Lesson 96 Never Too Busy 永不太忙



Words:



feat n. 功绩，壮举



feeble adj. 微弱的，衰弱的



feed vt. 喂养，饲养；吃草，靠。。。为生；n. 饲料，饲养



feign v. 假装，伪装



feminism n. 女权运动



feminist n. 女权主义者



fencing n. 围墙，栅栏；击剑术



ferment vt. 使发酵



fermentation n. 发酵



ferret v. 搜索，查获



ferry n. 渡口，渡船



fertile adj. 肥沃的，富饶的；能繁殖的；主意多的，有创造力的



fertilize vt. 施肥，使丰饶；使受精



fertilized egg 受精卵



fertilizer n. 肥料（尤指化学肥料）



fervent adj. 热情的，强烈的，热烈的



fervor n. 热情，热烈



fester v. 溃烂，化脓



festive adj. 欢宴的，欢庆的；节日的，欢乐的



fetter vt. 带脚镣，束缚



feud n. 世仇



feudal adj. 封建制度的



“It would be a major feat if I can make it through today,” Ruth said. “I have to wake up early to feed my dog. He’s been looking

feeble, but I think he’s just feigning for attention. Then I have to submit my report on feminism. I have to ferret out my original research. I’m not a feminist, so it has been very difficult for me to write about it. At 8:00 a.m., I have fencing class. Then I have wine making class. We’re learning about the fermentation process. I think we’ll be fermenting red grapes.”



“Don’t you have any breaks?” Lydia asked.



“No,” replied Ruth. “I’ll be riding the ferry across the river to the zoo. I’ll be visiting a pair of panda bears. The female has reached a fertile age. The zoo is hoping that the male will fertilize her. After that, I’ll be viewing the fertilized egg of an ostrich.”



“What’s next?” Lydia asked.



“I need to spread fertilizer on the grass in the front yard,” Ruth replied, “Then I need to check the wound on my dog’s paw. I’m afraid it might fester if I don’t get medicine for it.”



“Do you feel fettered by your dog?” asked Lydia.



“No, I am a fervent animal lover,” replied Ruth. “Any of my dog’s sad eyes always stirs the fervor in my heart.”



“What will you be doing in the afternoon?” Lydia asked.



“I have to finish my report on the feudal warlords of the 19th century,” Ruth said. “What is a feud, anyway?”



“It’s what you and I are going to have if you don’t save some time for me,” replied Lydia. “It’s my birthday and I’m feeling a bit sad.”



“How about a festive drink at 8:00 p.m.?” Ruth asked.



“如果我能完成今天所有的任务，那该是一大壮举。”鲁思说。“我必须要早起喂狗。他看上去很衰弱，不过我想他是为了让我关心他而假装的。然后，我得交关于女权运动的报告，还得搜出研究论文的原稿。我不是女权主义者，所以写着方面的文章很不容易。上午八点我要上击剑课，然后是酿酒工艺课。目前我们在学发酵过程。我想我们就要会酿制红葡萄酒了。”



“没有休息一下吗？”利迪娅问。



“没有，”鲁思说，“我要开渡船过河去动物园，去看一对熊猫。那只雌熊猫已经到了繁殖年龄，动物园希望雄熊猫能使她受精。然后我还要去察看鸵鸟的受精卵。”



“接下来呢？”利迪娅问。



“我要给前院的草地施肥，”鲁思回答，“然后要检查一下小狗爪子的伤口，我担心如果不给它上点药，伤口会化脓的。”



“你觉得小狗拖累你吗？”利迪娅问。



“不，我对小动物有着强烈的爱。”鲁思回答。“爱犬悲伤的眼神总会激起我心中的热情。”



“那下午做什么？”利迪娅问。



“必须写完一份关于19世纪封建军阀的报告，”鲁思说，“到底什么是不共戴天之仇？”



“就是指如果你不再留些时间给我，我们之间就回产生的东西。”利迪娅回答。“今天是我的生日，我感到 有些悲哀。”



“那晚上八点来一次节日酒宴怎么样？”鲁思问。