Chapter Three A NASTY SHOCK

Chapter Three A NASTY SHOCK
　　GEORGE'S boat was almost ready, but not quite. It was having a last coat of paint on it. It lookedvery gay, for George had chosen a bright red paint, and the oars¹ were painted red too.
　　"Oh, can't we possibly have it this afternoon?" said George to Jim the boatman.
　　He shook his head.
　　"No, Master George," he said, "not unless you all want to be messed up with red paint. It'll be drytomorrow, but not before."
　　It always made the others smile to hear the boatmen and fishermen call Georgina "Master George."The local people all knew how badly she wanted to be a boy, and they knew, too, how plucky² andstraightforward she was, so they laughed to one another and said: "Well, they reckoned she behavedlike a boy, and if she wanted to be called "Master George" instead of"Miss Georgina", she deserved it!"
　　So Georgina was Master George, and enjoyed strutting³ about in her jeans and jersey⁴ on the beach,using her boat as well as any fisher-boy, and swimming faster than them all.
　　"We'll go to the island tomorrow then," said Julian. "We'll just picnic on the beach today. Then we'llgo for a walk."
　　So they picnicked on the sands with Timothy sharing more than half their lunch. The sandwicheswere not very nice. The bread was too stale; there was not enough butter inside, and they were far toothick. But Timothy didn't mind. He gobbled up as many as he could, his tail wagging so hard that itsent sand over everyone.
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　　"Timothy, do take your tail out of the sand if you want to wag it," said Julian, getting sand all overhis hair for the fourth time. Timmy wagged his tail hard again, and sent another shower over him.
　　Everyone laughed.
　　"Let's go for a walk now," said Dick, jumping up. "My legs could do with some good exercise.
　　Where shall we go?"
　　"We'll walk along the cliff-top, where we can see the island all the time, shall we?" said Anne.
　　"George, is the old wreck⁵ still there?"
　　George nodded. The children had once had a most exciting time with an old wreck that had lain at thebottom of the sea. A great storm had lifted it up and set it firmly on the rocks. They had been able toexplore the wreck then, and had found a map of the castle in it, with instructions as to where hiddentreasure was to be found.
　　"Do you remember how we found that old map in the wreck, and how we looked for the ingots ofgold and found them?" said Julian, his eyes gleaming as he remembered it all. "Isn't the wreckbattered to pieces yet, George?"
　　"No," said George. "I don't think so. It's on the rocks on the other side of the island, you remember,so we can't see it from here. But we might have a look at it when we go on the island tomorrow.""Yes, let's," said Anne. "Poor old wreck! I guess it won't last many winters now."They walked along the cliff-top with Timothy capering⁶ ahead of them. They could see the islandeasily and the ruined castle rising up from the middle.
　　"There's the jackdaw tower," said Anne, looking. "The other tower's fallen down, hasn't it? Look atthe jackdaws circling round and round the tower, George!""Yes. They build in it every year," said George. "Don't you remember the masses of sticks roundabout the tower that the jackdaws dropped when they built their nests? We picked some up and madea fire with them once."
　　"I'd like to do that again," said Anne. "I would really. Let's do it each night if we stay a week on theisland. George, did you ask your mother?""Oh yes," said George. "She said she thought we might, but she would see.""I don't like it when grown-ups say they'll see," said Anne. "It so often means they won't let you dosomething after all, but they don't like to tell you at the time."12
　　"Well, I expect she will let us," said George. "After all, we're much older than last year. Why, Julianis in his teens already, and I soon shall be and so will Dick. Only Anne is small.""I'm not," said Anne, indignantly. "I'm as strong as you are. I can't help being younger.""Hush⁷, hush, baby!" said Julian, patting his little sister on the back and laughing at her furious face.
　　"Hallo - look! What's that over there on the island?"He had caught sight of something as he was teasing Anne. Everyone swung round and gazed atKirrin. George gave an exclamation⁸.
　　"Golly - a spire⁹ of smoke! Surely it's smoke! Someone's on my island.""On our island," corrected Dick. "It can't be! That smoke must come from a steamer out beyond theisland. We can't see it, that's all. But I bet the smoke comes from a steamer. We know no one can getto the island but us. They don't know the way.""If anyone's on my island," began George, looking very fierce and angry, "if anyone's on my island,I'll - I'll - I'll . . ."
　　"You'll explode and go up in smoke!" said Dick. "There - it's gone now. I'm sure it was only asteamer letting off steam or smoking hard, whatever they do."They watched Kirrin Island for some time after that, but they could see no more smoke. "If only myboat was ready!" said George, restlessly. "I'd go over this afternoon. I've a good mind to go and getmy boat, even if the paint is wet."
　　"Don't be an idiot!" said Julian. "You know what an awful row we'd get into if we go home with allour things bright red. Have a bit of sense, George."George gave up the idea. She watched for a steamer to appear at one side of the island or another, tocome into the bay, but none came.
　　"Probably anchored out there," said Dick. "Come on! Are we going to stand rooted to this spot for therest of the day?"
　　"We'd better get back home," said Julian, looking at his wrist-watch. "It's almost tea-time. I hopeyour mother is up, George. It's much nicer when she's at meals.""Oh, I expect she will be," said George. "Come on, then let's go back!"They turned to go back. They watched Kirrin Island as they walked, but all they could see wasjackdaws or gulls¹⁰ in the sky above it. No more spires¹¹ of smoke appeared. It must have been asteamer!
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　　"All the same, I'm going over tomorrow to have a look," said George, firmly. "If any trippers arevisiting my island I'll turn them off."
　　"Our island," said Dick. "George, I wish you'd remember you said you'd share it with us.""Well - I did share it out with you," said George, "but I can't help feeling it's still my island.
　　Come on! I'm getting hungry."
　　They came back at last to Kirrin Cottage. They went into the hall, and then into the sitting-room¹².
　　To their great surprise Edgar was there, reading one of Julian's books.
　　"What are you doing here?" said Julian. "And who told you you could borrow my book?""I'm not doing any harm," said Edgar. "If I want to have a quiet read, why shouldn't I?""You wait till my Father comes in and finds you lolling about here," said George. "My goodness, ifyou'd gone into his study, you'd have been sorry.""I've been in there," said Edgar, surprisingly. "I've seen those funny instruments he's working with.""How dare you!" said George, going white with rage "Why, even we are not allowed to go into myFather'; study. As for touching¹³ his things - well!"Julian eyed Edgar curiously¹⁴. He could not imagine why the boy should suddenly be so insolent¹⁵.
　　"Where's your father, George?" he said. "I think we had better get him to deal with Edgar. He mustbe mad."
　　"Call him if you like," said Edgar, still lolling in the chair, and flicking¹⁶ over the pages of Julian'sbook in a most irritating way. "He won't come.""What do you mean?" said George, feeling suddenly scared. "Where's my mother?""Call her too, if you like," said the boy, looking sly. "Go on! Call her."The children suddenly felt afraid. What did Edgar mean? George flew upstairs to her mother's room,shouting loudly.
　　"Mother! Mother! Where are you?"
　　But her mother's bed was empty. It had not been made - but it was empty. George flew into all theother bedrooms, shouting desperately¹⁷: "Mother! Mother! Father! Where are you?"But there was no answer. George ran downstairs, her face very white. Edgar grinned up at her.
　　"What did I tell you?" he said. "I said you could call all you liked, but they wouldn't come.""Where are they?" demanded George. "Tell me at once!""Find out yourself," said Edgar.
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　　There was a resounding¹⁸ slap, and Edgar leapt to his feet, holding his left cheek with his hand.
　　George had flown at him and dealt him the hardest smack¹⁹ she could. Edgar lifted his hand to slap herback, but Julian stood in front.
　　"You're not fighting George," he said. "She's a girl. If you want a fight, I'll take you on.""I won't be a girl; I'm a boy!" shouted George, trying to push Julian away. "I'll fight Edgar, and I'llbeat him, you see if I don't."
　　But Julian kept her off. Edgar began to edge towards the doorway²⁰, but he found Dick there.
　　"One minute," said Dick. "Before you go - where are our uncle and aunt?""Gr-r-r-r-r-r-r," suddenly said Timothy, in such a threatening voice that Edgar stared at him in fright.
　　The dog had bared his great teeth, and had put up the hackles on his neck. He looked veryfrightening.
　　"Hold that dog!" said Edgar, his voice trembling. "He looks as if he's going to spring at me."Julian put his hand on Tim's collar. "Quiet, Tim!" he said. "Now, Edgar, tell us what we want toknow, and tell us quickly, or you'll be sorry.""Well, there isn't much to tell," said Edgar, keeping his eye on Timothy. He shot a look at George andwent on. "Your mother was suddenly taken very ill - with a terrible pain here - and they got thedoctor and they've taken her away to hospital, and your father went with her. That's all!"George sat down on the sofa, looking paler still and rather sick.
　　"Oh!" she said. "Poor Mother! I wish I hadn't gone out today. Oh dear - how can we find out what'shappened?"
　　Edgar had slipped out of the room, shutting the door behind him so that Timmy should not follow.
　　The kitchen door was slammed, too. The children stared at one another, feeling sorry and dismayed.
　　Poor George! Poor Aunt Fanny!
　　"There must be a note somewhere," said Julian, and looked round the room. He saw a letter stuck intothe rim²¹ of the big mirror there, addressed to George. He gave it to her. It was from George's father. ,"Read it, quickly," said Anne. "Oh dear - this is really a horrid²² beginning to our holidays here!"

1 oars   

n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He pulled as hard as he could on the oars. 他拼命地划桨。
• The sailors are bending to the oars. 水手们在拼命地划桨。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 plucky   

adj.勇敢的

参考例句：

• The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life for nearly two months.这名勇敢的女生坚持不放弃生命近两个月的精神令医生感到震惊。
• This story featured a plucky heroine.这个故事描述了一个勇敢的女英雄。

3 strutting   

加固，支撑物

参考例句：

• He, too, was exceedingly arrogant, strutting about the castle. 他也是非常自大，在城堡里大摇大摆地走。
• The pompous lecturer is strutting and forth across the stage. 这个演讲者在台上趾高气扬地来回走着。

4 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

5 wreck   

n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难

参考例句：

• Weather may have been a factor in the wreck.天气可能是造成这次失事的原因之一。
• No one can wreck the friendship between us.没有人能够破坏我们之间的友谊。

6 capering   

v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的现在分词 )；蹦蹦跳跳

参考例句：

• The lambs were capering in the fields. 羊羔在地里欢快地跳跃。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The boy was Capering dersively, with obscene unambiguous gestures, before a party of English tourists. 这个顽童在一群英国旅游客人面前用明显下流的动作可笑地蹦蹦跳跳着。 来自辞典例句

7 hush   

int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静

参考例句：

• A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
• Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去！

8 exclamation   

n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词

参考例句：

• He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
• The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号，以引起读者的注意。

9 spire   

n.(教堂)尖顶，尖塔，高点

参考例句：

• The church spire was struck by lightning.教堂的尖顶遭到了雷击。
• They could just make out the spire of the church in the distance.他们只能辨认出远处教堂的尖塔。

10 gulls   

n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A flock of sea gulls are hovering over the deck. 一群海鸥在甲板上空飞翔。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The gulls which haunted the outlying rocks in a prodigious number. 数不清的海鸥在遥远的岩石上栖息。 来自辞典例句

11 spires   

n.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Her masts leveled with the spires of churches. 船的桅杆和教堂的塔尖一样高。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• White church spires lift above green valleys. 教堂的白色尖顶耸立在绿色山谷中。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 sitting-room   

n.（BrE）客厅，起居室

参考例句：

• The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
• Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。

13 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

14 curiously   

adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地

参考例句：

• He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
• He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。

15 insolent   

adj.傲慢的，无理的

参考例句：

• His insolent manner really got my blood up.他那傲慢的态度把我的肺都气炸了。
• It was insolent of them to demand special treatment.他们要求给予特殊待遇，脸皮真厚。

16 flicking   

（尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等）

参考例句：

• He helped her up before flicking the reins. 他帮她上马，之后挥动了缰绳。
• There's something flicking around my toes. 有什么东西老在叮我的脚指头。

17 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

18 resounding   

adj. 响亮的

参考例句：

• The astronaut was welcomed with joyous,resounding acclaim. 人们欢声雷动地迎接那位宇航员。
• He hit the water with a resounding slap. 他啪的一声拍了一下水。

19 smack   

vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍

参考例句：

• She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
• I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。

20 doorway   

n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径

参考例句：

• They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
• Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。

21 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。

22 horrid   

adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的

参考例句：

• I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
• The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃，她咽不下去。