Sixteen
THE CASE OF THE PERFECT MAID
“ O h, if you please, madam, could I speak to you a moment?”
It might be thought that this request was in the nature of an absurdity¹, since Edna, Miss Marple’s little maid, wasactually speaking to her mistress at the moment.
Recognizing the idiom, however, Miss Marple said promptly², “Certainly, Edna, come in and shut the door. What isit?”
Obediently shutting the door, Edna advanced into the room, pleated the corner of her apron³ between her fingers,and swallowed once or twice.
“Yes, Edna?” said Miss Marple encouragingly.
“Oh, please, ma’am, it’s my cousin, Gladdie.”
“Dear me,” said Miss Marple, her mind leaping to the worst—and, alas⁴, the most usual conclusion. “Not—not introuble?”
Edna hastened to reassure⁵ her. “Oh, no, ma’am, nothing of that kind. Gladdie’s not that kind of girl. It’s just thatshe’s upset. You see, she’s lost her place.”
“Dear me, I am sorry to hear that. She was at Old Hall, wasn’t she, with the Miss—Misses—Skinner?”
“Yes, ma’am, that’s right, ma’am. And Gladdie’s very upset about it—very upset indeed.”
“Gladys has changed places rather often before, though, hasn’t she?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. She’s always one for a change, Gladdie is. She never seems to get really settled, if you knowwhat I mean. But she’s always been the one to give the notice, you see!”
“And this time it’s the other way round?” asked Miss Marple dryly.
“Yes, ma’am, and it’s upset Gladdie something awful.”
Miss Marple looked slightly surprised. Her recollection of Gladys, who had occasionally come to drink tea in thekitchen on her “days out,” was a stout⁶, giggling

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1 absurdity
n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论
参考例句：
The proposal borders upon the absurdity.这提议近乎荒谬。 The absurdity of the situation made everyone laugh.情况的荒谬可笑使每个人都笑了。

2 promptly
adv.及时地，敏捷地
参考例句：
He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。 She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

3 apron
n.围裙；工作裙
参考例句：
We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。 She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。

4 alas
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)
参考例句：
Alas!The window is broken!哎呀！窗子破了！ Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而，真理很少带有浪漫色彩。

5 reassure
v.使放心，使消除疑虑
参考例句：
This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。 The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

6
参考例句：

7 giggling
v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 )
参考例句：
We just sat there giggling like naughty schoolchildren. 我们只是坐在那儿像调皮的小学生一样的咯咯地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》 I can't stand her giggling, she's so silly. 她吃吃地笑，叫我真受不了，那样子傻透了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

8 temperament
n.气质，性格，性情
参考例句：
The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。 Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

9 enquired
打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问
参考例句：
He enquired for the book in a bookstore. 他在书店查询那本书。 Fauchery jestingly enquired whether the Minister was coming too. 浮式瑞嘲笑着问部长是否也会来。

10 hue
n.色度；色调；样子
参考例句：
The diamond shone with every hue under the sun.金刚石在阳光下放出五颜六色的光芒。 The same hue will look different in different light.同一颜色在不同的光线下看起来会有所不同。

11 dressing
n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料
参考例句：
Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。 The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

12 liking
n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢
参考例句：
The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。 I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

13 dismally
adv.阴暗地，沉闷地
参考例句：
Fei Little Beard assented dismally. 费小胡子哭丧着脸回答。 来自子夜部分 He began to howl dismally. 它就凄凉地吠叫起来。 来自辞典例句

14 tenants
n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者
参考例句：
A number of tenants have been evicted for not paying the rent. 许多房客因不付房租被赶了出来。 Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。

15 gathering
n.集会，聚会，聚集
参考例句：
He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。 He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

16 retired
adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的
参考例句：
The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。 Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

17 maiden
n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的
参考例句：
The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。 The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

18 dreaded
adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句：
The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。 He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》

19 mead
n.蜂蜜酒
参考例句：
He gave me a cup of mead.他给我倒了杯蜂蜜酒。 He drank some mead at supper.晚饭时他喝了一些蜂蜜酒。

20 devoutly
adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地
参考例句：
She was a devoutly Catholic. 她是一个虔诚地天主教徒。 来自《简明英汉词典》 This was not a boast, but a hope, at once bold and devoutly humble. 这不是夸夸其谈，而是一个即大胆而又诚心、谦虚的希望。 来自辞典例句

21 humdrum
adj.单调的，乏味的
参考例句：
Their lives consist of the humdrum activities of everyday existence.他们的生活由日常生存的平凡活动所构成。 The accountant said it was the most humdrum day that she had ever passed.会计师说这是她所度过的最无聊的一天。

22 outspoken
adj.直言无讳的，坦率的，坦白无隐的
参考例句：
He was outspoken in his criticism.他在批评中直言不讳。 She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city.她是这座城市里学校制度的坦率的批评者。

23 inconvenient
adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的
参考例句：
You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。 Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗？

24 depressed
adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的
参考例句：
When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。 His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。

25 abrupt
adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的
参考例句：
The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。 His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。

26 fixture
n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款
参考例句：
Lighting fixture must be installed at once.必须立即安装照明设备。 The cordless kettle may now be a fixture in most kitchens.无绳电热水壶现在可能是多数厨房的固定设备。

27 bullies
n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负
参考例句：
Standing up to bullies takes plenty of backbone. 勇敢地对付暴徒需有大无畏精神。 Bullies can make your life hell. 恃强欺弱者能让你的日子像活地狱。

28 frankly
adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说
参考例句：
To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。 Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

29 meek
adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的
参考例句：
He expects his wife to be meek and submissive.他期望妻子温顺而且听他摆布。 The little girl is as meek as a lamb.那个小姑娘像羔羊一般温顺。

30 meekly
adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地
参考例句：
He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时，他唯唯诺诺地站 来自《简明英汉词典》 He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。 来自《简明英汉词典》

31 ushered
v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。 A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

32 apparently
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
参考例句：
An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。 He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

33 melancholy
n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的
参考例句：
All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。 He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

34 sufficiently
adv.足够地，充分地
参考例句：
It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。 The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。

35 oysters
牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 )
参考例句：
We don't have oysters tonight, but the crayfish are very good. 我们今晚没有牡蛎供应。但小龙虾是非常好。 She carried a piping hot grill of oysters and bacon. 她端出一盘滚烫的烤牡蛎和咸肉。

36 rumours
n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传
参考例句：
The rumours were completely baseless. 那些谣传毫无根据。 Rumours of job losses were later confirmed. 裁员的传言后来得到了证实。

37 chagrin
n.懊恼；气愤；委屈
参考例句：
His increasingly visible chagrin sets up a vicious circle.他的明显的不满引起了一种恶性循环。 Much to his chagrin,he did not win the race.使他大为懊恼的是他赛跑没获胜。

38 paragon
n.模范，典型
参考例句：
He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。 Man is the paragon of animals.人是万物之灵。

39 neatly
adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地
参考例句：
Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。 The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

40 rosy
adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的
参考例句：
She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作，生活看上去很美好。 She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。

41 discreetly
ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地
参考例句：
He had only known the perennial widow, the discreetly expensive Frenchwoman. 他只知道她是个永远那么年轻的寡妇，一个很会讲排场的法国女人。 Sensing that Lilian wanted to be alone with Celia, Andrew discreetly disappeared. 安德鲁觉得莉莲想同西莉亚单独谈些什么，有意避开了。

42 harassed
adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词
参考例句：
He has complained of being harassed by the police. 他投诉受到警方侵扰。 harassed mothers with their children 带着孩子的疲惫不堪的母亲们

43 monetary
adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的
参考例句：
The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。 Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

44 consignment
n.寄售；发货；委托；交运货物
参考例句：
This last consignment of hosiery is quite up to standard.这批新到的针织品完全符合规格。 We have to ask you to dispatch the consignment immediately.我们得要求你立即发送该批货物。

45 well-being
n.安康，安乐，幸福
参考例句：
He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。 My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

46 invaluable
adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的
参考例句：
A computer would have been invaluable for this job.一台计算机对这个工作的作用会是无法估计的。 This information was invaluable to him.这个消息对他来说是非常宝贵的。

47 scrupulously
adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地
参考例句：
She toed scrupulously into the room. 她小心翼翼地踮着脚走进房间。 来自辞典例句 To others he would be scrupulously fair. 对待别人，他力求公正。 来自英汉非文学 - 文明史

48 invalids
病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The invention will confer a benefit on all invalids. 这项发明将有助于所有的残疾人。 H?tel National Des Invalids is a majestic building with a golden hemispherical housetop. 荣军院是有着半球形镀金屋顶的宏伟建筑。

49 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。

50 retrieve
vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索
参考例句：
He was determined to retrieve his honor.他决心恢复名誉。 The men were trying to retrieve weapons left when the army abandoned the island.士兵们正试图找回军队从该岛撤退时留下的武器。

51 retrieved
v.取回( retrieve的过去式和过去分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息）
参考例句：
Yesterday I retrieved the bag I left in the train. 昨天我取回了遗留在火车上的包。 来自《简明英汉词典》 He reached over and retrieved his jacket from the back seat. 他伸手从后座上取回了自己的夹克。 来自辞典例句

52 odds
n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别
参考例句：
The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。 Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

53 peppermint
n.薄荷，薄荷油，薄荷糖
参考例句：
Peppermint oil is very good for regulating digestive disorders.薄荷油能很有效地调节消化系统失调。 He sat down,popped in a peppermint and promptly choked to death.他坐下来，突然往嘴里放了一颗薄荷糖，当即被噎死。

54 standing
n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的
参考例句：
After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。 They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

55 catastrophe
n.大灾难，大祸
参考例句：
I owe it to you that I survived the catastrophe.亏得你我才大难不死。 This is a catastrophe beyond human control.这是一场人类无法控制的灾难。

56 scattering
n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散
参考例句：
The child felle into a rage and began scattering its toys about. 这孩子突发狂怒，把玩具扔得满地都是。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The farmers are scattering seed. 农夫们在播种。 来自《简明英汉词典》

57 crumbs
int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式
参考例句：
She stood up and brushed the crumbs from her sweater. 她站起身掸掉了毛衣上的面包屑。 Oh crumbs! Is that the time? 啊，天哪！都这会儿啦？

58 vouched
v.保证( vouch的过去式和过去分词 )；担保；确定；确定地说
参考例句：
He vouched his words by his deeds. 他用自己的行动证明了自己的言辞。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Have all those present been vouched for? 那些到场的人都有担保吗？ 来自互联网

59 credentials
n.证明，资格，证明书，证件
参考例句：
He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。 Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

60 applied
adj.应用的；v.应用，适用
参考例句：
She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。 This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

61 inspector
n.检查员，监察员，视察员
参考例句：
The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。 The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。

62 triumphantly
ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地
参考例句：
The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。 Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。

63 belied
v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎
参考例句：
His bluff exterior belied a connoisseur of antiques. 他作风粗放，令人看不出他是古董鉴赏家。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Her smile belied her true feelings. 她的微笑掩饰了她的真实感情。 来自《简明英汉词典》

64 relishing
v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望
参考例句：
He ate quietly, relishing his meal. 他安静地吃着，细细品味着食物。 来自辞典例句 Yes, an iron rampart," he repeated, relishing his phrase. 是的，就是铜墙铁壁，"他很欣赏自己用的这个字眼，又重复了一遍。 来自飘（部分）

65 subletting
v.转租( sublet的现在分词 )
参考例句：
The landlady found they had been illegally subletting the flat. 女房东发现他们一直在违法转租公寓。 来自《简明英汉词典》

66 flustered
adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句：
The honking of horns flustered the boy. 汽车喇叭的叫声使男孩感到慌乱。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 She was so flustered that she forgot her reply. 她太紧张了，都忘记了该如何作答。 来自辞典例句

67 constable
n.(英国)警察，警官
参考例句：
The constable conducted the suspect to the police station.警官把嫌疑犯带到派出所。 The constable kept his temper,and would not be provoked.那警察压制着自己的怒气，不肯冒起火来。

68 grudgingly
参考例句：
He grudgingly acknowledged having made a mistake. 他勉强承认他做错了。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Their parents unwillingly [grudgingly] consented to the marriage. 他们的父母无可奈何地应允了这门亲事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

69 disclaimed
v.否认( disclaim的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She disclaimed any knowledge of her husband's whereabouts. 她否认知道丈夫的下落。 He disclaimed any interest in the plan. 他否认对该计划有任何兴趣。 来自《简明英汉词典》

70 discursive
adj.离题的，无层次的
参考例句：
His own toast was discursive and overlong,though rather touching.他自己的祝酒词虽然也颇为动人，但是比较松散而冗长。 They complained that my writing was becoming too discursive.他们抱怨我的文章变得太散漫。

71 strictly
adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地
参考例句：
His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。 The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

72 fingerprints
n.指纹( fingerprint的名词复数 )v.指纹( fingerprint的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
Everyone's fingerprints are unique. 每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。 They wore gloves so as not to leave any fingerprints behind (them). 他们戴着手套，以免留下指纹。 来自《简明英汉词典》

73 fingerprint
n.指纹；vt.取...的指纹
参考例句：
The fingerprint expert was asked to testify at the trial.指纹专家应邀出庭作证。 The court heard evidence from a fingerprint expert.法院听取了指纹专家的证词。

74 previously
adv.以前，先前（地）
参考例句：
The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。 Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

75 paragons
n.模范( paragon的名词复数 )；典型；十全十美的人；完美无缺的人
参考例句：
We don't expect candidates to be paragons of virtue. 我们不指望候选人在道德上尽善尽美。 来自辞典例句 All cruel people describe them as paragons of frankness. 所有的残忍的人都把自己形容为坦率的象征。 来自互联网

76 peculiar
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。 He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

77 wig
n.假发
参考例句：
The actress wore a black wig over her blond hair.那个女演员戴一顶黑色假发罩住自己的金黄色头发。 He disguised himself with a wig and false beard.他用假发和假胡须来乔装。

78 perfectly
adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地
参考例句：
The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。 Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

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

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