Chapter Nine GEORGE MAKES A DISCOVERY - AND LOSES HER TEMPER

　　Chapter Nine GEORGE MAKES A DISCOVERY - AND LOSES HER TEMPER
GEORGE slipped down from the rock. She peered under it. There was a large opening there,scattered with stones that Timmy had loosened in his digging.
　　38
　　'Surely you haven't at last found a rabbit hole big enough to go down!' said George. 'TIMMY!
　　Where are you?'
　　Not a bark, not a whine¹ came from the hole. George wriggled² under the shelf of rock, and peereddown the burrow³. Timmy had certainly made it very big. George called up to Julian.
　　'Julian! Throw me down your trowel, will you?' The trowel landed by her foot. George took itand began to make the hole bigger. It might be big enough for Timmy, but it wasn't big enoughfor her! She dug hard and soon got very hot. She crawled out and looked over on to the rock tosee if she could get one of the others to help her. They were all asleep! 'Lazy things!' thoughtGeorge, quite forgetting that she too would have been dozing⁴ if she hadn't wondered whereTimmy had gone.
　　She slipped down under the rock again and began to dig hard with her trowel. Soon she hadmade the hole big enough to get through. She was surprised to find quite a large passage, onceshe had made the entrance big enough to take her. She could crawl along on hands and knees!
　　'I say - I wonder if this is just some animal's runway -or leads somewhere!' thought George.
　　'TIMMY! Where are you?'
　　From somewhere deep in the quarry⁵ side there came a faint whine. George felt thankful. SoTimmy was there, after all. She crawled along, and then quite suddenly the tunnel became highand wide, and she realized that she must be in a passage. It was perfectly⁶ dark, so she could notsee anything, she could only feel. Then she heard the sound of pattering feet, and Timmy pressedaffectionately against her legs, whining⁷.
　　'Oh Timmy -- you gave me a bit of a fright!' said George. 'Where have you been? Is this a realpassage -- or just a tunnel in the quarry, made by the aid miners, and now used by animals?'
　　'Woof,' said Timmy, and pulled at George's shorts to make her go back to the daylight.
　　'All right, I'm coming!' said George. 'Don't imagine I want to wander alone in the dark! I onlycame to look for you.'
　　She made her way back to the shelf of rock. By this time Dick was awake, and wondered whereGeorge had gone. He waited a few minutes, blinking up into the deep blue sky, and then sat up.
　　'George!' There was no answer. So, in his turn Dick slipped down from the rock and lookedaround. And, to his very great astonishment⁸ he saw first Timmy, and then George on hands andknees, appearing out of the hole under the rock. He stared open-mouthed, and George began togiggle.
　　39
　　'It's all right. I've only been rabbiting with Timmy!' She stood beside him, shaking and brushingsoil from her jersey⁹ and shorts. 'There's a passage behind the entrance to the hole under the rock,'
　　she said. 'At first it's just a narrow tunnel, like an animal's hole -- then it gets wider -- and then itbecomes a proper high wide passage! I couldn't see if it went, on, of course, because it was dark.
　　Timmy was a long way in.'
　　'Good gracious!' said Dick. 'It sounds exciting.'
　　'Let's explore it, shall we?' said George. 'I expect Julian's got a torch.'
　　'No,' said Dick. 'We won't explore today.'
　　The others were now awake, and listening with interest.
　　'Is it a secret passage?' said Anne, thrilled. 'Oh do let's explore it!'
　　'No, not today,' said Dick again. He looked at Julian. Julian guessed that Dick did not wantMartin to share this secret. Why should he? He was not a real friend of theirs, and they had onlyjust got to know him. He nodded back to Dick.
　　'No, we won't explore today. Anyway, it may be nothing - just an old tunnel made by the quarry-men.'
　　Martin was listening with great interest. He went and looked into the hole. 'I wish we couldexplore,' he said. 'Maybe we could plan to meet again with torches and see if there really is apassage there.'
　　Julian looked at his watch. 'Nearly two o'clock. Well, Martin, if we're going to see that half pasttwo television programme of yours, we'd better be getting on.'
　　Carrying baskets of primroses¹⁰ and violets, the girls began to climb up the steep side of thequarry. Julian took Anne's basket from her, afraid she might slip and fall. Soon they were all atthe top. The air felt quite cool there after the warmth of the quarry. They made their way to thecliff-path and before long were passing the coastguard's cottage. He was out in his garden, andhe waved to them.
　　They went in the gateway¹¹ of the next-door cottage. Martin pushed the door open. His father wassitting at the window of the room inside, reading. He got up with a broad, welcoming smile.
　　'Well, well, well! This is nice! Come along in, do. Yes, the dog as well. I don't mind dogs a bit. Ilike them.'
　　It seemed rather a crowd in the small room. They all shook hands politely. Martin explainedhurriedly that he had brought the children to see a television programme.
　　40
　　'A good idea,' said Mr. Curton, still beaming. Anne stared at his great eyebrows¹². They were verylong and thick. She wondered why he didn't have them trimmed but perhaps he liked them likethat. They made him look very fierce, she thought.
　　The four looked round the little room. There was a television set standing¹³ at the far end, on atable. There was also a magnificent wireless¹⁴ and something else that made the boys stare withinterest.
　　'Hallo! You've got a transmitting set, as well as a receiving set,' said Julian.
　　'Yes,' said Mr. Curton. 'It's a hobby of mine. I made that set.'
　　'Well! You must be brainy!' said Dick.
　　'What's a transmitting set?' asked Anne. 'I haven't heard of one before.'
　　'Oh, it just means a set to send out messages by wireless like police-cars have, when they sendback messages to their police stations,' said Dick. 'This is a very powerful one, though.'
　　Martin was fiddling¹⁵ about with the television switches. Then the programme began. It was greatfun seeing the television programme. When it was over Mr. Curton asked them to stay to tea.
　　'Now don't say no,' he said. 'I'll ring up and ask your aunt, if you like, if you're afraid she mightbe worried.'
　　'Well if you'd do that, sir,' said Julian. 'I think she would wonder where we'd gone!'
　　Mr. Curton rang up Aunt Fanny. Yes, it was quite all right for them to stay, but they mustn't betoo late back. So they settled down to an unexpectedly good tea. Martin was not very talkative,but Mr. Curton made up for it. He laughed and joked and was altogether very good company.
　　The talk came round to Kirrin Island. Mr. Curton said how beautiful it looked each evening.
　　George looked pleased.
　　'Yes,' she said. 'I always think that. I do wish Father hadn't chosen this particular time to work onmy island. I'd planned to go and stay there.'
　　'I suppose you know every inch of it!' said Mr. Curton.
　　'Oh yes!' said George. 'We all do. There are dungeons¹⁶ there; you know real dungeons that godeep down - where we once found gold ingots?'
　　'Yes I remember reading about that,' said Mr. Curton. 'That must have been exciting. Fancyfinding the dungeons too! And there's an old well too you once got down, isn't there?'
　　'Yes' said Anne, remembering. 'And there is a cave where we once lived it's got an entrancethrough the roof, as well as from the sea.'
　　41
　　'And I suppose your father is conducting his marvellous experiments down in the dungeons?'
　　said Mr.Curton. 'Well, what a strange place to work in!'
　　'No we don't'…. began George, when she got a kick on the ankle from Dick. She screwed up herface in pain. It had been a very sharp kick indeed.
　　'What were you going to say?' said Mr. Curton, looking surprised.
　　'Er I was just going to say that - er -- er -- we don't know which place Father has chosen,' saidGeorge, keeping her legs well out of the way of Dick's feet.
　　Timmy gave a sudden sharp whine. George looked down at him in surprise. He was looking upat Dick with a very hurt expression.
　　'What's the matter, Timmy?' said George, anxiously.
　　'He's finding the room too hot, I think,' said Dick. 'Better take him out, George.'
　　George, feeling quite anxious, took him out. Dick joined her. She scowled¹⁷ at him. 'What did youwant to kick me for like that? I shall have a frightful¹⁸ bruise¹⁹.'
　　'You know jolly well why I did,' said Dick. 'Giving away everything like that. Can't you see thechap's very interested in your father being on the island? There may be nothing in it at all, butyou might at least keep your mouth shut. Just like a girl, can't help blabbing. I had to stop yousomehow. I don't mind telling you I trod jolly hard on poor old Timmy's tail too, to make himyelp, so that you'd stop talking!'
　　'Oh you beast!' said George, indignantly. 'How could you hurt Timmy?'
　　'I didn't want to. It was a shame,' said Dick, stopping to fondle Timmy's ears. 'Poor old Tim. Ididn't want to hurt you, old fellow.'
　　'I'm going home,' said George, her face scarlet²⁰ with anger. 'I hate you for talking to me like thattelling me I blab like a girl and stamping on poor Timmy's tail You can go back and say I'mtaking Timmy home.'
　　'Right,' said Dick. 'And a jolly good thing too. The less you talk to Mr. Curton the better. I'mgoing back to find out exactly what he is and what he does. I'm getting jolly suspicious. You'dbetter go before you give anything else away!'
　　Almost choking with rage, George went off with Timmy. Dick went back to make her apologies.
　　Julian and Anne, sure that something was up, felt most uncomfortable. They rose to go, but totheir surprise, Dick became very talkative and appeared to be suddenly very much interested inMr. Curton and what he did.
　　42
　　But at last they said good-bye and went. 'Come again, do,' said Mr. Curton, beaming at the threeof them. And tell the other boy what's his name, George - that I hope his dog is quite all rightagain now. Such a nice, well behaved dog! Well good-bye! See you again soon, I hope!'

1 whine   

v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣

参考例句：

• You are getting paid to think,not to whine.支付给你工资是让你思考而不是哀怨的。
• The bullet hit a rock and rocketed with a sharp whine.子弹打在一块岩石上，一声尖厉的呼啸，跳飞开去。

2 wriggled   

v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）

参考例句：

• He wriggled uncomfortably on the chair. 他坐在椅子上不舒服地扭动着身体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A snake wriggled across the road. 一条蛇蜿蜒爬过道路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 burrow   

vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞

参考例句：

• Earthworms burrow deep into the subsoil.蚯蚓深深地钻进底土。
• The dog had chased a rabbit into its burrow.狗把兔子追进了洞穴。

4 dozing   

v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡

参考例句：

• The economy shows no signs of faltering. 经济没有衰退的迹象。
• He never falters in his determination. 他的决心从不动摇。

5 quarry   

n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找

参考例句：

• Michelangelo obtained his marble from a quarry.米开朗基罗从采石场获得他的大理石。
• This mountain was the site for a quarry.这座山曾经有一个采石场。

6 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

7 whining   

n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚

参考例句：

• That's the way with you whining, puny, pitiful players. 你们这种又爱哭、又软弱、又可怜的赌棍就是这样。
• The dog sat outside the door whining (to be let in). 那条狗坐在门外狺狺叫着（要进来）。

8 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

9 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。

10 primroses   

n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果）

参考例句：

• Wild flowers such as orchids and primroses are becoming rare. 兰花和报春花这类野花越来越稀少了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The primroses were bollming; spring was in evidence. 迎春花开了，春天显然已经到了。 来自互联网

11 gateway   

n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法

参考例句：

• Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
• A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。

12 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。

13 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

14 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。

15 fiddling   

微小的

参考例句：

• He was fiddling with his keys while he talked to me. 和我谈话时他不停地摆弄钥匙。
• All you're going to see is a lot of fiddling around. 你今天要看到的只是大量的胡摆乱弄。 来自英汉文学 - 廊桥遗梦

16 dungeons   

n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The captured rebels were consigned to the dungeons. 抓到的叛乱分子被送进了地牢。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He saw a boy in fetters in the dungeons. 他在地牢里看见一个戴着脚镣的男孩。 来自辞典例句

17 scowled   

怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He scowled his displeasure. 他满脸嗔色。
• The teacher scowled at his noisy class. 老师对他那喧闹的课堂板着脸。

18 frightful   

adj.可怕的；讨厌的

参考例句：

• How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！
• We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。

19 bruise   

n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤

参考例句：

• The bruise was caused by a kick.这伤痕是脚踢的。
• Jack fell down yesterday and got a big bruise on his face.杰克昨天摔了一跤，脸上摔出老大一块淤斑。

20 scarlet   

n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的

参考例句：

• The scarlet leaves of the maples contrast well with the dark green of the pines.深红的枫叶和暗绿的松树形成了明显的对比。
• The glowing clouds are growing slowly pale,scarlet,bright red,and then light red.天空的霞光渐渐地淡下去了，深红的颜色变成了绯红，绯红又变为浅红。