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CHAPTER 14 ELSPETH
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Ever since the beginning of the book we have been neglecting Elspeth so pointedly1 that were she not the most forgiving creature we should be afraid to face her now. You are not angry with us, are you, Elspeth? We have been sitting with you, talking with you, thinking of you between the chapters, and the only reason why you have so seldom got into them is that our pen insisted on running after your fascinating brother.
(That is the way to get round her.)
Tommy, it need not be said, never neglected her. The mere2 fact of his having an affair of his own at present is a sure sign that she is comfortable, for, unless all were well with Elspeth, no venture could have lured3 him from her side. "Now I am ready for you," he said to the world when Elspeth had been, figuratively speaking, put to sleep; but until she was nicely tucked up the world had to wait. He was still as in his boyhood, when he had to see her with a good book in her hand before he could set off on deeds of darkness. If this was but the story of a brother and sister, there were matter for it that would make the ladies want to kiss Tommy on the brow.
That Dr. Gemmell disliked or at least distrusted him, Tommy knew before their acquaintance was an hour old; yet that same evening he had said cordially to Elspeth:
"This young doctor has a strong face."
She was evidently glad that Tommy had noticed it. "Do you think him handsome?" she inquired.
"Decidedly so," he replied, very handsomely, for it is an indiscreet question to ask of a plain man.
There was nothing small about Tommy, was there? He spoke5 thus magnanimously because he had seen that the doctor liked Elspeth, and that she liked him for liking6 her. Elspeth never spoke to him of such things, but he was aware that an extra pleasure in life came to her when she was admired; it gave her a little of the self-confidence she so wofully lacked; the woman in her was stirred. Take such presents as these to Elspeth, and Tommy would let you cast stones at himself for the rest of the day, and shake your hand warmly on parting. In London Elspeth had always known quickly, almost at the first clash of eyes, whether Tommy's friends were attracted by her, but she had not known sooner than he. Those acquaintanceships had seldom
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1
pointedly
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adv.尖地,明显地 | |
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2
mere
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adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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lured
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吸引,引诱(lure的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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4
decided
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adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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5
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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6
liking
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n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢 | |
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ripened
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v.成熟,使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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frail
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adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的 | |
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vigilantly
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adv.警觉地,警惕地 | |
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sift
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v.筛撒,纷落,详察 | |
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fixed
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adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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12
orb
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n.太阳;星球;v.弄圆;成球形 | |
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rumour
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n.谣言,谣传,传闻 | |
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14
poker
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n.扑克;vt.烙制 | |
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Christian
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adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
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haughtily
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adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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thoroughly
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adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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drawn
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v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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glibly
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adv.流利地,流畅地;满口 | |
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boorishness
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complimentary
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adj.赠送的,免费的,赞美的,恭维的 | |
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chatter
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vi./n.喋喋不休;短促尖叫;(牙齿)打战 | |
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gallant
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adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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disparagingly
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adv.以贬抑的口吻,以轻视的态度 | |
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penetrating
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adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的 | |
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agitatedly
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动摇,兴奋; 勃然 | |
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manly
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adj.有男子气概的;adv.男子般地,果断地 | |
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dignified
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a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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touching
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adj.动人的,使人感伤的 | |
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confessions
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n.承认( confession的名词复数 );自首;声明;(向神父的)忏悔 | |
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incapable
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adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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tragic
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adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的 | |
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abstaining
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戒(尤指酒),戒除( abstain的现在分词 ); 弃权(不投票) | |
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genially
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adv.亲切地,和蔼地;快活地 | |
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abominated
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v.憎恶,厌恶,不喜欢( abominate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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confidentially
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ad.秘密地,悄悄地 | |
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maliciously
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adv.有敌意地 | |
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chuckle
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vi./n.轻声笑,咯咯笑 | |
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shuddering
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v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动 | |
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