皮漏斗之谜（10）

 

As I gazed the three men stood up and said something, but I could distinguish no words, though I was aware that it was the central one who was speaking. They then swept out of the room, followed by the two men with the papers. At the same instant several rough-looking fellows in stout¹ jerkins came bustling² in and removed first the red carpet, and then the boards which formed the dais, so as to entirely³ clear the room. When this screen was removed I saw some singular articles of furniture behind it. One looked like a bed with wooden rollers at each end, and a winch handle to regulate its length. Another was a wooden horse. There were several other curious objects, and a number of swinging cords which played over pulleys. It was not unlike a modern gymnasium.

When the room had been cleared there appeared a new figure upon the scene. This was a tall, thin person clad in black, with a gaunt and austere⁴ face. The aspect of the man made me shudder⁵. His clothes were all shining with grease and mottled with stains. He bore himself with a slow and impressive dignity, as if he took command of all things from the instant of his entrance. In spite of his rude appearance and sordid⁶ dress, it was now his business, his room, his to command. He carried a coil of light ropes over his left forearm. The lady looked him up and down with a searching glance, but her expression was unchanged. It was confident—even defiant⁷. But it was very different with the priest. His face was ghastly white, and I saw the moisture glisten⁸ and run on his high, sloping forehead. He threw up his hands in prayer and he stooped continually to mutter frantic⁹ words in the lady’s ear.

这时，三个人站起来，说了些话，我听不出说的是什么，但可以看出是中间那个人在说。然后他们大摇大摆走出房间两个提公文包的人跟在他们后面，同时，几名身穿短衣的壮汉匆匆进来，先是把红地毯搬开，又把台子撤掉，房间空了许多。这时我看见另外一些物件被搬进来。一个像床，两头各有一副木制滚筒，滚筒上带有曲柄。还有一个是木马。还有另外几件奇怪的东西，以及一些滑轮和绳索。简直有点像现代体育馆的设施。

当一切安排就绪，房间里出现了一个新人物。此人又高又瘦，穿着黑衣服，面容憔悴而严厉。这人的样子令我不寒而栗。他的衣服油光闪闪，污渍斑斑。举止简慢而尊贵，仿佛从他进入房间那一刻就凌驾于这里的一切之上。尽管他外表粗俗，衣服航脏，但这里的一切都属于他，他是至高无上的。他把一卷软绳挂在左臂上。那女子上下打量着他，表情无动于衷。这是自信，甚至可以说是挑衅。可那位牧师就不一样了，他的脸色死人般苍白，高高的额头上汗珠闪动。他举起双手祷告，不时弯腰在女子耳边紧张地咕哝着。

1 stout   

adj.强壮的，粗大的，结实的，勇猛的，矮胖的

参考例句：

• He cut a stout stick to help him walk.他砍了一根结实的枝条用来拄着走路。
• The stout old man waddled across the road.那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。

2 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

3 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

4 austere   

adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的

参考例句：

• His way of life is rather austere.他的生活方式相当简朴。
• The room was furnished in austere style.这间屋子的陈设都很简单朴素。

5 shudder   

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。

6 sordid   

adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的

参考例句：

• He depicts the sordid and vulgar sides of life exclusively.他只描写人生肮脏和庸俗的一面。
• They lived in a sordid apartment.他们住在肮脏的公寓房子里。

7 defiant   

adj.无礼的，挑战的

参考例句：

• With a last defiant gesture,they sang a revolutionary song as they were led away to prison.他们被带走投入监狱时，仍以最后的反抗姿态唱起了一支革命歌曲。
• He assumed a defiant attitude toward his employer.他对雇主采取挑衅的态度。

8 glisten   

vi.（光洁或湿润表面等）闪闪发光，闪闪发亮

参考例句：

• Dewdrops glisten in the morning sun.露珠在晨光下闪闪发光。
• His sunken eyes glistened with delight.他凹陷的眼睛闪现出喜悦的光芒。

9 frantic   

adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的

参考例句：

• I've had a frantic rush to get my work done.我急急忙忙地赶完工作。
• He made frantic dash for the departing train.他发疯似地冲向正开出的火车。