BILLY BOY'S MAGIC KEY

 

 

Billy Boy had a magic key. He carried it in his face. There was a secret about this key—it always opened doors into pleasant things. His mamma had taught him that.

 

Billy Boy was playing in the yard one day when his mamma came to the door. "Billy Boy, Billy Boy!" she called. "I want you to do some errands for me!"

 

When Billy Boy hurried up to the steps his mamma handed him two baskets.

 

"One is to carry the groceries I've ordered, Billy Boy," she said; "and there's a cake for Mrs. Thomas in the other. You can leave it on the way to the store."

 

Billy Boy's face clouded. "I—I'd rather not go there, mamma," he said. "Mrs. Thomas is so cross. That's what the boys say."

 

"That's because they tease her cat, Billy Boy. Remember about the key, and you'll be all right."

 

Billy Boy picked up his baskets and marched off. Pretty soon, thump¹, thump, thump! went Mrs. Thomas's brass² knocker.

 

The door flew open. "No," said Mrs. Thomas's loud voice, "I don't want—" Then she stopped. Billy Boy was using his magic key.

 

"I'm Mrs. Sheldon's little boy," explained Billy Boy, pulling off his cap. "Mamma sent you a cake."

 

Mrs. Thomas just could not resist that key. "Thank you, child," she said, smiling, and lifting out the cake. "Wait a minute," as Billy started down the steps.

 

She plunged³ her hand deep down in her pocket and drew out a bright new nickel. "Here," she said, "buy some candy."

 

The nickel was clutched tightly in Billy Boy's hand when he reached home. "Look what she gave me!" he cried. "And she wasn't a bit cross. It must have been 'count of the key."

 

And the magic key? Why, it was Billy Boy's own sunny smile, to be sure.

1 thump   

v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声

参考例句：

• The thief hit him a thump on the head.贼在他的头上重击一下。
• The excitement made her heart thump.她兴奋得心怦怦地跳。

2 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

3 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。