时间:2018-12-06 作者:英语课 分类:21 The Deserted Library Myster


英语课

That night, while Henry stood guard, everyone was restless. Jessie heard a barking dog, Violet heard an owl 1 hoot 2, Benny heard a scolding squirrel, and Miguel heard the wind in the trees. The children tossed and turned all night, sitting up in bed at each sound they heard.



In the morning, though, when the sun peeped through the window, they jumped out of bed, eager to greet their grandfather and go home.



“I can’t wait to see Grandfather,” Violet said, strapping 3 on her watch. “It’s almost nine o’clock.”



“I can’t, either,” Jessie said, smiling at her sister.



“I hear someone in the kitchen already,” Violet said.



“It’s Henry. He promised to fill the pitcher 4 with water.” Jessie laughed. “If he can find it after I threw it in the brush!”



Laughing, the girls went into the kitchen. Sure enough, Henry was setting out the glasses.



Soon Miguel and Benny woke up.



“Good morning, Miguel,” Violet said.



Miguel barely nodded. “ ’Morning,” he mumbled 5.



“Come sit down,” Jessie said, pouring his orange juice. “You look upset.” Her eyes were sympathetic.



“Yes,” Miguel said in a low tone, sliding into his chair but not drinking his juice. “Today I’ll find out about my father.”



“Don’t worry,” Jessie said gently. “I know it will be okay.”



Miguel smiled weakly. “I hope so,” he said.



“Here’s the water,” Henry said, putting the pitcher on the counter. He laughed. “I had to search in every bush.” He winked 6 at Jessie.” You’ve got a strong arm.”



“Yes,” Jessie said, smiling. “Last night, my strong foot could have saved my life.”



Henry stopped smiling. “I’m glad you’re so quick!”



Benny, who sat by the window, said, “I see a big car coming around the curve.” He leapt down. “It’s Grandfather!” he shouted.



Henry opened the door, and they all ran out to greet him.



When his car pulled up, Benny dashed forward. “Grandfather! We’ve been waiting for you!”



Grandfather Alden picked up Benny and swung him around. Then everyone crowded around, hugging and kissing. All, that is, except the sad boy in the background.



“Is this Miguel?” Grandfather Alden asked kindly 7.



“Yes,” Miguel answered shyly, moving forward and shaking Grandfather’s hand. “I’m Miguel Morales.”



“Well, my boy,” Grandfather said, “the Coast Guard is bringing in the two fishermen today.”



“They are?” Miguel said, his mouth so dry he could barely speak.



“We’ll drive down to Pete’s Café after breakfast,” Grandfather promised.



Miguel nodded stiffly. He was uncertain if he really wanted to go.



“How’s Watch?” Jessie asked.



“Watch is eagerly waiting for you,” Grandfather replied, “but the dog and I got along fine.”



“Good,” Jessie said, obviously glad Watch had been taken good care of. “And now,” she announced, “it’s time to eat.”



“We’re having Benny’s favorite blueberry pancakes in honor of our last day here,” Violet said.



“Well, well,” Grandfather laughed heartily 8. “Think of that. Blueberry pancakes are my favorite, too!”



“I know.” Benny grinned.



Jessie set a pile of pancakes on the table, and Violet poured the milk.



Benny wiggled in his chair. He was so excited, he couldn’t sit still.



While they ate, Grandfather heard all about the library and the sword and the mysterious stranger. He frowned when he realized how close to danger his grandchildren and Miguel had been. The sooner they left, the better!



After the breakfast dishes were washed, everyone packed his or her belongings 9.



Grandfather glanced around the room. “Pete has a nice house. Clean and cozy 10.” His blue eyes twinkled. “I’m sure you all had something to do with the way it looks.”



“It was fun,” Jessie said, then added softly, “except for the stranger.”



Grandfather’s eyes grew serious. “Well, we’ll be leaving soon, and you’ll be safe.”



“Look, Grandfather,” Henry said, fitting the sword pieces together on the table.



“It’s magnificent!” Grandfather exclaimed. He ran his fingers lightly over the blade. “No wonder someone is after this valuable sword!”



“The sword was awarded to Captain Charles Howard,” Violet explained.



“Yes,” Jessie continued, “because of his bravery at the Battle of Gettysburg.”



“My, my,” Grandfather said in wonder as he stroked his chin. “Wouldn’t a museum be glad to have this!”



“It’s beautiful,” Miguel said.



Grandfather turned to the slim, shy boy. “I know you must be anxious to go to Pete’s Café.”



“Y-yes,” Miguel stammered 11. “I guess I am.”



“Then,” Grandfather directed, “Henry, wrap up the sword, and we’ll put it in the trunk of the car . . . and don’t forget your bikes, too. Let’s get going!”



“Great idea,” Henry agreed, carefully wrapping the three pieces individually.



Once in the car, no one said a word for the whole two miles. Everyone’s thoughts were of Miguel. Everyone hoped his father would be alive.



Arriving at the marina, they jumped out of the car.



Waving, Pete came out to greet them.



“Hello, Aldens!” He shook Grandfather’s hand. “How are you, James?”



“Fine, Pete, just fine,” Grandfather said, looking around. “But where are the two fishermen?”



Pete jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “Inside, drinking coffee.”



Miguel slipped past Grandfather and dashed into the café.



The others hurried in behind him. Jessie held her breath.



Miguel searched the room. Suddenly he let out a yell. “Father!” He rushed into the arms of a man who had jumped up from a back booth.



“My son,” the man cried. For a moment all was silent, as father and son clung to one another.



“Father,” Miguel said, “I was worried. I’m so glad you’re safe.”



“Yes, I’m lucky,” his father answered. Even though the man smiled, tears glistened 12 in his eyes. He ran a trembling hand over Miguel’s thick hair. “Poor Joseph drowned.”



“I-I was afraid it was you,” Miguel whispered, hugging his father even tighter.



Grandfather moved to Miguel’s side. “We’re happy for you, Miguel.” The Alden children joined him and grabbed Miguel’s hand.



Miguel broke away, remembering his manners. “This is my father, Pedro Morales.” He introduced Mr. Alden, Jessie, Violet, Henry, and Benny.



“Thank you,” Pedro said, with shining eyes. “You took good care of my son.”



“Hurray for Mr. Morales!” Benny shouted. “Hurray for Miguel!” Suddenly his smile vanished as he listened to something and turned to stare at the man at the counter. He moved to Henry’s side. “Look! Look over there,” he whispered. “That man’s humming a funny tune 13. Maybe it’s the man Jessie heard.” He shivered, reaching for Violet’s hand. “I’m afraid.”



1 owl
n.猫头鹰,枭
  • Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
  • I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚,经常半夜后才睡觉。
2 hoot
n.鸟叫声,汽车的喇叭声; v.使汽车鸣喇叭
  • The sudden hoot of a whistle broke into my thoughts.突然响起的汽笛声打断了我的思路。
  • In a string of shrill hoot of the horn sound,he quickly ran to her.在一串尖声鸣叫的喇叭声中,他快速地跑向她。
3 strapping
n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐;(棒球)投手
  • He poured the milk out of the pitcher.他从大罐中倒出牛奶。
  • Any pitcher is liable to crack during a tight game.任何投手在紧张的比赛中都可能会失常。
4 mumbled
含糊地说某事,叽咕,咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 )
  • He mumbled something to me which I did not quite catch. 他对我叽咕了几句话,可我没太听清楚。
  • George mumbled incoherently to himself. 乔治语无伦次地喃喃自语。
5 winked
v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
  • He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼,她便知道他的想法和她一样。
  • He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
6 kindly
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
7 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。
8 belongings
n.私人物品,私人财物
  • I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
  • Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。
9 cozy
adj.亲如手足的,密切的,暖和舒服的
  • I like blankets because they are cozy.我喜欢毛毯,因为他们是舒适的。
  • We spent a cozy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。
10 stammered
v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )
  • He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠,结结巴巴地说,“你是什么意思?” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
11 glistened
v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 )
  • Pearls of dew glistened on the grass. 草地上珠露晶莹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Her eyes glistened with tears. 她的眼里闪着泪花。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
12 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。