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⼤学英语精读第⼀册unit8UNIT 8TEXTThe boy was at first delighted to discover the present his mother had hidden away as his Christmas gift. But then he began to worry that his mother would now no longer have the pleasure of giving him a surprise. What was he to do?A Magician at Stretching a DollarThat December, with Christmas approaching, she was out at work and Doris was in the kitchen when I let myself into her bedroom one afternoon in search of a safety pin. Since her bedroom opened onto a community hallway, she kept the door locked, but needing the pin, I took the key from its hiding place, unlocked the door and stepped in. Standing against the wall was a big, black bicycle with balloon tires. I recognized it instantly. It was the same second-hand bike I’d been admiring in a Baltimore Street shop window. I’d even asked about the price. It was a shock. Something like $15. Somehow my mother had scraped together enough for a down payment and meant to surprise me with the bicycle on Christmas morning.I was deeply moved by the discovery and yet sickened by the knowledge that, bursting into her room like this, I had robbed her of the pleasure of seeing me astonished and delighted on Christmas day. I hadn’t wanted to know her lovely secret; still coming upon it like this made me feel as though I’d struck a blow against her happiness. I backed out, put the key back in its hiding place, and thought over what to do.I decided that between now and Christmas I must do nothing, absolutely nothing, to reveal the slightest hint of my terrible knowledge. I must avoid the least word that might reveal my possession of her secret. Nothing must deny her the happiness of seeing me completely amazed on Christmas day.In the privacy of my bedroom I began composing and testing exclamations of delight: “Wow!” “A bike with balloon tires! I don’t believe it!” “I’m the luckiest boy alive!” And so on. They all owed a lot to movies in which boys like Mickey Rooney had seen their wildest dreams come true. I soon realized that, with my lack of acting talent, all of them were going to sound false at the critical moment when I wanted to cry out my love spontaneously from the heart. Maybe it would be better to say nothing but appear to be shocked into such deep pleasure that speech had escaped me. I wasn’t sure, though. I’d seen speechless gratitude in the movies too, and it never really worked until the actors managed to cry a few quiet tears. I doubted I could cry on cue, so I began thinking about other expressions of speechless amazement. In front of a hand-held mirror in my bedroom I tried the whole range of expressions; mouth open and eyes wide; hands slapped firmly against both cheeks to keep the jaw from falling off; ear-to-ear grin with all teeth fully exposed while hugging myself with both arms. These and more I practiced for several days without acquiring confidence in any of them. I decided to wait until Christmas morning and see if anything came naturally…That Christmas morning she woke us early, “to see what Santa Claus brought,” she said with just the right tone of voice to indicate we were all old enough to know who Santa Claus was. I came out of my bedroom with my present for her and Doris, and Doris came with hers. My mother’s has been placed under the tree during the night. There were a few small brightly wrapped packages, a big doll for Doris, but no bicycle. I must have looked disappointed.“It looks like Santa Claus didn’t do too well by you this year, Buddy,” she said, as I opened packages. A shirt. A necktie. I said something halfhearted like, “It’s the thought that counts,” but what I felt was bitter disappointment. I supposed she’d found the bike just too expensive and sent it back.“Wait a minute!” she cried, snapping her fingers. “There’s something in my bedroom I forgot all about.”She went out, and a moment later came back wheeling the big black two-wheeler with balloon tires. I didn’t have to pretend, after all. The three of us—Doris, my mother, and I—were people bred to hold back emotional expressions of love, but I did something that startled both my mother and me. I threw my arms around her spontaneously and kissed her.“All right now, don’t carry on about it. It’s only a bicycle,” she said.Still, I knew that she was as happy as I was to see her so happy.NEW WORDS1、magician n./magic n.2、stretch v.3、approach v.4、community n.5、hallway n.1、person with magical powers巫师，魔术师/魔术2、节俭地使⽤，（使）变长（或宽），拉长3、come near or nearer to (sb./sth.)in space or time接近，临近4、社区5、过道，门厅6、balloon n.7、instantly ad./instant a.8、second-hand a.9、somehow ad.10、scrape vt.6、⽓球7、at once,immediately⽴即8、⼆⼿的，旧的9、in some way,by some means 10、以某种⽅式，不知为什么11、scrape vt.（→形近script n. 脚本；⼿迹；书写⽤的字母/vt. 把…改编为剧本/vi. 写电影脚本) eg.scrape together12、payment n. eg.down payment13、sicken vt.14、rob vt. eg.rob(sb.)of(sth.)15、astonish vt.11、刮，擦 eg.gather or collect(sth.)with difficulty积攒，拼凑 12、⽀付，付款，⽀付的款项 eg.⾸付款，头款 13、make (sb.) feel disgusted使厌恶 14、剥夺，抢劫 eg.剥夺，抢劫 15、surprise greatly使⼤为惊讶16、absolutely ad./absolute a.17、reveal vt.18、slight a.19、hint n.20、avoid vt.16、completely and totally完全地，绝对地 17、泄漏，使显露 18、not serious or important,small⽆⾜轻重的，轻微的 19、small indication(n. 指⽰，指出；迹象；象征),indirect suggestion些微的迹象，暗⽰ 20、prevent (sth.) from happening,stop oneself from (doing sth.)避免，防⽌21、deny vt.22、privacy n./private a.23、compose vt.24、exclamation n.25、wow interj.21、refuse to give (sb.) from having (sth.),say that (sth.) is not true拒绝给予，否认 22、独处，不受⼲扰，隐私/私⼈的，个⼈的 23、write (a letter,speech,etc.) with great care and thought,write (music,opera,poetry,etc.)赚些，创作 24、感叹，惊叫25、expressing great surprise,pain,etc.感叹，惊叫26、lucky a.27、talent n.28、critical a.29、spontaneously ad./spontaneous a.30、gratitude n.26、幸运的 27、(people with) a special or very great skill or ability天才 28、危急的，决定性的，关键的 29、happening in a natural way without being planned or thought about⾃发地，⾃然地 30、感激之情，感恩之⼼31、cue n. eg.on cue32、hand-held a.33、mirror n.34、range n.35、slap vt.31、a few words or action that gives sb. the signal to say or do sth.提⽰，暗⽰ eg.at exactly the right or expected moment恰好在这个时候 32、⼿持的，⼿提式的 33、镜⼦ 34、⼀系列，⼀排，范围 35、啪地⼀声放（或扔等），打36、jaw n.37、ear-to-ear a.38、grin n./vi.39、expose vt.40、hug vt./n. eg.hug oneself36、颚，下巴 37、合不拢嘴的，满⾯的 38、wide smile咧嘴笑，露齿的笑 39、暴露，使⽆遮盖（或保护） 40、拥抱，紧抱eg.双臂在胸前交叉抱⾝41、acquire vt.42、confidence n.43、naturally ad.44、tone n.45、indicate vt./indication n.41、gradually develop or learn,obtain习得，获得 42、信⼼，把握，⾃信 43、in a natural manner⾃然地 44、声调，⼝⽓45、show, be a sign of表明，象征46、wrap n.47、doll n.48、buddy n.49、necktie n.50、halfheared a.46、cover or enclose(sth.)in paper,plastic,etc.包，裹 47、玩具娃娃 48、伙计，⽼弟，⽼兄 49、领带 50、done with no real interest or enthusiasm（n. 热⼼，热忱，热情）半⼼半意的，不热⼼的51、snap v. eg.snap one's fingers52、two-wheeler n.53、breed v.54、startle vt.51、使劈啪作响，（使）折断 eg.捻⼿指 52、bicycle or motorcycle⾃⾏车，摩托车 53、养育，培养，繁殖 54、give a sudden shock or surprise to使⼤吃⼀惊，惊动PHEASES & EXPRESSIONS55、in search of56、something like57、come upon58、think over59、come true60、do well by61、hold back55、looking for寻找 56、approximately,about⼤约，⼤概 57、meet(sb.)or find(sth.)by chance偶然遇见（或发现） 58、认真考虑 59、实现，成真 60、tread(sb.)well对（某⼈）好 61、control or restrain(vt. 抑制，控制；约束；制⽌)抑制，控制PROPER NAMESRussell Baker 拉塞尔.贝克(1925-，美国幽默专栏作家)Doris 多丽丝（⼥⼦名）Baltimore Street 巴尔的摩⼤街Mickey Rooney⽶基.鲁尼（1920—，美国电影演员，1937-1946年在系列影⽚“家事”中塑造了⼩镇少年Andy Hardy这⼀令⼈难忘的⾓⾊）Santa Claus 圣诞⽼⼈。
A young boy faces the impossible task of trying to soften the blow of tragic mews.You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine The messenger got off his bicycle in front of the house of Mrs. Rosa Sandoval. He went to the door and knocked gently. He knew almost immediately that someone was inside the house. He could not hear anything, but he was sure the knock was bringing someone to the door and he was most eager to see who this person would be —— his woman named Rosa Sandoval who was now to heat of murder in the world and to feel it in herself. The door was not a long time opening, but there was no hurry in the way it moved on its hinges. The movement of the door was as if, whoever she was, she and nothing in the world to fear. Then the door was open, and there she was. To Homer the Mexican woman was beautiful. He could see that she had been patient all her life, so that now, after years of it, her lips were set in a gentle and saintly smile. But like all people who never receive telegrams the appearance of a messenger at the front door is full of terrible implication. Homer knew that Mrs. Rosa Sandoval was shocked to see him. Her first word was the first word of all surprise. She said "Oh," as if instead of a messenger she had thought of opening the door to someone she had know a long time and would be pleased to sit down with. Before she spoke again she studied Homer's eyes and Homer Knew that she knew the message was not a welcome one. "You have a telegram?" she said. It wasn't Homer's fault. His work was to deliver telegrams. Even so, it seemed to him that he was part of the whole mistake. He felt awkward and almost as if he alone were responsible for what had happened. At the same time he wanted to come right out and say, "I'm only a messenger, Mrs. Sandoval, I'm very sorry I must bring you a telegram like this, but it is only because it is my work to do so." "Who is it for?" the Mexican woman said. "Mrs. Rosa Sandoval, 1129 G Street." Homer said. He extended the telegram to the Mexican woman, but she would not touch it. "Are you Mrs. Sandoval?" Homer said. "Please," the woman said. "Please come in. I cannot read English. I am Mexican. I read only La Prensa which comes from Mexico City." She paused a moment and looked at the boy standing awkwardly as near the door as he could be and still be inside the house. "Please," she said, "what does the telegram say?" "Mrs. Sandoval," the messenger said, "the telegram says ——" But now the woman interrupted him. "But you must open the telegram and read it to me," she said. "You have not opened it." "Yes, ma'am," Homer said as if he were speaking to a school teacher who had just corrected him. He opened the telegram with nervous fingers. The Mexican woman stooped to pick up the torn envelope, and tried to smooth it out. As she did so she said, "Who sent the telegram —— my son Juan Domingo?" "No, ma'am." Homer said. "The telegram is from the War Department." "War Department?" the Mexican woman said. "Mrs. Sandoval," Homer said swiftly, "your son is dead. Maybe it's a mistake, Everybody makes a mistake, Mrs. Sandoval. Maybe it wasn't your son. Maybe it was somebody else. The telegram says it was Juan Domingo. But maybe the telegram is wrong," The Mexican woman pretended not to hear. "Oh, do not be afraid," she said. "Come inside. Come inside. I will bring you candy." She took the boy's arm and brought him to the table at the center of the room and there she made him sit. "All boys like candy," she said. "I will bring you candy." She went into another room and soon returned with an old chocolate candy box. She opened the box at the table and in it Homer saw a strange kind of candy. "Here," she said. "Eat this candy. All boys like candy." Homer took a piece of the candy from the box, put it into his mouth, and tried to chew. "You would not bring me a bad telegram," she said. "You are a good boy —— like my little Juanito when he was a little boy. Eat another piece." And she made the messenger take another piece of the candy. Homer sat chewing the dry candy while the Mexican woman talked. "It is our own candy," she said, "from cactus. I made it for my Juanito when he come home, but you eat it. You are my boy, too." Now suddenly she began to sob, holding herself in as if weeping were a disgrace. Homer wanted to get up and run, but he knew he would stay. He even thought he might stay the rest of his life. He just didn't know what else to do to try to make the woman less unhappy, and if she had asked him to take the place of her son, he would not have been able to refuse, because he would not have known how. He got to his feet, as if by standing he meant to begin correcting what could not be corrected and then he knew the foolishness of this intention and became more awkward than ever. In his heart he was saying over and over again, "What can I do? What the hell can I do? I'm only the messenger." NEW WORDS soften v. （cause to） become soft（er） or gentle （使）软化；（使）温和 tragic a. very sad, unfortunate; of or related to tragedy 悲惨的；悲剧的 messenger n. a person employed to deliver telegrams, letters or parcels 送信⼈，电报投递员 gently ad. softly 轻轻地 immediately a. at once immediate a. eager a. marked by strong interest or impatient desire 热切的，渴望的 hinge n. 铰链 whoever pron. no matter who ⽆论谁，不管谁 saintly a. like a saint; very holy 像圣徒⼀样的；圣洁的 implication n. 含义 imply vt. shock vt. cause unpleasant or angry surprise to （sb.）使（某⼈）震惊 deliver vt. take （sth.） to the place where it esp. sth. bad 交付，递送 awkward a. uncomfortable 尴尬的 responsible a. having done or been the cause of esp. sth. bad（应）负责的 Mexican n & a. 墨西哥⼈；墨西哥（⼈）的 extend vt. hold out 伸出 pause vi. stop for a short time 暂停，中⽌ interrupt vt. stop （sb. speaking） by breaking in 打断（某⼈讲话） nervous a. 神经质的；紧张的 ma'am madam （used in direct address） 夫⼈，太太，⼩姐 smooth vt. make smooth or smoother 把……弄平 department n. 部门；系 swiftly ad. rapidly, quickly 快速地；敏捷地 swift a. chocolate n. 巧克⼒（糖） chew vt. crush （food） with the teeth 咀嚼 cactus n. 仙⼈掌 sob vi. cry with short, quick breaths 啜泣；呜咽 disgrace n. shame 耻辱；丢脸的⼈（或事） unhappy a. not happys f i d = " 1 9 1 " > 0 0 h e l l / p >。
