沉默的证人08
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Eight
INTERIOR OF LITTLEGREEN HOUSE
On leaving the churchyard, Poirot led the way briskly in the direction of Littlegreen House. Igathered that his role was still that of the prospective1 purchaser. Carefully holding the variousorders to view in his hand, with the Littlegreen House one uppermost, he pushed open the gate andwalked up the path to the front door.
On this occasion our friend the terrier was not to be seen, but the sound of barking could beheard inside the house, though at some distance—I guessed in the kitchen quarters.
Presently we heard footsteps crossing the hall and the door was opened by a pleasant-facedwoman of between fifty and sixty, clearly the old- fashioned type of servant seldom seennowadays.
Poirot presented his credentials2.
“Yes, sir, the house agent telephoned. Will you step this way, sir?”
The shutters3 which I had noticed were closed on our first visit to spy out the land, were now allthrown open in preparation for our visit. Everything, I observed, was spotlessly clean and wellkept. Clearly our guide was a thoroughly4 conscientious5 woman.
“This is the morning room, sir.”
I glanced round approvingly. A pleasant room with its long windows giving on the street. It wasfurnished with good, solid, old-fashioned furniture, mostly Victorian, but there was a Chippendalebookcase and a set of attractive Hepplewhite chairs.
Poirot and I behaved in the customary fashion of people being shown over houses. We stoodstock-still, looking a little ill at ease, murmuring remarks such as “very nice.” “A very pleasantroom.” “The morning room, you say?”
The maid conducted us across the hall and into the corresponding room on the other side. Thiswas much larger.
“The dining room, sir.”
This room was definitely Victorian. A heavy mahogany dining table, a massive sideboard ofalmost purplish mahogany with great clusters of carved fruit, solid leather-covered dining roomchairs. On the wall hung what were obviously family portraits.
The terrier had continued to bark in some sequestered6 spot. Now the sound suddenly increasedin volume. With a crescendo7 of barking he could be heard galloping8 across the hall.
“Who’s come into the house? I’ll tear him limb from limb,” was clearly the “burden of hissong.”
He arrived in the doorway9, sniffing11 violently.
“Oh, Bob, you naughty dog,” exclaimed our conductress. “Don’t mind him, sir. He won’t doyou no harm.”
Bob, indeed, having discovered the intruders, completely changed his manner. He fussed in andintroduced himself to us in an agreeable manner.
“Pleased to meet you, I’m sure,” he observed as he sniffed12 round our ankles. “Excuse the noise,won’t you, but I have my job to do. Got to be careful who we let in, you know. But it’s a dull lifeand I’m really quite pleased to see a visitor. Dogs of your own, I fancy?”
This last was addressed to me as I stooped and patted him.
“Nice little fellow,” I said to the woman. “Needs plucking a bit, though.”
“Yes, sir, he’s usually plucked three times a year.”
“Is he an old dog?”
“Oh, no, sir. Bob’s not more than six. And sometimes he behaves just like a puppy. Gets hold ofcook’s slippers13 and prances14 about with them. And he’s very gentle though you wouldn’t believe itto hear the noise he makes sometimes. The only person he goes for is the postman. Downrightscared of him the postman is.”
Bob was now investigating the legs of Poirot’s trousers. Having learned all he could he gavevent to a prolonged sniff10 (“H’m, not too bad, but not really a doggy person”) and returned to mecocking his head on one side and looking at me expectantly.
“I don’t know why dogs always go for postmen, I’m sure,” continued our guide.
“It’s a matter of reasoning,” said Poirot. “The dog, he argues from reason. He is intelligent, hemakes his deductions15 according to his point of view. There are people who may enter a house andthere are people who may not—that a dog soon learns. Eh bien, who is the person who mostpersistently tries to gain admission, rattling17 on the door twice or three times a day—and who isnever by any chance admitted? The postman. Clearly, then, an undesirable18 guest from the point ofview of the master of the house. He is always sent about his business, but he persistently16 returnsand tries again. Then a dog’s duty is clear, to aid in driving this undesirable man away, and to bitehim if possible. A most reasonable proceeding19.”
He beamed on Bob.
“And a most intelligent person, I fancy.”
“Oh, he is, sir. He’s almost human, Bob is.”
She flung open another door.
“The drawing room, sir.”
The drawing room conjured20 up memories of the past. A faint fragrance21 of potpourri22 hung aboutit. The chintzes were worn, their pattern faded garlands of roses. On the walls were prints andwater-colour drawings. There was a good deal of china—fragile shepherds and shepherdesses.
There were cushions worked in crewel stitch. There were faded photographs in handsome silverframes. There were many inlaid workboxes and tea caddies. Most fascinating of all to me weretwo exquisitely23 cut tissue paper ladies under glass stands. One with a spinning wheel, one with acat on her knee.
The atmosphere of a bygone day, a day of leisure, of refinement24, of “ladies and gentlemen”
closed round me. This was indeed a “withdrawing room.” Here ladies sat and did their fancywork,and if a cigarette was ever smoked by a favoured member of the male sex, what a shaking out ofcurtains and general airing of the room there would be afterwards!
My attention was drawn25 by Bob. He was sitting in an attitude of rapt attention close beside anelegant little table with two drawers in it.
As he saw that I was noticing him, he gave a short, plaintive26 yelp27, looking from me to the table.
“What does he want?” I asked.
Our interest in Bob was clearly pleasing to the maid, who obviously was very fond of him.
“It’s his ball, sir. It was always kept in that drawer. That’s why he sits there and asks.”
Her voice changed. She addressed Bob in a high falsetto.
“It isn’t there any longer, beautiful. Bob’s ball is in the kitchen. In the kitchen, Bobsie.”
Bob shifted his gaze impatiently to Poirot.
“This woman’s a fool,” he seemed to be saying. “You look a brainy sort of chap. Balls are keptin certain places—this drawer is one of those places. There always has been a ball here. Thereforethere should be a ball there now. That’s obvious dog logic28, isn’t it?”
“It’s not there now, boy,” I said.
He looked at me doubtfully. Then, as we went out of the room he followed slowly in anunconvinced manner.
We were shown various cupboards, a downstairs cloakroom, and a small pantry place, “wherethe mistress used to do the flowers, sir.”
“You were with your mistress a long time?” asked Poirot.
“Twenty-two years, sir.”
“You are alone here caretaking?”
“Me and cook, sir.”
“She was also a long time with Miss Arundell?”
“Four years, sir. The old cook died.”
“Supposing I were to buy the house, would you be prepared to stay on?”
She blushed a little.
“It’s very kind of you, sir, I’m sure, but I’m going to retire from service. The mistress left me anice little sum, you see, and I’m going to my brother. I’m only remaining here as a convenience toMiss Lawson until the place is sold—to look after everything.”
Poirot nodded.
In the momentary29 silence a new sound was heard.
“Bump, bump, BUMP.”
A monotonous30 sound increasing in volume and seeming to descend31 from above.
“It’s Bob, sir.” She was smiling. “He’s got hold of his ball and he’s bumping it down the stairs.
It’s a little game of his.”
As we reached the bottom of the stairs a black rubber ball arrived with a thud on the last step. Icaught it and looked up. Bob was lying on the top step, his paws splayed out, his tail gentlywagging. I threw it up to him. He caught it neatly32, chewed it for a minute or two with evidentrelish, then laid it between his paws and gently edged it forward with his nose till he finally buntedit over and it bumped once more down the stairs, Bob wagging his tail furiously as he watched itsprogress.
“He’ll stay like that for hours, sir. Regular game of his. He’d go on all day at it. That’ll do now,Bob. The gentlemen have got something else to do than play with you.”
A dog is a great promoter of friendly intercourse33. Our interest and liking34 for Bob had quitebroken down the natural stiffness of the good servant. As we went up to the bedroom floors, ourguide was talking quite garrulously35 as she gave us accounts of Bob’s wonderful sagacity. The ballhad been left at the foot of the stairs. As we passed him, Bob gave us a look of deep disgust andstalked down in a dignified36 fashion to retrieve37 it. As we turned to the right I saw him slowlycoming up again with it in his mouth, his gait that of an extremely old man forced by unthinkingpersons to exert himself unduly38.
As we went round the bedrooms, Poirot began gradually to draw our conductress out.
“There were four Miss Arundells lived here, did they not?” he asked.
“Originally, yes, sir, but that was before my time. There was only Miss Agnes and Miss Emilywhen I came and Miss Agnes died soon afterwards. She was the youngest of the family. It seemedodd she should go before her sister.”
“I suppose she was not so strong as her sister?”
“No, sir, it’s odd that. My Miss Arundell, Miss Emily, she was always the delicate one. She’dhad a lot to do with doctors all her life. Miss Agnes was always strong and robust39 and yet she wentfirst and Miss Emily who’d been delicate from a child outlived all the family. Very odd the waythings happen.”
“Astonishing how often that is the case.”
Poirot plunged40 into (I feel sure) a wholly mendacious41 story of an invalid42 uncle which I will nottrouble to repeat here. It suffices to say that it had its effect. Discussions of death and such mattersdo more to unlock the human tongue than any other subject. Poirot was in a position to askquestions that would have been regarded with suspicious hostility43 twenty minutes earlier.
“Was Miss Arundell’s illness a long and painful one?”
“No, I wouldn’t say that, sir. She’d been ailing44, if you know what I mean, for a long time—eversince two winters before. Very bad she was then—this here jaundice. Yellow in the face they goand the whites of their eyes—”
“Ah, yes, indeed—” (Anecdote of Poirot’s cousin who appeared to have been the Yellow Perilin person.)
“That’s right—just as you say, sir. Terribly ill she was, poor dear. Couldn’t keep anythingdown. If you ask me, Dr. Grainger hardly thought she’d pull through. But he’d a wonderful waywith her—bullying, you know. ‘Made up your mind to lie back and order your tombstone?’ he’dsay. And she’d say, ‘I’ve a bit of fight in me still, doctor,’ and he’d say, ‘That’s right—that’s whatI like to hear.’ A hospital nurse we had, and she made up her mind that it was all over—even saidto the doctor once that she supposed she’d better not worry the old lady too much by forcing her totake food—but the doctor rounded on her. ‘Nonsense,’ he said, ‘Worry her? You’ve got to bullyher into taking nourishment45.’ Valentine’s beef juice at such and such a time, Brand’s essence—teaspoonfuls of brandy. And at the end he said something that I’ve never forgotten. ‘You’reyoung, my girl,’ he said to her, ‘you don’t realize what fine fighting material there is in age. It’syoung people who turn up their toes and die because they’re not interested enough to live. Youshow me anyone who’s lived to over seventy and you show me a fighter—someone who’s got thewill to live.’ And it’s true, sir—we’re always saying how wonderful old people are—their vitalityand the way they’ve kept their faculties—but as the doctor put it that’s just why they’ve lived solong and got to be so old.”
“But it is profound what you say there—very profound! And Miss Arundell was like that? Veryalive. Very interested in life?”
“Oh, yes, indeed, sir. Her health was poor, but her brain was as keen as anything. And as I wassaying, she got over that illness of hers—surprised the nurse, it did. A stuck-up young thing shewas, all starched46 collars and cuffs47 and the waiting on she had to have and tea at all hours.”
“A fine recovery.”
“Yes, indeed, sir. Of course, the mistress had to be very careful as to diet at first, everythingboiled and steamed, no grease in the cooking, and she wasn’t allowed to eat eggs either. Verymonotonous it was for her.”
“Still the main thing is she got well.”
“Yes, sir. Of course, she had her little turns. What I’d call bilious48 attacks. She wasn’t alwaysvery careful about her food after a time—but still they weren’t very serious until the last attack.”
“Was it like her illness of two years before?”
“Yes, just the same sort of thing, sir. That nasty jaundice—an awful yellow colour again—andthe terrible sickness and all the rest of it. Brought it on herself I’m afraid she did, poor dear. Ate alot of things she shouldn’t have done. That very evening she was took bad she’d had curry49 forsupper and as you know, sir, curry’s rich and a bit oily.”
“Her illness came on suddenly, did it?”
“Well, it seemed so, sir, but Dr. Grainger he said it had been working up for some time. A chill—the weather had been very changeable—and too rich feeding.”
“Surely her companion—Miss Lawson was her companion was she not—could have dissuadedher from rich dishes?”
“Oh, I don’t think Miss Lawson would have much say. Miss Arundell wasn’t one to take ordersfrom anyone.”
“Had Miss Lawson been with her during her previous illness?”
“No, she came after that. She’d been with her about a year.”
“I suppose she’d had companions before that?”
“Oh, quite a number, sir.”
“Her companions didn’t stay as long as her servants,” said Poirot, smiling.
The woman flushed.
“Well, you see, sir, it was different. Miss Arundell didn’t get out much and what with one thingand another—” she paused.
Poirot eyed her for a minute then he said:
“I understand a little the mentality50 of elderly ladies. They crave51, do they not, for novelty. Theyget, perhaps, to the end of a person.”
“Well, now, that’s very clever of you, sir. You’ve hit it exactly. When a new lady came MissArundell was always interested to start with—about her life and her childhood and where she’dbeen and what she thought about things, and then, when she knew all about her, well, she’d get—well, I suppose bored is the real word.”
“Exactly. And between you and me, these ladies who go as companions, they are not usuallyvery interesting—very amusing, eh?”
“No, indeed, sir. They’re poor-spirited creatures, most of them. Downright foolish, now andthen. Miss Arundell soon got through with them, so to speak. And then she’d make a change andhave someone else.”
“She must have been unusually attached to Miss Lawson, though.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, sir.”
“Miss Lawson was not in any way a remarkable52 woman?”
“I shouldn’t have said so, sir. Quite an ordinary person.”
“You liked her, yes?”
The woman shrugged53 her shoulders slightly.
“There wasn’t anything to like or dislike. Fussy54 she was—a regular old maid and full of thisnonsense about spirits.”
“Spirits?” Poirot looked alert.
“Yes, sir, spirits. Sitting in the dark round a table and dead people came back and spoke55 to you.
Downright irreligious I call it—as if we didn’t know departed souls had their rightful place andaren’t likely to leave it.”
“So Miss Lawson was a spiritualist! Was Miss Arundell a believer too?”
“Miss Lawson would have liked her to be!” snapped the other. There was a spice of satisfiedmalice in her tone.
“But she wasn’t?” Poirot persisted.
“The mistress had too much sense.” She snorted. “Mind you, I don’t say it didn’t amuse her.
‘I’m willing to be convinced,’ she’d say. But she’d often look at Miss Lawson as much as to say,‘My poor dear, what a fool you are to be so taken in!’”
“I comprehend. She did not believe in it, but it was a source of amusement to her.”
“That’s right, sir. I sometimes wondered if she didn’t—well have a bit of quiet fun, so to speak,pushing the table and that sort of thing. And the others all as serious as death.”
“The others?”
“Miss Lawson and the two Miss Tripps.”
“Miss Lawson was a very convinced spiritualist?”
“Took it all for gospel, sir.”
“And Miss Arundell was very attached to Miss Lawson, of course.”
It was the second time Poirot had made this certain remark and he got the same response.
“Well, hardly that, sir.”
“But surely,” said Poirot. “If she left her everything. She did, did she not?”
The change was immediate56. The human being vanished. The correct maidservant returned. Thewoman drew herself up and said in a colourless voice that held reproof57 for familiarity in it:
“The way the mistress left her money is hardly my business, sir.”
I felt that Poirot had bungled58 the job. Having got the woman in a friendly mood, he was nowproceeding to throw away his advantage. He was wise enough to make no immediate attempt torecover lost ground. After a commonplace remark about the size and number of the bedrooms hewent towards the head of the stairs.
Bob had disappeared, but as I came to the stairhead, I stumbled and nearly fell. Catching59 at thebaluster to steady myself I looked down and saw that I had inadvertently placed my foot on Bob’sball which he had left lying on the top of the stairs.
The woman apologized quickly.
“I’m sorry, sir. It’s Bob’s fault. He leaves his ball there. And you can’t see it against the darkcarpet. Death of someone some day it’ll be. The poor mistress had a nasty fall through it. Mighteasily have been the death of her.”
Poirot stopped suddenly on the stairs.
“She had an accident you say?”
“Yes, sir. Bob left his ball there, as he often did, and the mistress came out of her room and fellover it and went right down the stairs. Might have been killed.”
“Was she much hurt?”
“Not as much as you’d think. Very lucky she was, Dr. Grainger said. Cut her head a little, andstrained her back, and of course there were bruises60 and it was a nasty shock. She was in bed forabout a week, but it wasn’t serious.”
“Was this long ago?”
“Just a week or two before she died.”
Poirot stooped to recover something he had dropped.
“Pardon—my fountain pen—ah, yes, there it is.”
He stood up again.
“He is careless, this Master Bob,” he observed.
“Ah well, he don’t know no better, sir,” said the woman in an indulgent voice. “Nearly humanhe may be, but you can’t have everything. The mistress, you see, usedn’t to sleep well at night andoften she’d get up and wander downstairs and round and about the house.”
“She did that often?”
“Most nights. But she wouldn’t have Miss Lawson or anyone fussing after her.”
Poirot had turned into the drawing room again.
“A beautiful room this,” he observed. “I wonder, would there be space in this recess61 for mybookcase? What do you think, Hastings?”
Quite fogged I remarked cautiously that it would be difficult to say.
“Yes, sizes are so deceptive62. Take, I pray you, my little rule and measure the width of it and Iwill write it down.”
Obediently I took the folding rule that Poirot handed me and took various measurements underhis direction whilst he wrote on the back of an envelope.
I was just wondering why he adopted such an untidy and uncharacteristic method instead ofmaking a neat entry in his little pocketbook when he handed the envelope to me, saying:
“That is right, is it not? Perhaps you had better verify it.”
There were no figures on the envelope. Instead was written: “When we go upstairs again,pretend to remember an appointment and ask if you can telephone. Let the woman come with youand delay her as long as you can.”
“That’s all right,” I said, pocketing the envelope. “I should say both bookcases would go inperfectly.”
“It is as well to be sure though. I think, if it is not too much trouble, I would like to look at theprincipal bedroom again. I am not quite sure of the wall space there.”
“Certainly, sir. It’s no trouble.”
We went up again. Poirot measured a portion of wall, and was just commenting aloud on therespective possible positions of bed, wardrobe and writing table, when I looked at my watch, gavea somewhat exaggerated start and exclaimed:
“By Jove, do you know it’s three o’clock already? What will Anderson think? I ought totelephone to him.” I turned to the woman. “I wonder if I might use your telephone if you haveone.”
“Why, certainly, sir. It’s in the little room off the hall. I’ll show you.”
She bustled63 down with me, indicating the instrument, and then I got her to help me in finding anumber in the telephone directory. In the end I made a call — to a Mr. Anderson in theneighbouring town of Harchester. Fortunately he was out and I was able to leave a message sayingit was unimportant and that I would ring up later!
When I emerged Poirot had descended64 the staircase and was standing65 in the hall. His eyes had aslightly green tinge66. I had no clue to his excitement but I realized that he was excited.
Poirot said:
“That fall from the top of the stairs must have given your mistress a great shock. Did she seemperturbed about Bob and his ball after it?”
“It’s funny your saying that, sir. It worried her a lot. Why, just as she was dying, she wasdelirious and she rambled67 on a lot about Bob and his ball and something about a picture that wasajar.”
“A picture that was ajar,” said Poirot thoughtfully.
“Of course, it didn’t make sense, sir, but she was rambling68, you see.”
“One moment—I must just go into the drawing room once more.”
He wandered round the room examining the ornaments69. In especial, one big jar with a lid on itseemed to attract him. It was not, I fancy, a particularly good bit of china. A piece of Victorianhumour—it had on it a rather crude picture of a bulldog sitting outside a front door with amournful expression on its face. Below was written: Out all night and no key.
Poirot, whose taste I have always been convinced, is hopelessly Bourgeois70, seemed lost inadmiration.
“Out all night and no key,” he murmured. “It is amusing, that! Is that true of our Master Bob?
Does he sometimes stay out all night?”
“Very occasional, sir. Oh, very occasional. He’s a very good dog, Bob is.”
“I am sure he is. But even the best of dogs—”
“Oh, it’s quite true, sir. Once or twice he’s gone off and come home perhaps at four in themorning. Then he sits down on the step and barks till he’s let in.”
“Who lets him in—Miss Lawson?”
“Well, anyone who hears him, sir. It was Miss Lawson, sir, last time. It was the night of themistress’s accident. And Bob came home about five. Miss Lawson hurried down to let him inbefore he could make a noise. She was afraid of waking up the mistress and hadn’t told her Bobwas missing for fear of worrying her.”
“I see. She thought it was better Miss Arundell shouldn’t be told?”
“That’s what she said, sir. She said, ‘He’s sure to come back. He always does, but she mightworry and that would never do.’ So we didn’t say anything.”
“Was Bob fond of Miss Lawson?”
“Well, he was rather contemptuous of her if you know what I mean, sir. Dogs can be. She waskind to him. Called him a good doggie and a nice doggie, but he used to look at her kind ofscornful like and he didn’t pay any attention at all to what she told him to do.”
Poirot nodded. “I see,” he said.
Suddenly he did something which startled me.
He pulled a letter from his pocket—the letter he had received this morning.
“Ellen,” he said, “do you know anything about this?”
The change that came over Ellen’s face was remarkable.
Her jaw71 dropped and she stared at Poirot with an almost comical expression of bewilderment.
“Well,” she ejaculated. “I never did!”
The observation lacked coherency, perhaps, but it left no doubt of Ellen’s meaning.
Gathering72 her wits about her she said slowly:
“Are you the gentleman that letter was written to then?”
“I am. I am Hercule Poirot.”
Like most people, Ellen had not glanced at the name on the order Poirot had held out to her onhis arrival. She nodded her head slowly.
“That was it,” she said. “Hercules Poirot.” She added an S to the Christian73 name and soundedthe T of the surname.
“My word!” she exclaimed. “Cook will be surprised.”
Poirot said, quickly:
“Would it not be advisable, perhaps, for us to go to the kitchen and there in company with yourfriend, we could talk this matter over?”
“Well—if you don’t mind, sir.”
Ellen sounded just a little doubtful. This particular social dilemma74 was clearly new to her. ButPoirot’s matter-of-fact manner reassured75 her and we departed forthwith to the kitchen, Ellenelucidating the situation to a large, pleasant-faced woman who was just lifting a kettle from a gasring.
“You’ll never believe it, Annie. This is actually the gentleman that letter was to. You know, theone I found in the blotter.”
“You must remember I am in the dark,” said Poirot. “Perhaps you will tell me how the lettercame to be posted so late in the day?”
“Well, sir, to tell the truth I didn’t know what to do. Neither of us did, did we?”
“Indeed, we didn’t,” the cook confirmed.
“You see, sir, when Miss Lawson was turning out things after the mistress’s death a good lot ofthings were given away or thrown away. Among them was a little papier-m?ché, I think they callit, blotter. Very pretty it was, with a lily of the valley on it. The mistress always used it when shewrote in bed. Well, Miss Lawson didn’t want it so she gave it to me along with a lot of other littleodds and ends that had belonged to the mistress. I put it away in a drawer, and it wasn’t tillyesterday that I took it out. I was going to put some new blotting76 paper in it so that it was ready forme to use. There was a sort of pocket inside and I just slipped my hand in it when what should Ifind but a letter in the mistress’s handwriting, tucked away.
“Well, as I say I didn’t know rightly what to do about it. It was the mistress’s hand all right, andI saw as she’d written it and slipped it in there waiting to post it the next day and then she’d forgot,which is the kind of thing she did many a time, poor dear. Once it was a dividend77 warrant to herbank and no one could think where it had got to, and at last it was found pushed right back in thepigeonholes of the desk.”
“Was she untidy?”
“Oh, no, sir, just the opposite. She was always putting things away and clearing them up. Thatwas half the trouble. If she’d left things about it would really have been better. It was their beingtidied away and then forgotten that was always happening.”
“Things like Bob’s ball, for instance?” asked Poirot with a smile.
The sagacious terrier had just trotted78 in from outdoors and greeted us anew in a very friendlymanner.
“Yes, indeed, sir. As soon as Bob finished playing with his ball she’d put it away. But that wasall right because it had its own place—in the drawer I showed you.”
“I see. But I interrupted you. Pray go on. You discovered the letter in the blotter?”
“Yes, sir, that was the way of it, and I asked Annie what she thought I’d better do. I didn’t liketo put it in the fire—and of course, I couldn’t take upon myself to open it, and neither Annie nor Icould see that it was any business of Miss Lawson’s so after we’d talked it over a bit, I just put astamp on it and ran out to the postbox and posted it.”
Poirot turned slightly to me.
“Voilà,” he murmured.
I could not help saying, maliciously79:
“Amazing how simple an explanation can be!”
I thought he looked a little crestfallen80, and rather wished I hadn’t been so quick to try and rub itin.
He turned again to Ellen.
“As my friend says: How simple an explanation can be! You understand, when I received aletter dated over two months ago, I was somewhat surprised.”
“Yes, I suppose you must have been, sir. We didn’t think of that.”
“Also—” Poirot coughed. “I am in a little dilemma. That letter, you see—it was a commissionwith which Miss Arundell wished to entrust81 me. A matter of a somewhat private character.” Hecleared his throat importantly. “Now that Miss Arundell is dead I am in some doubt how to act.
Would Miss Arundell have wished me to undertake the commission in these circumstances or not?
It is difficult—very difficult.”
Both women were looking at him respectfully.
“I shall have, I think, to consult Miss Arundell’s lawyer. She had a lawyer, did she not?”
Ellen answered, quickly.
“Oh, yes, sir. Mr. Purvis from Harchester.”
“He knew all her affairs?”
“I think so, sir. He’s done everything for her ever since I can remember. It was him she sent forafter the fall she had.”
“The fall down the stairs?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now let me see when was that exactly?”
The cook broke in.
“Day after Bank Holiday it was. I remember that well. I stayed in to oblige on Bank Holidayseeing she had all those people staying and I had the day on Wednesday instead.”
Poirot whipped out his pocket almanac.
“Precisely—precisely. Easter Bank Holiday, I see, fell on the thirteenth this year. Then MissArundell had her accident on the fourteenth. This letter to me was written three days later. A pity itwas never sent. However, it may still not be too late—” he paused. “I rather fancy that the—er—commission she wished me to perform was connected with one of the—er—guests you mentionedjust now.”
This remark, which could only have been a pure shot in the dark, met with immediate response.
A quick look of intelligence passed across Ellen’s face. She turned to the cook who gave her backan answering glance.
“That’ll be Mr. Charles,” she said.
“If you would tell me just who was there—” Poirot suggested.
“Dr. Tanios and his wife, Miss Bella that was, and Miss Theresa and Mr. Charles.”
“They were all nephews and nieces?”
“That’s right, sir. Dr. Tanios, of course, is no relation. In fact he’s a foreigner, a Greek orsomething of the sort, I believe. He married Miss Bella, Miss Arundell’s niece, her sister’s child.
Mr. Charles and Miss Theresa are brother and sister.”
“Ah, yes, I see. A family party. And when did they leave?”
“On the Wednesday morning, sir. And Dr. Tanios and Miss Bella came down again the nextweekend because they were worried about Miss Arundell.”
“And Mr. Charles and Miss Theresa?”
“They came the weekend after. The weekend before she died.”
Poirot’s curiosity, I felt, was quite insatiable. I could see no point in these continued questions.
He got the explanation of his mystery, and in my opinion the sooner he retired82 with dignity thebetter.
The thought seemed to go from my brain to his.
“Eh bien,” he said. “This information you have given me is very helpful. I must consult this Mr.
Purvis, I think you said? Thank you very much for all your help.”
He stooped and patted Bob.
“Brave chien, va! You loved your mistress.”
Bob responded amiably83 to these overtures84 and, hopeful of a little play, went and fetched a largepiece of coal. For this he was reproved and the coal removed from him. He sent me a glance insearch of sympathy.
“These women,” he seemed to say. “Generous with the food, but not really sportsmen!”
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 prospective oR7xB     
adj.预期的,未来的,前瞻性的
参考例句:
  • The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
  • They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。
2 credentials credentials     
n.证明,资格,证明书,证件
参考例句:
  • He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
  • Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。
3 shutters 74d48a88b636ca064333022eb3458e1f     
百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 ); (照相机的)快门
参考例句:
  • The shop-front is fitted with rolling shutters. 那商店的店门装有卷门。
  • The shutters thumped the wall in the wind. 在风中百叶窗砰砰地碰在墙上。
4 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
5 conscientious mYmzr     
adj.审慎正直的,认真的,本着良心的
参考例句:
  • He is a conscientious man and knows his job.他很认真负责,也很懂行。
  • He is very conscientious in the performance of his duties.他非常认真地履行职责。
6 sequestered 0ceab16bc48aa9b4ed97d60eeed591f8     
adj.扣押的;隐退的;幽静的;偏僻的v.使隔绝,使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 );扣押
参考例句:
  • The jury is expected to be sequestered for at least two months. 陪审团渴望被隔离至少两个月。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Everything he owned was sequestered. 他的一切都被扣押了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 crescendo 1o8zM     
n.(音乐)渐强,高潮
参考例句:
  • The gale reached its crescendo in the evening.狂风在晚上达到高潮。
  • There was a crescendo of parliamentary and press criticism.来自议会和新闻界的批评越来越多。
8 galloping galloping     
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • The horse started galloping the moment I gave it a good dig. 我猛戳了马一下,它就奔驰起来了。
  • Japan is galloping ahead in the race to develop new technology. 日本在发展新技术的竞争中进展迅速,日新月异。
9 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
10 sniff PF7zs     
vi.嗅…味道;抽鼻涕;对嗤之以鼻,蔑视
参考例句:
  • The police used dogs to sniff out the criminals in their hiding - place.警察使用警犬查出了罪犯的藏身地点。
  • When Munchie meets a dog on the beach, they sniff each other for a while.当麦奇在海滩上碰到另一条狗的时候,他们会彼此嗅一会儿。
11 sniffing 50b6416c50a7d3793e6172a8514a0576     
n.探查法v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的现在分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说
参考例句:
  • We all had colds and couldn't stop sniffing and sneezing. 我们都感冒了,一个劲地抽鼻子,打喷嚏。
  • They all had colds and were sniffing and sneezing. 他们都伤风了,呼呼喘气而且打喷嚏。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
12 sniffed ccb6bd83c4e9592715e6230a90f76b72     
v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说
参考例句:
  • When Jenney had stopped crying she sniffed and dried her eyes. 珍妮停止了哭泣,吸了吸鼻子,擦干了眼泪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The dog sniffed suspiciously at the stranger. 狗疑惑地嗅着那个陌生人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
13 slippers oiPzHV     
n. 拖鞋
参考例句:
  • a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
  • He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋,倒在床上。
14 prances 49a2332d84d2aec979b1d8a81edf37b3     
v.(马)腾跃( prance的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The little girl prances about the room in her new clothes. 小女孩穿著新衣在屋里雀跃。 来自互联网
  • Southern Jiangsu prances, go in countrywide front row, and northward Heibei economy temperature is relatively inferior. 南方的江苏昂首阔步,走在全国前列,而北方的河北经济热度相对较低。 来自互联网
15 deductions efdb24c54db0a56d702d92a7f902dd1f     
扣除( deduction的名词复数 ); 结论; 扣除的量; 推演
参考例句:
  • Many of the older officers trusted agents sightings more than cryptanalysts'deductions. 许多年纪比较大的军官往往相信特务的发现,而不怎么相信密码分析员的推断。
  • You know how you rush at things,jump to conclusions without proper deductions. 你知道你处理问题是多么仓促,毫无合适的演绎就仓促下结论。
16 persistently MlzztP     
ad.坚持地;固执地
参考例句:
  • He persistently asserted his right to a share in the heritage. 他始终声称他有分享那笔遗产的权利。
  • She persistently asserted her opinions. 她果断地说出了自己的意见。
17 rattling 7b0e25ab43c3cc912945aafbb80e7dfd     
adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词
参考例句:
  • This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
  • At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时,一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来,把窗玻璃震得当当地响。
18 undesirable zp0yb     
adj.不受欢迎的,不良的,不合意的,讨厌的;n.不受欢迎的人,不良分子
参考例句:
  • They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
  • Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。
19 proceeding Vktzvu     
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报
参考例句:
  • This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
  • The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。
20 conjured 227df76f2d66816f8360ea2fef0349b5     
用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 ); 祈求,恳求; 变戏法; (变魔术般地) 使…出现
参考例句:
  • He conjured them with his dying breath to look after his children. 他临终时恳求他们照顾他的孩子。
  • His very funny joke soon conjured my anger away. 他讲了个十分有趣的笑话,使得我的怒气顿消。
21 fragrance 66ryn     
n.芬芳,香味,香气
参考例句:
  • The apple blossoms filled the air with their fragrance.苹果花使空气充满香味。
  • The fragrance of lavender filled the room.房间里充满了薰衣草的香味。
22 potpourri PPKxj     
n.混合之事物;百花香
参考例句:
  • As tobacco cigarette burns,a potpourri of 4000 chemicals is released,including carbon monoxide and hydrocyanic acid.当烟被点燃时,融合了四千种化学品的气体被释放出来,其中包括一氧化碳和氢氰酸。
  • Even so,there is a slight odour of potpourri emanating from Longfellow.纵然如此,也还是可以闻到来自朗费罗的一种轻微的杂烩的味道。
23 exquisitely Btwz1r     
adv.精致地;强烈地;剧烈地;异常地
参考例句:
  • He found her exquisitely beautiful. 他觉得她异常美丽。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He wore an exquisitely tailored gray silk and accessories to match. 他穿的是做工非常考究的灰色绸缎衣服,还有各种配得很协调的装饰。 来自教父部分
24 refinement kinyX     
n.文雅;高尚;精美;精制;精炼
参考例句:
  • Sally is a woman of great refinement and beauty. 莎莉是个温文尔雅又很漂亮的女士。
  • Good manners and correct speech are marks of refinement.彬彬有礼和谈吐得体是文雅的标志。
25 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
26 plaintive z2Xz1     
adj.可怜的,伤心的
参考例句:
  • Her voice was small and plaintive.她的声音微弱而哀伤。
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
27 yelp zosym     
vi.狗吠
参考例句:
  • The dog gave a yelp of pain.狗疼得叫了一声。
  • The puppy a yelp when John stepped on her tail.当约翰踩到小狗的尾巴,小狗发出尖叫。
28 logic j0HxI     
n.逻辑(学);逻辑性
参考例句:
  • What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑?
  • I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。
29 momentary hj3ya     
adj.片刻的,瞬息的;短暂的
参考例句:
  • We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
  • I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。
30 monotonous FwQyJ     
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的
参考例句:
  • She thought life in the small town was monotonous.她觉得小镇上的生活单调而乏味。
  • His articles are fixed in form and monotonous in content.他的文章千篇一律,一个调调儿。
31 descend descend     
vt./vi.传下来,下来,下降
参考例句:
  • I hope the grace of God would descend on me.我期望上帝的恩惠。
  • We're not going to descend to such methods.我们不会沦落到使用这种手段。
32 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地
参考例句:
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
33 intercourse NbMzU     
n.性交;交流,交往,交际
参考例句:
  • The magazine becomes a cultural medium of intercourse between the two peoples.该杂志成为两民族间文化交流的媒介。
  • There was close intercourse between them.他们过往很密。
34 liking mpXzQ5     
n.爱好;嗜好;喜欢
参考例句:
  • The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
  • I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。
35 garrulously 6fa258b90b0a14c7cc128754f5414ba9     
参考例句:
36 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的,高贵的
参考例句:
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中,他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
37 retrieve ZsYyp     
vt.重新得到,收回;挽回,补救;检索
参考例句:
  • He was determined to retrieve his honor.他决心恢复名誉。
  • The men were trying to retrieve weapons left when the army abandoned the island.士兵们正试图找回军队从该岛撤退时留下的武器。
38 unduly Mp4ya     
adv.过度地,不适当地
参考例句:
  • He did not sound unduly worried at the prospect.他的口气听上去对前景并不十分担忧。
  • He argued that the law was unduly restrictive.他辩称法律的约束性有些过分了。
39 robust FXvx7     
adj.强壮的,强健的,粗野的,需要体力的,浓的
参考例句:
  • She is too tall and robust.她个子太高,身体太壮。
  • China wants to keep growth robust to reduce poverty and avoid job losses,AP commented.美联社评论道,中国希望保持经济强势增长,以减少贫困和失业状况。
40 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • 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。
41 mendacious qCVx1     
adj.不真的,撒谎的
参考例句:
  • The mendacious beggar told a different tale of woe at every house.这个撒谎的乞丐对于每一家都编了一个不同悲哀的故事。
  • She gave us a mendacious report.她给了我们一个虚假的报告。
42 invalid V4Oxh     
n.病人,伤残人;adj.有病的,伤残的;无效的
参考例句:
  • He will visit an invalid.他将要去看望一个病人。
  • A passport that is out of date is invalid.护照过期是无效的。
43 hostility hdyzQ     
n.敌对,敌意;抵制[pl.]交战,战争
参考例句:
  • There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
  • His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。
44 ailing XzzzbA     
v.生病
参考例句:
  • They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
  • She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。
45 nourishment Ovvyi     
n.食物,营养品;营养情况
参考例句:
  • Lack of proper nourishment reduces their power to resist disease.营养不良降低了他们抵抗疾病的能力。
  • He ventured that plants draw part of their nourishment from the air.他大胆提出植物从空气中吸收部分养分的观点。
46 starched 1adcdf50723145c17c3fb6015bbe818c     
adj.浆硬的,硬挺的,拘泥刻板的v.把(衣服、床单等)浆一浆( starch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • My clothes are not starched enough. 我的衣服浆得不够硬。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The ruffles on his white shirt were starched and clean. 白衬衫的褶边浆过了,很干净。 来自辞典例句
47 cuffs 4f67c64175ca73d89c78d4bd6a85e3ed     
n.袖口( cuff的名词复数 )v.掌打,拳打( cuff的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • a collar and cuffs of white lace 带白色蕾丝花边的衣领和袖口
  • The cuffs of his shirt were fraying. 他衬衣的袖口磨破了。
48 bilious GdUy3     
adj.胆汁过多的;易怒的
参考例句:
  • The quality or condition of being bilious.多脂肪食物使有些人患胆汁病。
  • He was a bilious old gentleman.他是一位脾气乖戾的老先生。
49 curry xnozh     
n.咖哩粉,咖哩饭菜;v.用咖哩粉调味,用马栉梳,制革
参考例句:
  • Rice makes an excellent complement to a curry dish.有咖喱的菜配米饭最棒。
  • Add a teaspoonful of curry powder.加一茶匙咖喱粉。
50 mentality PoIzHP     
n.心理,思想,脑力
参考例句:
  • He has many years'experience of the criminal mentality.他研究犯罪心理有多年经验。
  • Running a business requires a very different mentality from being a salaried employee.经营企业所要求具备的心态和上班族的心态截然不同。
51 crave fowzI     
vt.渴望得到,迫切需要,恳求,请求
参考例句:
  • Many young children crave attention.许多小孩子渴望得到关心。
  • You may be craving for some fresh air.你可能很想呼吸呼吸新鲜空气。
52 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
53 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
54 fussy Ff5z3     
adj.为琐事担忧的,过分装饰的,爱挑剔的
参考例句:
  • He is fussy about the way his food's cooked.他过分计较食物的烹调。
  • The little girl dislikes her fussy parents.小女孩讨厌她那过分操心的父母。
55 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
56 immediate aapxh     
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的
参考例句:
  • His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
  • We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
57 reproof YBhz9     
n.斥责,责备
参考例句:
  • A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit.严厉的责难胜过温和的欺骗。
  • He is impatient of reproof.他不能忍受指责。
58 bungled dedbc53d4a8d18ca5ec91a3ac0f1e2b5     
v.搞糟,完不成( bungle的过去式和过去分词 );笨手笨脚地做;失败;完不成
参考例句:
  • They bungled the job. 他们把活儿搞糟了。
  • John bungled the job. 约翰把事情搞糟了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
59 catching cwVztY     
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住
参考例句:
  • There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
  • Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
60 bruises bruises     
n.瘀伤,伤痕,擦伤( bruise的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • He was covered with bruises after falling off his bicycle. 他从自行车上摔了下来,摔得浑身伤痕。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The pear had bruises of dark spots. 这个梨子有碰伤的黑斑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
61 recess pAxzC     
n.短期休息,壁凹(墙上装架子,柜子等凹处)
参考例句:
  • The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
  • Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。
62 deceptive CnMzO     
adj.骗人的,造成假象的,靠不住的
参考例句:
  • His appearance was deceptive.他的外表带有欺骗性。
  • The storyline is deceptively simple.故事情节看似简单,其实不然。
63 bustled 9467abd9ace0cff070d56f0196327c70     
闹哄哄地忙乱,奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 ); 催促
参考例句:
  • She bustled around in the kitchen. 她在厨房里忙得团团转。
  • The hostress bustled about with an assumption of authority. 女主人摆出一副权威的样子忙来忙去。
64 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
65 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
66 tinge 8q9yO     
vt.(较淡)着色于,染色;使带有…气息;n.淡淡色彩,些微的气息
参考例句:
  • The maple leaves are tinge with autumn red.枫叶染上了秋天的红色。
  • There was a tinge of sadness in her voice.她声音中流露出一丝忧伤。
67 rambled f9968757e060a59ff2ab1825c2706de5     
(无目的地)漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 ); (喻)漫谈; 扯淡; 长篇大论
参考例句:
  • We rambled through the woods. 我们漫步走过树林。
  • She rambled on at great length but she didn't get to the heart of the matter. 她夹七夹八地说了许多话也没说到点子上。
68 rambling MTfxg     
adj.[建]凌乱的,杂乱的
参考例句:
  • We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
  • It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。
69 ornaments 2bf24c2bab75a8ff45e650a1e4388dec     
n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 );点缀;装饰品;首饰v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The shelves were chock-a-block with ornaments. 架子上堆满了装饰品。
  • Playing the piano sets up resonance in those glass ornaments. 一弹钢琴那些玻璃饰物就会产生共振。 来自《简明英汉词典》
70 bourgeois ERoyR     
adj./n.追求物质享受的(人);中产阶级分子
参考例句:
  • He's accusing them of having a bourgeois and limited vision.他指责他们像中产阶级一样目光狭隘。
  • The French Revolution was inspired by the bourgeois.法国革命受到中产阶级的鼓励。
71 jaw 5xgy9     
n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训
参考例句:
  • He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
  • A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。
72 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
73 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
74 dilemma Vlzzf     
n.困境,进退两难的局面
参考例句:
  • I am on the horns of a dilemma about the matter.这件事使我进退两难。
  • He was thrown into a dilemma.他陷入困境。
75 reassured ff7466d942d18e727fb4d5473e62a235     
adj.使消除疑虑的;使放心的v.再保证,恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The captain's confidence during the storm reassured the passengers. 在风暴中船长的信念使旅客们恢复了信心。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The doctor reassured the old lady. 医生叫那位老妇人放心。 来自《简明英汉词典》
76 blotting 82f88882eee24a4d34af56be69fee506     
吸墨水纸
参考例句:
  • Water will permeate blotting paper. 水能渗透吸水纸。
  • One dab with blotting-paper and the ink was dry. 用吸墨纸轻轻按了一下,墨水就乾了。
77 dividend Fk7zv     
n.红利,股息;回报,效益
参考例句:
  • The company was forced to pass its dividend.该公司被迫到期不分红。
  • The first quarter dividend has been increased by nearly 4 per cent.第一季度的股息增长了近 4%。
78 trotted 6df8e0ef20c10ef975433b4a0456e6e1     
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
参考例句:
  • She trotted her pony around the field. 她骑着小马绕场慢跑。
  • Anne trotted obediently beside her mother. 安妮听话地跟在妈妈身边走。
79 maliciously maliciously     
adv.有敌意地
参考例句:
  • He was charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm. 他被控蓄意严重伤害他人身体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • His enemies maliciously conspired to ruin him. 他的敌人恶毒地密谋搞垮他。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
80 crestfallen Aagy0     
adj. 挫败的,失望的,沮丧的
参考例句:
  • He gathered himself up and sneaked off,crushed and crestfallen.他爬起来,偷偷地溜了,一副垂头丧气、被斗败的样子。
  • The youth looked exceedingly crestfallen.那青年看上去垂头丧气极了。
81 entrust JoLxh     
v.信赖,信托,交托
参考例句:
  • I couldn't entrust my children to strangers.我不能把孩子交给陌生人照看。
  • They can be entrusted to solve major national problems.可以委托他们解决重大国家问题。
82 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
83 amiably amiably     
adv.和蔼可亲地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • She grinned amiably at us. 她咧着嘴向我们亲切地微笑。
  • Atheists and theists live together peacefully and amiably in this country. 无神论者和有神论者在该国和睦相处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
84 overtures 0ed0d32776ccf6fae49696706f6020ad     
n.主动的表示,提议;(向某人做出的)友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 );(歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的)序曲,前奏曲
参考例句:
  • Their government is making overtures for peace. 他们的政府正在提出和平建议。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He had lately begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship. 最近他开始主动表示友好,样子笨拙却又招人喜爱。 来自辞典例句
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