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Chapter 7
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OLIVER CONTINUES REFRACTORY1

Noah Claypole ran along the streets at his swiftest pace, and paused not once for breath, until he reached the workhouse-gate. Having rested here, for a minute or so, to collect a good burst of sobs2 and an imposing3 show of tears and terror, he knocked loudly at the wicket; and presented such a rueful face to the aged4 pauper5 who opened it, that even he, who saw nothing but rueful faces about him at the best of times, started back in astonishment6.

'Why, what's the matter with the boy!' said the old pauper.

'Mr. Bumble! Mr. Bumble!' cried Noah, with well-affected dismay: and in tones so loud and agitated7, that they not only caught the ear of Mr. Bumble himself, who happened to be hard by, but alarmed him so much that he rushed into the yard without his cocked hat,--which is a very curious and remarkable8 circumstance: as showing that even a beadle, acted upon a sudden and powerful impulse, may be afflicted9 with a momentary10 visitation of loss of self-possession, and forgetfulness of personal dignity.

'Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir!' said Noah: 'Oliver, sir,--Oliver has--'

'What? What?' interposed Mr. Bumble: with a gleam of pleasure in his metallic11 eyes. 'Not run away; he hasn't run away, has he, Noah?'

'No, sir, no. Not run away, sir, but he's turned wicious,' replied Noah. 'He tried to murder me, sir; and then he tried to murder Charlotte; and then missis. Oh! what dreadful pain it is!

Such agony, please, sir!' And here, Noah writhed12 and twisted his body into an extensive variety of eel-like positions; thereby13 giving Mr. Bumble to understand that, from the violent and sanguinary onset14 of Oliver Twist, he had sustained severe internal injury and damage, from which he was at that moment suffering the acutest torture.

When Noah saw that the intelligence he communicated perfectly15 paralysed Mr. Bumble, he imparted additional effect thereunto, by bewailing his dreadful wounds ten times louder than before; and when he observed a gentleman in a white waistcoat crossing the yard, he was more tragic16 in his lamentations than ever: rightly conceiving it highly expedient17 to attract the notice, and rouse the indignation, of the gentleman aforesaid.

The gentleman's notice was very soon attracted; for he had not walked three paces, when he turned angrily round, and inquired what that young cur was howling for, and why Mr. Bumble did not favour him with something which would render the series of vocular exclamations18 so designated, an involuntary process?

'It's a poor boy from the free-school, sir,' replied Mr. Bumble, 'who has been nearly murdered--all but murdered, sir,--by young Twist.'

'By Jove!' exclaimed the gentleman in the white waistcoat, stopping short. 'I knew it! I felt a strange presentiment19 from the very first, that that audacious young savage20 would come to be hung!'

'He has likewise attempted, sir, to murder the female servant,' said Mr. Bumble, with a face of ashy paleness.

'And his missis,' interposed Mr. Claypole.

'And his master, too, I think you said, Noah?' added Mr. Bumble.

'No! he's out, or he would have murdered him,' replied Noah. 'He said he wanted to.'

'Ah! Said he wanted to, did he, my boy?' inquired the gentleman in the white waistcoat.

'Yes, sir,' replied Noah. 'And please, sir, missis wants to know whether Mr. Bumble can spare time to step up there, directly, and flog him--'cause master's out.'

'Certainly, my boy; certainly,' said the gentleman in the white waistcoat: smiling benignly21, and patting Noah's head, which was about three inches higher than his own. 'You're a good boy--a very good boy. Here's a penny for you. Bumble, just step up to Sowerberry's with your cane22, and see what's best to be done. Don't spare him, Bumble.'

'No, I will not, sir,' replied the beadle. And the cocked hat and cane having been, by this time, adjusted to their owner's satisfaction, Mr. Bumble and Noah Claypole betook themselves with all speed to the undertaker's shop.

Here the position of affairs had not at all improved. Sowerberry had not yet returned, and Oliver continued to kick, with undiminished vigour23, at the cellar-door. The accounts of his ferocity as related by Mrs. Sowerberry and Charlotte, were of so startling a nature, that Mr. Bumble judged it prudent24 to parley25, before opening the door. With this view he gave a kick at the outside, by way of prelude26; and, then, applying his mouth to the keyhole, said, in a deep and impressive tone:

'Oliver!'

'Come; you let me out!' replied Oliver, from the inside.

'Do you know this here voice, Oliver?' said Mr. Bumble.

'Yes,' replied Oliver.

'Ain't you afraid of it, sir? Ain't you a-trembling while I speak, sir?' said Mr. Bumble.

'No!' replied Oliver, boldly.

An answer so different from the one he had expected to elicit27, and was in the habit of receiving, staggered Mr. Bumble not a little. He stepped back from the keyhole; drew himself up to his full height; and looked from one to another of the three bystanders, in mute astonishment.

'Oh, you know, Mr. Bumble, he must be mad,' said Mrs. Sowerberry.

'No boy in half his senses could venture to speak so to you.'

'It's not Madness, ma'am,' replied Mr. Bumble, after a few moments of deep meditation28. 'It's Meat.'

'What?' exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry.

'Meat, ma'am, meat,' replied Bumble, with stern emphasis. 'You've over-fed him, ma'am. You've raised a artificial soul and spirit in him, ma'am unbecoming a person of his condition: as the board, Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical philosophers, will tell you. What have paupers29 to do with soul or spirit? It's quite enough that we let 'em have live bodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel30, ma'am, this would never have happened.'

'Dear, dear!' ejaculated Mrs. Sowerberry, piously31 raising her eyes to the kitchen ceiling: 'this comes of being liberal!'

The liberality of Mrs. Sowerberry to Oliver, had consisted of a profuse32 bestowal33 upon him of all the dirty odds34 and ends which nobody else would eat; so there was a great deal of meekness35 and self-devotion in her voluntarily remaining under Mr. Bumble's heavy accusation36. Of which, to do her justice, she was wholly innocent, in thought, word, or deed.

'Ah!' said Mr. Bumble, when the lady brought her eyes down to earth again; 'the only thing that can be done now, that I know of, is to leave him in the cellar for a day or so, till he's a little starved down; and then to take him out, and keep him on gruel all through the apprenticeship37. He comes of a bad family. Excitable natures, Mrs. Sowerberry! Both the nurse and doctor said, that that mother of his made her way here, against difficulties and pain that would have killed any well-disposed woman, weeks before.'

At this point of Mr. Bumble's discourse39, Oliver, just hearing enough to know that some allusion40 was being made to his mother, recommenced kicking, with a violence that rendered every other sound inaudible. Sowerberry returned at this juncture41. Oliver's offence having been explained to him, with such exaggerations as the ladies thought best calculated to rouse his ire, he unlocked the cellar-door in a twinkling, and dragged his rebellious42 apprentice38 out, by the collar.

Oliver's clothes had been torn in the beating he had received; his face was bruised43 and scratched; and his hair scattered44 over his forehead. The angry flush had not disappeared, however; and when he was pulled out of his prison, he scowled45 boldly on Noah, and looked quite undismayed.

'Now, you are a nice young fellow, ain't you?' said Sowerberry; giving Oliver a shake, and a box on the ear.

'He called my mother names,' replied Oliver.

'Well, and what if he did, you little ungrateful wretch46?' said Mrs. Sowerberry. 'She deserved what he said, and worse.'

'She didn't' said Oliver.

'She did,' said Mrs. Sowerberry.

'It's a lie!' said Oliver.

Mrs. Sowerberry burst into a flood of tears.

This flood of tears left Mr. Sowerberry no alternative. If he had hesitated for one instant to punish Oliver most severely47, it must be quite clear to every experienced reader that he would have been, according to all precedents48 in disputes of matrimony established, a brute49, an unnatural50 husband, an insulting creature, a base imitation of a man, and various other agreeable characters too numerous for recital51 within the limits of this chapter. To do him justice, he was, as far as his power went--it was not very extensive--kindly disposed towards the boy; perhaps, because it was his interest to be so; perhaps, because his wife disliked him. The flood of tears, however, left him no resource; so he at once gave him a drubbing, which satisfied even Mrs. Sowerberry herself, and rendered Mr. Bumble's subsequent application of the parochial cane, rather unnecessary. For the rest of the day, he was shut up in the back kitchen, in company with a pump and a slice of bread; and at night, Mrs. Sowerberry, after making various remarks outside the door, by no means complimentary52 to the memory of his mother, looked into the room, and, amidst the jeers53 and pointings of Noah and Charlotte, ordered him upstairs to his dismal54 bed.

It was not until he was left alone in the silence and stillness of the gloomy workshop of the undertaker, that Oliver gave way to the feelings which the day's treatment may be supposed likely to have awakened55 in a mere56 child. He had listened to their taunts57 with a look of contempt; he had borne the lash58 without a cry: for he felt that pride swelling59 in his heart which would have kept down a shriek60 to the last, though they had roasted him alive. But now, when there were none to see or hear him, he fell upon his knees on the floor; and, hiding his face in his hands, wept such tears as, God send for the credit of our nature, few so young may ever have cause to pour out before him!

For a long time, Oliver remained motionless in this attitude. The candle was burning low in the socket61 when he rose to his feet. Having gazed cautiously round him, and listened intently, he gently undid62 the fastenings of the door, and looked abroad.

It was a cold, dark night. The stars seemed, to the boy's eyes, farther from the earth than he had ever seen them before; there was no wind; and the sombre shadows thrown by the trees upon the ground, looked sepulchral63 and death-like, from being so still. He softly reclosed the door. Having availed himself of the expiring light of the candle to tie up in a handkerchief the few articles of wearing apparel he had, sat himself down upon a bench, to wait for morning.

With the first ray of light that struggled through the crevices64 in the shutters65, Oliver arose, and again unbarred the door. One timid look around--one moment's pause of hesitation--he had closed it behind him, and was in the open street.

He looked to the right and to the left, uncertain whither to fly.

He remembered to have seen the waggons66, as they went out, toiling67 up the hill. He took the same route; and arriving at a footpath68 across the fields: which he knew, after some distance, led out again into the road; struck into it, and walked quickly on.

Along this same footpath, Oliver well-remembered he had trotted69 beside Mr. Bumble, when he first carried him to the workhouse from the farm. His way lay directly in front of the cottage. His heart beat quickly when he bethought himself of this; and he half resolved to turn back. He had come a long way though, and should lose a great deal of time by doing so. Besides, it was so early that there was very little fear of his being seen; so he walked on.

He reached the house. There was no appearance of its inmates70 stirring at that early hour. Oliver stopped, and peeped into the garden. A child was weeding one of the little beds; as he stopped, he raised his pale face and disclosed the features of one of his former companions. Oliver felt glad to see him, before he went; for, though younger than himself, he had been his little friend and playmate. They had been beaten, and starved, and shut up together, many and many a time.

'Hush71, Dick!' said Oliver, as the boy ran to the gate, and thrust his thin arm between the rails to greet him. 'Is any one up?'

'Nobody but me,' replied the child.

'You musn't say you saw me, Dick,' said Oliver. 'I am running away. They beat and ill-use me, Dick; and I am going to seek my fortune, some long way off. I don't know where. How pale you are!'

'I heard the doctor tell them I was dying,' replied the child with a faint smile. 'I am very glad to see you, dear; but don't stop, don't stop!'

'Yes, yes, I will, to say good-b'ye to you,' replied Oliver. 'I shall see you again, Dick. I know I shall! You will be well and happy!'

'I hope so,' replied the child. 'After I am dead, but not before. I know the doctor must be right, Oliver, because I dream so much of Heaven, and Angels, and kind faces that I never see when I am awake. Kiss me,' said the child, climbing up the low gate, and flinging his little arms round Oliver's neck. 'Good-b'ye, dear! God bless you!'

The blessing72 was from a young child's lips, but it was the first that Oliver had ever heard invoked73 upon his head; and through the struggles and sufferings, and troubles and changes, of his after life, he never once forgot it.


    诺亚以最快速度在大街上狂奔,一口气跑到济贫院门口。他在那儿歇了一两分钟,以便酝酿精彩的抽噎,堆上一脸令人难忘的眼泪与恐惧,然后砰砰砰地冲着小门敲起来。开门的是一个上了年纪的贫民,即便是在他自己的黄金时代里,看到的也只是一张张惆怅哀怨的面孔,可骤然见到这么一副苦脸,也惊得连连后退。

    “唉,这孩子准出了什么事。”老人说道。

    “邦布尔先生!邦布尔先生!”诺亚喊了起来,一副失魂落魄的样子,声音又响亮又激动,不光是一下就钻进了邦布尔本人的耳朵里――真巧,他就在附近――还吓得他连三角帽也没顾得上戴劝学《荀子》篇名。认为人的知识、才能是“善假于,便冲进了院子――这可是一种稀罕而又值得注意的情形,证明哪怕是一名教区干事,在某种突如其来的强力刺激下,也会有一时半会显得张皇失措,并且忘记个人的尊严。

    “喔,先生,邦布尔先生。”诺亚说道,“奥立弗,先生――奥立弗他――”

    “什么?什么?”邦布尔先生迫不及待地插了进来,他那金属一般的的眼睛里闪过一道欢乐的光彩。“他该没有逃走吧?诺亚,他没溜掉吧,是不是?”

    “不,先生,不,溜是没溜,但他发疯了。”诺亚答道问题与主义五四时期中国思想史上的一场论争。李大钊,“先生,他想杀死我,接着又想杀夏洛蒂,再往下,就是老板娘了。喔!痛死我啦!这有多痛,您瞧瞧。”说到这里,诺亚把身子扭来绞去,做出各种各样的姿势,跟鳗鱼似的,好让部布尔先生明白,奥立弗退斯特的血腥暴行造成他严重的内伤,此刻正忍受着最最剧烈的疼痛。

    诺亚眼看邦布尔先生完全被自己报导的消息吓呆了,便大叫他被打得遍体鳞伤,声音比刚才大了十倍,更增强了原有的效果。他又看见一位身穿白背心的绅士正从院子里走过,料定自己轻而易举就可以把这位绅士吸引过来,并激起他的义愤。他的哀歌唱得越发凄惨了。

    这位绅士的注意力果真很快就被吸引住了,他刚走了三步,便怒气冲冲地转过身,问那个小杂种在嚎什么,邦布尔先生干吗不给他点颜色瞧瞧,那样一来倒是很可能使这一连串嚎哭弄假成真。

    “先生,这是一个可怜巴巴的免费学校的学生,”邦布尔先生回答,“他差一点惨遭杀害――先生,只差一点点――就被小退斯特杀死了。”

    “真有这事?”白背心绅士骤然停住脚步,大声说道,“我早就知道了。从一开始我就觉察到一种奇怪的预兆,那个厚颜无耻的小野人迟早会被绞死。”

    “先生,他还想杀掉家里的女佣呢。”邦布尔先生面如死灰地说。

    “再加上老板娘。”克雷波尔先生插了一句嘴。

    “诺亚,你好像说还有老板,是吗?”邦布尔先生添上了一句。

    “不,老板出门去了,要不然他没准已经把他给杀了,”诺亚回答,“他说过想这么干。”

    “啊?竟然说他想这么干,是不是,我的孩子?”白背心绅士问。

    “是的,先生。”诺亚答道,“先生,老板娘想问一声,邦布尔先生能不能匀出时间马上去一趟,抽他一顿――因为老板不在家。”

    “当然可以,我的孩子,当然可以,”白背心绅士亲切地微笑起来,在个子比自己还高出三英寸左右的诺亚头上拍了拍,“你是一个乖孩子――一个非常乖的孩子。这个便士是给你的。邦布尔,你这就带上你的藤杖到苏尔伯雷家去,你就看着办好了,邦布尔,别轻饶了他。”

    “哦,我不会轻饶了他,您放心。”干事一边回答,一边整理着缠在藤杖末梢上的蜡带,这根藤杖是教区专门用来执行鞭刑的。

    “也叫苏尔伯雷别放过他。不给他弄上点伤瘢和鞭痕制服不了他。”白背心绅士说。

    “我记住了,先生。”干事答道。这功夫,邦布尔先生已经戴上了三角帽,藤杖也整理好了,这两样东西的主人感到很满意,这才与诺亚克雷波尔一起,直奔苏尔伯雷的棺材铺而来。

    在这一边,局势仍不见好转。苏尔伯雷现在还没回来,奥立弗一个劲地踢着地窖的门,锐气丝毫未减。既然苏尔伯雷太太和夏洛蒂把凶残的奥立弗说得那么可怕,邦布尔先生认为还是先谈判一番,再开门进去为妙。他在外边照着门踢了一脚,以此作为开场白,然后把嘴凑到锁眼上,用深沉而又颇有分量的声音叫了一声:

    “奥立弗!”

    “开门,让我出去!”奥立弗在里边回答。

    “奥立弗,你听出声音来没有?”邦布尔先生说。

    “听出来了。”

    “先生,你就不怕吗?我讲话的时候,难道你连哆嗦都没打一个,先生?”邦布尔先生问。

    “不怕!”奥立弗毅然答道。

    答话与邦布尔先生所预期的以及他素来得到的相差太大了,他吓了一大跳。他从锁眼跟前退回去,挺了挺身子,惊愕地依次看了看站在旁边的三个人,没有吱声。

    “噢,邦布尔先生,您知道,他准是发疯了,”苏尔伯雷太太说道,“没有哪个孩子敢这样跟您说话,连一半也不敢。”

    “夫人,这不是发疯,”邦布尔沉思了半晌,答道,“是肉。”

    “什么?”苏尔伯雷太太大叫一声。

    “是肉,夫人,是肉的问题,”邦布尔一本正经地回答,“夫人,你们把他喂得太饱啦,在他身上培养了一种虚假的血气和灵魂,夫人,这和他的身份极不相称。理事们,苏尔伯雷太太,都是些注重实际的哲学家,他们会告诉你的。贫民们要血气或者是灵魂来干什么?让他们的肉体活着已经绰绰有余了。要是你们让他尽吃麦片粥的话,这种事情绝不会发生。”

    “天啦,天啦!”苏尔伯雷太太失声叫了起来,一双眼睛虔诚地仰望着厨房的天花板。“好心好意反得了这么个结果。”

    苏尔伯雷太太对奥立弗的好心就是把各种龌龊不堪的、别人都不吃的残羹剩饭慷慨地施舍给他。面对邦布尔先生的严词责难,她都抱着温柔敦厚、自我奉献的态度。其实平心而论,苏尔伯雷太太无论在想法上,说法上,还是在做法上都是无可非议的。

    “啊!”邦布尔先生待那位女士的目光重又落到地面上才说道,“依我所见,目前唯一办得到的事就是让他在地窖里关一两天,等他饿得有几分支不住了再放他出来,从今儿个起,直到他满师都只给他吃麦片粥。这孩子出身下贱,天生一副猴急相,苏尔伯雷太太。照看过他的护土、大夫告诉我,他母亲吃尽了苦头,费了好大力气,才跑到这儿来,换上随便哪一个正派女人,早就没命了。”

    邦布尔的议论进行到这儿,奥立弗听出,接下来的嘲讽又会冲着他母亲去了,便又开始狠命地踢门,把别的声音全压住了。就在这个节骨眼上,苏尔伯雷回来了。两位女士将奥立弗的罪行逐一道来,她俩专挑最能激起他上火的言词,大肆添油加醋。老板听罢立刻打开地窖,拎住奥立弗的衣领,一眨眼就把造反的学徒拖了出来。

    奥立弗的衣衫在先前挨打的时候就被撕破了,脸上青一块,紫一块,抓伤了好些地方,头发乱蓬蓬地搭在前额上。然而,满面通红的怒容仍没有消失,他一被拉出关押的地方便瞪大眼睛,无所畏惧地盯着诺亚,看上去丝毫没有泄气。

    “瞧你个兔崽子,你干的好事,是不是?”苏尔伯雷搡了他一下,劈头就是一记耳光。

    “他骂我妈妈。”奥立弗回答。

    “好啊,骂了又怎么样,你这个忘恩负义的小混蛋?”苏尔伯雷太太说道,“那是你妈活该,我还嫌没骂够哩。”

    “她不是那样的。”奥立弗说道。

    “她是。”苏尔伯雷太太宣称。

    “你撒谎!”奥立弗说。

    苏尔伯雷太太放声大哭,眼泪滂沱而下。

    面对太太洪流一般的泪水,苏尔伯雷先生不得不摊牌了。每一位有经验的读者保准都会认定,倘若他在从严惩罚奥立弗方面稍有迟疑,按照夫妻争端的先例,他就只能算是一头畜生,一个不通人情的丈夫,一个粗人;就男子汉的标准而言,只能算一件拙劣的赝品。各色各样合适的名目太多了,本章篇幅有限,无法―一细说。讲句公道话,他在自己的权力范围内――这个范围并不太大――对这孩子还算厚道,这也是由于利益所在,也可能是由于老婆不喜欢奥立弗。不管怎么说吧,这洪水般的眼泪使他无计可施,他当即拳脚齐下,把奥立弗痛打了一顿,连苏尔伯雷太太本人都觉得心满意足,邦布尔先生也完全用不着动用教区的藤杖了。当天余下的时间里,奥立弗被关进了厨房里间,只有一只卿筒和一片面包与他作伴。夜里,苏尔伯雷太太先在门外东拉西扯地说了半天,那番恭维话决不是为了纪念奥立弗的母亲,诺亚和夏洛蒂一左一右,在一旁冷言冷语,指指点点,接着苏尔伯雷太太往屋子里探头看了一眼,命令奥立弗回到楼上那张阴惨可怕的床铺里去。

    黑洞洞的棺材店堂一片凄凉死寂,奥立弗独自呆在这里,直到此刻,他才将这一天的遭遇在一个孩子心中可能激起的感情宣泻出来。他曾面带蔑视的表情听凭人们嘲弄,一声不吭地忍受鞭答毒打,因为他感觉得到,自己内心有一种正在增长的尊严,有了这种尊严,他才坚持到了最后,哪怕被他们活活架在火上烤,也不会叫一声。然而此时,四下里没有一个人看到或者听到,奥立弗跪倒在地,双手捂着脸,哭了起来――哭是上帝赋予我们的天性――但又有多少人会这般小小年纪就在上帝面前倾洒泪水!

    奥立弗纹丝不动,跪了很久很久。当他站起来的时候,蜡烛已经快要燃到下边的灯台了。他小心翼翼地看了看四周,又凝神听了一下,然后轻手轻脚地把门锁、门闩打开,向外边望去。

    这是一个寒冷阴沉的夜晚。在孩子眼里,连星星也似乎比过去看到的还要遥远。没有一丝儿风,昏暗的树影无声地投射在地面上,显得那样阴森死寂。他轻轻地又把门关上,借着即将熄灭的烛光,用一张手帕将自己仅有的几件衣裳捆好,随后就在一条板凳上坐下来,等着天亮。

    第一束曙光顽强地穿过窗板缝隙射了进来,奥立弗站起来,打开门,胆怯地回头看了一眼――迟疑了一下――他已经将身后的铺门关上了,走到大街上。

    他向左右看了看,拿不准该往哪儿逃。他想起往常出门曾看到运货的马车吃力地往那边小山开去,就选了这一条路。他踏上一条横穿原野的小路,知道再往前走就是公路了,便顺着小路快步走去。

    奥立弗走在这条小路上,脑海里清清楚楚地浮现出邦布尔先生头一次把他从寄养所领出来的情景,那时自己贴在邦布尔的身边,连走带跑地往济贫院赶。这条路一直通向寄养所那幢房子。想到这一层,他的心剧烈地跳起来,差一点想折回去。然而他已经走了很长一段路,这样做会耽误不少时间。再说,天又那样早,不用担心被人看见,因此他继续朝前走去。

    奥立弗到了寄养所。大清早的,看不出里边有人走动的迹象。奥立弗停下来,偷偷地往院子里望去,只见一个孩子正在给一处小苗圃拔草。奥立弗停下来的时候,那孩子抬起了苍白的面孔,奥立弗一眼就把自己先前的伙伴认出来了。能在走以前看到他,奥立弗感到很高兴,那孩子虽说比自己小一些,却是他的小朋友,常在一块儿玩。他们曾无数次一起挨打,一起受饿,一起被关禁闭。

    “嘘,狄克。”奥立弗说道。狄克跑到门边,从栏杆里伸出一只纤细的胳膊,跟奥立弗打了个招呼。“有人起来了吗?”

    “就我一个。”狄克答道。

    “狄克,你可不能说你见过我,”奥立弗说,“我是跑出来的。狄克,他们打我,欺负我。我要到很远很远的地方去碰碰运气,还不知道是哪儿呢。你脸色太苍白了。”

    “我听医生对他们说,我快死了,”狄克带着一丝淡淡的笑容回答,“真高兴能看到你,亲爱的,可是别停下来,别停下来。”

    “是的,是的,我这就和你说再会。狄克,我还要来看你,一定会的。你会变得非常快乐的。”

    “我也这么盼着呢,”那孩子答道,“是在我死了以后,不是在那以前。我知道大夫是对的,奥立弗,因为我梦见过好多回天堂和天使了,还梦见一些和气的面孔,都是我醒着的时候从来没有看见过的。亲我一下吧,”他爬上矮门,伸出小胳膊搂住奥立弗的脖子,“再见了,亲爱的。上帝保佑你。”

    这番祝福发自一个稚气未尽的孩子之口,但这是奥立弗生平第一次听到别人为他祈祷,他往后还将历尽磨劫熬煎,饱尝酸甜苦辣,但他没有一时一刻遗忘过这些话语。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 sobs d4349f86cad43cb1a5579b1ef269d0cb     
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • She was struggling to suppress her sobs. 她拼命不让自己哭出来。
  • She burst into a convulsive sobs. 她突然抽泣起来。
3 imposing 8q9zcB     
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的
参考例句:
  • The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
  • He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
4 aged 6zWzdI     
adj.年老的,陈年的
参考例句:
  • He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了,也老点了。
  • He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老,然而记忆力还好。
5 pauper iLwxF     
n.贫民,被救济者,穷人
参考例句:
  • You lived like a pauper when you had plenty of money.你有大把钱的时候,也活得像个乞丐。
  • If you work conscientiously you'll only die a pauper.你按部就班地干,做到老也是穷死。
6 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
7 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
8 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。
9 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。
10 momentary hj3ya     
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
参考例句:
  • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
  • I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。
11 metallic LCuxO     
adj.金属的;金属制的;含金属的;产金属的;像金属的
参考例句:
  • A sharp metallic note coming from the outside frightened me.外面传来尖锐铿锵的声音吓了我一跳。
  • He picked up a metallic ring last night.昨夜他捡了一个金属戒指。
12 writhed 7985cffe92f87216940f2d01877abcf6     
(因极度痛苦而)扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He writhed at the memory, revolted with himself for that temporary weakness. 他一想起来就痛悔不已,只恨自己当一时糊涂。
  • The insect, writhed, and lay prostrate again. 昆虫折腾了几下,重又直挺挺地倒了下去。
13 thereby Sokwv     
adv.因此,从而
参考例句:
  • I have never been to that city,,ereby I don't know much about it.我从未去过那座城市,因此对它不怎么熟悉。
  • He became a British citizen,thereby gaining the right to vote.他成了英国公民,因而得到了投票权。
14 onset bICxF     
n.进攻,袭击,开始,突然开始
参考例句:
  • The drug must be taken from the onset of the infection.这种药必须在感染的最初期就开始服用。
  • Our troops withstood the onset of the enemy.我们的部队抵挡住了敌人的进攻。
15 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
16 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。
17 expedient 1hYzh     
adj.有用的,有利的;n.紧急的办法,权宜之计
参考例句:
  • The government found it expedient to relax censorship a little.政府发现略微放宽审查是可取的。
  • Every kind of expedient was devised by our friends.我们的朋友想出了各种各样的应急办法。
18 exclamations aea591b1607dd0b11f1dd659bad7d827     
n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 );感叹;感叹语;感叹词
参考例句:
  • The visitors broke into exclamations of wonder when they saw the magnificent Great Wall. 看到雄伟的长城,游客们惊叹不已。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • After the will has been read out, angry exclamations aroused. 遗嘱宣读完之后,激起一片愤怒的喊声。 来自辞典例句
19 presentiment Z18zB     
n.预感,预觉
参考例句:
  • He had a presentiment of disaster.他预感会有灾难降临。
  • I have a presentiment that something bad will happen.我有某种不祥事要发生的预感。
20 savage ECxzR     
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人
参考例句:
  • The poor man received a savage beating from the thugs.那可怜的人遭到暴徒的痛打。
  • He has a savage temper.他脾气粗暴。
21 benignly a1839cef72990a695d769f9b3d61ae60     
adv.仁慈地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Everyone has to benignly help people in distress. 每一个人应让该亲切地帮助有困难的人。 来自互联网
  • This drug is benignly soporific. 这种药物具有良好的催眠效果。 来自互联网
22 cane RsNzT     
n.手杖,细长的茎,藤条;v.以杖击,以藤编制的
参考例句:
  • This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
  • English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。
23 vigour lhtwr     
(=vigor)n.智力,体力,精力
参考例句:
  • She is full of vigour and enthusiasm.她有热情,有朝气。
  • At 40,he was in his prime and full of vigour.他40岁时正年富力强。
24 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。
25 parley H4wzT     
n.谈判
参考例句:
  • The governor was forced to parley with the rebels.州长被迫与反叛者谈判。
  • The general held a parley with the enemy about exchanging prisoners.将军与敌人谈判交换战俘事宜。
26 prelude 61Fz6     
n.序言,前兆,序曲
参考例句:
  • The prelude to the musical composition is very long.这首乐曲的序曲很长。
  • The German invasion of Poland was a prelude to World War II.德国入侵波兰是第二次世界大战的序幕。
27 elicit R8ByG     
v.引出,抽出,引起
参考例句:
  • It was designed to elicit the best thinking within the government. 机构的设置是为了在政府内部集思广益。
  • Don't try to elicit business secrets from me. I won't tell you anything. 你休想从我这里套问出我们的商业机密, 我什么都不会告诉你的。
28 meditation yjXyr     
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录
参考例句:
  • This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
  • I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉,我打断了你的沉思。
29 paupers 4c4c583df03d9b7a0e9ba5a2f5e9864f     
n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 );贫民;贫穷
参考例句:
  • The garment is expensive, paupers like you could never afford it! 这件衣服很贵,你这穷鬼根本买不起! 来自互联网
  • Child-friendliest among the paupers were Burkina Faso and Malawi. 布基纳法索,马拉维,这俩贫穷国家儿童友善工作做得不错。 来自互联网
30 gruel GeuzG     
n.稀饭,粥
参考例句:
  • We had gruel for the breakfast.我们早餐吃的是粥。
  • He sat down before the fireplace to eat his gruel.他坐到壁炉前吃稀饭。
31 piously RlYzat     
adv.虔诚地
参考例句:
  • Many pilgrims knelt piously at the shrine.许多朝圣者心虔意诚地在神殿跪拜。
  • The priests piously consecrated the robbery with a hymn.教士们虔诚地唱了一首赞美诗,把这劫夺行为神圣化了。
32 profuse R1jzV     
adj.很多的,大量的,极其丰富的
参考例句:
  • The hostess is profuse in her hospitality.女主人招待得十分周到。
  • There was a profuse crop of hair impending over the top of his face.一大绺头发垂在他额头上。
33 bestowal d13b3aaf8ac8c34dbc98a4ec0ced9d05     
赠与,给与; 贮存
参考例句:
  • The years of ineffectual service count big in the bestowal of rewards. 几年徒劳无益的服务,在论功行赏时就大有关系。
  • Just because of the bestowal and self-confidence, we become stronger and more courageous. 只因感恩与自信,让我们变得更加果敢与坚强。
34 odds n5czT     
n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别
参考例句:
  • The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
  • Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗?
35 meekness 90085f0fe4f98e6ba344e6fe6b2f4e0f     
n.温顺,柔和
参考例句:
  • Amy sewed with outward meekness and inward rebellion till dusk. 阿密阳奉阴违地一直缝到黄昏。 来自辞典例句
  • 'I am pretty well, I thank you,' answered Mr. Lorry, with meekness; 'how are you?' “很好,谢谢,”罗瑞先生回答,态度温驯,“你好么?” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
36 accusation GJpyf     
n.控告,指责,谴责
参考例句:
  • I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
  • She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。
37 apprenticeship 4NLyv     
n.学徒身份;学徒期
参考例句:
  • She was in the second year of her apprenticeship as a carpenter. 她当木工学徒已是第二年了。
  • He served his apprenticeship with Bob. 他跟鲍勃当学徒。
38 apprentice 0vFzq     
n.学徒,徒弟
参考例句:
  • My son is an apprentice in a furniture maker's workshop.我的儿子在一家家具厂做学徒。
  • The apprentice is not yet out of his time.这徒工还没有出徒。
39 discourse 2lGz0     
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述
参考例句:
  • We'll discourse on the subject tonight.我们今晚要谈论这个问题。
  • He fell into discourse with the customers who were drinking at the counter.他和站在柜台旁的酒客谈了起来。
40 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
41 juncture e3exI     
n.时刻,关键时刻,紧要关头
参考例句:
  • The project is situated at the juncture of the new and old urban districts.该项目位于新老城区交界处。
  • It is very difficult at this juncture to predict the company's future.此时很难预料公司的前景。
42 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。
43 bruised 5xKz2P     
[医]青肿的,瘀紫的
参考例句:
  • his bruised and bloodied nose 他沾满血的青肿的鼻子
  • She had slipped and badly bruised her face. 她滑了一跤,摔得鼻青脸肿。
44 scattered 7jgzKF     
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的
参考例句:
  • Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来,塞进文件夹里。
45 scowled b83aa6db95e414d3ef876bc7fd16d80d     
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He scowled his displeasure. 他满脸嗔色。
  • The teacher scowled at his noisy class. 老师对他那喧闹的课堂板着脸。
46 wretch EIPyl     
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人
参考例句:
  • You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他,还埋怨他,真不知好歹。
  • The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。
47 severely SiCzmk     
adv.严格地;严厉地;非常恶劣地
参考例句:
  • He was severely criticized and removed from his post.他受到了严厉的批评并且被撤了职。
  • He is severely put down for his careless work.他因工作上的粗心大意而受到了严厉的批评。
48 precedents 822d1685d50ee9bc7c3ee15a208b4a7e     
引用单元; 范例( precedent的名词复数 ); 先前出现的事例; 前例; 先例
参考例句:
  • There is no lack of precedents in this connection. 不乏先例。
  • He copied after bad precedents. 他仿效恶例。
49 brute GSjya     
n.野兽,兽性
参考例句:
  • The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
  • That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲,它咬人。
50 unnatural 5f2zAc     
adj.不自然的;反常的
参考例句:
  • Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗?
  • She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。
51 recital kAjzI     
n.朗诵,独奏会,独唱会
参考例句:
  • She is going to give a piano recital.她即将举行钢琴独奏会。
  • I had their total attention during the thirty-five minutes that my recital took.在我叙述的35分钟内,他们完全被我吸引了。
52 complimentary opqzw     
adj.赠送的,免费的,赞美的,恭维的
参考例句:
  • She made some highly complimentary remarks about their school.她对他们的学校给予高度的评价。
  • The supermarket operates a complimentary shuttle service.这家超市提供免费购物班车。
53 jeers d9858f78aeeb4000621278b471b36cdc     
n.操纵帆桁下部(使其上下的)索具;嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • They shouted jeers at him. 他们大声地嘲讽他。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The jeers from the crowd caused the speaker to leave the platform. 群众的哄笑使讲演者离开讲台。 来自辞典例句
54 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。
55 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
56 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。
57 taunts 479d1f381c532d68e660e720738c03e2     
嘲弄的言语,嘲笑,奚落( taunt的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He had to endure the racist taunts of the crowd. 他不得不忍受那群人种族歧视的奚落。
  • He had to endure the taunts of his successful rival. 他不得不忍受成功了的对手的讥笑。
58 lash a2oxR     
v.系牢;鞭打;猛烈抨击;n.鞭打;眼睫毛
参考例句:
  • He received a lash of her hand on his cheek.他突然被她打了一记耳光。
  • With a lash of its tail the tiger leaped at her.老虎把尾巴一甩朝她扑过来。
59 swelling OUzzd     
n.肿胀
参考例句:
  • Use ice to reduce the swelling. 用冰敷消肿。
  • There is a marked swelling of the lymph nodes. 淋巴结处有明显的肿块。
60 shriek fEgya     
v./n.尖叫,叫喊
参考例句:
  • Suddenly he began to shriek loudly.突然他开始大声尖叫起来。
  • People sometimes shriek because of terror,anger,or pain.人们有时会因为恐惧,气愤或疼痛而尖叫。
61 socket jw9wm     
n.窝,穴,孔,插座,插口
参考例句:
  • He put the electric plug into the socket.他把电插头插入插座。
  • The battery charger plugs into any mains socket.这个电池充电器可以插入任何类型的电源插座。
62 Undid 596b2322b213e046510e91f0af6a64ad     
v. 解开, 复原
参考例句:
  • The officer undid the flap of his holster and drew his gun. 军官打开枪套盖拔出了手枪。
  • He did wrong, and in the end his wrongs undid him. 行恶者终以其恶毁其身。
63 sepulchral 9zWw7     
adj.坟墓的,阴深的
参考例句:
  • He made his way along the sepulchral corridors.他沿着阴森森的走廊走着。
  • There was a rather sepulchral atmosphere in the room.房间里有一种颇为阴沉的气氛。
64 crevices 268603b2b5d88d8a9cc5258e16a1c2f8     
n.(尤指岩石的)裂缝,缺口( crevice的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • It has bedded into the deepest crevices of the store. 它已钻进了店里最隐避的隙缝。 来自辞典例句
  • The wind whistled through the crevices in the rock. 风呼啸着吹过岩石的缝隙。 来自辞典例句
65 shutters 74d48a88b636ca064333022eb3458e1f     
百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 ); (照相机的)快门
参考例句:
  • The shop-front is fitted with rolling shutters. 那商店的店门装有卷门。
  • The shutters thumped the wall in the wind. 在风中百叶窗砰砰地碰在墙上。
66 waggons 7f311524bb40ea4850e619136422fbc0     
四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 ); 铁路货车; 小手推车
参考例句:
  • Most transport is done by electrified waggons. 大部分货物都用电瓶车运送。
67 toiling 9e6f5a89c05478ce0b1205d063d361e5     
长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 ); 艰难缓慢地移动,跋涉
参考例句:
  • The fiery orator contrasted the idle rich with the toiling working classes. 这位激昂的演说家把无所事事的富人同终日辛劳的工人阶级进行了对比。
  • She felt like a beetle toiling in the dust. She was filled with repulsion. 她觉得自己像只甲虫在地里挣扎,心中涌满愤恨。
68 footpath 9gzzO     
n.小路,人行道
参考例句:
  • Owners who allow their dogs to foul the footpath will be fined.主人若放任狗弄脏人行道将受处罚。
  • They rambled on the footpath in the woods.他俩漫步在林间蹊径上。
69 trotted 6df8e0ef20c10ef975433b4a0456e6e1     
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
参考例句:
  • She trotted her pony around the field. 她骑着小马绕场慢跑。
  • Anne trotted obediently beside her mother. 安妮听话地跟在妈妈身边走。
70 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》
71 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!
72 blessing UxDztJ     
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿
参考例句:
  • The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
  • A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。
73 invoked fabb19b279de1e206fa6d493923723ba     
v.援引( invoke的过去式和过去分词 );行使(权利等);祈求救助;恳求
参考例句:
  • It is unlikely that libel laws will be invoked. 不大可能诉诸诽谤法。
  • She had invoked the law in her own defence. 她援引法律为自己辩护。 来自《简明英汉词典》


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