牛津书虫系列：第一级.doc

爱情与金钱 2
苏格兰玛丽女王 36
在月亮下面 70
潘德尔的巫师 100
歌剧院的幽灵 131
猴爪 167
象人 195
世界上最冷的地方 224
爱情与金钱　
　　The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge，about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river．They had a big，old house with a beautiful garden，a lot of flowers and many old．trees．
　　One Thursday morning in July，Jackie came in from the garden．She was a tall，fat woman，thirty years old．It was the hottest day of the year，but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt．She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water．Just then the phone rang．
　　'Cambridge 1379，'Jackie said．
　　'Hello．This is Diane．I want to talk to Mother．'
　　'Mother isn't here，'Jackie said．'She's at the doctor's．'
　　'Why？What's Wrong？'
　　'Nothing's wrong，'Jackie said．'Why are you telephoning？ You are going to come this weekend？ Mother wants everyone to be here．'
　　'Yes，I want to come，'Diane said．'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket．'
　　'No money！Mother is always giving you money！'
　　'This phone call is very expensive，'Diane said coldly．'Tell Mother please．I need the money．'
　　Jackie put the phone down．She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke．She felt angry because her sister al-ways asked for money．Diane was twenty years old， the youngest in the family．She lived in London，in one room of a big house．She wanted to be a singer．She sang very well but she could never get work．
　　Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches．Just then the back door opened，and her mother came in．
　　'It's very hot！'Molly said．She took off her hat and put it down on the table．She was a tall，dark woman with beautiful eyes．
　　Two big，black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her．She sat down and put her hands on their heads．
　　Jackie put the sandwiches on the table．'Mother，'she said，'Diane phoned．She wants money for her train ticket．'
　　Molly closed her eyes for a minute．Then she stood up．'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend，'she said．'Oh，and please go to the village later and get my tablets．'
　　'Yes，Mother，'Jackie said．
　　Molly went to the door．
　　'Mother，please wait a minute，'Jackie said．'Peter Hobbs came here this morning．He's very angry with you about that letter．He lost his job，you know．Why did you write to his office？He wants to talk to you about it．'
　　'Well，I don't want to talk to him，'Molly said．She opened the door．
　　'But Mother，you don't understand．He's seventeen，and it was his first job．He's very，very angry．He says… he says he's going to kill you！'
　　Molly did not answer．She went out of the room and closed the door．

1

　　克拉克森家住在剑桥附近的乡下，离最近的村庄约有半英里路，距离河有1英里左右。他们有幢大而古老带有美丽花园的房子，花园里有许多花和许多古树。
　　7月的一个星期四早上，杰基从花园进了屋。她是个高大，肥胖，30来岁的女人。这是一年中最热的日子，而她却穿着暖色调的黄色衬衫和棕色裙子。她走进厨房去喝水，这时电话响了。
　　“剑桥1379号，”杰基说。
　　“你好！我是黛安娜。我想和妈妈说话。”
　　“妈妈不在家，”杰基说。“她看医生去了。”
　　“怎么了？出了什么事？”
　　“没什么，”杰基说。“你打电话干嘛？这个周末你回来吗？妈妈希望每个人都在。”
　　“是啊，我想回来，”黛安娜说。“我正因为没钱买火车票，才打电话。”
　　“没钱！妈妈总是给你钱！”
　　“电话费很贵，”黛安娜冷冷说道。“请告诉妈妈，我需要钱。”
　　杰基放下电话，她从包里拿了枝烟抽起来。她因她的妹妹总是要钱感到生气。黛安娜20岁了，在家里最小。她住在伦敦，在一所大房子里有间屋子。她想成为一个歌唱家，她唱得很棒可是她却从来不愿找工作。
　　杰基走回厨房动手做一些三明治。这时后门开了，她的母亲走了进来。
　　“天太热了！”莫利说道，她脱下帽子放在桌上。她是位高个子、皮肤浅黑，有双美丽眼睛的女人。
　　两条大黑狗跟着她进了厨房围着她转，她坐下来把手放在它们的头上。
　　杰基把三明治放在桌上。“妈妈，”她说道，“黛安娜打来电话，她想要钱买火车票。”
　　莫利闭上眼一会，然后站起来。“下午我希望你收拾一下房子为周末做准备，”她说。“哦，随后请去村里给我买些药片。”
　　“好的，妈妈，”杰基说。
　　莫利向门口走去。
　　“妈妈，请等一会。”杰基说。“彼得·霍布斯今早来了，他对你的那封信很生气。你知道，他丢了工作。你为什么写信给他的办公室？他想和你谈谈这事。”
　　“好啦，我不想和他谈，”莫利说，她打开门。
　　“可是妈妈，你不明白。他17岁了，那是他第一份工作，他非常非常生气。他说……他说他会杀了你！”
　　莫利没答话，她走出房间关上了门。
2 Chapter

　　It was seven o'clock on Saturday evening．Jackie stood at the window．A car drove slowly up to the front door and stopped．A tall man with white hair got out，It was Albert，the husband of Molly's sister．
　　'Here's Uncle Albert，'Jackie said．'Always late．'
　　She went out of the room and opened the front door．Albert came in and went at once to Molly．
　　'Oh，dear．I'm very late．I am sorry，'Albert said．'Fifty years old today！What a wonderful dress！'
　　Molly did not smile．'Thank you，Albert．We're all getting older．'Tonight she wore a long black dress，and the two black dogs sat at her feet．'Everyone is here now．Let's go in to dinner，'she said．
　　Everyone stood up and went to the table．
　　'The table looks nice，Jackie．What wonderful flowers！'Diane said．She was a beautiful girl，with long black hair and dark blue eyes．She wore a long red dress．
　　Albert sat down next to Roger Roger was Molly's son，her second child．He lived in Cambridge，in an expensive house．
　　'Someone called Peter stopped me down the road，'Albert said．'Who is he？ He's very angry with you，Molly．'
　　'That's Peter Hobbs，from the house across the road，'Jackie said quickly．She looked across the table at Molly．'He lost his job last week and he's angry with everyone．'
　　'It's Molly he doesn't like，'Albert said．
　　Molly said nothing．Everyone began to eat．
　　'How is Aunt Annie？'Jackie asked．
　　'She's much worse now，'Albert said．'She stays in bed all the time．She needs a nurse twenty-four hours a day．'
　　'I am sorry，'Molly said．
　　Albert stopped eating and looked at Molly．'It's very difficult and very expensive，you know．Annie feels very unhappy because you don't visit her，Molly．She loves you very much．You are her little sister；you know．'
　　Molly closed her eyes for a minute．' I know that，Albert．I am fifty years old，but I am always her“little”sister．Well，we can talk about it later．'
　　Albert laughed．'Oh yes，we can talk later．It's always later with you，Molly．Always tomorrow．Never today．'
　　Jackie watched her mother．Her mother was angry with Albert．Molly never liked talking about her sister Annie and she did not like visiting her because she was very ill．
　　'That's a beautiful dress，Diane．Is it new？'Jackie asked．
　　'Thank you，Jackie．Yes，it's new，and very expensive．I got it on Wednesday，'Diane said．She smiled at Jackie．
　　'All your things are expensive，'Jackie said．She remembered the phone call on Thursday about the train ticket．
　　'I don't like cheap things，'Diane said．'And I'm going to need more money soon．I want to go to America．Can you help me，Roger？'
　　'Oh no，'Roger said．'Nobody wants to help you， Diane．You don't like working，we all know that，but we all want you to get a job．'
　　Diane laughed．'It doesn't matter，Roger．I don't need your help．Mother always helps me．Mother loves me best．'She suddenly smiled，a quick，beautiful smile．But her eyes were cold．
　　Jackie looked at her mother．Molly's face was white．Jackie did not understand．Was her mother afraid of Diane？Jackie wanted her mother to be happy today．
　　'Would you like some more meat，Uncle Albert？'Jackie asked．'Roger，can you give everyone some more to drink？
　　Roger got up and began to give more wine to everyone．'This is good wine，'he said．
　　Molly smiled for the first time．'Yes，your father loved this wine．He often drank it．'
　　'Yes，'Albert saidand looked at Molly．'Expensive，too．'
　　'Would you like to meet Mr Briggs this weekend，Roger？Jackie asked quickly．'He's the new man at the farm．He wants to meet you．'
　　'Briggs？Briggs？'Molly said，suddenly angry．'Don't talk to me about that man．I don't like him．He wants half my garden for his farm．He needs more land，he says．I don't want him in my house．He's always dirty and he has bad teeth．'
　　Jackie stood up and got her bag．'Excuse me，I want a cigarette．'
　　'Cigarettes！Always a cigarette in your mouth，'Molly said．'I don't like it．Cigarettes aren't good for you．'
　　Jackie began to smoke．She felt angry but she said nothing．She wanted her mother to be happy this evening，but it was very difficult．
　　Roger drank some more wine．'Well，Mother，perhaps Mr Briggs is right．The garden is very big，you know，'he said．'It's a lot of work for you．The house is big，too．You're fifty now．You need to be more careful．'
　　'Roger！I don't need a nurse，you know！I work in the garden every day；I feel happy there．'Molly stood up．'I know you all want my money．You come here for a free dinner，you don't want to see me．You don't love me．You want my house，and my money．Well，you can all wait．No-body is getting more money from me，not before I die！'
　　'Don't say that，Mother！'Jackie cried．
　　Molly walked across the room to the door．'I feel ill now．I'm going upstairs to bed．'
　　Molly left the room．Nobody moved．
　　'One day I'm going to kill that woman，'Diane said quietly．
　　Roger looked at Diane but said nothing．Albert moved his head slowly up and down．'Ill！She's angry，that's all，'he said．'Molly always gets angry about money．Why can't she be good to her sister？Annie's going to die soon．Molly knows that．'
　　Jackie finished her cigarette and stood up．'Would everyone like some coffee？Come into the kitchen and let's drink it there．'

2

　　星期六晚上7点。杰基站在窗前。一辆小车徐徐驶到前门停下来。一个白头发、高个子的男人下了车，他是艾伯特，莫利姐姐的丈夫。
　　“是艾伯特姨父，”杰基说。“他总是迟到。”
　　她走出房间打开前门。艾伯特走进来，立刻便走向莫利。
　　“哦，亲爱的，抱歉，我来得太迟了，”艾伯特说。“今天是你50岁生日！多漂亮的裙子！”
　　莫利没有笑。“谢谢你，艾伯特。我们都老了。”今晚她穿了一条长长的黑裙子，两条黑狗蹲在她脚边。“现在大家都到了，咱们吃饭吧。”她说。
　　大家都站起来走到桌前。
　　“餐桌看起来不错，杰基。多美的花啊！”黛安娜说。她是个美丽的女孩，有一头长长的黑头发和一双深蓝色的眼睛，她穿了一条红色的长裙。
　　艾伯特坐在罗杰的旁边。罗杰是莫利的儿子，她的第二个孩子。他住在剑桥一幢昂贵的房子里。
　　“有个叫彼特的人沿路阻挡我，”艾伯特说。“他是谁？他很生你的气，莫利。”
　　“那是彼得·霍布斯，家住在马路对面的房子里。”杰基很快地说。她看着餐桌对面的莫利。“他上周丢了工作，他生每个人的气。”
　　“他不喜欢的是莫利，”艾伯特说。
　　莫利一言不发。大家开始吃东西。
　　“安妮姨妈好吗？”杰基问。
　　“她现在更糟糕了，”艾伯特说。“她所有时间都呆在床上。她一天24小时都需要护士。”
　　“我真难过”，莫利说。
　　艾伯特停下来看着莫利。“你知道，这事非常麻烦并且非常花钱。莫利，安妮因为你不去看她很不高兴。她非常爱你，你知道，你是她的小妹妹。”
　　莫利闭上了眼。“我知道这些，艾伯特。我都50岁了，可我总是她的'小'妹妹。好吧，我们以后再谈这事。”
　　艾伯特笑道。“哦，是啊，我们以后再谈。莫利，和你总是以后，总是明天。从来不是今天。”
　　杰基看着她的母亲，她的母亲生艾伯特的气。莫利从来就不喜欢谈论她姐姐，也不喜欢去拜访她。而她病得很重。
　　“这裙子真漂亮，黛安娜。是新的吗？”杰基问。
　　“谢谢，杰基。是的，新裙子，非常贵。我周三才买的。”黛安娜说。她冲着杰基微笑。
　　“你所有的东西都昂贵，”杰基说。她记起周四关于火车票的电话。
　　“我不喜欢便宜的东西，”黛安娜说。“我不久会需要更多的钱，我想去美国。罗杰，你能帮我吗？”
　　“哦，不行，”罗杰说。“没有人想帮你，黛安娜。我们都知道，你不喜欢工作，但是我们都希望你找份工作。”
　　黛安娜笑道。“没关系，罗杰。我不需要你的帮助，妈妈总是会帮我的，妈妈最爱我。”她突然笑了一下，一个转瞬即逝美丽的微笑。可她的眼神却是冷冷的。
　　杰基看着她的妈妈，莫利脸色苍白。杰基不明白为什么。她的妈妈会怕黛安娜？杰基希望她的妈妈今天快快乐乐。
　　“艾伯特姨父，你还要些肉吗？”杰基问。“罗杰，你能给每人再添些饮料吗？”
　　罗杰站起来动手给大家加了些酒。“这酒不错，”他说。
　　莫利第一次笑了。“是啊，你父亲爱喝这种酒。他经常喝。”
　　“是啊”，艾伯特看着莫利说“也非常贵。”
　　“罗杰，这个周末你想见见布里格斯吗？”杰基急忙问。“他刚来农场。他想见见你。”
　　“布里格斯？布里格斯？”莫利说，她突然生气了。“不要和我谈那个男人，我不喜欢他。他想要我把一半的花园当他的农场。他说，他需要更多的土地。我不希望他来我家，他总是脏兮兮的，还有一口坏牙。”
　　杰基站起来拿她的包。“抱歉，我想抽枝烟。”
　　“烟！你的嘴总是叼着烟，”莫利说。“我讨厌烟，抽烟对你不好。”

　　杰基开始抽烟，她感到很生气，但她什么也没说。她想让她妈妈今晚快乐些，可看来这非常难。
　　罗杰喝了好些酒。“好啦，妈妈，布里格斯先生可能是对的。你清楚，花园是太大了，”他说。“你要干许多的事，房子也太大了。你都50岁了，你需要更多的照顾。”
　　“罗杰！你明白，我不需要护士！我每天在花园里干点活，我在那儿感到快乐。”莫利站起来。“我知道你们都想要我的钱。你们来这儿只为一顿免费的晚餐，不是想来看看我，你们不爱我。你们想要我的房子，我的钱。好吧，你们都等着。在我死之前，任何人都别想从我这儿得一点儿！”
　　“别说这些，妈妈！”杰基叫道。
　　莫利穿过房间走到门前。“现在我感到不舒服。我要上楼睡觉了。”
　　莫利离开了房间，大家都没动。
　　“有一天我会杀了这女人，”黛安娜平静地说。
　　罗杰看看黛安娜，但什么也没说。艾伯特上下摇晃着脑袋。“不舒服！她生气了，就这样，”他说。“莫利谈到钱总要生气。为什么她不能对她姐姐好点？安妮不久就要死了，莫利知道这些。”
　　杰基抽完烟站起来。“每人都来些咖啡吗？到厨房去，咱们在那儿喝吧！”
3 Chapter

　　Early next morning the house was quiet．Suddenly there was a cry from the room next to Roger's，his mother's room．Roger opened his eyes and looked at the clock．It was nearly seven o'clock．He got out of bed and opened the door quietly．At the same time the door of his mother's room opened and Diane came out．Her face was very white．
　　'Roger！It' s Mother！I brought a cup of coffee for her and I found her dead．She's dead…dead in her bed，'she cried．
　　Roger went quickly to the door of his mother's room and looked in．The window was open but the room was warm．Molly was on the bed，one hand under her head．Roger went across to the bed and put his hand on her arm．It was cold．On the little table next to the bed was a hot cup of coffee and an empty cup．
　　'I'm going to call the doctor，'Diane said．
　　'She's dead，'Roger said slowly．His face，too，was white．'Mother is dead！'
　　Diane walked across the room to the door．'I'm going to phone the doctor，'she said again．
　　'Wait a minute！'Roger called．'Let's tell the family first．'
　　'Family！Nobody loved Mother！'Diane went out and ran downstairs．
　　Roger slowly went downstairs after her and stood by the telephone．
　　'Dr Pratt，this is Diane Clarkson．It's my mother—she's dead．Can you come quickly？'
　　Diane put the phone down．'It isn't true，Roger！Mother dead！Daddy died last winter，and now Mother．'Diane began to cry．
　　'Don't cry，Diane，'Roger said．'Let's go upstairs and tell Uncle Albert and Jackie．'
　　'No！You tell them！Nobody loved Mother．You aren't sorry．Look at you！You want her money．That's all．'
　　Roger suddenly wanted to hit Diane．'Be quiet！'he said．'What about you？You didn't love Mother．You wanted her money，too．Don't forget that！'
　　'It's true，'Diane said．'Oh，I can't stay in this house．I'm going out．I'm going to the river with the dogs．'
　　'No，'Roger said．'The doctor's coming and I want you here．'
　　Diane said nothing．She went into the kitchen and at once the dogs got up and came to her．'Beautiful dogs！Daddy loved you and Mother loved you．Now I'm going to love you．'She opened the back door and went out with the dogs．
　　Roger did not move．He stood by the telephone．'It's true，'he thought．'I am happy about the money．I needed money，and now I'm rich．Things are going to be easier for me now．But Mother…why didn't I love her more？ And now she's dead．'Slowly，Roger went back upstairs．He wanted to dress before Dr Pratt arrived．
　　Dr Pratt was a little fat man without much hair．He was the family doctor and he knew all the Clarkson family very well．He went upstairs at once and looked at Molly's body．He looked carefully at the cup of coffee and the empty cup on the table next to her bed．
　　'I'm sorry，Roger，'he said．'Where is Diane？She phoned me．'
　　'She went out with the dogs，'Roger said．'She was angry with me—angry with everyone．'
　　Dr Pratt said nothing for a minute．'This is going to be very difficult．I'm going to phone the police，Roger．'
　　'Police！Why？What's wrong？
　　'I don't know．Your mother wasn't ill．I saw her on Thursday and she was very well．Why did she die？I don' t understand．I want to find out．'
　　Roger went across to the window and looked out at the gar-den．It was a beautiful summer morning．The sky was blue and the garden was green．It was all very quiet．His mother loved this garden．But Tom Briggs wanted the garden．And Roger wanted the garden，too．Roger felt worse and worse．
　　'Your mother took sleeping tablets，'Dr Pratt said．'Did you know？On Thursday she had a new bottle of tablets，but I can't find it here in her room．'
　　'I didn't know，'Roger said．'Very well．Let's go down-stairs and you can phone the police．'
　　Roger went into the kitchen and made some coffee．Just then Diane came in with the dogs．
　　'Roger，'she said．'Look，I'm sorry．I was angry and said some angry things．'
　　'It doesn't matter，'Roger said．'Here you are，have some coffee．Dr Pratt is phoning the police．Did you know Mother took sleeping tablets？Well，the bottle is not in her room．'
　　'What？I don't understand．'Diane took the coffee and be－gan to drink．Her eyes looked big and dark．
　　Just then Dr Pratt came into the kitchen．'They're coming at once，'he said．'Diane—I'm sorry about your mother．'
　　'Dr Pratt，I want to tell you about last night．Everyone was very angry…'
　　'Be quiet！'Roger said quickly．
　　'Diane neve