读 the moon and sixpence
on the beach:潦倒的,退休的【Well, I guess I was on the beach.】
put on airs:摆架子【They seldom put on airs; and the offer of a drink is a sure way to their hearts.】
fly in the face of:公然违抗【There are men whom a merciful Providence has undoubtedly ordained to a single life, but who from wilfulness or through circumstances they could not cope with have flown in the face of its decrees.】
put out of countenance: 使为难,使局促不安,使窘迫。【He is not embarrassed by the sans gene of the hobo, nor put out of countenance by the etiquette of the prince.】
rise superior to: 不为所动,不受影响【Strickland was just the man to rise superior to circumstances, when they were such as to occasion despondency in most.】