I. In the Drain

【词汇】

drain： /dreɪn,dren/ n. 排水；下水道，排水管

cane：n. 手杖；藤条

clothespin：n. （晒衣用的）衣夹

shinny：/'ʃɪni,ˋʃɪnɪ/ v. [I ]shinny up/down：to climb quickly up or down a tree, pole etc by using your hands and legs快速地爬上/爬下

cord：/kɔːd,kɔrd/ n. 绳索；束缚

set to work：开始工作；开始做…

worsted：['wʊstɪd]n. 精纺毛织物；毛线

patch pocket：a pocket on the outside of a garment 服装的外口袋

solemnly:  ['sɑləmli] adv. 庄严地；严肃地

flashlight: n. 手电筒；闪光灯

feed up: 给(某人)以充分的(或有营养的)食物；养肥

as a general rule: 一般地；照例

agreeable: written,old-fashioned pleasant

a trifle: formal slightly

jerk: vt. 猛拉

kneel: vi. 跪下，跪

sprinkle: [T] to scatter small drops of liquid or small pieces of something

violet: n. 紫罗兰

feel onself: 镇定；感觉很好；觉得身体正常

【那些值得学习的表达】

Mr. and Mrs. Little named him Stuart, and Mr. Little made him a tiny bed out of four clothespins and a cigarette box.

She set to work and made him a fine little blue worsted suit with patch pockets in which he could keep his handkerchief, his money, and his keys.

Every morning, before Stuart dressed, Mrs. Little went into his room and weighed him on a small scale which was really meant for weighing letters.

In the mornings the sun streamed in through the east windows, and all the Littles were up early as a general rule.

"What had I better do?" she cried, trying to keep the tears back.

So Stuart slipped into his old pants and prepared to go down the drain after the ring.

And while Mr. Little knelt in the tub, Stuart slid easily down the drain and was lost to view.