Every time I reach for a book at Rydal Mount, I feel I should ask William Wordsworth’s permission. It’s 9 pm on a Friday night in March, and I’m about to spend a night in the former home of the poet—the first journalist to do so. I’ve said goodnight to the young curator(馆长) Leo Finighan. And now it’s just me and one of the most influential writers, alone together in his library.

On and off from 1813 to 1850, he was here, receiving visitors and editing his work. I can’t help feeling his spirit is still around.

“This is still, in part, a family house and we’re probably not as precious about it as we should be,” Chris Andrew had told me. He is Wordsworth’s great-great-great-great-grandson and the main promoter of a plan to open Rydal Mount to overnight guests for the first time. “But we prefer it this way,” he added. “It preserves the closeness to the poet. We can offer a more personal connection as a result.”

As I take a copy of his complete works back to my chair, they all seem to be gathering round. Here comes the poet. He’s back from the garden, where he would pace the path, composing lines. Upstairs Dorothy, his sister, is unwell. It’s an extraordinary feeling, as though at any moment I’m going to hear someone’s voice. By 9:30 pm, I’m in bed. I have a sound sleep in the best bedroom in the house. It’s the one that Wordsworth and his wife Mary used.

Before I have to go the next morning, there’s still time for a poem and I choose The Tables Turned from Lyrical Ballads. It begins with “Up! up! my friend, and quit your books” and I can’t help smiling at the volumes in front of me. It feels like he’s talking directly to me. Not surprising, really, given the fact I’m sitting in his bedroom.

【小题1】Why does the author head for Rydal Mount?

A．To visit his friend Leo Finighan.

B．To report an annual event as a journalist.

C．To show admiration for Wordsworth.

D．To attend a conference for influential writers.

【小题2】What was Andrew’s attitude to opening Rydal Mount to overnight guests?

A．Objective.

B．Favourable.

C．Doubtful.

D．Disapproving.

【小题3】What does the author do during the night?

A．He paces the path in Wordsworth’s garden.

B．He sleeps in Wordsworth and Mary’s bedroom.

C．He chats with Wordsworth’s sister upstairs.

D．He copies Wordsworth’s poems.

【小题4】What does “they” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．Sounds.

B．His works.

C．Guests.

D．His family.

【小题5】How does the author feel when reading The Tables Turned from Lyrical Ballads?

A．He feels as if Wordsworth were on the scene.

B．He feels surprised at Wordsworth’s humour.

C．He feels as if Wordsworth were enthusiastic about talking.

D．He feels Wordsworth might have been too particular about words.