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儿童英语读物 The Mystery Cruise CHAPTER 1 The West Wind

时间:2017-07-20 08:59来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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On the plane, Benny Alden, for the tenth time, looked through the brochure filled with pictures of the West Wind. They were really on their way to the cruise ship waiting for them in Miami. All the Aldens were going to sail to the Caribbean Sea.

Benny tugged1 at his sister’s sleeve, pointing to a picture of a pool. “Look at this, Jessie. We can go swimming every day.” He flipped2 over the page. “And we can play volleyball, too.”

Jessie smiled. “Yes, and we can play badminton and basketball and all kinds of games, Benny. You’ll see.”

Yawning, she stretched. They had awakened3 very early to travel from Greenfield, Massachusetts, to Boston. There they had caught a plane going to Miami, Florida.

At last they were ready to land. Jessie was sure her heart was beating just as fast as Benny’s. But he had an excuse. He was only six. Being twelve, Jessie thought she should act more grown up. But today she didn’t care. She felt like jumping up and down.

She glanced at her sister and brother across the aisle4, but ten-year-old Violet and fourteen-year-old Henry had their eyes glued to the window. She knew they were excited, too.

The pilot’s voice came over the intercom, interrupting her thoughts. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be landing at the Miami airport in fifteen minutes. Please fasten your seat belts.”

Fascinated, Benny stared down at the tall white buildings lining5 the coast and the ships dotting the harbor. “I wonder which ship is ours,” he said.

Grandfather, sitting in front of Benny, turned around. “The West Wind will be waiting for us at the wharf6, Benny.”

Benny bounced up and down. “I wish we were on board right now! This is going to be the best trip you’ve ever taken us on, Grandfather.”

“I think so, too,” Violet added.

James Alden chuckled8. His grandchildren always appreciated whatever he did for them. It was a pleasure to take them places. And a cruise would be a most enjoyable vacation for him, too.

Contentedly9, Mr. Alden leaned back in his seat. How fortunate he was to have found his four grandchildren. To think they’d once hidden from him in an old boxcar, believing he was a mean old man. When they came to live with him, though, it wasn’t long before they loved and trusted him.

The plane dropped, and Benny squeezed his eyes shut, anticipating the cruise. Would there be a mystery on board the ship? It seemed that wherever they went something mysterious happened.

When the plane had landed and taxied to a stop, the Aldens walked down the steps. In the distance a small bus with the words “American Cruise Lines” on it was waiting for them.

After boarding the bus, Violet sat next to Jessie. Suddenly her hand flew to her cheek. “Oh, I think I forgot to pack my sneakers.”

Jessie shook her head. “No, Violet. I saw you put them in your bag.”

Violet sighed with relief. “Good. I know I packed my best dress, shorts, pants, two bathing suits, and four tops.”

“That’s plenty,” Jessie replied. “There’s a laundry room on board, so we can do at least one washing.”

The bus rumbled10 down to the docks and stopped with a jerk. “Here we are, folks,” the driver said, opening the door. “All out for a cruise of a lifetime.”

Benny leaped up and hurried down the aisle. “Thanks for the ride, mister.”

Once outside, he stopped dead still, his mouth dropping open. “The West Wind is beautiful!” He bent11 his head back to look up at the huge ship, his eyes scanning the gleaming white hull12 from stem to stern. A red smokestack loomed13 above the three main decks, and toward the bow the American flag fluttered smartly in the breeze. People on board leaned over the railing and waved. Enthusiastically, Benny waved back.

Henry stood beside Benny, his hand resting lightly on his brother’s shoulder. “Isn’t it something, Benny? We’re going to have a great time!”

“You said it!” Benny answered.

A man in a white uniform smiled at them and motioned them to come aboard.

Grandfather went first, followed by Jessie, Henry, Benny, and Violet.

“Do you have a table reserved for dinner?” the man asked.

“Yes, our travel agent arranged for a table for six. I suppose one more guest will be seated with us,” Grandfather said, “in order to fill the table.”

“I see,” the man said. “Then the steward14 will show you to your cabins.”

Another young man in a uniform greeted them. “Follow me,” he said politely. “A fire drill is scheduled at eleven. Please don’t forget.”

He led them to their cabins. Violet and Jessie were pleased at their large cabin with twin beds, a dressing15 table, and a small bathroom. Henry and Benny’s cabin had bunk16 beds while Grandfather had a single cabin only a few doors away.

Benny ran to the ladder and climbed to the top bed. “Can I have the top bunk, Henry?” he asked, plumping up the pillow.

“That’s fine by me,” Henry answered, opening the closet and hanging up his new navy blazer.

After unpacking17, the children met outside on the deck. Their cabins were on B deck.

Benny looked about at the deck chairs, the shiny floors, and the portholes of the staterooms. “Wow! It’s so big,” he said. “I wish I’d brought my roller skates.”

Henry laughed. “And what if a wind tilted18 the ship? You’d go sliding right off the deck into the ocean.”

“Not me!” Benny protested. “I’m a good skater. I’d be able to stay on my feet.”

“Come on,” Henry urged. “Let’s look around. The ship sails at ten o’clock and it’s nine o’clock now.”

“We have an hour to explore the ship,” Jessie said, walking over to the stairs.

They went up to A deck and were amazed at how many shops there were.

“Need a haircut, Benny?” Henry asked, pointing to a barber shop.

“No way. I don’t want to waste a minute.” Benny touched his hair. “I look fine,” he pronounced.

They laughed, going past a beauty shop, a jewelry19 store, a drug store, a perfume shop, and a theater. They went down to C Deck where a gym was located. A nearby room contained the latest exercise equipment.

Back to B Deck, close to their rooms, they explored the laundry room, the game room, and the library. They didn’t have time to go up to the sun deck to see the swimming pool, for a large blast from the ship’s horn warned them that it was almost sailing time.

They hurried to meet Grandfather at the railing. Passengers were waving and shouting to friends below.

Red, white, and blue streamers and confetti floated in the air. A Dixieland band, playing a lively tune20, was on the deck in back of them. There was a mighty21 horn blast and the ship moved slowly away from the wharf.

Benny danced a few steps in time to the music, then came back to the railing to wave and yell, “Good-bye, everybody!”

The white buildings on shore slowly receded22 into the distance.

Jessie squeezed Violet’s hand. “Isn’t this beautiful?”

“Yes, oh, yes,” Violet answered.

The Aldens stood on the deck until Miami was only a dot.

Grandfather tapped Benny on the shoulder. “How about a glass of milk and a pastry23?”

Benny nodded, always ready to eat. He went over to a long table with doughnuts, sweet rolls, fresh fruit, and beverages24. He helped himself to a chocolate doughnut and milk. Jessie, Violet, and Henry had a snack, too, even though they’d had a small breakfast on the plane. But that seemed like days ago instead of just hours.

“I found out who will be at the table in the dining room with us,” Grandfather said, sipping25 a cup of steaming coffee.

“Who?” Jessie asked, giving a waiter her empty plate and glass. “I hope he’s nice.”

“Where is he?” Benny asked, finishing his milk.

“He’s over there,” Grandfather said, with a nod of his head. “I’ve already talked to him. His name is Max Greene and he seems like a nice fellow. Would you like to meet him?”

“Could we?” Violet asked.

Henry looked at the man leaning over the rail. He had a black beard and wore a cap to shade his eyes.

“Max,” Grandfather said, moving to his side. “I’d like you to meet my grandchildren —Violet, Benny, Henry, and Jessie.” He tapped each one on the shoulder as he said their names. “Children, this is Mr. Greene.”

“Please,” Max said with a soft chuckle7, “call me Max. And,” he added in a gentle voice, “I’m delighted to have such fine dinner companions.”

Violet liked Max. He seemed a little shy, just like herself.

“Happy to meet you, Max,” Benny piped up, shaking his hand. He thought Max looked handsome in his white pants and shirt, but what he liked best about him were his bright blue eyes.

Suddenly, three whistles blew, signaling it was time for the fire drill. Grandfather and the children hurried to their cabins, and from the closet shelves pulled down bright orange life jackets. Then they all reported to A Deck.

When the passengers were lined up, they were divided into small groups, and a sailor instructed each group on how to put on their bulky life jackets.

Henry helped Benny tie the cord. Jessie laughed. “You look like a small orange pumpkin26, Benny,” she teased.

Benny grinned. “And you look like a big orange pumpkin, Jessie.”

The sailor blew a whistle for quiet. He motioned with his hand, and a lifeboat was lowered mechanically. It seated seventy-five passengers, but there were many other lifeboats for all the eight hundred passengers. In a real emergency, everyone would get into a boat and row away.

After the drill the children returned to their cabins and slipped into their swimsuits.

The children didn’t see Max until dinnertime, for after lunch they spent the day at the swimming pool and then each chose a book from the library.

Grandfather had decided27 on the early sitting for dinner. Passengers could eat dinner at either 6:45 or 8:30.

The huge dining room gleamed with white linen28, crystal chandeliers, fine china, and candlelight. The Aldens were led to table number thirty-eight.

Max stood up when he saw them. “Hello,” he said. “Did you have a pleasant day?”

“You bet!” Benny said. “We swam and ate hamburgers by the pool. This afternoon we went to the library and got some books.” He stopped to catch his breath. “What did you do?”

Max’s thick eyebrows29 lifted, and he smiled. “Well, I strolled about the deck, played some shuffleboard on the forward deck, and talked to an elderly gentleman about World War Two. You see, I’m a history professor at Newton College.”

All at once a waiter appeared, handing each a menu. “I’m your waiter, Ramos,” he said.

“Hi, Ramos,” Benny said. The menu was so big it slipped from his fingers. Ramos was quick to retrieve30 it.

“Shall I order for you?” Grandfather asked, a twinkle in his eyes. The menu listed many appetizers31, entrees32, salads, and desserts. It was hard to know just what to order.

But soon decisions were made, and when Ramos brought the dinners they looked and smelled delicious.

All the Aldens had ordered the same meal. They had cold cucumber soup, thick roast beef, buttered potatoes, peas, and a tossed salad.

Max wanted the same meal, but he also ordered horseradish sauce. “Roast beef with horseradish sauce always reminds me of my great-aunt Edith,” he said. “She loves horseradish and used to grow it in her garden. It was so strong I could hardly stand to take a bite.”

“Can I try yours?” Benny asked. “I’ve never eaten horseradish sauce.”

“Sure,” Max said. “But just take a little bit.”

Benny swallowed a small spoonful. His eyes grew big and he grabbed a glass of water.

“Wow!” he said. “That’s the hottest stuff I ever ate!”

Everyone laughed.

“Do horses eat horseradish?” Benny wanted to know.

“Hmmm,” Max said. “That’s a good question.”

Just then Ramos brought chocolate sundaes for dessert. When he had given everyone a sundae, he pulled an envelope out of his pocket and gave it to Max.

Henry saw that it was a telegram.

After reading it, Max’s face paled, and he pushed his dinner aside. He excused himself and left.

What could have upset Max so much that he couldn’t eat his dessert? Jessie wondered. They were having such a good time until the telegram came. What was wrong?
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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》
2 flipped 5bef9da31993fe26a832c7d4b9630147     
轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 ); 按(开关); 快速翻转; 急挥
参考例句:
  • The plane flipped and crashed. 飞机猛地翻转,撞毁了。
  • The carter flipped at the horse with his whip. 赶大车的人扬鞭朝着马轻轻地抽打。
3 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
4 aisle qxPz3     
n.(教堂、教室、戏院等里的)过道,通道
参考例句:
  • The aisle was crammed with people.过道上挤满了人。
  • The girl ushered me along the aisle to my seat.引座小姐带领我沿着通道到我的座位上去。
5 lining kpgzTO     
n.衬里,衬料
参考例句:
  • The lining of my coat is torn.我的外套衬里破了。
  • Moss makes an attractive lining to wire baskets.用苔藓垫在铁丝篮里很漂亮。
6 wharf RMGzd     
n.码头,停泊处
参考例句:
  • We fetch up at the wharf exactly on time.我们准时到达码头。
  • We reached the wharf gasping for breath.我们气喘吁吁地抵达了码头。
7 chuckle Tr1zZ     
vi./n.轻声笑,咯咯笑
参考例句:
  • He shook his head with a soft chuckle.他轻轻地笑着摇了摇头。
  • I couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at the thought of it.想到这个,我忍不住轻轻地笑起来。
8 chuckled 8ce1383c838073977a08258a1f3e30f8     
轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
  • She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情,她就轻轻地暗自发笑。
9 contentedly a0af12176ca79b27d4028fdbaf1b5f64     
adv.心满意足地
参考例句:
  • My father sat puffing contentedly on his pipe.父亲坐着心满意足地抽着烟斗。
  • "This is brother John's writing,"said Sally,contentedly,as she opened the letter.
10 rumbled e155775f10a34eef1cb1235a085c6253     
发出隆隆声,发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 轰鸣着缓慢行进; 发现…的真相; 看穿(阴谋)
参考例句:
  • The machine rumbled as it started up. 机器轰鸣着发动起来。
  • Things rapidly became calm, though beneath the surface the argument rumbled on. 事情迅速平静下来了,然而,在这种平静的表面背后争论如隆隆雷声,持续不断。
11 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。
12 hull 8c8xO     
n.船身;(果、实等的)外壳;vt.去(谷物等)壳
参考例句:
  • The outer surface of ship's hull is very hard.船体的外表面非常坚硬。
  • The boat's hull has been staved in by the tremendous seas.小船壳让巨浪打穿了。
13 loomed 9423e616fe6b658c9a341ebc71833279     
v.隐约出现,阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 );隐约出现,阴森地逼近
参考例句:
  • A dark shape loomed up ahead of us. 一个黑糊糊的影子隐隐出现在我们的前面。
  • The prospect of war loomed large in everyone's mind. 战事将起的庞大阴影占据每个人的心。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 steward uUtzw     
n.乘务员,服务员;看管人;膳食管理员
参考例句:
  • He's the steward of the club.他是这家俱乐部的管理员。
  • He went around the world as a ship's steward.他当客船服务员,到过世界各地。
15 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。
16 bunk zWyzS     
n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位;废话
参考例句:
  • He left his bunk and went up on deck again.他离开自己的铺位再次走到甲板上。
  • Most economists think his theories are sheer bunk.大多数经济学家认为他的理论纯属胡说。
17 unpacking 4cd1f3e1b7db9c6a932889b5839cdd25     
n.取出货物,拆包[箱]v.从(包裹等)中取出(所装的东西),打开行李取出( unpack的现在分词 );拆包;解除…的负担;吐露(心事等)
参考例句:
  • Joe sat on the bed while Martin was unpacking. 马丁打开箱子取东西的时候,乔坐在床上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They are unpacking a trunk. 他们正在打开衣箱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 tilted 3gtzE5     
v. 倾斜的
参考例句:
  • Suddenly the boat tilted to one side. 小船突然倾向一侧。
  • She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。
19 jewelry 0auz1     
n.(jewllery)(总称)珠宝
参考例句:
  • The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
  • Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。
20 tune NmnwW     
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整
参考例句:
  • He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子,并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
  • The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。
21 mighty YDWxl     
adj.强有力的;巨大的
参考例句:
  • A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
  • The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。
22 receded a802b3a97de1e72adfeda323ad5e0023     
v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 );向后倾斜;自原处后退或避开别人的注视;尤指问题
参考例句:
  • The floodwaters have now receded. 洪水现已消退。
  • The sound of the truck receded into the distance. 卡车的声音渐渐在远处消失了。
23 pastry Q3ozx     
n.油酥面团,酥皮糕点
参考例句:
  • The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry.厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
  • The pastry crust was always underdone.馅饼的壳皮常常烤得不透。
24 beverages eb693dc3e09666bb339be2c419d0478e     
n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 控制酒类销售的法规
  • regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages 含酒精饮料的销售管理条例
25 sipping e7d80fb5edc3b51045def1311858d0ae     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She sat in the sun, idly sipping a cool drink. 她坐在阳光下懒洋洋地抿着冷饮。
  • She sat there, sipping at her tea. 她坐在那儿抿着茶。
26 pumpkin NtKy8     
n.南瓜
参考例句:
  • They ate turkey and pumpkin pie.他们吃了火鸡和南瓜馅饼。
  • It looks like there is a person looking out of the pumpkin!看起来就像南瓜里有人在看着你!
27 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。
28 linen W3LyK     
n.亚麻布,亚麻线,亚麻制品;adj.亚麻布制的,亚麻的
参考例句:
  • The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。
  • Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。
29 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
30 retrieve ZsYyp     
vt.重新得到,收回;挽回,补救;检索
参考例句:
  • He was determined to retrieve his honor.他决心恢复名誉。
  • The men were trying to retrieve weapons left when the army abandoned the island.士兵们正试图找回军队从该岛撤退时留下的武器。
31 appetizers dd5245cbcffa48ce7e107a4a67e085e5     
n.开胃品( appetizer的名词复数 );促进食欲的活动;刺激欲望的东西;吊胃口的东西
参考例句:
  • Here is the egg drop and appetizers to follow. 这是您要的蛋花汤和开胃品。 来自互联网
  • Would you like appetizers or a salad to go with that? 你要不要小菜或色拉? 来自互联网
32 entrees fb2781fab230ab89d62ccfc25bc6d6de     
n.入场权( entree的名词复数 );主菜
参考例句:
  • Can I also take you order for your entrees now? 现在要不要也点主菜? 来自互联网
  • Before the entrees are served, the waiter first serves four cold dishes. 在正菜上桌之前,服务员先上了四个凉碟。 来自互联网
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