Tom, The Bootblack or, The Road to Success
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CHAPTER XII. TOM GAINS A LITTLE INFORMATION.

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 Though our hero was occupied considerably1 with thoughts of Bessie Benton, he did not lose sight of the two principal objects he had in visiting Cincinnati. One was, to ascertain2 the whereabouts of his uncle, the other, to obtain something to do. His cash was low, and he must find some employment.
 
He consulted a copy of the city directory, which he found in the office of the hotel; but, though he found plenty of Greys, he found but one bearing the name of James Grey. This one was a carpenter, and, of course, could not be his uncle.
 
"He must have left the city," thought Tom. "I wonder where his place of business was? I might find out something there."
 
"Have you any old directories?" he asked, at the office.
 
"How far back?"
 
"Five or six years."
 
"We have one of six years back."
 
"Will you let me look at that?"
 
The volume was found, after some difficulty, and put in Tom's hands. He turned at once to the g's, and, to his great joy, found the name of James Grey, merchant. His place of business was also given.
 
"That's something," thought our hero. "I'll go there at once."
 
There was no difficulty in finding the street and number, but there was a new name on the sign:
 
William Ferguson.
 
Tom entered, and asked the first clerk he met if he could see Mr. Ferguson.
 
"What's your business?" inquired the subordinate.
 
"With Mr. Ferguson," answered Tom, promptly3.
 
"Wouldn't I do as well?"
 
"How long have you been here?"
 
"What do you want to know that for?"
 
"If you've been here five years, I'll tell you."
 
"I haven't."
 
"Then I want to see Mr. Ferguson."
 
"It strikes me you are a young man of some importance."
 
"I am glad you have found it out," said our hero, coolly. "If you're not too much pressed by important business," (the clerk was leaning back, picking his teeth), "perhaps you wouldn't mind asking Mr. Ferguson if he will see a merchant from New York."

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1 considerably 0YWyQ     
adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上
参考例句：
  • The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
  • The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
2 ascertain WNVyN     
vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清
参考例句：
  • It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
  • We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。
3 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地，敏捷地
参考例句：
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
4 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇，惊异
参考例句：
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
5 confession 8Ygye     
n.自白，供认，承认
参考例句：
  • Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
  • The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。
6 inspection y6TxG     
n.检查，审查，检阅
参考例句：
  • On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
  • The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。
7 postpone rP0xq     
v.延期，推迟
参考例句：
  • I shall postpone making a decision till I learn full particulars.在未获悉详情之前我得从缓作出决定。
  • She decided to postpone the converastion for that evening.她决定当天晚上把谈话搁一搁。
8 sneered 0e3b5b35e54fb2ad006040792a867d9f     
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 impudent X4Eyf     
adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的
参考例句：
  • She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
  • The teacher threatened to kick the impudent pupil out of the room.老师威胁着要把这无礼的小学生撵出教室。
10 impudence K9Mxe     
n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼
参考例句：
  • His impudence provoked her into slapping his face.他的粗暴让她气愤地给了他一耳光。
  • What knocks me is his impudence.他的厚颜无耻使我感到吃惊。
11 scantily be1ceda9654bd1b9c4ad03eace2aae48     
adv.缺乏地；不充足地；吝啬地；狭窄地
参考例句：
  • The bedroom was scantily furnished. 卧室里几乎没有什么家具。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • His room was scantily furnished. 他的房间陈设简陋。 来自互联网
12 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士
参考例句：
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。
13 solicit AFrzc     
vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意)
参考例句：
  • Beggars are not allowed to solicit in public places.乞丐不得在公共场所乞讨。
  • We should often solicit opinions from the masses.我们应该经常征求群众意见。

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