Devil.Peter didn’t know if he was guessing or reading his mind，but either way，he was right.Brian had served in the fire department alongside Peter.They had entered many burning buildings together.“He saved your life once，” the Devil announced，“and now you think he just might do it again.”

“I’m sure he would，” Peter replied. “Sure enough to put your life on it？You have time to think it over，if you’d...”

“I don’t need time.”

“Splendid，” said the Devil.“Your friend Brian now has his heart’s greatest desire.And you have exactly sixty-nine hours and fifty-three minutes to draft a letter convincing him to give it up.I’d find a pen，if I were you.”

Peter already knew what Brian’s

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greatest desire was，and he knew exactly what he would write.

Brian，

I’m sorry，my friend.It has been far too long since we spoke.My life has been in a stupor lately，but today I woke.

I’m sure this letter will find you watching your daughter walk for the very first time.I know that’s a hill you thought she’d never climb.It’s a miracle I cannot explain；but I know that tumor(瘤) is now gone from her brain.

As for the stranger who delivered this note，tell him this is number seven.I can’t wait to share the full story，my friend，when we meet in heaven.

This gift that I send you today was a wonderful lesson for me to learn.Enjoy it，

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and know that I want nothing in return.

For me，my time has come to an end.But I’m proud to be your reliable friend.

As for Peter Crown，he would never see the Devil again.

16.Why did Peter invite the man to come in and have a cup of tea?

A.They’d known each other for years. B.He did that just out of a strange desire. C.The man knocked on the door and wanted to have a rest.

D.Peter had to do that or the man would kill him right away. 答案 B

解析 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“Peter had invited him in for tea on an impulse that didn’t feel like his own.”可以看出，他是出于某种冲动才请那个男的进来喝茶的，所以答

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案选择B。

17.According to the passage，what did Peter Crown do?

A.He ran a tea house. B.He was a firefighter. C.He did not have a job. D.It was not mentioned at all. 答案 B

解析 细节理解题。根据文章第六段中的“Brian had served in the fire department alongside Peter.They had entered many burning buildings together.”可知Peter是个消防员，故答案选B。

18.What should Peter write in the letter if he wanted to win back his life?

A.Thanking Brian for saving his life in the past.

B.Asking whether Brian would like to be his

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