《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》16 The Midnight Visitor (II)

　　Unit 16
The Midnight Visitor (II)
"It's not my balcony," explained James angrily. "It belongs to the next apartment." He glanced explanatorily at Fowler. "You see," he said, "this room used to be part of a large unit, and the next room -- through that door there -- used to be living room. It has the balcony, which extends under my window now. You can get onto it from the empty room next door, and somebody did, last month. The management promised to block it off. But they haven't."
Max glanced at Fowler, who was standing¹ stiffly a few feet from James, and waved the gun with a commanding gesture. "Sit down," he said. "We had to wait half an hour, I think."
"Thirty-one minutes," James said moodily². "The appointment was for twelve-thirty. I wish I knew how you learned about the report, Max."
The little man smiled evilly. "And we wish we knew how your people got the report. But, no harm has been done. I'll get it back tonight. What is that? Who is at the door?"
Fowler jumped at the sudden knocking at the door. James just smiled, "That'll be the police," he said. "I thought such an important paper should have a little extra protection. I told them to check on me to make sure everything was all right."
Max bit his lips nervously³. The knocking was repeated. "If I don't answer the door, they'll enter anyway. The door is unlocked, and they will not hesitate to shoot." said James.
Max's face was black with anger as he backed swiftly toward the window; with his hand behind him, he opened the window and put his leg out into the night. "Send them away!" he warned. "I'll wait on the balcony. Send them away or I'll shoot and take my chances."
The knocking at the door twisted so that his gun still covered the fat man and his guest, the man at the window grasped the frame with his free hand to support himself as he rested his weight on one thigh⁴. Then he swung his other leg up and over the window sill.
The doorknob turned. Swiftly Max pushed with his left hand to free himself and drop to the balcony. And then as he dropped, he screamed once, shrilly⁵.
The door opened and a waiter stood there with a tray, a bottle and two glasses. "Here is the drink you ordered, sir." He set the tray on the table, uncorked the bottle, and left the room.
White faced and shaking, Fowler stared after him. "But... but... what about.. the police?" he stammered⁶.
"There never were any police." James sighed. "Only Henry, whom I was expecting."
"But what about the man on the balcony...?" Fowler began.
"No," said James, "There is no balcony. He won't return."

1 standing   

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。

2 moodily   

adv.喜怒无常地；情绪多变地；心情不稳地；易生气地

参考例句：

• Pork slipped from the room as she remained staring moodily into the distance. 阿宝从房间里溜了出来，留她独个人站在那里瞪着眼睛忧郁地望着远处。 来自辞典例句
• He climbed moodily into the cab, relieved and distressed. 他忧郁地上了马车，既松了一口气，又忧心忡忡。 来自互联网

3 nervously   

adv.神情激动地，不安地

参考例句：

• He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇，努力忍着不哭出来。
• He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。

4 thigh   

n.大腿；股骨

参考例句：

• He is suffering from a strained thigh muscle.他的大腿肌肉拉伤了，疼得很。
• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。

5 shrilly   

尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的

参考例句：

• The librarian threw back his head and laughed shrilly. 图书管理员把头往后面一仰，尖着嗓子哈哈大笑。
• He half rose in his seat, whistling shrilly between his teeth, waving his hand. 他从车座上半欠起身子，低声打了一个尖锐的唿哨，一面挥挥手。

6 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记