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Chapter I — Ben and His Aunt
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Five o'clock sounded from the church clock, and straightway the streets of Milltown were filled with men, women, and children issuing from the great brick factories huddled1 together at one end of the town. Among these, two boys waked in company, James Watson and Ben Bradford. They were very nearly of an age, James having just passed his fifteenth birthday, and Ben having nearly attained2 it.
Both boys looked sober. Why, will appear from their conversation.
"It's rather hard to get out of a job just now," said James. "Why couldn't the superintendent3 discharge somebody else?"
"I suppose it's all right," said Ben. "We were taken on last, and we haven't as much claim to remain as those that have been in the mill longer."
"I don't believe there was any need of discharging anybody," complained James.
"You know business is very dull," said Ben, who was more considerate, "and I hear they have been losing money."
"Oh, well, they can stand it," said James.
"So can you," said Ben. "Your father is pretty well off, and you won't suffer."
"Oh, I shall have enough to eat, and so on; but I shan't have any spending money, and I can't get a new suit, as I expected to this fall."
"I wish that was all I had to fear," said Ben; "but you know how it is with me. I don't see how Aunt Jane is going to get along without my earnings4."
"Oh, you'll get along somehow," said James carelessly, for he did not care enough about other people's prospects5 to discuss them.
"Yes, I guess so," said Ben, more cheerfully. "There's no use in worrying. Wait and Hope—that's my motto."
"You have to wait a thundering long time sometimes," said James. "Well, good night. Come round and see me to-morrow. You'll have plenty of time."
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1
huddled
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挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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2
attained
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(通常经过努力)实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 ); 达到; 获得; 达到(某年龄、水平、状况) | |
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3
superintendent
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n.监督人,主管,总监;(英国)警务长 | |
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4
earnings
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n.工资收人;利润,利益,所得 | |
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5
prospects
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n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
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6
dreaded
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adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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7
despondent
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adj.失望的,沮丧的,泄气的 | |
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8
undoubtedly
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adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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9
sanguine
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adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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10
temperament
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n.气质,性格,性情 | |
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11
decided
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adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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12
catching
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adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住 | |
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13
contagion
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n.(通过接触的疾病)传染;蔓延 | |
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14
inveterate
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adj.积习已深的,根深蒂固的 | |
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15
tantalizing
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adj.逗人的;惹弄人的;撩人的;煽情的v.逗弄,引诱,折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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faltered
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(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃 | |
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17
complacently
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adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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affected
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adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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