多功能英语阅读09 Self-Glorifying

Self-Glorifying

They walked side by side, all decked out in their delicate fur coats, with perfect eyelashes and every hair in place. When Darling and Honey walked down the street, all who passed them were transfixed by their fascinating beauty.

These two beauties, however scorned their innumerable zealous¹ admirers.

"Really, dear," Darling exclaimed. "Do you see that one? I mean where do some of these vulgar people find their clothes?"

"I know. That last one had not even combed her hair, for Pete's Sake." Honey tossed her own gorgeous thick hair as she made the comment.

The two friends strolled along the busy sidewalk comfortable in each other's company. As they strolled along, people who passed them would smile. Honey and Darling never returned the smiles, but kept their noses pointed² haughtily³ in the air.

"If I have to endure one more tiresome⁴ 'Hi Darling', I'm going to croak⁵!" Darling exaggerated.

"Patience, my dear. Just keep moving and look straight ahead. I sometimes give them a cold glare as well. That usually stops them in their tracks," said Honey.

The Butcher was just ahead waiting for them, just as they had expected him to be. He handed each of them the anticipated prime beef and they went on.

"Oh! Darling, don't look now, but that bald man over there is coming in our direction."

What does he want? I ascertain⁶ he'll try to take our meat! What are we going to do? Darling was getting little scared. These were not her kind of people and she had trouble dealing⁷ with them at times like these.

"Just stay sober," said Honey, "and remember what I said about the glare.

This one has a bigger smile than most, so you may have to scowl⁸ at him as well, but hold your ground and don't let him know you're afraid."

Darling took her friend's advice. She glared at the man rather than turn and run. His smile faded and he backed away.

"Hey! It works, Honey! It works! He just goes away and doesn't take our meat! You are right. Oh! I'm so lucky to have you for my friend."

Honey didn't say anything. She was pleased with the adoration⁹ her friend showered upon her.

They didn't concern themselves with traffic as they crossed the street. They understood very well that it was the responsibility of each driver to stop for them, and not the other way around. As they stepped of the curb¹⁰, they were once again proven right. All the cars screeched¹¹ to a halt for them as they made their slow, easy journey across the street proudly showing off their beauty for all to gaze upon.

As they reached the other side, Honey gave Darling a little kiss on the cheek and said, "Here's where I trun, Be safe, Darling and I'll see you again tomorow."

"You too, Honey. So long."

Wagging their fluffy¹² tails, the two collies parted company with plans to meet again the next day.

1 zealous   

adj.狂热的，热心的

参考例句：

• She made zealous efforts to clean up the classroom.她非常热心地努力清扫教室。
• She is a zealous supporter of our cause.她是我们事业的热心支持者。

2 pointed   

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。

3 haughtily   

adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地

参考例句：

• She carries herself haughtily. 她举止傲慢。
• Haughtily, he stalked out onto the second floor where I was standing. 他傲然跨出电梯，走到二楼，我刚好站在那儿。

4 tiresome   

adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的

参考例句：

• His doubts and hesitations were tiresome.他的疑惑和犹豫令人厌烦。
• He was tiresome in contending for the value of his own labors.他老为他自己劳动的价值而争强斗胜，令人生厌。

5 croak   

vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚

参考例句：

• Everyone seemed rather out of sorts and inclined to croak.每个人似乎都有点不对劲，想发发牢骚。
• Frogs began to croak with the rainfall.蛙随着雨落开始哇哇叫。

6 ascertain   

vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清

参考例句：

• It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
• We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

8 scowl   

vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容

参考例句：

• I wonder why he is wearing an angry scowl.我不知道他为何面带怒容。
• The boss manifested his disgust with a scowl.老板面带怒色，清楚表示出他的厌恶之感。

9 adoration   

n.爱慕，崇拜

参考例句：

• He gazed at her with pure adoration.他一往情深地注视着她。
• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。

10 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

11 screeched   

v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫

参考例句：

• She screeched her disapproval. 她尖叫着不同意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The car screeched to a stop. 汽车嚓的一声停住了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 fluffy   

adj.有绒毛的，空洞的

参考例句：

• Newly hatched chicks are like fluffy balls.刚孵出的小鸡像绒毛球。
• The steamed bread is very fluffy.馒头很暄。