Just a fortnight before Christmas, 1871, a young man, twenty-four years of age, returned home to his dinner about eight o’clock in the evening. He was married, and with him and his wife lived his wife’s sister. At that somewhat late hour he walked in among the two young women, and another much older woman who was preparing the table for dinner. The wife and the wife’s sister each had a child in her lap, the elder having seen some fifteen months of its existence, and the younger three months. “He has been out since seven, and I don’t think he’s had a mouthful,” the wife had just said. “Oh, Harry², you must be half starved,” she exclaimed, jumping up to greet him, and throwing her arm round his bare neck.

“I’m about whole melted,” he said, as he kissed her. “In the name of charity give me a nobbler. I did get a bit of damper and a pannikin of tea up at the German’s hut; but I never was so hot or so thirsty in my life. We’re going to have it in earnest this time. Old Bates says that when the gum leaves crackle, as they do now, before Christmas, there won’t be a blade of grass by the end of February.”

“I hate Old Bates,” said the wife. “He always prophesies³ evil, and complains about his rations⁴.”

“He knows more about sheep than any man this side of the Mary,” said her husband. From all this I trust the reader will understand that the Christmas to which he is introduced is not the Christmas with which he is intimate on this side of the equator — a Christmas of blazing fires indoors, and of sleet⁵ arid⁶ snow and frost outside — but the Christmas of Australia, in which happy land the Christmas fires are apt to be lighted — or to light themselves — when they are by no means needed.

The young man who had just returned home had on a flannel⁷ shirt, a pair of mole-skin trowsers, and an old straw hat, battered⁸

点击收听单词发音  

1 mar
vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟
参考例句：
It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。 Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 harry
vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼
参考例句：
Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。 Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

3 prophesies
v.预告，预言( prophesy的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
The Frate neither rails nor prophesies against any man. 这里修士对任何人既不斥骂，也不预言。 来自辞典例句 Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church. 那说语言的，是建立自己；那讲先知话的，却是建立教会。 来自互联网

4 rations
定量( ration的名词复数 )； 配给量； 正常量； 合理的量
参考例句：
They are provisioned with seven days' rations. 他们得到了7天的给养。 The soldiers complained that they were getting short rations. 士兵们抱怨他们得到的配给不够数。

5 sleet
n.雨雪；v.下雨雪，下冰雹
参考例句：
There was a great deal of sleet last night.昨夜雨夹雪下得真大。 When winter comes,we get sleet and frost.冬天来到时我们这儿会有雨夹雪和霜冻。

6 arid
adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的
参考例句：
These trees will shield off arid winds and protect the fields.这些树能挡住旱风,保护农田。 There are serious problems of land degradation in some arid zones.在一些干旱地带存在严重的土地退化问题。

7 flannel
n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服
参考例句：
She always wears a grey flannel trousers.她总是穿一条灰色法兰绒长裤。 She was looking luscious in a flannel shirt.她穿着法兰绒裙子，看上去楚楚动人。

8 battered
adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损
参考例句：
He drove up in a battered old car.他开着一辆又老又破的旧车。 The world was brutally battered but it survived.这个世界遭受了惨重的创伤,但它还是生存下来了。

9 braces
n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来
参考例句：
The table is shaky because the braces are loose. 这张桌子摇摇晃晃，因为支架全松了。 You don't need braces if you're wearing a belt! 要系腰带，就用不着吊带了。

10 strap
n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎
参考例句：
She held onto a strap to steady herself.她抓住拉手吊带以便站稳。 The nurse will strap up your wound.护士会绑扎你的伤口。

11 pouch
n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件
参考例句：
He was going to make a tobacco pouch out of them. 他要用它们缝制一个烟草袋。 The old man is always carrying a tobacco pouch with him.这老汉总是随身带着烟袋。

12 squatter
n.擅自占地者
参考例句：
The squatter settlements originally came into being through illegal land invasions. 违章建筑区最初是通过非法的土地占有而形成的。 Squatter control is maintained by regular patrols and hut-to-hut checks. 当局定期逐户视察所有寮屋，以收管制之效。

13 magistrate
n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官
参考例句：
The magistrate committed him to prison for a month.法官判处他一个月监禁。 John was fined 1000 dollars by the magistrate.约翰被地方法官罚款1000美元。

14 conversed
v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 )
参考例句：
I conversed with her on a certain problem. 我与她讨论某一问题。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 She was cheerful and polite, and conversed with me pleasantly. 她十分高兴，也很客气，而且愉快地同我交谈。 来自辞典例句

15 pastors
n.（基督教的）牧师( pastor的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Do we show respect to our pastors, missionaries, Sunday school teachers? 我们有没有尊敬牧师、宣教士，以及主日学的老师？ 来自互联网 Should pastors or elders be paid, or serve as a volunteer? 牧师或长老需要付给酬劳，还是志愿的事奉呢？ 来自互联网

16 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

17 laborious
adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅
参考例句：
They had the laborious task of cutting down the huge tree.他们接受了伐大树的艰苦工作。 Ants and bees are laborious insects.蚂蚁与蜜蜂是勤劳的昆虫。

18 orphan
n.孤儿；adj.无父母的
参考例句：
He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大，并且把自己的医术传给了他。 The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。

19 stature
n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材
参考例句：
He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。 The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。

20 guardian
n.监护人；守卫者，保护者
参考例句：
The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。 The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

21 forth
adv.向前；向外，往外
参考例句：
The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。 He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

22 prophesied
v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She prophesied that she would win a gold medal. 她预言自己将赢得金牌。 She prophesied the tragic outcome. 她预言有悲惨的结果。 来自《简明英汉词典》

23 countenance
n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同
参考例句：
At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。 I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

24 obstinacy
n.顽固；（病痛等）难治
参考例句：
It is a very accountable obstinacy.这是一种完全可以理解的固执态度。 Cindy's anger usually made him stand firm to the point of obstinacy.辛迪一发怒，常常使他坚持自见，并达到执拗的地步。

25 obstinate
adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的
参考例句：
She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了，不会让任何人帮她的。 The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。

26 thoroughly
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。 The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

27 indefatigable
adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的
参考例句：
His indefatigable spirit helped him to cope with his illness.他不屈不挠的精神帮助他对抗病魔。 He was indefatigable in his lectures on the aesthetics of love.在讲授关于爱情的美学时，他是不知疲倦的。

28 domain
n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围
参考例句：
This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。 This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。

29 annually
adv.一年一次，每年
参考例句：
Many migratory birds visit this lake annually.许多候鸟每年到这个湖上作短期逗留。 They celebrate their wedding anniversary annually.他们每年庆祝一番结婚纪念日。

30 veranda
n.走廊；阳台
参考例句：
She sat in the shade on the veranda.她坐在阳台上的遮荫处。 They were strolling up and down the veranda.他们在走廊上来回徜徉。

31 copious
adj.丰富的，大量的
参考例句：
She supports her theory with copious evidences.她以大量的例证来充实自己的理论。 Every star is a copious source of neutrinos.每颗恒星都是丰富的中微子源。

32 eldest
adj.最年长的，最年老的
参考例句：
The King's eldest son is the heir to the throne.国王的长子是王位的继承人。 The castle and the land are entailed on the eldest son.城堡和土地限定由长子继承。

33 providence
n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝
参考例句：
It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat.乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。 To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.照你的所作所为那样去行事，是违背上帝的意志的。

34 rebuked
责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The company was publicly rebuked for having neglected safety procedures. 公司因忽略了安全规程而受到公开批评。 The teacher rebuked the boy for throwing paper on the floor. 老师指责这个男孩将纸丢在地板上。

35 grudging
adj.勉强的，吝啬的
参考例句：
He felt a grudging respect for her talents as an organizer.他勉强地对她的组织才能表示尊重。 After a pause he added"sir."in a dilatory,grudging way.停了一会他才慢吞吞地、勉勉强强地加了一声“先生”。

36 ticklish
adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理
参考例句：
This massage method is not recommended for anyone who is very ticklish.这种按摩法不推荐给怕痒的人使用。 The news is quite ticklish to the ear,这消息听起来使人觉得有些难办。

37 peculiar
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。 He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

38 grievance
n.怨愤，气恼，委屈
参考例句：
He will not easily forget his grievance.他不会轻易忘掉他的委屈。 He had been nursing a grievance against his boss for months.几个月来他对老板一直心怀不满。

39 specially
adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地
参考例句：
They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。 The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

40 grumble
vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声
参考例句：
I don't want to hear another grumble from you.我不愿再听到你的抱怨。 He could do nothing but grumble over the situation.他除了埋怨局势之外别无他法。

41 parlance
n.说法；语调
参考例句：
The term "meta directory" came into industry parlance two years ago.两年前，商业界开始用“元目录”这个术语。 The phrase is common diplomatic parlance for spying.这种说法是指代间谍行为的常用外交辞令。

42 shrub
n.灌木，灌木丛
参考例句：
There is a small evergreen shrub on the hillside.山腰上有一小块常绿灌木丛。 Moving a shrub is best done in early spring.移植灌木最好是在初春的时候。

43 impervious
adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的
参考例句：
He was completely impervious to criticism.他对批评毫不在乎。 This material is impervious to gases and liquids.气体和液体都透不过这种物质。

44 tortuous
adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的
参考例句：
We have travelled a tortuous road.我们走过了曲折的道路。 They walked through the tortuous streets of the old city.他们步行穿过老城区中心弯弯曲曲的街道。

45 axe
n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减
参考例句：
Be careful with that sharp axe.那把斧子很锋利，你要当心。 The edge of this axe has turned.这把斧子卷了刃了。

46 sparse
adj.稀疏的，稀稀落落的，薄的
参考例句：
The teacher's house is in the suburb where the houses are sparse.老师的家在郊区，那里稀稀拉拉有几处房子。 The sparse vegetation will only feed a small population of animals.稀疏的植物只够喂养少量的动物。

47 scorched
烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦
参考例句：
I scorched my dress when I was ironing it. 我把自己的连衣裙熨焦了。 The hot iron scorched the tablecloth. 热熨斗把桌布烫焦了。

48 ornament
v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物
参考例句：
The flowers were put on the table for ornament.花放在桌子上做装饰用。 She wears a crystal ornament on her chest.她的前胸戴了一个水晶饰品。

49 nurturing
养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长
参考例句：
These delicate plants need careful nurturing. 这些幼嫩的植物需要精心培育。 The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. 这个现代化温室的环境不适合培育植物。

50 knolls
n.小圆丘，小土墩( knoll的名词复数 )
参考例句：
He carefully surveyed the ridges and knolls once more, and also the ravines and gullies. 他又注意地巡视着那些梁和峁，还有沟和壑。 来自互联网

51 crevices
n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 )
参考例句：
It has bedded into the deepest crevices of the store. 它已钻进了店里最隐避的隙缝。 来自辞典例句 The wind whistled through the crevices in the rock. 风呼啸着吹过岩石的缝隙。 来自辞典例句

52 sundry
adj.各式各样的，种种的
参考例句：
This cream can be used to treat sundry minor injuries.这种药膏可用来治各种轻伤。 We can see the rich man on sundry occasions.我们能在各种场合见到那个富豪。

53 thither
adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的
参考例句：
He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。 He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。

54 wagons
n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车
参考例句：
The wagons were hauled by horses. 那些货车是马拉的。 They drew their wagons into a laager and set up camp. 他们把马车围成一圈扎起营地。

55 possessed
adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的
参考例句：
He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。 He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

56 creek
n.小溪，小河，小湾
参考例句：
He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。 People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。

57 edifice
n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室)
参考例句：
The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。 There is a huge Victorian edifice in the area.该地区有一幢维多利亚式的庞大建筑物。

58 sitting-room
n.（BrE）客厅，起居室
参考例句：
The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。 Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。

59 spacious
adj.广阔的，宽敞的
参考例句：
Our yard is spacious enough for a swimming pool.我们的院子很宽敞，足够建一座游泳池。 The room is bright and spacious.这房间很豁亮。

60 sprawl
vi.躺卧，扩张，蔓延；vt.使蔓延；n.躺卧，蔓延
参考例句：
In our garden,bushes are allowed to sprawl as they will.在我们园子里，灌木丛爱怎么蔓延就怎么蔓延。 He is lying in a sprawl on the bed.他伸开四肢躺在床上。

61 parlor
n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅
参考例句：
She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。 Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

62 chamber
n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所
参考例句：
For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。 The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

63 superintendent
n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长
参考例句：
He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。 He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。

64 devoted
adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的
参考例句：
He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。 We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

65 obsolete
adj.已废弃的，过时的
参考例句：
These goods are obsolete and will not fetch much on the market.这些货品过时了，在市场上卖不了高价。 They tried to hammer obsolete ideas into the young people's heads.他们竭力把陈旧思想灌输给青年。

66 exigencies
n.急切需要
参考例句：
Many people are forced by exigencies of circumstance to take some part in them. 许多人由于境况所逼又不得不在某种程度上参与这种活动。 The people had to accept the harsh exigencies of war. 人们要承受战乱的严酷现实。

67 regularity
n.规律性，规则性；匀称，整齐
参考例句：
The idea is to maintain the regularity of the heartbeat.问题就是要维持心跳的规律性。 He exercised with a regularity that amazed us.他锻炼的规律程度令我们非常惊讶。

68 pickles
n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱
参考例句：
Most people eat pickles at breakfast. 大多数人早餐吃腌菜。 来自《简明英汉词典》 I want their pickles and wines, and that.' 我要他们的泡菜、美酒和所有其他东西。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛

69 delicacies
n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到
参考例句：
Its flesh has exceptional delicacies. 它的肉异常鲜美。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 After these delicacies, the trappers were ready for their feast. 在享用了这些美食之后，狩猎者开始其大餐。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗

70 deducted
v.扣除，减去( deduct的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The cost of your uniform will be deducted from your wages. 制服费将从你的工资中扣除。 The cost of the breakages will be deducted from your pay. 损坏东西的费用将从你的工资中扣除。 来自《简明英汉词典》

71 hitched
（免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上
参考例句：
They hitched a ride in a truck. 他们搭乘了一辆路过的货车。 We hitched a ride in a truck yesterday. 我们昨天顺便搭乘了一辆卡车。

72 groomed
v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗
参考例句：
She is always perfectly groomed. 她总是打扮得干净利落。 Duff is being groomed for the job of manager. 达夫正接受训练，准备当经理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

73 tenant
n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用
参考例句：
The tenant was dispossessed for not paying his rent.那名房客因未付房租而被赶走。 The tenant is responsible for all repairs to the building.租户负责对房屋的所有修理。

74 computed
adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
He computed that the project would take seven years to complete. 他估计这项计划要花七年才能完成。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Resolving kernels and standard errors can also be computed for each block. 还可以计算每个块体的分辨核和标准误差。 来自辞典例句

75 nomad
n.游牧部落的人，流浪者，游牧民
参考例句：
He was indeed a nomad of no nationality.他的确是个无国籍的游民。 The nomad life is rough and hazardous.游牧生活艰苦又危险。