A young boy faces the impossible task of trying to soften the blow of tragic news.

You Go Your Way, I'll Go Mine

The messenger got off his bicycle in front of the house of Mrs. Rosa Sandoval. He went to the door and knocked gently. He knew almost immediately that someone was inside the house. He could not hear anything, but he was sure the knock was bringing someone to the door and he was most eager to see who this person would be -- his woman named Rosa Sandoval who was now to hear of murder in the world and to feel it in herself. The door was not a long time opening,门立刻打开了 but there was no hurry in the way it moved on its hinges. The movement of the door was as if, whoever she was, she had nothing in the world to fear. Then the door was open, and there she was.

To Homer the Mexican woman was beautiful. He could see that she had been patient all her life, so that now, after years of it, her lips were set in a gentle and saintly smile. But like all people who never receive telegrams the appearance of a messenger at the front door is full of terrible implication. Homer knew that Mrs. Rosa Sandoval was shocked to see him. Her first word was the first word of all surprise. She said "Oh," as if instead of a messenger she had thought of opening the door to someone she had know a long time and would be pleased to sit down with. Before she spoke again she studied研究 Homer's eyes and Homer Knew that she knew the message was not a welcome one.

soften
v. (cause to) become soft(er) or gentle （使）软化；（使）温和
tragic =miserable n.tragedy
a. very sad, unfortunate; of or related to tragedy 悲惨的；悲剧的
messenger
n. a person employed to deliver telegrams, letters or parcels 送信人，电报投递员
gently =tenderly
ad. softly 轻轻地
immediately 时间或空间上的相近
a. at once
immediate
a.
eager
a. marked by strong interest or impatient desire 热切的，渴望的
hinge
n. 铰链
whoever
pron. no matter who 无论谁，不管谁
saintly
a. like a saint; very holy 像圣徒一样的；圣洁的
implication
n. 含义
imply
vt. 暗示
shock
vt. cause unpleasant or angry surprise to (sb.) 使（某人）震惊
deliver
vt. take (sth.) to the place where it esp. sth. bad 交付，递送
awkward =embarrassed
a. uncomfortable 尴尬的
responsible be responsible for
a. having done or been the cause of esp. sth. bad（应）负责的
Mexican
n & a. 墨西哥人；墨西哥（人）的 Mexico墨西哥