大学英语精读-1 Unit three: The Present -1

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.