Maggie was very glad that James did not often visit the house. In the children’s opinion, they had something that they couldn’t explain or understand about him and that excited their imagination. He caused Maggie’s anger, however, so that she often said to her husband, “It’s a pity that brother of yours doesn’t come oftener.”
In fact James came once a year, unexpectedly, around eight o’clock in the evening, and he stayed for six hours of close discussion with his brother. His arrival was a signal to the children that their bedtime would be put off. Not that he ever spoke to them or played with them. He took no notice of them, as if he was unable to see children, at least until the time came for him to go. Indeed, after his first greeting and a careless kiss, James took no notice of Maggie either, except to add, “You’ll be getting on with the supper, Maggie.” Such was his regard for her.
Maggie paid him back in her own way. She kept the children up, the four of them, to stay around her, she said, but of course they sang and made a noise and broke the endless sound of James’ voice. Very late, they fell asleep in their chairs. Then, when James was about to go, Maggie woke them up and so more or less forced him to say goodbye to them with four pence before he left. That gave her some satisfaction, for James, though rich, was unwilling to give or share what he had. He always went home by the last train, just after two o’clock.
Maggie’s children secretly looked at their uncle. They could not forget that he had, in their mother’s words,“l(fā)ost two wives and taken a third.” They wondered about those two unlucky, lost ladies. They asked each other what their fate（命運(yùn)）had been, and if neither could ever be found again. James never brought his third wife with him nor ever mentioned her. The children decided that he must be so frightened of losing her that he never allowed her outside the door.
63. Maggie never prepared anything special for James because ________.
A. he was a man difficult to please
B. she never knew when he was coming
C. she was too busy looking after her children
D. he never stayed long enough for a meal
64. About James’ behavior we can learn that ________.
A. He was a kind man, with love for the family
B. He was unselfish, especially towards his brother
C. He hoped to please the family, especially the children
D. He was rude to his sister-in-law
65. Maggie felt pleased when ________ .
A. James thanked her for the nice supper
B. James gave some money to the children
C. she had to wake James up to catch his train
D. she paid James the money that she should give him
66. The children did not realize that two of James’ wives ________.
A. were dead B. suffered from loss of memory
C. had run away from him D. might re-appear one day
