“Now, Moses, look sharp. Quit yer foolin’ an’ git busy,” called Mrs. Wopp, to the son and heir, whose toilet was not even begun. She herself was busy braiding Betty’s fair hair. “Be sure to warsh yer neck an’ ears. Larst party we was to, Mis’ Williams says to me, she says, ‘Is that your Moses settin’ on that bench? La me! he seems darker complected than I ever seed him before. I thort he were some Arfrican,’ she says. I hev always been a godly woman, Moses, ef I do go to a dance now an’ agin. Anyhow, the good book says there is a time to dance, but it aint got no patience with dirt. Git yerself cleaned up, then go an’ hook up the team.”
Howard rode his chestnut5 saddle-horse “The Kid,” while Nell had “Ladybird.” Moses was not so pious6 by nature as his mother, and he had flatly refused to have his pinto’s disposition7 spoiled by giving her such a name as “Hephzibah” his mother’s choice.
The two riders, who were to be followed by the family in the democrat8, set off at a gentle lope. Before them lay the Cedar9 Hills over which the moon was just rising sharply defining their wooded crests10. They followed a trail well-known to Howard who had ridden the range, in this district for several years. Nell, though an eastern girl, was at home in the saddle having always been accustomed to riding.
“I believe you are becoming a confirmed westerner,” said Howard as they slowed down to a walk. “If you once drink slough11 water you know you will never like any other.”
“Perhaps not,” answered Nell, “I can see there are wonderful possibilities in this vast country. Some day this prairie will be dotted here and there with prosperous towns. But don’t let us be serious. Here’s a grand place for a race. I know ‘Ladybird’ can beat ‘The Kid.’”
Off she darted12 followed by Howard. The horses swept over the smooth turf in long easy strides, gradually increasing in speed as pinto and chestnut realized that this was a trial of fleetness. It was glorious, but presently Nell, remembering Moses’ parting injunctions in regard to his beloved pinto, pulled up. “Next time, Ladybird, we will win never fear,” she said consolingly, patting the horse’s sleek13 neck.
The dance was held in a new barn of which the floor was especially good. Indeed the young people of the family had seen to that. Unfortunately the stable end of the building was already in use and this proved to be somewhat inconvenient14. During the festivities of the evening one delicate lady fainted from excitement and overpowering stable odors. She speedily revived, however, on being carried into the fresh air and soused with a bucket of cold water. The building was illuminated15 with lanterns and an occasional oil lamp. Benches were ranged along the walls. The crowd was large and as usual at these affairs men predominated in numbers. The dances were mostly square ones and when a husky caller-off became hoarse16 and exhausted17 with shouting, another took his place. He usually stood at one end of the building beside the fiddler.
Howard led Nell through the intricacies of a square dance.
“Salute your partner,” yelled Geordie Hodgekiss, the first caller-off.
Howard gravely did as ordered.
“Grand chain,” bawled18 Geordie evidently feeling his importance, “dos-et-dos, ladies’ chain, swing on the corners, and put some feelin’ in your step.
Ladies cross your lily-white hands
And gents your black and tan,
Which last order was the signal for a giddy frolic. Finally, “Everybody promenade20, you know where,” and the dancers joined the spectators on the benches.
“Here come the Wopps,” said Nell to her companion as the family entered, led as usual by Mrs. Wopp. Mr. Wopp came next especially scoured21 for the occasion, freshly shaved and with long side hair carefully oiled and combed over the bald spot on his crown. He carried a few long strips of paper in his hand. Beside him walked Betty inwardly disapproving22 of the two stiff braids with which her head was adorned23. Bringing up the rear was Moses, his face shining with soap and satisfaction and wearing a new brown suit at least two sizes too large for him. He was bent24 on a good time which in his case meant sitting on a side bench with a few other youths and jeering25 at the mistakes of the dancers. Close at his heels came Jethro who had pleaded so hard to be brought along and had gazed at them with such tragic26 appeal in his eyes that they could not disappoint him. He was now stationed under a bench, having first been intimidated27 with dire28 threats as to what would happen to him should he come out and trip up the dancers.
“Choose your partners for a quadrille,” called Geordie, and once more the floor was filled. There was room for six sets and in one of these stood Mr. Wopp with his partner Nell, while at the capacious side of Mrs. Wopp was Howard.
“Salute your partner, swing—your partner.” Mrs. Wopp who had expected “Swing on the corner,” had seized the unfortunate Mr. Wopp and in spite of his struggles was spinning him violently around, while their respective partners stood and looked helplessly on.
“Stop Mar29, lemme go, you are wrong,” gasped30 the little man whose efforts to escape from her clutches had grown more and more feeble. “Drat that man, anyhow, why carnt he say what he means?” answered the mortified31 lady. The jeers32 of the youths on the benches added to her discomforture. Nell began to wonder whether her mind and constitution were robust33 enough to allow her to engage in such festivities as these very often.
Now the dance was a two-step and Mrs. Wopp, who drew a hard and fast line at round dances, declaring they were instigated34 by the evil one, sat and looked on talking to Betty meanwhile.
“I hope when you are growed up, my dear, you will never dance them waltzes an’ two-steps. The good Lord carnt love them as does sich things.”
Betty who secretly preferred to trip the light fantastic toe in this manner, maintained a discreet36 silence.
Mrs. Wopp leaning towards a lady on her right inquired, “Do you know Mis’ Stephens, why Joe Avery is not dancin’ this evenin’. Ever sence we come into this here barn he has never moved from his seat.”
“I kin35 tell you, Mrs. Wopp. He met with an accident comin’ over. He was gittin’ through Abe Bower37’s wire fence to save goin’ round by the gate when Ben Bower’s bull-dog ‘Jeff’ caught sight of him. Next minute Joe seen the bull-dog comin’ an’ started back through the fence. Land sakes! The tear he got in the seat of his pants was somethin’ shockin’.”
“Pore Joe! Truly the way of the transgressor38 is hard. I feel bad fer him, to think he has to set round all evenin’ and carnt even git up to git a drink of water fer hisself.”
“I wouldn’t jist say he cant39 git up, Mrs. Wopp, fer Mrs. Bower sewed the tear up fer him; but the pants bein’ still on him and Joe bein’ shy-like she felt too narvous to make a good job of it an’ I reckon Joe is afeard those few stitches Mrs. Bower put in may not be very secoor.”
Mr. Wopp in the meantime had seated himself on the other side of Betty and was busy taking notes on the dance then in progress. “It was so interestin” he said, “and the poetry might come in handy.” The dance was called “Captain Jinks.”
He feeds his horse on corn and beans.
“Swing with Captain Jinks, swing with the horse that ate the beans, swing with the girl with the great big feet.”
Though these and similar remarks seemed rather personal no resentment41 was felt by anybody.
As the evening wore on Mrs. Wopp, Mrs. Stephens and a few other ladies adjourned42 to a box stall where the refreshments43 were stored. Pleased with the prospect44 of dispensing45 lavish46 hospitality from the combined larders47 of the neighborhood, Mrs. Wopp’s face radiated cheerfulness.
A small stove had been set up in the improvised48 kitchen, and a big boiler49 filled with water. This was now boiling furiously and the ladies proceeded to make the coffee. Cakes and pies were cut, cups and saucers were piled in one huge basket and sandwiches in another.
“Now Mis’ Stephens, call the boys,” requested Mrs. Wopp who was the busiest of the group.
Armed with the big baskets, several young men of the party travelled from bench to bench, followed by others with coffee pots. The strenuous50 exercises of the evening, preceded in most cases by a long ride or drive, had developed vigorous appetites and the viands51 were disposed of with wonderful rapidity.
“Aint it amazin’ how hungry one gits,” hoarsely52 remarked Mr. Wopp who had not spoken for some time owing to close application to the task in hand. “Lize, I want a piece of that punkin pie of yourn.” Here he caressed53 the bulging54 buttons on his waistcoat. “My mouth’s waterin’ fer it an’ I b’lieve I hev room.”
Moses came bearing an achievement of spicy55, opaque56 amber57 supported and surrounded by tantalizing58, toast-brown crust. Before the expectant Mr. Wopp, however, had time to note these details, there was a quick rush of a small black and white object, a crash, some ear-splitting howls, as Moses, pie, Jethro, and one of Mrs. Wopp’s best blue dinner plates were precipitated59 against Mr. Wopp’s legs. Down his Sunday trousers meandered60 a yellow glacier61 which Mrs. Wopp regarded with dismay.
“Moses, yer as useless as the hole in a doughnut; here quick gimme yer handkerchief till I mop up yer Par.”
“Don’t stan’ starin’ there like Betty’s chiner doll, go git another of my pies.”
This time Moses was more successful. Comforted, he felt he could enjoy a few morsels63 himself. Calling the contrite64 Jethro, who, after extricating65 himself from the ruins he had made, had retired66 under a bench, the boy made his way to a remote corner. Here no parental67 admonitions would disturb him. He surveyed with pleased expectancy68 an enormous triangle of pie, a huge slab69 of gingerbread, a monument of glistening70 iced cake, half a dozen tarts71, and a few other trifles he had brought with him.
Supper over and dishes hurried out of sight, the floor was once more cleared and the real business of the evening was resumed.
“Come on Betty, you haven’t had a dance this evening. It isn’t fair for the grownups to have all the fun,” invited Howard Eliot.
“Oh, I was havin’ lots of fun watchin’ the dancin’,” returned Betty rising with childish alacrity72. The wistful look that belied73 her words disappeared like magic.
“Aint Miss Gordon a lovely dancer?” she interrogated74, “and aint she lovely herself? I’ve been watollin’ you an’ her dance all evenin’. Moses says he’s almost wore out one eye lookin’ at you both. He says he don’t go in strong fer teachers, but he thinks Miss Gordon is worth an eyestrain anyways.”
Betty was trying to keep up the engaging flow of talk but the dance proved to require all her attention.
A grey light began to be visible through the windows. Whereupon horse blankets were pressed into service and the accusing daylight was shut out. Some of the more conservative members of the party began to think of home. Among these was Ebenezer Wopp who had not danced since the opening set. He had sat for some hours in a comatose75 condition, except when he was aroused for a few moments by a nudge or pinch administered by his energetic wife.
“What’s the use of goin’ to a dance and settin’ sleepin’ like one of them spinxes, Ebenezer?” she expostulated as she roused him from his slumbers76. The good lady herself had danced almost incessantly77 until her face had taken on the hue78 of a ripe pippin.
The sun rose over the hills and his presence could be ignored no longer. As the Wopp family were driving silently home in the chilly79 morning, Moses, growing reminiscent, remarked with a yawn:
“Anyhow, Mar, that fust punkin pie Par got was a howlin’ success.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
ranch
|
|
| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
pervaded
|
|
| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
par
|
|
| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
juncture
|
|
| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
chestnut
|
|
| n.栗树，栗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
pious
|
|
| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
democrat
|
|
| n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
cedar
|
|
| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
crests
|
|
| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
slough
|
|
| v.蜕皮，脱落，抛弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
sleek
|
|
| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
inconvenient
|
|
| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
illuminated
|
|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
bawled
|
|
| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
jig
|
|
| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
promenade
|
|
| n./v.散步 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
scoured
|
|
| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的过去式和过去分词 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
disapproving
|
|
| adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
adorned
|
|
| [计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
jeering
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
tragic
|
|
| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
intimidated
|
|
| v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
dire
|
|
| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
mar
|
|
| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
mortified
|
|
| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
jeers
|
|
| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
robust
|
|
| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
instigated
|
|
| v.使（某事物）开始或发生，鼓动( instigate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
kin
|
|
| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
bower
|
|
| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
transgressor
|
|
| n.违背者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
cant
|
|
| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
marine
|
|
| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
adjourned
|
|
| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
refreshments
|
|
| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
dispensing
|
|
| v.分配( dispense的现在分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
lavish
|
|
| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
larders
|
|
| n.（家中的）食物贮藏室，食物橱( larder的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
48
improvised
|
|
| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
boiler
|
|
| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
strenuous
|
|
| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
viands
|
|
| n.食品，食物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
caressed
|
|
| 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
bulging
|
|
| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
spicy
|
|
| adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
opaque
|
|
| adj.不透光的；不反光的，不传导的；晦涩的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
amber
|
|
| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
tantalizing
|
|
| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
precipitated
|
|
| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
meandered
|
|
| （指溪流、河流等）蜿蜒而流( meander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
glacier
|
|
| n.冰川，冰河 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
morsels
|
|
| n.一口( morsel的名词复数 )；（尤指食物）小块，碎屑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
contrite
|
|
| adj.悔悟了的，后悔的，痛悔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
extricating
|
|
| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
parental
|
|
| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
expectancy
|
|
| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
slab
|
|
| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
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： |
|
|
|
|
71
tarts
|
|
| n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
belied
|
|
| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
interrogated
|
|
| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
comatose
|
|
| adj.昏睡的，昏迷不醒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
slumbers
|
|
| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
incessantly
|
|
| ad.不停地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
hue
|
|
| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
chilly
|
|
| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |