Hilary Smith belonged to a good family.But by the age of twenty, he had spent all the money
the good old family had.He then had some trouble with the bank and
was put in prison.He escaped from the prison and ran to
Australia without delay.
Hilary did not like Australia. What he could do seemed
to be one of two things: die or work.Then he
remembered that he was not alone in the world.He had
an aunt.
She was his father's only sister, but his father used
to say she brought no glory to the family.Hilary, of
course, tried to discover what she had done.It seemed
that she had failed to marry a nobleman.Instead, she
had chosen a husband who was connected with "trade".Of course as soon as she became "Mrs Parks"
,her brother considered her dead.Later on, Mr
Parks died and left her a lot of money; but that did not bring her back to life
in her brother's opinion.
Hilary discovered his aunt's address.Fortunately she remained faithful and honest to him
even after she fell ill.So Hilary's star shone again, and soon he
moved into her house and lived as comfortably as a sailor who had just reached
harbour.He had only about a six pence in his pocket.
One thing was soon clear: his aunt was seriously ill,
and nothing could cure her illness.Hilary was
very worried.Fate had found a home for him, and was now
going to throw him out of it.There was only one thing
that could save him: her will.
"Will?" she said, "yes, I have made one.That was when I was a girl and had not much money.I left all my money to some religious people."
"Didn't you make another will when you were
married?" Hilary asked.
His aunt shook her head."No,"
she said in a low voice, "There was no need.When I
finally had a lot of money I found I had no relations."
On the next day he went to the public library and
examined a book of law.It told him what he already believed.When a woman is married, an earlier will lose its
value.A new will must be made.If no new will is made, the money goes to the nearest
relation.Hilary knew that he was his aunt's only
relation.His future was safe.
After a few months had passed, Hilary's problems
became serious.He badly needed money.He had expensive tastes, and owed a lot of money to
shopkeepers.They trusted him because his aunt was rich;
but the debt was terrible.
Unfortunately his aunt did not want to discuss money
matters at all.In the end they had a quarrel about the
small amount of ten pounds.Hilary was not very angry.He began to wonder about a new problem.Was it kind to want his aunt to live.a(chǎn)ny longer? Was it not better for her to die now?
While he was considering what to do, his aunt told him that she was going to
send for her lawyer.So she was going to make a new will, Hilary
thought.She might leave all her money to someone
else.Soon he reached a clear decision.He must do a great kindness to the poor old woman.
One night when the old servant who had been nursing
his aunt went off, he doubled the amount of some medicine.The total amount was too great and it could just put
her to sleep forever.
"Thank you," his aunt took the glass from
his hand with a grateful look."I want more than
anything to sleep, and never to wake up again.Is
that what you wish, Hilary? Don't blame me if I have some doubts about what you
intended to do.Sick people get these ideas, you know.One thing I ought to explain to you.Mr Parks never married me.He already had a wife and couldn't marry again.That made your foolish father very angry with me...Well, if I am alive tomorrow I shall make another will
in your favour.If I die tonight, you'll get nothing...No, Hilary, don't try to take the glass away.If you do that, I shall know and I don't want to know.Goodnight, Hilary."
Then, very carefully, she raised the glass to her
mouth and drank.
1.From the story ,we learn that Hilary's aunt was
______.
A.bad-tempered
and lonely B.kind-hearted
and wise
C.careless
about money D.cruel to her
nephew
2.Why did Hilary's father consider his aunt dead?
A.Because they
lost contact with each other after her marriage.
B.Because she
married a businessman with a wife against his will.
C.Because she
broke away from the family for a better life.
D.Because he
thought she was a shame to the family
3.The underlined sentence "He must do a great
kindness to the poor old woman" in paragraph 11 suggests that Hilary
Smith ______.
A.was
determined to put his aunt's life to an end
B.decided to do
his aunt a favor to call in a lawyer
C.made up his
mind to take good care of his aunt
D.would help
his aunt to donate all her money to religious people
4.Which of the following is the focus of the story?
A.Hilary's
aunt's money. B.Hilary
Smith's debts.
C.The intended
murder. D.Hilary's
aunt's marriage.
5.According to the law book,_____.
A.Hilary's aunt
is not allowed to make a new will.
B.the money
will go to Hilary after his aunt dies without a new will.
C.Hilary's aunt
must leave the money to the religious people after she dies.
D.Hilary must
look after his aunt till her death because he is the only relation.
6.Which detail from the story is the climax(高潮)of the story?
A.Hilary
escaped from the prison.
B.Hilary
quarelled with is aunt about ten pounds.
C.Hilary's aunt
drank the medicine her nephew prepared for her.
D.Hilary's aunt
made a will to leave all her money to someone else.