The effect of this adventure on Clyde was such as might have been expected in connection with one so new andstrange to such a world as this. In spite of all that deep and urgent curiosity and desire that had eventually ledhim to that place and caused him to yield, still, because of the moral precepts1 with which he had so long beenfamiliar, and also because of the nervous esthetic2 inhibitions which were characteristic of him, he could not butlook back upon all this as decidedly degrading and sinful. His parents were probably right when they preachedthat this was all low and shameful4. And yet this whole adventure and the world in which it was laid, once it wasall over, was lit with a kind of gross, pagan beauty or vulgar charm for him. And until other and more interestingthings had partially5 effaced6 it, he could not help thinking back upon it with considerable interest and pleasure,even.
In addition he kept telling himself that now, having as much money as he was making, he could go and do aboutas he pleased. He need not go there any more if he did not want to, but he could go to other places that might notbe as low, maybe--more refined. He wouldn't want to go with a crowd like that again. He would rather have justone girl somewhere if he could find her--a girl such as those with whom he had seen Sieberling and Doyleassociate. And so, despite all of his troublesome thoughts of the night before, he was thus won quickly over tothis new source of pleasure if not its primary setting. He must find a free pagan girl of his own somewhere if hecould, like Doyle, and spend his money on her. And he could scarcely wait until opportunity should provide himwith the means of gratifying himself in this way.
But more interesting and more to his purpose at the time was the fact that both Hegglund and Ratterer, in spiteof, or possibly because of, a secret sense of superiority which they detected in Clyde, were inclined to look uponhim with no little interest and to court him and to include him among all their thoughts of affairs and pleasures.
Indeed, shortly after his first adventure, Ratterer invited him to come to his home, where, as Clyde most quicklycame to see, was a life very different from his own. At the Griffiths' all was so solemn and reserved, the stillmoods of those who feel the pressure of dogma and conviction. In Ratterer's home, the reverse of this was nearlytrue. The mother and sister with whom he lived, while not without some moral although no particular religiousconvictions, were inclined to view life with a great deal of generosity8 or, as a moralist would have seen it, laxity.
There had never been any keen moral or characterful direction there at all. And so it was that Ratterer and hissister Louise, who was two years younger than himself, now did about as they pleased, and without thinking verymuch about it. But his sister chanced to be shrewd or individual enough not to wish to cast herself away on justany one.
The interesting part of all this was that Clyde, in spite of a certain strain of refinement9 which caused him to lookaskance at most of this, was still fascinated by the crude picture of life and liberty which it offered. Among suchas these, at least, he could go, do, be as he had never gone or done or been before. And particularly was hepleased and enlightened--or rather dubiously10 liberated--in connection with his nervousness and uncertainty11 inregard to his charm or fascination12 for girls of his own years. For up to this very time, and in spite of his recentfirst visit to the erotic temple to which Hegglund and the others had led him, he was still convinced that he hadno skill with or charm where girls were concerned. Their mere13 proximity14 or approach was sufficient to cause himto recede15 mentally, to chill or palpitate nervously16, and to lose what little natural skill he had for conversation orpoised banter17 such as other youths possessed18. But now, in his visits to the home of Ratterer, as he soondiscovered, he was to have ample opportunity to test whether this shyness and uncertainty could be overcome.
For it was a center for the friends of Ratterer and his sister, who were more or less of one mood in regard to life.
Dancing, card-playing, love-making rather open and unashamed, went on there. Indeed, up to this time, Clydewould not have imagined that a parent like Mrs. Ratterer could have been as lackadaisical19 or indifferent as shewas, apparently20, to conduct and morals generally. He would not have imagined that any mother would havecountenanced the easy camaraderie22 that existed between the sexes in Mrs. Ratterer's home.
And very soon, because of several cordial invitations which were extended to him by Ratterer, he found himselfpart and parcel of this group--a group which from one point of view--the ideas held by its members, the ratherwretched English they spoke--he looked down upon. From another point of view--the freedom they possessed,the zest23 with which they managed to contrive24 social activities and exchanges--he was drawn25 to them. Because,for the first time, these permitted him, if he chose, to have a girl of his own, if only he could summon thecourage. And this, owing to the well-meant ministrations of Ratterer and his sister and their friends, he soonsought to accomplish. Indeed the thing began on the occasion of his first visit to the Ratterers.
Louise Ratterer worked in a dry-goods store and often came home a little late for dinner. On this occasion shedid not appear until seven, and the eating of the family meal was postponed26 accordingly. In the meantime, twogirl friends of Louise arrived to consult her in connection with something, and finding her delayed, and Rattererand Clyde there, they made themselves at home, rather impressed and interested by Clyde and his new finery.
For he, at once girl-hungry and girl-shy, held himself nervously aloof27, a manifestation28 which they mistook for aconviction of superiority on his part. And in consequence, arrested by this, they determined29 to show how reallyinteresting they were--vamp him--no less. And he found their crude briskness30 and effrontery31 very appealing--somuch so that he was soon taken by the charms of one, a certain Hortense Briggs, who, like Louise, was nothingmore than a crude shop girl in one of the large stores, but pretty and dark and self- appreciative32. And yet from thefirst, he realized that she was not a little coarse and vulgar--a very long way removed from the type of girl he hadbeen imagining in his dreams that he would like to have.
"Oh, hasn't she come in yet?" announced Hortense, on first being admitted by Ratterer and seeing Clyde near oneof the front windows, looking out. "Isn't that too bad? Well, we'll just have to wait a little bit if you don't mind"-thislast with a switch and a swagger that plainly said, who would mind having us around? And forthwith shebegan to primp and admire herself before a mirror which surmounted33 an ocher-colored mantelpiece that graced afireless grate in the dining-room. And her friend, Greta Miller34, added: "Oh, dear, yes. I hope you won't make usgo before she comes. We didn't come to eat. We thought your dinner would be all over by now.""Where do you get that stuff--'put you out'?" replied Ratterer cynically35. "As though anybody could drive you twoouta here if you didn't want to go. Sit down and play the victrola or do anything you like. Dinner'll soon be readyand Louise'll be here any minute." He returned to the dining-room to look at a paper which he had been reading,after pausing to introduce Clyde. And the latter, because of the looks and the airs of these two, felt suddenly asthough he had been cast adrift upon a chartless sea in an open boat.
"Oh, don't say eat to me!" exclaimed Greta Miller, who was surveying Clyde calmly as though she were debatingwith herself whether he was worth-while game or not, and deciding that he was: "With all the ice-cream and cakeand pie and sandwiches we'll have to eat yet to-night. We was just going to warn Louise not to fill up too much.
Kittie Keane's givin' a birthday party, you know, Tom, and she'll have a big cake an' everythin'. You're comin'
down, ain't you, afterwards?" she concluded, with a thought of Clyde and his possible companionship in mind.
"I wasn't thinkin' of it," calmly observed Ratterer. "Me and Clyde was thinkin' of goin' to a show after dinner.""Oh, how foolish," put in Hortense Briggs, more to attract attention to herself and take it away from Greta thananything else. She was still in front of the mirror, but turned now to cast a fetching smile on all, particularlyClyde, for whom she fancied her friend might be angling, "When you could come along and dance. I call thatsilly.""Sure, dancing is all you three ever think of--you and Louise," retorted Ratterer. "It's a wonder you don't giveyourselves a rest once in a while. I'm on my feet all day an' I like to sit down once in a while." He could be mostmatter-of-fact at times.
"Oh, don't say sit down to me," commented Greta Miller with a lofty smile and a gliding37, dancing motion of herleft foot, "with all the dates we got ahead of us this week. Oh, gee38!" Her eyes and eyebrows39 went up and sheclasped her hands dramatically before her. "It's just terrible, all the dancin' we gotta do yet, this winter, don't we,Hortense? Thursday night and Friday night and Saturday and Sunday nights." She counted on her fingers mostarchly. "Oh, gee! It is terrible, really." She gave Clyde an appealing, sympathy-seeking smile. "Guess where wewere the other night, Tom. Louise and Ralph Thorpe and Hortense and Bert Gettler, me and Willie Bassick--outat Pegrain's on Webster Avenue. Oh, an' you oughta seen the crowd out there. Sam Shaffer and Tillie Burns wasthere. And we danced until four in the morning. I thought my knees would break. I ain't been so tired in I don'tknow when.""Oh, gee!" broke in Hortense, seizing her turn and lifting her arms dramatically. "I thought I never would get towork the next morning. I could just barely see the customers moving around. And, wasn't my mother fussy40! Gee!
She hasn't gotten over it yet. She don't mind so much about Saturdays and Sundays, but all these week nights andwhen I have to get up the next morning at seven-- gee--how she can pick!""An' I don't blame her, either," commented Mrs. Ratterer, who was just then entering with a plate of potatoes andsome bread. "You two'll get sick and Louise, too, if you don't get more rest. I keep tellin' her she won't be able tokeep her place or stand it if she don't get more sleep. But she don't pay no more attention to me than Tom does,and that's just none at all.""Oh, well, you can't expect a fellow in my line to get in early always, Ma," was all Ratterer said. And Hortense Briggs added: "Gee, I'd die if I had to stay in one night. You gotta have a little fun when you work all day."What an easy household, thought Clyde. How liberal and indifferent. And the sexy, gay way in which these twogirls posed about. And their parents thought nothing of it, evidently. If only he could have a girl as pretty as thisHortense Briggs, with her small, sensuous41 mouth and her bright hard eyes.
"To bed twice a week early is all I need," announced Greta Miller archly. "My father thinks I'm crazy, but more'nthat would do me harm." She laughed jestingly, and Clyde, in spite of the "we was'es" and "I seen's," was mostvividly impressed. Here was youth and geniality42 and freedom and love of life.
And just then the front door opened and in hurried Louise Ratterer, a medium-sized, trim, vigorous little girl in ared-lined cape45 and a soft blue felt hat pulled over her eyes. Unlike her brother, she was brisk and vigorous andmore lithe46 and as pretty as either of these others.
"Oh, look who's here!" she exclaimed. "You two birds beat me home, didnja? Well, I got stuck to-night onaccount of some mix-up in my sales-book. And I had to go up to the cashier's office. You bet it wasn't my fault,though. They got my writin' wrong," then noting Clyde for the first time, she announced: "I bet I know who thisis--Mr. Griffiths. Tom's talked about you a lot. I wondered why he didn't bring you around here before." AndClyde, very much flattered, mumbled47 that he wished he had.
But the two visitors, after conferring with Louise in a small front bedroom to which they all retired48, reappearedpresently and because of strenuous49 invitations, which were really not needed, decided3 to remain. And Clyde,because of their presence, was now intensely wrought50 up and alert--eager to make a pleasing impression and tobe received upon terms of friendship here. And these three girls, finding him attractive, were anxious to beagreeable to him, so much so that for the first time in his life they put him at his ease with the opposite sex andcaused him to find his tongue.
"We was just going to warn you not to eat so much," laughed Greta Miller, turning to Louise, "and now, see, weare all trying to eat again." She laughed heartily51. "And they'll have pies and cakes and everythin' at Kittie's.""Oh, gee, and we're supposed to dance, too, on top of all this. Well, heaven help me, is all I have to say," put inHortense.
The peculiar52 sweetness of her mouth, as he saw it, as well as the way she crinkled it when she smiled, causedClyde to be quite beside himself with admiration53 and pleasure. She looked quite delightful--wonderful to him.
Indeed her effect on him made him swallow quickly and half choke on the coffee he had just taken. He laughedand felt irrepressibly gay.
At that moment she turned on him and said: "See, what I've done to him now.""Oh, that ain't all you've done to me," exclaimed Clyde, suddenly being seized with an inspiration and a flow ofthought and courage. Of a sudden, because of her effect on him, he felt bold and courageous54, albeit55 a littlefoolish and added, "Say, I'm gettin' kinda woozy with all the pretty faces I see around here.""Oh, gee, you don't want to give yourself away that quick around here, Clyde," cautioned Ratterer, genially56.
"These high-binders'll be after you to make you take 'em wherever they want to go. You better not begin thatway." And, sure enough, Louise Ratterer, not to be abashed57 by what her brother had just said, observed: "Youdance, don't you, Mr. Griffiths?""No, I don't," replied Clyde, suddenly brought back to reality by this inquiry58 and regretting most violently thehandicap this was likely to prove in this group. "But you bet I wish I did now," he added gallantly59 and almostappealingly, looking first at Hortense and then at Greta Miller and Louise. But all pretended not to notice hispreference, although Hortense titillated60 with her triumph. She was not convinced that she was so greatly takenwith him, but it was something to triumph thus easily and handsomely over these others. And the others felt it.
"Ain't that too bad?" she commented, a little indifferently and superiorly now that she realized that she was hispreference. "You might come along with us, you and Tom, if you did. There's goin' to be mostly dancing atKittie's."Clyde began to feel and look crushed at once. To think that this girl, to whom of all those here he was mostdrawn, could dismiss him and his dreams and desires thus easily, and all because he couldn't dance. And hisaccursed home training was responsible for all this. He felt broken and cheated. What a boob he must seem notto be able to dance. And Louise Ratterer looked a little puzzled and indifferent, too. But Greta Miller, whom heliked less than Hortense, came to his rescue with: "Oh, it ain't so hard to learn. I could show you in a few minutesafter dinner if you wanted to. It's only a few steps you have to know. And then you could go, anyhow, if youwanted to."Clyde was grateful and said so--determined to learn here or elsewhere at the first opportunity. Why hadn't hegone to a dancing school before this, he asked himself. But the thing that pained him most was the seemingindifference of Hortense now that he had made it clear that he liked her. Perhaps it was that Bert Gettler,previously61 mentioned, with whom she had gone to the dance, who was making it impossible for him to interesther. So he was always to be a failure this way. Oh, gee!
But the moment the dinner was over and while the others were still talking, the first to put on a dance record andcome over with hands extended was Hortense, who was determined not to be outdone by her rival in this way.
She was not particularly interested or fascinated by Clyde, at least not to the extent of troubling about him asGreta did. But if her friend was going to attempt a conquest in this manner, was it not just as well to forestallher? And so, while Clyde misread her change of attitude to the extent of thinking that she liked him better thanhe had thought, she took him by the hands, thinking at the same time that he was too bashful. However, placinghis right arm about her waist, his other clasped in hers at her shoulder, she directed his attention to her feet andhis and began to illustrate62 the few primary movements of the dance. But so eager and grateful was he--almostintense and ridiculous--she did not like him very much, thought him a little unsophisticated and too young. Atthe same time, there was a charm about him which caused her to wish to assist him. And soon he was movingabout with her quite easily--and afterwards with Greta and then Louise, but wishing always it was Hortense. Andfinally he was pronounced sufficiently63 skillful to go, if he would.
And now the thought of being near her, being able to dance with her again, drew him so greatly that, despite thefact that three youths, among them that same Bert Gettler, appeared on the scene to escort them, and although heand Ratterer had previously agreed to go to a theater together, he could not help showing how much he would prefer to follow those others--so much so that Ratterer finally agreed to abandon the theater idea. And soon theywere off, Clyde grieving that he could not walk with Hortense, who was with Gettler, and hating his rivalbecause of this; but still attempting to be civil to Louise and Greta, who bestowed64 sufficient attention on him tomake him feel at ease. Ratterer, having noticed his extreme preference and being alone with him for a moment,said: "You better not get too stuck on that Hortense Briggs. I don't think she's on the level with anybody. She'sgot that fellow Gettler and others. She'll only work you an' you might not get anything, either."But Clyde, in spite of this honest and well-meant caution, was not to be dissuaded65. On sight, and because of thewitchery of a smile, the magic and vigor44 of motion and youth, he was completely infatuated and would havegiven or done anything for an additional smile or glance or hand pressure. And that despite the fact that he wasdealing with a girl who no more knew her own mind than a moth7, and who was just reaching the stage where shewas finding it convenient and profitable to use boys of her own years or a little older for whatever pleasures orclothes she desired.
The party proved nothing more than one of those ebullitions of the youthful mating period. The house of KittieKeane was little more than a cottage in a poor street under bare December trees. But to Clyde, because of thepassion for a pretty face that was suddenly lit in him, it had the color and the form and gayety of romance itself.
And the young girls and boys that he met there--girls and boys of the Ratterer, Hegglund, Hortense stripe--werestill of the very substance and texture66 of that energy, ease and forwardness which he would have given his soul topossess. And curiously67 enough, in spite of a certain nervousness on his part, he was by reason of his newcompanions made an integral part of the gayeties.
And on this occasion he was destined68 to view a type of girl and youth in action such as previously it had not beenhis fortune or misfortune, as you will, to see. There was, for instance, a type of sensual dancing which Louiseand Hortense and Greta indulged in with the greatest nonchalance69 and assurance. At the same time, many ofthese youths carried whisky in a hip36 flask70, from which they not only drank themselves, but gave others to drink-boysand girls indiscriminately.
And the general hilarity71 for this reason being not a little added to, they fell into more intimate relations--spooningwith one and another--Hortense and Louise and Greta included. Also to quarreling at times. And it appeared tobe nothing out of the ordinary, as Clyde saw, for one youth or another to embrace a girl behind a door, to holdher on his lap in a chair in some secluded72 corner, to lie with her on a sofa, whispering intimate andunquestionably welcome things to her. And although at no time did he espy73 Hortense doing this--still, as he saw,she did not hesitate to sit on the laps of various boys or to whisper with rivals behind doors. And this for a timeso discouraged and at the same time incensed74 him that he felt he could not and would not have anything more todo with her--she was too cheap, vulgar, inconsiderate.
At the same time, having partaken of the various drinks offered him--so as not to seem less worldly wise than theothers--until brought to a state of courage and daring not ordinarily characteristic of him, he ventured to halfplead with and at the same time half reproach her for her too lax conduct.
"You're a flirt75, you are. You don't care who you jolly, do you?" This as they were dancing together after one o'clock to the music of a youth named Wilkens, at the none too toneful piano. She was attempting to show him anew step in a genial43 and yet coquettish way, and with an amused, sensuous look.
"What do you mean, flirt? I don't get you.""Oh, don't you?" replied Clyde, a little crossly and still attempting to conceal76 his real mood by a deceptive77 smile.
"I've heard about you. You jolly 'em all.""Oh, do I?" she replied quite irritably78. "Well, I haven't tried to jolly you very much, have I?""Well, now, don't get mad," he half pleaded and half scolded, fearing, perhaps, that he had ventured too far andmight lose her entirely79 now. "I don't mean anything by it. You don't deny that you let a lot of these fellows makelove to you. They seem to like you, anyway.""Oh, well, of course they like me, I guess. I can't help that, can I?""Well, I'll tell you one thing," he blurted80 boastfully and passionately81. "I could spend a lot more on you than theycould. I got it." He had been thinking only the moment before of fifty-five dollars in bills that snuggledcomfortably in his pocket.
"Oh, I don't know," she retorted, not a little intrigued82 by this cash offer, as it were, and at the same time not alittle set up in her mood by the fact that she could thus inflame83 nearly all youths in this way. She was really alittle silly, very lightheaded, who was infatuated by her own charms and looked in every mirror, admiring hereyes, her hair, her neck, her hands, her figure, and practising a peculiarly fetching smile.
At the same time, she was not unaffected by the fact that Clyde was not a little attractive to look upon, althoughso very green. She liked to tease such beginners. He was a bit of a fool, as she saw him. But he was connectedwith the Green-Davidson, and he was well-dressed, and no doubt he had all the money he said and would spendit on her. Some of those whom she liked best did not have much money to spend.
"Lots of fellows with money would like to spend it on me." She tossed her head and flicked84 her eyes andrepeated her coyest smile.
At once Clyde's countenance21 darkened. The witchery of her look was too much for him. The skin of his foreheadcrinkled and then smoothed out. His eyes burned lustfully85 and bitterly, his old resentment86 of life and deprivationshowing. No doubt all she said was true. There were others who had more and would spend more. He wasboasting and being ridiculous and she was laughing at him.
After a moment, he added, weakly, "I guess that's right, too. But they couldn't want you more than I do."The uncalculated honesty of it flattered her not a little. He wasn't so bad after all. They were gracefully87 glidingabout as the music continued.
"Oh, well, I don't flirt everywhere like I do here. These fellows and girls all know each other. We're always going around together. You mustn't mind what you see here."She was lying artfully, but it was soothing88 to him none the less. "Gee, I'd give anything if you'd only be nice tome," he pleaded, desperately89 and yet ecstatically. "I never saw a girl I'd rather have than you. You're swell90. I'mcrazy about you. Why won't you come out to dinner with me and let me take you to a show afterwards? Don'tyou want to do that, tomorrow night or Sunday? Those are my two nights off. I work other nights."She hesitated at first, for even now she was not so sure that she wished to continue this contact. There wasGettler, to say nothing of several others, all jealous and attentive91. Even though he spent money on her, she mightnot wish to bother with him. He was already too eager and he might become troublesome. At the same time, thenatural coquetry of her nature would not permit her to relinquish92 him. He might fall into the hands of Greta orLouise. In consequence she finally arranged a meeting for the following Tuesday. But he could not come to thehouse, or take her home to-night--on account of her escort, Mr. Gettler. But on the following Tuesday, at six-thirty, near the Green-Davidson. And he assured her that they would dine first at Frissell's, and then see "TheCorsair," a musical comedy at Libby's, only two blocks away.
这一次冶游，如同它对初次涉足这一如此陌生世界的新手一样，也会对克莱德产生多么大的影响，不用说，那是可以想象得到的。尽管他那强烈的好奇心和难以预料的欲念，终于将他引到了那么一个地方，使他屈服了，可是，由于他耳濡目染的那些道德观念，以及他个人确认不符合审美要求的种种禁条，他依然不能不认为:
这一切确实是堕落和邪恶的行为。他的父母在传道时，就说过这些事通通是下流可耻的，想必很有道理吧。可是事后回想起来，那次猎艳和那个世界，在他心目中毕竟闪烁着某种粗鄙。异端的美和世俗的魅力。这一印象只要还没有被其他更有趣的事情冲淡，他在回想这一段经历时，不能不觉得津津有味，乃至于其乐无穷。
此外，他也一直在暗自思忖，如今自己既然能挣到那么多钱，他为什么不可以爱上哪儿就上哪儿，爱干什么就干什么呢。要是他不愿意再去，那就不必去得了，不过，说不定他还可以到另外一些并不那么下流。备不住高雅一点的地方去。他再也不会象上次跟着那一拨人去了。最好还是单独给自己寻摸一个姑娘……就象他见过西伯龄和多伊尔所结识的那一档次的女郎。因此，尽管他一想到前夜的事，就有烦恼不安的思绪，可他很快找到了这种新的欢乐的源泉(当然不是以头一次冶游场面作为背景的)。他一定要象多伊尔那样，给自己寻摸到一个放荡不羁。不信宗教的姑娘，把自己的钱都花在她身上。而且，他几乎焦急不安地在等待机会，以便满足自己的愿望。
不过，当时让克莱德更感有趣。对他更为有利的是:
赫格伦和拉特勒虽已发觉克莱德怀有优越感，或者说也许正因为如此，他们对他更感兴趣，尽量讨好他，不论在琢磨什么寻欢作乐这类事，务必让他参与进来。事实上，在他头一次冶游以后不久，拉特勒便邀请克莱德到自己家里，克莱德一看就知道:
拉特勒一家人的生活方式跟自己家里迥然不同。在格里菲思家里，一切都是非常严肃而又谨小慎微，由于受到教规与教义束缚，他们常常保持宁静的心境。然而拉特勒家里，与此恰好相反。跟拉特勒住在一块的母亲和妹妹，尽管没有什么特别的宗教信仰，但她们也并不都是毫无道德观念的人;她们对待生活的态度却非常豁达大度，或者如一位道德家会说……放纵。他们谈论道德或是品行时，从来不提出什么明确的准则。因此，拉特勒和那个比他小两岁的妹妹路易斯，现在他们不论做什么事都是随自己一时高兴，而根本不是三思而行的。不过，多亏他妹妹相当聪明，很有个性，不肯随便委身于人。
最最有意思的是，克莱德尽管自己有些教养，对他周围一切多半看不顺眼，但他还是被生活中放浪形骸的粗鲁画面所倾倒。现在他置身于如此环境之中，至少不会象从前那样身不由己了;他可以随意到过去不让去的地方，但也可以做过去不让做的事情。让他特别高兴，因而茅塞顿开的……也可以说，他再也不必半信半疑了:
因为过去他对那些年龄跟自己相仿的姑娘们究竟有多大魅力，使她们为之倾倒，自己一直没有把握，不觉有些紧张，可现在他已心中有数了。
截至此时为止，尽管最近赫格伦一伙人带他去初游爱神的殿堂，他依然认为自己跟那些姑娘们周旋简直没有本领，也可以说没有魅力。那些姑娘们只要跟他站在一块，或者来接近他，就足以使他产生退避三舍的想法，使他不由得打寒噤，或则心儿突突地跳;一般年轻小伙子都会谈笑逗乐，这种本领虽然他生来也有一点儿，可是到时候偏偏倏忽不见了。现在他多次到拉特勒家作客之后，很快就发觉，他已经能够得到充分的机会，测试自己这种羞怯不安的情绪究竟能不能加以克服。
这里是拉特勒和他妹妹路易斯的朋友们聚会的中心。他们兄妹俩看待生活的观点多少是一致的。跳舞。打纸牌，和相当公开。一点儿不害臊的调情取乐，在这儿是习已为常了。直到此刻为止，克莱德真的没有想到:
作为一个母亲，对待道德和品行诸问题，居然可以象拉特勒太太那样，一概装聋作哑。漠不关心。
他简直不能想象天底下哪有这样一位母亲，竟然会赞成拉特勒太太家里那种两性之间如此自由的朋友关系。
经过拉特勒好几次热情相邀以后，克莱德很快就觉得自己已是他们这一小拨人中的一员了。不过，从某个观点来看……从这一拨人的一些想法来看，以及从他们所说的蹩脚英语来看……他对这一拨人还是看不起的。可是，再从另一个观点来看……他们那种自由自在。放荡不羁的派头，以至他们热心交际活动和相互酬应的那种劲儿……却把他给吸引住了。因为他可以利用这些机会，只要他高兴，只要他有胆量，就能找到一个属于他自己的姑娘，这对他来说还是生平头一遭呢。是的，就是通过拉特勒兄妹俩，以及他们一些朋友的好心相助，克莱德的希望很快实现了。事实上，这件事在他到拉特勒家里初次作客时就开始了。
路易斯。拉特勒在一家绸布店工作，回家吃晚饭往往迟一些。这一次，她直到七点才回来，家里吃饭的时间也就往后推迟了。刚才路易斯有两个女朋友来过，想找她商量一些事。她们发现她还没有回家，只有拉特勒和克莱德在那里，也就毫无拘束地留下了。哪知道她们一下子对克莱德和他身上那套新装产生了很大兴趣。由于克莱德一想到女人简直如饥若渴，见了女人却又很羞怯，这时他心里紧张极了，不知怎的露出了孤高自赏的神态，竟被她们误解为这是克莱德身上优越感的一种表现。现在，她们既然被他这种神态吸引住了，就不妨故意炫耀一下她们该有多么迷人……以姿色来勾引他。她们那种粗俗的活泼劲儿和毫不害臊的态度，他倒是觉得很吸引人;没有多久，他就被一个名叫霍丹斯。布里格斯的魅力给吸引住了。霍丹斯这个姑娘如同路易斯一样，就是一家大商店里一个粗俗不堪的售货员，只因为她长得黑里俏，自以为了不起。反正克莱德一开头就感到她很粗鄙。庸俗……与他多年来梦寐以求的那类姑娘简直相去太远了。
"哦，她还没回来吗?
"拉特勒刚把霍丹斯请进来，她一看见克莱德正凭窗外眺，就大声嚷嚷说。"那不是太倒霉吗?
得了吧，我们就只好等她呗，要是你们不介意的话。"……她说最后这句话的时候，故意卖弄风骚，明明白白地在说，谁敢不欢迎我们光临呢?
拉特勒家餐室里有一个没有生火的壁炉，赭色壁炉架上竖了一面镜子，这时，霍丹斯就对着镜子搔首弄姿，尽情欣赏自己的容貌。她的朋友格里达。米勒接茬说:
"哦，当然罗，我们只好等她呗。我希望在她没有回来以前，你们别撵我们走。我们俩可不是来吃饭的。我们还以为你们早就吃过了。
""你打哪儿学的这个扯儿……'
''''撵你们走，?
"拉特勒挖苦地说。"仿佛你们不肯走，人家就把你们两个一块撵走似的。快坐下，打开留声机，要不然随你们便就得了。马上吃晚饭了，路易斯一会儿就回来。"他把克莱德介绍给她们以后，就回到餐室去继续看刚才放下的报纸。克莱德一看这两位姑娘的容貌和神态，突然觉得仿佛自己有如一叶孤舟，正在尚未记入海图的海面上随风漂流。
"哦，别跟我提吃的事!
"格里达。米勒大声嚷道，这时，她正不动声色地打量克莱德，可心里仿佛正在七上八下地思考，此人究竟值得不值得追求。最后她认定是值得的，于是开口说:
"可今儿晚上我们还得要吃的，不管冰淇淋。蛋糕。
馅儿饼和夹肉面包都行。我们是特地来提醒路易斯，叫她先别吃得太饱了。汤姆，你知道吧，吉蒂。基恩今儿个生日，她要请客，准备了大蛋糕，还有许许多多东西。过一会儿你也去，是吧?
"末了，她嘴上是这么说的，心里却想的是克莱德，可不可以也邀他一块去呢。
"这个我可没想到，"拉特勒奉然自若地说。"我和克莱德打算吃过饭就上剧院看戏去。""哦，真傻，"霍丹斯。布里格斯插嘴说，一心要把注意中心从格里达。米勒转移到自己身上。她还伫立在镜前，这时侧过身来，向大家……特别是克莱德……迷人地一笑，心想她的朋友大概已在勾引他吧。"本来你可以跟我一块儿去跳跳舞，却硬要看戏去，依我看，那就太傻啦。""当然罗，你们三个……不管是你们俩，还是路易斯……就是只想跳舞呗，"拉特勒回嘴说。"真怪，你们从来都不想歇一会儿。我一天到晚老是东奔西跑，说真的巴不得这会儿坐下来透口气。"有的时候，他倒是很实事求是的。
"哦，别让我坐下歇着，"格里达。米勒说，一面高傲地一笑，随后抬起左脚，顺势一滑溜，好象就要翩翩起舞似的。"本星期约会可多着呢。嘿，真够呛!
"她把眼睛和眉毛往上一扬，两手紧攥在胸前，显出无可奈何的神态。"今年一冬还得跳这么多的舞，真吓人……霍丹斯，是吧?
星期四晚上。星期五晚上，还有星期六和星期日晚上。"她卖弄风骚地掐着指头说。"嘿，够呛!
真吓死人。"她特别讨好地向克莱德笑了一笑，仿佛向他寻求同情似的。"你猜，我们那天晚上是在哪儿，汤姆?
路易斯和拉尔夫。索普，霍丹斯和伯特。格特勒，还有我和威利。
巴西克……都上韦伯斯特大街佩格兰舞厅去了。哦，说实在的，你也该去那儿，看看那一大拨人。萨姆。谢菲尔和蒂利。伯恩斯也在那儿。我们跳呀跳，一直跳到转天凌晨四点。我只怕我的两条腿快断了。我可不记得多咱有这么累过哩。
""哦，真够呛!
"霍丹斯插嘴说，一面马上抓住机会，举起两臂，仿佛做戏似的，"我还以为转天上午可上不了班呢。我两眼模模糊糊，几乎连顾客也都看不清。这可叫我妈急坏了!
真吓人!
至今她神志还没恢复过来哩。平时星期六和星期日晚上去跳她还不怎么反对，可是现在一星期里天天晚上都跳，而转天早上七点，我还得照常起床……对不起……要不然，她就嘀嘀咕咕没个完!
""可我倒也不怪她，"拉特勒太太插话说，这时她正好托着一盘土豆和一些面包走了进来。"你们两个要是不多多休息休息，准要病倒的，路易斯也是一样。
我可一个劲儿对她说，要是她再不多睡一会儿觉，她的工作就准保不住了，再说，她的身体怕是也顶不住的。可她就是象汤姆一样也不听我的话，只当压根儿没这回事呢。""哦，干我这一行的人，你就别指望能每天早早回来，妈，"拉特勒拢共只说了这么一句。霍丹斯。布里格斯又找补着说:
"好家伙，要是叫我在家待上一晚，那可要把我憋死了。工作了一整天，可也得让我乐一乐嘛。"克莱德心里想，这个家该是多么轻松愉快啊。多么落落大方，多么满不在乎。瞧这两个姑娘神气，该有多么性感，多么热情。显而易见，她们的父母也是什么都不在意的。要是他也有一个就象霍丹斯。布里格斯那样长着一张富于肉感的小嘴。一双明亮而又厉害的眼睛的漂亮姑娘，该有多好!
"每星期我只要有两晚上早睡就够了，"格里达。米勒淘气地说。"我父亲说我简直是疯了，不过，我觉得多睡反而对身体不好。"她闹着玩儿，一边说，一边哈哈大笑起来，尽管有些话她说的都是土话俚语，可克莱德还是听得津津有味。反正从这里就可以看到青春。快活。自由和热爱生活。
正在这当儿，前门开了，路易斯。拉特勒急冲冲走进来。她是个衣着整洁。
生气勃勃。中等身材的小姑娘，披着一条红衬里的披肩，一顶蓝色软呢帽低低地拉到眼梢边上。她比哥哥显得更要活泼，浑身有劲儿;她身段虽比她的两个女友柔软，但模样儿却是一样漂亮。
"哦，看谁在这儿!
"她大声嚷嚷说。"你们这两个丫头找上门来，而且还比我先到，是不是?
唉，今儿晚上因为帐面上出了一点岔错，给拖住了。我就得上出纳那儿说明去。虽然那决不是我的岔错。是人家把我写的字认错了，"这时她才头一次发现了克莱德，便说:
"我准知道这一位是谁……是格里菲思先生嘛。汤姆常常念叨你。我心里老是纳闷，干吗他不早点把你带来。"克莱德听了心里喜孜孜，就咕哝着说，他也巴不得自己能早点跟拉特勒一家人见见面。
不过，那两位客人跟路易斯一块走进了前面的一个小卧室，商量了一会儿，马上出来了。由于主人几次三番地热情相邀，她们就决定留下来……其实，用不着坚邀，她们也会留下来的。克莱德一见到她们在场，就非常兴奋，特别带劲……而且急急乎想给她们一个好印象，往后好跟这些姑娘亲密来往。这三个姑娘觉得他富有吸引力，也急于博得他的好感，因此就使得他生平头一遭泰然自若地跟异性交际应酬，有说有笑了。
"我们是特地来关照你，千万别吃得太饱，"格里达。米勒侧过身来，冲路易斯笑着说。"可是，现在你看，我们自个儿倒是又在吃了。"她开怀大笑说。"吉蒂家里会有馅儿饼和蛋糕，什么好吃的都有。""哦，得了，最痛快的听说我们还得要跳舞呢。哦，我只好说请老天爷保佑了，"霍丹斯插话说。
克莱德留意到，她的那张小嘴特别惹人喜爱，每当她笑的时候，嘴儿轻轻地一皱，那种迷人的劲儿，竟让克莱德又惊又喜，简直不能自已了。在他看来，她那一举一动，一颦一笑，都是很讨人欢喜的……简直是令人完全倾倒。是的，她那股迷人的魅力，确实使他很快把刚拿来的咖啡一口喝下去，差一点噎住了。
他放声大笑，觉得自己真的乐不可支了。
是我叫他乐得这个样子。""哦，瞧你的能耐，岂止这些，"克莱德大声嚷嚷说;他忽然灵机一动，勇气也一下子来了。由于她施加给他的影响，他猛地觉得自己胆大如牛，尽管还带有几分傻劲儿。于是，他接下去说:
"嘿，我一看见这么多漂亮的脸蛋儿，真的要晕头晕脑了。""哎哟哟，你可用不着这样快就上她们的当，克莱德，"拉特勒出于好心告诫他说。"这些拆白党会拼命追你，她们想上哪儿，就让你带她们上哪儿。一开头你最好不要就这样呀。"果然不出所料，路易斯。拉特勒并不因为她哥哥刚才说的话就觉得害臊，她说:
"格里菲思先生，你会跳舞，是吗?
""不，我不会，"克莱德回答说;路易斯这一问，使他马上头脑清醒，觉得在这拨人中间才发现自己这一不足之处，心中非常懊恼。"不过，我现在的确巴不得能跳才好，"他先是望望霍丹斯，然后望望格里达。米勒，带着几分恳求的神气，套近乎地继续说。可是，谁都佯装没有注意到他到底最喜欢哪一位，虽然霍丹斯由于捷足先登，不免心里有些雀跃。她并不认为自己对他十分中意，不过，她一出场，就这么光彩照人地一下子压倒了她的那两个对手，毕竟值得暗自庆幸的。这一点连她的女友也感觉到了。"这不是太糟了吗?
"此刻她因为深信克莱德最喜欢自己，所以，她有点儿满不在乎，乃至于自视甚高地说。"要是你会跳，那你和汤姆两个就可以跟我们一块去。吉蒂家里几乎动不动就跳舞。
"克莱德开始泄气了，而且马上形之于色。试想一下:
这儿的几个姑娘里头，她原是最吸引他的一个，现在她却易如反掌地把他，连同他的美梦和心愿一块都给抛弃了，只是因为他不会跳舞。这一切都得怪他那该死的家庭教育。他觉得自己泄了气。受了骗。连跳舞都不会，在她们眼里岂不是大傻瓜吗。路易斯。
拉特勒也露出一点儿困惑。冷漠的神色。不过，格里达。米勒……虽然她要博得克莱德青睐还比不上霍丹斯，可她却给他解了围，说:
"哦，那跳舞……可并不难学嘛。只要你高兴，饭后我教你几分钟就会了。你只要记住几个步法就得了。
那时候你要是高兴，就不妨跟我们一块去。"克莱德听后很高兴，连忙道谢，说……他已下了决心，今后一有机会，就要学会它，不论是在这里还是在别处。他抚心自问，为什么不早点进跳舞学校呢?
不过，他心中最痛苦的是，在他已表白过自己喜欢霍丹斯之后她还表现出那种看似冷淡的神态。也许就是因为刚才提到的。跟她一块去跳舞的那个伯特。
格特勒，才使他不可能引起霍丹斯的兴趣吧。这等事他总是这么不走运。唉!
不过，晚饭刚吃完，大家还在聊天的时候，首先打开唱机，放上舞曲唱片，把手伸过来向他邀舞的，正是霍丹斯:
她决心不让她的对手占上风。其实，她对克莱德并不特别感兴趣或是着了迷，至少不象格里达那样为了他禁不住心慌。
不过，要是她的女朋友打算利用这样方式把他征服，难道说她还不该先下手为强?
克莱德却误解了霍丹斯态度上这一变化原因，以为她比他想象中还要喜欢他，正在这当儿，她便拉住了他的手，心想此人简直太扭扭捏捏了。尽管这样，她还是叫他右手搂在她腰里，左手在她肩膀上方握住她的右手，要他注意她的脚和自己的脚，并且开始示范，做了几个跳舞的基本动作。殊不知他一时太性急，心中也太感激了……几乎紧张到了令人可笑的程度……使霍丹斯很不喜欢，觉得此人不免有些单纯，而且也太稚嫩了。与此同时，他身上毕竟也有他的可爱之处，使她乐于助他一臂之力。不一会儿，他已经能相当轻快自如地跟她跳舞了……后来他又跟格里达和路易斯跳了一会儿，不过心里总巴不得跟霍丹斯跳。
最后，一致公认他的舞步已经相当熟练，只要他愿意去，就可以跟她们一块跳舞去了。
克莱德一想到只要同霍丹斯接近，还能再跟她跳舞，心中就来了很大劲儿，所以，不管这时已有三个年轻人(其中包括那个伯特。格特勒在内)来陪她们一块去，而且克莱德跟拉特勒事先还约定一起去看戏，可他仍然情不自禁，表示要跟大伙儿一块去……既然这样，拉特勒最后只好同意取消看戏的打算了。不一会儿，他们就出发了。这时，霍丹斯是由伯特。格特勒陪着的，克莱德因为不能同她在一起走，心里很恼火，因而也就憎恨他的这个情敌。幸好路易斯和格里达对他相当亲切，使他心里稍微舒畅一些，于是，他就竭力向她们俩献殷勤。
拉特勒发觉他特别喜欢霍丹斯，就抓住单独跟他在一块的时机，对他说:
"最好别死追霍丹斯。布里格斯。依我看，她只不过是卖弄风骚罢了。她随便支使了格特勒这一伙人。也许她只不过逗逗你，你休想从她那儿得到些什么。
"可是这种出于至诚的善意规劝，并没有使克莱德头脑清醒一些。不论是见到她也好，还是由于她那微笑的蛊惑，她那一举手，一投足，充满青春的魔力和活力，竟使他完全神魂颠倒了。若是她再给他一笑，一瞥，一握手，无论要他献出什么或者做些什么，他都甘之如饴。殊不知他眼前结识的这位姑娘，对自己奋进目标，不会比一只飞蛾知道得更多;只不过到了她认为既方便。而又有利的时机，她便去利用一下同她自己年龄相仿或则稍大一些的男孩子，以达到寻欢作乐，或则获取一些她所心爱的衣服这一目的罢了。
这次聚会不外乎是年轻人追求爱侣时期常见的一次热情迸发罢了。吉蒂。
基恩的家，只不过是在一条寒伧的街上一所小房子，街的两旁都是十二月里光秃秃的树木。不过，在克莱德看来，因为有一张漂亮的脸蛋儿，已使他热恋不已，这里仿佛充满了罗曼蒂克的色彩。氛围和欢乐。而且，他在这里见到的少男少女……拉特勒。赫格伦和霍丹斯这一类型的少男少女……毕竟真正体现出了充沛精力。潇洒自如与热心大胆的素质，他只要能具备这些素质，即使要他把心掏出来，他也乐意。说来也怪得很，他虽然有点神经紧张，可是交上了这些新朋友，他很快就成为这里欢乐人群中的一员了。
这一次，他觉得是个机会，不妨开开眼，看看这一类型少男少女究竟怎样寻欢作乐，这种场面他过去可没有见过，这究竟算是幸运还是不幸，那随你怎么说就得了。比方说，有一种色情舞蹈，路易斯。霍丹斯和格里达都跳得如痴似醉，简直是满不在乎，一点儿也不害臊。与此同时，这些年轻人中有许多人后裤袋里，都带着一小扁瓶威士忌，不仅是他们自己喝，还给别人喝……管他是少男还是少女。
因为有了酒助兴，一下子闹得更欢了，他们之间就更加亲热了，调情取乐也更加大胆了……霍丹斯。路易斯和格里达全都参加。有时候他们也发生争吵。
克莱德看见这一个或是那一个小伙子在门背后搂抱一个姑娘，或是躲进一个僻静角落里，坐在椅子上，把一个姑娘紧紧抱在自己怀里，或是同她一起躺在沙发里，低声轻语，说一些无疑让她高兴听的话:
凡此种种，在这里看来都是司空见惯的事。固然他始终没有发现霍丹斯也有这样的事……可他还是看到:
她毫不迟疑地在好几个年轻小伙子的怀里偎坐过，或是到门背后同几个为了她而争风吃醋的人说悄悄话。有时候，这不免让他泄气而又恼火，觉得自己再也不能同她交往了……她这个人太卑劣，太庸俗，太轻率了。
人家多次请他喝酒，他也都喝了……为的是表示自己善于交际酬酢，并不比别人差……后来他一反常态，壮起胆来，居然以半似规劝。半似谴责的口吻，说到了霍丹斯那种过于放肆的行为。
"原来如此，你真会卖俏呀。不管戏弄谁，你都满不在乎，是吧?
"这是半夜一点过后，他正在跟她跳舞时说的。一个名叫威尔肯斯的小伙子，正在一架音色不正的钢琴上弹着曲子伴舞。她露出亲切而又卖俏的神态，打算教给他一种新舞步，随后却给他挤了一个愉快而又富于肉感的眼色。
"卖俏吗?
你说说什么意思?
我可不明白。""哦，你还不明白?
"克莱德回答说，有点儿火了，不过还是竭力装着假笑，掩饰自己真实的心情。"我听人说起过你。你把他们都戏弄了。""哦，我怎么啦?
"她相当生气地抢白说。"嘿，我好象还没有把你怎么戏弄，是不是?
""得了吧，别生气，"他半似规劝。半似谴责地说，也许担心自己把话说得太过头，很可能完全失去了她。"可我并没有什么别的意思。你也不否认，你让这么多小伙子跟你调情吧。反正他们好象都很喜欢你哩。""哦，当然罗，他们都喜欢我。可是，这叫我怎么办?
""得了，我这就告诉你吧，"他突然心里一激动，就带点吹嘘味道，不假思索地冲口而说。"我在你身上花钱，可以比他们哪一个还要多。我有的是钱。"刚才他还想到自己口袋里安安稳稳搁着五十块美钞。
"哦，我可不知道，"她不以为然地说。她对所谓钱财之事非常关心;与此同时，使她得意洋洋的，就是说，她有能耐，准叫小伙子差不多个个都象烈火上身似的。其实，霍丹斯并不是太聪明，而且轻浮得很，自以为富于魅力，见了镜子，禁不住左顾右盼，欣赏自己的眼眸。秀发。脖子。双手和身姿，还要练一练她那特别诱人的微笑。
克莱德虽说稚嫩，长得却相当富于吸引力，这一点她也不能无动于衷。她喜欢逗弄类似这样的黄口小儿。依她看，他有点儿傻。不过，他是在格林－戴维逊工作的，而且穿得也很讲究;他说他有钱，自然乐意在她身上花钱。别的小伙子，尽管她挺喜欢，可他们当中有些人就是没有多少钱可供挥霍的。
"许多有钱的人，都乐意在我身上花钱呢，"她把头往上一扬，两眼一闪一闪，脸上又露出了她那最诱人的微笑。
克莱德马上脸一沉。她那蛊惑的一颦一笑，已使他招架不住了。他先是眉头皱紧，随后又舒展开来;两眼露出欲火中烧和苦恼的闪光，以及他对清贫生活的夙恨。毫无疑问，霍丹斯说的全是真话。事实上的确有人比他还要有钱，而且还要舍得花钱。刚才他是在吹嘘，太可笑了。何况这会儿她正在嘲笑他哩。
过了半晌，他有气无力地继续说:
"我想你这话说得倒是不错。不过，他们可不会象我那样喜欢你吧。"这一片肺腑之言，使她听后得意非凡。说到底，他这个人还算不坏。他们在悠扬的乐曲声中翩翩起舞。
"哦，我并不是到哪儿都象我现在那样随便跟人逗笑。这儿的男男女女全是自己人，都很熟嘛。我们到哪儿都是在一块。你可千万别见怪。"她这是在巧妙地撒谎，不过，这么一来，他总觉得舒服一些。"嘿，只要你待我好，我什么都乐意给呀，"他简直如疯似狂地。不顾一切地恳求她。"我从没见过比你更好的姑娘。你太漂亮了。我已给你迷上了。你多咱跟我一块出去吃饭，饭后我再带你去看戏，好吗?
明儿晚上，还是星期天，你乐意去吗?
这两个晚上我休息。其他晚上我都要上班。"她先是迟疑了一会儿，因为即便到了此刻，她还说不准自己究竟乐意不乐意让这种关系继续下去。且不说其他几个人吧，单是格特勒心里就酸溜溜的，一个劲儿盯着她。即使说克莱德乐意为她花钱，也许她最好不要跟他缠在一起。
现在，他早已心急如焚，恐怕将来麻烦也许还会更多呢。与此同时，她那卖弄风骚的第二天性，也不会让她丢掉他。要是那样的话，他就可能一下子落入格里达或是路易斯手中!
因此，她终于同他约定下星期二见面。不过，今儿晚上他可不能上她家去，也不能送她回家……因为已有格特勒先生护送她。可是下星期二，六点半，她将在格林－戴维逊附近等他。他还对她说，那时他们不妨先到弗里塞尔酒家吃晚饭，饭后上离那儿只有两街区的利比剧院去看歌舞喜剧《海盗》。
收听单词发音 |
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precepts
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| n.规诫，戒律，箴言( precept的名词复数 ) | |
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esthetic
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| adj.美学的，审美的；悦目的，雅致的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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moth
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| n.蛾，蛀虫 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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recede
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| vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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lackadaisical
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| adj.无精打采的，无兴趣的；adv.无精打采地，不决断地 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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camaraderie
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| n.同志之爱，友情 | |
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zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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manifestation
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| n.表现形式；表明；现象 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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briskness
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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miller
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| n.磨坊主 | |
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cynically
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| adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地 | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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geniality
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| n.和蔼，诚恳；愉快 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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titillated
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| v.使觉得痒( titillate的过去式和过去分词 )；逗引；激发；使高兴 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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illustrate
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| v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dissuaded
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| 劝（某人）勿做某事，劝阻( dissuade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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nonchalance
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| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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espy
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| v.（从远处等）突然看到 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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intrigued
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| adj.好奇的，被迷住了的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的过去式)；激起…的兴趣或好奇心；“intrigue”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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lustfully
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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relinquish
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| v.放弃，撤回，让与，放手 | |
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