translucent [trxnz'lHsnt], sure [Suq], aunt [Rnt]
That is as well as I can remember my vision of that garden the garden that haunts me still. Of course, I can convey nothing of that indescribable quality of translucent unreality, that difference from the common things of experience that hung about it all; but that that is what happened. If it was a dream, I am sure it was a day-time and altogether extraordinary dream Hm! naturally there followed a terrible questioning, by my aunt, my father, the nurse, the governess everyone
I tried to tell them ( ), and my father gave me my first thrashing for telling lies ( : ; to give smb. a thrashing -.; to thrash ; , , ). When afterwards I tried to tell my aunt ( ), she punished me again for my wicked persistence ( ). Then, as I said, everyone was forbidden to listen to me (, , ; to forbid ), to hear a word about it ( // ). Even my fairy tale books were taken away from me for a time ( ) because I was too imaginative ( = ; imaginative ). Eh (, )? Yes, they did that (, )! My father belonged to the old school ( )... And my story was driven back upon myself ( = ; to drive , ; ). I whispered it to my pillow ( ) my pillow that was often damp and salt to my whispering lips with childish tears ( , ). And I added always to my official and less fervent prayers this one heartfelt request ( ): Please God I may dream of the garden (, , ). Oh! take me back to my garden (, )! Take me back to my garden ( )!
punish ['pAnIS], imaginative [I'mxGInqtIv], official [q'fISql]
I tried to tell them, and my father gave me my first thrashing for telling lies. When afterwards I tried to tell my aunt, she punished me again for my wicked persistence. Then, as I said, everyone was forbidden to listen to me, to hear a word about it. Even my fairy tale books were taken away from me for a time because I was too imaginative. Eh? Yes, they did that! My father belonged to the old school And my story was driven back upon myself. I whispered it to my pillow my pillow that was often damp and salt to my whispering lips with childish tears. And I added always to my official and less fervent prayers this one heartfelt request: Please God I may dream of the garden. Oh! take me back to my garden! Take me back to my garden!
|
|
|
I dreamt often of the garden ( ; to dream , ). I may have added to it (, /-/ ), I may have changed it (, ); I do not know ( ) All this you understand is an attempt to reconstruct from fragmentary memories a very early experience ( , , // = ). Between that and the other consecutive memories of my boyhood there is a gulf ( ). A time came when it seemed impossible ( , ) I should ever speak of that wonder glimpse again ( - ; glimpse ; , ; ).
I asked an obvious question ( ).
dreamt [dremt], consecutive [kqn'sekjutIv], obvious ['ObvIqs]
I dreamt often of the garden. I may have added to it, I may have changed it; I do not know All this you understand is an attempt to reconstruct from fragmentary memories a very early experience. Between that and the other consecutive memories of my boyhood there is a gulf. A time came when it seemed impossible I should ever speak of that wonder glimpse again.
I asked an obvious question.
No (), he said. I dont remember that I ever attempted to find my way back to the garden in those early years ( , - ). This seems odd to me now ( ), but I think that very probably a closer watch was kept on my movements after this misadventure to prevent my going astray ( , = , ; watch ; ; to keep watch , ; to go astray , ). No, it wasnt until you knew me that I tried for the garden again (, , ). And I believe there was a period (, , ) incredible as it seems now ( ) when I forgot the garden altogether ( ) when I was about eight or nine it may have been (, , - ). Do you remember me as a kid at Saint Athelstans ( - )?
Rather ( )!
I didnt show any signs did I in those days of having a secret dream ( , , )?
close [klqus], watch [wOC], period ['pIqrIqd]
No, he said. I dont remember that I ever attempted to find my way back to the garden in those early years. This seems odd to me now, but I think that very probably a closer watch was kept on my movements after this misadventure to prevent my going astray. No, it wasnt until you knew me that I tried for the garden again. And I believe there was a period incredible as it seems now when I forgot the garden altogether when I was about eight or nine it may have been. Do you remember me as a kid at Saint Athelstans?
|
|
|
Rather!
I didnt show any signs did I in those days of having a secret dream?
II
He looked up with a sudden smile ( ).
Did you ever play North-West Passage with me ( - - / /)?.. No, of course you didnt come my way (, = ; to come smb.s way -., -.)!
It was the sort of game ( ), he went on ( ), that every imaginative child plays all day ( ). The idea was the discovery of a North-West Passage to school ( , - ). The way to school was plain enough ( ); the game consisted in finding some way that wasnt plain ( , - , ), starting off ten minutes early in some almost hopeless direction (: // - ), and working ones way round through unaccustomed streets to my goal ( // = ; to work ones way , ).
idea [aI'dIq], enough [I'nAf], almost ['Llmqust]
He looked up with a sudden smile.
Did you ever play North-West Passage with me?.. No, of course you didnt come my way!
It was the sort of game, he went on, that every imaginative child plays all day. The idea was the discovery of a North-West Passage to school. The way to school was plain enough; the game consisted in finding some way that wasnt plain, starting off ten minutes early in some almost hopeless direction, and working ones way round through unaccustomed streets to my goal.
And one day I got entangled among some rather low-class streets on the other side of Campden Hill ( - : ), and I began to think that for once the game would be against me and that I should get to school late ( , ; for once , ; - ). I tried rather desperately a street that seemed a cul-de-sac ( : , ), and found a passage at the end ( ). I hurried through that with renewed hope ( ). I shall do it yet ( - = ), I said, and passed a row of frowsy little shops that were inexplicably familiar to me ( , ; frowsy , , ; , ; ), and behold ( )! there was my long white wall and the green door that led to the enchanted garden ( , )!
The thing whacked upon me suddenly ( = ; whack ; ; to whack ; ). Then, after all, that garden, that wonderful garden, wasnt a dream (, , , )!
He paused ( / ).
cul-de-sac ['kAldqsxk], passage ['pxsIG], frowsy ['frauzI], inexplicably ["InIk'splIkqblI]
And one day I got entangled among some rather low-class streets on the other side of Campden Hill, and I began to think that for once the game would be against me and that I should get to school late. I tried rather desperately a street that seemed a cul de sac, and found a passage at the end. I hurried through that with renewed hope. I shall do it yet, I said, and passed a row of frowsy little shops that were inexplicably familiar to me, and behold! there was my long white wall and the green door that led to the enchanted garden!
|
|
|
The thing whacked upon me suddenly. Then, after all, that garden, that wonderful garden, wasnt a dream!
He paused.
I suppose my second experience with the green door marks the world of difference ( , ; to mark , , ; ; world ; , , , , . .) there is between the busy life of a schoolboy and the infinite leisure of a child ( = ). Anyhow, this second time I didnt for a moment think of going in straight away ( , , ). You see ( ) For one thing my mind was full of the idea of getting to school in time (-, , ) set on not breaking my record for punctuality ( , = = ). I must surely have felt SOME little desire at least to try the door (, , , , = ) yes, I must have felt that (, , , )
infinite ['InfInIt], leisure ['leZq], punctuality ["pAnktju'xlItI]
I suppose my second experience with the green door marks the world of difference there is between the busy life of a schoolboy and the infinite leisure of a child. Anyhow, this second time I didnt for a moment think of going in straight away. You see For one thing my mind was full of the idea of getting to school in time set on not breaking my record for punctuality. I must surely have felt SOME little desire at least to try the door yes, I must have felt that
But I seem to remember the attraction of the door mainly as another obstacle to my overmastering determination to get to school ( , , , ). I was immediately interested by this discovery I had made ( , ), of course () I went on with my mind full of it ( , ) but I went on ( ). It didnt check me ( ; to check ). I ran past tugging out my watch ( , ), found I had ten minutes still to spare (, ; to spare ; spare ), and then I was going downhill into familiar surroundings ( ). I got to school, breathless, it is true ( , , // ), and wet with perspiration, but in time ( , ). I can remember hanging up my coat and hat ( , ) Went right by it and left it behind me ( ). Odd, eh (, )?
|
|
|
obstacle ['Obstqkl], surroundings [sq'raundINz], breathless ['breTlIs], eh [eI]
But I seem to remember the attraction of the door mainly as another obstacle to my overmastering determination to get to school. I was immediately interested by this discovery I had made, of course I went on with my mind full of it but I went on. It didnt check me. I ran past tugging out my watch, found I had ten minutes still to spare, and then I was going downhill into familiar surroundings. I got to school, breathless, it is true, and wet with perspiration, but in time. I can remember hanging up my coat and hat Went right by it and left it behind me. Odd, eh?
He looked at me thoughtfully ( ). Of course (), I didnt know then that it wouldnt always be there ( , ). School boys have limited imaginations ( ). I suppose I thought it was an awfully jolly thing to have it there ( , , , ), to know my way back to it ( ), but there was the school tugging at me ( , ; to tug at , ). I expect I was a good deal distraught and inattentive that morning (, ; a good deal , ; ), recalling what I could of the beautiful strange people I should presently see again (, , , ). Oddly enough I had no doubt in my mind ( , / / ) that they would be glad to see me ( ) Yes, I must have thought of the garden that morning (, , , ) just as a jolly sort of place ( - ) to which one might resort in the interludes of a strenuous scholastic career ( // ; to resort , , / -. -. /).
awfully ['LfulI], distraught [dIs'trLt], doubt [daut]
He looked at me thoughtfully. Of course, I didnt know then that it wouldnt always be there. School boys have limited imaginations. I suppose I thought it was an awfully jolly thing to have it there, to know my way back to it, but there was the school tugging at me. I expect I was a good deal distraught and inattentive that morning, recalling what I could of the beautiful strange people I should presently see again. Oddly enough I had no doubt in my mind that they would be glad to see me Yes, I must have thought of the garden that morning just as a jolly sort of place to which one might resort in the interludes of a strenuous scholastic career.
I didnt go that day at all ( ). The next day was a half holiday ( ; half holiday ), and that may have weighed with me ( , , = ; to weigh with ; / . ./). Perhaps, too, my state of inattention brought down impositions upon me and docked the margin of time necessary for the detour (, , / , ). I dont know ( ). What I do know is that in the meantime the enchanted garden was so much upon my mind ( , , / ) that I could not keep it to myself ( = ).
I told ( ) What was his name ( )? a ferrety-looking youngster we used to call Squiff ( , ).
Young Hopkins ( ), said I.
holiday ['hOlqdeI], weigh [weI], detour ['dJtuq]
I didnt go that day at all. The next day was a half holiday, and that may have weighed with me. Perhaps, too, my state of inattention brought down impositions upon me and docked the margin of time necessary for the detour. I dont know. What I do know is that in the meantime the enchanted garden was so much upon my mind that I could not keep it to myself.
I told What was his name? a ferrety-looking youngster we used to call Squiff.
Young Hopkins, said I.
|
|
|
Hopkins it was (, ). I did not like telling him ( ; to like , ; , ), I had a feeling that in some way it was against the rules to tell him ( , - ), but I did ( ). He was walking part of the way home with me ( ); he was talkative ( ), and if we had not talked about the enchanted garden ( ) we should have talked of something else ( - ), and it was intolerable to me to think about any other subject ( - ). So I blabbed ( ).
talkative ['tLkqtIv], intolerable [In'tOlqrqbl], subject ['sAbGIkt]
Hopkins it was. I did not like telling him, I had a feeling that in some way it was against the rules to tell him, but I did. He was walking part of the way home with me; he was talkative, and if we had not talked about the enchanted garden we should have talked of something else, and it was intolerable to me to think about any other. So I blabbed.
Well, he told my secret (, ). The next day in the play interval I found myself surrounded by half a dozen bigger boys ( ), half teasing and wholly curious to hear more of the enchanted garden ( ; wholly , ). There was that big Fawcett ( ) you remember him ( )? and Carnaby and Morley Reynolds ( , ). You werent there by any chance ( , , )? No, I think I should have remembered if you were (, , , )
secret ['sJkrIt], dozen [dAzn], curious ['kjuqrIqs]
Well, he told my secret. The next day in the play interval I found myself surrounded by half a dozen bigger boys, half teasing and wholly curious to hear more of the enchanted garden. There was that big Fawcett you remember him? and Carnaby and Morley Reynolds. You werent there by any chance? No, I think I should have remembered if you were
A boy is a creature of odd feelings ( ). I was, I really believe ( , ), in spite of my secret self-disgust ( ), a little flattered to have the attention of these big fellows ( , ). I remember particularly a moment of pleasure caused by the praise of Crawshaw ( , ) you remember Crawshaw major ( ), the son of Crawshaw the composer ( , )? who said it was the best lie he had ever heard ( , , - ). But at the same time there was a really painful undertow of shame ( ; undertow , ) at telling what I felt was indeed a sacred secret ( , , ). That beast Fawcett made a joke about the girl in green ( ) .
creature ['krJCq], pleasure ['pleZq], sacred ['seIkrId]
A boy is a creature of odd feelings. I was, I really believe, in spite of my secret self-disgust, a little flattered to have the attention of these big fellows. I remember particularly a moment of pleasure caused by the praise of Crawshaw you remember Crawshaw major, the son of Crawshaw the composer? who said it was the best lie he had ever heard. But at the same time there was a really painful undertow of shame at telling what I felt was indeed a sacred secret. That beast Fawcett made a joke about the girl in green .
Wallaces voice sank with the keen memory of that shame ( ; keen , , / /). I pretended not to hear ( , ), he said. Well, then Carnaby suddenly called me a young liar and disputed with me (, ) when I said the thing was true ( , ). I said I knew where to find the green door ( , , ), could lead them all there in ten minutes (// ). Carnaby became outrageously virtuous ( : ), and said Id have to ( , / /) and bear out my words or suffer ( ). Did you ever have Carnaby twist your arm ( - )? Then perhaps youll understand how it went with me (, , , , ). I swore my story was true ( , ; to swear ). There was nobody in the school then to save a chap from Carnaby though Crawshaw put in a word or so ( , = , = ; to put in a word / -. for smb./). Carnaby had got his game ( , : ; game ; ). I grew excited and red-eared ( , ), and a little frightened ( // ), I behaved altogether like a silly little chap ( ), and the outcome of it all was that instead of starting alone for my enchanted garden ( , ), I led the way presently ( ; to lead the way , , , ) cheeks flushed, ears hot, eyes smarting ( , , ; to smart ; ), and my soul one burning misery and shame ( / / ; burning , ; ) for a party of six mocking, curious and threatening school-fellows ( , : ).
outrageously ["qut'reIGqslI], virtuous ['vWtjuqs], threaten [Tretn]
Wallaces voice sank with the keen memory of that shame. I pretended not to hear, he said. Well, then Carnaby suddenly called me a young liar and disputed with me when I said the thing was true. I said I knew where to find the green door, could lead them all there in ten minutes. Carnaby became outrageously virtuous, and said Id have to and bear out my words or suffer. Did you ever have Carnaby twist your arm? Then perhaps youll understand how it went with me. I swore my story was true. There was nobody in the school then to save a chap from Carnaby though Crawshaw put in a word or so. Carnaby had got his game. I grew excited and red-eared, and a little frightened, I behaved altogether like a silly little chap, and the outcome of it all was that instead of starting alone for my enchanted garden, I led the way presently cheeks flushed, ears hot, eyes smarting, and my soul one burning misery and shame for a party of six mocking, curious and threatening school-fellows.
We never found the white wall and the green door ( )
You mean ( )?
I mean I couldnt find it ( , ). I would have found it if I could ( , ).
And afterwards when I could go alone I couldnt find it ( , , ). I never found it ( = ). I seem now to have been always looking for it through my school-boy days ( , : ), but Ive never come upon it again ( ; to come upon /-./, /-./, /-./).
Did the fellows make it disagreeable (// ; disagreeable )?
found [faund], always ['Llwqz], disagreeable ["dIsq'grJqbl]
We never found the white wall and the green door
You mean?
I mean I couldnt find it. I would have found it if I could.
And afterwards when I could go alone I couldnt find it. I never found it. I seem now to have been always looking for it through my school-boy days, but Ive never come upon it again.
Did the fellows make it disagreeable?
Beastly (/) Carnaby held a council over me for wanton lying ( ; wanton , ; , ). I remember how I sneaked home and upstairs to hide the marks of my blubbering ( , , ; to blubber , ; ). But when I cried myself to sleep at last it wasnt for Carnaby ( , : , - ), but for the garden ( - ), for the beautiful afternoon I had hoped for (- , = ), for the sweet friendly women and the waiting playfellows and the game (- , - ) I had hoped to learn again ( ), that beautiful forgotten game ( )
