借镜杀人5

时间：2025-10-10 07:00:33

（单词翻译:单击）

Four
1
Before Mrs. Serrocold could say anything, her husband came in from the
hall carrying some open letters in his hand.
Lewis Serrocold was a short man, not particularly impressive in appear-
ance, but with a personality that immediately marked him out. Ruth had
once said of him that he was more like a dynamo than a human being. He
usually concentrated entirely1 on what was immediately occupying his at-
tention and paid no attention to the objects or persons who were sur-
rounding it.
“A bad blow, dearest,” he said. “That boy, Jackie Flint. Back at his tricks
again. And I really did think he meant to go straight this time if he got a
proper chance. He was most earnest about it. You know we found he’d al-
ways been keen on railways—and both Maverick2 and I thought that if he
got a job on the railways he’d stick to it and make good. But it’s the same
story. Petty thieving from the parcels office. Not even stuff he could want
or sell. That shows that it must be psychological. We haven’t really got to
the root of the trouble. But I’m not giving up.”
“Lewis—this is my old friend, Jane Marple.”
“Oh, how d’you do,” said Mr. Serrocold absently. “So glad—they’ll pro-
secute, of course. A nice lad, too, not too many brains but a really nice boy.
Unspeakable home he came from. I—”
He suddenly broke off, and the dynamo was switched onto the guest.
“Why, Miss Marple, I’m so delighted you’ve come to stay with us for a
while. It will make such a great difference to Caroline to have a friend of
old days with whom she can exchange memories. She has, in many ways,
a grim time here—so much sadness in the stories of these poor children.
We do hope you’ll stay with us a very long time.”
Miss Marple felt the magnetism3 and realised how attractive it would
have been to her friend. That Lewis Serrocold was a man who would al-
ways put causes before people she did not doubt for a moment. It might
have irritated some women, but not Carrie Louise.
Lewis Serrocold sorted out another letter.
“At any rate we’ve some good news. This is from the Wiltshire and
Somerset Bank. Young Morris is doing extremely well. They’re thoroughly4
satisfied with him and, in fact, are promoting him next month. I always
knew that all he needed was responsibility—that, and a thorough grasp of
the handling of money and what it means.”
He turned to Miss Marple.
“Half these boys don’t know what money is. It represents to them going
to the pictures or to the dogs, or buying cigarettes—and they’re clever
with figures and find it exciting to juggle5 them round. Well, I believe in—
what shall I say?—rubbing their noses in the stuff—train them in account-
ancy, in figures—show them the whole inner romance of money, so to
speak. Give them skill and then responsibility—let them handle it offi-
cially. Our greatest successes have been that way—only two out of thirty-
eight have let us down. One’s head cashier in a firm of druggists—a really
responsible position—”
He broke off to say: “Tea’s in, dearest,” to his wife.
“I thought we were having it here. I told Jolly.”
“No, it’s in the Hall. The others are there.”
“I thought they were all going to be out.”
Carrie Louise linked her arm through Miss Marple’s and they went into
the Great Hall. Tea seemed a rather incongruous meal in its surroundings.
The tea things were piled haphazard6 on a tray—while utility cups mixed
with the remnants of what had been Rockingham and Spode tea services.
There was a loaf of bread, two pots of jam, and some cheap and unwhole-
some-looking cakes.
A plump middle-aged7 woman with grey hair sat behind the tea table
and Mrs. Serrocold said:
“This is Mildred, Jane. My daughter Mildred. You haven’t seen her since
she was a tiny girl.”
Mildred Strete was the person most in tune8 with the house that Miss
Marple had so far seen. She looked prosperous and dignified9. She had
married late in her thirties a Canon of the Church of England and was now
a widow. She looked exactly like a Canon’s widow, respectable and slightly
dull. She was a plain woman with a large unexpressive face and dull eyes.
She had been, Miss Marple reflected, a very plain little girl.
“And this is Wally Hudd—Gina’s husband.”
Wally was a big young man, with hair brushed up on his head and a
sulky expression. He nodded awkwardly and went on cramming10 cake into
his mouth.
Presently Gina came in with Stephen Restarick. They were both very an-
imated.
“Gina’s got a wonderful idea for that backcloth,” said Stephen. “You
know, Gina, you’ve got a very definite flair11 for theatrical13 designing.”
Gina laughed and looked pleased. Edgar Lawson came in and sat down
by Lewis Serrocold. When Gina spoke14 to him, he made a pretence15 of not
answering.
Miss Marple found it all a little bewildering and was glad to go to her
room and lie down after tea.
There were more people still at dinner, a young Doctor Maverick who
was either a psychiatrist16 or a psychologist—Miss Marple was rather hazy17
about the difference — and whose conversation, dealing18 almost entirely
with the jargon19 of his trade, was practically unintelligible20 to her. There
were also two spectacled young men who held posts on the teaching side
and a Mr. Baumgarten who was an occupational therapist and three in-
tensely bashful youths who were doing their “house guest” week. One of
them, a fair-haired lad with very blue eyes was, Gina informed her in a
whisper, the expert with the “cosh.”
The meal was not a particularly appetizing one. It was indifferently
cooked and indifferently served. A variety of costumes was worn. Miss
Bellever wore a high black dress, Mildred Strete wore an evening dress
and a woollen cardigan over it. Carrie Louise had on a short dress of grey
wool—Gina was resplendent in a kind of peasant getup. Wally had not
changed, nor had Stephen Restarick, Edgar Lawson had on a neat, dark
blue suit. Lewis Serrocold wore the conventional dinner jacket. He ate
very little and hardly seemed to notice what was on his plate.
After dinner Lewis Serrocold and Dr. Maverick went away to the latter’s
office. The occupational therapist and the schoolmasters went away to
some lair12 of their own. The three “cases” went back to the college. Gina
and Stephen went to the theatre to discuss Gina’s idea for a set. Mildred
knitted an indeterminate garment and Miss Bellever darned socks. Wally
sat in a chair gently tilted21 backwards22 and stared into space. Carrie Louise
and Miss Marple talked about old days. The conversation seemed
strangely unreal.
Edgar Lawson alone seemed unable to find a niche23. He sat down and
then got up restlessly.
“I wonder if I ought to go to Mr. Serrocold,” he said rather loudly. “He
may need me.”
Carrie Louise said gently, “Oh, I don’t think so. He was going to talk over
one or two points with Dr. Maverick this evening.”
“Then I certainly won’t butt24 in! I shouldn’t dream of going where I
wasn’t wanted. I’ve already wasted time today going down to the station
when Mrs. Hudd meant to go herself.”
“She ought to have told you,” said Carrie Louise. “But I think she just de-
cided at the last moment.”
“You do realise, Mrs. Serrocold, that she made me look a complete fool!
A complete fool!”
“No, no,” said Carrie Louise, smiling. “You mustn’t have these ideas.”
“I know I’m not needed or wanted … I’m perfectly25 aware of that. If
things had been different—if I’d had my proper place in life it would be
very different. Very different indeed. It’s no fault of mine that I haven’t
got my proper place in life.”
“Now, Edgar,” said Carrie Louise. “Don’t work yourself up about noth-
ing. Jane thinks it was very kind of you to meet her. Gina always has these
sudden impulses—she didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Oh yes, she did. It was done on purpose—to humiliate26 me—”
“Oh Edgar—”
“You don’t know half of what’s going on, Mrs. Serrocold. Well, I won’t
say anymore now except good night.”
Edgar went out shutting the door with a slam behind him.
Miss Bellever snorted:
“Atrocious manners.”
“He’s so sensitive,” said Carrie Louise vaguely27.
Mildred Strete clicked her needles and said sharply:
“He really is a most odious28 young man. You shouldn’t put up with such
behavior, Mother.”
“Lewis says he can’t help it.”
Mildred said sharply:
“Everyone can help behaving rudely. Of course I blame Gina very much.
She’s so completely scatterbrained in everything she undertakes. She does
nothing but make trouble. One day she encourages the young man and the
next day she snubs him. What can you expect?”
Wally Hudd spoke for the first time that evening.
He said:
“That guy’s crackers29. That’s all there is to it! Crackers!”

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1 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地
参考例句：
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
2 maverick 47Ozg     
adj.特立独行的；不遵守传统的；n.持异议者，自行其是者
参考例句：
  • He's a maverick.He has his own way of thinking about things.他是个特异独行的人。对事情有自己的看法。
  • You're a maverick and you'll try anything.你是个爱自行其是的人，样样事情都要尝试一下。
3 magnetism zkxyW     
n.磁性，吸引力，磁学
参考例句：
  • We know about magnetism by the way magnets act.我们通过磁铁的作用知道磁性是怎么一回事。
  • His success showed his magnetism of courage and devotion.他的成功表现了他的胆量和热诚的魅力。
4 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地
参考例句：
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
5 juggle KaFzL     
v.变戏法，纂改，欺骗，同时做；n.玩杂耍，纂改，花招
参考例句：
  • If you juggle with your accounts,you'll get into trouble.你要是在帐目上做手脚，你可要遇到麻烦了。
  • She had to juggle her job and her children.她得同时兼顾工作和孩子。
6 haphazard n5oyi     
adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的
参考例句：
  • The town grew in a haphazard way.这城镇无计划地随意发展。
  • He regrerted his haphazard remarks.他悔不该随口说出那些评论话。
7 middle-aged UopzSS     
adj.中年的
参考例句：
  • I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
  • The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。
8 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。
9 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的，高贵的
参考例句：
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
10 cramming 72a5eb07f207b2ce280314cd162588b7     
n.塞满，填鸭式的用功v.塞入( cram的现在分词 )；填塞；塞满；（为考试而）死记硬背功课
参考例句：
  • Being hungry for the whole morning, I couldn't help cramming myself. 我饿了一上午，禁不住狼吞虎咽了起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She's cramming for her history exam. 她考历史之前临时抱佛脚。 来自《简明英汉词典》
11 flair 87jyQ     
n.天赋，本领，才华；洞察力
参考例句：
  • His business skill complements her flair for design.他的经营技巧和她的设计才能相辅相成。
  • He had a natural flair for business.他有做生意的天分。
12 lair R2jx2     
n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处
参考例句：
  • How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair?不入虎穴，焉得虎子？
  • I retired to my lair,and wrote some letters.我回到自己的躲藏处，写了几封信。
13 theatrical pIRzF     
adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的
参考例句：
  • The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
  • She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。
14 spoke XryyC     
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
15 pretence pretence     
n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰
参考例句：
  • The government abandoned any pretence of reform. 政府不再装模作样地进行改革。
  • He made a pretence of being happy at the party.晚会上他假装很高兴。
16 psychiatrist F0qzf     
n.精神病专家；精神病医师
参考例句：
  • He went to a psychiatrist about his compulsive gambling.他去看精神科医生治疗不能自拔的赌瘾。
  • The psychiatrist corrected him gently.精神病医师彬彬有礼地纠正他。
17 hazy h53ya     
adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的
参考例句：
  • We couldn't see far because it was so hazy.雾气蒙蒙妨碍了我们的视线。
  • I have a hazy memory of those early years.对那些早先的岁月我有着朦胧的记忆。
18 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法，待人态度
参考例句：
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
19 jargon I3sxk     
n.术语，行话
参考例句：
  • They will not hear critics with their horrible jargon.他们不愿意听到评论家们那些可怕的行话。
  • It is important not to be overawed by the mathematical jargon.要紧的是不要被数学的术语所吓倒.
20 unintelligible sfuz2V     
adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的
参考例句：
  • If a computer is given unintelligible data, it returns unintelligible results.如果计算机得到的是难以理解的数据，它给出的也将是难以理解的结果。
  • The terms were unintelligible to ordinary folk.这些术语一般人是不懂的。
21 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。
22 backwards BP9ya     
adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地
参考例句：
  • He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
  • All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。
23 niche XGjxH     
n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等)
参考例句：
  • Madeleine placed it carefully in the rocky niche. 玛德琳小心翼翼地把它放在岩石壁龛里。
  • The really talented among women would always make their own niche.妇女中真正有才能的人总是各得其所。
24 butt uSjyM     
n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶
参考例句：
  • The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
  • He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。
25 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地
参考例句：
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
26 humiliate odGzW     
v.使羞辱，使丢脸[同]disgrace
参考例句：
  • What right had they to bully and humiliate people like this?凭什么把人欺侮到这个地步呢？
  • They pay me empty compliments which only humiliate me.他们虚情假意地恭维我，这只能使我感到羞辱。
27 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。
28 odious l0zy2     
adj.可憎的，讨厌的
参考例句：
  • The judge described the crime as odious.法官称这一罪行令人发指。
  • His character could best be described as odious.他的人格用可憎来形容最贴切。
29 crackers nvvz5e     
adj.精神错乱的，癫狂的n.爆竹( cracker的名词复数 )；薄脆饼干；（认为）十分愉快的事；迷人的姑娘
参考例句：
  • That noise is driving me crackers. 那噪声闹得我简直要疯了。
  • We served some crackers and cheese as an appetiser. 我们上了些饼干和奶酪作为开胃品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

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