The head of the Lycurgus branch of the Griffiths, as contrasted with the father of the Kansas City family, was most arresting. Unlike his shorter and more confused brother of the Door of Hope, whom he had not even seenfor thirty years, he was a little above the average in height, very well-knit, although comparatively slender,shrewd of eye, and incisive1 both as to manner and speech. Long used to contending for himself, and having comeby effort as well as results to know that he was above the average in acumen2 and commercial ability, he wasinclined at times to be a bit intolerant of those who were not. He was not ungenerous or unpleasant in manner,but always striving to maintain a calm and judicial3 air. And he told himself by way of excuse for his mannerismsthat he was merely accepting himself at the value that others placed upon him and all those who, like himself,were successful.
Having arrived in Lycurgus about twenty-five years before with some capital and a determination to invest in anew collar enterprise which had been proposed to him, he had succeeded thereafter beyond his wildestexpectations. And naturally he was vain about it. His family at this time--twenty-five years later--unquestionablyoccupied one of the best, as well as the most tastefully constructed residences in Lycurgus. They were alsoesteemed as among the few best families of this region--being, if not the oldest, at least among the mostconservative, respectable and successful in Lycurgus. His two younger children, if not the eldest4, were much tothe front socially in the younger and gayer set and so far nothing had happened to weaken or darken his prestige.
On returning from Chicago on this particular day, after having concluded several agreements there which spelledtrade harmony and prosperity for at least one year, he was inclined to feel very much at ease and on good termswith the world. Nothing had occurred to mar5 his trip. In his absence the Griffiths Collar and Shirt Company hadgone on as though he had been present. Trade orders at the moment were large.
Now as he entered his own door he threw down a heavy bag and fashionably made coat and turned to see whathe rather expected--Bella hurrying toward him. Indeed she was his pet, the most pleasing and different andartistic thing, as he saw it, that all his years had brought to him--youth, health, gayety, intelligence andaffection--all in the shape of a pretty daughter.
"Oh, Daddy," she called most sweetly and enticingly6 as she saw him enter. "Is that you?""Yes. At least it feels a little like me at the present moment. How's my baby girl?" And he opened his arms andreceived the bounding form of his last born. "There's a good, strong, healthy girl, I'll say," he announced as hewithdrew his affectionate lips from hers. "And how's the bad girl been behaving herself since I left? No fibbingthis time.""Oh, just fine, Daddy. You can ask any one. I couldn't be better.""And your mother?""She's all right, Daddy. She's up in her room. I don't think she heard you come in.""And Myra? Is she back from Albany yet?""Yes. She's in her room. I heard her playing just now. I just got in myself a little while ago.""Ay, hai. Gadding7 about again. I know you." He held up a genial8 forefinger9, warningly, while Bella swung ontoone of his arms and kept pace with him up the stairs to the floor above.
"Oh, no, I wasn't either, now," she cooed shrewdly and sweetly. "Just see how you pick on me, Daddy. I wasonly over with Sondra for a little while. And what do you think, Daddy? They're going to give up the place atGreenwood and build a big handsome bungalow10 up on Twelfth Lake right away. And Mr. Finchley's going tobuy a big electric launch for Stuart and they're going to live up there next summer, maybe all the time, from Mayuntil October. And soare the Cranstons, maybe."Mr. Griffiths, long used to his younger daughter's wiles11, was interested at the moment not so much by thethought that she wished to convey--that Twelfth Lake was more desirable, socially than Greenwood--as he wasby the fact that the Finchleys were able to make this sudden and rather heavy expenditure12 for social reasons only.
Instead of answering Bella he went on upstairs and into his wife's room. He kissed Mrs. Griffiths, looked in uponMyra, who came to the door to embrace him, and spoke13 of the successful nature of the trip. One could see by theway he embraced his wife that there was an agreeable understanding between them--no disharmony--by the wayhe greeted Myra that if he did not exactly sympathize with her temperament14 and point of view, at least heincluded her within the largess of his affection.
As they were talking Mrs. Truesdale announced that dinner was ready, and Gilbert, having completed his toilet,now entered.
"I say, Dad," he called, "I have an interesting thing I want to see you about in the morning. Can I?""All right, I'll be there. Come in about noon.""Come on all, or the dinner will be getting cold," admonished15 Mrs. Griffiths earnestly, and forthwith Gilbertturned and went down, followed by Griffiths, who still had Bella on his arm. And after him came Mrs. Griffithsand Myra, who now emerged from her room and joined them.
Once seated at the table, the family forthwith began discussing topics of current local interest. For Bella, whowas the family's chief source of gossip, gathering17 the most of it from the Snedeker School, through which all thesocial news appeared to percolate18 most swiftly, suddenly announced: "What do you think, Mamma? RosettaNicholson, that niece of Mrs. Disston Nicholson, who was over here last summer from Albany--you know, shecame over the night of the Alumnae19 Garden Party on our lawn--you remember--the young girl with the yellowhair and squinty20 blue eyes--her father owns that big wholesale21 grocery over there--well, she's engaged to thatHerbert Tickham of Utica, who was visiting Mrs. Lambert last summer. You don't remember him, but I do. Hewas tall and dark and sorta awkward, and awfully22 pale, but very handsome--oh, a regular movie hero.""There you go, Mrs. Griffiths," interjected Gilbert shrewdly and cynically23 to his mother. "A delegation24 from theMisses Snedeker's Select School sneaks25 off to the movies to brush up on heroes from time to time."Griffiths senior suddenly observed: "I had a curious experience in Chicago this time, something I think the rest ofyou will be interested in." He was thinking of an accidental encounter two days before in Chicago betweenhimself and the eldest son, as it proved to be, of his younger brother Asa. Also of a conclusion he had come to inregard to him.
"Oh, what is it, Daddy?" pleaded Bella at once. "Do tell me about it.""Spin the big news, Dad," added Gilbert, who, because of the favor of his father, felt very free and close to himalways.
"Well, while I was in Chicago at the Union League Club, I met a young man who is related to us, a cousin of youthree children, by the way, the eldest son of my brother Asa, who is out in Denver now, I understand. I haven'tseen or heard from him in thirty years." He paused and mused26 dubiously27.
"Not the one who is a preacher somewhere, Daddy?" inquired Bella, looking up.
"Yes, the preacher. At least I understand he was for a while after he left home. But his son tells me he has giventhat up now. He's connected with something in Denver--a hotel, I think.""But what's his son like?" interrogated28 Bella, who only knew such well groomed29 and ostensibly conservativeyouths and men as her present social status and supervision30 permitted, and in consequence was intenselyinterested. The son of a western hotel proprietor31!
"A cousin? How old is he?" asked Gilbert instantly, curious as to his character and situation and ability.
"Well, he's a very interesting young man, I think," continued Griffiths tentatively and somewhat dubiously, sinceup to this hour he had not truly made up his mind about Clyde. "He's quite good-looking and well-mannered,too--about your own age, I should say, Gil, and looks a lot like you--very much so--same eyes and mouth andchin." He looked at his son examiningly. "He's a little bit taller, if anything, and looks a little thinner, though Idon't believe he really is."At the thought of a cousin who looked like him--possibly as attractive in every way as himself--and bearing hisown name, Gilbert chilled and bristled32 slightly. For here in Lycurgus, up to this time, he was well and favourablyknown as the only son and heir presumptive to the managerial control of his father's business, and to at least athird of the estate, if not more. And now, if by any chance it should come to light that there was a relative, acousin of his own years and one who looked and acted like him, even--he bridled33 at the thought. Forthwith (apsychic reaction which he did not understand and could not very well control) he decided34 that he did not likehim--could not like him.
"What's he doing now?" he asked in a curt35 and rather sour tone, though he attempted to avoid the latter elementin his voice.
"Well, he hasn't much of a job, I must say," smiled Samuel Griffiths, meditatively36. "He's only a bell-hop in theUnion League Club in Chicago, at present, but a very pleasant and gentlemanly sort of a boy, I will say. I was quite taken with him. In fact, because he told me there wasn't much opportunity for advancement37 where he was,and that he would like to get into something where there was more chance to do something and be somebody, Itold him that if he wanted to come on here and try his luck with us, we might do a little something for him--givehim a chance to show what he could do, at least."He had not intended to set forth16 at once the fact that he became interested in his nephew to this extent, but--ratherto wait and thrash it out at different times with both his wife and son, but the occasion having seemed to offeritself, he had spoken. And now that he had, he felt rather glad of it, for because Clyde so much resembled Gilberthe did want to do a little something for him.
But Gilbert bristled and chilled, the while Bella and Myra, if not Mrs. Griffiths, who favored her only son ineverything--even to preferring him to be without a blood relation or other rival of any kind, rather warmed to theidea. A cousin who was a Griffiths and good-looking and about Gilbert's age--and who, as their father reported,was rather pleasant and well-mannered--that pleased Bella and Myra while Mrs. Griffiths, noting Gilbert's facedarken, was not so moved. He would not like him. But out of respect for her husband's authority and generalability in all things, she now remained silent. But not so, Bella.
"Oh, you're going to give him a place, are you, Dad?" she commented. "That's interesting. I hope he's better-looking than the rest of our cousins.""Bella," chided Mrs. Griffiths, while Myra, recalling a gauche38 uncle and cousin who had come on from Vermontseveral years before to visit them a few days, smiled wisely. At the same time Gilbert, deeply irritated, wasmentally fighting against the idea. He could not see it at all. "Of course we're not turning away applicants39 whowant to come in and learn the business right along now, as it is," he said sharply.
"Oh, I know," replied his father, "but not cousins and nephews exactly. Besides he looks very intelligent andambitious to me. It wouldn't do any great harm if we let at least one of our relatives come here and show what hecan do. I can't see why we shouldn't employ him as well as another.""I don't believe Gil likes the idea of any other fellow in Lycurgus having the same name and looking like him,"suggested Bella, slyly, and with a certain touch of malice40 due to the fact that her brother was always criticizingher.
"Oh, what rot!" Gilbert snapped irritably41. "Why don't you make a sensible remark once in a while? What do Icare whether he has the same name or not--or looks like me, either?" His expression at the moment wasparticularly sour.
"Gilbert!" pleaded his mother, reprovingly. "How can you talk so? And to your sister, too?""Well, I don't want to do anything in connection with this young man if it's going to cause any hard feelingshere," went on Griffiths senior. "All I know is that his father was never very practical and I doubt if Clyde hasever had a real chance." (His son winced42 at this friendly and familiar use of his cousin's first name.) "My onlyidea in bringing him on here was to give him a start. I haven't the faintest idea whether he would make good ornot. He might and again he might not. If he didn't--" He threw up one hand as much as to say, "If he doesn't, we will have to toss him aside, of course.""Well, I think that's very kind of you, father," observed Mrs. Griffiths, pleasantly and diplomatically. "I hope heproves satisfactory.""And there's another thing," added Griffiths wisely and sententiously. "I don't expect this young man, so long ashe is in my employ and just because he's a nephew of mine, to be treated differently to any other employee in thefactory. He's coming here to work--not play. And while he is here, trying, I don't expect any of you to pay himany social attention--not the slightest. He's not the sort of boy anyhow, that would want to put himself on us--atleast he didn't impress me that way, and he wouldn't be coming down here with any notion that he was to beplaced on an equal footing with any of us. That would be silly. Later on, if he proves that he is really worthwhile, able to take care of himself, knows his place and keeps it, and any of you wanted to show him any littleattention, well, then it will be time enough to see, but not before then."By then, the maid, Amanda, assistant to Mrs. Truesdale, was taking away the dinner plates and preparing to servethe dessert. But as Mr. Griffiths rarely ate dessert, and usually chose this period, unless company was present, tolook after certain stock and banking43 matters which he kept in a small desk in the library, he now pushed back hischair, arose, excusing himself to his family, and walked into the library adjoining. The others remained.
"I would like to see what he's like, wouldn't you?" Myra asked her mother.
"Yes. And I do hope he measures up to all of your father's expectations. He will not feel right if he doesn't.""I can't get this," observed Gilbert, "bringing people on now when we can hardly take care of those we have. Andbesides, imagine what the bunch around here will say if they find out that our cousin was only a bell-hop beforecoming here!""Oh, well, they won't have to know that, will they?" said Myra.
"Oh, won't they? Well, what's to prevent him from speaking about it--unless we tell him not to--or some onecoming along who has seen him there." His eyes snapped viciously. "At any rate, I hope he doesn't. It certainlywouldn't do us any good around here."And Bella added, "I hope he's not dull as Uncle Allen's two boys. They're the most uninteresting boys I ever didsee.""Bella," cautioned her mother once more.
格里菲思家族在莱柯格斯的这一支的家长，跟堪萨斯城那一支的相比，要引人瞩目得多了。他跟他的个儿要矮小。境况相当窘困。经办"希望之门"传道馆。
已有三十年没见过面的弟弟不一样:
个子比常人略高，身体很强壮，虽说比较清瘦，两眼却炯炯有神，举止谈吐也都深刻透辟。他历来自以为具有异乎寻常的洞察力与杰出的商人素质，这从他所取得的成就即可证明……所以，他对某些比不上他的人有时就有一点不耐烦了。他处世待人并非不厚道，也并不惹人不快，只不过始终竭力保持着一种镇静。审慎的风度。他为自己这种作风辩白说，他不外乎是接受人们对于他以及跟他一样发迹的人所作出的评价罢了。
二十五年前，他来到了莱柯格斯，手头有些资金，就决意在有人向他建议过的一家新的领子行业中投资。后来，他竟然就此发迹，乃是始料所不及的。
当然，他也就沾沾自喜了。如今……二十五年以后……他的家，毫无疑问，是莱柯格斯全城最漂亮。同时造得也最别致的邸宅之一。格里菲思一家人，被尊称为当地少数几个世家望族，即使说不上最古老，至少也是莱柯格斯最保守。
最可敬。最发迹的家族之一。他那年纪还小的两个子女，如果说大女儿不算在内，他们交际酬应常在年轻活泼的一代人中大出风头;到现在为止，还没有发生过什么事，足以削弱他的威望，或则使他的威望为之黯然失色。
这一天他刚从芝加哥回来，因为他在那里签订了好几个合同，至少保证一年之内生意可以得到协调发展，所以觉得心里很舒坦，对世界上一切也都称心如意。也没有发生什么事使他这次旅行蒙受失败。他出门远行时，格里菲思衬衫与领子公司一切照常，如同他在厂里一样，目前定货很多。
他一走进家门，把一只沉甸甸的手提包和一件做得很时髦的大衣一扔，就转过身去，瞧着其实他早已料到的一个场面:
贝拉急冲冲朝他奔了过来。当然罗，她是他的心肝宝贝;在他看来，这是他整个生命给予的最心爱。最别致。最高超的艺术品……青春。健康。快乐。聪颖和爱情……所有这一切全都体现在这个漂亮女儿身上了。
"哦，爸爸，"她见他一进来，就非常甜蜜而又迷人地大声喊道。"原来是你呀?
""是啊，至少眼下有一点儿象我吧。我的宝贝女儿，你好?
"他张开双臂，迎接他这个鲜蹦活跳奔过来的小女儿。"我说，这可真是一个又结实。又健康的好妞儿呀，"他同她亲吻一下之后这么说。"我走了以后，这个淘气小姑娘表现怎么样?
这回可不许撒谎呀。""哦，好得很呢，爸爸。不拘问谁，就得了。我可表现得再好也没有了。
""你妈怎么样?
""她身体很好，爸。她在楼上自己房里。也许她没有听见你进来吧。""还有麦拉呢?
她从奥尔巴尼回来了没有?
""回来了。她也在自己房里。刚才我听到她在弹琴呢。我自己也才进门。
""噢哟哟。又串门去啦。我知道你，"他乐呵呵地翘起食指警告说。贝拉一下子就挽住他的一只胳臂，跟他一块迈步上楼去。
"哦，没有，我可没有呢，"她狡黠而又甜蜜地喃喃低语说。"瞧你一个劲儿挑剔我，爸。我只不过到桑德拉那儿去了一会儿。你觉得怎么样，爸?
他们打算放弃格林伍德湖这边的房子，马上要在第十二号湖边盖一座漂亮的大别墅啦。
芬奇利先生还特意给斯图尔特买一艘大汽艇，到了夏天他们打算就住过去，也许从五月到十一月都在那儿。说不定克兰斯顿一家也要去了。"格里菲思先生对他小女儿的鬼花招早就见惯不怪了，可是这会儿他之所以听得如此津津有味，与其说是由于她提出的那么一个想法……第十二号湖这个上流社会交际中心要比格林伍德湖更为高贵……还不如说是由于这么一个事实:
芬奇利一家，仅仅为了享受上流社会交际乐趣，竟能突然不惜工本挥金如土了。
他没有回答贝拉的话，径直登楼，走进了妻子的房间。他亲吻了一下他的太太，瞅了一眼跑到门口来拥抱他的麦拉，跟着大谈芝加哥之行的收获。从他拥抱太太的场面可以看出他们俩之间有一种令人满意的默契……一丝儿不协调都没有。再从他同麦拉打招呼的劲儿，也可知道:
他虽然对她的秉性和观点并不完全赞同，至少对她还是倾注了无限爱心。
他们正说话时，特鲁斯黛尔太太进来说就要开饭了。吉尔伯特这时也换好衣服，走了进来。
"我说，爸，"他大声说道，"我有一件有趣的事儿，明儿早上要同你谈一谈。
可以吧?
""好吧，我在厂里。你正午来吧。""大家一块下楼吧，要不饭凉了，"格里菲思太太一本正经地提醒大家说。吉尔伯特马上转身下楼，跟在后边的是格里菲思先生，贝拉依然挽着爸的胳臂。
最后，当然，是格里菲思太太和刚从自己房里出来的麦拉。
一家人坐定以后，马上就谈到了最近以来莱柯格斯的一些新闻。贝拉是提供全家谈助的主要来源，这些新闻多半是从斯内德克学校搜集来的。所有的社会新闻，好象以惊人的速度都渗进了这所学校。这会儿她突然说:
"你觉得怎么样，妈?
罗塞达。尼科尔森，就是迪斯顿。尼科尔森太太的侄女，去年夏天尼科尔森太太从奥尔巴尼来这里过……你知道的，那天晚上，她还参加了我们草坪上举行女毕业生游园会……你记不记得……那个黄头发，蓝眼睛，有点斜白眼的姑娘……她父亲是奥尔巴尼一家大杂货批发店的老板……哦，她跟去年夏天来看望兰伯特太太的那个来自尤蒂卡的赫伯特。蒂克哈姆订婚了。你不记得他了，可我是记得的。他个儿高高的，皮肤黑黑的，多少有些忸忸怩怩，而且苍白得吓人，不过还是很漂亮的……哦，简直是电影里一个不折不扣的男主人公。""你听见了吧，格里菲思太太，"吉尔伯特狡黠而又挖苦地对母亲说。"斯内德克女子学校列位小姐时常派出一些代表悄悄地溜出去看电影，以便不时掌握电影里男主人公的动态。"老格里菲思突然开了腔，说:
"这次我在芝加哥碰到一件怪事，相信你们各位一定也会觉得有趣。"他想到了两天前在芝加哥不期而遇的一个人，后来才知道此人原是他的小兄弟阿萨的大儿子。他还想到了自己对此人所下的结论。
"哦，那是怎么回事，爸?
"贝拉马上催促说。"快快说呀。""快把这一条重要新闻讲出来，爸，"吉尔伯特接下去说。他知道父亲疼他，所以对父亲向来好象平起平坐，一点儿拘束都没有。
"哦，我在芝加哥，下榻在联谊俱乐部，碰到一个年轻人，是我们家的亲戚，孩子们，还是你们的堂兄弟，也是我弟弟阿萨的大儿子。我心里捉摸，如今阿萨是在丹佛吧。我没见过他，或者说没听到过他的消息，迄今已有三十个年头了。"他说到这里，就迟疑不语，陷入沉思。
"不就是在某个地方传道的那一个吧，爸?
"贝拉昂起头来问。
"是啊，就是那个传道的。至少，我知道他离家以后有一阵子是传道的。不过，他的儿子告诉我，说他现在已经不干这个了。他在丹佛，我想，大概是在一家旅馆做事。""请问他那个儿子是什么样子呢?
"贝拉问。她只认识按照她现在的社会地位和父母的监护许可范围的那些衣冠楚楚和显然非常保守的年轻人与成年男子，因此，这一个新亲戚，西部一家旅馆老板的儿子，深深地把她吸引住了。
"一个堂兄弟?
他有多大年纪?
"吉尔伯特马上追问。他急于了解这个亲戚的性格。地位和能力。
"哦，依我看，他是个挺有意思的年轻小伙子，"格里菲思多少有点儿迟疑，欲说还休地说。因为，直到此刻为止，他真的还说不上对克莱德有个一定的看法。"他模样儿长得相当漂亮，举止言谈也相当正派……依我看，年纪同你差不多，吉尔，乍一看，也很象你……象极了……眼睛。嘴巴。下巴颏儿，都是一模一样。"他仔细端详着自己的儿子。"如果要说有什么不同，那就是:
他个儿稍微高些，显得瘦削些，虽然我看他实际上并非如此。"想到有一个堂兄弟很象他……各方面可能跟他一样漂亮。潇洒……又是同姓，吉尔伯特心里就打了个寒战，有一点儿反感。因为，到现在为止，在莱柯格斯这地方，人人都知道:
他是独生子，未来的厂主和继承人，姑且少说些，至少也是他父亲产业的三分之一的继承人。可现在呢，万一大家知道他有个亲戚，有一个年纪同他相仿，甚至外貌举止也跟他相象的堂兄弟……一想到这里，他禁不住怒火中烧。(这是一种他既不了解，而又控制不住的心理反应)他马上断定，他不喜欢他……无法喜欢他。
"他现在的职业是什么?
"他质问时的语调简慢，而又有一点酸溜溜的味道，虽然他也竭力想使后者不要暴露出来。
"哦，他的职位算不上什么，我想应当这么说，"格里菲思若有所思地微笑着说。"目前他只是芝加哥联谊俱乐部里的一名侍应生，不过，这孩子倒是很惹人喜欢，有点儿绅士派头，我想应当这么说。我倒是很喜欢他的。事实上，他告诉我，说他在那里没有什么晋升的机会，希望能够另找一个地方，以便有机会学到一点东西，日后也能出人头地。我对他说，要是他乐意上这儿来，他就不妨来碰碰运气吧，也许我们可以帮他一点小忙……至少给他一个机会，让他表现一下究竟有没有才能。"开头，他并不打算把自己对侄儿如此热心关怀一下子都讲出来……原是想等一等，跟妻儿商量几次后再说。殊不知他觉得既然有这么一个合适的机会，何不先说了出来呢。现在，他既然讲了，自己觉得也很高兴，因为克莱德很象吉尔伯特，他的确很想帮帮自己亲侄子的忙。
不过，吉尔伯特听后有些恼火，心里不觉凉了半截。贝拉和麦拉对父亲的意见倒是相当赞成。但格里菲思太太却不以为然;她不论什么事，一概站在她的独生子一边……甚至宁愿他连一个亲戚都没有，一个能跟他竞争的人也没有……她热衷于这么想。一个堂兄弟，也姓格里菲思，长得很漂亮。潇洒，年纪跟吉尔伯特相仿……据爸爸说，很惹人喜欢，举止言谈又很正派……这就使贝拉和麦拉很喜欢。而格里菲思太太一发觉吉尔伯特阴沉的脸色，也就很不高兴了。这表明吉尔伯特不喜欢他啊。不过，为了尊重丈夫的权威和遇事果断的才干，这时她依然默不作声。但贝拉并不这样。
"哦，你打算给他一个位置，是吧，爸?
"她说。"那多有意思。我希望他比我们其他的一些堂兄弟长得更漂亮。更潇洒些。""贝拉，"格里菲思太太呵责她说。麦拉回想起好几年前有一个笨拙的叔叔和堂兄弟从佛蒙特来看望他们，在这里还待过一两天，就会心地笑了一笑。这时，深为恼火的吉尔伯特心里竭力反对父亲这个意见。他简直不理会父亲的用心。"当然罗，只要有人想进厂来学咱们这个生意，我们怎么也不能马上回绝他们，"他尖刻地说。
"哦，这个我明白，"他爸爸回答说，"不过，堂表兄弟，阿侄外甥嘛，那就另当别论了。再说，依我看，他很聪明，很有抱负。如果说我们反正仅仅接纳个把亲戚，给个机会让他试试看，那也无伤大雅嘛。我真闹不明白，为什么我们就不能象雇用陌生人那样雇用他呢。""我可知道吉尔不喜欢莱柯格斯有人跟他同姓，外貌也象他。"贝拉佻巧地说，话里带着一点儿恶意，因为她哥哥动不动就当面数落她。
"嘿，胡扯淡!
"吉尔伯特忿忿地回嘴说。"你要是过一段时间能说上一句有点儿头脑的话多好?
至于他跟我同不同姓……或者说他长得同我象不象，这些跟我又有什么相干呢?
"这时，他的一言一语。一颦一笑，就显得特别酸溜溜的。
"吉尔伯特!
"母亲带着呵责的口吻大声说道。"你怎么能说这样的话?
而且还是冲着你自己的妹妹说?
""得了，那我就不打算给这个年轻人出点子了，如果说要引起大家心里不愉快的话，"老格里菲思接下去说。"我只知道，他父亲做事从来不是很能干的，我怀疑克莱德过去是不是有过一个正经八百的机会。"(儿子一听见他父亲如此善意。亲切地称呼他堂兄弟的名字，不由得有点儿畏缩不前了。)"我要他上这里来的本意，不外乎是要帮着他迈出第一步呗。至于以后他行不行，我可一点儿都说不准。也许他行，也许他不行。要是他真的不行……"他忽然一只手往上一扬，好象是说，"要是他真的不行，那时，我们当然就得把他抛开。""哦，依我看，你可真是个好心肠，孩子爸，"格里菲思太太殷勤而又委婉地说。"我可巴望他能不辜负你的一番好意。""还有一点，"老格里菲思经过深思熟虑之后，意味深长地找补着说。"要是他受雇了，那末，他在我厂里工作期间，我不希望仅仅因为他是我的侄儿，他的待遇就跟其他雇员有什么不同。他来这儿是做事的……可不是来玩儿的。他在这儿接受考验期间，我可不希望你们里头哪一位同他有来往……哪怕是一点儿也不行。反正他还不是一味依赖我们的那种人……至少他并没有给我留下这样的印象。再说他来的时候，心里也不会想到以后自己要跟我们里头任何一位平起平坐呗，要不然，那就太蠢了。往后要是他果然真的表现不错，能够自己照顾自己，知道牢守自己的岗位，而又不出风头，如果说你们里头又有人也想照拂他一些……得了，到那时候还来得及，瞧着办，不过，在那以前可万万不行。"特鲁斯黛尔太太的助手……女仆阿曼达，正在把盘子撤去，准备上甜食。
不过，格里菲思先生平素很少吃甜食，除非有客人在座，通常他就利用这一空隙，看看放在书房小书桌里的股票，以及有关银行业务的报表。这时，他就把椅子往后一挪，站起身来，跟家里人说他有事，径直走进隔壁书房去了。其余的人仍然留下来吃甜食。
"我倒是很想看看这位堂兄究竟是什么个样子。你呢，妈?
"麦拉问母亲说。
"可不是啊。我真巴不得他能不辜负你爸爸对他如此厚望。要不然，会叫他伤心的。""我可怎么也闹不明白，"吉尔伯特说，"我们对原来已有的人，总算好不容易才给安置下来了，现在干吗还要另外添人。再说，只要想一想:
要是一发现我们的堂兄弟上这儿来以前只不过是旅馆里一名侍应生，人们又会怎样风言风语!
""嘿，他们不一定会知道，不是吗?
"麦拉说。
"嘿，怎么会不知道?
唉，我们怎能不让他自己说出来呢……除非我们特别关照他千万别说……又怎能不让在那里见过他的人上这儿来呢。"他眼里凶光闪闪。
"一句话，我可希望他千万不要乱说一通。不用说，这对我们大家一点儿好处都没有。"贝拉找补着说，"但愿他别象艾伦伯父的两个孩子那样傻呵呵。依我看，他们才是天底下最没有味儿的男孩子。""贝拉，"她母亲又一次规劝她。
收听单词发音 |
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incisive
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| adj.敏锐的，机敏的，锋利的，切入的 | |
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acumen
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| n.敏锐，聪明 | |
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judicial
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| adj.司法的，法庭的，审判的，明断的，公正的 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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enticingly
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gadding
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| n.叮搔症adj.蔓生的v.闲逛( gad的现在分词 )；游荡；找乐子；用铁棒刺 | |
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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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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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percolate
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| v.过滤，渗透 | |
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alumnae
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| n.女毕业生，女校友；女校友( alumna的名词复数 ) | |
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squinty
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| 斜视眼的，斗鸡眼的 | |
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wholesale
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| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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cynically
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| adv.爱嘲笑地，冷笑地 | |
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delegation
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| n.代表团；派遣 | |
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sneaks
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| abbr.sneakers (tennis shoes) 胶底运动鞋（网球鞋）v.潜行( sneak的第三人称单数 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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interrogated
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| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
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groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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bridled
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| 给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 )； 控制； 昂首表示轻蔑（或怨忿等）； 动怒，生气 | |
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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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curt
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| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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gauche
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| adj.笨拙的，粗鲁的 | |
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applicants
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| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
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malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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