轻松背单词新浪微博 轻松背单词腾讯微博
轻松背单词微信服务号
当前位置:首页 -> 11级英语阅读 - > 欧·亨利:THE CALIPH AND THE CAD
欧·亨利:THE CALIPH AND THE CAD
添加时间:2023-12-11 10:44:52 浏览次数: 作者:未知
Tip:点击数字可快速查看单词解释  
  • Surely there is no pastime more diverting than that of mingling1, incognito2, with persons of wealth and station. Where else but in those circles can one see life in its primitive3, crude state unhampered by the conventions that bind4 the dwellers5 in a lower sphere?

    There was a certain Caliph of Bagdad who was accustomed to go down among the poor and lowly for the solace6 obtained from the relation of their tales and histories. Is it not strange that the humble7 and poverty-stricken have not availed themselves of the pleasure they might glean8 by donning diamonds and silks and playing Caliph among the haunts of the upper world?

    There was one who saw the possibilities of thus turning the tables on Haroun al Raschid. His name was Corny Brannigan, and he was a truck driver for a Canal Street importing firm. And if you read further you will learn how he turned upper Broadway into Bagdad and learned something about himself that he did not know before.

    Many people would have called Corny a snob—preferably by means of a telephone. His chief interest in life, his chosen amusement, and his sole diversion after working hours, was to place himself in juxtaposition—since he could not hope to mingle—with people of fashion and means.

    Every evening after Corny had put up his team and dined at a lunch-counter that made immediateness9 a specialty10, he would clothe himself in evening raiment as correct as any you will see in the palm rooms. Then he would betake himself to that ravishing, radiant roadway devoted11 to Thespis, Thais, and Bacchus.

    For a time he would stroll about the lobbies of the best hotels, his soul steeped in blissful content. Beautiful women, cooing like doves, but feathered like birds of Paradise, flicked12 him with their robes as they passed. Courtly gentlemen attended them, gallant13 and assiduous. And Corny’s heart within him swelled14 like Sir Lancelot’s, for the mirror spoke16 to him as he passed and said: “Corny, lad, there’s not a guy among ’em that looks a bit the sweller than yerself. And you drivin’ of a truck and them swearin’ off their taxes and playin’ the red in art galleries with the best in the land!”

    And the mirrors spake the truth. Mr. Corny Brannigan had acquired the outward polish, if nothing more. Long and keen observation of polite society had gained for him its manner, its genteel air, and—most difficult of acquirement—its repose17 and ease.

    Now and then in the hotels Corny had managed conversation and temporary acquaintance with substantial, if not distinguished18, guests. With many of these he had exchanged cards, and the ones he received he carefully treasured for his own use later. Leaving the hotel lobbies, Corny would stroll leisurely19 about, lingering at the theatre entrance, dropping into the fashionable restaurants as if seeking some friend. He rarely patronized any of these places; he was no bee come to suck honey, but a butterfly flashing his wings among the flowers whose calyces held no sweets for him. His wages were not large enough to furnish him with more than the outside garb20 of the gentleman. To have been one of the beings he so cunningly imitated, Corny Brannigan would have given his right hand.

    One night Corny had an adventure. After absorbing the delights of an hour’s lounging in the principal hotels along Broadway, he passed up into the stronghold of Thespis. Cab drivers hailed him as a likely fare, to his prideful content. Languishing21 eyes were turned upon him as a hopeful source of lobsters22 and the delectable23, ascendant globules of effervescence. These overtures24 and unconscious compliments Corny swallowed as manna, and hoped Bill, the off horse, would be less lame25 in the left forefoot in the morning.

    Beneath a cluster of milky26 globes of electric light Corny paused to admire the sheen of his low-cut patent leather shoes. The building occupying the angle was a pretentious27 café. Out of this came a couple, a lady in a white, cobwebby evening gown, with a lace wrap like a wreath of mist thrown over it, and a man, tall, faultless, assured—too assured. They moved to the edge of the sidewalk and halted. Corny’s eye, ever alert for “pointers” in “swell15” behaviour, took them in with a sidelong glance.

    “The carriage is not here,” said the lady. “You ordered it to wait?”

    “I ordered it for nine-thirty,” said the man. “It should be here now.”

    A familiar note in the lady’s voice drew a more especial attention from Corny. It was pitched in a key well known to him. The soft electric shone upon her face. Sisters of sorrow have no quarters fixed28 for them. In the index to the book of breaking hearts you will find that Broadway follows very soon after the Bowery. This lady’s face was sad, and her voice was attuned29 with it. They waited, as if for the carriage. Corny waited too, for it was out of doors, and he was never tired of accumulating and profiting by knowledge of gentlemanly conduct.

    “Jack,” said the lady, “don’t be angry. I’ve done everything I could to please you this evening. Why do you act so?”

    “Oh, you’re an angel,” said the man. “Depend upon woman to throw the blame upon a man.”

    “I’m not blaming you. I’m only trying to make you happy.”

    “You go about it in a very peculiar30 way.”

    “You have been cross with me all the evening without any cause.”

    “Oh, there isn’t any cause except—you make me tired.”

    Corny took out his card case and looked over his collection. He selected one that read: “Mr. R. Lionel Whyte-Melville, Bloomsbury Square, London.” This card he had inveigled31 from a tourist at the King Edward Hotel. Corny stepped up to the man and presented it with a correctly formal air.

    “May I ask why I am selected for the honour?” asked the lady’s escort.

    Now, Mr. Corny Brannigan had a very wise habit of saying little during his imitations of the Caliph of Bagdad. The advice of Lord Chesterfield: “Wear a black coat and hold your tongue,” he believed in without having heard. But now speech was demanded and required of him.

    “No gent,” said Corny, “would talk to a lady like you done. Fie upon you, Willie! Even if she happens to be your wife you ought to have more respect for your clothes than to chin her back that way. Maybe it ain’t my butt-in, but it goes, anyhow—you strike me as bein’ a whole lot to the wrong.”

    The lady’s escort indulged in more elegantly expressed but fetching repartee32. Corny, eschewing33 his truck driver’s vocabulary, retorted as nearly as he could in polite phrases. Then diplomatic relations were severed34; there was a brief but lively set-to with other than oral weapons, from which Corny came forth35 easily victor.

    A carriage dashed up, driven by a tardy36 and solicitous37 coachman.

    “Will you kindly38 open the door for me?” asked the lady. Corny assisted her to enter, and took off his hat. The escort was beginning to scramble39 up from the sidewalk.

    “I beg your pardon, ma’am,” said Corny, “if he’s your man.”

    “He’s no man of mine,” said the lady. “Perhaps he—but there’s no chance of his being now. Drive home, Michael. If you care to take this—with my thanks.”

    Three red roses were thrust out through the carriage window into Corny’s hand. He took them, and the hand for an instant; and then the carriage sped away.

    Corny gathered his foe’s hat and began to brush the dust from his clothes.

    “Come along,” said Corny, taking the other man by the arm.

    His late opponent was yet a little dazed by the hard knocks he had received. Corny led him carefully into a saloon three doors away.

    “The drinks for us,” said Corny, “me and my friend.”

    “You’re a queer feller,” said the lady’s late escort—“lick a man and then want to set ’em up.”

    “You’re my best friend,” said Corny exultantly40. “You don’t understand? Well, listen. You just put me wise to somethin’. I been playin’ gent a long time, thinkin’ it was just the glad rags I had and nothin’ else. Say—you’re a swell, ain’t you? Well, you trot41 in that class, I guess. I don’t; but I found out one thing—I’m a gentleman, by—and I know it now. What’ll you have to drink?”

     11级    欧·亨利 


    点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

    1 mingling ['miŋɡliŋ] b387131b4ffa62204a89fca1610062f3   第7级
    adj.混合的
    参考例句:
    • There was a spring of bitterness mingling with that fountain of sweets. 在这个甜蜜的源泉中间,已经掺和进苦涩的山水了。
    • The mingling of inconsequence belongs to us all. 这场矛盾混和物是我们大家所共有的。
    2 incognito [ˌɪnkɒgˈni:təʊ] ucfzW   第12级
    adv.匿名地;n.隐姓埋名;adj.化装的,用假名的,隐匿姓名身份的
    参考例句:
    • He preferred to remain incognito. 他更喜欢继续隐姓埋名下去。
    • He didn't want to be recognized, so he travelled incognito. 他不想被人认出,所以出行时隐瞒身分。
    3 primitive [ˈprɪmətɪv] vSwz0   第7级
    adj.原始的;简单的;n.原(始)人,原始事物
    参考例句:
    • It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger. 逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
    • His book describes the march of the civilization of a primitive society. 他的著作描述了一个原始社会的开化过程。
    4 bind [baɪnd] Vt8zi   第7级
    vt.捆,包扎;装订;约束;使凝固;vi.变硬
    参考例句:
    • I will let the waiter bind up the parcel for you. 我让服务生帮你把包裹包起来。
    • He wants a shirt that does not bind him. 他要一件不使他觉得过紧的衬衫。
    5 dwellers [ˈdweləz] e3f4717dcbd471afe8dae6a3121a3602   第9级
    n.居民,居住者( dweller的名词复数 )
    参考例句:
    • City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes. 城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    • They have transformed themselves into permanent city dwellers. 他们已成为永久的城市居民。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    6 solace [ˈsɒləs] uFFzc   第9级
    n.安慰;vt.使快乐;安慰(物),缓和
    参考例句:
    • They sought solace in religion from the harshness of their everyday lives. 他们日常生活很艰难,就在宗教中寻求安慰。
    • His acting career took a nosedive and he turned to drink for solace. 演艺事业突然一落千丈,他便借酒浇愁。
    7 humble [ˈhʌmbl] ddjzU   第7级
    adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;vt.降低,贬低
    参考例句:
    • In my humble opinion, he will win the election. 依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
    • Defeat and failure make people humble. 挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
    8 glean [gli:n] Ye5zu   第9级
    vt.&vi.收集(消息、资料、情报等)
    参考例句:
    • The little information that we could glean about them was largely contradictory. 我们能够收集到的有关它们的少量信息大部分是自相矛盾的。
    • From what I was able to glean, it appears they don't intend to take any action yet. 根据我所收集到的资料分析,他们看来还不打算采取任何行动。
    9 immediateness [ɪ'mi:djətnɪs] a800813d49d4c36a04520a5f7d42bd58   第7级
    直接,立刻
    参考例句:
    • This cohesion contributes to the improvement of reading ability for its immediateness and accessibility. 这种衔接手段直观且容易把握,有助于阅读能力的提高。
    10 specialty [ˈspeʃəlti] SrGy7   第7级
    n.(speciality)特性,特质;专业,专长
    参考例句:
    • Shell carvings are a specialty of the town. 贝雕是该城的特产。
    • His specialty is English literature. 他的专业是英国文学。
    11 devoted [dɪˈvəʊtɪd] xu9zka   第8级
    adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的
    参考例句:
    • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland. 他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
    • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic. 我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
    12 flicked [flikt] 7c535fef6da8b8c191b1d1548e9e790a   第9级
    (尤指用手指或手快速地)轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 ); (用…)轻挥; (快速地)按开关; 向…笑了一下(或瞥了一眼等)
    参考例句:
    • She flicked the dust off her collar. 她轻轻弹掉了衣领上的灰尘。
    • I idly picked up a magazine and flicked through it. 我漫不经心地拿起一本杂志翻看着。
    13 gallant [ˈgælənt] 66Myb   第9级
    adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的
    参考例句:
    • Huang Jiguang's gallant deed is known by all men. 黄继光的英勇事迹尽人皆知。
    • These gallant soldiers will protect our country. 这些勇敢的士兵会保卫我们的国家的。
    14 swelled [sweld] bd4016b2ddc016008c1fc5827f252c73   第7级
    增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 ); 肿胀; (使)凸出; 充满(激情)
    参考例句:
    • The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染,他的手肿了起来。
    • After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后,河水猛涨。
    15 swell [swel] IHnzB   第7级
    vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强
    参考例句:
    • The waves had taken on a deep swell. 海浪汹涌。
    • His injured wrist began to swell. 他那受伤的手腕开始肿了。
    16 spoke [spəʊk] XryyC   第11级
    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。
    17 repose [rɪˈpəʊz] KVGxQ   第11级
    vt.(使)休息;n.安息
    参考例句:
    • Don't disturb her repose. 不要打扰她休息。
    • Her mouth seemed always to be smiling, even in repose. 她的嘴角似乎总是挂着微笑,即使在睡眠时也是这样。
    18 distinguished [dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt] wu9z3v   第8级
    adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
    参考例句:
    • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses. 大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
    • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests. 宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
    19 leisurely [ˈleʒəli] 51Txb   第9级
    adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的
    参考例句:
    • We walked in a leisurely manner, looking in all the windows. 我们慢悠悠地走着,看遍所有的橱窗。
    • He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work. 他从容的吃了早餐,高兴的开车去工作。
    20 garb [gɑ:b] JhYxN   第11级
    n.服装,装束
    参考例句:
    • He wore the garb of a general. 他身着将军的制服。
    • Certain political, social, and legal forms reappear in seemingly different garb. 一些政治、社会和法律的形式在表面不同的外衣下重复出现。
    21 languishing ['læŋgwiʃiŋ] vpCz2c   第8级
    a. 衰弱下去的
    参考例句:
    • He is languishing for home. 他苦思家乡。
    • How long will she go on languishing for her red-haired boy? 为想见到她的红头发的儿子,她还将为此烦恼多久呢?
    22 lobsters [ˈlɔbstəz] 67c1952945bc98558012e9740c2ba11b   第8级
    龙虾( lobster的名词复数 ); 龙虾肉
    参考例句:
    • I have no idea about how to prepare those cuttlefish and lobsters. 我对如何烹调那些乌贼和龙虾毫无概念。
    • She sold me a couple of live lobsters. 她卖了几只活龙虾给我。
    23 delectable [dɪˈlektəbl] gxGxP   第10级
    adj.使人愉快的;美味的
    参考例句:
    • What delectable food you cook! 你做的食品真好吃!
    • But today the delectable seafood is no longer available in abundance. 但是今天这种可口的海味已不再大量存在。
    24 overtures [ˈəʊvəˌtʃʊəz] 0ed0d32776ccf6fae49696706f6020ad   第9级
    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
    25 lame [leɪm] r9gzj   第7级
    adj.跛的,(辩解、论据等)无说服力的;vi.变跛;vt.使跛;使成残废
    参考例句:
    • The lame man needs a stick when he walks. 那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。
    • I don't believe his story. It'sounds a bit lame. 我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。
    26 milky [ˈmɪlki] JD0xg   第7级
    adj.牛奶的,多奶的;乳白色的
    参考例句:
    • Alexander always has milky coffee at lunchtime. 亚历山大总是在午餐时喝掺奶的咖啡。
    • I like a hot milky drink at bedtime. 我喜欢睡前喝杯热奶饮料。
    27 pretentious [prɪˈtenʃəs] lSrz3   第9级
    adj.自命不凡的,自负的,炫耀的
    参考例句:
    • He is a talented but pretentious writer. 他是一个有才华但自命不凡的作家。
    • Speaking well of yourself would only make you appear conceited and pretentious. 自夸只会使你显得自负和虚伪。
    28 fixed [fɪkst] JsKzzj   第8级
    adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
    参考例句:
    • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet? 你们俩选定婚期了吗?
    • Once the aim is fixed, we should not change it arbitrarily. 目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
    29 attuned [əˈtu:nd] df5baec049ff6681d7b8a37af0aa8e12   第12级
    v.使协调( attune的过去式和过去分词 );调音
    参考例句:
    • She wasn't yet attuned to her baby's needs. 她还没有熟悉她宝宝的需要。
    • Women attuned to sensitive men found Vincent Lord attractive. 偏爱敏感男子的女人,觉得文森特·洛德具有魅力。 来自辞典例句
    30 peculiar [pɪˈkju:liə(r)] cinyo   第7级
    adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
    参考例句:
    • He walks in a peculiar fashion. 他走路的样子很奇特。
    • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression. 他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
    31 inveigled [ɪnˈveɪgəld] a281c78b82a64b2e294de3b53629c9d4   第11级
    v.诱骗,引诱( inveigle的过去式和过去分词 )
    参考例句:
    • He inveigled them into buying a new car. 他诱惑他们买了一辆新汽车。 来自辞典例句
    • The salesman inveigled the girl into buying the ring. 店员(以甜言)诱使女孩买下戒指。 来自辞典例句
    32 repartee [ˌrepɑ:ˈti:] usjyz   第11级
    n.机敏的应答
    参考例句:
    • This diplomat possessed an excellent gift for repartee. 这位外交官具有卓越的应对才能。
    • He was a brilliant debater and his gift of repartee was celebrated. 他擅长辩论,以敏于应答著称。
    33 eschewing [esˈtʃu:ɪŋ] fb2a9d714a2cee90703e38e2c08699b7   第10级
    v.(尤指为道德或实际理由而)习惯性避开,回避( eschew的现在分词 )
    参考例句:
    • The company sells direct to customers, eschewing distributors, re-sellers, and dealers. 公司直接向客户销售,避开批发商、分销商和经销商。 来自互联网
    • That suggests the Taliban forces are eschewing firefights in favour of terrorist-style attacks. 这表明塔利班武装力量正偏向采用恐怖袭击方式以避免交火。 来自互联网
    34 severed [se'vəd] 832a75b146a8d9eacac9030fd16c0222   第9级
    v.切断,断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 );断,裂
    参考例句:
    • The doctor said I'd severed a vessel in my leg. 医生说我割断了腿上的一根血管。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    • We have severed diplomatic relations with that country. 我们与那个国家断绝了外交关系。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    35 forth [fɔ:θ] Hzdz2   第7级
    adv.向前;向外,往外
    参考例句:
    • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth. 风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
    • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession. 他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
    36 tardy [ˈtɑ:di] zq3wF   第9级
    adj.缓慢的,迟缓的
    参考例句:
    • It's impolite to make a tardy appearance. 晚到是不礼貌的。
    • The boss is unsatisfied with the tardy tempo. 老板不满于这种缓慢的进度。
    37 solicitous [səˈlɪsɪtəs] CF8zb   第10级
    adj.热切的,挂念的
    参考例句:
    • He was so solicitous of his guests. 他对他的客人们非常关切。
    • I am solicitous of his help. 我渴得到他的帮助。
    38 kindly [ˈkaɪndli] tpUzhQ   第8级
    adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
    参考例句:
    • 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。
    39 scramble [ˈskræmbl] JDwzg   第8级
    vt. 攀登;使混杂,仓促凑成;扰乱 n. 抢夺,争夺;混乱,混乱的一团;爬行,攀登 vi. 爬行,攀登;不规则地生长;仓促行动
    参考例句:
    • He broke his leg in his scramble down the wall. 他爬墙摔断了腿。
    • It was a long scramble to the top of the hill. 到山顶须要爬登一段长路。
    40 exultantly [ɪɡ'zʌltəntlɪ] 9cbf83813434799a9ce89021def7ac29   第11级
    adv.狂欢地,欢欣鼓舞地
    参考例句:
    • They listened exultantly to the sounds from outside. 她们欢欣鼓舞地倾听着外面的声音。 来自辞典例句
    • He rose exultantly from their profane surprise. 他得意非凡地站起身来,也不管众人怎样惊奇诅咒。 来自辞典例句
    41 trot [trɒt] aKBzt   第9级
    n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧
    参考例句:
    • They passed me at a trot. 他们从我身边快步走过。
    • The horse broke into a brisk trot. 马突然快步小跑起来。

    文章评论 共有评论 0查看全部

      会员登陆
      热门单词标签
    我的单词印象
    我的理解: