How long has Mr. Page been teaching?

I have just received a letter from my old school, informing me that myformer headmaster, Mr. Stuart Page, will be retiring next week. Pupils of theschool, old and new, will be sending him a present to mark the occasion. Allthose who have contributed towards the gift will sign their names in a largealbum which will be sent to the headmaster's home. We shall all remember Mr.Page for his patience and understanding and for the kindly encouragement he gaveus when we went so unwillingly to school. A great many former pupils will beattending a farewell dinner in his honour next Thursday. It is a curiouscoincidence that the day before his retirement, Mr. Page will have been teachingfor a total of forty years. After he has retired, he will devote himself togardening. For him, this will be an entirely new hobby. But this does notmatter, for, as he has often remarked, one is never too old to learn.

New words and expressions 生词与短语

inform v. 告诉，通知

headmaster n. 校长

contribute v. 捐助，援助

gift n. 礼物，赠品

album n. 签名簿，相册

patience n. 耐心

encouragement n. 鼓励

farewell n. 告别

honour n. 敬意

coincidence n. 巧合

total n. 总数新概念英语第三册mp3

devote v. 致力于

gardening n. 园艺

hobby n. 爱好，嗜好

本文参考译文

我刚刚收到母校的一封信，通知我说以前的校长斯图亚特.佩奇先生下星期就退休了。为了纪念这个日子，学校的学生——无论老同学还是新同学——将送他一件礼物。所有凑钱买此礼品的人都将自己的名字签在一本大签名簿上，签名簿将被送到校长的家里。我们不会忘记佩奇先生对我们既有耐心又充满理解，也不会忘记在我们不愿去上学时他给予我们的亲切鼓励。很多老同学都准备参加下星期四为他举行的告别宴会。佩奇先生退休的前一天正好是他执教满40年的日子，这真是奇妙的巧合。他退休后，将致力于园艺。对于他来说，这将是一种全新的爱好。但这没有关系，因为正如他常说的那样，人要活到老学到老。

(兼职编辑：张博)