PART TWO DECEMBER 23RD
Tressilian flushed. An ill-mannered, impatient way of ringing the bell at a gentleman’s house!
If it was a fresh lot of those carol singers he’d give them a piece of his mind.
Through the frosted glass of the upper half of the door he saw a silhouette—a big man in a
slouch hat. He opened the door. As he had thought—a cheap, flashy stranger—nasty pattern of suit
“Blessed if it isn’t Tressilian,” said the stranger. “How are you, Tressilian?”
Harry Lee laughed.
“Looks as though I’d given you quite a shock. Why? I’m expected, aren’t I?”
“Yes, indeed, sir. Certainly, sir.”
“Then why the surprise act?” Harry stepped back a foot or two and looked up at the house—a
good solid mass of red brick, unimaginative but solid.
How’s my father, Tressilian?”
wonderfully well, considering.”
“The old sinner!”
Harry Lee came inside, let Tressilian remove his scarf and take the somewhat theatrical11 hat.
“How’s my dear brother Alfred, Tressilian?”
“He’s very well, sir.”
Harry grinned.
“Looking forward to seeing me? Eh?”
“I expect so, sir.”
never did get on. Ever read your Bible, Tressilian?”
“Why, yes, sir, sometimes, sir.”
“Remember the tale of the prodigal’s return? The good brother didn’t like it, remember?
Didn’t like it at all! Good old stay-at-home Alfred doesn’t like it either, I bet.”
clapped him on the shoulder.
Tressilian murmured:
“If you will come this way into the drawing room, sir. I am not quite sure where everyone is
. . . They were unable to send to meet you, sir, not knowing the time of your arrival.”
Harry nodded. He followed Tressilian along the hall, turning his head to look about him as he
went.
“All the old exhibits in their place, I see,” he remarked. “I don’t believe anything has changed
since I went away twenty years ago.”
He followed Tressilian into the drawing room. The old man murmured:
“I will see if I can find Mr. or Mrs. Alfred,” and hurried out.
Harry Lee had marched into the room and had then stopped, staring at the figure who was
seated on one of the windowsills. His eyes roamed incredulously over the black hair and the
creamy exotic pallor.
“Good Lord!” he said. “Are you my father’s seventh and most beautiful wife?”
Pilar slipped down and came towards him.
“I am Pilar Estravados,” she announced. “And you must be my Uncle Harry, my mother’s
brother.”
Harry said, staring:
“So that’s who you are! Jenny’s daughter.”
Pilar said: “Why did you ask me if I was your father’s seventh wife? Has he really had six
wives?”
Harry laughed.
“No, I believe he’s only had one official one. Well—Pil—what’s your name?”
“Pilar, yes.”
“Well, Pilar, it really gives me quite a turn to see something like you blooming in this
mausoleum.”
“This—maus—please?”
I think it’s lousier than ever!”
Pilar said in a shocked voice:
“Oh, no, it is very handsome here! The furniture is good and the carpets—thick carpets
rich!”
“You’re right there,” said Harry, grinning. He looked at her with amusement. “You know, I
can’t help getting a kick out of seeing you in the midst—”
He broke off as Lydia came rapidly into the room.
She came straight to him.
“How d’you do, Harry? I’m Lydia—Alfred’s wife.”
“How de do, Lydia.” He shook hands, examining her intelligent mobile face in a swift glance
and approving mentally of the way she walked—very few women moved well.
Lydia in her turn took quick stock of him.
. . .”
She said smiling:
“How does it look after all these years? Quite different, or very much the same?”
“Pretty much the same.” He looked round him. “This room’s been done over.”
“Oh, many times.”
He said:
“I meant by you. You’ve made it—different.”
“Yes, I expect so. . . .”
He grinned at her, a sudden impish grin that reminded her with a start of the old man upstairs.
“It’s got more class about it now! I remember hearing that old Alfred had married a girl
Lydia smiled. She said:
“I believe they did. But they’ve rather run to seed since those days.”
Harry said:
“How’s old Alfred? Just the same blessed old stick-in-the-mud as ever?”
“I’ve no idea whether you will find him changed or not.”
“No—they’re all here for Christmas, you know.”
Harry’s eyes opened.
“Regular Christmas family reunion? What’s the matter with the old man? He used not to give
a damn for sentiment. Don’t remember his caring much for his family, either. He must have
changed!”
“Perhaps.” Lydia’s voice was dry.
Pilar was staring, her big eyes wide and interested.
Harry said:
“How’s old George? Still the same skinflint? How he used to howl if he had to part with a
halfpenny of his pocket money!”
Lydia said:
“George is in Parliament. He’s member for Westeringham.”
“What? Popeye in Parliament? Lord, that’s good.”
Harry threw back his head and laughed.
Then, at a movement behind him, Harry broke off his laugh and turned sharply. He had not
heard anyone coming in, but Alfred was standing there quietly. He was looking at Harry with an
odd expression on his face.
Harry stood a minute, then a slow smile crept to his lips. He advanced a step.
“Why,” he said, “it’s Alfred!”
Alfred nodded.
“Hallo, Harry,” he said.
They stood staring at each other. Lydia caught her breath. She thought:
“How absurd! Like two dogs—looking at each other. . . .”
Pilar’s gaze widened even further. She thought to herself:
“How silly they look standing there . . . Why do they not embrace? No, of course the English
do not do that. But they might say something. Why do they just look?”
Harry said at last:
“Well, well. Feels funny to be here again!”
“I expect so—yes. A good many years since you—got out.”
Harry threw up his head. He drew his finger along the line of his jaw. It was a gesture that
“Yes,” he said. “I’m glad I have come”—he paused to bring out the word with greater
significance—“home. . . .”
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1
peal
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n.钟声;v.鸣响 | |
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pealed
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v.(使)(钟等)鸣响,(雷等)发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
impudent
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adj.鲁莽的,卑鄙的,厚颜无耻的 | |
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arrogant
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adj.傲慢的,自大的 | |
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jaw
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n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训 | |
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subdued
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adj. 屈服的,柔和的,减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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gasp
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n.喘息,气喘;v.喘息;气吁吁他说 | |
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harry
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vt.掠夺,蹂躏,使苦恼 | |
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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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invalid
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n.病人,伤残人;adj.有病的,伤残的;无效的 | |
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theatrical
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adj.剧场的,演戏的;做戏似的,做作的 | |
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jolt
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v.(使)摇动,(使)震动,(使)颠簸 | |
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stiffened
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加强的 | |
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calf
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n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮 | |
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dummies
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n.仿制品( dummy的名词复数 );橡皮奶头;笨蛋;假传球 | |
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ornaments
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n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 );点缀;装饰品;首饰v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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frightful
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adj.可怕的;讨厌的 | |
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conqueror
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n.征服者,胜利者 | |
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scattered
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adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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stentorian
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adj.大声的,响亮的 | |
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brutal
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adj.残忍的,野蛮的,不讲理的 | |
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flinched
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v.(因危险和痛苦)退缩,畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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23
habitual
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adj.习惯性的;通常的,惯常的 | |
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belligerence
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n.交战,好战性,斗争性 | |
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