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CHAPTER II.
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 ‘You must answer me this question very decidedly, ma’am: am I to go, or the baby?  Is my night’s sleep to be again disturbed by the peevish2 wails3 of a troublesome infant?  I must know at once, madam, what you intend to do?  Miss Jenkins, over the way, has offered me her front parlour with the bedroom behind, and her terms are lower than yours.  You have but to say the word, ma’am, and my bed will be well aired, and the room at Miss Jenkins’s all comfortable for me to-night.  I don’t want you to turn that infant away, oh dear me! no, but I must decide my own plans; stay in the house with p. 22a baby, and have my sleep broken, I will not!’
 
The speaker was Mr Martin.  He had come into Mrs Franklin’s little back parlour and expressed his mind very freely.  The poor woman was standing5 up and regarding her best lodger6 with a puzzled and almost despairing air.  She did not know that Flossy had crept into the room and was hiding herself behind her chair, and that Flossy’s little face had grown even more white and despairing than her own.
 
‘Give me until to-night, sir,’ she said.  ‘Mrs Potts has also been in and complaining about the poor child.  She’s an orphan7 child, and my husband’s niece, but we are in no way bound to support her.  I would not treat her badly, sir, but there are limits; and, of course, as you say, your night’s sleep must not be broken.  Rather than that should p. 23happen, Mr Martin, I would send the child to the workhouse, for, of course, she has no legal claim on us.  If you will be so kind, sir, as to give me until to-morrow morning, I will then let you know what I have decided1 to do with the baby, and I faithfully promise that you are not to be disturbed to-night, sir.’
 
‘That is all right,’ said Mr Martin, with a mollified air.  ‘Of course it is not to be expected that an old bachelor such as I am should be worried by an infant’s screams.  The screams of a baby have to me an appalling8 sound.  Do what you think well with the child, ma’am, and let me know in the morning; only I may as well state that I think the workhouse an extreme measure.’
 
Then Mr Martin left the house.  Mrs Franklin followed him out of the room, and Flossy crept slowly back to the nursery.
 
p. 24Mrs Franklin did not notice her little daughter, and Flossy did not venture to address her mother.  She came into the room where Peter and Snip-snap were doing their utmost for the baby.  Peter had her in his arms, and was walking up and down with her, and Snip-snap was bounding after a ball and tossing it into the air for her benefit.
 
‘She’s to go, Peter,’ said Flossy.  ‘I guessed it—I guessed it quite well last night.  She’s to go away to the workhouse—that’s what mother said; I heard her telling Mr Martin so.’
 
‘She’s not!’ said Peter.  He turned very pale, and, still holding the child in his arms, sat down on the nearest chair.
 
It is to be doubted whether this poor neglected baby had ever been christened.  The children had given her a name of their own; they had called her Dickory p. 25Dock.  The reason they had given her this distinctive9 title was because the first amusement which had brought a smile to her little face had been the old play of Dickory Dock and the mouse that ran up the clock.
 
‘She said it,’ repeated Flossy, coming up close to her brother, and fixing her anxious eyes on the baby.  ‘She said that our Dickory was to go to the workhouse.’
 
‘Well then, she shan’t!’ said Peter.  ‘I know nothing about workhouses, but I expect they are very nasty places, and Dickory shan’t go there!’
 
Then he sat silent, his arm round the little child, who looked up at him and then back at Flossy, and then smiled in that wonderfully pathetic way she had.
 
‘Look here, Flossy,’ said Peter, ‘if you are quite certain sure that mother p. 26said the workhouse, that she didn’t say nothing about Dickory Dock being put to sleep in another room, or maybe down in the kitchen—if you are quite positive about the workhouse, Flossy, why, I know what I’ll do.’
 
‘She did say the workhouse,’ answered Flossy; ‘I heard her with my own ears, and Mr Martin said it was a stream measure.  I don’t know what he meant by that, but I do know that mother said the workhouse, and that she has got till to-morrow morning to take baby away.’
 
‘No, she hasn’t,’ said Peter; ‘we’ll take her away first, you and me, Flossy—you and me and Snip-snap—we’ll take our little baby away, and we’ll hide her.  Dickory shall never go to no workhouse!’
 
Here Dickory looked up again at Peter, who looked down at her and p. 27kissed her, and two tears splashed from his eyes on her little face.
 
‘Oh, what a dear baby she is!’ said Flossy.  ‘Yes, Peter, we’ll run away, and we’ll take Dickory.  Where shall we take her to, Peter?’
 
‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Peter.  ‘We’ll get her out of this, that’s the first thing.  How much money have you got, Flossy?’
 
‘A crooked10 halfpenny,’ said Flossy, in a decided voice.
 
Peter sighed.  He was older than Flossy, and he knew that a crooked halfpenny did not represent a large capital.
 
‘I have got sixpence,’ he said; ‘that’ll buy milk for her.  We’ll manage quite well, Floss.  When mother goes out with her market-basket, we’ll slip downstairs with Dickory, and well take her away, and we’ll hide her somewhere.  p. 28She shan’t go to no workhouse, the darling pet!’
 
‘No, that she shan’t, the dear!’ said Flossy.  ‘It’s a lovely plan, Peter, and I’ll just go and watch on the top of the stairs for mother to go out with the old market-basket.’
 
‘We’d better take a bag with us,’ said Peter.  ‘The bag will come in very handy; it will hold baby’s milk when we buy it, and some bread for you and me; for we may have to walk a long way before we find a nice hiding-place for Dickory.’
 
Children seldom take long in carrying out their resolutions, and Mrs Franklin, puzzled and anxious, and with no real intention of sending the poor baby to the workhouse, had not long turned the corner of the street before the hall door of the rambling11 old house was eagerly and nervously12 opened, and a funny little p. 29quartette issued forth13.  Dickory did not often get the air, and she enjoyed herself very much, sitting well up in Peter’s arms, and wrapped up, head and all, in an old tartan shawl.  Flossy, holding the bag, walked by her brother’s side, and Snip-snap behaved in his usual erratic14 fashion, now running before, now lingering behind, now stopping to exchange a greeting with a fellow-dog, or to sniff15 with watering jaws16 and wistful eyes at a butcher’s shop, but always returning faithfully to his charge, and always raising an inquiring face to see if Dickory was quite comfortable.  She was thoroughly17 so, and when she crowed, and laughed, and chuckled18, Flossy wondered they had never thought of taking her out before.  The sun was shining and the day was bright and warm, with the promise of spring in it, and the two children were highly delighted with their p. 30scheme, and not a bit afraid of the result.  The only thing which had at all alarmed them was the fear that Mrs Franklin or Martha might find out their little plan before they had time to carry it into effect.
 
Having succeeded in getting quite away with the baby, they considered their difficulties at an end.  Peter was old enough to know that a crooked halfpenny did not mean much, considered as a provision for three human beings and a dog; but he was still sufficiently19 young to have perfect confidence in the capabilities20 of sixpence for meeting the demands of the hour.  As they walked along, Flossy, Dickory, and Snip-snap were all very happy, and Peter too was happy, although his arms ached sadly.  But, alas21! the paths of the poor little adventurers were not to be without thorns.
 
p. 31The time was April, and an April shower first damped the ardour of the travellers—the poor baby’s shawl was wet through, and she began to cry pitifully with hunger and want of sleep.
 
‘She must want her milk,’ said Peter; ‘there, Dickory, there’s a darling, now go to sleep like the dear baby you are.’
 
‘You know, Peter, she won’t go to sleep without her milk,’ said Flossy.  ‘I’ll run across to that milk-shop and buy some.  How much milk shall I get, Peter?’
 
‘A ha’p’orth,’ said Peter; ‘you get a ha’p’orth, Flossy, and we’ll sit down on the step of this empty house and feed the baby, and eat up our crusts ourselves.’
 
A bottle to hold the milk was to be found in Flossy’s bag, and accordingly in a short time Dickory had a meal; not quite what she was accustomed to, but sufficient to soothe22 her off into a slumber23 in which she forgot the discomfort24 p. 32of her damp clothes and all her other baby tribulations25.
 
‘Flossy,’ said Peter, ‘we have gone a long way from home now, and baby is asleep and resting nicely on my knee; my arm won’t ache a bit when she wakes, and I’ll be able to carry her a splendid long way.  We’ll have to think of making up our plans, Floss—we’ll have to find some place where we can all sleep comfortably to-night.’
 
‘Well, we’ve got sixpence,’ said Flossy, ‘that’s lots and lots of money; but the night is a long way off, Peter, and I’m so hungry.  I’ve eaten up all the crusts that you and Snip-snap left for me, but I’m still as hungry as possible.  Mightn’t I spend a halfpenny or so of our sixpence in getting a good dinner for you and me and Snip-snap?’
 
Peter put his hand to his brow, and began to reflect.
 
p. 33‘I don’t think so, Floss,’ he said, ‘for I’m afraid you don’t understand marketing—it’s best for me to go, for I’m quite old, and I know the way mother talks to the baker’s man and the milkman when they come to the door.  I must be sharp with them, Floss; that’s what I must be, and I don’t think you could be; so you had better hold the baby while I fetch our dinner.  Oh dear, what a good thing it is I have got sixpence!’
 
The baby, being very sound asleep, was transferred to Flossy’s arms without waking, Snip-snap was left in charge of the two, and Peter, who knew very little more of London and London life than his little sister, started off manfully to the eating-house round the corner.  He had gone away with a bright face, but he returned in a very short time with one singularly depressed26.
 
‘Here’s a bit of stale bread for each of p. 34us,’ he said, ‘and I had to give two halfpennies for that.  I did see such a nice piece of beef and of pudding, and I ordered some for you and me and Snip-snap, but the woman said all that much would cost three sixpences, so then I had to say I wouldn’t have it; and I took the stale bread, and she was very cross.  O Floss, I hope I’m right about sixpence; I hope it will buy a bed for baby, and milk and food for us all, for I’m thinking we had much better none of us go back to-night.’
 
‘Of course, we won’t go back,’ said Flossie.  ‘The stale bread’s ’licious, and I’m so hungry.  O Peter, do look!  Dickory is stretching herself, and rubbing her little fat hands into her eyes; and I know she’s going to wake, and I’m afraid she’ll cry.’
 
‘Give her to me,’ said Peter, with the air of a practised nurse.  ‘I’ll hold her, p. 35and you can feed me while I’m doing so, Flossy.’
 
But notwithstanding all Peter’s efforts, notwithstanding his singing, and even shouting, for the baby’s benefit, notwithstanding the admiring cheers of a little street mob that collected round him, the baby cried, not a loud cry, but a weak, broken-hearted wail4.  The fact was, the indifferent milk Flossy had fed her with had made her ill, and her little frame was already sadly chilled by the damp shawl which she wore about her.  Poor Dickory scarcely ever got any air or exercise, and in consequence was very susceptible27 to cold.
 
‘She is sneezing,’ said Flossy.  ‘Oh the poor, poor darling!  Peter, I think we’d better see about our night’s lodging28 soon; it doesn’t agree with Dickory to keep her out so long.’
 
‘We’ll go at once,’ said Peter, rising p. 36to his feet.  ‘There’s another black cloud coming up, and there’ll be a shower again before long.  We’ll get a nice room for us four, and then we’ll be as happy as possible.’
 
Accordingly the little party again moved forward, and whenever Peter or Flossy saw a card up in a window they stopped and rang the house-bell, and inquired for lodgings29 for themselves and their baby.  Of course, they were repulsed30 in all kinds of ways—some people merely laughing, and shutting the door in their faces; some scolding them, and calling them tiresome31, impertinent little brats32; and some even threatening to tell the police about them; but no one ever hinted at the possibility of taking them in.  Presently they left the more respectable streets, and wandered into very poor quarters.  Here, doubtless, they could have found accommodation were they p. 37able to pay for it, but everybody laughed at Peter’s pennies, and no one dreamt of offering them a shelter.  Then the rain which had threatened came down, and baby was again wet through, and now she looked ill, as well as fretful, and refused some fresh milk which Flossy bought for her.  She was not the least like the bright little Dickory who used to laugh and show her dimples in the old attic-nursery at home.
 
‘Look here,’ said Peter, ‘what are we to do?  ’T will be night soon, and we haven’t found no hiding-place for Dickory, and no one will take us in.’
 
‘Baby is not at all well, either,’ said Flossy; ‘her head is quite hot, like fire, when I touch it.’
 
‘What are we to do?’ asked Peter.  ‘We can’t get home, but it seems to me, Floss, that this is worse for poor Dickory than the workhouse.’
 
p. 38‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Flossy suddenly, raising her bright half-humorous face to Peter’s, ‘let’s take baby to the lady what cried.’
 
‘The lady who cried?’ repeated Peter.  ‘I don’t know nothing about her, Floss.’
 
‘O Peter, you do know; it was that day our Uncle David took us a long walk, and we went to the cemetery33 with him, you know, the place with the flowers and the trees, and where they put the pretty little children when they die—there was a little baby being put there, and there was a lady crying very, very bitter.  I never saw no one cry so dreadful bitter as that lady, and they said she was putting her baby in the ground.  I’m sure she must want another baby, and I think perhaps it would be right for us to give her Dickory.’
 
Peter’s face became very sad.  ‘I don’t know,’ he said; ‘I don’t want to give p. 39Dickory away.  I’m quite dreadfully fond of her; it seems to me she makes a lot of difference in the house, and you know, Floss, it used to be very dull before she came.’
 
‘Yes,’ said Flossy, ‘I love her more than anything; she’s a dear baby, and I never find the days long when I’m playing with her and talking to her: but you see, Peter, she’s not to be kept at home; she’s to go to the workhouse to-morrow morning, unless we can find a nice hiding-place for her.  We can’t find a hiding-place, Peter, for though you are a rich boy and have got a lot of pennies, yet you haven’t enough for us to get a room for ourselves and Dickory, and the night air don’t agree with her—oh, there, she’s sneezing again—bless her, the pet!  Peter, I hope you always say “bless her!” when Dickory sneezes.  Martha says it isn’t lucky if you don’t.  O Peter, I do p. 40think if we must part with the baby it would be better to give her to the lady who cried than to send her to the workhouse.’
 
‘But we don’t know where the lady lives,’ said Peter.  ‘We might do it if we knew where the lady lived; but we can’t, however much we wish to, if we don’t.’
 
‘But I do know,’ answered Flossy, ‘I know quite well, ‘cause last week I saw the lady.  I was out with mother, and mother went to the greengrocer’s, and while she was there the lady comed in.  She was all in black, and I am sure she had been crying a lot, for she looked so sad; and I knew it was her.  Afterwards mother and I walked behind her as she went home, and she turned into a great big house in the square near us.  You know the square, Peter, the square that begins with a big B; Bev--- something, I can’t say it all.’
 
p. 41‘Bevington Square,’ said Peter, in a gloomy voice.
 
‘Yes, yes, that was it, and 10 was the number of the house.  I don’t forget the number ’cause I asked mother, and she said it was 10.  O Peter, that’s where our lady lives, and I do think it would be better to give her Dickory.  There, Peter, bless her! she’s sneezing again.  I’m sure we had better take her to the lady.’
 
‘All right,’ answered Peter, ‘I’ll be a termagant again when she’s gone; see if I won’t.  I’ll get up an awful racking cough at night, and I’ll worry that nasty Mr Martin much more than Dickory has worried him, see if I don’t; and I’ll sing on the stairs, and I’ll whistle awful loud, and I’ll buy a Jew’s-harp with one of my pennies.  I’ll turn into a horrid34 boy! but I suppose you are right about Dickory, Flossy.  Here, let’s go back as fast as p. 42we can to that house you were so ’cute as to take the number of.  I’m mis’rible, and I mean to be mis’rible, so don’t you expect nothing cheerful from me, Flossy.’
 
‘Very well, Peter,’ said Flossy meekly35.
 
And then the little party, slowly and painfully, for Flossy was very, very tired, and poor Peter’s arms ached fearfully, retraced36 their steps.  The baby had ceased crying and was asleep, and after about two hours’ patient walking and asking their way, the children found themselves in Bevington Square.
 
‘I’d better go up first to the door,’ said Flossy, ‘and ask her if she’d like a baby.  You might stand round there, Peter, and you might keep Snip-snap with you.’
 
‘You needn’t press her about it,’ said Peter; ‘if she don’t seem quite delighted we won’t give up Dickory on no account; and kiss her before you go, Flossy, for p. 43of course the lady will take her; and in a few minutes she won’t be our Dickory no more.’
 
Peter unfastened a corner of the old tartan shawl, and Flossy imprinted37 a grave kiss on the baby’s forehead.  Then, with great solemnity, and with the air of one engaged on an important mission, she went up the steps of the great house and rang the bell.  Flossy was an attractive little child, her hair was really beautiful, and she had a very wistful and taking manner.
 
‘Please,’ she said now to the tall, powdered footman, ‘I know the lady what cried is here; please can I see her?  I’ve brought her a little baby, and I want to see her about it.’
 
Flossy did not look quite like a common child, and her face wore a very sweet expression when she spoke38 of the baby; nevertheless the footman only stared p. 44at her, and would have certainly shut the door in her face, had not the lady of the house at that moment come into the hall.  Flossy saw her, and quick as thought she darted39 past the servant and up to the lady.
 
‘Please, lady,’ she said, ‘I’ve often thought of you, and I’m so very sorry for you.  Please, I’ve brought you another little baby instead of the one you put into the ground in the pretty place where the flowers and trees are.  She’s a dear little baby, and when you have her you won’t cry no more.’
 
Flossy’s voice was very earnest, and her eyes looking up full into the lady’s face were full of the most intense sympathy.  Those pretty eyes of hers were too much for the poor bereaved40 mother: she put her handkerchief to her own eyes, and there and then burst into fits of fresh weeping.
 
p. 45‘Come away, little girl, at once,’ said the indignant footman; but the lady put out one of her hands and took Flossy’s.
 
‘Leave the child with me,’ she said to the man.  ‘I’ll be better in a moment, little girl,’ she continued, ‘and then you shall tell me what you mean; but you have upset me talking about babies: it is not long since I buried my child, my only child.’
 
‘I saw you,’ said Flossy, nodding her bright head.  ‘I was in the cemetery and I saw you.  Oh, didn’t you cry bitter! but you needn’t cry no more now, for God has sent you another little baby.’
 
‘No, my little girl,’ said the lady, ‘He has not.  I have asked Him, but it is not His will.’
 
‘I guessed you’d want another baby,’ said Flossy.  ‘I knew quite well you would, and she’s waiting for you round the corner with Peter and Snip-snap.  p. 46You put on your bonnet41 and come and look at her; she’s a real beauty; she’s got a dimple, and her name is Dickory.’
 
‘I’ll come,’ said the lady in an excited voice.  ‘It’s the very strangest thing I ever heard.  A child coming to me like that.  We’ll slip out, little girl.  James need not open the door for us.’
 
Flossy wondered who James was.
 
‘Give me your hand, little girl,’ continued the lady.  ‘And take me to the baby; I’ll look at her anyhow.’
 
Peter was standing in a very sulky attitude at the corner where the railings were.  In his heart of hearts he was extremely anxious that Flossy’s mission should fail.  It seemed to him that every bit of the niceness, all the interest would go out of his life if he hadn’t Dickory.  In some ways he considered that Dickory was more to him than she was to Flossy.  He wondered how Flossy could even talk p. 47of parting with her.  He hoped sincerely she would fail in winning the lady’s pity.
 
But no, there they were both coming to meet him, the tall lady in deep black, and little eager wistful Flossy.
 
‘This is the lady what cried,’ she said to Peter.  ‘She have come out to see our baby.  Show her our baby, Peter.’
 
In solemn gloomy silence Peter unfolded a morsel42 of the tartan shawl which covered the baby’s face.
 
‘Let me have her in my arms, please,’ said the lady.
 
She took the baby tenderly, peeped once again at its small wee face, felt a sudden glow coming back into empty arms and more empty heart, and then turned again to the children.
 
‘I must be mad to do such a thing,’ she said.  ‘Two little waifs in the street come and offer me a baby, and I don’t refuse it!  There, baby,’ for Dickory p. 48began to cry again, ‘there, baby—hush43, sweet—hush, dear little baby, hush.’
 
This lady’s voice had quite a new tone for Dickory, a sweeter tone even than Peter’s or Flossy’s.  She stopped crying at once.
 
‘Our baby takes to you, ma’am,’ said Flossy, in a voice of thrilling interest.
 
Peter, very pale, and still silent, drew a step nearer.
 
‘Well, children,’ said the lady, ‘I have made up my mind.  I’ll take this baby home for the night.  My husband will think me mad—anyone in their senses would think me mad, but I’m nearly wild with mother-hunger, and that little mite44 there,’ pointing to Flossy, ‘guessed it, and she brought me the baby, and I say God bless her for it, whether she’s a ragamuffin or not.  Yes, I have made up my mind.  I shall take the baby home for to-night at least.  In the p. 49morning I shall make inquiries45, but for to-night the baby is mine.’
 
‘Half milk, half water in her bottle,’ said Peter in a very grave reproachful voice.  ‘Half milk, half water, and a little sugar, and a pinch of salt, and Dickory likes her feet kept werry warm.  Come home, Flossy.’
 
‘And we are not ragamuffins, please lady,’ said Flossy.  ‘Our name is Franklin, and we live in 24 Montfiore Square.  We lets lodgings, please lady, and it was Mr Martin what turned so crusty about baby.’
 
‘Tell your mother I will come and see her to-morrow,’ said the lady.  ‘You have a mother, I suppose?’
 
‘Yes, oh yes.  She wanted to send the baby to the workhouse.’
 
‘I don’t think that will be necessary.  My name is Ross.  Tell your mother to expect me to-morrow.’

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
2 peevish h35zj     
adj.易怒的,坏脾气的
参考例句:
  • A peevish child is unhappy and makes others unhappy.一个脾气暴躁的孩子自己不高兴也使别人不高兴。
  • She glared down at me with a peevish expression on her face.她低头瞪着我,一脸怒气。
3 wails 6fc385b881232f68e3c2bd9685a7fcc7     
痛哭,哭声( wail的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The child burst into loud wails. 那个孩子突然大哭起来。
  • Through this glaciated silence the white wails of the apartment fixed arbitrary planes. 在这冰封似的沉寂中,公寓的白色墙壁构成了一个个任意的平面。 来自英汉非文学 - 科幻
4 wail XMhzs     
vt./vi.大声哀号,恸哭;呼啸,尖啸
参考例句:
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
  • One of the small children began to wail with terror.小孩中的一个吓得大哭起来。
5 standing 2hCzgo     
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。
6 lodger r8rzi     
n.寄宿人,房客
参考例句:
  • My friend is a lodger in my uncle's house.我朋友是我叔叔家的房客。
  • Jill and Sue are at variance over their lodger.吉尔和休在对待房客的问题上意见不和。
7 orphan QJExg     
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的
参考例句:
  • He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大,并且把自己的医术传给了他。
  • The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。
8 appalling iNwz9     
adj.骇人听闻的,令人震惊的,可怕的
参考例句:
  • The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
  • Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。
9 distinctive Es5xr     
adj.特别的,有特色的,与众不同的
参考例句:
  • She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
  • This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。
10 crooked xvazAv     
adj.弯曲的;不诚实的,狡猾的,不正当的
参考例句:
  • He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指,示意我们到他那儿去。
  • You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。
11 rambling MTfxg     
adj.[建]凌乱的,杂乱的
参考例句:
  • We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
  • It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。
12 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
13 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
14 erratic ainzj     
adj.古怪的,反复无常的,不稳定的
参考例句:
  • The old man had always been cranky and erratic.那老头儿性情古怪,反复无常。
  • The erratic fluctuation of market prices is in consequence of unstable economy.经济波动致使市场物价忽起忽落。
15 sniff PF7zs     
vi.嗅…味道;抽鼻涕;对嗤之以鼻,蔑视
参考例句:
  • The police used dogs to sniff out the criminals in their hiding - place.警察使用警犬查出了罪犯的藏身地点。
  • When Munchie meets a dog on the beach, they sniff each other for a while.当麦奇在海滩上碰到另一条狗的时候,他们会彼此嗅一会儿。
16 jaws cq9zZq     
n.口部;嘴
参考例句:
  • The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
  • The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。
17 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
18 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
19 sufficiently 0htzMB     
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。
20 capabilities f7b11037f2050959293aafb493b7653c     
n.能力( capability的名词复数 );可能;容量;[复数]潜在能力
参考例句:
  • He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大,自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
  • Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为,标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
21 alas Rx8z1     
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。
22 soothe qwKwF     
v.安慰;使平静;使减轻;缓和;奉承
参考例句:
  • I've managed to soothe him down a bit.我想方设法使他平静了一点。
  • This medicine should soothe your sore throat.这种药会减轻你的喉痛。
23 slumber 8E7zT     
n.睡眠,沉睡状态
参考例句:
  • All the people in the hotels were wrapped in deep slumber.住在各旅馆里的人都已进入梦乡。
  • Don't wake him from his slumber because he needs the rest.不要把他从睡眠中唤醒,因为他需要休息。
24 discomfort cuvxN     
n.不舒服,不安,难过,困难,不方便
参考例句:
  • One has to bear a little discomfort while travelling.旅行中总要忍受一点不便。
  • She turned red with discomfort when the teacher spoke.老师讲话时她不好意思地红着脸。
25 tribulations 48036182395310e9f044772a7d26287d     
n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 );艰难;苦难的缘由;痛苦
参考例句:
  • the tribulations of modern life 现代生活的苦恼
  • The film is about the trials and tribulations of adolescence. 这部电影讲述了青春期的麻烦和苦恼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
26 depressed xu8zp9     
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。
27 susceptible 4rrw7     
adj.过敏的,敏感的;易动感情的,易受感动的
参考例句:
  • Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
  • We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。
28 lodging wRgz9     
n.寄宿,住所;(大学生的)校外宿舍
参考例句:
  • The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
  • Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?
29 lodgings f12f6c99e9a4f01e5e08b1197f095e6e     
n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍
参考例句:
  • When he reached his lodgings the sun had set. 他到达公寓房间时,太阳已下山了。
  • I'm on the hunt for lodgings. 我正在寻找住所。
30 repulsed 80c11efb71fea581c6fe3c4634a448e1     
v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 );驳斥;拒绝
参考例句:
  • I was repulsed by the horrible smell. 这种可怕的气味让我恶心。
  • At the first brush,the enemy was repulsed. 敌人在第一次交火时就被击退了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
31 tiresome Kgty9     
adj.令人疲劳的,令人厌倦的
参考例句:
  • His doubts and hesitations were tiresome.他的疑惑和犹豫令人厌烦。
  • He was tiresome in contending for the value of his own labors.他老为他自己劳动的价值而争强斗胜,令人生厌。
32 brats 956fd5630fab420f5dae8ea887f83cd9     
n.调皮捣蛋的孩子( brat的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • I've been waiting to get my hands on you brats. 我等着干你们这些小毛头已经很久了。 来自电影对白
  • The charming family had turned into a parcel of brats. 那个可爱的家庭一下子变成了一窝臭小子。 来自互联网
33 cemetery ur9z7     
n.坟墓,墓地,坟场
参考例句:
  • He was buried in the cemetery.他被葬在公墓。
  • His remains were interred in the cemetery.他的遗体葬在墓地。
34 horrid arozZj     
adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的
参考例句:
  • I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
  • The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃,她咽不下去。
35 meekly 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》
36 retraced 321f3e113f2767b1b567ca8360d9c6b9     
v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 );回忆;回顾;追溯
参考例句:
  • We retraced our steps to where we started. 我们折回我们出发的地方。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • We retraced our route in an attempt to get back on the right path. 我们折返,想回到正确的路上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
37 imprinted 067f03da98bfd0173442a811075369a0     
v.盖印(imprint的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The terrible scenes were indelibly imprinted on his mind. 那些恐怖场面深深地铭刻在他的心中。
  • The scene was imprinted on my mind. 那个场面铭刻在我的心中。 来自《简明英汉词典》
38 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
39 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
40 bereaved dylzO0     
adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去(希望、生命等)( bereave的过去式和过去分词);(尤指死亡)使丧失(亲人、朋友等);使孤寂;抢走(财物)
参考例句:
  • The ceremony was an ordeal for those who had been recently bereaved. 这个仪式对于那些新近丧失亲友的人来说是一种折磨。
  • an organization offering counselling for the bereaved 为死者亲友提供辅导的组织
41 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
42 morsel Q14y4     
n.一口,一点点
参考例句:
  • He refused to touch a morsel of the food they had brought.他们拿来的东西他一口也不吃。
  • The patient has not had a morsel of food since the morning.从早上起病人一直没有进食。
43 hush ecMzv     
int.嘘,别出声;n.沉默,静寂;v.使安静
参考例句:
  • A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
  • Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去!
44 mite 4Epxw     
n.极小的东西;小铜币
参考例句:
  • The poor mite was so ill.可怜的孩子病得这么重。
  • He is a mite taller than I.他比我高一点点。
45 inquiries 86a54c7f2b27c02acf9fcb16a31c4b57     
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释,等候进一步调查。
  • I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》


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