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儿童英语读物 The Mystery of the Runaway Ghost CHAPTER 8 How Many Were Going to St. Ives?

时间:2017-11-10 06:15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)

The next morning, the four Aldens joined Fran for breakfast on the back patio1. Lottie had left early for work, so the umbrella table was set for five. With the sun shining and the birds chirping2, they munched3 happily on blueberry muffins, cold cereal, and fresh strawberries. The children put all thoughts of the runaway4 ghost aside for a while — at least until Fran said the strangest thing.

“It seems the old photograph of Homer has disappeared,” she announced.

“What?” Henry held a spoonful of cereal in midair. “Are you sure?”

“Quite sure, Henry,” Fran said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. “I searched high and low for it this morning, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. Oh, it’s gone, all right.”

“I can’t believe it!” said Violet, her eyes wide. “Who could have taken it?”

Benny swallowed a mouthful of muffin. “I know who.”

All eyes turned to the youngest Alden. “Who, Benny?” asked Jessie.

“A thief. That’s who!”

Fran held up a hand. “Now, now, Benny, let’s not jump to any conclusions.”

Nodding, Jessie took a sip5 of her orange juice. “We can’t be certain it was actually stolen.”

“Besides,” Violet added, “why would anyone want to steal an old photograph of Fran’s relatives?”

“You’re right, Violet,” Henry said after a moment’s thought. “It doesn’t make sense.”

As Fran helped herself to another muffin, a frown crossed her kind face. “Visitors are always curious about the man who painted The Runaway Ghost. I was planning to get the photograph enlarged. That way, folks could see what Homer looked like.”

“Don’t worry, Fran,” Jessie assured her. “We’ll look for it after breakfast.”

“Thanks anyway, Jessie, but there’s no need to waste your time like that. I’ve already given the place a thorough going-over.”

“Wow, that makes three mysteries!” Benny pointed6 out.

Fran looked puzzled. “Three mysteries?”

Violet nudged her little brother under the table. Now Benny remembered — he wasn’t supposed to mention the cowbell ringing in the night.

Changing the subject, Jessie said, “I sure hope the photograph turns up soon.”

“So do I,” Fran replied. Then she added, “The gallery phoned, so I’m off to town again. They need a fresh supply of my greeting cards.”

“Maybe we could lend a hand,” Violet volunteered. She remembered how tired Fran had been after their walking tour of Cedarburg.

“We could deliver the cards for you,” Jessie was quick to agree.

“Oh, you wouldn’t mind?” Fran looked relieved.

“We’ll get your cards there in a flash!” promised Benny.

This made Henry smile a little. “Well, we’ll get them there safe and sound, that’s for sure.”

After breakfast, Fran scribbled7 the address on a piece of paper. “The Creekside Gallery is right in the middle of town. You can’t miss it.”

Henry folded the paper that Fran handed him. Then he carefully put the address in his pocket.

“I’m sure Amanda will be pleased.” Fran handed the Aldens two old shoeboxes from the counter. CARDS BY FRAN was written across each in blue ink. “There are plenty here. Enough to keep the gallery stocked for a while, I think.”

“We can use my backpack to carry them,” Jessie offered.

As they set off for town, Violet said, “Poor Fran! That was her only photograph of Homer.”

Benny frowned. “I wonder why Lottie stole it.”

“Benny!” Jessie exclaimed. “We shouldn’t suspect people until we’re certain it was actually stolen.”

After a moment’s thought, Violet said, “It does seem odd, though, that it suddenly disappeared.”

“I think we should concentrate on one mystery at a time,” suggested Henry.

“You’re right, Henry,” Jessie agreed. “And finding that treasure for Fran comes first.”

When they reached the Creekside Gallery, the Aldens looked at each other in surprise. It was the same gallery where Lottie worked. “It looks like Lottie’s got another customer,” said Benny, peering through the window. “Only this time it’s a lady in a big straw hat.”

As they stepped inside, Jessie reminded her little brother, “Let’s keep out of her way while she’s working.”

A smartly dressed woman was standing8 behind the counter. She looked up when the Aldens approached. “May I help you?” she asked.

The youngest Alden sprang forward. “We’re the Speedy Alden Delivery Service,” he announced. “And we brought something from Fran.”

The salesclerk gave Benny an amused smile. “My name’s Amanda, and I’m sure glad you came so fast. As of this morning, Fran’s cards are completely sold out.”

After introductions had been made, Jessie tugged9 the shoeboxes from her backpack. “There should be enough here to last a while,” she said cheerfully, as she placed the boxes on the counter. “At least, that’s what Fran says.”

Amanda was looking inside one of the boxes. “She really has the magic touch, doesn’t she?” She held up a greeting card. Pressed forget-me-nots and lavender had been arranged to form a delicate heart-shaped design on the front.

Violet gasped10. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”

Amanda flashed them a smile. “I guarantee this batch11 won’t be on the shelf for long.”

Benny, who was glancing around, suddenly touched Henry’s arm. “Hey, that man was here yesterday!”

“What man?” Henry asked.

“Over there.” Benny nodded toward a customer at the far end of the gallery. “Wasn’t he sitting across from Lottie yesterday?”

Henry shrugged12 a little. “It’s hard to tell.”

The man, who was studying a painting on the back wall, was broad-shouldered and had dark hair. Although his back was to them, he looked vaguely13 familiar. Suddenly the man turned around.

“Look, he has a beard,” Benny whispered loudly. “That is the same man.”

Hearing this, Amanda said, “That’s Rally Jensen. He’s an art collector from out of town. Actually, he’s been in here quite a bit lately.” She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I’m hoping he’ll purchase a painting before he leaves tomorrow,” she added, crossing her fingers.

“I’m sure he will,” Violet said. She glanced around admiringly at the colorful canvases hanging on the walls. “You have some beautiful artwork.”

Amanda beamed. “We only display the very best.”

“Violet’s an artist, too,” said Benny proudly.

Amanda’s eyebrows14 rose. “Oh?”

Violet smiled shyly. “I do like to sketch15 and draw.”

“Well, I’m glad you told me.” Amanda bent16 down to rummage17 around beneath the counter. “I have some reading material you might find interesting, Violet.” Straightening up, she held out a handful of brochures. “You’ll find a ton of information about artists in these,” she said. “Please help yourself. They’re just cluttering18 things up around here.”

“Thank you!” Violet’s face lit up.

Everyone glanced through the brochures except Benny. He was too busy looking around at the other people in the gallery. The lady in the big straw hat was going out the door with the sketch Lottie drew of her. When she left, the art collector went over to Lottie and began to talk quietly.

Benny watched as Fran’s boarder listened to what the man was saying. She was pale and she looked upset. The man suddenly turned on his heel and started for the door. “Remember, it’s tonight or never!” he called back over his shoulder. Then he left.

“Did you hear that?” Benny whispered to Henry.

“Yes,” his brother answered. Jessie and Violet had heard it, too.

Lottie slumped19 down in her chair, her chin in her hands. She did not look happy. She sat very still for a moment. Then, as if feeling the children’s eyes on her, she looked up. The Aldens could tell by the look on her face that Lottie was startled to see them. In a flash, she was on her feet and out the door, leaving the children to stare after her.

The Aldens thanked Amanda and left the gallery.

Outside, they turned to one another. “That was very strange,” Benny said. “Lottie didn’t even say hi to us.”

“She’s acting20 very suspiciously,” Jessie added.

Henry agreed. “You’d think we’d just caught her in the middle of something she wanted to keep secret.”

“That man, Rally Jensen, said it was tonight or never,” Benny reminded them as they started back to Shadowbox. “I wonder what he meant by that.”

Henry shrugged. “There’s no way of knowing.”

“Do you think Lottie’s up to something?” Benny wondered.

“Yes,” Jessie answered with a quick nod. “We just don’t know what.”

“You can’t be sure of that, Jessie.” Violet didn’t like to think the young artist would do anything wrong. “Rally Jensen’s an art collector. For all we know, Lottie might be planning to show him some of her art before he leaves town.”

Jessie turned to her sister. “But, Violet, that doesn’t explain her reaction. Whatever that man was whispering, it seemed to really upset her.”

“It is suspicious,” Violet admitted. “But I don’t think we should jump to any conclusions.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Jessie said, backing down a little. Violet had a point. It was one thing to suspect somebody, it was another thing to have proof. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

“I’m not sure I trust Lottie,” Henry said. “I think we should keep an eye on her for a while.” The others agreed.

Benny’s face suddenly broke into a grin as four small black dogs came toward them. A teenage boy in a green-and-yellow baseball cap was holding onto their leashes21.

“You sure are lucky to have four dogs!” Benny told the teenager.

“They’re not mine,” the boy answered. “I just walk them for a neighbor.”

“Oh, too bad,” Benny said, as one of the puppies licked his hand.

The teenager shrugged. “I’m a dogwalker. That’s what I do for the summer.”

“Cool job,” said Henry.

“Yeah, I guess it’s all right.” He turned to Benny. “You can pet them if you want.”

“Thanks!” Benny was all smiles as he dropped to the ground. The dogs began to wag their tails as he scratched them behind the ears.

“We have a little dog at home,” Violet told the boy shyly. “His name’s Watch.”

The teenager wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Well, I’d better go. I have to take the dogs to the park.” Then he hurried away.

“I’m going to be a dogwalker when I grow up,” Benny announced, as he ran along beside Henry. “And a detective.”

“You’re already a dogwalker, Benny,” Violet pointed out. “We’re always taking Watch for walks.”

“And you’re a pretty good detective already,” Jessie reminded her little brother.

Violet frowned in thought. “I just wonder if we’ll solve the case we’re on now.”

“It’s going to be much harder than we thought,” admitted Jessie.

Henry nodded as he turned to face Jessie. “A tree house called Little St. Ives isn’t much to go on.”

They were deep in thought when Benny began to chant, “When we were going to Shadowbox, we met a boy and four dogs out for a walk. How many were going to Shadowbox?”

They all laughed at their little brother’s funny riddle22.

Benny added everything up on his fingers. “The four of us … plus the boy … plus four puppies. That makes nine going to Shadowbox!”

“Not quite, Benny.” Henry smiled and shook his head. “Only the four of us are going to Shadowbox. The boy and the dogs are going the other way.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” said Benny.

Jessie suddenly snapped her fingers. “That’s it!”

Henry turned and gave Jessie a confused look. “What’s it?”

“I know how many were going to St. Ives!”

“We already figured that out,” Benny reminded her.

“Well, I’m pretty sure we got it wrong,” Jessie said excitedly. “Remember how the riddle goes?” She began to recite, “When I was going to St. Ives/ I met a man with seven wives.” She paused for a moment to let them think about it. “Don’t you see?” she said at last. “What if the man and his wives — and their sacks and cats and kits23 — were all going in the opposite direction?”

“Then only the person who met them is going to St. Ives!” cried Benny.

“Exactly!” said Jessie. “And that means, the answer to the riddle is one.”

Henry nodded. “You must be right, Jessie.”

“So the number one is our next clue?” Violet looked puzzled. “What kind of clue is that?”

“And where’s it leading us?” added Henry.

“I think I know,” Benny said, breaking into a run. “Come on!” He motioned for the others to follow.
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 patio gSdzr     
n.庭院,平台
参考例句:
  • Suddenly, the thought of my beautiful patio came to mind. I can be quiet out there,I thought.我又忽然想到家里漂亮的院子,我能够在这里宁静地呆会。
  • They had a barbecue on their patio on Sunday.星期天他们在院子里进行烧烤。
2 chirping 9ea89833a9fe2c98371e55f169aa3044     
鸟叫,虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • The birds,chirping relentlessly,woke us up at daybreak. 破晓时鸟儿不断吱吱地叫,把我们吵醒了。
  • The birds are chirping merrily. 鸟儿在欢快地鸣叫着。
3 munched c9456f71965a082375ac004c60e40170     
v.用力咀嚼(某物),大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She munched on an apple. 她在大口啃苹果。
  • The rabbit munched on the fresh carrots. 兔子咯吱咯吱地嚼着新鲜胡萝卜。 来自辞典例句
4 runaway jD4y5     
n.逃走的人,逃亡,亡命者;adj.逃亡的,逃走的
参考例句:
  • The police have not found the runaway to date.警察迄今没抓到逃犯。
  • He was praised for bringing up the runaway horse.他勒住了脱缰之马受到了表扬。
5 sip Oxawv     
v.小口地喝,抿,呷;n.一小口的量
参考例句:
  • She took a sip of the cocktail.她啜饮一口鸡尾酒。
  • Elizabeth took a sip of the hot coffee.伊丽莎白呷了一口热咖啡。
6 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。
7 scribbled de374a2e21876e209006cd3e9a90c01b     
v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 );乱画;草草地写;匆匆记下
参考例句:
  • She scribbled his phone number on a scrap of paper. 她把他的电话号码匆匆写在一张小纸片上。
  • He scribbled a note to his sister before leaving. 临行前,他给妹妹草草写了一封短信。
8 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。
9 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》
10 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
参考例句:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
11 batch HQgyz     
n.一批(组,群);一批生产量
参考例句:
  • The first batch of cakes was burnt.第一炉蛋糕烤焦了。
  • I have a batch of letters to answer.我有一批信要回复。
12 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》
13 vaguely BfuzOy     
adv.含糊地,暖昧地
参考例句:
  • He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad.他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
  • He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes.他迷迷糊糊的望着前面,对一切都视而不见。
14 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。
15 sketch UEyyG     
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述
参考例句:
  • My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
  • I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。
16 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。
17 rummage dCJzb     
v./n.翻寻,仔细检查
参考例句:
  • He had a good rummage inside the sofa.他把沙发内部彻底搜寻了一翻。
  • The old lady began to rummage in her pocket for her spectacles.老太太开始在口袋里摸索,找她的眼镜。
18 cluttering ce29ad13a3c80a1ddda31f8d37cb4866     
v.杂物,零乱的东西零乱vt.( clutter的现在分词 );乱糟糟地堆满,把…弄得很乱;(以…) 塞满…
参考例句:
  • I'm sick of all these books cluttering up my office. 我讨厌办公室里乱糟糟地堆放着这些书。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Some goals will need to be daily-say, drinking water, or exercise, or perhaps de cluttering. 对这些目标,需要把他们变成我们日常事务的一部分。 来自互联网
19 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。
20 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。
21 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
22 riddle WCfzw     
n.谜,谜语,粗筛;vt.解谜,给…出谜,筛,检查,鉴定,非难,充满于;vi.出谜
参考例句:
  • The riddle couldn't be solved by the child.这个谜语孩子猜不出来。
  • Her disappearance is a complete riddle.她的失踪完全是一个谜。
23 kits e16d4ffa0f9467cd8d2db7d706f0a7a5     
衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 ); 成套用品; 配套元件
参考例句:
  • Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
  • Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品,玩具和游戏,木制的玩具,智力玩具,手艺装备。
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