阅读理解

　　Watson entered Mr Smith's office．The Boss was a hard man．He fired people who didn't do well without giving them a second chance．

　　“Watson,” said Mr Smith, “this past year your department hasn't earned money．We're going to drop that department．It's finished．I' m sorry,－but you'll have to go．”“But, sir－if I just had a little more time．For the moment I need the job to keep my son at Riverside School．”

　　“What's that!” said the Boss．“Riverside!I didn't know you had a boy there．That's an expensive school for a man with your salary．”

　　“1 know, sir．But he likes it there so much!He's a star trackman(田径运动员)and the best boxer in the school．The boys call him Champ(冠军)there．”

　　The Boss sat perfectly still for a long time－a faraway(恍惚的)look in his eyes．Then, suddenly, he said, “We've got to close your department, Watson．But you'll take over a new job in another department．It means longer hours－maybe more pay．Now get out．You're here for life．”

　　Watson got out, with surprise in his face．Then the Boss took a letter from the top drawer of his desk．It was Herbie's last letter from Riverside School－written a few days before he died．He had read it over and over again with sick pain．The letter read：

　　I can't say the boys here are any nicer to me than the others were．I guess it's the same everywhere when you're a cripple(跛脚的人)．But don't worry about me, Dad．They've got a good chemistry department here．And there's one boy here who is really great．He's a track star and boxing champ and just tops in chemistry．The boys call him Champ．He made them stop throwing my books around．And he knocked a boy down who hit me．He is the best friend I ever had．Dad, when I grow up, I want to do something for Champ．Something big－that he won't even know about．

Your son,

Herbie