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儿童英语读物 The Copycat Mystery CHAPTER 5 The Copycat Strikes Again

时间:2017-10-12 05:36来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

The Aldens were busy helping1 with tours all morning long. It wasn’t until they were having a break for lunch that they could talk about the mystery again.

“You heard what Gwen said this morning,” Jessie reminded them as she unwrapped a tuna sandwich. “If the antique birdcage doesn’t show up by the end of the day she’ll have no choice but to call the police.”

The day was getting hot, and Henry and Benny were barefoot, standing2 ankle-deep in the creek3. Jessie and Violet sat on the grassy4 bank, their feet dangling5 in the cool water.

Benny looked worried. “Mr. Mason’s not going to be very happy. You don’t think Gwen will lose her job, do you?” he asked as Jessie handed him a sandwich. “Mr. Mason was already upset about the farmhouse6 sign.”

“I sure hope not, Benny, but . . .” Jessie stopped and let out a long sigh.

“But,” finished Henry, “Mr. Mason holds Gwen responsible for what goes on around here.”

Jessie nodded slowly. “It sure seems that way.”

Violet said, “Why would anyone want to take a birdcage?”

“That is strange.” Henry held out his cup while Jessie poured lemonade from a thermos7. “I have a hunch8 that whoever took the birdcage probably moved the sign, too.”

“I bet the copycat’s playing another practical joke,” said Benny, who was wading9 back and forth10 in the water.

Violet wiggled her toes in the stream. “Well, it isn’t very funny,” she said. “I’m just glad there wasn’t a bird inside the cage.”

“Gwen says she’s positive the birdcage was in the parlor11 when she locked up yesterday,” Jessie added.

“There wasn’t any sign of forced entry,” Henry pointed12 out. “That’s why Gwen isn’t very eager to call the police. If the house wasn’t broken into, it can mean only one thing.”

The other Aldens knew what Henry was going to say. It had to be someone who had keys to the farmhouse. But who was that someone? And was this another practical joke like the ones Horace Wagner had played so long ago?

The children were quiet as they finished their lunch of sandwiches, chips, and fresh fruit. They had plenty of questions. The problem was, they didn’t have any answers. Finally, Henry looked at his watch. “We promised we’d help with the laundry demonstration13.”

“Right,” said Jessie as Violet took a quick picture of Henry and Benny. “I guess we should be going.”

They were making their way through the long grass when they spotted14 Miss Pennink gathering15 wildflowers. She gave the Aldens a warm smile.

“What a charming picture you make in those old-fashioned clothes!” she said. “By the way,” she added, “how do those pants feel, Benny?”

“They feel just right!” Benny told her, with a nod and a grin. “Thanks for making them shorter, Miss Pennink.”

“Well, we can’t have our guides tripping over their pant legs,” said Miss Pennink as she fell into step beside them. “Isn’t it a beautiful day to be out in the country?” she added.

The Aldens were quick to agree. “Do you miss living out here, Miss Pennink?” Violet wondered.

“Oh, yes,” she replied. “Of course, I have a very nice little house in town. And it does have a bit of a backyard. But this farm still feels like home to me. It does my heart good, though, to see the old place restored.

“Draper, of course, did his best to keep the house from completely falling apart,” she went on. “But the truth is, I didn’t have enough money to pay for all the work that needed to be done. Now, thanks to the museum, the farmhouse looks just as wonderful as it did before the days of electricity and indoor plumbing16.”

“Our boxcar didn’t have electricity, either,” Benny commented. “Or running water. And you know what else? We even cooked over an open fire!”

After the Aldens took turns telling Miss Pennink all about their boxcar days, she shook her head in amazement17. “What smart children you are!” she exclaimed. “And maybe you didn’t have electricity or running water, but you had something else.”

They turned to look at her.

“You had one another,” she told them. “And that’s more important than anything else.”

The Aldens knew it was true, and they exchanged happy glances. “Now we have Grandfather, too,” Violet said in a soft voice.

“Don’t forget about Mrs. McGregor and Watch,” Benny added. “Their pictures are in the Alden family album, too.”

Miss Pennink suddenly lowered her voice. “There used to be a picture of my great-great-grandfather in the parlor of the farmhouse,” she said.

Henry looked puzzled. “Used to be?”

Miss Pennink leaned closer and whispered, “Carl Mason had it removed!”

The Aldens were surprised to hear this. “Why did he do that?” asked Benny.

“Because Carl Mason has no sense of humor whatsoever18!” cried Miss Pennink. No sooner had the words escaped than she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, I didn’t mean to say that. It just upsets me that Mr. Mason wants the world to . . . well, to forget all about Horace Wagner!”

“Your great-great-grandfather’s picture was actually removed from the parlor?” Jessie said, finding it hard to believe.

“The farmhouse wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for Horace Wagner!” Violet pointed out.

Miss Pennink nodded. “I suppose Mr. Mason was afraid it would raise a few questions about Horace and his practical jokes. From visitors, I mean.”

“Why would anyone ask about his practical jokes,” Henry wanted to know, “just because of a photograph?”

“Because Horace could never resist a practical joke,” Miss Pennink explained, smiling a little. “Not even when he was being photographed.”

The children stared wide-eyed at Miss Pennink. “What do you mean?”

Miss Pennink’s voice was hushed. “In the photograph, Horace has a flower tucked behind his ear!”

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny looked at one another and began to laugh.

Miss Pennink laughed, too, as they continued through the orchard19. “That portrait really is the funniest thing!” she said. “Horace looks so solemn and stern, but he has this silly flower that ought to be in his buttonhole—”

“Stuck behind his ear!” finished Benny. He liked Horace Wagner!

“I’d like to see that photograph!” said Henry.

Violet was still giggling20. “Your great-great-grandfather sure wasn’t a prim21 and proper Victorian, Miss Pennink.”

“No, indeed!” agreed Miss Pennink. “And one way or another, I intend to make sure everyone knows it!” With that, she marched up the porch steps and disappeared into the farmhouse.

The Aldens exchanged puzzled looks. What did Miss Pennink mean by one way or another?

They had little time to think about it, though. When they stepped into the Victorian kitchen, they caught sight of Sharon holding up an antique birdcage!

Gwen was shaking her head in bewilderment. “I can’t believe it! How in the world did a bird get inside that cage?”

The Aldens looked closer. Sure enough, a little yellow canary was flitting from perch22 to perch!

Benny’s eyes were huge. “Is that another optical illusion?”

Sharon shook her head, looking pleased. “No way!”

“Where exactly did you find the missing birdcage, Sharon?” inquired Gwen.

“In the scullery,” Sharon told her sister as she set the birdcage down on the kitchen table. “You know that old lace tablecloth23 that was over one of the tubs? Well, the cage was hidden underneath24.”

Puzzled, Jessie said, “I thought you looked in the scullery this morning.”

Sharon seemed annoyed by Jessie’s question. “I didn’t check under the tablecloth. I thought there were only old clothes underneath. It wasn’t until I started getting things ready for the laundry demonstration that I noticed the birdcage.”

“I know it was in the parlor yesterday,” said Gwen. “Without the canary!”

“Looks like somebody’s playing practical jokes again,” said Jake North.

The Aldens turned around in surprise. They hadn’t noticed the reporter standing in a corner of the kitchen.

“That’s exactly what it looks like,” said Miss Pennink, slumping25 down into a chair.

Gwen placed a gentle hand on the elderly woman’s shoulder. “Are you all right, Miss Pennink?” she asked.

“I heard so many stories about Horace when I was growing up,” said Miss Pennink. “The birdcage-in-the-laundry-tub was one of those stories.”

Curious, everyone moved closer to hear what Miss Pennink had to say.

“According to the story,” said Miss Pennink, “Amanda Wagner—Horace’s wife—dreaded doing the laundry and always said she wished it would just sprout26 wings and fly away.”

“I’ve heard it was hard work in those days,” commented Jake.

Miss Pennink nodded. “Horace wanted it to seem as if the laundry really had sprouted27 wings. So, on one of his business trips, he bought an anniversary gift for his wife—a birdcage with a little yellow canary inside.” Miss Pennink paused. “Then, on April Fool’s Day, he hid the birdcage in an empty laundry tub in the scullery. They say that Amanda was just delighted when she found it there.”

Gwen stared at the canary in the cage. “Then this is an exact copy of that practical joke?”

Miss Pennink nodded slowly. “Horace did this so people would notice him. He doesn’t like to be forgotten in his own home.”

Jessie felt a chill up her spine28. She didn’t really believe in ghosts, but she couldn’t help wondering if the ghost of Horace Wagner was responsible for the practical jokes.

They had to put all thoughts of the mystery aside for a while as visitors started arriving. Gwen took the birdcage into the back office, while the Aldens helped Sharon carry the washtubs and wringers out to the side porch for the laundry demonstration.

Jake took photographs while they filled the washtubs with water from the pump. And when enough visitors had gathered on the porch, Sharon began the demonstration. She showed everyone how the clothes were scrubbed against a washboard to get them clean, then put through the wooden rollers to squeeze the water out. With Henry’s help, Benny turned the crank on the wringer around and around.

Later, Gwen stuck her head out the door and offered Jake a cup of coffee.

“Sounds great!” Jake said as he put the cap back on the lens of the camera. “I was just finishing up here anyway.” Before he went inside, he stopped to whisper to the Aldens, “Sure hope I don’t see any ghosts lurking29 in the background when these pictures are developed.”

When he was gone, Violet said, “I’ve got goose bumps just thinking about it.”

“I don’t understand it,” said Henry, keeping his voice low. “Somebody’s going to a lot of trouble to make everyone think the farmhouse is haunted.”

“You’re right, Henry,” agreed Jessie. “But it’s a mystery why anyone would want to do such a thing.”

It was a mystery—but it was a mystery the Aldens were determined30 to solve.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
2 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。
3 creek 3orzL     
n.小溪,小河,小湾
参考例句:
  • He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
  • People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。
4 grassy DfBxH     
adj.盖满草的;长满草的
参考例句:
  • They sat and had their lunch on a grassy hillside.他们坐在长满草的山坡上吃午饭。
  • Cattle move freely across the grassy plain.牛群自由自在地走过草原。
5 dangling 4930128e58930768b1c1c75026ebc649     
悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 ); 摆动不定; 用某事物诱惑…; 吊胃口
参考例句:
  • The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果,那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
  • The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上,摇晃着他们的双腿。
6 farmhouse kt1zIk     
n.农场住宅(尤指主要住房)
参考例句:
  • We fell for the farmhouse as soon as we saw it.我们对那所农舍一见倾心。
  • We put up for the night at a farmhouse.我们在一间农舍投宿了一夜。
7 thermos TqjyE     
n.保湿瓶,热水瓶
参考例句:
  • Can I borrow your thermos?我可以借用你的暖水瓶吗?
  • It's handy to have the thermos here.暖瓶放在这儿好拿。
8 hunch CdVzZ     
n.预感,直觉
参考例句:
  • I have a hunch that he didn't really want to go.我有这么一种感觉,他并不真正想去。
  • I had a hunch that Susan and I would work well together.我有预感和苏珊共事会很融洽。
9 wading 0fd83283f7380e84316a66c449c69658     
(从水、泥等)蹚,走过,跋( wade的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • The man tucked up his trousers for wading. 那人卷起裤子,准备涉水。
  • The children were wading in the sea. 孩子们在海水中走着。
10 forth Hzdz2     
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。
11 parlor v4MzU     
n.店铺,营业室;会客室,客厅
参考例句:
  • She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
  • Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店?
12 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。
13 demonstration 9waxo     
n.表明,示范,论证,示威
参考例句:
  • His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
  • He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。
14 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。
15 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。
16 plumbing klaz0A     
n.水管装置;水暖工的工作;管道工程v.用铅锤测量(plumb的现在分词);探究
参考例句:
  • She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche. 她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。
  • They're going to have to put in new plumbing. 他们将需要安装新的水管。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
18 whatsoever Beqz8i     
adv.(用于否定句中以加强语气)任何;pron.无论什么
参考例句:
  • There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
  • All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样,你就怎样对人。
19 orchard UJzxu     
n.果园,果园里的全部果树,(美俚)棒球场
参考例句:
  • My orchard is bearing well this year.今年我的果园果实累累。
  • Each bamboo house was surrounded by a thriving orchard.每座竹楼周围都是茂密的果园。
20 giggling 2712674ae81ec7e853724ef7e8c53df1     
v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • We just sat there giggling like naughty schoolchildren. 我们只是坐在那儿像调皮的小学生一样的咯咯地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I can't stand her giggling, she's so silly. 她吃吃地笑,叫我真受不了,那样子傻透了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
21 prim SSIz3     
adj.拘泥形式的,一本正经的;n.循规蹈矩,整洁;adv.循规蹈矩地,整洁地
参考例句:
  • She's too prim to enjoy rude jokes!她太古板,不喜欢听粗野的笑话!
  • He is prim and precise in manner.他的态度一本正经而严谨
22 perch 5u1yp     
n.栖木,高位,杆;v.栖息,就位,位于
参考例句:
  • The bird took its perch.鸟停歇在栖木上。
  • Little birds perch themselves on the branches.小鸟儿栖歇在树枝上。
23 tablecloth lqSwh     
n.桌布,台布
参考例句:
  • He sat there ruminating and picking at the tablecloth.他坐在那儿沉思,轻轻地抚弄着桌布。
  • She smoothed down a wrinkled tablecloth.她把起皱的桌布熨平了。
24 underneath VKRz2     
adj.在...下面,在...底下;adv.在下面
参考例句:
  • Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
  • She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣,里面套着一条连衣裙。
25 slumping 65cf3f92e0e7b986ced17e25a7abe6f9     
大幅度下降,暴跌( slump的现在分词 ); 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]
参考例句:
  • Hong Kong's slumping economy also caused a rise in bankruptcy applications. 香港经济低迷,破产申请个案随之上升。
  • And as with slumping, over-arching can also be a simple postural habit. 就像弯腰驼背,过度挺直也可能只是一种习惯性姿势。
26 sprout ITizY     
n.芽,萌芽;vt.使发芽,摘去芽;vi.长芽,抽条
参考例句:
  • When do deer first sprout horns?鹿在多大的时候开始长出角?
  • It takes about a week for the seeds to sprout.这些种子大约要一周后才会发芽。
27 sprouted 6e3d9efcbfe061af8882b5b12fd52864     
v.发芽( sprout的过去式和过去分词 );抽芽;出现;(使)涌现出
参考例句:
  • We can't use these potatoes; they've all sprouted. 这些土豆儿不能吃了,都出芽了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The rice seeds have sprouted. 稻种已经出芽了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
28 spine lFQzT     
n.脊柱,脊椎;(动植物的)刺;书脊
参考例句:
  • He broke his spine in a fall from a horse.他从马上跌下摔断了脊梁骨。
  • His spine developed a slight curve.他的脊柱有点弯曲。
29 lurking 332fb85b4d0f64d0e0d1ef0d34ebcbe7     
潜在
参考例句:
  • Why are you lurking around outside my house? 你在我房子外面鬼鬼祟祟的,想干什么?
  • There is a suspicious man lurking in the shadows. 有一可疑的人躲在阴暗中。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
30 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
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