19_A_Very_Dear_Cat
19 A Very Dear Cat¶
Kidnappers are rarely interested in animals, but they recently took considerable interest in Mrs. Eleanor Ramsay's cat. Mrs. Eleanor Ramsay, a very wealthy old lady, has shared a flat with her cat, Rastus, for a great many years. Rastus leads an orderly life. He usually takes a short walk in the evenings and is always home by seven o'clock. One evening, however he failed to arrive. Mrs. Ramsay got very worried. She looked everywhere for him but could not find him.
Three days after Rastus' disappearance, Mrs. Ramsay received an anonymous letter. The writer stated that Rastus was in safe hands and would be returned immediately if Mrs. Ramsay paid a ransom of ￡1, 000. Mrs.Ramsay was instructed to place the money in a cardboard box and to leave it outside her door. At first, she decided to go to the police, but fearing that she would never see Rastus again--the letter had made that quite clear--she changed her mind. She withdrew ￡1000 from her bank and followed the kidnapper's instructions. The next morning, the box had disappeared but Mrs.Ramsay was sure that the kidnapper would keep his word. Sure enough, Rastus arrived punctually at seven o'clock that evening. He looked very well, though he was rather thirsty, for he drank half a bottle of milk. The police were astounded when Mrs. Ramsay told them what she had done. She explained that Rastus was very dear to her. Considering the amount she paid, he was dear in more ways than one!
Words¶
- Kidnappers /ˈkɪdˌnæpɚz/ 绑匪
- considerable /kənˈsɪdɚəbəl/ 相当大的
- flat /flæt/ 公寓
- anonymous /əˈnɑnəməs/ 匿名的
- ransom /ˈrænsəm/ 赎金
- cardboard /ˈkɑrdˌbɔrd/ 硬纸板
- withdrew /wɪθˈdru/ 取钱
- punctually /ˈpʌŋktʃuəlɪ/ 准时地
- astounded /əˈstaʊndɪd/ 使震惊
- dear /dɪr/ 宝贵的
Expressions¶
- be dear to somebody 为某人所珍视
- a considerable amount/number of sth. 相当多的
- in an orderly fashion/manner 有序地
- anonymous + letter/ (phone) call 匿名信/电话
- remain anonymous 保持匿名
- a ransom of +钱
- It astounded sb. that +句子 使某人吃惊的是...
- share sth. with sb. 与某人分享某物
- take a short/long walk 散一小会儿步/走很远
- get worried… 担心起来
- in safe hands… 安然无恙
- at first… 起初
- go to the police 报警
- make sth. clear… 把某事说清楚
- change sb’s mind 改变某人的主意
- follow sb’s instructions... 听从某人的指示
- keep sb’s word 遵守诺言
- sure enough 果然
- sb. explained that + 句子 某人解释说……
- Considering+ n., 句子 考虑到……
- in more ways than one 不止一种意义