5. reluctantly came to the conclusion that...  (省略)

come to the conclusion  得出结论

draw a conclusion

arrive at conclusion

reach conclusion

jump to conclusion

6....have a difficult time doing sth. ... conceal their amusement...

have a difficult time doing sth. ...= have trouble / difficulty in doing sth

conceal  克制..

7.背熟：They had mysteriously found their way there from the wine cellar!  found one's way 找到...出路,作者这里用拟人手法强调Bessie喝酒这件事做得神不知鬼不觉.

8．推荐有用的短语：

air one's view 发表某人的见解新概念英语下载

persist in 坚持做某事

far too+adj. 超出..., 相当于 beyond+adj.

be attached to 喜爱, 喜欢

eg: The children are very attached to their grandparents.

put sb. in charge of...    安排某人负责

preside over  = take control/ take charge

an army of = a large group of / a party of

different to please = hard to please 很难伺候

act the role of ...   担任...角色

in addition to   除...之外