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儿童英语读物 The Clue in the Corn Maze CHAPTER 7 Too Many Loose Ends

时间:2017-11-15 06:01来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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The Alden children slept until almost nine o’clock the next morning. When they got up, the house was quiet.

“I wonder where Grandfather and Ken1 are,” Benny said.

“Maybe they’re downstairs,” Henry said.

So the children headed downstairs.

They heard a voice in the living room. Assuming it was Ken, they followed the voice.

But it wasn’t Ken’s voice they heard; it was David’s.

He was talking on the telephone.

“Yeah, I think he’s pretty shaken up,” David said in a low voice as he straightened his tie. “One or two more scares like this and he’ll be ready to sell. I can almost guarantee it.”

David jumped when he saw the Aldens. He quickly picked up a magazine that was lying on the couch. “I’ll have to call you back,” he said into the phone. Then he hung up.

“We didn’t mean to intrude,” Violet said. “We were looking for our grandfather.”

“And Ken,” Benny added.

“You didn’t intrude,” David said with a stiff smile as he stuffed the magazine into the front pocket of his briefcase2. “I was just talking to my wife. Dad and your grandfather went into town to do a little shopping. They left rolls and juice for you in the kitchen.”

“Did you hear about what happened last night?” Jessie asked.

“Yes,” David replied. “It’s a shame, isn’t it?” He checked his watch. “Goodness! Look at the time! I’d better run.”

He picked up his briefcase and hurried for the front door. “Don’t forget the rolls and juice!” he said. And then he was gone.

The children looked at each other. “He sure was in a hurry to leave,” Jessie said.

“Did you see that magazine he shoved into his briefcase?” Henry asked. “I got the impression he didn’t want us to see it.”

“I wonder why,” Violet said.

“Maybe it had letters cut out of the headlines,” Benny suggested.

“Do you think David could be the one vandalizing Ken’s maze3?” Jessie asked.

“I don’t think so,” Violet replied. “David is Ken’s son. He wouldn’t hurt his own father any more than Kurt would hurt his own brother.”

“But he’s worried about his father,” Jessie pointed4 out. “He wants Ken to sell his farm and move into town, but Ken won’t do that. He doesn’t want to give up the maze or the festival, even though they’re a lot of work. Maybe this is the only way David can get Ken to move into town.”

“Maybe David and Kurt are working together to get Ken to sell the farm,” Jessie suggested.

“That’s an interesting possibility, Jessie,” Henry said, tapping his finger to his chin.

“The cap with the light belonged to David,” Benny pointed out. “And David’s always carrying a magazine.”

“But he’s always so well-dressed,” Violet said. “It’s hard to imagine him mucking around a field full of manure5.”

“Maybe Kurt dumped the manure,” Jessie said.

“I don’t think so,” Henry said. “The person we saw last night could run really fast. I don’t think Kurt could run that fast.”

“Mr. Sweeney can run fast,” Benny said.

“Yes, he can,” Jessie agreed. “We were going to talk to him some more today.”

“Right,” Henry said. “Let’s get some breakfast and then go and do that.”

The children ate a quick breakfast of toast and cereal, then headed to the barn.

“I really don’t have a lot of time for chitchat,” Mr. Sweeney said as he carried a bucket of feed to the chicken coop. “I’ve got work to do.”

The Aldens trailed along behind him.

“We know you’re busy,” Jessie said. “We just wanted to ask you a couple of questions about last night.”

“Well, make it quick,” Mr. Sweeney said. He dumped the bucket of feed onto the ground in front of the clucking chickens. The chickens all waddled6 over and pecked at the food.

“We were just wondering what you were doing in the front yard last night?” Henry asked.

Mr. Sweeney scowled7. “Same as you,” he said. “Trying to catch the guy who was prowling around the maze. I told you that last night.”

“But we didn’t see you by the maze. How did you get around to the front of the house so quickly?” Jessie asked.

“And how come you didn’t catch the guy?” Benny asked.

Mr. Sweeney glared at the children. “You think I’m the one who’s vandalizing the maze? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Oh, no, Mr. Sweeney,” Violet said right away. She would never accuse anyone unless she was sure. And they still weren’t sure of anything.

“We’re just trying to figure out what happened. That’s all,” Jessie said.

“Maybe you saw something we didn’t,” Benny said.

Mr. Sweeney scratched his neck. “Well, I thought I heard something out in the field around three o’clock this morning,” he said. “So I got up and went to check it out. But I didn’t see or hear anything unusual. I was about to go back inside when I heard a car out on the road.”

The group strolled back toward the barn. “It sounded as if the car was stopped right in front of the house,” Mr. Sweeney went on. “So I went around front to see who it was. That was about the time you folks came outside. I saw a dark figure run past, so I tried to catch him, but he got away. Then you kids caught up to me. That’s all I know.”

“Can you describe the car you saw?” Henry asked. “We never saw it.”

“I didn’t see it, either. I only heard it. By the time I got to the road, it was gone.”

“Too bad,” Benny said.

“So, did our intruder get away on foot or in a car?” Jessie wondered.

“I don’t know,” Mr. Sweeney said. “Right now we have to think about the maze. I was looking at it this morning, trying to figure out whether the damage could be repaired.”

The Aldens were surprised Mr. Sweeney had thought about repairing the maze at all. He hadn’t sounded very hopeful about repairing it last night.

“Can it be repaired?” Violet asked.

“Come see what you think.” Mr. Sweeney led them over to the field.

Jessie gasped8 when she saw the damage.

“Oh no,” Violet said.

A whole section had been chopped down. Pieces of cornstalk and ears of corn lay scattered9 on the ground.

“Of course, if it was up to me, I’d just cancel the festival,” Mr. Sweeney said. “But Ken won’t want to cancel.”

“No, he won’t,” Jessie agreed.

“So, I was thinking I could put up a fence to show where the path is supposed to be. What do you think?” Mr. Sweeney asked.

“That might work,” Henry said.

“You could paint the fence green so it blends in with the rest of the field,” Violet suggested.

“Maybe you could even attach some of these corncobs that are all over the ground to the fence,” Benny said. “Then it would still be sort of a corn maze.”

Mr. Sweeney scratched his chin. “It’ll be a lot of work,” he said. “If I’m going to do all that before the festival this weekend, I’m going to need some help.” He looked at the children.

“We’ll help you, Mr. Sweeney,” Benny said right away.

“That’s right,” Violet added. “Anything for Ken and the King Corn Days Festival.”

“Well, it looks like Ken and your grandfather are back from town. Why don’t you go see what Ken has to say about our plans,” Mr. Sweeney said. “I’ll go get my tools. And I’ll meet you back here in a bit.”

When the Aldens walked up to the house, they noticed Kurt’s rusty10 blue pickup11 parked next to Grandfather’s rented van. As soon as the children stepped inside the house, they could hear the two brothers bickering12.

“Someone tried to chop down your field? I don’t like this, Ken,” Kurt said. “I don’t like it at all.”

“Well, what do you want me to do?” Ken responded.

“You know what I want you to do. I want you to sell the farm and move into town. I’ll give you a good price—”

“I will not be run off my own land!” Ken shouted. “Besides, what makes you so sure you wouldn’t have the same troubles I’m having?”

“I know I wouldn’t,” Kurt said. “All of your troubles are related to that maze. I’ll just tear the maze down.”

Ken grit13 his teeth. “That’s exactly why I won’t sell to you,” he replied.

Henry cleared his throat. “Hello, Ken. Hello, Kurt,” he said cautiously.

The older men glanced at the children, then turned away from each other.

“Hello, kids,” Ken said without a lot of enthusiasm.

Kurt yawned and stretched. Then he stood up. “Gosh, I could use another cup of coffee. I sure am tired today.”

“Why are you so tired?” Violet asked.

“I don’t know,” Kurt said as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “I didn’t sleep very well last night. What have you kids been up to this morning?”

“Talking to Mr. Sweeney,” Benny said. “He thinks we can repair the maze.” The children told Ken and Kurt what they and Mr. Sweeney had decided14.

“You don’t mind if some of the paths are marked by a fence instead of by corn, do you, Ken?” Violet asked.

“Well, ideally a corn maze should be all corn,” Ken said. “But if the choice is a maze with a little fencing here and there or no maze, I’ll choose the fencing.”

Jessie smiled. “That’s what we thought you’d say.”

“We told Mr. Sweeney we’d help him build the fences,” Benny said.

“Thank you, kids. I sure do appreciate all the work you’re doing on the farm. This is supposed to be your vacation and it seems like all you’re doing is working.”

“But this kind of work is fun,” Violet said.

Just as they were turning to leave, Benny noticed a nasty jagged cut on Kurt’s arm.

“Kurt, what happened to your arm?” Benny asked.

“What? Oh, that,” Kurt pushed up the sleeve of his black hooded15 sweatshirt and looked at the cut. “I was uh … taking out an old barbed wire fence last night. I must have cut it then.”

“That rusty old fence down by the creek16?” Ken cried.

“That’s the one,” Kurt replied.

“By yourself?” Ken asked.

“Sure. Why not?” Kurt said with a shrug17.

Ken snorted. “You’re not that much younger than I am, Kurt. And apparently18 you’re not as smart as I am, either. What are you thinking taking on a big job like that by yourself?”

Kurt shrugged19. “I can handle it,” he said.

“That looks like a bad cut,” Violet said with concern.

“When was your last tetanus shot?” Ken asked.

Kurt scowled. “Will you quit treating me like a child? I’m fine!”

“Why don’t you let Jack20 come over and help you finish with that fence,” Ken suggested.

“That won’t be necessary,” Kurt said. “The job’s done. Now if you don’t mind, I think I’ll head home. I’ve got things to do.”

Kurt plopped his hat on his head, then headed out the back door.

Ken just sat at the table and shook his head. “Stubborn old coot,” he muttered.

“You and Kurt sure argue a lot,” Benny said.

Ken looked surprised. “Yes, I guess we do,” he said. “We’ve always argued. Ever since we were little kids. We’re still at it.”

“Why?” Violet asked.

Ken shrugged. “I don’t know. We’re both stubborn. And I think deep down, we both like arguing.”

The Aldens frowned. It was hard to understand why brothers would enjoy arguing!


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 ken k3WxV     
n.视野,知识领域
参考例句:
  • Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
  • Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.
2 briefcase lxdz6A     
n.手提箱,公事皮包
参考例句:
  • He packed a briefcase with what might be required.他把所有可能需要的东西都装进公文包。
  • He requested the old man to look after the briefcase.他请求那位老人照看这个公事包。
3 maze F76ze     
n.迷宫,八阵图,混乱,迷惑
参考例句:
  • He found his way through the complex maze of corridors.他穿过了迷宮一样的走廊。
  • She was lost in the maze for several hours.一连几小时,她的头脑处于一片糊涂状态。
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 manure R7Yzr     
n.粪,肥,肥粒;vt.施肥
参考例句:
  • The farmers were distributing manure over the field.农民们正在田间施肥。
  • The farmers used manure to keep up the fertility of their land.农夫们用粪保持其土质的肥沃。
6 waddled c1cfb61097c12b4812327074b8bc801d     
v.(像鸭子一样)摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • A family of ducks waddled along the river bank. 一群鸭子沿河岸摇摇摆摆地走。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The stout old man waddled across the road. 那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
7 scowled b83aa6db95e414d3ef876bc7fd16d80d     
怒视,生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He scowled his displeasure. 他满脸嗔色。
  • The teacher scowled at his noisy class. 老师对他那喧闹的课堂板着脸。
8 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
参考例句:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
9 scattered 7jgzKF     
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的
参考例句:
  • Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来,塞进文件夹里。
10 rusty hYlxq     
adj.生锈的;锈色的;荒废了的
参考例句:
  • The lock on the door is rusty and won't open.门上的锁锈住了。
  • I haven't practiced my French for months and it's getting rusty.几个月不用,我的法语又荒疏了。
11 pickup ANkxA     
n.拾起,获得
参考例句:
  • I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。
12 bickering TyizSV     
v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 );口角;(水等)作潺潺声;闪烁
参考例句:
  • The children are always bickering about something or other. 孩子们有事没事总是在争吵。
  • The two children were always bickering with each other over small matters. 这两个孩子总是为些小事斗嘴。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
13 grit LlMyH     
n.沙粒,决心,勇气;v.下定决心,咬紧牙关
参考例句:
  • The soldiers showed that they had plenty of grit. 士兵们表现得很有勇气。
  • I've got some grit in my shoe.我的鞋子里弄进了一些砂子。
14 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。
15 hooded hooded     
adj.戴头巾的;有罩盖的;颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的
参考例句:
  • A hooded figure waited in the doorway. 一个戴兜帽的人在门口等候。
  • Black-eyed gipsy girls, hooded in showy handkerchiefs, sallied forth to tell fortunes. 黑眼睛的吉卜赛姑娘,用华丽的手巾包着头,突然地闯了进来替人算命。 来自辞典例句
16 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。
17 shrug Ry3w5     
v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等)
参考例句:
  • With a shrug,he went out of the room.他耸一下肩,走出了房间。
  • I admire the way she is able to shrug off unfair criticism.我很佩服她能对错误的批评意见不予理会。
18 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
19 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》
20 jack 53Hxp     
n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克
参考例句:
  • I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
  • He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。
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