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Hilary Smith belonged to a good family. But by the age of twenty, he had spent all the money the good
old family had. He then had some trouble with the bank and was put in prison. He escaped from the prison
and ran to Australia without delay.
Hilary did not like Australia, and Australia did not like Hilary. What he could do seemed to be one of two
things: die or work. Then he remembered that he was not alone in the world. He had an aunt.
She was his father's only sister, but his father used to say she brought no glory to the family. Hilary, of
course, tried to discover what she had done. It seemed that she had failed to marry a nobleman. Instead, she
had chosen a husband who was connected with:"trade". Of course as soon as she became "Mrs. Parks", her
brother considered her dead. Later on, Mr. Parks died and left her a lot of money; but that did not bring her
back to life in her brother's opinion.
Hilary discovered his aunt's address. Fortunately she remained faithful and honest to him even after she
fell ill. So Hilary's star shone again, and soon he moved into her house and lived as comfortably as a sailor
who had just reached harbour. He had only about a sixpence in his pocket.
One thing was soon clear: his aunt was seriously ill, and nothing could cure her illness. Hilary was very
worried. Fate had found a home for him, and was now going to throw him out of it. There was only one
thing that could save him: her will.
"Will?" she said, "yes, I have made one. That was when I was a girl and had not much money. I left all
my money to some religious people."
"Didn't you make another will when you were married?" Hilary asked.
His aunt shook her head. "No," she said in a low voice, "There was no need. When I finally had a lot of
money I found I had no relations."
On the next day he went to the public library and examined a book of law. It told him what he already
believed. When a woman is married, an earlier will loses its value. A new will must be made. If no new will
is made, the money goes to the nearest relation. Hilary knew that he was his aunt's only relation. His future
was safe.
After a few months had passed, Hilary's problems became serious. He badly needed money. He had
expensive tastes, and owed a lot of money to shopkeepers. They trusted him because his aunt was rich; but
the debt was terrible.
Unfortunately his aunt did not want to discuss money matters at all. In the end they had a quarrel about
the small amount of ten pounds. Hilary was not very angry. He. began to wonder about a new problem. Was
it kind to want his aunt to live any longer? Was it not better for her to die now? While he was considering
what to do, his aunt told him that she was going to send for her lawyer. So she was going to make a new
will, Hilary thought. She might leave all her money to someone else. Soon he reached a clear decision. He
must do a great kindness to the poor old woman.
One night when the old servant who had been nursing his aunt went off, he doubled the amount of some
medicine. The total amount was too great and it could just put her to sleep forever.
"Thank you," his aunt took the glass from his hand with a grateful look. "I want, more than anything, to
sleep, and never to wake up again. Is that what you wish, Hilary? Don't blame me if I have some doubts
about what you intended to do. Sick people get these ideas, you know. One thing I ought to explain to you.
Mr. Parks never married me. He already had a wife and couldn't marry again. That made your foolish father
very angry with me... Well, if I am alive tomorrow I shall make another will in your favour. If I die tonight,
you'll get nothing... No, Hilary, don't try to take the glass away. If you do that, I shall know, and i don't want
to know. Goodnight, Hilary."
Then, very carefully, she raised the glass to her mouth and drank.
1. From the story, we learn that Hilary's aunt was _____.
A. bad-tempered and lonely
B. kind-hearted and wise
C. careless about money
D. cruel to her niece
2. Why did Hilary's father consider his aunt dead?
A. Because they lost contact with each other after her marriage.
B. Because she married a businessman with a wife against his will.
C. Because she broke away from the family for a better life.
D. Because he thought she was a shame to the family.
3. The underlined sentence "He must do a great kindness to the poor old woman" in paragraph 11 suggests that
Hilary Smith _____.
A. was determined to put his aunt's life to an end
B. decided to do his aunt a favor to call in a lawyer
C. made up his mind to take good care of his aunt
D. would help his aunt to donate all her money to religious people
4. Which of the following is the focus of the story?
A. Hilary's aunt's money

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