The author finds out that good intentions alone are not enough when his attempt to be kind to an old man leaves them both feeling worse than before.

The Sampler

In a certain store where they sell puddings, a number of these delicious things are laid out in a row during the Christmas season. Here you may select the one which is most to your taste符合你的口味, and you are even allowed to sample them before coming to a decision.

I have often wondered whether some people, who had no intention of making a purchase, would take advantage of this privilege. One day I asked this question of the shop girl, and I learned it was indeed the case.

"Now there's one old gentleman, for instance," she told me, "he comes here almost every week and samples each one of the puddings, though he never buys anything, and I suspect he never will. I remember him from last year before that, too. Well, let him come if he wants it, and welcome to it. And what's more, I hope there are a lot more stores where he can go and get his share. He looks as if he needed it all right, and I suppose they can afford it."

author
n. the writer of a book, article, play, poem, etc. 作者
intention
n. purpose　目的；意图
sampler sample n. 样本 v. 取样、品尝
n. one who finds out the quality of sth. by testing a part of it　品尝家
pudding
n. 布丁（西餐中一种松软的甜点心）
delicious
a. tasting or smelling pleasant　美味的，可口的
select
vt. choose from a group　挑选
selection
n.
sample
vt. test a part of　品尝
purchase
n. buying
vt. buy
advantage
n. sth. useful or helpful　利益，好处；优点 take advantage of… 利用
privilege
n. special right given to a person　特权 privileged享有特权的
instance
n. example, case　例子，实例
suspect
vt. feel doubt about; guess or suppose　怀疑；猜测 suspect sb. of doing sth. n. 嫌疑犯
suspicion
n. suspicious
afford
vt. have the money for 　担负得起