Chapter 3
The next morning John took me into the yard and gave my coat a good brushing.
Just as I was going into my box, with my coat soft and bright, the master came in to look at me, and seemed pleased.
“John,” he said, “I meant to try the new horse this morning, but I have other business.
You can take him around after breakfast.
Go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill (水磨) and the river. That will show how fast he can go.”
“I will, sir,” said John.
After breakfast, he came and fitted me with a bridle (馬籠頭) .
He was very particular in adjusting the straps.
He wanted to fit my head comfortably.
Then he brought a saddle, but it was not wide enough for my back.
He saw it in a minute and went for another, which fitted nicely.
He rode me first slowly, then faster and faster.
When we were on the common, he gave me a light touch with his whip, and we had a splendid run.
As we came back through the park, we met Mr. Gordon and his wife, who were having a walk.
They stopped, and John jumped off.
“Well, John, how does he go?”
“First-rate,” answered John, “he is as fast as a deer, and has a fine spirit too.
The lightest touch of the rein (韁繩) will guide him.
We met one of those traveling carts, and as you know, sir, many horses will not pass those carts quietly.
But he just took a good look at it, and then went on as quiet and pleasant as it could be.
Also there were some people shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by.
He pulled up a little and looked, but did not move a step to right or left.
It’s my opinion that he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young.”
“That’s good,” said the master, “I will try him myself tomorrow.”
The next day I was brought up for my master.
I remembered my mother’s advice and my good old master’s, and I tried to do exactly what he wanted me to do.
I found he rode on me well and also showed care for his horse.
When he came home, his wife was at the hall door.
“Well, my dear,” she said, “how do you like him?”
“He is exactly what John said,” he replied, “a friendly creature I never wish to mount. What shall we call him?”
“He is really quite a beauty, and he has such a nice and sweet face, and such a fine, intelligent eye. What do you say to calling him Black Beauty?”
“Black Beauty—I think that is a very good name.”
John seemed very proud of me.
He used to make the hair on my head and tail almost as smooth as a lady’s hair.
He would talk to me a great deal. Of course, I did not understand all he said.
However, I learned more and more to know what he meant, and what he wanted me to do.
He was so gentle and kind, and I grew very fond of him.
He seemed to know just how a horse felt.
When he cleaned me, he knew the tender places and the sensitive places.
When he brushed my head, he went carefully over my eyes as if they were his own, and never made me angry.
James, the stable boy, was just as gentle and pleasant as John, so I thought myself well off.
A few days after this, I had to go out with Ginger in the carriage.
I wondered how we would get on together, but she acted very well.
She did her work honestly, and did her full share. I never wish to have a better partner.
After we had been out two or three times together, we grew quite friendly, which made me feel very much at home.
As for Merrylegs, he and I soon became great friends.
Our master had two other horses in another stable. One was Justice, and the other was Sir Oliver.
We were quite happy in our new place.
Sometimes we had some free time for a few hours on fine summer Sundays.
The carriage never went out on Sundays, so we were all taken out into the home field or the old orchard (果園) .
The grass was so cool and soft to our feet. The air was so sweet.
The freedom to do what we liked was so pleasant.
We ran, lay down, rolled over on our backs, and ate a little of the sweet grass.
Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large tree.
【背景知識】
自4000年前馬匹被人類馴化起晋柱，馬就在農(nóng)業(yè)生產(chǎn)、交通運(yùn)輸和軍事等方面起到重要作用抒和。但隨著社會(huì)的發(fā)展驯妄，機(jī)械動(dòng)力的廣泛運(yùn)用，馬在人類生產(chǎn)生活中扮演的角色也在變化顾瞻，雖然在不少地區(qū)馬仍以役用為主宫峦，但世界上很多地區(qū)傳統(tǒng)養(yǎng)馬業(yè)已經(jīng)逐漸轉(zhuǎn)化為現(xiàn)代馬業(yè)玫鸟，其內(nèi)容包括賽馬、馬術(shù)運(yùn)動(dòng)屎飘、育馬及相關(guān)服務(wù)行業(yè)等，也發(fā)展了獨(dú)特的馬文化钦购。
我們故事的發(fā)生地，英國押桃，馬業(yè)是最重要的產(chǎn)業(yè)之一，也是一項(xiàng)世界級產(chǎn)業(yè)唱凯。英國擁有優(yōu)秀的馴馬師羡忘、騎手、育馬專家和先進(jìn)的訓(xùn)練設(shè)施場地磕昼，培養(yǎng)了英純血馬壳坪。英國還是現(xiàn)代馬術(shù)運(yùn)動(dòng)的發(fā)源地，英國代表團(tuán)在各項(xiàng)世界馬術(shù)比賽中取得的成績不俗掰烟。并且，除了熱衷于賽馬和馬術(shù)等體育項(xiàng)目，還有不少英國人將馬當(dāng)作寵物纫骑。
【活的藝術(shù)品——純血馬】
英國是純血馬的發(fā)源地蝎亚。英國的育馬者通過引進(jìn)大量精選的東方種公馬以提高賽馬的速度、耐力先馆、體型等品質(zhì)发框，以應(yīng)對比賽需要，由此培育出純血馬煤墙。其中梅惯，拜耳利一特克( Byerley Turk)、達(dá)利一阿拉伯( Darley Arabian)和高德芬一阿拉伯( Godol!ohin Arabian)這三匹外來種公馬被認(rèn)為是英純血馬的祖先仿野。純血馬以巾短距離速力快著稱铣减，是世界上公認(rèn)最優(yōu)秀的賽馬品種，這類純血馬的價(jià)格十分高昂脚作，一匹頂級純血賽馬價(jià)值上百萬美元葫哗。純血馬體高1.50 - 1.70米，作為世界上速度最快球涛、身體結(jié)構(gòu)最好的馬匹劣针，被稱為“活的藝術(shù)品”。純血馬不僅是平地賽馬范圍的霸主亿扁，而且在場地障礙賽捺典、三日賽和盛裝舞步三個(gè)奧運(yùn)馬術(shù)作戰(zhàn)馬使用。不過在后來的兩百多年里从祝，夏爾馬主要在農(nóng)業(yè)上使用襟己。
夏爾馬鼻子凸圓，前額較寬哄褒，頸部修長有冠毛稀蟋，肩寬，足以容納挽具呐赡，背寬退客，臀部傾斜，皮毛光滑链嘀，膝蓋和跗關(guān)節(jié)處長有長毛怀泊，重量超過一噸。并且务傲，盡管夏爾馬高大強(qiáng)壯，但性格極其溫順看杭，易于管理楼雹，適應(yīng)能力強(qiáng)贮缅。多用于馱運(yùn)貨物谴供、農(nóng)業(yè)耕作憔鬼、騎乘胃夏，曾是英國人最得力的助手仰禀。夏爾馬數(shù)量最多是在18世紀(jì)和19世紀(jì)答恶，當(dāng)時(shí)英國夏爾馬的數(shù)量超過了100萬匹。但因繁殖比較困難污呼，近些年來夏爾馬的數(shù)量在急劇減少燕酷，根據(jù)1878年成立的英國夏爾馬協(xié)會(huì)統(tǒng)計(jì)苗缩，英國擁有的夏爾馬的數(shù)量現(xiàn)已不足4000匹酱讶，而且每年新生的夏爾馬大約為500匹彼乌，其中母馬只有兩百匹左右渊迁，死亡的速度遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)超過了繁殖的速度宫纬。夏爾馬協(xié)會(huì)警告，如果這一狀況繼續(xù)下去榛泛，可能用不了十年噩斟，曾經(jīng)是英國歷史重要組成部分的夏爾馬就會(huì)消亡。
【一詞多義&熟詞生義】
1.「coat」：常見意思有“衣服，外套”斥废，此處指“（動(dòng)物的）皮毛”牡肉。
原句：The next morning John took me into the yard and gave my coat a good brushing.
2.「common」：常見的意思有“普通的统锤，共有的”，在此處做名詞煌寇，表示“（村莊逾雄、小鎮(zhèn)等附近的）公共草地”嘲驾。
原句：Go by the common and the Highwood, and back by the watermill and the river.
3.「tender」：常見的意思有“溫柔的辽故，柔軟的”，此處指“（身體部位）易痛的”掉弛。
原句：When he cleaned me, he knew the tender places and the sensitive places.
【句子解析】
1. He was very particular in adjusting the straps. He wanted to fit my head comfortably.
「particular」在這里的意思是“講究的殃饿，細(xì)致的，挑剔的”遵蚜；文中就是說John非常仔細(xì)耐心地為我調(diào)整皮帶奈惑，只為了讓我的腦袋舒服一點(diǎn)。
我們通常用「be particular about sth/doing sth」這個(gè)結(jié)構(gòu)來表示“對……挑剔”寂殉，來個(gè)栗子：She is very particular about her clothing. 她對衣著特別挑剔原在。
2. They stopped, and John jumped off.
「jump off」很好理解澳泵，就是“跳下來”的意思兔辅，后面可以搭配cliff、stage碰辅、train等詞没宾。今天老師給大家補(bǔ)充這個(gè)短語的另外一個(gè)意思：開始沸柔，出發(fā)褐澎。舉個(gè)栗子 ：The attack will jump off at dawn. 進(jìn)攻將從拂曉開始。
3. Also there were some people shooting rabbits near the Highwood, and a gun went off close by. He pulled up a little and looked, but did not move a step to right or left.
「go off」這個(gè)短語有很多意思迁酸，在這里的意思是“（槍炮等）被發(fā)射；突然發(fā)出響聲”焙畔，「close by」是一個(gè)副詞短語宏多，表示“在附近”绷落，修飾這個(gè)槍聲。
「pull up」在這里是“（使）停止筐喳；停妆芄椤（車梳毙、馬等）”的意思。這個(gè)短語也有很多意思萌业，咱們先記住這一種生年，進(jìn)一寸有一寸的驚喜嘛~
整句話就是說抱婉，林子那邊有人在打兔子蒸绩，旁邊就有槍聲響起患亿，他只是停下來看了看窍育，并沒有往左或往右亂邁一步。John對Darkie的評價(jià)很高哦~ 不過很快他就不叫Darkie啦表锻！
4. It’s my opinion that he has not been frightened or ill-used while he was young.
「ill-use」意思是“虐待瞬逊，凌辱仪或，折磨”蕾域，這里就是John說，我看哪旨巷，他小的時(shí)候沒受過驚嚇采呐，也沒被虐待斧吐。端端是匹好馬呀仲器！
我們可以把「ill-」看成一個(gè)詞根乏冀，表示否定意義的“沒有……無……”煤辨，它可以和其他單詞合成一個(gè)新的單詞众辨，類似這樣的單詞還有：
ill-bred （舉止）粗野的，無教養(yǎng)的
ill-defined 不清楚的鹃彻，不明確的
ill-founded 缺乏根據(jù)的郊闯，站不住腳的
ill-informed 所知不多的，消息不靈通的
ill-equipped 裝備不良的，能力不足的
ill-tempered 脾氣暴躁的团赁，易怒的
5. “He is exactly what John said,” he replied, “a friendly creature I never wish to mount….”
「mount」在這里的意思不是“爬上育拨、登上”，而是“騎上（馬欢摄、自行車等）”熬丧，我們來舉兩個(gè)栗子：
He mounted his horse and rode away. 他騎上馬走了。
We helped him mount the bike and gave him a little push. 我們幫他騎上了自行車怀挠，并輕輕推了他一把析蝴。
「never wish to do」這個(gè)短語，已經(jīng)出現(xiàn)了三次了绿淋，不知道大家有沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)呢~佑菩？它的意思不是“從來不想”，而是“從來沒想過”失尖，語氣中有一種驚喜，大家可以仔細(xì)體會(huì)下~ 主人說：他的確和John說的一樣鞠眉，我從沒想到還能騎上那么馴良的馬……
6. She did her work honestly, and did her full share.
「share」在此處意為“應(yīng)做的、應(yīng)承擔(dān)的、應(yīng)得的一份”畏浆，「do one's full share」就是說某人做了自己該做的那部分将鸵，這里就是說挑胸，Ginger盡職盡責(zé)地工作老充，她是我最好的搭檔~
7. After we had been out two or three times together, we grew quite friendly, which made me feel very much at home.
「be/feel at home」是一個(gè)固定短語胶背，表示“（像在家一樣）舒適自在，無拘無束”坝茎，除了上面的句子斤吐，我們再來舉個(gè)栗子：After a while we began to feel at home with each other. 過了一會(huì)兒我們就無拘無束起來派阱。
這個(gè)短語還有另外一個(gè)意思：“駕輕就熟腺劣，運(yùn)用自如”趾断，后面通常接「with」脐帝。來個(gè)栗子：Practice using the video until you feel quite at home with it. 練習(xí)怎么使用這臺(tái)錄像機(jī)，直到熟練為止。
8. We ran, lay down, rolled over on our backs, and ate a little of the sweet grass.
我們來講講「on」在這里的用法~ 「on」在這里作介詞，表示“（身體重量）由（某部位）支撐”浸船。「rolled over on our backs」就是打滾兒的意思阔籽，因?yàn)橐帽巢咳ソ佑|、支撐自己的身體奕删。我們在平時(shí)的生活中都可以用到扎拣，舉幾個(gè)栗子：
He raised himself on his elbows, looking out of the window. 他用胳膊肘支起身子商玫，往窗外望去决帖。
The baby girl was on her hands and knees in the bathroom. 小女孩兒趴在浴室的地上细睡。
說到「lie」和「lay」這兩個(gè)百變小天后溜徙，那是一不小心就會(huì)混淆二者的各種形式图贸，為此專門給大家列了個(gè)表格以便查閱：
【今日短語】
be particular in/about sth/doing sth 對……講究、挑剔
jump off 從……跳下來鹃唯；開始
go off （槍炮等）被發(fā)射弟晚；突然發(fā)出響聲
close by 在附近
pull up 停浊涑恰（車、馬等）
do one’s full share 完成某人應(yīng)做的部分
feel at home 舒適自在铅搓，無拘無束
