I’msittingatmymother’sdesk,amahogany(红木)onewithrowsofti...

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I’m sitting at my mother’s desk, a mahogany (红木) one with rows of tiny drawers — even a sliding secret compartment (隔间). I’ve 41 it since I was just tall enough to see things 42 it as Mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, staring at the ink bottle, pens, and smooth white paper, I 43 that the act of writing must be the most 44 thing in the world.

Years later, during her final illness, Mother 45 various items for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she’d repeat, “is for Elizabeth.” I sensed Mother communicating with this gift, a communication I’d craved(渴望) for 50 years.

My mother was 46 in the Victorian belief that emotions were 47 . I never saw her angry, never saw her cry. I knew she loved me；she expressed it in 48 . But as a teenager I 49 heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter. They never happened. And a gulf(鸿沟) opened between us.

As 50 passed and I raised my own family， I began to understand her. Forgive me, I wrote, for having been critical. In 51 words, I asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive me.

I mailed the letter and waited 52 for her reply. None came. Eagerness turned to disappointment, then acceptance and, finally, 53 . I couldn’t be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it. I could stop trying to make her into 54 she was not. For the last 15 years of her life we enjoyed a relationship on her light, caring, cheerful.

Now the 55 of her desk told me, as she’d never been able to, that she was pleased that 56 was my chosen work.

The desk stayed in our attic (*楼) for nearly a year before we turned a bedroom into a study. 57 at last I brought the desk down, it was dusty from months of storage. 58 , I polished the drawers. Pulling out the secret compartment, I found papers inside. And a one-page letter, 59 and refolded many times.

Send me a reply, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you 60 chose the act that speaks louder than words.

41. A. envied B. loved C. made D. studied

42. A. below B. behind C. above D. inside

43. A. decided B. doubted C. denied D. hoped

44. A. reliable B. clever C. special D. delightful

45. A. bought B. received C. reserved D. ordered

46. A. brought up B. picked up C. dressed up D. given up

47. A. true B. strong C. important D. private

48. A. words B. action C. tears D. secret

49. A. turned down B. sank into C. stuck to D. longed for

50. A. mornings B. centuries C. years D. times

51. A. careful B. direct C. humorous D. rude