Who was the thief?

People are not so honest as they once were. The temptation to steal isgreater than ever before -- especially in large shops. A detective recentlywatched a well-dressed woman who always went into a large store on Mondaymornings. One Monday, there were fewer people in the shop than usual when thewoman came in, so it was easier for the detective to watch her. The woman firstbought a few small articles. After a little time, she chose one of the mostexpensive dresses in the shop and handed it to an assistant who wrapped it upfor her as quickly as possible. Then the woman simply took the parcel and walkedout of the shop without paying. When she was arrested, the detective found outthat the shop assistant was her daughter. The girl 'gave' her mother a freedress once a week!

New words and expressions 生词与短语

once adv. 曾经，以前

temptation n. 诱惑

article n. 物品，东西

wrap v. 包裹新概念3

simply adv. 仅仅

arrest v. 逮捕

本文参考译文

人们不再像以前那样诚实了。偷窃的诱惑力比以往任何时候都更强烈 --特别是在大的商店里。一名侦探最近注意上了一位穿着讲究的妇女，她总是在星期一上午进入一家大商场。有一个星期一，当这位妇女走进这家商场时，里面的人比往常少，因此，侦探比较容易监视她。这位妇女先是买了几样小商品。过了一会儿，她又选了商场里最昂贵的一件衣服，把它递给了售货员。那售货员以最快的速度为她包好了衣服。然后，那妇女拿过包就走出了商场，根本没有付钱。她被逮捕后。侦探发现原来那售货员是她的女儿。那姑娘每星期“送”她母亲一件免费的衣服!

(兼职编辑：张博)