原版英文小故事 37. His Stomach Is Growling

Derek was listening to the radio and using his computer. The TV was on, but the volume was muted. The fan was on medium speed, because low speed would be too slow for a hot day like today. He dared not use high speed, because loose papers on the table top would start flapping or flying everywhere. The fan was far enough away to keep the papers still, but close enough to cool him off.

Suddenly, Derek’s stomach growled¹ loudly. He didn’t feel all that hungry, but he thought that the “squeaky wheel” should get some grease. He went over to the refrigerator. Absent-mindedly, he opened the top door, the freezer door. It contained six empty ice cube trays.

He shut it and opened the bottom door. He scrutinized² the shelves: milk, pickles³, olives, butter, diet soda⁴; an unopened jar of strawberry preserves that he must have bought two years ago; ketchup⁵, mustard, three bottles of water; a few pieces of hard candy, and some single-wrap cheese slices. How could a whole refrigerator have nothing worth eating, Derek wondered. He opened the vegetable bins⁶. Nothing in there except some red onions, half a head of green cabbage, and two apples that had brown soft spots.

His refrigerator contained some food, but it was food that you would eat only if you were starving. He was reminded of his stint⁷ in the army. His buddies⁸ and he always joked about how bad the C-rations were, but when they were really hungry those same C-rations disappeared quickly.

Derek went back to his desk and resumed using his computer and listening to the radio. His stomach growled again, but he ignored it. He would wait until he was really hungry. Then he would walk down to the fried chicken place five minutes away and get some finger-licking food.
 

1 growled   

v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说

参考例句：

• \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 scrutinized   

v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The jeweler scrutinized the diamond for flaws. 宝石商人仔细察看钻石有无瑕庇 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Together we scrutinized the twelve lemon cakes from the delicatessen shop. 我们一起把甜食店里买来的十二块柠檬蛋糕细细打量了一番。 来自英汉文学 - 盖茨比

3 pickles   

n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱

参考例句：

• Most people eat pickles at breakfast. 大多数人早餐吃腌菜。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I want their pickles and wines, and that.' 我要他们的泡菜、美酒和所有其他东西。” 来自英汉文学 - 金银岛

4 soda   

n.苏打水；汽水

参考例句：

• She doesn't enjoy drinking chocolate soda.她不喜欢喝巧克力汽水。
• I will freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.我给你的饮料重加一些苏打水和冰块。

5 ketchup   

n.蕃茄酱，蕃茄沙司

参考例句：

• There's a spot of ketchup on the tablecloth.桌布上有一点番茄酱的渍斑。
• Could I have some ketchup and napkins,please?请给我一些番茄酱和纸手巾？

6 bins   

n.大储藏箱( bin的名词复数 )；宽口箱（如面包箱，垃圾箱等）v.扔掉，丢弃( bin的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Garbage from all sources was deposited in bins on trolleys. 来自各方的垃圾是装在手推车上的垃圾箱里的。 来自辞典例句
• Would you be pleased at the prospect of its being on sale in dump bins? 对于它将被陈列在倾销箱中抛售这件事，你能欣然接受吗？ 来自辞典例句

7 stint   

v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事

参考例句：

• He lavished money on his children without stint.他在孩子们身上花钱毫不吝惜。
• We hope that you will not stint your criticism.我们希望您不吝指教。

8 buddies   

n.密友( buddy的名词复数 )；同伴；弟兄；（用于称呼男子，常带怒气）家伙v.（如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般）交往( buddy的第三人称单数 )；做朋友；亲近（…）；伴护艾滋病人

参考例句：

• We became great buddies. 我们成了非常好的朋友。 来自辞典例句
• The two of them have become great buddies. 他们俩成了要好的朋友。 来自辞典例句