黑麦奇案37

时间：2025-10-10 08:34:17

（单词翻译:单击）

II
With her head a little on one side looking like an amiable1 cockatoo, Miss
Marple sat in the large drawing room listening to Mrs. Percival Fortescue.
Miss Marple looked particularly incongruous in the drawing room. Her
light spare figure was alien to the vast brocaded sofa in which she sat with
its many-hued cushions strewn around her. Miss Marple sat very upright
because she had been taught to use a backboard as a girl, and not to loll.
In a large armchair beside her, dressed in elaborate black, was Mrs. Per-
cival, talking away volubly at nineteen to the dozen. “Exactly,” thought
Miss Marple, “like poor Mrs. Emmett, the bank manager’s wife.” She re-
membered how one day Mrs. Emmett had come to call and talk about the
selling arrangements for Poppy Day, and how after the preliminary busi-
ness had been settled, Mrs. Emmett had suddenly begun to talk and talk
and talk. Mrs. Emmett occupied rather a difficult position in St. Mary
Mead2. She did not belong to the old guard of ladies in reduced circum-
stances who lived in neat houses around the church, and who knew intim-
ately all the ramifications3 of the county families even though they might
not be strictly4 county themselves. Mr. Emmett, the bank manager, had un-
deniably married beneath him and the result was that his wife was in a
position of great loneliness since she could not, of course, associate with
the wives of the trades people. Snobbery5 here raised its hideous6 head and
marooned7 Mrs. Emmett on a permanent island of loneliness.
The necessity to talk grew upon Mrs. Emmett, and on that particular day
it had burst its bounds, and Miss Marple had received the full flood of the
torrent8. She had been sorry for Mrs. Emmett then, and today she was
rather sorry for Mrs. Percival Fortescue.
Mrs. Percival had had a lot of grievances9 to bear and the relief of airing
them to a more or less total stranger was enormous.
“Of course I never want to complain,” said Mrs. Percival. “I’ve never
been of the complaining kind. What I always say is that one must put up
with things. What can’t be cured must be endured and I’m sure I’ve never
said a word to anyone. It’s really difficult to know who I could have spoken
to. In someways one is very isolated10 here—very isolated. It’s very conveni-
ent, of course, and a great saving of expense to have our own set of rooms
in this house. But of course it’s not at all like having a place of your own.
I’m sure you agree.”
Miss Marple said she agreed.
“Fortunately our new house is almost ready to move into. It is a ques-
tion really of getting the painters and decorators out. These men are so
slow. My husband, of course, has been quite satisfied living here. But then
it’s different for a man. Don’t you agree?”
Miss Marple agreed that it was very different for a man. She could say
this without a qualm as it was what she really believed. “The gentlemen”
were, in Miss Marple’s mind, in a totally different category to her own sex.
They required two eggs plus bacon for breakfast, three good nourishing
meals a day and were never to be contradicted or argued with before din-
ner. Mrs. Percival went on.
“My husband, you see, is away all day in the city. When he comes home
he’s just tired and wants to sit down and read. But I, on the contrary, am
alone here all day with no congenial company at all. I’ve been perfectly11
comfortable and all that. Excellent food. But what I do feel one needs is a
really pleasant social circle. The people round here are really not my kind.
Part of them are what I call a flashy, bridge-playing lot. Not nice bridge. I
like a hand at bridge myself as well as anyone, but of course, they’re all
very rich down here. They play for enormously high stakes, and there’s a
great deal of drinking. In fact, the sort of life that I call really fast society.
Then, of course, there’s a sprinkling of—well, you can only call them old
pussies12 who love to potter round with a trowel and do gardening.”
Miss Marple looked slightly guilty since she was herself an inveterate13
gardener.
“I don’t want to say anything against the dead,” resumed Mrs. Percy rap-
idly, “but there’s no doubt about it, Mr. Fortescue, my father- in- law, I
mean, made a very foolish second marriage. My—well I can’t call her my
mother-in-law, she was the same age as I am. The real truth of it is she was
man-mad. Absolutely man-mad. And the way she spent money! My father-
in-law was an absolute fool about her. Didn’t care what bills she ran up. It
vexed14 Percy very much, very much indeed. Percy is always so careful
about money matters. He hates waste. And then what with Mr. Fortescue
being so peculiar15 and so bad tempered, flashing out in these terrible rages,
spending money like water backing wildcat schemes. Well—it wasn’t at all
nice.”
Miss Marple ventured upon making a remark.
“That must have worried your husband, too?”
“Oh, yes, it did. For the last year Percy’s been very worried indeed. It’s
really made him quite different. His manner, you know, changed even to-
wards16 me. Sometimes when I talked to him he used not to answer.” Mrs.
Percy sighed, then went on: “Then Elaine, my sister- in- law, you know,
she’s a very odd sort of girl. Very out of doors and all that. Not exactly un-
friendly, but not sympathetic, you know. She never wanted to go to Lon-
don and shop, or go to a matinée or anything of that kind. She wasn’t even
interested in clothes.” Mrs. Percival sighed again and murmured: “But of
course I don’t want to complain in any way.” A qualm of compunction
came over her. She said, hurriedly: “You must think it most odd, talking to
you like this when you are a comparative stranger. But really, what with
all the strain and shock—I think really it’s the shock that matters most.
Delayed shock. I feel so nervous, you know, that I really—well, I really
must speak to someone. You remind me so much of a dear old lady, Miss
Trefusis James. She fractured her femur when she was seventy-five. It was
a very long business nursing her and we became great friends. She gave
me a fox fur cape17 when I left and I did think it was kind of her.”
“I know just how you feel,” said Miss Marple.
And this again was true. Mrs. Percival’s husband was obviously bored
by her and paid very little attention to her, and the poor woman had man-
aged18 to make no local friends. Running up to London and shopping, mat-
inées and a luxurious19 house to live in did not make up for the lack of hu-
manity in her relations with her husband’s family.
“I hope it’s not rude of me to say so,” said Miss Marple in a gentle old
lady’s voice, “but I really feel that the late Mr. Fortescue cannot have been
a very nice man.”
“He wasn’t,” said his daughter-in-law. “Quite frankly20 my dear, between
you and me, he was a detestable old man. I don’t wonder—I really don’t—
that someone put him out of the way.”
“You’ve no idea at all who—” began Miss Marple and broke off. “Oh
dear, perhaps this is a question I should not ask—not even an idea who—
who—well, who it might have been?”
“Oh, I think it was that horrible man Crump,” said Mrs. Percival. “I’ve al-
ways disliked him very much. He’s got a manner, not really rude, you
know, but yet it is rude. Impertinent, that’s more it.”
“Still, there would have to be a motive21, I suppose.”
“I really don’t know that that sort of person requires much motive. I
dare say Mr. Fortescue ticked him off about something, and I rather sus-
pect that sometimes he drinks too much. But what I really think is that
he’s a bit unbalanced, you know. Like that footman, or butler, whoever it
was, who went round the house shooting everybody. Of course, to be quite
honest with you, I did suspect that it was Adele who poisoned Mr. Fortes-
cue. But now, of course, one can’t suspect that since she’s been poisoned
herself. She may have accused Crump, you know. And then he lost his
head and perhaps managed to put something in the sandwiches and
Gladys saw him do it and so he killed her too—I think it’s really dangerous
having him in the house at all. Oh dear, I wish I could get away, but I sup-
pose these horrible policemen won’t let one do anything of the kind.” She
leant forward impulsively22 and put a plump hand on Miss Marple’s arm.
“Sometimes I feel I must get away—that if it doesn’t all stop soon I shall—I
shall actually run away.”
She leant back studying Miss Marple’s face.
“But perhaps—that wouldn’t be wise?”
“No—I don’t think it would be very wise—the police could soon find
you, you know.”
“Could they? Could they really? You think they’re clever enough for
that?”
“It is very foolish to underestimate the police. Inspector23 Neele strikes me
as a particularly intelligent man.”
“Oh! I thought he was rather stupid.”
Miss Marple shook her head.
“I can’t help feeling”—Jennifer Fortescue hesitated—“that it’s dangerous
to stay here.”
“Dangerous for you, you mean?”
“Ye-es—well, yes—”
“Because of something you—know?”
Mrs. Percival seemed to take breath.
“Oh no—of course I don’t know anything. What should I know? It’s just
—just that I’m nervous. That man Crump—”
But it was not, Miss Marple thought, of Crump that Mrs. Percival Fortes-
cue was thinking—watching the clenching24 and unclenching of Jennifer’s
hands. Miss Marple thought that for some reason Jennifer Fortescue was
very badly frightened indeed.

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1 amiable hxAzZ     
adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的
参考例句：
  • She was a very kind and amiable old woman.她是个善良和气的老太太。
  • We have a very amiable companionship.我们之间存在一种友好的关系。
2 mead BotzAK     
n.蜂蜜酒
参考例句：
  • He gave me a cup of mead.他给我倒了杯蜂蜜酒。
  • He drank some mead at supper.晚饭时他喝了一些蜂蜜酒。
3 ramifications 45f4d7d5a0d59c5d453474d22bf296ae     
n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • These changes are bound to have widespread social ramifications. 这些变化注定会造成许多难以预料的社会后果。
  • What are the ramifications of our decision to join the union? 我们决定加入工会会引起哪些后果呢？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
4 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地
参考例句：
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
5 snobbery bh6yE     
n. 充绅士气派, 俗不可耐的性格
参考例句：
  • Jocelyn accused Dexter of snobbery. 乔斯琳指责德克斯特势力。
  • Snobbery is not so common in English today as it was said fifty years ago. 如今＂Snobbery＂在英语中已不象50年前那么普遍使用。
6 hideous 65KyC     
adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的
参考例句：
  • The whole experience had been like some hideous nightmare.整个经历就像一场可怕的噩梦。
  • They're not like dogs,they're hideous brutes.它们不像狗，是丑陋的畜牲。
7 marooned 165d273e31e6a1629ed42eefc9fe75ae     
adj.被围困的；孤立无援的；无法脱身的
参考例句：
  • During the storm we were marooned in a cabin miles from town. 在风暴中我们被围困在离城数英里的小屋内。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Five couples were marooned in their caravans when the River Avon broke its banks. 埃文河决堤的时候，有5对夫妇被困在了他们的房车里。 来自辞典例句
8 torrent 7GCyH     
n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发
参考例句：
  • The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
  • Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。
9 grievances 3c61e53d74bee3976a6674a59acef792     
n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚
参考例句：
  • The trade union leader spoke about the grievances of the workers. 工会领袖述说工人们的苦情。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He gave air to his grievances. 他申诉了他的冤情。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 isolated bqmzTd     
adj.与世隔绝的
参考例句：
  • His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
  • Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。
11 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。
12 pussies 9c98ba30644d0cf18e1b64aa3bf72b06     
n.（粗俚） 女阴( pussy的名词复数 )；（总称）（作为性对象的）女人；（主要北美使用，非正式）软弱的；小猫咪
参考例句：
  • Not one of these pussies has been washed in weeks. 这帮娘儿们几个星期都没洗过澡了。 来自电影对白
  • See there's three kinds of people: dicks pussies and assholes. 哥们，世上有三种人：小弟弟、小妹妹，还有屁股眼。 来自互联网
13 inveterate q4ox5     
adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的
参考例句：
  • Hitler was not only an avid reader but also an inveterate underliner.希特勒不仅酷爱读书，还有写写划划的习惯。
  • It is hard for an inveterate smoker to give up tobacco.要一位有多年烟瘾的烟民戒烟是困难的。
14 vexed fd1a5654154eed3c0a0820ab54fb90a7     
adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论
参考例句：
  • The conference spent days discussing the vexed question of border controls. 会议花了几天的时间讨论边境关卡这个难题。
  • He was vexed at his failure. 他因失败而懊恼。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
15 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
16 wards 90fafe3a7d04ee1c17239fa2d768f8fc     
区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态
参考例句：
  • This hospital has 20 medical [surgical] wards. 这所医院有 20 个内科[外科]病房。
  • It was a big constituency divided into three wards. 这是一个大选区，下设三个分区。
17 cape ITEy6     
n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风
参考例句：
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
18 aged 6zWzdI     
adj.年老的，陈年的
参考例句：
  • He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
  • He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。
19 luxurious S2pyv     
adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的
参考例句：
  • This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
  • The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。
20 frankly fsXzcf     
adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说
参考例句：
  • To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
  • Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。
21 motive GFzxz     
n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的
参考例句：
  • The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
  • He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。
22 impulsively 0596bdde6dedf8c46a693e7e1da5984c     
adv.冲动地
参考例句：
  • She leant forward and kissed him impulsively. 她倾身向前，感情冲动地吻了他。
  • Every good, true, vigorous feeling I had gathered came impulsively round him. 我的一切良好、真诚而又强烈的感情都紧紧围绕着他涌现出来。
23 inspector q6kxH     
n.检查员，监察员，视察员
参考例句：
  • The inspector was interested in everything pertaining to the school.视察员对有关学校的一切都感兴趣。
  • The inspector was shining a flashlight onto the tickets.查票员打着手电筒查看车票。
24 clenching 1c3528c558c94eba89a6c21e9ee245e6     
v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 )
参考例句：
  • I'll never get used to them, she thought, clenching her fists. 我永远也看不惯这些家伙，她握紧双拳，心里想。 来自飘（部分）
  • Clenching her lips, she nodded. 她紧闭着嘴唇，点点头。 来自辞典例句

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