SKINNER— called “young” because he had once had a father on the premises1 — was the mole2-catcher. The feelings with which he had now for some months watched his master grubbing were curiously3 mingled4. There was the grim sense of superiority every successful detective feels as he sees the watched one working away unconscious of the eye that is on him; but this was more than balanced by a long habit of obsequious6 reverence7. When A. has been looking up to B. for thirty years, he cannot look down on him all of a sudden, merely because he catches him falsifying accounts. Why, Man is a cooking animal: bankrupt Man especially.
And then Richard Hardie overpowered Skinner’s senses: he was Dignity in person: he was six feet two, and always wore a black surtout buttoned high, and a hat with a brim a little broader than his neighbours’, yet not broad enough to be eccentric or slang. He moved down the street touching8 his hat — while other hats were lifted high to him — a walking volume of cash. And when he took off this ebon crown and sat in the bank parlour, he gained in appearance more than he lost; for then his whole head was seen, long, calm, majestic9: that senatorial front and furrowed10 face overawed all comers. Even the little sharp-faced clerk would stand and peep at it, utterly13 puzzled between what he knew and what he eyed: nor could he look at that head and face without excusing them. What a lot of money they must have sunk before they came down to fabricating a balance-sheet!
And by-and-bye custom somewhat blunted his sense of the dishonesty, and he began to criticise14 the thing arithmetically instead of morally. That view once admitted, he was charmed with the ability and subtlety15 of his dignified16 sharper; and so the mole-catcher began gradually, but effectually, to be corrupted17 by the mole. He who watches a dishonest process and does not stop it, is half way towards conniving18: who connives19, is half way towards abetting20.
The next thing was, Skinner felt mortified21 at his master not trusting him. Did he think old Bob Skinner’s son would blow on Hardie after all these years?
This rankled22 a little, and set him to console himself by admiring his own cleverness in penetrating23 this great distrustful man. Now of all sentiments, Vanity is the most restless and the surest to peep out. Skinner was no sooner inflated24 than his demure25 obsequious manner underwent a certain change: slight and occasional only; but Hardie was a subtle man, and the perilous26 path he was treading made him wonderfully watchful27, suspicious, and sagacious. He said to himself, “What has come to Skinner? I must know.” So he quietly watched his watcher; and soon satisfied himself he suspected something amiss. From that hour Skinner was a doomed28 clerk.
It was two o’clock: Hardie had just arrived, and sat in the parlour, Cato-like, and cooking.
Skinner was in high spirits: it was owing to his presence of mind the bank had not been broken some hours ago by Maxley. So now, while concluding his work, he was enjoying by anticipation29 his employer’s gratitude30. “He can’t hold aloof31 after this,” said Skinner; “he must honour me with his confidence. And I will deserve it. I do deserve it.”
A grave, calm, passionless voice invited him into the parlour.
He descended32 from his desk and went in, swelling33 with demure complacency.
He found Mr. Hardie seated garbling34 his accounts with surpassing dignity. The great man handed him an envelope, and cooked majestic on. A wave of that imperial hand, and Skinner had mingled with the past.
For know that the envelope contained three things: a cheque for a month’s wages; a character; and a dismissal, very polite and equally peremptory35.
Skinner stood paralysed: the complacency died out of his face, and rueful wonder came instead. It was some time before he could utter a word: at last he faltered36, “Turn me away, sir? turn away Noah Skinner? Your father would never have said such a word to my father.” Skinner uttered this his first remonstrance37 in a voice trembling with awe12, but gathered courage when he found he had done it, yet lived.
Mr. Hardie evaded38 his expostulation by a very simple means: he made no reply, but continued his work, dignified as Brutus, inexorable as Fate, cool as Cucumber.
Skinner’s anger began to rise, he watched Mr. Hardie in silence, and said to himself, “Curse you! you were born without a heart!”
He waited, however, for some sign of relenting, and, hoping for it the water came into his own eyes. But Hardie was impassive as ice.
Then the little clerk, mortified to the core as well as wounded, ground his teeth and drew a little nearer to this incarnate39 Arithmetic, and said with an excess of obsequiousness40, “Will you condescend41 to give me a reason for turning me away all in a moment after five-and-thirty years’ faithful services?”
“Men of business do not deal in reasons,” was the cool reply: “it is enough for you that I give you an excellent character, and that we part good friends.”
“That we do not,” replied Skinner sharply: “if we stay together we are friends; but we part enemies, if we do part.”
“As you please, Mr. Skinner. I will detain you no longer.”
And Mr. Hardie waved him away so grandly that he started and almost ran to the door. When he felt the handle, it acted like a prop42 to his heart. He stood firm, and rage supplied the place of steady courage. He clung to the door, and whispered at his master — such a whisper: so loud, so cutting, so full of meaning and malice43; it was like a serpent hissing44 at a man.
“But I’ll give you a reason, a good reason, why you had better not insult me so cruel: and what is more, I’ll give you two: and one is that but for me the bank must have closed this day at ten o’clock — ay, you may stare; it was I saved it, not you — and the other is that, if you make an enemy of me, you are done for. I know too much to be made an enemy of, sir — a great deal too much.”
At this Mr. Hardie raised his head from his book and eyed his crouching45 venomous assailant full in the face, majestically46, as one can fancy a lion rearing his ponderous47 head, and looking lazily and steadily48 at a snake that has just hissed49 in a corner. Each word of Skinner’s was a barbed icicle to him, yet not a muscle of his close countenance50 betrayed his inward suffering.
One thing, however, even he could not master: his blood; it retired51 from that stoical cheek to the chilled and foreboding heart; and the sudden pallor of the resolute52 face told Skinner his shafts53 had gone home. “Come, sir,” said he, affecting to mingle5 good fellowship with his defiance54, “why bundle me off these premises, when you will be bundled off them yourself before the week is out?”
“You insolent55 scoundrel! Humph! Explain, Mr. Skinner.”
“Ah! what, have I warmed your marble up a bit? Yes, I’ll explain. The bank is rotten, and can’t last forty-eight hours.”
“Oh, indeed! blighted56 in a day — by the dismissal of Mr. Noah Skinner. Do not repeat that after you have been turned into the streets, or you will be indicted57: at present we are confidential58. Anything more before you quit the rotten bank?”
“Yes, sir, plenty. I’ll tell you your own history, past, present, and to come. The road to riches is hard and rugged59 to the likes of me, but your good father made it smooth and easy to you, sir. You had only to take the money of a lot of fools that fancy they can’t keep it themselves; invest it in Consols and Exchequer60 bills, live on half the profits, put by the rest, and roll in wealth. But this was too slow and too sure for you: you must be Rothschild in a day; so you went into blind speculation61, and flung old Mr. Hardie’s savings62 into a well. And now for the last eight months you have been doctoring the ledger63 — Hardie winced64 just perceptibly —“You have put down our gains in white, our losses in black, and so you keep feeding your pocket-book and empty our tills; the pear will soon be ripe, and then you will let it drop, and into the Bankruptcy65 Court we go. But, what you forget, fraudulent bankruptcy isn’t the turnpike way of trade: it is a broad road, but a crooked66 one: skirts the prison wall, sir, and sights the herring-pond.”
An agony went across Mr. Hardie’s great face, and seemed to furrow11 as it ran.
“Not but what you are all right, sir,” resumed his little cat-like tormentor67, letting him go a little way, to nail him again by-and-bye: “You have cooked the books in time: and Cocker was a fool to you. ’Twill be all down in black and white. Great sacrifices: no reserve: creditors69 take everything; dividend70 fourpence in the pound, furniture of house and bank, Mrs. Hardie’s portrait, and down to the coalscuttle. Bankrupt saves nothing but his honour, and — the six thousand pounds or so he has stitched into his old great-coat: hands his new one to the official assignees, like an honest man.”
Hardie uttered something between a growl71 and a moan.
“Now comes the per contra: poor little despised Noah Skinner has kept genuine books while you have been preparing false ones. I took the real figures home every afternoon on loose leaves, and bound ’em: and very curious they will read in court alongside of yours. I did it for amusement o’ nights: I’m so solitary72, and so fond of figures. I must try and turn them to profit; for I’m out of place now in my old age. Dearee me! how curious that you should go and pick out me of all men to turn into the street — like a dog — like a dog — like a dog.”
Hardie turned his head away; and in that moment of humiliation73 and abject74 fear, drank all the bitterness of moral death.
His manhood urged him to defy Skinner and return to the straight path, cost what it might. But how could he? His own books were all falsified. He could place a true total before his creditors by simply adding the contents of his secret hoard75 to the assets of the Bank; but with this true arithmetical result he could not square his books, except by conjectural76 and fabricated details, which would be detected, and send him to prison; for who would believe he was lying in figures only to get back to the truth? No, he had entangled77 himself in his own fraud, and was at the mercy of his servant. He took his line. “Skinner, it was your interest to leave me whilst the bank stood; then you would have got a place directly; but since you take umbrage78 at my dismissing you for your own good, I must punish you — by keeping you.”
“I am quite ready to stay and serve you, sir,” replied Skinner hastily “and as for my angry words, think no more of them! It went to my heart to be turned away at the very time you need me most.”
(“Hypocritical rogue79!” thought Hardie.) “That is true, Skinner,” said he; “I do indeed need a faithful and sympathising servant, to advise, support, and aid me. Ask yourself whether any man in England needs a confidant more than I. It was bitter at first to be discovered even by you: but now I am glad you know all; for I see I have undervalued your ability as well as your zeal80.”
Thus Mr. Hardie bowed his pride to flatter Skinner, and soon saw by the little fellow’s heightened colour that this was the way to make him a clerk of wax.
The banker and his clerk were reconciled. Then the latter was invited to commit himself by carrying on the culinary process in his own hand. He trembled a little, but complied, and so became an accomplice81. On this his master took him into his confidence, and told him everything it was impossible to hide from him.
“And now, sir,” said Skinner, “let me tell you what I did for you this morning. Then perhaps you won’t wonder at my being so peppery. Maxley suspects: he came here and drew out every shilling. I was all in a perspiration82 what to do. But I put a good face on, and ——”
Skinner then confided83 to his principal how he had evaded Maxley and saved the Bank; and the stratagem84 seemed so incredible and droll85, that they both laughed over it long and loud. And in fact it turned out a first-rate practical jest: cost two lives.
While they were laughing, the young clerk looked in and said, “Captain Dodd, to speak with you, sir!”
“Captain Dodd!!!” And all Mr. Hardie’s forced merriment died away, and his face betrayed his vexation for once. “Did you go and tell him I was here?”
“Yes, sir: I had no orders; and he said you would be sure to see him.”
“Unfortunate! Well, you may show him in when I ring your bell.”
The youngster being gone, Mr. Hardie explained to his new ally in a few hurried words the danger that threatened him from Miss Julia Dodd. “And now,” said he, “the women have sent her father to soften86 his. I shall be told his girl will die if she can’t have my boy, &c. As if I care who lives or dies.”
On this Skinner got up all in a hurry and offered to go into the office.
“On no account,” said Mr. Hardie sharply. “I shall make my business with you the excuse for cutting this love-nonsense mighty87 short. Take your book to the desk, and seem buried in it.”
He then touched the bell, and both confederates fell into an attitude: never were a pair so bent88 over their little accounts — lies, like themselves.
Instead of the heart-broken father their comedy awaited, in came the gallant89 sailor with a brown cheek reddened by triumph and excitement and almost shouted in a genial90 jocund91 voice, “How d’ye do sir? It is a long time since I came across your hawse.” And with this he held out his hand cordially. Hardie gave his mechanically, and remained on his guard, but somewhat puzzled. Dodd shook his cold hand heartily92. “Well, sir, here I am, just come ashore93, and visiting you before my very wife; what d’ye think of that?”
“I am highly honoured, sir,” said Hardie: then, rather stiffly and incredulously, “and to what may I owe this extraordinary preference? Will you be good enough to state the purport94 of this visit — briefly95 — as Mr. Skinner and I are much occupied?”
“The purport? Why, what does one come to a banker about? I have got a lot of money I want to get rid of.”
Hardie stared, but was as much on his guard as ever; only more and more puzzled.
Then David winked96 at him with simple cunning, took out his knife, undid97 his shirt, and began to cut the threads which bound the Cash to his flannel98.
At this Skinner wheeled round on his stool to look, and both he and Mr. Hardie inspected the unusual pantomime with demure curiosity.
Dodd next removed the oilskin cover, and showed the pocket-book, brought it down with a triumphant99 smack100 on the hollow of his hand, and, in the pride of his heart, the joy of his bosom101 and the fever of his blood — for there were two red spots on his cheek all the time — told the cold pair Its adventures in a few glowing words: the Calcutta firm — the two pirates — the hurricane — the wreck102 — the land-sharks — he had saved it from. “And here It is, safe in spite of them all. But I won’t carry It on me any more: it is unlucky; so you must be so good as to take charge of It for me, sir.”
“Very well, Captain Dodd. You wish it placed to Mrs. Dodd’s account, I suppose?”
“No! no! I have nothing to do with that: this is between you and me.”
“As you please.”
“Ye see it is a good lump, sir.”
“Oh, indeed!” said Hardie a little sneeringly103.
“I call it a thundering lot o’ money. But I suppose it is not much to a rich banker like you.” Then he lowered his voice, and said with a certain awe: “It’s — fourteen — thousand pounds.”
“Fourteen thousand pounds!!!” cried Hardie. Then with sudden and consummate105 coolness, “Why, certainly an established bank like this deals with more considerable deposits than that. Skinner, why don’t you give the Captain a chair?”
“No! no!” said Dodd. “I’ll heave-to till I get this off my mind, but I won’t anchor anywhere but at home.” He then opened the pocket-book and spread the contents out before Mr. Hardie, who ran over the notes and bills, and said the amount was L. 14,010, 12s. 6d.
Dodd asked for a receipt.
“Why, it is not usual when there is an account.”
Dodd’s countenance fell: “Oh, I should not like to part with it unless I had a receipt.”
“You mistake me,” said Hardie with a smile. “An entry in your banker’s book is a receipt. However, you can have one in another form.” He then unlocked a desk, took out a banker’s receipt; and told Skinner to fill it in. This done, he seemed to be absorbed in some more important matter.
Skinner counted the notes and left them with Mr. Hardie; the bills he took to his desk to note them on the back of the receipt. Whilst he was writing this with his usual slowness and precision, poor Dodd’s heart overflowed106. “It is my children’s fortune, ye see: I don’t look on a sixpence of it as mine: that it is what made me so particular. It belongs to my little Julia, bless her:— she is a rosebud107 if ever there was one; and oh! such a heart; and so fond of her poor father; but not fonder than he is of her — and to my dear boy Edward; he is the honestest young chap you ever saw: what he says, you may swear to with your eyes shut. But how could they miss either good looks or good hearts, and her children? the best wife and the best mother in England. She has been a true consort108 to me this many a year, and I to her, in deep water and shoal, let the wind blow high or low. Here is a Simple Simon vaunting his own flesh and blood! No wonder that little gentleman there is grinning at me. Well, grin away, lad! perhaps you haven’t got any children. But you have, sir: and you know how it is with us fathers; our hearts are so full of the little darlings, out it must come. You can understand how joyful109 I feel at saving their fortune from land-sharks and sea-sharks, and landing it safe in an honest man’s hands like you and your father before you.”
Skinner handed him the receipt.
He cast his eye over it. “All right, little gentleman. Now my heart is relieved of such a weight: I feel to have just cleared out a cargo110 of bricks. Good-bye: shake hands. I wish you were as happy as I am. I wish all the world was happy. God bless you! God bless you both!”
And with this burst he was out of the room and making ardently111 for Albion Villa112.
The banker and his clerk turned round on their seats and eyed one another a long time in silence and amazement113. Was this thing a dream? their faces seemed to ask. Then Mr. Hardie rested his senatorial head on his hand and pondered deeply. Skinner too reflected on this strange freak of Fortune: and the result was that he burst in on his principal’s reverie with a joyful shout: “The bank is saved! Hardie’s is good for another hundred years.
The banker started, for Skinner’s voice sounded like a pistol-shot in his ear, so high strung was he with thought.
“Hush114! hush!” he said, and pondered again in silence. At last he turned to Skinner. “You think our course is plain? I tell you it is so dark and complicated it would puzzle Solomon to know what is best to be done.”
“Save the bank, sir, whatever you do.”
“How can I save the bank with a few thousand pounds, which I must refund115 when called on? You look keenly into what is under your eye, Skinner, but you cannot see a yard beyond your nose. Let me think.”
After a while he took a sheet of paper, and jotted116 down “the materials,” as he called them, and read them out to his accomplice:—
“1. A bank too far gone to be redeemed117. If I throw this money into it, I shall ruin Captain Dodd, and do myself no good, but only my creditors.
“2. Miss Julia Dodd, virtual proprietor118 of this L. 14,000, or of the greater part, if I choose. The child that marries first usually jockeys the other.
“3. Alfred Hardie, my son, and my creditor68, deep in love with No. 2, and at present somewhat alienated119 from me by my thwarting120 a silly love affair; which bids fair to improve into a sound negotiation121.
“4. The L. 14,000 paid to me personally after banking122 hours, and not entered on the banking books, nor known but to you and me,
“Now suppose I treat this advance as a personal trust? The bank breaks: the money disappears. Consternation123 of the Dodds, who, until enlightened by the public settlement, will think it has gone into the well.
“In that interval124 I talk Alfred over, and promise to produce the L. 14,000 intact, with my paternal125 blessing126 on him and Miss Dodd, provided he will release me from my debt to him, and give me a life interest in half the money settled on him by my wife’s father, to my most unjust and insolent exclusion127. Their passion will soon bring the young people to reason, and then they will soon melt the old ones.”
Skinner was struck with this masterly little sketch128. But he detected one fatal flaw: “You don’t say what is to become of me.”
“Oh, I haven’t thought of that yet.”
“But do think of it, sir, that I may have the pleasure of cooperating. It would never do for you and me to be pulling two ways, you know.”
“I will not forget you,” said Hardie, wincing129 under the chain this little wretch130 held him with, and had jerked him by way of reminder131.
“But surely, Skinner, you agree with me it would be a sin and a shame to rob this honest captain of his money — for my creditors — curse them! Ah! you are not a father. How quickly he found that out! Well, I am, and he touched me to the quick. I love my little Jane as dearly as he loves his Julia, every bit: and I feel for him. And then he put me in mind of my own father, poor man. That seems strange, doesn’t it? a sailor and a banker. Ah! it was because they were both honest men. Yes, it was like a wholesome132 flower coming into a close room, and then out again and heaving a whiff behind was that sailor. He left the savour of Probity133 and Simplicity134 behind, though he took the things themselves away again. Why, why couldn’t he leave us what is more wanted here than even his money? His integrity: the pearl of price, that my father, whom I used to sneer104 at, carried to his grave; and died simple, but wise; honest, but rich — rich in money, in credit, in honour, and eternal hopes. Oh, Skinner! Skinner! I wish I had never been born.”
Skinner was surprised: he was not aware that intelligent men who sin are subject to fits of remorse135. Nay136, more, he was frightened; for the emotion of this iron man, so hard to move, was overpowering when it came: it did not soften, it convulsed him.
“Don’t talk so, sir,” said the little clerk. “Keep up your heart! Have a drop of something.”
“You are right,” said Mr. Hardie gloomily; “it is idle to talk: we are all the slaves of circumstances.”
With this, he unlocked a safe that stood against the wall, chucked the L. 14,000 in, and shammed137 the iron door sharply; and, as it closed upon the Cash with a clang, the parlour door burst open as if by concert, and David Dodd stood on the threshold, looking terrible. His ruddy colour was all gone, and he seemed black and white with anger and anxiety; and out of this blanched138 yet lowering face his eyes glowed like coals, and roved keenly to and fro between the banker and the clerk.
A thunder-cloud of a man.
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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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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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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furrowed
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| v.犁田，开沟( furrow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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furrow
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| n.沟；垄沟；轨迹；车辙；皱纹 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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criticise
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| v.批评，评论；非难 | |
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subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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corrupted
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| （使）败坏( corrupt的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）腐化； 引起（计算机文件等的）错误； 破坏 | |
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conniving
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| v.密谋 ( connive的现在分词 )；搞阴谋；默许；纵容 | |
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connives
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| v.密谋 ( connive的第三人称单数 )；搞阴谋；默许；纵容 | |
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abetting
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的现在分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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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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rankled
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penetrating
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inflated
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| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
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demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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swelling
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| n.肿胀 | |
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34
garbling
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| v.对（事实）歪曲，对（文章等）断章取义，窜改( garble的现在分词 ) | |
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35
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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36
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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37
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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38
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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39
incarnate
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| adj.化身的，人体化的，肉色的 | |
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40
obsequiousness
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| 媚骨 | |
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41
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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42
prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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43
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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44
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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45
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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46
majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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47
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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48
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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49
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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50
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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51
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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52
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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53
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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54
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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55
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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56
blighted
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| adj.枯萎的，摧毁的 | |
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57
indicted
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| 控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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59
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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60
exchequer
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| n.财政部；国库 | |
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61
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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62
savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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63
ledger
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| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
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64
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
bankruptcy
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| n.破产；无偿付能力 | |
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66
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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67
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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68
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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69
creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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70
dividend
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| n.红利，股息；回报，效益 | |
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71
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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72
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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73
humiliation
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| n.羞辱 | |
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74
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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75
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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76
conjectural
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| adj.推测的 | |
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77
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
umbrage
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| n.不快；树荫 | |
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79
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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80
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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81
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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82
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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83
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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84
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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85
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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86
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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87
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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88
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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89
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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90
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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91
jocund
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| adj.快乐的，高兴的 | |
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92
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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93
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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94
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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95
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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96
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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97
Undid
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| v. 解开, 复原 | |
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98
flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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99
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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100
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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101
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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102
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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103
sneeringly
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| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
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104
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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105
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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106
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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107
rosebud
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| n.蔷薇花蕾，妙龄少女 | |
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108
consort
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| v.相伴；结交 | |
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109
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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110
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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111
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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112
villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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113
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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114
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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115
refund
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| v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款 | |
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116
jotted
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| v.匆忙记下( jot的过去式和过去分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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117
redeemed
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| adj. 可赎回的，可救赎的 动词redeem的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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118
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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119
alienated
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| adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等） | |
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120
thwarting
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| 阻挠( thwart的现在分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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121
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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122
banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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123
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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124
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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125
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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126
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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127
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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128
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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129
wincing
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
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130
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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131
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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132
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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133
probity
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| n.刚直；廉洁，正直 | |
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134
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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135
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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136
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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137
shammed
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| 假装，冒充( sham的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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138
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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