红楼梦Chapter22_小升初阅读_小升初-查字典英语网

红楼梦Chapter22

　　No less cognisant was Chia Cheng himself that the old ladys motives in packing him off were to afford a favourable opportunity to the young ladies and young men to enjoy themselves， and that is why， forcing a smile， he observed： Having to-day heard that your venerable ladyship had got up in here a large assortment of excellent riddles， on the occasion of the spring festival of lanterns， I too consequently prepared prizes， as well as a banquet， and came with the express purpose of joining the company; and why dont you in some way confer a fraction of the fond love， which you cherish for your grandsons and granddaughters， upon me also， your son?

　　When youre here， old lady Chia replied smilingly， they wont venture to chat or laugh; and unless you go， youll really fill me with intense dejection! But if you feel inclined to guess conundrums， well， Ill tell you one for you to solve; but if you dont guess right， mind， youll be mulcted!

　　Of course Ill submit to the penalty， Chia Cheng rejoined eagerly， as he laughed， but if I do guess right， I must in like manner receive a reward!

　　This goes without saying! dowager lady Chia added; whereupon she went on to recite：

　　the monkeys body gently rests on the tree top!

　　This refers， she said， to the name of a fruit.

　　Chia Cheng was already aware that it was a lichee， but he designedly made a few guesses at random， and was fined several things; but he subsequently gave， at length， the right answer， and also obtained a present from her ladyship.