David Copperfieid(excerpt)
That was how I was born.My early childhood was extremely happy，as my beautiful mother and kind Peggotty took care of me.But when I was about eight，a shadow passed over my happiness.My mother often went out walking，in her best clothes，with a gentleman called Mr Murdstone.He had black hair，a big black moustache and an unpleasant smile，and seemed to be very fond of my mother.But I knew that Peggotty did not like him.
A few months later Peggotty told me that my mother was going to have a short holiday with some friends.Meanwhile Peggotty and I would go to stay with her brother Daniel in Yarmouth，on the east coast，for two weeks.I was very excited when we climbed into the cart，although it was sad saying goodbye to my mother.Mr Murdstone was at her shoulder，waving goodbye，as the driver called to his horse，and we drove out of the village.
When we got down from the cart in Yarmouth，after our journey，Peggotty said，“That's the house，Master David.”
I looked all round，but could only see an old ship on the sand.“Is that—that your brother's house？”I asked in delight.And when we reached it，I saw it had doors and windows and a chimney，just like a real house.I could not imagine a nicer place to live.Everything was clean and tidy，and smelt of fish.Now I was introduced to the Peggotty family.There was Daniel Peggotty，a kind old sailor.Although he was not married，he had adopted two orphans，who lived with him and called him Uncle.Ham Peggotty was a large young man with a gentle smile，and Emily was a beautiful，blueeyed little girl.They all welcomed Peggotty and me warmly.
大卫·科波菲尔(节选)
就这样我来到了世上。孩提时的我非常幸福，因为有我美丽的母亲和善良的辟果提照顾我。然而，在我8岁左右，我的幸福生活开始蒙上了阴影。我母亲经常穿着最好的衣服，和一位叫摩德斯通的先生出去散步。那人有一头黑发，留一大撇黑胡子，笑容阴沉，似乎很喜欢我母亲。但我知道辟果提不喜欢他。
几个月后，辟果提告诉我，母亲要和几位朋友出去度短假。辟果提可以趁此机会带我去东海岸的雅茅斯镇和她兄弟丹尼尔生活两个星期。登上马车时我兴奋不已，虽然与母亲分手有些伤感。摩德斯通先生和我母亲并肩站着，向我们挥手道别。这时，马车夫吆喝一声，把我们拉出村去。
当我们结束旅程，在雅茅斯镇下车时，辟果提说：“到家了，大卫少爷。”
我环顾四周，只看见沙滩上的一艘旧船，便高兴地问道：“那个——那个就是你兄弟的家？”我们走到近处一看，船上有门，有窗，有烟囱，俨然是一所名副其实的住房。我再也想象不出比这更好的住处了。屋内一切陈设干净、整齐，散发着鱼味。这时，我被介绍给辟果提一家。家里有丹尼尔·辟果提，一位善良的老水手，他没有结婚，但收养了两个孤儿。孩子们和他生活在一起，管他叫叔叔。哈姆·辟果提是一位壮小伙子，脸上总是现出亲切的笑容，埃米莉是一位美丽的姑娘，长着一对蓝眼睛。他们都热情地欢迎我和辟果提的到来。
[知识积累]
1．shadow n． 阴影
2．moustache n. 上唇的胡子
3．chimney n. 烟囱；壁炉
