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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Speak Shenzhen -> 
Bluebeard
    2021-09-09  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

James Baquet

We have heard about a real pirate named Blackbeard. Now let’s meet a fictional monster named Bluebeard.

Bluebeard was a wealthy but frightening man. He asked to marry one of his neighbor’s two daughters, but both girls demurred. They were worried by rumors that all his previous wives had gone missing. But after a week of parties and hospitality at his large country house, the younger daughter agreed to marry him.

A month later, Bluebeard went on a six-week journey. His young wife could do what she wished while he was gone. He gave her his keys so she could explore all the rooms, warehouses, even safes, in the mansion. But there was one closet that she must not open. If she did, he said, she would gain nothing but his anger.

Her sister and friends soon came to visit, and after examining his goods, told her how lucky she was. But she was not satisfied: She wanted to see what was in that closet!

She stood indecisively in front of it for some time, thinking about Bluebeard’s threats, but at last she took the little key and opened the door. The room was dark, but after some time her eyes became accustomed to it and — what was this?! The bodies of all the women whom Bluebeard had married and then murdered!

She dropped the key, but quickly picked it up, locked the closet, and ran to her room. There she observed blood on the key — and it wouldn’t come off!

That evening, Bluebeard returned. When he asked for his keys, she gave him all but the one to the closet. When at last he got it, he noticed the stain right away.

“SO!” he shouted. “You wished to go into the closet? Then into the closet you shall go!” No matter how she pled, he was adamant. She was going to die.

At last, she asked for a chance to pray, but instead alerted her sister, who signaled to their brothers who were about to arrive. As they approached, the wife stalled Bluebeard this way and that.

At last, just as he was about to kill her, her brothers entered and struck him dead.

As the monster had had no heirs, his wife took over the estate. She used the money to bury the previous wives, and to advance her family’s positions. She herself married a worthy gentleman who helped her forget the horror of what she had found.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. delayed, held back

2. a terrible person

3. notified

4. without choosing

5. used to

6. the generous treatment of guests

7. hesitated, objected

8. begged

9. gossip, unverified reports

10. unmoving, stubborn

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