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Chapter 38 On The Shelf
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In France the young girls have a dull time of it till they are married, when 'Vive la liberte!' becomes their motto. In America, as everyone knows, girls early sign the declaration of independence, and enjoy their freedom with republican zest1, but the young matrons usually abdicate2 with the first heir to the throne and go into a seclusion3 almost as close as a French nunnery, though by no means as quiet. Whether they like it or not, they are virtually put upon the shelf as soon as the wedding excitement is over, and most of them might exclaim, as did a very pretty woman the other day, "I'm as handsome as ever, but no one takes any notice of me because I'm married."

Not being a belle4 or even a fashionable lady, Meg did not experience this affliction till her babies were a year old, for in her little world primitive5 customs prevailed, and she found herself more admired and beloved than ever.

As she was a womanly little woman, the maternal6 instinct was very strong, and she was entirely7 absorbed in her children, to the utter exclusion8 of everything and everybody else. Day and night she brooded over them with tireless devotion and anxiety, leaving John to the tender mercies of the help, for an Irish lady now presided over the kitchen department. Being a domestic man, John decidedly missed the wifely attentions he had been accustomed to receive, but as he adored his babies, he cheerfully relinquished10 his comfort for a time, supposing with masculine ignorance that peace would soon be restored. But three months passed, and there was no return of repose11. Meg looked worn and nervous, the babies absorbed every minute of her time, the house was neglected, and Kitty, the cook, who took life 'aisy', kept him on short commons. When he went out in the morning he was bewildered by small commissions for the captive mamma, if he came gaily12 in at night, eager to embrace his family, he was quenched13 by a "Hush14! They are just asleep after worrying all day." If he proposed a little amusement at home, "No, it would disturb the babies." If he hinted at a lecture or a concert, he was answered with a reproachful look, and a decided9 - "Leave my children for pleasure, never!" His sleep was broken by infant wails16 and visions of a phantom17 figure pacing noiselessly to and fro in the watches of the night. His meals were interrupted by the frequent flight of the presiding genius, who deserted18 him, half-helped, if a muffled19 chirp20 sounded from the nest above. And when he read his paper of an evening, Demi's colic got into the shipping21 list and Daisy's fall affected22 the price of stocks, for Mrs. Brooke was only interested in domestic news.

The poor man was very uncomfortable, for the children had bereft23 him of his wife, home was merely a nursery and the perpetual 'hushing' made him feel like a brutal24 intruder whenever he entered the sacred precincts of Babyland. He bore it very patiently for six months, and when no signs of amendment25 appeared, he did what other paternal26 exiles do--tried to get a little comfort elsewhere. Scott had married and gone to housekeeping not far off, and John fell into the way of running over for an hour or two of an evening, when his own parlor27 was empty, and his own wife singing lullabies that seemed to have no end. Mrs. Scott was a lively, pretty girl, with nothing to do but be agreeable, and she performed her mission most successfully. The parlor was always bright and attractive, the chessboard ready, the piano in tune28, plenty of gay gossip, and a nice little supper set forth29 in tempting30 style.

John would have preferred his own fireside if it had not been so lonely, but as it was he gratefully took the next best thing and enjoyed his neighbor's society.

Meg rather approved of the new arrangement at first, and found it a relief to know that John was having a good time instead of dozing31 in the parlor, or tramping about the house and waking the children. But by-and-by, when the teething worry was over and the idols32 went to sleep at proper hours, leaving Mamma time to rest, she began to miss John, and find her workbasket dull company, when he was not sitting opposite in his old dressing34 gown, comfortably scorching35 his slippers36 on the fender. She would not ask him to stay at home, but felt injured because he did not know that she wanted him without being told, entirely forgetting the many evenings he had waited for her in vain. She was nervous and worn out with watching and worry, and in that unreasonable37 frame of mind which the best of mothers occasionally experience when domestic cares oppress them. Want of exercise robs them of cheerfulness, and too much devotion to that idol33 of American women, the teapot, makes them feel as if they were all nerve and no muscle.

"Yes," she would say, looking in the glass, "I'm getting old and ugly. John doesn't find me interesting any longer, so he leaves his faded wife and goes to see his pretty neighbor, who has no incumbrances. Well, the babies love me, they don't care if I am thin and pale and haven't time to crimp my hair, they are my comfort, and some day John will see what I've gladly sacrificed for them, won't he, my precious?"

To which pathetic appeal Daisy would answer with a coo, or Demi with a crow, and Meg would put by her lamentations for a maternal revel38, which soothed39 her solitude40 for the time being. But the pain increased as politics absorbed John, who was always running over to discuss interesting points with Scott, quite unconscious that Meg missed him. Not a word did she say, however, till her mother found her in tears one day, and insisted on knowing what the matter was, for Meg's drooping41 spirits had not escaped her observation.

"I wouldn't tell anyone except you, Mother, but I really do need advice, for if John goes on much longer I might as well be widowed," replied Mrs. Brooke, drying her tears on Daisy's bib with an injured air.

"Goes on how, my dear?" asked her mother anxiously.

"He's away all day, and at night when I want to see him, he is continually going over to the Scotts'. It isn't fair that I should have the hardest work, and never any amusement. Men are very selfish, even the best of them."

"So are women. Don't blame John till you see where you are wrong yourself."

"But it can't be right for him to neglect me."

"Don't you neglect him?"

"Why, Mother, I thought you'd take my part!"

"So I do, as far as sympathizing goes, but I think the fault is yours, Meg."

"I don't see how."

"Let me show you. Did John ever neglect you, as you call it, while you made it a point to give him your society of an evening, his only leisure time?"

"No, but I can't do it now, with two babies to tend."

"I think you could, dear, and I think you ought. May I speak quite freely, and will you remember that it's Mother who blames as well as Mother who sympathizes?"

"Indeed I will! Speak to me as if I were little Meg again. I often feel as if I needed teaching more than ever since these babies look to me for everything."

Meg drew her low chair beside her mother's, and with a little interruption in either lap, the two women rocked and talked lovingly together, feeling that the tie of motherhood made them more one than ever.

"You have only made the mistake that most young wives make--forgotten your duty to your husband in your love for your children. A very natural and forgivable mistake, Meg, but one that had better be remedied before you take to different ways, for children should draw you nearer than ever, not separate you, as if they were all yours, and John had nothing to do but support them. I've seen it for some weeks, but have not spoken, feeling sure it would come right in time."

"I'm afraid it won't. If I ask him to stay, he'll think I'm jealous, and I wouldn't insult him by such an idea. He doesn't see that I want him, and I don't know how to tell him without words."

"Make it so pleasant he won't want to go away. My dear, he's longing43 for his little home, but it isn't home without you, and you are always in the nursery."

"Oughtn't I to be there?"

"Not all the time, too much confinement44 makes you nervous, and then you are unfitted for everything. Besides, you owe something to John as well as to the babies. Don't neglect husband for children, don't shut him out of the nursery, but teach him how to help in it. His place is there as well as yours, and the children need him. Let him feel that he has a part to do, and he will do it gladly and faithfully, and it will be better for you all."

"You really think so, Mother?"

"I know it, Meg, for I've tried it, and I seldom give advice unless I've proved its practicability. When you and Jo were little, I went on just as you are, feeling as if I didn't do my duty unless I devoted45 myself wholly to you. Poor Father took to his books, after I had refused all offers of help, and left me to try my experiment alone. I struggled along as well as I could, but Jo was too much for me. I nearly spoiled her by indulgence. You were poorly, and I worried about you till I fell sick myself. Then Father came to the rescue, quietly managed everything, and made himself so helpful that I saw my mistake, and never have been able to got on without him since. That is the secret of our home happiness. He does not let business wean him from the little cares and duties that affect us all, and I try not to let domestic worries destroy my interest in his pursuits. Each do our part alone in many things, but at home we work together, always."

"It is so, Mother, and my great wish is to be to my husband and children what you have been to yours. Show me how, I'll do anything you say."

"You always were my docile46 daughter. Well, dear, if I were you, I'd let John have more to do with the management of Demi, for the boy needs training, and it's none too soon to begin. Then I'd do what I have often proposed, let Hannah come and help you. She is a capital nurse, and you may trust the precious babies to her while you do more housework. You need the exercise, Hannah would enjoy the rest, and John would find his wife again. Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal47 there is no fair weather. Then I'd try to take an interest in whatever John likes--talk with him, let him read to you, exchange ideas, and help each other in that way. Don't shut yourself up in a bandbox because you are a woman, but understand what is going on, and educate yourself to take your part in the world's work, for it all affects you and yours."

"John is so sensible, I'm afraid he will think I'm stupid if I ask questions about politics and things."

"I don't believe he would. Love covers a multitude of sins, and of whom could you ask more freely than of him? Try it, and see if he doesn't find your society far more agreeable than Mrs. Scott's suppers."

"I will. Poor John! I'm afraid I have neglected him sadly, but I thought I was right, and he never said anything."

"He tried not to be selfish, but he has felt rather forlorn, I fancy. This is just the time, Meg, when young married people are apt to grow apart, and the very time when they ought to be most together, for the first tenderness soon wears off, unless care is taken to preserve it. And no time is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of the little lives given to them to train. Don't let John be a stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than anything else, and through them you will learn to know and love one another as you should. Now, dear, good-by. Think over Mother's preachment, act upon it if it seems good, and God bless you all."

Meg did think it over, found it good, and acted upon it, though the first attempt was not made exactly as she planned to have it. Of course the children tyrannized over her, and ruled the house as soon as they found out that kicking and squalling brought them whatever they wanted. Mamma was an abject48 slave to their caprices, but Papa was not so easily subjugated49, and occasionally afflicted50 his tender spouse51 by an attempt at paternal discipline with his obstreperous52 son. For Demi inherited a trifle of his sire's firmness of character, we won't call it obstinacy53, and when he made up his little mind to have or to do anything, all the king's horses and all the king's men could not change that pertinacious54 little mind. Mamma thought the dear too young to be taught to conquer his prejudices, but Papa believed that it never was too soon to learn obedience55. So Master Demi early discovered that when he undertook to 'wrastle' with 'Parpar', he always got the worst of it, yet like the Englishman, baby respected the man who conquered him, and loved the father whose grave "No, no," was more impressive than all Mamma's love pats.

A few days after the talk with her mother, Meg resolved to try a social evening with John, so she ordered a nice supper, set the parlor in order, dressed herself prettily56, and put the children to bed early, that nothing should interfere57 with her experiment. But unfortunately Demi's most unconquerable prejudice was against going to bed, and that night he decided to go on a rampage. So poor Meg sang and rocked, told stories and tried every sleep-prevoking wile58 she could devise, but all in vain, the big eyes wouldn't shut, and long after Daisy had gone to byelow, like the chubby59 little bunch of good nature she was, naughty Demi lay staring at the light, with the most discouragingly wide-awake expression of countenance60.

"Will Demi lie still like a good boy, while Mamma runs down and gives poor Papa his tea?" asked Meg, as the hall door softly closed, and the well-known step went tip-toeing into the dining room.

"Me has tea!" said Demi, preparing to join in the revel.

"No, but I'll save you some little cakies for breakfast, if you'll go bye-bye like Daisy. Will you, lovey?"

"Iss!" and Demi shut his eyes tight, as if to catch sleep and hurry the desired day.

Taking advantage of the propitious61 moment, Meg slipped away and ran down to greet her husband with a smiling face and the little blue bow in her hair which was his especial admiration62. He saw it at once and said with pleased surprise, "Why, little mother, how gay we are tonight. Do you expect company?"

"Only you, dear."

"Is it a birthday, anniversary, or anything?"

"No, I'm tired of being dowdy63, so I dressed up as a change. You always make yourself nice for table, no matter how tired you are, so why shouldn't I when I have the time?"

"I do it out of respect for you, my dear," said old-fashioned John.

"Ditto, ditto, Mr. Brooke," laughed Meg, looking young and pretty again, as she nodded to him over the teapot.

"Well, it's altogether delightful64, and like old times. This tastes right. I drink your health, dear." and John sipped65 his tea with an air of reposeful66 rapture67, which was of very short duration however, for as he put down his cup, the door handle rattled68 mysteriously, and a little voice was heard, saying impatiently . . .

"Opy doy. Me's tummin!"

"It's that naughty boy. I told him to go to sleep alone, and here he is, downstairs, getting his death a-cold pattering over that canvas," said Meg, answering the call.

"Mornin' now," announced Demi in joyful69 tone as he entered, with his long nightgown gracefully70 festooned over his arm and every curl bobbing gayly as he pranced71 about the table, eyeing the 'cakies' with loving glances.

"No, it isn't morning yet. You must go to bed, and not trouble poor Mamma. Then you can have the little cake with sugar on it."

"Me loves Parpar," said the artful one, preparing to climb the paternal knee and revel in forbidden joys. But John shook his head, and said to Meg . . .

"If you told him to stay up there, and go to sleep alone, make him do it, or he will never learn to mind you."

"Yes, of course. Come, Demi," and Meg led her son away, feeling a strong desire to spank72 the little marplot who hopped73 beside her, laboring75 under the delusion76 that the bribe77 was to be administered as soon as they reached the nursery.

Nor was he disappointed, for that shortsighted woman actually gave him a lump of sugar, tucked him into his bed, and forbade any more promenades78 till morning.

"Iss!" said Demi the perjured79, blissfully sucking his sugar, and regarding his first attempt as eminently80 successful.

Meg returned to her place, and supper was progressing pleasantly, when the little ghost walked again, and exposed the maternal delinquencies by boldly demanding, "More sudar, Marmar."

"Now this won't do," said John, hardening his heart against the engaging little sinner. "We shall never know any peace till that child learns to go to bed properly. You have made a slave of yourself long enough. Give him one lesson, and then there will be an end of it. Put him in his bed and leave him, Meg."

"He won't stay there, he never does unless I sit by him."

"I'll manage him. Demi, go upstairs, and get into your bed, as Mamma bids you."

"S'ant!" replied the young rebel, helping81 himself to the coveted82 'cakie', and beginning to eat the same with calm audacity83.

"You must never say that to Papa. I shall carry you if you don't go yourself."

"Go 'way, me don't love Parpar." and Demi retired84 to his mother's skirts for protection.

But even that refuge proved unavailing, for he was delivered over to the enemy, with a "Be gentle with him, John," which struck the culprit with dismay, for when Mamma deserted him, then the judgment85 day was at hand. Bereft of his cake, defrauded86 of his frolic, and borne away by a strong hand to that detested87 bed, poor Demi could not restrain his wrath88, but openly defied Papa, and kicked and screamed lustily all the way upstairs. The minute he was put into bed on one side, he rolled out on the other, and made for the door, only to be ignominiously89 caught up by the tail of his little toga and put back again, which lively performance was kept up till the young man's strength gave out, when he devoted himself to roaring at the top of his voice. This vocal90 exercise usually conquered Meg, but John sat as unmoved as the post which is popularly believed to be deaf. No coaxing91, no sugar, no lullaby, no story, even the light was put out and only the red glow of the fire enlivened the 'big dark' which Demi regarded with curiosity rather than fear. This new order of things disgusted him, and he howled dismally92 for 'Marmar', as his angry passions subsided93, and recollections of his tender bondwoman returned to the captive autocrat94. The plaintive95 wail15 which succeeded the passionate96 roar went to Meg's heart, and she ran up to say beseechingly97 . . .

"Let me stay with him, he'll be good now, John."

"No, my dear. I've told him he must go to sleep, as you bid him, and he must, if I stay here all night."

"But he'll cry himself sick," pleaded Meg, reproaching herself for deserting her boy.

"No, he won't, he's so tired he will soon drop off and then the matter is settled, for he will understand that he has got to mind. Don't interfere, I'll manage him."

"He's my child, and I can't have his spirit broken by harshness."

"He's my child, and I won't have his temper spoiled by indulgence. Go down, my dear, and leave the boy to me."

When John spoke42 in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility98.

"Please let me kiss him once, John?"

"Certainly. Demi, say good night to Mamma, and let her go and rest, for she is very tired with taking care of you all day."

Meg always insisted upon it that the kiss won the victory, for after it was given, Demi sobbed99 more quietly, and lay quite still at the bottom of the bed, whither he had wriggled100 in his anguish101 of mind.

"Poor little man, he's worn out with sleep and crying. I'll cover him up, and then go and set Meg's heart at rest," thought John, creeping to the bedside, hoping to find his rebellious102 heir asleep.

But he wasn't, for the moment his father peeped at him, Demi's eyes opened, his little chin began to quiver, and he put up his arms, saying with a penitent103 hiccough, "Me's dood, now."

Sitting on the stairs outside Meg wondered at the long silence which followed the uproar104, and after imagining all sorts of impossible accidents, she slipped into the room to set her fears at rest. Demi lay fast asleep, not in his usual spreadeagle attitude, but in a subdued105 bunch, cuddled close in the circle of his father's arm and holding his father's finger, as if he felt that justice was tempered with mercy, and had gone to sleep a sadder and wiser baby. So held, John had waited with a womanly patience till the little hand relaxed its hold, and while waiting had fallen asleep, more tired by that tussle106 with his son than with his whole day's work.

As Meg stood watching the two faces on the pillow, she smiled to herself, and then slipped away again, saying in a satisfied tone, "I never need fear that John will be too harsh with my babies. He does know how to manage them, and will be a great help, for Demi is getting too much for me."

When John came down at last, expecting to find a pensive107 or reproachful wife, he was agreeably surprised to find Meg placidly108 trimming a bonnet109, and to be greeted with the request to read something about the election, if he was not too tired. John saw in a minute that a revolution of some kind was going on, but wisely asked no questions, knowing that Meg was such a transparent110 little person, she couldn't keep a secret to save her life, and therefore the clue would soon appear. He read a long debate with the most amiable111 readiness and then explained it in his most lucid112 manner, while Meg tried to look deeply interested, to ask intelligent questions, and keep her thoughts from wandering from the state of the nation to the state of her bonnet. In her secret soul, however, she decided that politics were as bad as mathematics, and that the mission of politicians seemed to be calling each other names, but she kept these feminine ideas to herself, and when John paused, shook her head and said with what she thought diplomatic ambiguity113, "Well, I really don't see what we are coming to."

John laughed, and watched her for a minute, as she poised114 a pretty little preparation of lace and flowers on her hand, and regarded it with the genuine interest which his harangue115 had failed to waken.

"She is trying to like politics for my sake, so I'll try and like millinery for hers, that's only fair," thought John the Just, adding aloud, "That's very pretty. Is it what you call a breakfast cap?"

"My dear man, it's a bonnet! My very best go-to-concert-and-theater bonnet."

"I beg your pardon, it was so small, I naturally mistook it for one of the flyaway things you sometimes wear. How do you keep it on?"

"These bits of lace are fastened under the chin with a rosebud116, so," and Meg illustrated117 by putting on the bonnet and regarding him with an air of calm satisfaction that was irresistible118.

"It's a love of a bonnet, but I prefer the face inside, for it looks young and happy again," and John kissed the smiling face, to the great detriment119 of the rosebud under the chin.

"I'm glad you like it, for I want you to take me to one of the new concerts some night. I really need some music to put me in tune. Will you, please?"

"Of course I will, with all my heart, or anywhere else you like. You have been shut up so long, it will do you no end of good, and I shall enjoy it, of all things. What put it into your head, little mother?"

"Well, I had a talk with Marmee the other day, and told her how nervous and cross and out of sorts I felt, and she said I needed change and less care, so Hannah is to help me with the children, and I'm to see to things about the house more, and now and then have a little fun, just to keep me from getting to be a fidgety, broken-down old woman before my time. It's only an experiment, John, and I want to try it for your sake as much as for mine, because I've neglected you shamefully120 lately, and I'm going to make home what it used to be, if I can. You don't object, I hope?"

Never mind what John said, or what a very narrow escape the little bonnet had from utter ruin. All that we have any business to know is that John did not appear to object, judging from the changes which gradually took place in the house and its inmates121. It was not all Paradise by any means, but everyone was better for the division of labor74 system. The children throve under the paternal rule, for accurate, stedfast John brought order and obedience into Babydom, while Meg recovered her spirits and composed her nerves by plenty of wholesome122 exercise, a little pleasure, and much confidential123 conversation with her sensible husband. Home grew homelike again, and John had no wish to leave it, unless he took Meg with him. The Scotts came to the Brookes' now, and everyone found the little house a cheerful place, full of happiness, content, and family love. Even Sallie Moffatt liked to go there. "It is always so quiet and pleasant here, it does me good, Meg," she used to say, looking about her with wistful eyes, as if trying to discover the charm, that she might use it in her great house, full of splendid loneliness, for there were no riotous124, sunny-faced babies there, and Ned lived in a world of his own, where there was no place for her.

This household happiness did not come all at once, but John and Meg had found the key to it, and each year of married life taught them how to use it, unlocking the treasuries125 of real home love and mutual126 helpfulness, which the poorest may possess, and the richest cannot buy. This is the sort of shelf on which young wives and mothers may consent to be laid, safe from the restless fret127 and fever of the world, finding loyal lovers in the little sons and daughters who cling to them, undaunted by sorrow, poverty, or age, walking side by side, through fair and stormy weather, with a faithful friend, who is, in the true sense of the good old Saxon word, the 'house-band', and learning, as Meg learned, that a woman's happiest kingdom is home, her highest honor the art of ruling it not as a queen, but as a wise wife and mother.

 

在法国,年轻姑娘们婚前生活很乏味;结了婚,”Vivelaliberté便成了她们的座右铭。而在美国,众所周知,姑娘们早就签署了独立宣言,她们带着共和党人的热情享受着自由。

然而,通常在家庭的第一个继承人登上宝座之时,年轻的主妇们便逊位了。她们过着归隐的生活,几乎像是在法国的女修道院,却没有那里安静。不管她们是否愿意,一旦婚姻激动人心的时期过去,事实上她们便被束之高阁。大多数妇女会惊叹,就像前些日子一个非常漂亮的女人所说的:“我和以前一样漂亮,可是仅仅因为我结了婚,就不再有人注意我了!”梅格不是美女,甚至也不是个时髦女士,所以在她的孩子们长到一岁之前,她都没经受这种痛苦。在她的小世界里,古风习俗盛行,她感到自己得到的赞赏与爱心比前更多。

她是个温柔的小妇人,母性的本能非常强烈,所以她把全副精力用于孩子们,排斥任何别的东西,别的人。她带着不知疲倦的献身精神与焦虑心情,日日夜夜想孩子们之所想。

现在厨房诸事一应交给一个爱尔兰太太主管,梅格将约翰丢给她,任由她摆布。约翰是个热爱家庭生活的男人,肯定怀念他惯常受到的妻子的照顾。但是他喜爱他的孩子们,也就愉快地暂时放弃了他的舒适,带着男子的懵然无知推测不久就会恢复安宁。然而,三个月时间过去了,平静没有重返。梅格看上去疲倦紧张,而那个厨子过日子很有"节制",总不让他吃饱。早上出门时,他看到家务缠身的妈妈忙着桩桩琐碎小事,感到迷惑不解。晚上兴冲冲地回到家里,急切地想拥抱妻子,却被妻子止住了:“嘘,他们吵了一天,刚刚睡着。”假如他提议在家里来点娱乐,”不!那样会打扰孩子们。”要是他暗示去听讲座或音乐会,梅格会责备地看着他,然后断然回答:“丢下孩子们去享乐?决不!”在难以成眠的夜里,他听到孩子们的哭叫声,看到一个幽灵般的身影无声无息地来回走动。吃饭时,只要楼上小窝里传来轻微响动,主管一切的天才便会奔离餐桌,其他于不顾,这频繁的上上下下打搅了他的进餐。晚上他读报时,德米的疝痛混进了航运表,黛西的跌跤则影响了股评价格,而布鲁克太太只对家庭的新闻感兴趣。

那可怜的人感到非常不舒服,因为孩子们使他失去了妻子。家只不过是一个托儿所,每当他进入神圣的孩子领地,那不断的"嘘"声使他感到自己像是一个野蛮的入侵者。他非常耐心地忍受了六个月,情况仍然没有改善的迹象。这时,他像其他被放逐的父亲们一样--试图从别的地方找些小慰藉。斯科特已经结了婚,在离他们不远的地方居家过日子。约翰便成了习惯,晚上过去玩一两小时,而他自家的客厅空荡荡的,妻子哼着似乎永无终了的催眠曲。斯科特夫人活泼、美丽,她无事可做,却能让人愉快。她非常成功地完成她的使命。她家的客厅总是明亮、吸引人。棋盘摆好了,钢琴调准了。在这里可以闲聊许多令人开心的事,还有一顿诱人的小晚餐等着他。

要不是自家的炉边那么寂寞,约翰会宁愿呆在自己家的。

但他还是心怀感激地退而求其次,享受着与邻居为伴的乐趣。

开始时,梅格十分赞同他这种新的安排。约翰玩得很尽兴,他不再在自家的客厅打盹儿,或者在房子里到处乱走,让沉重的脚步声惊醒孩子们。她因此而感到欣慰。然而不久以后,孩子们出牙期的焦躁结束。宠儿们睡觉守时,妈妈便有了休息的时间。这时她开始想念约翰。约翰没有像过去那样,穿着旧睡衣坐在她的对面,舒坦地在火炉围栏上烤他的拖鞋,于是她发现针线篮是个乏味的伴儿。她不愿求他呆在家里,但她感到受了伤害,因为她不告诉他,他也就不知道她需要他。

梅格完全记不得那许多夜晚,约翰徒劳地等着她。她照看孩子,为孩子操心,又紧张又疲倦。她那种无奈的心绪大多数母亲在家事拖累下都时而有过。缺乏锻炼使她们不再快乐,美国妇女们过分专注于她们的宠物- 茶壶,这使她们感到好像她们太神经质,精力不济。

“是的,”梅格朝镜子里看着,总会这么说,”我越来越老了,丑了。约翰不再认为我有趣了,所以他丢下他憔悴的妻子,去见那没有儿女拖累的漂亮邻居了。好吧,孩子们爱我,即便我消瘦,面色苍白,没时间卷头发,他们也不在乎。他们是我的安慰。总有一天约翰会看到我心甘情愿为他们作出的牺牲,是不是,我的宝贝们?”听着这种哀切的倾诉,黛西会发出"呀呀"的声音作反应,德米却欢叫着来回答她。这时,梅格便会带着母亲的得意丢开她的悲哀,这暂时抚慰了她的孤寂。然而,约翰迷上了政治,这一来加深了梅格的痛苦。约翰总是跑过去和斯科特讨论他感兴趣的观点,他根本没意识到梅格想他。可是她一个字也没说,直到有一天母亲发现梅格在哭。妈妈坚持要她说出是怎么回事,梅格低落的情绪没有逃过妈妈的目光。

“妈妈,除了你我不会告诉任何人的。可是我真的需要忠告,因为,约翰要是再这样下去,我最好是去当寡妇。”布鲁克太太带着受伤的神情用黛西的围嘴擦着眼泪。

“怎样下去,亲爱的?”妈妈焦急地问。

“他白天整天在外面,到了晚上我想见他时,他却总是去斯科特家。这样不公平,我就该干最重的活,从来没有乐趣?

男人太自私了,他们中最好的也不例外。”“女人们也是这样。看看你自己哪儿错了,再责备约翰。”“可是他忽视我,这不可能是对的!”“你可忽视了他?“哎呀,妈妈,我以为你会站在我这一边呢!”“就同情而言,是这样的。可是梅格,我认为责任在你!”“我看不出怎么在我。”“我来告诉你。当你在晚上他仅有的空余时间里总是陪伴他时,约翰可像你说的那样忽视你?”“没有。可是我现在做不到,我有两个孩子要照管。”“我想你能够做到的,亲爱的。我想你也应该这么做。我可以很不客气地说话吗?你愿意记住妈妈是既责备你又同情你的人?“我真的愿意。就像我又成了小梅格那样对我说吧。自从这两个孩子一切都仰仗我,我常感到好像比以前更需要教导了。”梅格将她的矮椅拖到妈妈的椅子旁边,一边膝上放一个小捣蛋。两个妇人摇着椅子,亲切地谈着话,她们感到母性的纽带将她们联得越发紧密了。

“你只是犯了大多数年轻妻子们所犯的那种错--因为爱孩子而忘记了对丈夫应尽的责任。这种错非常自然,也是可以原谅的。梅格,你最好是加以补救,而不要采取别的方式,因为孩子们越来越依恋你,不想和你分开,好像他们都是你的,约翰没份,只能抚养他们。我已经看出来几个星期了,只是没说出来。我想事情最终会摆正的。”“恐怕不会的。要是我求他呆在家里,他会以为我忌妒了。

我不想让他产生这种念头。他看不出我需要他,我不知道怎样不用言语让他明白我的心。”“把家里弄得赏心悦目,他就不想出去了,亲爱的。他渴慕自己的小家,但不是没有你的家。可你总是在育儿室。”“我不应该在那里?”“不应所有的时间都在那儿,过多的封闭会使你神经紧张,结果干什么都不合适了。而且,和对孩子们一样,你也欠了约翰的。别为了孩子忽视了丈夫,别把他关在育儿室外面,而要教他怎样帮忙。和你一样,那里也有他的位置,孩子们需要他。让他感到也有他的一份事儿,他会高兴地克尽职守,这样对你们大家都会更好。”“你真的这么认为,妈妈?”“梅格,我知道的,我试过。我证实过这个建议的可行性,不然,我不会给别人建议的。当你和乔还小的时候,我的情况就像你这样,感到要不是整个人交给你们,就没尽到责任。

你可怜的爸爸提出帮助,我一概拒绝,他便沉醉到书本里去,让我独自去做我的试验。我尽力地挣扎着,但是乔太难对付了,我差点宠坏了她。你身体不好,我为你操心,后来自己也病了。这时,你爸爸过来救援了。他默默地处理着每一件事,他的帮助太大了。我看到了自己的过错,从那以后,没有他我根本不能过活。这就是我们家庭幸福的秘密所在。他不允许工作将他从影响我们大家的家务小事和责任中脱离开来,我也努力不让家务烦恼破坏我对他工作的兴趣。有许多事情,我们独自各干各的,可是在家里我们总是一起干活。”“是这样的,妈妈。我最大的愿望就是在丈夫和孩子的眼里成为你那样的妻子和母亲。告诉我怎么做,你怎么说我就怎么做。” “你总是我听话的孩子。好吧,亲爱的。我要是你的活,就让约翰多管管德米,因为男孩子需要训练,训练开始得越早越好。你还要做我常向你提议的事,让罕娜嬷嬷过来帮忙;她是个绝好的保姆,你可以把宝贝孩子托给她照料,自己多做些家务。你需要这份煅炼,罕娜会高高兴兴地干其余的活,而约翰又会找回他的妻子。多出去些,既要忙碌着,也要保持畅快,因为你是家庭中制造欢乐的人。要是你情绪忧郁,家庭生活也就没有了好天气。你还要试着做到:约翰喜欢什么,我就对什么感兴趣 -去和他谈谈,让他为你读读书,交流思想,以那种方式互相帮助。别因为你是个妇人,就把自己装在纸板盒里,要了解时事,要训练自己参与世事,因为这些都和你的工作有联系。”“约翰那么聪明。我担心要是我问他政治和其他问题,他会认为我笨的。”“我想他不会的,爱情能宽容许多过失。除了他,你还能更直率地问谁呢?试试吧,看他可会发现你的相伴和斯科特的晚餐哪个更好。”“我会这么做的。可怜的约翰!我恐怕我已经不幸地忽视了他。我还以为我是对的呢,他从来不说什么。”“他试图不表现出自私,但是我想他已经感到了相当的凄凉。梅格,现在恰是时候。这个时候年轻的夫妻们易于疏远,也最应贴近,因为结婚最初的柔情蜜意,如不用心维持,很快就会消逝。在小生命们交给他们培育的最初几年里,对父母来说,没有比这更美好、更宝贵的日子了。别让约翰成为孩子们的陌生人。在这个具有考验与诱惑的世界,孩子们比任何别的东西都更能使他安全、幸福。通过孩子们,你们能够,也应该学着相知相爱。好了,亲爱的,再见。想想妈妈的训导,要是觉得好就这么做。上帝保佑你们全家。”梅格确实仔细想了一回,觉得妈妈说得不错,也这么做了,虽然第一次尝试并不完全像她筹划的那样。孩子们当然对她横行霸道。一旦发现蹬腿嚎哭能带来他们所要的东西,他们便统治了屋子。在他们的任性驱驶下,妈妈是个卑贱的奴隶,可是爸爸却不那么容易征服。有时,爸爸想用父亲的纪律管制任性的儿子时,却使他那软心肠的妻子痛苦。德米继承了他父亲一些坚强的个性--我们不把它叫顽固- 当他的小脑袋打定主意要什么或做什么时,国王的所有人马都改变不了那个不屈不挠的小脑袋产生的念头。妈妈认为小宝贝太小了,还不能叫他克服偏见。可是爸爸相信,学习服从怎么也不会为时过早。因此德米少爷很早就发现,只要他和"爸贝(爸)”“叫(较)量",他总是大败。然而像美国人那样,孩子尊敬征服了他的人。他爱爸爸。爸爸严肃的"不、不"比妈妈所有慈爱的鼓励都更使他牢记在心。

和妈妈谈话后又过了几天,梅格决心陪伴约翰一晚上。因此,她准备了一桌像样的晚餐,客厅收拾得井井有条,自己打扮得漂漂亮亮,而且很早就让孩子们上床睡觉。没什么能够打扰她进行试验了。可不幸的是,德米难以克服的恶习便是反对上床睡觉。那天晚上,他决定要胡搅蛮缠。所以梅格唱啊,摇啊,讲故事,想尽了哄他入睡的点子,可是一切均告无效。黛西已经睡着很长时间了,他那双大眼睛还是不合上。黛西长得胖胖嘟嘟的,脾气也好。可淘气的德米躺在那里盯着灯看,脸上的表情十分清醒。令人泄气!

“德米,乖孩子,静静躺着好不好?妈妈下楼去给你可怜的爸爸倒杯茶,”梅格问。她听到过道里的门轻轻关上了,熟悉的踮着脚走路的声音进入了饭厅。

“德米要喝茶!”德米说。他准备参加宴会。

“不,要是你像黛西那样静静地去睡,我就给你留些小饼饼明天当早饭。好不好,宝贝?”“考(好)!”德米紧紧闭上了眼睛,好像要追上睡眠,赶快到盼望的明天。

梅格利用这有利的时机溜出门,跑下楼笑着迎接丈夫。她头上戴着那个他特别欣赏的蓝色蝴蝶结。他立即就瞧见了,惊喜地问:“哎呀,小母亲,今晚我们多么高兴。有客人?”“只有你,亲爱的!”“那是生日、周年纪念日,还是别的什么?”“都不是!我厌倦了当邋遢女人,所以我打扮起来换个样。

你不管有多累,坐在餐桌前时总是穿戴整齐。我有时间,为什么不能也这样呢?”“我那样是出于对你的尊重,亲爱的!”老式的约翰说。

“我也一样,我也一样,布鲁克先生。”梅格笑了。她又是那么年轻漂亮了。她隔着茶壶向他点着头。

“嗯,真是非常好,又像以前那样了。这个味道不错。亲爱的,为你的健康干杯!”约翰一阵狂喜。他恬然地啜着茶,然而这种情形非常短暂,因为,当他放下杯子时,门把手神秘地嗒嗒响了起来,只听见一个小小的声音焦躁地说着- “太(开)门,我要见(进)来!”“是那个淘气包!我叫他自己去睡,他倒跑到楼下来了。

穿着那帆布鞋嗒嗒跑着,冻死他去,”梅格说着去开门。

“已经到早上了,”德米进门开心地宣告,长睡衣优雅地垂落在胳膊下。他在桌子旁乱蹦乱跳,头上每一络小鬈发都随之一上一下地欢跳。他钟情地打量着"小饼饼"。

“不,还没到早上。你得去睡觉,别烦你可怜的妈妈。这样你就能吃到带糖的小饼饼。”“德米爱爸贝。”机灵的小家伙打算爬到爸爸的膝上,参加欢宴,享受被禁止的乐趣。可是约翰摇着头,对梅格说 “要是你叫他呆在楼上,自己睡觉,那就让他这么做,否则他就再不会在乎你的话了。”“当然是这样。过来,德米。“梅格领走了儿子,她真想揍这小捣蛋的屁股。他在她身旁蹦着,幻想着一进到育儿室就会得到贿赂。

他并没有失望。缺乏远见的妇人真的给了他一块糖。她把他塞进被子里,不到早晨,不许他再溜下来。

“考(好)!”德米发了假誓,他极快乐地吮着糖块,为他又一次得手而自鸣得意。

梅格回到位子上,晚餐进行得十分惬意。忽然,那小鬼又走进屋来,他揭发了妈妈的失职,大胆地要求"还要吃糖糖,姆妈"。

“哎哟,这可不行。”约翰硬起心肠回绝那可爱的小罪犯。

“那孩子不去安稳地睡觉,我们就不得安宁。你做奴隶的时间已经够长了。教训他一下,一切都会结束。把他放到床上,丢开他,梅格。”“他不会呆在那儿的,除非我坐在他身边。”“我来对付他。德米,上楼去,像妈妈说的那样上你的床去。“我不!”小叛逆回答。他伸手去拿他垂涎的"饼饼",然后沉着大胆地吃了起来。

“不可对爸爸这样说话。你要是不自己走,我就把你带走。”“走开,德米不爱爸贝了。”德米退到妈妈的裙子边寻求保护。

可是那个避难所没用,因为妈妈说着"对他温和些,约翰",就把他交给了敌人,令小罪犯沮丧。一旦妈妈不管他,审判日就要到了。他被夺去了饼子,失掉了欢乐,又被一只顽强的手带到了那张讨厌的床上。可怜的德米控制不住愤怒。

他公然反抗爸爸,拼命地一路踢着腿,尖叫着上了楼。刚把他放到床上,他就尖叫着滚到另一边,然后朝门口冲去。结果又很失面子地让爸爸抓住小睡袍下襟提回了床上。这种热闹的场面一直进行着,直到小家伙的力气耗完了。这时他放声大嚎起来。这种发声练习通常总征服了梅格,可是约翰却一动不动地坐在那里,像个柱子。柱子是公认的聋子,什么也听不见的。没有哄劝,没有糖块,没有催眠曲,也没有故事,甚至灯也给灭了,只有炉火发出的红光为"大大的黑暗”添了点生气。德米好奇地看着黑暗,反倒不怕了。这种新局面使他憎恶。当愤怒的狂暴平息下去时,被监禁的小霸主想起了他温柔的女奴,便绝望地吼着要起姆妈来。这随着怒嚎之后发出的痛哭声直扎梅格的心窝,她跑上楼去恳求- "让我和他呆在一起吧。他现在会乖的了,约翰!”“不,亲爱的。我已经跟他说过,他必须像你说的那样去睡觉。只要我晚上在这儿,他非睡不可!”“可是,他会哭出病来的,”梅格求道,她责怪自己不该丢弃她的孩子。

“不,他不会的。他很累了,很快就会睡着。事情就完了。

他要懂得应该听话。别插手,我来对付他。”“他是我的孩子,我不能让生硬的态度摧毁他的精神。”“他是我的孩子,我不许用溺爱宠坏他的脾气。下楼去,亲爱的,把孩子丢给我吧。”当约翰以那种主人的腔调说话时,梅格总是服从着,她也从不为她的温顺后悔。

“约翰,请让我亲他一下,可以吗?”

“当然可以。德米,对妈妈说晚安,让她去休息。她整天照顾你们很累了。“梅格总是坚持说亲吻能起作用。亲过以后,德米的呜咽声小下去了。他静静地躺在床里边,先前他曾在那里痛苦地扭动过。

“可怜的小人,他那样哭着,又想睡觉,已经累坏了。我来给他盖上被,然后下楼让梅格放心,”约翰想道。他蹑手蹑脚来到床边,以为他那叛逆的继承人已经睡着。

可是他并没有睡着。爸爸一过来窥探,德米的眼睛便睁开了,小下巴也开始颤抖。他伸出胳膊,后悔地抽着气说:“现在德米听发(话)了。”梅格坐在门外的台阶上,弄不清大嚎以后长时间的寂静是怎么回事。她想象着各种各样不可能发生的事故,最后溜进了屋,她要消除疑窦。德米已经睡熟,不是通常那种仰八叉,而是乖顺地蜷曲着,睡在爸爸的胳膊弯里,紧紧地搂着爸爸,握着爸爸的手指,好像体味到了爸爸的恩威兼施,睡着了看上去像是更悲伤也更懂事了。约翰就这样搂着他,带着女人般的耐心等那小手松开。可是等待中自己也睡着了,与其说他是和儿子扭打累了,还不如说是一天工作劳累所致。

梅格站在那里,注视着枕头上的两张脸,暗自笑了起来。

然后,她又溜了出去,满意地说:“我根本不需要担心约翰会对我的孩子们过分粗暴,他真的知道怎样对付他们。他会是个好帮手,德米太伤我的神了。”约翰终于下楼来了,他本料想会看到一个郁郁不乐或者要责备他的妻子,结果却又惊又喜地看到梅格心平气和地在修饰一顶帽子,还请求他如果要是不太累的话,就为她读点有关选举的东西。约翰很快便看出,正在进行某种革命。但是他明智地不加提问,因为他知道,梅格是个非常直率的小妇人,守不住任何秘密,所以不久事情就会露出端倪。他欣然应允,非常温和地读了一个冗长的辩论,然后十分清楚地解释给她听。梅格装出深感兴趣的样子,想找些聪明的问题来问,尽力阻止脑子从国家状况漫游到她帽子的状况上。然而,她暗自思忖,认定政治和数学一样让人头疼。政治家们的使命似乎就是互相咒骂。她把这些妇人之见留在心底,当约翰停下来时,她便摇着头,说出她认为具有外交含糊性的话:“嗯,我真看不出我们解决了什么问题。”约翰笑了起来。他看了她一分钟,她在手里抚弄着一个用丝带和花儿装饰的小帽儿,兴趣十足地瞅着。他的高谈阔论却没有激起这种兴趣。

“她竟想着好我所好,所以我也要爱她所爱,这才公平!”公道的约翰想着,然后大声补充道:“非常漂亮,这就是你说的那种早餐帽?”“我亲爱的丈夫,这是户外软帽,也是我去音乐会和戏院戴的最好的帽子。”“请原谅,它这么小,我自然把它错当成你有时随意穿戴的那种。你怎样让它保持不掉呢?”“用这几条丝带系在下巴下,配上玫瑰花蕾,这样。”梅格戴上帽子,系给他看。她带着一种抵挡不住的、宁静而又满足的神态看着他。

“这顶帽子多可爱!可是我更喜欢它下面的那张脸,因为它看上去年轻快乐了!“约翰亲了亲那张笑脸。这大大有损于下巴下的那朵玫瑰花蕾。

“很高兴你喜欢它,因为我想让你哪天晚上带我去听场新的音乐会。我真的需要音乐使我保持正常状态。好不好?求你了!”“当然可以,你已经被困了这么长时间了。我真想带你出去,去你想去的任何地方。那样会给你带来无穷乐趣。所有的事中,我也最喜欢这件。什么让你想到这点的,小妈妈?”“嗯。前些天我和妈咪谈过。我告诉她,我感到多么紧张、焦躁、情绪不好。她说我需要些变化,少操些心,所以打算让罕娜嬷嬷过来帮忙照看孩子,我就多照管些家务,适时出去调节一下,免得变成一个性情烦躁、未老先衰的老妇女。约翰,这只不过是个试验,为了你,也为了我自己。我想做这个实验,因为最近我令人羞愧地忽视了你。假如我能够,我要把家恢复到以前的样子。你不反对,是吧?”别去管约翰说了什么,也别管那顶小帽子是怎样十分侥幸地免于彻底损坏,我们有权利知道的事情便是下面这些。从这座屋子及起居民们逐渐发生的变化判断,约翰好像并未反对什么。房子当然没有成为伊甸园,然而劳动系统的分工使每个人感到情况更好了。在父亲的管束下,孩子们茁装成长。

约翰处事精细,意志坚定,他将秩序和服从带进了孩子王国。

同时,梅格通过大量有益健康的锻炼、一些小小的生活乐趣,以及和聪明的丈夫许多次推心置腹的谈话,恢复了精神,稳定了情绪。家又变得像家了。如果不带上梅格,约翰也不愿意离开家了。现在斯科特夫妇来布鲁克家作客了。每个人都感到小屋子是个生活胜地,充满欢声笑语、天伦之乐。甚至快活的莎莉·莫法特也喜欢来这儿了。”你这里总是那么安静,令人愉悦。我老想来,梅格!”她总是这么说,渴慕地四下打量着屋子,仿佛要发现魅力之所在,好在她的大院里也如法炮制。那所华宅金玉满堂,但却孤寂冷静,因为那里没有吵吵闹闹、活泼快乐的孩子们,内德生活的世界里没有她的容身之地。

这种家庭的幸福不是突然降临的,但是,约翰和梅格找到了开启它的钥匙。婚后的岁月教会他们如何使用这把钥匙,打开真正的家庭之爱与互相帮助的宝库之门,这些财富最贫穷的人们可以拥有,最富有的人们却买不到。这就是年轻的妻子们和母亲们同意被束在那种高阁的原因。在那上面,她们于世间的不安与焦虑中安然无恙,在那些依恋她们的幼儿稚女身上找到了忠诚的爱;她们无畏痛苦、贫穷与年岁的增长;她们和一个忠实的朋友携手并进,同甘共苦。这个朋友,那古老优秀的萨克逊语言的真正意思就是"家庭的保证"。

她们就像梅格那样,认识到妇人最幸福的王国是家庭,而作为她们统治艺术最高荣耀的不是做一个女王,而是做一个聪明的妻子和母亲。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 zest vMizT     
n.乐趣;滋味,风味;兴趣
参考例句:
  • He dived into his new job with great zest.他充满热情地投入了新的工作。
  • He wrote his novel about his trip to Asia with zest.他兴趣浓厚的写了一本关于他亚洲之行的小说。
2 abdicate 9ynz8     
v.让位,辞职,放弃
参考例句:
  • The reason I wnat to abdicate is to try something different.我辞职是因为我想尝试些不一样的东西。
  • Yuan Shikai forced emperor to abdicate and hand over power to him.袁世凯逼迫皇帝逊位,把政权交给了他。
3 seclusion 5DIzE     
n.隐遁,隔离
参考例句:
  • She liked to sunbathe in the seclusion of her own garden.她喜欢在自己僻静的花园里晒日光浴。
  • I live very much in seclusion these days.这些天我过着几乎与世隔绝的生活。
4 belle MQly5     
n.靓女
参考例句:
  • She was the belle of her Sunday School class.在主日学校她是她们班的班花。
  • She was the belle of the ball.她是那个舞会中的美女。
5 primitive vSwz0     
adj.原始的;简单的;n.原(始)人,原始事物
参考例句:
  • It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger.逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
  • His book describes the march of the civilization of a primitive society.他的著作描述了一个原始社会的开化过程。
6 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。
7 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
8 exclusion 1hCzz     
n.拒绝,排除,排斥,远足,远途旅行
参考例句:
  • Don't revise a few topics to the exclusion of all others.不要修改少数论题以致排除所有其他的。
  • He plays golf to the exclusion of all other sports.他专打高尔夫球,其他运动一概不参加。
9 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。
10 relinquished 2d789d1995a6a7f21bb35f6fc8d61c5d     
交出,让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 ); 放弃
参考例句:
  • She has relinquished the post to her cousin, Sir Edward. 她把职位让给了表弟爱德华爵士。
  • The small dog relinquished his bone to the big dog. 小狗把它的骨头让给那只大狗。
11 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。
12 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。
13 quenched dae604e1ea7cf81e688b2bffd9b9f2c4     
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
参考例句:
  • He quenched his thirst with a long drink of cold water. 他喝了好多冷水解渴。
  • I quenched my thirst with a glass of cold beer. 我喝了一杯冰啤酒解渴。
14 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!
15 wail XMhzs     
vt./vi.大声哀号,恸哭;呼啸,尖啸
参考例句:
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
  • One of the small children began to wail with terror.小孩中的一个吓得大哭起来。
16 wails 6fc385b881232f68e3c2bd9685a7fcc7     
痛哭,哭声( wail的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The child burst into loud wails. 那个孩子突然大哭起来。
  • Through this glaciated silence the white wails of the apartment fixed arbitrary planes. 在这冰封似的沉寂中,公寓的白色墙壁构成了一个个任意的平面。 来自英汉非文学 - 科幻
17 phantom T36zQ     
n.幻影,虚位,幽灵;adj.错觉的,幻影的,幽灵的
参考例句:
  • I found myself staring at her as if she were a phantom.我发现自己瞪大眼睛看着她,好像她是一个幽灵。
  • He is only a phantom of a king.他只是有名无实的国王。
18 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。
19 muffled fnmzel     
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)
参考例句:
  • muffled voices from the next room 从隔壁房间里传来的沉闷声音
  • There was a muffled explosion somewhere on their right. 在他们的右面什么地方有一声沉闷的爆炸声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
20 chirp MrezT     
v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫
参考例句:
  • The birds chirp merrily at the top of tree.鸟儿在枝头欢快地啾啾鸣唱。
  • The sparrows chirp outside the window every morning.麻雀每天清晨在窗外嘁嘁喳喳地叫。
21 shipping WESyg     
n.船运(发货,运输,乘船)
参考例句:
  • We struck a bargain with an American shipping firm.我们和一家美国船运公司谈成了一笔生意。
  • There's a shipping charge of £5 added to the price.价格之外另加五英镑运输费。
22 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
23 bereft ndjy9     
adj.被剥夺的
参考例句:
  • The place seemed to be utterly bereft of human life.这个地方似乎根本没有人烟。
  • She was bereft of happiness.她失去了幸福。
24 brutal bSFyb     
adj.残忍的,野蛮的,不讲理的
参考例句:
  • She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
  • They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼,骨子里却是野蛮残忍。
25 amendment Mx8zY     
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案
参考例句:
  • The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
  • The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
26 paternal l33zv     
adj.父亲的,像父亲的,父系的,父方的
参考例句:
  • I was brought up by my paternal aunt.我是姑姑扶养大的。
  • My father wrote me a letter full of his paternal love for me.我父亲给我写了一封充满父爱的信。
27 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?
28 tune NmnwW     
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整
参考例句:
  • He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子,并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
  • The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
29 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。
30 tempting wgAzd4     
a.诱人的, 吸引人的
参考例句:
  • It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
  • It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。
31 dozing dozing     
v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡
参考例句:
  • The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
  • He never falters in his determination. 他的决心从不动摇。
32 idols 7c4d4984658a95fbb8bbc091e42b97b9     
偶像( idol的名词复数 ); 受崇拜的人或物; 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物; 神像
参考例句:
  • The genii will give evidence against those who have worshipped idols. 魔怪将提供证据来反对那些崇拜偶像的人。 来自英汉非文学 - 文明史
  • Teenagers are very sequacious and they often emulate the behavior of their idols. 青少年非常盲从,经常模仿他们的偶像的行为。
33 idol Z4zyo     
n.偶像,红人,宠儿
参考例句:
  • As an only child he was the idol of his parents.作为独子,他是父母的宠儿。
  • Blind worship of this idol must be ended.对这个偶像的盲目崇拜应该结束了。
34 dressing 1uOzJG     
n.(食物)调料;包扎伤口的用品,敷料
参考例句:
  • Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
  • The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。
35 scorching xjqzPr     
adj. 灼热的
参考例句:
  • a scorching, pitiless sun 灼热的骄阳
  • a scorching critique of the government's economic policy 对政府经济政策的严厉批评
36 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。
37 unreasonable tjLwm     
adj.不讲道理的,不合情理的,过度的
参考例句:
  • I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
  • They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。
38 revel yBezQ     
vi.狂欢作乐,陶醉;n.作乐,狂欢
参考例句:
  • She seems to revel in annoying her parents.她似乎以惹父母生气为乐。
  • The children revel in country life.孩子们特别喜欢乡村生活。
39 soothed 509169542d21da19b0b0bd232848b963     
v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 );抚慰;使舒服;减轻痛苦
参考例句:
  • The music soothed her for a while. 音乐让她稍微安静了一会儿。
  • The soft modulation of her voice soothed the infant. 她柔和的声调使婴儿安静了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
40 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。
41 drooping drooping     
adj. 下垂的,无力的 动词droop的现在分词
参考例句:
  • The drooping willows are waving gently in the morning breeze. 晨风中垂柳袅袅。
  • The branches of the drooping willows were swaying lightly. 垂柳轻飘飘地摆动。
42 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。
43 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
44 confinement qpOze     
n.幽禁,拘留,监禁;分娩;限制,局限
参考例句:
  • He spent eleven years in solitary confinement.他度过了11年的单独监禁。
  • The date for my wife's confinement was approaching closer and closer.妻子分娩的日子越来越近了。
45 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。
46 docile s8lyp     
adj.驯服的,易控制的,容易教的
参考例句:
  • Circus monkeys are trained to be very docile and obedient.马戏团的猴子训练得服服贴贴的。
  • He is a docile and well-behaved child.他是个温顺且彬彬有礼的孩子。
47 dismal wtwxa     
adj.阴沉的,凄凉的,令人忧郁的,差劲的
参考例句:
  • That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。
  • My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。
48 abject joVyh     
adj.极可怜的,卑屈的
参考例句:
  • This policy has turned out to be an abject failure.这一政策最后以惨败而告终。
  • He had been obliged to offer an abject apology to Mr.Alleyne for his impertinence.他不得不低声下气,为他的无礼举动向艾莱恩先生请罪。
49 subjugated d6ce0285c0f3c68d6cada3e4a93be181     
v.征服,降伏( subjugate的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The prince had appeared and subjugated the poor little handmaid. 王子出现了,这使穷苦的小丫头不胜仰慕。 来自辞典例句
  • As we know, rule over subjugated peoples is incompatible with the gentile constitution. 我们知道,对被征服者的统治,是和氏族制度不相容的。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源
50 afflicted aaf4adfe86f9ab55b4275dae2a2e305a     
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease. 全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。
  • A terrible restlessness that was like to hunger afflicted Martin Eden. 一阵可怕的、跟饥饿差不多的不安情绪折磨着马丁·伊登。
51 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?
52 obstreperous VvDy8     
adj.喧闹的,不守秩序的
参考例句:
  • He becomes obstreperous when he's had a few drinks.他喝了些酒就爱撒酒疯。
  • You know I have no intention of being awkward and obstreperous.你知道我无意存心作对。
53 obstinacy C0qy7     
n.顽固;(病痛等)难治
参考例句:
  • It is a very accountable obstinacy.这是一种完全可以理解的固执态度。
  • Cindy's anger usually made him stand firm to the point of obstinacy.辛迪一发怒,常常使他坚持自见,并达到执拗的地步。
54 pertinacious YAkyB     
adj.顽固的
参考例句:
  • I can affirm that he is tenacious and pertinacious as are few.我可以肯定,像他那样不屈不挠、百折不回的人是十分罕见的。
  • Questions buzzed in his head like pertinacious bees.一连串问题在他脑子里盘旋着,就象纠缠不休的蜜蜂。
55 obedience 8vryb     
n.服从,顺从
参考例句:
  • Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
  • Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。
56 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。
57 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
58 wile PgcwT     
v.诡计,引诱;n.欺骗,欺诈
参考例句:
  • The music wiled him from his study.诱人的音乐使他无心学习下去。
  • The sunshine wiled me from my work.阳光引诱我放下了工作。
59 chubby wrwzZ     
adj.丰满的,圆胖的
参考例句:
  • He is stocky though not chubby.他长得敦实,可并不发胖。
  • The short and chubby gentleman over there is our new director.那个既矮又胖的绅士是我们的新主任。
60 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
61 propitious aRNx8     
adj.吉利的;顺利的
参考例句:
  • The circumstances were not propitious for further expansion of the company.这些情况不利于公司的进一步发展。
  • The cool days during this week are propitious for out trip.这种凉爽的天气对我们的行程很有好处。
62 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
63 dowdy ZsdxQ     
adj.不整洁的;过旧的
参考例句:
  • She was in a dowdy blue frock.她穿了件不大洁净的蓝上衣。
  • She looked very plain and dowdy.她长得非常普通,衣也过时。
64 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。
65 sipped 22d1585d494ccee63c7bff47191289f6     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sipped his coffee pleasurably. 他怡然地品味着咖啡。
  • I sipped the hot chocolate she had made. 我小口喝着她调制的巧克力热饮。 来自辞典例句
66 reposeful 78163800e0a0c51ebb5d4eacfa55d4b5     
adj.平稳的,沉着的
参考例句:
67 rapture 9STzG     
n.狂喜;全神贯注;着迷;v.使狂喜
参考例句:
  • His speech was received with rapture by his supporters.他的演说受到支持者们的热烈欢迎。
  • In the midst of his rapture,he was interrupted by his father.他正欢天喜地,被他父亲打断了。
68 rattled b4606e4247aadf3467575ffedf66305b     
慌乱的,恼火的
参考例句:
  • The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。
  • Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里,窗户都格格作响。
69 joyful N3Fx0     
adj.欢乐的,令人欢欣的
参考例句:
  • She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
  • They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。
70 gracefully KfYxd     
ad.大大方方地;优美地
参考例句:
  • She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
  • The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
71 pranced 7eeb4cd505dcda99671e87a66041b41d     
v.(马)腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Their horses pranced and whinnied. 他们的马奔腾着、嘶鸣着。 来自辞典例句
  • The little girl pranced about the room in her new clothes. 小女孩穿着新衣在屋里雀跃。 来自辞典例句
72 spank NFFzE     
v.打,拍打(在屁股上)
参考例句:
  • Be careful.If you don't work hard,I'll spank your bottom.你再不好好学习,小心被打屁股。
  • He does it very often.I really get mad.I can't help spank him sometimes.他经常这样做。我很气愤。有时候我忍不住打他的屁股。
73 hopped 91b136feb9c3ae690a1c2672986faa1c     
跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 ); 单足蹦跳; 齐足(或双足)跳行; 摘葎草花
参考例句:
  • He hopped onto a car and wanted to drive to town. 他跳上汽车想开向市区。
  • He hopped into a car and drove to town. 他跳进汽车,向市区开去。
74 labor P9Tzs     
n.劳动,努力,工作,劳工;分娩;vi.劳动,努力,苦干;vt.详细分析;麻烦
参考例句:
  • We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
  • He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后,他已经疲惫不堪了。
75 laboring 2749babc1b2a966d228f9122be56f4cb     
n.劳动,操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 );苦干;详细分析;(指引擎)缓慢而困难地运转
参考例句:
  • The young man who said laboring was beneath his dignity finally put his pride in his pocket and got a job as a kitchen porter. 那个说过干活儿有失其身份的年轻人最终只能忍辱,做了厨房搬运工的工作。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • But this knowledge did not keep them from laboring to save him. 然而,这并不妨碍她们尽力挽救他。 来自飘(部分)
76 delusion x9uyf     
n.谬见,欺骗,幻觉,迷惑
参考例句:
  • He is under the delusion that he is Napoleon.他患了妄想症,认为自己是拿破仑。
  • I was under the delusion that he intended to marry me.我误认为他要娶我。
77 bribe GW8zK     
n.贿赂;v.向…行贿,买通
参考例句:
  • He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
  • He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。
78 promenades e9e1a7b588956115c398fd8f01ebb0bf     
n.人行道( promenade的名词复数 );散步场所;闲逛v.兜风( promenade的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • He often promenades his wife along the Thames Embankment. 他常常带太太沿着泰晤士河堤防散步。 来自辞典例句
  • Stoas lined marketplaces and sanctuaries and formed places of Business and public promenades. 柱廊围绕在市场和神庙的四周,是交易和公众散步的场所。 来自互联网
79 perjured 94372bfd9eb0d6d06f4d52e08a0ca7e8     
adj.伪证的,犯伪证罪的v.发假誓,作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The witness perjured himself. 证人作了伪证。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Witnesses lied and perjured themselves. 证人撒谎作伪证。 来自辞典例句
80 eminently c442c1e3a4b0ad4160feece6feb0aabf     
adv.突出地;显著地;不寻常地
参考例句:
  • She seems eminently suitable for the job. 她看来非常适合这个工作。
  • It was an eminently respectable boarding school. 这是所非常好的寄宿学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
81 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
82 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》
83 audacity LepyV     
n.大胆,卤莽,无礼
参考例句:
  • He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
  • He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。
84 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
85 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
86 defrauded 46b197145611d09ab7ea08b6701b776c     
v.诈取,骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He defrauded his employers of thousands of dollars. 他诈取了他的雇主一大笔钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He defrauded them of their money. 他骗走了他们的钱。 来自辞典例句
87 detested e34cc9ea05a83243e2c1ed4bd90db391     
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • They detested each other on sight. 他们互相看着就不顺眼。
  • The freethinker hated the formalist; the lover of liberty detested the disciplinarian. 自由思想者总是不喜欢拘泥形式者,爱好自由者总是憎恶清规戒律者。 来自辞典例句
88 wrath nVNzv     
n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒
参考例句:
  • His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
  • The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。
89 ignominiously 06ad56226c9512b3b1e466b6c6a73df2     
adv.耻辱地,屈辱地,丢脸地
参考例句:
  • Their attempt failed ignominiously. 他们的企图可耻地失败了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She would be scolded, abused, ignominiously discharged. 他们会说她,骂她,解雇她,让她丢尽脸面的。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
90 vocal vhOwA     
adj.直言不讳的;嗓音的;n.[pl.]声乐节目
参考例句:
  • The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
  • Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。
91 coaxing 444e70224820a50b0202cb5bb05f1c2e     
v.哄,用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 );巧言骗取;哄劝,劝诱;“锻炼”效应
参考例句:
  • No amount of coaxing will make me change my mind. 任你费尽口舌也不会说服我改变主意。
  • It took a lot of coaxing before he agreed. 劝说了很久他才同意。 来自辞典例句
92 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
93 subsided 1bda21cef31764468020a8c83598cc0d     
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
参考例句:
  • After the heavy rains part of the road subsided. 大雨过后,部分公路塌陷了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • By evening the storm had subsided and all was quiet again. 傍晚, 暴风雨已经过去,四周开始沉寂下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
94 autocrat 7uMzo     
n.独裁者;专横的人
参考例句:
  • He was an accomplished politician and a crafty autocrat.他是个有造诣的政治家,也是个狡黠的独裁者。
  • The nobles tried to limit the powers of the autocrat without success.贵族企图限制专制君主的权力,但没有成功。
95 plaintive z2Xz1     
adj.可怜的,伤心的
参考例句:
  • Her voice was small and plaintive.她的声音微弱而哀伤。
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
96 passionate rLDxd     
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的
参考例句:
  • He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
  • He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。
97 beseechingly c092e88c28d2bb0ccde559d682617827     
adv. 恳求地
参考例句:
  • She stood up, and almost beseechingly, asked her husband,'shall we go now?" 她站起身来,几乎是恳求似地问丈夫:“我们现在就走吧?”
  • Narcissa began to cry in earnest, gazing beseechingly all the while at Snape. 纳西莎伤心地哭了起来,乞求地盯着斯内普。
98 docility fa2bc100be92db9a613af5832f9b75b9     
n.容易教,易驾驶,驯服
参考例句:
  • He was trying to plant the seed of revolt, arouse that placid peasant docility. 他想撒下反叛的种子,唤醒这个安分驯良的农民的觉悟。 来自辞典例句
  • With unusual docility, Nancy stood up and followed him as he left the newsroom. 南希以难得的顺从站起身来,尾随着他离开了新闻编辑室。 来自辞典例句
99 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。
100 wriggled cd018a1c3280e9fe7b0169cdb5687c29     
v.扭动,蠕动,蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 );(使身体某一部位)扭动;耍滑不做,逃避(应做的事等)
参考例句:
  • He wriggled uncomfortably on the chair. 他坐在椅子上不舒服地扭动着身体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A snake wriggled across the road. 一条蛇蜿蜒爬过道路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
101 anguish awZz0     
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼
参考例句:
  • She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时,她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
  • The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。
102 rebellious CtbyI     
adj.造反的,反抗的,难控制的
参考例句:
  • They will be in danger if they are rebellious.如果他们造反,他们就要发生危险。
  • Her reply was mild enough,but her thoughts were rebellious.她的回答虽然很温和,但她的心里十分反感。
103 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。
104 uproar LHfyc     
n.骚动,喧嚣,鼎沸
参考例句:
  • She could hear the uproar in the room.她能听见房间里的吵闹声。
  • His remarks threw the audience into an uproar.他的讲话使听众沸腾起来。
105 subdued 76419335ce506a486af8913f13b8981d     
adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He seemed a bit subdued to me. 我觉得他当时有点闷闷不乐。
  • I felt strangely subdued when it was all over. 一切都结束的时候,我却有一种奇怪的压抑感。
106 tussle DgcyB     
n.&v.扭打,搏斗,争辩
参考例句:
  • They began to tussle with each other for the handgun.他们互相扭打起来,抢夺那支手枪。
  • We are engaged in a legal tussle with a large pharmaceutical company.我们正同一家大制药公司闹法律纠纷。
107 pensive 2uTys     
a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的
参考例句:
  • He looked suddenly sombre,pensive.他突然看起来很阴郁,一副忧虑的样子。
  • He became so pensive that she didn't like to break into his thought.他陷入沉思之中,她不想打断他的思路。
108 placidly c0c28951cb36e0d70b9b64b1d177906e     
adv.平稳地,平静地
参考例句:
  • Hurstwood stood placidly by, while the car rolled back into the yard. 当车子开回场地时,赫斯渥沉着地站在一边。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • The water chestnut floated placidly there, where it would grow. 那棵菱角就又安安稳稳浮在水面上生长去了。 来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
109 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。
110 transparent Smhwx     
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的
参考例句:
  • The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明,可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
  • The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。
111 amiable hxAzZ     
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的
参考例句:
  • She was a very kind and amiable old woman.她是个善良和气的老太太。
  • We have a very amiable companionship.我们之间存在一种友好的关系。
112 lucid B8Zz8     
adj.明白易懂的,清晰的,头脑清楚的
参考例句:
  • His explanation was lucid and to the point.他的解释扼要易懂。
  • He wasn't very lucid,he didn't quite know where he was.他神志不是很清醒,不太知道自己在哪里。
113 ambiguity 9xWzT     
n.模棱两可;意义不明确
参考例句:
  • The telegram was misunderstood because of its ambiguity.由于电文意义不明确而造成了误解。
  • Her answer was above all ambiguity.她的回答毫不含糊。
114 poised SlhzBU     
a.摆好姿势不动的
参考例句:
  • The hawk poised in mid-air ready to swoop. 老鹰在半空中盘旋,准备俯冲。
  • Tina was tense, her hand poised over the telephone. 蒂娜心情紧张,手悬在电话机上。
115 harangue BeyxH     
n.慷慨冗长的训话,言辞激烈的讲话
参考例句:
  • We had to listen to a long harangue about our own shortcomings.我们必须去听一有关我们缺点的长篇大论。
  • The minister of propaganda delivered his usual harangue.宣传部长一如既往发表了他的长篇大论。
116 rosebud xjZzfD     
n.蔷薇花蕾,妙龄少女
参考例句:
  • At West Ham he was thought of as the rosebud that never properly flowered.在西汉姆他被认为是一个尚未开放的花蕾。
  • Unlike the Rosebud salve,this stuff is actually worth the money.跟玫瑰花蕾膏不一样,这个更值的买。
117 illustrated 2a891807ad5907f0499171bb879a36aa     
adj. 有插图的,列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • His lecture was illustrated with slides taken during the expedition. 他在讲演中使用了探险时拍摄到的幻灯片。
  • The manufacturing Methods: Will be illustrated in the next chapter. 制作方法将在下一章说明。
118 irresistible n4CxX     
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的
参考例句:
  • The wheel of history rolls forward with an irresistible force.历史车轮滚滚向前,势不可挡。
  • She saw an irresistible skirt in the store window.她看见商店的橱窗里有一条叫人着迷的裙子。
119 detriment zlHzx     
n.损害;损害物,造成损害的根源
参考例句:
  • Smoking is a detriment to one's health.吸烟危害健康。
  • His lack of education is a serious detriment to his career.他的未受教育对他的事业是一种严重的妨碍。
120 shamefully 34df188eeac9326cbc46e003cb9726b1     
可耻地; 丢脸地; 不体面地; 羞耻地
参考例句:
  • He misused his dog shamefully. 他可耻地虐待自己的狗。
  • They have served me shamefully for a long time. 长期以来,他们待我很坏。
121 inmates 9f4380ba14152f3e12fbdf1595415606     
n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • One of the inmates has escaped. 被收容的人中有一个逃跑了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The inmates were moved to an undisclosed location. 监狱里的囚犯被转移到一个秘密处所。 来自《简明英汉词典》
122 wholesome Uowyz     
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的
参考例句:
  • In actual fact the things I like doing are mostly wholesome.实际上我喜欢做的事大都是有助于增进身体健康的。
  • It is not wholesome to eat without washing your hands.不洗手吃饭是不卫生的。
123 confidential MOKzA     
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的
参考例句:
  • He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
  • We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
124 riotous ChGyr     
adj.骚乱的;狂欢的
参考例句:
  • Summer is in riotous profusion.盛夏的大地热闹纷繁。
  • We spent a riotous night at Christmas.我们度过了一个狂欢之夜。
125 treasuries 506f29b3521f9522ba67d6c04ba661f5     
n.(政府的)财政部( treasury的名词复数 );国库,金库
参考例句:
  • Yields on Treasuries, Bunds and gilts can remain at historically low levels. 美国国债、德国国债和英国国债的收益率仍然可以维持在历史低位。 来自互联网
  • Treasuries and gold rose in response but the dollar fell sharply. 接着,国债和黄金的价格上涨,而美元价格则猛跌。 来自互联网
126 mutual eFOxC     
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的
参考例句:
  • We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
  • Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。
127 fret wftzl     
v.(使)烦恼;(使)焦急;(使)腐蚀,(使)磨损
参考例句:
  • Don't fret.We'll get there on time.别着急,我们能准时到那里。
  • She'll fret herself to death one of these days.她总有一天会愁死的.


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