II see that there has been one omission1 in my story. So far I have made little or no mention of Mrs. Dane Calthrop, orindeed of the Rev2. Caleb Dane Calthrop.
And yet both the vicar and his wife were distinct personalities3. Dane Calthrop himself was perhaps a being moreremote from everyday life than anyone I have ever met. His existence was in his books and in his study, and in hisintimate knowledge of early Church history. Mrs. Dane Calthrop, on the other hand, was quite terrifyingly on the spot.
I have perhaps purposely put off mentioning her, because I was from the first a little afraid of her. She was a woman ofcharacter and of almost Olympian knowledge. She was not in the least the typical vicar’s wife—but that, as I set itdown, makes me ask myself, what do I know of vicars’ wives?
The only one I remember well was a quiet nondescript creature, devoted4 to a big strong husband with a magneticway of preaching. She had so little general conversation that it was a puzzle to know how to sustain a conversationwith her.
Otherwise I was depending on the fictional5 presentment of vicars’ wives, caricatures of females poking6 their noseseverywhere, and uttering platitudes7. Probably no such type exists.
Mrs. Dane Calthrop never poked9 her nose in anywhere, yet she had an uncanny power of knowing things and Isoon discovered that almost everyone in the village was slightly afraid of her. She gave no advice and never interfered,yet she represented, to any uneasy conscience, the Deity10 personified.
I have never seen a woman more indifferent to her material surroundings. On hot days she would stride about cladin Harris tweed, and in rain or even sleet11, I have seen her absentmindedly race down the village street in a cotton dressof printed poppies. She had a long thin well-bred face like a greyhound, and a most devastating12 sincerity13 of speech.
She stopped me in the High Street the day after Megan had come to lunch. I had the usual feeling of surprise,because Mrs. Dane Calthrop’s progress resembled coursing more than walking, and her eyes were always fixed14 on thedistant horizon so that you felt sure her real objective was about a mile and a half away.
“Oh,” she said. “Mr. Burton!”
She said it rather triumphantly15, as someone might who had solved a particularly clever puzzle.
I admitted that I was Mr. Burton and Mrs. Dane Calthrop stopped focusing on the horizon and seemed to be tryingto focus on me instead.
“Now what,” she said, “did I want to see you about?”
I could not help her there. She stood frowning, deeply perplexed16.
“Something rather nasty,” she said.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said, startled.
“Ah,” cried Mrs. Dane Calthrop. “I hate my love with an A. That’s it. Anonymous17 letters! What’s this story you’vebrought down here about anonymous letters?”
“I didn’t bring it,” I said. “It was here already.”
“Nobody got any until you came, though,” said Mrs. Dane Calthrop accusingly.
“But they did, Mrs. Dane Calthrop. The trouble had already started.”
“Oh dear,” said Mrs. Dane Calthrop. “I don’t like that.”
She stood there, her eyes absent and faraway again. She said:
“I can’t help feeling it’s all wrong. We’re not like that here. Envy, of course, and malice18, and all the mean spitefullittle sins—but I didn’t think there was anyone who would do that—No, I really didn’t. And it distresses19 me, you see,because I ought to know.”
Her fine eyes came back from the horizon and met mine. They were worried, and seemed to hold the honestbewilderment of a child.
“How should you know?” I said.
“I usually do. I’ve always felt that’s my function. Caleb preaches good sound doctrine20 and administers thesacraments. That’s a priest’s duty, but if you admit marriage at all for a priest, then I think his wife’s duty is to knowwhat people are feeling and thinking, even if she can’t do anything about it. And I haven’t the least idea whose mind is—”
She broke off, adding absently.
“They are such silly letters, too.”
“Have you—er—had any yourself?”
I was a little diffident of asking, but Mrs. Dane Calthrop replied perfectly21 naturally, her eyes opening a little wider:
“Oh yes, two—no, three. I forget exactly what they said. Something very silly about Caleb and the schoolmistress,I think. Quite absurd, because Caleb has absolutely no taste for fornication. He never has had. So lucky, being aclergyman.”
“Quite,” I said. “Oh quite.”
“Caleb would have been a saint,” said Mrs. Dane Calthrop, “if he hadn’t been just a little too intellectual.”
I did not feel qualified22 to answer this criticism, and anyway Mrs. Dane Calthrop went on, leaping back from herhusband to the letters in rather a puzzling way.
“There are so many things the letters might say, but don’t. That’s what is so curious.”
“I should hardly have thought they erred23 on the side of restraint,” I said bitterly.
“But they don’t seem to know anything. None of the real things.”
“You mean?”
Those fine vague eyes met mine.
“Well, of course. There’s plenty of adultery here—and everything else. Any amount of shameful24 secrets. Whydoesn’t the writer use those?” She paused and then asked abruptly25, “What did they say in your letter?”
“They suggested that my sister wasn’t my sister.”
“And she is?”
Mrs. Dane Calthrop asked the question with unembarrassed friendly interest.
“Certainly Joanna is my sister.”
Mrs. Dane Calthrop nodded her head.
“That just shows you what I mean. I dare say there are other things—”
Her clear uninterested eyes looked at me thoughtfully, and I suddenly understood why Lymstock was afraid ofMrs. Dane Calthrop.
In everybody’s life there are hidden chapters which they hope may never be known. I felt that Mrs. Dane Calthropknew them.
For once in my life, I was positively27 delighted when Aimée Griffith’s hearty28 voice boomed out:
“Hallo, Maud. Glad I’ve just caught you. I want to suggest an alteration29 of date for the Sale of Work. Morning, Mr.
Burton.”
She went on:
“I must just pop into the grocer’s and leave my order, then I’ll come along to the Institute if that suits you?”
“Yes, yes, that will do quite well,” said Mrs. Dane Calthrop.
Aimée Griffith went into the International Stores.
Mrs. Dane Calthrop said: “Poor thing.”
I was puzzled. Surely she could not be pitying Aimée?
She went on, however:
“You know, Mr. Burton, I’m rather afraid—”
“About this letter business?”
“Yes, you see it means—it must mean—” She paused lost in thought, her eyes screwed up. Then she said slowly,as one who solves a problem, “Blind hatred30…yes, blind hatred. But even a blind man might stab to the heart by purechance… And what would happen then, Mr. Burton?”
We were to know that before another day had passed.
II
It was Partridge who brought the news of the tragedy. Partridge enjoys calamity31. Her nose always twitches32 ecstaticallywhen she has to break bad news of any kind.
She came into Joanna’s room with her nose working overtime33, her eyes bright, and her mouth pulled down into anexaggerated gloom. “There’s terrible news, this morning, miss,” she observed as she drew up the blinds.
It takes a minute or two for Joanna, with her London habits, to become fully26 conscious in the morning. She said,“Er ah,” and rolled over without real interest.
Partridge placed her early tea beside her and began again. “Terrible it is. Shocking! I couldn’t hardly believe itwhen I heard.”
“What’s terrible?” said Joanna, struggling into wakefulness.
“Poor Mrs. Symmington.” She paused dramatically. “Dead.”
“Dead?” Joanna sat up in bed, now wide awake.
“Yes, miss, yesterday afternoon, and what’s worse, took her own life.”
“Oh no, Partridge?”
Joanna was really shocked—Mrs. Symmington was not, somehow, the sort of person you associated with tragedies.
“Yes, miss, it’s the truth. Did it deliberate. Not but what she was drove to it, poor soul.”
“Drove to it?” Joanna had an inkling of the truth then. “Not—?”
Her eyes questioned Partridge and Partridge nodded.
“That’s right, miss. One of them nasty letters!”
“What did it say?”
But that, to Partridge’s regret, she had not succeeded in learning.
“They’re beastly things,” said Joanna. “But I don’t see why they should make one want to kill oneself.”
Partridge sniffed34 and then said with meaning:
“Not unless they were true, miss.”
“Oh,” said Joanna.
She drank her tea after Partridge had left the room, then she threw on a dressing-gown and came in to me to tell methe news.
I thought of what Owen Griffith had said. Sooner or later the shot in the dark went home. It had done with Mrs.
Symmington. She, apparently35 the most unlikely of women, had had a secret… It was true, I reflected, that for all hershrewdness she was not a woman of much stamina36. She was the anaemic clinging type that crumples37 easily.
Joanna nudged me and asked me what I was thinking about.
I repeated to her what Owen had said.
“Of course,” said Joanna waspishly, “he would know all about it. That man thinks he knows everything.”
“He’s clever,” I said.
“He’s conceited38,” said Joanna. She added, “Abominably conceited!”
After a minute or two she said:
“How awful for her husband—and for the girl. What do you think Megan will feel about it?”
I hadn’t the slightest idea and said so. It was curious that one could never gauge39 what Megan would think or feel.
Joanna nodded and said:
“No, one never does know with changelings.”
After a minute or two she said:
“Do you think—would you like—I wonder if she’d like to come and stay with us for a day or two? It’s rather ashock for a girl that age.”
“We might go along and suggest it,” I agreed.
“The children are all right,” said Joanna. “They’ve got that governess woman. But I expect she’s just the sort ofcreature that would drive someone like Megan mad.”
I thought that was very possible. I could imagine Elsie Holland uttering platitude8 after platitude and suggestinginnumerable cups of tea. A kindly40 creature, but not, I thought, the person for a sensitive girl.
I had thought myself of bringing Megan away, and I was glad that Joanna had thought of it spontaneously withoutprompting from me.
We went down to the Symmingtons’ house after breakfast.
We were a little nervous, both of us. Our arrival might look like sheer ghoulish curiosity. Luckily we met OwenGriffith just coming out through the gate. He looked worried and preoccupied41.
He greeted me, however, with some warmth.
“Oh, hallo, Burton. I’m glad to see you. What I was afraid would happen sooner or later has happened. A damnablebusiness!”
“Good morning, Dr. Griffith,” said Joanna, using the voice she keeps for one of our deafer aunts.
Griffith started and flushed.
“Oh—oh, good morning, Miss Burton.”
“I thought perhaps,” said Joanna, “that you didn’t see me.”
Owen Griffith got redder still. His shyness enveloped42 him like a mantle43.
“I’m— I’m so sorry—preoccupied—I didn’t.”
Joanna went on mercilessly: “After all, I am life size.”
“Merely kit-kat,” I said in a stern aside to her. Then I went on:
“My sister and I, Griffith, wondered whether it would be a good thing if the girl came and stopped with us for a dayor two? What do you think? I don’t want to butt44 in—but it must be rather grim for the poor child. What wouldSymmington feel about it, do you think?”
Griffith turned the idea over in his mind for a moment or two.
“I think it would be an excellent thing,” he said at last. “She’s a queer nervy sort of girl, and it would be good forher to get away from the whole thing. Miss Holland is doing wonders—she’s an excellent head on her shoulders, butshe really has quite enough to do with the two children and Symmington himself. He’s quite broken up—bewildered.”
“It was—” I hesitated—“suicide?”
Griffith nodded.
“Oh yes. No question of accident. She wrote, ‘I can’t go on’ on a scrap45 of paper. The letter must have come byyesterday afternoon’s post. The envelope was down on the floor by her chair and the letter itself was screwed up into aball and thrown into the fireplace.”
“What did—”
I stopped, rather horrified46 at myself.
“I beg your pardon,” I said.
Griffith gave a quick unhappy smile.
“You needn’t mind asking. That letter will have to be read at the inquest. No getting out of it, more’s the pity. Itwas the usual kind of thing—couched in the same foul47 style. The specific accusation48 was that the second boy, Colin,was not Symmington’s child.”
“Do you think that was true?” I exclaimed incredulously.
Griffith shrugged49 his shoulders.
“I’ve no means of forming a judgment50. I’ve only been here five years. As far as I’ve ever seen, the Symmingtonswere a placid51, happy couple devoted to each other and their children. It’s true that the boy doesn’t particularlyresemble his parents—he’s got bright red hair, for one thing—but a child often throws back in appearance to agrandfather or grandmother.”
“That lack of resemblance might have been what prompted the particular accusation. A foul and quite uncalled forbow at a venture.”
“Very likely. In fact, probably. There’s not been much accurate knowledge behind these poison pen letters, justunbridled spite and malice.”
“But it happened to hit the bull’s eye,” said Joanna. “After all, she wouldn’t have killed herself otherwise, wouldshe?”
Griffith said doubtfully:
“I’m not quite sure. She’s been ailing52 in health for some time, neurotic53, hysterical54. I’ve been treating her for anervous condition. It’s possible, I think, that the shock of receiving such a letter, couched in those terms, may haveinduced such a state of panic and despondency that she may have decided55 to take her life. She may have workedherself up to feel that her husband might not believe her if she denied the story, and the general shame and disgustmight have worked upon her so powerfully as to temporarily unbalance her judgment.”
“Suicide whilst of unsound mind,” said Joanna.
“Exactly. I shall be quite justified56, I think, in putting forward that point of view at the inquest.”
“I see,” said Joanna.
There was something in her voice which made Owen say:
“Perfectly justified!” in an angry voice. He added, “You don’t agree, Miss Burton?”
“Oh yes, I do,” said Joanna. “I’d do exactly the same in your place.”
Owen looked at her doubtfully, then moved slowly away down the street. Joanna and I went on into the house.
The front door was open and it seemed easier than ringing the bell, especially as we heard Elsie Holland’s voiceinside.
She was talking to Mr. Symmington who, huddled57 in a chair, was looking completely dazed.
“No, but really, Mr. Symmington, you must take something. You haven’t had any breakfast, not what I call aproper breakfast, and nothing to eat last night, and what with the shock and all, you’ll be getting ill yourself, andyou’ll need all your strength. The doctor said so before he left.”
Symmington said in a toneless voice:
“You’re very kind, Miss Holland, but—”
“A nice cup of hot tea,” said Elsie Holland, thrusting the beverage58 on him firmly.
Personally I should have given the poor devil a stiff whisky and soda59. He looked as though he needed it. However,he accepted the tea, and looking up at Elsie Holland:
“I can’t thank you for all you’ve done and are doing, Miss Holland. You’ve been perfectly splendid.”
The girl flushed and looked pleased.
“It’s nice of you to say that, Mr. Symmington. You must let me do all I can to help. Don’t worry about the children— I’ll see to them, and I’ve got the servants calmed down, and if there’s anything I can do, letterwriting ortelephoning, don’t hesitate to ask me.”
“You’re very kind,” Symmington said again.
Elsie Holland, turning, caught sight of us and came hurrying out into the hall.
“Isn’t it terrible?” she said in a hushed whisper.
I thought, as I looked at her, that she was really a very nice girl. Kind, competent, practical in an emergency. Hermagnificent blue eyes were just faintly rimmed60 with pink, showing that she had been softhearted enough to shed tearsfor her employer’s death.
“Can we speak to you a minute,” asked Joanna. “We don’t want to disturb Mr. Symmington.”
Elsie Holland nodded comprehendingly and led the way into the dining room on the other side of the hall.
“It’s been awful for him,” she said. “Such a shock. Who ever would have thought a thing like this could happen?
But of course, I do realize now that she had been queer for some time. Awfully61 nervy and weepy. I thought it was herhealth, though Dr. Griffith always said there was nothing really wrong with her. But she was snappy and irritable62 andsome days you wouldn’t know just how to take her.”
“What we really came for,” said Joanna, “was to know whether we could have Megan for a few days—that, is ifshe’d like to come.”
Elsie Holland looked rather surprised.
“Megan?” she said doubtfully. “I don’t know, I’m sure. I mean, it’s ever so kind of you, but she’s such a queer girl.
One never knows what she’s going to say or feel about things.”
Joanna said rather vaguely63:
“We thought it might be a help, perhaps.”
“Oh well, as far as that goes, it would. I mean, I’ve got the boys to look after (they’re with Cook just now) andpoor Mr. Symmington—he really needs looking after as much as anyone, and such a lot to do and see to. I reallyhaven’t had time to see much to Megan. I think she’s upstairs in the old nursery at the top of the house. She seems towant to get away from everyone. I don’t know if—”
Joanna gave me the faintest of looks. I slipped quickly out of the room and upstairs. The old nursery was at the topof the house. I opened the door and went in. The room downstairs had given on to the garden behind and the blindshad not been down there. But in this room which faced the road they were decorously drawn64 down.
Through a dim grey gloom I saw Megan. She was crouching65 on a divan66 set against the far wall, and I was remindedat once of some terrified animal, hiding. She looked petrified67 with fear.
“Megan,” I said.
I came forward, and unconsciously I adopted the tone one does adopt when you want to reassure68 a frightenedanimal. I’m really surprised I didn’t hold out a carrot or a piece of sugar. I felt like that.
She stared at me, but she did not move, and her expression did not alter.
“Megan,” I said again. “Joanna and I have come to ask you if you would like to come and stay with us for a little.”
Her voice came hollowly out of the dim twilight69.
“Stay with you? In your house?”
“Yes.”
“You mean, you’ll take me away from here?”
“Yes, my dear.”
Suddenly she began to shake all over. It was frightening and very moving.
“Oh, do take me away! Please do. It’s so awful, being here, and feeling so wicked.”
I came over to her and her hands fastened on my coat sleeve.
“I’m an awful coward. I didn’t know what a coward I was.”
“It’s all right, funny face,” I said. “These things are a bit shattering. Come along.”
“Can we go at once? Without waiting a minute?”
“Well, you’ll have to put a few things together, I suppose.”
“What sort of things? Why?”
“My dear girl,” I said. “We can provide you with a bed and a bath and the rest of it, but I’m damned if I lend youmy toothbrush.”
She gave a very faint weak little laugh.
“I see. I think I’m stupid today. You mustn’t mind. I’ll go and pack some things. You—you won’t go away? You’llwait for me?”
“I’ll be on the mat.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much. I’m sorry I’m so stupid. But you see it’s rather dreadful when your motherdies.”
“I know,” I said.
I gave her a friendly pat on the back and she flashed me a grateful look and disappeared into a bedroom. I went ondownstairs.
“I found Megan,” I said. “She’s coming.”
“Oh now, that is a good thing,” exclaimed Elsie Holland. “It will take her out of herself. She’s rather a nervy girl,you know. Difficult. It will be a great relief to feel I haven’t got her on my mind as well as everything else. It’s verykind of you, Miss Burton. I hope she won’t be a nuisance. Oh dear, there’s the telephone. I must go and answer it. Mr.
Symmington isn’t fit.”
She hurried out of the room. Joanna said:
“Quite the ministering angel!”
“You said that rather nastily,” I observed. “She’s a nice kind girl, and obviously most capable.”
“Most. And she knows it.”
“This is unworthy of you, Joanna,” I said.
“Meaning why shouldn’t the girl do her stuff?”
“Exactly.”
“I never can stand seeing people pleased with themselves,” said Joanna. “It arouses all my worst instincts. How didyou find Megan?”
“Crouching in a darkened room looking rather like a stricken gazelle.”
“Poor kid. She was quite willing to come?”
“She leapt at it.”
A series of thuds out in the hall announced the descent of Megan and her suitcase. I went out and took it from her.
Joanna, behind me, said urgently:
“Come on. I’ve already refused some nice hot tea twice.”
We went out to the car. It annoyed me that Joanna had to sling70 the suitcase in. I could get along with one stick now,but I couldn’t do any athletic71 feats72.
“Get in,” I said to Megan.
She got in. I followed her. Joanna started the car and we drove off.
We got to Little Furze and went into the drawing room.
Megan dropped into a chair and burst into tears. She cried with the hearty fervour of a child—bawled, I think, isthe right word. I left the room in search of a remedy. Joanna stood by feeling rather helpless, I think.
Presently I heard Megan say in a thick choked voice:
“I’m sorry for doing this. It seems idiotic73.”
Joanna said kindly, “Not at all. Have another handkerchief.”
I gather she supplied the necessary article. I reentered the room and handed Megan a brimming glass.
“What is it?”
“A cocktail74,” I said.
“Is it? Is it really?” Megan’s tears were instantly dried. “I’ve never drunk a cocktail.”
“Everything has to have a beginning,” I said.
Megan sipped75 her drink gingerly, then a beaming smile spread over her face, she tilted76 her head back and gulped77 itdown at a draught78.
“It’s lovely,” she said. “Can I have another?”
“No,” I said.
“Why not?”
“In about ten minutes you’ll probably know.”
“Oh!”
Megan transferred her attention to Joanna.
“I really am awfully sorry for having made such a nuisance of myself howling away like that. I can’t think why. Itseems awfully silly when I’m so glad to be here.”
“That’s all right,” said Joanna. “We’re very pleased to have you.”
“You can’t be, really. It’s just kindness on your part. But I am grateful.”
“Please don’t be grateful,” said Joanna. “It will embarrass me. I was speaking the truth when I said we should beglad to have you. Jerry and I have used up all our conversation. We can’t think of anymore things to say to eachother.”
“But now,” I said, “we shall be able to have all sorts of interesting discussions—about Goneril and Regan andthings like that.”
Megan’s face lit up.
“I’ve been thinking about that, and I think I know the answer. It was because that awful old father of theirs alwaysinsisted on such a lot of sucking up. When you’ve always got to be saying thank you and how kind and all the rest ofit, it would make you go a bit rotten and queer inside, and you’d just long to be able to be beastly for a change—andwhen you got the chance, you’d probably find it went to your head and you’d go too far. Old Lear was pretty awful,wasn’t he? I mean, he did deserve the snub Cordelia gave him.”
“I can see,” I said, “that we are going to have many interesting discussions about Shakespeare.”
“I can see you two are going to be very highbrow,” said Joanna. “I’m afraid I always find Shakespeare terriblydreary. All those long scenes where everybody is drunk and it’s supposed to be funny.”
“Talking of drink,” I said turning to Megan. “How are you feeling?”
“Quite all right, thank you.”
“Not at all giddy? You don’t see two of Joanna or anything like that?”
“No. I just feel as though I’d like to talk rather a lot.”
“Splendid,” I said. “Obviously you are one of our natural drinkers. That is to say, if that really was your firstcocktail.”
“Oh, it was.”
“A good strong head is an asset to any human being,” I said.
Joanna took Megan upstairs to unpack79.
Partridge came in, looking sour, and said she had made two cup custards for lunch and what should she do about it?
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
omission
|
|
| n.省略，删节；遗漏或省略的事物，冗长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
rev
|
|
| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
personalities
|
|
| n. 诽谤，（对某人容貌、性格等所进行的）人身攻击； 人身攻击；人格, 个性, 名人( personality的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
fictional
|
|
| adj.小说的，虚构的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
poking
|
|
| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
platitudes
|
|
| n.平常的话，老生常谈，陈词滥调( platitude的名词复数 )；滥套子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
platitude
|
|
| n.老生常谈，陈词滥调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
poked
|
|
| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
deity
|
|
| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sleet
|
|
| n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
devastating
|
|
| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
sincerity
|
|
| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
triumphantly
|
|
| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
perplexed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
anonymous
|
|
| adj.无名的；匿名的；无特色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
distresses
|
|
| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
doctrine
|
|
| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
qualified
|
|
| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
erred
|
|
| 犯错误，做错事( err的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
shameful
|
|
| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
alteration
|
|
| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
calamity
|
|
| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
twitches
|
|
| n.（使）抽动， （使）颤动， （使）抽搐( twitch的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
overtime
|
|
| adj.超时的，加班的；adv.加班地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
sniffed
|
|
| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
stamina
|
|
| n.体力；精力；耐力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
crumples
|
|
| 压皱，弄皱( crumple的第三人称单数 )； 变皱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
conceited
|
|
| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
gauge
|
|
| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
preoccupied
|
|
| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
enveloped
|
|
| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
mantle
|
|
| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
butt
|
|
| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
scrap
|
|
| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
placid
|
|
| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
ailing
|
|
| v.生病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
neurotic
|
|
| adj.神经病的，神经过敏的；n.神经过敏者，神经病患者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
hysterical
|
|
| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
beverage
|
|
| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
soda
|
|
| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
rimmed
|
|
| adj.有边缘的，有框的v.沿…边缘滚动；给…镶边 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
irritable
|
|
| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
vaguely
|
|
| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
crouching
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
divan
|
|
| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
petrified
|
|
| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
reassure
|
|
| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
twilight
|
|
| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
sling
|
|
| vt.扔；悬挂；n.挂带；吊索，吊兜；弹弓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
athletic
|
|
| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
feats
|
|
| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
idiotic
|
|
| adj.白痴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
cocktail
|
|
| n.鸡尾酒；餐前开胃小吃；混合物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
sipped
|
|
| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
tilted
|
|
| v. 倾斜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
gulped
|
|
| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
draught
|
|
| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
unpack
|
|
| vt.打开包裹（或行李），卸货 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |