the note book

Chapter1WHOAMI?Andhow,Iwonder,willthisstoryend?ThesunhascomeupandIamsittingbyawindowthatisfoggywiththebreathofalifegoneby.I’masightthismorning:twoshirts,heavypants(裤子，短裤),ascarf（围巾）wrappedtwicearoundmyneckandtucked（打摺,卷起,挤进,塞,使隐藏）intoathicksweaterknittedbymydaughterthirtybirthdaysago.Thethermostat（自动调温器,温度调节装置）inmyroomissetashighasitwillgo,andasmallerspaceheatersitsdirectlybehindme.Itclicksandgroans（呻吟,受折磨,受压迫发出嘎吱声）andspews（喷涌）hotairlikeafairy-tale（出自神化故事的,宛如在童话故事中的）dragon,andstillmybodyshivers（颤抖,打碎,碎裂）withacoldthatwillnevergoaway,acoldthathasbeeneightyyearsinthemaking.Eightyyears.Iwonderifthisishowitisforeveryonemyage.Mylife?Itisn’teasytoexplain.Ithasnotbeentherip-roaring（吵闹的,喧嚷的）spectacular（引人入胜的,壮观的）Ifancieditwouldbe,butneitherhaveIburrowed（挖地洞）aroundwiththegophers（囊地鼠）.Isupposeithasmostresembledablue-chip（独特的,值钱的）stock:fairlystable,moreupsthandowns,andgraduallytrendingupwardsovertime.I’velearnedthatnoteveryonecansaythisabouthislife.Butdonotbemisled.Iamnothingspecial,ofthisIamsure.Iamacommonmanwithcommonthoughts,andI’veledacommonlife.Therearenomonuments（纪念碑）dedicatedtomeandmynamewillsoonbeforgotten,butI’velovedanotherwithallmyheartandsoul,andtomethishasalwaysbeenenough.Theromanticswouldcallthisalovestory:thecynics（愤世嫉俗者）wouldcallitatragedy.Inmymindit’salittlebitofboth,andnomatterhowyouchoosetoviewitintheend,itdoesnotchangethefactthatitinvolvesagreatdealofmylife.IhavenocomplaintsaboutthepathI’vechosentofollowandtheplacesithastakenme—thepathhasalwaysbeentherightone.Iwouldn’thavehaditanyotherway.Time,unfortunatelydoesn’tmakeiteasytostayoncourse.Thepathisstraightasever,butnowitisstrewn[strew的过去式，vt.散播，点缀，撒满]withtherocksandgravelthataccumulate（积聚,堆积）overalifetime.Untilthreeyearsagoitwouldhavebeeneasytoignore,butit’simpossiblenow.Thereisasicknessrollingthroughmybody;I’mneitherstrongnorhealthy,andmydaysarespentlikeanoldpartyballoon:listless（倦怠的,冷漠的，情绪低落的）,spongy（像海绵的,柔软,多孔而有弹性的）andgrowingsofterovertime.Icough,andthroughsquinted（斜视）eyesIcheckmywatch.Irealizeitistimetogo.Istandandshuffleacrosstheroom;stoppingatthedesktopickupthenotebookIhavereadahundredtimes.IslipitbeneathmyarmandcontinueonmywaytotheplaceImustgo.Iwalkontiled（平铺的,用瓦管排水的）floors,whitespeckledwithgrey.Likemyhairandthehairofmostpeoplehere,thoughI’mtheonlyoneinthehallwaythismorning.Theyareintheirrooms,aloneexceptfortelevision,butthey,likeme,areusedtoit.Apersoncangetusedtoanything,givenenoughtime.Ihearthemuffled（v.包,蒙住,压抑(声音)n.围巾,头巾,消声器）soundsofcryinginthedistanceandknowwhoismakingthem.Thenursesseemeandwesmileandexchangegreetings.IamsuretheywonderaboutmeandthethingsthatIgothrougheveryday.IlistenastheybegintowhisperamongthemselveswhenIpass.“Therehegoesagain.”Ihear.“Ihopeitturnsoutwell.”Buttheysaynothingdirectlytomeaboutit.Aminutelater,Ireachtheroom.Thedoorhasbeenpropped（支撑,维持）openforme,asitusuallyis.Therearetwonursesintheroom,andasIentertheysay“Goodmorning”withcheeryvoices,andItakeamomenttoaskaboutthekidsandtheschoolsandupcomingvacations.Wetalkabovethecryingforaminuteorso.Theydonotseemtonotice:theyhavebecomenumb（麻木的）toit,butthenagain,sohaveI.AfterwardsIsitinthechairthathascometobeshapedlikeme.Theyarefinishingupnow;herclothesareon,butsheiscrying.Itwillbecomequieteraftertheyleave.Iknow.Theexcitementofthemorningalwaysupsetsher,andtodayisnoexception.Finallythenurseswalkout.Bothofthemtouchmeandsmileastheywalkby.Isitforjustasecondandstareather,butshedoesn’treturnthelook.Iunderstand,forshedoesn’tknowwhoIam.I’mastrangertoher.Then,turningaway,IhowmyheadandpraysilentlyforthestrengthIknowIwillneed.Readynow.Ongotheglasses,outofmypocketcomesamagnifier（放大镜,放大器）.IputitonthetableforamomentwhileIopenthenotebook.Ittakestwolicksonmygnarled（多瘤的,粗糙的）fingertogetthewell-worn（用旧了的,陈腐的,平凡的）coveropentothefirstpage.ThenIputthemagnifierinplace.ThereisalwaysamomentrightbeforeIbegintoreadthestorywhenmymindchurns（n.搅乳器v.搅拌,搅动）,andIwonder,willithappentoday?Idon’tknow,forIneverknowbeforehandanddeepdownitreallydoesn’tmatter.It’sthepossibilitythatkeepsmegoing.Andthoughyoumaycallmeadreamerorafool.Ibelievethatanythingispossible.Irealizethattheodds（可能的机会,成败的可能性,优势,不均,不平等,几率,差别）,andscience,areagainstme.Butscienceisnotthetotalanswer.ThisIknow,thisIhavelearnedinmylifetime.Andthatleavesmewiththebeliefthatmiracles,nomatterhowinexplicable（无法说明的）orunbelievable,arerealandcanoccurwithoutregardtothenaturalorderofthings.Soonceagain,justasIdoeveryday,Ibegintoreadthenotebookaloud,sothatshecanhearit,inthehopethatthemiraclethathascometodominatemylifewillonceagainprevail.Andmaybe,justmaybe,itwill.Chapter2ItwasearlyOctober1946,andNoahCalhounwatchedthefadingsunsinklowerfromtheporchofhisplantation-style（耕地,种植园,大农场,森林,人造林,殖民）home.Helikedtosithereintheevenings,especiallyafterworkinghardallday,andlethisthoughtswander.Itwashowherelaxed,aroutine（例行公事,常规,日常事务,程序）he’dlearnedfromhisfather.Heespeciallylikedtolookatthetreesandtheirreflectionsintheriver.NorthCarolinatreesarebeautifulindeepautumn:greens,yellows,reds,oranges,everyshadeinbetween,theirdazzling（眼花缭乱的,耀眼的）coloursglowingwiththesun.Thehousewasbuiltin1772,makingitoneoftheoldest,aswellaslargest,homesinNewBern.Originallyitwasthemainhouseonaworkingplantation,andhehadboughtitrightafterthewarendedandhadspentthelastelevenmonthsandasmallfortunerepairingit.ThereporterfromtheRaleighpaperhaddoneanarticleonitafewweeksagoandsaiditwasoneofthefinestrestorationshe’deverseen.Atleastthehousewas.Therestofthepropertywasanotherstory,andthatwaswhereNoahhadspentmostoftheday.ThehomesatontwelveacresadjacenttoBricesCreek,andhe’dworkedonthewoodenfencethatlinedtheotherthreesidesoftheproperty;checkingfordryrot（干枯）ortermites（[昆]白蚁）,replacingpostswherehehadto.Hestillhadmoreworktodoonthewestside,andashe’dputthetoolsawayearlierhe’dmadeamentalnotetocallandhavesomemoretimber（木材,木料）delivered.He’dgoneintothehouse,drunkaglassofsweettea,thenshowered,thewaterwashingawaydirtandfatigue（n.疲乏,疲劳,累活,[军]杂役vt.使疲劳,使心智衰弱vi.疲劳）.Afterwardshe’dcombed（n.梳子,梳,鸡冠,蜂巢vi.梳(发),搜索）hishairback,putonsomefadedjeansandalong-sleevedblueshirt,pouredhimselfanotherglassofteaandgonetotheporch,wherehesateverydayatthistime.Hereachedforhisguitar,rememberinghisfatherashedidso,thinkinghowmuchhemissedhim.Noahstrummed（n.乱弹的声音v.乱弹,乱奏）once,adjustedthetensionontwostrings,thenstrummedagain,soft,quietmusic.Hehummedatfirst,thenbegantosingasnightcamedownaroundhim.Itwasalittleaftersevenwhenhestoppedandsettledbackintohisrockingchair.Byhabit,helookedupwardsandsawOrion（猎户星座）,theBigDipperandthePoleStar（北极星）,twinklingintheautumnsky.Hestartedtorunthenumbersinhishead,thenstopped.Heknewhe’dspentalmosthisentiresavingsonthehouseandwouldhavetofindajobagainsoon,buthepushedthethoughtawayanddecidedtoenjoytheremainingmonthsofrestorationwithoutworryingaboutit.Itwouldworkoutforhim,heknew:italwaysdid.Cem,hishound（猎犬）dog,cameuptohimthenandnuzzled（将鼻插入,用鼻掘,用鼻爱抚）hishandbeforelyingdownathisfeet.Heygirl,how’reyoudoing?”heaskedashepattedherhead,andshewhined（报怨声,哭诉,发牢骚,发呜呜声）softly,hersoftroundeyespeering（凝视,窥视）upwards.Acaraccidenthadtakenoneofherlegs,butshestillmovedwellenoughandkepthimcompanyonnightslikethese.Hewasthirty-onenow,nottooold,butoldenoughtobelonely.Hehadn’tdatedsincehe’dbeenbackhere,hadn’tmetanyonewhoremotelyinterestedhim,Itwashisownfault,heknew.Therewassomethingthatkeptadistancebetweenhimandanywomanwhostartedtogetclose,somethinghewasn’tsurehecouldchangeevenifhetried.Andsometimes,inthemomentsbeforesleep,hewonderedifhewasdestinedtobealoneforever.Theeveningpassed,stayingwarm,nice.Noahlistenedtothecrickets（[昆]蟋蟀,[运动]板球）andtherustling（瑟瑟声,沙沙声）leaves,thinkingthatthesoundofnaturewasmorerealandarousedmoreemotionthanthingslikecarsandplanes.Naturalthingsgavebackmorethantheytook,andtheirsoundsalwaysbroughthimbacktothewaymanwassupposedtobe.Thereweretimesduringthewar,especiallyafteramajorengagement,whenhehadoftenthoughtaboutthesesimplesounds.“It’llkeepyoufromgoingcrazy,”hisfatherhadtoldhimthedayhe’dshippedout.“It’sGod’smusicandit’lltakeyouhome.”Hefinishedhistea,wentinside,foundabook,thenturnedontheporchlightonhiswaybackout.Aftersittingdownagain,helookedatthebook.Itwasold,thecoverwastorn(扯,撕,撕破,戳破,拉掉,折磨,使分裂,撕掉),andthepageswerestained(n.污点,瑕疵v.染污,沾污)withmudandwater.ItwasLeavesofGrassbyWaltWhitman,andhehadcarrieditwithhimthroughoutthewar.Heletthebookopenrandomlyandreadthewordsinfrontofhim:Thisisthyhour,0Soul,thyfreeflightintothewordless,Awayfromhooks,awayfromart,thedayerased(抹去,擦掉,消磁,<俚>杀死),thelessondone,Theefullyforthemerging(显现,浮现,暴露,形成,(由某种状态)脱出,(事实)显现出来),silent,gazing,pondering(沉思,考虑)thethemesthoulovestbest,Night,sleep,deathandthestars.Hesmiledtohimself.ForsomereasonWhitmanalwaysremindedhimofNewBern,andhewasgladhe’dcomeback.Thoughhe’dbeenawayforfourteenyears,thiswashomeandheknewalotofpeoplehere,mostofthemfromhisyouth.Itwasn’tsurprising.Likesomanysoutherntowns,thepeoplewholivedhereneverchanged,theyjustgrewabitolder.HisbestfriendthesedayswasGus,aseventy-year-oldblackmanwholiveddowntheroad.TheyhadmetacoupleofweeksafterNoahboughtthehouse,whenGushadshownup(揭露,露出,露面)withsomehomemadeliquor(n.液体,汁，酒精饮料,[药]溶液vt.浸水vi.喝酒)andBrunswickstew(v.炖,焖,受闷热n.炖肉(或菜),闷热,拥挤,鱼塘,人工养蚝场),andthetwohadspenttheirfirsteveningtogethergettingdrunkandtellingstories.NowGusshowedupacoupleofnightsaweek,usuallyaroundeight.Withfourkidsandelevengrandchildreninthehouse,heneededtogetoutnowandthen,andNoahcouldn’tblamehim.UsuallyGuswouldbringhisharmonica(口琴,玻璃或金属片的敲打乐器)and,aftertalkingforalittlewhile,they’dplayafewsongstogether.He’dcometoregardGusasfamily.Therereallywasn’tanyoneelse,atleastnotsincehisfatherdiedlastyear.Hewasanonlychildandhismotherhaddiedofinfluenzawhenhewastwo.Andthoughhehadwantedtoatonetime,hehadnevermarried.Buthehadbeeninloveonce,thatheknew.Onceandonlyonce,andalongtimeago.Andithadchangedhimforever.Perfectlovedidthattoaperson,andthishadbeenperfect.Coastal(海岸的,沿海的)cloudsslowlybegantorollacrosstheeveningsky,turningsilverwiththereflectionofthemoon.Astheythickened((使)变厚,(使)变粗,(使)变浓),heleanedhisheadbackagainsttherockingchair.Hislegsmovedautomatically,keepingasteadyrhythm,andhefelthisminddrifting((使)漂流)backtoawarmeveninglikethisfourteenyearsago.Itwasjustaftergraduation1932,theopeningnightoftheNeuseRiverFestival.Thetownwasoutinfull,enjoyingbarbecues(吃烤烧肉的野餐)andgamesofchance.Itwashumid(充满潮湿的,湿润的,多湿气的)thatnight—forsomereasonherememberedthatclearly.Hearrivedalone,andashestrolled(闲逛,漫步,跋涉于)throughthecrowd,lookingforfriends,hesawFinandSarah,twopeoplehe’dgrownupwith,talkingtoagirlhe’dneverseenbefore.Shewaspretty,herememberedthinking,andwhenhefinallyjoinedthem,shelookedhiswaywithapairofhazy(朦胧的,烟雾弥漫的,模糊的)eyes.“Hi,”she’dsaidsimplyassheofferedherhand.“Finley’stoldmealotaboutyou.”Anordinarybeginning,somethingthatwouldhavebeenforgottenhaditbeenanyonebuther.Butasheshookherhandandmetthosestriking(打击的,显著的,惊人的,罢工的)emerald(翡翠的,翠绿色的)eyes,heknewbeforehe’dtakenhisnextbreaththatshewastheonehecouldspendtherestofhislifelookingforbutneverfindagain.Sheseemedthatgood,thatperfect.Fromthere,itwentlikeatornado(旋风,龙卷风,大雷雨,具有巨大破坏性的人(或事物))wind.FintoldhimshewasspendingthesummerinNewBernwithherfamily,becauseherfatherworkedforatobacco(烟草,烟草制品,抽烟)firm(公司,(合伙)商号),andthoughheonlynodded,thewayshewaslookingathimmadehissilenceseemokay.Finlaughedthen,becauseheknewwhatwashappening,andSarahsuggestedtheygetsomecherrycokes,andthefourofthemstayedatthefestivaluntilthecrowdswerethinandeverythingclosedupforthenight.Theymetthefollowingday,andthedayafterthat,andtheysoonbecameinseparable.EverymorningbutSunday,whenhehadtogotochurch,hewouldfinishhischores(家务杂事)asquicklyaspossible,thenmakeastraightlinetoFortTottenPark,whereshe’dbewaitingforhim.Becauseshewasanewcomerandhadn’tlivedinasmalltownbefore,theyspenttheirdaysdoingthingsthatwerecompletelynewtoher.Hetaughtherhowtobait(n.饵,诱惑物vt.以饵引诱(动物),把饵装上,欺负,折磨vi.中途休息)alineandfishtheshallows(浅的,浅薄的)forlargemouthbass[黑鲈]andtookherexploringthroughthebackwoods(S是单词内的。未开垦地,(偏僻的森林地带))oftheCroatanForest.Theyrodeincanoesandwatchedsummerthunderstorms,anditseemedasthoughthey’dalwaysknowneachother.Buthelearnedthingsaswell.Atthetowndanceinthetobaccobarn（[农]谷仓,畜棚,畜舍,机器房）,itwasshewhotaughthimhowtowaltzanddotheCharleston,andthoughtheystumbled（v.绊倒,使困惑,蹒跚,结结巴巴地说话,踌躇n.绊倒,错误）throughthefirstfewsongs,herpatiencewithhimeventuallypaidoff,andtheydancedtogetheruntilthemusicended.Hewalkedherhomeafterwards,andwhentheypausedontheporchaftersayinggoodnight,hekissedherforthefirsttimeandwonderedwhyhehadwaitedaslongashehad.Laterinthesummerhebroughthertothishouse,lookedpastthedecay（decay）,andtoldherthatonedayhewasgoingtoownitandfixitup.Theyspenthourstogethertalkingabouttheirdreams—hisofseeingtheworld,hersofbeinganartist—andonahumidnightinAugust.Theybothlosttheirvirginity（处女,处女性,童贞,未婚女子的独身生活）.Whensheleftthreeweekslater,shetookapieceofhimandtherestofsummerwithher.Hewatchedherleavetownonanearlyrainymorning,watchedthrougheyesthathadn’tsleptthenightbefore,thenwenthomeandpacked（包装,捆扎,塞满,压紧,挑选）abag.HespentthenextweekaloneonHarkersIsland.Noahcheckedhiswatch.Eighttwelve.Hegotupandwalkedtothefrontofthehouseandlookeduptheroad.Guswasn’tinsight,andNoahfiguredhewouldn’tbecoming.Hewentbacktohisrockerandsatagain.HerememberedtalkingtoGusabouther.Thefirsttimehementionedher.Gusstartedtoshakehisheadandlaugh.“Sothat’stheghost(鬼,幽灵)youbeenrunningfrom.”Whenaskedwhathemeant.Gussaid.“Youknow,theghost,thememory.Ibeenwatchin’youworkin’dayandnight,slavin’sohardyoubarelyhavetimetocatchyourbreath.Peopledothatforthreereasons.Eithertheycrazy,orstupid,ortryin’toforget.Andwithyou,Iknewyouwastryin’toforget.Ijustdidn’tknowwhat.”Guswasright,ofcourse.NewBernwashaunted(闹鬼的,鬼魂出没的,受到折磨的)now.Hauntedbytheghostofhermemory.HesawherinFortTottenPark,theirplace,everytimehewalkedby.Whenhesatontheporchatnightwithhisguitar,hesawherbesidehim,listeningasheplayedthemusicofhischildhood.Everywherehelooked,hesawthingsthatbroughtherbacktolife.Noahshookhishead,andwhenherimagebegantofadehereturnedtoWhitman.Hereadforanhour,lookingupeverynowandthentoseeraccoons(<美>[动]浣熊,浣熊毛皮)andpossums(n.[动]负鼠vi.装死)scurrying(急赶,急跑,急转,以轻快而交替的步子走动)nearthecreek.Atninethirtyheclosedthebook,wentupstairstothebedroomandwroteinhisjournal.Fortyminuteslaterhewassleeping.Clemwanderedupthestairs,sniffed(用力吸,嗅,闻到,发觉,轻视,用力吸气)himasheslept,andthenpacedincirclesbeforefinallycurling((使)卷曲)upatthefootofhisbed.EARLIERTHATeveningandahundredmilesaway,shesataloneontheporchswing(v.摇摆,摆动,回转,旋转n.秋千,摇摆,摆动)ofherparents’home,onelegtucked(打摺,卷起,挤进,塞,使隐藏vi.折成摺子,缩拢)beneathher,wonderingifshe’dmadetherightdecision.She’dstruggledwithitfordays—andhadstruggledsomemorethisevening—butintheendsheknewshewouldneverforgiveherselfifshelettheopportunityslipaway.Londidn’tknowtherealreasonsheleftthefollowingmorning.Theweekbefore,she’dhinted(暗示,提示,线索)tohimthatshemightwanttovisitsomeantiqueshopsnearthecoast.“It’sjustacoupleofdays,”shesaid,“andbesides,Ineedabreakfromplanningthewedding.”Shefeltbadaboutthelie,butknewtherewasnowayshecouldtellhimthetruth.Herleavinghadnothingtodowithhim,anditwouldn’tbefairofhertoaskhimtounderstand.ItwasaneasydrivefromRaleigh,slightlymorethantwohours,andshearrivedalittlebeforeeleven.Shecheckedintoasmallinndowntown,wenttoherroomandunpackedhersuitcase(手提箱,衣箱),hangingherdressesinthecloset(壁橱,储藏室,厕所)andputtingeverythingelseinthedrawers.Shehadaquicklunch,askedthewaitressfordirectionstothenearestantiquestores,thenspentthenextfewhoursshopping.Byfourthirtyshewasbackinherroom.Shesatontheedgeofthebed,pickedupthephoneandcalledLon.Hecouldn’tspeaklong,butbeforetheyhungupshegavehimthephonenumberwhereshewasstayingandpromisedtocallthefollowingday.Good,shethoughtwhilehangingupthephone.Routineconversation,nothingoutoftheordinary.Nothingtomakehimsuspicious.She’dknownhimalmostfouryearsnow,itwas1942whentheymet,theworldatwarandAmericaoneyearin.Everyonewasdoingtheirpartandshewasvolunteeringatthehospitaldowntown.Thefirstwavesofwoundedyoungsoldierswerecominghome,andshespentherdayswithbrokenmenandshattered(打碎,使散开,粉碎,破坏)bodies.WhenLon,withhiseasycharm,introducedhimselfataparty,shesawinhimexactlywhatsheneeded:someonewithconfidenceaboutthefutureandasenseofhumourthatdroveallherfearsaway.Hewashandsome,intelligentanddriven(受到驱策的),asuccessfullawyereightyearsolderthanshe,andhepursued(追赶,追踪,追击,继续,从事)hisjobwithpassion,notonlywinningcasesbutalsomakinganameforhimself.Sheunderstoodhisvigorous(精力旺盛的,有力的,健壮的)pursuit(追击)ofsuccess,forherfatherandmostofthemenshemetinhersocialcirclewerethesameway.Likethem,he’dbeenraisedthatway,and,inthecaste(印度的世袭阶级,(排他的)社会团体,职业等级,(具有严格等级的)社会地位,社会等级)systemoftheSouth,familynameandaccomplishments(成就,完成,技艺)wereoftenthemostimportantconsiderationinmarriage.Insomecasestheyweretheonlyconsideration.Thoughshehadquietlyrebelled(反叛,造反)againstthisideasincechildhoodandhaddatedafewmenbestdescribedasreckless(不计后果的),shefoundherselfdrawntoLon’seasywaysandhadgraduallycometolovehim.Despitethelonghoursheworked,hewasgoodtoher.Hewasagentleman,mature(成熟的,到期的,充分考虑的,(票据等)到期的)andresponsible,andduringthoseterribleperiodsofthewarwhensheneededsomeonetoholdher,heneveronceturnedheraway.Shefeltsecurewithhimandknewhelovedheraswellandthatwaswhyshehadacceptedhisproposal.Thinkingthesethingsmadeherfeelguiltyaboutbeinghere,andsheknewsheshouldpackherthingsandleavebeforeshechangedhermind.Shepickedupherhandbag,hesitatedandalmostmadeittothedoor.Butcoincidence(一致,相合,同时发生或同时存在(尤指偶然)的事)hadpushedherhere,andsheputthebagdown,againrealizingthatifshequitnowshewouldalwayswonderwhatwouldhavehappened.Shecouldn’tlivewiththatShewenttothebathroomandstartedabath.Aftercheckingthetemperatureshewalkedtothechest(胸腔,胸膛,箱,柜)ofdrawers(抽屉,画家,制图员,(用复数)衬裤、内裤)inthebedroom,takingoffhergoldearringsasshecrossedtheroom.Shefoundherspongebag,openeditandpulledoutarazor(n.剃刀vt.剃)andabar(条,棒(常用作栅栏,扣栓物),横木,酒吧间,栅,障碍物)ofsoap,thenundressedinfrontofthechestofdrawers.Shelookedatherselfinthemirror.Herbodywasfirmandwellproportioned(n.比例,均衡,面积,部分vt.使成比例,使均衡,分摊),breastssoftlyrounded,stomachflat,legsslim(苗条的,纤细的,不足取的,无价值的,细长的).She’dinheritedhermother’shighcheekbones(颊骨,颧骨),smooth(平滑的,平坦的,平稳的,无毛的,流畅的,圆滑的,安祥的)skinandblonde(adj.色白的,碧眼的n.金发碧眼的女人)hair,butherbestfeaturewasherown.Shehad“eyeslikeoceanwaves”,asLonlikedtosay.Takingtherazorandsoap,shewenttothebathroomagain,turnedoffthetap(轻打,活栓,水龙头),setatowelwhereshecouldreachitandsteppedgingerly(小心翼翼地,谨慎的,极为小心地,慎重地)intothebath.Shelikedthewayabathrelaxedher,andsheslippedlowerinthewater.Thedayhadbeenlongandherbackwastense,butshewaspleasedshehadfinishedshoppingsoquickly.ShehadtogobacktoRaleighwithsomethingtangible(切实的),andthethingsshehadpickedoutwouldworkfine.ShemadeamentalnotetofindthenamesofsomeotherstoresintheBeaufortarea,thensuddenlydoubtedshewouldneedto.Lonwasn’tthetypetocheckuponher.Shereachedforthesoap,lathered(n.肥皂泡,(马等)汗沫,<俚>焦躁不安,紧张,激动vt.涂以肥皂泡)upandbegantoshave(剃,刮,削刮)herlegs.Asshedid,shethoughtaboutherparentsandwhattheywouldthinkofherbehaviour.Nodoubttheywoulddisapprove,especiallyhermother.Hermotherhadneverreallyacceptedwhathadhappenedthesummerthey’dspenthereandwouldn’tacceptitnow;nomatterwhatreasonshegave.Shesoaked(v.浸,泡,浸透n.浸透)awhilelongerinthebathbeforefinallygettingoutandtoweling(用毛巾擦)off.Shewenttotheclosetandlookedforadress,finallychoosingalongyellowonethatdipped(浸,蘸,沾)slightlyinthefront,thekindthatwascommonintheSouth.Sheslippeditonandlookedinthemirror,turningfromsidetoside.Itfittedherwell,butsheeventuallydecidedagainstitandputitbackonthehanger(衣架).Insteadshefoundamorecasual(偶然的,不经意的,临时的),lessrevealing(展现,显示,揭示,暴露)dressandputthaton.Lightbluewithatouchoflace,itbuttonedupatthefront,andthoughitdidn’tlookquiteasniceasthefirstone,itconveyedanimageshethoughtwouldbemoreappropriate(适当的).Sheworelittlemake-up,justatouchofeyeshadowandmas