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Chapter 19
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IN WHICH A NOTABLE PLAN IS DISCUSSED AND DETERMINED1 ON

It was a chill, damp, windy night, when the Jew: buttoning his great-coat tight round his shrivelled body, and pulling the collar up over his ears so as completely to obscure the lower part of his face: emerged from his den2. He paused on the step as the door was locked and chained behind him; and having listened while the boys made all secure, and until their retreating footsteps were no longer audible, slunk down the street as quickly as he could.

The house to which Oliver had been conveyed, was in the neighborhood of Whitechapel. The Jew stopped for an instant at the corner of the street; and, glancing suspiciously round, crossed the road, and struck off in the direction of the Spitalfields.

The mud lay thick upon the stones, and a black mist hung over the streets; the rain fell sluggishly3 down, and everything felt cold and clammy to the touch. It seemed just the night when it befitted such a being as the Jew to be abroad. As he glided4 stealthily along, creeping beneath the shelter of the walls and doorways5, the hideous6 old man seemed like some loathsome7 reptile8, engendered9 in the slime and darkness through which he moved: crawling forth10, by night, in search of some rich offal for a meal.

He kept on his course, through many winding11 and narrow ways, until he reached Bethnal Green; then, turning suddenly off to the left, he soon became involved in a maze12 of the mean and dirty streets which abound13 in that close and densely-populated quarter.

The Jew was evidently too familiar with the ground he traversed to be at all bewildered, either by the darkness of the night, or the intricacies of the way. He hurried through several alleys14 and streets, and at length turned into one, lighted only by a single lamp at the farther end. At the door of a house in this street, he knocked; having exchanged a few muttered words with the person who opened it, he walked upstairs.

A dog growled15 as he touched the handle of a room-door; and a man's voice demanded who was there.

'Only me, Bill; only me, my dear,' said the Jew looking in.

'Bring in your body then,' said Sikes. 'Lie down, you stupid brute16! Don't you know the devil when he's got a great-coat on?'

Apparently17, the dog had been somewhat deceived by Mr. Fagin's outer garment; for as the Jew unbuttoned it, and threw it over the back of a chair, he retired18 to the corner from which he had risen: wagging his tail as he went, to show that he was as well satisfied as it was in his nature to be.

'Well!' said Sikes.

'Well, my dear,' replied the Jew.--'Ah! Nancy.'

The latter recognition was uttered with just enough of embarrassment19 to imply a doubt of its reception; for Mr. Fagin and his young friend had not met, since she had interfered20 in behalf of Oliver. All doubts upon the subject, if he had any, were speedily removed by the young lady's behaviour. She took her feet off the fender, pushed back her chair, and bade Fagin draw up his, without saying more about it: for it was a cold night, and no mistake.

'It is cold, Nancy dear,' said the Jew, as he warmed his skinny hands over the fire. 'It seems to go right through one,' added the old man, touching21 his side.

'It must be a piercer, if it finds its way through your heart,' said Mr. Sikes. 'Give him something to drink, Nancy. Burn my body, make haste! It's enough to turn a man ill, to see his lean old carcase shivering in that way, like a ugly ghost just rose from the grave.'

Nancy quickly brought a bottle from a cupboard, in which there were many: which, to judge from the diversity of their appearance, were filled with several kinds of liquids. Sikes pouring out a glass of brandy, bade the Jew drink it off.

'Quite enough, quite, thankye, Bill,' replied the Jew, putting down the glass after just setting his lips to it.

'What! You're afraid of our getting the better of you, are you?' inquired Sikes, fixing his eyes on the Jew. 'Ugh!'

With a hoarse22 grunt23 of contempt, Mr. Sikes seized the glass, and threw the remainder of its contents into the ashes: as a preparatory ceremony to filling it again for himself: which he did at once.

The Jew glanced round the room, as his companion tossed down the second glassful; not in curiousity, for he had seen it often before; but in a restless and suspicious manner habitual24 to him. It was a meanly furnished apartment, with nothing but the contents of the closet to induce the belief that its occupier was anything but a working man; and with no more suspicious articles displayed to view than two or three heavy bludgeons which stood in a corner, and a 'life-preserver' that hung over the chimney-piece.

'There,' said Sikes, smacking25 his lips. 'Now I'm ready.'

'For business?' inquired the Jew.

'For business,' replied Sikes; 'so say what you've got to say.'

'About the crib at Chertsey, Bill?' said the Jew, drawing his chair forward, and speaking in a very low voice.

'Yes. Wot about it?' inquired Sikes.

'Ah! you know what I mean, my dear,' said the Jew. 'He knows what I mean, Nancy; don't he?'

'No, he don't,' sneered26 Mr. Sikes. 'Or he won't, and that's the same thing. Speak out, and call things by their right names; don't sit there, winking27 and blinking, and talking to me in hints, as if you warn't the very first that thought about the robbery. Wot d'ye mean?'

'Hush28, Bill, hush!' said the Jew, who had in vain attempted to stop this burst of indignation; 'somebody will hear us, my dear. Somebody will hear us.'

'Let 'em hear!' said Sikes; 'I don't care.' But as Mr. Sikes DID care, on reflection, he dropped his voice as he said the words, and grew calmer.

'There, there,' said the Jew, coaxingly29. 'It was only my caution, nothing more. Now, my dear, about that crib at Chertsey; when is it to be done, Bill, eh? When is it to be done? Such plate, my dear, such plate!' said the Jew: rubbing his hands, and elevating his eyebrows30 in a rapture31 of anticipation32.

'Not at all,' replied Sikes coldly.

'Not to be done at all!' echoed the Jew, leaning back in his chair.

'No, not at all,' rejoined Sikes. 'At least it can't be a put-up job, as we expected.'

'Then it hasn't been properly gone about,' said the Jew, turning pale with anger. 'Don't tell me!'

'But I will tell you,' retorted Sikes. 'Who are you that's not to be told? I tell you that Toby Crackit has been hanging about the place for a fortnight, and he can't get one of the servants in line.'

'Do you mean to tell me, Bill,' said the Jew: softening33 as the other grew heated: 'that neither of the two men in the house can be got over?'

'Yes, I do mean to tell you so,' replied Sikes. 'The old lady has had 'em these twenty years; and if you were to give 'em five hundred pound, they wouldn't be in it.'

'But do you mean to say, my dear,' remonstrated34 the Jew, 'that the women can't be got over?'

'Not a bit of it,' replied Sikes.

'Not by flash Toby Crackit?' said the Jew incredulously. 'Think what women are, Bill,'

'No; not even by flash Toby Crackit,' replied Sikes. 'He says he's worn sham35 whiskers, and a canary waistcoat, the whole blessed time he's been loitering down there, and it's all of no use.'

'He should have tried mustachios and a pair of military trousers, my dear,' said the Jew.

'So he did,' rejoined Sikes, 'and they warn't of no more use than the other plant.'

The Jew looked blank at this information. After ruminating36 for some minutes with his chin sunk on his breast, he raised his head and said, with a deep sigh, that if flash Toby Crackit reported aright, he feared the game was up.

'And yet,' said the old man, dropping his hands on his knees, 'it's a sad thing, my dear, to lose so much when we had set our hearts upon it.'

'So it is,' said Mr. Sikes. 'Worse luck!'

A long silence ensued; during which the Jew was plunged37 in deep thought, with his face wrinkled into an expression of villainy perfectly38 demoniacal. Sikes eyed him furtively39 from time to time. Nancy, apparently fearful of irritating the housebreaker, sat with her eyes fixed40 upon the fire, as if she had been deaf to all that passed.

'Fagin,' said Sikes, abruptly41 breaking the stillness that prevailed; 'is it worth fifty shiners extra, if it's safely done from the outside?'

'Yes,' said the Jew, as suddenly rousing himself.

'Is it a bargain?' inquired Sikes.

'Yes, my dear, yes,' rejoined the Jew; his eyes glistening42, and every muscle in his face working, with the excitement that the inquiry43 had awakened44.

'Then,' said Sikes, thrusting aside the Jew's hand, with some disdain45, 'let it come off as soon as you like. Toby and me were over the garden-wall the night afore last, sounding the panels of the door and shutters46. The crib's barred up at night like a jail; but there's one part we can crack, safe and softly.'

'Which is that, Bill?' asked the Jew eagerly.

'Why,' whispered Sikes, 'as you cross the lawn--'

'Yes?' said the Jew, bending his head forward, with his eyes almost starting out of it.

'Umph!' cried Sikes, stopping short, as the girl, scarcely moving her head, looked suddenly round, and pointed47 for an instant to the Jew's face. 'Never mind which part it is. You can't do it without me, I know; but it's best to be on the safe side when one deals with you.'

'As you like, my dear, as you like' replied the Jew. 'Is there no help wanted, but yours and Toby's?'

'None,' said Sikes. 'Cept a centre-bit and a boy. The first we've both got; the second you must find us.'

'A boy!' exclaimed the Jew. 'Oh! then it's a panel, eh?'

'Never mind wot it is!' replied Sikes. 'I want a boy, and he musn't be a big 'un. Lord!' said Mr. Sikes, reflectively, 'if I'd only got that young boy of Ned, the chimbley-sweeper's! He kept him small on purpose, and let him out by the job. But the father gets lagged; and then the Juvenile48 Delinquent49 Society comes, and takes the boy away from a trade where he was earning money, teaches him to read and write, and in time makes a 'prentice of him. And so they go on,' said Mr. Sikes, his wrath50 rising with the recollection of his wrongs, 'so they go on; and, if they'd got money enough (which it's a Providence51 they haven't,) we shouldn't have half a dozen boys left in the whole trade, in a year or two.'

'No more we should,' acquiesced52 the Jew, who had been considering during this speech, and had only caught the last sentence. 'Bill!'

'What now?' inquired Sikes.

The Jew nodded his head towards Nancy, who was still gazing at the fire; and intimated, by a sign, that he would have her told to leave the room. Sikes shrugged53 his shoulders impatiently, as if he thought the precaution unnecessary; but complied, nevertheless, by requesting Miss Nancy to fetch him a jug54 of beer.

'You don't want any beer,' said Nancy, folding her arms, and retaining her seat very composedly.

'I tell you I do!' replied Sikes.

'Nonsense,' rejoined the girl coolly, 'Go on, Fagin. I know what he's going to say, Bill; he needn't mind me.'

The Jew still hesitated. Sikes looked from one to the other in some surprise.

'Why, you don't mind the old girl, do you, Fagin?' he asked at length. 'You've known her long enough to trust her, or the Devil's in it. She ain't one to blab. Are you Nancy?'

'_I_ should think not!' replied the young lady: drawing her chair up to the table, and putting her elbows upon it.

'No, no, my dear, I know you're not,' said the Jew; 'but--' and again the old man paused.

'But wot?' inquired Sikes.

'I didn't know whether she mightn't p'r'aps be out of sorts, you know, my dear, as she was the other night,' replied the Jew.

At this confession55, Miss Nancy burst into a loud laugh; and, swallowing a glass of brandy, shook her head with an air of defiance56, and burst into sundry57 exclamations58 of 'Keep the game a-going!' 'Never say die!' and the like. These seemed to have the effect of re-assuring both gentlemen; for the Jew nodded his head with a satisfied air, and resumed his seat: as did Mr. Sikes likewise.

'Now, Fagin,' said Nancy with a laugh. 'Tell Bill at once, about Oliver!'

'Ha! you're a clever one, my dear: the sharpest girl I ever saw!' said the Jew, patting her on the neck. 'It WAS about Oliver I was going to speak, sure enough. Ha! ha! ha!'

'What about him?' demanded Sikes.

'He's the boy for you, my dear,' replied the Jew in a hoarse whisper; laying his finger on the side of his nose, and grinning frightfully.

'He!' exclaimed. Sikes.

'Have him, Bill!' said Nancy. 'I would, if I was in your place. He mayn't be so much up, as any of the others; but that's not what you want, if he's only to open a door for you. Depend upon it he's a safe one, Bill.'

'I know he is,' rejoined Fagin. 'He's been in good training these last few weeks, and it's time he began to work for his bread. Besides, the others are all too big.'

'Well, he is just the size I want,' said Mr. Sikes, ruminating.

'And will do everything you want, Bill, my dear,' interposed the Jew; 'he can't help himself. That is, if you frighten him enough.'

'Frighten him!' echoed Sikes. 'It'll be no sham frightening, mind you. If there's anything queer about him when we once get into the work; in for a penny, in for a pound. You won't see him alive again, Fagin. Think of that, before you send him. Mark my words!' said the robber, poising60 a crowbar, which he had drawn61 from under the bedstead.

'I've thought of it all,' said the Jew with energy. 'I've--I've had my eye upon him, my dears, close--close. Once let him feel that he is one of us; once fill his mind with the idea that he has been a thief; and he's ours! Ours for his life. Oho! It couldn't have come about better! The old man crossed his arms upon his breast; and, drawing his head and shoulders into a heap, literally62 hugged himself for joy.

'Ours!' said Sikes. 'Yours, you mean.'

'Perhaps I do, my dear,' said the Jew, with a shrill63 chuckle64. 'Mine, if you like, Bill.'

'And wot,' said Sikes, scowling65 fiercely on his agreeable friend, 'wot makes you take so much pains about one chalk-faced kid, when you know there are fifty boys snoozing about Common Garden every night, as you might pick and choose from?'

'Because they're of no use to me, my dear,' replied the Jew, with some confusion, 'not worth the taking. Their looks convict 'em when they get into trouble, and I lose 'em all. With this boy, properly managed, my dears, I could do what I couldn't with twenty of them. Besides,' said the Jew, recovering his self-possession, 'he has us now if he could only give us leg-bail again; and he must be in the same boat with us. Never mind how he came there; it's quite enough for my power over him that he was in a robbery; that's all I want. Now, how much better this is, than being obliged to put the poor leetle boy out of the way--which would be dangerous, and we should lose by it besides.'

'When is it to be done?' asked Nancy, stopping some turbulent exclamation59 on the part of Mr. Sikes, expressive66 of the disgust with which he received Fagin's affectation of humanity.

'Ah, to be sure,' said the Jew; 'when is it to be done, Bill?'

'I planned with Toby, the night arter to-morrow,' rejoined Sikes in a surly voice, 'if he heerd nothing from me to the contrairy.'

'Good,' said the Jew; 'there's no moon.'

'No,' rejoined Sikes.

'It's all arranged about bringing off the swag, is it?' asked the Jew.

Sikes nodded.

'And about--'

'Oh, ah, it's all planned,' rejoined Sikes, interrupting him. 'Never mind particulars. You'd better bring the boy here to-morrow night. I shall get off the stone an hour arter daybreak. Then you hold your tongue, and keep the melting-pot ready, and that's all you'll have to do.'

After some discussion, in which all three took an active part, it was decided67 that Nancy should repair to the Jew's next evening when the night had set in, and bring Oliver away with her; Fagin craftily68 observing, that, if he evinced any disinclination to the task, he would be more willing to accompany the girl who had so recently interfered in his behalf, than anybody else. It was also solemnly arranged that poor Oliver should, for the purposes of the contemplated69 expedition, be unreservedly consigned70 to the care and custody71 of Mr. William Sikes; and further, that the said Sikes should deal with him as he thought fit; and should not be held responsible by the Jew for any mischance or evil that might be necessary to visit him: it being understood that, to render the compact in this respect binding72, any representations made by Mr. Sikes on his return should be required to be confirmed and corroborated73, in all important particulars, by the testimony74 of flash Toby Crackit.

These preliminaries adjusted, Mr. Sikes proceeded to drink brandy at a furious rate, and to flourish the crowbar in an alarming manner; yelling forth, at the same time, most unmusical snatches of song, mingled75 with wild execrations. At length, in a fit of professional enthusiasm, he insisted upon producing his box of housebreaking tools: which he had no sooner stumbled in with, and opened for the purpose of explaining the nature and properties of the various implements76 it contained, and the peculiar77 beauties of their construction, than he fell over the box upon the floor, and went to sleep where he fell.

'Good-night, Nancy,' said the Jew, muffling78 himself up as before.

'Good-night.'

Their eyes met, and the Jew scrutinised her, narrowly. There was no flinching79 about the girl. She was as true and earnest in the matter as Toby Crackit himself could be.

The Jew again bade her good-night, and, bestowing80 a sly kick upon the prostrate81 form of Mr. Sikes while her back was turned, groped downstairs.

'Always the way!' muttered the Jew to himself as he turned homeward. 'The worst of these women is, that a very little thing serves to call up some long-forgotten feeling; and, the best of them is, that it never lasts. Ha! ha! The man against the child, for a bag of gold!'

Beguiling82 the time with these pleasant reflections, Mr. Fagin wended his way, through mud and mire83, to his gloomy abode84: where the Dodger85 was sitting up, impatiently awaiting his return.

'Is Oliver a-bed? I want to speak to him,' was his first remark as they descended86 the stairs.

'Hours ago,' replied the Dodger, throwing open a door. 'Here he is!'

The boy was lying, fast asleep, on a rude bed upon the floor; so pale with anxiety, and sadness, and the closeness of his prison, that he looked like death; not death as it shows in shroud87 and coffin88, but in the guise89 it wears when life has just departed; when a young and gentle spirit has, but an instant, fled to Heaven, and the gross air of the world has not had time to breathe upon the changing dust it hallowed.

'Not now,' said the Jew, turning softly away. 'To-morrow. To-morrow.'


    这是一个寒冷潮湿,朔风怒号的夜晚。费金穿上外套,将自己枯瘦的躯干紧紧地裹了起来。他把衣领翻上去盖住耳朵,将下半个脸藏得严严实实,走出老巢。他锁好大门,挂上链子,又在阶梯上停下来。他听了听,几个少年把一切都弄好了,他们退回去的脚步声也听不见了,这才尽力快步顺着街道溜掉了。

    奥立弗转移以后住进的这所房子位于怀特教堂附近。费金在街角停住,疑虑重重地四下里看了看,然后穿过大路,往斯皮达菲方向奔去。

    石子路面上积了厚厚的一层烂泥,黑沉沉的雾气笼罩着街道,雨点忽忽悠悠地飘落下来,什么东西摸上去都是冷冰冰、粘乎乎的。这种夜晚似乎只适合于老犹太之类的人外出。他无声无息地向前滑去,在墙壁、门洞的掩护下溜过。这个狰狞可怕的老头看上去像一只令人恶心的蜥蜴观的综合”,对列宁哲学阶段评价不足等),30年代受到苏联,从往来出没的泥泞和暗处爬出来,趁着夜色四出蠕行,想找到一点肥美的臭鱼腐肉吃吃。

    他不停地走,穿过一条条境蜒曲折的小路,来到贝丝勒尔草地,又突然向左一转,很快就走进一座由龌龊的小街陋巷组成的迷宫,这种迷宫在那个闭塞的人口稠密区比比皆是。

    老犹太显然对这一带十分熟悉,绝不会因沉沉黑夜或者复杂的道路而迷失方向。他快步穿过好几条大街小巷,最后拐进一条街,这里唯一的亮光来自街道尽头的一盏孤灯。老犹太走到当街一所房子跟前,敲了敲门,同开门的人嘀咕几句,便上楼去了。

    他刚一碰门把手,一只狗便立刻咆哮起来,一个男人的声音问是谁来了。

    “是我啊,比尔,就我一个,亲爱的。”费金一边说,一边朝屋里望。

    “滚进来吧,”赛克斯说道,“躺下,你这蠢货。老鬼穿了件大衣,你就不认识啦?”

    看得出,那只狗先前多少是受了费金先生一身打扮的蒙骗,因为费金刚把外套脱下来,扔到椅背上,狗就退回角落里去了,刚才它就是从那儿窜出来的,一边走还一边摇尾巴,以此表示自己十分满意,这也是它的本性嘛。

    “不赖。”赛克斯说。

    “不赖,我亲爱的,”老犹太答道,“啊,南希。”

    后一句招呼的口气有些尴尬,表明他拿不准对方会不会答理,自从南希偏袒奥立弗的事发生以后,费金先生和他的这位女弟子还没见过面。如果他在这个问题上存有一点疑虑的话,也立刻被年轻女子的举动抹去了。她没有多说什么,抬起搁在壁炉挡板上的脚,把自己坐的椅子往后扯了扯,吩咐费金把椅子凑到壁炉边上,这确实是一个寒冷的夜晚。

    “真冷啊,我亲爱的南希,”费金伸出瘦骨嶙峋的双手在火上烘烤着。“好像把人都扎穿了。”老头儿说着,揉揉自己的腰。

    “要扎进你的心,非得使锥子才行,”赛克斯先生说,“南希,给他点喝的。真是活见鬼,快一些。瞧他那副干巴巴的老骨头,抖得那样,也真叫人恶心,跟刚从坟墓里爬起来的恶鬼没什么两样。”

    南希敏捷地从食橱里拿出一个瓶子,里边还有好些这类瓶子,从五花八门的外表来看,盛的全是各种饮料。赛克斯倒了一杯白兰地,要老犹太干了它。

    “足够了,够了,比尔,多谢了。”费金把酒杯举到嘴边碰了碰,便放下了。

    “干吗。怕我们抢了你的头彩,是吗?”赛克斯用眼睛死死盯住老犹太,问道。“唔。”

    赛克斯先生发出一声沙哑的嘲笑,抓起酒杯,把里边的酒泼进炉灰里,又替自己满满地斟了一杯,作为见面礼,端起来一饮而尽。

    趁同伴喝第二杯酒的功夫,费金的目光飞快地在屋里溜了一圈――不是出于好奇,他以前时常光顾这间屋子,而是出于一种习惯,闲不住,而且多疑。这是一间陈设十分简陋的公寓,只有壁橱里的东西表明这间屋子的房客不是一个凭力气吃饭的人。室内一角靠着两三根沉甸甸的大头短棒,一把“护身器”挂在壁炉架上,此外,再也看不出有什么使人油然起疑的东西了。

    “喂,”赛克斯咂了咂嘴,说道,“我可是准备停当了。”

    “谈买卖?”老犹太问。

    “谈买卖,”赛克斯回答,“有话就说。”

    “是不是杰茨那个场子,比尔?”费金把椅子拉近一些,声音压得很低。

    “不错。怎么样啊?”赛克斯问道。

    “哦。我的意思你知道,亲爱的,”老犹太说道,“南希,他知道我的打算,不是吗?”

    “不,他不知道,”赛克斯先生冷冷一笑。“或者说不想知道,都是一回事。说啊,有什么就说什么,别坐在那儿眨巴眼睛,跟我打哑谜,倒好像你不是头一个盘算持这一票似的。你打算如何?”

    “嘘,比尔,小点声。”费金想顶住这一番火气,结果白费力气。“当心有人听见,亲爱的,有人听得见。”

    “让他们听好了。”赛克斯说道,“我才不在乎呢。”然而寻思一阵之后,赛克斯先生的确在平起来了,说话时声音压低了一些,也不再那么冲动。

    “嗳,嗳,”费金哄着他说,“这只是我提醒一声――没别的。这个,亲爱的,咱们谈谈杰茨的那户人家吧。你看什么时候动手,比尔,唔?什么时候动手?那些个杯盘碗盏,亲爱的,真是太棒了。”费金乐得直搓手,眉毛向上扬起来,仿佛东西已经到手了。

    “干不了。”赛克斯冷冷地答道。

    “当真干不了?”费金应声说道,身体一下仰靠在椅子上。

    “是啊,干不了,”赛克斯回答,“至少不像我们估摸的那样,可以来个里应外合。”

    “那就是功夫不到家,”费金气得脸色发青,“别跟我说这些。”

    “我就是要跟你说这些,”赛克斯反唇相讥,“你算老几,就不能跟你说?我告诉你吧,托比格拉基特在那附近已经转悠了两个星期,一个仆人也没勾搭上。”

    “比尔,你是不是想说,”老犹太见对方人了,顿时软了下来,“那家的两个仆人没一个拉得过来?”

    “一点不错,我就是想告诉你这档子事,”赛克斯回答。“老太婆用了他俩二十年,你就是给他们五百镑,他们也不会干。”

    “不过,亲爱的,你的意思是不是说,”老犹太争辩道,“那几个娘们也拉不过来,对不?”

    “一点办法也没有。”赛克斯答道。

    “连花花公子托比格拉基特也不行?”费金不大相信,“想想娘们是些什么东西,比尔。”

    “是啊,连花花公子托比格拉基特也不行。他说,这段时间,他一直戴着假胡子,穿了件鲜黄的大衣,在那一带逛荡,可一点没用。”

    “他该试一试小胡子,配上军裤,亲爱的。”老犹太说道。

    “他试过,”赛克斯答道,“这两样也好不到哪儿去。”

    费金听到这个消息,不禁两眼发直。他下巴搭拉在胸前,沉思半晌,又抬起头来,重重地叹了一口气,说如果花花公子托比格拉基特呈报的全是实情,恐怕这套把戏算是完了。

    “话说回来,”老头儿双手放在膝上,说道,“亲爱的,我们一门心思全扑到上边去了,赔进去那么多,想想真心疼。”

    “可不是嘛,’赛克斯先生说,“霉透了。”

    一阵漫长难熬的沉默随之而起。老犹太陷入了沉思,他面部扭曲,一副奸诈邪恶的样子。赛克斯不时偷偷瞧他一眼。南希像是生怕招惹这个人室抢劫犯,管自坐在一旁,两眼直瞪瞪地盯住火,仿佛刚才发生的一切她都听不见似的。

    “费金,”赛克斯骤然打破了沉默,“干脆从外边下手,另加五十个金币,值不值?”

    “值啊。”费金好像突然醒过来,说道。

    “说定了?”赛克斯问。

    “说定了,我亲爱的,说定了。”老犹太经过这一番问答变得兴奋起来,两眼炯炯放光,脸上的每一块肌肉都在活动。

    “那好,”赛克斯带着几分轻蔑甩开老犹太的手,说道,“你高兴什么时候动手就什么时候动手。前天晚上我跟托比翻过花园围墙,试了一下门窗上的嵌板。这家子到了夜里就关门闭户,跟大牢似的。不过有个地方我们能砸开,又安全又轻巧。”

    “哪个地方,比尔?”老犹太急切地问。

    “嗳,”赛克斯打着耳语说,“你穿过草地――”

    “是吗?”老犹太说着,头往前靠去,眼珠子几乎都要掉出来了。

    “啊呜。”赛克斯骤然打住,跟着又嚷了起来,这当儿,南希姑娘难得地摇了摇头,突然回头看了一眼,又立刻转向费金。“管它是什么地方。离开我,你办不了这事,我心里有数,跟你打交道,还是小心为妙。”

    “随你便,我亲爱的,随你便,”老犹太答道,“你和托比还要不要帮手?”

    “不要,”赛克斯说,“还要一把摇柄钻和一个小孩子。头一件我们俩都有,第二件你得替我们物色到。”

    “一个小孩子。”费金嚷道,“哦。那就是嵌板了,唔?”

    “管它是什么。”赛克斯回答,“我需要一个孩子,个头还不能太大,天啦。”赛克斯先生若有所思。“我要是能把扫烟囱师傅勒德的那个小家伙搞到手就好啦。他存心不让那孩子长个,好让他干这一行。那孩子本来在这一行已经开始挣钱了,可作爸爸的给关了起来,再往后,少年犯罪教化会把孩子带走了,教他读书写字,早晚要培养他当学徒什么的,他们老是那样,”赛克斯先生想起自己蒙受的损失,火气又上来了,“没有个完。要是他们得到足够的资金(谢天谢地,他们资金不够),只消一两年的功夫,整个这一行我们连半打孩子也凑不齐了。”

    “是凑不齐,啊,”老犹太随声附和道。赛克斯在一边慷慨陈词,他一直在打主意,只听清了最后一句。“比尔。”

    “什么事?”赛克斯问。

    费金朝依然呆呆地望着炉火发愣的南希点了点头,打了一个暗号,示意他叫南希离开这间屋子。赛克斯不耐烦地耸了一下肩膀,像是认为这种小心纯属多余。尽管如此,他还是同意了,要南希小姐去给他取一罐啤酒来。

    “你压根儿不是要什么啤酒。”南希交叉着双手,神色镇定地坐着不动,说道。

    “我告诉你,我要。”赛克斯答道。

    “胡说,”姑娘淡漠地顶了一句,“说啊,费金。比尔,我知道他下边要说什么,他用不着提防我。”

    老犹太还在犹豫。赛克斯看看这个,又看看那个,有些莫名其妙。

    “嗨,费金,你别担心老丫头了,好不好?”末了,他问道,“你认识她时间也不短了,也该信得过她,要不就是其中有鬼。她不会乱嚼舌头。是吗,南希?”

    “我看不会。”年轻女子说着,把椅子拉到桌边,胳膊肘支在桌子上。

    “不,不,亲爱的,我知道你不会,”老犹太说道,“只是――”老头儿说着又停了下来。

    “只是什么?”赛克斯问。

    “我说不准她会不会又疯疯颠颠的,你知道啊,亲爱的,就像那天晚上的样子。”老犹太回答。

    听到这番话,南希小姐放声大笑,一仰脖子喝下去一杯白兰地,神色凛然地摇了摇头,嘴里连声嚷嚷着“咱接着玩”,“千万别泄气”什么的。看来这一番举动立刻产生了效果,两位绅士放心了,老犹太带着满意的神情点了一下头,他俩重新坐定。

    “现在行了,费金,”南希笑吟吟地说道,“马上告诉比尔,关于奥立弗的事。”

    “哈。你可真机灵,亲爱的,算得上我见过的姑娘中最聪明的一个。”费金说着,拍了拍她的脖子。“没错,我正要说奥立弗的事呢。哈哈哈!”

    “关他什么事?”赛克斯问道。

    “那孩子正合你用,亲爱的。”老犹太压低沙哑的声音作了回答,他将一个指头摁在鼻子边上,嘻嘻地狞笑着。

    “他!”赛克斯嚷了起来。

    “带上他,比尔。”南希说道,“我要是处在你的位置,我就这么办。他不像别的小鬼那样老练。反正你也不需要本事大的,只要他能替你打开一扇门就行。放心好了,他错不了,比尔。”

    “我就知道他错不了,”费金搭讪道,“最近几个礼拜,他训练蛮好,也该开始自个儿养活自个儿了,再说了,别的孩子都嫌大了点。”

    “嗯,个子倒是正合适。”赛克斯先生沉思着说。

    “而且什么事都能替你做,亲爱的比尔,”费金插嘴道,“他非干不可,就是说,只要多吓唬吓唬他的话。”

    “吓唬他。”赛克斯操着对方的口吻说,“我有言在先,这可不是做做样子的吓唬。一不做,二不休,我们真动起手来,他要是玩什么花样,费金,你休想看到他活着回来。考虑好了你再支他去,听好喽。”这强盗说着,掂了掂刚从床架底下抽出来的一根铁撬。

    “我都考虑过了,”费金劲头十足地说,“我――我考察过他,亲爱的,周密――相当周密。只消让他感觉到自个儿跟咱们是一伙的,心里装上这么一个想法,他就已经是一个小偷了,就成我们的人啦。一辈子都是我们的。哦喝。简直再好不过了。”老头儿双手交叉搭在胸前,脑袋肩膀缩作一团,高兴得真是把他自己给抱住了。

    “我们的?”赛克斯说,“你该说,是你的。”

    “可能可能,亲爱的,”老犹太发出一阵刺耳的笑声,说道,“只要你高兴,算我的好了,比尔。”

    “为什么,”赛克斯恶狠狠地瞪了自己这位精明的搭档一眼,“一个脸白得像粉笔的小毛孩子,你怎么这样舍得花力气?你又不是不知道,每天夜里都有五十个小孩在大众公园附近打盹,随你怎么选。”

    “因为他们对我一点用处也没有,亲爱的,”老犹太有些慌乱地回答,“留着没用。一旦出了事,光看长相就可以判他们刑,我落个鸡飞蛋打。有这个孩子,只要调教得当,我的好人,靠他们二十人办不了的事我也办得到。再者说,”费金渐渐恢复了自制力,“要是他再给我们来个脚下抹油,可就把我们给坑了。他非得跟我们呆在一条船上不可。你别管他是怎么走到这一步的。我有的是办法叫他干一回打劫,别的什么我也不需要。眼下,这可比迫不得已于掉这个穷小子强多了――那样干很危险,再说我们也吃亏啊。”

    “什么时候下手?”南希问了一句,挡住了赛克斯先生方面的一阵大喊大叫,他正准备对费金的假仁假义表示恶心。

    “啊,得说定哩,”老犹太说,“比尔,啥时候动手?”

    “我跟托比商量过了,只要他没从我这儿听到什么坏消息的话,”赛克斯怪声怪气地回答,“就定在后天夜里。”

    “好,”费金说道,“那天没有月亮。”

    “对。”赛克斯应声说。

    “怎么把货弄出来也都安排好了,是吗?”老犹太问。

    赛克斯点了点头。

    “还有那个――”

    “呃,都安排好了,”赛克斯打断了他的话,“别打听细节了,你最好明天晚上把那小子带来。我天亮后一个钟头出发,你呢,也别出声,把坩锅准备好,你要做的就是这些。”

    三个人你一言我一语地议论开了,商定南希在第二天天黑的时候前往费金的住所,接奥立弗过来。费金阴险地加了一句,说假如奥立弗对这项任务流露出一点点厌恶的意思来,自己比旁人更乐意陪着前不久护卫过奥立弗的南希姑娘走一趟。计划中郑重其事地议定,为这一次经过深思熟虑的行动着想,可怜的奥立弗将无条件地交威廉赛克斯先生看管监护。其次,上述赛克斯先生应酌情对其作出安排。对于可能降临到那孩子头上的任何横祸妄灾,或可能遭受的任何必要惩罚,均不向老犹太承担责任。为使该协议具有约束力,双方达成谅解,赛克斯先生返回之后陈述的种种情况,在一切重要细节上须由花花公子托比格拉基特加以证实确认。

    这些预备事项安排停当,赛克斯先生开始毫无节制地痛饮白兰地,还把铁撬挥舞得怪吓人的,同时将一些完全不合凋门的歌曲片断,与不堪人耳的咒骂混在一起,嚎了出来。末了,他按捺不住职业上的热心,一定要去把他溜门撬锁的工具箱拿来。不一会儿,他果然拎着箱子磕磕绊绊地走进来。他打开箱子,还没来得及把里边装着的各种工具的性能特征以及构造方面的妙处介绍一二,便倒在地板上,趴着箱子睡着了。

    “晚安,南希。”费金一边照来的时候那样将自己裹起来,一边告辞。

    “晚安。”

    俩人口目相遇,老头儿上下打量了她一番,那姑娘没有一点畏首畏尾的样子,在这件事情上她倒是诚实认真的,托比格拉基特恐怕也不过如此。

    老头儿又向她道了一声晚安,乘南希转过背去的功夫,他偷偷踹了倒在地上的赛克斯先生一脚,这才摸索着走下楼去。

    “老是这一套。”费金一边往回走,一边嘟哝着自言自语。“这些娘们,最大的毛病就是,一件小事也会唤醒某种老早忘得干干净净的感情,最大的优点呢,就是这种事绝对长不了。哈哈!那家伙为了一袋金币,对付那个孩子。”

    费金先生边走边用这些令人愉快的回忆消磨时间。他趟过污水泥泞,回到自己那阴暗的老巢。机灵鬼还没有睡,正望眼欲穿地等他归来。

    “奥立弗睡了没有,我有话跟他说。”这是他们刚下扶梯时他讲的第一句话。

    “早睡了,”机灵鬼推开一道门,答道。“在这儿呢。”

    奥立弗躺在地板上一张粗陋的床上,睡得很沉,焦虑、哀愁以及紧闭的铁窗,使他显得那样苍白,像是死过去了一般――这不是裹上尸衣,装进棺材的死者模样,而是生命刚刚逝去时的形象:幼小柔弱的灵魂飞往天国只一瞬间的功夫,尘世间龌龊的空气还来不及玷污这正在升华的圣体。

    “现在不谈,”费金说着,轻轻地转身离去。”明天,明天。”


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
2 den 5w9xk     
n.兽穴;秘密地方;安静的小房间,私室
参考例句:
  • There is a big fox den on the back hill.后山有一个很大的狐狸窝。
  • The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into tiger's den.不入虎穴焉得虎子。
3 sluggishly d76f4d1262958898317036fd722b1d29     
adv.懒惰地;缓慢地
参考例句:
  • The river is silted up and the water flows sluggishly. 河道淤塞,水流迟滞。
  • Loaded with 870 gallons of gasoline and 40 gallons of oil, the ship moved sluggishly. 飞机载着八百七十加仑汽油和四十加仑机油,缓慢地前进了。 来自英汉非文学 - 百科语料821
4 glided dc24e51e27cfc17f7f45752acf858ed1     
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔
参考例句:
  • The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
  • They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 doorways 9f2a4f4f89bff2d72720b05d20d8f3d6     
n.门口,门道( doorway的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The houses belched people; the doorways spewed out children. 从各家茅屋里涌出一堆一堆的人群,从门口蹦出一群一群小孩。 来自辞典例句
  • He rambled under the walls and doorways. 他就顺着墙根和门楼遛跶。 来自辞典例句
6 hideous 65KyC     
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的
参考例句:
  • The whole experience had been like some hideous nightmare.整个经历就像一场可怕的噩梦。
  • They're not like dogs,they're hideous brutes.它们不像狗,是丑陋的畜牲。
7 loathsome Vx5yX     
adj.讨厌的,令人厌恶的
参考例句:
  • The witch hid her loathsome face with her hands.巫婆用手掩住她那张令人恶心的脸。
  • Some people think that snakes are loathsome creatures.有些人觉得蛇是令人憎恶的动物。
8 reptile xBiz7     
n.爬行动物;两栖动物
参考例句:
  • The frog is not a true reptile.青蛙并非真正的爬行动物。
  • So you should not be surprised to see someone keep a reptile as a pet.所以,你不必惊奇有人养了一只爬行动物作为宠物。
9 engendered 9ea62fba28ee7e2bac621ac2c571239e     
v.产生(某形势或状况),造成,引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The issue engendered controversy. 这个问题引起了争论。
  • The meeting engendered several quarrels. 这次会议发生了几次争吵。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 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。
11 winding Ue7z09     
n.绕,缠,绕组,线圈
参考例句:
  • A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
  • The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。
12 maze F76ze     
n.迷宫,八阵图,混乱,迷惑
参考例句:
  • He found his way through the complex maze of corridors.他穿过了迷宮一样的走廊。
  • She was lost in the maze for several hours.一连几小时,她的头脑处于一片糊涂状态。
13 abound wykz4     
vi.大量存在;(in,with)充满,富于
参考例句:
  • Oranges abound here all the year round.这里一年到头都有很多橙子。
  • But problems abound in the management of State-owned companies.但是在国有企业的管理中仍然存在不少问题。
14 alleys ed7f32602655381e85de6beb51238b46     
胡同,小巷( alley的名词复数 ); 小径
参考例句:
  • I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys. 我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷。
  • The children lead me through the maze of alleys to the edge of the city. 孩子们领我穿过迷宫一般的街巷,来到城边。
15 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
v.(动物)发狺狺声, (雷)作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 );低声咆哮着说
参考例句:
  • \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道:“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 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。
17 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
18 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。
19 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
20 interfered 71b7e795becf1adbddfab2cd6c5f0cff     
v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 );调停;妨碍;干涉
参考例句:
  • Complete absorption in sports interfered with his studies. 专注于运动妨碍了他的学业。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I am not going to be interfered with. 我不想别人干扰我的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
22 hoarse 5dqzA     
adj.嘶哑的,沙哑的
参考例句:
  • He asked me a question in a hoarse voice.他用嘶哑的声音问了我一个问题。
  • He was too excited and roared himself hoarse.他过于激动,嗓子都喊哑了。
23 grunt eeazI     
v.嘟哝;作呼噜声;n.呼噜声,嘟哝
参考例句:
  • He lifted the heavy suitcase with a grunt.他咕噜着把沉重的提箱拎了起来。
  • I ask him what he think,but he just grunt.我问他在想什麽,他只哼了一声。
24 habitual x5Pyp     
adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的
参考例句:
  • He is a habitual criminal.他是一个惯犯。
  • They are habitual visitors to our house.他们是我家的常客。
25 smacking b1f17f97b1bddf209740e36c0c04e638     
活泼的,发出响声的,精力充沛的
参考例句:
  • He gave both of the children a good smacking. 他把两个孩子都狠揍了一顿。
  • She inclined her cheek,and John gave it a smacking kiss. 她把头低下,约翰在她的脸上响亮的一吻。
26 sneered 0e3b5b35e54fb2ad006040792a867d9f     
讥笑,冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
  • It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。
27 winking b599b2f7a74d5974507152324c7b8979     
n.瞬眼,目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
参考例句:
  • Anyone can do it; it's as easy as winking. 这谁都办得到,简直易如反掌。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The stars were winking in the clear sky. 星星在明亮的天空中闪烁。 来自《简明英汉词典》
28 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!
29 coaxingly 2424e5a5134f6694a518ab5be2fcb7d5     
adv. 以巧言诱哄,以甘言哄骗
参考例句:
30 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
31 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。
32 anticipation iMTyh     
n.预期,预料,期望
参考例句:
  • We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着,期待她的到来。
  • The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安,像是感到了地震即将发生。
33 softening f4d358268f6bd0b278eabb29f2ee5845     
变软,软化
参考例句:
  • Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的,已经成了个软心肠的人了。
34 remonstrated a6eda3fe26f748a6164faa22a84ba112     
v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 );告诫
参考例句:
  • They remonstrated with the official about the decision. 他们就这一决定向这位官员提出了抗议。
  • We remonstrated against the ill-treatment of prisoners of war. 我们对虐待战俘之事提出抗议。 来自辞典例句
35 sham RsxyV     
n./adj.假冒(的),虚伪(的)
参考例句:
  • They cunningly played the game of sham peace.他们狡滑地玩弄假和平的把戏。
  • His love was a mere sham.他的爱情是虚假的。
36 ruminating 29b02bd23c266a224e13df488b3acca0     
v.沉思( ruminate的现在分词 );反复考虑;反刍;倒嚼
参考例句:
  • He sat there ruminating and picking at the tablecloth. 他坐在那儿沉思,轻轻地抚弄着桌布。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He is ruminating on what had happened the day before. 他在沉思前一天发生的事情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
37 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
38 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。
39 furtively furtively     
adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地
参考例句:
  • At this some of the others furtively exchanged significant glances. 听他这样说,有几个人心照不宣地彼此对望了一眼。
  • Remembering my presence, he furtively dropped it under his chair. 后来想起我在,他便偷偷地把书丢在椅子下。
40 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
41 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
42 glistening glistening     
adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》
43 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
44 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》
45 disdain KltzA     
n.鄙视,轻视;v.轻视,鄙视,不屑
参考例句:
  • Some people disdain labour.有些人轻视劳动。
  • A great man should disdain flatterers.伟大的人物应鄙视献媚者。
46 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。
47 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
48 juvenile OkEy2     
n.青少年,少年读物;adj.青少年的,幼稚的
参考例句:
  • For a grown man he acted in a very juvenile manner.身为成年人,他的行为举止显得十分幼稚。
  • Juvenile crime is increasing at a terrifying rate.青少年犯罪正在以惊人的速度增长。
49 delinquent BmLzk     
adj.犯法的,有过失的;n.违法者
参考例句:
  • Most delinquent children have deprived backgrounds.多数少年犯都有未受教育的背景。
  • He is delinquent in paying his rent.他拖欠房租。
50 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。
51 providence 8tdyh     
n.深谋远虑,天道,天意;远见;节约;上帝
参考例句:
  • It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat.乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。
  • To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.照你的所作所为那样去行事,是违背上帝的意志的。
52 acquiesced 03acb9bc789f7d2955424223e0a45f1b     
v.默认,默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Senior government figures must have acquiesced in the cover-up. 政府高级官员必然已经默许掩盖真相。
  • After a lot of persuasion,he finally acquiesced. 经过多次劝说,他最终默许了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
53 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
54 jug QaNzK     
n.(有柄,小口,可盛水等的)大壶,罐,盂
参考例句:
  • He walked along with a jug poised on his head.他头上顶着一个水罐,保持着平衡往前走。
  • She filled the jug with fresh water.她将水壶注满了清水。
55 confession 8Ygye     
n.自白,供认,承认
参考例句:
  • Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
  • The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。
56 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。
57 sundry CswwL     
adj.各式各样的,种种的
参考例句:
  • This cream can be used to treat sundry minor injuries.这种药膏可用来治各种轻伤。
  • We can see the rich man on sundry occasions.我们能在各种场合见到那个富豪。
58 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
59 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
60 poising 1ba22ac05fda8b114f961886f6659529     
使平衡( poise的现在分词 ); 保持(某种姿势); 抓紧; 使稳定
参考例句:
  • The dynamic poising of the watch-balance enhances the performance of each movement. 腕表平衡摆轮的动态性能决定了机芯的性能。
  • Also has the poising action to the blood sugar. 对血糖还具有双向平衡作用。
61 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
62 literally 28Wzv     
adv.照字面意义,逐字地;确实
参考例句:
  • He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
  • Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候,她不走到真正要昏厥了,决不肯坐下来。
63 shrill EEize     
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫
参考例句:
  • Whistles began to shrill outside the barn.哨声开始在谷仓外面尖叫。
  • The shrill ringing of a bell broke up the card game on the cutter.刺耳的铃声打散了小汽艇的牌局。
64 chuckle Tr1zZ     
vi./n.轻声笑,咯咯笑
参考例句:
  • He shook his head with a soft chuckle.他轻轻地笑着摇了摇头。
  • I couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at the thought of it.想到这个,我忍不住轻轻地笑起来。
65 scowling bbce79e9f38ff2b7862d040d9e2c1dc7     
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • There she was, grey-suited, sweet-faced, demure, but scowling. 她就在那里,穿着灰色的衣服,漂亮的脸上显得严肃而忧郁。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Scowling, Chueh-hui bit his lips. 他马上把眉毛竖起来。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
66 expressive shwz4     
adj.表现的,表达…的,富于表情的
参考例句:
  • Black English can be more expressive than standard English.黑人所使用的英语可能比正式英语更有表现力。
  • He had a mobile,expressive,animated face.他有一张多变的,富于表情的,生动活泼的脸。
67 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。
68 craftily d64e795384853d0165c9ff452a9d786b     
狡猾地,狡诈地
参考例句:
  • He craftily arranged to be there when the decision was announced. 在决议宣布之时,他狡猾地赶到了那里。
  • Strengthen basic training of calculation, get the kids to grasp the radical calculating ability craftily. 加强计算基本训练,通过分、小、百互化口算的练习,使学生熟练地掌握基本的计算技能。
69 contemplated d22c67116b8d5696b30f6705862b0688     
adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式
参考例句:
  • The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
  • The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。
70 consigned 9dc22c154336e2c50aa2b71897ceceed     
v.把…置于(令人不快的境地)( consign的过去式和过去分词 );把…托付给;把…托人代售;丟弃
参考例句:
  • I consigned her letter to the waste basket. 我把她的信丢进了废纸篓。
  • The father consigned the child to his sister's care. 那位父亲把孩子托付给他妹妹照看。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
71 custody Qntzd     
n.监护,照看,羁押,拘留
参考例句:
  • He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。
  • He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后,他立即被押了起来。
72 binding 2yEzWb     
有约束力的,有效的,应遵守的
参考例句:
  • The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
  • Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。
73 corroborated ab27fc1c50e7a59aad0d93cd9f135917     
v.证实,支持(某种说法、信仰、理论等)( corroborate的过去式 )
参考例句:
  • The evidence was corroborated by two independent witnesses. 此证据由两名独立证人提供。
  • Experiments have corroborated her predictions. 实验证实了她的预言。 来自《简明英汉词典》
74 testimony zpbwO     
n.证词;见证,证明
参考例句:
  • The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
  • He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。
75 mingled fdf34efd22095ed7e00f43ccc823abdf     
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系]
参考例句:
  • The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
  • The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候,这一男一女就开始交往了。
76 implements 37371cb8af481bf82a7ea3324d81affc     
n.工具( implement的名词复数 );家具;手段;[法律]履行(契约等)v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 );执行;贯彻;使生效
参考例句:
  • Primitive man hunted wild animals with crude stone implements. 原始社会的人用粗糙的石器猎取野兽。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • They ordered quantities of farm implements. 他们订购了大量农具。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
77 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
78 muffling 2fa2a2f412823aa263383f513c33264f     
v.压抑,捂住( muffle的现在分词 );用厚厚的衣帽包着(自己)
参考例句:
  • Muffler is the conventional muffling device in the noise control of compressor. 消声器是压缩机噪声控制中常用的消声装置。 来自互联网
  • A ferocious face and a jet black muzzle, a muffling muzzle of long pistol. 一张狰狞的脸和他手中的乌黑枪口,那是长长的手枪销音器枪口。 来自互联网
79 flinching ab334e7ae08e4b8dbdd4cc9a8ee4eefd     
v.(因危险和痛苦)退缩,畏惧( flinch的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He listened to the jeers of the crowd without flinching. 他毫不畏惧地听着群众的嘲笑。 来自辞典例句
  • Without flinching he dashed into the burning house to save the children. 他毫不畏缩地冲进在燃烧的房屋中去救小孩。 来自辞典例句
80 bestowing ec153f37767cf4f7ef2c4afd6905b0fb     
砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖
参考例句:
  • Apollo, you see, is bestowing the razor on the Triptolemus of our craft. 你瞧,阿波罗正在把剃刀赠给我们这项手艺的特里泼托勒默斯。
  • What thanks do we not owe to Heaven for thus bestowing tranquillity, health and competence! 我们要谢谢上苍,赐我们的安乐、健康和饱暖。
81 prostrate 7iSyH     
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的
参考例句:
  • She was prostrate on the floor.她俯卧在地板上。
  • The Yankees had the South prostrate and they intended to keep It'so.北方佬已经使南方屈服了,他们还打算继续下去。
82 beguiling xyzzKB     
adj.欺骗的,诱人的v.欺骗( beguile的现在分词 );使陶醉;使高兴;消磨(时间等)
参考例句:
  • Her beauty was beguiling. 她美得迷人。
  • His date was curvaceously beguiling. 他约会是用来欺骗女性的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
83 mire 57ZzT     
n.泥沼,泥泞;v.使...陷于泥泞,使...陷入困境
参考例句:
  • I don't want my son's good name dragged through the mire.我不想使我儿子的名誉扫地。
  • He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
84 abode hIby0     
n.住处,住所
参考例句:
  • It was ten months before my father discovered his abode.父亲花了十个月的功夫,才好不容易打听到他的住处。
  • Welcome to our humble abode!欢迎光临寒舍!
85 dodger Ku9z0c     
n.躲避者;躲闪者;广告单
参考例句:
  • They are tax dodgers who hide their interest earnings.他们是隐瞒利息收入的逃税者。
  • Make sure she pays her share she's a bit of a dodger.她自己的一份一定要她付清--她可是有点能赖就赖。
86 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
87 shroud OEMya     
n.裹尸布,寿衣;罩,幕;vt.覆盖,隐藏
参考例句:
  • His past was enveloped in a shroud of mystery.他的过去被裹上一层神秘色彩。
  • How can I do under shroud of a dark sky?在黑暗的天空的笼罩下,我该怎么做呢?
88 coffin XWRy7     
n.棺材,灵柩
参考例句:
  • When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
  • The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。
89 guise JeizL     
n.外表,伪装的姿态
参考例句:
  • They got into the school in the guise of inspectors.他们假装成视察员进了学校。
  • The thief came into the house under the guise of a repairman.那小偷扮成个修理匠进了屋子。


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