a nice smile ---- warm andreassuring ----and I retuned her gift by smiling back.

“Must be a special lady, whoever it is thatwill begetting those beautiful flowers.” she said.

“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then tomyembarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our second date,butsomehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one,’ ” Jokingly, I added,“Theonly problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy likeme.”

“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have aboyfriend whobrings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love withher,” the womansaid. “My husband used to bring me flowers every week ---- evenwhen times weredifficult and we didn’t have much money. Those were unbelievabledays; he wasvery romantic and ---- of course ---- I miss him since he’s passedaway.”

I paid for my flowers as she was gatheringup hergroceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touchedher onthe shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers areindeed for avery special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for sucha niceconversation.

It took her a moment to realize that I wasgiving her theflowers I had just bought. “You have a wonderful evening.” Isaid. I left herwith a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling thebeautifulflowers.

I remember being slightly late for my datethat night andtelling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later,when I finallyworked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me thatthis story hadhelped to seal (决定) it for her ---- that was the night thatIwon her heart.

42. Why wasthewriter in a hurry that day?

A. He had togoback to school soon.

B. Hewas tomeet his girlfriend.

C. He wasdelayedby an elderly lady.

D. He had to pick up somegroceries.

43. What does theunderlinedphrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2) refer to?

A. Herwords.