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MY UNCLE JULES
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A white-haired old man begged us for alms. My companion, Joseph Davranche, gave him five francs. Noticing my surprised look, he said:
“That poor unfortunate reminds me of a story which I shall tell you, the memory of which continually pursues me. Here it is:
“My family, which came originally from Havre, was not rich. We just managed to make both ends meet. My father worked hard, came home late from the office, and earned very little. I had two sisters.
“My mother suffered a good deal from our reduced circumstances, and she often had harsh words for her husband, veiled and sly reproaches. The poor man then made a gesture which used to distress1 me. He would pass his open hand over his forehead, as if to wipe away perspiration2 which did not exist, and he would answer nothing. I felt his helpless suffering. We economized3 on everything, and never would accept an invitation to dinner, so as not to have to return the courtesy. All our provisions were bought at bargain sales. My sisters made their own gowns, and long discussions would arise on the price of a piece of braid worth fifteen centimes a yard. Our meals usually consisted of soup and beef, prepared with every kind of sauce.
“I used to go through terrible scenes on account of lost buttons and torn trousers.
“Every Sunday, dressed in our best, we would take our walk along the breakwater. My father, in a frock coat, high hat and kid gloves, would offer his arm to my mother, decked out and beribboned like a ship on a holiday. My sisters, who were always ready first, would await the signal for leaving; but at the last minute some one always found a spot on my father's frock coat, and it had to be wiped away quickly with a rag moistened with benzine.
“My father, in his shirt sleeves, his silk hat on his head, would await the completion of the operation, while my mother, putting on her spectacles, and taking off her gloves in order not to spoil them, would make haste.
“Then we set out ceremoniously. My sisters marched on ahead, arm in arm. They were of marriageable age and had to be displayed. I walked on the left of my mother and my father on her right. I remember the
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收听单词发音

1
distress
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n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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2
perspiration
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n.汗水;出汗 | |
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3
economized
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v.节省,减少开支( economize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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4
wholesome
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adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的 | |
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5
pompous
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adj.傲慢的,自大的;夸大的;豪华的 | |
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6
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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7
squandered
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v.(指钱,财产等)浪费,乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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8
needy
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adj.贫穷的,贫困的,生活艰苦的 | |
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9
rascal
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n.流氓;不诚实的人 | |
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10
provocation
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n.激怒,刺激,挑拨,挑衅的事物,激怒的原因 | |
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11
negotiations
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协商( negotiation的名词复数 ); 谈判; 完成(难事); 通过 | |
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12
hesitation
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n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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13
decided
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adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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14
jersey
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n.运动衫 | |
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15
anticipation
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n.预期,预料,期望 | |
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16
quay
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n.码头,靠岸处 | |
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17
groom
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vt.给(马、狗等)梳毛,照料,使...整洁 | |
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18
vessel
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n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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19
swelling
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n.肿胀 | |
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20
oyster
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n.牡蛎;沉默寡言的人 | |
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21
oysters
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牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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22
ragged
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adj.衣衫褴褛的,粗糙的,刺耳的 | |
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23
pompously
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adv.傲慢地,盛大壮观地;大模大样 | |
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24
peculiar
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adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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25
stammered
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v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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26
rogue
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n.流氓;v.游手好闲 | |
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27
catastrophe
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n.大灾难,大祸 | |
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climax
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n.顶点;高潮;v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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29
generosity
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n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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30
wretch
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n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人 | |
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