章节正文
saw that the old gentleman was kindly disposed
toward him, and in his present circumstances he needed
such a friend.
But in portion" target="_blank" title="n.比率 vt.使成比例">proportion as Mr. Wharton became more
cordial, Mrs. Bradley became more frosty, until at
last the old gentleman noticed her manner.
``Don't you feel well this evening, Mrs Bradley?''
he asked.
``I have a little headache,'' said the housekeeper,
coldly.
``You had better do something for it.''
``It will pass away of itself, sir.''
They arose from the dinner table, and Mr.
Wharton, followed by Frank, ascended the staircase to
the front room on the second floor, which was
handsomely fitted up as a library,
``What makes him take such notice of a mere cash-
boy?'' said Mrs. Bradley to herself. ``That boy reminds
me of somebody. Who is it?''
CHAPTER VIII
AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT
``Take a seat, Frank,'' said Mr. Wharton, pointing
to a luxuriousarmchair on one side of the cheerful
grate fire; ``I will take the other, and you shall tell
me all about yourself.''
``Thank you, sir,'' said our hero.
His confidence was won by Mr. Wharton's kind
tone, and he briefly recounted his story.
At the conclusion, Mr. Wharton said:
``How old are you, Frank ?''
``Fourteen, sir.''
``You are a brave boy, and a good boy, and you
deserve success.''
``Thank you, sir.''
``But I am bound to say that you have a hard task
before you.''
``I know it, sir.''
``Why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for a
few years, till you are older, and better able to
provide for her?''
``I should be ashamed to do it, sir,'' he said. ``I
promised my mother to take care of Grace, and I
will.''
``How much do you earn as a cash-boy?''
``Three dollars a week.''
``Only three dollars a week! Why, that won't pay
your own expenses!'' said the old gentleman in surprise.
``Yes, sir, it does. I pay fifty cents a week for my
room, and my meals don't cost me much.''
``But you will want clothes.''
``I have enough for the present, and I am laying
up fifty cents a week to buy more when I need them.''
``You can't buy many for twenty-six dollars a
year. But that doesn't allow anything for your
sister's expenses.''
``That is what puzzles me, sir,'' said Frank, fixing
a troubled glance upon the fire. ``I shall have to
work in the evenings for Grace.''
``What can you do?''
``I could copy, but I suppose there isn't much
chance of getting copying to do.''
``Then you have a good handwriting?''
``Pretty fair, sir.''
``Let me see a specimen. There are pen and ink
on the table, and here is a sheet of paper.''
Frank seated himself at the table, and wrote his
name on the paper.
``Very good,'' said his host, approvingly. ``Your
hand is good enough for a copyist, but you are correct
in supposing that work of that kind is hard
to get. Are you a good reader?''
``Do you mean in reading aloud, sir?''
``Yes.''
``I will try, if you wish.''
``Take a book from the table--any book--and let
me hear you read.''
Frank opened the first book that came to hand--
one of Irving's and read in a clear, unembarrassed
voice about half a page.
``Very good indeed!'' said Mr. Wharton. ``You
have been well taught. Where did you attend
school?''
``Only in the town school, sir.''
``You have, at any rate, made good use of your
advantages.''
``But will it do me any good, sir?'' asked Frank.
``People are not paid for reading, are they?''
``Not in general, but we will suppose the case of
a person whose eyes are weak, and likely to be badly
affected by evening use. Then suppose such a person
could secure the services of a good, clear, distinct
reader, don't you think he would be willing to
pay something?''
``I suppose so. Do you know of any such person?''
asked Frank.
``I am describing myself, Frank. A year since I
strained my eyes very severely, and have never dared
to use them much since by gaslight. Mrs. Bradley,
my housekeeper, has read to me some, but she has
other duties, and I don't think she enjoys it very
much. Now, why shouldn't I get you to read to me
in the evening when you are not otherwise employed?''
``I wish you would, Mr. Wharton,'' said Frank,
eagerly. ``I would do my best.''
``I have no doubt of that, but there is another
question--perhaps you might ask a higher salary
than I could afford to pay.''
``Would a dollar a week be too much?'' asked
Frank.
``I don't think I could complain of that,'' said Mr.
Wharton, gravely. ``Very well, I will engage you as
my reader.''
``Thank you, sir.''
``But about the pay; I have made up my mind to
pay you five dollars a week.''
``Five dollars a week!'' Frank repeated. ``It is
much more than my services will be worth sir.''
``Let me judge of that, Frank.''
``I don't know how to thank you, sir,'' said Frank,
gratefully. ``I never expected to be so rich. I shall
have no trouble in paying for Grace's board and
clothes now. When do you want me to begin reading to you?''
``You may as well begin to-night--that is, unless
you have some other engagement.''
``Oh, no, sir, I have nothing else to do.''
``Take the Evening Post, then, and read me the
leading editorial. Afterward, I will tell you what to
read.''
Frank had been reading about half an hour, when
a knock was heard at the door.
``Come in,'' said Mr. Wharton.
Mrs. Bradley entered, with a soft, quiet step.
``I thought, sir,'' she began, ``you might like me
to read to you, as usual.''
``Thank you, Mrs. Bradley, but I am going to
relieve you of that portion of your labors. My young
friend here is to come every evening and read to
me.''
``Indeed!'' ejaculated the housekeeper in a tone of
chilly displeasure, and a sharp glance at Frank,
which indicated no great amount of cordiality.
``Then, as I am intruding, I will take my leave.''
There was something in her tone that made Frank
feel uncomfortable.
CHAPTER IX
THE HOUSEKEEPER'S NEPHEW
``By no means,'' said Mr. Wharton, as the
housekeeper was about to withdraw; ``don't imagine you
are intruding. Come in and sit down.''
``Thank you, sir,'' said Mrs. Bradley, in a
measured tone. ``You are very considerate, I am sure,
but if you'll excuse me, I won't come in this evening.''
``Mrs. Bradley has been with me a good many
years,'' explained Mr. Wharton, ``and I dare say she
feels a little disturbed at seeing another occupy her
place, even in a duty like this.''
``I am afraid she will be offended with me, sir,''
said Frank.
``Oh, no; I will explain matters to her. Go on
with your reading, Frank.''
At half-past nine, Mr. Wharton took out his watch.
``It is getting late,'' he said. ``I have no doubt you
are tired and need rest.''
``I am not tired, sir.''
``I believe in going to bed early. I shall seldom
keep you later than this. Do you think you can find
your way out?''
``Yes, sir. When shall I come to-morrow evening?''
``A little before eight.''
``I will be punctual.''
Jasper was waiting for him, not wholly without
anxiety, for it was very unusual for Frank to be late.
``Well, Frank!'' he exclaimed; ``this is a pretty
time for you to come home. I began to think you
had got into trouble. I was just going around to the
nearest station house in search of you.''
``I was in quite a different place, Jasper.''
Frank told his story, including an account of his
engagement.
``So it seems I am to lose your company in the
evening. I am sorry for that, but I am glad you are
so lucky.''
``It was better than I expected,'' said Frank, with
satisfaction.
``What sort of a man is this Mr. Wharton?'' said
Jasper.
``He is very kind and generous. I am lucky to
have so good a friend. There's only one thing that
is likely to be disagreeable.''
``What's that?''
``The housekeeper--her name is Mrs. Bradley--
for some reason or other she doesn't want me there.''
``What makes you think so?''
``Her manner, and the way she speaks. She came
in to read to Mr. Wharton last evening, and didn't
seem to like it because I had been taken in her place.''
``She is evidentlyjealous. You must take care not
to offend her. She might endeavor to have you dismissed.''
``I shall always treat her politely, but I don't think
I can ever like her.''
Meanwhile, the housekeeper, on leaving the
toward him, and in his present circumstances he needed
such a friend.
But in portion" target="_blank" title="n.比率 vt.使成比例">proportion as Mr. Wharton became more
cordial, Mrs. Bradley became more frosty, until at
last the old gentleman noticed her manner.
``Don't you feel well this evening, Mrs Bradley?''
he asked.
``I have a little headache,'' said the housekeeper,
coldly.
``You had better do something for it.''
``It will pass away of itself, sir.''
They arose from the dinner table, and Mr.
Wharton, followed by Frank, ascended the staircase to
the front room on the second floor, which was
handsomely fitted up as a library,
``What makes him take such notice of a mere cash-
boy?'' said Mrs. Bradley to herself. ``That boy reminds
me of somebody. Who is it?''
CHAPTER VIII
AN UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT
``Take a seat, Frank,'' said Mr. Wharton, pointing
to a luxuriousarmchair on one side of the cheerful
grate fire; ``I will take the other, and you shall tell
me all about yourself.''
``Thank you, sir,'' said our hero.
His confidence was won by Mr. Wharton's kind
tone, and he briefly recounted his story.
At the conclusion, Mr. Wharton said:
``How old are you, Frank ?''
``Fourteen, sir.''
``You are a brave boy, and a good boy, and you
deserve success.''
``Thank you, sir.''
``But I am bound to say that you have a hard task
before you.''
``I know it, sir.''
``Why not let your sister go to the poorhouse for a
few years, till you are older, and better able to
provide for her?''
``I should be ashamed to do it, sir,'' he said. ``I
promised my mother to take care of Grace, and I
will.''
``How much do you earn as a cash-boy?''
``Three dollars a week.''
``Only three dollars a week! Why, that won't pay
your own expenses!'' said the old gentleman in surprise.
``Yes, sir, it does. I pay fifty cents a week for my
room, and my meals don't cost me much.''
``But you will want clothes.''
``I have enough for the present, and I am laying
up fifty cents a week to buy more when I need them.''
``You can't buy many for twenty-six dollars a
year. But that doesn't allow anything for your
sister's expenses.''
``That is what puzzles me, sir,'' said Frank, fixing
a troubled glance upon the fire. ``I shall have to
work in the evenings for Grace.''
``What can you do?''
``I could copy, but I suppose there isn't much
chance of getting copying to do.''
``Then you have a good handwriting?''
``Pretty fair, sir.''
``Let me see a specimen. There are pen and ink
on the table, and here is a sheet of paper.''
Frank seated himself at the table, and wrote his
name on the paper.
``Very good,'' said his host, approvingly. ``Your
hand is good enough for a copyist, but you are correct
in supposing that work of that kind is hard
to get. Are you a good reader?''
``Do you mean in reading aloud, sir?''
``Yes.''
``I will try, if you wish.''
``Take a book from the table--any book--and let
me hear you read.''
Frank opened the first book that came to hand--
one of Irving's and read in a clear, unembarrassed
voice about half a page.
``Very good indeed!'' said Mr. Wharton. ``You
have been well taught. Where did you attend
school?''
``Only in the town school, sir.''
``You have, at any rate, made good use of your
advantages.''
``But will it do me any good, sir?'' asked Frank.
``People are not paid for reading, are they?''
``Not in general, but we will suppose the case of
a person whose eyes are weak, and likely to be badly
affected by evening use. Then suppose such a person
could secure the services of a good, clear, distinct
reader, don't you think he would be willing to
pay something?''
``I suppose so. Do you know of any such person?''
asked Frank.
``I am describing myself, Frank. A year since I
strained my eyes very severely, and have never dared
to use them much since by gaslight. Mrs. Bradley,
my housekeeper, has read to me some, but she has
other duties, and I don't think she enjoys it very
much. Now, why shouldn't I get you to read to me
in the evening when you are not otherwise employed?''
``I wish you would, Mr. Wharton,'' said Frank,
eagerly. ``I would do my best.''
``I have no doubt of that, but there is another
question--perhaps you might ask a higher salary
than I could afford to pay.''
``Would a dollar a week be too much?'' asked
Frank.
``I don't think I could complain of that,'' said Mr.
Wharton, gravely. ``Very well, I will engage you as
my reader.''
``Thank you, sir.''
``But about the pay; I have made up my mind to
pay you five dollars a week.''
``Five dollars a week!'' Frank repeated. ``It is
much more than my services will be worth sir.''
``Let me judge of that, Frank.''
``I don't know how to thank you, sir,'' said Frank,
gratefully. ``I never expected to be so rich. I shall
have no trouble in paying for Grace's board and
clothes now. When do you want me to begin reading to you?''
``You may as well begin to-night--that is, unless
you have some other engagement.''
``Oh, no, sir, I have nothing else to do.''
``Take the Evening Post, then, and read me the
leading editorial. Afterward, I will tell you what to
read.''
Frank had been reading about half an hour, when
a knock was heard at the door.
``Come in,'' said Mr. Wharton.
Mrs. Bradley entered, with a soft, quiet step.
``I thought, sir,'' she began, ``you might like me
to read to you, as usual.''
``Thank you, Mrs. Bradley, but I am going to
relieve you of that portion of your labors. My young
friend here is to come every evening and read to
me.''
``Indeed!'' ejaculated the housekeeper in a tone of
chilly displeasure, and a sharp glance at Frank,
which indicated no great amount of cordiality.
``Then, as I am intruding, I will take my leave.''
There was something in her tone that made Frank
feel uncomfortable.
CHAPTER IX
THE HOUSEKEEPER'S NEPHEW
``By no means,'' said Mr. Wharton, as the
housekeeper was about to withdraw; ``don't imagine you
are intruding. Come in and sit down.''
``Thank you, sir,'' said Mrs. Bradley, in a
measured tone. ``You are very considerate, I am sure,
but if you'll excuse me, I won't come in this evening.''
``Mrs. Bradley has been with me a good many
years,'' explained Mr. Wharton, ``and I dare say she
feels a little disturbed at seeing another occupy her
place, even in a duty like this.''
``I am afraid she will be offended with me, sir,''
said Frank.
``Oh, no; I will explain matters to her. Go on
with your reading, Frank.''
At half-past nine, Mr. Wharton took out his watch.
``It is getting late,'' he said. ``I have no doubt you
are tired and need rest.''
``I am not tired, sir.''
``I believe in going to bed early. I shall seldom
keep you later than this. Do you think you can find
your way out?''
``Yes, sir. When shall I come to-morrow evening?''
``A little before eight.''
``I will be punctual.''
Jasper was waiting for him, not wholly without
anxiety, for it was very unusual for Frank to be late.
``Well, Frank!'' he exclaimed; ``this is a pretty
time for you to come home. I began to think you
had got into trouble. I was just going around to the
nearest station house in search of you.''
``I was in quite a different place, Jasper.''
Frank told his story, including an account of his
engagement.
``So it seems I am to lose your company in the
evening. I am sorry for that, but I am glad you are
so lucky.''
``It was better than I expected,'' said Frank, with
satisfaction.
``What sort of a man is this Mr. Wharton?'' said
Jasper.
``He is very kind and generous. I am lucky to
have so good a friend. There's only one thing that
is likely to be disagreeable.''
``What's that?''
``The housekeeper--her name is Mrs. Bradley--
for some reason or other she doesn't want me there.''
``What makes you think so?''
``Her manner, and the way she speaks. She came
in to read to Mr. Wharton last evening, and didn't
seem to like it because I had been taken in her place.''
``She is evidentlyjealous. You must take care not
to offend her. She might endeavor to have you dismissed.''
``I shall always treat her politely, but I don't think
I can ever like her.''
Meanwhile, the housekeeper, on leaving the
- proportion [prə´pɔ:ʃən]
n.比率 vt.使成比例 (初中英语单词) - briefly [´bri:fli] ad.简短地；简略地 (初中英语单词)
- conclusion [kən´klu:ʒən] n.结束；结论；推论 (初中英语单词)
- ashamed [ə´ʃeimd] a.惭愧；不好意思 (初中英语单词)
- reading [´ri:diŋ] n.(阅)读；朗读；读物 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- otherwise [´ʌðəwaiz] ad.另外 conj.否则 (初中英语单词)
- complain [kəm´plein] vi.抱怨，叫屈；控诉 (初中英语单词)
- gravely [´greivli] ad.庄重地，严肃地 (初中英语单词)
- editorial [,edi´tɔ:riəl] a.编辑的 n.社论 (初中英语单词)
- portion [´pɔ:ʃən] n.嫁妆；命运 vt.分配 (初中英语单词)
- amount [ə´maunt] n.总数；数量 v.合计 (初中英语单词)
- withdraw [wið´drɔ:] v.收回；撤销；撤退 (初中英语单词)
- waiting [´weitiŋ] n.等候；伺候 (初中英语单词)
- wholly [´həul-li] ad.完全，十足；统统 (初中英语单词)
- unusual [ʌn´ju:ʒuəl] a.不平常的；异常的 (初中英语单词)
- account [ə´kaunt] vi.说明 vt.认为 n.帐目 (初中英语单词)
- generous [´dʒenərəs] a.慷慨的；丰盛的 (初中英语单词)
- evidently [´evidəntli] ad.明显地 (初中英语单词)
- jealous [´dʒeləs] a.妒忌的 (初中英语单词)
- offend [ə´fend] v.犯错误；违犯；犯罪 (初中英语单词)
- unexpected [ʌniks´pektid] a.突然的；意外的 (高中英语单词)
- specimen [´spesimən] n.标本，样品；抽样 (高中英语单词)
- severely [si´viəli] ad.剧烈地；严格地 (高中英语单词)
- housekeeper [´haus,ki:pə] n.主妇，女管家 (高中英语单词)
- repeated [ri´pi:tid] a.反复的；重复的 (高中英语单词)
- seeing [si:iŋ] see的现在分词 n.视觉 (高中英语单词)
- politely [pə´laitli] ad.温和地；文雅地 (高中英语单词)
- frosty [´frɔsti] a.霜冻的；冷淡的 (英语四级单词)
- staircase [´steəkeis] n.楼梯 =stairway (英语四级单词)
- luxurious [lʌg´zjuəriəs] a.奢侈的；豪华的 (英语四级单词)
- armchair [´ɑ:mtʃeə] n.扶手椅 (英语四级单词)
- displeasure [dis´pleʒə] n.不高兴，不快，生气 (英语四级单词)
- considerate [kən´sidərit] a.考虑周到的；体谅的 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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