
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
dummy
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| n.假的东西；(哄婴儿的)橡皮奶头 | |
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117
recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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119
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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120
inveighing
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| v.猛烈抨击，痛骂，谩骂( inveigh的现在分词 ) | |
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121
fickleness
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| n.易变；无常；浮躁；变化无常 | |
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122
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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123
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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124
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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125
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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126
passionate
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| 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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127
irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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128
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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129
offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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130
entanglement
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| n.纠缠，牵累 | |
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131
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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132
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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133
anomalous
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| adj.反常的；不规则的 | |
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134
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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135
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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136
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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137
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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138
defer
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| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
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139
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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140
coaxed
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
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141
hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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142
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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143
utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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144
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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145
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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146
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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147
sling
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| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
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148
militia
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| n.民兵，民兵组织 | |
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149
sapient
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| adj.有见识的，有智慧的 | |
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150
declamation
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| n. 雄辩，高调 | |
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151
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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152
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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153
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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154
lavished
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| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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155
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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156
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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158
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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159
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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160
persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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161
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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162
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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163
loft
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| n.阁楼，顶楼 | |
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164
vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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165
conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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166
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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167
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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168
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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169
hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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170
quailing
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| 害怕，发抖，畏缩( quail的现在分词 ) | |
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171
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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172
resounded
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| 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 | |
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173
functionary
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| n.官员；公职人员 | |
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