4 背熟：How Harry managed to keep a straight face during these performances is quite beyond me.

keep a straight face == keep serious  一本正经, 板着脸孔

is quite beyond me == is quite beyond my understanding == is quite beyond my imagination  超出某人能力,想象

重点：how引导主语从句

keep sth. on permanent display 永远展示，陈列

Eg: We don't know how he came into ( the ) possession of the farm.

5 背熟：She produced all sorts of weird concoctions, but none of them met with Harry's requirements.   ...Harry put on his act of being mildly annoyed新概念作文在线阅读

meet with sb's requirments / need 满足某人的需要

requirments == demands

put on his act of doing 装模作样

put on == pretend

6 背熟：However, it was his turn to be surprised, for the woman's eyes immediately lit up and she fetched several bottles which she placed on the counter for Harry to inspect.

surprised == amazed 惊奇地

Eg: The custom officer's face lit up as soon as he saw the tiny bottle on the bottom of my suitcase.

inspect ==choose == select

admit defeat == take a beating 认输

My aunt Harriet found piles of bottles of all shapes and sizes in what had been Bessie's wordrobe.(L49)

what was in those days enlighted policy 当时所谓的开明政策

seemed to be == looked like