Under the Lilacs - Chapter 18

If Sancho's abduction made a stir, one may easily imagine with what warmth and interest he was welcomed back when his wrongs and wanderings were known. For several days he held regular levees, that curious boys and sympathizing girls might see and pity the changed and curtailed ¹ dog. Sancho behaved with dignified ² affability, and sat upon his mat in the coach-house pensively ³ eying his guests, and patiently submitting to their caresses ⁴; while Ben and Thorny ⁵ took turns to tell the few tragical ⁶ facts which were not shrouded ⁷ in the deepest mystery. If the interesting sufferer could only have spoken, what thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes he might have related. But, alas ⁸! he was dumb; and the secrets of that memorable ⁹ month never were revealed., ,The lame ¹⁰ paw soon healed, the dingy ¹¹ color slowly yielded to many washings, the woolly coat began to knot up into little curls, a new collar, handsomely marked, made him a respectable dog, and Sancho was himself again. But it was evident that his sufferings were not forgotten; his once sweet temper was a trifle soured; and, with a few exceptions, he had lost his faith in mankind. Before, he had been the most benevolent ¹³ and hospitable ¹⁴ of dogs; now, he eyed all strangers suspiciously, and the sight of a shabby man made him growl ¹⁵ and bristle ¹⁶ up, as if the mernory of his wrongs still burned hotly within him., ,Fortunately, his gratitude ¹⁷ was stronger than his resentment ¹⁸, and he never seemed to forget that he owed his life to Betty, - running to meet her whenever she appeared, instantly obeying her commands, and suffering no one to molest ¹⁹ her when he walked watchfully ²⁰ beside her, with her hand upon his neck, as they had walked out of the almost fatal backyard together, faithful friends for ever., , ,Of course Bab was glad to have everything pleasant and friendly again; but in a little dark corner of her heart there was a drop of envy, and a desperate desire to do something which would make every one in her small world like and praise her as they did Betty. Trying to be as good and gentle did not satisfy her; she must do something brave or surprising, and no chance for distinguishing herself in that way seemed likely to appear. Betty was as fond as ever, and the boys were very kind to her; but she felt that they both liked "little Beteinda," as they called her, best, because she found Sanch, and never seemed to know that she had done any thing brave in defending him against all odds ²⁴. Bab did not tell any one how she felt, but endeavored to be amiable ²⁵, while waiting for her chance to come; and, when it did arrive, made the most of it, though there was nothing heroic to add a charm., ,Miss Celia's arm had been doing very well, but would, of course, be useless for some time longer. Finding that the afternoon readings amused herself as much as they did the children, she kept them up, and brought out all her old favorites enjoying a double pleasure in seeing that her young audience relished ²⁶ them as much as she did when a child for to all but Thorny they were brand new. Out of one of these stories came much amusement for all, and satisfaction for one of the party., ,Their public health programme had to be severely curtailed. 他们的公共卫生计划不得不大大收缩 。 来自《简明英汉词典》,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
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