Lesson49 The ideal servant
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课文
It is a good thing my aunt Harriet died years ago.
我的姑妈哈丽特好多年前就去世了，这倒是件好事。
If she were alive today she would not be able to air her views on her favourite topic of conversation: domestic servants.
如果她活到今天，她将不能就她热衷的话题“佣人”发表意见了。
Aunt Harriet lived in that leisurely age when servants were employed to do housework.
哈丽特生活在一个悠闲的年代，家务事都由雇来的佣人代劳。
She had a huge, rambling country house called 'The Gables'.
她在乡下有一幢巨大杂乱的房子，叫作“山墙庄园”。
She was sentimentally attached to this house, for even though it was far too big for her needs, she persisted in living there long after her husband's death.
她对这幢房子在感情上难舍难分。房子实在太大了，但在丈夫去世多年后，她仍然执意长年住在那儿。
Before she grew old, aunt Harriet used to entertain lavishly.
哈丽特姑妈年轻时，喜欢大摆宴席，招待宾客。
I often visited The Gables when I was a boy.
我小时候常去“山墙庄园”作客。
No matter how many guests were present, the great house was always immaculate.
不管去多少宾客，大房子里总是收拾得干干净净。
The parquet floors shone like mirrors; highly polished silver was displayed in gleaming glass cabinets; even my uncle's huge collection of books was kept miraculously free from dust.
镶木地板洁如明镜，擦得发亮的银器陈列在明亮的玻璃柜里，连姑夫的大量藏书也保存得很好，奇迹般地一尘不染。
Aunt Harriet presided over an invisible army of servants that continuously scrubbed, cleaned, and polished.
哈丽特姑妈统率着一支看不见的佣人大军，他们不停地擦拭、清扫、刷洗。
She always referred to them as 'the shifting population', for they came and went with such frequency that I never even got a chance to learn their names.
她称这些佣人叫“流动人口”，因为他们来匆匆，所以我甚至都没有机会知道他们的姓名。
Though my aunt pursued what was, in those days an enlightened policy, in that she never allowed her domestic staff to work more than eight hours a day, she was extremely difficult to please.
姑妈待佣人在当时算是开明的，从来不让佣人每天工作超过8小时，但他们很难使她称心如意。
While she always criticized the fickleness of human nature, she carried on an unrelenting search for the ideal servant to the end of her days, even after she had been sadly disillusioned by Bessie.
她一方面总是批评人的本性朝三暮四，另一方面她又持之以恒地寻找一个理想的佣人。即使在贝西大大地伤她的心之后，她还在找，一直到她死去。
Bessie worked for aunt Harriet for three years.
贝西在哈丽特家干了3年。
During that time she so gained my aunt's confidence, that she was put in charge of the domestic staff.
在此期间，她赢得了姑母的赏识，甚至当上了大管家。
Aunt Harriet could not find words to praise Bessie's industriousness and efficiency.
哈丽特不知该用什么言辞来赞扬贝西的勤奋与高效。
In addition to all her other qualifications, Bessie was an expert cook.
贝西除了有各种本领以外，还是一个烹饪大师。
She acted the role of the perfect servant for three years before Aunt Harriet discovered her 'little weakness'.
她担任“理想仆人”角色3年之后，哈丽特终于发现她有“小小的弱点”。
After being absent from The Gables for a week, my aunt unexpectedly returned one afternoon with a party of guests and instructed Bessie to prepare dinner.
一次，姑妈有一个星期没在“山墙庄园”住，一天下午，她出其不意地回来了，带来一大批客人，吩咐贝西准备晚饭。
Not only was the meal well below the usual standard, but Bessie seemed unable to walk steadily.
结果，不仅饭菜远不如平时做得好，而且贝西走起路来似乎东倒西歪。
She bumped into the furniture and kept mumbling about the guests.
她撞到了家具上，嘴里还不断咕咕哝哝议论客人。
When she came in with the last course -- a huge pudding -- she tripped on the carpet and the pudding went flying through the air, narrowly missed my aunt, and crashed on the dining table with considerable force.
当她端着最后一道菜--一大盘布丁--走进屋来时，在地毯上绊了一跤。布丁飞到半空，从姑母身边擦过，然后狠狠地砸在餐桌上。
Though this caused great mirth among the guests, Aunt Harriet was horrified.
这件事引起了客人们的欢笑，但哈丽特却着实吓了一跳。
She reluctantly came to the conclusion that Bessie was drunk.
她不得不认定贝西是喝醉了。
The guests had, of course, realized this from the moment Bessie opened the door for them and, long before the final catastrophe, had had a difficult time trying to conceal their amusement.
客人们自然从贝西为他们开门那一刻起就看出来了，在好长一段时间里，即最后这个乱子发生前，他们努力克制才没笑出声来。
The poor girl was dismissed instantly.
贝西当即被解雇了。
After her departure, Aunt Harriet discovered that there were piles of empty wine bottles of all shapes and sizes neatly stacked in what had once been Bessie's wardrobe.
贝西走后，哈丽特姑妈发现在贝西以前用过的衣柜里整整齐齐地放着一堆堆形状各导、大小不一的酒瓶子。
They had mysteriously found their way there from the wine cellar!
这些酒瓶神不知鬼不觉地从酒窖来到了这里。
词汇讲解
rambling ['ræmblɪŋ] adj. 不规则的，布局凌乱的
rambling adj. 英文解释：(esp. of buildings, streets, towns, etc.) extending in various directions irregularly（尤指建筑物、街道、城镇等）无规则地向各方延伸的，布局凌乱的
She had a huge, rambling country house called 'The Gables'.
【同根词】
ramble v.& n. 漫步，闲逛
I like rambling in the country.
There's plenty to discover as you ramble around this little island.
I quite like the idea of going for a ramble one weekend.
rambler n. 漫步者
Exploring really deep caves is not a task for the Sunday afternoon rambler.
sentimentally [sentɪ'mentəlɪ] adv. 情感上；多情地
【同根词】
sentimental adj. 含义1. relating to emotions instead of reason 情感的（而非理智的）
for sentimental reasons 出于感情的原因
He wasn't the sort of person who kept things for sentimental reasons.
sentimental value 情感价值
The rings that were stolen were of great sentimental value.
have a sentimental attachment to … 在感情上与某人某物依恋
He had a sentimental attachment to his birth-place.
sentimental adj. 含义2. making people experience feelings of sadness, sympathy, love, etc., especially in a deliberate and obvious way 煽情的
a sentimental song / book / movie 煽情的…
sentimental adj. 含义3. expressing feelings of sadness, sympathy, love etc., especially in a way that seems inappropriate 多愁善感的
I'm just a sentimental old man.
sentimentally adv. （派生形容词的含义）
be sentimentally attached to … 在感情上与某人某物依恋
The couple are sentimentally attached to each other.
She was sentimentally attached to this house, for even though it was far too big for her needs, she persisted in living there long after her husband's death.
preside [prɪ'zaɪd] v. 主持（会议等）；掌管，领导
preside at … 主持……
I shall be pleased to preside at your meetings.
They asked if I would preside at the committee meeting.
preside over … 掌管，领导
The city council is presided over by the mayor.
Finch presided over the company for 30 years.
Aunt Harriet presided over an invisible army of servants that continuously scrubbed, cleaned, and polished.
【词根】Lesson47
“sid / sed” = sit
assiduous adj. 刻苦的，勤勉的
sedulous adj. 聚精会神的；勤勉的；勤苦工作的
sedative adj. 使镇静的；使安静的
sediment n. 沉积；沉淀物
preside vi. 主持，担任会议主席 vt. 管理
president n. 总统；董事长；校长；主席
reside vi. 住，居住；属于
residence n. 住宅，住处；居住
subside vi. 平息；减弱；沉淀；坐下
subsidiary adj. 附属的；辅助的
However, there is an even more insidious kind of pollution that particularly affects urban areas and invades our daily lives, and that is noise.
An all-night party on New Year's Eve, provided me with a good excuse for not carrying out either of these new resolutions on the first day of the year, but on the second, I applied myself assiduously to the task.
I wanna hold you till I die, till we both break down and cry. I wanna hold you till the fear in me subsides.
unrelenting [ʌnrɪ'lentɪŋ] adj. 不屈不挠的；持续不断的
unrelenting adj. 含义1. extremely determined, never weakening in effort or admitting defeat 非常坚决的，不屈不挠的
He was unrelenting in his search for the truth about his father.
She will be remembered as an unrelenting opponent of racial discrimination.
unrelenting adj. 2. an unpleasant situation that is unrelenting continues for a long time without stopping（不愉快的事）持续不断的
an unrelenting downpour of rain
the unrelenting pressures of the job relentless
【同义词】
relentless
her relentless（1.非常坚决的，不屈不挠的） pursuit of perfection
a regime that was relentless （1.非常坚决的，不屈不挠的）in its persecution of dissidents
the relentless（2.持续不断的） crying of a small baby
a family facing relentless（2.持续不断的） financial problems
【同根词】
relent v. 态度缓和；减弱
At last her father relented and came to visit her.
The pressure on us to finish this task will not relent.
【近义词】
incessant adj. 英文解释：(usually disapproving) never stopping （贬义）持续不断的，没完没了的
incessant noise / rain / chatter
A recent survey of the effects of noise revealed (surprisingly?) that dogs barking incessantly in the night rated the highest form of noise pollution on a scale ranging from 1 to 7.
perpetual / eternal / everlasting adj. 永恒的，长久的；没完没了的
insistent adj. 声音持续不断的；坚持要求的
persistent adj. 坚持不懈的；没完没了的
disillusion [dɪsɪ'lu:ʒn] v. 使幻想破灭
disillusion v. 英文解释：to make someone realize that something which they thought was true or good is not really true or good 使幻想破灭
I hate to disillusion you, but not everyone is as honest as you.
be disillusioned with / by… 对某人某事大失所望、幻想破灭
Voters are disillusioned with / by the democratic process.
【近义词组】
be disenchanted with …对某人某事大失所望、幻想破灭
After three divorces he became disenchanted with married life.
be disappointed with / by / at … 对某人某事所望
feel let down 感到失望
let sb. down 让某人失望
qualification [kwɒlɪfɪ'keɪʃn] n. 资格，能力；文凭，资质证书
qualification n. 含义1：an ability or quality that you need in order to do a particular job or position（某工作需要的）资格，能力
qualification for … 资格
Previous teaching experience is a necessary qualification for this job.
qualification to do sth. 做某事的资格、能力
There have been questions about his qualifications to lead the company.
Does he have the right qualifications to become a Supreme Court Justice?
qualification n. 含义2. an official record showing that you have finished a training course or have the necessary skills, etc. 文凭，资质证书
academic（学位） / vocational（职业） qualifications …证书
You'll never get a good job if you don't have any qualifications.
【同根词】
qualify v.（使）有资格或能力
qualify as 有…的能力
He qualified as a doctor last year.
qualify sb. to do sth. 使某人有资格做某事
The test qualifies you to drive heavy vehicles.
qualify sb. for sth. 使某人有资格获得某事
This training course will qualify you for a better job.
Membership qualifies you for a discount on purchases.
课文讲解
（第一段）
It is a good thing my aunt Harriet died years ago.
知识点（1）
It is a good thing (that) … 幸亏……
It is a good thing that we brought an umbrella.
If she were alive today she would not be able to air her views on her favourite topic of conversation: domestic servants.
语法分析:
If she were（虚拟语气） alive today（条件状语从句） she would not be able to air her views on her favourite topic of conversation: domestic servants（同位语）.
知识点（1）复习
语法：与现在事实相反的虚拟语气
If + S. + did / were …, S. + would / should / could / might + do …
知识点（2）
air v. 英文解释：to express your opinions publicly 公开表达……
air one’s views（观点） / opinions（看法） / grievances（委屈） / complaints（抱怨） (on …) 公开表达…
In an interview, the singer aired his views on family life.
造句：在会上每个人都将有机会 (get a chance) 当前的局势发表看法。
At the meeting everyone will get a chance to air their views on the current situation.
知识点（3）
topic 话题
a topic of conversation / discussion / debate 一个交谈的/讨论的/辩论的话题
a sensitive / controversial topic 一个敏感的/引人争议的话题
知识点（4）
domestic servant 家仆
maidservant 女仆
public servant 公仆
civil servant 文职公务员
Readers happily accepted the fact that an obscure maidservant was really the hero's mother.
The Swedes were the first to recognize that public officials like civil servants, police officers, health inspectors or tax-collectors can make mistakes or act over-zealously in the belief that they are serving the public.
Aunt Harriet lived in that leisurely age when servants were employed to do housework.
知识点（1）
leisurely adj. & adv. done without hurrying 悠闲的/地，从容的/地
a leisurely bath （洗个澡）/ meal（吃个饭） / stroll（散个步） 悠闲地…
Couples strolled leisurely along the beach.
知识点（2）Lesson13
表达“做家务”
do (the) housework
do (the) household chores
表达“洗衣服”
do the laundry
do the washing
表达“洗碗”
do / wash the dishes
do the washing-up
She had a huge, rambling country house called 'The Gables'.
She was sentimentally attached to this house, for even though it was far too big for her needs, she persisted in living there long after her husband's death.
语法分析:
She was sentimentally attached to this house, for（for ... 原因状语从句) even though it was far too big for her needs（让步状语从句）, she persisted in living there long after her husband's death（时间状语）.
知识点（1）
【复习】Lesson18、43
attach sth. to sth. 把A和B连到一起
The sides of the dish were so smooth that it was almost impossible to attach hawsers and chains to the rim without damaging it.
【本文】
be attached to sb. / sth. （感情上联系到一起）
英文解释：to like someone or something very much, because you have known them or had them for a long time 依恋……
I've never seen two people so attached to each other.
The children are very attached to their grandparents.
We've grown deeply attached to this house and would hate to move.
I am sentimentally attached to my old guitar.
知识点（2）
much / far too … （加强语气）实在是太…
Alice is far too young to get married.
slightly / a little / a bit / a little bit too … （减弱语气）有点…
I think you’re a bit too young to watch this.
知识点（3）
persist v. 含义1. to continue to do sth. in spite of difficulties or opposition, in a way that can seem unreasonable 坚持，执意
persist in … 坚持要做…
Why do you persist in blaming yourself for what happened?
She persisted in her search for the truth.
persist v. 含义2. if sth. bad persists, it continues to exist or happen（坏事）持续（存在或发生）
If the pain persists, you must see a doctor.
Competition between ourselves, person against person, community against community, still persists, however; and it is as fierce as it ever was.
【同根词】
persistent adj. 1.坚持的，执意的；2.（坏事）没完没了的
She can be very persistent（坚持的，执意的） when she wants something.
a persistent（没完没了的） cough
He resigned over persistent （没完没了的）rumours of his affair with an actress.
知识点（4）Lesson43
shortly before / after … 在…之前/之后不久
The accident happened shortly before（介词） midday.
I saw him shortly before（连词） he died.
Police arrived at the scene shortly after（介词） midnight.
Shortly after（连词） it was launched, the pie committee went to a local inn to celebrate.
Shortly afterwards （副词短语）不久之后
Shortly afterwards, four more policemen arrived and remonstrated with the workmen.
long before / after …在…之前/之后很久
He was known to us all as Dickie and his eccentricity had become legendary long before（连词） he died.
She was sentimentally attached to this house, for even though it was far too big for her needs, she persisted in living there long after（介词） her husband's death.
Before she grew old, aunt Harriet used to entertain lavishly.
知识点（1）
entertain v. 英文解释：to invite people to eat or drink with you as your guests, especially in your home（在家中）宴客
I don't entertain very often.
Bob and Liz entertained us to dinner last night.
知识点（2）
lavish adj. 英文解释：very generous 慷慨的，大方的
entertain lavishly 大宴宾客
The Bradfords always entertained lavishly at Christmas.
I often visited The Gables when I was a boy.
No matter how many guests were present, the great house was always immaculate.
知识点（1）
immaculate = spotless adj. v英文解释：ery clean and tidy 一尘不染的
The parquet floors shone like mirrors; highly polished silver was displayed in gleaming glass cabinets; even my uncle's huge collection of books was kept miraculously free from dust.
知识点（1）
parquet n. [U] 英文解释：small flat blocks of wood fitted together in a pattern that cover the floor of a room 镶木地板
a parquet floor
知识点（2）
silver = silverware n. 英文解释：spoons, forks, dishes etc that are made of silver 银器，银餐具
It was my job to polish the silver.
知识点（3）复习
gleam v. shine softly 发出柔和的光
He had polished the table-top until it gleamed.
gleaming windows
his gleaming white teeth
知识点（4）
cabinet n. 英文解释：piece of furniture with drawers or shelves for storing or displaying things 储藏柜
知识点（5）
miraculous adj. 英文解释：like a miracle; completely unexpected and very lucky 奇迹般的
A teenage boy had a miraculous escape from death last night when he fell into an ice-cold river.
They miraculously survived the plane crash.
Aunt Harriet presided over an invisible army of servants that continuously scrubbed, cleaned, and polished.
知识点（1）
preside over … 掌管……
He presided over the company for 10 years.
Some people believe the Fates preside over man’s destiny.
知识点（2）
army n. 英文解释：a large number of people who are doing the same thing or in the same situation 一大群人….
army of … …的大军
Armies of rescue workers are sorting through the rubble.
the army of the unemployed 失业大军
知识点（3）
scrub v. clean sth. thoroughly by rubbing hard, esp. with a brush and soap and water 彻底擦洗某物
She always referred to them as 'the shifting population', for they came and went with such frequency that I never even got a chance to learn their names.
语法分析:
She always referred to them as 'the shifting population', for（for...原因状语) they came and went with such frequency that I never even got a chance to learn their names（结果状语从句）.
知识点（1）Lesson4
表达“把A看成B”：
refer to A as B
call A B
know A as B
address A as B
知识点（2）
shifting adj. always changing or moving 不停变化或移动的
知识点（3）复习
… so frequently that … （写法替换）
… with such frequency that …（名词更为正式）
造句：电话铃如此频繁地响起以至于我甚至没机会睡觉。
The telephone rang with such frequency that I didn’t even get a chance to sleep.
造句：他如此轻松地通过了考试以至于老师怀疑 (suspect sb. of doing ) 他作了弊。
He passed the exam with such ease that the teacher suspected him of cheating.
造句：他上楼如此之艰难以至于我还以为 (be under the impression that …) 他腿受伤了。
He walked up the stairs with such difficulty that we were under the impression that he had injured his leg.
知识点（4）
learn (of / about) sth. 英文解释：to become aware of sth. by hearing about it from sb. else 获悉，得知
I learnt of her arrival from a close friend.
How did they react when they learned the news?
Though my aunt pursued what was, in those days an enlightened policy, in that she never allowed her domestic staff to work more than eight hours a day, she was extremely difficult to please.
语法分析:
Though（引导让步状语从句） my aunt pursued what was, in those days（插入语）, an enlightened policy（宾语从句）, in that（引导原因状语从句) she never allowed her domestic staff to work more than eight hours a day, she was extremely difficult to please.
知识点（1）
enlightened adj. 英文解释：someone with enlightened attitudes has sensible, modern views and treats people fairly and kindly 开明的
an enlightened policy / attitude …
知识点（2）
domestic / medical / nursing / teaching / engineering / administrative staff（全体人员）
While she always criticized the fickleness of human nature, she carried on an unrelenting search for the ideal servant to the end of her days, even after she had been sadly disillusioned by Bessie.
语法分析:
While（尽管，引导让步状语从句） she always criticized the fickleness of human nature, she carried on an unrelenting search for the ideal servant（后置定语,修饰search） to the end of her days（时间状语）, even after she had been sadly disillusioned by Bessie（时间状语从句）.
知识点（1）
fickle adj. often changing 反复无常的，多变的
a fickle lover 花心情人
the fickle finger of fate （押韵）命运多变
【同根词】
fickleness n. 反复无常，多变
the fickleness of businessmen and politicians
the fickleness of the English climate
知识点（2）
carry on sth. 英文解释：to continue doing, pursuing, or operating 持续做某事，一直做某事
We have carried on a correspondence for years.
He carried on his baking business until he retired.
知识点（3）
unrelenting adj. 非常坚决的，不屈不挠的
知识点（4）
be disillusioned with / by … 对某人某事大失所望、幻想破灭
be very / extremely / completely / utterly / increasingly / sadly disillusioned with / by …（副词修饰）
As she grew older, Laura became increasingly disillusioned with politics.
I feel utterly disillusioned by his refusal to take any action.
（第二段）
Bessie worked for aunt Harriet for three years.
During that time she so gained my aunt's confidence, that she was put in charge of the domestic staff.
语法分析:
During that time she so（如此） gained my aunt's confidence, that she was put in charge of the domestic staff（结果状语从句）.
知识点（1）Lesson1
be in charge of … 管理……
be in the charge of … / in one’s charge 由……管理
take charge of … 接管……
put sb. in charge of … 交给某人管理……
Peter is in charge of the company.
The company is in the charge of Peter / in his charge.
Peter will be taking charge of the company next Monday.
They put Peter in charge of the company.
Peter was put in charge of the company.
Aunt Harriet could not find words to praise Bessie's industriousness and efficiency.
知识点（1）复习
表达“无法描述”：
I cannot find words to describe the beauty of the West Lake.
The beauty of the West Lake is beyond words / description.
The beauty of the West Lake defies description. (defy v. 使……不可能)
The beauty of the West Lake is more than words can describe.
知识点（2）
industrious adj. 勤劳的
industrial adj. 工业的
the industrious ant
the industrial revolution
In addition to all her other qualifications, Bessie was an expert cook.
知识点（1）
表达“除了…之外，还有…”
in addition to …
besides …
as well as …
apart from … / aside from …
Apart from an interesting-looking carved dagger, the box was full of crockery, much of it broken.
There they collected women as well as food and drink, and a life of ease had made them soft.
【扩展】
表达“除了…（排除掉）”
except ... / except for ...
excluding ... but ...
other than ...
with the exception of ...
apart from ... / aside from ... （*和上面两种表达都可以）
but （也可表示“除了…”）
Yet, in real life, circumstances do sometimes conspire to bring about coincidences which anyone but a nineteenth century novelist would find incredible.
【扩展】复习
表达“此外、而且、还”：（副词短语）
what is more / what’s more
moreover / furthermore
besides (adv.)
in addition
additionally
He could not find his fifty pence piece anywhere, and what is more, he could not get his arm out.
知识点（2）
expert adj. 英文解释：showing special skill or knowledge 熟练的，专家水平的
an expert gardener / driver
be expert in / at … 在…方面很专业
Bessie was expert in / at cooking.
She acted the role of the perfect servant for three years before Aunt Harriet discovered her 'little weakness'.
知识点（1）
play / perform / act (the role / part of) … 扮演……的角色
He played / performed / acted (the role / part of) Othello.
play a … role / part in … （派生含义）发挥某个作用
The river which forms the eastern boundary of our farm has always played an important part in our lives.
Not all sounds made by animals serve as language, and we have only to turn to that extraordinary discovery of echo-location in bats to see a case in which the voice plays a strictly utilitarian role.
知识点（2） Lesson2
She acted the role of the perfect servant for three years before（才） Aunt Harriet discovered her 'little weakness'.
Looking at his watch, he saw that it was one o'clock, but the bell struck thirteen times before（才） it stopped.
语法：before 的译法
1).强调主句的时间很长时,译为“才”
It will be a long time before we meet again.
2).强调主句的时间很短时,译为“就”：
I hadn’t waited long before he came.
3).有时候翻译成“然后”：
I shaved before I went to the party.
Alfred stayed in the camp a week before he returned to Athelney.
知识点（3）
weakness 含义1. 懦弱, 软弱 [U]
So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. ——John F. Kennedy
weakness 含义2. 弱点, 缺点 [C]
In their efforts to persuade us to buy this or that product, advertisers have made a close study of human nature and have classified all our little weaknesses.
【反义】
strength 优点, 长处 [C]
strengths and weaknesses 优点和缺点
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers.
After being absent from The Gables for a week, my aunt unexpectedly returned one afternoon with a party of guests and instructed Bessie to prepare dinner.
语法分析:
After being absent from The Gables for a week（时间状语）, my aunt unexpectedly returned one afternoon with a party of guests（伴随状语） and instructed Bessie to prepare dinner.
知识点（1）
be absent from … 不在……某个地方
知识点（2）
party n. 一群; 一队; 一组
a search / rescue party
a party of tourists / sightseers
The only regular visitors to the monastery in winter are parties of skiers who go there at Christmas and Easter.
知识点（2）
prepare / cook / fix dinner 做晚饭
Not only was the meal well below the usual standard, but Bessie seemed unable to walk steadily.
语法分析:
Not only（不但） was（部分倒装） the meal well below the usual standard, but（而且） Bessie seemed unable to walk steadily.
知识点（1）
表达“不但…而且…”
not only … but …
not only … but also …
not only … but … as well / too
not only … … as well / too
not only … …
Not only had（部分倒装） the poor man been arrested, but he had been sent to prison as well.
知识点（2）
well adv. 英文解释：a lot, or to a great degree 相当地，颇为，……得多
well before（早得多） / after（晚得多） / over（高得多） / above（高得多） / below（低得多） / worth（颇为值得、相当值得） …
I don't know how old he is, but he looks well over forty.
Pete left the party well before you got there.
The castle is well worth a visit.
知识点（3）
above / below (the) standard 高于/低于标准
Your work is above / below (the) standard.
She bumped into the furniture and kept mumbling about the guests.
知识点（1）
bump / run into 含义1.撞到……上
The car bumped / ran into a big pine.
bump / run into 含义2.偶遇……
I happened to bump / run into a friend of mine in the street.
知识点（2）Lesson29
mumble v. 英文解释：to say something too quietly or not clearly enough, so that people cannot hear what is said 小声咕哝
He was still mumbling something about hospitals at the end of the party when he slipped on a piece of ice and broke his left leg.
When she came in with the last course -- a huge pudding -- she tripped on the carpet and the pudding went flying through the air, narrowly missed my aunt, and crashed on the dining table with considerable force.
语法分析:
When she came in with the last course（时间状语从句） ― a huge pudding（同位语） ― she tripped on the carpet and the pudding went flying through the air, narrowly missed my aunt, and crashed on the dining table with considerable force（方式状语）.
知识点（1）
course 一道菜
知识点（2）
trip / stumble over / on sth. 在……上绊倒
He tripped / stumbled over / on a rock.
知识点（3）
flying through 飞也似的穿过
Chairs and tables went flying into the arcade.
Seeing a cake flying through the air, a lorry driver who was drawing up alongside the car, pulled up all of a sudden.
知识点（4）
narrowly miss 勉强错过、险些撞上
The Titanic turned just in time, narrowly missing the immense walk of ice which rose over 100 feet out of the water beside her.
Though this caused great mirth among the guests, Aunt Harriet was horrified.
知识点（1）
mirth n. [U] (fml.) happiness and laughter 欢笑
Her body began to shake with mirth.
The performance produced much mirth among the audience.
That caused considerable mirth amongst pupils.
She reluctantly came to the conclusion that Bessie was drunk.
知识点（1）Lesson36
draw / come to / arrive at / reach a conclusion 得出结论
bring … to a conclusion 使……结束
In the nineteenth century, a novelist would bring his story to a conclusion by presenting his readers with a series of coincidences — most of them wildly improbable.
The guests had, of course, realized this from the moment Bessie opened the door for them and, long before the final catastrophe, had had a difficult time trying to conceal their amusement.
语法分析:
The guests had, of course, realized this from the moment Bessie opened the door for them（时间状语，可以看作the moment后省略when，也可看做the moment是连词） and（并列）, long before the final catastrophe（时间状语）, had had a difficult time trying to conceal their amusement.
知识点（1）Lesson33
catastrophe
The telephone rings and this marks the prelude to an unforeseen series of catastrophes.
知识点（2）Lesson43
have a difficult / hard time doing 做某事很困难
The poor girl was dismissed instantly.
After her departure, Aunt Harriet discovered that there were piles of empty wine bottles of all shapes and sizes neatly stacked in what had once been Bessie's wardrobe.
语法分析:
After her departure（时间状语）, aunt Harriet discovered that （that… 宾语从句）there were piles of empty wine bottles of all shapes and sizes（后置定语,修饰bottles） neatly stacked（第二个后置定语,修饰bottles） in what had once been Bessie's wardrobe（宾语从句）.
知识点（1）
… of all shapes and sizes 各种形状的
Before long, biscuits of all shapes and sizes began arriving at the factory.
… of all kinds 各种各样的
…, vehicles of all kinds, especially large container trucks thundering through quiet villages, …
They had mysteriously found their way there from the wine cellar!
知识点（1）Lesson15
find one’s way 1.（人做主语）找到去…的路；2.（事物做主语）到达……
Very few of the fifty pence pieces and pound coins I have given him have found their way there.