Chapter 4 Burdens

` oh，dear，how hard it does seem to take up our packs and jog on，' sighed Meg，the morning after the partyFor、now the holidays were over、the week of merry-making did not fit her for going on easily with the task she never liked .

I wish it was Christ MAS or new year all the time；Wouldn't it be fun？Answered Jo，yawning dismally。

` we shouldn ' t enjoy ourselves half so much as we do now。but it does seem so nice to have little suppers And bouquets，and go to parties And drive home，and read and rest，and not work.it 's like other

` well，we can't have it，so don't let us grumble，but shoulder our bundles and trudge along as cheerfully as mar mee does .

` I ' m sure aunt March is a regular old man of the sea to me，but I suppose when I ' ve learnt to carry her without complaining，she will to Or getthis idea tickled jo's fancy，and put her in good spiritsBut Meg didn't brighten，for her burden，consisting of four spoilt children，Seemed heavier than ever . she hadn ' t heart enough evevel

` where's the use of looking nice，when no one sees me but those cross midgets，and no one cares whether I ' m pretty or not？She muttered，shutting her drawer with a jerk。I shall have to toil And moil all my days，with only little bits of fun now And then，And get old and ugly and sour，because I'm poor，annyit's a shame！`

So Meg went down，wearing an injured look，And wasn ' t at all agreeable at breakfast-time . every one seemed rather out of sorts And inclleAmy was fretting because her lessons were not learned，and she couldn 't find her rubbersjo would whistle and make a great racket getting ready；Mrs . March was very busy trying to finish a le

　　`There never was such a cross family!' cried Jo, losing her temper when she had upset an inkstand, broken both bootlacings, and sat down upon her hat.

　　`You're the crossest person in it!' returned Amy, washing out the sum, that was all wrong, with the tears that had fallen on her slate.

　　`Beth, if you don't keep these horrid cats down cellar I'll have them drowned,' exclaimed Meg, angrily, as she tried to get rid of the kitten, which had scrambled up her back, and stuck like a burr just out of reach.

　　Jo laughed, Meg scolded, Beth implored, and Amy wailed, because she couldn't remember how much nine times twelve was.

　　`Girls, girls, do be quiet one minute! I must get this off by the early mail, and you drive me distracted with your worry,' cried Mrs. March, crossing out the third spoilt sentence in her letter.

　　There was a momentary lull, broken by Hannah, who stalked in, laid two hot turnovers on the table, and stalked out again. These turnovers were an institution; and the girls called them `muffs', for they had no others, and found the hot pies very comforting to their hands on cold mornings. Hannah never forgot to make them, no matter how busy or grumpy she might be, for the walk was long and bleak; the poor things got no other lunch, and were seldom home before two.

　　`Cuddle your cats, and get over your headache, Bethy. Good-bye, Marmee; we are a set of rascals this morning, but we'll come home regular angels. Now then, Meg!' and Jo tramped away, feeling that the pilgrims were not setting out as they ought to do.

　　They always looked back before turning the corner, for their mother was always at the window, to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that; for, whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine.

　　`If Marmee shook her fist instead of kissing her hand to us, it would serve us right, for more ungrateful wretches than we are were never seen,' cried Jo, taking a remorseful satisfaction in the snowy walk and bitter wind.

　　`Don't use such dreadful expressions,' said Meg, from the depths of the veil in which she had shrouded herself like a nun sick of the world.

　　`I like good strong words that mean something,' replied Jo, catching her hat as it took a leap off her head, preparatory to flying away altogether.

　　`Call yourself any names you like; but I am neither a rascal nor a wretch, and I don't choose to be called so.'

　　`You're a blighted being, and decidedly cross today, because you can't sit in the lap of luxury all the time. Poor dear, just wait till I make my fortune, and you shall revel in carriage and ice-cream and high-heeled slippers and posies carriages and red-headed boys to chat with.'

　　`How ridiculous you are, Jo!' but Meg laughed at the nonsense, and felt better in spite of herself.

　　`Lucky for you I am; for if I put on crushed airs, and tried to be dismal, as you do, we should be in a nice state. Thank goodness, I can always find something funny to keep me up. Don't croak any more but come home jolly, there's a dear.'

　　Jo gave her sister an encouraging pat on the shoulder as they parted for the day, each going a different way, each hugging her little warm turnover, and each trying to be cheerful in spite of wintry weather, hard work, and the unsatisfied desires of pleasure-loving youth.

　　When Mr. March lost his property in trying to help an unfortunate friend, the two oldest girls begged to be allowed to do something towards their own support, at least. Believing that they could not begin too early to cultivate energy, industry, and independence, their parents consented, and both fell to work with the hearty goodwill which, in spite of all obstacles, is sure to succeed at last. Margaret found a place as nursery governess, and felt rich with her small salary. As she said, she was `fond of luxury', and her chief trouble was poverty. She found it harder to bear than the others, because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown. She tried not to be envious or discontented but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life. At the Kings' she daily saw all she wanted, for the children's older sisters were just out, and Meg caught frequent glimpses of dainty party-dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip about theatres, concerts, sleighing parties, and merry-makings of all kinds, and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to her. Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter towards everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings41 which alone can make life happy.

　　Jo happened to suit Aunt March, who was lame, and needed an active person to wait upon her. The childless old lady had offered to adopt one of the girls when the troubles came, and was much offended because her offer was declined. Other friends told the Marches that they had lost all chance of being remembered in the rich old lady's will; but the unworldly Marches only said:

　　`We can't give up our girls for a dozen fortunes. Rich or poor, we will keep together and be happy in one another.'

　　The old lady wouldn't speak to them for a time, but, happening to meet Jo at a friend's, something in her comical face and blunt manners struck the old lady's fancy, and she proposed to take her for a companion. This did not suit Jo at all; but she accepted the place since nothing better appeared, and, to everyone's surprise, got on remarkably well with her irascible relative. There was an occasional tempest, and once Jo had marched home, declaring she couldn't bear it any longer; but Aunt March always cleared up quickly, and sent for her back again with such urgency that she could not refuse, for in her heart she rather liked the peppery old lady.

　　I suspect that the real attraction was a large library of fine books, which was left to dust and spiders since Uncle March died. Jo remembered the kind old gentleman, who used to let her build railroads and bridges with his big dictionaries, tell her stories about the queer pictures in his Latin books, and buy her cards of gingerbread whenever he met her in the street. The dim, dusty room, with the busts staring down from the tall bookcases, the cosy chairs, the globes, and, best of all, the wilderness of books, in which she could wander where she liked,, made the library a region of bliss to her. The moment Aunt March took her nar was busy with company Jo hurried to this quiet place, and curling herself up in the easy-chair, devoured poetry, romance, history, travels, and pictures, like a regular book-worm. But, like all happiness, it did not last long; for as sure as she had just reached the heart of the story, the sweetest verse of the song, or the most perilous adventure of her traveller, a shrill voice called, `Josy-phine! Josy-phine!' and she had to leave her paradise to wind yarn, wash the poodle, or read Belsham's Essays by the hour together.

　　Jo's ambition was to do something very splendid; what it was she had no idea, as yet, but left it for time to tell her; and, meanwhile, found her greatest affliction in the fact that she couldn't read, run, and ride as much as she liked. A quick temper, sharp tongue, and restless spirit were always getting her into scrapes, and her life was a series of ups and downs, which were both comic and pathetic. But the training she received at Aunt March's was just what she needed; and the thought that she was doing something to support herself made her happy, in spite of the perpetual `Josy-phine!'

　　Beth was too bashful to go to school; it had been tried., but she suffered so much that it was given up, and she did her lessons at home with her father. Even when he went away, and her mother was called to devote her skill and energy to Soldiers' Aid Societies, Beth went faithfully on by herself, and did the best she could. She was a housewifely little creature, and helped Hannah keep home neat and comfortable for the workers, never thinking of any reward but to be loved. Long, quiet days she spent, not lonely nor idle, for her little world was peopled with imaginary friends, and she was by nature a busy bee. There were six dolls to be taken up and dressed every morning, for Beth was a child still, and loved her pets as well as ever. Not one whole or handsome one among them all were outcasts till Beth took them in; for, when her sisters outgrew these idols, they passed to her, because Amy would have nothing old or ugly. Beth cherished them all the more tenderly for that very reason, and set up a hospital for infirm dolls. No pins were ever stuck into their cotton vitals; no harsh words or blows were ever given them; no neglect ever saddened the heart of the most repulsive: but all were fed and clothed, nursed and caressed, with an affection which never failed.

　　One forlorn fragment of dollanity had belonged to Jo; and, having led a tempestuous life, was left a wreck58 in the ragbag, from which dreary poor-house it was rescued by Beth, and taken to her refuge. Having no top to its head, she tied on a neat little cap, and, as both arms and legs were gone, she hid those deficiencies by folding it in a blanket, and devoting her best bed to this chronic invalid. If anyone had known the care lavished on that dolly, I think it would have touched their hearts, even while they laughed. She brought it bits of bouquets; she read to it, took it out to breathe the air, hidden under her coat; she sang it lullabies, and never went to bed without kissing its dirty face, and whispering tenderly, `I hope you'll have a good night, my poor dear.'

　　Beth had her troubles as well as the others; and not being an angel, but a very human little girl, she often `wept a little weep', as Jo said, because lessons and have a fine piano. She loved music so dearly, tried so hard to learn, and practised away so patiently at the jingling old instrument, that it did seem as if someone (not to hint Aunt March) ought to help her. Nobody did, however, and nobody saw Beth wipe the tears off the yellow keys, that wouldn't keep in tune, when she was all alone. She sang like a little lark about her work, never was too tired to play for Marmee and the girls, and day after day said hopefully to herself, `I know I'll get my music some time, if I'm good.'

　　There are many Beths in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.

　　If anybody had asked Amy what the greatest trial of her life was, she would have answered at once, `My nose'. When she was a baby, Jo had accidentally dropped her into the coal-hod, and Amy insisted that the fall had ruined her nose for ever. It was not big, nor red, like poor `Petrea's', it was only rather flat, and all the pinching in the world could not give it an aristocratic point. No one minded it but herself, and it was doing its best to grow, but Amy felt deeply the want of a Grecian nose, and drew whole sheets of handsome ones to console herself.

　　`Little Raphael', as her sisters called her, had a decided talent for drawing, and was never so happy as when copying flowers, designing fairies, or illustrating66 stories with queer specimens of art. Her teachers complained that, instead of doing her sums, she covered her slate with animals; the blank pages of her atlas were used to copy maps on; and caricatures of the most ludicrous description came fluttering out of all her books at unlucky moments. She got through her lessons as well as she could, and managed to escape reprimands by being a model of deportment. She was a great favourite with her mates, being good-tempered and possessing the happy art of pleasing without effort. Her little airs and graces were much admired, so were her accomplishments; for beside her drawing, she could play twelve tunes, crochet, and read French without mispronouncing more than two-thirds of the words. She had a plaintive way of saying `When Papa was rich we did so-and-so,' which was very touching; and her long words were considered `perfectly elegant' by the girls.

　　Amy was in a fair way to be spoilt; for everyone petted her, and her small vanities and selfishness were growing nicely. One thing, however, rather quenched the vanities; she had to wear her cousin's clothes. Now Florence's mamma hadn't a particle of taste, and Amy suffered deeply at having to wear a red instead of a blue bonnet, unbecoming gowns, and fussy aprons that did not fit. Everything was good, well made, and little worn; but Amy's artistic eyes were much afflicted, especially this winter, when her school dress was a dull purple, with yellow dots, and no trimming.

　　`My only comfort,' she said to Meg, with tears in her eyes, `is that Mother doesn't take tucks in my dresses whenever I'm naughty, as Maria Park's mother does. My dear, it's really dreadful; for sometimes she is so bad, her frock is up to her knees, and she can't come to school. When I think of this deggerredation, I feel that I can bear even my flat nose and purple gown, with yellow sky-rockets on it.'

　　Meg was Amy's confidante and monitor, and, by some strange attraction of opposites, Jo was gentle Beth's. To Jo alone did the shy child tell her thoughts; and over her big harum-scarum sister Beth unconsciously exercised more influence than anyone in the family. The two elder girls were a great deal to one another, but each took one of the younger into her keeping, and watched over her in her own way; `playing mother' they called it, and put their sisters in the places of discarded dolls, with the maternal instincts of little women.

　　`Has anybody got anything to tell? It's been such a dismal day I'm really dying for some amusement,' said Meg, as they sat sewing together that evening.

　　`I had a queer time with aunt today, and, as I got the best of it, I'll tell you about it,' began Jo, who dearly loved to tell stories, was reading that everlasting Belsham, and droning away as I always do, for aunt soon drops off, and then I take out some nice book, and read like fury till she wakes up. I actually made myself sleepy; and, before she began to nod, I gave such a gape that she asked me what I meant by opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in at once.

　　`I wish I could and be done with it,' said I, trying not to be saucy81.

　　`Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins, and told me to sit and think them over while she just "lost" herself for a moment. She never finds herself very soon; so the minute her cap began to bob, like a top-heavy dahlia, I whipped the Vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket, and read away, with one eye on him, and one on aunt. I'd just got to where they all tumbled into the water, when I forgot, and laughed out loud. Aunt woke up; and, being more good-natured after her nap, told me to read a bit, and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy and instructive Belsham. I did my very best, and she liked it, though she only said:

　　`I don't understand what it's all about. Go back and begin it, child.'

　　`Back I went, and made the Primroses as interesting as ever I could. Once I was wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place, and say meekly, "I'm afraid it tires you, ma'am; shan't I stop now?"

　　`She caught up her knitting, which had dropped out of her hands, gave me a sharp look through her specs, and said, in her short way:

　　`Finish the chapter, and don't be impertinent, miss.'

　　`Did she own she liked it?' asked Meg.

　　`Oh, bless you, no! but she let old Belsham rest; and, when I ran back after my gloves this afternoon, there she was, so hard at the Vicar that she didn't hear me laugh as I danced a jig86 in the hall, because of the good time coming. What a pleasant: life she might have, if she only chose. I don't envy her much, in spite of her money, for after all, rich people have about as many worries as poor ones, think,` added Jo.

　　`That reminds me,' said Meg, `that I've got something to tell. It isn't funny, like Jo's story, but I thought about it a good deal as I came home. At the Kings' today I found everybody in a flurry, and one of the children said that her oldest brother had done something dreadful, and papa had sent him away. I heard Mrs. King crying and Mr. King talking very loud, and Grace and Ellen turned away their faces when they passed me, so I shouldn't see how red their eyes were. I didn't ask any questions, of course; but I felt so sorry for them, and was rather glad I hadn't any wild brothers to do wicked things and disgrace the family.'

　　`I think being disgraced in school is a great deal tryinger than anything bad boys can do,' said Amy, shaking her head, as if her experience of life had been a deep one. `Susie Perkins came to school today with a lovely red carnelian, ring; I wanted it dreadfully, and wished I washer with all my might.

　　`Well, she drew a picture of Mr. Davis, with a monstrous nose and a hump, and the words, `Young ladies, my eye is upon you!coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing. We were laughing over it, when all of a sudden his eye was on us, and he ordered Susie to bring up her slate. She was parrylized with fright, but she went, and oh, what do you think he did? He took her by the ear - the ear, just fancy how horrid! - and led her to the recitation platform, and made her stand there half an hour, holding that slate so everyone could see it.'

　　`Didn't the girls laugh at the picture?' asked Jo, who relished88 the scrape.

　　`Laugh! Not one! They sat as still as mice; and Susie cried quarts, I know she did. I didn't envy her then; for I felt that millions of carnelian rings wouldn't have made me happy after that. I never, never should have got over such an agonizing mortification.' And Amy went on with her work, in the proud consciousness of virtue, and the successful utterance of two long words in a breath.

　　`I saw something that I liked this morning, and I meant to tell it at dinner, but I forgot,' said Beth, putting Jo's topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked.

　　`When I went to get some oysters for Hannah, Mr. Laurence was in the fish-shop; but he didn't see me, for I kept behind a barrel, and he was busy with Mr. Cutter, the fishman. A poor woman came in, with a pail and a mop, and asked Mr. Cutter if he would let her do some scrubbing for a bit of fish, because she hadn't any dinner for her children, and had being disappointed of a day's work. Mr. Cutter was in a hurry, and said "No," rather crossly; so she was going away, looking hungry and sorry, when Mr. Laurence hooked up a big fish with the crooked end of his cane, and held it out to her. She was so glad and surprised, she took it right in her arms, and thanked him over and over. He told her to "go along and cook it", and she hurried off, so happy! Wasn't it good of him? Oh, she did look so funny, hugging the big, slippery, fish, and hoping Mr. Laurence's bed in heaven would be 'aisy".'

　　When they had laughed at Beth's story, they asked their mother for one; and, after a moment's thought, she said soberly: `As I sat cutting out blue flannel96 jackets today, at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be if anything happened to him. It, was not a wise thing to do; but I kept on worrying till an old man came in, with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him; for he looked poor and tired and anxious.

　　`Have you sons in the army?' I asked; for the note he brought was not to me.

　　`Yes, ma'am. I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and I'm going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital,' he answered, quietly.

　　`You have done a great deal for your country, sir,' I said, feeling respect now instead of pity.

　　`Not a mite more than I ought, ma'am. I'd go myself, if I was any use; as I ain't, I give my boys, and give 'em free.'

　　`He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself. I'd given one man, and thought it too much, while he gave four without grudging99 them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home; and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say "good-bye" to him, perhaps! I felt so rich, so happy, thinking of my blessings, that I made him a nice bundle, gave him some money, and thanked him heartily100 for the lesson he had taught me.'

　　`Tell another story, Mother - one with a moral to it, like this. I like, to think about them afterwards, if they are real, and not too preachy,' said Jo, after a minute's silence.

　　Mrs. March smiled, and began at once; for she had told stories to this little: audience for many years, and knew how to please them.

　　`Once upon a time, there were four girls, who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents, who loved them dearly, and yet they were not contented.' (Here the listeners stole sly look at one another, and began to sew diligently.) `These girls were anxious to be good, and made many excellent resolutions; but they did not keep them very well, and were constantly saying, "If we only had this," or "If we could only do that," quite forgetting how much they already had, and how many pleasant things they actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy, and she said, `When you feel discontented, think over your blessings and be grateful.' (Here Jo looked up quickly, as if about to speak, but changed her mind, seeing that the story was not done yet.) `Being sensible girls, they decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldn't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people's houses; another that, though she was poor, she was a great deal happier, with her youth, health, and good spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old lady, who couldn't enjoy her comforts; a third, that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to have to go begging for it; and the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behaviour. So they agreed to stop complaining, to enjoy the blessings already possessed, and try to deserve them, lest they should be taken away entirely, instead of increased; and I believe they were never disappointed, or sorry that they took the old woman's advice.'

　　`Now, Marmee, that is very cunning of you to turn our own stories against us, and give us a sermon instead of a romance!' cried Meg.

　　`I like that kind of sermon. It's the sort Father used to tell us,' said Beth, thoughtfully, putting the needles straight on Jo's cushion.

　　`I don't complain near as much as the others do, and I shall be more careful than ever now; for I've had warning from Susie's downfall,' said Amy, morally.

　　`We needed that lesson, and we won't forget it. If we do, you just say to us, as old Chloe did in Uncle Tom, "Tink ob yer marcie, chillen! tink ob yer marcies!"' added Jo, who could not for the life of her help getting a morsel of fun out of the little! sermon, though she took it to heart as much as any of them.

第四章 负担

“唉！又得背起担子往前走了，生活真是一种磨难，”晚会的第二天早上梅格这样叹息道。过节玩了一周，现在又要从事不喜欢的工作，她心里相当不情愿。

“我但愿每天都过圣诞节或者过新年，那就好玩了，”乔说着懒洋洋地打了个呵欠。

“我们能过上现在这种日子已经是三生有幸。但是如果能参加一些宴会舞会，有鲜花马车，每天读书休息，不用工作，那该有多么惬意。你知道有些人就有这样的福气，我总是羡慕这些女孩子，我这人就是向往奢华，”梅格说。她正在比较两条破旧不堪的长裙，看哪一条稍好一点。

“毕竟我们没有这个福气，还是别发牢骚，挑起担子，像妈妈一样乐观地向前走吧。我肯定马奇婶婶就是我的冤家对头，但我想只要我学会忍受，不去埋怨，她就会被丢到脑后，或者变得微不足道。”这主意让乔觉得挺好玩，心情也愉快起来，但梅格却不是很高兴，因为她的担子--四个宠坏了的孩子--现在显得异常沉重。她甚至没有心情像往常一样在领口打上蓝丝，也没有心绪对镜理妆。

“一天到晚都对着几个小捣蛋鬼，我打扮得这么漂亮有谁来看？又有谁来理会我漂亮不漂亮？”她咕哝道，把抽屉猛地一推关上，”我将终生劳碌，只能偶尔得到一点乐趣，逐渐变老变丑，变得尖酸刻薄，就因为我穷，不能像其他女孩子一样享受生活。这是个耻辱！”梅格说完走下去，脸上带着一种受伤的表情，吃早餐时也全无心绪。大家似乎都有点不对劲，个个脸上阴霾满布。贝思头痛，躺在沙发上，试图在那只大猫和三只小猫之中寻找安慰；艾美烦躁不安，因为她没有弄懂功课，而且找不到胶擦；乔真想大吹一声口哨；马奇太太正赶着写一封急信；罕娜因为不喜欢大家晚起，不停地抱怨。

“我从来没见过一家人这么火爆！”乔喊道。她打翻了墨水后，弄断了两根靴带，又坐在自己的帽子上，终于发起了脾气。

“你是最火爆的一个！”艾美反击道，用滴落在写字板上的泪水抹去全算错了的数目。

“贝思，如果你不把这些讨厌的猫放到地窖里去，我就把他们淹死，”梅格一面愤怒地高叫，一面力图摆脱一只爬到她背上牢牢粘着不肯走的小猫。

乔大笑着，梅格责备着，贝思央求着，艾美因为想不起九乘十二等于多少而号哭起来。

“姑娘们，姑娘们，安静一会吧！我必须赶在第一个邮班前把信寄出，你们却乱哄哄地闹得我心神不定，”马奇太太叫道，一边划掉信中第三个写错了的句子。

众人一时安静下来，这时罕娜大步走进来，把两个热气腾腾的卷饼放在桌子上，又大步走出去。这两个卷饼是家里的惯例，姑娘们称之为"手笼"，因为她们发觉寒冷的早上手里笼着个热饼挺暖和，罕娜无论多么忙多么牢骚满腹也不会忘记做上两个，因为路远天寒，两个可怜的姑娘常要在两点以后才回到家里，卷饼便是她们的午饭。

“抱上你的猫，头痛就会好了，贝思。再见，妈妈。我们今早真是一班小坏蛋，不过我们回家时一定还是平日的小天使。走吧，梅格！”乔迈开步伐，觉得她们的天国之旅从一开始就没有走好。

她们转过拐角之前总要回头望望，因为母亲总是倚在窗前点头微笑，向她们挥手道别。不这样她们这一天就似乎过得不踏实，因为无论她们心情如何，她们最后一起所看到的母亲的脸容无异于缕缕阳光，令她们欢欣鼓舞。

“即使妈咪不向我们挥手吻别，而是挥起拳头，我们也是罪有应得，因为我们是天底下最不知道感恩图报的小混帐，”乔在凄风萧瑟的雪路上大声忏悔。

“不要用这么难听的字眼，”梅格说。她用头巾把自己裹得严严实实，看上去就像一个厌世的尼姑。

“我喜欢强有力而有意义的好字眼，”乔答道，用手抓着几乎被风吹落的帽子。

“你爱怎么叫自己就怎么叫吧，我可不是坏蛋，也不是混帐，也不愿意人家这么叫我。”“你是个伤心落魄人，今天这么怒气冲天是因为你不能整天置身于花团锦簇之中。可怜的宝贝，等着吧，等我赚到钱，你就可以享受马车、雪糕、高跟鞋、花束，并和红发小伙子一起跳舞了。”“乔，你真荒唐！”梅格不由被这荒唐话逗笑了。

“幸亏是我呢！如果我也像你一样垂头丧气一副忧郁相，我们可都成了什么样子？谢天谢地，我总可以找到一些有趣的东西来令自己振作。别再发牢骚了，高高兴兴地回家吧，这就对了。”分手时，乔鼓励地拍拍姐姐的肩膀。两人分头而去，各自揣着自己暖烘烘的小卷饼，都想尽量让心情愉快起来，尽管寒风刺骨、工作辛劳，尽管一颗年轻、热爱幸福的心没有得到满足。

当马奇先生为帮助一位不幸的朋友而失去财产时，他的两个大女儿请求让她们出去干点活，这样她们至少可以负担自己的生活。考虑到应该早点培养她们的进取精神和自立能力，父母便同意了。姐妹带着美好的心愿投入工作，相信尽管困难重重，最后一定会取得成功。玛格丽特找到的职业是幼儿家庭教师，薪酬虽少，对她来说却是一笔大数目。正如她自己所说，她"向往奢华"，她的主要烦恼便是贫穷。由于她还记得华屋美服、轻松快乐、无忧无虑的好时光，她比起他姐妹更难接受现实。她也试图知足、试图不嫉妒别人，但年青姑娘爱美、爱交朋友、希望成功和过幸福生活却是天性使然。在金斯家里，她天天都看到她想要的东西，因为孩子们的几个姐姐刚开始参加社交活动。梅格不时看到精致的舞会礼服和漂亮的花束，听到她们热烈地谈论戏剧、音乐会、雪橇比赛等各种娱乐活动，看到她们花钱如流水，随意挥霍。可怜的梅格虽然极少抱怨，但一股不平之气却令她有时对每个人都怀有恨意。她还不明白她其实是多么富有，因为祝福本身就能令人过上幸福的生活。

乔刚好被马奇婶婶看中了。马奇婶婶跛了腿，需要找一个勤快的人来侍候。刚跛腿时这位无儿无女的老太太曾向马奇夫妇提出要收一个姑娘为养女，却被婉言拒绝了，心里老大不高兴。一些朋友告诉马奇夫妇说他们错失了被列入这位阔太太遗嘱继承人的机会，但超尘脱俗的马奇夫妇只是说 "我们不能为钱财而放弃女儿。不论贫富，我们都要厮守一起，共享天伦之乐。”老太太有一段时间都不愿跟他们说话，但一次在朋友家里偶然见到了乔。乔言谈风趣，举止直率，十分合老太太的心意，她便提出让乔跟她作个伴。乔并不乐意，但她找不到更好的差事，便答应下来。出人意料的是，她跟这位性情暴躁的亲戚相处得非常好。但偶尔也会遇到狂风骤雨，一次乔便气得跑回了家，宣布自己忍无可忍；但马奇婶婶总是很快收拾残局，急匆匆地派人请她回去，令她不便拒绝。其实，她内心对这位火辣辣的老太太也颇有好感。

我猜想真正吸引乔的是一个装满了漂亮图书的大藏书室，这个房间自马奇叔叔去世后便积满了灰尘和蜘蛛网。乔记得那位和蔼的老绅士常常让她用大字典堆起铁道桥梁，跟她讲拉丁语书中那些古怪插图的故事，在街上碰到她时给她买姜饼。藏书室光线暗淡，灰尘满布，还有舒适的椅子、精致的地球仪，最妙的是，几个半身人像从书架上俯视地下，书籍凌乱地堆放着，乔可以毫无顾忌地随处走动翻阅，这一切使藏书室成了乔的天堂。每当马奇婶婶打盹儿或顾着跟人闲聊时，乔便匆匆走进这个平静之处，像名符其实的蛀书虫一样大嚼诗歌、浪漫故事、游记、漫画书等等。不过这种令人陶醉的享受却总是不能持久；每当她看得入神，读到精彩之处，必定会传来一声尖叫：“约瑟 芬！约瑟 芬！”这时她便不得不离开自己的天堂，出去绕纱线，给卷毛狗洗澡，或者朗读波尔沙的《随笔》，忙个不停。

乔的理想是做一番宏伟的事业，但这番事业究竟是什么她却一直毫无头绪，也并不急于知道；她觉得自己最大的痛苦是不能尽兴读书、跑步和骑马。她是个急性子，言语尖刻，内心躁动不安，经常把自己推入困境，因此她的生活经历悲喜交集，甜酸苦辣，五味俱全。不过，她在马奇婶婶家里受到的锻炼正是她所需要的，而一想到这样工作可以自立，她就无比高兴，即使是马奇婶婶那没完没了的"约瑟 芬！”也变得微不足道了。

贝思因性格太羞怯而没有上学；她也曾进过学堂，但感到极度痛苦，只得辍学在家，跟着父亲读书。父亲走后，母亲也被派去为"战士援助会"服务，贝思仍忠实不移，坚持尽自己的最大努力自学。她是个贤妻良母型的小姑娘，帮罕娜为工人们把家里打理得整洁舒适，从不乞求报偿，只要被人爱着便心满意足。她静悄悄地度过漫漫长日，从不孤独，从不懒散，因为她的小天地不乏虚构出来的朋友，而她天生就是个勤劳的小蜜蜂。每天一早贝思都要给六个玩具宝宝穿衣装扮，因为她还是个孩子，仍然喜欢宠物。她的小宝贝原来都是弃儿，个个残缺不全，都是两个姐姐长大后不要而传给她的，因为这样又旧又丑的东西艾美是不会要的。正因为如此，贝思对它们呵护有加，专为这些摇摇摆摆的小宝贝设了间医院。她给这些布娃娃一丝不苟地打针，给它们喂饭、穿衣、护理，从不打骂它们，并不忘奉上深情的一吻，即使是最丑陋的玩偶也不会被忽略。一个残缺不堪的"宝宝”原是乔的旧物，经过暴风骤雨的生活洗礼后，四肢不全，五官不整，被弃置在一个破袋子里头，贝思把它从那破旧的包袱里解救出来放到她的避难所。因为头顶不见了，她便扎上一顶雅致的小帽，四肢没有了，便把它裹在毯子里，把缺陷掩盖起来，并把最好的床让给这位长期病员。如果有人知道她是如何细致入微地照料这个玩具娃娃，我想他们即使发笑，也一定会深受感动。她给它送花、读书，把它裹在她的大衣里，带它出去呼吸新鲜空气，给它唱摇篮曲，睡觉前总要吻吻那脏脸孔，并柔声细语：“祝你晚安，可怜的宝贝。”贝思像她的姐妹一样也有自己的烦恼，她并非什么天使，也是个食人间烟火的小姑娘。用乔的话来说，她常常"哭鼻子"，因为不能去上音乐课，因为家里没有一架好钢琴。她酷爱音乐，学得异常用功，并极有耐心地用那架丁当作响的钢琴练习弹奏，似乎真该有人（并非暗指马奇婶婶）来帮她一把。然而没有人帮她，也没有人看到她悄悄把落在五音不全的黄色琴键上的眼泪抹掉。她像只小云雀般为自己的工作歌唱，为妈咪和姐妹们伴奏，永不言累，每天都满怀希望地对自己说：“我知道有一天我一定会学好音乐，只要我乖。”世界上有许许多多个贝思，腼腆平静，默默居于一角，需要时才挺身而出，乐于为别人而牺牲自己。人们只看到她们脸上的笑容，却没有意识到她们所作出的牺牲，直到炉边的小蟋蟀停止了吟唱，和美的阳光消逝而去，空剩下一片寂静和黑暗。

如果有人问艾美生活中最大的痛苦是什么，她会立即回答：“我的鼻子。”当她还是婴孩时，乔一次不小心把她摔落在煤斗里头。艾美认定那次意外永远毁掉了她的鼻子。她的鼻子既不大也不红，只是有点扁。无论怎样捏怎样夹也弄不出个贵族式的鼻尖儿，除了她自己外，并没有人在意，而且鼻子的长势也极好，但艾美总认为自己的鼻梁不够直，便画了一大堆美鼻画儿聊以自慰。

“小拉斐尔"正如她的姐姐们所称，无疑极有绘画天分。

她最大的幸福莫过于摹绘鲜花、设计小仙女，或用古怪的艺术形象说明故事。她的老师抱怨说她的写字板不是用来做算术，而是画满了动物，地图册上的空白版面被她摹满了地图，她的书本一不小心便会弄出许多荒唐滑稽的漫画。她的学习成绩就个人能力而言已属不俗，其行为举止也被大家视为楷模，并因此而逃过数次惩戒。她脾性随和，深谙取悦别人之道，因此在学校深得人心。她姿态略有点做作，但多才多艺，除绘画外，还会弹十二首曲子，善钩织，读法文时读错的字不超过三分之二，令人十分羡慕。她说"爸爸有钱的那个时候我们如何如何"这句话时，悲哀婉转，令人感动，她拖长了的发音也被姑娘们视为"绝顶优雅"。

艾美差不多被大家宠坏了，她的虚荣和自私也成正比例增长。然而有一件事却刺伤了她的虚荣心：她得穿表姐的衣服。由于表姐弗洛伦斯的母亲毫无品味，艾美大受其苦，帽子该配蓝色的却配了红色，衣服与她很不协调，而围裙又过分讲究。其实这些衣物全都不错，做工精细，磨损极少，但艾美的艺术眼光却不能忍受，尤其是这个冬天，她穿的暗紫色校服布满黄点还没有饰边。

“我唯一的安慰，”她对梅格说，眼中泪光闪闪，”是妈妈不像玛莉亚·帕克的妈妈，她在我淘气玩耍时也不会把我的裙子卷起来。哎呀，那真是糟糕透了。有时玛莉亚的长裙子被卷到了膝头上面，不能来上学，当我想到这种屈辱时，我觉得我的扁鼻梁和那件黄火球紫色衣服也可以忍受了。”梅格是艾美的知己和监护人，也许是一种性格上的异性相吸吧，乔和温柔的贝思又是一对。腼腆的贝思独独跟乔倾诉心事；通过这位高大、冒失的姐姐她不知不觉对全家形成举足轻重的影响。两个姐姐互相之间十分要好，但都各以自己的方式照管着一个妹妹--她们称之为“扮妈妈" 并出于一种小妇人的母性对两个妹妹呵护有加。

“你们有什么有趣的事吗？今天闷死了，讲点什么轻松一下，”那天晚上她们坐在一起做针线活儿，梅格这样问。

“今天我和婶婶之间有个不寻常的插曲，因为我占了上风，所以讲给你们听，“极爱讲故事的乔首先说道，”我像往常一样用既单调又沉闷的声调读永远读不完的波尔沙，婶婶很快就被我打发入梦乡，我趁此机会拿出一本好书，如饥似渴地看起来，她醒来的时候我已觉得困了。她问我为什么把嘴巴张得这么大，足可以把整本书一口吞进去。

“'真能这样倒是不错，正好把它作个了结，'我说，尽量不冲撞她。

“她对我的劣行好一顿训斥，并叫我在她'养养神'那一会功夫认真思过。她很快又进入梦乡，头上的帽子像朵头重脚轻的大丽花一样摇摇摆摆。见此情景，我马上从口袋里抽出《威克菲尔德牧师传》读起来，一只眼看书，一只眼留意婶婶。刚刚读到书中人物全都跌入水中时，我一时忘情，笑出了声。婶婶醒过来，心情颇佳，叫我读一点听听，看这本书究竟如何轻薄，竟敢把她那本富有教育意义的宝书波尔沙比下去。我尽力而为，她听得津津有味，但却说 “'我不明白这本书说的是什么。从头再读一次，孩子。'“我从头再读，并尽量读得有声有色。读到扣人心弦之处，我故意停下来低声说：'我担心你会厌烦呢，夫人；要不要停下来？'“她把刚才从手中掉落的编织活计拿起，透过眼镜片狠狠瞪我一眼，用她一贯简洁的口吻说：“把这章读完，不得无礼，小姐。'”“她承认她喜欢这本书吗？”梅格问。

“噢，告诉你吧，不承认！但她把波尔沙扔到了一边，我今天下午跑回去拿手套时，看到她正全神贯注地读那本牧师传，我高兴得在大厅里跳起快步舞，并笑出声来，她竟全然不觉。只要她愿意，她可以过多么愉快的生活啊！尽管她有钱，我并不怎么羡慕她。我想穷人有穷人的烦恼，富人也有富人的烦恼，”乔接着说。

“我也想起一件事来，”梅格说，”这虽不如乔的故事有趣，但它让我回家想了很久。今天我发现金斯家里的人个个都慌慌张张，一个孩子说她大哥犯了件大事，爸爷把他赶走了。我听到金太太在哭，金先生在大骂，格莱丝和艾伦走过我身边时也别过脸，免得眼睛红红的让我看到。当然我什么也没有问，但我很替他们难过，同时很庆幸自己没有这样可恶的兄弟，令家里人蒙受耻辱。”“坏男孩固然可恨，但在学校蒙受耻辱则更加令人难受，”艾美摇着脑袋说，似乎已经历尽沧桑，“苏茜·巴金斯今天戴着一枚精致的红玉戒指上学，我羡慕得不得了，恨不得也有一个。嘿，她给戴维斯先生画了一幅漫画，怪鼻子，驼背，嘴里还吐出一串话：'年轻女士们，我的眼睛在盯着你们！'我们正在大笑，不料他的眼睛果真盯上了我们。他命令苏茜把画板带上去。她吓瘫了，但还是走上去。噢，你们猜他怎么着？他揪着她的耳朵- 耳朵！想想这多恐怖！ 把她揪到背书台上让她在那里站了半个小时，举着画板让大家看。”“姑娘们有没有笑那幅画？”乔问，回味着那尴尬的局面。

“笑？谁敢！她们像老鼠般一声不吱静静地坐着，苏茜泪如雨下，可怜的人。那时我不再羡慕她了，因为我觉得如果这样，即使有千千万万个红玉戒指也不能使我幸福。我永远永远不会忘记这种刻骨铭心的奇耻大辱。”然后艾美继续做她的针线活儿，并为自己的品行和成功地一口气发出两串长长的词组而自鸣得意。

“我今早看到一件我喜欢的事情，吃饭时要说的，却给忘了，”贝思一边说一边整理乔乱七八糟的篮子，”我去为罕娜买些鲜蚝，看到劳伦斯先生也在鱼店里，但他没看到我，因为我站在一个水桶后面，他又忙着跟觓e夫卡特先生说话。一个穷苦女人拿着桶和刷子走进来，问卡特先生能否让她干些洗刮鱼鳞的活儿，因为她的孩子们都饿着肚子，她自己又揽不到活干。卡特先生正忙着，毫不客气地说了声'不'；这个又饥饿又难过的女人正要走开，劳伦斯先生用自己的手杖弯柄勾起一条大鱼递到她面前。她又惊又喜，把鱼抱在怀里，一再道谢。他叫她趁鲜赶快回去把鱼煮了吧，她便高高兴兴地匆匆走开了。劳伦斯先生真是个好心人！噢，她当时的模样也真逗人，抱着滑溜溜的大鱼，口里祝愿劳伦斯先生在天堂的大床'虚虚（舒舒）服服'。”大家听到贝思的故事全笑起来，又请母亲也来一个。母亲略想一想，严肃地说：“今天我在工作间里裁剪蓝色天鹅绒大衣时，非常挂念父亲，我想如果万一他遇到什么不测的话，我们将多么孤独无援。这样想很傻，但我不能自已。这时一个老人走进来交给我一张衣服订单。他在我旁边坐下，我看他模样像个穷苦人家，显得既疲倦又焦虑，便和他攀谈起来。

“'你有儿子在部队吗？'我问，因为他带来的条子不是给我的。

“'有，夫人。有四个，但两个死了，还有一个在监狱，我现在去看另一个，他住在华盛顿医院，病得十分厉害，'他平静地说。

“'你为国家作出了巨大贡献，先生，'我说，这时我对他不再感到怜悯，而是油然起敬。

“'理应如此，夫人。如果用得上我的话，我也会去的；既然用不上，我就献上我的孩子，无偿地献上。'“他声调愉快，神情恳切，似乎奉献自己的一切是一大乐事，我不禁暗自惭愧。我献出一个人便思前想后，他献出了四个却毫无怨言。我在家里有四个好女儿来安慰我，他唯一能见到的儿子却远在数英里之外，可能等着跟他道永别！想到上帝赐给我的恩典，我觉得自己已经很富足，也很幸福。我于是给他打了个漂亮的包裹，给他一些钱，并由衷地感谢他给我上了一课。”“再讲一个，妈妈- 讲个带哲理的，就像这个一样。我喜欢听完后再回味一遍，如果故事真实可信，说教味道又不浓的话，”乔沉默了一会后说。

马奇太太笑笑，马上又讲开了。她跟这班小听众讲了多年故事，知道怎样迎合她们。

“从前，有四个姑娘，她们衣食不愁，安逸舒适，有好心的朋友和深深爱着她们的父母，然而她们并不满足。”这时听众们狡黠地互相交换个眼色，又继续飞针走线。

“这些姑娘们都想做个好孩子，并作了许多宏图大计，但总是不能持久。她们老说：'如果我们有这些东西就好了。'或'如果我们能够这样多好。'完全忘记了自己已身处福中。于是她们问一位老妇人有什么魔法可以使她们幸福。老妇人说：'当你们感到不满足时，想想自己所拥有的东西，并为此而心存感激。'"（这时乔马上抬起头来，似乎有话要说，但想到故事尚未结束，便把话咽了回去。）“姑娘们是聪明人，决定采纳这个建议，不久便惊奇地发现她们是多么富有。一个姑娘发现，金钱并不能使有钱人家免受羞辱和痛苦；另一个发现虽然自己没有钱，但却拥有青春活力和健康的身体，远比愁眉苦脸、年老体弱、不会享受生活乐趣的人幸福；第三个发现下厨做饭虽然不是件快事，但被迫去讨饭的滋味更难接受；第四个发现良好的品行比红玉戒指更加珍贵。于是她们不再牢骚满腹，而是尽情享受已经拥有的一切，并力图报答天恩，唯恐失去而不是更多地享受它们。我相信她们没有后悔接受了老妇人的建议。”“呀，妈咪，你好狡猾，用我们自己的故事来对付我们，不讲故事，却跟我们讲起大道理来了！”梅格嚷道。

“我喜欢这种大道理，爸爸以前也经常这样讲的，”贝思沉思着说道，把针插入乔的针垫里。

“我的怨言没有别人那么多，但从今开始也要更加小心，否则苏茜的下场就是个榜样，”艾美颇有哲理地说。

“我们正需要这么个启示，而且将不会忘记。如果我们忘了，你就学《汤姆叔叔的小屋》里的克洛艾那样，冲我们说：'想想上天的恩典吧，孩子们！想想上天的恩典吧！'"乔情不自禁地从这个小布道中发掘出一点乐趣，虽然她也像其他姐妹一样把它记在心中。

1 dismal adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的

That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。

My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。

2 dismally adv.阴暗地，沉闷地

Fei Little Beard assented dismally. 费小胡子哭丧着脸回答。

He began to howl dismally. 它就凄凉地吠叫起来。

3 bouquets n.花束( bouquet的名词复数 )；（酒的）芳香

The welcoming crowd waved their bouquets. 欢迎的群众摇动着花束。

As the hero stepped off the platform, he was surrounded by several children with bouquets. 当英雄走下讲台时，已被几名手持花束的儿童围住了。

4 grumble vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声

I don't want to hear another grumble from you.我不愿再听到你的抱怨。

He could do nothing but grumble over the situation.他除了埋怨局势之外别无他法。

5 trudge v.步履艰难地走；n.跋涉，费力艰难的步行

It was a hard trudge up the hill.这趟上山是一次艰难的跋涉。

The trudge through the forest will be tiresome.长途跋涉穿越森林会令人疲惫不堪。

6 tickle（使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐

We were tickled pink to see our friends on television. 在电视中看到我们的一些朋友，我们高兴极了。

I tickled the baby's feet and made her laugh. 我胳肢孩子的脚，使她发笑。

7 dressing n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。

The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

8 toil vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事

The wealth comes from the toil of the masses.财富来自大众的辛勤劳动。

Every single grain is the result of toil.每一粒粮食都来之不易。

9 croak vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚

Everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to croak.每个人似乎都有点不对劲，想发发牢骚。

Frogs began to croak with the rainfall.蛙随着雨落开始哇哇叫。

10 fretting n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的

Fretting about it won't help. 苦恼于事无补。

The old lady is always fretting over something unimportant. 那位老妇人总是为一些小事焦虑不安。

11 slate n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订

The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.提名委员会把候选人名单提交全体委员会讨论。

What kind of job uses stained wood and slate? 什么工作会接触木头污浊和石板呢？

12 horrid adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的

I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。

The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃，她咽不下去。

13 scrambled v.快速爬行；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞

Each scrambled for the football at the football ground. 足球场上你争我夺。

He scrambled awkwardly to his feet. 他笨拙地爬起身来。

14 implored 恳求或乞求（某人）

She implored him to stay. 她恳求他留下。

She implored him with tears in her eyes to forgive her. 她含泪哀求他原谅她。

15 wailed v.哭叫，哀号

She wailed over her father's remains. 她对着父亲的遗体嚎啕大哭。 来自

The women of the town wailed over the war victims. 城里的妇女为战争的死难者们痛哭。

16 momentar adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的

We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。

I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。

17 lull v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇

The drug put Simpson in a lull for thirty minutes.药物使辛普森安静了30分钟。

Ground fighting flared up again after a two-week lull.经过两个星期的平静之后，地面战又突然爆发了。

18 turnovers n.营业额( turnover的名词复数 )；失误（篮球术语）；职工流动率；（商店的）货物周转率

However, one other thing we continue to have issues with are turnovers. 然而，另外一件我们仍然存在的问题就是失误。

The Shanghai team took advantage of a slew of Jiangxi turnovers. 上海队利用江西队的频繁失球占了上风。

19 turnover n.人员流动率，人事变动率；营业额，成交量

The store greatly reduced the prices to make a quick turnover.这家商店实行大减价以迅速周转资金。

Our turnover actually increased last year.去年我们的营业额竟然增加了。

20 bleak adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的

They showed me into a bleak waiting room.他们引我来到一间阴冷的会客室。

The company's prospects look pretty bleak.这家公司的前景异常暗淡。

21 rascals 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人

"Oh, but I like rascals. "唔，不过我喜欢流氓。

"They're all second-raters, black sheep, rascals. "他们都是二流人物，是流氓，是恶棍。

22 rascal n.流氓；不诚实的人

If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。

The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

23 wretches n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋

The little wretches were all bedraggledfrom some roguery. 小淘气们由于恶作剧而弄得脏乎乎的。

The best courage for us poor wretches is to fly from danger. 对我们这些可怜虫说来，最好的出路还是躲避危险。

24 wretch n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人

You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他，还埋怨他，真不知好歹。

The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。

25 remorseful adj.悔恨的

He represented to the court that the accused was very remorseful.他代被告向法庭陈情说被告十分懊悔。

The minister well knew--subtle,but remorseful hypocrite that he was!牧师深知这一切——他是一个多么难以捉摸又懊悔不迭的伪君子啊！

26 shrouded v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密

The hills were shrouded in mist . 这些小山被笼罩在薄雾之中。

The towers were shrouded in mist. 城楼被蒙上薄雾。

27 nun n.修女，尼姑

I can't believe that the famous singer has become a nun.我无法相信那个著名的歌星已做了修女。

She shaved her head and became a nun.她削发为尼。

28 catching adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。

Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

29 blighted adj.枯萎的，摧毁的

Blighted stems often canker.有病的茎往往溃烂。

She threw away a blighted rose.她把枯萎的玫瑰花扔掉了。

30 decided adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

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。

31 tune n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。

The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

32 revely vi.狂欢作乐，陶醉；n.作乐，狂欢

She seems to revel in annoying her parents.她似乎以惹父母生气为乐。

The children revel in country life.孩子们特别喜欢乡村生活。

33 slippers n. 拖鞋

a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋

He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋，倒在床上。

34 hearty adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。

We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

35 goodwill n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。

We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。

36 envious adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的

I don't think I'm envious of your success.我想我并不嫉妒你的成功。

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。

37 contented adj.满意的，安心的，知足的

He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。

The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。

38 accomplishments n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。

Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。

39 lavished v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 )

I lavished all the warmth of my pent-up passion. 我把憋在心里那一股热烈的情感尽量地倾吐出来。

An enormous amount of attention has been lavished on these problems. 在这些问题上，我们已经花费了大量的注意力。

40 injustice n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利

They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。

All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。

41 blessings n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福

Afflictions are sometimes blessings in disguise. 塞翁失马，焉知非福。

We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。

42 lame adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的

The lame man needs a stick when he walks.那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。

I don't believe his ;sounds a bit lame.我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。

43 tunes n.曲调，曲子( tune的名词复数 )v.调音( tune的第三人称单数 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调

a potpourri of tunes 乐曲集锦

When things get a bit too much, she simply tunes out temporarily. 碰到事情太棘手时，她干脆暂时撒手不管。

44 remarkably ad.不同寻常地，相当地

I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。

He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。

45 busts 半身雕塑像( bust的名词复数 )； 妇女的胸部； 胸围； 突击搜捕

Dey bags swells up and busts. 那奶袋快胀破了。

Marble busts all looked like a cemetery. 大理石的半身象，简直就象是坟山。

46 cosy adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的

We spent a cosy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。

It was so warm and cosy in bed that Simon didn't want to get out.床上温暖而又舒适，西蒙简直不想下床了。

47 wildernesn.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。

Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

48 bliss n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福

It's sheer bliss to be able to spend the day in bed.整天都可以躺在床上真是幸福。

He's in bliss that he's won the Nobel Prize.他非常高兴，因为获得了诺贝尔奖金。

49 devoured 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光

She devoured everything she could lay her hands on: books, magazines and newspapers. 无论是书、杂志，还是报纸，只要能弄得到，她都看得津津有味。

The lions devoured a zebra in a short time. 狮子一会儿就吃掉了一匹斑马。

50 perilous adj.危险的，冒险的

The journey through the jungle was perilous.穿过丛林的旅行充满了危险。

We have been carried in safety through a perilous crisis.历经一连串危机，我们如今已安然无恙。

51 shrill adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫

Whistles began to shrill outside the barn.哨声开始在谷仓外面尖叫。

The shrill ringing of a bell broke up the card game on the cutter.刺耳的铃声打散了小汽艇的牌局。

52 yarn n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。

The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

53 outgrew 长[发展] 得超过（某物）的范围( outgrow的过去式 )； 长[发展]得不能再要（某物）； 长得比…快； 生长速度超过

She outgrew the company she worked for and found a better job somewhere else. 她进步很快，不再满足于她所在工作的公司，于是又在别处找到一份更好的工作。

It soon outgrew Carthage and became the largest city of the western world. 它很快取代了迦太基成为西方的第一大城市。 来

54 idols 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像

The genii will give evidence against those who have worshipped idols. 魔怪将提供证据来反对那些崇拜偶像的人。

Teenagers are very sequacious and they often emulate the behavior of their idols. 青少年非常盲从，经常模仿他们的偶像的行为。

55 repulsive adj.排斥的，使人反感的

She found the idea deeply repulsive.她发现这个想法很恶心。

The repulsive force within the nucleus is enormous.核子内部的斥力是巨大的。

56 caressed 爱抚或抚摸…( caress的过去式和过去分词 )

His fingers caressed the back of her neck. 他的手指抚摩着她的后颈。

He caressed his wife lovingly. 他怜爱万分地抚摸着妻子。

57 tempestuous adj.狂暴的

She burst into a tempestuous fit of anger.她勃然大怒。

Dark and tempestuous was night.夜色深沉，狂风肆虐，暴雨倾盆。

58 wreck n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难

Weather may have been a factor in the wreck.天气可能是造成这次失事的原因之一。

No one can wreck the friendship between us.没有人能够破坏我们之间的友谊。

59 dreary adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的

They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。

She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。

60 chronic adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的

Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。

Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。

61 invalid n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的

He will visit an invalid.他将要去看望一个病人。

A passport that is out of date is invalid.护照过期是无效的。

62 jingling 叮当声

A carriage went jingling by with some reclining figure in it. 一辆马车叮当驶过，车上斜倚着一个人。

Melanie did not seem to know, or care, that life was riding by with jingling spurs. 媚兰好像并不知道，或者不关心，生活正马刺丁当地一路驶过去了呢。

63 lark n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏

He thinks it cruel to confine a lark in a cage.他认为把云雀关在笼子里太残忍了。

She lived in the village with her grandparents as cheerful as a lark.她同祖父母一起住在乡间非常快活。

64 hearth n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面

She came and sat in a chair before the hearth.她走过来，在炉子前面的椅子上坐下。

She comes to the hearth,and switches on the electric light there.她走到壁炉那里，打开电灯。

65 chirping 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 )

The birds,chirping relentlessly,woke us up at daybreak. 破晓时鸟儿不断吱吱地叫，把我们吵醒了。

The birds are chirping merrily. 鸟儿在欢快地鸣叫着。

66 illustrating 给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明

He upstaged the other speakers by illustrating his talk with slides. 他演讲中配上幻灯片，比其他演讲人更吸引听众。

Material illustrating detailed structure of graptolites has been etched from limestone by means of hydrofluoric acid. 表明笔石详细构造的物质是利用氢氟酸从石灰岩中侵蚀出来。

67 specimens n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人

Astronauts have brought back specimens of rock from the moon. 宇航员从月球带回了岩石标本。

The traveler brought back some specimens of the rocks from the mountains. 那位旅行者从山上带回了一些岩石标本。

68 atlas n.地图册，图表集

He reached down the atlas from the top shelf.他从书架顶层取下地图集。

The atlas contains forty maps,including three of Great Britain.这本地图集有40幅地图，其中包括3幅英国地图。

69 crochet n.钩针织物；v.用钩针编制

That's a black crochet waistcoat.那是一件用钩针编织的黑色马甲。

She offered to teach me to crochet rugs.她提出要教我钩织小地毯。

70 plaintive adj.可怜的，伤心的

Her voice was small and plaintive.她的声音微弱而哀伤。

Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里，一位老太太伤心地哭起来。

71 touching adj.动人的，使人感伤的

It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。

His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

72 quenched 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却

He quenched his thirst with a long drink of cold water. 他喝了好多冷水解渴。

I quenched my thirst with a glass of cold beer. 我喝了一杯冰啤酒解渴。

73 bonnet n.无边女帽；童帽

The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光，使之不刺眼。

She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽，帽上缀着褪了色的假花。

74 fussy adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的

He is fussy about the way his food's cooked.他过分计较食物的烹调。

The little girl dislikes her fussy parents.小女孩讨厌她那过分操心的父母。

75 aprons 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份）

Many people like to wear aprons while they are cooking. 许多人做饭时喜欢系一条围裙。

The chambermaid in our corridor wears blue checked gingham aprons. 给我们扫走廊的清洁女工围蓝格围裙。

76 artistic adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。

These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

77 afflicted 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 )

About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease. 全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。

A terrible restlessness that was like to hunger afflicted Martin Eden. 一阵可怕的、跟饥饿差不多的不安情绪折磨着马丁·伊登。

78 maternal adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的

He is my maternal uncle.他是我舅舅。

The sight of the hopeless little boy aroused her maternal instincts.那个绝望的小男孩的模样唤起了她的母性。

79 everlasting adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的

These tyres are advertised as being everlasting.广告上说轮胎持久耐用。

He believes in everlasting life after death.他相信死后有不朽的生命。

80 gape v.张口，打呵欠，目瞪口呆地凝视

His secretary stopped taking notes to gape at me.他的秘书停止了记录，目瞪口呆地望着我。

He was not the type to wander round gaping at everything like a tourist.他不是那种像个游客似的四处闲逛、对什么都好奇张望的人。

81 saucy adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的

He was saucy and mischievous when he was working.他工作时总爱调皮捣蛋。

It was saucy of you to contradict your father.你顶撞父亲，真是无礼。

82 frivolous adj.轻薄的；轻率的

This is a frivolous way of attacking the problem.这是一种轻率敷衍的处理问题的方式。

He spent a lot of his money on frivolous things.他在一些无聊的事上花了好多钱。

83 worthy adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。

There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

84 primroses n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果）

Wild flowers such as orchids and primroses are becoming rare. 兰花和报春花这类野花越来越稀少了。

The primroses were bollming; spring was in evidence. 迎春花开了，春天显然已经到了。

85 meekly adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地

He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时，他唯唯诺诺地站。

He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。

86 jig n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳

I went mad with joy and danced a little jig.我欣喜若狂，跳了几步吉格舞。

He piped a jig so that we could dance.他用笛子吹奏格舞曲好让我们跳舞。

87 monstrous adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的

The smoke began to whirl and grew into a monstrous column.浓烟开始盘旋上升，形成了一个巨大的烟柱。

Your behaviour in class is monstrous!你在课堂上的行为真是丢人！

88 relished v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望

The chaplain relished the privacy and isolation of his verdant surroundings. 牧师十分欣赏他那苍翠的环境所具有的幽雅恬静，与世隔绝的气氛。

Dalleson relished the first portion of the work before him. 达尔生对眼前这工作的前半部分满有兴趣。

89 agonizing adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式)

I spent days agonizing over whether to take the job or not. 我用了好些天苦苦思考是否接受这个工作。

90 mortification n.耻辱，屈辱

To my mortification, my manuscript was rejected. 使我感到失面子的是：我的稿件被退了回来。

The chairman tried to disguise his mortification. 主席试图掩饰自己的窘迫。

91 virtue n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力

He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。

You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。

92 utterance n.用言语表达，话语，言语

This utterance of his was greeted with bursts of uproarious laughter.他的讲话引起阵阵哄然大笑。

My voice cleaves to my throat,and sob chokes my utterance.我的噪子哽咽，泣不成声。

93 oysters 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 )

We don't have oysters tonight, but the crayfish are very good. 我们今晚没有牡蛎供应。但小龙虾是非常好。

She carried a piping hot grill of oysters and bacon. 她端出一盘滚烫的烤牡蛎和咸肉。

94 crooked adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的

He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指，示意我们到他那儿去。

You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。

95 cane n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的

This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。

English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。

96 flannel n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣

She always wears a grey flannel trousers.她总是穿一条灰色法兰绒长裤。

She was looking luscious in a flannel shirt.她穿着法兰绒裙子，看上去楚楚动人。

97 mite n.极小的东西；小铜币

The poor mite was so ill.可怜的孩子病得这么重。

He is a mite taller than I.他比我高一点点。

98 spoke 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

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。

99 grudging adj.勉强的，吝啬的

He felt a grudging respect for her talents as an organizer.他勉强地对她的组织才能表示尊重。

After a pause he added"sir."in a dilatory,grudging way.停了一会他才慢吞吞地、勉勉强强地加了一声“先生”。

100 heartily adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

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。

101 diligently ad孜孜不倦地

He applied himself diligently to learning French. 他孜孜不倦地学法语。

He had studied diligently at college. 他在大学里勤奋学习。

102 possessed adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。

He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

103 entirely ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。

His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

104 morsel n.一口，一点点

He refused to touch a morsel of the food they had brought.他们拿来的东西他一口也不吃。

The patient has not had a morsel of food since the morning.从早上起病人一直没有进食。