JUBAL HAD BEEN TRYING to warn Mike all the way to church; of what,Mike was not certain. He had listened, he always listened-but the landscapebelow them tugged1 for attention, too; he had compromised by storing whatJubal said. .Now look, boy,“ Jubal had admonished2, .these Fosterites areafter your money. That’s all right, most everybody is after your money; youjust have to be firm. Your money and the prestige of having the Man fromMars join their church. They’re going to work on you-and you have to be firmabout that, too.“.Beg pardon?“.Damn it, I don’t believe you’ve been listening.“.I am sorry, Jubal.“.Well ... look at it this way. Religion is a solace3 to many people and it is evenconceivable that some religion, somewhere, really is Ultimate Truth. But inmany cases, being religious is merely a form of conceit5. The Bible Belt faithin which I was brought up encouraged me to think that I was better than therest of the world; I was .saved’ and they were .damned’ -we were in a state ofgrace and the rest of the world were .heathens’ and by .heathen’ they meantsuch people as our brother Mahmoud. It meant that an ignorant, stupid loutwho seldom bathed and planted his corn by the phase of the Moon couldclaim to know the final answers of the Universe. That entitled him to lookdown his nose at everybody else. Our hymn6 book was loaded with sucharrogance-mindless, conceited7, self-congratulation on how cozy8 we were withthe Almighty9 and what a high opinion he had of us and us alone, and whathell everybody else was going to catch come Judgment11 Day. We peddled12 theonly authentic13 brand of Lydia Pinkham’s-.
.Jubal!“ Jill said sharply. .He doesn’t grok it.“.Uh? Sorry. I got carried away. My folks tried to make a preacher out of meand missed by a narrow margin14; I guess it still shows.“.It does.“.Don’t rub it in, girl. I would have made a good one if I hadn’t fallen into thefatal folly15 of reading anything I could lay hands on. With just a touch more selfconfidence and a liberal helping16 of ignorance I could have been a famousevangelist. Shucks, this place we’re headed for today would have beenknown as the .Archangel Jubal Tabernacle.’“Jill made a face. .Jubal, please! Not so soon after breakfast.“.I mean it. A confidence man knows that he’s lying; that limits his scope. Buta successful shaman ropes himself first; he believes what he says -and suchbelief is contagious17; there is no limit to his scope. But I lacked the necessaryconfidence in my own infallibility; I could never become a prophet . . . just acritic-which is a poor thing at best, a sort of fourthrate prophet suffering fromdelusions of gender18.“ Jubal frowned. .That’s what worries me aboutFosterites, Jill. I think that they are utterly19 sincere and you and I know thatMike is a sucker for sincerity20.“.What do you think they’ll try to do to him?“.Convert him, of course. Then get their hands on his fortune.“.I thought you had things fixed21 so that nobody could do that?“.No, I just fixed it so that nobody could take it away from him against his will.
Ordinarily he couldn’t even give it away without the government stepping in.
But giving it to a church, especially a politically powerful church like theFosterites, is another matter.“.I don’t see why.“Jubal sighed. .My dear, religion is practically a null area under the law. Achurch can do anything any other human organization can do- and has norestrictions. It pays no taxes, need not publish records, is effectively immuneto search, inspection22, or control-and a church is anything that calls itself achurch. Attempts have been made to distinguish between .real’ religionsentitled to these immunities23 and .cults24.’ This can’t be done, short ofestablishing a state religion . . . which is a cure worse than the disease. Inany case, we haven’t done it, and both under what’s left of the old UnitedStates Constitution and under the Treaty of Federation25, all churches areequal and equally immune-especially if they swing a big bloc26 of votes. If Mikeis converted to Fosterism . . . and makes a will in favor of his church . . . andthen .goes to heaven’ some sunrise, it will all be, to put it in the correcttautology, .as legal as church on Sunday.’“.Oh, dear! I thought we had him safe at last.“.There is no safety this side of the grave.“.Well ... what are you going to do about it, Jubal?“.Nothing. Just fret27, that’s all.“Mike stored their conversation without any effort to grok it. He recognized thesubject as one of utter simplicity28 in his own language but amazingly slipperyin English. Since his failure to achieve mutual29 grokking on this subject, evenwith his brother Mahmoud, with his admittedly imperfect translation of the allembracingMartian concept as: .Thou art God,“ be had simply waited untilgrokking was possible. He knew that the waiting would fructify30 at its time; hisbrother Jill was learning his language and he would be able to explaln it toher. They would grok together.
In the meantime the scenery flowing beneath him was a never-endingdelight, and he was filled with eagerness for experience to come. Heexpected, or hoped, to meet a human Old One.
Senator Tom Boone was waiting to meet them at the landing flat. .Howdy,folks! And may the Good Lord bless you on this beautiful Sabbath. Mr. Smith,I’m happy to see you again. And you, too, Doctor.“ He took his cigar out ofhis mouth and looked at Jill. .And this little lady- didn’t I see you at thePalace?“.Yes, Senator. I’m Gillian Boardman.“.Thought so, m’dear. Are you saved?“.Uh, I guess not, Senator.“.Well, it’s never too late. We’ll be very happy to have you attend the seekers’
service in the Outer Tabernacle-I’ll find a Guardian31 to guide you. Mr. Smithand the Doc will be going into the Sanctuary32, of course.“ The Senator lookedaround.
.Senator-.
.Uh, what, Doc?“.If Miss Boardmnan can’t go into the Sanctuary, I think we had all betterattend the seekers’ service. She’s his nurse and translator.“Boone looked slightly perturbed33. .Is he ill? He doesn’t look it. And why doeshe need a translator? He speaks English-I heard him.“Jubal shrugged34. .As his physician, I prefer to have a nurse to assist me, ifnecessary. Mr. Smith is not entirely35 adjusted to the conditions of this planet.
An interpreter may not be necessary. But why don’t you ask hint? Mike, doyou want Jill to come with you?“.Yes, Jubal.“.But- Very well, Mr. Smith.“ Boone again removed his cigar, put two fingersbetween his lips and whistled. .Cherub36 here!“A youngster in his early teens came dashing up. He was dressed in a shortrobe, tights, and slippers37, and had what appeared to be pigeon’s wings(because they were) fastened, spread, on his shoulders. He wasbareheaded, had a crop of tight golden curls, and a sunny smile. Jill thoughtthat he was as cute as a ginger38 ale ad.
Boone ordered, .Fly up to the Sanctum office and tell the Warden39 on dutythat I want another pilgrim’s badge sent to the Sanctuary gate right away.
The word is Mars.“.’Mars,’“ the kid repeated, threw Boone a Boy Scout40 salute41, turned and madea mighty10 sixty-foot leap over the heads of the crowd. Jill realized why theshort robe had looked so bulky; it concealed42 a personal jump harness.
.Have to be careful of those badges,“ Boone remarked. .You’d be surprisedhow many sinners would like to sneak43 in and sample a little of God’s Joywithout having their sins washed away first. Now we’ll just mosey along andsight-see a little while we wait for the third badge. I’m glad you folks got hereearly.“They pushed through the crowd and entered the huge building, foundthemselves in a long high hallway. Boone stopped. .I want you to noticesomething. There is economics in everything, even in the Lord’s work. Anytourist coming here, whether he attends seekers’ service or not-and servicesrun twenty-four hours a day-has to come in through here. What does he see?
These happy chances.“ Boone waved at slot machines lining44 both walls ofthe hall. .The bar and quick lunch is at the far end, he can’t even get a drinkof water without running this gauntlet. And let me tell you, it’s a remarkablesinner who can get that far without shedding his loose change.
.But we don’t take his money and give him nothing. Take a look-. Booneshouldered his way to a machine, tapped the woman playing it on theshoulder; she was wearing around her neck a Fosterite rosary. .Please,Daughter.“She looked up, her annoyance45 changed to a smile. .Certainly, Bishop46.“.Bless you. You’ll note,“ Boone went on, as he fed a quarter into themachine, .that no matter whether it pays off in worldly goods or not, a sinnerplaying this machine is always rewarded with a blessing47 and an appropriatesouvenir text.“The machine stopped whirring and, lined up in the windows, was: GODWATCHES-YOU.
.That pays three for one,“ Boone said briskly and fished the pay-off out of thereceptacle, .and here’s your souvenir text.“ He tore a paper tab off that hadextruded from a slot, and handed it to Jill. .Keep it, little lady, and ponder it.“Jill sneaked48 a glance at it before putting it into her purse: .But the Sinner’sbelly is filled with filth- N.R. XXII 17“.You’ll note,“ Boone went on, .that the pay-off is in tokens, not in coin-and thebursar’s cage is clear back past the bar . . . and there is plenty of opportunitythere to make love offerings for charity and other good works. So the sinnerprobably feeds them back in . . . with a blessing each time and another text totake home. The cumulative49 effect is tremendous, really tremendous! Why,some of our most diligent50 and pious51 sheep got their start right here in thisroom.“.I don’t doubt it,“ agreed Jubal.
.Especially if they hit a jackpot. You understand, every combination is acomplete sentence, a blessing. All but the jackpot. That’s the three HolyEyes. I tell you, when they see those eyes all lined up and starin’ at .em andall that manna from Heaven coming down, it really makes .em think.
Sometimes they faint. Here, Mr. Smith-. Boone offered Mike one of the slugsthe machine had just paid. .Give it a whirl.“Mike hesitated. Jubal quickly took the proffered52 token himself- damn it, hedidn’t want the boy getting hooked by a one-armed bandit! .I’ll try it, Senator.“He fed the machine.
Mike really hadn’t intended to do anything. He had extended his time sense alittle and was gently feeling around inside the machine trying to discover whatit did and why they were stopping to look at it. But he had been too timid toplay it himself.
But when Jubal did so, Mike watched the cylinders53 spin around, noted54 thesingle eye pictured on each, and wondered what this .jackpot“ was when allthree were lined up. The word had only three meanings, so far as he knew,and none of them seemed to apply. Without really thinking about it, certainlywithout intending to cause any excitement, he slowed and stopped eachwheel so that the eyes looked out through the window.
A bell tolled55, a choir56 sang hosannas, the machine lighted up and startedspewing slugs into the receptacle and on into a catch basin below it, in aflood. Boone looked delighted. .Well, bless you! Doc, this is your day! Here,I’ll help you-and put one back in to take the jackpot off.“ He did not wait forJubal but picked up one of the flood and fed it back in.
Mike was wondering why all this was happening, so he lined up the threeeyes again. The same events repeated, save that the flood was a meretrickle. Boone stared at the machine. .Well, I’ll be-blessedl It’s not supposedto hit twice in a row. But never mind; it did-and I’ll see that you’re paid onboth of them.“ Quickly he put a slug back in.
Mike still wanted to see why this was a .jackpot.“ The eyes lined up again.
Boone stared at them. Jill suddenly squeezed Mike’s hand and whispered,.Mike ... stop it!“.But, Jill, I was seeing-.
.Don’t talk about it. Just stop. Oh, you just wait till I get you home!“ Boonesaid slowly, .I’d hesitate to call this a miracle. Machine probably needs arepairman.“ He shouted, .Cherub here!“ and added, .We’d better take the lastone off, anyhow,“ and fed in another slug.
Without Mike’s intercession, the wheels slowed down on their own andannounced: .FOSTER-LOVES-YOU,“ and the mechanism57 tried, but failed, todeliver ten more slugs. A Cherub, older and with sleek58 black hair, came upand said, .Happy day. You need help?“.Three jackpots,“ Boone told him.
.’Three’?“.Didn’t you hear the music? Are you deef? We’ll be at the bar; fetch themoney there. And have somebody check this machine.“.Yes, Bishop.“They left the Cherub scratching his head while Boone hurried them onthrough the Happiness Room to the bar at the far end. .Got to get you out ofhere,“ Boone said jovially59, .before you bankrupt the Church. Doc, are youalways that lucky?“.Always,“ Harshaw said solemnly. He had not looked at Mike and did notintend to-he told himself that he did not know that the boy had anything to dowith it . . . but he wished mightily60 that this ordeal61 were over and all of themhome again.
Boone took them to a stretch of the bar counter marked .Reserved“ and said,.This’ll do-or would the little lady like to sit down?“.This is fine.“ (-and if you call me .little lady“ just once more I’ll turn Mikeloose on you!)A bartender hurried up. .Happy day. Your usual, Bishop?“.Double. What’ll it be, Doc? And Mr. Smith? Don’t be bashful; you’re theSupreme Bishop’s guests.“.Brandy, thank you. Water on the side.“.Brandy, thank you,“ Mike repeated ... thought about it, and added, .No waterfor me, please.“ While it was true that the water of life was not the essence inthe water ceremony, nevertheless he did not wish to drink water here.
.That’s the spirits“ Boone said heartily63. .That’s the proper spirit with spirits!
No water. Get it? It’s a joke.“ Re dug Jubal in the ribs64. .Now what’ll it be forthe little lady? Cola? Milk for your rosy65 cheeks? Or do you want a real HappyDay drink with the big folks?“.Senator,“ Jill said carefully, .Would your hospitality extend to a martini?“.Would it! Best martinis in the whole world right here-we don’t use anyvermouth at all. We bless .em instead. Double martini for the little lady. Blessyou, son, and make it fast.“ He turned to the others. .We’ve just about tImefor a quick one, then pay our respects to Archangel Foster and on into theSanctuary in time to hear the Supreme62 Bishop.“The drinks arrived and the jackpots’ payoff. They drank with Boone’sblessing, then he wrangled66 in a friendly fashion with Jubal over the threehundred dollars just delivered, insisting that all three prizes belonged to Jubaleven though Boone had inserted the slugs on the second and third. Jubalsettled it by scooping67 up all the money and depositing it in a loveoffering bowlnear them on the bar.
Boone nodded approvingly. .That’s a mark of grace, Doc. We’ll save you yet.
Another round, folks?“Jill hoped that someone would say yes. The gin was watered, she decided,and the flavor was poor; nevertheless it was starting a small flame oftolerance in her middle. But nobody spoke68 up, so she trailed along as Booneled them away, up a flight of stairs, past a sign reading: POSITIVELY69 NOSEEKERS NOR SINNERS ALLOWED ON THIS LEVEL-THIS MEANS YOU!
Beyond the sign was a heavy grilled70 gate. Boone said to it: .Bishop Booneand three pilgrims, guests of the Supreme Bishop.“The gate swung open. He led them around a curved passage and into aroom.
It was a moderately large room, luxuriously72 appointed in a style thatreminded Jill of undertakers’ parlors75, but it was filled with cheerful music. Thebasic theme seemed to be .Jingle76 Bells“ but a Congo beat had been addedand the arrangement so embroidered77 that its ancestry78 was not certain. Jillfound that she liked it and that it made her want to dance.
The far wall of the room was clear glass and appeared to be not even that.
Boone said briskly, .Here we are, folks-in the Presence.“ He knelt quickly,facing the empty wall. .You don’t have to kneel, you’rt pilgrims -but do so if itmakes you feel better. Most pilgrims do. And there he is just as he was whenhe was called up to Heaven.“Boone gestured with his cigar. .Don’t he look natural? Preserved by amiracle, his flesh incorruptible. That’s the very chair he used to sit in when hewrote his Messages . . . and that’s just the pose he was in when he went toHeaven. He never moved and he’s never been moved-we just built theTabernacle right around him . . . removing the old church, naturally, andpreserving its sacred stones.“ Opposite them about twenty feet away, facingthem, seated in a big arm chair remarkably79 like a throne, was an old man. Relooked as if he were alive - . and he reminded Jill strongly of an old goat thathad been on the farm where she had spent her childhood summers-Yes,even to the out-thrust lower lip, the cut of the whiskers, and the fierce,brooding eyes. Jill felt her skin prickle; the Archangel Foster made heruneasy. Mike said to her in Martian, .My brother, this is an Old One?“.I don’t know, Mike. They say he is.“He answered in Martian, .I do not grok an Old One here.“.I don’t know, I tell you.“.I grok wrongness.“.Mike! Remember!“.Yes, Jill.“Boone said, .What was he saying, little lady? What was your question, Mr.
Smith?“Jill said quickly, .It wasn’t anything. Senator, can I get out of here? I feelfaint.“ She glanced back at the corpse80. There were billowing clouds above itand one shaft81 of light always cut through and sought out the face. The lightchanged enough so that the face seemed to change and the eyes seemedbright and alive.
Boone said soothingly82, .It sometimes has that effect, the first time. But youought to look at him from the seekers’ gallery below us-looking up at him andwith entirely different music. Entirely. Heavy music, with subsonics in it, Ibelieve it is-reminds .em of their sins. Now this room is a Happy Thoughtsmeditation chamber83 for high officials of the Church-I often come here and sitand smoke a cigar for an hour if I’m feeling the least bit low.“.Please, Senator!“.Oh, certainly. You just wait outside, m’dear. Mr. Smith, you stay aslong as you like.“Jubal said, .Senator, hadn’t we best get on into the services?“They all left. Jill was shaking and squeezed Mike’s hand-she had beenscared silly that Mike might do something to that grisly exhibit-and get themall lynched, or worse.
Two guards, dressed in uniforms much like the Cherubim but more ornate,thrust crossed spears in their path when they reached the portal of theSanctuary. Boone said reprovingly, .Come, come! These pilgrims are theSupreme Bishop’s personal guests. Where are their badges?“The confusion was straightened out, the badges produced~ and with themtheir door prize numbers. A respectful usher84 said, .This way, Bishop,“ and ledthem up wide stairs and to a center box directly facing the stage.
Boone stood back for them to go in. .You first, little lady.“ There followed atussle of wills; Boone wanted to sit next to Mike in order to answer hisquestions. }larshaW won and Mike sat between Jill and Jiib~~l, with Booneon the aisle85.
The box was roomy and luxurious71, with very comfortable, self-adjustingseats, ash trays for each seat and drop tables for refreshments86 foldedagainst the rail in front of them. Their balcony position placed them aboutfifteen feet over the heads of the congregation and not more than a hundredfeet from the altar. In front of it a young priest was warming up the crowd,shuffling to the music and shoving his heavily muscled arms back and forth,fists clenched87, like pistons88. His strong bass89 voice joined the choir from time totime, then he would lift it in ex.hortatiofl:
.Up off your behinds! What are you waiting for? Gonna let the Devil catchyou napping’?“The aisles90 were very wide and a snake dance was moving down the rightaisle, across in front of the altar, and weaving back up the center aisle, feetstomping in time with the priest’s piston-like jabs and with the syncopatedchant of the choir. Clumps93 clump94, moan! . . . clump, clump, moan! Jill felt thebeat of it and realized sheepishly that it would be fun to get into that snakedance-as more and more people were doing under the brawny95 young priest’staunts.
.That boy’s a corner,“ Boone said approvinglY. .I’ve team.pteached with hima few times and I can testify that he turns the crowd over to you alreadysizzlin’. The Reverend .Jug96’ Jackerman-used to play left tackle for the Rams98.
You’ve seen him play.“.I’m afraid not,“ Jubal admitted. .I don’t follow football.“.Really? You don’t know what you’re missing. Why, during the season mostof the faithful stay after services, eat their lunches in their pews, and watchthe game. The whole back wall behind the altar slides away and you’relooking right into the biggest stereo tank ever built~ Puts the plays right inyour lap. Better reception than you get at home-and it’s more of a thrill towatch with a crowd around you.“ He stopped and whistled. .Hey, Cherub!
Over here!“An usher hurried over. .Yes, Bishop?“.Son, you ran away so fast when you seated us, I didn’t have time toput in my order.“.I’m sorry, Bishop.“.Being sorry won’t get you into Heaven. Get happy, son. Get that old springinto your step and stay on your toes. Same thing all around, folks? Fine!“ Hegave the order and added, .and bring me back a handful of my cigars—justask the chief barkeep.“.Right away, Bishop.“.Bless you, son. Hold it-. The head of the snake dance was just about topass under them; Boone leaned over the rail, made a megaphone of hishands and cut through the high noise level. .Dawn! Hey, Dawn!“ A womanlooked up; he caught her eye, motioned her to come up. She smiled. .Add awhiskey sour to that order. Fly.“The woman showed up quickly, as did the drinks. Boone swung a seat out ofthe box’s back row and put it cornerwise in front of him so that she could visitmore easily. .Folks, meet Miss Dawn Ardent99. M’dear, that’s Miss Boardnlan,the little lady down in the corner-and this is the famous Doctor Jubal Harshawhere by me-.
.Really? Doctor, I think your stories are simply divine~“.Thank you.“.Oh, I really do. I put one of your tapes on my player and let it lull100 me to sleepalmost every night.“.Higher praise a writer cannot expect,“ Jubal said with a straight face.
.That’s enough, Dawn,“ put in Boone. .The young man sitting between themis . . . Mr. Valentine Smith the Man from Mars.“He eyes came open wider as her mouth opened. .Oh, my goodness!“Boone roared. .Bless you, child! I guess I really snuck up on you that time.“She said, .Are you really the Man from Mars?“.Yes, Miss Dawn Ardent.“.Just call me .Dawn.’ Oh, goodness!“Boone patted her hand. .Don’t you know it’s a sin to doubt the word of aBishop? M’dear, how would you like to help lead the Man from Mars ta thelight?“.Oh, I’d love it!“(You certainly would, you sleek bitch! Jill said to herself~ She had beengrowing increasingly angry ever since Miss Ardent had joined them. Thedress the woman was wearing was long sleeved, high necked, and opaqueandcovered nothing. It was a knit fabric101 almost exactly the shade of hertanned skin and Jill was certain that skin was all there was under it-other thanMiss Ardent, which was really quite a lot, in all departments. The dress wasostentatiously modest compared with the extreme styles worn by many of thefemale half of the congregation, some of whom, in the snake dance, seemedabout to jounce out of their clothes.
Jill thought that, despite being dressed, Miss Ardent looked as if she had justwiggled out of bed and was anxious to crawl back in. With Mike. Quitsquirming your carcass at him, you cheap hussy!
Boone said, .I’ll speak to the Supreme Bishop about it, m’dear. Now you’dbetter get back downstairs and lead that parade. Jug needs your help.“She stood up obediently. .Yes, Bishop. Pleased to meet you, Doctor, andMiss Broad. I hope I’ll see you again, Mr. Smith. I’ll pray for you.“ Sheundulated away.
.A fine girl, that,“ Boone said happily. .Ever catch her act, Doctor?“.I think not. What does she do?“Boone seemed unable to believe his ears. .You don’t know?“.Didn’t you hear her name? That’s Dawn Ardent-she’s simply the highestpaid peeler in all Baja California, that’s who she is. Men have committedsuicide over her-very sad. Works under an irised spotlight102 and by the timeshe’s down to her shoes, the light is just on her face and you really can’t seeanything else. Very effective. Highly spiritual. Would you believe it, looking atthat sweet face now, that she used to be a most immoral103 woman?“.I can’t believe it.“.Well, she was. Ask her. She’ll tell you. Better yet, come to a cleansing104 forseekers-I’ll let you know when she’s going to be on. When she confesses, itgives other women courage to stand up and tell about their sins. She doesn’thold anything back-and, of course, it does her good, too, to know that she’shelping other people. Very dedicated105 woman now-flies her own car up hereevery Saturday night right after her last show, so as to be here in time toteach Sunday School. She teaches the Young Men’s Happiness Class andattendance has more than tripled since she took over.“.I can believe that,“ Jubal agreed. .How old are these lucky .Young Men’?“Boone looked at him and laughed. .You’re not fooling me, you old devilsomebodytold you the motto of Dawn’s class: .Never too old to be young.’“.No, truly.“.In any case you can’t attend her class until you’ve seen the light and gonethrough cleansing and been accepted. Sorry. This is the One True Church,Pilgrim, nothing at all like those traps of Satan, those foul106 pits of iniquity107 thatcall themselves .churches’ in order to lead the unwary into idolatry and otherabominations. You can’t just walk in here because you want to kill a couplehours out of the rain-you gotta be saved first. In fact- Oh, oh, camerawarning.“ Red lights were blinking in each corner of the great hail. .And Jug’sgot .em done to a turn. Now you’ll see some action.“The snake dance picked up more volunteers and the few left seated wereclapping the cadence109 and bouncing up and down. Pairs of ushers110 werehurrying to pick up the fallen, some of whom were quiet but others, mostlywomen, were writhing111 and foaming112 at the mouth. These were dumped hastilyin front of the altar and left to flop113 like freshly caught fish. Boone pointed73 hiscigar at a gaunt redhead, a woman apparently114 about forty whose dress wasbadly torn by her exertions115. .See that woman? It has been at least a yearsince she has gone all through a service without being possessed116 by theSpirit. Sometimes Archangel Foster uses her mouth to talk to us . . . andwhen that happens it takes four husky acolytes117 to hold her down. She couldgo to heaven any time, she’s ready. But she’s needed here. Anybody need arefill? Bar service is likely to be a little slow once the cameras are switchedon and things get lively.“Almost absently Mike let his glass be replenished118. He shared none of Jill’sdisgust with the scene. He had been deeply troubled when he haddiscovered that the .Old One“ had been no Old One at all but mere4 spoiledfood, with no Old One anywhere near. But he had tabled that matter and wasdrinking deep of the events around him.
The frenzy119 going on below him was so Martian in its flavor that he felt bothhomesick and warmly at home. No detail of the scene was Martian, all waswildly different, yet he grokked correctly that this was a growing-closer as realas water ceremony, and in numbers and intensity120 that he had never metbefore outside his own nest. He wished forlornly that someone would invitehim to join that jumping up and down. His feet tingled121 with an urge to mergehimself with them.
He spotted122 Miss Dawn Ardent again in its van and tried to catch her eyeperhapsshe would invite him. He did not have to recognize her-by size andproportions even though he had noted when he had first seen her that shewas exactly as tall as his brother Jill with very nearly the same shapings andmasses throughout. But Miss Dawn Ardent had her own face, with her painsand sorrows and growings graved on it under her warm smile. He wonderedif Miss Dawn Ardent might some day be willing to share water with him andgrow closer. Senator Bishop Boone had made him feel wary108 and he was gladthat Jubal had not permitted them to sit side by side. But Mike was sonywhen Miss Dawn Ardent had been sent away.
Miss Dawn Ardent did not feel him looking at her. The snake dance carriedher away.
The man on the platform had both his arms raised; the great cave becamequieter. Suddenly he brought them down. .Who’s happy?“.WE’RE HAPPY!“.Why?“.GOD... LOVES US!“.How d’you know?“.FOSTER TOLD US!“He dropped to his knees, raised one clenched fist. .Let’s hear that LionROAR!“The congregation roared and shrieked123 and screamed while he controlled thedin using his fist as a baton124, raising the volume, lowering it, squeezing itdown to a subvocal growl125, then suddenly driving it to crescendo126 that shookthe balcony. Mike felt it beat on him and he wallowed in it, with ecstasy127 sopainful that he feared that he would be forced to withdraw. But Jill had toldhim that he must not ever do so again, except in the privacy of his own room;he controlled it and let the waves wash over him.
The man stood up. .Our first hymn,“ he said briskly, .is sponsored by MannaBakeries, makers128 of Angel Bread, the loaf of love with our Supreme Bishop’ssmiling face on every wrapper and containing a valuable premium129 couponredeemable at your nearest neighborhood Church of the New Revelation,Brothers and Sisters, tomorrow Manna Bakeries with branches throughoutthe land start a giant, price-slashing sale of pre-equinox goodies. Send yourchild to school tomorrow with a bulging130 box of Archangel Foster cookies,each one blessed and wrapped in an appropriate text-and pray that eachgoodie he gives away may lead a child of sinners nearer to the light.
.And now let’s really live it up with the holy words of that old favorite:
.Forward, Foster’s Children!’ All together-.
.Forward, Foster’s Chil-dren! Smash apart your foesFaith our Shield and Ar-mar! Strike them down by rows-!“.Second verse!“.Make no peace with sin-nen! God is on our side!“Mike was so joyed by it all that he did not stop then to translate and weighand try to grok the words. He grokked that the words were not of essence; itwas a growing-closer. The snake dance started moving again, the marcherschanting the potent131 sounds along with the choir and those too feeble tomarch.
After the hymn they caught their breaths while there were announcements,Heavenly messages, another commercial, and the awarding of door prizes.
Then a second hymn, .Happy Faces Uplifted,“ was sponsored byDattelbaum’s Department Stores where the Saved Shop in Safety since nomerchandise is offered which competes with a sponsored brand-a children’sHappy Room in each branch supervised by a Saved sister. The young priestmoved out to the very front of the platform and cupped his ear, listening- .We... want . . . .Digby!“.Who?“.We-Want—DIG-BY!“.Louder! Make him hear you!“.WE-WANT-DIG-BY!“ Clap, clap, stomp91, stomp.
.WE- WANT-DIG-BY!“ Clap, clap, stomp, stomp- It went on and on, gettinglouder as the building rocked with it. Jubal leaned to Boone and said, .Muchof that and you’ll do what Samson did.“ .Never fear,“ Boone told him, aroundhis cigar. .Reinforced, fireproof, and sustained by faith. Besides, it’s built toshake; it was designed that way. Helps.“The lights went down, curtains behind the altar parted, and a blindingradiance from no visible source picked out the Supreme Bishop, waving hisclasped hands over his head and smiling at them.
They answered with the lion’s roar and he threw them kisses. On his way tothe pulpit he stopped, half raised one of the possessed women still writhingslowly near the altar, kissed her on the forehead, lowered her gently, startedon-stopped again and knelt by the bony redhead. The Supreme Bishopreached behind him and a portable microphone was instantly placed in hishand.
He put his other arm around the woman’s shoulders, placed the pickupnear her lips.
Mike could not understand her words. Whatever they were, he wasreasonably sure that they were not English.
But the Supreme Bishop was translating, interjecting his words quickly ateach pause in the foaming spate132. .Archangel Foster is with us today- .He isespecially pleased with you. Kiss the sister on your right- .Archangel Fosterloves you all. Kiss the sister on your left-.He has a special message for one of us here today.“The woman spoke again; Digby seemed to hesitate. .What was that? Louder,I pray you.“ She muttered and screamed at length.
Digby looked up and smiled. .His message is for a pilgrim from anotherplanet-Valentine Michael Smith the Man from Mars! Where are you,Valentine Michael! Stand up, stand up!“Jill tried to stop him but Jubal growled133, .Easier to do it than to fight it. Let himstand up, Jill. Wave, Mike. Now you can sit down.“ Mike did so, amazed tofind that they were now chanting: .Man from Mars! Man from Mars!“The sermon that followed seemed to be directed at him, too, but try as hewould, he could not understand it. The words were English, or most of themwere, but they seemed to be put together wrongly and there was so muchnoise, so much clapping, and so many shouts of .Hallelujah!“ and .HappyDay!“ that he grew quite confused. He was glad when it was over.
As soon as the sermon was finished, Digby turned the service back to theyoung priest and left; Boone stood up. .Come on, folks. We pull a sneak nowaheadof the crowd.“Mike followed along, Jill’s hand in his. Presently they were going through anelaborately arched tunnel with the noise of the crowd left behind them. Jubalsaid, .Does this way lead to the parking lot? I told my driver to wait.“.Eh?“ Boone answered. .It does if you go straight ahead. But we’re going tosee the Supreme Bishop first.“.What?“ Jubal replied. .No, I don’t think we can. It’s time for us to get onhome.“Boone stared. .Doctor, you don’t mean that. The Supreme Bishop is waitingfor us right now. You can’t just walk out on him-you must pay your respects.
You’re his guests.“Jubal hesitated, then gave in. .Well- There won’t be a lot of other people?
This boy has had enough excitement for one day.“.Just the Supreme Bishop. He wants to see you privately134.“ Boone usheredthem into a small elevator concealed in the decorations of the tunnel;moments later they were waiting in a parlor74 of Digby’s private apartments.
A door opened, Digby hurried in. He had removed his vestments and wasdressed in flowing robes. He smiled at them. .Sorry to keep you waiting,folks-I just have to have a shower as soon as I come off. You’ve no notionhow it makes you sweat to punch Satan and keep on slugging. So this is theMan from Mars? God bless you, son. Welcome to the Lord’s House.
Archangel Foster wants you to feel at home here. He’s watching over you.“Mike did not answer. Jubal was surprised to see how short the SupremeBishop was. Lifts in his shoes when he was on stage? Or the way the lightingwas arranged? Aside from the goatee he wore in evident imitation of thedeparted Foster, the man reminded him of a used-car salesman-the sameready smile and warm sincere manner. But he reminded Jubal of some oneelse, too . . . somebody- Got it! .Professor“ Simon Magus, Becky Vesey’slong-dead husband. Jubal relaxed a little and felt friendlier toward theclergyman. Simon had been as likable a scoundrel as he had ever known-Digby had turned his charm on Jill, .Don’t kneel, daughter; we’re just friendsin private here.“ He spoke a few words to her, startling Jill with a surprisingknowledge of her background and adding earnestly, .I have deep respect foryour calling, daughter. In the blessed words of Archangel Foster, Godcommands us first to minister to the body in order that the soul may seek thelight untroubled by ills of the flesh. I know that you are not yet one of us . . .
but your service is blessed by the Lord. We are fellow travelers on the road toHeaven.“He turned to Jubal. .You, too, Doctor. Archangel Foster has told us that theLord commands us to be happy - . - and many is the time I have put down mycrook, weary unto death with the cares and woes135 of my flock, and enjoyed aninnocent, happy hour over one of your stories - and have stood up refreshed,ready to fight again.“.Uh, thank you, Bishop.“.I mean it deeply. I’ve had your record searched in Heaven-now, now, nevermind; I know that you are an unbeliever but let me speak. Even Satan has apurpose in God’s Great Plan. It is not yet time for you to believe. Out of yoursorrow and heartache and pain you spin happiness for other people. This isall credited on your page of the Great Ledger136. Now please! I did not bring youhere to argue technology. We never argue with anyone, we wait until theysee the light and then we welcome them. But today we shall just enjoy ahappy hour together.“Digby then proceeded to act as if he meant it. Jubal was forced to admit thatthe glib137 fraud was a charming host, and his coffee and liquor and food wereall excellent. Jubal noticed that Mike seemed decidedly jumpy, especiallywhen Digby deftly138 cut him out of the herd139 and spoke with him alone-but,confound it, the boy was simply going to have to get used to meeting peopleand talking to them on his own, without Jubal or Jill or somebody to feed himhis lines.
Boone was showing Jill some relics140 of Foster in a glass case on the otherside of the room; Jubal covertly141 watched her evident reluctance142 with mildamusement while he spread pate92 de fois gras on toast. He heard a door clickand looked around; Digby and Mike were missing. .Where did they go,Senator?“.Eh? What was that, Doctor?“.Bishop Digby and Mr. Smith. Where are they?“Boone looked around, seemed to notice the closed door. .Oh, they’ve juststepped in there for a moment. That’s a little retiring room used for privateaudiences. You were in it, weren’t you? When the Supreme Bishop wasshowing you around.“.Um, yes.“ It was a small room with nothing in it but a chair on a dais-a.throne,“ Jubal corrected himself with a private grin-and a kneeler with an annrest. Jubal wondered which one would use the throne and which one wouldbe left with the kneeler-if this tinsel bishop tried to argue religion with Mike hewas in for some shocks. .I hope they don’t stay in there too long. We reallydo have to be getting back.“.I doubt if they’ll stay long. Probably Mr. Smith wanted a word in private.
People often do - . - and the Supreme Bishop is very generous that way.
Look, I’ll call the parking lot and have your cab waiting right at the end of thatpassageway where we took the elevator-that’s the Supreme Bishop’s privateentrance. Save you a good ten minutes.“.That’s very kind of you.“.So if Mr. Smith has something on his soul he wants to confess, we won’thave to hurry him. I’ll step outside and phone.“ Boone left.
Jill came over and said worriedly, .Jubal, I don’t like this. I think we weredeliberately maneuvered143 so that Digby could get Mike alone and work onhim.“.I’m sure of it.“.Well? They haven’t any business doing that. I’m going to bust144 right in onthem and tell Mike it’s time to leave.“.Suit yourself,“ Jubal answered, .but I think you’re acting145 like a broody hen.
This isn’t like having the S.S. on our tails, Jill; this swindle is much smoother.
There won’t be any strong-arm stuff.“ He smiled. .It’s my opinion that if Digbytries to convert Mike, they’ll wind up with Mike converting him. Mike’s ideasare pretty hard to shake.“.I still don’t like it.“.Relax. Help yourself to the free chow.“.I’m not hungry.“.Well, I am .. and if I ever tuned146 down a free feed, they’d toss me out of theAuthors’ Guild147.“ He piled paper-thin Virginia ham on buttered bread, added toit other items, none of them syntho, until he had an unsteady ziggurat,munched it and licked mayonnaise from his fingers.
Ten minutes later Boone had not returned. Jill said sharply, .Jubal, I’m notgoing to remain polite any longer. I’m going to get Mike out of there.“.Go right ahead.“She strode to the door. .Jubal, it’s locked.“.Thought it might be.“.Well? What do we do? Break it down?“.Only as a last resort.“ Jubal went to the inner door, looked it over carefully.
.Mmm, with a battering148 ram97 and twenty stout149 men I might try it. But I wouldn’tcount on it. Jill, that door would do credit to a bank vault-it’s just been prettiedup to match the room. I’ve got one much like it for the fireproof off my study.“.What do We do?“.Beat on it, if you want to. You’ll just bruise150 your hands. I’m going to seewhat’s keeping friend Boone-.
But when Jubal looked out into the hallway he saw Boone just returning.
.Sorry,“ Boone said. .Had to have the Cherubim hunt up your driver. He wasin the Happiness Room, having a bite of lunch. But your cab is waiting foryou, just where I said.“.Senator,“ Jubal said, .we’ve got to leave now. Will you be so kind as to tellBishop Digby?“Boone looked perturbed. .I could phone him, if you insist. But I hesitate to doso-and I simply cannot walk in on a private audience.“.Then phone him. We do insist.“But Boone was saved the embarrassment151 as, just then, the inner dooropened and Mike walked out. Jill took one look at his face and shrilled152, .Mike!
Are you all right?“.Yes, Jill.“.I’ll tell the Supreme Bishop you’re leaving,“ said Boone and went past Mikeinto the smaller room. He reappeared at once. .He’s left,“ he announced.
.There’s a back way into his study.“ Boone smiled. .Like cats and cooks, theSupreme Bishop goes without saying. That’s a joke. He says that .good-by’s’
add nothing to happiness in this world, so he never says good-by. Don’t beoffended.“.We aren’t. But we’ll say good-by now-and thank you for a most interestingexperience. No, don’t bother to come down; I’m sure we can find our wayout.“
收听单词发音 |
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tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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peddled
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| （沿街）叫卖( peddle的过去式和过去分词 )； 兜售； 宣传； 散播 | |
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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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contagious
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| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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gender
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| n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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immunities
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| 免除，豁免( immunity的名词复数 )； 免疫力 | |
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cults
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| n.迷信( cult的名词复数 )；狂热的崇拜；（有极端宗教信仰的）异教团体 | |
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federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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bloc
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| n.集团；联盟 | |
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fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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fructify
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| v.结果实；使土地肥沃 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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cherub
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| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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ginger
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| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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warden
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| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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cumulative
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| adj.累积的，渐增的 | |
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diligent
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| adj.勤勉的，勤奋的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
cylinders
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| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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tolled
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| 鸣钟（toll的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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jovially
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| adv.愉快地，高兴地 | |
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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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wrangled
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| v.争吵，争论，口角( wrangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
scooping
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| n.捞球v.抢先报道( scoop的现在分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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68
spoke
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| 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 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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grilled
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| adj. 烤的, 炙过的, 有格子的 动词grill的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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luxuriously
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| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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parlors
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| 客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店 | |
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76
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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77
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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78
ancestry
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| n.祖先，家世 | |
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79
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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80
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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81
shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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82
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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83
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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84
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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85
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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86
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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87
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
pistons
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| 活塞( piston的名词复数 ) | |
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89
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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90
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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91
stomp
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| v.跺（脚），重踩，重踏 | |
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92
pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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93
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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94
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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95
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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96
jug
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| n.(有柄，小口，可盛水等的)大壶，罐，盂 | |
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97
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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98
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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99
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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100
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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101
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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102
spotlight
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| n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目 | |
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103
immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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104
cleansing
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| n. 净化(垃圾) adj. 清洁用的 动词cleanse的现在分词 | |
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105
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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106
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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107
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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108
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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109
cadence
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| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
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110
ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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111
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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112
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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113
flop
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| n.失败(者)，扑通一声；vi.笨重地行动，沉重地落下 | |
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114
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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115
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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116
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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117
acolytes
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| n.助手( acolyte的名词复数 )；随从；新手；（天主教）侍祭 | |
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118
replenished
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| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
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119
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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120
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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121
tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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122
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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123
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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124
baton
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| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
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125
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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126
crescendo
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| n.(音乐)渐强，高潮 | |
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127
ecstasy
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| n.狂喜，心醉神怡，入迷 | |
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128
makers
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| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
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129
premium
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| n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的 | |
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130
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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131
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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132
spate
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| n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵 | |
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133
growled
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| 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 | |
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134
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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135
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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136
ledger
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| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
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137
glib
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| adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的 | |
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138
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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139
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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140
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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141
covertly
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| adv.偷偷摸摸地 | |
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142
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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143
maneuvered
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| v.移动，用策略( maneuver的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵 | |
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144
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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145
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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146
tuned
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| adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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147
guild
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| n.行会，同业公会，协会 | |
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148
battering
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| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
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150
bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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151
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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152
shrilled
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| （声音）尖锐的，刺耳的，高频率的( shrill的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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