新高级阅读前（双语）25（1145）

PASSAGE TWENTY-FIVE

Little adult Vinnie

1.“They tell me that you’d like to make a statue of me-is that correct, Miss Vinnie Ream?”

2.The deep, gentle voice helped calm the nervous girl. Asking a favor of the President of the United States was no casual matter, especially for a seventeen-year-old girl.

3.“Yes, sir,” she replied, her dark eyes meeting his. I wouldn’t have duo ask you, but my teacher, Mr. Mills, says I am ready. 

4.I plan to make it in an admirable manner. President Lincoln smiled. “Painters, sculptors-they’ve all tried to make the best of this ordinary face, but I’m afraid there’s not much hope. 

5.What did you have in mind, Miss Ream? A bust?” Before Vinnie could say yes, the President hurried on, a shade of apology in his voice.

6.“Of course-I shouldn’t have asked. A full-length pose would be much too big a project for a young woman your size. 

7.Vinnie’s face turned red. She realized she looked like a child, with her tiny figure. “Small does not mean weak, sir,” she defended herself. 

8.“I was born in the country of Wisconsin. I’ve driven teams of horses and carried water.

9.Making a full-length clay figure would not exhaust my strength-and that is what I intend to do!”

10.The President’s eyes, brightened at her show of spirit. “Sorry, madam, I have underestimated you as I didn’t know your background.”

11.But his smile faded as he rubbed his beard with bony fingers, in thought. “Miss Ream,” he sighed, I’d like to let you do it, but as you know, we are in the middle of a war. 

12.How could I possibly take the time to pose for a sculpture now? I hardly have a minute to myself.”

13.Vinnie glanced around and noted the size of his office. “I work quickly,” she said. Her voice was soft but confident as she pointed to the corner near the windows. 

14.“If I were to bring my clay here and work for three hours every afternoon, I could complete most of the project while you are at your desk.”

15.The President seemed to consider her idea seriously. He got up and shook Vinnie’s hand warmly, “I’ve heard that you are a talented young woman, and I have found you charming and intelligent as well. 

16.I cannot make my decision immediately, but you will hear from me soon.” The very next day, Vinnie received an invitation from the President.

第二十五篇

小大人维尼

1.“他们告诉我，你想为我立一尊雕像。对吗，维尼·雷姆小姐?”

2.那低沉、温柔的声音帮助那个紧张的女孩平静下来。请美国总统帮忙可不是件容易的事，尤其是对一个17岁的女孩来说。

3.“是的，先生，”她回答，她的黑眼睛与他的相遇了。“我本来不想问你的，但是我的老师米尔斯先生说我已经准备好了。

4.我打算以一种令人钦佩的方式来完成它。林肯总统笑了。“画家、雕塑家，他们都想把这张普通的脸画得惟妙惟肖，但恐怕希望不大。

5.你有什么想法，雷姆小姐?半身像?”维尼还没来得及答应，总统就赶紧说了下去，声音里带着一丝歉意。

6.“当然，我不该问的。对你这么大的年轻女子来说，摆个全身姿势太大了。

7.维尼的脸变红了。她意识到自己身材娇小，看起来像个孩子。“小并不意味着弱，先生。”她为自己辩解。

8.“我出生在威斯康辛州。我赶过马队，提过水。

9.做一个完整的泥人不会耗尽我的力量，这正是我想做的!”

10.看到她精神抖擞的样子，总统的眼睛亮了起来。“对不起，夫人，我低估了你，因为我不了解你的背景。”

11.但当他用瘦骨嶙峋的手指揉着胡子，陷入沉思时，他的笑容消失了。“雷姆小姐，”他叹了口气，“我很想让你这么做，但你知道，我们正处于战争之中。

12.我现在怎么可能有时间给雕塑摆造型呢?我几乎没有一分钟属于自己的时间。”

13.维尼环顾四周，注意到他办公室的大小。“我干的很快，”她说。她指着窗户附近的角落，声音柔和而自信。

14.“如果我把我的粘土带到这里，每天下午工作三个小时，我可以在你坐在办公桌前的时候完成大部分项目。”

15.总统似乎认真考虑了她的意见。他站起身来，热情地握着维尼的手，“我听说你是一位才华横溢的年轻女子，我发现你既迷人又聪明。

  16.我不能马上做出决定，但你很快就会收到我的消息。”就在第二天，维尼收到了总统的邀请。