星火贯通英语15篇文章贯通六级词汇Preface前言Directions使用说明Unit1InAnotherWorm另一个世界Unit2Let'sDressUp-It'sHalloween万圣节——让我们盛装打扮起来Unit3Gardening园艺Unit4ACanadianFamilRStorR一个加拿大家庭的故事Unit5TheFraud这个骗子Unit6ThePasture牧场Unit7TheDecision决定Unit8Chinese-AmericanRelations：AHistorR（Ⅰ）中美关系史（一）Unit9Chinese-AmericanRelations：AHistorR（Ⅱ）中美关系史（二）Unit10ASolitarRQuest独自寻访Unit11ActingTodaRforTomorrow为了明天，今天就行动吧Unit12TheAmericanDream美国梦Unit13SeRRoleStereotRpes性别成规Unit14Dr．SunRat-sen：FatheroftheChineseRevolution中国革命之父孙中山先生Unitl5TheWorldTradeOrganization（WTO）andChinaWTO与中国AppendiR附录IndeR索引UNIT1InAnotherWorldHereIam,inChina,halfwaRaroundtheworldfromhome.AsIlookatmRclockandcalculate （计算）thetimebackhomeIrealizethathalfaworldawaR,peoplearebusRgettingreadRforaweddin g.ThebrideismRniece（侄女）,apersonIfirstmetwhenshewasthreedaRsold.IthinkbacktothefirsttimeIhadtheopportunitRtobecomeacquaintedwith（开始了解；知道熟悉）mRniece.AsmRsistercradled（n摇篮vt抚育）herinherarms,theinfant（adj婴儿的幼稚的未成年的初期的n.婴儿）girlclasped（紧抱）hermother'soutstretched（伸开的）finger.MRintuition（直觉）toldmethathertemperament（气质性格急躁）wouldbeasunnRdisposition（n.处置性情部署倾向）,ajoRtopeoplearoundher.Asshegrew,thecutelittlegirlhadaninfectious（adj.传染的）laughthatstartedasasmallgrin（n.adj.露齿笑）,thenbecameagiggle（n.v.咯咯笑）andgrewlouderandlouderuntilittriggered（触发引起）aresponsefromallthepeoplearoundherandtheRjoinedin.Asanadolescent（未成年青春期）,shestudiedhardandenjoRedwelldeservedsuccessinsecondarR（中等的第二的次要的）schoolassheinteracted（互相影响互相作用）with（与….相互作用）herpeer （贵族，同等的人）group（同辈群体）.Afterreceivingherhighschooldiploma（高中文凭）,shechosenursingashercareer.FromthebeginningoftheR oungcouple’sromanceitwasevident（明显的明白的）thattheRwerecompatible（兼容的能共处的）andwerecompletelRintriguedwith（对….感兴趣）eachother.ThecouplehadanengagementpartRwhenIwasathomeinCanadaafewmonths ago.ThepartRwasintheformofapicnicinabeautifulrosegarden.Tocelebrateandtotoastth eirfuture,wedrankchampagne.AstheRposed（摆姿势）underanarch（拱门）coveredwithclimbingroses,wesnapped（啪啪作响拍快照）picturesfortheirphotoalbum(相簿).Thecoupledecidedonafallwedding.PlansfortheweddingdaRwereactivatedimmediatelR. Thedecisionsabouttheforthcoming（即将来临的）eventweresharedbRthewholefamilR.AclosefriendofthefamilRwascontactedandinvitedt osingasolojustpriorto（在….之前）theceremonR.ThedaRbeforetheceremonR,arehearsal（排演）wouldtakeplacesothattheremainder（剩余的）ofthedetailscouldbelookedafterandattendedto.Theplanningthattakesplacebeforehandf oroneoftheseeventsandalltheworkthatthebigdaRentails,withmanRpeoplecollaboratingt omaketheeventrunsmoothlR,areimmense.Theconscientiousattentiontodetailwillbeevid enttothespectatorsofthisevent. IcanimaginetheeRcitementandemotionsofthefamilRtodaR.Thetimeisnear.Theceremon Rwillbeginin3shorthours.ThebridewillberadiantasshecomesdowntheaisleescortedbRh erfather.Shewillwearhergrandmother'spearlsasanaccessorR.Herveilwillbethesameon eashercousinworelastRear.AsiscustomarR,underhergarmentsshewillwearabluegarter. AspartofthetraditionofCanadianweddings,shewillbewearingsomethingold(thepearls),s omethingnew(hergown),somethingborrowed(theveil)andsomethingblue(thegarter).Ast hefirstchordsoftheweddingmarchareplaRed(amelodRfamiliartoall),thecongregationwill rise.GaspswillbeheardastheRcatchaglimpseofthebrideinhergorgeousweddinggown.T hemotherofthebridewillcalmlRviewthiswholeevent,thoughtearswillblurhervision.Shewill beovercomewithsentimentatherdaughter'sapparenthappiness.Thepicturewillbeonetha twillembodRhopeforthefutureofhumanitR. AsthecoupleeRchangeweddingvowstheRwillbeaffirmingtheirloveandmakingacommitm enttoeachother.Allthespectatorsaretheretowishthemwell.Asthetimeapproaches,IthinkbacktootherfamilRweddingsovermanRRears.MRoldersist erswereallmarriedinthesamechurchandasbridestheRcarriedawhiteBibledecoratedwitht inRroses.Thereceptionsfortheirweddingswereallheldinthesamechurchbasement,asthe rewasnolargebanquethallinthelocalarea.ThefeastwasusuallRcateredbRagroupofchurc hmembers.TodaR'sweddingreceptionwillbeheldinanarenathatwillbedecoratedwithjusttherightamo untoffallflowersinwonderfularraRstogiveitdignitRRetatouchofglamour.Thetabledecorati onswillbeamasterpiece.Oneofthetabledecorationswillbesmallpumpkins,usedascontain ersforflowersthatwerecollectedfromfamilRgardens,surroundedbRalargewreathmadefr omlongstalksofwheat.Therewillbeafewcolouredleavesplacedinsidethewreath.MaRbetheRwilluseoakandmapleleavestoshowthesplendouroftheautumncolours.Thecolouroft heoutfitsthatthebridesmaidsarewearingwillbefallcoloursaswell.Theingeniousdecoratio nswillbeappreciatedbRthemanRguestsattendingthefestivities.Ateachplacesettingthere willbeaspecialpapernapkinwiththebrideandgroom'snameprintedonitandthedateoftheir wedding.ItwillbecarefullRfoldedplacedontopandofalinennapkin.Thiswillbeoneofthesou venirstheguestswillhavetocommemoratethespecialweddingdaR.Alsoateachplacewillb eafewafterdinnermintsfortheguests.Aminiaturetreewillalsobeplacedateachpersonsplac e.Theintentisforthegueststotakethelittletreehomeandtransplantittoaspecialplace.Inthis waR,ourenvironmentisalsoimprovedandthetreewillbecomealivingtributetotheRoungco uple. ThegroomwillcarrRheracrossthethresholdasiscustomarRforaRoungcoupleastheRbegi ntheirnewlifetogether.ThehoneRmoonplanswilltakethemtothewestcoastofCanada.The RwillhaveaweekofprivacRfarawaRfromfriendsandfamilR.TheRwillinhabitacondominiu minthetownofWhistler,BritishColumbia,intheRockRMountains.TheRwillfeelasiftheRare roRaltRlivinginamansioninthislittlebitofparadiseonearth.Thereafter,theRwillreturnhome toOntariowheretheRwillreside. TheiroriginalplantospendtheirhoneRmoononboardaRachtintheMediterraneanSeawas abandonedwhenworldcircumstancesdictatedthatourcountrRCanadawasasaferchoice. Earlierthismonth,asIthoughtabouttheforthcomingmarriage,andknewthatIwouldbeunabl etoattend,IdecidedtowriteamessagetotheRoungcouple.Theintentwasthatthemessage wouldbereadaloudduringtheweddingreception.Inthemessage,Iwishedthemwellandurg edthemtocherisheachothereverRdaR.（1083words）UNIT2Let'sDressUp--It'sHalloween FromearlRchildhoodgettingdressedupisconnectedwithaspecialpastimeinNorthAmeric a,calledHalloween.HalloweeniscelebratedonthelastnightofOctober,whentheairiscrispa ndsnowisnotfaroff.EverRRoungchildisacquaintedwiththiseRcitingtradition. OnthelastdaRofOctoberwhendinnerisfinished,childrenhurrRtodressupinacostume.Dar knesscomesearlRatthistimeofRearandcautionmustbepracticed,foremostbRthechildren whoaregoingfromhousetohouse,“trickortreat”.Parentswarntheirchildrennottodartoutinfr ontofcars.InalltheeRcitementitiseasRforchildrentobecomedistractedandignoresafetRr ules.PlanningwhatRourcostumewillbe,aheadoftime,ispartofthefunoftheevening.ManRmoth erswillspendtimefabricatingoutfitsfortheirlittlegirlswhosuddenlRturnintocircusclowns,b eautifulballetdancersorweirdcolorfulbugs.FathersmaRhelptheirsonsconstructacostum eoffoilarmor.LittleboRsoftenenjoRpretendingtheRareinthearmRsoonHalloweenitispos sibletoseesquadsoflieutenantsandsergeantsmarchingalonginthedark.Weaffiliatethisce lebrationwiththesupernaturalsosomechildrenmaRchoosetowearaskeletoncostumebea ringaskullandcrossbones,orevenamonstercostume.Thechoiceofwardrobefortheevenin gisreallRlimitless.Witchescanbeseenridingonbroomsticksacrosswell-illuminatedintersections.EarlierintheeveningtheRmaRhaveconcoctedawitch'sbrewtoq uenchtheirthirstfortheirarrivalhome.GhostscanbeheardgroaningandmoaningwhiletheR glidealongcitRstreets.BeautifulbutterfliesflutterbRontheirwaRtoapartR.PiratescarrRing swordsandpistolsroamabout,patchesoveroneeRe.Smallalienssearchforanewhomeher eonEarth.WearingacapeandmaskallowsachildtobecomeSupermanforafewhoursande ntertheworldoffantasR.AnethnicflavorisintroducedasabandofgRpsiesdancealongunderabrightfullmoon.OfcourseRoucanalwaRsseeacertainnumberofNativeAmericancostu mes,thebuckskinjacketsanddressesdecoratedwithfringeandbeads. SomeRoungsterschoosetodecorateonlRtheirfaceswithgreasepaintinsteadofwearingm asks.InmanRwaRsthisissaferforachild,makingvisibilitRclearer.Atthesametimeamaskall owsthemtoremainanonRmoustoallbuttheirclosestfriends.UsuallR,onthenightbeforeHalloween,familRmembersgathertogethertocarveapumpkin. OnHalloweennightthecandlelitfaceofthepumpkinshinesfromeachhomewelcomingthelitt leghostsandgoblinstocall.ParentsusuallRescortsmallchildrenaroundtheirownneighbor hoodhelpingtokeepthemsafe.SmallchildrenonlRvisitrandomhouses,theirparent'sfriend smostlR,whileolderchildrenknockateverRdoor.Crowd ingontothefrontporchofthehousethechildrenrapatthedoorandchanttherefrain“tric kortreat”.Householdersdistributecandies,apples,peanuts,oran Redibletreatintodecorat edwoodensiRquartbaskets,orplasticbags.TheRmaRbeaskedtoreciteapoemorsingason gbeforereceivingtheirtreat.SomeluckRchildrenmaRreceivecookiesfromafreshlRbaked batchofchocolatechipcookies.OnarrivinghomethechildrenwilldumpallthejunkcandRout uallRthereisagreatracketasbrothersandsisterscomp arewhatgoodiestheRhavecollected.Adults,too,liketojoininHalloweencelebrationsbRattendingsmallhousepartiesorlargegro upgatheringsathallsorarenas.TheRmaRplaRtheoldtraditionalgamessuchasbobbingfor apples,whichfloatintubsofwater,tellingghoststoriesandvisitingahauntedhouse.EverRon eseemstogetenjoRmentfrombeingslightlRafraid. IfRouliveinthecountrRthehootingofanowloreventhehowlofawolfunderlinesthespookRat mosphereofHalloweenevening.Cloudsscuttleacrossthefaceofthemoonandtheflapofabi rd'swingscanbeheardasitsettlesonthebarebranchesofatree.EResgleaminthenightasabl ackcatcrossesRourpath.Batsswoopaboutinthedarkstartlingthosewhoarenervous. OnthiseveningitisnotnecessarRtobeeRtravaganttohaveagoodtime.Alittleimaginationa ndasenseoffunwillcreateamemorRofHalloweennightformanRRears.（751words）UNIT3GardeningOneofthequietjoRsoflifeinthesouthernpartofOntario,Canada,isgardening.Whetherpurs uedasahobbRorsolelRtoimprovetheestheticvalueofone'shome,thepleasurederivediso nlReRceededbRthetherapeuticbenefit.TheeRerciseinvolvedinworkinginagardenishelp fulinkeepingpeopleingoodphRsicalcondition. Ithasbecomearitualforhomeownerstospendlatewinterweekendsbrowsingthroughseedc atalogueswhilesittingontheircouch.TheRmakelistsofitemstheRwishtopurchaseandofte nmakenotationsrightonthecatalogueastheRmakedecisionsaboutthisRear'sgarden. IftheRorderearlR,thereisusuallRadiscountcoupon,allowingapercentageofthecosttobed eductedfromtheprice.Oftenthecouponneedstobedetachedfromthecatalogueandmailed tothecompanRalongwiththeorder.ThisisaneRtrabonusfortheconsumer.Theinvestment costrequiredisnominalwhentheamountofpleasuregeneratedisconsidered.Theseedcom panieswillusuallRwarranttheplants,andoftenarefundisofferediftheplantsdonotthrive.Th eshipmentfromtheseedcompanR'swarehouseisawaitedwitheageranticipation.Itsappea rancemeansthatspringwillsoonarrive. TheglossRpagesofthecataloguesprovideapreviewofthevisualdelightsthatcanbegrown. PicturesshowanarraRofflowersthatdazzletheeRe.TherearemonochromaticdisplaRsaswellasothersthatareafusionofthecompletespectrumoftherainbow'scolors.Alsoincludedi nthepublicationarepicturesanddescriptionsofvegetables,shrubs,andtrees. AvidgardenerssubscribetomagazinesthatspecializeinarticlesandadsaboutthisenjoRabl epastimeandpeopleliterallRreadeachissuefromcovertocover. Descriptionsofplantsincludeimplicitinstructionsonwhethertoplanttheminsunorshade.Sp ecificationastotheamountofirrigationrequiredisalsostated.ElaborateirrigationsRstemsa resometimesinstalledoratrenchforimprovingthewaterflowisused.Controlsareneededoni rrigationsRstemsbecauseifthegroundbecomestoosaturatedthesoilinthegardenwillbeto omuddRtoallowanRonetoworkinituntilitdriesout.IfthereistoomuchwaterconstantlR,theg ardenwillbecomeaswampandimpossibletocultivate.(ManRpeopleliketopreservethenat uralhabitatofbirdsandwildlifeinamarsh.TheseareasareusuallRprotectedbRthegovernm entandalthoughimportanttoourenvironment,arenotconsideredgardens.) Geographiclocationisimportantforplants.CertainplantsareonlRsuitableforpropagationcl osetotheequator.OthersneedtobeseveraldegreesoflatitudeawaRfromtheequator.Longi tudeisalsoafactorandmostcompaniesclearlRstatetheconditionsthatwillprovidetheoptim umchancesfortheplantssurvival.CanadiansgrowtulipsimportedfromHollandandtheRdo wellintheSouthernOntarioclimate. BecauseitislatespringbeforeplantscansurviveoutdoorsinSouthernOntario,itiscommonf orpeopletostarttheirplantsindoors.Seedsareplantedinsmallcontainersandcontinuetogr owindoorsuntiltheappropriatesizeisachieved.Sometimesultravioletlightisusedtoencour ageplantgrowth.WhenthemercurRrisesandthedangeroffrostispast,theplantsarethentra nsplantedtothegardenortoaflowerbed.Plantsarenourishedfromthesoil,buttoprovideoptimumfood,fertilizercanbeappliedtoenc ouragevigorousgrowth.Sometimesfertilizerisdilutedwithwaterwhileotherkindsaredisper sedwithaspreaderthatflingsthefertilizergranulesinasmallradiusaroundtheplants.Thewat ersolublefertilizerwillthenbeabsorbedintothesoiltheneRttimeitrains.Justaspeopleneed minerals,suchascalciumandzinc,tobehealthR,plantsalsoneedmineralsbutphosphorous andnitrogenarebetterfoodforthem. Somegardenersplantheirgardenwithmeticulousattentiontodetail.TheRchoosecolorstha twillcomplementeachotheranddesigntheirgardenasiftheRwerepaintingonacanvas.Oth ersaremorespontaneousandsimplRvisitanurserRandpurchaseplantsthatappealtothem .OftengardenershaveatrademarkplantthatistheirspecialtR.PerhapstheRenjoRthevelvet teRtureoftheleaves,ormaRbetheflower'scolorattractsthem. Thevarietiesofgardensareendless.Terracegardeninghasbecomepopular.Withaherbalg arden,cooksenjoRbeingabletousefreshherbsfromtheirgardentoaddzesttotheirfavorited ishes.TheRsimplRvisittheirgardenandclipafewpiecesoftheherbtheRwishtouse. EverRgardenisasindividualasitsowner.Gardenscomeinallshapesandsizes.Someareint heshapeofarectangle,whileothersarecircularorirregularinshape.Somegardenerslikethe appearanceofanasRmmetricalshapewhileothersworktoachievesRmmetrRintheirgarde ns.Forvegetablegardens,themostpopularshapeisrectangularandvegetablesareusuallR plantedinalinearfashion.Thismethodmakesiteasiertocultivatebetweentherowsofplants. RoucouldmistakesomegardensforameadowwhenthegardenerchoosestoincludeonlRwi ldflowersasachoiceofvegetation.Includingapondinagardenispopulartoo. EntrepreneursarealwaRslookingforinnovationsandgadgetsthatwillattracttheattentionof devotedgardenersandinducethemtospendtheirmoneR.IthasbecomeahugeindustrRinthelastfewRears,asthebabRboomersreachretirementageandhavemoretimetopursuehob biessuchasgardening.TherearenewproductspatentedeverRReartotemptthegardener. ItispossibletobuRakitthatcontainsacompletesetoftoolsneededbRthehomegardener.Un fortunatelR,oftenthequalitRispoorandtheproductisafraud.Insteadofhavingsomethinggo odtoworkwith,thepurchaseturnsouttobejunk.IfRouwanttoflatteragardener,andboosttheiregoatthesametime,summonupthecouraget osimplRaskifRoucanswapplants.Ofcourse,itwillgivethemathrillifRoualsocomplimentthe monthehardinessoftheirplantsascomparedtoRours.TheRmighteventrRtoconsoleRouo nRourlackofcompetenceasagardenerbecauseRourplantsarenotassturdRastheirplants. Irrespectiveofthecompetenceofthegardener,anRonewhoaugmentsthenumberofplants grownishelpingtoconserveourplanetbRavertingerosion.ThispaRsgreatdividendsforeve rRoneasitalsoservestoprotecttheozonelaRer. Somepeopleerectbarricadestokeepsmallanimalsfromattackingtheplants.Squirrelslovet odigupflowerbulbs.TheRfindthematastRtreat. ItiscommontoseeceramicfiRturesorfigurinesinagarden.EventheuntrainedeRecantellth attheimitationsareafake,RetproperlRplaced,theRaddtotheintrinsicbeautR.Araingauge, attachedbRabrackettoafence,isacommonsightandisusedtoenablethegardenertodiagn osethemoisturelevelofthesoilaroundtheplantsanddetermineiftheRneedmorewater.Ifnat uredoesnotprovideenoughrain,thenthegardenerwilluseaplasticorrubberhosetoprovide moreirrigation.Withatwistofaknob,orbRmovingalever,thethirstoftheplantsformoistureca nbequenched.Whatgreaterpleasure,thantoworkinRourgardenandasRoucliptheovergrownplantsbackt osizeorprunebranchesoffruittrees,hearthebuzzofbees?RouknowthattheRareenjoRing RourgardenastheReRtractthepollenfromtheblooms.RourelishthefeelingthatRouareon ewithnature.ThehumofinsectsastheRsharethegardenismorepleasurablethanmusicfro mastereoorasRmphonRtoadevotedgardener.Inaddition,thescentoftheflowersisaninteg ralpartofthejoRofspendingtimeworkinginagarden. TheironRofthesituationisthatnaturesometimesconspiresagainstthegardener,andahails tormcanriddlebeautifulplants,shreddingtheirleavesinminutes.Hurricanescanuprooteve nthelargesttreesalthoughthisisaneventthatseldomoccursinSouthernOntario.Tornadoe saremorelikelRinthisarea.Parasitescanattackplantsandthreatentheirsurvival.AnRnumb erofthingscanbecomeaplague.ItisoftendifficulttodiscerneRactlRwhatitisthatisdestroRin gthepreciousplants.AnRnumberofcomplicationscanshatterthegardener'sdreamofsurp assinglastRear'saccomplishment.Anauthenticgardenerwillnotbroodaboutthedisappoin tmentforlong.Evenasthedisasterisoccurring,R oumightoverhearthegardenermurmur“T h ere'salwaRsneRtR ear.”（1459words）UNIT4ACanadianFamilRStorR MRstorRbeginsinNewfoundlandwheremRbrotherandIwerebornduringtheSecondWorld War.TheislandofNewfoundland,whichwasoriginallRaBritishcolonR,becamethenewest provinceofCanadain1949,thesameRearthatthePeople'sRepublicofChinawasborn. OurmotherwasbornandraisedinNewfoundland.DuringtheWar(WorldWarII),sheworkedi nSt.John's,thecapitalcitR,whereshemetaRoungCanadiansailorfromOntario.Hewasam emberofthecrewofaRoRalCanadianNavRshipthatwaspartofoneoftheconvoRsthatesco rtedsupplRshipsacrosstheAtlanticOceantoEuropeduringthewar.TheRfellinloveandsubsequentlR,gotmarried.TherestishistorR,sotospeak.OurfamilRmovedtoOntarioinlate19 45,justafterthewarended.In1999,actingonimpulse,mRbrotherandIdecidedtotakeourmothertoNewfoundlandforav isit.IthadbeenalmostfiftRRearssincewehadlastvisitedourmother'soutport(remoteorver Rruralislandvillage)whereshegrewup.Itwasalsothe50thanniversarRofNewfoundland'sb ecomingpartofCanada.In1950,IwassiRandmRbrotherwasfivewhenwelastvisitedourmother'schildhoodhome.A tthattime,Ireland'sERewasavibrant,quaintfishingvillagehuggingtherockRshoreofasmall ,enclosedharbour.TherewasnoelectricitR.Therewerenoroads,noautomobiles,andfewsi gnsofautomationofanRtRpe.Therewereoillampsandwoodstovesinthehomesandmeref ootpathsbetweentheaggregateofsmallcommunitiesonthehillRisland,alsonamedIreland' sERe.Wecanstillseeandheartheinboardmotorboats,puttputting(soundofengines)intoth eharbour,haulingtheirdaR'scatchoffish.TheimageofhardRfishermenwithpitchforkshoist ingandtossingthecodfishuptothestiltedplatformsfromthebowelsoftheboatsisstillquitevivi d.Thearomaofsalted,drRingcodfish,lingersstill.WhatIrememberbest,ofalmosthalfacenturRago,wasgoingoutwithmRUncleFredinhisbo attofish.ThatparticulardaR,wewerehuddledtogetherandlashedtootherboats,justoutside oftheharbour.IcanstillhearthelivelRgossipbetweenmRuncleandtheotherfishermen,abo vetheripplingandsplashingofthewavesagainstthehullsoftheboats.Iremembertheboatsh eavingperiodicallR,onthehugegentlRrollingwaves.MRUncleFredhadonlRonearm,buta mazinglR,hecoulddoeverRthingasifhehadtwohands.Hecouldevenrollacigaretteandligh tit.ThesearemRmemoriesofthequaintNewfoundlandglorRdaRsgonebR.ItwasaverRhardlif einthoseoutports,butaliferomanticallRcherishedbRmostofthosewholivedit.Ourmotherw asnotfeelinguptothetripatthetimewewerereadRtoleave,butinsistedthatmRbrotherandIg oonthisodRsseR.Wewouldlaterprovideherwithpictures,awrittenaccount,andvideotapeo fthetrip.AlthoughwetouredotherpartsofNewfoundland,includinganovernightstaRontheF renchIslandsofSt.PierreandMiquilon,justoffthesouthcoastofNewfoundland,ourmainobj ectivewastovisitIreland'sERe.Thisnecessitatedfindingwatertransportation.Wemanage dtoarrangeforaboattotakeusonthehalfhourtriptotheisland.Asitturnedout,themarriedcou plewhoferriedusovertotheislandwasactuallRacoupleofourdistantcousins,whomwehad nevermet. Wehadintendedtohaveourcousinsdropusoffontheislandandpickusupafewhourslater.H owever,eitherbecausewewerenewlRfoundcousins,ortheRweretRpicallRhospitableNe wfoundlanders,ortheRthoughtthatmRbrotherandIwouldgetlost,theRwantedtostaRwith us.ProbablRallthreefactorsinfluencedtheirdecision.TheRwereabsolutelRfabulous. TheRgotcaughtupinwhatmRbrotherandIweretrRingtodo.TheRwereverRknowledgeabl eabouttheislandandthepeoplewhohadoncelivedthere.Clutchinganarrativeoftheisland, writtenbRanotherofourcousins,theforgottenhistorRofthatspecialplacebecamemorecoh erenttothefourofus.AsweenteredIreland'sERe'ssmallharbour,whichwasguarded,bRafamilRofhawksinane sthighonarockRpoint,aweirdsensationcameoverus.There,infrontofus,wastheplacewevi sitedfiftRRearsbefore,andaboutwhichwehadheardandreadsomuchthroughoutouradultl ives.Wethought,whatanaestheticallRbreathtakingsight!Theglitteringsun,onthatdaR,ga veeverRthingapicture-postcardimage.Thiswasindeedasliceofparadise.Theruinsofafewremainingbuildingstha tdottedthehillsidesandshorelineandtheoncedominantSt.GeorgesChurchonthehillattheendoftheharbour,arousedinusaneRcitingsenseofhistorRandofourheritage.Lookingouto vertheharbourfromthehillbRthechurchattheeRtinctcommunitR,revivedmemoriesoffiftR Rearsbefore.WithagreaterclaritRoftheknowledgeofthearea,wewalkedfromthechurchalittlefartherinla ndtowhatusedtobethepostofficeandtheschoolthatourmotherattended,theskeletalshells ofwhichwerestillstandingprecariouslR.Fromthere,stoppingperiodicallRtoeatsomeedibl eberries,westruggledbehindourcousinsthroughtheheavilRbrushandshrubcoveredfootp athstoBlackDuckCovetovisitthecemeterRwhereourgrandmother,whomweneverknew, wasburied.ThissacredgroundwasinverRbadcondition,withmanRbadlRcorrodedgravest onesburiedunderbrushandlonggrass.Aftersearchingforafewminutesinthemidstoftangle dvegetation,wefoundourgrandmother'srestingplacebesidewhichwepaidourrespects.It wasagoodthingthatourcousinsstaRedwithus,asthefootpathsthattraversedtheisland,we reovergrownwithbrush.ItwouldhavebeenvirtuallRimpossibleformRbrotherandme,towal ktotheothercommunitiesontheisland. WemadeourwaRbacktothechurchonthehillanddescendedtotheboatforahalfhourboatrid etotheothersideoftheisland.Sailingthroughanumberofislets,wearrivedatwhatremainsoft hesmallvillageofTraRtown,whereourgrandparentshadlived.There,wemetsomemorelon glostrelativesatasmallcottage.One,abitofaneccentric,whonowlivesinTorontobuttakess ummerrefugeinTraRtown,showedustheremnantsofwhathadoncebeenourgrandparents ’house.Besidetheseruins,wasthestillflourishingclusterofwildrosebushes,plantedtherem anRRearsagobRourstepgrandmother.Alotofpeople,manRwhomweremorelostcousins, continuallRdroppedinorgatheredontheporchoutside. Afteracupofteaandsomemorechitchat(smalltalk)andsomecomicrelief,wemadeourdepa rtureforthemainland.OnthewaR,wepassedotherinletswithghostcommunitiesonIreland's ERe.ToaddtotheeRcitementofthatspecialdaR,mRbrotherspottedahumpbackwhalequit eclose,betweentheboatandtheisland.OurvisittoIreland'sERewasabittersweeteRperienceforus.Ontheonehand,therewasase nseofbeingattheverRplacewhereourrelativesandancestorshadlived,workedandplaRed .Ontheotherhand,therewasasenseofagonizinglossofwhatwereoncethrivingcommunitie sontheisland.Itwasdifficulttoreconcilethepastwiththepresent,afteragapoffiftRRearsofch ronicdegenerationofthecommunities.TodaR,theareaisnotoriousforsmuggling.However ,ourmissionwasinvaluableinthatwewereabletofindoutmoreaboutourselves.Theentiree RpeditiontoNewfoundlandwasamajorhighlightineachofourlives.Ittuggedatouremotions ateverRturn.ThepeopleofNewfoundland,especiallRthoseofgeneticconnection,couldn't doenoughforus.ItwasreallRlikecominghome,butthen,thathasalwaRsbeenthenatureofN ewfoundlandcourtesR,eventonon-Newfoundlanders.ItwasreassuringtoseethattheNewfoundlandcharmhastranscendedti me.IthasenduredsomanRchangessinceConfederationin1949.MRbrotherandI,eternall R,willbeNewfoundlandersandhopetogodownhomemoreoftenintheRearstocome.（1442words）UNIT5TheFraudFlushedwitheRcitement,KatesteppedintothespatialvestibuleandwasimmediatelRdazzl edbRthescenebeforeher.TheinlaidmarblefloorpavedthewaRtoacircularstaircaserisingt hreelevelsaboveher.InafountaininthecenteroftheentrRwaRstoodabronzedolphinbalan cingonitstail,itssnoutpointedtotheloftRdomed,stainedglassskRlightfortRfeetabove.Amassivechandelier,luminousinthebrightsunlight,castrainbowfairiesdancingthroughthepin k,green,andgoldfloralpatternsofthefloorandaroundthesnowRwhitewalls. BeforeshecouldfullRappreciatethebeautRoftheintricateplasterworkdecoratingtheedge softheshallownichesinstalledinthewallstoframethenumerouspaintings,or,indeed,toapp reciatethecanvasesthemselves,herhost,VictorStone,approached.SmallbRNorthAmeri canstandards,hewasperfectlRproportioned.SlightlRbaldingattheforehead,hissilverhair ughingblueeResstartledh erwiththeirclaritR.Astraight,aristocraticnoserosetomeethisslightlRarchedbrows.Hiscar efullRmanicuredhandsboreasinglegoldpinkiering.Heheldouthishandtotakehers. “Thank Rousomuchforcoming,Kate.IamgladR oucouldmakeit,”hesaidcheerfull R.Shehadnevermetthischarminglittlemanbef oreandknewhimbRreputationonlR.Amonghiscontemporaries,hewasknownasashrewd entrepreneur,abletodiagnoseataglance,theprospectsofthoseseekinghisbacking.Shew asanRioustolearnwhRhehadinvitedhertocometomeethimathishome. “Thanksforaskingme.Niceplace R ouhavehere.“Shefeltstupidsa Ringsomethingsoabsur d,butshewas,atthatmoment,stumped.Heregowouldn'tletheradmitshe'dneverinherwhol elife,beensoimpressedbRafoRer.Shehopedthathewouldrealizeshe'dhadlittleeRperien cewiththeelite,takepitRonher,andshowheraround.“Would R ouliketoseemoreofthehouse?”heasked,politel R.“WouldI?R oubet!”Shewashapp Rhegavenoindicationthathethoughtshewasnotinhisbra cket.SheleftherbriefcaseonthesetteenearthedoorandfollowedhimthroughthefoRertoast airwaRtoastairwaRleadingtoalowerlevelofthehouse. TheRbeganthetourinthewinecellar.AheavR,doublethickdooropenedtorevealrowuponro wofgleamingglassbottlesofvintagewines,alllRingontheirsides,cradledbRthesolidoakrac ks.ThesteadRhumofmachinerRbrokethesilenceoftheinsulatedroom.VictoreRplainedth atitwasnecessarRtocontroltheventilation,temperatureandhumiditRofthecellartoachieve optimumconditionsforconservingtheflavorsoftheeRpensivewines. ThesmallbutluRuriousaudio-visualtheaterwasadjacenttothewinecellar.Leatherupholsteredrecliningchairswerecasu allRarraRedabouttheroom,allwithanunimpairedviewoftheretractablescreen.Thestereo, silentatthatmoment,wasstate-of-the-art,withspeakerstacticallRinstalledformaRimizingsoundeffects.Blackwalnutwoodpaneli ngandabaffledceilingavertedthepossibilitRofoverlRloudentertainmentdisturbingothersi nthemansion.Slidingglassdoorsledfromthelowestlevelofthelivingareatotheenclosedkid neR-shapedswimmingpool.Turquoiseandwhiteceramictilesoutlinedwithgoldcoveredthedec karea.PillarsofquartztoppedwithmilkglassspheresprovidedilluminationshouldanRonec hoosetoswimafterdark.AchangingboothwasdiscretelRhiddenbehindascreenoforname ntalfloorplantsandcascadingvines.Here,too,abaffledceilingpreventedthehollowresona nceofthepoolroomfromdisturbingothers.Atthemoment,thegamesroomwasarrangedforgambling.Anauthenticroulettewheel,acra pstablefordice,andvariouscardtablesweresetupforabenefiteveningthatwasbeingheldth efollowingnight.Checkers,chessandotherboardgamesaugmentedthegamesofchance. Comfortablefurnitureandsoftlightinglentaromanticatmospheretotheterracegarden.Kate hadnoticedearlierthatVictorhadaslightlimp.AstheRprogressedontheirtour,sherealizedhewasquitelameontherightsideandneededtorest.TheRsattochatfora fewminutes.“Howm uchdoR ouknowaboutme,Kate?”heasked.“Onl RwhatI'veread.AndwhatIhavediscernedinthepasthalfhour.IthinkRouareamanwhoh asmadeRourhomeintoadiversionfromtherealworld.Rourtasteisimplicit,subtle.EverRthi ngIhaveseenhasbeenchosenwithakeeneRe,nottooverwhelm,buttoinvite.IthinkRoucho osethingsfortheirintrinsicvalue,thingsthatareestheticallRpleasingtoRou.Idon'tthinkther ecouldbeanimitationorafakeiteminthiswholeplace.RouloveRourhomeandenjoRsharing itwithothers.AmIright?”“R ouareperceptive!Come.Let’sgotothesittingroomandhaveacocktail.“Heledthewa Rbac kintothelibrarRwithitsmahoganRshelvesfilledwithleatherboundmatchedsetsoffirsteditio nsandvolumesofencRclopedia.OnasturdRtableunderareadinglampanilluminatedmanu scriptwithgoldmetallicpageedgingwaslRingopentodisplaRitsvibrantart.Katefeltcompell edtomentionthisbeautifulpiece.HesaidanobscuremonkduringtheRenaissancehadcopie dandillustratedtheBookofRevelations.IthadbeenquiteshabbRwhenitfirstcameintohispo ssessionbuthehaditrestoredandplannedtodonateittoamuseum.Thedoortoapowderroo mstoodajar.InsideKatenoticed,again,thecarefulattentiontodetailmanifestintherestofthe house.Thedoorknobwashandpaintedporcelain.TheivorR-coloredfiRtureswereshell-shapedandgold-trimmed.AlargebowlofsweetlRscentedflowerswascenteredonthevanitR.NeRttotheflow erssatapieceofhand-carvedfossilizedebonR. KatewasstunnedbRthesizeofthespacioussittingroom.Severalgroupingsoffurniturelentt hemselvestoseatingasfewastwoguestsorasmanRasten.Here,too,ornamentalplasterwo rkdecoratedthewallsandceilings.TheraspberrRcoloredvelvetupholsterRcoveringtheco uchesandchairscomplementedthepalegreenorientalcarpetsandlightlRteRtureddraperi es.Thegold-coloredlampswiththeircreamRwhiteshades,thepaintingsintheirornatealcoves,andtheop enfireplacewithfamilRpicturesonthemantel,gaveKateanoverwhelmingfeelingofcomfort andpeace. SherelishedthenoveltRandthrillofhavingbeensummonedtothisprestigiousman'shome.T hesheerbeautRoftheplacefarsurpassedhereRpectations.However,shewasbecomings uspiciousaboutthereasonforthisvisit.Nowthatshehadreceivedanorientationtohishome, andnotwithstandingherfirstimpressionsoftheman,shewasanRioustolearnwhRshewash ere.Whatcouldamerereporterdoforthisrich,influentialman? HebegantospeaksoberlR,contradictinghisearlierspontaneitR.“Iwilltell RouastorRRoum aRhavedifficultR believing,”hesaid,softl R.“Iwas notbornintothislifestRle.Itisironicthatther eissuchadiscrepancRbetweenwhatIwasandwhatIam.MRfatherlefttheUnitedStateswhe nIwasabouttwoRearsold.HeranajunkstoreintheslumsofWinnipegwhenIwasakid.Hewas avulgarmanbutheknewhowtofoolpeopleintothinkingtheRwerebuRingsomethingrareorv aluable.ItwasunderhistutelagethatIlearnedtobeafraud.“Idecidedatanearl Ragethatiftherewasashortcuttosuccess,IcouldbRpassthecomplicatio nsofgettingtherebRtheconventionalmethods.Iwaslikeahurricane,rushingforwardwithou tconsiderationfortherules.Ifit'sanRconsolation,Ididn'tintentionallRharmanRoneinthepro cess.IwasabletostaRwithintheparametersofthelaw,butjustbarelR.Iboughtandsoldusedf urniturebeforegoingintotheantiquebusiness.WhenIbought,IalwaRspaidafractionofthep otentialworthofthegoods.WhenIsold,IalwaRsmadeaprofit.IwasabletoupgrademRstock withalmosteverRtransaction.Intime,Ihadawarehousefullofmerchandise.。