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Chapter 11 The Madison Avenue Stage
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Ben was naturally hopeful, but he had counted more than he was aware on the chance of obtaining assistance from Absalom Peters toward paying off his mother's mortgage. As Mr. Peters was in Europe nothing could be done, and them seemed absolutely no one else to apply to. They had friends, of course, and warm ones, in Pentonville, but none that were able to help them.
"I suppose we must make up our minds to lose the house," thought Ben. "Squire1 Davenport is selfish and grasping, and there is little chance of turning him."
He walked westward2 till he reached Madison Avenue. A stage approached, being bound downtown, and, feeling tired, he got in. The fare was but five cents, and he was willing to pay it.
Some half dozen other passengers beside himself were in the stage. Opposite Ben sat a handsomely dressed, somewhat portly lady, of middle age, with a kindly3 expression. Next her sat a young man, attired4 fashionably, who had the appearance of belonging to a family of position. There were, besides, an elderly man, of clerical appearance; a nurse with a small child, a business man, intent upon the financial column of a leading paper, and a schoolboy.
Ben regarded his fellow-passengers with interest. In Pentonville he seldom saw a new face. Here all were new. Our young hero was, though be did not know it, an embryo5 student of human nature. He liked to observe men and women of different classes and speculate upon their probable position and traits. It so happened that his special attention was attracted to the fashionably-attired young man.
"I suppose he belongs to a rich family, and has plenty of money," thought Ben. "It must be pleasant to be born with a gold spoon in your mouth, and know that you are provided for life."
If Ben had been wiser he would have judged differently. To be born to wealth removes all the incentives6 to action, and checks the spirit of enterprise. A boy or man who finds himself gradually rising in the world, through his own
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1
squire
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n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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2
westward
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n.西方,西部;adj.西方的,向西的;adv.向西 | |
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3
kindly
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adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地 | |
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4
attired
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adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服,使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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5
embryo
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n.胚胎,萌芽的事物 | |
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6
incentives
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激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 ); 刺激; 诱因; 动机 | |
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7
exertions
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n.努力( exertion的名词复数 );费力;(能力、权力等的)运用;行使 | |
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8
destined
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adj.命中注定的;(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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9
remarkable
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adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的 | |
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10
insinuating
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adj.曲意巴结的,暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 );巧妙或迂回地潜入;(使)缓慢进入;慢慢伸入 | |
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11
pickpocket
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n.扒手;v.扒窃 | |
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12
amazement
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n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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13
avert
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v.防止,避免;转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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14
accomplished
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adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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15
adroitly
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adv.熟练地,敏捷地 | |
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16
drawn
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v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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17
jack
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n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克 | |
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18
strap
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n.皮带,带子;v.用带扣住,束牢;用绷带包扎 | |
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19
disturbance
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n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调 | |
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20
darted
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v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔 | |
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21
malignant
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adj.恶性的,致命的;恶意的,恶毒的 | |
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22
exclamation
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n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 | |
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23
resolutely
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adj.坚决地,果断地 | |
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inconvenient
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adj.不方便的,令人感到麻烦的 | |
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