The Adventure of the Copper Beeches 铜山毛榉案（2）

时间：2020-05-19 06:48:38

（单词翻译:单击）

 
It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and
ran thus:
 
"DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether
I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered
to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I
do not inconvenience you. 
Yours faithfully, VIOLET HUNTER."
 
"Do you know the young lady?" I asked.
 
"Not I."
 
"It is half-past ten now."
 
"Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring."
 
"It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You
remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to
be a mere1 whim2 at first, developed into a serious investigation3.
It may be so in this case, also."
 
"Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved,
for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question."
 
As he spoke4 the door opened and a young lady entered the room.
She was plainly but neatly5 dressed, with a bright, quick face,
freckled6 like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a
woman who has had her own way to make in the world.
 
"You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my
companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange
experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort
from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be
kind enough to tell me what I should do."
 
"Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything
that I can to serve you."
 
I could see that Holmes was favorably impressed by the manner
and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching
fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping7 and
his finger-tips together, to listen to her story.
 
"I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the
family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel
received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his
children over to America with him, so that I found myself without
a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but
without success. At last the little money which I had saved began
to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do.
 
"There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End
called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in
order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me.
Westaway was the name of the founder8 of the business, but it is
really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office,
and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom,
and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers9
and sees whether she has anything which would suit them.
 
"Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office
as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A
prodigiously10 stout11 man with a very smiling face and a great heavy
chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at
her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very
earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a
jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper.
 
"'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better.
Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his
hands together in the most genial12 fashion. He was such a
comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at
him.
 
"'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked.
 
"'Yes, sir.'
 
"'As governess?'
 
"'Yes, sir.'
 
"'And what salary do you ask?'
 
"'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence
Munro.'
 
"'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his
fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling
passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with
such attractions and accomplishments13?'
 
"'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I.
'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing --'
 
"'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question.
The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment
of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are
not fined for the rearing of a child who may some day play a
considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have
why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend14 to
accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me,
madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.'
 
"You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute15 as I was,
such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman,
however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face,
opened a pocket-book and took out a note.
 
"'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant
fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits16 amid
the white creases17 of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies
half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little
expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.'
 
"It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so
thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the
advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something
unnatural18 about the whole transaction which made me wish to know
a little more before I quite committed myself.
 
"'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I.
 
"'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper19 Beeches20, five miles
on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my
dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.'
 
"'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would
be.'
 
"'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if
you could see him killing21 cockroaches22 with a slipper23! Smack24!
smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink25!' He leaned back
in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again.
 
"I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement,
but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was
joking.
 
"'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single
child?'
 
"'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he
cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would
suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided
always that they were such commands as a lady might with
propriety26 obey. You see no difficulty, heh?'
 
"'I should be happy to make myself useful.'
 
"'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you
know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress
which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim.
Heh?'
 
"'No,' said I, considerably27 astonished at his words.
 
"'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to
you?'
 
"'Oh, no.'
 
"'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?'
 
"I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes,
my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar28 tint29 of
chestnut30. It has been considered artistic31. I could not dream of
sacrificing it in this offhand32 fashion.
 
"'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been
watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a
shadow pass over his face as I spoke.
 
"'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a
little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam,
ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your
hair?'
 
"'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly.
 
"'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a
pity, because in other respects you would really have done very
nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more
of your young ladies.'
 
"The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers
without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so
much annoyance33 upon her face that I could not help suspecting
that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal.
 
"'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked.
 
"'If you please, Miss Stoper.'
 
"'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the
most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You
can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such
opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong
upon the table, and I was shown out by the page.
 

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1 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过
参考例句：
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
2 whim 2gywE     
n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想
参考例句：
  • I bought the encyclopedia on a whim.我凭一时的兴致买了这本百科全书。
  • He had a sudden whim to go sailing today.今天他突然想要去航海。
3 investigation MRKzq     
n.调查，调查研究
参考例句：
  • In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
  • He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。
4 spoke XryyC     
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
参考例句：
  • 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。
5 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地
参考例句：
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
6 freckled 1f563e624a978af5e5981f5e9d3a4687     
adj.雀斑；斑点；晒斑；（使）生雀斑v.雀斑，斑点( freckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
  • Her face was freckled all over. 她的脸长满雀斑。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Her freckled skin glowed with health again. 她长有雀斑的皮肤又泛出了健康的红光。 来自辞典例句
7 drooping drooping     
adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词
参考例句：
  • The drooping willows are waving gently in the morning breeze. 晨风中垂柳袅袅。
  • The branches of the drooping willows were swaying lightly. 垂柳轻飘飘地摆动。
8 Founder wigxF     
n.创始者，缔造者
参考例句：
  • He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
  • According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。
9 ledgers 73a3b1ea51494741c86cba193a27bb69     
n.分类账( ledger的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • The ledgers and account books had all been destroyed. 分类账本和账簿都被销毁了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The ledgers had all been destroyed. 账簿都被销毁了。 来自辞典例句
10 prodigiously 4e0b03f07b2839c82ba0338722dd0721     
adv.异常地，惊人地，巨大地
参考例句：
  • Such remarks, though, hardly begin to explain that prodigiously gifted author Henry James. 然而这样的说法，一点也不能解释这个得天独厚的作家亨利·詹姆斯的情况。 来自辞典例句
  • The prices of farms rose prodigiously. 农场的价格飞快上涨。 来自互联网
11 stout PGuzF     
adj.强壮的，粗大的，结实的，勇猛的，矮胖的
参考例句：
  • He cut a stout stick to help him walk.他砍了一根结实的枝条用来拄着走路。
  • The stout old man waddled across the road.那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。
12 genial egaxm     
adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的
参考例句：
  • Orlando is a genial man.奥兰多是一位和蔼可亲的人。
  • He was a warm-hearted friend and genial host.他是个热心的朋友，也是友善待客的主人。
13 accomplishments 1c15077db46e4d6425b6f78720939d54     
n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就
参考例句：
  • 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。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
14 condescend np7zo     
v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑
参考例句：
  • Would you condescend to accompany me?你肯屈尊陪我吗？
  • He did not condescend to answer.He turned his back on me.他不愿屈尊回答我的问题。他不理睬我。
15 destitute 4vOxu     
adj.缺乏的；穷困的
参考例句：
  • They were destitute of necessaries of life.他们缺少生活必需品。
  • They are destitute of common sense.他们缺乏常识。
16 slits 31bba79f17fdf6464659ed627a3088b7     
n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子
参考例句：
  • He appears to have two slits for eyes. 他眯着两眼。
  • "You go to--Halifax,'she said tensely, her green eyes slits of rage. "你给我滚----滚到远远的地方去！" 她恶狠狠地说，那双绿眼睛冒出了怒火。
17 creases adfbf37b33b2c1e375b9697e49eb1ec1     
（使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的第三人称单数 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹
参考例句：
  • She smoothed the creases out of her skirt. 她把裙子上的皱褶弄平。
  • She ironed out all the creases in the shirt. 她熨平了衬衣上的所有皱褶。
18 unnatural 5f2zAc     
adj.不自然的；反常的
参考例句：
  • Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？
  • She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。
19 copper HZXyU     
n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的
参考例句：
  • The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
  • Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。
20 beeches 7e2b71bc19a0de701aebe6f40b036385     
n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材
参考例句：
  • The beeches, oaks and chestnuts all belong to the same family. 山毛榉树、橡树和栗子树属于同科树种。 来自互联网
  • There are many beeches in this wood. 这片树林里有许多山毛榉。 来自互联网
21 killing kpBziQ     
n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财
参考例句：
  • Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
  • Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。
22 cockroaches 1936d5f0f3d8e13fc00370b7ef69c14c     
n.蟑螂( cockroach的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • At night, the cockroaches filled the house with their rustlings. 夜里，屋里尽是蟑螂窸窸瑟瑟的声音。 来自辞典例句
  • It loves cockroaches, and can keep a house clear of these hated insects. 它们好食蟑螂，可以使住宅免除这些讨厌昆虫的骚扰。 来自百科语句
23 slipper px9w0     
n.拖鞋
参考例句：
  • I rescued the remains of my slipper from the dog.我从那狗的口中夺回了我拖鞋的残留部分。
  • The puppy chewed a hole in the slipper.小狗在拖鞋上啃了一个洞。
24 smack XEqzV     
vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍
参考例句：
  • She gave him a smack on the face.她打了他一个嘴巴。
  • I gave the fly a smack with the magazine.我用杂志拍了一下苍蝇。
25 wink 4MGz3     
n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁
参考例句：
  • He tipped me the wink not to buy at that price.他眨眼暗示我按那个价格就不要买。
  • The satellite disappeared in a wink.瞬息之间，那颗卫星就消失了。
26 propriety oRjx4     
n.正当行为；正当；适当
参考例句：
  • We hesitated at the propriety of the method.我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
  • The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当。
27 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。
28 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
29 tint ZJSzu     
n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色
参考例句：
  • You can't get up that naturalness and artless rosy tint in after days.你今后不再会有这种自然和朴实无华的红润脸色。
  • She gave me instructions on how to apply the tint.她告诉我如何使用染发剂。
30 chestnut XnJy8     
n.栗树，栗子
参考例句：
  • We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden.我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树。
  • In summer we had tea outdoors,under the chestnut tree.夏天我们在室外栗树下喝茶。
31 artistic IeWyG     
adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的
参考例句：
  • 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。
32 offhand IIUxa     
adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的
参考例句：
  • I can't answer your request offhand.我不能随便答复你的要求。
  • I wouldn't want to say what I thought about it offhand.我不愿意随便说我关于这事的想法。
33 annoyance Bw4zE     
n.恼怒，生气，烦恼
参考例句：
  • Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气？
  • I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。

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