A tall figure appeared from the dark door of the tent.
It was a smoking young man about twenty three or four. He had an almost black
face, though smooth. His moustache was black with curled points. There was an
unusual force in his face, and in his daring rolling eyes. cef
Rebecca
still stood hesitating like a swimmer about to make his dive, hardly knowing
whether to return or move forward.
"Hi,
my beauty, what can I do for you?" said he, approaching. Realizing that
she was quite at a loss, the man spoke in a gentle voice, "Never mind. I
am Mr. Thackeray. Have you come to see me or my mother?"
This scene
differed greatly from what Rebecca had expected. She had dreamed of an aged and
dignified(威嚴(yán)的) face. She told herself to be calm and
answered "I came to see your mother, sir."
"I am
afraid you cannot see her-she is ill in bed," replied the representative
of the house; for this was Mr. Alee Thackeray, the only son of the noble
family. "What is the business you wish to see her about?"
"It
isn't business-it is-I can hardly say what!"
"Pleasure?"
"Oh no.
Why, sir, if I tell you, it will seem..."
Rebecca's
sense of a certain ridicule(奚落，譏笑) was now so obvious
and strong that, despite her general discomfort at being here, her rosy lips
curved(彎曲) towards a smile, much to the attraction
of the young man.
"It is
so foolish", she murmured. "I fear I can't tell you!"
"Never
mind; I like foolish things. Try again, my dear," said he kindly.
"Mother
told me to come," Rebecca continued; "and, indeed, I was in the mind
to do so myself. But I did not expect it would turn out like this. I came…sir, I came to tell you that we are of the same family
as you."
"Ho Ho!
Poor relations?"
"Yes."
"Rossetti?"
"No.
Thackeray."
"Ay,
ay; I mean Thackeray."
"Our
names are worn away to Durbeyfield; but we have several proofs that we are
Thackeray. The local scholars hold the view that we are, and...and we have an
old seal and a silver spoon marked with the same castle as yours. So mother
said we ought to make ourselves known to you, as we've lost our horse by a bad
accident. We can hardly make a living."
"It’s very kind of your
mother, I'm sure." Alec looked at Rebecca as he spoke, in a way that made
her uneasy. "And so, my pretty girl, you've come on a friendly visit to
us, as relations?"
"I
suppose I have," looking less confident and uncomfortable again.
"Well, there's no harm in it. I mean it doesn’t hurt to come and make yourself known to me. Where do
you live? What are you?" …
1.While meeting with Alec, Rebecca feels _______during
the whole course.
A. nervous and uneasy
B. excited and hopeful
C. amazed and comfortable
D. pleased but embarrassed.
2.Which of the following is suitable to describe
Rebecca’s impression of Alec?
A. unfriendly and ta lkative
B. forceful and daring
C. gentle and reliable
D. older than expected
3.What is Rebecca’s real
purpose of making this visit?
A. To see Alec himself.
B. To see Alec's mother.
C. To confirm that they are of the same family.
D. To make known their relationship and seek help.
4.From the passage, we can conclude that Alec appears
quite friendly to Rebecca largely because __________.
A. Rebecca is his distant relation
B. Rebecca looks polite to him
C. Rebecca is a pretty girl
D. Rebecca looks ridiculous
