Like sunshine after storm were the peaceful weeks which followed. The invalids1 improved rapidly, and Mr. March began to talk of returning early in the new year. Beth was soon able to lie on the study sofa all day, amusing herself with the well-beloved cats at first, and, in time, with dolls' sewing, which had fallen sadly behindhand. Her once active limbs were so stiff and feeble that Jo took her a daily airing about the house in her strong arms. Meg cheerfully blackened and burnt her white hands cooking delicate messes for the "dear"; while Amy, a loyal slave of the ring, celebrated2 her return by giving away as many of her treasures as she could prevail on her sisters to accept.
As Christmas approached, the usual mysteries began to haunt the house, and Jo frequently convulsed the family by proposing utterly3 impossible or magnificently absurd ceremonies, in honour of this unusually merry Christmas. Laurie was equally impractical4, and would have had bonfires, sky-rockets, and triumphal arches, if he had his own way. After many skirmishes and snubbings, the ambitious pair were considered effectually quenched5, and went about with forlorn faces, which were rather belied6 by explosions of laughter when the two got together.
Several days of unusually mild weather fitly ushered7 in a splendid Christmas Day. Hannah "felt in her bones" that it was going to be an unusually fine day, and she proved herself a true prophetess, for everybody and everything seemed bound to produce a grand success. To begin with, Mr. March wrote that he should soon be with them; then Beth felt uncommonly8 well that morning, and, being dressed in her mother's gift - a soft crimson9 merino wrapper - was borne in triumph to the window to behold10 the offering of Jo and Laurie. The Unquenchables had done their best to be worthy11 of the name, for, like elves, they had worked by night, and conjured12 up a comical surprise. Out in the garden stood a stately snow-maiden, crowned with holly13, bearing a basket of fruit and flowers in one hand, a great roll of new music in the other, a perfect rainbow of an Afghan round her chilly14 shoulders, and a Christmas carol issuing from her lips, on a pink paper streamer:
THE JUNGFRAU TO BETH
God bless you, dear Queen Bess!
May nothing you dismay,
But health and peace and happiness
Be yours, this Christmas Day.
Here's fruit to feed our busy bee,
And flowers for her nose;
Here's music for her pianee,
An Afghan for her toes.
A portrait of Joanna, see,
By Raphael No. 2,
Who laboured with great industry
To make it fair and true.
Accept a ribbon red, I beg,
For Madam Purrer's tail;
And ice-cream made by lovely Peg15 -
A Mont Blanc in a pail.
Their dearest love, my makers16 laid
Within my breast of snow:
Accept it, and the Alpine17 maid,
From Laurie and from Jo.
How Beth laughed when she saw it, how Laurie ran up and down to bring in the gifts, and what ridiculous speeches Jo made as she presented them!
"I'm so full of happiness, that, if Father was only here, I couldn't hold one drop more," said Beth, quite sighing with contentment, as Jo carried her off to the study to rest after the excitement and to refresh herself with some of the delicious grapes the "Jungfrau" had sent her.
"So am I," added Jo, slapping the pocket wherein reposed18 the long-desired Undine and Sintram.
"I'm sure I am," echoed Amy, poring over the engraved20 copy of the Madonna and Child, which her mother had given her, in a pretty frame.
"Of course I am!" cried Meg, smoothing the silvery folds of her first silk dress; for Mr. Laurence had insisted on giving it.
"How can I be otherwise?" said Mrs. March, gratefully, as her eyes went from her husband's letter to Beth's smiling face, and her hand caressed21 the broach23 made of grey and golden, chestnut24 and dark brown hair, which the girls had just fastened on her breast. Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful25 story-book fashion, and what a comfort that is. Half an hour after everyone had said they were so happy they could only hold one drop more, the drop came. Laurie opened the parlour door, and popped his head in very quietly. He might just as well have turned a somersault and uttered an Indian war-whoop; for his face was so full of suppressed excitement and his voice so treacherously26 joyful27, that everyone jumped up, though he only said, in a queer breathless voice, "Here's another Christmas present for the March family."
Before the words were well out of his mouth, he was whisked away somehow, and in his place appeared a tall man, muffled28 up to the eyes, leaning on the arm of another tall man, who tried to say something and couldn't. Of course there was a general stampede; and for several minutes everybody seemed to lose their wits, for the strangest things were done, and no one said a word. Mrs. March became invisible in the embrace of four pairs of loving arms; Jo disgraced herself by nearly fainting away, and had to be doctored by Laurie in the china-closet; Mr. Brooke kissed Meg entirely29 by mistake, as he somewhat incoherently explained; and Amy, the dignified30, tumbled over a stool, and, never stopping to get up, hugged and cried over her father's boots in the most touching31 manner. Mrs. March was the first to recover herself, and held up her hand with a warning, "Hush32! remember Beth!"
But it was too late; the study door flew open, the little red wrapper appeared on the threshold - joy put strength into the feeble limbs - and Beth ran straight into her father's arms. Never mind what happened just after that; for the full hearts overflowed33, washing away the bitterness of the past, and leaving only the sweetness of the present.
It was not at all romantic, but a hearty34 laugh set everybody straight again, for Hannah was discovered behind the door, sobbing35 over the fat turkey, which she had forgotten to put down when she rushed up from the kitchen. As the laugh subsided36, Mrs. March began to thank Mr. Brooke for his faithful care of her husband, at which Mr. Brooke suddenly remembered that Mr. March needed rest, and, seizing Laurie, he precipitately37 retired38. Then the two invalids were ordered to repose19, which they did, by both sitting in one big arm-chair, and talking hard.
Mr. March told how he had longed to surprise them, and how when the fine weather came, he had been allowed by his doctor to take advantage of it; how devoted39 Brooke had been, and how he was altogether a most estimable and upright young man. Why Mr. March paused a minute just there, and, after a glance at Meg, who was violently poking40 the fire, looked at his wife with an inquiring lift of the eyebrows41, I leave you to imagine; also why Mrs. March gently nodded her head, and asked, rather abruptly42, if he wouldn't have something to eat. Jo saw and understood the look; and she stalked grimly away to get beef-tea, muttering to herself, as she slammed the door, "I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!"
There never was such a Christmas dinner as they had that day. The fat turkey was a sight to behold, when Hannah sent him up, stuffed, browned, and decorated; so was the plum-pudding, which quite melted in one's mouth; likewise the jellies, in which Amy revelled43 like a fly in a honeypot. Everything turned out well; which was a mercy, Hannah said, "For my mind was that flustered44, mum, that it's a merrycle I didn't roast the pudding, and stuff the turkey with raisins45, let alone bilin' of it in a cloth."
Mr. Laurence and his grandson dined with them, also Mr. Brooke - at whom Jo glowered46 darkly, to Laurie's infinite amusement. Two easy-chairs stood side by side at the head of the table, in which sat Beth and her father, feasting modestly on chicken and a little fruit. They drank healths, told stories, sang songs, "reminisced", as the old folk say, and had a thoroughly47 good time. A sleigh-ride had been planned, but the girls would not leave their father; so the guests departed early, and, as twilight48 gathered, the happy family sat together round the fire.
"Just a year ago we were groaning49 over the dismal50 Christmas we expected to have. Do you remember?" asked Jo, breaking a short pause which had followed a long conversation about many things. "Rather a pleasant year on the whole!" said Meg, smiling at the fire, and congratulating herself on having treated Mr. Brooke with dignity.
"I think it's been a pretty hard one," observed Amy, watching the light shine on her ring, with thoughtful eyes.
"I'm glad it's over, because we've got you back," whispered Beth, who sat on her father's knee.
"Rather a rough road for you to travel, my little pilgrims, especially the latter part of it. But you have got on bravely; and I think the burdens are in a fair way to tumble off very soon," said Mr. March, looking with fatherly satisfaction at the four young faces gathered round him.
"How do you know? Did Mother tell you?" asked Jo.
"Not much; straws show which way the wind blows, and I've made several discoveries today."
"Oh, tell us what they are!" cried Meg, who sat beside him.
"Here is one!" and taking up the hand which lay on the ann of his chair, he pointed51 to the roughened forefinger52, a burn on the back, and two or three little hard spots on the palm.
"I remember a time when this hand was white and smooth, and your first care was to keep it so. It was very pretty then, but to me it is much prettier now - for in these seeming blemishes53 I read a little history. A burnt-offering has been made of vanity; this hardened palm has earned something better than blisters54; and I'm sure the sewing done by these pricked55 fingers will last a long time, so much goodwill56 went into the stitches. Meg, my dear, I value the womanly skill which keeps home happy more than white hands or fashionable accomplishments57. I'm proud to shake this good, industrious58 little hand, and hope I shall not soon be asked to give it away."
If Meg had wanted a reward for hours of patient labour, she received it in the hearty pressure of her father's hand, and the approving smile he gave her.
"What about Jo? Please say something nice; for she has tried so hard, and been so very, very good to me," said Beth, in her father's ear. He laughed, and looked across at the tall girl who sat opposite, with an unusually mild expression in her brown face.
"In spite of the curly crop, I don't see the "son Jo" whom I left a year ago," said Mr. March. "I see a young lady who pins her collar straight, laces her boots neatly59, and neither whistles, talks slang, nor lies on the rug as she used to do. Her face is rather thin and pale, just now, with watching and anxiety; but I like to look at it, for it has grown gentler, and her voice is lower; she doesn't bounce, but moves quietly, and takes care of a certain little person in a motherly way which delights me. I rather miss my wild girl; but if I get a strong, helpful, tender-hearted woman in her place, I shall feel quite satisfied. I don't know whether the shearing60 sobered our black sheep, but I do know that in all Washington I couldn't find anything beautiful enough to be bought with the five-and-twenty dollars which my good girl sent me."
Jo's keen eyes were rather dim for a minute, and her thin face grew rosy61 in the firelight, as she received her father's praise, feeling that she did deserve a portion of it.
"Now, Beth," said Amy, longing62 for her turn, but ready to wait.
"There's so little of her, I'm afraid to say much, for fear she will slip away altogether, though she is not so shy as she used to be," began their father cheerfully; but recollecting63 how nearly he had lot her, he held her close, saying tenderly, with her cheek against his own, "I've got you safe, my Beth, and I'll keep you so, please God."
After a minute's silence, he looked down at Amy, who sat on the cricket at his feet, and said, with a caress22 of the shining hair:
"I observed that Amy took drumsticks at dinner, ran errands for her mother all the afternoon, gave Meg her place tonight, and has waited on everyone with patience and good-humour. I also observe that she does not fret64 much nor look in the glass, and has not even mentioned a very pretty ring which she wears; so I conclude that she has learned to think of other people more and of herself less, and has decided65 to try and mould her character as carefully as she moulds her little clay figures. I am glad of this; for though I should be very proud of a graceful66 statue made by her, I shall be infinitely67 prouder of a lovable daughter, with a talent for making life beautiful to herself and others."
"What are you thinking of, Beth?" asked Jo, when Amy had thanked her father and told about her ring.
"I read in Pilgrim's Progress today, how, after many troubles, Christian68 and Hopeful came to a pleasant green meadow, where lilies bloomed all the year round, and there they rested happily, as we do now, before they went on to their journey's end," answered Beth; adding, as she slipped out of her father's arms, and went slowly to the instrument, "It's singing time now, and I want to be in my old place. I'll try to sing the song of the shepherd-boy which the pilgrims heard. I made the music for Father, because he likes the verses."
So, sitting at the dear little piano, Beth softly touched the keys, and, in the sweet voice they had never thought to hear again, sung to her own accompaniment the quaint69 hymn70, which was a singularly fitting song for her:
"He that is down need fear no fall,
He that is low no pride;
He that is humble71 ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
"I am content with what I have,
Little be it or much;
And, Lord! contentment still I crave72,
Because thou savest such.
"Fullness to them a burden is,
That go on pilgrimage;
Here little, and hereafter bliss73,
Is best from age to age!"
所谓雨过天晴，之后的几个星期风平浪静。病人恢复得非常快，马奇先生开始谈到他新年初回家。贝思很快便可以整天躺在书房的沙发上玩乐，起初是跟那几只宠爱的猫儿玩，后来便掂起了洋娃娃活计，吃力地慢慢缝制，让人见了伤心。
她一向灵活的四肢如今变得僵硬无力，乔每天得用力把她抱到屋外呼吸新鲜空气。梅格愉快地为"乖乖女"烹调各式美味伙食，把一双雪白的手熏得黑糊糊的，而艾美，这位姐姐们的忠实仆从，则费尽唇舌地劝说姐姐们接受她的宝藏，以纪念她回家之喜。
圣诞节一天天临近了，屋里开始弥漫着一股神秘的节日气氛。乔为这个不同寻常的"快乐圣诞"频频献计，提出许多完全没有可能或滑天下之大稽的庆祝活动，令全家人捧腹大笑。劳里同样不切合实际，竟然出些点大篝火、放焰火、搭凯旋门的主意。大家唇枪舌剑，各不相让，最后，那对野心勃勃的朋友终于偃旗息鼓，拉长着脸乱兜圈子，大家正以为他们就此罢休了，却又看到两人走到一起，叽叽喳喳，哈哈大笑。
近日来天气异常暖和，恰到好处地带来了一个阳光灿烂的圣诞节。罕娜"从骨子里头感觉到"这一天将会是一个不同寻常的大好日子，事实证明她的预言完全正确，因为似乎一切顺利，人人心想事成。首先，马奇先生来信说他很快就要和她们团聚。然后，那天贝思早上觉得特别精神，她穿着妈妈送给她的礼物--一件柔软的深红色美利奴羊毛晨衣- 被背到窗前观赏乔和劳里的献礼。两位誓不罢休者大展身手，为了自己的名声，一夜之间像小精灵一样创造了一个妙趣横生的奇观。只见外面花园里耸立着一个庄严高贵的雪人少女，头戴冬青枝花冠，一只手挽一篮水果鲜花，另一只手执一大卷新乐谱，冰冷的肩膀上披一条彩虹般缤纷的阿富汗披围巾，嘴里吐出一首圣诞颂歌，歌词写在一面粉红色的纸幡上：高山少女致贝思上帝保佑你，亲爱的贝思女王！
愿你永不失望，快乐、平和、健康，
在这喜庆的圣诞。
送上水果给我们勤劳的蜜蜂品尝，
送上鲜花让她闻闻馥郁的芬芳；
送上乐谱让她在小钢琴上弹奏，
送上阿富汗披巾让她翩翩起舞。
送上一幅乔安娜的画像，呀，
这可是拉斐尔第二的作品，
为了画得形神兼备，
她可是下足了功力。
再赠你一条红绸巾，
用来点缀"佩儿小姐"的尾巴；
还有一桶佩格做的冰淇淋-
堆得像勃朗峰一样高耸入云。
我的创造者把他们的挚爱
放进我雪白的心胸：
请从乔和劳里的手中
收下这份爱吧，连同这位高山少女。
贝思看到这份歌词笑得好不开心，劳里跑上跑下把礼物拿进来，乔则语无伦次地向大家发表致词。
兴奋过后，乔把贝思抱到书房休息，贝思吃着"高山少女"送给她的又鲜又甜的菩提子提神，心满意足地叹息道：“我感到太幸福了，可惜爸爸不在这里，否则就十全十美了。”“我也一样，”乔拍拍装着渴望已久的《水中女神》一书的口袋说。
“我当然也一样，”艾思响应道。她正在认真研究母亲镶在精致的画框中送给她的版画“圣母和圣婴”。
“我也是！”梅格叫道。她正在抚平平生第一件丝质衣裳上面的折皱，这件银色丝绸裙子是劳伦斯先生坚持让她收下的。
“我又怎能不是呢？”马奇太太看着丈夫写来的信，又看着贝思的笑脸，轻轻抚摸着那枚刚刚由女儿们别在她胸前，用灰色、金色、栗色和深棕色头发做成的胸针，心中充满感激之情。
真是无巧不成书，这沉闷乏味的俗世有时确实会发生一些令人愉快的巧事，给人带来极大的安慰。半个小时前，大家都还在说只可惜了一件事，否则就十全十美了，哪想到这件事说来就来。劳里打开客厅大门，悄悄地把头伸进来。他刚才也许是翻了个筋斗，或是发了一声印地安战场上的那种呐喊声，因为他脸上露出抑制不住的兴奋之情，声音显得欣喜又神秘，大家禁不住全跳了起来。只听他怪腔怪调、气喘吁吁地说道：“马奇家的又一个圣诞礼物现在到来！”话音未落，他便被轻轻推到一边，取而代之的是一个高个子男人，蒙着脸，只露出一双眼睛，靠在另一个高个子男人的手臂上，那男人想说什么却又说不出来。情形当即大乱，大家一时似乎全都失去了理智，她们不发一言，却做出极起离奇古怪的举动。母女四人一拥而上，动情地把马奇先生紧紧围抱起来，乔几乎晕倒，不得不在瓷器间里接受劳里的救治，大失淑女风度；布鲁克先生亲吻梅格，那是纯属误会，他后来结结巴巴地解释；而艾美，这位高贵小姐，被凳子绊了一跤，也不爬起来，而是就势抱着她父亲的双脚动情大哭。马奇太太第一个恢服了常态，举起手来示意：“嘘！别忘了贝思！”但已经太迟了；书房门猛然打开，穿着红色晨衣的小人儿跨出门槛 欢乐给软弱无力的四肢注入了力量 贝思直扑进父亲的怀中。此后发生了什么已无关重要。洋溢心头的幸福之情已冲走了昨天的痛苦，此时此刻，大家心中只有一片甜蜜，一片温馨。
此时发生一了一件虽不浪漫但却令人捧腹的事情，把大家重新带回到现实生活之中。大家发现罕娜站在门后，捧着肥硕的火鸡抽抽噎噎：原来她从厨房冲出来时忘了把火鸡放下。大家笑过后，马奇太太开始向布鲁克先生道谢，感谢他精心照顾自己的丈夫，布鲁克先生突然想起马奇先生需要休息，赶快拽起劳里仓促撤离。众人命两位病人休息，两人不敢违命，便一同坐在一张大椅子上谈个不停。
马奇先生诉说了自己是如何想让她们惊喜一番，医生是如何让他趁天气暖和出院，布鲁克这年轻人又是如何热心，如何正直有涵养等等。说到这里马奇先生顿一顿，扫了一眼正在捅炉火的梅格，扬起双眉望望妻子，似乎在询问什么，起中深意何在，请读者们自己想象；马奇太太也轻轻点点头，然后颇为突然地问他是否要吃点什么。乔明白这个眼色的意思，便板着面孔去拿牛肉汁和酒，一面把门呼的一声带上，咕咕哝哝地自语道：“我憎恨棕色眼睛有涵养的年轻人！”那天的圣诞晚餐是有史以来最为丰盛的一次。罕娜端上的火鸡又肥又大，里头塞满了填料，烤得赤里透红，而且点缀得十分好看；葡萄干布丁也同样令人垂涎欲滴，放进口里就溶化了；还有令人胃口大开的果子冻，把艾美喜得就像落到了蜜罐里的苍蝇，吃得痛快淋漓。一切都尽如人意，这真是上天可怜，罕娜说：“因为我当时心里头别提有多慌张，太太，我没有错把布丁烤熟，把菩提子干塞到火鸡里头，把火鸡包在布里煮，已经是一个奇迹了。”劳伦斯先生和他的孙子跟他们一起进餐，还有布鲁克先生--乔悻悻地对他怒目而视，令劳里乐不可支。贝思和父亲并排坐在桌子前面的两张安乐椅上，适度地吃一点鸡肉和少许水果。他们为健康干杯，讲故事，唱歌，”话旧"，如老人家所说，玩得十分痛快。有人提议滑雪橇，但姑娘们不愿离开父亲；于是客人们早早告辞。夜幕降临之际，幸福的一家人围着炉火团团而坐。
大家谈了许多许多，然后停顿了一会，乔打破沉静，问：“一年前我们在沉闷乏味的圣诞节前夕大发牢骚。你们还记得吗？”“总的来说这一年过得相当愉快！“梅格笑微微地望着火苗说，暗暗庆幸自己刚才在布鲁克先生面前没有失态。
“我认为这一年相当艰苦，”艾美评论道，若有所思地看着手上亮光闪闪的戒指。
“我庆幸这一年已经过去了，因为我们把您盼回来了，”坐在父亲膝上的贝思轻声说道。
“你们走的路确实不平坦，我的小香客们，尤其是后半部分。但你们勇敢地向前走，我想你们肩上的担子很快就能落下来的，”马奇先生慈爱地望着围绕身边的四张年轻面孔，满意地说。
“你怎么知道的？妈妈跟你说了吗？”乔问。
“不多。不过，草动知风向，我今天有几个发现呢。”“噢，告诉我们是哪几个！”坐在他身旁的梅格叫道。
“这便是一个。”他把放在他椅子扶手上的手拿起来，指指变得粗糙的食指、手背上一个灼伤的疤痕，以及手掌上面三个小水泡。”我记得这只手曾经又白又嫩，而你最关心的是怎样把它保养好。它那时确实非常美，但在我眼中它现在变得更美了--因为上面的每一个疤痕都有一个小故事。祭拜神灵不过是一种虚浮的仪式，而这只长满老茧的手给我们带来许多实在的东西，我相信由这些戳满针孔的手指缝制出来的活计一定经久耐用，因为里头一针一线凝聚了多少苦心。梅格，我的好孩子，我认为女红比纤纤玉手和时髦的才艺更为宝贵，因为它能带来家庭幸福。我很荣幸能握紧这只灵巧、勤劳的小手，并希望能握久一些。”父亲紧紧握着梅格的小手，并向她投去赞赏的微笑，如果梅格希望她冗长乏味的工作能获得报酬的话，现在终于如愿以偿了。
“还有乔呢？请夸奖几句吧，她可拚命了，为我操尽了心，”贝思凑到父亲耳边说。
他笑了，望望坐在对面那位身材修长的姑娘，只见她棕色皮肤的脸庞上展现出一种非比寻常的柔情。
“虽然披着一头卷曲的短发，我看到的已经不是一年前我离开时的'乔小子'了，“马奇先生说，”我看到的是一位衣领别得笔挺、靴带系得利索、谈吐斯文，既不吹口哨、也不像以前一样随便躺在地毯上的年轻女士。由于照顾病人，忧虑劳碌，她这会儿面容瘦削苍白，但我喜欢看这张脸，因为它变得更温柔可爱了。她说话的声音也更轻柔了；她不再蹦跳，而是款款而行，并像慈母一样照顾一个小人儿，令我十分快慰。我很怀念我的野姑娘，但如果她变成一个坚强、能帮助人、心地善良的女子，我也该心满意足了。我不知道我们的小黑羊是否因剪了毛而变得严肃庄重，但我知道华盛顿的东西再多再漂亮，也没有一样值得我用好女儿寄来的二十五元钱购买。”听到父亲的夸奖，乔明亮的双眼有点模糊了，瘦削的面孔在炉火映照下升起了两朵红晕，她觉得这话并不是很过分。
“现在轮到贝思。”艾美一心想轮到自己，但准备等下去。
“对于她我不敢多说，担心说多了会把她吓走，虽说她现在没有以前那么害羞了，”父亲笑嘻嘻地说。但想到自己差一点就要失去这个女儿，他把她紧紧抱住，和她脸贴着脸，动情地说：“你平安在我身边，我的贝思，我要你一生平安，上帝保佑你！”他沉默了一会，然后低头望着坐在他脚边垫脚凳上的艾美，吻吻她亮丽的头发，说 “我注意到艾美吃饭时也吃鸡脚了，整个下午都替妈妈打杂，今天晚上又让位给梅格坐，耐心而愉快地帮大家的忙。我还注意到她不再动辄愁眉苦脸，不再照镜子，也不提她戴着一个漂亮戒指；由此我得出一个结论，她已经学会了多想别人，少想自己，并决心像塑造自己的小泥塑人物一样认真塑造自己的性格。我对此感到很高兴，我为女儿拥有艺术才华而感到十分骄傲，但我更为女儿拥有为别人、为自己美化生活的才华而感到无比自豪。”“你在想什么，贝思？“当艾美谢过父亲并介绍了戒指的来历后，乔问。
“今天我读《天路历程》，读到'基督教徒'和'希望'如何排除万难来到一片长年开满百合花的怡人的草地上，在那儿愉快地歇息，如我们现在一样，然后继续向他们的目的地进发，”贝思答道，一面从父亲的臂膀中溜脱出来，慢慢走到钢琴前，又说，”唱歌时间到了，我想做回自己的旧角儿。我来试着唱唱朝圣者们听到的那首牧羊童子唱的歌儿。因为父亲喜欢这首歌的歌词，我特地为他作了曲。”说着，贝思坐到宝贝小钢琴前，轻轻触动琴键，边弹边唱，那种柔和甜美的声音他们从来没有听过。这首古雅的圣歌仿佛专为她而作：位低者无惧跌落，家贫者无需虚骄；谦和者心中自有，万能的上帝引导。
我心长知足，
贫富又何如；
呵，主！我惟求知足常乐，
只因此乐难求。
漫漫人生之旅，
负担使生活充实；
此生微不足道，
来世自有大光明。
收听单词发音 |
1
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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impractical
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| adj.不现实的，不实用的，不切实际的 | |
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quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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belied
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| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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holly
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| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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makers
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| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
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alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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21
caressed
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| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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broach
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| v.开瓶，提出(题目) | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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treacherously
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| 背信弃义地； 背叛地； 靠不住地； 危险地 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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32
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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40
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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41
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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42
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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43
revelled
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| v.作乐( revel的过去式和过去分词 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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44
flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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45
raisins
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| n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 ) | |
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46
glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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48
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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49
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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50
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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51
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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52
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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53
blemishes
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| n.（身体的）瘢点( blemish的名词复数 )；伤疤；瑕疵；污点 | |
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54
blisters
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| n.水疱( blister的名词复数 )；水肿；气泡 | |
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55
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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56
goodwill
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| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
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57
accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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58
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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59
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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60
shearing
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| n.剪羊毛，剪取的羊毛v.剪羊毛( shear的现在分词 )；切断；剪切 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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recollecting
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| v.记起，想起( recollect的现在分词 ) | |
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64
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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65
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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66
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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67
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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69
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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71
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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72
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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