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Chapter 28 Domestic Experiences
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Like most other young matrons, Meg began her married life with the determination to be a model housekeeper1. John should find home a paradise, he should always see a smiling face, should fare sumptuously2 every day, and never know the loss of a button. She brought so much love, energy, and cheerfulness to the work that she could not but succeed, in spite of some obstacles. Her paradise was not a tranquil3 one, for the little woman fussed, was over-anxious to please, and bustled4 about like a true Martha, cumbered with many cares. She was too tired, sometimes, even to smile, John grew dyspeptic after a course of dainty dishes and ungratefully demanded plain fare. As for buttons, she soon learned to wonder where they went, to shake her head over the carelessness of men, and to threaten to make him sew them on himself, and see if his work would stand impatient and clumsy fingers any better than hers.

They were very happy, even after they discovered that they couldn't live on love alone. John did not find Meg's beauty diminished, though she beamed at him from behind the familiar coffee pot. Nor did Meg miss any of the romance from the daily parting, when her husband followed up his kiss with the tender inquiry5, "Shall I send some veal6 or mutton for dinner, darling?" The little house ceased to be a glorified7 bower8, but it became a home, and the young couple soon felt that it was a change for the better. At first they played keep-house, and frolicked over it like children. Then John took steadily9 to business, feeling the cares of the head of a family upon his shoulders, and Meg laid by her cambric wrappers, put on a big apron10, and fell to work, as before said, with more energy than discretion11.

While the cooking mania12 lasted she went through Mrs. Cornelius's Receipt Book as if it were a mathematical exercise, working out the problems with patience and care. Sometimes her family were invited in to help eat up a too bounteous13 feast of successes, or Lotty would be privately14 dispatched with a batch15 of failures, which were to be concealed16 from all eyes in the convenient stomachs of the little Hummels. An evening with John over the account books usually produced a temporary lull17 in the culinary enthusiasm, and a frugal18 fit would ensue, during which the poor man was put through a course of bread pudding, hash, and warmed-over coffee, which tried his soul, although he bore it with praiseworthy fortitude19. Before the golden mean was found, however, Meg added to her domestic possessions what young couples seldom get on long without, a family jar.

Fired a with housewifely wish to see her storeroom stocked with homemade preserves, she undertook to put up her own currant jelly. John was requested to order home a dozen or so of little pots and an extra quantity of sugar, for their own currants were ripe and were to be attended to at once. As John firmly believed that 'my wife' was equal to anything, and took a natural pride in her skill, he resolved that she should be gratified, and their only crop of fruit laid by in a most pleasing form for winter use. Home came four dozen delightful20 little pots, half a barrel of sugar, and a small boy to pick the currants for her. With her pretty hair tucked into a little cap, arms bared to the elbow, and a checked apron which had a coquettish look in spite of the bib, the young housewife fell to work, feeling no doubts about her success, for hadn't she seen Hannah do it hundreds of times? The array of pots rather amazed her at first, but John was so fond of jelly, and the nice little jars would look so well on the top shelf, that Meg resolved to fill them all, and spent a long day picking, boiling, straining, and fussing over her jelly. She did her best, she asked advice of Mrs. Cornelius, she racked her brain to remember what Hannah did that she left undone21, she reboiled, resugared, and restrained, but that dreadful stuff wouldn't 'jell'.

She longed to run home, bib and all, and ask Mother to lend her a hand, but John and she had agreed that they would never annoy anyone with their private worries, experiments, or quarrels. They had laughed over that last word as if the idea it suggested was a most preposterous22 one, but they had held to their resolve, and whenever they could get on without help they did so, and no one interfered23, for Mrs. March had advised the plan. So Meg wrestled24 alone with the refractory25 sweetmeats all that hot summer day, and at five o'clock sat down in her topsy-turvey kitchen, wrung26 her bedaubed hands, lifted up her voice and wept.

Now, in the first flush of the new life, she had often said, "My husband shall always feel free to bring a friend home whenever he likes. I shall always be prepared. There shall be no flurry, no scolding, no discomfort27, but a neat house, a cheerful wife, and a good dinner. John, dear, never stop to ask my leave, invite whom you please, and be sure of a welcome from me."

How charming that was, to be sure! John quite glowed with pride to hear her say it, and felt what a blessed thing it was to have a superior wife. But, although they had had company from time to time, it never happened to be unexpected, and Meg had never had an opportunity to distinguish herself till now. It always happens so in this vale of tears, there is an inevitability28 about such things which we can only wonder at, deplore29, and bear as we best can.

If John had not forgotten all about the jelly, it really would have been unpardonable in him to choose that day, of all the days in the year, to bring a friend home to dinner unexpectedly. Congratulating himself that a handsome repast had been ordered that morning, feeling sure that it would be ready to the minute, and indulging in pleasant anticipations30 of the charming effect it would produce, when his pretty wife came running out to meet him, he escorted his friend to his mansion31, with the irrepressible satisfaction of a young host and husband.

It is a world of disappointments, as John discovered when he reached the Dovecote. The front door usually stood hospitably32 open. Now it was not only shut, but locked, and yesterday's mud still adorned33 the steps. The parlor34 windows were closed and curtained, no picture of the pretty wife sewing on the piazza35, in white, with a distracting little bow in her hair, or a bright-eyed hostess, smiling a shy welcome as she greeted her guest. Nothing of the sort, for not a soul appeared but a sanginary-looking boy asleep under the current bushes.

"I'm afraid something has happened. Step into the garden, Scott, while I look up Mrs. Brooke," said John, alarmed at the silence and solitude36.

Round the house he hurried, led by a pungent37 smell of burned sugar, and Mr. Scott strolled after him, with a queer look on his face. He paused discreetly38 at a distance when Brooke disappeared, but he could both see and hear, and being a bachelor, enjoyed the prospect39 mightily40.

In the kitchen reigned41 confusion and despair. One edition of jelly was trickled42 from pot to pot, another lay upon the floor, and a third was burning gaily43 on the stove. Lotty, with Teutonic phlegm, was calmly eating bread and currant wine, for the jelly was still in a hopelessly liquid state, while Mrs. Brooke, with her apron over her head, sat sobbing44 dismally45.

"My dearest girl, what is the matter?" cried John, rushing in, with awful visions of scalded hands, sudden news of affliction, and secret consternation46 at the thought of the guest in the garden.

"Oh, John, I am so tired and hot and cross and worried! I've been at it till I'm all worn out. Do come and help me or I shall die!" and the exhausted47 housewife cast herself upon his breast, giving him a sweet welcome in every sense of the word, for her pinafore had been baptized at the same time as the floor.

"What worries you dear? Has anything dreadful happened?" asked the anxious John, tenderly kissing the crown of the little cap, which was all askew48.

"Yes," sobbed49 Meg despairingly.

"Tell me quick, then. Don't cry. I can bear anything better than that. Out with it, love."

"The . . . The jelly won't jell and I don't know what to do!"

John Brooke laughed then as he never dared to laugh afterward50, and the derisive51 Scott smiled involuntarily as he heard the hearty52 peal53, which put the finishing stroke to poor Meg's woe54.

"Is that all? Fling it out of the window, and don't bother any more about it. I'll buy you quarts if you want it, but for heaven's sake don't have hysterics, for I've brought Jack55 Scott home to dinner, and . . ."

John got no further, for Meg cast him off, and clasped her hands with a tragic56 gesture as she fell into a chair, exclaiming in a tone of mingled57 indignation, reproach, and dismay . . .

"A man to dinner, and everything in a mess! John Brooke, how could you do such a thing?"

"Hush58, he's in the garden! I forgot the confounded jelly, but it can't be helped now," said John, surveying the prospect with an anxious eye.

"You ought to have sent word, or told me this morning, and you ought to have remembered how busy I was," continued Meg petulantly59, for even turtledoves will peck when ruffled60.

"I didn't know it this morning, and there was no time to send word, for I met him on the way out. I never thought of asking leave, when you have always told me to do as I liked. I never tried it before, and hang me if I ever do again!" added John, with an aggrieved61 air.

"I should hope not! Take him away at once. I can't see him, and there isn't any dinner."

"Well, I like that! Where's the beef and vegetables I sent home, and the pudding you promised?" cried John, rushing to the larder62.

"I hadn't time to cook anything. I meant to dine at Mother's. I'm sorry, but I was so busy," and Meg's tears began again.

John was a mild man, but he was human, and after a long day's work to come home tired, hungry, and hopeful, to find a chaotic63 house, an empty table, and a cross wife was not exactly conductive to repose64 of mind or manner. He restrained himself however, and the little squall would have blown over, but for one unlucky word.

"It's a scrape, I acknowledge, but if you will lend a hand, we'll pull through and have a good time yet. Don't cry, dear, but just exert yourself a bit, and fix us up something to eat. We're both as hungry as hunters, so we shan't mind what it is. Give us the cold meat, and bread and cheese. We won't ask for jelly."

He meant it to be a good-natured joke, but that one word sealed his fate. Meg thought it was too cruel to hint about her sad failure, and the last atom of patience vanished as he spoke65.

"You must get yourself out of the scrape as you can. I'm too used up to 'exert' myself for anyone. It's like a man to propose a bone and vulgar bread and cheese for company. I won't have anything of the sort in my house. Take that Scott up to Mother's, and tell him I'm away, sick, dead, anything. I won't see him, and you two can laugh at me and my jelly as much as you like. You won't have anything else here." and having delivered her defiance67 all on one breath, Meg cast away her pinafore and precipitately68 left the field to bemoan69 herself in her own room.

What those two creatures did in her absence, she never knew, but Mr. Scott was not taken 'up to Mother's', and when Meg descended70, after they had strolled away together, she found traces of a promiscuous71 lunch which filled her with horror. Lotty reported that they had eaten "a much, and greatly laughed, and the master bid her throw away all the sweet stuff, and hide the pots."

Meg longed to go and tell Mother, but a sense of shame at her own short-comings, of loyalty72 to John, "who might be cruel, but nobody should know it," restrained her, and after a summary cleaning up, she dressed herself prettily73, and sat down to wait for John to come and be forgiven.

Unfortunately, John didn't come, not seeing the matter in that light. He had carried it off as a good joke with Scott, excused his little wife as well as he could, and played the host so hospitably that his friend enjoyed the impromptu74 dinner, and promised to come again, but John was angry, though he did not show it, he felt that Meg had deserted75 him in his hour of need. "It wasn't fair to tell a man to bring folks home any time, with perfect freedom, and when he took you at your word, to flame up and blame him, and leave him in the lurch76, to be laughed at or pitied. No, by George, it wasn't! And Meg must know it."

He had fumed77 inwardly during the feast, but when the flurry was over and he strolled home after seeing Scott off, a milder mood came over him. "Poor little thing! It was hard upon her when she tried so heartily78 to please me. She was wrong, of course, but then she was young. I must be patient and teach her." He hoped she had not gone home--he hated gossip and interference. For a minute he was ruffled again at the mere79 thought of it, and then the fear that Meg would cry herself sick softened80 his heart, and sent him on at a quicker pace, resolving to be calm and kind, but firm, quite firm, and show her where she had failed in her duty to her spouse81.

Meg likewise resolved to be 'calm and kind, but firm', and show him his duty. She longed to run to meet him, and beg pardon, and be kissed and comforted, as she was sure of being, but, of course, she did nothing of the sort, and when she saw John coming, began to hum quite naturally, as she rocked and sewed, like a lady of leisure in her best parlor.

John was a little disappointed not to find a tender Niobe, but feeling that his dignity demanded the first apology, he made none, only came leisurely82 in and laid himself upon the sofa with the singularly relevant remark, "We are going to have a new moon, my dear."

"I've no objection," was Meg's equally soothing83 remark. A few other topics of general interest were introduced by Mr. Brooke and wet-blanketed by Mrs. Brooke, and conversation languished84. John went to one window, unfolded his paper, and wrapped himself in it, figuratively speaking. Meg went to the other window, and sewed as if new rosettes for slippers85 were among the necessaries of life. Neither spoke. Both looked quite 'calm and firm', and both felt desperately86 uncomfortable.

"Oh, dear," thought Meg, "married life is very trying, and does need infinite patience as well as love, as Mother says." The word 'Mother' suggested other maternal87 counsels given long ago, and received with unbelieving protests.

"John is a good man, but he has his faults, and you must learn to see and bear with them, remembering your own. He is very decided88, but never will be obstinate89, if you reason kindly90, not oppose impatiently. He is very accurate, and particular about the truth--a good trait, though you call him 'fussy91'. Never deceive him by look or word, Meg, and he will give you the confidence you deserve, the support you need. He has a temper, not like ours--one flash and then all over--but the white, still anger that is seldom stirred, but once kindled92 is hard to quench93. Be careful, be very careful, not to wake his anger against yourself, for peace and happiness depend on keeping his respect. Watch yourself, be the first to ask pardon if you both err94, and guard against the little piques95, misunderstandings, and hasty words that often pave the way for bitter sorrow and regret."

These words came back to Meg, as she sat sewing in the sunset, especially the last. This was the first serious disagreement, her own hasty speeches sounded both silly and unkind, as she recalled them, her own anger looked childish now, and thoughts of poor John coming home to such a scene quite melted her heart. She glanced at him with tears in her eyes, but he did not see them. She put down her work and got up, thinking, "I will be the first to say, 'Forgive me'", but he did not seem to hear her. She went very slowly across the room, for pride was hard to swallow, and stood by him, but he did not turn his head. For a minute she felt as if she really couldn't do it, then came the thought, "This is the beginning. I'll do my part, and have nothing to reproach myself with," and stooping down, she softly kissed her husband on the forehead. Of course that settled it. The penitent97 kiss was better than a world of words, and John had her on his knee in a minute, saying tenderly . . .

"It was too bad to laugh at the poor little jelly pots. Forgive me, dear. I never will again!"

But he did, oh bless you, yes, hundreds of times, and so did Meg, both declaring that it was the sweetest jelly they ever made, for family peace was preserved in that little family jar.

After this, Meg had Mr. Scott to dinner by special invitation, and served him up a pleasant feast without a cooked wife for the first course, on which occasion she was so gay and gracious, and made everything go off so charmingly, that Mr. Scott told John he was a lucky fellow, and shook his head over the hardships of bachelorhood all the way home.

In the autumn, new trials and experiences came to Meg. Sallie Moffat renewed her friendship, was always running out for a dish of gossip at the little house, or inviting98 'that poor dear' to come in and spend the day at the big house. It was pleasant, for in dull weather Meg often felt lonely. All were busy at home, John absent till night, and nothing to do but sew, or read, or potter about. So it naturally fell out that Meg got into the way of gadding99 and gossiping with her friend. Seeing Sallie's pretty things made her long for such, and pity herself because she had not got them. Sallie was very kind, and often offered her the coveted100 trifles, but Meg declined them, knowing that John wouldn't like it, and then this foolish little woman went and did what John disliked even worse.

She knew her husband's income, and she loved to feel that he trusted her, not only with his happiness, but what some men seem to value more--his money. She knew where it was, was free to take what she liked, and all he asked was that she should keep account of every penny, pay bills once a month, and remember that she was a poor man's wife. Till now she had done well, been prudent101 and exact, kept her little account books neatly102, and showed them to him monthly without fear. But that autumn the serpent got into Meg's paradise, and tempted103 her like many a modern Eve, not with apples, but with dress. Meg didn't like to be pitied and made to feel poor. It irritated her, but she was ashamed to confess it, and now and then she tried to console herself by buying something pretty, so that Sallie needn't think she had to economize104. She always felt wicked after it, for the pretty things were seldom necessaries, but then they cost so little, it wasn't worth worrying about, so the trifles increased unconsciously, and in the shopping excursions she was no longer a passive looker-on.

But the trifles cost more than one would imagine, and when she cast up her accounts at the end of the month the sum total rather scared her. John was busy that month and left the bills to her, the next month he was absent, but the third he had a grand quarterly settling up, and Meg never forgot it. A few days before she had done a dreadful thing, and it weighed upon her conscience. Sallie had been buying silks, and Meg longed for a new one, just a handsome light one for parties, her black silk was so common, and thin things for evening wear were only proper for girls. Aunt March usually gave the sisters a present of twenty-five dollars apiece at New Year's. That was only a month to wait, and here was a lovely violet silk going at a bargain, and she had the money, if she only dared to take it. John always said what was his was hers, but would he think it right to spend not only the prospective105 five-and-twenty, but another five-and-twenty out of the household fund? That was the question. Sallie had urged her to do it, had offered to lend the money, and with the best intentions in life had tempted Meg beyond her strength. In an evil moment the shopman held up the lovely, shimmering106 folds, and said, "A bargain, I assure, you, ma'am." She answered, "I'll take it," and it was cut off and paid for, and Sallie had exulted107, and she had laughed as if it were a thing of no consequence, and driven away, feeling as if she had stolen something, and the police were after her.

When she got home, she tried to assuage108 the pangs109 of remorse110 by spreading forth111 the lovely silk, but it looked less silvery now, didn't become her, after all, and the words 'fifty dollars' seemed stamped like a pattern down each breadth. She put it away, but it haunted her, not delightfully112 as a new dress should, but dreadfully like the ghost of a folly113 that was not easily laid. When John got out his books that night, Meg's heart sank, and for the first time in her married life, she was afraid of her husband. The kind, brown eyes looked as if they could be stern, and though he was unusually merry, she fancied he had found her out, but didn't mean to let her know it. The house bills were all paid, the books all in order. John had praised her, and was undoing114 the old pocketbook which they called the 'bank', when Meg, knowing that it was quite empty, stopped his hand, saying nervously115 . . .

"You haven't seen my private expense book yet."

John never asked to see it, but she always insisted on his doing so, and used to enjoy his masculine amazement116 at the queer things women wanted, and made him guess what piping was, demand fiercely the meaning of a hug-me-tight, or wonder how a little thing composed of three rosebuds117, a bit of velvet118, and a pair of strings119, could possibly be a bonnet120, and cost six dollars. That night he looked as if he would like the fun of quizzing her figures and pretending to be horrified121 at her extravagance, as he often did, being particularly proud of his prudent wife.

The little book was brought slowly out and laid down before him. Meg got behind his chair under pretense122 of smoothing the wrinkles out of his tired forehead, and standing96 there, she said, with her panic increasing with every word . . .

"John, dear, I'm ashamed to show you my book, for I've really been dreadfully extravagant123 lately. I go about so much I must have things, you know, and Sallie advised my getting it, so I did, and my New Year's money will partly pay for it, but I was sorry after I had done it, for I knew you'd think it wrong in me."

John laughed, and drew her round beside him, saying goodhumoredly, "Don't go and hide. I won't beat you if you have got a pair of killing124 boots. I'm rather proud of my wife's feet, and don't mind if she does pay eight or nine dollars for her boots, if they are good ones."

That had been one of her last 'trifles', and John's eye had fallen on it as he spoke. "Oh, what will he say when he comes to that awful fifty dollars!" thought Meg, with a shiver.

"It's worse than boots, it's a silk dress," she said, with the calmness of desperation, for she wanted the worst over.

"Well, dear, what is the 'dem'd total', as Mr. Mantalini says?"

That didn't sound like John, and she knew he was looking up at her with the straightforward125 look that she had always been ready to meet and answer with one as frank till now. She turned the page and her head at the same time, pointing to the sum which would have been bad enough without the fifty, but which was appalling126 to her with that added. For a minute the room was very still, then John said slowly--but she could feel it cost him an effort to express no displeasure--. . .

"Well, I don't know that fifty is much for a dress, with all the furbelows and notions you have to have to finish it off these days."

"It isn't made or trimmed," sighed Meg, faintly, for a sudden recollection of the cost still to be incurred127 quite overwhelmed her.

"Twenty-five yards of silk seems a good deal to cover one small woman, but I've no doubt my wife will look as fine as Ned Moffat's when she gets it on," said John dryly.

"I know you are angry, John, but I can't help it. I don't mean to waste your money, and I didn't think those little things would count up so. I can't resist them when I see Sallie buying all she wants, and pitying me because I don't. I try to be contented128, but it is hard, and I'm tired of being poor."

The last words were spoken so low she thought he did not hear them, but he did, and they wounded him deeply, for he had denied himself many pleasures for Meg's sake. She could have bitten her tongue out the minute she had said it, for John pushed the books away and got up, saying with a little quiver in his voice, "I was afraid of this. I do my best, Meg." If he had scolded her, or even shaken her, it would not have broken her heart like those few words. She ran to him and held him close, crying, with repentant129 tears, "Oh, John, my dear, kind, hard-working boy. I didn't mean it! It was so wicked, so untrue and ungrateful, how could I say it! Oh, how could I say it!"

He was very kind, forgave her readily, and did not utter one reproach, but Meg knew that she had done and said a thing which would not be forgotten soon, although he might never allude130 to it again. She had promised to love him for better or worse, and then she, his wife, had reproached him with his poverty, after spending his earnings131 recklessly. It was dreadful, and the worst of it was John went on so quietly afterward, just as if nothing had happened, except that he stayed in town later, and worked at night when she had gone to cry herself to sleep. A week of remorse nearly made Meg sick, and the discovery that John had countermanded132 the order for his new greatcoat reduced her to a state of despair which was pathetic to behold133. He had simply said, in answer to her surprised inquiries134 as to the change, "I can't afford it, my dear."

Meg said no more, but a few minutes after he found her in the hall with her face buried in the old greatcoat, crying as if her heart would break.

They had a long talk that night, and Meg learned to love her husband better for his poverty, because it seemed to have made a man of him, given him the strength and courage to fight his own way, and taught him a tender patience with which to bear and comfort the natural longings135 and failures of those he loved.

Next day she put her pride in her pocket, went to Sallie, told the truth, and asked her to buy the silk as a favor. The good- natured Mrs. Moffat willingly did so, and had the delicacy136 not to make her a present of it immediately afterward. Then Meg ordered home the greatcoat, and when John arrived, she put it on, and asked him how he liked her new silk gown. One can imagine what answer he made, how he received his present, and what a blissful state of things ensued. John came home early, Meg gadded137 no more, and that greatcoat was put on in the morning by a very happy husband, and taken off at night by a most devoted138 little wife. So the year rolled round, and at midsummer there came to Meg a new experience, the deepest and tenderest of a woman's life.

Laurie came sneaking139 into the kitchen of the Dovecote one Saturday, with an excited face, and was received with the clash of cymbals140, for Hannah clapped her hands with a saucepan in one and the cover in the other.

"How's the little mamma? Where is everybody? Why didn't you tell me before I came home?" began Laurie in a loud whisper.

"Happy as a queen, the dear! Every soul of 'em is upstairs a worshipin'. We didn't want no hurrycanes round. Now you go into the parlor, and I'll send 'em down to you," with which somewhat involved reply Hannah vanished, chuckling141 ecstatically.

Presently Jo appeared, proudly bearing a flannel142 bundle laid forth upon a large pillow. Jo's face was very sober, but her eyes twinkled, and there was an odd sound in her voice of repressed emotion of some sort.

"Shut your eyes and hold out your arms," she said invitingly143.

Laurie backed precipitately into a corner, and put his hands behind him with an imploring144 gesture. "No, thank you. I'd rather not. I shall drop it or smash it, as sure as fate."

"Then you shan't see your nevvy," said Jo decidedly, turning as if to go.

"I will, I will! Only you must be responsible for damages." and obeying orders, Laurie heroically shut his eyes while something was put into his arms. A peal of laughter from Jo, Amy, Mrs. March, Hannah, and John caused him to open them the next minute, to find himself invested with two babies instead of one.

No wonder they laughed, for the expression of his face was droll145 enough to convulse a Quaker, as he stood and stared wildly from the unconscious innocents to the hilarious146 spectators with such dismay that Jo sat down on the floor and screamed.

"Twins, by Jupiter!" was all he said for a minute, then turning to the women with an appealing look that was comically piteous, he added, "Take 'em quick, somebody! I'm going to laugh, and I shall drop 'em."

Jo rescued his babies, and marched up and down, with one on each arm, as if already initiated147 into the mysteries of babytending, while Laurie laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.

"It's the best joke of the season, isn't it? I wouldn't have told you, for I set my heart on surprising you, and I flatter myself I've done it," said Jo, when she got her breath.

"I never was more staggered in my life. Isn't it fun? Are they boys? What are you going to name them? Let's have another look. Hold me up, Jo, for upon my life it's one too many for me," returned Laurie, regarding the infants with the air of a big, benevolent148 Newfoundland looking at a pair of infantile kittens.

"Boy and girl. Aren't they beauties?" said the proud papa, beaming upon the little red squirmers as if they were unfledged angels.

"Most remarkable149 children I ever saw. Which is which?" and Laurie bent150 like a well-sweep to examine the prodigies151.

"Amy put a blue ribbon on the boy and a pink on the girl, French fashion, so you can always tell. Besides, one has blue eyes and one brown. Kiss them, Uncle Teddy," said wicked Jo.

"I'm afraid they mightn't like it," began Laurie, with unusual timidity in such matters.

"Of course they will, they are used to it now. Do it this minute, sir!" commanded Jo, fearing he might propose a proxy152.

Laurie screwed up his face and obeyed with a gingerly peck at each little cheek that produced another laugh, and made the babies squeal153.

"There, I knew they didn't like it! That's the boy, see him kick, he hits out with his fists like a good one. Now then, young Brooke, pitch into a man of your own size, will you?" cried Laurie, delighted with a poke66 in the face from a tiny fist, flapping aimlessly about.

"He's to be named John Laurence, and the girl Margaret, after mother and grandmother. We shall call her Daisey, so as not to have two Megs, and I suppose the mannie will be Jack, unless we find a better name," said Amy, with aunt-like interest.

"Name him Demijohn, and call him Demi for short," said Laurie

"Daisy and Demi, just the thing! I knew Teddy would do it," cried Jo clapping her hands.

Teddy certainly had done it that time, for the babies were 'Daisy' and 'Demi' to the end of the chapter.

 

像大多数别的年轻主妇一样,梅格带着当个模范管家的决心,开始了她的婚姻生活。应该让约翰感到家像伊甸园,看到妻子笑脸常开,日子过得豪华舒适,若是衣服上的钮扣掉了,就及时钉上,决不让他察觉。梅格对家务倾注了无数的爱心、精力与诚心,因此,尽管遇到了一些困难,她必然还是会成功。她的伊甸园并不宁静,因为小妇人过分急于讨丈夫欢心。她像个真正的马大,忙忙碌碌,为家事拖累着。有时,她累得甚至笑不出来— 吃了美味佳肴,约翰反弄得消化不良,忘恩负义地要求吃清淡饭菜。至于钮扣,她不久就学会惊叹它们又掉到哪儿去了,然后摇头说男人粗心,威胁要让他自己钉,看看他钉的扣子是否更能经得住他笨手笨脚的急扯乱拽。

他们非常幸福,即便后来发现光有爱情不能过活。梅格隔着平常的咖啡壶向丈夫微笑。约翰发现妻子姿色未减。梅格也能从日常的分别中领略到浪漫柔情。丈夫吻过她便柔声轻问:“亲爱的,晚餐要小牛肉还是要羊肉?”小屋不再是华居,而成了过日子的处所,年轻的夫妇不久就认识到这是好的变化。开始,他们做着过家家的游戏,孩子般地嬉戏着。后来,约翰作为一家之主感到肩膀上责任重大,稳步经起商来。

梅格脱下麻纱披肩,系上大围裙,像前面说的那样,不加考虑,干劲十足地投入家务中。

趁着对烹调的热衷,她读完了科尼利厄斯夫人的《菜品》,耐心细致地解决烹饪疑难,好像那是数学作业。有时,成功了她便邀请全家人过来帮忙吃掉丰盛的宴席,失败了便私下派洛蒂将食物送给小赫梅尔们去吃,以便掩人耳目。晚间和约翰一起结算家庭收支,这常使她的烹调热情一度止歇,接下来过一阵子节俭日子,那可怜的人儿只能吃到面包布盯大杂烩,喝再加热的咖啡,令她大伤脑筋,尽管他坚毅的忍受力值得称道。可是不久,梅格虽没找到持家的"中庸之道",却又为家庭财产添了件年轻夫妇非有不可的东西 家用腌坛。

带着主妇燃烧的热情,为了贮藏室存满家制食品,梅格着手腌制栗果冻。她让约翰定购一打左右的小坛子,另外买些糖,因为,他们自家的醋栗已经成熟,需要立即处理。约翰坚信"我的妻无所不能",自然也为她的技艺自豪,他决意满足妻子的愿望,让他们唯一的果实以最悦人的形态贮存起来预备冬用。于是,四打可爱的小坛子、半桶糖给运回来了,还带回个小男孩帮她摘醋栗。年轻的主妇将漂亮的头发束进一顶小帽里,袖子挽到胳膊,系上条格子花围裙,开始了工作。她这条围裙虽说有围嘴,看上去还挺俏。她对成功深信不疑,难道不是见过罕娜做过上百次吗?开始,那一排坛子着实使她吃了一惊,不过约翰非常喜欢吃果冻,橱子顶层放一排可爱的小坛子,看上去也不错。因此,梅格打算把所有的坛子都装满。她花了一整天时间,摘呀,煮呀,滤呀,忙着制她的果冻。她竭尽了全力,向科尼利厄斯夫人的书本讨教,绞尽脑汁想回忆起她没做好的地方罕娜是怎么做的。她重复,重新加糖,重新过滤,然而,那讨厌的东西就是"不结冻”。

她真想就这样系着围裙跑回家求妈帮忙。可是她和约翰曾商定决不让他的小家的烦恼、试验、争吵去烦扰家人。争吵一词当时使她们发笑,好像这个词包含的意思荒唐可笑。她们履行了决议,尽量自己解决问题,也没人干预他们,因为这个计划是由马奇太太提议的。梅格只好在那个酷热的复日,与不好对付的蜜饯孤军奋战。到了五点,她坐在乱七八糟的厨房里,绞着一双弄脏了的手,放声大哭起来。

梅格刚开始令人兴奋异常的新生活时,总说:“只要他高兴,我丈夫什么时候都可以带朋友来家,我会随时都准备好,不会忙乱,不会责怪他,也不会让他感到不舒服。他会看到一个整洁的屋子,一个愉快的妻子,和一顿丰盛的晚餐。约翰,亲爱的,别等着我批准,想请谁就请谁。他们肯定能得到我的欢迎。”的确,那是多么诱人!听到这么说,约翰得意洋洋,有这样优秀的妻子真是福气。然而,尽管他们经常有客人,可是客人们从来没有不期而至,到目前为止,梅格根本就没有机会表现。现实世界总是有这种情况发生,而且不可避免,我们只能惊诧、懊恼,并尽力忍受。

一年有那么多天,约翰偏偏选中那一天出人意料地带了一个朋友回家。若不是因为他全忘了果冻的事,实在不可原谅。约翰庆幸早晨定购了一些美食,并且确信这时已经做好了,他沉浸在美妙的期待中:饭菜可口,娇妻跑着前来迎接夫君。带着年轻主人兼丈夫的满足感,他伴随朋友走向自己的宅第。

他来到鸽房,大失所望。前门通常是好客地敞开着,现在不仅关着,而且锁上了。台阶上昨日踩上的污泥犹在,客厅的窗户紧团,窗帘拉着,游廊里见不着他身穿白衣、头戴迷人小蝴蝶结、手是做着针线活的漂亮妻子,也见不着眼睛明亮的女主人羞怯地笑迎客人。没有那回事,除了一个粗野小子在醋栗丛下睡觉,屋里没一个人影。

“恐怕出了什么事,斯科特,到花园里来,我得去看看布鲁克太太。”约翰被寂静冷落的气氛弄得惊慌起来。

随着一股刺鼻的烧焦的糖味,他匆匆绕过屋子。斯科特先生不紧不慢地跟在后面,满脸疑惑。他小心翼翼地和约翰保持一定距离。突然布鲁克消失了,但是斯科特很快既能看见也能听见眼前的一切了。作为一个单身汉,他十分欣赏眼前的景象。

厨房里笼罩着混乱与绝望。一种类似果冻的东西从一个坛子滴到另一个坛子。一只坛子躺在地上,还有一只在炉上欢快地烧着。具有条顿民族冷淡气质的洛蒂,正平静地吃着面包,喝着醋栗酒,因为那果冻还只是一种无可奈何的液体状,而布鲁克太太正用围裙捂着头,坐在那里沮丧地抽泣。

“我最亲爱的姑娘,出了什么事?”约翰冲进去叫了起来,他看到了妻子烫伤的手,方才知道她的痛苦,真是糟糕的景象。又想到花园里的客人,不由暗地惊惶。

“噢,约翰,我真是太累了,又热又躁又急。我一直在弄这果冻,最后筋疲力荆你得帮我一把,不然我要死了!”说着,疲倦之极的主妇一下扑进他的怀里,给了他一个甜蜜的欢迎,这个欢迎很实在,因为,她的围裙和地板同时都受过了洗礼。

“亲爱的,啥事让你烦心?发生了什么可怕的事?”约翰焦急地问道,一边温柔地吻着小帽顶,小帽子已经歪到一边了。

“是的。”梅格绝望地抽泣着。

“那么,快快告诉我,别哭了,再坏的事儿我都能承受,快说出来,我的爱。“那个-那果冻不结冻,我不知道咋办。”约翰·布鲁克大笑起来,那种笑以后再也没敢有过。它给了可怜的梅格痛苦的最后一击,好嘲弄的斯科特听见这开心的笑声也忍不住笑了起来。

“就这些?把它们都扔到窗外,别再烦心了,你想要果冻我给你买上几夸脱,看在老天的分上,别这样发作了,我带了杰克·斯科特来吃晚饭,而且- "约翰没说下去,因为梅格一把推开了他,拍着手做了个悲惨的手势,坐进了椅子,用混合着愤怒、责备、沮丧的语调高声叫道- “带人来吃饭,到处乱七八糟!约翰·布鲁克,你怎么能做出这种事?”“嘘,他就在花园里!我把这倒霉的果冻给忘了,可现在没法子了。”约翰焦急地看着眼前的这一切。

“你本来应该传个话回来,或者早上和我说一声,你本该记住我有多忙,”梅格负气地接着说道。惹恼了的斑鸠也会啄人的。

“早上我还不知道呢,况且没时间传话回来,我出去的路上碰到他的。我从未想过要你批准,因为你总说我可以随意带人来。我以前从来没试过。我死也不会再这么做了!”约翰委屈地补了一句。

“我倒是希望你不这么做!立刻把他带走,我不见他,也没有晚饭。”“好吧,我喜欢这样!我送回来的牛肉和蔬菜在哪?你答应做的布丁又在哪?”约翰叫着,冲向食品柜。

“我什么也没时间做,我打算上妈那儿去吃的,对不起,可是我太忙了。”梅格的眼泪又来了。

约斡脾气温和,但毕竟是个人。工作了长长的一天回到家,又累又饿,充满希望,可看到的却是乱七八糟的屋子,空荡荡的桌子,加上个焦躁的妻子,这可不利于身心的休息。然而,他还是控制了情绪,要不是又触及那倒运的字眼,这场风景就会平息了。

“我承认,是有点麻烦,可是,如果你愿意助一臂之力,我们会克服困难招待好客人,还会很开心的。别哭了,亲爱的,加点儿劲,为我们做些吃的。给我们吃冷肉、面包、奶酪,我们不会要果冻的。”他是想开个善意的玩笑,可那个字眼决定了他的命运。梅格认为,暗示她悲惨的失败太残酷了。他这样一说,梅格忍无可忍了。

“你自己想办法解决麻烦吧,我一点儿力气都没有,不能为任何人'加劲'了,这就等于用骨头、粗制面包和奶酪招待客人,我们家不能有这种事情,把那个斯科特带到妈那儿去,和他说我不在家,病了,死了--随你怎么说。我不要见他,你们俩尽可以笑话我,笑话我的果冻,想怎么笑就怎么笑。在这里你们什么也别想吃到。”梅格一口气说完这些具有挑衅味儿的话,扔掉围裙,匆匆撤离阵地,回到卧室独自伤心去了。

她不在期间那两个做了些什么,她无从知晓,只是斯科特先生并未给"带到妈那儿去"。他们走后,梅格从楼上下来,发现杯盘狼藉,使她不寒而栗。洛蒂报告他们吃了"很多东西,大笑着,主人让她扔掉所有的甜玩意儿,把坛子收起来。”梅格真想去告诉妈妈,可是,对自己错误的羞耻感,以及对约翰的忠心阻止她这么做。”约翰是有些残酷,可不能让别人知道。”她简单地收拾了一下屋子,打扮得漂漂亮亮,坐下来等待约翰来求她原谅。

不幸的是,约翰没来,他没这样看待这件事,和斯科特在一起时他将之视为玩笑,尽可能原谅他的小妻子。他这个主人当得热情周到,结果,他的朋友很欣赏这个即席晚餐,答应以后再来。约翰其实很生气,虽然没有表现出来。他认为是梅格使他陷入了麻烦,然后在他需要帮助时丢弃了他。”让人家随时随地带人回家,相信她的话这样做吧,又发起怒来,责怪人,将人家丢于危难中不顾,让别人嘲笑、可怜。这样不公平,不!确实不公平!梅格得明白这一点。”吃饭时,他怒火中烧。可是送走斯科特,踱步回家时,内心风暴已经平息,一阵温情袭上心头。”可怜的小东西!她尽心尽意想让我高兴,那样做让她难堪。当然,是她错了,可是她太年轻,我得耐心些,教教她。”他希望她没有回娘家--他讨厌闲话和别人的干涉。有那么一会儿,一想到这些他又来了气,接着,又担心梅格会哭坏身子,心就软了下来。他加快了步子,决心平静地、友好地、坚定地、相当坚定地向她指出,她身为妻子错在哪里。

梅格同样决心"平静地、友好地、但是坚定地"向他指出做丈夫的职责。她很想跑过来迎接他,请求原谅,让丈夫亲她,安慰她,她肯定他会这么做的。可是,她当然没有这么做。她坐在摇椅里看到约翰过来,便一边摇着,一边做针线,嘴里自然地哼着小调。好像一个坐在华丽客厅里的阔太太。

约翰没看到一个温柔、悲伤的尼俄伯,有点失望。但是,自尊心要求对方先致歉,他便没有表态,而是悠闲地迈步进屋,坐进沙发,说了句最贴切不过的话:“我们要重新开始,亲爱的。”“不反对。”梅格的答话同样镇定。

布鲁克先生又提了些大家感兴趣的话头,都让布鲁克太太一泼冷水浇灭了。谈话兴趣减弱了。约翰走到一扇窗户前,头,变形成石后继续流泪。

打开报纸,仿佛把自己包了进去。梅格走到另一扇窗前,做起针线,仿佛她拖鞋上的新玫瑰花结在生活必需品之列。谁也不说话,两个人看上去却"平静而坚定",但却感到非常不舒服。

“天哪!”梅格想着,”真像妈妈说的,结了婚的日子真难过,真的既需要爱情,又需要巨大的耐心。”“妈妈"一词又让她联想起很早以前母亲给她的其他建议,当时接受时又是怀疑又是抗议。

“约翰是个好人,可也有他的缺点。你得学会发现它们,容忍它们,记住你自己也有缺点。他个性很强,但绝不会固执己见,只需你友善地和他讲道理,不要急躁地反对他。他处事顶真,尤其讲求事实,这种性格不坏,尽管你说他'爱小题大作'。梅格,千万别在言语行动上冲撞他,他会给你应有的信任和你所需要的支持。他有脾气,但不像我们那样--一阵火发完,然后烟消云散 -他那种沉寂的怒火极少发作,可是势头凶猛,一旦点燃,很难扑灭。小心点,要非常小心,不要引火烧身。太平幸福的生活取决于你对他的尊重、注意,假如你俩都犯了错,你要首先请求原谅,提防不要误解,这些往往导致更大的痛苦与悔恨。”梅格坐在夕阳下做着针线,回想着妈妈的这些话,尤起是后面的话。这是他们的第一次严重分岐。她回忆起自己脱口而出的话,现在听起来又愚蠢,又不友好,她的怒气也是那样孩子气。想到可怜的约翰回家后碰上这么个场面,她心软了。她含着眼泪瞥了他一眼,可是他没有感觉。她放下针线活站起身来,想着:“我来第一个说'原谅我'。”可是他似乎没听见。她慢慢地穿过屋子,自尊心难咽这口气呀。她站到他身旁,可是他头也不转。有一刻她感到她好像真没法这样做,随后又想:“这是开始,我尽我的责任,这样就没有什么可怪自己的了。”于是,她俯下身,轻轻地在丈夫额上吻了吻。当然,一切都解决了,这悔悟的吻胜过千言万语,约翰马上将她搂在膝上,温柔地说:“笑话那些可怜的果冻小坛子太不好了,原谅我,亲爱的,我再也不了。”然而,他还是笑话了,啧啧,是的,笑了上百回。梅格也笑了,两个人却笑说那是他们做的最甜的果冻。因为,那个小小的家用腌坛保住了家庭的和气。

这件事过后,梅格特意邀请斯科特先生吃饭,为他端上一道道美味佳肴,不让他感觉女主妇忙得疲惫不堪。在这种时候,她表现得欢乐、优雅,一切进行得顺利、称心。斯科特先生说约翰这家伙真幸福,回家时一路上摇着头感叹单身汉的日子太苦。

到了秋天,梅格又有了新的考验的经历。萨莉·莫法特和她恢复了友谊,常跑到小屋来闲谈,或者,邀请"那可怜的人儿"去大房子玩。这使人愉快,因为在天气阴暗的日子,梅格常感到孤独。家人都很忙,约翰到夜里才回来,她自己除了做针线,读书,或者出去逛逛,没多少事可做。结果梅格自然而然地养成了和她的朋友闲谈、闲逛的习惯。她看到萨莉的一些好东西,渴望也能拥有它们,并为自己得不到而感到可怜。萨莉很友好,常提出送给她一些她想要的小玩意儿,可是梅格谢绝了,她知道这样约翰会不高兴。后来,这个傻乎乎的小妇人做了件让约翰更不高兴的事。

她知道丈夫的收入,她喜欢这种感觉,丈夫不仅将自己的幸福交付于她,而且将一些男人更看重的东西 -钱,也交给了她。她知道钱放在哪儿,可以随意去拿。他只要求她将花出去的每一分钱都记个帐,每月交一次帐单,记住她是个穷人的妻子。到目前为止,她干得不错,精打细算,小帐本记得清清楚楚,每月都毫不担心地拿给他看。然而,那一个秋天,蟒蛇溜进了梅格的伊甸园,像诱惑许多现代夏娃一样诱惑了她,不是用苹果,而是用衣服。梅格不愿被人可怜,也不愿因之顾影自怜。这使她恼火,但又羞于承认这一点,所以她时不时买些可爱的玩意儿,这样萨莉就不会认为她得节约,她以此自慰。买过这些东西后她总是感到不道德,因为这些可爱的玩意儿极少是必需品。可是它们花的钱很少,不值得担心。就这样,不知不觉这些小玩意儿增多了。游览商店时,她也不再是被动的旁观者了。

然而,小玩意花费的钱超过了人们的想象。月底结帐时支出总数使她吓坏了。那个月约翰事忙,将帐单丢给了她。第二个月约翰不在家。第三个月约翰做了次季度大结算,那一次梅格永远都忘不了。就在这次结算前几天,梅格做了件可怕的事,这件事重重压在心头,让她良心不安。萨莉一直在买绸衣,梅格渴望有一件新的-- 只要件淡色的、端庄的、舞会时穿的。她的黑绸衣太普通了,晚上穿的薄绸只适合女孩子穿,每逢过新年,马奇婶婶总是给组妹们每人二十五美元作为礼物。这只要等一个月,而这里有一段可爱的紫罗兰色丝绸线卖,她有买它的钱,只要她敢拿。约翰总是说他的钱也就是她的。可是,不光花掉还未到手的二十五美元,还要从家庭资金里再抽出二十五美元来,约翰会认为对吗?这是个问题。萨莉怂恿她买,提出借给她钱。她的好意诱惑了梅格,使她失去了自制力。在那受诱的关头,那商贩举起了可爱的,熠熠生辉的绸布卷,说道:“卖得便宜,我保证,夫人。”她答道:“我买。”这样,料子扯了,钱付了,萨莉欢跃起来,梅格也笑着,好像这没有什么了不起,然后坐车离开,心里感到像偷了什么东西,警察在后面追着她。

她回到家中,将那可爱的丝绸展开,想以此减轻那一阵阵悔恨的痛苦。可是,这段料子看上去不如先前光鲜了,而且也不适合她了。毕竟,”五十美元"这几个字像一个图案刻在布料的每一道条纹上。她收起布料,脑中却挥之不去,不像一件新衣服那样想起来使她愉快,却像个摆脱不了的蠢头蠢脑的幽灵,令人恐怖。那天晚上,当约翰拿出帐本时,梅格的心往下一沉,结婚以来第一次害怕起丈夫来。那双和善的棕色眼睛看上去似乎会变严厉的,尽管他情绪非常好。她想象他已经发觉她干的事,只是不打算让她知道。家庭开支帐单都付清了,帐本理齐了。约翰称赞了她,又准备打开他们称之为"银行"的旧笔记本,梅格知道那里已没有多少钱了,便按住他的手,紧张地说 “你还没看过我自己的开销帐单呢。”约翰从来就没要看过,但她总是坚持让他看。他看到女人们要的古怪东西时,惊诧不已,她欣赏这种神情。她让她猜"滚边" 是什么东西,逼问他"抱紧我"是干什么用的,或者引他惊叹,三个玫瑰花蕾、一块丝绒,再加两条细绳组成的东西竟能成为一顶帽子,而且值五六美元。那天晚上,他一如往常,瞧起来很乐于检查她的开销数字,假装被她的挥霍所吓倒,因为他为他节俭的妻子感到特别的自豪。

小帐本慢慢地拿出来,放在他面前。梅格借口为他抚平额头上疲倦的皱纹站到了他椅子的后面。她站在那里说起来,越说越发慌- “约翰,亲爱的,我不好意思让你看帐本,因为我最近挥霍过度,你知道,我常出门,我得有些东西,萨莉建议我买,我就买了。我新年得到的钱将补上一半的开销。我买过便后悔了,我知道你会觉得我做错事了。”约翰笑了起来,他将她搂过身边,温和地说:“别走开去躲着我,你要是买了双挤脚的靴子我也不会揍你的。我为我妻子的脚相当自豪,要是靴子不错,就是花了八九美元也别在乎。”那是她最近花钱买的一件”玩意儿",约翰一边说着,眼睛落在它上面。”哦,他看到那该死的五十美元会怎么说呢?”梅格思忖着,有些胆战。

“那比靴子还糟,是绸衣,”她带着绝望后的镇定说着,她想结束最坏的事情。

“唔,亲爱的,像曼塔里尼先生说的,'该死的总数'是多少?”这可不像约翰说的话,梅格心中明白。他抬头直视着她,在这之前,她总能随时坦率地正视他的目光。她翻开帐本,同时转过头来,指着那一笔数字,不算那五十美元,数字已经够大的了,加上它,更十分触目惊心。好一阵子,屋里寂静无声,然后约翰慢慢说道 --梅格能感到约翰在努力控制着自己,不显出不快来 “哦,我搞不清五十美元买件衣服是不是贵了,而且还要花钱买现时流行的裙饰、小玩意儿才能做成成衣。”“还没有做,没装饰呢,”梅格嗫嚅着说。她突然想起料子做成衣服还得花钱,有些不知所措了。

“二十五码丝绸包装一个小妇人似乎太多了,但是我毫不怀疑我妻子穿上它会和内德·莫法特的妻子一样漂亮,”约翰冷冰冰地说。

“我知道你生气了,约翰,可是我忍不祝我不是有意浪费你的钱,我看萨莉想买什么就买什么,我不能买她便可怜我,我受不了。我试图知足,可是太难了。我厌倦了贫困。”她最后一句话说得很轻,她以为他没听见,可是他听见了,并被深深地刺痛了。为了梅格的缘故,他放弃了许多享乐。她话一出口,恨不能咬掉舌头。约翰推开帐本站起来,声音微微发颤地说道:“我就担心这个。我尽力吧,梅格。”即便他责骂她,甚至揍她,也不会像这几句话那样使她这样伤心。她跑过来紧紧抱住他,带着悔恨的泪水哭叫着:“哦,约翰,我亲爱的人儿,你那么宽厚、勤勉。我不是那个意思。我太邪恶、太虚伪、太忘恩负义了。我怎么说出那样的话,哦,我怎能那样说!”约翰非常宽厚,当即原谅了她,没说一句责备的话。可是,梅格知道她的所作所为不会很快被忘记的,尽管他再也没提起过。她曾经保证无论如何都会爱他,可是,她作为他的妻子,不在乎地花了他的钱后,却指责他贫穷,太可怕了!

最糟糕的是打那以后约翰变得沉默起来,好像什么也没发生,只是在镇上呆的时间更长了,晚上也出去工作,留下梅格一个人哭着入眠。一个星期的悔恨几乎把梅格弄病了。她又发现约翰取消了他新大衣的定货,这使她陷于绝望,那种景象让人看着心酸。她吃惊地问起约翰为什么改变主意,约翰仅仅说了句:“我买不起,亲爱的。”梅格没再说什么。几分钟后,约翰发现她在大厅里将脸埋在那件旧大衣里,哭得心都要碎了。

那天夜里,他们作了次长谈。梅格懂得了丈夫虽穷却更值得爱。因为,似乎是贫穷将他造就成一个真正的男子汉,贫穷给了他奋斗的力量与勇气,教会他带着温柔的耐心,去容忍他热爱的人们所犯的过失,抚慰他们自然的渴求。

第二天,梅格收起自尊心,来到萨莉家,告诉了她实情,请她帮个忙买下那段丝绸。脾气好的莫法特太太欣然应允,并考虑周到地答应不马上就将料子当礼物送回她。然后,梅格买回了大衣。约翰回来时,她穿上大衣,询问约翰可喜欢她的新丝袍。可以想象,约翰是怎样回答的,怎样接受这个礼物的,随后又发生了些什么美妙的事情。约翰回家早了,梅格不再闲逛了。早上,大衣被幸福之至的丈夫穿上,晚上,被忠心耿耿的小妇人脱下。就这样,日子一天天过去了。到了仲夏,梅格有了新的经历--女人一生中印象最深、最充满柔情的经历。

一个星期六,劳里满脸激动地溜进鸽屋的厨房,受到了一阵铙钹的欢迎。因为,罕娜一手拿着平底锅,一手拿着锅盖,双手一拍,发出了响声。

“小妈妈怎么样?人都在哪?我回家前你为什么不告诉我?”劳里低声问。

“那宝贝幸福得像女王,她们都在楼上瞧着呢。我们这里不想刮哝(龙)卷风,你去客厅吧,我去叫她们下来见你,”罕娜含混不清地回答,兴奋地咯咯笑着走开了。

不一会,乔出现了,自豪地捧着一个放在大枕头上的法兰绒包裹。她表情严肃,眼睛闪着亮光,语调里夹着克制某种感情的奇怪成份。

“闭上眼睛,伸开胳膊,”她诱他说。

劳里慌张地退到屋角,将手背到身后恳求:“不,谢谢,我宁愿不抱,我会抱掉下来,或者弄碎的,肯定会的。”“那你就见不到你的小侄儿,”乔坚决地说,转过身像是要走开。

“我抱,我抱,弄坏了你得负责。”于是,劳里服从乔的命令,英勇地闭上了双眼,同时,一样东西放进了他的臂弯。

紧接着,乔、艾美、马奇太太、罕娜爆发出一阵大笑,笑声使他睁开了眼睛,发现手里捧的不是一个,而是两个婴孩。

难怪她们笑。他脸上的表情滑稽,贵格教徒也会给逗笑的。他满脸惊愕地站在那儿,盯着那两个尚无意识的小东西,又转过来盯着欢闹的观众,就这么看来看去,乔坐到地上,尖声大笑起来。

“双胞胎,天哪!”过了一会儿他才说出这么一句。然后他转向妇人们,带着令人发笑的虔诚请求道:“快把他们抱走,随便谁,我要笑了,我会把它们笑掉下来的。”约翰救了他的宝宝们。他一手抱着一个,走来走去,好像已经入了门,掌握了照料婴孩的诀窍。而劳里笑得眼泪都流出来了。

“这是本季最有趣的笑话,是不是?我不让她们告诉你,一心想让你大吃一惊。我想我已经做到了,”乔喘过起来说道。

“我一辈子也没这么吃惊过,太好玩了。都是男孩吗?给他们取什么名字?我再看一眼。乔,扶着我。这确实让我吃惊,受不了,”劳里回答道。他看着两个宝宝,那神情就像一只纽芬兰大狗仁慈地看着一对小猫咪。

“一男一女,瞧他们多漂亮!”自豪的爸爸说。他对两个蠕动的红色小东西微笑着,仿佛他们是未长羽毛的天使。

“这是我见过的孩子中最出众的。哪个是男孩?哪个是女孩?”劳里弯下腰细看着神童们。

“艾美给男孩系了条蓝丝带,女孩系了条红丝带,法国的方式。这样你就能分清了。除此之外,一个有双蓝眼睛,另一个有双棕色眼睛,亲亲他们,特迪叔叔,“乔调皮地说。

“恐怕他们不喜欢亲,”劳里开口说,在这种事上,他总是非常腼腆。

“他们肯定喜欢。现在他们已经习惯让人亲了。现在就亲吧,先生!”乔命令道,她担心他让别人代劳。

劳里苦笑着脸依命行事,他小心翼翼地在每个小脸蛋上啄了一口,又引起一阵笑声,孩子们也给吓哭了。

“瞧,我知道他们不喜欢亲!这是个男孩,看他在乱踢,小拳头打出去蛮像回事。好吧,小布鲁克,去攻击和你一般大的人,好吗?”小家伙的小拳头乱挥,戳到劳里的脸上,劳里高兴地叫起来。

“给他起名叫约翰·劳伦斯,女孩随她的妈妈和奶奶,叫玛格丽特。我们叫她黛西,这样就不会有两个梅格了。我想,除非能找到一个更好的名字,我们就叫这个男子汉杰克吧,”艾美带着姨娘的那种兴致说道。

“叫他德米约翰,简称德米,”劳里说。

“黛西和德米 -正适合!我就知道劳里能起好名字。”乔拍起手来。

特迪那次起的名字当然好。因为,直到本书的最后一章 ,两个婴孩都一直叫“黛西"、"德米"。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 housekeeper 6q2zxl     
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家
参考例句:
  • A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
  • She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家,一家人吃得很省。
2 sumptuously 5a9a881421f66e6399d9561fdfe9a227     
奢侈地,豪华地
参考例句:
  • The hall was sumptuously decorated. 大厅装饰得富丽堂皇。
  • This government building is sumptuously appointed. 这座政府办公大楼布置得极为豪华。
3 tranquil UJGz0     
adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的
参考例句:
  • The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。
  • The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。
4 bustled 9467abd9ace0cff070d56f0196327c70     
闹哄哄地忙乱,奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 ); 催促
参考例句:
  • She bustled around in the kitchen. 她在厨房里忙得团团转。
  • The hostress bustled about with an assumption of authority. 女主人摆出一副权威的样子忙来忙去。
5 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
6 veal 5HQy0     
n.小牛肉
参考例句:
  • She sauteed veal and peppers,preparing a mixed salad while the pan simmered.她先做的一道菜是青椒煎小牛肉,趁着锅还在火上偎着的机会,又做了一道拼盘。
  • Marinate the veal in white wine for two hours.把小牛肉用白葡萄酒浸泡两小时。
7 glorified 74d607c2a7eb7a7ef55bda91627eda5a     
美其名的,变荣耀的
参考例句:
  • The restaurant was no more than a glorified fast-food cafe. 这地方美其名曰餐馆,其实只不过是个快餐店而已。
  • The author glorified the life of the peasants. 那个作者赞美了农民的生活。
8 bower xRZyU     
n.凉亭,树荫下凉快之处;闺房;v.荫蔽
参考例句:
  • They sat under the leafy bower at the end of the garden and watched the sun set.他们坐在花园尽头由叶子搭成的凉棚下观看落日。
  • Mrs. Quilp was pining in her bower.奎尔普太太正在她的闺房里度着愁苦的岁月。
9 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
10 apron Lvzzo     
n.围裙;工作裙
参考例句:
  • We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
  • She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。
11 discretion FZQzm     
n.谨慎;随意处理
参考例句:
  • You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
  • Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。
12 mania 9BWxu     
n.疯狂;躁狂症,狂热,癖好
参考例句:
  • Football mania is sweeping the country.足球热正风靡全国。
  • Collecting small items can easily become a mania.收藏零星物品往往容易变成一种癖好。
13 bounteous KRgyQ     
adj.丰富的
参考例句:
  • Because of the spring rains,the farmers had a bounteous crop.因为下了春雨,农夫获得了丰收。
  • He has a bounteous imagination.他有丰富的想象力。
14 privately IkpzwT     
adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地
参考例句:
  • Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise.一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
  • The man privately admits that his motive is profits.那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。
15 batch HQgyz     
n.一批(组,群);一批生产量
参考例句:
  • The first batch of cakes was burnt.第一炉蛋糕烤焦了。
  • I have a batch of letters to answer.我有一批信要回复。
16 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
17 lull E8hz7     
v.使安静,使入睡,缓和,哄骗;n.暂停,间歇
参考例句:
  • The drug put Simpson in a lull for thirty minutes.药物使辛普森安静了30分钟。
  • Ground fighting flared up again after a two-week lull.经过两个星期的平静之后,地面战又突然爆发了。
18 frugal af0zf     
adj.节俭的,节约的,少量的,微量的
参考例句:
  • He was a VIP,but he had a frugal life.他是位要人,但生活俭朴。
  • The old woman is frugal to the extreme.那老妇人节约到了极点。
19 fortitude offzz     
n.坚忍不拔;刚毅
参考例句:
  • His dauntless fortitude makes him absolutely fearless.他不屈不挠的坚韧让他绝无恐惧。
  • He bore the pain with great fortitude.他以极大的毅力忍受了痛苦。
20 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
21 undone JfJz6l     
a.未做完的,未完成的
参考例句:
  • He left nothing undone that needed attention.所有需要注意的事他都注意到了。
22 preposterous e1Tz2     
adj.荒谬的,可笑的
参考例句:
  • The whole idea was preposterous.整个想法都荒唐透顶。
  • It would be preposterous to shovel coal with a teaspoon.用茶匙铲煤是荒谬的。
23 interfered 71b7e795becf1adbddfab2cd6c5f0cff     
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉
参考例句:
  • Complete absorption in sports interfered with his studies. 专注于运动妨碍了他的学业。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am not going to be interfered with. 我不想别人干扰我的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
24 wrestled c9ba15a0ecfd0f23f9150f9c8be3b994     
v.(与某人)搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 );扭成一团;扭打;(与…)摔跤
参考例句:
  • As a boy he had boxed and wrestled. 他小的时候又是打拳又是摔跤。
  • Armed guards wrestled with the intruder. 武装警卫和闯入者扭打起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
25 refractory GCOyK     
adj.倔强的,难驾驭的
参考例句:
  • He is a very refractory child.他是一个很倔强的孩子。
  • Silicate minerals are characteristically refractory and difficult to break down.硅酸盐矿物的特点是耐熔和难以分离。
26 wrung b11606a7aab3e4f9eebce4222a9397b1     
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水)
参考例句:
  • He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
  • He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。
27 discomfort cuvxN     
n.不舒服,不安,难过,困难,不方便
参考例句:
  • One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
  • She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。
28 inevitability c7Pxd     
n.必然性
参考例句:
  • Evolutionism is normally associated with a belief in the inevitability of progress. 进化主义通常和一种相信进步不可避免的看法相联系。
  • It is the tide of the times, an inevitability of history. 这是时代的潮流,历史的必然。
29 deplore mmdz1     
vt.哀叹,对...深感遗憾
参考例句:
  • I deplore what has happened.我为所发生的事深感愤慨。
  • There are many of us who deplore this lack of responsibility.我们中有许多人谴责这种不负责任的做法。
30 anticipations 5b99dd11cd8d6a699f0940a993c12076     
预期( anticipation的名词复数 ); 预测; (信托财产收益的)预支; 预期的事物
参考例句:
  • The thought took a deal of the spirit out of his anticipations. 想到这,他的劲头消了不少。
  • All such bright anticipations were cruelly dashed that night. 所有这些美好的期望全在那天夜晚被无情地粉碎了。
31 mansion 8BYxn     
n.大厦,大楼;宅第
参考例句:
  • The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
  • The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。
32 hospitably 2cccc8bd2e0d8b1720a33145cbff3993     
亲切地,招待周到地,善于款待地
参考例句:
  • At Peking was the Great Khan, and they were hospitably entertained. 忽必烈汗在北京,他们受到了盛情款待。
  • She was received hospitably by her new family. 她的新家人热情地接待了她。
33 adorned 1e50de930eb057fcf0ac85ca485114c8     
[计]被修饰的
参考例句:
  • The walls were adorned with paintings. 墙上装饰了绘画。
  • And his coat was adorned with a flamboyant bunch of flowers. 他的外套上面装饰着一束艳丽刺目的鲜花。
34 parlor v4MzU     
n.店铺,营业室;会客室,客厅
参考例句:
  • She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
  • Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店?
35 piazza UNVx1     
n.广场;走廊
参考例句:
  • Siena's main piazza was one of the sights of Italy.锡耶纳的主要广场是意大利的名胜之一。
  • They walked out of the cafeteria,and across the piazzadj.他们走出自助餐厅,穿过广场。
36 solitude xF9yw     
n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方
参考例句:
  • People need a chance to reflect on spiritual matters in solitude. 人们需要独处的机会来反思精神上的事情。
  • They searched for a place where they could live in solitude. 他们寻找一个可以过隐居生活的地方。
37 pungent ot6y7     
adj.(气味、味道)刺激性的,辛辣的;尖锐的
参考例句:
  • The article is written in a pungent style.文章写得泼辣。
  • Its pungent smell can choke terrorists and force them out of their hideouts.它的刺激性气味会令恐怖分子窒息,迫使他们从藏身地点逃脱出来。
38 discreetly nuwz8C     
ad.(言行)审慎地,慎重地
参考例句:
  • He had only known the perennial widow, the discreetly expensive Frenchwoman. 他只知道她是个永远那么年轻的寡妇,一个很会讲排场的法国女人。
  • Sensing that Lilian wanted to be alone with Celia, Andrew discreetly disappeared. 安德鲁觉得莉莲想同西莉亚单独谈些什么,有意避开了。
39 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
40 mightily ZoXzT6     
ad.强烈地;非常地
参考例句:
  • He hit the peg mightily on the top with a mallet. 他用木槌猛敲木栓顶。
  • This seemed mightily to relieve him. 干完这件事后,他似乎轻松了许多。
41 reigned d99f19ecce82a94e1b24a320d3629de5     
vi.当政,统治(reign的过去式形式)
参考例句:
  • Silence reigned in the hall. 全场肃静。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Night was deep and dead silence reigned everywhere. 夜深人静,一片死寂。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
42 trickled 636e70f14e72db3fe208736cb0b4e651     
v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 );淌;使)慢慢走;缓慢移动
参考例句:
  • Blood trickled down his face. 血从他脸上一滴滴流下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The tears trickled down her cheeks. 热泪一滴滴从她脸颊上滚下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
43 gaily lfPzC     
adv.欢乐地,高兴地
参考例句:
  • The children sing gaily.孩子们欢唱着。
  • She waved goodbye very gaily.她欢快地挥手告别。
44 sobbing df75b14f92e64fc9e1d7eaf6dcfc083a     
<主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的
参考例句:
  • I heard a child sobbing loudly. 我听见有个孩子在呜呜地哭。
  • Her eyes were red with recent sobbing. 她的眼睛因刚哭过而发红。
45 dismally cdb50911b7042de000f0b2207b1b04d0     
adv.阴暗地,沉闷地
参考例句:
  • Fei Little Beard assented dismally. 费小胡子哭丧着脸回答。 来自子夜部分
  • He began to howl dismally. 它就凄凉地吠叫起来。 来自辞典例句
46 consternation 8OfzB     
n.大为吃惊,惊骇
参考例句:
  • He was filled with consternation to hear that his friend was so ill.他听说朋友病得那么厉害,感到非常震惊。
  • Sam stared at him in consternation.萨姆惊恐不安地注视着他。
47 exhausted 7taz4r     
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的
参考例句:
  • It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长,到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
  • Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。
48 askew rvczG     
adv.斜地;adj.歪斜的
参考例句:
  • His glasses had been knocked askew by the blow.他的眼镜一下子被打歪了。
  • Her hat was slightly askew.她的帽子戴得有点斜。
49 sobbed 4a153e2bbe39eef90bf6a4beb2dba759     
哭泣,啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 ); 哭诉,呜咽地说
参考例句:
  • She sobbed out the story of her son's death. 她哭诉着她儿子的死。
  • She sobbed out the sad story of her son's death. 她哽咽着诉说她儿子死去的悲惨经过。
50 afterward fK6y3     
adv.后来;以后
参考例句:
  • Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏,然后吃饭。
  • Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来,这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。
51 derisive ImCzF     
adj.嘲弄的
参考例句:
  • A storm of derisive applause broke out.一阵暴风雨般的哄笑声轰然响起。
  • They flushed,however,when she burst into a shout of derisive laughter.然而,当地大声嘲笑起来的时候,她们的脸不禁涨红了。
52 hearty Od1zn     
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的
参考例句:
  • After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了,他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
  • We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。
53 peal Hm0zVO     
n.钟声;v.鸣响
参考例句:
  • The bells of the cathedral rang out their loud peal.大教堂响起了响亮的钟声。
  • A sudden peal of thunder leaves no time to cover the ears.迅雷不及掩耳。
54 woe OfGyu     
n.悲哀,苦痛,不幸,困难;int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌
参考例句:
  • Our two peoples are brothers sharing weal and woe.我们两国人民是患难与共的兄弟。
  • A man is well or woe as he thinks himself so.自认祸是祸,自认福是福。
55 jack 53Hxp     
n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克
参考例句:
  • I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
  • He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。
56 tragic inaw2     
adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的
参考例句:
  • The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
  • Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。
57 mingled fdf34efd22095ed7e00f43ccc823abdf     
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系]
参考例句:
  • The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
  • The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候,这一男一女就开始交往了。
58 hush ecMzv     
int.嘘,别出声;n.沉默,静寂;v.使安静
参考例句:
  • A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
  • Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去!
59 petulantly 6a54991724c557a3ccaeff187356e1c6     
参考例句:
  • \"No; nor will she miss now,\" cries The Vengeance, petulantly. “不会的,现在也不会错过,”复仇女神气冲冲地说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
60 ruffled e4a3deb720feef0786be7d86b0004e86     
adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • She ruffled his hair affectionately. 她情意绵绵地拨弄着他的头发。
  • All this talk of a strike has clearly ruffled the management's feathers. 所有这些关于罢工的闲言碎语显然让管理层很不高兴。
61 aggrieved mzyzc3     
adj.愤愤不平的,受委屈的;悲痛的;(在合法权利方面)受侵害的v.令委屈,令苦恼,侵害( aggrieve的过去式);令委屈,令苦恼,侵害( aggrieve的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • He felt aggrieved at not being chosen for the team. 他因没被选到队里感到愤愤不平。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She is the aggrieved person whose fiance&1& did not show up for their wedding. 她很委屈,她的未婚夫未出现在他们的婚礼上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
62 larder m9tzb     
n.食物贮藏室,食品橱
参考例句:
  • Please put the food into the larder.请将您地食物放进食物柜内。
  • They promised never to raid the larder again.他们答应不再随便开食橱拿东西吃了。
63 chaotic rUTyD     
adj.混沌的,一片混乱的,一团糟的
参考例句:
  • Things have been getting chaotic in the office recently.最近办公室的情况越来越乱了。
  • The traffic in the city was chaotic.这城市的交通糟透了。
64 repose KVGxQ     
v.(使)休息;n.安息
参考例句:
  • Don't disturb her repose.不要打扰她休息。
  • Her mouth seemed always to be smiling,even in repose.她的嘴角似乎总是挂着微笑,即使在睡眠时也是这样。
65 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
66 poke 5SFz9     
n.刺,戳,袋;vt.拨开,刺,戳;vi.戳,刺,捅,搜索,伸出,行动散慢
参考例句:
  • We never thought she would poke her nose into this.想不到她会插上一手。
  • Don't poke fun at me.别拿我凑趣儿。
67 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。
68 precipitately 32f0fef0d325137464db99513594782a     
adv.猛进地
参考例句:
  • The number of civil wars continued to rise until about 1990 and then fell precipitately. 而国内战争的数量在1990年以前都有增加,1990年后则锐减。 来自互联网
  • His wife and mistress, until an hour ago and inviolate were slipping precipitately from his control. 他的妻子和情妇,直到一小时前还是安安稳稳、不可侵犯的,现在却猛不防正从他的控制下溜走。 来自互联网
69 bemoan xolyR     
v.悲叹,哀泣,痛哭;惋惜,不满于
参考例句:
  • Purists bemoan the corruption of the language.主张语文纯正的人哀叹语言趋于不纯。
  • Don't bemoan anything or anyone that you need to leave behind.不要再去抱怨那些你本该忘记的人或事。
70 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
71 promiscuous WBJyG     
adj.杂乱的,随便的
参考例句:
  • They were taking a promiscuous stroll when it began to rain.他们正在那漫无目的地散步,突然下起雨来。
  • Alec know that she was promiscuous and superficial.亚历克知道她是乱七八糟和浅薄的。
72 loyalty gA9xu     
n.忠诚,忠心
参考例句:
  • She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
  • His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。
73 prettily xQAxh     
adv.优美地;可爱地
参考例句:
  • It was prettily engraved with flowers on the back.此件雕刻精美,背面有花饰图案。
  • She pouted prettily at him.她冲他撅着嘴,样子很可爱。
74 impromptu j4Myg     
adj.即席的,即兴的;adv.即兴的(地),无准备的(地)
参考例句:
  • The announcement was made in an impromptu press conference at the airport.这一宣布是在机场举行的临时新闻发布会上作出的。
  • The children put on an impromptu concert for the visitors.孩子们为来访者即兴献上了一场音乐会。
75 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
76 lurch QR8z9     
n.突然向前或旁边倒;v.蹒跚而行
参考例句:
  • It has been suggested that the ground movements were a form of lurch movements.地震的地面运动曾被认为是一种突然倾斜的运动形式。
  • He walked with a lurch.他步履蹒跚。
77 fumed e5b9aff6742212daa59abdcc6c136e16     
愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 ); 大怒; 发怒; 冒烟
参考例句:
  • He fumed with rage because she did not appear. 因为她没出现,所以他大发雷霆。
  • He fumed and fretted and did not know what was the matter. 他烦躁,气恼,不知是怎么回事。
78 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
79 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
80 softened 19151c4e3297eb1618bed6a05d92b4fe     
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰
参考例句:
  • His smile softened slightly. 他的微笑稍柔和了些。
  • The ice cream softened and began to melt. 冰淇淋开始变软并开始融化。
81 spouse Ah6yK     
n.配偶(指夫或妻)
参考例句:
  • Her spouse will come to see her on Sunday.她的丈夫星期天要来看她。
  • What is the best way to keep your spouse happy in the marriage?在婚姻中保持配偶幸福的最好方法是什么?
82 leisurely 51Txb     
adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的
参考例句:
  • We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着,看遍所有的橱窗。
  • He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐,高兴的开车去工作。
83 soothing soothing     
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的
参考例句:
  • Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
  • His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。
84 languished 661830ab5cc19eeaa1acede1c2c0a309     
长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 ); 受折磨; 变得(越来越)衰弱; 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐
参考例句:
  • Our project languished during the holidays. 我们的计划在假期间推动得松懈了。
  • He languished after his dog died. 他狗死之后,人憔悴了。
85 slippers oiPzHV     
n. 拖鞋
参考例句:
  • a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
  • He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋,倒在床上。
86 desperately cu7znp     
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地
参考例句:
  • He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
  • He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。
87 maternal 57Azi     
adj.母亲的,母亲般的,母系的,母方的
参考例句:
  • He is my maternal uncle.他是我舅舅。
  • The sight of the hopeless little boy aroused her maternal instincts.那个绝望的小男孩的模样唤起了她的母性。
88 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
89 obstinate m0dy6     
adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的
参考例句:
  • She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了,不会让任何人帮她的。
  • The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。
90 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
91 fussy Ff5z3     
adj.为琐事担忧的,过分装饰的,爱挑剔的
参考例句:
  • He is fussy about the way his food's cooked.他过分计较食物的烹调。
  • The little girl dislikes her fussy parents.小女孩讨厌她那过分操心的父母。
92 kindled d35b7382b991feaaaa3e8ddbbcca9c46     
(使某物)燃烧,着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 ); 激起(感情等); 发亮,放光
参考例句:
  • We watched as the fire slowly kindled. 我们看着火慢慢地燃烧起来。
  • The teacher's praise kindled a spark of hope inside her. 老师的赞扬激起了她内心的希望。
93 quench ii3yQ     
vt.熄灭,扑灭;压制
参考例句:
  • The firemen were unable to quench the fire.消防人员无法扑灭这场大火。
  • Having a bottle of soft drink is not enough to quench my thirst.喝一瓶汽水不够解渴。
94 err 2izzk     
vi.犯错误,出差错
参考例句:
  • He did not err by a hair's breadth in his calculation.他的计算结果一丝不差。
  • The arrows err not from their aim.箭无虚发。
95 piques 0559a8ce8efccc416a5208a31e49d77d     
v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的第三人称单数 );激起(好奇心)
参考例句:
  • I understand practically everything, except one thing that piques my curiosity. 实际上,我什么都了解,只有一点除外,而且引起了我的好奇心。 来自飘(部分)
  • He piques himself on having a good memory. 他常夸耀自己记性好。 来自辞典例句
96 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
97 penitent wu9ys     
adj.后悔的;n.后悔者;忏悔者
参考例句:
  • They all appeared very penitent,and begged hard for their lives.他们一个个表示悔罪,苦苦地哀求饶命。
  • She is deeply penitent.她深感愧疚。
98 inviting CqIzNp     
adj.诱人的,引人注目的
参考例句:
  • An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
  • The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人,使人感到亲切温馨。
99 gadding a7889528acccca0f7df39cd69638af06     
n.叮搔症adj.蔓生的v.闲逛( gad的现在分词 );游荡;找乐子;用铁棒刺
参考例句:
  • She likes gadding about while the children are at school. 孩子们在学校里的时候,她喜欢到处逛逛。 来自辞典例句
  • We spent the whole day gadding about Paris. 我们一整天都在巴黎游玩。 来自辞典例句
100 coveted 3debb66491eb049112465dc3389cfdca     
adj.令人垂涎的;垂涎的,梦寐以求的v.贪求,觊觎(covet的过去分词);垂涎;贪图
参考例句:
  • He had long coveted the chance to work with a famous musician. 他一直渴望有机会与著名音乐家一起工作。
  • Ther other boys coveted his new bat. 其他的男孩都想得到他的新球棒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
101 prudent M0Yzg     
adj.谨慎的,有远见的,精打细算的
参考例句:
  • A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
  • You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。
102 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地
参考例句:
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
103 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚,但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
104 economize Sr3xZ     
v.节约,节省
参考例句:
  • We're going to have to economize from now on. 从现在开始,我们不得不节约开支。
  • We have to economize on water during the dry season. 我们在旱季不得不节约用水。
105 prospective oR7xB     
adj.预期的,未来的,前瞻性的
参考例句:
  • The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
  • They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。
106 shimmering 0a3bf9e89a4f6639d4583ea76519339e     
v.闪闪发光,发微光( shimmer的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • The sea was shimmering in the sunlight. 阳光下海水波光闪烁。
  • The colours are delicate and shimmering. 这些颜色柔和且闪烁微光。 来自辞典例句
107 exulted 4b9c48640b5878856e35478d2f1f2046     
狂喜,欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The people exulted at the victory. 人们因胜利而欢腾。
  • The people all over the country exulted in the success in launching a new satellite. 全国人民为成功地发射了一颗新的人造卫星而欢欣鼓舞。
108 assuage OvZzP     
v.缓和,减轻,镇定
参考例句:
  • The medicine is used to assuage pain.这种药用来止痛。
  • Your messages of cheer should assuage her suffering.你带来的这些振奋人心的消息一定能减轻她的痛苦。
109 pangs 90e966ce71191d0a90f6fec2265e2758     
突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 ); 悲痛
参考例句:
  • She felt sudden pangs of regret. 她突然感到痛悔不已。
  • With touching pathos he described the pangs of hunger. 他以极具感伤力的笔触描述了饥饿的痛苦。
110 remorse lBrzo     
n.痛恨,悔恨,自责
参考例句:
  • She had no remorse about what she had said.她对所说的话不后悔。
  • He has shown no remorse for his actions.他对自己的行为没有任何悔恨之意。
111 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
112 delightfully f0fe7d605b75a4c00aae2f25714e3131     
大喜,欣然
参考例句:
  • The room is delightfully appointed. 这房子的设备令人舒适愉快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The evening is delightfully cool. 晚间凉爽宜人。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
113 folly QgOzL     
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话
参考例句:
  • Learn wisdom by the folly of others.从别人的愚蠢行动中学到智慧。
  • Events proved the folly of such calculations.事情的进展证明了这种估计是愚蠢的。
114 undoing Ifdz6a     
n.毁灭的原因,祸根;破坏,毁灭
参考例句:
  • That one mistake was his undoing. 他一失足即成千古恨。
  • This hard attitude may have led to his undoing. 可能就是这种强硬的态度导致了他的垮台。
115 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
116 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
117 rosebuds 450df99f3a51338414a829f9dbef21cb     
蔷薇花蕾,妙龄少女,初入社交界的少女( rosebud的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. 花开堪折直须折。
  • Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. 有花堪折直须折,莫待花无空折枝。
118 velvet 5gqyO     
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的
参考例句:
  • This material feels like velvet.这料子摸起来像丝绒。
  • The new settlers wore the finest silk and velvet clothing.新来的移民穿着最华丽的丝绸和天鹅绒衣服。
119 strings nh0zBe     
n.弦
参考例句:
  • He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上,随意地拨着吉他的弦。
  • She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
120 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
121 horrified 8rUzZU     
a.(表现出)恐惧的
参考例句:
  • The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
  • We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。
122 pretense yQYxi     
n.矫饰,做作,借口
参考例句:
  • You can't keep up the pretense any longer.你无法继续伪装下去了。
  • Pretense invariably impresses only the pretender.弄虚作假欺骗不了真正的行家。
123 extravagant M7zya     
adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的
参考例句:
  • They tried to please him with fulsome compliments and extravagant gifts.他们想用溢美之词和奢华的礼品来取悦他。
  • He is extravagant in behaviour.他行为放肆。
124 killing kpBziQ     
n.巨额利润;突然赚大钱,发大财
参考例句:
  • Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
  • Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。
125 straightforward fFfyA     
adj.正直的,坦率的;易懂的,简单的
参考例句:
  • A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
  • I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。
126 appalling iNwz9     
adj.骇人听闻的,令人震惊的,可怕的
参考例句:
  • The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
  • Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。
127 incurred a782097e79bccb0f289640bab05f0f6c     
[医]招致的,遭受的; incur的过去式
参考例句:
  • She had incurred the wrath of her father by marrying without his consent 她未经父亲同意就结婚,使父亲震怒。
  • We will reimburse any expenses incurred. 我们将付还所有相关费用。
128 contented Gvxzof     
adj.满意的,安心的,知足的
参考例句:
  • He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
  • The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。
129 repentant gsXyx     
adj.对…感到悔恨的
参考例句:
  • He was repentant when he saw what he'd done.他看到自己的作为,心里悔恨。
  • I'll be meek under their coldness and repentant of my evil ways.我愿意乖乖地忍受她们的奚落,忏悔我过去的恶行。
130 allude vfdyW     
v.提及,暗指
参考例句:
  • Many passages in Scripture allude to this concept.圣经中有许多经文间接地提到这样的概念。
  • She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles.她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。
131 earnings rrWxJ     
n.工资收人;利润,利益,所得
参考例句:
  • That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
  • Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。
132 countermanded 78af9123492a6583ff23911bf4a64efb     
v.取消(命令),撤回( countermand的过去分词 )
参考例句:
133 behold jQKy9     
v.看,注视,看到
参考例句:
  • The industry of these little ants is wonderful to behold.这些小蚂蚁辛勤劳动的样子看上去真令人惊叹。
  • The sunrise at the seaside was quite a sight to behold.海滨日出真是个奇景。
134 inquiries 86a54c7f2b27c02acf9fcb16a31c4b57     
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释,等候进一步调查。
  • I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
135 longings 093806503fd3e66647eab74915c055e7     
渴望,盼望( longing的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Ah, those foolish days of noble longings and of noble strivings! 啊,那些充满高贵憧憬和高尚奋斗的傻乎乎的时光!
  • I paint you and fashion you ever with my love longings. 我永远用爱恋的渴想来描画你。
136 delicacy mxuxS     
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴
参考例句:
  • We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
  • He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。
137 gadded a4696a71a01c521cc70af152488b8c95     
v.闲逛( gad的过去式和过去分词 );游荡;找乐子;用铁棒刺
参考例句:
  • It's gadded off the runway and crashed into a heavily what it gorged below. 飞机飞出跑道重重的撞到下面的峡谷。 来自互联网
138 devoted xu9zka     
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的
参考例句:
  • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
139 sneaking iibzMu     
a.秘密的,不公开的
参考例句:
  • She had always had a sneaking affection for him. 以前她一直暗暗倾心于他。
  • She ducked the interviewers by sneaking out the back door. 她从后门偷偷溜走,躲开采访者。
140 cymbals uvwzND     
pl.铙钹
参考例句:
  • People shouted, while the drums and .cymbals crashed incessantly. 人声嘈杂,锣鼓不停地大响特响。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • The dragon dance troupe, beating drums and cymbals, entered the outer compound. 龙灯随着锣鼓声进来,停在二门外的大天井里。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
141 chuckling e8dcb29f754603afc12d2f97771139ab     
轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I could hear him chuckling to himself as he read his book. 他看书时,我能听见他的轻声发笑。
  • He couldn't help chuckling aloud. 他忍不住的笑了出来。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
142 flannel S7dyQ     
n.法兰绒;法兰绒衣服
参考例句:
  • She always wears a grey flannel trousers.她总是穿一条灰色法兰绒长裤。
  • She was looking luscious in a flannel shirt.她穿着法兰绒裙子,看上去楚楚动人。
143 invitingly 83e809d5e50549c03786860d565c9824     
adv. 动人地
参考例句:
  • Her lips pouted invitingly. 她挑逗地撮起双唇。
  • The smooth road sloped invitingly before her. 平展的山路诱人地倾斜在她面前。
144 imploring cb6050ff3ff45d346ac0579ea33cbfd6     
恳求的,哀求的
参考例句:
  • Those calm, strange eyes could see her imploring face. 那平静的,没有表情的眼睛还能看得到她的乞怜求情的面容。
  • She gave him an imploring look. 她以哀求的眼神看着他。
145 droll J8Tye     
adj.古怪的,好笑的
参考例句:
  • The band have a droll sense of humour.这个乐队有一种滑稽古怪的幽默感。
  • He looked at her with a droll sort of awakening.他用一种古怪的如梦方醒的神情看着她.
146 hilarious xdhz3     
adj.充满笑声的,欢闹的;[反]depressed
参考例句:
  • The party got quite hilarious after they brought more wine.在他们又拿来更多的酒之后,派对变得更加热闹起来。
  • We stop laughing because the show was so hilarious.我们笑个不停,因为那个节目太搞笑了。
147 initiated 9cd5622f36ab9090359c3cf3ca4ddda3     
n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始,创始,启蒙,介绍加入
参考例句:
  • He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
  • The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。
148 benevolent Wtfzx     
adj.仁慈的,乐善好施的
参考例句:
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him.他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。
  • He was a benevolent old man and he wouldn't hurt a fly.他是一个仁慈的老人,连只苍蝇都不愿伤害。
149 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
150 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
151 prodigies 352859314f7422cfeba8ad2800e139ec     
n.奇才,天才(尤指神童)( prodigy的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • It'seldom happened that a third party ever witnessed any of these prodigies. 这类壮举发生的时候,难得有第三者在场目睹过。 来自辞典例句
  • She is by no means inferior to other prodigies. 她绝不是不如其他神童。 来自互联网
152 proxy yRXxN     
n.代理权,代表权;(对代理人的)委托书;代理人
参考例句:
  • You may appoint a proxy to vote for you.你可以委托他人代你投票。
  • We enclose a form of proxy for use at the Annual General Meeting.我们附上委任年度大会代表的表格。
153 squeal 3Foyg     
v.发出长而尖的声音;n.长而尖的声音
参考例句:
  • The children gave a squeal of fright.孩子们发出惊吓的尖叫声。
  • There was a squeal of brakes as the car suddenly stopped.小汽车突然停下来时,车闸发出尖叫声。


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