“My dear lady，”says Holmes．“You're shivering．Are you cold? Do you want a cup of hot tea?”

    “I'm not cold，”the woman replies，“I fear for my life!”

    “We are here to help you．Don't worry about anything．I don't know you．But I know many things about you．For example，I know how you traveled．You came to London by train．You also rode to the train station on a horse—drawn wagon．''

    “Why，yes．You‘re right.But how do you know these things?”

    “I see a return ticket in your glove．I see fresh mud on the left arm of your dress. Now tell us your problem．''

    “My name is Helen Stoner，”she states，“My mother and father are dead．I am living with my stepfather．Dr．Grimsby Roylott．He comes from a rich family．But they are no longer rich．They have nothing except a small piece of land and a huge old house．We are living in the house. Dr．Roylott is using my mother's mone37 for expenses．Part of it was for my sister and me. It was for our marriages．”

    Holmes is sitting in his chair．His eyes are closed．He is listening carefully to Helen's story．He hears every detail.

    Helen continues. “My stepfather has no friends．He fights with everyone．He is strong and gets angry quickly. Everyone is afraid of him．”

    “He has no friends at all?”asks Holmes．

    “No．He talks to no one except the gypsies(吉普赛人)．They are poor people who travel from place to place．A band of gypsies is staying on our land right now．''

    “Are you and your sister afraid of the gypsies?”

    “My dear Mr．Holmes．You are making me so sad．My sister is dead．That is why I am standing here in this room．”    ，  .

    Li Qinmei lives in Zhucheng, Shandong Province. She lost her 1 at three. Four years later, her father couldn't 2 after an accident. After the death of her grandmother, 12-year-old Li Qinmei had to support her broken family.

    Qinmei learnt to 3 and live a life with 24 yuan per month from the government. The most 4 things she had to deal with were to 5 her father wash, dress and use the toilet as he could hardly move.

    During most of her junior school years, she went to classes 6 once a month as her father was seriously ill at that time. “I taught 7 at home and asked teachers for help on my school days,” she said.

    Though she had a hard life, the difficulties taught her to be 8. “My classmates have both Mum and Dad to 9 them. How happy they are! However, I don't feel 10 as I still have my dear dad and many kind people with me. I believe I will go to college,” she said.

    Alvin wants a new laptop（手提电脑）. His family is8 poor because his parents lose their 1.

    Alvin can't ask his parents for a laptop. He decides to2his rich uncle Todd for help. He ride Todd's house. Todd's house is very3There are five bedrooms and four bathrooms in the house. And there are4paintings on the walls. Alvin wishes he could live there.

    Tod gives him something to5Alvin says, No, thanks. I already ate, "Tod asks him why he is6. Alvin does not know what to say. "My laptop is really old, and I need a new laptop for school. I would ask my7, but they don't have jobs anymore, "Alvin says.

    "I understand," Todd says. Todd8Alvin 5800, Alvin feels very happy. He jumps up and down He has never felt so9in all his life. His mom asks Alvin why be is so happy, Alvin doesn't say10. He doesn't want to make his mom feel bad.

    A few weeks ago, John went to a new school. He likes it better than his1school. The classrooms are big and 2. Every classroom has a computer in it, The 3 is also great! There are lots of books, magazines and newspapers in it. It also has4chairs and students can sit on them when they 5. The food in the school dining hall is delicious and 6 All of the students like to 7 there. The beef noodles are John's favorite. John's favorite 8 in the school is the lecture(演 讲) hall. The students often 9 there to listen to speeches, Last week John went there for an interesting speech and he 10it.

    The school has many 11. There is a music festival every June. The sports meeting is 12 one of the most popular activities at the school. It is 13 September every year, John is happy that he can14 at this school, He enjoys his life here 15 he has the best teachers and the friendliest classmates.