THE Days of the Week once resolved to get freefrom work，meet together，and have a social party．Everyday，however，was so occupied，that all the year roundthey had no free time at their disposal；they must have awhole day to themselves，and this they really had everyfourth year，—the day that is put into February to keepthe reckoning of time correct．

On that day therefore they decided¹ to have theirmeeting；and as Shrove Tuesday falls in February，theywould come in carnival² dress，each according to his tasteand usual character；they would eat well，drink well，make speeches，and say pleasant and unpleasant things toeach other in the most unconstrained good fellowship．Theheroes of old times，when at their meals，threw at eachother's heads the bones from which they had gnawed³ thebeef，but the Days of the Week would overwhelm eachother with showers of wit and satire—all in innocentShrove Tuesday merry-making．

So the extra day came，and they all met together．

Sunday，the leader of the days，appeared in a blacksilk gown；pious people would have supposed that he wasdressed as a clergyman about to go to church，but thechildren of the world saw that he was in domino in orderto go and enjoy himself，and that the blushing carnationhe had in his button－hole was the little red lantern at thetheatre，which announced"All tickets sold；see that youenjoy yourselves．" Monday，a young fellow，a relative of Sunday andespecially given to enjoyment，came next．He left theworkshop，he said，when the guard-parade took place．

"I must go out and hear Offenbach's music．It doesnot affect my head nor my heart，but it tickles⁴ the mus- cles of my legs．I must dance and enjoy myself，get ablack eye，and begin work again next day．I am the new－moon of the week．"

Tuesday takes its name from Tiw，the old god ofstrength and power．"Yes，I am the day of that，"saidTuesday．"I set to work，fasten the wings of Mercury tothe boots of the merchant，and see whether the factorywheels are oiled and spinning properly；I insist that thetailor shall be on his board and the paviour on the street．Let each attend to his own work：I keep an eye on thewhole．"

"Now I come，"said Wednesday．"I stand in themiddle of the week．The Germans call me Mr．Midweek．I stand like the shopman in the shop，like a flower in themidst of all the other respected days of the week．If weall march together，I have three days before and three be－hind，like a guard of honour．I must suppose that I amthe most

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1 decided
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 carnival
n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演
参考例句：
I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。 Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

3 gnawed
咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物
参考例句：
His attitude towards her gnawed away at her confidence. 他对她的态度一直在削弱她的自尊心。 The root of this dead tree has been gnawed away by ants. 这棵死树根被蚂蚁唼了。

4 tickles
（使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐
参考例句：
My foot [nose] tickles. 我的脚[鼻子]痒。 My nose tickles from the dust and I want to scratch it. 我的鼻子受灰尘的刺激发痒，很想搔它。

5 distinguished
adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的
参考例句：
Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。 A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。

6 copper
n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的
参考例句：
The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。 Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。

7 housekeeper
n.管理家务的主妇，女管家
参考例句：
A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。 She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。

8 broth
n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等)
参考例句：
Every cook praises his own broth.厨子总是称赞自己做的汤。 Just a bit of a mouse's dropping will spoil a whole saucepan of broth.一粒老鼠屎败坏一锅汤。

9 festive
adj.欢宴的，节日的
参考例句：
It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。 We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

10 tableaux
n.舞台造型，（由活人扮演的）静态画面、场面；人构成的画面或场景( tableau的名词复数 )；舞台造型；戏剧性的场面；绚丽的场景
参考例句：
He developed less a coherent analysis than a series of brilliant tableaux. 与其说他作了一个前后连贯的分析，倒不如说他描绘了一系列出色的场景。 来自辞典例句 There was every kind of table, from fantasy to tableaux of New England history. 各种各样的故事，从幻想到新英格兰的历史场面，无所不有。 来自辞典例句