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儿童英语读物 The Mystery of the Mixed-Up Zoo CHAPTER 8 Who Is Guilty?

时间:2017-07-17 08:59来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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In the afternoon the children went to the movies with Grandfather. And for a while they forgot about the zoo. But afterward1, as they ate banana splits, Benny said, “Could we stop at the zoo on the way home, Grandfather?”

Surprised, Grandfather Alden said, “You spent all morning at the zoo.”

“We want to see if the animals are all right,” Jessie said. “When we left, Edward was still checking some of them that had suffered under the wrong temperature.”

“Of course, we’ll stop,” Grandfather said with understanding. “I’m sure all the animals survived, but we can pick up Edward.”

“Great!” Henry said. “Lately Edward looks so worn out from everything that’s happened.”

“It’s a good thing we’re here so we can help him,” Violet said softly, finishing the last of her ice cream.

Mr. Alden studied his two granddaughters, proud of them. And how pretty they looked. Violet in her blue denim2 jacket and skirt, her hair tied with lavender ribbons, and Jessie in yellow flowered shorts and top.

He was proud of his grandsons, too. Handsome boys. Henry resembled him, tall and straight. Benny had an impish twinkle in his dark eyes.

Yes, he was a lucky man to have found his four loving grandchildren. To think that not too long ago they had hidden from him in an old boxcar, believing that he was a mean man who wanted to hurt them. If Violet hadn’t become ill, he might never have found them. It was the doctor, a friend of his, who had led him to them. Yes, indeed, he was truly lucky. Never had he known children that were so ready to help, and not only him, but others as well.

Benny leaned forward. “Are we going, Grandfather?”

“Wh-what?” Grandfather stammered3, coming back from his memories. “Oh, yes, yes.” Smiling, he stood, paid the bill, and they left for the zoo.

They arrived at closing time as people were streaming out the front gates.

Jessie tugged4 at Henry’s sleeve. “Isn’t that Mac Thatcher5 from the bookstore?” she whispered, as a tall thin man went by.

Henry saw Thatcher walking down the sidewalk to a black car and unlocking it.

“That’s him,” Henry said firmly. “He doesn’t look like the type who comes to the zoo for enjoyment6!”

“There’s the bad man from the bookstore,” Benny shouted, pointing at the black car pulling away from the curb7.

“That’s him,” Violet agreed. “What do you suppose he was doing here?”

“Maybe he was making the birds cold and the bears hot,” Benny stated.

Thoughtfully, Jessie shook her head. “No, Benny, the temperature changes happened early this morning.”

Pat Kramer hurried forward as the gates clanged shut. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said. Her usual smiling face was sober.

Alarmed, Violet stared at Pat. “Is something wrong?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“Yes,” Pat said shortly. “Come with me and you can judge for yourself.” She headed for Edward’s office.

Without a word the children followed her. Grandfather, grim-faced, walked so fast that it was hard to keep up with him.

In the zoo office they were astonished to see Edward sitting slumped8 in his chair, his head in his hands.

“What is it?” Mr. Alden asked.

Edward lifted his head and opened a drawer in a file cabinet. It was empty. “Someone came into the office in plain daylight and stole all the animals’ papers.”

“How could that happen?” Henry asked.

“Pat and I were busy checking the animals. I didn’t get to the office until late this afternoon.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “The thief cleaned me out.”

“What do the papers say?” Benny asked.

“Information about the animals,” Edward answered. “Special diets are recorded, when they had their vaccinations9, when they arrived at the zoo, and where they came from, facts I need to know.”

Pat bit her underlip. “This is the worst prank10 yet!”

“I’d call it more than a prank!” Grandfather exclaimed. “It’s vicious and damaging to the animals.”

Edward shot his old friend a grateful glance. “You’re right, James. I’ll have to start over, recording11 all that information. I can remember a few things, but only a few.”

“Between the two of us,” Pat said, “we’ll manage.”

Papers were scattered12 on the floor, as if the robber had made a quick exit. The saddest sight, though, was the empty file drawers.

“Don’t you think you should call the police now?” Henry asked.

Edward hesitated before replying. “I’d like to, but if I do, I know the zoo will close down. This is just the ammunition13 Helen Brooks14 is looking for!”

“Perhaps the police will be able to solve the case before Helen Brooks can find out,” Jessie said, sitting down.

“Believe me, Jessie,” Edward said, “I want to bring the thief to justice, but I can’t risk having my zoo closed down.”

That night the children had planned a special dinner, and they were glad they had. Edward needed something to take his mind off the animals.

As soon as they got home they began preparing meat loaf, broccoli15 with cheese, mashed16 potatoes, and apple salad, plus lemon cake for dessert.

As the meat loaf baked, the children fixed17 the rest of the dinner and discussed the case.

“We didn’t see Helen Brooks today,”Violet said. “Maybe she can’t find enough information to bring before the town council. Maybe she’s given up.”

“Don’t we wish,” Jessie said, chopping up the apples and celery. “But I think Helen Brooks is the kind of woman who, once an idea pops into her head, won’t let go.”

Benny agreed. “She never smiles. I know she’s thinking of ways she can get rid of the animals!”

Henry peeled potatoes and dropped them into boiling water. He frowned. “Just because Helen Brooks doesn’t smile doesn’t mean she’d stoop to such low tricks to close the zoo.”

Benny set the table in the dining room. Returning, he reported, “Edward and Grandfather are playing chess again.”

“Good,” Jessie said. “The game will take Edward’s mind off his problems.” She opened the oven and was pleased to see the meat loaf was nicely browned. Taking it out, she set it on a platter.

Violet stuck a fork in the boiling broccoli and decided18 it was cooked just enough. She put it in a bowl and poured the cheese sauce over it.

Henry put the mashed potatoes in a bowl while Benny poured the milk.

“I think,” Jessie said, “that Mac Thatcher is acting19 very suspicious lately. We’ve seen him at the zoo, and he’s curious about what’s going on there. Why is he so interested?”

“You’ve got a point, Jessie,” Henry said, dishing up the mashed potatoes. “Mac’s a sourpuss all right, but he really hasn’t any reason to put the zoo out of business.”

“No,” Jessie agreed, slicing the meat loaf. “He doesn’t have as much reason as Pat. Remember what she said about buying the zoo?”

Violet placed the steaming broccoli on the table. “I really don’t think Pat meant that.” She shrugged20 her shoulders. “Wanting to buy the zoo was just a passing remark.”

Henry sprinkled dressing21 over the apples and celery. “We all like Pat,” he said, “but you can’t deny that she’s had the best opportunity to carry out everything that’s taken place. After all, she works at the zoo.”

Benny’s mouth formed a big O. “So does David.”

“I don’t think it could be David,” Violet said with a smile. “He’s so sweet, and you can tell he truly loves the animals.”

“Dinner is ready!” Jessie called.

Grandfather and Edward seated themselves at the table. Edward rubbed his hands together when he saw the wonderful dinner the children had prepared.

Jessie, sitting next to Grandfather, thought of the suspects. Each person they’d talked about had some reason to see the zoo shut down, but the Aldens didn’t have any proof. Whoever the guilty one was, it seemed that he or she was going to get away with being cruel to innocent animals and maybe, closing a wonderful zoo.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 afterward fK6y3     
adv.后来;以后
参考例句:
  • Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏,然后吃饭。
  • Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来,这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。
2 denim o9Lya     
n.斜纹棉布;斜纹棉布裤,牛仔裤
参考例句:
  • She wore pale blue denim shorts and a white denim work shirt.她穿着一条淡蓝色的斜纹粗棉布短裤,一件白粗布工作服上衣。
  • Dennis was dressed in denim jeans.丹尼斯穿了一条牛仔裤。
3 stammered 76088bc9384c91d5745fd550a9d81721     
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
4 tugged 8a37eb349f3c6615c56706726966d38e     
v.用力拉,使劲拉,猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. 她拽了拽他的袖子引起他的注意。
  • A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 他的嘴角带一丝苦笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 thatcher ogQz6G     
n.茅屋匠
参考例句:
  • Tom Sawyer was in the skiff that bore Judge Thatcher. 汤姆 - 索亚和撒切尔法官同乘一条小艇。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
  • Mrs. Thatcher was almost crazed; and Aunt Polly, also. 撒切尔夫人几乎神经失常,还有波莉姨妈也是。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
6 enjoyment opaxV     
n.乐趣;享有;享用
参考例句:
  • Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同,我们这次访问更加愉快了。
  • After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话,这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。
7 curb LmRyy     
n.场外证券市场,场外交易;vt.制止,抑制
参考例句:
  • I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
  • You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。
8 slumped b010f9799fb8ebd413389b9083180d8d     
大幅度下降,暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 ); 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]
参考例句:
  • Sales have slumped this year. 今年销售量锐减。
  • The driver was slumped exhausted over the wheel. 司机伏在方向盘上,疲惫得睡着了。
9 vaccinations ed61d339e2970fa63aee4b5ce757cc44     
n.种痘,接种( vaccination的名词复数 );牛痘疤
参考例句:
  • Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时,我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 prank 51azg     
n.开玩笑,恶作剧;v.装饰;打扮;炫耀自己
参考例句:
  • It was thought that the fire alarm had been set off as a prank.人们认为火警报警器响是个恶作剧。
  • The dean was ranking the boys for pulling the prank.系主任正在惩罚那些恶作剧的男学生。
11 recording UktzJj     
n.录音,记录
参考例句:
  • How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间?
  • I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。
12 scattered 7jgzKF     
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的
参考例句:
  • Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来,塞进文件夹里。
13 ammunition GwVzz     
n.军火,弹药
参考例句:
  • A few of the jeeps had run out of ammunition.几辆吉普车上的弹药已经用光了。
  • They have expended all their ammunition.他们把弹药用光。
14 brooks cdbd33f49d2a6cef435e9a42e9c6670f     
n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时,狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了,今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》
15 broccoli 1sbzm     
n.绿菜花,花椰菜
参考例句:
  • She grew all the broccoli plants from seed.这些花椰菜都是她用种子培育出来的。
  • They think broccoli is only green and cauliflower is only white.他们认为西兰花只有绿色的,而菜花都是白色的。
16 mashed Jotz5Y     
a.捣烂的
参考例句:
  • two scoops of mashed potato 两勺土豆泥
  • Just one scoop of mashed potato for me, please. 请给我盛一勺土豆泥。
17 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
18 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
19 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
20 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 dressing 1uOzJG     
n.(食物)调料;包扎伤口的用品,敷料
参考例句:
  • Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
  • The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。
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