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1、全新大学英语第二第一册第一单元课文BThe scholarship Jacket The Scholarship Jacket Marta Salinas The small Texas school that I attended carried out a tradition every year during the eighth grade graduation; a beautiful gold and green jacket was awarded to the class valedictorian, the student who had maintained the hig
2、hest grades for eight years. I was fourteen and in the eighth grade. I had been a straight A student since the first grade, and the last year I had looked forward to owning the jacket. My father was a farm laborer who couldnt earn enough money to feed eight children, so when I was six I was given to
3、 my grandparents to raise. We couldnt participate in sports at school because there were registration fees, uniform costs, and trips out of town; so there would never be a sports school jacket for us. This one, the scholarship jacket, was our only chance. One day in May, on the way from my history c
4、lass to the gym, I remembered my P.E. shorts were still in the classroom. I had to walk back and get them. I was almost back at the door when I heard angry voices and arguing in my classroom. I recognized the voices: Mr. Schmidt, my history teacher, and Mr. Boone, my math teacher. They seemed to be
5、arguing about me. I couldnt believe it. I still remember the shock that rooted me flat against the wall. “I refuse to do it! I dont care who her father is, her grades dont even begin to compare to Marthas. I wont lie or falsify records. Martha has a straight A plus average and you know it.” That was
6、 Mr. Schmidt and he sounded very angry. Mr. Boones voice sounded calm and quiet. “Look, Joanns father is not only on the Board, he owns the only store in town; we could say it was a close tie and” The pounding in my ears drowned out the rest of the words, only a word here and there filtered through.
7、 “ Martha is Mexican resign wont do it ” To this day I dont remember how I made it through the rest of the afternoon. I went home very sad and cried into my pillow that night so Grandmother wouldnt hear me. The next day when the principal called me into his office, I knew what it would be about. He
8、looked uncomfortable and unhappy. “Martha,” he said, “theres been a change in policy this year regarding the scholarship jacket. As you know, it has always been free.” He cleared his throat and continued. “This year the Board decided to charge fifteen dollars which still wont cover the complete cost
9、 of the jacket.” I stared at him in shock and a small sound of dismay escaped my throat. I hadnt expected this. “So if you are unable to pay the fifteen dollars for the jacket, it will be given to the next one in line.” Standing with all the dignity I could muster, I said, “Ill speak to my grandfath
10、er about it, sir, and let you know tomorrow.” I cried on the walk home from the bus stop. “Wheres Grandpa?” I asked Grandma. “I think hes out back working in the bean field.” I went outside and looked out at the fields. There he was. I walked slowly out to him, trying to think how I could best ask h
11、im for the money. I wanted that jacket so much. It represented eight years of hard work and expectation. He saw me and looked up. He waited for me to speak. I cleared my throat nervously and clasped my hands behind my back so he wouldnt see them shaking. “Grandpa, I have a big favor to ask you,” I s
12、aid in Spanish, the only language he knew. He still waited silently. I tried again. “Grandpa, this year the principal said the scholarship jacket is not going to be free. Its going to cost fifteen dollars and I have to take the money in tomorrow, otherwise itll be given to someone else.” The last wo
13、rds came out in an eager rush. I waited, desperately hoping hed say I could have the money. He turned to me and asked quietly, “What does a scholarship jacket mean?” I answered quickly; maybe there was a chance. “It means youve earned it by having the highest grades for eight years and thats why the
14、yre giving it to you.” Too late I realized the significance of my words. Grandpa knew that I understood it was not a matter of money. It wasnt that. He went back to hoeing the weeds that sprang up between the delicate little bean plants. Finally he spoke again. “Then if you pay for it, Marta, its no
15、t a scholarship jacket, is it? Tell your principal I will not pay the fifteen dollars.” I walked back to the house and locked myself in the bathroom for a long time. I was angry with Grandfather even though I knew he was right, and I was angry with the Board, whoever they were. Why did they have to
16、change the rules just when it was my turn to win the jacket? It was a very sad and withdrawn girl who dragged into the principals office the next day. “What did your grandfather say?” I sat very straight in my chair. “He said to tell you he wont pay the fifteen dollars.” “Why?” he asked. “Your grand
17、father has the money. Doesnt he own a small bean farm?” I looked at him, forcing my eyes to stay dry. “He said if I had to pay for it, then it wouldnt be a scholarship jacket,” I said and stood up to leave. I was almost to the door when he stopped me. “Martha -wait.” I turned and looked at him, wait
18、ing. He looked at me, biting his lip, as if thinking. “Okay, damn it. Well make an exception in your case. Ill tell the Board. Youll get your jacket.” I could hardly believe it. I spoke in a trembling rush. “Oh, thank you, sir!” Suddenly I felt great. I wanted to yell, jump, run the mile, do somethi
19、ng. I ran out so I could cry in the hall where there was no one to see me. At the end of the day, Mr. Schmidt winked at me and said, “I hear youre getting a scholarship jacket this year.” His face looked as happy and innocent as a baby, but I knew better. Without answering I gave him a quick hug and
20、 ran to the bus. I cried on the walk home again, but this time because I was so happy. I couldnt wait to tell Grandpa and ran straight to the field. “The principal said hes making an exception for me, Grandpa, and Im getting the jacket after all. Thats after I told him what you said.” Grandpa didnt say anything; he just gave me a pat on the shoulder and a smile.
