It would be natural to suppose that Jim Smith, relying upon his influence with his uncle, would have reported this last “outrage,” as he chose to consider it, to the principal, thus securing the punishment of Hector. But he was
crafty1, and considered that no punishment Hector was likely to receive would satisfy him. Corporal punishment for taking the part of an ill-used boy, Hector was probably too spirited to submit to, and, under these circumstances, it would hardly have been
inflicted2. Besides, Jim was aware that the
offense3 for which Hector had attacked him was not likely, if made known, to secure sympathy. Even his uncle would be against him, for he was fond of money, and had no wish to lose the new pupil, whose friends were well able to pay for him.
No! He
decided4 that what he wanted was to bring Hector into disgrace. The method did not immediately occur to him, but after a while he saw his way clear.
His uncle’s bedchamber was on the second floor, and Jim’s directly over it on the third story. Some of the other boys, including Hector, had rooms also on the third floor.
Jim was going upstairs one day when, through the door of his uncle’s
chamber5, which chanced to be open, he saw a wallet lying on the bureau. On the impulse of the moment, he walked in on tiptoes, secured the wallet, and slipped it hurriedly into his pocket. Then he made all haste upstairs, and bolted himself into his own room. Two other boys slept there, but both were downstairs in the playground.
Jim took the wallet from his pocket and eagerly scanned the contents. There were eight five-dollar bills and ten dollars in small bills, besides a few papers, which may be
accurately6 described as of no value to anyone but the owner.
The boy’s face assumed a
covetous7 look. He, as well as his uncle, was fond of money—a taste which, unfortunately, as he regarded it, he was unable to gratify. His family was poor, and he was received at half price by Socrates Smith on the score of relationship, but his allowance of pocket money was less than that of many of the small boys. He made up the deficiency, in part, by compelling them to contribute to his pleasures. If any boy purchased candy, or any other
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收听单词发音
1
crafty
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adj.狡猾的,诡诈的 |
参考例句: |
- He admired the old man for his crafty plan.他敬佩老者的神机妙算。
- He was an accomplished politician and a crafty autocrat.他是个有造诣的政治家,也是个狡黠的独裁者。
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2
inflicted
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把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- They inflicted a humiliating defeat on the home team. 他们使主队吃了一场很没面子的败仗。
- Zoya heroically bore the torture that the Fascists inflicted upon her. 卓娅英勇地承受法西斯匪徒加在她身上的酷刑。
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3
offense
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n.犯规,违法行为;冒犯,得罪 |
参考例句: |
- I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
- His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。
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4
decided
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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。
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5
chamber
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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。
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6
accurately
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adv.准确地,精确地 |
参考例句: |
- It is hard to hit the ball accurately.准确地击中球很难。
- Now scientists can forecast the weather accurately.现在科学家们能准确地预报天气。
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7
covetous
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adj.贪婪的,贪心的 |
参考例句: |
- She is envious of Jane's good looks and covetous of her car.她既忌妒简的美貌又垂涎她的汽车。
- He raised his head,with a look of unrestrained greed in his covetous eyes.他抬起头来,贪婪的眼光露出馋涎欲滴的神情。
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8
delicacy
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n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴 |
参考例句: |
- We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
- He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。
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9
feudal
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adj.封建的,封地的,领地的 |
参考例句: |
- Feudal rulers ruled over the country several thousand years.封建统治者统治这个国家几千年。
- The feudal system lasted for two thousand years in China.封建制度在中国延续了两千年之久。
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10
inmates
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n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- One of the inmates has escaped. 被收容的人中有一个逃跑了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The inmates were moved to an undisclosed location. 监狱里的囚犯被转移到一个秘密处所。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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11
exultation
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n.狂喜,得意 |
参考例句: |
- It made him catch his breath, it lit his face with exultation. 听了这个名字,他屏住呼吸,乐得脸上放光。
- He could get up no exultation that was really worthy the name. 他一点都激动不起来。
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12
heartily
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adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 |
参考例句: |
- He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
- The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
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13
untoward
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adj.不利的,不幸的,困难重重的 |
参考例句: |
- Untoward circumstances prevent me from being with you on this festive occasion.有些不幸的事件使我不能在这欢庆的时刻和你在一起。
- I'll come if nothing untoward happens.我要是没有特殊情况一定来。
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14
complacently
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adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 |
参考例句: |
- He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
- "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装,"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
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15
complacent
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adj.自满的;自鸣得意的 |
参考例句: |
- We must not become complacent the moment we have some success.我们决不能一见成绩就自满起来。
- She was complacent about her achievements.她对自己的成绩沾沾自喜。
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16
concealed
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a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 |
参考例句: |
- The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
- I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
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17
partially
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adv.部分地,从某些方面讲 |
参考例句: |
- The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
- The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静,宵禁部分解除。
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18
discomfited
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v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词);使狼狈;使挫折;挫败 |
参考例句: |
- He was discomfited by the unexpected questions. 意料不到的问题使得他十分尴尬。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- He will be particularly discomfited by the minister's dismissal of his plan. 部长对他计划的不理会将使他特别尴尬。 来自辞典例句
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19
humiliated
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感到羞愧的 |
参考例句: |
- Parents are humiliated if their children behave badly when guests are present. 子女在客人面前举止失当,父母也失体面。
- He was ashamed and bitterly humiliated. 他感到羞耻,丢尽了面子。
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20
testimony
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n.证词;见证,证明 |
参考例句: |
- The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
- He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。
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21
bully
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n.恃强欺弱者,小流氓;vt.威胁,欺侮 |
参考例句: |
- A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
- The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。
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22
tyrant
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n.暴君,专制的君主,残暴的人 |
参考例句: |
- The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.该国处在一个专制暴君的统治之下。
- The tyrant was deaf to the entreaties of the slaves.暴君听不到奴隶们的哀鸣。
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23
contemptible
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adj.可鄙的,可轻视的,卑劣的 |
参考例句: |
- His personal presence is unimpressive and his speech contemptible.他气貌不扬,言语粗俗。
- That was a contemptible trick to play on a friend.那是对朋友玩弄的一出可鄙的把戏。
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24
remittance
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n.汇款,寄款,汇兑 |
参考例句: |
- Your last month's salary will be paid by remittance.最后一个月的薪水将通过汇寄的方式付给你。
- A prompt remittance would be appreciated.速寄汇款不胜感激。
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25
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 |
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。
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26
conspiracy
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n.阴谋,密谋,共谋 |
参考例句: |
- The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
- He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。
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27
smacking
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活泼的,发出响声的,精力充沛的 |
参考例句: |
- He gave both of the children a good smacking. 他把两个孩子都狠揍了一顿。
- She inclined her cheek,and John gave it a smacking kiss. 她把头低下,约翰在她的脸上响亮的一吻。
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