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儿童英语读物 The Mystery at Peacock Hall CHAPTER 5 Inside the Old Desk

时间:2017-09-07 02:09来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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Henry rushed over when he saw Violet having trouble.

“What happened?” he asked, pushing the stand upright.

“Somebody knocked into me,” Violet explained. “And I fell into this.”

“Did you see who ran into you?” Henry asked.

She shook her head. “No, but whoever it was whispered, ‘Mind your own business.’ And I smelled lavender. Like Heather wears.”

Henry scanned the room. Since he was taller, he could see over racks and dividers. But the gift shop was packed with customers.

“I don’t see Heather. Are you sure it was her?”

“No, I’m not. The voice could have been anybody,” Violet said. “But Heather is the only person I know who wears lavender. She told us this morning she wears it all the time.”

Jessie and Benny made their way across the crowded room. Henry quickly told them what was going on.

“Would Heather follow us to Monticello?” Jessie wondered.

“You told her we were coming here,” Benny reminded her.

“That’s right, I did.” Jessie frowned. “Even if Heather did bump into Violet, why would she tell Violet to mind her own business? She doesn’t even know us.”

“Maybe she knows Cousin Althea,” Violet said. “Her stand is just across the field.”

“Heather did give us directions to Peacock Hall,” Henry added. “She must know the way to Althea’s house very well.”

Jessie gave him a nudge. “Here comes Althea now. Let’s not tell her about this. She’s worried enough about paying her taxes.”

They drove back to Peacock Hall. Grandfather’s station wagon1 was parked in the driveway.

“Grandfather is back already,” Henry remarked. “I thought he’d be gone all day.”

“Maybe he has good news!” Benny said, leaping out of Althea’s old car.

But he didn’t.

“I’m sorry,” James Alden reported to Althea. “I wasn’t able to get you an extension. You must pay your back taxes by Friday no later than five o’clock.”

Althea raked her fingers through her white curls. She looked so pale, Jessie fetched her a glass of water.

“Thank you, dear.” Althea gratefully sipped2 the cool drink. “And thank you, James. I know you’ve done all you can. I guess I was hoping for a miracle.”

“I’m not finished yet,” Grandfather assured her. “I still have a few more people to see.”

Althea gave a weak smile. “Don’t worry. They’ll have to carry me out. That’s the only way I’m leaving!”

“Is anybody hungry?” Benny said suddenly.

Violet laughed. “Hint, hint!”

Grandfather laughed, too. “As a matter of fact, I’m starving. Let’s all go into town and have supper.”

They piled into Grandfather’s rental3 car and drove into Charlottesville. Althea pointed4 out sights along the way.

“That’s the University of Virginia,” she said. “Mr. Jefferson founded the University and designed the buildings.”

Grandfather pulled the car into the parking lot of a restaurant. “Is this where we’re eating?” Jessie asked. “The College Inn?”

“I’ve had lunch here,” Grandfather said. “The food is very good.”

“It is good,” Althea agreed, smiling her thanks as Henry opened the door for her.  They have terrific ice cream. Did you know Mr. Jefferson served ice cream at Monticello? In those days, ice cream was a real treat.”

Inside, Benny sat down and asked the waitress, “You don’t have peas here, do you?”

“Only if you want them,” the waitress replied, grinning.

“Not really,” Benny said. “Did Thomas Jefferson build this building, too?” He was afraid he’d have to eat peas if Mr. Jefferson had founded the College Inn restaurant.

“Not to my knowledge, honey,” the waitress said in her soft drawl. “What’ll you folks have this evening?”

The children ordered hamburgers, french fries, and milk. Grandfather and Althea decided5 on large Greek salads and iced tea.

“We’ll have some of Mr. Jefferson’s famous ice cream for dessert,” Althea said, teasing Benny.

“Good idea,” Benny said. Ice cream tasted better than peas any day.

Jessie glanced around the room. College students drew up extra chairs to the small tables. She wondered what interesting subjects they were talking about.

Then her gaze fell on a familiar pair. Jessie stiffened6 when she recognized Marlene Sanders with Roscoe Janney.

Althea saw them, too. “What is my great-nephew doing with that real estate woman?”

“Real estate woman?” Jessie asked. “Do you know her?”

At that moment, Roscoe spotted7 the Aldens and his great-aunt. He stood up, tossed a few bills on the table, and left the restaurant.

“What’s with him?” Henry wanted to know.

“Good question,” Althea said. “Roscoe has never been this rude to me before. I wonder —”

If Roscoe Janney was suddenly shy, Marlene Sanders was not. She fixed8 her lipstick9, rubbed some lotion10 on her hands, then closed her purse. Wearing a phony smile, she came over to their table.

“Mrs. Randolph,” she greeted. “Mr. Alden.” She didn’t look at the Alden children. “Althea, have you thought over my offer?”

Althea raised her chin. “Ms. Sanders, I have no intention of selling Peacock Hall to your firm.”

Marlene shook her head. “You’re making a big mistake. We’ve made you a very generous offer. I know for a fact your taxes are due Friday and you don’t have the money.”

“You don’t know everything about my business affairs,” Althea stated.

“Well, I do know that on Saturday Peacock Hall will be auctioned11 and my company will pick it up for a song. And you won’t have a dime12.” With that, Marlene Sanders stalked away.

“That woman almost makes me forget I’m a lady,” Althea said.

“She’s not very nice,” Violet agreed, remembering the way the real estate woman had acted at Heather’s stand that morning. She thought she caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance13. But the smell of a pizza at the next table was stronger.

Grandfather asked Althea, “Have you considered her offer?”

“As if I’d sell to a company that would turn Peacock Hall into a golf course!” Althea shuddered14. “I’d rather be thrown out in the street first.”

“But,” Grandfather pointed out, “Ms. Sanders’s firm will probably buy Peacock Hall anyway.”

“Roscoe made an offer, too,” Althea said. “But he’s not a Randolph. I just hate going against my husband’s wishes.”

“Maybe you won’t have to,” said Jessie. “We still have three more days.”

The Aldens had solved many mysteries. Jessie knew a lot could happen in three days. If only they had one clue about the secret of Peacock Hall!

Althea smiled. “I’m so glad you all are here. It means the world to me.”

“We’re glad to help,” said Grandfather.

After dinner, they drove back to Peacock Hall. Since the sun was down, the peacocks were quiet. It was too early to go to bed. Henry called his sisters and brother into an emergency meeting.

“We can’t afford to waste a minute,” he said. “Let’s hunt for the treasure now.”

“Good idea,” Violet agreed, “Grandfather and Cousin Althea are playing checkers.”

“Let’s finish the second floor,” Jessie said, leading the way up the long staircase. “We still have those back rooms to search.”

The back rooms were down the hall from the bedrooms the Aldens were using. The windows were smaller and the furniture was older. One room seemed to be used for storage. It contained several trunks, dressers, and desks.

The children decided to search that room first. They each chose a piece of furniture and began pulling out drawers and checking for secret panels.

Benny sneezed as he opened a trunk.

“We should have cleaned in here first,” Jessie murmured. “Benny, be careful with those old clothes. They could be valuable.”

Benny held up a long blue satin gown. “Is this the treasure?” He wrinkled his nose at the funny smell. “It stinks15, if it is.”

Jessie giggled16. “Those are mothballs. The smell is supposed to keep moths17 from eating holes in stored clothes.”

“That is a pretty dress,” Violet remarked. “Do you think it’s worth a lot of money?”

Henry glanced over at the pile of clothing around Benny’s ankles. “I doubt the whole trunkful is worth nine thousand dollars. Though a drama company might like to buy those outfits18 for costumes.”

Jessie jiggled at a stubborn catch on the desk by the window. The drawer wouldn’t pull free. She tugged19 harder. It wasn’t locked, just rusted20 shut with time.

Suddenly the drawer yanked loose, sending Jessie backward. She landed on the floor with a thump21.

“Are you okay?” asked Henry.

“I’m fine.” She glanced at the empty drawer and sighed. “All that for nothing!”

“Maybe not.” Benny was staring at a square of yellow paper fluttering to the floor.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 sipped 22d1585d494ccee63c7bff47191289f6     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sipped his coffee pleasurably. 他怡然地品味着咖啡。
  • I sipped the hot chocolate she had made. 我小口喝着她调制的巧克力热饮。 来自辞典例句
3 rental cBezh     
n.租赁,出租,出租业
参考例句:
  • The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
  • We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。
4 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。
5 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
6 stiffened de9de455736b69d3f33bb134bba74f63     
加强的
参考例句:
  • He leaned towards her and she stiffened at this invasion of her personal space. 他向她俯过身去,这种侵犯她个人空间的举动让她绷紧了身子。
  • She stiffened with fear. 她吓呆了。
7 spotted 7FEyj     
adj.有斑点的,斑纹的,弄污了的
参考例句:
  • The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
  • Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。
8 fixed JsKzzj     
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。
9 lipstick o0zxg     
n.口红,唇膏
参考例句:
  • Taking out her lipstick,she began to paint her lips.她拿出口红,开始往嘴唇上抹。
  • Lipstick and hair conditioner are cosmetics.口红和护发素都是化妆品。
10 lotion w3zyV     
n.洗剂
参考例句:
  • The lotion should be applied sparingly to the skin.这种洗液应均匀地涂在皮肤上。
  • She lubricates her hands with a lotion.她用一种洗剂来滑润她的手。
11 auctioned 1a9ab53832945db108ff2919e21fccc6     
v.拍卖( auction的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • It was sad to see all grandmother's lovely things being auctioned off. 眼看着祖母那些可爱的东西全都被拍卖掉,心里真不好受。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • TV franchises will be auctioned to the highest bidder. 电视特许经营权将拍卖给出价最高的投标人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
12 dime SuQxv     
n.(指美国、加拿大的钱币)一角
参考例句:
  • A dime is a tenth of a dollar.一角银币是十分之一美元。
  • The liberty torch is on the back of the dime.自由火炬在一角硬币的反面。
13 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。
14 shuddered 70137c95ff493fbfede89987ee46ab86     
v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动
参考例句:
  • He slammed on the brakes and the car shuddered to a halt. 他猛踩刹车,车颤抖着停住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I shuddered at the sight of the dead body. 我一看见那尸体就战栗。 来自《简明英汉词典》
15 stinks 6254e99acfa1f76e5581ffe6c369f803     
v.散发出恶臭( stink的第三人称单数 );发臭味;名声臭;糟透
参考例句:
  • The whole scheme stinks to high heaven—don't get involved in it. 整件事十分卑鄙龌龊——可别陷了进去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The soup stinks of garlic. 这汤有大蒜气味。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
16 giggled 72ecd6e6dbf913b285d28ec3ba1edb12     
v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The girls giggled at the joke. 女孩子们让这笑话逗得咯咯笑。
  • The children giggled hysterically. 孩子们歇斯底里地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 moths de674306a310c87ab410232ea1555cbb     
n.蛾( moth的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The moths have eaten holes in my wool coat. 蛀虫将我的羊毛衫蛀蚀了几个小洞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The moths tapped and blurred at the window screen. 飞蛾在窗帘上跳来跳去,弄上了许多污点。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
18 outfits ed01b85fb10ede2eb7d337e0ea2d0bb3     
n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 );一套服装;集体;组织v.装备,配置设备,供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • He jobbed out the contract to a number of small outfits. 他把承包工程分包给许多小单位。 来自辞典例句
  • Some cyclists carry repair outfits because they may have a puncture. 有些骑自行车的人带修理工具,因为他们车胎可能小孔。 来自辞典例句
19 tugged 8a37eb349f3c6615c56706726966d38e     
v.用力拉,使劲拉,猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. 她拽了拽他的袖子引起他的注意。
  • A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 他的嘴角带一丝苦笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
20 rusted 79e453270dbdbb2c5fc11d284e95ff6e     
v.(使)生锈( rust的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I can't get these screws out; they've rusted in. 我无法取出这些螺丝,它们都锈住了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • My bike has rusted and needs oil. 我的自行车生锈了,需要上油。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 thump sq2yM     
v.重击,砰然地响;n.重击,重击声
参考例句:
  • The thief hit him a thump on the head.贼在他的头上重击一下。
  • The excitement made her heart thump.她兴奋得心怦怦地跳。
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