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儿童英语读物 The Seattle Puzzle CHAPTER 9 Something Fishy

时间:2017-11-29 06:26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)

“An ice cream cone1 would sure hit the spot right now,” Benny hinted, as they got off the bus and headed back to the hotel.

Henry counted his change. “You’re in luck, Benny,” he said. “I think we have just enough for ice cream.”

It wasn’t long before they found an ice cream parlor2 and ducked inside. They soon came out again, happily licking ice cream cones3.

“Somebody sure made up hard clues,” Benny commented, falling into step beside Henry.

Jessie agreed. “This riddle4 will be a tough one to figure out.”

“There’s no such thing as flying fish,” said Benny, licking a drop of chocolate-mint ice cream from the back of his hand. “Is there?”

“Not exactly.” Violet smiled at her little brother. “But sometimes fish leap out of the water.”

Henry nodded. “And they almost seem to be flying.”

“And the ‘bank’ in the riddle,” put in Jessie, following her brother and sister’s train of thought, “could mean the bank of a river or stream.”

As they rounded the corner, Violet put up a hand to shade her eyes. “Isn’t that Reena coming out of the hotel?”

“Yes, I’m sure of it,” said Jessie.

“Hi, kids!” Reena called out. “I just stopped by to see you.”

Benny ran forward. “You’ll never guess what, Reena,” he cried. “I bought a T-shirt with the Space Needle on it!” He held up a shopping bag.

Reena’s smiled widened. “Well, maybe you could wear it tomorrow,” she suggested. “If you’re free, I’d love to show you around the Pike Place Market.”

“Sounds great,” said Violet. She smiled back at Reena. “We haven’t made any plans yet.”

“Oh, good!” Reena looked relieved. “The market really is a must-see for visitors. I’m working until noon tomorrow. Why don’t I meet you in the hotel lobby around lunchtime?”

“Count us in!” said Henry, and the others nodded.

“Great!” Reena looked down at her wrist-watch. “Well, I’m going to be late for work if I don’t hurry. See you tomorrow,” she said, dashing away.

Jessie stared after her, puzzled. “Reena sure wants to keep us busy,” she remarked.

“Oh, Jessie!” said Violet. “You’re not still thinking she’s trying to distract us, are you?”

“Yes,” Jessie answered with a quick nod. “I just don’t know why.”

“There’s no proof Reena’s up to anything,” Violet insisted, as they stepped into the lobby. Violet had a point. It was one thing to suspect somebody. It was another thing to have proof.

“The important thing right now,” said Henry, “is to find out where these clues are leading us.”

“You’re right, Henry,” said Jessie. “With a bit of teamwork, maybe we can figure it out.”

“What a perfect day to eat outdoors,” Violet said later. She was passing around paper plates and napkins.

“It sure is,” said Jessie. “I’m glad Toby mentioned there was a park nearby.”

The four Alden children were sitting cross-legged on a blanket spread out on the grass.

“I hope it’s a perfect day for solving a mystery,” said Benny. He held out his cup as Jessie poured the lemonade.

“Which one?” asked Henry, as Violet handed him an egg salad sandwich. “The mystery of the riddles5? Or the mystery of Rachel?”

“And what about the look-alikes?” put in Benny. “That’s kind of weird6, too. Don’t you think?”

The others had to admit their little brother was right. Violet started adding everything up on her fingers.

“First there was the woman with the umbrella,” she said. “The one who bumped into me outside the Hungry Heart Diner.”

“She reminded you of Aunt Jane,” Jessie recalled.

Violet nodded. “And then there was the snapshot we took on the ferry.”

“Right,” said Henry. “That man in the photo sure looked like Uncle Andy.”

“And don’t forget about Mrs. McGregor,” added Benny. “She was standing7 right by the totem pole in Pioneer Square.”

Henry smiled at his little brother. “At least you saw somebody who looked like Mrs. McGregor, Benny.”

“A lot like Mrs. McGregor,” Benny insisted.

Jessie couldn’t help giggling8. It seemed so funny. “I have a good nickname for Seattle,” she said. “The Look-Alike City.”

Everyone laughed. Then Henry made a suggestion. “Let’s just stick to one mystery at a time.”

“I was thinking the same thing,” said Violet. “How about if we try to figure out the latest riddle?”

Jessie agreed. “The problem is,” she said, “where do we find flying fish?”

Nobody had an answer. They were quiet as they ate their sandwiches and celery sticks.

After playing Frisbee9, they finally headed back to the hotel. They were each wondering the same thing. Where were the riddles leading them?

“I think we should forget about the mystery for a while,” Jessie suggested, the next day while they waited for Reena in the lobby.

Violet agreed. “Let’s just enjoy our trip to the market.”

“A break might help clear our heads,” put in Henry.

“Shake out the cobwebs,” said Violet, “as Grandfather would say.”

The Aldens had puzzled and puzzled over the strange riddle. But they were still no closer to solving the mystery.

As Reena came into the lobby, she gave the Aldens the thumbs-up sign. “No rain in sight!” she announced.

“Whew!” Benny looked down at the Space Needle on the front of his T-shirt. “I don’t want to get my souvenir wet.”

“Don’t worry, Benny,” Reena assured him, as they set off. “Even if it rains, most of the market’s under cover.”

Inside the crowded marketplace, the children made their way past stall after stall of fruits and vegetables, seafood10, and freshly cut flowers. When Reena stopped to buy some peaches, Jessie looked around.

“I’ve never seen such a big market,” she said.

Reena nodded. “It stretches for blocks, Jessie,” she said.

The Aldens weaved their way through the crowds, following Reena through a network of stairways, alleys11, and courtyards. They discovered all sorts of interesting little shops. They checked out stalls of antiques and handmade crafts and stopped to browse12 through an open-air exhibit on the history of the market. Suddenly Reena stopped so quickly that Jessie almost bumped right into her.

“Flowers!” Reena snapped her fingers. “I knew there was something I’d forgotten. I was supposed to buy flowers for a special dinner party tonight. Wait here for me.”

This got Benny’s attention. “What’s so special about the party?”

“Benny!” Jessie gave her little brother a warning look. “That’s not really any of our business.”

Reena laughed. “That’s okay, Jessie,” she said. Then she turned to the youngest Alden. “The dinner party’s for some wonderful friends, Benny. That’s what makes it so special.” Then she opened the bag of peaches. “Help yourselves,” she said, holding the bag out to them.

Benny didn’t need to be asked twice. “Thanks!”

As Reena disappeared in the crowds, the Aldens munched13 on their peaches. It wasn’t long before Benny noticed something.

“Look at that!” He pointed14 to a life-size statue of a bronze pig. “I guess that’s the little piggy who went to market,” he joked.

Before the others had a chance to speak, a cheer suddenly went up from a crowd gathered nearby. “I wonder what’s going on?” said Jessie.

“Let’s check it out,” Henry suggested.

Full of curiosity, Jessie, Violet, and Benny followed their older brother.

Benny pinched his nose. “Something smells fishy15.”

“No wonder,” said Henry, when they got to the front of the crowd. “Look at all the seafood.” He gestured towards the ice-filled counters chock-full of seafood.

A man in shorts and a white T-shirt pointed to a large salmon16. “I’ll take that one,” he said.

“Heave-ho!” the clerk, in fish apron17 and cap, suddenly shouted out as he flung the salmon high. The crowd let out a cheer when another clerk behind the counter caught the fish in mid-air.

Violet clapped her hands. “That’s amazing.”

“That salmon must weigh fifteen pounds,” said a woman wearing dangly18 earrings19.

Jessie nodded. “No wonder everyone’s so impressed.”

A man nearby remarked, “They always put on quite a show.”

The children watched in amazement20 as fish after fish flew through the air.

“I think we just found what we were looking for,” Henry said.

“What do you mean?” Violet asked him.

Henry looked around at his brother and sisters. “What’s the first part of the riddle?”

Jessie began to recite, “If you catch sight / of fish flying high.”

“Omigosh!” cried Violet, in sudden understanding. “Flying fish!”

“You mean, the riddle was leading us right here?” Benny’s face lit up.

“There must be a savings21 bank somewhere close by,” finished Henry. “Let’s do some investigating.”

Jessie, Henry, Violet, and Benny walked all around, keeping an eye out for a savings bank. But they didn’t find any—not even a bank machine.

“I don’t get it,” said Henry. “According to the riddle, it should be here.”

Jessie agreed. “The clues seemed to fit.”

“I guess we’re on the wrong track again,” said Benny. He sounded disappointed.

Violet tried to think of something cheery to say. “While we’re waiting for Reena, why don’t I take a photo of everyone standing around the bronze pig?”

Nobody had any better ideas, so they walked over to the statue and struck a pose. Violet was about to snap a picture when a woman in a flowered dress approached. Violet waited while the woman dropped some change through a slot in the pig’s back.

The woman smiled over at the Aldens. “I just wanted to give Rachel a little something,” she said, then hurried away.

Violet slowly lowered her camera. “Did you hear that?” she asked, forgetting all about the photo.

Henry nodded. “Rachel must the pig’s name.”

“And it’s the name Grandfather mentioned on the phone,” Benny reminded them. “Do you think it’s just a coincidence?”

“I’m not sure,” said Jessie, her gaze fixed22 on the statue. “I guess this is some kind of piggy bank.” Then she caught her breath, surprised by her own words.

“Wait a minute!” cried Henry. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Jessie nodded. “A bank standing nearby!”

“Yippee!” Benny did a little dance. “You were on the right track after all, Henry.”

“Maybe,” said Henry. “We’ll know for sure if we find another clue around here.”

The four Aldens examined the piggy bank closely. It wasn’t long before Jessie spotted23 something near the foot of the statue.

Crouching24 down, she reached for some paper folded to the size of a postage stamp.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long,” said Reena, coming up behind them. She was holding a bouquet25 of freshly cut flowers.

“Not at all,” said Jessie, getting quickly to her feet. “We didn’t mind waiting.” She slipped the note into her pocket.

“It gave us a chance to look for clues,” Benny blurted26 out. Then he quickly clamped a hand over his mouth. He’d forgotten they weren’t supposed to talk about the mystery.

“I see you’ve met the market’s famous pig,” said Reena, as if she hadn’t even heard Benny’s remark. “All the money from the piggy bank goes to charity,” she added.

The children quickened their pace as they walked back to the hotel. They were eager to read the mysterious note tucked into Jessie’s pocket.
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 cone lYJyi     
n.圆锥体,圆锥形东西,球果
参考例句:
  • Saw-dust piled up in a great cone.锯屑堆积如山。
  • The police have sectioned off part of the road with traffic cone.警察用锥形路标把部分路面分隔开来。
2 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?
3 cones 1928ec03844308f65ae62221b11e81e3     
n.(人眼)圆锥细胞;圆锥体( cone的名词复数 );球果;圆锥形东西;(盛冰淇淋的)锥形蛋卷筒
参考例句:
  • In the pines squirrels commonly chew off and drop entire cones. 松树上的松鼠通常咬掉和弄落整个球果。 来自辞典例句
  • Many children would rather eat ice cream from cones than from dishes. 许多小孩喜欢吃蛋卷冰淇淋胜过盘装冰淇淋。 来自辞典例句
4 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。
5 riddles 77f3ceed32609b0d80430e545f553e31     
n.谜(语)( riddle的名词复数 );猜不透的难题,难解之谜
参考例句:
  • Few riddles collected from oral tradition, however, have all six parts. 但是据收集的情况看,口头流传的谜语很少具有这完整的六部分。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗
  • But first, you'd better see if you can answer riddles. 但是你首先最好想想你会不会猜谜语。 来自辞典例句
6 weird bghw8     
adj.古怪的,离奇的;怪诞的,神秘而可怕的
参考例句:
  • From his weird behaviour,he seems a bit of an oddity.从他不寻常的行为看来,他好像有点怪。
  • His weird clothes really gas me.他的怪衣裳简直笑死人。
7 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。
8 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》
9 frisbee pzrz1     
n.飞盘(塑料玩具)
参考例句:
  • We always go to the park on weekends and play Frisbee.我们每个周末都会到公园玩飞盘。
  • The frisbee is a light plastic disc,shaped like a plate.飞盘是一种碟形塑料盘。
10 seafood 7j6zUl     
n.海产食品,海味,海鲜
参考例句:
  • There's an excellent seafood restaurant near here.离这儿不远有家非常不错的海鲜馆。
  • Shrimps are a popular type of seafood.小虾是比较普遍的一种海味。
11 alleys ed7f32602655381e85de6beb51238b46     
胡同,小巷( alley的名词复数 ); 小径
参考例句:
  • I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys. 我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷。
  • The children lead me through the maze of alleys to the edge of the city. 孩子们领我穿过迷宫一般的街巷,来到城边。
12 browse GSWye     
vi.随意翻阅,浏览;(牛、羊等)吃草
参考例句:
  • I had a browse through the books on her shelf.我浏览了一下她书架上的书。
  • It is a good idea to browse through it first.最好先通篇浏览一遍。
13 munched c9456f71965a082375ac004c60e40170     
v.用力咀嚼(某物),大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She munched on an apple. 她在大口啃苹果。
  • The rabbit munched on the fresh carrots. 兔子咯吱咯吱地嚼着新鲜胡萝卜。 来自辞典例句
14 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。
15 fishy ysgzzF     
adj. 值得怀疑的
参考例句:
  • It all sounds very fishy to me.所有这些在我听起来都很可疑。
  • There was definitely something fishy going on.肯定当时有可疑的事情在进行中。
16 salmon pClzB     
n.鲑,大马哈鱼,橙红色的
参考例句:
  • We saw a salmon jumping in the waterfall there.我们看见一条大马哈鱼在那边瀑布中跳跃。
  • Do you have any fresh salmon in at the moment?现在有新鲜大马哈鱼卖吗?
17 apron Lvzzo     
n.围裙;工作裙
参考例句:
  • We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
  • She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。
18 dangly 36ae2df865bad56993a260122bd20d48     
悬摆的,摆晃的
参考例句:
19 earrings 9ukzSs     
n.耳环( earring的名词复数 );耳坠子
参考例句:
  • a pair of earrings 一对耳环
  • These earrings snap on with special fastener. 这付耳环是用特制的按扣扣上去的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
20 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。
21 savings ZjbzGu     
n.存款,储蓄
参考例句:
  • I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假,那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
  • By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时,他的存款已全部用完。
22 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。
23 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。
24 crouching crouching     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • a hulking figure crouching in the darkness 黑暗中蹲伏着的一个庞大身影
  • A young man was crouching by the table, busily searching for something. 一个年轻人正蹲在桌边翻看什么。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译
25 bouquet pWEzA     
n.花束,酒香
参考例句:
  • This wine has a rich bouquet.这种葡萄酒有浓郁的香气。
  • Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。
26 blurted fa8352b3313c0b88e537aab1fcd30988     
v.突然说出,脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She blurted it out before I could stop her. 我还没来得及制止,她已脱口而出。
  • He blurted out the truth, that he committed the crime. 他不慎说出了真相,说是他犯了那个罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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