Tommy hated¹ school and was² always looking for excuses not to go.If he sneezed³.he asked his mother to write a note saying⁴ he had⁵ a cold. If he had a headache，he asked his mother to take him to the doctor during⁶ school hours. He spent more time at home than he did⁷ at school. On the days that he did go to school，he looked for excuses to come home early. One morning he came⁸ home when the lessons were only half finished⁹. His father was surprised¹⁰.

汤姆讨厌上学，总是找借口不去上学。如果他打喷嚏，他就叫他妈妈写个纸条说他感冒了。如果他头痛，他就叫他妈妈在上课时间带他去看病。他待在家里的时间比在学校的时间多。在他去上学的日子里，他就找借口早点回家。一天早上他上了一半课就从学校回来了。他爸爸很惊讶。

"You’ve come home early.”he said¹¹.“Is the school closed¹² today?

"No，Dad，"Tommy said，“It’s open. I camehome early.”

“你回来很早，”他爸爸问，“今天学校放学了吗?”

"How did you do that”his father asked him. "What did you say to the teacher”

“没有，爸爸，”汤姆说，“还没放学。我提前回来了。”

"I told her that I had a new baby brother and that I had to come home and help you."

“你怎么会提前回来了?”爸爸问，“你对老师说什么了?”

"But your mother has had twins，"his father said，"a boy and a girl. You’ve got¹³ a baby brother and a baby sister.”

“我告诉她我有了一个小弟弟，我得回家帮你。”

"Yes，I know，Dad，”Tommy said.“I’m saving¹⁴ up my baby sister for next week.”

“但是你妈妈生了一对双胞胎，”爸爸说，“一个男孩，一个女孩。你有一个小弟弟和一个小妹妹。”