PREFACE

The kindly¹ reception given to The Bellman Book of Verse is mainly responsible for the publication of this collection of short stories, originally printed in The Bellman, and should it find favor equal to that of its predecessor², it is probable that other volumes of like character may follow this.

Indeed, the former editor of The Bellman has in mind the publication of a series of books, uniform in size and appearance with this, including a second and perhaps a third volume of fiction and, finally, The Bellman’s Book of Essays, to contain some of the essays and editorials of that periodical which are esteemed³ of more than transient value; in all, perhaps half a dozen small volumes.

Whether this congenial undertaking⁴ shall be carried out or abandoned depends very largely upon the welcome given this, the second book of the contemplated⁵ series.  There is no desire to exploit the files of The Bellman for commercial purposes, but should it appear that there exists a sincere demand for such literature it will be the writer’s pleasure to supply it.

More than two years have passed since The Bellman was discontinued, and it is most gratifying to its founder⁶, as well as to all those who were concerned in its publication, to note many continuing evidences of the regard and appreciation⁷ p. viiiin which it was held by its former readers and to receive repeated expressions of regret that it has ceased to exist.

The Bellman is no more, but his memory still endures, and evidently a large number of his loyal old friends continue faithfully to cherish it.

For them, more especially, is this collection published.  The selection has been made almost at random⁸ and does not pretend to be a choice of the best stories that were printed in The Bellman, but merely a few of those among the many which appeared under the familiar heading, “The Bellman’s Tale,” and which the editor considers meritorious⁹ and worthy¹⁰ of perpetuation¹¹ in book form.

November, 1921.

—W. C. E.

1 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

2 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

3 esteemed   

adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为

参考例句：

• The art of conversation is highly esteemed in France. 在法国十分尊重谈话技巧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He esteemed that he understood what I had said. 他认为已经听懂我说的意思了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 undertaking   

n.保证，许诺，事业

参考例句：

• He gave her an undertaking that he would pay the money back with in a year.他向她做了一年内还钱的保证。
• He is too timid to venture upon an undertaking.他太胆小，不敢从事任何事业。

5 contemplated   

adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
• The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。

6 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

7 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

8 random   

adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动

参考例句：

• The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。

9 meritorious   

adj.值得赞赏的

参考例句：

• He wrote a meritorious theme about his visit to the cotton mill.他写了一篇关于参观棉纺织厂的有价值的论文。
• He was praised for his meritorious service.他由于出色地工作而受到称赞。

10 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

11 perpetuation   

n.永存，不朽

参考例句：

• Are there some on going policies that encourage its perpetuation? 现在是否有一些持续的政策令这会根深蒂固？ 来自互联网
• Does the mental perpetuation exist? 存在心理的永恒吗？ 来自互联网