PART TWO DECEMBER 23RD V

V

Simeon Lee took the envelope. He drew out the single sheet of paper it held. He looked surprised.

His eyebrows¹ rose, but he smiled.

“By all that’s wonderful!” he said.

Then to the butler: “Show Mr. Farr up here, Tressilian.”

“Yes, sir.”

Simeon said: “I was just thinking of old Ebenezer Farr. He was my partner out there in

Kimberley. Now here’s his son come along!”

Tressilian reappeared. He announced: “Mr. Farr.”

Stephen Farr came in with a trace of nervousness. He disguised it by putting on a little extra

swagger. He said—and just for the moment his South African accent was more marked than usual:

“Mr. Lee?”

“I’m glad to see you. So you’re Eb’s boy?”

Stephen Farr grinned rather sheepishly.

He said: “My first visit to the old country. Father always told me to look you up if I did

come.”

“Quite right.” The old man looked round. “This is my granddaughter, Pilar Estravados.”

“How do you do?” said Pilar demurely².

Stephen Farr thought with a touch of admiration⁴:

“Cool little devil. She was surprised to see me, but it only showed for a flash.”

He said, rather heavily: “I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Estravados.”

“Thank you,” said Pilar.

Simeon Lee said: “Sit down and tell me all about yourself. Are you in England for long?”

“Oh, I shan’t hurry myself now I’ve really got here!”

He laughed, throwing his head back.

Simeon Lee said: “Quite right. You must stay here with us for a while.”

“Oh, look here, sir. I can’t butt⁵ in like that. It’s only two days to Christmas.”

“You must spend Christmas with us—unless you’ve got other plans?”

“Well, no, I haven’t, but I don’t like—”

Simeon said: “That’s settled.” He turned his head. “Pilar?”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“Go and tell Lydia we shall have another guest. Ask her to come up here.”

Pilar left the room. Stephen’s eyes followed her. Simeon noted⁶ the fact with amusement.

He said: “You’ve come straight here from South Africa?”

“Pretty well.”

They began to talk of that country.

Lydia entered a few minutes later.

Simeon said: “This is Stephen Farr, son of my old friend and partner, Ebenezer Farr. He’s

going to be with us for Christmas if you can find room for him.”

Lydia smiled.

“Of course.” Her eyes took in the stranger’s appearance. His bronzed face and blue eyes and

the easy backward tilt⁷ of his head.

“My daughter-in-law,” said Simeon.

Stephen said: “I feel rather embarrassed—butting in on a family party like this.”

“You’re one of the family, my boy,” said Simeon. “Think of yourself as that.”

“You’re too kind, sir.”

Pilar reentered the room. She sat down quietly by the fire and picked up the hand screen. She

used it as a fan, slowly tilting⁸ her wrist to and fro. Her eyes were demure³ and downcast.

1 eyebrows   

眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
• His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。

2 demurely   

adv.装成端庄地，认真地

参考例句：

• "On the forehead, like a good brother,'she answered demurely. "吻前额，像个好哥哥那样，"她故作正经地回答说。 来自飘（部分）
• Punctuation is the way one bats one's eyes, lowers one's voice or blushes demurely. 标点就像人眨眨眼睛，低声细语，或伍犯作态。 来自名作英译部分

3 demure   

adj.严肃的；端庄的

参考例句：

• She's very demure and sweet.她非常娴静可爱。
• The luscious Miss Wharton gave me a demure but knowing smile.性感迷人的沃顿小姐对我羞涩地会心一笑。

4 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

5 butt   

n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶

参考例句：

• The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
• He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 tilt   

v.(使)倾侧；(使)倾斜；n.倾侧；倾斜

参考例句：

• She wore her hat at a tilt over her left eye.她歪戴着帽子遮住左眼。
• The table is at a slight tilt.这张桌子没放平，有点儿歪.

8 tilting   

倾斜，倾卸

参考例句：

• For some reason he thinks everyone is out to get him, but he's really just tilting at windmills. 不知为什么他觉得每个人都想害他，但其实他不过是在庸人自扰。
• So let us stop bickering within our ranks.Stop tilting at windmills. 所以，让我们结束内部间的争吵吧！再也不要去做同风车作战的蠢事了。