许国璋英语第一册23霍恩伯格督学查看学校.docVIP

霍恩伯格督学查看学校 Inspector Hornberg visits a school Inspector Hornberg visits a school The classroom was very quiet . Outside ,the leafless trees were white with the first snowfall . But not one pair of eyes strayed from the history books which twenty-five little girls were studying so earnestly. This was the year 1877,and the school was in Warsaw , Poland . A large part of Poland had been conquered by Russia . The Russian Tsar would not allow Polish children to study the history of their own country or even their own language . But here the teacher and her pupils were doing just that , although the Russians had spies everywhere in Warsaw. Among the children was Manya Sklodovska .She was a very bright pupil . She was deep in the book she was reading . Suddenly there came the faint sound of a bell. Manya listened fearfully . Was it the signal ? Yes ! Two long rings , two short rings. Every head came up . Quick hands grabbed all the Polish history books off the desks , and hid them away . The girls swiftly took sewing materials from their desks . They began to embroider little squares of cloth . The outer door opened .There stood Inspector Hornberg . Hornberg had been put in charge by the Russians of the private schools of Warsaw. He was a heavy man in a tight-fitting yellow and blue uniform . With his was Mademoiselle Sikorska , the head of the school. We have two sewing classes a week , Mr. Inspector ,explained Mademoiselle Tupalska , the teacher .I read to the children while they work. And what have you been reading to your pupils , Mademoiselle ?Inspector Hornberg demanded. She held up the book .Russian fairy tales ,she said. The inspector gave a grunt of approval .Now ,he said ,I should like to question one of your pupils. Manya Sklodovska , please stand up, the teacher said quietly. Manya rose from her seat without a word ,trying not to tremble . Recite the Lords Prayer----in Russian ,Inspector Hornberg ordered . Manya recited the prayer in a low voice , careful not