``I am going to give you a few days' vacation,Frank,'' said Mr. Wharton, a fortnight later. ``Iam called to Washington on business. However, youhave got to feel at home here now.''

　　``Oh, yes, sir.''

　　``And Mrs. Bradley will see that you are comfortable.''

　　``I am sure of that, sir,'' said Frank, politely.

　　When Frank returned at night, Mr. Wharton wasalready gone. John Wade¹ and the housekeeperseated themselves in the library after dinner, andby their invitation our hero joined them.

　　``By the way, Frank,'' said John Wade, ``did Iever show you this Russia leather pocketbook?''

　　producing one from his pocket.

　　``No, sir, I believe not.''

　　``I bought it at Vienna, which is noted³ for itsarticles of Russia leather.''

　　``It is very handsome, sir.''

　　``So I think. By the way, you may like to look atmy sleeve-buttons. They are of Venetian mosaic⁴.

　　I got them myself in Venice last year.''

　　``They are very elegant. You must have enjoyedvisiting so many famous cities.''

　　``Yes; it is very interesting.''

　　John Wade took up the evening paper, and Frankoccupied himself with a book from his patron'slibrary. After a while John threw down the paperyawning, and said that he had an engagement. Nothingelse occurred that evening which merits record.

　　Two days later Frank returned home in his usualspirits. But at the table he was struck by a singularchange in the manner of Mrs. Bradley and JohnWade. They spoke⁵ to him only on what it wasabsolutely necessary, and answered his questions inmonosyllables.

　　``Will you step into the library a moment?'' saidJohn Wade, as they arose from the table.

　　Frank followed John into the library, and Mrs.

　　Bradley entered also.

　　``Frank Fowler,'' the enemy began, ``do youremember my showing you two evenings since a pocketbook,also some sleeve-buttons of Venetian mosaic,expensively mounted in gold?''

　　``Certainly, sir.''

　　``That pocketbook contained a considerable sumof money,'' pursued his questioner.

　　``I don't know anything about that.''

　　``You probably supposed so.''

　　``Will you tell me what you mean, Mr. Wade?''

　　demanded Frank, impatiently. ``I have answeredyour questions, but I can't understand why you askthem.''

点击收听单词发音  

1 wade
v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉
参考例句：
We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。 We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

2 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。

3 noted
adj.著名的，知名的
参考例句：
The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。 Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 mosaic
n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的
参考例句：
The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。 The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

5 spoke
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。

6 sarcastically
adv.挖苦地，讽刺地
参考例句：
'What a surprise!' Caroline murmured sarcastically.“太神奇了!”卡罗琳轻声挖苦道。 Pierce mocked her and bowed sarcastically. 皮尔斯嘲笑她，讽刺地鞠了一躬。

7 entirely
ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地
参考例句：
The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。 His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

8 sneered
讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。 It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。

9 exulting
vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜
参考例句：
He leaned back, exulting at the success of his plan. 他向后一靠，为自己计划成功而得意扬扬。 Jones was exulting in the consciousness of his integrity. 琼斯意识到自己的忠贞十分高兴。

10 discomfiture
n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑
参考例句：
I laughed my head off when I heard of his discomfiture. 听到别人说起他的狼狈相，我放声大笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Without experiencing discomfiture and setbacks,one can never find truth. 不经过失败和挫折，便找不到真理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 villain
n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因
参考例句：
He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。 The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。

12 rascal
n.流氓；不诚实的人
参考例句：
If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。 The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

13 advertising
n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的
参考例句：
Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗? The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

14 formerly
adv.从前，以前
参考例句：
We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。 This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

15 boded
v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待
参考例句：
The beginning of that summer boded ill. 夏季一开始就来势不善。 来自辞典例句