原版英语小短文 172. The Wedding Invitation

　　Tom's second cousin was getting married in early June. Tom hardly knew his second cousin. They rarely spoke¹ to each other. Tom spoke to Ed's mom more often. Tom hoped he wouldn't get an invitation. He disliked weddings. They reminded him of his own wedding. His wedding was okay, but the marriage was a disaster. Ever since, he had seen weddings as doors to disaster. He disliked spending money. An invitation meant he'd have to respond yes or no. Even if he responded no, he'd still have to send a gift. That was $100 out the window. He disliked traveling if it involved more than a short ride. If he responded yes, he'd have to take a two-hour bus ride. But if he responded no, people might be insulted². Families expect family members to attend their weddings. On May 30, Tom hadn't gotten an invitation. He felt relieved³ and insulted.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 insulted   

侮辱，冒犯( insult的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I have never been so insulted in my life! 我一生中从未被如此侮辱过！
• These boys insulted a girl by spitting at her. 这几个男孩向一个女孩吐口水侮辱她。

3 relieved   

a.如释重负的

参考例句：

• You'll be relieved to know your jobs are safe. 现在知道你们的工作保住了，可以放心了。
• Your coming relieved me of the bother of writing a long letter. 你来了，省去我写长信的麻烦了。