Under the Lilacs - Chapter 8

Ben was not too tired, and the clearing-up began that very night. None too soon, for in a day or two things arrived, to the great delight of the children, who considered moving a most interesting play. First came the phaeton, which Ben spent all his leisure moments in admiring; wondering with secret envy what happy boy would ride in the little seat up behind, and beguiling ¹ his tasks by planning how, when he got rich, he would pass his time driving about in just such an equipage, and inviting ² all the boys he met to have a ride., ,Then a load of furniture came creaking in at the lodge ³ gate, and the girls had raptures ⁴ over a cottage piano, several small chairs, and a little low table, which they pronounced just the thing for them to play at. The live stock appeared next, creating a great stir in the neighborhood, for peacocks were rare birds there; the donkey's bray ⁵ startled the cattle and convulsed the people with laughter; the rabbits were continually getting out to burrow ⁶ in the newly made garden; and Chevalita scandalized old Duke by dancing about the stable which he had inhabited for years in stately solitude ⁷., ,Last but by no means least, Miss Celia, her young brother, and two maids arrived one evening so late that only Mrs. Moss ⁸ went over to help them settle. The children were much disappointed, but were appeased ⁹ by a promise that they should all go to pay their respects in the morning., , ,"She's all right, miss, Lita is; and I can bring her over any minute you say.", ,"I shall want her at four o'clock. Thorny ¹⁰ will be too tired to drive, but I must hear from the post-office, rain or shine;" and Miss Celia's pretty color brightened as she spoke ¹¹, either from some happy thought or because she was bashful, for the honest young faces before her plainly showed their admiration ¹² of the white-gowned lady under the honeysuckles., ,His date was curvaceously beguiling. 他约会是用来欺骗女性的
。 来自《简明英汉词典》,An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。