【荆棘鸟】第十一章 01
英语课
“Where?”
“North Queensland. While you were at the dressmaker I gottalking to some chaps in the Imperial bar, and they were telling methere’s money to be made up in cane 1 country, if a man’s strongand not afraid of hard work.”
“But Luke, you already have a good job here!”
“A man doesn’t feel right, battening on his in-laws. I want to getus the money to buy a place out in Western Queensland, and Iwant it before I’m too old to work it. A man with no educationfinds it hard to get high-paying work in this Depression, but there’sa shortage of men in North Queensland, and the money’s at leastten times what I earn as a stockman on Drogheda.”
“Doing what?”
“Cutting sugar cane.”
“Cutting sugar cane? That’s coolie labor 2”
“No, you’re wrong. Coolies aren’t big enough to do it as well asthe white cutters, and besides, you know as well as I do that Australianlaw forbids the importation of black or yellow men to doslave labor or work for wages lower than a white man’s, take thebread out of a white Australian’s mouth. There’s, a shortage ofcutters and the money’s terrific. Not too many blokes are big enoughor strong enough to cut cane. But I am. It won’t beat me!”
“Does this mean you’re thinking of making our home in NorthQueensland, Luke?” “Yes.”She stared past his shoulder through the great bank of windowsat Drogheda: the ghost gums, the Home Paddock, the stretch oftrees beyond. Not to live on Drogheda! To be somewhere BishopRalph could never find her, to live without ever seeing him again,to cleave 3 to this stranger sitting facing her so irrevocably there couldbe no going back…. The grey eyes rested on Luke’s vivid, impatientface and grew more beautiful, but unmistakably sadder. He sensed it only; she had no tears there,her lids didn’t droop 4, or the corners of her mouth. But he wasn’tconcerned with whatever sorrows Meggie owned, for he had nointention of letting her become so important to him she caused himworry on her behalf. Admittedly she was something of a bonus toa man who had tried to marry Dot MacPherson of Bingelly, buther physical desirability and tractable 5 nature only increased Luke’sguard over his own heart. No woman, even one as sweet andbeautiful as Meggie Cleary, was ever going to gain sufficient powerover him to tell him what to do.So, remaining true to himself, he plunged 6 straight into the mainthing on his mind. There were times when guile 7 was necessary, butin this matter it wouldn’t serve him as well as bluntness.
“Meghann, I’m an old-fashioned man,” he said.She stared at him, puzzled.
“Are you?” she asked, her tone implying:Does it matter?
“Yes,” he said.
“I believe that when a man and woman marry, allthe woman’s property should become the man’s. The way a dowrydid in the old days. I know you’ve got a bit of money, and I’mtelling you now that when we marry you’re to sign it over to me.It’s only fair you know what’s in my mind while you’re still single,and able to decide whether you want to do it.”It had never occurred to Meggie that she would retain her money;she had simply assumed when she married it would become Luke’s,not hers. All save the most educated and sophisticated Australianwomen were reared to think themselves more or less the chattelsof their men, and this was especially true of Meggie. Daddy hadalways ruled Fee and his children, and since his death Fee had deferredto Bob as his successor. The man owned the money, thehouse, his wife and his children. Meggie had never questioned hisright to do so.
“Oh!” she exclaimed.
“I didn’t know signing anything was necessary, Luke. I thought that what was mine automaticallybecame yours when we married.”
“It used to be like that, but those stupid drongos in Canberrastopped it when they gave women the vote. I want everything tobe fair and square between us, Meghann, so I’m telling you nowhow things are going to be.”She laughed,
“It’s all right, Luke, I don’t mind.”She took it like a good old-fashioned wife; Dot wouldn’t havegiven in so readily.
“How much have you got?” he asked.
“At the moment, fourteen thousand pounds. Every year I get twothousand more.”He whistled.
“Fourteen thousand pounds! Phew! That’s a lot ofmoney, Meghann. Better to have me look after it for you. We cansee the bank manager next week, and remind me to make sureeverything coming in in the future gets put in my name, too. I’mnot going to touch a penny of it, you know that. It’s to buy ourstation later on. For the next few years we’re both going to workhard, and save every penny we earn. All right?”She nodded.
“Yes, Luke.”A simple oversight 8 on Luke’s part nearly scotched 9 the wedding inmidplan. He was not a Catholic. When Father Watty found outhe threw up his hands in horror.
“Dear Lord, Luke, why didn’t you tell me earlier? Indeed and togoodness, it will take all of our energies to have you converted andbaptized before the wedding!”Luke stared at Father Watty, astonished.
“Who said anythingabout converting, Father? I’m quite happy as I am being nothing,but if it worries you, write me down as a Calathumpian or a HolyRoller or whatever you like. But write me down a Catholic you willnot.”In vain they pleaded; Luke refused to entertain the idea of conversion 10 for a moment.
“I’ve got nothing against Catholicismor Eire, and I think the Catholics in Ulster are hard done by.But I’m Orange, and I’m not a turncoat. If I was a Catholic andyou wanted me to convert to Methodism, I’d react the same. It’sbeing a turncoat I object to, not being a Catholic. So you’ll haveto do without me in the flock, Father, and that’s that.”
“Then you can’t get married!”
“Why on earth not? If you don’t want to marry us, I can’t seewhy the Reverend up at the Church of England will object, or HarryGough the J.P.”Fee smiled sourly, remembering her contretemps with Paddy anda priest; she had won that encounter. “But, Luke, I have to be married in church!” Meggie protestedfearfully.
“If I’m not, I’ll be living in sin!”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, living in sin is a lot better thanturning my coat inside out,” said Luke, who was sometimes acurious contradiction; much as he wanted Meggie’s money, a blindstreak of stubbornness in him wouldn’t let him back down. “Oh, stop all this silliness!” said Fee, not to Luke but to the priest.
“Do what Paddy and I did and have an end to argument! FatherThomas can marry you in the presbytery if he doesn’t want to soilhis church!”Everyone stared at her, amazed, but it did the trick; Father Watkingave in and agreed to marry them in the presbytery, though he refusedto bless the ring.Partial Church sanction left Meggie feeling she was sinning, butnot badly enough to go to Hell, and ancient Annie the presbyteryhousekeeper did her best to make Father Watty’s study as churchlikeas possible, with great vases of flowers and many brass 11 candlesticks.But it was an uncomfortable ceremony, the very displeased 12 priestmaking everyone feel he only went through with it to save himselfthe embarrassment 13 of a secular 14 wedding elsewhere. No NuptialMass, no blessings 15.
However, it was done.
Meggie was Mrs. Luke O’Neill, on her way to North Queensland and a honeymoonsomewhat delayed by the time it would take getting there. Lukerefused to spend that Saturday night at the Imperial, for the branchlinetrain to Goondiwindi left only once a week, on Saturday night,to connect with the Goondiwindi—Brisbane mail train on Sunday.This would bring them to Bris on Monday in time to catch theCairns express.The Goondiwindi train was crowded. They had no privacy andsat up all night because it carried no sleeping cars. Hour after hourit trundled its erratic 16, grumpy way northeast, stopping interminablyevery time the engine driver felt like brewing 17 a billy of tea for himself,or to let a mob of sheep wander along the rails, or to have ayarn with a drover. “I wonder why they pronounce Goondiwindi Gundiwindi if theydon’t want to spell it that way?” Meggie asked idly as they waitedin the only place open in Goondiwindi on a Sunday, the awful institutional-green station waiting room with its hard black woodenbenches. Poor Meggie, she was nervous and ill at ease.
“How do I know?” sighed Luke, who didn’t feel like talking andwas starving into the bargain. Since it was Sunday they couldn’teven get a cup of tea; not until the Monday-morning breakfast stopon the Brisbane mail did they get an opportunity to fill their emptystomachs and slake 18 their thirst. Then Brisbane, into South Brisstation, the trek 19 across the city to Roma Street Station and theCairns train. Here Meggie discovered Luke had booked them twosecond-class upright seats.
“Luke, we’re not short of money!” she said, tired and exasperated 20.
“If you forgot to go to the bank, I’ve got a hundred pounds Bobgave me here in my purse. Why didn’t you get us a first-classsleeping compartment 21?”He stared down at her, astounded 22.
“But it’s only three nightsand three days to Dungloe! Why spend money on a sleeper 23 whenwe’re both young, healthy and strong? Sitting up on a train for a while won’t kill you,Meghann! It’s about time you realized you’ve married a plain oldworkingman, not a bloody 24 squatter 25!”So Meggie slumped 26 in the window seat Luke seized for her andrested her trembling chin on her hand to look out the window soLuke wouldn’t notice her tears. He had spoken to her as one speaksto an irresponsible child, and she was beginning to wonder if indeedthis was how he regarded her. Rebellion began to stir, but it wasvery small and her fierce pride forbade the indignity 27 of quarreling.Instead she told herself she was this man’s wife, but it was such anew thing he wasn’t used to it. Give him time. They would livetogether, she would cook his meals, mend his clothes, look afterhim, have his babies, be a good wife to him. Look how muchDaddy had appreciated Mum, how much he had adored her. GiveLuke time.They were going to a town called Dungloe, only fifty miles shortof Cairns, which was the far northern terminus of the line whichran all the way along the Queensland coast. Over a thousand milesof narrow three-foot-six-gauge rail, rocking and pitching back andforth, every seat in the compartment occupied, no chance to liedown or stretch out. Though it was far more densely 28 settled countrysidethan Gilly, and far more colorful, she couldn’t summon upinterest in it.Her head ached, she could keep no food down and the heat wasmuch, much worse than anything Gilly had ever cooked up. Thelovely pink silk wedding dress was filthy 29 from soot 30 blowing in thewindows, her skin was clammy with a sweat which wouldn’tevaporate, and what was more galling 31 than any of her physicaldiscomforts, she was close to hating Luke. Apparently 32 not in theleast tired or out of sorts because of the journey, he sat at his easeyarning with two men going to Cardwell. The only times he glancedin her direction he also got up, leaned across her so carelessly sheshrank, and flung a rolled-up newspaper out the window to some event-hungrygang of tattered 33 men beside the line with steel hammers in theirhands, calling: “Paip! Paip!”
“Fettlers looking after the rails,” he explained as he sat downagain the first time it happened.And he seemed to assume she was quite as happy and comfortableas he was, that the coastal 34 plain flying by was fascinating her.While she sat staring at it and not seeing it, hating it before shehad so much as set foot on it.At Cardwell the two men got off, and Luke went to the fish-and chipshop across the road from the station to bring back a newspaper-wrapped bundle.
“They say Cardwell fish has to be tasted to be believed, Meghannlove. The best fish in the world. Here, try some. It’s your first bitof genuine Bananaland food. I tell you, there’s no place likeQueensland.”Meggie glanced at the greasy 35 pieces of batter-dipped fish, put herhandkerchief to her mouth and bolted for the toilet. He was waitingin the corridor when she came out some time later, white andshaking.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t you feeling well?”
“I haven’t felt well since we left Goondiwindi.”
“Good Lord! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you notice?”
"哪儿？"
"北昆士兰州。你在裁缝那儿的时候，我和帝国酒吧的几个家伙聊了聊。他们跟我说，要是一个人身强力壮、干活不怕吃苦的话，在那个甘蔗之乡是可以赚到钱的。"
"干什么呢？"
"收割甘蔗。"
"收割甘蔗？那可是苦活儿呀。"
"不，你错了。苦力身材不象白人收割工那样高大，干不了这活儿。此外，你也和我一样清楚，澳大利亚的法律禁止输入黑人或黄种人去干苦工，也不许他们干工资高于白人的活儿，免得把面包从澳大利亚人的口中夺走。现在，短少收割工，付钱丰厚。身材高大，能够割甘蔗的人还是不太多的。可是，我行，那个活儿难不倒我！"
"这就是说，你想让我们在北昆士兰安家了，卢克？"
"对。"
她越过他的肩头，穿过那排巨大的窗户，凝望着德罗海达：那些魔鬼桉，那家内圈地，那远方绵延不断的树林。不住在德罗海达！到某个拉尔夫主教永远也找不到她的地方去，从此再也见不到他，无可改变地紧随着坐在她对面的这个陌生人，可能永远无法回来了……她那双灰眼睛盯着卢克那生气勃勃的、不耐烦的脸。她的那双眼睛变得更漂亮了，但却明明白白地充满了凄枪。他只是感觉到了这一点，她没有流泪，嘴唇或嘴角也没有拉下来。可是，不管梅吉为什么而悲伤，他并不在乎，因为他不打算让她在他的生活中变成举足轻重的人，以至于他还得为她担忧发愁。人所公认，对于一个曾试图娶多特·麦克弗森的男人来说，得到了梅吉真是额外占了便宜。但是，她那令人惬意的身体和温顺的天性反倒使卢克的内心深处提高了警惕。没有一个女人，哪怕是梅吉这样漂亮的女人，足以对他产生支配的力量。
于是，他定下心来，单刀直入地谈到了心中的主要想法。有些时候，是得耍些手腕的，可在这件事上，玩手腕就不如直来直去了。
"梅格翰，我是个老派的人。"他说。
她盯着他，大惑不解。"是吗？"她问道，可她的声音却在说：这有什么关系？
"是的，"他说道。"我相信，当一个男人和一个女人经婚的时候，女方所有的财产都应当归男方所有。和旧时候嫁妆的办法是一样的。我知道你有一小笔钱，现在我告诉你，在结婚的时候，你得签字，将它移交给我。在你仍然还是单身的时候，让你知道我心中在想些什么，并且决定你打算把它如何处理，是公平合理的。"
梅吉压根儿就没有想过她将保持这笔钱。她只是简简单单地设想，一旦她结了婚，这笔钱就是卢克的，而不是她的了。除了受过高深教育，极有地位的女人而外，所有澳大利亚的女人都受过这种熏陶，认为她们多多少少算是她们男人的一项财产。而梅吉对此尤其有切身体会。爹爹总是支配着菲和他的孩子们。自从他死了以后，菲就把鲍勃当作他的继承者，无所不从。男人拥有钱财、房屋、老婆和孩子。梅吉从来没有对他的这种权力产生过疑问。
"哦！"她惊呼道。"卢克，我不知道需要签署什么东西呀。我认为，我们一结婚，我的东西自然而然就归你所有了。"
"以前是这样的，可是，当堪培拉那些愚蠢的傻瓜们给了妇女选举权以后，这规矩便被废止了。梅格翰，我希望咱们之间的任何事情都公平合理，所以，现在我就向你讲明白事情将会怎样。"
她笑了起来。"好啦，卢克，我不在乎。"
她的作法就象个老派的贤妻一样；以前给嫁妆也没有这么痛快啊。"你有多少钱？"他问道。
"眼下，有1万4千镑。每年我还可以拿到2000。"
他打了个口哨。"1万4千镑！哎哟！这可是一大笔钱呐，梅格翰。最好让我来替你照看着这笔钱。下个星期，咱们可以去见银行经理，提醒我把将来的每一笔收入也都准确无误地写在我的名下。我不会动一个子儿，这你是知道的，这是以后用来购买牧场用的。以后的几年里，咱们俩得苦一场，把挣下的每一文钱都节省下来。好吗？"
她点了点头。"好吧，卢克。"
由于卢克的一个微不足道的疏忽，险些使婚礼中途而废。他不是一个天主教徒。当沃蒂神父发现这一点的时候，他惊恐万状地举起了双手。
"仁慈的上帝啊，卢克，你怎么不早一些告诉我呢？真的，老天作证，在举行婚礼之前，我们要竭尽全力让你皈依，并且给你作洗礼的！"
卢克目瞪口呆地望着沃蒂神父，惊讶之极。"谁说过皈依的话，神父？我们都不是，过得挺痛快，不过，要是你发愁的话，随便把我看成什么人都行。但是，把我当作一名天主教徒，办不到！"
他们的申辩都是废心机；卢克根本就不接受皈依的主意。"我从来不反对天主教或爱尔兰自由邦，不过，我想天主教徒在爱尔兰是很难混下去的。可我是个奥伦治人，而且不是个变节者。假如我是个天主教徒，而你想让我皈依卫理公会①，我的回答也是一样的。我反对当叛徒，我不会成为天主教徒的。因此，神父，你得把我和你的教民们区别对待，就是这么回事。"
①基督教（新教）卫斯里新的教会是美国独立以后，美国卫斯里教派的教徒脱离圣公会而组成的独立的教会。--译注
"那么，你们不能结婚！"
"为什么不行？要是你不想让我们结婚的话，我认为英国教会的牧师，或律师哈里·高夫不会反对我们的婚姻。"
菲不痛快地笑了笑！她想起了她和帕迪与一个教士之间发生过的那些不幸的意外事件。而她平息了那场冲突。
"可是，卢克，我必须在教堂里结婚！"梅吉惊恐地抗议道。"要是不的话，我就要背着罪孽生活了！"
"哦，就我所知，在罪孽中生活也比变节好得多。"卢克说道，有时，他是个仅人费解的、充满了矛盾的人；就象极力要得到梅吉的钱那样，那种鲁莽、执拗的脾气使他不肯稍让半步。
"喂，结束这种愚蠢争执！"菲没有冲着卢克而是冲着教士说道。"按照帕迪和我的那种做法办，结束这场争论吧！要是托马斯神父不愿意玷污他的教堂，他可以在神父宅邸为你们举行婚礼！"
大家全都惊讶错愕地盯着她，不过，这倒确实是一着妙棋。沃特金神父让步了，同意在神父宅邸给他们举行婚礼，尽管他拒绝为结婚戒指祝福。
教会的不完全的认可使梅吉觉得她犯下了罪孽，不过，还不至于糟到要下地狱。神父宅邸的女管家、足智多谋的老安妮想尽了一些办法把汉蒂神父的书房装饰得尽量与教堂一样，摆上了几大花瓶鲜花和许多黄铜烛台。但这是一个让人心里不痛快的仪式，气鼓鼓的教使大家觉得，他只是为了避免在别处举行世俗婚礼的窘迫局面，才进行这次结婚仪式的。既没有作婚礼弥撒，也没有祝福。
不管怎么样，事情好歹算是办完了。梅吉成了卢克·奥尼尔太太。到目前为止，离原定是达北昆士兰和度蜜月的时间已经稍微有些迟了。卢克拒绝在饭店度过星期六之夜，因为他要赶星期日从贡的维底到布里斯班的邮政列车的支线火车；这趟车每周只有在星期六夜里才开一班。这趟邮政列车将在星期一准时将他们带到布里斯班，赶上去凯恩斯的快车。
贡的维底的火车拥挤不堪，没有一个能让人不受干扰的地方。
他们坐了整整一夜，因为这趟车没有挂卧铺车厢。一小时又一小时，列车毫无规律地、牢骚满腹地奔驰着。每当机车司机觉得该给自己来一铁罐茶的时候，或让一群羊沿着铁路漫步的时候，或和另一个司机扯皮的时候，便让列车没完没了地停在那里。
"我不明白，为什么他们把贡的维底念成甘的维底，但又不愿意按这样拼写呢？"梅吉闲极无聊地问道。他们在那幢按制度漆成的、糟糕透顶的绿色候车室里等候着，候车室里摆着黑色的长椅。这里是贡的维底在星期日时唯一开门的地方。可怜的梅吉，她很紧张，心里忐忑不安。
"我怎么能知道？"卢克叹了口气，他不想说话，一个心眼想快点儿订立干活的合同。由于这天是星期日，他们连一杯茶都搞不到；直到星期一早晨邮车到达而里斯班吃早餐的时候，他们才有机会填满了他们的辘辘饥肠，解了解干渴。而里斯班之后便是南布里斯车站。他们慢慢地穿过座城市，来到罗马街车站，搭上了去凯恩斯的火车。在这里，梅吉发现卢克订了两张二等车的硬板座票。
"卢克，咱们并不短钱用呐！"她疲惫而又恼火地说道。"要是你忘记在银行里取些钱的话，我的钱包里还有鲍勃给我的一百镑。你干嘛不买一等卧铺票呢？"
他惊讶地低头望着她。"可是，到邓洛伊只有三天三夜的路啊！咱们俩都年轻力壮，身体健康，为什么要花钱坐卧铺呢！在火车上待一会儿死不了，梅格翰！你要明白，你嫁的是个普普通通的、老练的干活的人，不是一个该死的牧羊场主。到时候了！"
于是，梅吉便在卢克为他抢占的一个靠窗子的座位上颓然坐下，用手托着发着抖的下巴，望着窗外；这样，卢克就不会发现她已经是泪水盈眶了。他对她讲话就象对一个没有责任感的孩子一样，她开始怀疑，他是否确确实实是这样看待她的了。她心里产生了反抗的情绪，但这情绪只是微微露头；她的强烈的骄傲感不能容忍这种无理的责备。然而，她却暗自想，她是这个人的妻子，也许他对这个新情况还不习惯呢。得给他时间。他们将要住在一起，她要为他做饭、补衣、照料他，给他生儿育女，做他的好妻子。看看爹爹是怎样赏识妈，是怎样崇拜她的吧。得给卢克时间。
他们将要去一个叫作邓洛伊的镇子，离沿昆士兰海岸线而行的铁路北端的凯恩斯只差50英里。他们在3英尺6英寸宽的窄轨铁路上前后颤簸摇晃了数千英里。车厢里的每个座位上都有人坐着，没有机会躺一躺，或舒展一下身子。尽管这地方村落比基里地区要稠密得多，更加丰富多彩，但是她怎么也提不起对这个地方的兴趣来。
她的头在痛，吃不下东西。暑热难当，比基里任何一次暑热都要厉害。那件可爱的、粉的结婚服装被窗口吹进来的煤烟弄得污秽不堪，皮肤被无法蒸发的汗水弄得粘乎乎的；而比身体上的不舒服更令人烦恼的是，她几乎是在恨卢克了。显然，旅行根本没有使他感到疲劳或不舒服；他悠然自得地坐在那里和两个去卡德韦尔的男人扯山海经。他只是在站起来，这不在意在从她蜷缩着的身上俯向窗口时，才往她这边瞟一眼。他把一份卷起来的报纸向那些站在铁道边上的、急于了解时局大事的人扔了过去，那些人手执钢锤子，衣衫褴褛。他喊道：
"报纸！报纸！"
"是保养铁路的养路工。"他又坐下时，解释道。这是他头一次这样。
看来，他认为她和他一样感觉旅途愉快，舒适自在，以为飞掠而过的滨海平原让她入迷了。然而她却神若无睹地望着这片平原。在她没有真正踏上它之前，她讨厌这平原。
在卡德韦尔，那两个男人下了车。卢克穿过车站前的道路，到卖油煎鱼加炸土豆的铺里，带回了一个用新报纸包着的包。
"亲爱的梅格翰，他们说，卡德韦尔的鱼非得亲口尝尝才能知道其中的妙处。这是世界上最好的鱼。喂，来点儿。这是你尝的第一口地道的昆士兰食品。告诉你吧，没有比昆士兰再好的地方啦。"
梅吉瞥了一眼那一块块浸着奶油的、油腻腻的鱼，用手绢捂住了嘴，快步向厕所跑去。他在过道里等着，过了一会儿，她走了出来，脸色苍白，浑身发抖。
"怎么啦？你觉得不舒服吗？"
"咱们一离开贡的维底，我就觉得不好受了。"
"老天爷呀！你干嘛不对我说呢？"
"你为什么没发觉呢？"
“North Queensland. While you were at the dressmaker I gottalking to some chaps in the Imperial bar, and they were telling methere’s money to be made up in cane 1 country, if a man’s strongand not afraid of hard work.”
“But Luke, you already have a good job here!”
“A man doesn’t feel right, battening on his in-laws. I want to getus the money to buy a place out in Western Queensland, and Iwant it before I’m too old to work it. A man with no educationfinds it hard to get high-paying work in this Depression, but there’sa shortage of men in North Queensland, and the money’s at leastten times what I earn as a stockman on Drogheda.”
“Doing what?”
“Cutting sugar cane.”
“Cutting sugar cane? That’s coolie labor 2”
“No, you’re wrong. Coolies aren’t big enough to do it as well asthe white cutters, and besides, you know as well as I do that Australianlaw forbids the importation of black or yellow men to doslave labor or work for wages lower than a white man’s, take thebread out of a white Australian’s mouth. There’s, a shortage ofcutters and the money’s terrific. Not too many blokes are big enoughor strong enough to cut cane. But I am. It won’t beat me!”
“Does this mean you’re thinking of making our home in NorthQueensland, Luke?” “Yes.”She stared past his shoulder through the great bank of windowsat Drogheda: the ghost gums, the Home Paddock, the stretch oftrees beyond. Not to live on Drogheda! To be somewhere BishopRalph could never find her, to live without ever seeing him again,to cleave 3 to this stranger sitting facing her so irrevocably there couldbe no going back…. The grey eyes rested on Luke’s vivid, impatientface and grew more beautiful, but unmistakably sadder. He sensed it only; she had no tears there,her lids didn’t droop 4, or the corners of her mouth. But he wasn’tconcerned with whatever sorrows Meggie owned, for he had nointention of letting her become so important to him she caused himworry on her behalf. Admittedly she was something of a bonus toa man who had tried to marry Dot MacPherson of Bingelly, buther physical desirability and tractable 5 nature only increased Luke’sguard over his own heart. No woman, even one as sweet andbeautiful as Meggie Cleary, was ever going to gain sufficient powerover him to tell him what to do.So, remaining true to himself, he plunged 6 straight into the mainthing on his mind. There were times when guile 7 was necessary, butin this matter it wouldn’t serve him as well as bluntness.
“Meghann, I’m an old-fashioned man,” he said.She stared at him, puzzled.
“Are you?” she asked, her tone implying:Does it matter?
“Yes,” he said.
“I believe that when a man and woman marry, allthe woman’s property should become the man’s. The way a dowrydid in the old days. I know you’ve got a bit of money, and I’mtelling you now that when we marry you’re to sign it over to me.It’s only fair you know what’s in my mind while you’re still single,and able to decide whether you want to do it.”It had never occurred to Meggie that she would retain her money;she had simply assumed when she married it would become Luke’s,not hers. All save the most educated and sophisticated Australianwomen were reared to think themselves more or less the chattelsof their men, and this was especially true of Meggie. Daddy hadalways ruled Fee and his children, and since his death Fee had deferredto Bob as his successor. The man owned the money, thehouse, his wife and his children. Meggie had never questioned hisright to do so.
“Oh!” she exclaimed.
“I didn’t know signing anything was necessary, Luke. I thought that what was mine automaticallybecame yours when we married.”
“It used to be like that, but those stupid drongos in Canberrastopped it when they gave women the vote. I want everything tobe fair and square between us, Meghann, so I’m telling you nowhow things are going to be.”She laughed,
“It’s all right, Luke, I don’t mind.”She took it like a good old-fashioned wife; Dot wouldn’t havegiven in so readily.
“How much have you got?” he asked.
“At the moment, fourteen thousand pounds. Every year I get twothousand more.”He whistled.
“Fourteen thousand pounds! Phew! That’s a lot ofmoney, Meghann. Better to have me look after it for you. We cansee the bank manager next week, and remind me to make sureeverything coming in in the future gets put in my name, too. I’mnot going to touch a penny of it, you know that. It’s to buy ourstation later on. For the next few years we’re both going to workhard, and save every penny we earn. All right?”She nodded.
“Yes, Luke.”A simple oversight 8 on Luke’s part nearly scotched 9 the wedding inmidplan. He was not a Catholic. When Father Watty found outhe threw up his hands in horror.
“Dear Lord, Luke, why didn’t you tell me earlier? Indeed and togoodness, it will take all of our energies to have you converted andbaptized before the wedding!”Luke stared at Father Watty, astonished.
“Who said anythingabout converting, Father? I’m quite happy as I am being nothing,but if it worries you, write me down as a Calathumpian or a HolyRoller or whatever you like. But write me down a Catholic you willnot.”In vain they pleaded; Luke refused to entertain the idea of conversion 10 for a moment.
“I’ve got nothing against Catholicismor Eire, and I think the Catholics in Ulster are hard done by.But I’m Orange, and I’m not a turncoat. If I was a Catholic andyou wanted me to convert to Methodism, I’d react the same. It’sbeing a turncoat I object to, not being a Catholic. So you’ll haveto do without me in the flock, Father, and that’s that.”
“Then you can’t get married!”
“Why on earth not? If you don’t want to marry us, I can’t seewhy the Reverend up at the Church of England will object, or HarryGough the J.P.”Fee smiled sourly, remembering her contretemps with Paddy anda priest; she had won that encounter. “But, Luke, I have to be married in church!” Meggie protestedfearfully.
“If I’m not, I’ll be living in sin!”
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, living in sin is a lot better thanturning my coat inside out,” said Luke, who was sometimes acurious contradiction; much as he wanted Meggie’s money, a blindstreak of stubbornness in him wouldn’t let him back down. “Oh, stop all this silliness!” said Fee, not to Luke but to the priest.
“Do what Paddy and I did and have an end to argument! FatherThomas can marry you in the presbytery if he doesn’t want to soilhis church!”Everyone stared at her, amazed, but it did the trick; Father Watkingave in and agreed to marry them in the presbytery, though he refusedto bless the ring.Partial Church sanction left Meggie feeling she was sinning, butnot badly enough to go to Hell, and ancient Annie the presbyteryhousekeeper did her best to make Father Watty’s study as churchlikeas possible, with great vases of flowers and many brass 11 candlesticks.But it was an uncomfortable ceremony, the very displeased 12 priestmaking everyone feel he only went through with it to save himselfthe embarrassment 13 of a secular 14 wedding elsewhere. No NuptialMass, no blessings 15.
However, it was done.
Meggie was Mrs. Luke O’Neill, on her way to North Queensland and a honeymoonsomewhat delayed by the time it would take getting there. Lukerefused to spend that Saturday night at the Imperial, for the branchlinetrain to Goondiwindi left only once a week, on Saturday night,to connect with the Goondiwindi—Brisbane mail train on Sunday.This would bring them to Bris on Monday in time to catch theCairns express.The Goondiwindi train was crowded. They had no privacy andsat up all night because it carried no sleeping cars. Hour after hourit trundled its erratic 16, grumpy way northeast, stopping interminablyevery time the engine driver felt like brewing 17 a billy of tea for himself,or to let a mob of sheep wander along the rails, or to have ayarn with a drover. “I wonder why they pronounce Goondiwindi Gundiwindi if theydon’t want to spell it that way?” Meggie asked idly as they waitedin the only place open in Goondiwindi on a Sunday, the awful institutional-green station waiting room with its hard black woodenbenches. Poor Meggie, she was nervous and ill at ease.
“How do I know?” sighed Luke, who didn’t feel like talking andwas starving into the bargain. Since it was Sunday they couldn’teven get a cup of tea; not until the Monday-morning breakfast stopon the Brisbane mail did they get an opportunity to fill their emptystomachs and slake 18 their thirst. Then Brisbane, into South Brisstation, the trek 19 across the city to Roma Street Station and theCairns train. Here Meggie discovered Luke had booked them twosecond-class upright seats.
“Luke, we’re not short of money!” she said, tired and exasperated 20.
“If you forgot to go to the bank, I’ve got a hundred pounds Bobgave me here in my purse. Why didn’t you get us a first-classsleeping compartment 21?”He stared down at her, astounded 22.
“But it’s only three nightsand three days to Dungloe! Why spend money on a sleeper 23 whenwe’re both young, healthy and strong? Sitting up on a train for a while won’t kill you,Meghann! It’s about time you realized you’ve married a plain oldworkingman, not a bloody 24 squatter 25!”So Meggie slumped 26 in the window seat Luke seized for her andrested her trembling chin on her hand to look out the window soLuke wouldn’t notice her tears. He had spoken to her as one speaksto an irresponsible child, and she was beginning to wonder if indeedthis was how he regarded her. Rebellion began to stir, but it wasvery small and her fierce pride forbade the indignity 27 of quarreling.Instead she told herself she was this man’s wife, but it was such anew thing he wasn’t used to it. Give him time. They would livetogether, she would cook his meals, mend his clothes, look afterhim, have his babies, be a good wife to him. Look how muchDaddy had appreciated Mum, how much he had adored her. GiveLuke time.They were going to a town called Dungloe, only fifty miles shortof Cairns, which was the far northern terminus of the line whichran all the way along the Queensland coast. Over a thousand milesof narrow three-foot-six-gauge rail, rocking and pitching back andforth, every seat in the compartment occupied, no chance to liedown or stretch out. Though it was far more densely 28 settled countrysidethan Gilly, and far more colorful, she couldn’t summon upinterest in it.Her head ached, she could keep no food down and the heat wasmuch, much worse than anything Gilly had ever cooked up. Thelovely pink silk wedding dress was filthy 29 from soot 30 blowing in thewindows, her skin was clammy with a sweat which wouldn’tevaporate, and what was more galling 31 than any of her physicaldiscomforts, she was close to hating Luke. Apparently 32 not in theleast tired or out of sorts because of the journey, he sat at his easeyarning with two men going to Cardwell. The only times he glancedin her direction he also got up, leaned across her so carelessly sheshrank, and flung a rolled-up newspaper out the window to some event-hungrygang of tattered 33 men beside the line with steel hammers in theirhands, calling: “Paip! Paip!”
“Fettlers looking after the rails,” he explained as he sat downagain the first time it happened.And he seemed to assume she was quite as happy and comfortableas he was, that the coastal 34 plain flying by was fascinating her.While she sat staring at it and not seeing it, hating it before shehad so much as set foot on it.At Cardwell the two men got off, and Luke went to the fish-and chipshop across the road from the station to bring back a newspaper-wrapped bundle.
“They say Cardwell fish has to be tasted to be believed, Meghannlove. The best fish in the world. Here, try some. It’s your first bitof genuine Bananaland food. I tell you, there’s no place likeQueensland.”Meggie glanced at the greasy 35 pieces of batter-dipped fish, put herhandkerchief to her mouth and bolted for the toilet. He was waitingin the corridor when she came out some time later, white andshaking.
“What’s the matter? Aren’t you feeling well?”
“I haven’t felt well since we left Goondiwindi.”
“Good Lord! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you notice?”
"哪儿？"
"北昆士兰州。你在裁缝那儿的时候，我和帝国酒吧的几个家伙聊了聊。他们跟我说，要是一个人身强力壮、干活不怕吃苦的话，在那个甘蔗之乡是可以赚到钱的。"
"干什么呢？"
"收割甘蔗。"
"收割甘蔗？那可是苦活儿呀。"
"不，你错了。苦力身材不象白人收割工那样高大，干不了这活儿。此外，你也和我一样清楚，澳大利亚的法律禁止输入黑人或黄种人去干苦工，也不许他们干工资高于白人的活儿，免得把面包从澳大利亚人的口中夺走。现在，短少收割工，付钱丰厚。身材高大，能够割甘蔗的人还是不太多的。可是，我行，那个活儿难不倒我！"
"这就是说，你想让我们在北昆士兰安家了，卢克？"
"对。"
她越过他的肩头，穿过那排巨大的窗户，凝望着德罗海达：那些魔鬼桉，那家内圈地，那远方绵延不断的树林。不住在德罗海达！到某个拉尔夫主教永远也找不到她的地方去，从此再也见不到他，无可改变地紧随着坐在她对面的这个陌生人，可能永远无法回来了……她那双灰眼睛盯着卢克那生气勃勃的、不耐烦的脸。她的那双眼睛变得更漂亮了，但却明明白白地充满了凄枪。他只是感觉到了这一点，她没有流泪，嘴唇或嘴角也没有拉下来。可是，不管梅吉为什么而悲伤，他并不在乎，因为他不打算让她在他的生活中变成举足轻重的人，以至于他还得为她担忧发愁。人所公认，对于一个曾试图娶多特·麦克弗森的男人来说，得到了梅吉真是额外占了便宜。但是，她那令人惬意的身体和温顺的天性反倒使卢克的内心深处提高了警惕。没有一个女人，哪怕是梅吉这样漂亮的女人，足以对他产生支配的力量。
于是，他定下心来，单刀直入地谈到了心中的主要想法。有些时候，是得耍些手腕的，可在这件事上，玩手腕就不如直来直去了。
"梅格翰，我是个老派的人。"他说。
她盯着他，大惑不解。"是吗？"她问道，可她的声音却在说：这有什么关系？
"是的，"他说道。"我相信，当一个男人和一个女人经婚的时候，女方所有的财产都应当归男方所有。和旧时候嫁妆的办法是一样的。我知道你有一小笔钱，现在我告诉你，在结婚的时候，你得签字，将它移交给我。在你仍然还是单身的时候，让你知道我心中在想些什么，并且决定你打算把它如何处理，是公平合理的。"
梅吉压根儿就没有想过她将保持这笔钱。她只是简简单单地设想，一旦她结了婚，这笔钱就是卢克的，而不是她的了。除了受过高深教育，极有地位的女人而外，所有澳大利亚的女人都受过这种熏陶，认为她们多多少少算是她们男人的一项财产。而梅吉对此尤其有切身体会。爹爹总是支配着菲和他的孩子们。自从他死了以后，菲就把鲍勃当作他的继承者，无所不从。男人拥有钱财、房屋、老婆和孩子。梅吉从来没有对他的这种权力产生过疑问。
"哦！"她惊呼道。"卢克，我不知道需要签署什么东西呀。我认为，我们一结婚，我的东西自然而然就归你所有了。"
"以前是这样的，可是，当堪培拉那些愚蠢的傻瓜们给了妇女选举权以后，这规矩便被废止了。梅格翰，我希望咱们之间的任何事情都公平合理，所以，现在我就向你讲明白事情将会怎样。"
她笑了起来。"好啦，卢克，我不在乎。"
她的作法就象个老派的贤妻一样；以前给嫁妆也没有这么痛快啊。"你有多少钱？"他问道。
"眼下，有1万4千镑。每年我还可以拿到2000。"
他打了个口哨。"1万4千镑！哎哟！这可是一大笔钱呐，梅格翰。最好让我来替你照看着这笔钱。下个星期，咱们可以去见银行经理，提醒我把将来的每一笔收入也都准确无误地写在我的名下。我不会动一个子儿，这你是知道的，这是以后用来购买牧场用的。以后的几年里，咱们俩得苦一场，把挣下的每一文钱都节省下来。好吗？"
她点了点头。"好吧，卢克。"
由于卢克的一个微不足道的疏忽，险些使婚礼中途而废。他不是一个天主教徒。当沃蒂神父发现这一点的时候，他惊恐万状地举起了双手。
"仁慈的上帝啊，卢克，你怎么不早一些告诉我呢？真的，老天作证，在举行婚礼之前，我们要竭尽全力让你皈依，并且给你作洗礼的！"
卢克目瞪口呆地望着沃蒂神父，惊讶之极。"谁说过皈依的话，神父？我们都不是，过得挺痛快，不过，要是你发愁的话，随便把我看成什么人都行。但是，把我当作一名天主教徒，办不到！"
他们的申辩都是废心机；卢克根本就不接受皈依的主意。"我从来不反对天主教或爱尔兰自由邦，不过，我想天主教徒在爱尔兰是很难混下去的。可我是个奥伦治人，而且不是个变节者。假如我是个天主教徒，而你想让我皈依卫理公会①，我的回答也是一样的。我反对当叛徒，我不会成为天主教徒的。因此，神父，你得把我和你的教民们区别对待，就是这么回事。"
①基督教（新教）卫斯里新的教会是美国独立以后，美国卫斯里教派的教徒脱离圣公会而组成的独立的教会。--译注
"那么，你们不能结婚！"
"为什么不行？要是你不想让我们结婚的话，我认为英国教会的牧师，或律师哈里·高夫不会反对我们的婚姻。"
菲不痛快地笑了笑！她想起了她和帕迪与一个教士之间发生过的那些不幸的意外事件。而她平息了那场冲突。
"可是，卢克，我必须在教堂里结婚！"梅吉惊恐地抗议道。"要是不的话，我就要背着罪孽生活了！"
"哦，就我所知，在罪孽中生活也比变节好得多。"卢克说道，有时，他是个仅人费解的、充满了矛盾的人；就象极力要得到梅吉的钱那样，那种鲁莽、执拗的脾气使他不肯稍让半步。
"喂，结束这种愚蠢争执！"菲没有冲着卢克而是冲着教士说道。"按照帕迪和我的那种做法办，结束这场争论吧！要是托马斯神父不愿意玷污他的教堂，他可以在神父宅邸为你们举行婚礼！"
大家全都惊讶错愕地盯着她，不过，这倒确实是一着妙棋。沃特金神父让步了，同意在神父宅邸给他们举行婚礼，尽管他拒绝为结婚戒指祝福。
教会的不完全的认可使梅吉觉得她犯下了罪孽，不过，还不至于糟到要下地狱。神父宅邸的女管家、足智多谋的老安妮想尽了一些办法把汉蒂神父的书房装饰得尽量与教堂一样，摆上了几大花瓶鲜花和许多黄铜烛台。但这是一个让人心里不痛快的仪式，气鼓鼓的教使大家觉得，他只是为了避免在别处举行世俗婚礼的窘迫局面，才进行这次结婚仪式的。既没有作婚礼弥撒，也没有祝福。
不管怎么样，事情好歹算是办完了。梅吉成了卢克·奥尼尔太太。到目前为止，离原定是达北昆士兰和度蜜月的时间已经稍微有些迟了。卢克拒绝在饭店度过星期六之夜，因为他要赶星期日从贡的维底到布里斯班的邮政列车的支线火车；这趟车每周只有在星期六夜里才开一班。这趟邮政列车将在星期一准时将他们带到布里斯班，赶上去凯恩斯的快车。
贡的维底的火车拥挤不堪，没有一个能让人不受干扰的地方。
他们坐了整整一夜，因为这趟车没有挂卧铺车厢。一小时又一小时，列车毫无规律地、牢骚满腹地奔驰着。每当机车司机觉得该给自己来一铁罐茶的时候，或让一群羊沿着铁路漫步的时候，或和另一个司机扯皮的时候，便让列车没完没了地停在那里。
"我不明白，为什么他们把贡的维底念成甘的维底，但又不愿意按这样拼写呢？"梅吉闲极无聊地问道。他们在那幢按制度漆成的、糟糕透顶的绿色候车室里等候着，候车室里摆着黑色的长椅。这里是贡的维底在星期日时唯一开门的地方。可怜的梅吉，她很紧张，心里忐忑不安。
"我怎么能知道？"卢克叹了口气，他不想说话，一个心眼想快点儿订立干活的合同。由于这天是星期日，他们连一杯茶都搞不到；直到星期一早晨邮车到达而里斯班吃早餐的时候，他们才有机会填满了他们的辘辘饥肠，解了解干渴。而里斯班之后便是南布里斯车站。他们慢慢地穿过座城市，来到罗马街车站，搭上了去凯恩斯的火车。在这里，梅吉发现卢克订了两张二等车的硬板座票。
"卢克，咱们并不短钱用呐！"她疲惫而又恼火地说道。"要是你忘记在银行里取些钱的话，我的钱包里还有鲍勃给我的一百镑。你干嘛不买一等卧铺票呢？"
他惊讶地低头望着她。"可是，到邓洛伊只有三天三夜的路啊！咱们俩都年轻力壮，身体健康，为什么要花钱坐卧铺呢！在火车上待一会儿死不了，梅格翰！你要明白，你嫁的是个普普通通的、老练的干活的人，不是一个该死的牧羊场主。到时候了！"
于是，梅吉便在卢克为他抢占的一个靠窗子的座位上颓然坐下，用手托着发着抖的下巴，望着窗外；这样，卢克就不会发现她已经是泪水盈眶了。他对她讲话就象对一个没有责任感的孩子一样，她开始怀疑，他是否确确实实是这样看待她的了。她心里产生了反抗的情绪，但这情绪只是微微露头；她的强烈的骄傲感不能容忍这种无理的责备。然而，她却暗自想，她是这个人的妻子，也许他对这个新情况还不习惯呢。得给他时间。他们将要住在一起，她要为他做饭、补衣、照料他，给他生儿育女，做他的好妻子。看看爹爹是怎样赏识妈，是怎样崇拜她的吧。得给卢克时间。
他们将要去一个叫作邓洛伊的镇子，离沿昆士兰海岸线而行的铁路北端的凯恩斯只差50英里。他们在3英尺6英寸宽的窄轨铁路上前后颤簸摇晃了数千英里。车厢里的每个座位上都有人坐着，没有机会躺一躺，或舒展一下身子。尽管这地方村落比基里地区要稠密得多，更加丰富多彩，但是她怎么也提不起对这个地方的兴趣来。
她的头在痛，吃不下东西。暑热难当，比基里任何一次暑热都要厉害。那件可爱的、粉的结婚服装被窗口吹进来的煤烟弄得污秽不堪，皮肤被无法蒸发的汗水弄得粘乎乎的；而比身体上的不舒服更令人烦恼的是，她几乎是在恨卢克了。显然，旅行根本没有使他感到疲劳或不舒服；他悠然自得地坐在那里和两个去卡德韦尔的男人扯山海经。他只是在站起来，这不在意在从她蜷缩着的身上俯向窗口时，才往她这边瞟一眼。他把一份卷起来的报纸向那些站在铁道边上的、急于了解时局大事的人扔了过去，那些人手执钢锤子，衣衫褴褛。他喊道：
"报纸！报纸！"
"是保养铁路的养路工。"他又坐下时，解释道。这是他头一次这样。
看来，他认为她和他一样感觉旅途愉快，舒适自在，以为飞掠而过的滨海平原让她入迷了。然而她却神若无睹地望着这片平原。在她没有真正踏上它之前，她讨厌这平原。
在卡德韦尔，那两个男人下了车。卢克穿过车站前的道路，到卖油煎鱼加炸土豆的铺里，带回了一个用新报纸包着的包。
"亲爱的梅格翰，他们说，卡德韦尔的鱼非得亲口尝尝才能知道其中的妙处。这是世界上最好的鱼。喂，来点儿。这是你尝的第一口地道的昆士兰食品。告诉你吧，没有比昆士兰再好的地方啦。"
梅吉瞥了一眼那一块块浸着奶油的、油腻腻的鱼，用手绢捂住了嘴，快步向厕所跑去。他在过道里等着，过了一会儿，她走了出来，脸色苍白，浑身发抖。
"怎么啦？你觉得不舒服吗？"
"咱们一离开贡的维底，我就觉得不好受了。"
"老天爷呀！你干嘛不对我说呢？"
"你为什么没发觉呢？"
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。
n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦
- We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
- He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。
v．(clave；cleaved)粘着，粘住；坚持；依恋
- It examines how the decision to quit gold or to cleave to it affected trade policies.论文分析了放弃或坚持金本位是如何影响贸易政策的。
- Those who cleave to the latter view include many conservative American politicians.坚持后一种观点的大多是美国的保守派政客。
v.低垂，下垂；凋萎，萎靡
- The heavy snow made the branches droop.大雪使树枝垂下来。
- Don't let your spirits droop.不要萎靡不振。
adj.易驾驭的；温顺的
- He was always tractable and quiet.他总是温顺、恬静。
- Gold and silver are tractable metals.金和银是容易加工的金属。
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降
- The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
- She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
n.勘漏，失察，疏忽
- I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
- Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。
v.阻止( scotch的过去式和过去分词 )；制止（车轮）转动；弄伤；镇压
- Plans for a merger have been scotched. 合并计划停止实行。
- The rebellion was scotched by government forces. 政府军已把叛乱镇压下去。 来自辞典例句
n.转化，转换，转变
- He underwent quite a conversion.他彻底变了。
- Waste conversion is a part of the production process.废物处理是生产过程的一个组成部分。
n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器
- Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
- Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。
a.不快的
- The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。
- He was displeased about the whole affair. 他对整个事情感到很不高兴。
n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫
- She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
- Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
n.牧师，凡人；adj.世俗的，现世的，不朽的
- We live in an increasingly secular society.我们生活在一个日益非宗教的社会。
- Britain is a plural society in which the secular predominates.英国是个世俗主导的多元社会。
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。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- We don't rely on blessings from Heaven. 我们不靠老天保佑。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的
- The old man had always been cranky and erratic.那老头儿性情古怪,反复无常。
- The erratic fluctuation of market prices is in consequence of unstable economy.经济波动致使市场物价忽起忽落。
v.解渴，使平息
- We had to slake ourselves with rainwater in the desert.在沙漠中我们不得不用雨水解渴。
- A menu will not satisfy your hunger,a formula will not slake your thirst.菜单不可能填饱你的肚子，一套准则也不可能消除你的饥渴。
vi.作长途艰辛的旅行；n.长途艰苦的旅行
- We often go pony-trek in the summer.夏季我们经常骑马旅行。
- It took us the whole day to trek across the rocky terrain.我们花了一整天的时间艰难地穿过那片遍布岩石的地带。
adj.恼怒的
- We were exasperated at his ill behaviour. 我们对他的恶劣行为感到非常恼怒。
- Constant interruption of his work exasperated him. 对他工作不断的干扰使他恼怒。
n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间
- We were glad to have the whole compartment to ourselves.真高兴，整个客车隔间由我们独享。
- The batteries are safely enclosed in a watertight compartment.电池被安全地置于一个防水的隔间里。
v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶
- His arrogance astounded her. 他的傲慢使她震惊。
- How can you say that? I'm absolutely astounded. 你怎么能说出那种话？我感到大为震惊。
n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺
- I usually go up to London on the sleeper. 我一般都乘卧车去伦敦。
- But first he explained that he was a very heavy sleeper. 但首先他解释说自己睡觉很沉。
adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染
- He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
- He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。
n.擅自占地者
- The squatter settlements originally came into being through illegal land invasions. 违章建筑区最初是通过非法的土地占有而形成的。
- Squatter control is maintained by regular patrols and hut-to-hut checks. 当局定期逐户视察所有寮屋，以收管制之效。
大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]
- Sales have slumped this year. 今年销售量锐减。
- The driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. 司机伏在方向盘上，疲惫得睡着了。
n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑
- For more than a year we have suffered the indignity.在一年多的时间里,我们丢尽了丑。
- She was subjected to indignity and humiliation.她受到侮辱和羞辱。
ad.密集地；浓厚地
- A grove of trees shadowed the house densely. 树丛把这幢房子遮蔽得很密实。
- We passed through miles of densely wooded country. 我们穿过好几英里茂密的林地。
adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的
- The whole river has been fouled up with filthy waste from factories.整条河都被工厂的污秽废物污染了。
- You really should throw out that filthy old sofa and get a new one.你真的应该扔掉那张肮脏的旧沙发，然后再去买张新的。
n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟
- Soot is the product of the imperfect combustion of fuel.煤烟是燃料不完全燃烧的产物。
- The chimney was choked with soot.烟囱被煤灰堵塞了。
adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的
- It was galling to have to apologize to a man she hated. 令人恼火的是得向她憎恶的男人道歉。
- The insolence in the fellow's eye was galling. 这家伙的傲慢目光令人恼怒。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
adv.显然地；表面上，似乎
- An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
- He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
adj.破旧的，衣衫破的
- Her tattered clothes in no way detracted from her beauty.她的破衣烂衫丝毫没有影响她的美貌。
- Their tattered clothing and broken furniture indicated their poverty.他们褴褛的衣服和破烂的家具显出他们的贫穷。
adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的
- The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
- This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。