Beth received a piano as a gift from her neighbour Mr. Laurence. It had belonged to his late granddaughter. Beth liked it very much and tried it. Her sisters said it was the greatest piano they had ever heard.
“You’ll have to go and thank him,” said Jo, Beth’s elder sister.
Yes, I mean to. I guess I’ll go now before I get frightened thinking about it.
Though Beth was shy, she also decided to show her gratitude. To her whole family’s surprise, Beth walked towards Mr. Laurence’s house.
“Mr. Laurence became cross (易怒的) after his granddaughter died. Beth is such a shy girl; how dare she talk with him?” cried Hannah, her mum, staring after her, while the girls became quite speechless by the miracle (奇迹) they saw later.
Beth knocked at the door before she gave herself time to think. A gruff voice called out, “Come in!” She did go in, right up to Mr. Laurence, saying in her low voice, “I came to thank you sir, for…” But she didn’t finish, for Mr. Laurence looked so friendly that she forgot her speech, only remembering that he had lost the little girl he loved. After a while, she put her arms round his neck and kissed him.
If the roof of the house had suddenly flown off, the old gentleman wouldn’t have been more surprised. But he liked it. He liked it amazingly! And he was so touched and pleased by that little kiss and all his crossness disappeared. He just set her on his knee, and laid his wrinkled cheek against her pink one, feeling as if he had got his own little granddaughter back. Beth wasn’t afraid of him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out (赶走) fear, and gratitude can conquer (征服) pride.
When it was time for Beth to go home, Mr. Laurence walked with her to her own gate, shook hands and touched his hat as he marched back again, looking very stately and erect like a handsome soldierly old gentleman, as he was.
【小题1】How did the family members feel when they saw Beth walking to Mr. Laurence’s house?| A．Angry. | B．Surprised. | C．Nervous. | D．Thankful. |
| A．Because she felt sorry for his loss. |
| B．Because she had known him for a long time. |
| C．Because she was too afraid to talk to him. |
| D．Because she was moved by his love for music. |
a. Beth visited Mr. Laurence. to thank him.
b. Mr. Laurence gave Beth a piano as a gift.
c. Mr. Laurence’s little granddaughter died.
d. Beth and Mr. Laurence had a good time together.
| A．b-a-c-d | B．b-a-d-c | C．c-a-b-d | D．c-b-a-d |
| A．How to Conquer Fear in Life |
| B．Show Thanks to People Who Helped Us |
| C．Be Friendly and Helpful to the Old |
| D．Love and Gratitude Can Create a Miracle |
