许国璋英语听力第一册 Lesson 24

　　Lesson Twenty-Four

Words list

quiet

leafless

snowfall

stray

earnestly

Warsaw

Poland

conquer

Russia

Russian

Tsar

allow

Polish

pupil

although

spy

Manya Skoldovska

bright

faint

sound

bell

fearfully

signal

ring

grab

hide

swiftly

sewing

materials

embroider 1

square

cloth

outer

inspector 2

Hornberg

charge

private

tight-fitting

uniform

Matemoiselle

Sikorska

Tupalska

demand

fairy tale

grunt 3

approval

rise

recite

the Lord's Prayer

order

show

feelings

imperial

ruler

pale

patriot 4

His Majesty 5 Alexander II,Tsar of All the Russia

agree

stir

kiss

Text

Inspector Hornberg visits a school

The classroom was very quiet.Outside,the leafless trees were white with the first snowfall.But not one pair of eyes strayed from the history books which twenty-five little girls were studying so earnestly.

This was the yesr 1877,and the school was in Warsaw,Poland.A large part of Poland had been conquered by Russia.The Russian Tsar would not allow Polish children to study the history of their own country or even their own language.But here the teacher and her pupils were doing just that,although the Russians had spies everywhere in Warsaw.

Among the children was Manya Sklodovska.She was a very bright pupil.She was deep in the book she was reading.Suddenly there came the faint sound of a bell. Manya listened fearfully.Was it the signal?Yes!Two long rings,two short rings.

Every head came up.Quick hands grabbed all the Polish history books off the desks,and hid them away.The girls swiftly took sewing materials from their desks. They began to embroider little squares of cloth.

The outer door opened.There stood Inspector Hornberg.

Hornberg had been put in charge by the Russians of the private schools of Warsaw. He was a heavy man in a tight-fitting yellow and blue uniform.With his was Mademoiselle Sikorska,the head of the school.

"We have two sewing classes a week,Mr.Inspector,"explained Mademoiselle Tupalska,the teacher."I read to the children while they work."

"And what have you been reading to your pupils,Mademoiselle?"Inspector Hornberg demanded.

She held up the book."Russian fairy tales,"she said.

The inspector gave a grunt of approval."Now,"he said,"I should like to question one of your pupils."

"Manya Sklodovska,please stand up,"the teacher said quietly.

Manya rose from her seat without a word,trying not to tremble.

"Recite the Lord's Prayer----in Russian,"Inspector Hornberg ordered.

Manya recited the prayer in a low voice,careful not to show her feelings.

"Now name the members of the Imperial Russian Family."

Manya gave the names.

"Now tell me,"Hornberg demanded,"who is our ruler?"

Manya's face went pale.She opened her mouth,but the words would not come.

"So,my little Polish patriot,you do not wish to tell me who rules over us,"the Russian inspector said,"Answer me!"

"His Majesty Alexander II,Tsar of All the Russias,"she said.But her voice was trembling.

"That's more like it,"Hornberg rose from his chair."Now Mademoiselle Sikorska,I wish to visit one of the other classes."

"Certainly,Mr.Inspector,"Mademoiselle Sikorska answered.

When the door had closed upon them,the schoolgirls began to stir.Without a word,the teacher put her arms around Manya and kissed her.Manya was in tears.