sunken
a. 下陷的；凹陷的

recover
vi. (from) return to the usual state of health, strength, ability, etc. 痊愈，复原；恢复

somewhat
ad. by some degree or amount; a little 稍微，有点

priest
n. 牧师，神父

inform
vt. (of, about) tell, give information to 告诉，通知

contribute
vt. join with others in giving (money, help, etc.) 捐（款），贡献，提供（帮助）

coffin
n. 棺材

resume
vt. begin (sth. or doing sth.) again after a pause （中断后）重新开始，继续

*mutter
vt. 轻声含糊地说

load
n. 一包（洗的衣物）；负荷，负载
vt. 装（货或人）；把货物（或人）装上（车、船、飞机等）

property
n. 财产；所有物

fulfil,-fill
vt. do or perform (a duty, task, etc.) 履行，完成

*undertake(undertook，undertaken)
vt. accept responsibility for (a piece of work) and start to do it 承担

Phrases and Expressions

lean on
rest in a sloping position on for support 靠在 …上，倚在 …上

count out
count one by one 逐一数出

be blessed with
be fortunate in having 有幸得到，具有

take place
举行，进行；发生，产生

a (good /great) deal of
quite a lot of 大量

speak of
suggest the idea of; show clearly that sth. happened or that it exists 显示；表明

at (the) most
not more than (the stated amount) 至多

hear of
receive news about (sb. or sth.) 获知…的消息，听到…的消息

stand /be on one's feet
站起；（病后）恢复健康

with the help of
在 … 的帮助下

God forbid!
May it not happen! 上天不容！

Proper Names

Isaac Bashevis Singer
艾萨克·巴希维兹·辛格（1904 - 1991，生于波兰的美国犹太作家）