【課文】
My cousin, Harry, keeps a large curiously-shaped bottle on permanent display in his study. Despite the fact that the bottle is tinted a delicate shade of green, an observant visitor would soon notice that it is filled with what looks like a thick, grayish substance. If you were to ask Harry what was in the bottle, he would tell you that it contained perfumed mud. If you expressed doubt or surprise, he would immediately invite you to smell it and then to rub some into your skin. This brief experiment would dispel any further doubts you might have. The bottle really does contain perfumed mud. How Harry came into the possession of this outlandish stuff makes an interesting story which he is fond of relating. Furthermore, the acquisition of this bottle cured him of a bad habit he had been developing for years.
Harry used to consider it a great joke to go into expensive cosmetic shops and make outrageous requests for goods that do not exist. He would invent fanciful names on the spot. On entering a shop, he would ask for a new perfume called 'Scented Shadow' or for 'insoluble bath cubes'. If a shop assistant told him she had not heard of it, he would pretend to be considerably put out. He loved to be told that one of his imaginary products was temporarily out of stock and he would faithfully promise to call again at some future date, but of course he never did. How Harry managed to keep a straight face during these performances is quite beyond me.
Harry does not need to be prompted to explain how he bought his precious bottle of mud. One day, he went to an exclusive shop in London and asked for 'Myrolite', the shop assistant looked puzzled and Harry repeated the word, slowly stressing each syllable. When the woman shook her head in bewilderment, Harry went on to explain that 'myrolite' was a hard, amber-like substance which could be used to remove freckles. This explanation evidently conveyed something to the woman who searched shelf after shelf. She produced all sorts of weird concoctions, but none of them met with Harry's requirements. When Harry put on his act of being mildly annoyed, the assistant promised to order some for him. Intoxicated by his success, Harry then asked for perfumed mud. He expected the assistant to look at him in blank astonishment. However, it was his turn to be surprised, for the woman's eyes immediately lit up and she fetched several bottles which she placed on the counter for Harry to inspect. For once, Harry had to admit defeat. He picked up what seemed to be the smallest bottle and discreetly asked the price. He was glad to get away with a mere twenty pounds and he beat a hasty retreat, clutching the precious bottle under his arm. From then on, Harry decided that this little game he had invented might prove to be expensive. The curious bottle, which now adorns the bookcase in his study, was his first and last purchase of rare cosmetics.
【課文翻譯】
我的堂兄哈里在他的書房里一直擺著一只形狀古怪的大瓶子。盡管那只瓶子呈淡綠色，但細(xì)心的客人很快就會發(fā)現(xiàn)瓶里裝的是一種看上去黏稠，顏色發(fā)灰的東西。要是你問哈里瓶里裝著什么，他會告訴你是香水泥。如果你表示懷疑或驚奇，他會立即請你聞一聞，然后取出一些抹在你的皮膚上。這一簡單的試驗會消除你可能存有的一切疑慮。瓶里裝的的確是香水泥。哈里如何得到這種稀奇古怪的東西的，這里有個有趣的故事，而且他挺愛把它講給別人聽。此外，得到這瓶香水泥還治好了他多年的一個壞習(xí)慣。
哈里曾認(rèn)為走進一家名貴化妝品商店，荒唐地提出要買一種根本不存在的商品是件開心的事兒。他會當(dāng)場編造出一些稀奇古怪的貨名。他走進商店后，會提出要一種名叫“香影”的新型香水或什么“不溶浴皂”。要是女售貨員告訴他從未聽說過這些東西，他會裝出十分遺憾和不安的樣子。他愛聽售貨員說他想像出來的那種東西暫時脫銷，于是他就煞有介事地許諾改天再來光顧。當(dāng)然，他再也不會來了。我實在想像不出哈里在這些表演中是怎樣裝出一本正經(jīng)的樣子的。
毋須暗示哈里就會向你講起他買下那瓶珍貴香水泥的經(jīng)過。一天，他去倫敦一家高級商店要買一種叫“密諾萊特”的東西，店員露出詫異的神色。哈里又慢慢地，一字一頓說了一遍這個詞，那個女售貨員還是迷惑不解地?fù)u了搖頭。哈里便進一步解釋“密諾萊特”是一種質(zhì)地堅硬、狀似琥珀的東西，可以用來除去雀斑。他的解釋顯然對女售貨員有些啟示。她一個貨架接著一個貨架地尋找，拿出各種各樣稀奇古怪的化妝品，但沒有一樣能夠符合哈里的要求。哈里裝出不高興的樣子時，女售貨員答應(yīng)為他定貨。哈里為他的騙術(shù)而感到洋洋得意，又提出要買香水泥。他原想女售貨員會驚奇地望著他，不知所措，沒料到這回該輪到他自己吃驚了。因為那女售貨員聽完哈里的話后，馬上眼睛一亮，拿出幾瓶東西放在柜臺上讓哈里挑選。哈里只好認(rèn)輸。他挑出一個看上去小的瓶子，謹(jǐn)慎地問了價。他慶幸自己只破費了20英鎊便得以脫身。他把那寶貴的瓶子放在腋下夾著，溜之大吉。從那以后，他認(rèn)識到自己發(fā)明的小小惡作劇是要付出很大的代價的。在他書房的書柜里擺著那瓶形狀古怪的香水泥就是他第也是后購買的稀有化妝品。
【詞匯】
permanent adj. 永久的
tint v. 給……染色
delicate adj. 淡色的
shade n. 色度
observant adj. 觀察力敏銳的
greyish adj. 淺灰色的
dispel v. 驅(qū)散，消除
outlandish adj. 稀奇古怪的
acquisition n. 獲得
cosmetic n. 化妝品
outrageous adj. 無理的，令人不能容忍的
fanciful adj. 想像出來的
insoluble adj. 不可溶解的
prompt v. 敦促，激勵
exclusive adj. 專售高檔商品的
syllable n. 音節(jié)
bewilderment n. 迷惑，糊涂
freckle n. 雀斑
evidently adv. 顯然的，明顯地
weird adj. 奇異的，古怪的
concoction n. 調(diào)制品
intoxicate v. 陶醉，得意忘形
blank adj. 無表情的，茫然的
discreetly adv. 謹(jǐn)慎地
clutch v. 抓住
adorn v. 裝飾，打扮
【重點詞匯講解】
【permanent】
例句：
1. Experts say autism is permanent and cannot be cured.
專家稱自閉癥是永久的而且無法治愈。
2. In search of a permanent way round the problem, the Fed has asked Congress to let it pay interest on bank reserves.
為了尋求解決這一問題的長效方法，聯(lián)儲要求國會同意讓它對銀行儲備金支付利息。
【observant】
例句：
1. Making small talk is about being observant about people you don't know well.
你和不熟悉的人聊天，一定要善于觀察。
2. Observant students of ideas will recognize Hindu beliefs in this movement as well.
善于觀察思想的人也會在這個運動中認(rèn)出印度教信仰的影響。
【dispel】
英英：force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
例句：
1. A series of speeches by Fed officials this week did little to dispel the presumption of lower rates.
本周，一系列聯(lián)儲會的官員的講話也沒有打消降息的假設(shè)。
2. She wanted to look light, dispel any impression she might have given that she was a humourless prude.
她想使自己看起來輕松一些，擺脫掉那不茍言笑，一本正經(jīng)的印象。
3. Firstly, we should dispel the idea that learning Chinese is only useful for doing business with China.
首先，應(yīng)該糾正某些片面的觀念，以為學(xué)華文不過是為了和中國做生意。
【outlandish】
例句：
1. He never shoots down my outlandish statements.
他從不批駁我那些稀奇古怪的說法。
2. The dream of a high-tech Florida is not outlandish.
建立一個高科技佛羅里達并非離經(jīng)之談。
【outrageous】
例句：
1. I demand an explanation for this outrageous bill .
我要你解釋一下這張?zhí)靸r的帳單。
2. Nothing, it seemed, was too outrageous for Houdini to tackle.
似乎再過分的手段胡迪尼也對付得了。
【fanciful】
例句：
1. We love him because he is full of fanciful stories.
我們喜歡他是因為他有一肚子稀奇古怪的故事。
2. Mr Graddol says the idea of English being supplanted as the world language is not fanciful.
葛拉多爾表示，英語作為世界語言的地位被代替，這類想法并非不切實際。
【prompt】
英英：give an incentive for action
例句：
1. That claim is likely to prompt scepticism among environmental groups.
這一聲明很可能會激起環(huán)保團體的疑慮。
2. Colombia hoped that the deal would prompt a wave of inward investment.
哥倫比亞希望，此舉能夠激起一輪國內(nèi)投資熱潮。
3. He was prompted by patriotism.
他為愛國心所激勵。
【bewilderment】
例句：
1. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
校長的臉上寫滿了困惑。
2. Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.
感到困惑又不把事情說出來，從而使世界上平添許多煩惱。
【evidently】
例句：
1. He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion.
他顯然并不愿我再來打攪。
2. Evidently, he is immensely charmed with Miss Millar.
他對米勒小姐顯然很鐘情。
【weird】
例句：
1. Such remarks are not merely offensive, they are scientifically weird.
這種說法不僅讓人不快，而且從科學(xué)的角度來看也是非?；恼Q的。
2. Most of those comic book stories are too weird for me, but they certainly are creative if you like that stuff.
我覺得這些連環(huán)漫畫書的情節(jié)都太 奇怪了，但是如果你喜歡這一類型當(dāng)然就會覺得很有創(chuàng)意。
【intoxicate】
例句：
1. Sea wind intoxicate.
海風(fēng)醉人。
2. He does not drink at all; a little wine way intoxicate him.
他根本不喝酒，因為一點酒就能使他醉。
【blank】
例句:
1. Mr Smith looked blank, when he was informed of his dismissal.
史密斯先生接到他被解雇的通知時，目瞪口呆。
2. My mind was a complete blank when I had to fill in the blanks on the test paper.
當(dāng)我得在試卷上填空的 時候，腦子卻完全一片 空白。
【discreetly】
例句：
1. These are proud people, so the teachers do it discreetly.
他們都是自尊的人，所以老師們謹(jǐn)慎地做這些事。
2. But we must use it discreetly, and not waste powder for nothing.
但我們要謹(jǐn)慎地運用，不要濫用好像無謂地浪費火藥。
【adorn】
英英：make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
例句：
1. Nature knows well how to adorn itself.
自然懂得怎么裝點自己。
2. Riches adorn the dwelling; virtue adorns the person.
財富裝飾家，美德裝飾人。
【常用短語】
【on the spot】當(dāng)場
【put out】不安，不悅
【out of stock】脫銷
【keep a straight face】板著臉
【in bewilderment】迷惑的
【in blank】目瞪口呆
【from then on】從那時起
My cousin, Harry, keeps a large curiously-shaped bottle on permanent display in his study. Despite the fact that the bottle is tinted a delicate shade of green, an observant visitor would soon notice that it is filled with what looks like a thick, grayish substance. If you were to ask Harry what was in the bottle, he would tell you that it contained perfumed mud. If you expressed doubt or surprise, he would immediately invite you to smell it and then to rub some into your skin. This brief experiment would dispel any further doubts you might have. The bottle really does contain perfumed mud. How Harry came into the possession of this outlandish stuff makes an interesting story which he is fond of relating. Furthermore, the acquisition of this bottle cured him of a bad habit he had been developing for years.
Harry used to consider it a great joke to go into expensive cosmetic shops and make outrageous requests for goods that do not exist. He would invent fanciful names on the spot. On entering a shop, he would ask for a new perfume called 'Scented Shadow' or for 'insoluble bath cubes'. If a shop assistant told him she had not heard of it, he would pretend to be considerably put out. He loved to be told that one of his imaginary products was temporarily out of stock and he would faithfully promise to call again at some future date, but of course he never did. How Harry managed to keep a straight face during these performances is quite beyond me.
Harry does not need to be prompted to explain how he bought his precious bottle of mud. One day, he went to an exclusive shop in London and asked for 'Myrolite', the shop assistant looked puzzled and Harry repeated the word, slowly stressing each syllable. When the woman shook her head in bewilderment, Harry went on to explain that 'myrolite' was a hard, amber-like substance which could be used to remove freckles. This explanation evidently conveyed something to the woman who searched shelf after shelf. She produced all sorts of weird concoctions, but none of them met with Harry's requirements. When Harry put on his act of being mildly annoyed, the assistant promised to order some for him. Intoxicated by his success, Harry then asked for perfumed mud. He expected the assistant to look at him in blank astonishment. However, it was his turn to be surprised, for the woman's eyes immediately lit up and she fetched several bottles which she placed on the counter for Harry to inspect. For once, Harry had to admit defeat. He picked up what seemed to be the smallest bottle and discreetly asked the price. He was glad to get away with a mere twenty pounds and he beat a hasty retreat, clutching the precious bottle under his arm. From then on, Harry decided that this little game he had invented might prove to be expensive. The curious bottle, which now adorns the bookcase in his study, was his first and last purchase of rare cosmetics.
【課文翻譯】
我的堂兄哈里在他的書房里一直擺著一只形狀古怪的大瓶子。盡管那只瓶子呈淡綠色，但細(xì)心的客人很快就會發(fā)現(xiàn)瓶里裝的是一種看上去黏稠，顏色發(fā)灰的東西。要是你問哈里瓶里裝著什么，他會告訴你是香水泥。如果你表示懷疑或驚奇，他會立即請你聞一聞，然后取出一些抹在你的皮膚上。這一簡單的試驗會消除你可能存有的一切疑慮。瓶里裝的的確是香水泥。哈里如何得到這種稀奇古怪的東西的，這里有個有趣的故事，而且他挺愛把它講給別人聽。此外，得到這瓶香水泥還治好了他多年的一個壞習(xí)慣。
哈里曾認(rèn)為走進一家名貴化妝品商店，荒唐地提出要買一種根本不存在的商品是件開心的事兒。他會當(dāng)場編造出一些稀奇古怪的貨名。他走進商店后，會提出要一種名叫“香影”的新型香水或什么“不溶浴皂”。要是女售貨員告訴他從未聽說過這些東西，他會裝出十分遺憾和不安的樣子。他愛聽售貨員說他想像出來的那種東西暫時脫銷，于是他就煞有介事地許諾改天再來光顧。當(dāng)然，他再也不會來了。我實在想像不出哈里在這些表演中是怎樣裝出一本正經(jīng)的樣子的。
毋須暗示哈里就會向你講起他買下那瓶珍貴香水泥的經(jīng)過。一天，他去倫敦一家高級商店要買一種叫“密諾萊特”的東西，店員露出詫異的神色。哈里又慢慢地，一字一頓說了一遍這個詞，那個女售貨員還是迷惑不解地?fù)u了搖頭。哈里便進一步解釋“密諾萊特”是一種質(zhì)地堅硬、狀似琥珀的東西，可以用來除去雀斑。他的解釋顯然對女售貨員有些啟示。她一個貨架接著一個貨架地尋找，拿出各種各樣稀奇古怪的化妝品，但沒有一樣能夠符合哈里的要求。哈里裝出不高興的樣子時，女售貨員答應(yīng)為他定貨。哈里為他的騙術(shù)而感到洋洋得意，又提出要買香水泥。他原想女售貨員會驚奇地望著他，不知所措，沒料到這回該輪到他自己吃驚了。因為那女售貨員聽完哈里的話后，馬上眼睛一亮，拿出幾瓶東西放在柜臺上讓哈里挑選。哈里只好認(rèn)輸。他挑出一個看上去小的瓶子，謹(jǐn)慎地問了價。他慶幸自己只破費了20英鎊便得以脫身。他把那寶貴的瓶子放在腋下夾著，溜之大吉。從那以后，他認(rèn)識到自己發(fā)明的小小惡作劇是要付出很大的代價的。在他書房的書柜里擺著那瓶形狀古怪的香水泥就是他第也是后購買的稀有化妝品。
【詞匯】
permanent adj. 永久的
tint v. 給……染色
delicate adj. 淡色的
shade n. 色度
observant adj. 觀察力敏銳的
greyish adj. 淺灰色的
dispel v. 驅(qū)散，消除
outlandish adj. 稀奇古怪的
acquisition n. 獲得
cosmetic n. 化妝品
outrageous adj. 無理的，令人不能容忍的
fanciful adj. 想像出來的
insoluble adj. 不可溶解的
prompt v. 敦促，激勵
exclusive adj. 專售高檔商品的
syllable n. 音節(jié)
bewilderment n. 迷惑，糊涂
freckle n. 雀斑
evidently adv. 顯然的，明顯地
weird adj. 奇異的，古怪的
concoction n. 調(diào)制品
intoxicate v. 陶醉，得意忘形
blank adj. 無表情的，茫然的
discreetly adv. 謹(jǐn)慎地
clutch v. 抓住
adorn v. 裝飾，打扮
【重點詞匯講解】
【permanent】
例句：
1. Experts say autism is permanent and cannot be cured.
專家稱自閉癥是永久的而且無法治愈。
2. In search of a permanent way round the problem, the Fed has asked Congress to let it pay interest on bank reserves.
為了尋求解決這一問題的長效方法，聯(lián)儲要求國會同意讓它對銀行儲備金支付利息。
【observant】
例句：
1. Making small talk is about being observant about people you don't know well.
你和不熟悉的人聊天，一定要善于觀察。
2. Observant students of ideas will recognize Hindu beliefs in this movement as well.
善于觀察思想的人也會在這個運動中認(rèn)出印度教信仰的影響。
【dispel】
英英：force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
例句：
1. A series of speeches by Fed officials this week did little to dispel the presumption of lower rates.
本周，一系列聯(lián)儲會的官員的講話也沒有打消降息的假設(shè)。
2. She wanted to look light, dispel any impression she might have given that she was a humourless prude.
她想使自己看起來輕松一些，擺脫掉那不茍言笑，一本正經(jīng)的印象。
3. Firstly, we should dispel the idea that learning Chinese is only useful for doing business with China.
首先，應(yīng)該糾正某些片面的觀念，以為學(xué)華文不過是為了和中國做生意。
【outlandish】
例句：
1. He never shoots down my outlandish statements.
他從不批駁我那些稀奇古怪的說法。
2. The dream of a high-tech Florida is not outlandish.
建立一個高科技佛羅里達并非離經(jīng)之談。
【outrageous】
例句：
1. I demand an explanation for this outrageous bill .
我要你解釋一下這張?zhí)靸r的帳單。
2. Nothing, it seemed, was too outrageous for Houdini to tackle.
似乎再過分的手段胡迪尼也對付得了。
【fanciful】
例句：
1. We love him because he is full of fanciful stories.
我們喜歡他是因為他有一肚子稀奇古怪的故事。
2. Mr Graddol says the idea of English being supplanted as the world language is not fanciful.
葛拉多爾表示，英語作為世界語言的地位被代替，這類想法并非不切實際。
【prompt】
英英：give an incentive for action
例句：
1. That claim is likely to prompt scepticism among environmental groups.
這一聲明很可能會激起環(huán)保團體的疑慮。
2. Colombia hoped that the deal would prompt a wave of inward investment.
哥倫比亞希望，此舉能夠激起一輪國內(nèi)投資熱潮。
3. He was prompted by patriotism.
他為愛國心所激勵。
【bewilderment】
例句：
1. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.
校長的臉上寫滿了困惑。
2. Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.
感到困惑又不把事情說出來，從而使世界上平添許多煩惱。
【evidently】
例句：
1. He evidently wished no repetition of my intrusion.
他顯然并不愿我再來打攪。
2. Evidently, he is immensely charmed with Miss Millar.
他對米勒小姐顯然很鐘情。
【weird】
例句：
1. Such remarks are not merely offensive, they are scientifically weird.
這種說法不僅讓人不快，而且從科學(xué)的角度來看也是非?；恼Q的。
2. Most of those comic book stories are too weird for me, but they certainly are creative if you like that stuff.
我覺得這些連環(huán)漫畫書的情節(jié)都太 奇怪了，但是如果你喜歡這一類型當(dāng)然就會覺得很有創(chuàng)意。
【intoxicate】
例句：
1. Sea wind intoxicate.
海風(fēng)醉人。
2. He does not drink at all; a little wine way intoxicate him.
他根本不喝酒，因為一點酒就能使他醉。
【blank】
例句:
1. Mr Smith looked blank, when he was informed of his dismissal.
史密斯先生接到他被解雇的通知時，目瞪口呆。
2. My mind was a complete blank when I had to fill in the blanks on the test paper.
當(dāng)我得在試卷上填空的 時候，腦子卻完全一片 空白。
【discreetly】
例句：
1. These are proud people, so the teachers do it discreetly.
他們都是自尊的人，所以老師們謹(jǐn)慎地做這些事。
2. But we must use it discreetly, and not waste powder for nothing.
但我們要謹(jǐn)慎地運用，不要濫用好像無謂地浪費火藥。
【adorn】
英英：make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
例句：
1. Nature knows well how to adorn itself.
自然懂得怎么裝點自己。
2. Riches adorn the dwelling; virtue adorns the person.
財富裝飾家，美德裝飾人。
【常用短語】
【on the spot】當(dāng)場
【put out】不安，不悅
【out of stock】脫銷
【keep a straight face】板著臉
【in bewilderment】迷惑的
【in blank】目瞪口呆
【from then on】從那時起