Flamingo Prose Ch.4 - The Rattrap (With Difficult Words)

About the author

Selma Lagerlof (1858-1940) was a Swedish writer whose stories have been translated into many languages. A universal theme runs through all of them — a belief that the essential goodness in a human being can be awakened through understanding and love. This story is set amidst the mines of Sweden, rich in iron ore, which figure large in the history and legends of that country. Story, The Rattrap is told somewhat in the manner of a fairy tale.

 The Rattrap

Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling small rattraps of wire. He made them himself at odd moments, from the material he got by begging in the stores or at the big farms. But even so, the business was not especially profitable, so he had to resort to both begging and petty thievery to keep body and soul together. Even so, his clothes were in rags, his cheeks were sunken, and hunger gleamed in his eyes.

No one can imagine how sad and monotonous life can appear to such a vagabond, who plods along the road, left to his own meditations. But one day this man had fallen into a line of thought, which really seemed to him entertaining. He had naturally been thinking of his rattraps when suddenly he was struck by the idea that the whole world about him — the whole world with its lands and seas, its cities and villages — was nothing but a big rattrap. It had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing, exactly as the rattrap offered cheese and pork, and as soon as anyone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him, and then everything came to an end.

The world had, of course, never been very kind to him, so it gave him unwonted joy to think ill of it in this way. It became a cherished pastime of his, during many dreary ploddings, to think of people he knew who had let themselves be caught in the dangerous snare, and of others who were still circling around the bait.

One dark evening as he was trudging along the road he caught sight of a little gray cottage by the roadside, and he knocked on the door to ask shelter for the night. Nor was he refused. Instead of the sour faces which ordinarily met him, the owner, who was an old man without wife or child, was happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness. Immediately he put the porridge pot on the fire and gave him supper; then he carved off such a big slice from his tobacco roll that it was enough both for the stranger’s pipe and his own. Finally he got out an old pack of cards and played ‘mjolis’ with his guest until bedtime.

The old man was just as generous with his confidences as with his porridge and tobacco. The guest was informed at once that in his days of prosperity his host had been a crofter at Ramsjo Ironworks and had worked on the land. Now that he was no longer able to do day labour, it was his cow which supported him. Yes, that bossy was extraordinary. She could give milk for the creamery every day, and last month he had received all of thirty kronor in payment.

The Rattrap in Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Solution

The stranger must have seemed incredulous, for the old man got up and went to the window, took down a leather pouch which hung on a nail in the very window frame, and picked out three wrinkled ten-kronor bills. These he held up before the eyes of his guest, nodding knowingly, and then stuffed them back into the pouch.

The next day both men got up in good season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you, and thereupon each went his own way.

But half an hour later the rattrap peddler stood again before the door. He did not try to get in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane, stuck in his hand, and got hold of the pouch with the thirty kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch very carefully back in its place and went away.

As he walked along with the money in his pocket he felt quite pleased with his smartness. He realised, of course, that at first he dared not continue on the public highway, but must turn off the road, into the woods. During the first hours this caused him no difficulty. Later in the day it became worse, for it was a big and confusing forest which he had gotten into. He tried, to be sure, to walk in a definite direction, but the paths twisted back and forth so strangely! He walked and walked without coming to the end of the wood, and finally he realised that he had only been walking around in the same part of the forest. All at once he recalled his thoughts about the world and the rattrap. Now his own turn had come. He had let himself be fooled by a bait and had been caught. The whole forest, with its trunks and branches, its thickets and fallen logs, closed in upon him like an impenetrable prison from which he could never escape.

It was late in December. Darkness was already descending over the forest. This increased the danger, and increased also his gloom and despair. Finally he saw no way out, and he sank down on the ground, tired to death, thinking that his last moment had come. But just as he laid his head on the ground, he heard a sound—a hard regular thumping. There was no doubt as to what that was. He raised himself. ‘‘Those are the hammer strokes from an iron mill’’, he thought. ‘‘There must be people near by’’. He summoned all his strength, got up, and staggered in the direction of the sound.

The Ramsjo Ironworks, which are now closed down, were, not so long ago, a large plant, with smelter, rolling mill, and forge. In the summertime long lines of heavily loaded barges and scows slid down the canal, which led to a large inland lake, and in the wintertime the roads near the mill were black from all the coal dust which sifted down from the big charcoal crates.

During one of the long dark evenings just before Christmas, the master smith and his helper sat in the dark forge near the furnace waiting for the pig iron, which had been put in the fire, to be ready to put on the anvil. Every now and then one of them got up to stir the glowing mass with a long iron bar, returning in a few moments, dripping with perspiration, though, as was the custom, he wore nothing but a long shirt and a pair of wooden shoes. 

All the time there were many sounds to be heard in the forge. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal cracked. The fire boy shoveled charcoal into the maw of the furnace with a great deal of clatter. Outside roared the waterfall, and a sharp north wind whipped the rain against the brick-tiled roof.

It was probably on account of all this noise that the blacksmith did not notice that a man had opened the gate and entered the forge, until he stood close up to the furnace.

Surely it was nothing unusual for poor vagabonds without any better shelter for the night to be attracted to the forge by the glow of light which escaped through the sooty panes, and to come in to warm themselves in front of the fire. The blacksmiths glanced only casually and indifferently at the intruder. He looked the way people of his type usually did, with a long beard, dirty, ragged, and with a bunch of rattraps dangling on his chest.

He asked permission to stay, and the master blacksmith nodded a haughty consent without honouring him with a single word.

The tramp did not say anything, either. He had not come there to talk but only to warm himself and sleep.

In those days the Ramsjo iron mill was owned by a very prominent ironmaster, whose greatest ambition was to ship out good iron to the market. He watched both night and day to see that the work was done as well as possible, and at this very moment he came into the forge on one of his nightly rounds of inspection.

Naturally the first thing he saw was the tall ragamuffin who had eased his way so close to the furnace that steam rose from his wet rags. The ironmaster did not follow the example of the blacksmiths, who had hardly deigned to look at the stranger. He walked close up to him, looked him over very carefully, then tore off his slouch hat to get a better view of his face.

‘‘But of course it is you, Nils Olof!’’ he said. “How you do look!”

The man with the rattraps had never before seen the ironmaster at Ramsjo and did not even know what his name was. But it occurred to him that if the fine gentleman thought he was an old acquaintance, he might perhaps throw him a couple of kronor. Therefore he did not want to undeceive him all at once.

‘‘Yes, God knows things have gone downhill with me’’,  he said.

‘‘You should not have resigned from the regiment’’, said the ironmaster. ‘‘That was the mistake. If only I had still been in the service at the time, it never would have happened. Well, now of course you will come home with me.’’

To go along up to the manor house and be received by the owner like an old regimental comrade — that, however, did not please the tramp.

‘‘No, I couldn’t think of it!’’ he said, looking quite alarmed.

He thought of the thirty kronor. To go up to the manor house would be like throwing himself voluntarily into the lion’s den. He only wanted a chance to sleep here in the forge and then sneak away as inconspicuously as possible.

The ironmaster assumed that he felt embarrassed because of his miserable clothing.

‘‘Please don’t think that I have such a fine home that you cannot show yourself there’’, He said... ‘‘Elizabeth is dead, as you may already have heard. My boys are abroad, and there is no one at home except my oldest daughter and myself. We were just saying that it was too bad we didn’t have any company for Christmas. Now come along with me and help us make the Christmas food disappear a little faster.”

But the stranger said no, and no, and again no, and the ironmaster saw that he must give in.

‘‘It looks as though Captain von Stahle preferred to stay with you tonight, Stjernstrom’’, he said to the master blacksmith, and turned on his heel.

But he laughed to himself as he went away, and the blacksmith, who knew him, understood very well that he had not said his last word.

It was not more than half an hour before they heard the sound of carriage wheels outside the forge, and a new guest came in, but this time it was not the ironmaster. He had sent his daughter, apparently hoping that she would have better powers of persuasion than he himself.

The Rattrap in Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Solution

She entered, followed by a valet, carrying on his arm a big fur coat. She was not at all pretty, but seemed modest and quite shy. In the forge everything was just as it had been earlier in the evening. The master blacksmith and his apprentice still sat on their bench, and iron and charcoal still glowed in the furnace. The stranger had stretched himself out on the floor and lay with a piece of pig iron under his head and his hat pulled down over his eyes. As soon as the young girl caught sight of him, she went up and lifted his hat. The man was evidently used to sleeping with one eye open. He jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened.

‘‘My name is Edla Willmansson,’’ said the young girl. ‘‘My father came home and said that you wanted to sleep here in the forge tonight, and then I asked permission to come and bring you home to us. I am so sorry, Captain, that you are having such a hard time.’’

She looked at him compassionately, with her heavy eyes, and then she noticed that the man was afraid. ‘‘Either he has stolen something or else he has escaped from jail’’, she thought, and added quickly, “You may be sure, Captain, that you will be allowed to leave us just as freely as you came. Only please stay with us over Christmas Eve.’’

She said this in such a friendly manner that the rattrap peddler must have felt confidence in her.

‘‘It would never have occurred to me that you would bother with me yourself, miss,’’ he said. ‘’I will come at once.’’

He accepted the fur coat, which the valet handed him with a deep bow, threw it over his rags, and followed the young lady out to the carriage, without granting the astonished blacksmiths so much as a glance.

But while he was riding up to the manor house he had evil forebodings.

‘‘Why the devil did I take that fellow’s money?’’ he thought. ‘‘Now I am sitting in the trap and will never get out of it.’’

The next day was Christmas Eve, and when the ironmaster came into the dining room for breakfast he probably thought with satisfaction of his old regimental comrade whom he had run across so unexpectedly.

“First of all we must see to it that he gets a little flesh on his bones,” he said to his daughter, who was busy at the table. “And then we must see that he gets something else to do than to run around the country selling rattraps.”

“It is queer that things have gone downhill with him as badly as that,” said the daughter. “Last night I did not think there was anything about him to show that he had once been an educated man.”

“You must have patience, my little girl,” said the father. “As soon as he gets clean and dressed up, you will see something different. Last night he was naturally embarrassed. The tramp manners will fall away from him with the tramp clothes.”

Just as he said this the door opened and the stranger entered. Yes, now he was truly clean and well dressed. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair, and shaved him. Moreover he was dressed in a good-looking suit of clothes which belonged to the ironmaster. He wore a white shirt and a starched collar and whole shoes.

But although his guest was now so well groomed, the ironmaster did not seem pleased. He looked at him with puckered brow, and it was easy to understand that when he had seen the strange fellow in the uncertain reflection from the furnace he might have made a mistake, but that now, when he stood there in broad daylight, it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance.

“What does this mean?” he thundered.

The stranger made no attempt to dissimulate. He saw at once that the splendour had come to an end.

“It is not my fault, sir,” he said. “I never pretended to be anything but a poor trader, and I pleaded and begged to be allowed to stay in the forge. But no harm has been done. At worst I can put on my rags again and go away”.

“Well,” said the ironmaster, hesitating a little, “it was not quite honest, either. You must admit that, and I should not be surprised if the sheriff would like to have something to say in the matter.”

The tramp took a step forward and struck the table with his fist.

“Now I am going to tell you, Mr Ironmaster, how things are,” he said. “This whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to you are nothing but cheese rinds and bits of pork, set out to drag a poor fellow into trouble. And if the sheriff comes now and locks me upfor this, then you, Mr Ironmaster, must remember that a day may come when you yourself may want to get a big piece of pork, and then you will get caught in the trap.”

The ironmaster began to laugh.

“That was not so badly said, my good fellow. Perhaps we should let the sheriff alone on Christmas Eve. But now get out of here as fast as you can.”

But just as the man was opening the door, the daughter said, “I think he ought to stay with us today. I don’t want him to go.” And with that she went and closed the door.

“What in the world are you doing?” said the father. The daughter stood there quite mbarrassed and hardly knew what to answer. That morning she had felt so happy when she thought how homelike and Christmassy she was going to make things for the poor hungry wretch. She could not get away from the idea all at once, and that was why she had interceded for the vagabond.

“I am thinking of this stranger here,” said the young girl. “He walks and walks the whole year long, and there is probably not a single place in the whole country where he is welcome and can feel at home. Wherever he turns he is chased away. Always he is afraid of being arrested and cross-examined. I should like to have him enjoy a day of peace with us here — just one in the whole year.”

The ironmaster mumbled something in his beard. He could not bring himself to oppose her.

“It was all a mistake, of course,” she continued. “But anyway I don’t think we ought to chase away a human being whom we have asked to come here, and to whom we have promised Christmas cheer.”

“You do preach worse than a parson,” said the ironmaster. “I only hope you won’t have to regret this.”

The young girl took the stranger by the hand and led him up to the table.

The Rattrap in Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Solution

“Now sit down and eat,” she said, for she could see that her father had given in.

The man with the rattraps said not a word; he only sat down and helped himself to the food. Time after time he looked at the young girl who had interceded for him. Why had she done it? What could the crazy idea be?

After that, Christmas Eve at Ramsjo passed just as it always had. The stranger did not cause any trouble because he did nothing but sleep. The whole forenoon he lay on the sofa in one of the guest rooms and slept at one stretch. At noon they woke him up so that he could have his share of the good Christmas fare, but after that he slept again. It seemed as though for many years he had not been able to sleep as quietly and safely as here at Ramsjo.

In the evening, when the Christmas tree was lighted, they woke him up again, and he stood for a while in the drawing room, blinking as though the candlelight hurt him, but after that he disappeared again. Two hours later he was aroused once more. He then had to go down into the dining room and eat the Christmas fish and porridge.

As soon as they got up from the table he went around to each one present and said thank you and good night, but when he came to the young girl she gave him to understand that it was her father’s intention that the suit which he wore was to be a Christmas present — he did not have to return it; and if he wanted to spend next Christmas Eve in a place where he could rest in peace, and be sure that no evil would befall him, he would be welcomed back again.

The man with the rattraps did not answer anything to this. He only stared at the young girl in boundless amazement.

The next morning the ironmaster and his daughter got up in good season to go to the early Christmas service. Their guest was still asleep, and they did not disturb him.

When, at about ten o’clock, they drove back from the church, the young girl sat and hung her head even more dejectedly than usual. At church she had learned that one of the old crofters of the ironworks had been robbed by a man who went around selling rattraps.

“Yes, that was a fine fellow you let into the house,” said her father. “I only wonder how many silver spoons are left in the cupboard by this time.”

The wagon had hardly stopped at the front steps when the ironmaster asked the valet whether the stranger was still there. He added that he had heard at church that the man was a thief. The valet answered that the fellow had gone and that he had not taken anything with him at all. On the contrary, he had left behind a little package which Miss Willmansson was to be kind enough to accept as a Christmas present.

The young girl opened the package, which was so badly done up that the contents came into view at once. She gave a little cry of joy. She found a small rattrap, and in it lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. But that was not all. In the rattrap lay also a letter written in large, jagged characters —

“Honoured and noble Miss, “Since you have been so nice to me all day long, as if I was a captain, I want to be nice to you, in return, as if I was a real captain — for I do not want you to be embarrassed at this Christmas season by a thief; but you can give back the money to the old man on the roadside, who has the money pouch hanging on the window frame as a bait for poor wanderers.

 The Rattrap in Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Solution

“The rattrap is a Christmas present from a rat whowould have been caught in this world’s rattrap if he had not been raised to captain, because in that way he got power to clear himself.

“Written with friendship

 and high regard,

“Captain von Stahle.”

 

Difficult words The Rattrap

 

about him (अबाउट हिम) = around him, उसके आस-पास।	manners (मैनर्स) = behavior, व्यवहार।
Abroad (अब्रॉड) = in a foreign country, विदेश में	manor house (मैनर हाउस) = a big old house surrounded by a large open area, कोठी, सामंत-भवन।
abruptly (अब्रट्लि) = suddenly, अचानक।	mass (मास) = lump, पिण्ड।
acquaintance (एक्वेंटन्स) = a person whom somebody knows, परिचित।	material (मटीरियल) = substance that things can be made of, पदार्थ।
Admit (अड्मिट) = accept, स्वीकार करना ।	maw (मॉ) = mouth, मुँह।
Alarm (अलार्म) = a signal or sound that warns of danger, चेतावनी	meditations (मेडिटेशन्स) = musings, चिन्तन, विचार, ध्यान।
allowed (अलाउड) = permitted, अनुमति दिया जाना।	met (मिला) = came across, मिला।
amazement (अमेज़मेंट) = surprise, आश्चर्य।	milk (मिल्क) = to get milk, दूध निकालना।
ambition (एम्बिशन) = a strong desire to achieve something, महत्वाकांक्षा।	Miserable (मिज़रेबल) = wretched, unhappy, दु:खी
anvil (एन्विल) = an instrument, निहाई।	miss (मिस) = used by men to address a young woman, मिस।
apparently (अपैरट्लि) = clearly, स्पष्ट रूप से।	mistake (मिस्टेक) = error, गलती।
appear (अपिअर) = seem, दिखाई पड़ना	mjolis (म्जोलिस) = a game of cards, ताश का एक प्रकार का खेल।
as though (ऐसे जैसे) = as if, मानो।	modest (मॉडिस्ट) = having good manners, शालीन।
Assumed (अस्यूम्ड) = supposed, taken for granted, मान लिया गया	moment (मोमेंट) = a very short period of time, क्षण।
astonished (अस्टॉनिश्ड) = surprised, चकित।	monotonous (मोनॉटनस) = dull, उदास, नीरस।
at one stretch (एक साथ) = at one go, बिना रुके।	moreover (मोरोवर) = in addition to, इसके अलावा।
attempt (अटेम्प्ट) = effort, कोशिश |	mumble (मम्बल) = murmur, होठों ही होठों में बोलना, बुदबुदाना।
bait (बेट) = lure, ललचाने वाली वस्तु	noble (नोबल) = great, महान।
barge (बार्ज) = boat, नाव।	nodded (नॉडेड) = showed consent by moving head, सिर हिलाकर सहमति प्रकट की।
beard (बीअड) = facial hair, दाढ़ी।	noise (नॉइज़) = various sounds, शोर।
befall (बिफ़ॉल) = to happen to somebody, होना (किसी के साथ)।	notice (नोटिस) = see, देखना।
Beg (बेग)= request, प्रार्थना करना ।	occurred (अकर्ड) = came into mind, दिमाग में आया।
bellows (बेलोज़) = an equipment that makes fire burn better, धौंकनी।	odd (ऑड) = occasional, अनियमित रूप से।
belonged to (बेलॉंग्ड टू) = owned by, के थे।	of course (ऑफ कोर्स) = in fact, सच में
bills (बिल्ज़) = notes, मुद्रा, नोट।	offer (ऑफर) = give, पेश करना, देना
Bit (बिट) = small piece, टुकड़ा।	on account of (ऑन अकाउंट ऑफ) = because of, के कारण।
blink (ब्लिंक) = flicker eyelids quickly, जलदबाजी से आँखें मरोड़ना।	on the contrary (ऑन द कॉन्ट्रेरी) = instead, इसके विपरीत।
bone (बोन) = हड्डी।	on the contrary (ऑन द कॉन्ट्रेरी) = instead, इसके विपरीत।
bossy (बॉसी) = always telling people what to do, आज्ञापक।	oppose (अपोज़) = resist, विरोध करना।
bother (बाँदर) = worry, परेशान होना, चिन्ता करना।	ordinarily (ऑर्डिनेरिली) = normally, सामान्यतः।
bothered (बदर्ड) = worried, परेशान होना।	pack (पैक) = bundle, बंडल।
boundless (बाउंडलेस) = limitless, असीम।	package (पैकेज) = packet, पैकेट।
bow (बाउ) = to move the body forward and downward to show respect, झुककर नमस्कार करना।	pane (पेन) = window glass, खिड़की का शीशा।
brick tiled roof (ब्रिक टायल्ड रूफ) = ईंट लगी छत।	parson (पार्सन) = priest, पादरी, पुजारी।
bring himself (अपने आप को किसी काम के लिए पेश करना)	pastime (पास्टाइम) = hobby, मनोरंजन
brow (ब्रो) = forehead, माथा ।	patience (पेशन्स) = the ability to stay calm, धैर्य, धीरज।
bunch (बन्च) = cluster, गुच्छा।	peddler (पेड्लर) = person who travels from place to place to sell small objects, फेरीवाला।
but = सिवाय, अलावा |	perspiration (पर्स्पिरेशन) = sweating, पसीना।
candlelight (कैंडल लाइट) = मोमबत्ती का प्रकाश।	persuasion (पर्स्वेशन) = making someone come round, राजी करना, मनाना।
carriage (कैरिज) = vehicle, वाहन।	petty (पेटी) = trivial, तुच्छ।
carved of (कार्व्ड ऑफ) = cut, काटा।	picked out (पिक्ट आउट) = took out, निकाला।
casually (कैश्जुअलि) = without much attention, सरसरी तौर पर।	pig iron (पिग आयरन) = a form of iron that is not pure, कच्चा लोहा।
catch sight of (कैच साइट ऑव) = see, देखना।	pipe (पाइप) = नली।
caught sight of (कॉट साइट ऑफ) = saw, देखा, नजर पड़ी।	plant (प्लांट) = a place where an industrial or manufacturing process takes place, कारखाना।
cause (कॉज़) = create, पैदा करना।	plead (प्लीड) = to ask somebody for something in a very strong and serious way, याचना करना, निवेदन करना ।
charcoal (चार्कोल) = wooden coal, लकड़ी का कोयला।	please (प्लीज़) = make happy, खुश करना।
chase away (चेस अवे) = drive away, भगा देना।	pleased (प्लीज्ड) = satisfied, संतुष्ट ।
cheek (चीक) = cheek, गाल	plod (प्लॉड) = travel, यात्रा करना।
cheer (चियर) = joy, खुशी।	ploddings (प्लॉडिंग्स) = travels, यात्राएँ
cheese (चीज़) = a substance made from milk, पनीर	pork (पॉर्क) = flesh of a pig, सुअर का माँस।
cherished (चेरिश्ड) = desired, इच्छित	porridge (पॉरिज) = a food made by boiling oats in milk or water, दलिया।
Christmassy (क्रिसमसी) = क्रिसमस के त्योहार जैसा।	preach (प्रीच) = give sermons or religious talks, धर्म विषयक भाषण देना।
circle around (सर्कल अराउंड) = revolve, चक्कर लगाना	present (प्रेज़न्ट) = gift, उपहार।
clatter (क्लैटर) = make a loud noise by rubbing together, खटकना।	pretend (प्रिटेन्ड) = feign, का बहाना करना ।
close in upon (क्लोज़ इन अपॉन) = surround, घेरना।	pretty (प्रिटि) = attractive, आकर्षक।
close up (क्लोज़ अप) = come closer to each other, अधिक निकट आना।	probably (प्रॉबब्ली) = perhaps, शायद।
clothing (क्लोथिंग) = clothes, कपड़े	profitable (प्रॉफिटबल) = making profit, लाभदायक।
coal (कोयला) = a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, कोयला।	prominent (प्रॉमिनेंट) = famous, प्रसिद्ध।
compassionately (कम्पैशनेट्ली) = sympathetically, सहानुभूतिपूर्वक।	prosperity (प्रॉस्पेरिटी) = riches, समृद्धि।
comrade (कॉम्रेड) = friend, मित्र।	public highway (पब्लिक हाइवे) = main road, मुख्य सड़क।
confidence (कॉन्फिडेंस) = something told as a secret, गुप्त बात बताना।	puckered (पकड़) = wrinkled, झुर्रियों वाला ।
consent (कन्सेन्ट) = agreement, सहमति।	purpose (पर्पस) = aim, उद्देश्य
contents (कंटेंट्स) = things inside, अन्दर की वस्तु।	queer (क्वीयर) = strange, विचित्र।
cottage (कॉटेज) = a small house, छोटा घर।	ragamuffin (रैगामफिन) = a dirty young person wearing torn clothes, गंदा फटाफट व्यक्ति।
crates (क्रेट्स) = wooden baskets, लकड़ी की टोकरियाँ।	rags (रैग्स) = torn clothes, फटे-पुराने कपड़े।
crazy (क्रेजी) = stupid, मूर्खतापूर्ण।	raised (रेज़्ड) = lifted, उठाया।
creamery (क्रीमरी) = a place where milk and cream are made into butter and cheese, दुग्ध-मक्खन और पनीर बनाने की जगह।	rattraps (रैट्रैप्स) = mousetraps, चूहेदानी।
crofter (क्रॉफ्टर) = a person who owns a small farm, छोटे से खेत का मालिक, जमींदार।	realised (रिअलाइज़्ड) = felt, महसूस किया।
cross examine (क्रॉस एग्जामाइन) = question, पूछताछ करना।	recalled (रिकॉल्ड) = recollected, याद किया।
cupboard (कपबोर्ड) = अलमारी।	receive (रिसीव) = welcome, स्वागत करना।
dangling (डेन्गलिंग) = hanging down, लटके हुए।	reflection (रिफ्लेक्शन) = a mirrored image, प्रतिबिम्ब |
deign (डेन)= condescend, to do something that you think you are really too important to do, की कृपा करना, अनुग्रह करना।	refuse (रिफ्यूज़) = say no, मना करना।
dejectedly (डीजेक्टेड्ली) = in hopelessness, निराशा में।	regard (रिगार्ड) = respect, आदर।
Den (डेन) = the home of some wild animals, गुहा	regiment (रेजिमेंट) = a large group of soldiers, रेजिमेंट।
descended (डिसेंडेड) = came down, नीचे उतरना, छाना।	regret (रिग्रेट) = to feel sorry for, पश्चाताप करना।
despair (डिस्पेयर) = state of helplessness, निराशा।	resign (रिज़ाइन)= to abandon a service, त्यागपत्र देना।
devil (डेविल) = शैतान।	resort to (रिज़ॉर्ट टु) = have recourse to, उपाय ढूँढना।
direction (डायरेक्शन) = the way something is going or pointing, दिशा।	riches (रिचेज़) = luxury, सम्पत्ति
dissimulate (डिसिम्यूलेट) = deceive, छिपाना, कपट करना, धोखा देना ।	Rind (राइन्ड) = thick outer part, ऊपरी परत।
done up (डन अप) = fastened, बँधा हुआ।	roar (रोर) = make harsh sound, gurgle, गरजना।
Drag (ड्रैग) = pull, खींचना, डालना।	rolling mill (रोलिंग मिल) = a machine that produces flat sheets of metal, बेलनी मिल।
dreary (ड्रीरी) = dull, नीरस	rounds (राउंड्स) = visits, भ्रमण, दौरा।
drip (ड्रिप) = fall in drops, टपकना।	run across (रन अक्रॉस) = meet unexpectedly, अनपेक्षित मिलना।
drove back (ड्रोव बैक) = came back, वापस आए।	sank down (सैंक डाउन) = fell down, गिर गया।
embarrassed (एम्बेरस्ड) = feeling ashamed or self-conscious, शर्मिंदा।	scow (स्कौ) = a wide-beamed flat-bottomed boat, कच्चा नाव।
entertaining (इन्टरटेनिंग) = amusing, मनोरंजक	seas (सीज़) = समुद्र
escape (इस्केप) = to get away from, बच निकलना।	season (सीज़न) = मौसम, मिजाज।
escaped through (एस्केप्ट थ्रू) = came out, बाहर आ रही थी।	seem (सीम) = appear, लगना ।
even so (इवन सो) = despite that, फिर भी।	seemed (सीम्ड) = appeared, दिखाई दे रही थी।
every now and then (एव्रि नाउ एन्ड देन) = frequently, यदा-कदा, बीच-बीच में।	set out (सेट आउट) = arrange, व्यवस्थित तरीके से लगाना।
evidently (एविडलि) = obviously, साफ तौर पर।	share (शेयर) = part, हिस्सा, भाग।
evil (ईविल) = bad, बुरा।	shelter (शेल्टर) = something to take refuge in, आश्रयस्थल।
exactly (एक्सैक्ट्ली) = in the same way, ठीक उसी तरह	Sheriff (शेरिफ़) = an official, अधिकारी ।
Except (एक्सेप्ट) = but, other than, अलावा	ship out (शिप आउट) = send out, बाहर भेजना।
exist (एग्जिस्ट) = to be, अस्तित्व होना	shovel (शवल) = to move coal etc. with a tool named shovel, बेलचे से डालना या इधर-उधर करना।
extraordinary (एक्स्ट्रा-ऑर्डिनरी) = unusual, असाधारण।	Show (शो) = to display or exhibit, प्रदर्शन करना
fall away from (फॉल अवे फ्रॉम) = separated from, से अलग हो जाना।	shy (शाइ) = bashful, संकोचशील।
fare (फेयर) = (here) food, भोजन।	sift (सिफ्ट) = to separate by passing through a sieve, छानना।
feel confidence (फील कॉन्फिडेंस) = believe, विश्वास करना।	slice (स्लाइस) = piece, टुकड़ा।
fine (फाइन) = nice, भला, अच्छा।	slid (स्लिड) = float, तैरना।
Fist (फ़िस्ट) = मुट्ठी ।	slid (स्लिड) = past tense of slide, फिसल गया।
flesh (फ्लेश) = muscle and fat, मांस।	slouch (स्लाउच) = not stiff, ढीला।
follow (फ़ॉलो)= go after, अनुगमन करना।	smartness (स्मार्टनेस) = cleverness, चतुराई, चालाकी।
for a while (फॉर अ व्हाइल) = for a short time, कुछ समय के लिए।	smashed (स्मैश्ट) = broke, तोड़ दिया।
foreboding (फोरबोडिंग) = a strong feeling that something unpleasant is going to happen, अनिष्ट की आशंका।	smelter (स्मेल्टर) = a machine or factory used for smelting metal, प्रगालक।
forge (फोर्ज) = a place where objects are made by heating and shaping pieces of metal, ढलाईघर।	snare (स्नेयर) = net, जाल
frame (फ्रेम)= structure, ढांचा।	Sneak away (स्नीक अवे) = to leave quietly and furtively, चुपके से चले जाना
frightened (फ्राइटन्ड) = full of fear, भयाक्रान्त, डरा हुआ।	sound (साउंड) = a noise or something that can be heard, ध्वनि।
fur (फ़र) = skin of an animal with a thick mass of hair, सघन बालों से युक्त खाल, फ़र।	sour faces (सावर फेसेज़) = not cheerful faces, दुखी चेहरे।
furnace (फर्नस) = भट्टी।	spend (स्पेंड) = to pass time, बिताना।
gave him to understand (गेव हिम टू अन्डरस्टैंड) = उसे समझाया।	splendour (स्प्लेंडर) = grandeur, शानदारता ।
generous (जेनरस) = large hearted, उदार।	staggered (स्टैगर्ड) = walked unsteadily, लड़खड़ाते हुए चलना।
get away (गेट अवे) = abandon, त्यागना।	starched (स्टार्च्ड) = dipped in a solution that makes clothes stiff, कलफ लगे हुए।
Get caught (गेट कॉट) = get stuck, उलझना, फँस जाना।	stared (स्टेयर्ड) = looked intently, घूरकर देखा।
get out (Phrasal verb) = leave, निकलना।	still glowed in the furnace = अभी भी भट्टी में चमक रहे थे।
give in (गिव इन) = to accept defeat, हार मान लेना।	stir (स्टर) = कुरेदना।
glance (ग्लान्स) = look, निगाह।	store (स्टोर) = shop, दुकान।
glanced (ग्लैन्स्ड) = saw, देखा, देखता था।	stranger (स्ट्रेंजर) = unknown person, अजनबी।
gleam (ग्लीम) = show, appear clearly, साफ-साफ दिखना।	strength (स्ट्रेंथ) = power or physical ability, शक्ति, ताकत।
gloom (ग्लूम) = darkness or a feeling of sadness, उदासी।	stretched himself out (स्ट्रेच्ट हिम्सेल्फ आउट) = पसरा हुआ था।
glow (ग्लो) = brightness, चमक।	strokes (स्ट्रोक्स) = hits or blows, प्रहार, आघात।
glowing (ग्लोइंग) = shining, चमकता हुआ।	Struck (स्ट्रक) = gave a blow, जोर से मारा ।
go down hill (गो डाउन हिल) = get worse, deteriorate, हालत खराब होना, पतन होना, बुरा होना।	stuck (स्टक) = inserted, घुसा दिया।
got (गॉट) = received, प्राप्त हुआ।	stuff (स्टफ) = fill, भरना, डालना, ठूसना।
got up (गॉट अप) = stood up, खड़ा हुआ।	summoned (समन्मन्ड) = called for or requested, बुलाया।
gray (ग्रे) = grey, स्लेटी।	sunken (संकन) = curved inward, concave, धंसे हुए।
groan (ग्रोन) = to cry or make sound, आवाज करना।	supper (सपर) = evening meal, रात का खाना।
groomed (ग्रूम्ड) = well dressed and caring about hair, सजा-संवारा ।	supported (सपोर्टेड) = received support, समर्थन प्राप्त थी।
had fallen into a line of thought (हैड फॉलन इंटू अ लाइन ऑफ़ थॉट) = lost in thought, विचारों में खोया हुआ।	sure (शोर) = certain, निश्चित।
had gotten into = फँस गया था।	take by the hand (हाथ पकड़ना)
handed (हैंडेड) = gave, दिया।	tempt (टेम्प्ट) = lure, लालच में डालना
happen (हैपन)= occur, घटित होना।	than (थैन) = except, अलावा
hard time (हार्ड टाइम) = bad time, बुरा समय।	thicket (थिकिट) = grove, कुन्ज, झुरमुट।
hardly (हार्ड्ली) = scarcely, मुश्किल से ही।	thievery (थीवरी) = theft, चोरी।
haughty (हॉटी) = full of pride, घमण्डभरा।	think ill (थिंक इल) = think bad, बुरा सोचना
heavily loaded (हेविली लोडेड) = fully loaded, भरी हुई।	threw it over (उसके ऊपर फेंक दिया) = के ऊपर डाल लिया।
heavy (हैवी) = serious, गंभीरं।	throw (थ्रो) = (here it means) give, देना।
held up before the eyes (हेल्ड अप बिफोर द आईज़) = showed, दिखाया।	thrust (थ्रस्ट) = put, रख दिया।
helped himself to the food (खाना खाया) = खाना खाया।	thunder (थंडर) = to speak loudly, roar, जोर से बोलना।
Hesitate (हेजिटेट) = be tentative, हिचकिचाना, संकोच करना ।	tired to death (टायर्ड टू डेथ) = extremely tired, अत्यधिक थका हुआ।
homelike (घर जैसा)	to get a better view of (टू गेट अ बेटर व्यू ऑफ) = to see in a better way, और अच्छी तरह देखने के लिए।
honoured (ऑनर्ड) = respected, आदरणीय।	trader (ट्रेडर) = businessman, व्यापारी ।
host (होस्ट) = one who entertains a guest, मेजबान।	tramp (ट्रैम्प) = vagabond, घुमक्कड़।
hung (हंग) = dropped, लटका लिया।	trap (ट्रैप) = a device used to catch something, पिंजड़ा।
idea (आइडिया) = thought, विचार।	Trouble (ट्रब्ल) = difficulty, परेशानी।
impenetrable (इम्पेनिट्रबल) = that cannot be entered, अगम, दुर्गम।	trudge (ट्रज) = walk slowly and with difficulty, थकाने वाला चलना।
in good season (इन गुड सीज़न) = in a happy mood, खुश, अच्छी मनःस्थिति में।	trunk (ट्रंक) = main part of a tree, तना।
Inconspicuously (इनकान्स्पिक्यूअस्ली) = without being noticed, सुस्त, चुपके से	turn (टर्न) = बारी।
increase (इन्क्रीस) = to make something bigger or more, बढ़ाना।	turn off (Phrasal verb) = रास्ता बदलकर दूसरी दिशा में जाना।
incredulous (इन्क्रेड्युलस) = not believing something, अविश्वासपूर्ण, संदेहास्पद।	turn on his heel (टर्न ऑन हिस हील) = to turn around suddenly, अचानक पीछे की तरफ घूमना।
indifferently (इन्डिफरेंट्लि) = without showing interest, निरपेक्ष भाव से।	twisted back and forth (ट्विस्टेड बैक एंड फ़ॉर्थ) = moved forward and backward or side to side, आगे पीछे या दाएँ-बाएँ मुड़ा।
inland (इनलैंड) = situated away from the coast, देश के भीतर का।	type (टाइप) = kind, प्रकार।
inspection (इन्स्पेक्शन) = a visit to check that everything is okay, निरीक्षण	uncertain (अनिश्चित) = vague, अस्पष्ट, अनिश्चित
intention (इंटेंशन) = plan, motive, इरादा	undeceive (अन्डीसीव) = to remove the illusion, भ्रम दूर करना
intercede(इन्टरसीड)=speak in somebody’s favour,किसी पर दया करने के लिए किसी को राजी करना	unexpectedly (अनएक्स्पेक्टेडली) = without being expected, अप्रत्याशित रूप से
intruder (इन्ट्रूडर) = one who enters without permission, घुसपैठिया।	unwonted (अनवोंटेड) = unusual, असामान्य, अजीब सा
iron (आयरन) = a kind of metal, लोहा	used to (यूज़्ड टू) = accustomed to, आदी, अभ्यस्त
ironmaster (लोहार) = a person who makes or deals in iron, लोहा बनाने वाला या लोहा व्यापारी।	usual (यूज़्युअल) = normal, आमतौर पर।
jagged (जैग्ड) = with rough or sharp edges, नुकीले।	vagabond (वैगाबॉन्ड) = homeless traveler, घुमक्कड़।
Jet alone (लेट अलोन) = leave, छोड़ना।	valet (वैलेट) = personal servant, निजी नौकर।
just as (जस्ट ऐस) = at the same time as, जैसे ही।	Voluntarily (वॉलंटेरिली) = done willingly or without being forced, स्वेच्छा से
keep body and soul together (कीप बॉडी एंड सोल टोगेदर) = to make both ends meet, जीवनयापन चलाना।	wagon (वैगन) = vehicle, वाहन, गाड़ी।
knowingly (नोइंग्लि) = deliberately, जानबूझकर।	warm (वार्म) = to give heat, गर्म करना।
kronor(क्रोनोर)=plural of krone (krone-the unit of money in Denmark and Norway), क्रोन	was informed (वॉज इनफॉर्म्ड) = was told, सूचित किया गया।
laid (लेड) = put, रखा।	was struck by the idea (वास स्ट्रक बाई दी आइडिया) = got an idea, विचार आया।
lake (लेक) = a large body of water, झील।	waterfall (वॉटरफॉल) = fountain, झरना।
land (लैंड) = भूमि	way out (वे आउट) = a means of escape from a difficult situation, उपाय।
lay (ले) = लेट गया।	well-dressed (वेल-ड्रेस्ड) = wearing good clothes, अच्छे कपड़े पहने हुए।
led (लेड) = took, ले गया।	wet (वेट) = moist, गीला।
left (लेफ्ट) = (here) lost, (यहाँ पर-अपने विचारों में) खोया हुआ।	whip (व्हिप) = hit sharply, कोड़े की तरह मारना।
Lock up (लॉक अप) = put into prison, जेल में डालना।	wire (वायर) = metal thread, तार।
log (लॉग) = a big piece of wood, लकड़ी, लट्ठा।	wonder (वंडर) = think, सोचना
loneliness (लोनलिनेस) = being alone, अकेलापन।	Worst (वर्स्ट) = extremely bad, बहुत बुरा।

 The Rattrap in Hindi
The Rattrap Summary in English and Hindi
The Rattrap Solution

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