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Mystery at The Ice Castle Inn: Part 2

时间:2016-12-25 23:20:57

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(单词翻译)

 

Welcome to Words and Their Stories, a VOA Learning English program.

This week we continue learning about cold weather expressions with the story “Mystery at The Ice Castle Inn.”

In the first part of our story, we met the characters: Madeline, the teacher; Vincent, the athlete; Sylvia, the actress; and Major Jack1, the ex-military man.

They have all traveled to The Ice Castle Inn. This mountain inn is a popular vacation spot for birdwatchers.

However, a cold snap has blown through the mountains, snowing them in. This is an extreme and unexpected drop in temperature, so no one is prepared. They have been trapped inside the castle for several days.

When people are stuck inside together with nothing to do, they naturally begin talking about themselves.

Very quickly, small facts about a person snowball into a bigger picture of them. What this means is that these little facts collect more little facts -- like a snowball collecting more and more snow as it rolls downhill. Soon, it becomes a big ball of facts, rolling quickly down the hill, threatening to destroy everything in its path!

But I am getting ahead of myself.

One of these small facts is this: no one here is actually interested in birds.

Our four travelers gather inside by the fireplace. The inn’s housekeeper2 puts a log into the fire. The group does not notice her as she pours more hot cocoa into their empty mugs. You see, they are the kind of people who never really notice the servants.

No one is talking. The four guests have avoided each other for several days. But now they are forced together by the warmth of the only working fireplace and the promise of hot cocoa.

After all, the inn is quite cold and uncomfortable. Only candles light the rooms. The rugs are so thin that the stone floor underneath3 shows. Some of the windows are cracked, letting the winter storm blow right through.

The castle looks the same way it did a hundred years ago. It is a place frozen in time.

Finally, Sylvia, the actress, breaks the ice by talking about the winter storm raging outside. Talking about the weather is a common ice-breaker that can bring strangers together. It gives them something to talk about.

“This cold snap is lasting4 a long time! When will we be able to leave?”

Sylvia says this to no one in particular. But the teacher, Madeline, responds. “Yes, when can we leave? I am tired of sitting around in this cold, drafty castle.”

“I have an idea,” Vincent, the handsome athlete, says to the young teacher. “Why don’t you join me for a walk in the castle.”

Madeline stares at him with her cold, green eyes and says, “That will happen when hell freezes over.”

At that, the actress, Sylvia, laughs out loud. “Well, that is a much better way of saying ‘absolutely not!'”

Vincent realizes that he is now on thin ice with both women. He is not really in danger. Rather, he is now on very uncertain terms with them. The room suddenly drops a couple more degrees -- and not from the weather.

Major Jack feels sorry for Vincent after the women freeze him out, or make him feel unwelcome. So, the military man offers him a cigarette. Vincent shakes his head no. He says he quit cold turkey last year. The major says he admires the athlete’s accomplishment5. He adds that he has never been able to quit smoking all at once.

“Well, perhaps you don’t have the mental strength that I do,” Vincent says.

Major Jack regrets trying to help such a cold-hearted man.

He turns his attention to Sylvia. He tells her he likes her voice very much. Most women would melt at his words. But for Sylvia they cut no ice. His words have no effect. Her once-friendly voice turns to ice as she says, “What shall I do next, sing for you?”

He shudders7, not from the temperature of the room but from her icy stare. He thinks to himself that the attractive actress can certainly be an ice queen when she wants to be.

At this point, it is fair to say that the conversations among the group are not going well. Outside, the temperature is dropping. Everything is frozen solid. Inside, the entire inn is in a different kind of deep freeze. Everyone sits in silence.

They stare at the fire as it makes crackling noises in the fireplace. Next to it, only a few logs of wood remain.

This is when the very quiet housekeeper breaks the stone cold silence. She straightens her back, takes off her apron8 and pushes her gray hair back into place.

“If I may have your attention,” she says to the group. Her voice cuts through the coldness that hangs in the air.

“The owner of the inn has planned an interesting game for you, our special guests, to play.”

Vincent quickly throws cold water on the idea. He laughs and says coldly, “I’m not a child. I don’t play games.”

“You may want to change your mind, young man. This game is a kind of treasure hunt,” the housekeeper says.

She is standing9 in front of the group and no longer seems like “just” a servant. She now has control of the room. When they hear the word “treasure,” they pay close attention to the housekeeper for the first time since their arrival.

She places a large wooden box on the table. It is labeled “Treasure Hunt.”

She explains: “In this box are four envelopes marked with each person’s name. In the envelope are clues. If you follow the clues correctly, you will find your treasure!”

They all agree to play. They are thinking that finding some cold, hard cash would be a really nice treasure.

They pick their envelopes and read the clues carefully. Then, each person travels through the empty hallways and rooms of the otherwise deserted10 castle.

Three hours later, the sun sinks behind the cold mountains. The four treasure-seekers return to the fireplace. The housekeeper is waiting. She motions with her hand for them to sit by the fire. And, one by one, she asks them to reveal their treasure.

The "treasures"

Madeline is first. “My treasure is a framed termination letter? I don’t understand. I am being fired for something?” The calm in her eyes is gone and for the first time she is nervous.

Vincent is not confused or nervous. He is simply angry. “My treasure a bride’s white wedding veil.” He throws the thin, white piece of fabric11 into the air.

Major Jack takes out what he found -- a military medal. He reads the writing on the front: “For brave service in battle.” He looks as if he has seen a ghost.

Sylvia’s “treasure” is a pink baby’s rattle12. With a haunted look on her face, she shakes it slowly and sadly.

Confusion and tension fill the room. Finally Sylvia, who is standing by the fire as if she were on stage, says what everyone is thinking.

“Okay this is too much! And it isn’t funny! Why are we here? And who is teasing us with these so-called treasures?”

The housekeeper begins to speak, but suddenly she stops. A terrible sound -- part human, part animal, howling from a room above them -- freezes their blood cold.

And that is we will leave our story. Join us next week for the exciting conclusion of Mystery at The Ice Castle Inn on Words and Their Stories!

I’m Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

drafty – adj. having cold air moving through in a way that is unpleasant or uncomfortable

accomplishment – n. the successful completion of something

shudder6 – v. of a person : to shake because of fear, cold, etc.

crackling – adj. a series of short, sharp noises — usually singular : <We heard a crackling of leaves behind us.>

stone-cold – adj. completely or totally

reveal – v. to make (something) known

termination – n. the act of making a person leave a job : the act of firing or dismissing someone

tension – n. a feeling of nervousness that makes you unable to relax

tease – v. to laugh at and criticize (someone) in a way that is either friendly and playful or cruel and unkind

so-called – adj. used to indicate a name or description that you think is not really right or suitable

howling – adj. producing the long, low sound

nervous – adj. having or showing feelings of being worried and afraid about what might happen


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1 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。
2 housekeeper 6q2zxl     
n.管理家务的主妇,女管家
参考例句:
  • A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
  • She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家,一家人吃得很省。
3 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。
4 lasting IpCz02     
adj.永久的,永恒的;vbl.持续,维持
参考例句:
  • The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
  • We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。
5 accomplishment 2Jkyo     
n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能
参考例句:
  • The series of paintings is quite an accomplishment.这一系列的绘画真是了不起的成就。
  • Money will be crucial to the accomplishment of our objectives.要实现我们的目标,钱是至关重要的。
6 shudder JEqy8     
v.战粟,震动,剧烈地摇晃;n.战粟,抖动
参考例句:
  • The sight of the coffin sent a shudder through him.看到那副棺材,他浑身一阵战栗。
  • We all shudder at the thought of the dreadful dirty place.我们一想到那可怕的肮脏地方就浑身战惊。
7 shudders 7a8459ee756ecff6a63e8a61f9289613     
n.颤动,打颤,战栗( shudder的名词复数 )v.战栗( shudder的第三人称单数 );发抖;(机器、车辆等)突然震动;颤动
参考例句:
  • It gives me the shudders. ((口语))它使我战栗。 来自辞典例句
  • The ghastly sight gave him the shudders. 那恐怖的景象使他感到恐惧。 来自辞典例句
8 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。
9 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。
10 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
11 fabric 3hezG     
n.织物,织品,布;构造,结构,组织
参考例句:
  • The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
  • I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。
12 rattle 5Alzb     
v.飞奔,碰响;激怒;n.碰撞声;拨浪鼓
参考例句:
  • The baby only shook the rattle and laughed and crowed.孩子只是摇着拨浪鼓,笑着叫着。
  • She could hear the rattle of the teacups.她听见茶具叮当响。

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