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CHAPTER V Diamond Cut Diamond
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EMILY, who had been pointedly1 ignored by the Murrays at breakfast, was called into the parlour when the meal was over.
They were all there—the whole phalanx of them—and it occurred to Emily as she looked at Uncle Wallace, sitting in the spring sunshine, that she had not just found the exact word after all to express his peculiar2 quality of grimness.
Aunt Elizabeth stood unsmilingly by the table with slips of paper in her hand.
“Emily,” she said, “last night we could not decide who should take you. I may say that none of us feel very much like doing so, for you have behaved very badly in many respects—”
“Oh, Elizabeth,—” protested Laura. “She—she is our sister’s child.”
Elizabeth lifted a hand regally.
“I am doing this, Laura. Have the goodness not to interrupt me. As I was saying, Emily, we could not decide as to who should have the care of you. So we have agreed to Cousin Jimmy’s suggestion that we settle the matter by lot. I have our names here, written on these slips of paper. You will draw one and the one whose name is on it will give you a home.”
Aunt Elizabeth held out the slips of paper. Emily trembled so violently that at first she could not draw one. This was terrible—it seemed as if she must blindly settle her own fate.
“Draw,” said Aunt Elizabeth.
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Emily set her teeth, threw back her head with the air of one who challenges destiny, and drew. Aunt Elizabeth took the slip from the little shaking hand and held it up. On it was her own name—“Elizabeth Murray.” Laura Murray suddenly put her handkerchief to her eyes.
“Well, that’s settled,” said Uncle Wallace, getting up with an air of relief. “And if I’m going to catch that train I’ve got to hurry. Of course, as far as the matter of expense goes, Elizabeth, I’ll do my share.”
“We are not paupers3 at New Moon,” said Aunt Elizabeth rather coldly. “Since it has fallen to me to take her, I shall do all that is necessary, Wallace. I do not shirk my duty.”
“I am her duty,” thought Emily. “Father said nobody ever liked a duty. So Aunt Elizabeth will never like me.”
“You’ve got more of the Murray pride than all the rest of us put together, Elizabeth,” laughed Uncle Wallace.
They all followed him out—all except Aunt Laura. She came up to Emily,
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1
pointedly
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adv.尖地,明显地 | |
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2
peculiar
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adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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3
paupers
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n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 );贫民;贫穷 | |
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4
standing
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n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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5
fret
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v.(使)烦恼;(使)焦急;(使)腐蚀,(使)磨损 | |
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6
turnover
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n.人员流动率,人事变动率;营业额,成交量 | |
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7
pussy
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n.(儿语)小猫,猫咪 | |
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belongings
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n.私人物品,私人财物 | |
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9
saucy
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adj.无礼的;俊俏的;活泼的 | |
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10
concession
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n.让步,妥协;特许(权) | |
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11
wrestled
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v.(与某人)搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 );扭成一团;扭打;(与…)摔跤 | |
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bustle
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v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹 | |
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commotion
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n.骚动,动乱 | |
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influx
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n.流入,注入 | |
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15
crammed
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adj.塞满的,挤满的;大口地吃;快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满;填入;临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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shudder
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v.战粟,震动,剧烈地摇晃;n.战粟,抖动 | |
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sentient
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adj.有知觉的,知悉的;adv.有感觉能力地 | |
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vividly
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adv.清楚地,鲜明地,生动地 | |
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apprehensively
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adv.担心地 | |
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20
glistening
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adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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fragrances
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n.芳香,香味( fragrance的名词复数 );香水 | |
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rosebuds
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蔷薇花蕾,妙龄少女,初入社交界的少女( rosebud的名词复数 ) | |
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sweeping
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adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的 | |
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ballroom
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n.舞厅 | |
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sniffed
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v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说 | |
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canopy
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n.天篷,遮篷 | |
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affected
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adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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pony
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adj.小型的;n.小马 | |
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rattly
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格格响的,吵闹的 | |
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imposing
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adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的 | |
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bonnet
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n.无边女帽;童帽 | |
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mantle
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n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
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shrieking
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v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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grassy
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adj.盖满草的;长满草的 | |
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CHAPTER VI New Moon
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