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儿童英语读物 Snowbound Mystery CHAPTER 10 A Surprise in Store

时间:2017-06-21 06:45来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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Three men from the Highway Department and a state policeman reached the cabin1. They had shoveled2 a narrow path up the hill from the road.

“We’re glad to see you!” Henry called.

The men waved. They knew there would be seven people and a dog and a lot of luggage. But the box of squirrels4 was a surprise.

“Well, now!” said one red-faced shoveler. “And why do you want to carry five squirrels home? There’s plenty in my backyard you can have.”

Jessie explained. “They were in the cabin attic5 with a bushel of nuts. You see, there is a big hole in the roof. If we let them go, the squirrels will starve.”

“Starve? Squirrels starve?” repeated the man. “Not them! Just put your bushel of nuts handy6 on the steps and let ’em go. You’ll see! Did you say a hole in the roof? They’ll take all the nuts back before night.”

All the men nodded, laughing.

“But look at the snow on the roof,” said Henry. Just the same though, he put the bag of nuts on the steps. Then he took the board off the squirrel3 box. In a minute one squirrel came out and looked at the bag. Out the others came, one by one. They sat perfectly7 still on the steps.

The sergeant8 said, “Mike knows. Those squirrels will be all right. You could have shooed them out the door any time.”

Tom Nelson laughed. “Yes, I believe you,” he said.

Mike said, “You see that tree with the big hole? That will make a good nest and those squirrels will find it.”

By now the Aldens and Nelsons were dressed to leave.

“Mr. Alden will be glad to see you,” said the sergeant. “He’s waiting in his car. He said he couldn’t stay at home.”

The procession9 started. Two shovelers went first, then the Aldens and Watch, then another shoveler, then the Nelsons, and last the sergeant.

The path was long and slippery10. Snow was piled high on both sides. It was like walking in a tunnel. Even Tom could not see over the top. It seemed as if they would never get down to the road.

At last Benny and the others saw the station wagon11. Grandfather was sitting in the driver’s seat, waving out the window.

What a happy meeting it was! The sergeant watched a moment, then roared12 away on his motorcycle to help someone else. The workmen13 waved.

Mr. Alden said, “I feel as if I’ll never let you out of my sight again. But I will.”

Violet14 said, “Of course you will. But right now I want to sit beside you in the car.”

“Good,” said Grandfather. “We can take seven people—eight people and a dog—in this car. I am grateful to you, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, for coming to help my family. I want you to stay with me until the snow is cleared and you can get home.”

“We did have a great adventure, Grandfather,” said Benny. “Jessie said we would.”

“Oh, so you did have an adventure!”

“Yes,” Benny went on. “Henry says it was really a mystery. But it is solved now.”

“Tell me about it when we get home,” said Mr. Alden as he started the car.

Puggsy said, “We didn’t bring the box of squirrels.”

“What?” asked Grandfather. “I hope not.”

Benny said, “We’ll tell him later about the squirrels, Puggsy. It will be good to get home. I’d like some clean clothes and a bath.”

“Well, Ben!” said Henry. “That doesn’t sound like you. You don’t like baths too much.”

“Me either,” said Puggsy, “but my mother gives them to me just the same.”

When the station wagon came up the drive, Mr. and Mrs. McGregor opened the door. They both worked for Mr. Alden.

“We are glad to see you!” Mrs. McGregor said. “And Watch! You come with me, Watch, and see what I have for you.”

Henry said to his grandfather, “Something very important has happened to the Nelsons. We must tell you right away.”

“Never mind putting your things away just now,” said Mr. Alden. “Just sit down and tell me what the mystery was.”

Benny told most of the story. But they all helped him. Mr. Alden understood all about the recipe for buns. He knew how valuable it must be. He turned to Tom Nelson and asked him for his story.

Tom could hardly talk fast enough. “It’s too good to be true. For years I’ve wanted to make buns like my grandfather’s and now I can.”

“You can make a few right in my kitchen,” said Mr. Alden, smiling.

“Oh, I’d like that,” replied Tom. “I can make them for supper. There will be enough time for them to rise.”

Benny said with a nod, “Grandfather, Tom is a good worker, but business is bad out in the country where his store is. If he can get more money, he may start a store in town.”

“I might be able to help,” replied Mr. Alden. “But of course I have to try a bun first.” His eyes twinkled15.

“Where is your kitchen, Mr. Alden?” asked Puggsy.

Grandfather said, “Benny, take Mr. Nelson out and show him the kitchen. Puggsy can go too if he likes.”

Tom was delighted. They went to the kitchen at once. Benny explained to Mrs. McGregor all about the buns.

“Fine,” said the good lady. “Help yourself, Mr. Nelson. Flour is here, sugar here, eggs—”

“In the refrigerator,” said Tom, smiling. “I am used to strange kitchens. I think I can find everything I want. I can even find a bowl.” He took down a yellow mixing bowl as he spoke16.

Benny asked, “Do you find that strange thing here? I mean that question mark. Do we have any?”

“Yes, I found it,” said Tom. He winked17 at Benny. “It is very common. Everyone has it. But it is still a secret.”

Benny and Puggsy and Mrs. McGregor watched Tom as he mixed the buns and set them to rise. He put the bowl in a warm place with a cloth over the top. Then Tom and the boys went back to the rest of the family.

“I watched Tom,” said Benny. “But I never saw him put in anything strange.”

“Well, I put it in,” said Tom. “You just didn’t notice. I’m going to call them Benny’s Buns.”

The buns rose to the top of the bowl. Tom kneaded them down again. Later, he made them into balls. He put the buns very close together. Then he set them to rise again.

“These are sweet,” he said. “They go better with dessert.”

“Ice cream for dessert,” said Mrs. McGregor with a smile. “We have four different kinds in the freezer.”

When the dessert came, everyone was excited. The buns were tall, and light as a feather. A raisin18 was on the top of each. Everyone watched as Grandfather took a bite.

“Now these are amazing, Mr. Nelson!” he said. “I never ate such delicious buns! And I can’t tell what makes them so different, either.”

“That’s good,” said Tom. He was happy. And Barbara was happy to see her husband doing the thing he loved so much.

Next morning Mr. Alden said to Tom, “I’d like to take you down the street to meet some people. You know that shoppers come here from many other towns.”

Benny looked at Henry and laughed. They knew their grandfather was up to something.

Before he went, Mr. Alden asked Mrs. McGregor if she needed anything.

“Yes, Mr. Alden. Get some hamburger and hot dogs for Benny. I’ll bake some beans in the electric bean pot and put the hot dogs on top.”

“Oh, boy!” said Puggsy. “I like that. I wish I could go.”

“You may,” said Grandfather, looking at Mrs. Nelson. “If your mother is willing. In fact, everyone can go.”

They all started off, except for Henry. He had to get ready to go back to college. Watch did not go either, so they had more room in the car.

Grandfather drove past the supermarkets, past the school and many stores. Then he turned around and came back another way.

“I know!” said Benny. “You want to stop at Franklin’s Store for the hot dogs.”

“Right,” said Mr. Alden. “Franklin’s has the best meat in town. And the best groceries.”

Mr. Alden parked the car in front of the store. The sign said:

ROGER FRANKLIN, MEATS AND GROCERIES

Mr. Franklin had to laugh when the whole family came in at once. He was busy with other customers, but he said, “Good morning, Mr. Alden. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

“Don’t hurry,” said Grandfather. “We’ll look around.”

Benny whispered to Jessie, “Look at Grandfather’s face! Doesn’t it look as if he’s up to something?”

“I’m sure he is,” said Violet. “I noticed it when he asked Mr. Nelson to ride down the street.”

But nobody ever knew what Grandfather’s plans were until he was ready to tell them.

At last the other people went out, smiling at Puggsy as they passed him. It seemed as if people always smiled at Puggsy.

“Just some hamburger and hot dogs, Roger,” said Mr. Alden. “And do you have any sweet buns?”

“No,” Roger Franklin shook his head. “I don’t carry baked things. I wish I did. I could sell them all right. Maybe someday—” He did not even finish the sentence.

Grandfather sat down on a stool19 and whirled20 around and around. He made them all laugh, he looked so funny. They were all waiting for Mr. Alden to surprise them.

Suddenly he did. He said without a smile, “The store next to you is empty. And there is a door between.” He pointed21.

“Yes, I’d like to use that store,” said Mr. Franklin. “But I can’t afford to buy it. I really need more room.”

Benny burst out, “If you had that store, you could have a bakery department!”

Mr. Alden didn’t even smile then. He was as sober23 as a judge. He said, “I see my grandson has guessed my plan.”

“Your plan?” The storekeeper was puzzled.

“Let me introduce a baker22, Mr. Tom Nelson,” said Mr. Alden. “He makes buns from a secret recipe. They are called Benny’s Buns.”

“After Benny, I suppose,” nodded Roger Franklin. He began to understand.

Puggsy said, “That’s not all he makes. My dad makes pies and birthday cakes and doughnuts and cookies.”

“Oh, he does!” said Mr. Franklin. He stared at the little boy.

“Yes, he’s the best baker in the world,” said Puggsy.

Mr. Franklin looked at Mr. Alden. He said, “That would be a good thing for Franklin’s Store, wouldn’t it—to have the best baker in the world in my store.”

Grandfather said, “I see you are a quick thinker. If you want to rent that corner store, I think Tom might work for you. Perhaps you don’t know that I own that empty store.”

The two young men looked at each other. Tom liked Roger, and Roger liked Tom.

Tom said, “I think we could make a go of it. This is my wife, Barbara. She helps in our store in the country. And so does Puggsy. He’s quite a salesman.”

“I should imagine so,” said Roger Franklin, laughing.

“Let me show you the empty store,” Mr. Alden said.

He unlocked24 the door between the stores and they all went in. It was a bright, sunny place with many windows.

“What a perfect place for a bakery,” said Violet. “We girls will stop here on the way home from school to buy buns.”

Mr. Alden said, “That’s fine, my dear. But this place must be cleaned and painted. And this wall must be taken down to make one big store. It will be a while before you can buy buns.”

Benny said, “But not too long, Grandfather, if you have anything to do with it.”

“That’s the stuff25, Ben,” said Puggsy.
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 cabin dSNyS     
n.(结构简单的)小木屋;船舱,机舱
参考例句:
  • They threw up a new cabin in a couple of hours.在几小时之内他们就建起了一座新的小屋。
  • It's very hot in the cabin;let's go on deck.舱室内很热,我们到甲板上去吧。
2 shoveled e51ace92204ed91d8925ad365fab25a3     
vt.铲,铲出(shovel的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The hungry man greedily shoveled the food into his mouth. 那个饥饿的人贪婪地、大口大口地吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • They shoveled a path through the snow. 他们在雪中铲出一条小路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3 squirrel oGyzl     
n.松鼠,松鼠的毛皮;vt.贮藏以备用
参考例句:
  • The squirrel makes a store of nuts for the winter.松鼠贮藏坚果以备过冬。
  • A squirrel hoards nuts for the winter.松鼠为过冬贮藏坚果。
4 squirrels 0e988e0e8dec56e3bb331e110109cc24     
n.松鼠( squirrel的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Squirrels are arboreal creatures. 松鼠是栖于树上的动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Red squirrels are now very rare in Britain. 红色松鼠在英国已十分罕见了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 attic Hv4zZ     
n.顶楼,屋顶室
参考例句:
  • Leakiness in the roof caused a damp attic.屋漏使顶楼潮湿。
  • What's to be done with all this stuff in the attic?顶楼上的材料怎么处理?
6 handy de0zX     
adj.方便的;手边的,近便的;手巧的
参考例句:
  • A few more traveler's checks may come in handy on holiday.多带几张旅行支票,度假时会有用的。
  • She is a handy girl who can turn her hand to anything.她是个心灵手巧的姑娘。
7 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
8 sergeant REQzz     
n.警官,中士
参考例句:
  • His elder brother is a sergeant.他哥哥是个警官。
  • How many stripes are there on the sleeve of a sergeant?陆军中士的袖子上有多少条纹?
9 procession IQ7xL     
n.队伍,行列;v.列队行进
参考例句:
  • The students entered the school in procession.学生们排队进入学校。
  • The grand procession moves slowly out of the temple.这支庄严的队伍缓缓地走出庙堂。
10 slippery oEzyV     
adj.滑的;油滑的,狡猾的,不可靠的
参考例句:
  • We found it very slippery under foot.我们感到地上很滑。
  • Mind out,the steps are slippery!注意,台阶很滑!
11 wagon XhUwP     
n.四轮马车,手推车,面包车;无盖运货列车
参考例句:
  • We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
  • The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。
12 roared 3d44d5dc1458bf613413fd4d32d75446     
v.咆哮( roar的过去式和过去分词 );大笑;大哭;熊熊燃烧
参考例句:
  • A log fire roared in the open hearth. 柴火在敞开着的壁炉里熊熊燃烧。
  • Vroom! A sports car roared past. 呜的一声,一辆跑车疾驶而过。
13 workmen cbc185b6c10cf82f8c2de0fa216e3d26     
n.技术工人,工匠( workman的名词复数 );工人;工匠;工作者;体力劳动者
参考例句:
  • The workmen sawed and hammered all day. 工人又锯又锤,干了整整一天。
  • workmen with picks and shovels 手拿镐铲的工人
14 violet 8h3wm     
adj.紫色的;n.紫罗兰
参考例句:
  • She likes to wear violet dresses.他喜欢穿紫色的衣服。
  • Violet is the color of wisdom,peace and strength.紫色是智慧的,和平的和力量的颜色。
15 twinkled af61c998b6e8371d7837913e59362662     
v.闪烁( twinkle的过去式和过去分词 );(眼睛)闪亮;(经光照耀而)闪闪发光;(舞蹈者的双脚)轻快地移动
参考例句:
  • Stars twinkled in the sky. 星星在天空中闪烁。
  • The diamond on her finger twinkled in the fire-light. 她手指上戴的钻石在火光下闪闪发亮。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 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。
17 winked af6ada503978fa80fce7e5d109333278     
v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
参考例句:
  • He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼,她便知道他的想法和她一样。
  • He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
18 raisin EC8y7     
n.葡萄干
参考例句:
  • They baked us raisin bread.他们给我们烤葡萄干面包。
  • You can also make raisin scones.你也可以做葡萄干烤饼。
19 stool nU7zv     
n.凳子;粪便;根株;v.长出新枝,排便
参考例句:
  • The stool is steady enough.这个凳子很稳。
  • The boy was straining at stool.那个男孩在用力大便。
20 whirled 7034552cb33a8cbc30fc9e5358ba22b2     
v.(使)飞快移动,使旋转( whirl的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Leaves whirled in the wind. 落叶在风中旋转。
  • A tornado whirled into the town last week. 龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
22 baker wyTz62     
n.面包师
参考例句:
  • The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
  • The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。
23 sober 7Fhyy     
adj.清醒的,沉着冷静的,稳重的,颜色暗淡的;vt.使清醒,使沉着;vi.清醒,冷静下来
参考例句:
  • He talked to us in a sober friendly fashion.他以冷静而又友好的方式同我们交谈。
  • The man was still sober when he went home.那人回到家时头脑依然清醒。
24 unlocked d821dbe5ef2db3d805cd0f7eea0ec33f     
v.开锁( unlock的过去式和过去分词 );开启;揭开;开着,解开
参考例句:
  • Don't leave your desk unlocked. 请不要忘记锁好办公桌。
  • On no account should you leave the door unlocked. 你无论如何也不应该不锁门。 来自《简明英汉词典》
25 stuff Itsw1     
n.原料,材料,东西;vt.填满;吃饱
参考例句:
  • We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
  • He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。
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