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儿童英语读物 The Animal Shelter Mystery CHAPTER 9 Moving Day

时间:2017-07-07 05:39来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

“Shh. Quiet, Watch,” Jessie whispered when she heard Watch growling1. “It’s too early to get up.”

Watch did not agree with Jessie and growled2 long and low. When Jessie’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Watch looking out the bedroom window over the driveway. Jessie was wide awake now and went to the window, too.

She stroked Watch’s alert ears. “What is it, boy?”

Jessie didn’t really need Watch’s answer. Under the streetlamp, she could see the outlines of a pickup3 truck parked on the street. Whoever was in the car was smoking and flicking4 ashes out the window every few minutes.

“I don’t know if that’s the truck, but I’m not taking any chances,” Jessie told Watch.

She tiptoed down the hall to the phone table and dialed the Greenfield Police Department. “Hello, hello, this is Jessie Alden,” she whispered into the phone. “I’m calling to report a suspicious … oh, hello, Officer Lawler. Yes, I know it’s early, but that’s why I’m calling. There’s a truck parked in front of my grandfather’s house, and I think there might be some men in it who’ve been bothering Miss Newcombe on Fox Den5 Road and my family, too. Could a policeman drive by our house just in case they’re going to make trouble? Yes, thank you.”

“Whew,” Jessie said when she put down the phone.

“What are you whewing about?” Henry said, making Jessie practically jump out of her robe. “It’s five o’clock in the morning.”

“I know. That’s why I just called Officer Lawler at the police station to check on that suspicious truck out there. See,” she whispered. “Careful, don’t get in front of the window. They might see you.”

Henry pulled aside the curtain carefully and stood off to the side. “Hey, they’re getting out and walking toward Grandfather’s car. I’m going out there.”

When Henry put his hand on the light-switch, Jessie stopped him. “Don’t do that. Maybe this time we can catch them doing something while they think we’re asleep. Officer Lawler said he was leaving right away.”

Henry rubbed his eyes. “You’re right.”

Jessie and Henry tiptoed downstairs. The kitchen window was open a few inches to let in the night air. Henry and Jessie crouched6 down near the sink where they couldn’t be seen but right where they could hear the men whispering to each other.

“Four bum7 tires ought to do the trick,” one voice said. “Sam, where’s that knife you always carry?”

Jessie grabbed Henry’s arm. “Oh, no, I think they’re going to slash8 the tires so we can’t use Grandfather’s car today!”

Jessie and Henry were listening so hard to make out what the men were saying, they didn’t hear Officer Lawler’s cruiser pull up.

“Hands behind your back!” a deep voice shouted.

Henry and Jessie heard the men’s knife clatter9 to the driveway. That’s when the kitchen lights went on.

“Heavens, me, why are you both huddled10 by the sink?” Mrs. McGregor asked.

Benny came in next, carrying his blanket, followed by Violet, who was blinking hard and trying to figure out what the commotion11 was all about.

“My goodness,” Mr. Alden said when he came into the kitchen to find five people all up at this very early hour. “I’m not leaving for the capital for hours. I hope you’ll all quietly go back to bed before we wake up Miss Newcombe.”

“But Grandfather—” Jessie began.

“You see, the police are—”

“My word, there’s the doorbell!” Mrs. McGregor said. “I must be dreaming. That’s the only explanation for why I’m down in this chilly12 kitchen with everyone instead of in my nice warm bed.”

Mr. Alden led the way to the front hall and opened the door. “Why, Officer Lawler, you’re the last person I expected to see on my porch at this hour.”

“That may be, Mr. Alden,” the policeman said, “but one of your quick-thinking grandchildren helped me catch three vandals who were trying to slash your tires. I’m afraid they did some damage to one of them, but the other tires are fine.”

Mr. Alden put his arm around Jessie. “I’ll bet this is our detective. She’s the only one who looks wide awake enough to find the phone, let alone dial the right number for the police station.”

Jessie shivered, but she felt warm inside. “Are those men from the Wolf Demolition13 Company, Officer Lawler?”

The policeman checked his notepad. “That’s a good name for what they are— wolves who hunt in the night. But I’ve got them caged, all right. They’re locked up in the backseat of my cruiser. So if you’ll file a complaint later today, we can register the arrest.” Officer Lawler tipped his cap. “Good-night, or maybe I should say good-morning.”

“I’d better get some coffee perking,” Mrs. McGregor said. “I know you’ve all got a busy day ahead.”

An hour later, everyone, including Miss Newcombe, was wide awake, dressed, and ready to get on with that busy day.

“Benny and I changed the bad tire, Grandfather,” Henry said. “I started the engine for a minute, and the gas gauge14 needle is on full.”

Mr. Alden said, “I’m sorry not to have my backseat drivers on this trip, but I know you’ll want to get the animal shelter business straightened out now that Miss Newcombe is back. And, Clara, I imagine you’ll want to phone Dr. Scott.”

Miss Newcombe took Mr. Alden’s hand into hers. “Thank you, James. I feel like a new person today after the first restful sleep I’ve had in two weeks. Knowing I can go back to my own home, well, it means everything to me.”

“You can thank my grandchildren for that, Clara,” Mr. Alden said. He patted his suit pocket. “Well, the deed is in here, and I’ll pick up the will from your lawyer on the way out of town. So we’re all set.”

After everyone waved off Mr. Alden, they went out to the boxcar to check on the animals.

Miss Newcombe’s step was young and lively this morning. “I can hardly wait to see my dear cats curled on their favorite chairs. And I know it will cheer me to see Lad and Lady running in the meadows and through the woods. Not that they haven’t loved your boxcar,” the elderly lady told the Aldens when they peeked15 into the boxcar. “All of you did a wonderful job making a home for them.”

Violet’s thank-you could hardly be heard. She was blinking back tears.

Miss Newcombe handed her a white hanky. “I know just how you feel, dear. It will be hard to part from your new friends. That’s why I want you to come visit me whenever you want. I think I’ll start getting newspaper delivery again to keep up with the news— news of the Aldens!”

This made even Violet laugh, and everyone was still laughing when Dr. Scott drove up in her station wagon16 to pick up Miss Newcombe and her pets.

She gave Miss Newcombe a huge hug. “Why, Clara Newcombe! Imagine keeping a secret from me all these years. I must be better at figuring out animals than people not to guess that you were the founder17 of the Greenfield Animal Shelter.”

Miss Newcombe’s cheeks got pinker than ever. “That’s all right, Mary. There were reasons I was so secretive, but now, thanks to all of you, I don’t have to be.”

“Is it time?” Henry asked in a quieter voice than usual.

Miss Newcombe smiled. “You can get the leashes18 and cages for the ride home.”

Henry called Miss Newcombe’s two dogs. “Here, Lad. Come here, Lady.”

The dogs stood nice and still while Henry fastened on their leashes. He opened the back of Dr. Scott’s station wagon and let the dogs in. Up front, he cleared some space for two cat carriers. “We should be able to fit Patches and Midnight up here, and the gray cat in a cage in back.”

Violet slid the gray cat’s cage across the backseat where there was just enough room for it.

Miss Newcombe looked puzzled. “Why are you giving me this cat?” she asked.

Violet checked inside the carrier to make sure she had the right animal. “Isn’t she yours? She was in the boxcar the night you brought Lady here, remember? That rainy night?”

Miss Newcombe shook her head. “Why, I found that cat wandering outside the boxcar that night. I thought she lived in the boxcar already and had just gotten out. So I put her in an empty cage. She isn’t mine.”

At this news, Violet broke into a big smile. “Maybe we’ll get to keep one of the strays, after all. Now that the Greenfield Animal Shelter can stay open, our boxcar will be practically empty.” She opened the cage and lifted the pretty gray Persian in her arms. “And I do like this fluffy19 cat.”

Unlike Patches and Midnight, the gray cat was a shy one and never went too far from the boxcar or from people.

“She’s such a frightened one, isn’t she?” Violet asked. “I’d hoped that with the other cats gone, she would look around the yard a bit more.”

“She must have been an indoor cat, she’s so shy of every little thing,” Henry told his sister.

“And every big thing,” Benny said. He pointed20 to Watch, who was standing21 nearby and not a bit pleased with all the attention this ball of fur was getting.

The gray cat looked terrified of Watch.

Violet stroked the frightened Persian. “Poor cat. That gives me an idea. I know someone who would like you very much,” she said before she ran into the house.

Everyone looked puzzled, especially Benny. “Where does Violet want to send this cat, Jessie?”

Benny didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Violet was back in no time. “It’s all set,” she announced. “I’m sending this cat to the O’Connors, you know, the mother and the little boy who found Lad wandering around near their apartment. Jeffrey wanted a pet so much, especially a nice cat. And this is a nice cat! So I called the number they gave me when we met them and told them all about this cat. They’ll be over right away to pick her up.”

“Then we’d better pick her up,” Benny said. He bent22 down to catch the Persian. “Animals always run away just when you need them.”

Miss Newcombe’s eyes were twinkling. “Sometimes people run away when you need them, too!”

“But we always find them,” Benny said.

“I am glad you found me,” Miss Newcombe said. “I won’t run away again. I’ll be nearby with my dear pets and my dear new friends!”


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 growling growling     
n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼
参考例句:
  • We heard thunder growling in the distance. 我们听见远处有隆隆雷声。
  • The lay about the deck growling together in talk. 他们在甲板上到处游荡,聚集在一起发牢骚。
2 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
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》
3 pickup ANkxA     
n.拾起,获得
参考例句:
  • I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。
4 flicking 856751237583a36a24c558b09c2a932a     
(尤指用手指或手快速地)轻击( flick的现在分词 ); (用…)轻挥; (快速地)按开关; 向…笑了一下(或瞥了一眼等)
参考例句:
  • He helped her up before flicking the reins. 他帮她上马,之后挥动了缰绳。
  • There's something flicking around my toes. 有什么东西老在叮我的脚指头。
5 den 5w9xk     
n.兽穴;秘密地方;安静的小房间,私室
参考例句:
  • There is a big fox den on the back hill.后山有一个很大的狐狸窝。
  • The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into tiger's den.不入虎穴焉得虎子。
6 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
7 bum Asnzb     
n.臀部;流浪汉,乞丐;vt.乞求,乞讨
参考例句:
  • A man pinched her bum on the train so she hit him.在火车上有人捏她屁股,她打了那人。
  • The penniless man had to bum a ride home.那个身无分文的人只好乞求搭车回家。
8 slash Hrsyq     
vi.大幅度削减;vt.猛砍,尖锐抨击,大幅减少;n.猛砍,斜线,长切口,衣衩
参考例句:
  • The shop plans to slash fur prices after Spring Festival.该店计划在春节之后把皮货降价。
  • Don't slash your horse in that cruel way.不要那样残忍地鞭打你的马。
9 clatter 3bay7     
v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声
参考例句:
  • The dishes and bowls slid together with a clatter.碟子碗碰得丁丁当当的。
  • Don't clatter your knives and forks.别把刀叉碰得咔哒响。
10 huddled 39b87f9ca342d61fe478b5034beb4139     
挤在一起(huddle的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
  • We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。
11 commotion 3X3yo     
n.骚动,动乱
参考例句:
  • They made a commotion by yelling at each other in the theatre.他们在剧院里相互争吵,引起了一阵骚乱。
  • Suddenly the whole street was in commotion.突然间,整条街道变得一片混乱。
12 chilly pOfzl     
adj.凉快的,寒冷的
参考例句:
  • I feel chilly without a coat.我由于没有穿大衣而感到凉飕飕的。
  • I grew chilly when the fire went out.炉火熄灭后,寒气逼人。
13 demolition omezd     
n.破坏,毁坏,毁坏之遗迹
参考例句:
  • The church has been threatened with demolition for years. 这座教堂多年来一直面临拆毀的威胁。
  • The project required the total demolition of the old bridge. 该项目要求将老桥完全拆毁。
14 gauge 2gMxz     
v.精确计量;估计;n.标准度量;计量器
参考例句:
  • Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗?
  • It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。
15 peeked c7b2fdc08abef3a4f4992d9023ed9bb8     
v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 );偷看;窥视;微露出
参考例句:
  • She peeked over the top of her menu. 她从菜单上往外偷看。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • On two occasions she had peeked at him through a crack in the wall. 她曾两次透过墙缝窥视他。 来自辞典例句
16 wagon XhUwP     
n.四轮马车,手推车,面包车;无盖运货列车
参考例句:
  • We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
  • The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。
17 Founder wigxF     
n.创始者,缔造者
参考例句:
  • He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
  • According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说,罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。
18 leashes 2bf3745b69b730e3876947e7fe028b90     
n.拴猎狗的皮带( leash的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • What! are the people always to be kept on leashes? 究竟是什么一直束缚着人民? 来自互联网
  • But we do need a little freedom from our leashes on occasion. 当然有时也需要不受羁绊和一点点的自由。 来自互联网
19 fluffy CQjzv     
adj.有绒毛的,空洞的
参考例句:
  • Newly hatched chicks are like fluffy balls.刚孵出的小鸡像绒毛球。
  • The steamed bread is very fluffy.馒头很暄。
20 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
21 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。
22 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
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