Tommy hated¹ school and was 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.

"You've come home early," he said¹¹. "Is the school closed¹² today?"

"No, Dad, " Tommy said - "It's open. I came home early.

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

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

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

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

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。

他呆在家里的时间比在学校的时间要多。

在他的确去上学的日子里，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。

“你回来很早，”他爸爸问，“今天学校放学了吗？”

“没有，爸爸，”汤姆说，“还没放学。我提前回来了。”

“你怎么会提前回来了？”爸爸问，“你对老师说什么了？”

“我告诉她我有了一个小弟弟，我得回家帮你。”

“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。”

“是的，我知道，爸爸，”汤姆说，“我要等下个星期再说我有个小妹妹了。”

Notes:

(1) sneeze² v.打喷嚏

(2) twins n.双胞胎

(3) save up留