Suddenly a match flared4 and the twinkling tip of light grew at a candle end and she saw a ghostly figure, its white hand busy with the candle wick and its hollow, black eyes fixed5 on the tiny growing flame. Instantly other matches flickered6 and more candles glimmered8 in ghostly fingers, until the room was flashing with tiny points of light, while the masses of heavy shadow trembled and surged about an array of white-clad, mysterious, skull-faced figures that slowly formed in line and, two by two, moved to the center of the room, chanting a low, monotonous10 song as they walked in solemn procession.
"My word!" breathed Patricia, stirred and chilled in spite of herself. "They're doing it brown this time!"
As her eyes grew accustomed to the flicker7 and motion, she searched for Elinor, and saw her at last, the center of the weird11 procession, standing12 quietly beside the chair from which she had risen, holding her head with a sweet and gracious dignity that went straight to Patricia's chilled heart.
"Dear old Norn," she thought with a returning glow. "They can't scare her, bless her heart!"
Elinor stood smiling a little at the gruesome company as they slowly paced about her in a narrowing circle, and when the leader took her hand and led her to the model stand, motioning to her to mount it, she acquiesced13 with graceful14 alacrity15.
Standing high above them in the semi-gloom, with that faint smile still on her lips, she watched them calmly as they danced the famous Ghost Dance of the Academy about her, omitting no gruesome detail that would be calculated to affright the dismayed beholder16, chanting and groaning17 horribly the while.
At a sign from the leader the dance stopped as suddenly as it had begun, and the leader once more approached Elinor, followed by four of the foremost ghosts.
They mounted the platform and, seating Elinor in the chair, filed before her, presenting one after another a grisly hand and cadaverous cheek for her salute18.
"The horrid19 things!" murmured Patricia to herself, with her wrath21 beginning to rise. "I'd pinch their noses for them if they made me kiss them! Elinor's too gentle with them. I wonder why she doesn't pull the string? She could reach it easily now."
But Elinor, far from showing rancor22, shook the bony hands and kissed the sunken cheeks with as good grace as though she were receiving her dearest friends. She even made some little speech to each, though Patricia was too far away to catch more than a word or two.
Her sweetness of temper, nevertheless, did not seem to appease23 the ghosts, for, when the ceremony of salutation was finished, the four seated themselves cross-legged on either side of her, while the leader proceeded to catechize her.
"Where do you live?" was the next question, to which Elinor again replied good-naturedly.
"Pooh! they're as stupid as the rest," thought Patricia contemptuously, and she let her attention wander, studying the various ghosts, making mental notes as to height and size for future reference.
She was brought back to the center of interest by a sharp hiss26 from a ghost on the edge of the assembly and a muffled cry of "No fair!" from another nearer the stand.
"I repeat," she piped, turning to Elinor with a jerky bow, "I repeat my question. Why were you admitted to our class without having worked in any antique or life classes before?"
"Oh, that's too personal," said a ghost in a disgusted tone. "I protest! This isn't a Board meeting."
There was a general murmur20 of laughter at this, but the leader stood rigid28, awaiting Elinor's reply.
"I have told anyone who asked me," said Elinor, evenly, though her cheeks were beginning to burn. "I came in on Bruce Haydon's recommendation."
There was a rustle29 of approval at her quiet tone and a stir as of the assembly breaking up, but again the leader motioned for silence.
"The other four sisters will make their investigation30 after I have finished," she announced in her shrill31 tones. "I have but three more questions to put to the novice32."
There was a silence that made the next question come with more insulting force, while Patricia again wondered why Elinor did not seize this moment for her broadside of bonbons33.
"How much," squeaked34 the leader, more shrilly35 than ever, "did Bruce Haydon bribe36 the Board to let you in?"
Instantly there was a storm of hisses37 and protests; the four next inquisitors jumped to their feet and down from the model stand with one motion, crying that it was a shame that the fun was spoiled and that they had all had enough for one night.
"Initiation38's over!" shouted someone in a voice of authority, and suddenly the candle-lights vanished into a tumultuous darkness, while there was a confusion of scurrying39 noises that made Patricia's head swim for a moment.
Then the lights flashed on, and she saw clearly the disheveled, excited assembly hastily hiding bundles of white cloth in any available spot, while hair and dress were hurriedly arranged and order generally restored. Elinor still stood on the model stand under the brilliant circle of lights, her wide eyes gleaming and her head uplifted.
"I haven't been asked for a speech," she began clearly. "But I do want to say a word or two, if you'll let me."
She paused for some sign, and Patricia in her corner was delighted at the Babel which answered her. Cries of "Of course we will!" "Dee-lighted!" "Take all the time you want!" mingled40 with applause and stamping, until Elinor could not forbear a laugh.
"I won't wear out your patience," she promised, as quiet was restored and her voice could again be heard. "I haven't any oration41 to deliver. I only want to say that I don't know who it was asked me those questions, and I hope I never shall know. You've all been very kind to me, and I'd hate to think that any of you wanted to make me uncomfortable. I'm sure it was simply an initiation stunt42, and I for one shall never think of it again."
She paused with a bright, friendly glance on the upturned faces.
"This is my real introduction to the night-life class," she said, with a sweeping43 gesture that, unseen to all but the anxious Patricia, caught the cord from its hiding place among the draperies. "And I want this evening to be a sweet memory to us all."
She stepped aside with a swift movement, and the big red lantern swayed and threatened to topple as the cord tightened44.
"Why, what's that?" cried a voice, and all eyes were turned to the gaudy45 swaying globe. Before anyone could speak, Elinor gave another hard tug46, tearing out the bottom of the lantern, and down came the shower of gay little gauze bags with their cargoes47 of bonbons, pell-mell on the heads of the crowd!
"Hallelujah! It's the fee!" cried Griffin, with a green and gold packet in her hands. "Hurrah48 for Kendall Major! She's the stuff!"
"Verses, too!" cried Margaret Howes. "Verses on every one of them. Read them aloud, everybody in turn. Hurry up and get them all together."
"Silence, will you?" shouted Griffin, pounding like mad. "Keep still till the exercises are over. The first little girl to speak her piece is Miss Doris Leighton. Come up, Doris, dear. Don't put your finger in your mouth, and speak so we can all hear you. Fire away."
Patricia thought Doris Leighton looked pale as she stood up on the model stand to read the nonsense verse that was on her candy bag, but her loveliness wrought49 the same spell on the others as it always had, and they listened to her silvery voice in appreciative50 silence, and applauded her warmly at the end.
One after another, the girls mounted the stand beside Elinor, and read the little verses, while the assembly listened, and even the model, decorously cloaked, came from her little room, and with her crocheting51 in hand sat smiling at the nonsense.
When the last verse had been read and the laughter died down, Griffin raised her voice again.
"Nobody's asked me for a speech," she began and paused.
"Didn't think you had to be asked," came from the crowd in a laughing voice.
Griffin looked sadly in the direction of the voice.
"Nobody's asked me," she repeated more firmly, "and so I'm not going to make any. So there!"
Groans52 of relief sounded from the side of the room whence the voice had come, and there was a general giggle53.
"I merely raised my voice above the general clamor," Griffin went on with an icy stare towards her hidden critic, "to suggest that we show our appreciation54 of the delightful55 entertainment Miss Kendall has so thoughtfully provided us by giving her the Night Life Song, or the Academy Howl, whichever she prefers." She bowed to Elinor with exaggerated politeness. "Which shall it be, Miss Kendall? Each is equally diverting, but the Howl has the merit of greater brevity. No extra charge for the choice, you know, so speak up and name it."
Elinor glanced about at the circle of laughing, friendly faces and her eyes shone.
"I'll choose the song," she announced, gayly. "I've heard a lot of howling already this evening."
"The song it is," cried Griffin, stepping on a chair and beginning to beat time with a big paint-brush. "Now then, all together, my children. Warble!"
Patricia, thrilled by the sweetness of the rippling56, crooning song, and before the verse was half done, joined unconsciously in with the others, forgetting the need of words in the melody of the lilting song.
"Creatures of the night are we,
Sisters of the glow-worm dim,
Harken to our even-song,
Night it is that makes us strong."
"Glorious night that makes us strong,
Shape our efforts into life."
Patricia's heart beat hard with the beauty of the woven word and melody, and she gave a little gulp63 to keep back the tears that sprang so readily.
"I didn't dream those uproarious creatures could be so serious. I wonder where they got that song," she said to herself as she slipped unnoticed out into the twilight64 of the corridor.
She put the question to Griffin when she met her in the hall after the class had broken up in disorder65 to celebrate the initiation by a general gambol66 through the deserted67 halls and corridors. Patricia and Griffin were seating themselves on a drawing-board at the top of the short flight of stone steps that connected the back corridor with the exhibition rooms above.
"That? Oh, Carol Lawton wrote that for us before she left. She was a corker, I can tell you." A shade flitted over Griffin's face as she settled herself more firmly on the board. "She died last fall, and we've sung that song ever since. Ready now! Let her go!"
Away they sped down the stony68 stairs with a great clatter69 of board and flutter of skirts, winding70 up at the bottom with a final heavy thump71.
"Phew! That's great!" cried Patricia, springing lightly to her feet. "It's more like flying than anything else."
"Yes, it's going some," returned Griffin nonchalantly, as she started up the stair again, dragging the board after her. "The March Hare originated it back in the dark ages, and we've been doing it off and on—when the authorities don't get on to us."
"The March Hare?" queried72 Patricia, much elated by this exhilarating society, and wishing more ardently73 than ever that she were fitted for this fascinating class.
Griffin nodded. "Tabby March, you know. The young woman who paints pussies74. Used to go here three years ago, before she'd arrived. She was a wild one, I can tell you."
"Do you mean Elizabeth March, who got the Tassel75 prize this year?" asked Patricia in surprise. "Why, I saw her last week at the exhibition and she was awfully76 prim77 looking."
Griffin chuckled78. "It's fame that tames them, mark my words. Soon's they get known they grow into a pattern. Ready now. Let her r-r-r-rip!"
Elinor intercepted79 them at the bottom just as they were preparing for a third flight.
"I've been looking for you everywhere, Miss Pat," she said radiantly. "There's going to be a spread in the cave, and I've phoned home to Judy not to wait for us, as we won't be there for dinner."
"Am I asked?" demanded Patricia with eager eyes.
"Of course, or I'd have sent word by you instead of phoning," said Elinor quickly. "Come along down, both of you. Everything is ready, and Margaret Howes is making Welsh rarebit just specially80 for you—she heard you say you adored it. Hurry, hurry."
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收听单词发音
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1
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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3
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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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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flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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beholder
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| n.观看者，旁观者 | |
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groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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18
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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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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rancor
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| n.深仇，积怨 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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sockets
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| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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29
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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bonbons
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| n.小糖果( bonbon的名词复数 ) | |
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34
squeaked
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的过去式和过去分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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38
initiation
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| n.开始 | |
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39
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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40
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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41
oration
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| n.演说，致辞，叙述法 | |
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stunt
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| n.惊人表演，绝技，特技；vt.阻碍...发育，妨碍...生长 | |
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43
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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44
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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45
gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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46
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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47
cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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48
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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49
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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50
appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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51
crocheting
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| v.用钩针编织( crochet的现在分词 )；钩编 | |
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52
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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53
giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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54
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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55
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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56
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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57
hooting
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 )； 倒好儿； 倒彩 | |
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58
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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59
overflows
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| v.溢出，淹没( overflow的第三人称单数 )；充满；挤满了人；扩展出界，过度延伸 | |
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60
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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61
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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63
gulp
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| vt.吞咽，大口地吸（气）；vi.哽住；n.吞咽 | |
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64
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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65
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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66
gambol
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| v.欢呼，雀跃 | |
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67
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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68
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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69
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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70
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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71
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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72
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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73
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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74
pussies
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| n.（粗俚） 女阴( pussy的名词复数 )；（总称）（作为性对象的）女人；（主要北美使用，非正式）软弱的；小猫咪 | |
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75
tassel
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| n.流苏，穗；v.抽穗， （玉米）长穗须 | |
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76
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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77
prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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78
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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80
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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