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儿童英语读物 The Mystery of the Orphan Train CHAPTER 10 A Long-Lost Letter

时间:2017-11-21 03:13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)

Just as Henry reached for the light switch, there was a terrible crash. The Aldens could hardly believe their eyes when they saw Vanessa standing1 over a broken lamp, a flashlight in her hand.

“Now you’ve done it!” she snapped, as doors opened upstairs. “I almost jumped right out of my skin.”

There was a sudden rush of footsteps on the stairs. Then Kate appeared in the doorway2, struggling to put an arm into her robe. Lindsay was close behind, followed by Josh and the professor. All eyes turned to the lamp on the floor.

“Yes, I broke that,” Vanessa told them. “Thanks to the Aldens snooping around down here. They scared me half to death.”

“We weren’t snooping!” Benny said indignantly. “We were just … just …” His voice trailed away. He didn’t know what to say.

Henry squared his shoulders. “You’re the one with the flashlight, Vanessa,” he pointed3 out, looking her right in the eye.

Josh spoke4 up. “Yeah, what’s with that, Vanessa? What are you doing down here with a flashlight?”

Vanessa looked embarrassed, and then angry. “I’m in no mood for this right now,” she told her husband. “We’ll discuss it in the morning.”

Benny thought he knew the answer. “You were trying to steal Kate’s painting, weren’t you? The one of the Emerald Isle5.”

“What … ?” Vanessa stared at Benny in disbelief. “You think I’m a thief?”

“Well, you stole Kate’s necklace, didn’t you?” Benny said accusingly, his hands on his hips6.

Kate looked horrified7. “Benny what a terrible thing to say.”

Vanessa opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. Finally she went over to the window and stared out into the night, looking defeated. After what seemed like forever, she finally spoke. “I am responsible for the missing necklace,” she confessed. “But I didn’t steal it.”

Kate looked over at her, stunned8. “Please turn around, Vanessa,” she said in a strained voice. “I’d rather not talk to your back.”

Vanessa turned around. “I was walking by your room, Kate, and I noticed the necklace on your dresser. I just wanted to try it on, that’s all. Before I had a chance to take it off, Lindsay called me downstairs to the phone.” Vanessa’s voice wavered. There was a long silence while she tried to compose herself. “The next thing I knew, the necklace was gone. I looked everywhere for it, but …”

“The clasp was loose,” Kate told her. “I imagine it slipped off.”

Josh, who was crouched9 down by the broken lamp, looked over at his wife. “Why on earth didn’t you say something, Vanessa?” He sounded more disappointed than angry.

“I was ashamed,” she answered, looking close to tears. “I thought I could find the necklace if I just looked around.”

Jessie nodded. “That’s why you were using a flashlight. You didn’t want anyone to notice the light on.”

Vanessa didn’t deny it. “The last thing I expected was to run into the Aldens in the middle of the night,” she said, sinking into a chair.

Josh was busy trying to fit the pieces of the lamp together. “Looks like a clean break,” he said, moving everything off to the side. “A bit of glue should do the trick. If not, we’ll buy you a new lamp, Kate.”

“I’m not worried about the lamp, Josh,” Kate assured him. “I can replace it easily.”

“But that’s not true of the necklace, is it?” Vanessa buried her head in her hands.” I’m so sorry, Kate.”

“If you mean that, Vanessa,” replied Kate, “you’ll learn a lesson from this, and respect what belongs to others.”

Vanessa nodded, looking truly regretful.

Violet spoke up. “I’m sure we’ll find the necklace if everybody looks around for it tomorrow.”

Henry nodded. “The secret is teamwork.”

Josh perched on the arm of the chair beside his wife. “Henry’s right,” he told her. “Maybe it’s time you and I started acting10 like a team, Vanessa.”

“I’d like that, Josh.” Vanessa looked up and smiled a little for the first time.

Kate turned her attention to the Aldens. “And what on earth were the four of you doing down here?”

“Tracking clues,” Benny told her proudly.

Henry nodded. “We’re getting closer to figuring out Ethan’s rhyme, Kate.”

Kate looked puzzled, but only for an instant. “Oh, you must be talking about the rhyme you found in the old desk.” She sat down on the sofa beside Lindsay. “That was Thane’s rhyme, Henry,” she corrected. “Remember?”

This made Henry laugh. “Two make one.”

Kate looked even more confused.

“They were the same person, Kate,” Jessie explained. “Thane changed his name to Ethan Cape11.”

“At least, that’s what we think,” added Violet.

“What …?” Kate stared at the children in disbelief.

“Just what kind of game are you kids playing?” The professor, who had been standing in the doorway, suddenly stepped into the room. He didn’t look happy.

“It’s not a game,” Violet said quietly. “We’re pretty sure Margaret O’Malley’s painting holds a secret.” She pointed to the watercolor of the Emerald Isle.

“A secret?” Lindsay’s eyes were big. “What kind of secret?”

Henry answered, “Maybe the truth about the past.”

Kate smoothed her robe over her knees. “Well, now, this is getting exciting!” she said. “Let’s find out what’s there,” she added. “Would you like to do the honors, Henry?”

Nodding, Henry lifted the painting down from the wall. Everyone gathered round while he gently removed the backing. Sure enough, a folded letter, yellowed with age, had been hidden underneath12.

Kate unfolded the letter Henry handed her and read it aloud.

    Dear Sally,

    I don’t know if you’ll ever find this letter, but I can’t go without leaving the truth behind. As you know, I came out west with my sister on the Orphan13 Train. I was adopted by one family, and my sister by another. But I never forgot about her. Not for a moment. And so, a few weeks ago, I set out to find her. Imagine my surprise when the young girl I pulled from the icy water turned out to be my long lost sister!

    Yes, it’s true, Sally. I held you in my arms when we came out together on the Orphan Train. Wrapped up in one of your baby blankets was the bluebird necklace that had belonged to our mother. When I saw it around your neck, I knew the truth. I went to your adopted parents and told them of my discovery. But they refuse to tell you the truth. I think they're afraid of losing you. So they’ve accused me of theft, and threatened to have me arrested. I have no choice but to leave. (I’ll change my name in case they send the law after me. How does Ethan Cape sound?)

    But I go with an easy mind, knowing you are in safe hands. In spite of their unfairness to me, I am grateful they’ve taken such good care of you. I’ve left you one last riddle14 to solve—a riddle that will lead to this note. I can only hope your father will give my riddle to you.

    I aim to become a great photographer, Sally. Keep the photograph I took of you in your family album. After I make my mark in the world, I’ll come back to see you. If you haven’t discovered the truth by then, I will tell you everything. Until that time, I shall keep our past a secret.

    Your brother,

    Thane Pace

For a moment, everyone was too surprised to speak. Finally, Kate broke the silence.

“Amazing,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “Ethan Cape rode the Orphan Train with my grandmother!”

“He was your great-uncle, Kate,” Josh was quick to point out.

“Why, yes. I … I suppose so.” Kate stared wide-eyed as the truth began to sink in.

The professor dropped into a chair. “That fills in the missing gap in those early years of Ethan’s life.”

This made Kate turn in surprise. “What’s your interest in this, professor?”

The professor hesitated, then he said, “I’m not the person you think I am, Kate.”

Kate blinked in disbelief. “You tricked me?”

“I did.”

“But … why?” said Kate. “Why would you do such a thing?”

“I should never have deceived you, Kate,” the professor said. “But I was afraid you wouldn’t let me stay if you knew the truth.” He looked over at the picture above the fireplace. “You see, I’m a collector of Ethan Cape’s works.”

Kate’s mouth had dropped open. “Of course!” she cried. “I thought your voice sounded familiar—you’re the man I spoke with on the phone a few months ago. You wanted to buy the photograph of my grandmother.”

“That’s right.”

“You wouldn’t take no for an answer,” Kate went on. “As I recall, I was forced to hang up on you.”

The professor managed a weak smile. “I know I was a bit too pushy,” he admitted. “That’s why I thought it best to pretend to be someone else—a professor just here on vacation.”

Kate frowned. “You figured you could convince me to sell my grandmother’s photograph,” she concluded. “That explains why you kept talking about putting money away for my old age. How could you do something like that?”

The professor looked down at his hands. “Because family history means a great deal to me, too, Kate.”

Jessie’s jaw15 suddenly dropped. “Oh, my goodness!”

The others turned to look at her. “What’s the matter, Jessie?”

“That book on the patio16!” Jessie put her hands to her mouth. “You said it was your grandfather’s book, Professor. But it wasn’t a gift from your grandfather, was it?” She looked right at him. “It was a book about your grandfather!”

“I guess you’ve found me out,” he said, looking around at all the faces staring at him. “My real name’s Matthew Cape. I’m Ethan Cape’s grandson.”

Kate was so startled, she needed a few moments to collect her thoughts. “That would mean …”

Matthew nodded. “You and I are second cousins, Kate.” The corners of his mouth began to twitch17 and then he started to laugh. “I came here to add to my collection of photographs, but I’ve added to my family instead. Thanks to the Aldens,” he quickly added.

Benny grinned. “And that’s way better than a photograph!”

“You’ve got that right, Benny,” agreed Matthew, who was a changed person now that the truth was out in the open. “I can’t thank you kids enough for uncovering the truth about my grandfather. And I’m sorry if I’ve been a bit…” His voice trailed away.

“Unfriendly?” asked Benny.

“Yes, Benny,” said Matthew. “I figured if I kept my distance, no one would ask me any personal questions.”

“Oh,” said Violet, beginning to understand.

“Well, Matthew,” Kate said with a twinkle in her eye, “I’m afraid my grandmother’s photograph is still off limits. Even to a cousin.”

Matthew held up his hands. “That photograph is right where it belongs, Kate.”

Lindsay suddenly jumped up. “This calls for a celebration!” She hurried from the room, returning a few moments later with peanut-butter cookies and milk for everyone.

“Ethan was true to his word,” Jessie said, as she reached for a cookie. “He really did come back to see his long-lost sister.”

Kate nodded. “I imagine he told my grandmother the truth about their past.” She took a long sip18 of cold milk. “That must have been the secret she wanted to share with the family.”

“I guess your great-grandfather had a hunch19 about that rhyme,” said Violet.

“Yes, that would explain why he kept it hidden away,” said Kate. “He didn’t want to risk losing Sally if it held the truth about the past.”

“I knew Thane Pace wasn’t a thief,” put in Benny. The youngest Alden was all smiles as he took a bite of his cookie. Then his eyes suddenly widened.

“What’s wrong?” Jessie asked her little brother in alarm.

Benny answered by reaching into his mouth and pulling out something yellow and blue—it was the bluebird necklace!

“Oh!” cried Lindsay. “How in the world did … ?”

Vanessa was clapping her hands. “I bet I know what happened,” she said, laughing with relief. “You were making cookies, Lindsay, when you called me to the phone the other day. I remember reaching into the cupboard for a coffee mug. The necklace must’ve slipped off and landed right in the—”

“Cookie dough20!” finished Benny, handing the necklace to Kate.

Kate’s smile was dazzling. “What a perfect ending to the evening!” she said, brushing the crumbs21 from the bluebird charm. “Your grandfather was right—you children really are first-class detectives!”

“Well, one thing’s for sure,” Henry said with a grin. “Benny really knows how to sink his teeth into a mystery!”

“Especially if it tastes like peanut butter!” said Benny, as he reached for another cookie.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
3 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。
4 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。
5 isle fatze     
n.小岛,岛
参考例句:
  • He is from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.他来自爱尔兰海的马恩岛。
  • The boat left for the paradise isle of Bali.小船驶向天堂一般的巴厘岛。
6 hips f8c80f9a170ee6ab52ed1e87054f32d4     
abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯,耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 );[建筑学]屋脊;臀围(尺寸);臀部…的
参考例句:
  • She stood with her hands on her hips. 她双手叉腰站着。
  • They wiggled their hips to the sound of pop music. 他们随着流行音乐的声音摇晃着臀部。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 horrified 8rUzZU     
a.(表现出)恐惧的
参考例句:
  • The whole country was horrified by the killings. 全国都对这些凶杀案感到大为震惊。
  • We were horrified at the conditions prevailing in local prisons. 地方监狱的普遍状况让我们震惊。
8 stunned 735ec6d53723be15b1737edd89183ec2     
adj. 震惊的,惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
  • The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。
9 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
10 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
11 cape ITEy6     
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风
参考例句:
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
12 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。
13 orphan QJExg     
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的
参考例句:
  • He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大,并且把自己的医术传给了他。
  • The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。
14 riddle WCfzw     
n.谜,谜语,粗筛;vt.解谜,给…出谜,筛,检查,鉴定,非难,充满于;vi.出谜
参考例句:
  • The riddle couldn't be solved by the child.这个谜语孩子猜不出来。
  • Her disappearance is a complete riddle.她的失踪完全是一个谜。
15 jaw 5xgy9     
n.颚,颌,说教,流言蜚语;v.喋喋不休,教训
参考例句:
  • He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
  • A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。
16 patio gSdzr     
n.庭院,平台
参考例句:
  • Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there,I thought.我又忽然想到家里漂亮的院子,我能够在这里宁静地呆会。
  • They had a barbecue on their patio on Sunday.星期天他们在院子里进行烧烤。
17 twitch jK3ze     
v.急拉,抽动,痉挛,抽搐;n.扯,阵痛,痉挛
参考例句:
  • The smell made my dog's nose twitch.那股气味使我的狗的鼻子抽动着。
  • I felt a twitch at my sleeve.我觉得有人扯了一下我的袖子。
18 sip Oxawv     
v.小口地喝,抿,呷;n.一小口的量
参考例句:
  • She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
  • Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。
19 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。
20 dough hkbzg     
n.生面团;钱,现款
参考例句:
  • She formed the dough into squares.她把生面团捏成四方块。
  • The baker is kneading dough.那位面包师在揉面。
21 crumbs crumbs     
int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式
参考例句:
  • She stood up and brushed the crumbs from her sweater. 她站起身掸掉了毛衣上的面包屑。
  • Oh crumbs! Is that the time? 啊,天哪!都这会儿啦?
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