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“I can’t believe we’re going to college!” said Violet Alden, as the van rounded a steep mountain curve.
Next to her, fourteen-year-old Henry Alden grinned. “We’re not exactly going to college,” he teased his little sister. “We’ll only be at Mountvale College for five days, for Grandfather’s conference.”
“Isn’t it strange that we were in Connecticut this morning,” said twelve-year-old Jessie from the seat behind her sister and brother, “and now we’re in the West Virginia mountains!”
“It is different here, that’s for sure,” agreed Randy Merchant, their driver. He had picked up the Aldens at the airport.
“I liked the plane ride,” piped Benny, the youngest Alden. “But this ride is fun, too.”
Even though the van had several seats, the Alden children sat together. They were used to being close together and had grown to like it. The four children once lived in an abandoned boxcar. That was before their grandfather, James Alden, found them and took them to his big house in Connecticut.
James Alden even had the old boxcar brought to his house so the children could play in it. Grandfather took the Aldens on trips all over the country. The children had solved many mysteries and had some wonderful adventures along the way.
Now Jessie checked the pile of luggage in the back. She counted the suitcases — there were a lot for five people. Jessie liked to keep track of things.
“What are you doing at this conference?” she asked her grandfather. “You told us once, but I forgot.”
“I’m the moderator,” James Alden replied. “My old friend Able Porter is the president of Mountvale College. He asked me to moderate this conference for young scientists. I introduce the speakers and tell everyone when it’s time for lunch.”
“I can do that!” exclaimed six-year-old Benny.
Grandfather laughed. “I may need your help. Sometimes scientists become so wrapped up in their work, they don’t remember to eat.”
“I could never forget to eat,” said Benny.
The others laughed.
“It’s so pretty here,” said ten-year-old Violet. “I can’t wait to take pictures.” Violet never went anywhere without her camera.
“Are there wild animals in these woods?” Henry asked the driver. “Like bears and mountain lions?”
Randy steered1 into another twisting turn. “There are no mountain lions. But we do have bobcats and black bears.”
“I think I see a bear now!” Benny cried, looking through his grandfather’s field glasses. “No, it’s just an old log.”
“Feel the air,” Jessie said, her hair blowing in the breeze from the open window. “It’s so cool.”
“Midsummer is nice in the mountains,” Grandfather said. “Back home in Connecticut, it’s hot.”
“Can we go hiking?” Henry asked Randy. “That looks like a trail over there.”
“Hiking, fishing, rock climbing, we’ve got it all,” Randy replied. “But,” he added mysteriously, “Stay off that trail.”
“How come?” Henry asked.
Instead of answering, Randy said, “Wait’ll you see our observatory2. We’ve got a twenty-four-inch telescope. It’s a beauty,” he said proudly, slowing the van. “And here we are!”
The van glided3 into a wide driveway flanked by stone pillars. At the end of the circular drive were several brick buildings. The largest had four white columns and an arched front door.
The Aldens tumbled from the van, eager to stretch their legs. Grandfather helped Randy unload their luggage.
A man with iron-gray hair and black-rimmed glasses came through the front door. He hurried down the graveled path, a big smile curving his thick mustache.
“James!” he cried, clasping Grandfather’s hand. “It’s been too long!”
“Able, it’s good to see you,” Grandfather said heartily4. “May I present my grandchildren — Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. Children, this is my friend Dr. Porter. He is the president of Mountvale College.”
The Aldens said hello and shook the man’s hand.
“Welcome to Mountvale,” greeted Dr. Porter. “I hope your visit will be pleasant. But first let’s get you settled. We’ve put you in the Seneca Building.”
Randy scooped5 up several suitcases and led the way down another graveled path. “Follow me, everybody.”
Benches sat invitingly6 under the trees. Students lolled on the grassy7 lawn, reading or talking.
A smiling woman with blond hair stood in the doorway8 of a two-story building.
“Welcome to Mountvale,” she said. Jessie noticed the woman’s voice had the same soft drawl as Randy’s. “I’m Hazel Watson. I’m the housekeeper9 for this dorm.”
“You undoubtedly10 keep the place running smoothly,” said Grandfather.
Hazel laughed. “I try my best. This is the lounge. Feel free to relax here,” she said, sweeping11 through a room with a high ceiling and tall windows. A massive stone fire-place covered an entire wall.
“Boy, I bet you could roast a lot of marshmallows in that!” Benny remarked.
“You must be hungry,” Hazel guessed. “There’s a cookout this evening for everyone attending the conference. But I’ve put some fruit in your rooms to tide you over.”
As they walked, Hazel pointed12 to the dining room. “Except on special occasions, like tonight, we eat in there,” she said.
They went up a flight of stone steps. Doors with woodburned number plates lined the corridor.
“I’ve put you girls in number six,” said Hazel, opening a door. “You boys are next door. Mr. Alden is down here.” She and Grandfather continued to the end of the hall.
Randy deposited the Aldens’ suitcases in their rooms.
“How come we can’t use that trail?” Henry asked. “The one you told us to stay away from.”
Randy acted as if he didn’t hear. “I’ve got to go fetch the rest of the bags,” he said as he hurried down the steps.
“I wonder why he won’t tell us about the trail,” Henry said, opening his suitcase on the floor of their room.
Benny crunched13 into a crispy apple he found in a basket on the dresser. “You know what I think? I think we’re off on another adventure!”
Just then Jessie and Violet knocked on the boys’ door.
When the girls came in, Violet glanced around the room. Twin beds were made up with woven bedspreads. Photographs of misty14 mountains hung on the walls.
“Our room looks just like this,” she remarked.
“Except you’ve got clothes on the floor,” Jessie said. She had already unpacked15 and put her clothes in the bureau. She hated living out of a suitcase, even for a few days.
Henry gazed out the tall windows to the lawn below. “Looks like they’re setting up for the cookout.”
Benny tossed his apple core into the trash. “I wonder if they need some help.”
“You just want to sample everything!” Henry said, laughing. “Let’s see if Grandfather wants to go down now.”
Jessie took out the room key. “Let me go lock our door.”
“The doors lock automatically,” Henry pointed out. “Just pull it closed.”
Grandfather wanted to shower before going to the cookout. “Go ahead,” he urged. “I’ll be down in about twenty minutes.”
The children hurried down the stone steps and out the side door.
Tables covered with yellow-striped cloths ringed the lawn. Randy and another man were barbequing chicken and hamburgers over a smoking grill16. A cart with pitchers18 of iced tea stood next to an ice-filled tub of sodas19.
“I’m thirsty,” said Benny.
“I’ll ask Randy if we can have a soda,” said Jessie, heading toward the grill.
“Make way!” yelled someone from behind her.
A dark-haired young woman hurried by, carrying a huge tray of cheese and pickles21.
“I’ll help you put that down,” Benny offered, his thirst forgotten. He hoped he’d be rewarded with a pickle20.
“No problem,” said the girl, quickly arranging the platters. “I’ve got to set up before the crowd arrives.”
Already young men wearing ties and young women in flowered summer dresses milled about on the lawn. Everyone wore name tags.
Hazel Watson came over to the Aldens. “Here are your name tags,” she said, pinning a plastic square to Benny’s shirt.
The dark-haired girl bustled22 past again, this time carrying a huge bowl of chips.
“Rachel,” Hazel said, halting the girl. “There are no cups with the drinks.”
“Yes, Mrs. Watson,” Rachel replied, sounding frustrated23. “I’ll fetch them on the next trip.”
A young man stopped to read Benny’s name tag. “Hello, Benny Alden. I’m Mark Jacobs. Pleased to meet you.” He shook Benny’s hand, then smiled at the other children.
“Are you a student here?” Jessie asked. She thought the young man had wonderful brown eyes.
“Yes,” Mark replied. “I’m studying astronomy. In fact, I’m presenting a paper at the conference.”
“What’s it about?” asked Henry.
Mark lowered his voice to a whisper. “My secret discovery!” he said, wiggling his eyebrows24.
Violet giggled25. “Astronomy is about the stars, right?”
Mark nodded. “And the moon and planets and the sun.”
Just then Randy Merchant rang a bell. “Time to eat,” he bellowed26 to the guests.
Everyone formed a line. Henry was extra-hungry. He took a hamburger and a big piece of chicken.
A pudgy young man behind him took a hamburger. “The food in this place isn’t that great,” he complained. His badge read EUGENE SCOTT.
Henry introduced himself to Eugene. “My grandfather is the moderator of the conference. Are you studying astronomy like Mark Jacobs?”
“I’m a better astronomer27 than Jacobs is any day,” Eugene said scornfully, leaving the food line.
Henry shrugged28. Maybe the guy was just cranky because he was hungry.
The Aldens found a small table under a tree. Grandfather sat with Dr. Porter at a bigger table.
Mark Jacobs brought his plate over. “May I join you?”
“Sure,” said Benny. He liked the young astronomer.
“Eat fast,” said Mark, looking up at the dark clouds. “I’m afraid we’re in for a real mountain thunderstorm.”
Rachel walked by with a pitcher17 of iced tea. “Refills?”
Mark held out his glass. “The food is really good.”
“At least you don’t have to work for it,” she said, stalking away.
“Who is she?” asked Violet.
“That’s Rachel Cunningham,” Mark replied. “She’s from the little town at the bottom of the mountain.”
“Is she a student, too?” Henry wanted to know.
Mark nodded. “Yes, but she works as a waitress and a maid to help earn tuition money. Rachel is — ”
But before he could finish, it began to rain — big, splattering drops followed by daggers29 of lightning!
收听单词发音 |
1
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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invitingly
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| adv. 动人地 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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crunched
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的过去式和过去分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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unpacked
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| v.从（包裹等）中取出（所装的东西），打开行李取出( unpack的过去式和过去分词 )；拆包；解除…的负担；吐露（心事等） | |
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grill
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| n.烤架，铁格子，烤肉；v.烧，烤，严加盘问 | |
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pitcher
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| n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手 | |
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pitchers
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| 大水罐( pitcher的名词复数 ) | |
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sodas
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| n.苏打( soda的名词复数 )；碱；苏打水；汽水 | |
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pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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pickles
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| n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱 | |
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bustled
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| 闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙( bustle的过去式和过去分词 )； 催促 | |
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23
frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bellowed
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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astronomer
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| n.天文学家 | |
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28
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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29
daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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