Keith returned to the hotel very late, and somewhat exalted1. He was bubbling over with good stories, interesting information, and ideas; so he awakened2 Nan, and sat on the edge of the bed, and proceeded enthusiastically to tell her all about it. She was very sleepy. Also an exasperated3 inhabitant of the next room pounded on the thin partition. Reluctantly Keith desisted. It took him some time to get to sleep, as the excitement was seething4 in his veins5.
He came to consciousness after a restless night. The sun was streaming in at the window. He felt dull and heavy, with a slight headache and a weariness in all his muscles. Worst of all, Nan, in a ravishing pink fluffy6 affair, was bending over him, her eyes dancing with amusement and mischief7.
"And how is my little madcap this morning?" she inquired with mock solicitude8. This stung Keith to some show of energy, and he got up.
The sun was really very bright. A dash of cold water made him feel better. Enthusiasm began to flow back like a tide. The importance of the evening before reasserted its claims on his imagination. As he dressed he told Nan all about it. In the midst of a glowing eulogy9 of their prospects10, he checked himself with a chuckle11.
"Guess what the Sherwoods are," said he.
Nan, who had been half listening up to this time, gave him her whole attention.
"A gambler! A common gambler!" she repeated after him, a little dismayed.
"I felt the same way for a minute or so," he answered her tone cheerfully. "But after all I remembered--you must remember--that society here is very mixed. And anyway, Sherwood is no 'common gambler'; I should say he was a most _un_common gambler!" He chuckled13 at his little joke. "All sorts of people are received here. We've got to get used to that. And certainly no one could hope anywhere to find nicer--more presentable--people."
She nodded, but with a reservation.
"Surely nowhere would you find kinder people," went on Keith. "See how they took us in!"
"Look out they don't take you in, Milton," she interjected suddenly.
Keith, brought up short, sobered at this.
"That is unjust, Nan," he said gravely.
She said nothing, but showed no signs of having been convinced. After her first need had passed, Nan Keith's natural reserve had asserted itself. This was the result of heredity and training, as part of herself, something she could not help. Its tendency was always to draw back from too great or too sudden intimacies14. There was nothing snobbish15 in this; it was a sort of instinct, a natural reaction. She liked Mrs. Sherwood, admired her slow, complete poise16, approved her air of breeding and the things by which she had surrounded herself. The older woman's kindness had struck in her a deep chord of appreciation17. But somehow circumstances had hurried her too much. Her defensive18 antagonism19, not to Mrs. Sherwood as a person, but to sudden intimacy20 as such, had been aroused. It had had, in her own mind, no excuse. She knew she ought to be grateful and cordial; she felt that she was not quite ready. The fact that the Sherwoods had proved to be "common gamblers" gave just the little excuse her conscience needed to draw back a trifle. This, it should be added, was also quite instinctive21, not at all a formulated22 thought.
She said nothing for some time; then remarked mysteriously:
"Perhaps that's why they go to meet boats."
Keith, who was miles beyond the Sherwoods by now, looked bewildered.
Keith had letters of business introduction to Palmer, Cook & Co., a banking23 firm powerful and respected at the time, but destined24 to become involved in scandal. The most pressing need, both he and Nan had determined25, was a house of their own; the hotel was at once uncomfortable and expensive. Accordingly a callow, chipper, self-confident, blond little clerk was assigned to show them about. He had arrived from the East only six months ago; but this was six months earlier than the Keiths, so he put on all the airs of an old-timer. In a two-seated calash, furnished by the bankers, they drove to the westerly part of the town. The plank26 streets soon ran out into sand or rutty earth roads. These bored their way relentlessly27 between sand hills in the process of removal. Steam paddies coughed and clanked in all directions. Many houses had, by these operations, been left perched high and dry far above the grade of the new streets. Often the sand was crumbling28 away from beneath their outer corners. All sorts of nondescript ramshackle and temporary stairs had been improvised29 to get their inhabitants in or out. The latter seemed to be clinging to their tenements30 as long as possible.
"They often cave in," explained the clerk, "and the whole kit31 and kaboodle comes sailing down into the street. Sometimes it happens at night," he added darkly.
"But isn't anybody hurt?" cried Nan.
"Lots of 'em," replied the clerk cheerfully "Git dap!"
They now executed a flank attack on the "fashionable" quarter of the town.
"They're grading the street down below," the clerk justified32 his roundabout course.
Here were a number of isolated33, scattered34 wooden houses, of some size and of much scroll35 and jigsaw36 work. Some of them had little ornamental37 iron fencelets running along their ridgepoles, or lightning rods on the chimneys or at the corners, although thunderstorms were practically unknown. The clerk at once began to talk of these as "mansions39." He drew up before one of them, hitched40 the horse, and invited his clients to descend41. Nan looked at the exterior42 a trifle doubtfully. It was a high-peaked, slender house, drawn43 together as though it felt cold; with carved wooden panels over each window, miniature balconies with elaborate spindly columns beneath, and a haughty44, high, narrow porch partially45 clothing a varnished47 front door flanked with narrow strips of coloured glass.
The clerk produced a key. The interior also was high and narrow. Much glistening48 varnish46 characterized the front hall. They inspected one after another the various rooms. The house was partly furnished. In the showrooms hung heavy red curtains held back by cords with gilt49 tassels50. Each fireplace was framed by a mantel of white marble. But the glory was the drawing-room. This had been frescoed51 in pale blue, and all about the wall and even across part of the ceiling had been draped festoon after festoon of fishnet. Only this was not real fishnet, as a closer inspection52 showed. It had been cunningly painted! In the dim light, and to a person with an optimistic imagination, the illusion was almost perfect. Nan choked suddenly at the sight of this; then her eyes widened to a baby stare, and she become preternaturally solemn.
They looked it all over from top to bottom; the clerk fairly tiptoeing about with the bent-backed air of one who handles a precious jade53 vase. From the front windows he showed them a really magnificent view, with the blue waters of the bay shining, and the Contra Costa shore shimmering54 in the haze55.
"In the residence next door to the west dwell most desirable neighbours," he urged, "the Morrells. They are English, or at least he is."
"I met him last night," said Keith to Nan; "he looked like a good sort."
"Who is in the big house over there?" asked Nan, indicating a very elaborate structure diagonally opposite.
"That--oh, that--well, that is in rather a state of transition, as it were," stammered56 the little clerk, and at once rattled57 on about something else. This magnificent mansion38, he explained, was the only one Palmer, Cook & Co. had on their lists for the moment.
Therefore he drove them back to the Bella Union. Keith departed with him to look up a suitable office downtown,
Nan bowed solemnly to his solemn salutation in farewell, and turned as quickly as she could to the interior of the hotel. Sherwood sat in his accustomed place, his big steel spectacles on his nose, his paper spread out before him. He arose and bowed. She nodded, but did not pause. Once inside the hall, she picked up her skirts and fairly flew up the stairs to her room. Slamming the door shut, she locked it, then sank on the edge of the bed and laughed--laughed until she wiped the tears from her cheeks, rocking back and forth58 and hugging herself in an ecstasy59. Every few moments she would pull up; then some unconsidered enormity would strike her afresh and she would go off into another paroxysm. After a while, much relieved, she wiped her eyes and arose.
"This place will be the death of me yet," she told her distorted image in the mirror.
She rummaged60 in one of her trunks, produced writing materials, and started a letter to an Eastern friend. This occupied her fully12 for two hours. At that period it was customary to "indite61 epistles" with a "literary flavour," a practice that immensely tickled62 those who did the inditing63. Nan became wholly interested and quite pleased with herself. Her first impressions, she found when she came to write them down, were stimulating64 and interesting. She was full of enthusiasm; but had she been capable of a real analysis she would have found it quite different from Keith's enthusiasm. She looked on this strange, uncouth65, vital city from the outside, from the superior standpoint. She appreciated it as she would have appreciated the "quaintness66" of the villagers in some foreign town.
About noon Keith returned.
"I've looked into every possibility," he told her. "Honest, Nan, I don't see exactly what we are to do unless we build for ourselves. That Boyle house is the only house in town for rent--that is of any size and in a respectable quarter. You see they are too new out here to have built houses for rent yet; and if you find any vacant at all, it is sheer good fortune. Of course to stay in this little box is impossible, and--"
She had been contemplating67 him, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"You've taken it!" she accused him.
"Well--I--yes," he admitted, a little red.
She laughed.
"I knew it," she said. "When can we move in? I want to get started."
收听单词发音 |
1
exalted
|
|
| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
exasperated
|
|
| adj.恼怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
seething
|
|
| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
fluffy
|
|
| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
mischief
|
|
| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
solicitude
|
|
| n.焦虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
eulogy
|
|
| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
chuckle
|
|
| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
intimacies
|
|
| 亲密( intimacy的名词复数 )； 密切； 亲昵的言行； 性行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
snobbish
|
|
| adj.势利的，谄上欺下的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
poise
|
|
| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
appreciation
|
|
| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
defensive
|
|
| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
antagonism
|
|
| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
intimacy
|
|
| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
instinctive
|
|
| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
formulated
|
|
| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
banking
|
|
| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
destined
|
|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
plank
|
|
| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
relentlessly
|
|
| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
crumbling
|
|
| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
improvised
|
|
| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
tenements
|
|
| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
isolated
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
scroll
|
|
| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
jigsaw
|
|
| n.缕花锯，竖锯，拼图游戏；vt.用竖锯锯，使互相交错搭接 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ornamental
|
|
| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
mansion
|
|
| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
mansions
|
|
| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
hitched
|
|
| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
exterior
|
|
| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
haughty
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
varnish
|
|
| n.清漆；v.上清漆；粉饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
varnished
|
|
| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
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： |
|
|
|
|
49
gilt
|
|
| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
tassels
|
|
| n.穗( tassel的名词复数 )；流苏状物；（植物的）穗；玉蜀黍的穗状雄花v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须( tassel的第三人称单数 )；使抽穗， （为了使作物茁壮生长）摘去穗状雄花；用流苏装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
frescoed
|
|
| 壁画( fresco的名词复数 )； 温壁画技法，湿壁画 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
inspection
|
|
| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
jade
|
|
| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
shimmering
|
|
| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
stammered
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
rattled
|
|
| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
ecstasy
|
|
| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
rummaged
|
|
| 翻找，搜寻( rummage的过去式和过去分词 )； 已经海关检查 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
indite
|
|
| v.写（文章，信等）创作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
tickled
|
|
| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
inditing
|
|
| v.写（文章，信等）创作，赋诗，创作( indite的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
stimulating
|
|
| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
uncouth
|
|
| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
quaintness
|
|
| n.离奇有趣，古怪的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
contemplating
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |