Twenty

Twenty
The inquest went off much as I had prophesied¹. It was adjourned² at the re-quest of the police.
We were in good spirits, for news had come through the night beforefrom the hospital that Josephine’s injuries were much less serious thanhad been feared and that her recovery would be rapid. For the moment,Dr. Gray said, she was to be allowed no visitors—not even her mother.
“Particularly not her mother,” Sophia murmured to me. “I made thatquite clear to Dr. Gray. Anyway, he knows mother.”
I must have looked rather doubtful, for Sophia said sharply:
“Why the disapproving³ look?”
“Well—surely a mother—”
“I’m glad you’ve got a few nice old-fashioned ideas, Charles. But youdon’t quite know what my mother is capable of yet. The darling can’t helpit, but there would simply have to be a grand dramatic scene. And dra-matic scenes aren’t the best things for anyone recovering from head injur-ies.”
“You do think of everything, don’t you, my sweet.”
“Well, somebody’s got to do the thinking now that grandfather’s gone.”
I looked at her speculatively⁴. I saw that old Leonides’ acumen⁵ had notdeserted him. The mantle⁶ of his responsibilities was already on Sophia’sshoulders.
After the inquest, Gaitskill accompanied us back to Three Gables. Hecleared his throat and said pontifically⁷:
“There is an announcement it is my duty to make to you all.”
For this purpose the family assembled in Magda’s drawing room. I hadon this occasion the rather pleasurable sensations of the man behind thescenes. I knew in advance what Gaitskill had to say.
I prepared myself to observe the reactions of everyone.
Gaitskill was brief and dry. Any signs of personal feeling and annoyancewere well held in check. He read first Aristide Leonides’ letter and thenthe will itself.
It was very interesting to watch. I only wished my eyes could be every-where at once.
I did not pay much attention to Brenda and Laurence. The provision forBrenda in this will was the same. I watched primarily Roger and Philip,and after them Magda and Clemency⁸.
My first impression was that they all behaved very well.
Philip’s lips were pressed closely together, his handsome head wasthrown back against the tall chair in which he was sitting. He did notspeak.
Magda, on the contrary, burst into speech as soon as Mr. Gaitskill fin-ished, her rich voice surging over his thin tones like an incoming tidedrowning a rivulet⁹.
“Darling Sophia—how extraordinary—how romantic. Fancy old SweetiePie being so cunning and deceitful—just like a dear old baby. Didn’t hetrust us? Did he think we’d be cross? He never seemed to be fonder ofSophia than the rest of us. But really, it’s most dramatic.”
Suddenly Magda jumped lightly to her feet, danced over to Sophia andswept her a very grand court curtsey.
“Madame Sophia, your penniless and broken-down-old mother begs youfor alms.” Her voice took on a Cockney whine¹⁰. “Spare us a copper¹¹, olddear. Your Ma wants to go to the pictures.”
Her hand, crooked¹² into a claw, twitched¹³ urgently at Sophia.
Philip, without moving, said through stiff lips:
“Please, Magda, there’s no call for any unnecessary clowning.”
“Oh, but Roger,” cried Magda, suddenly turning to Roger. “Poor darlingRoger. Sweetie was going to come to the rescue and then, before he coulddo it, he died. And now Roger doesn’t get anything. Sophia,” she turned im-periously, “you simply must do something about Roger.”
“No,” said Clemency. She had moved forward a step. Her face was defi-ant. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Roger came shambling over to Sophia like a large amiable¹⁴ bear.
He took her hands affectionately.
“I don’t want a penny, my dear girl. As soon as this business is clearedup—or has died down, which is more what it looks like—then Clemencyand I are off to the West Indies and the simple life. If I’m ever in extremisI’ll apply to the head of the family”—he grinned at her engagingly—“butuntil then I don’t want a penny. I’m a very simple person really, my dear—you ask Clemency if I’m not.”
An unexpected voice broke in. It was Edith de Haviland’s.
“That’s all very well,” she said. “But you’ve got to pay some attention tothe look of the thing. If you go bankrupt, Roger, and then slink off to theends of the earth without Sophia’s holding out a helping¹⁵ hand, there willbe a good deal of ill-natured talk that will not be pleasant for Sophia.”
“What does public opinion matter?” asked Clemency scornfully.
“We know it doesn’t to you, Clemency,” said Edith de Haviland sharply,“but Sophia lives in this world. She’s a girl with good brains and a goodheart, and I’ve no doubt that Aristide was quite right in his selection of herto hold the family fortunes—though to pass over your two sons in theirlifetime seems odd to our English ideas—but I think it would be very un-fortunate if it got about that she behaved greedily over this—and had letRoger crash without trying to help him.”
Roger went over to his aunt. He put his arms round her and hugged her.
“Aunt Edith,” he said. “You are a darling—and a stubborn fighter, butyou don’t begin to understand. Clemency and I know what we want—andwhat we don’t want!”
Clemency, a sudden spot of colour showing in each thin cheek, stood de-fiantly facing them.
“None of you,” she said, “understand Roger. You never have! I don’t sup-pose you ever will! Come on, Roger.”
They left the room as Mr. Gaitskill began clearing his throat and arran-ging his papers. His countenance¹⁶ was one of deep disapprobation. He haddisliked the foregoing scenes very much. That was clear.
My eyes came at last to Sophia herself. She stood straight and handsomeby the fireplace, her chin up, her eyes steady. She had just been left an im-mense fortune, but my principal thought was how alone she had suddenlybecome. Between her and her family a barrier had been erected¹⁷. Hence-forth she was divided from them, and I fancied that she already knew andfaced that fact. Old Leonides had laid a burden upon her shoulders—hehad been aware of that and she knew it herself. He had believed that hershoulders were strong enough to bear it, but just at this moment I felt un-utterably sorry for her.
So far she had not spoken—indeed she had been given no chance, butvery soon now speech would be forced from her. Already, beneath the af-fection of her family, I could sense latent hostility¹⁹. Even in Magda’s grace-ful playacting there had been, I fancied, a subtle malice²⁰. And there wereother darker undercurrents that had not yet come to the surface.
Mr. Gaitskill’s throat clearings gave way to precise and measuredspeech.
“Allow me to congratulate you, Sophia,” he said. “You are a very wealthywoman. I should not advise any—er—precipitate action. I can advanceyou what ready money is needed for current expenses. If you wish to dis-cuss future arrangements I shall be happy to give you the best advice inmy power. Make an appointment with me at Lincoln’s Inn when you havehad plenty of time to think things over.”
“Roger,” began Edith de Haviland obstinately²¹.
Mr. Gaitskill snapped in quickly.
“Roger,” he said, “must fend²² for himself. He’s a grown man—er, fifty-four, I believe. And Aristide Leonides was quite right, you know. He isn’t abusiness man. Never will be.” He looked at Sophia. “If you put AssociatedCatering on its legs again, don’t be under any illusions that Roger can runit successfully.”
“I shouldn’t dream of putting Associated Catering²³ on its legs again,” saidSophia.
It was the first time she had spoken. Her voice was crisp and business-like.
“It would be an idiotic²⁴ thing to do,” she added.
Gaitskill shot a glance at her from under his brows, and smiled to him-self. Then he wished everyone goodbye and went out.
There were a few moments of silence, a realization²⁵ that the family circlewas alone with itself.
Then Philip got up stiffly.
“I must get back to the library,” he said. “I have lost a lot of time.”
“Father—” Sophia spoke¹⁸ uncertainly, almost pleadingly.
I felt her quiver and draw back as Philip turned cold hostile eyes on her.
“You must forgive me not congratulating you,” he said. “But this hasbeen rather a shock to me. I would not have believed that my fatherwould have so humiliated²⁶ me—that he would have disregarded my life-time’s devotion—yes—devotion.”
For the first time, the natural man broke through the crust of icy re-straint.
“My God,” he cried. “How could he do this to me? He was always unfairto me—always.”
“Oh no, Philip, no, you mustn’t think that,” cried Edith de Haviland.
“Don’t regard this as another slight. It isn’t. When people get old, they turnnaturally to a younger generation … I assure you it’s only that … and be-sides, Aristide had a very keen business sense. I’ve often heard him saythat two lots of death duties—”
“He never cared for me,” said Philip. His voice was low and hoarse²⁷. “Itwas always Roger—Roger. Well, at least”—an extraordinary expression ofspite suddenly marred²⁸ his handsome features—“father realized that Rogerwas a fool and a failure. He cut Roger out, too.”
“What about me?” said Eustace.
I had hardly noticed Eustace until now, but I perceived that he wastrembling with some violent emotion. His face was crimson²⁹, there were, Ithought, tears in his eyes. His voice shook as it rose hysterically³⁰.
“It’s a shame!” said Eustace. “It’s a damned shame! How dare grand-father do this to me? How dare he? I was his only grandson. How dare hepass me over for Sophia? It’s not fair. I hate him. I hate him. I’ll never for-give him as long as I live. Beastly tyrannical old man. I wanted him to die.
I wanted to get out of this house. I wanted to be my own master. And nowI’ve got to be bullied³¹ and messed around by Sophia, and be made to look afool. I wish I was dead….”
His voice broke and he rushed out of the room.
Edith de Haviland gave a sharp click of her tongue.
“No self-control,” she murmured.
“I know just how he feels,” cried Magda.
“I’m sure you do,” said Edith with acidity³² in her tone.
“The poor sweet! I must go after him.”
“Now, Magda—” Edith hurried after her.
Their voices died away. Sophia remained looking at Philip. There was, Ithink, a certain pleading in her glance. If so, it got no response. He lookedat her coldly, quite in control of himself once more.
“You played your cards very well, Sophia,” he said and went out of theroom.
“That was a cruel thing to say,” I cried. “Sophia—”
She stretched out her hands to me. I took her in my arms.
“This is too much for you, my sweet.”
“I know just how they feel,” said Sophia.
“That old devil, your grandfather, shouldn’t have let you in for this.”
She straightened her shoulders.
“He believed I could take it. And so I can. I wish—I wish Eustace didn’tmind so much.”
“He’ll get over it.”
“Will he? I wonder. He’s the kind that broods terribly. And I hate fatherbeing hurt.”
“Your mother’s all right.”
“She minds a bit. It goes against the grain to have to come and ask yourdaughter for money to put on plays. She’ll be after me to put on the EdithThompson one before you can turn round.”
“And what will you say? If it keeps her happy….”
Sophia pulled herself right out of my arms, her head went back.
“I shall say No! It’s a rotten play and mother couldn’t play the part. Itwould be throwing the money away.”
I laughed softly. I couldn’t help it.
“What is it?” Sophia demanded suspiciously.
“I’m beginning to understand why your grandfather left you his money.
You’re a chip off the old block, Sophia.”

1 prophesied   

v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She prophesied that she would win a gold medal. 她预言自己将赢得金牌。
• She prophesied the tragic outcome. 她预言有悲惨的结果。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 adjourned   

（使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The court adjourned for lunch. 午餐时间法庭休庭。
• The trial was adjourned following the presentation of new evidence to the court. 新证据呈到庭上后，审讯就宣告暂停。

3 disapproving   

adj.不满的，反对的v.不赞成( disapprove的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Mother gave me a disapproving look. 母亲的眼神告诉我她是不赞成的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her father threw a disapproving glance at her. 她父亲不满地瞥了她一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 speculatively   

adv.思考地，思索地；投机地

参考例句：

• He looked at her speculatively. 他若有所思的看着她。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She eyed It'speculatively as a cruel smile appeared on her black lips. 她若有所思地审视它，黑色的嘴角浮起一丝残酷的微笑。 来自互联网

5 acumen   

n.敏锐，聪明

参考例句：

• She has considerable business acumen.她的经营能力绝非一般。
• His business acumen has made his very successful.他的商业头脑使他很成功。

6 mantle   

n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红

参考例句：

• The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green.大地披上了苍翠欲滴的绿色斗篷。
• The mountain was covered with a mantle of snow.山上覆盖着一层雪。

7 pontifically   

adj.教皇的；大祭司的；傲慢的；武断的

参考例句：

• His words criticising modern society just right indicate his pontifical character. 他用以批评现代社会的言论恰好反映了他自大武断的性格。 来自辞典例句
• Papal diplomats, all priests nowadays, are trained at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome. 如今教廷的外交官都是牧师，都在罗马的圣座神职学院(PontificalEcclesiasticalAcademy)接受培训。 来自互联网

8 clemency   

n.温和，仁慈，宽厚

参考例句：

• The question of clemency would rest with the King.宽大处理问题，将由国王决定。
• They addressed to the governor a plea for clemency.他们向州长提交了宽刑的申辨书。

9 rivulet   

n.小溪，小河

参考例句：

• The school is located near the rivulet.学校坐落在小河附近。
• They passed the dry bed of a rivulet.他们跨过了一道干涸的河床。

10 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。

11 copper   

n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的

参考例句：

• The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
• Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。

12 crooked   

adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的

参考例句：

• He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指，示意我们到他那儿去。
• You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。

13 twitched   

vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Her lips twitched with amusement. 她忍俊不禁地颤动着嘴唇。
• The child's mouth twitched as if she were about to cry. 这小孩的嘴抽动着，像是要哭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 amiable   

adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的

参考例句：

• She was a very kind and amiable old woman.她是个善良和气的老太太。
• We have a very amiable companionship.我们之间存在一种友好的关系。

15 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

16 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

17 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

18 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

19 hostility   

n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争

参考例句：

• There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
• His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。

20 malice   

n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋

参考例句：

• I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
• There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。

21 obstinately   

ad.固执地，顽固地

参考例句：

• He obstinately asserted that he had done the right thing. 他硬说他做得对。
• Unemployment figures are remaining obstinately high. 失业数字仍然顽固地居高不下。

22 fend   

v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开

参考例句：

• I've had to fend for myself since I was 14.我从十四岁时起就不得不照料自己。
• He raised his arm up to fend branches from his eyes.他举手将树枝从他眼前挡开。

23 catering   

n. 给养

参考例句：

• Most of our work now involves catering for weddings. 我们现在的工作多半是承办婚宴。
• Who did the catering for your son's wedding? 你儿子的婚宴是由谁承办的？

24 idiotic   

adj.白痴的

参考例句：

• It is idiotic to go shopping with no money.去买东西而不带钱是很蠢的。
• The child's idiotic deeds caused his family much trouble.那小孩愚蠢的行为给家庭带来许多麻烦。

25 realization   

n.实现；认识到，深刻了解

参考例句：

• We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
• He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

26 humiliated   

感到羞愧的

参考例句：

• Parents are humiliated if their children behave badly when guests are present. 子女在客人面前举止失当，父母也失体面。
• He was ashamed and bitterly humiliated. 他感到羞耻，丢尽了面子。

27 hoarse   

adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的

参考例句：

• He asked me a question in a hoarse voice.他用嘶哑的声音问了我一个问题。
• He was too excited and roared himself hoarse.他过于激动，嗓子都喊哑了。

28 marred   

adj. 被损毁, 污损的

参考例句：

• The game was marred by the behaviour of drunken fans. 喝醉了的球迷行为不轨，把比赛给搅了。
• Bad diction marred the effectiveness of his speech. 措词不当影响了他演说的效果。

29 crimson   

n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色

参考例句：

• She went crimson with embarrassment.她羞得满脸通红。
• Maple leaves have turned crimson.枫叶已经红了。

30 hysterically   

ad. 歇斯底里地

参考例句：

• The children giggled hysterically. 孩子们歇斯底里地傻笑。
• She sobbed hysterically, and her thin body was shaken. 她歇斯底里地抽泣着，她瘦弱的身体哭得直颤抖。

31 bullied   

adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• My son is being bullied at school. 我儿子在学校里受欺负。
• The boy bullied the small girl into giving him all her money. 那男孩威逼那个小女孩把所有的钱都给他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

32 acidity   

n.酸度，酸性

参考例句：

• This plant prefers alkaline soil,though it will readily tolerate some acidity.这种植物在酸性土壤中也能生存，但硷性土壤更加适宜。
• Gastric acidity would not prevent the organism from passing into the gut.胃的酸度不能防止细菌进入肠道。