They say that blood is
thicker than water, that our relatives are more important to us
than others. Everyone was so kind to the old lady on her birthday.
Surely her daughter would make an even bigger effort to please
he?
The Present
It was the
old lady's birthday.
She got up
early to be ready for the post. From the second floor flat she
could see the postman when he came down the street, and the little
boy from the ground floor brought up her letters on the rare
occasions when anything came.
Today she
was sure the would be something. Myra wouldn't forget her mother's
birthday, even if she seldom wrote at other times. Of course Myra
was busy. Her husband had been made Mayor, and Myra herself had got
a medal for her work the aged.
The old lady
was proud of Myra, but Enid was the daughter she loved. Enid had
never married, but had seemed content to live with her mother, and
teach in a primary school round the corner.
One evening,
however, Enid said, "I've arranged for Mrs. Morrison to look after
you for a few days, Mother. Tomorrow I have to go into
hospital--just a minor operation, I'll soon be home."
In the
morning she went, but never came back--she died on the operating
table. Myra came to the funeral, and in her efficient way arranged
for Mrs. Morrison to come in and light the fire and give the old
lady her breakfast.
Two years
ago that was, and since then Myra had been to see her mother three
times, but her husband never.
The old lady
was eight today. She had put on her best dress. Perhaps--perhaps
Myra might come. After all, eighty was a special birthday, another
decade lined or endured just as you chose to look at it.
Even if Myra
did not come, she would send a present. The old lady was sure of
that. Two spots of colour brightened her cheeks. She was
excited--like a child. She would enjoy her day.
Yesterday
Mrs. Morrison had given the flat an extra clean, and today she had
brought a card and a bunch of marigolds when she came to do the
breakfast. Mrs. Grant downstairs had made a cake, and in the
afternoon she was going down there to tea. The little boy, Johnnie,
had been up with a packet of mints, and said he wouldn't go out to
play until the post had come.
"I guess
you'll get lots and lots of presents," he said, "I did last were
when I was six."
What would she like? A pair of slippers perhaps. Or a new cardigan.
A cardigan would be lovely. Blue's such a pretty colour. Jim had
always liked her in blue. Or a table lamp. Or a book, a travel
book, with pictures, or a little clock, with clear black numbers.
So many lovely things.
She stood by the window, watching. The postman turned round the
corner on his bicycle. Her heart beat fast. Johnnie had seen him
too and ran to the gate.
Then
clatter, clatter up the stairs. Johnnie knocked at her door.
"Granny,
granny," he shouted, "I've got your post."
He gave her
four envelopes. Three were unsealed cards from old friends. The
fourth was sealed, in Myra's writing. The old lady felt a pang of
disappointment.
"No parcel,
Johnnie?"
"No,
granny."
Maybe the
parcel was too large to come by letter post. That was it. It would
come later by parcel post. She must be patient.
Almost
reluctantly she tore the envelope open. Folded in the card was a
piece of paper. Written on the card was a message under the printed
Happy Birthday -- Buy yourself something nice with the cheque, Myra
and Harold.
The cheque
fluttered to the floor like a bird with a broken wing. Slowly the
old lady stooped to pick it up. Her present, her lovely present.
With trembling fingers she tore it into little bits.
NEW WORDS
relative
n. 亲属，亲戚
present
n. gift 礼物，赠品
postman
n. 邮递员
rare
a. not happening often 罕见的；不常发生的
occasion
n. special time; time when sth.
happens 时刻，时机；场合
mayor
n. chief official of a city or town 市长
medal
n. 奖章
aged
a. old
content
a. satisfied; pleased 满意的；高兴的
primary
a. first; earliest 首要的；最初的
arrange
vi. make preparations; plan 作安排，筹划
minor
a. not serious or important 较小的；次要的
operate
vi. cut the body in order to set right or remove a diseased part
开刀，动手术
operating
table
n. a special table in a hospital, where
operations are done 手术台
funeral
n. 葬礼
efficient
a. able to plan and work well
效率高的
decade
n. ten years
endure
vt. bear (pain, suffering, etc.) 忍受，忍耐
spot
n. a round area that is different from the main
surface 点，斑点
brighten
vt. make bright or brighter 使发光；使发亮
cheek
n. either side of the face below the eye
面颊
extra
a. additional 额加的，外加的
clean
n. cleaning
bunch
n. things of the same kind that are tied together
（一）束，（一）串
marigold
n. 万寿菊（花）
packet
n. small parcel box 小包（裹）
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