法兰克福的耳环.doc

EAR-RINGS FROM FRANKFURT Do you have any brothers or sisters?They can sometims make your life very difficult.If they are younger than you,then the are always getting into trouble and needing your help. And if you know something bad about a person, it is difficult to forget it. ‘Once a thief,always a thief,’people say.But is that true? Does one mistanke make a person bad for ever?Can’t people change? Jennifer Walton is a nerse.She is quiet and careful and sensible, but she has a young brother,Richard.Richard is not careful or sensible.He is always borrowing money,he never keeps a job for long,he’s been in trouble with the police.Jennifer worries about him a lot.And when one day the police come asking questions about him,Jennifer fears the worst. 1 A night out at Maxim’s Jennifer looked at the clock on the waiting-room wall.Nearly half-past eight.The light was still on in Doctor Gibon’s room.I’m going to be late,she said to herself,why doesn’t he hurry up? The evening surgery was always busy on Thursdays but tonight was worse than usual. She quickly put the newspapers in a cupboard. Then she took off her white coat and locked in in the cupboard too.She was turning off the lights when someone rang the front doorbell.Oh no,not another patient,not at this hour.She ran to the door and opened it.Outside it was dark but she could see a man, his hands deep in hid pockets.He moved his head and the light fell on his face. ‘Richard!’ she cried in surprise. ‘What are you doing here?’ ‘Can I come in for a minute?’ He did not wait for an answer but pushed past her and went inside.Jennifer turned to him.She was usually pleased when Richard called,but this was the wrong time. ‘I’m sorry, but you can’t stay.i must hurry.i’m meeting my fried Claire for dinner and …’She stopped.It was Richard’s eyes—they looked tired and worried. ‘What’s the matter?’she asked. Just then Dr Gibson called from his room. ‘Did I hear the doorbell,Nurse?Was it another patient?’ 慛o,itt’s on