Jack And Jill - Chapter 1
时间：2013-10-28 03:17:17
（单词翻译:单击）
The Catastrophe1
"Clear the lulla!" was the general cry on a bright December afternoon, when all the boys and girls of Harmony Village were out enjoying the first good snow of the season. Up and down three long coasts they went as fast as legs and sleds could carry them. One smooth path led into the meadow, and here the little folk congregated2（聚集）; one swept across the pond, where skaters were darting3 about like water-bugs; and the third, from the very top of the steep hill, ended abruptly4 at a rail fence on the high bank above the road. There was a group of lads and lasses sitting or leaning on this fence to rest after an exciting race, and, as they reposed5, they amused themselves with criticising their mates, still absorbed in this most delightful6 of out-door sports.
"Here comes Frank Minot, looking as solemn as a judge," cried one, as a tall fellow of sixteen spun7 by, with a set look about the mouth and a keen sparkle of the eyes, fixed8 on the distant goal with a do-or-die expression.
"Here's Molly Loo
And little Boo!"
sang out another; and down came a girl with flying hair, carrying a small boy behind her, so fat that his short legs stuck out from the sides, and his round face looked over her shoulder like a full moon.
"There's Gus Burton; doesn't he go it?" and such a very long boy whizzed by, that it looked almost as if his heels were at the top of the hill when his head was at the bottom!
"Hurrah9 for Ed Devlin!" and a general shout greeted a sweet-faced lad, with a laugh on his lips, a fine color on his brown cheek, and a gay word for every girl he passed.
"Laura and Lotty keep to the safe coast into the meadow, and Molly Loo is the only girl that dares to try this long one to the pond. I wouldn't for the world; the ice can't be strong yet, though it is cold enough to freeze one's nose off," said a timid damsel, who sat hugging a post and screaming whenever a mischievous10（淘气的） lad shook the fence.
"Clear the track
For jolly Jack!"
sang the boys, who had rhymes and nicknames for nearly every one.
Down came a gay red sled, bearing a boy who seemed all smile and sunshine, so white were his teeth, so golden was his hair, so bright and happy his whole air. Behind him clung a little gypsy of a girl, with black eyes and hair, cheeks as red as her hood12, and a face full of fun and sparkle, as she waved Jack's blue tippet（女士披肩） like a banner with one hand, and held on with the other.
"Jill goes wherever Jack does, and he lets her. He's such a good-natured chap, he can't say 'No.'"
"To a girl," slyly added one of the boys, who had wished to borrow the red sled, and had been politely refused because Jill wanted it.
"He's the nicest boy in the world, for he never gets mad," said the timid young lady, recalling the many times Jack had shielded her from the terrors which beset13 her path to school, in the shape of cows, dogs, and boys who made faces and called her "'Fraid-cat."
"He doesn't dare to get mad with Jill, for she'd take his head off in two minutes if he did," growled14 Joe Flint, still smarting from the rebuke15（指责，非难） Jill had given him for robbing the little ones of their safe coast because he fancied it.
"She wouldn't! she's a dear! You needn't sniff16 at her because she is poor. She's ever so much brighter than you are, or she wouldn't always be at the head of your class, old Joe," cried the girls, standing17 by their friend with a unanimity18（同意） which proved what a favorite she was.
Joe subsided19 with as scornful a curl to his nose as its chilly20 state permitted, and Merry Grant introduced a subject of general interest by asking abruptly, -
"Who is going to the candy-scrape to-night?"
"All of us. Frank invited the whole set, and we shall have a tip-top time. We always do at the Minots'," cried Sue, the timid trembler.
"Jack said there was a barrel of molasses in the house, so there would be enough for all to eat and some to carry away. They know how to do things handsomely;" and the speaker licked his lips, as if already tasting the feast in store for him.
"Mrs. Minot is a mother worth having," said Molly Loo, coming up with Boo on the sled; and she knew what it was to need a mother, for she had none, and tried to care for the little brother with maternal21 love and patience.
"She is just as sweet as she can be!" declared Merry, enthusiastically.
"Especially when she has a candy-scrape," said Joe, trying to be amiable22, lest he should be left out of the party.
Whereat they all laughed, and went gayly away for a farewell frolic（嬉闹）, as the sun was setting and the keen wind nipped fingers and toes as well as noses.
Down they went, one after another, on the various coasts, - solemn Frank, long Gus, gallant23 Ed, fly-away Molly Loo, pretty Laura and Lotty, grumpy Joe, sweet-faced Merry with Sue shrieking24 wildly behind her, gay Jack and gypsy Jill, always together, - one and all bubbling over with the innocent jollity born of healthful exercise. People passing in the road below looked up and smiled involuntarily at the red-cheeked lads and lasses, filling the frosty air with peals25 of laughter and cries of triumph as they flew by in every conceivable attitude; for the fun was at its height now, and the oldest and gravest observers felt a glow of pleasure as they looked, remembering their own young days.
"Jack, take me down that coast. Joe said I wouldn't dare to do it, so I must," commanded Jill, as they paused for breath after the long trudge26 up hill. Jill, of course, was not her real name, but had been given because of her friendship with Jack, who so admired Janey Pecq's spirit and fun.
"I guess I wouldn't. It is very bumpy27 and ends in a big drift; not half so nice as this one. Hop28 on and we'll have a good spin across the pond;" and Jack brought "Thunderbolt" round with a skilful29 swing and an engaging air that would have won obedience30 from anybody but wilful31 Jill.
"It is very nice, but I won't be told I don't 'dare' by any boy in the world. If you are afraid, I'll go alone." And, before he could speak, she had snatched the rope from his hand, thrown herself upon the sled, and was off, helter-skelter, down the most dangerous coast on the hill-side.
She did not get far, however; for, starting in a hurry, she did not guide her steed with care, and the red charger landed her in the snow half-way down, where she lay laughing till Jack came to pick her up.
"If you will go, I'll take you down all right. I'm not afraid, for I've done it a dozen times with the other fellows; but we gave it up because it is short and bad," he said, still good-natured, though a little hurt at the charge of cowardice32; for Jack was as brave as a little lion, and with the best sort of bravery, - the courage to do right.
"So it is; but I must do it a few times, or Joe will plague me and spoil my fun to-night," answered Jill, shaking her skirts and rubbing her blue hands, wet and cold with the snow.
"Here, put these on; I never use them. Keep them if they fit; I only carry them to please mother." And Jack pulled out a pair of red mittens34 with the air of a boy used to giving away.
"They are lovely warm, and they do fit. Must be too small for your paws, so I'll knit you a new pair for Christmas, and make you wear them, too," said Jill, putting on the mittens with a nod of thanks, and ending her speech with a stamp of her rubber boots to enforce her threat.
"Now, which will you have?" he asked, with a warning look in the honest blue eyes which often unconsciously controlled naughty Jill against her will.
"You will do it?"
"I will!"
"Come on, then, and hold tight."
Jack's smile was gone now, and he waited without a word while Jill tucked herself up, then took his place in front, and off they went on the brief, breathless trip straight into the drift by the fence below.
"I don't see anything very awful in that. Come up and have another. Joe is watching us, and I'd like to show him that we aren't afraid of anything," said Jill, with a defiant39 glance at a distant boy, who had paused to watch the descent.
"It is a regular 'go-bang,' if that is what you like," answered Jack, as they plowed40 their way up again.
"It is. You boys think girls like little mean coasts without any fun or danger in them, as if we couldn't be brave and strong as well as you. Give me three go-bangs and then we'll stop. My tumble doesn't count, so give me two more and then I'll be good."
Jill took her seat as she spoke41, and looked up with such a rosy42, pleading face that Jack gave in at once, and down they went again, raising a cloud of glittering snow-dust as they reined43 up in fine style with their feet on the fence.
"It's just splendid! Now, one more!" cried Jill, excited by the cheers of a sleighing（雪橇） party passing below.
Proud of his skill, Jack marched back, resolved to make the third "go" the crowning achievement of the afternoon, while Jill pranced44 after him as lightly as if the big boots were the famous seven-leagued ones, and chattering45 about the candy-scrape and whether there would be nuts or not.
So full were they of this important question, that they piled on hap-hazard, and started off still talking so busily that Jill forgot to hold tight and Jack to steer46 carefully. Alas47, for the candy-scrape that never was to be! Alas, for poor "Thunderbolt" blindly setting forth48 on the last trip he ever made! And oh, alas, for Jack and Jill, who wilfully49 chose the wrong road and ended their fun for the winter! No one knew how it happened, but instead of landing in the drift, or at the fence, there was a great crash against the bars, a dreadful plunge50 off the steep bank, a sudden scattering51 of girl, boy, sled, fence, earth, and snow, all about the road, two cries, and then silence.
"I knew they'd do it!" and, standing on the post where he had perched, Joe waved his arms and shouted: "Smash-up! Smash-up! Run! Run!" like a raven52 croaking53 over a battlefield when the fight was done.
Down rushed boys and girls ready to laugh or cry, as the case might be, for accidents will happen on the best-regulated coasting-grounds. They found Jack sitting up looking about him with a queer, dazed expression, while an ugly cut on the forehead was bleeding in a way which sobered the boys and frightened the girls half out of their wits.
"No, I'm not. I'll be all right when I get my breath. Where's Jill?" asked Jack, stoutly56, though still too giddy to see straight.
The group about him opened, and his comrade in misfortune was discovered lying quietly in the snow with all the pretty color shocked out of her face by the fall, and winking57 rapidly, as if half stunned58. But no wounds appeared, and when asked if she was dead, she answered in a vague sort of way, -
"I guess not. Is Jack hurt?"
"Broken his head," croaked59 Joe, stepping aside, that she might behold60 the fallen hero vainly trying to look calm and cheerful with red drops running down his cheek and a lump on his forehead.
Jill shut her eyes and waved the girls away, saying, faintly, -
"Never mind me. Go and see to him."
"Don't! I'm all right," and Jack tried to get up in order to prove that headers off a bank were mere61 trifles to him; but at the first movement of the left leg he uttered a sharp cry of pain, and would have fallen if Gus had not caught and gently laid him down.
"What is it, old chap?" asked Frank, kneeling beside him, really alarmed now, the hurts seeming worse than mere bumps, which were common affairs among baseball players, and not worth much notice.
"I lit on my head, but I guess I've broken my leg. Don't frighten mother," and Jack held fast to Frank's arm as he looked into the anxious face bent62 over him; for, though the elder tyrannized（暴政，欺压） over the younger, the brothers loved one another dearly.
"Lift his head, Frank, while I tie my handkerchief round to stop the bleeding," said a quiet voice, as Ed Devlin laid a handful of soft snow on the wound; and Jack's face brightened as he turned to thank the one big boy who never was rough with the small ones.
"Better get him right home," advised Gus, who stood by looking on, with his little sisters Laura and Lotty clinging to him.
"Take Jill, too, for it's my opinion she has broken her back. She can't stir one bit," announced Molly Loo, with a droll63 air of triumph, as if rather pleased than otherwise to have her patient hurt the worse; for Jack's wound was very effective, and Molly had a taste for the tragic64.
This cheerful statement was greeted with a wail54 from Susan and howls from Boo, who had earned that name from the ease with which, on all occasions, he could burst into a dismal65 roar without shedding a tear, and stop as suddenly as he began.
"Oh, I am so sorry! It was my fault; I shouldn't have let her do it," said Jack, distressfully.
"It was all my fault; I made him. If I'd broken every bone I've got, it would serve me right. Don't help me, anybody; I'm a wicked thing, and I deserve to lie here and freeze and starve and die!" cried Jill, piling up punishments in her remorseful66 anguish67 of mind and body.
"But we want to help you, and we can settle about blame by and by," whispered Merry with a kiss; for she adored dashing Jill, and never would own that she did wrong.
"Here come the wood-sleds just in time. I'll cut away and tell one of them to hurry up." And, freeing himself from his sisters, Gus went off at a great pace, proving that the long legs carried a sensible head as well as a kind heart.
As the first sled approached, an air of relief pervaded68 the agitated69 party, for it was driven by Mr. Grant, a big, benevolent（仁慈的）-looking farmer, who surveyed the scene with the sympathetic interest of a man and a father.
"Had a little accident, have you? Well, that's a pretty likely place for a spill. Tried it once myself and broke the bridge of my nose," he said, tapping that massive feature with a laugh which showed that fifty years of farming had not taken all the boy out of him. "Now then, let's see about this little chore, and lively, too, for it's late, and these parties ought to be housed," he added, throwing down his whip, pushing back his cap, and nodding at the wounded with a reassuring70 smile.
"Jill first, please, sir," said Ed, the gentle squire71 of dames72, spreading his overcoat on the sled as eagerly as ever Raleigh laid down his velvet73 cloak for a queen to walk upon.
Careful as Mr. Grant was, Jill could have screamed with pain as he lifted her; but she set her lips and bore it with the courage of a little Indian; for all the lads were looking on, and Jill was proud to show that a girl could bear as much as a boy. She hid her face in the coat as soon as she was settled, to hide the tears that would come, and by the time Jack was placed beside her, she had quite a little cistern75 of salt water stored up in Ed's coat-pocket.
Then the mournful procession set forth, Mr. Grant driving the oxen, the girls clustering about the interesting invalids76 on the sled, while the boys came behind like a guard of honor, leaving the hill deserted77 by all but Joe, who had returned to hover78 about the fatal fence, and poor "Thunderbolt," split asunder79, lying on the bank to mark the spot where the great catastrophe occurred.
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1
catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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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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hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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unanimity
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| n.全体一致，一致同意 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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trudge
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| v.步履艰难地走；n.跋涉，费力艰难的步行 | |
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bumpy
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| adj.颠簸不平的，崎岖的 | |
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hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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mitten
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| n.连指手套，露指手套 | |
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mittens
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| 不分指手套 | |
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trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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diverged
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| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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plowed
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| v.耕( plow的过去式和过去分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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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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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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pranced
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| v.（马）腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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raven
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| n.渡鸟，乌鸦；adj.乌亮的 | |
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croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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62
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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63
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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64
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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65
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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66
remorseful
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| adj.悔恨的 | |
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67
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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68
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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70
reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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71
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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72
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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73
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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74
mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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75
cistern
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| n.贮水池 | |
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76
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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77
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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78
hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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79
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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