Samantha (her husband， John， called her Sam) left the doctor's house looking perfect， satisfied with her appearance.

    The year was 1862. It seemed that the war with the North would never come to an end. Sam's father had left as soon as possible， fighting for their land， for their new government， for the South.

    At last， Samantha reached the house that she and John owned. It was a cold， rainy night， and she was glad to be home. She stepped into the sitting room. John sat in an armchair， reading a book. When he saw her， he put the book down， and stood， reaching his arms out for her. They kissed briefly. He put a hand to her now slightly round belly(肚子) and asked， “What did the doctor say?”

    “He said the baby was fine and that I seemed healthy. Do you have any news?”

    “Surprisingly， yes.” John hesitated for a moment， as if deciding how he would stop what he was about to say， and then unwillingly continued， “I've been required to join the army.”

    Sam screamed， “What?” She was near tears. “But-but we're just starting out.” Her voice shook. “I thought that after two years of begging my mother to let the two of us get married that our life would finally be happy. Isn't there any way you can get out of this?”

    John answered， “I'm afraid not.”

        “Please. Please， John， if you love me， please get out of this. Break a leg or do something.” She began to cry. John comforted her， resting her head on his shoulder.

    “Sam.”

    “What?”

    “Name the child after me； name it John or Joanna. I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise.”

    Sam smiled， knowing that John never broke a promise. She put her hand to her belly， and， unknown to her， the baby was a girl.

    And unknown to both of them， the promise that John had just made would be the only promise he would ever break.

    I grew up in New Hampshire, a small town in South Canada, where in my father's words for the seasons were “Spring, Summer, Fairtime and Winter!”At that time, a week-long fair was held in the town every autumn. Thousands of people from other towns came to sell and buy things. It was the busiest time of the year.

    When “Fairtime” came, my grandma became the busiest person of the family. Grandma was a kind old lady. She was good at cooking. All her relatives liked the food she cooked. During “Fair time”, they would come to live in her house and have meals there. Grandma was always happy to look after them.

    Year after year, many people moved to big cities. There was no longer “Fairtime”. Grandma became very old and was gradually going blind. My parents and I moved to live with Grandma. We did our best to make her life comfortable. I was at high school then. What I often did at home was to help Grandma with the daily newspaper's crossword puzzle. However, she didn't look happy. She often sat in her room for hours, without saying a word.

    To attract（吸引） people to move back, the Town Hall decided to reopen the fair. One day, when I came back from school, I saw Grandma wearing her glasses, washing the dishes in the kitchen. With a big smile on her face, she looked much younger. She told me that her two nieces(侄女) would come. “They said the food I cooked was very delicious and they wanted to stay in my house again,” Grandma said happily. “They will stay here for one week and we can have a big party. That must be the busiest week I've had in years!”

    I suddenly realized that Grandma didn't want to be looked after. She wanted to be “useful” and helpful.

根据短文内容，选择最佳答案。

    Bill was a boy of 15. His parents went gambling (赌博) all day and all night. Nobody cared about him. He couldn't pass the exams. So his teachers didn't like him, neither did his classmates play with him.

    Bill often slept in class because his heart was not in school. He almost gave himself up.

    One day, Miss Jones, a new teacher, came to Bill's class. She was a loving and beautiful woman. Bill was in love! For the first time in his young life, he couldn't take his eyes off his teacher.

    It was Miss Jones' class. She was asking a question. "I'd like the smartest boy to answer my question." Then she said loudly, "Bill, please!"

    Bill was surprised. And he stood up without a word.

    "Just try it! I believe you can!"

    After school, Miss Jones had a long talk with Bill. She told him that she cared about him and believed in him.

    Bill thought a lot that evening. From then on he arrived at school on time every day. Miss Jones helped him with his homework in the afternoon. She even cooked delicious food for him. She told Bill, "Nothing is impossible if you put your heart into it."

    Later, Miss Jones gave them another exam. Bill did it with all his heart. He was very amazed to find that he had passed the exam. Now Bill discovered that not only could he learn, but also he could do it well. A change took place in Bill's heart.

    You see that one teacher saved one boy. It's really simple.

    One day, I picked up my daughter Eloise from school and went to the supermarket for a few things. I was hoping to be in and out quickly.

    I found a short line with just one person in front of me. It was an elderly woman, and she was paying for her things with only change. After a long day at work. I was not happy with this woman.

    But then I watched the young clerk. He helped her count her change, even so gently taking it from her shaking hands. I listened to him repeatedly say to her: "Yes, ma'am." When she asked if she had enough to buy a bag, he told her she did. Then he went two lines over to get one for her. Never one did this clerk get angry or roll his eyes. He was patient and kind.

    As I was watching him, I saw Eloise was too. I realized my daughter was learning an important lesson from a complete stranger.

    When the woman was finished, the clerk began ringing up my things and thanked me for my patience. I paid 33 dollars and thanked him too. I found the manager and told him about the clerk's kindness and patience.

    Then we left the supermarket with a full cart, but also with a heart full of thankfulness for such an important lesson.