The men glanced around the living room which Hana had taken great pains to decorate properly. A new flowered rug lay on the floor, and fresh white curtains that Kiku had helped Hana sew hung at the windows. The first tight buds of the flowering peach in their yard had begun to bloom, and knowing there would be callers, Hana had arranged a bunch on the table.

“We’ ll come right to the point,” a tall red-headed man said without bothering to sit down.

“There’ve been some complaints from the neighbourhood about having Japanese on this block,”

Taro caught his breath. “I see. Can you tell me who it was that complained?”

“Just some of the neighbours.”

“What is it that we have done to offend them?”

“Well, nothing specific.”

Taro looked at each of the men in turn and tried to keep his voice steady. “Gentlemen,” he began. “My wife and I looked many, many months to find a home where we might raise our daughter. When the owner said there would be no objection to our moving in here, we trusted him. It was a dream come true for us. We have already spent much time and money to make this house our home. And now, you would ask us to leave?”

Taro dared not stop before he finished all he wanted to say: “I should like to meet those neighbours who object to us,” he said. “Is it any of you gentlemen?”

The men looked uncomfortable. “We’re just here to represent them.”

“Then please invite them to come talk to me. If they can tell me why we aren’t desirable or why we do not deserve their respect, I shall consider their request. I am the proprietor of Takeda Dry Goods and Grocers on Seventh Street and I would be happy to have them visit my shop as well.”

The men glanced uneasily at one another and had nothing more to say.

【小题1】The main purpose of the gentlemen’s visit was to ________.

A．arrange a meeting for Taro to talk with the angry neighbours

B．make Taro aware of the complaints about the family’s decorations

C．tell Taro that his family was not welcome in the neighbourhood

D．extend their welcome to the family to settle in the neighbourhood

【小题2】The underlined word “proprietor” is closest in meaning to ________.

A．owner

B．newcomer

C．customer

D．caller

【小题3】Which description best reflects Taro’s character?

A．He was eager to avoid conflicts.	B．He was brave to defend his rights.
C．He was offensive and disrespectful.	D．He was considerate of others’ feelings.

【小题4】What social problem is revealed in the story?

A．Unsafe neighbourhood.	B．Illegal Immigration.
C．Housing shortage.	D．Racial prejudice.