Under the Lilacs - Chapter 3
时间：2021-01-21 08:43:00
（单词翻译:单击）
"Please, 'm, my name is Ben Brown, and I'm travellin'."
"Where are you going?"
"Anywheres to get work."
"What sort of work can you do?"
"All kinds. I'm used to horses."
"Bless me! such a little chap as you?
"I'm twelve, ma'am, and can ride any thing on four legs;" and the small boy gave a nod that seemed to say, "Bring on your Cruisers. I'm ready for 'em."
"Haven't you got any folks?" asked Mrs. Moss1, amused but still anxious, for the sunburnt face was very thin, the eyes hollow with hunger or pain, and the ragged2 figure leaned on the wheel as if too weak or weary to stand alone.
"No, 'm, not of my own; and the people I was left with beat me so, I - run away." The last words seemed to bolt out against his will as if the woman's sympathy irresistibly4 won the child's confidence.
"Then I don't blame you. But how did you get here?"
"I was so tired I couldn't go any further, and I thought the folks up here at the big house would take me in. But the gate was locked, and I was so discouraged, I jest laid down outside and give up."
"Poor little soul, I don't wonder," said Mrs. Moss, while the children looked deeply interested at mention of their gate.
The boy drew a long breath, and his eyes began to twinkle in spite of his forlorn state as he went on, while the dog pricked6 up his ears at mention of his name: -
"While I was restin' I heard some one come along inside, and I peeked7, and saw them little girls playin'. The vittles looked so nice I couldn't help wantin' 'em; but I didn't take nothin', - it was Sancho, and he took the cake for me."
Bab and Betty gave a gasp8 and stared reproachfully at the poodle, who half closed his eyes with a meek9, unconscious look that was very droll10.
"And you made him put it back?" cried Bab.
"No; I did it myself. Got over the gate when you was racin' after Sancho, and then clim' up on the porch and hid," said the boy with a grin.
"And you laughed?" asked Bab.
"Yes."
"And sneezed?" added Betty.
"Yes."
"And threw down the roses?" cried both.
"Yes; and you liked 'em, didn't you?"
"Course we did! What made you hide?" said Bab.
"I wasn't fit to be seen," muttered Ben, glancing at his tatters as if he'd like to dive out of sight into the dark coach again.
"How came you here?" demanded Mrs. Moss, suddenly remembering her responsibility.
"I heard 'em talk about a little winder and a shed, and when they'd gone I found it and come in. The glass was broke, and I only pulled the nail out. I haven't done a mite11 of harm sleepin' here two nights. I was so tuckered out I couldn't go on nohow, though I tried a-Sunday."
"And came back again?
"Yes, 'm; it was so lonesome in the rain, and this place seemed kinder like home, and I could hear 'em talkin' outside, and Sanch he found vittles, and I was pretty comfortable."
"Well, I never!" ejaculated Mrs. Moss, whisking up a corner of her apron12 to wipe her eyes, for the thought of the poor little fellow alone there for two days and nights with no bed but musty straw, no food but the scraps13 a dog brought him, was too much for her. "Do you know what I'm going to do with you?" she asked, trying to look calm and cool, with a great tear running down her wholesome14 red cheek, and a smile trying to break out at the corners of her lips.
"No, ma'am, and I dunno as I care. Only don't be hard on Sanch; he's been real good to me, and we 're fond of one another; ain't us, old chap?" answered the boy, with his arm around the dog's neck, and an anxious look which he had not worn for himself.
"I'm going to take you right home, and wash and feed and put you in a good bed; and to-morrow, - well, we'll see what'll happen then," said Mrs. Moss, not quite sure about it herself.
"You're very kind, ma'am, I'll be glad to work for you. Ain't you got a horse I can see to?" asked the boy, eagerly.
"Nothing but hens and a cat."
Bab and Betty burst out laughing when their mother said that, and Ben gave a faint giggle15, as if he would like to join in if he only had the strength to do it. But his legs shook under him, and he felt a queer dizziness; so he could only hold on to Sancho, and blink at the light like a young owl16.
"Come right along, child. Run on, girls, and put the rest of the broth17 to warming, and fill the kettle. I'll see to the boy," commanded Mrs. Moss, waving off the children, and going up to feel the pulse of her new charge, for it suddenly occurred to her that he might be sick and not safe to take home.
The hand he gave her was very thin, but clean and cool, and the black eyes were clear though hollow, for the poor lad was half-starved.
"I'm awful shabby, but I ain't dirty. I had a washin' in the rain last night, and I've jest about lived on water lately," he explained, wondering why she looked at him so hard.
"Put out your tongue."
He did so, but took it in again to say quickly, -
"I ain't sick, - I'm only hungry; for I haven't had a mite but what Sanch brought, for three days; and I always go halves, don't I, Sanch?"
The poodle gave a shrill18 bark, and vibrated excitedly between the door and his master as if he understood all that was going on, and recommended a speedy march toward the promised food and shelter. Mrs. Moss took the hint, and bade the boy follow her at once and bring his "things" with him.
"I ain't got any. Some big fellers took away my bundle, else I wouldn't look so bad. There's only this. I'm sorry Sanch took it, and I'd like to give it back if I knew whose it was," said Ben, bringing the new dinner-pail out from the depths of the coach where he had gone to housekeeping.
"That's soon done; it's mine, and you're welcome to the bits your queer dog ran off with. Come along, I must lock up," and Mrs. Moss clanked her keys suggestively.
Ben limped out, leaning on a broken hoe-handle, for he was stiff after two days in such damp lodgings19, as well as worn out with a fortnight's wandering through sun and rain. Sancho was in great spirits, evidently feeling that their woes20 were over and his foraging21 expeditions at an end, for he frisked about his master with yelps22 of pleasure, or made playful darts23 at the ankles of his benefactress, which caused her to cry, "Whish!" and "Scat!" and shake her skirts at him as if he were a cat or hen.
A hot fire was roaring in the stove under the broth-skillet and tea-kettle, and Betty was poking24 in more wood, with a great smirch of black on her chubby25 cheek, while Bab was cutting away at the loaf as if bent26 on slicing her own fingers off. Before Ben knew what he was about, he found himself in the old rocking-chair devouring27 bread and butter as only a hungry boy can, with Sancho close by gnawing28 a mutton-bone like a ravenous29 wolf in sheep's clothing.
While the new-comers were thus happily employed, Mrs. Moss beckoned30 the little girls out of the room, and gave them both an errand.
"Bab, you run over to Mrs. Barton's, and ask her for any old duds Billy don't want; and Betty, you go to the Cutters, and tell Miss Clarindy I'd like a couple of the shirts we made at last sewing circle. Any shoes, or a hat, or socks, would come handy, for the poor dear hasn't a whole thread on him."
Away went the children full of anxiety to clothe their beggar; and so well did they plead his cause with the good neighbors, that Ben hardly knew himself when he emerged from the back bedroom half an hour later, clothed in Billy Barton's faded flannel31 suit, with an unbleached cotton shirt out of the Dorcas basket, and a pair of Milly Cutter's old shoes on his feet.
Sancho also had been put in better trim, for, after his master had refreshed himself with a warm bath, he gave his dog a good scrub while Mrs. Moss set a stitch here and there in the new old clothes; and Sancho reappeared, looking more like the china poodle than ever, being as white as snow, his curls well brushed up, and his tasselly tail waving proudly over his back.
Feeling eminently32 respectable and comfortable, the wanderers humbly33 presented themselves, and were greeted with smiles of approval from the little girls and a hospitable34 welcome from the mother, who set them near the stove to dry, as both were decidedly damp after their ablutions.
"I declare I shouldn't have known you!" exclaimed the good woman, surveying the boy with great satisfaction; for, though still very thin and tired, the lad had a tidy look that pleased her, and a lively way of moving about in his clothes, like an eel3 in a skin rather too big for him. The merry black eyes seemed to see every thing, the voice had an honest sound, and the sunburnt face looked several years younger since the unnatural35 despondency had gone out of it.
"It's very nice, and me and Sanch are lots obliged, ma'am," murmured Ben, getting red and bashful under the three pairs of friendly eyes fixed36 upon him.
Bab and Betty were doing up the tea-things with unusual despatch37, so that they might entertain their guest, and just as Ben spoke38 Bab dropped a cup. To her great surprise no smash followed, for, bending quickly, the boy caught it as it fell, and presented it to her on the back of his hand with a little bow.
"Gracious! how could you do it?" asked Bab, looking as if she thought there was magic about.
"That's nothing; look here," and, taking two plates, Ben sent them spinning up into the air, catching39 and throwing so rapidly that Bab and Betty stood with their mouths open, as if to swallow the plates should they fall, while Mrs. Moss, with her dish-cloth suspended, watched the antics of her crockery with a housewife's anxiety.
"That does beat all!" was the only exclamation40 she had time to make; for, as if desirous of showing his gratitude41 in the only way he could, Ben took clothes-pins from a basket near by, sent several saucers twirling up, caught them on the pins, balanced the pins on chin, nose, forehead, and went walking about with a new and peculiar42 sort of toadstool ornamenting43 his countenance44.
The children were immensely tickled45, and Mrs. Moss was so amused she would have lent her best soup-tureen if he had expressed a wish for it. But Ben was too tired to show all his accomplishments46 at once, and he soon stopped, looking as if he almost regretted having betrayed that he possessed47 any.
"I guess you've been in the juggling48 business," said Mrs. Moss, with a wise nod, for she saw the same look on his face as when he said his name was Ben Brown, - the look of one who was not telling the whole truth.
"Yes, 'm. I used to help Senor Pedro, the Wizard of the World, and I learned some of his tricks," stammered49 Ben, trying to seem innocent.
"Now, look here, boy, you'd better tell me the whole story, and tell it true, or I shall have to send you up to judge Morris. I wouldn't like to do that, for he is a harsh sort of a man; so, if you haven't done any thing bad, you needn't be afraid to speak out, and I'll do what I can for you," said Mrs. Moss, rather sternly, as she went and sat down in her rocking-chair, as if about to open the court.
"I haven't done any thing bad, and I ain't afraid, only I don't want to go back; and if I tell, may be you'll let 'em know where I be," said Ben, much distressed50 between his longing51 to confide5 in his new friend and his fear of his old enemies.
"If they abused you, of course I wouldn't. Tell the truth, and I'll stand by you. Girls, you go for the milk."
"Oh, Ma, do let us stay! We'll never tell, truly, truly!" cried Bab and Betty, full of dismay being sent off when secrets were about to be divulged52.
"I don't mind 'em," said Ben handsomely.
"Very well, only hold your tongues. Now, boy where did you come from?" said Mrs. Moss, as the little girls hastily sat down together on their private and particular bench opposite their mother, brimming with curiosity and beaming with satisfaction at the prospect53 before them.
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1
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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eel
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| n.鳗鲡 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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peeked
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| v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 )；偷看；窥视；微露出 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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broth
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| n.原(汁)汤(鱼汤、肉汤、菜汤等) | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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yelps
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| n.（因痛苦、气愤、兴奋等的）短而尖的叫声( yelp的名词复数 )v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的第三人称单数 ) | |
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darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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chubby
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| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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ravenous
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| adj.极饿的，贪婪的 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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ornamenting
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| v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的现在分词 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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juggling
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| n. 欺骗, 杂耍(=jugglery) adj. 欺骗的, 欺诈的 动词juggle的现在分词 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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divulged
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| v.吐露，泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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