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CHAPTER IX EXPOSING A FRAUD
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It would be hard to tell what Abner Holden's precise occupation was. He had thirty or forty acres of land, but only cultivated enough to produce supplies of vegetables for his own table, and grain for his horses. He kept four cows, and he had, at this time, three horses. He had the Yankee propensity1 for “swapping,” and from time to time traded horses, generally managing to get the best of the bargain, for he was tolerably sharp and not much troubled by conscientious2 scruples3 about misstating the merits of his horses.
But, about two months before Herbert came into his employ, he had himself been overreached, and found himself the possessor of a horse of excellent outward appearance, but blind of one eye, and with a very vicious temper. He accepted the situation with a bad grace, and determined4, as soon as possible, to “trade” the horse to another party.
One day, about a fortnight after Herbert's arrival, a gentlemanly-looking stranger knocked at Abner Holden's door.
The call was answered by the housekeeper5.
“Is Mr. Holden at home?” he inquired.
“Yes, sir,” was the reply.
“I should like to see him.”
Abner Holden soon made his appearance.
“Mr. Holden.” said the stranger “I am in search of a good family horse. I am told that you have some animals for sale, and called on you, thinking I might get suited through you.”
“You've come to the right place,” said Abner, glibly6. “I've got just the animal that will suit you.”
“I should like to see it.”
“He's in the pasture now. If you don't object to walking a short distance, I will show him to you. I feel sure he will suit you.”
“Very well, I will go with you.”
“This way, then.”
The two walked down a green lane at the back of the house to the entrance of the pasture, where the three horses, at present comprising Abner Holden's entire stock, were grazing
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1
propensity
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n.倾向;习性 | |
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2
conscientious
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adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的 | |
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3
scruples
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n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 );顾虑,顾忌v.感到于心不安,有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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4
determined
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adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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5
housekeeper
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n.管理家务的主妇,女管家 | |
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6
glibly
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adv.流利地,流畅地;满口 | |
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7
leisurely
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adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的 | |
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8
erect
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n./v.树立,建立,使竖立;adj.直立的,垂直的 | |
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9
graceful
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adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的 | |
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10
pointed
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adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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11
mused
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v.沉思,冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 );沉思自语说(某事) | |
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12
politic
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adj.有智虑的;精明的;v.从政 | |
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13
dealing
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n.经商方法,待人态度 | |
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14
bad-tempered
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adj.脾气坏的 | |
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15
brute
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n.野兽,兽性 | |
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16
flea
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n.跳蚤 | |
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17
prospect
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n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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18
crabbed
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adj.脾气坏的;易怒的;(指字迹)难辨认的;(字迹等)难辨认的v.捕蟹( crab的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
incur
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vt.招致,蒙受,遭遇 | |
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