A watchmaker father

高倩宝

海詞积累

1. financial crisis 经济危机

2. relieve v. 缓解

There were many ups and downs in the watchmaking business. Father loved his work， but he was not a moneymaker， and times were often hard. Once I remember we were faced with a real financial crisis. A large bill had to be 1. _______  ， and there simply wasn't enough money. Then one day a well-dressed gentleman came into our shop and asked to see some very expensive 2.  _______ . I stayed in the workshop listening to the con-versation in the front room.

“This is a fine watch，” the customer said. “This is just what I/ve been looking for.”

I held my breath as I saw the customer 3.  _______  into his inner pocket and pull out lots of cash！ I saw myself paying the overdue bill and being relieved of the burden of anxiety I had been carrying for the past few weeks.

The 4.  _______  looked at the watch admiringly and commented， “I had a good watchmaker here. His name was Van Houten. When Houten died and his son took over the business， I kept on doing business with the young man. However， I bought a watch from him that didn/t run at all. I sent it back three times， but he couldn/t seem to fix it. That/s why I decided to find another watchmaker.” The man took out a large watch and gave it to father.

Father adjusted something and handed it back to the customer. “That was a very small mistake. It will be fine now. Sir， I trust the young watchmaker. Someday he will be just as good as his father. Now I shall give back your money and you 5. _______  my watch.”

I felt disappointed， but I knew father was right.

Reading Check

Fill in each blank with only one word according to the context.

Language Study

Complete the following sentences according to the text.

1. Once I remember we were  ________  （face） with a real financial crisis.

2. I stayed in the workshop  ________ （listen） to the conversation in the front room.

3. This is just what I've been looking  ________   .

4. I held my________ （breathe） as I saw the customer pull out lots of cash.

5. I sent it back three times， but he couldnt seem  ________ （fix） it.

6. Someday he will be just as good ________   his father.