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4.

It was Sunday. So, as always, we went to church.

Crathie Kirk. Walls of granite¹, large roof of Scottish pine, stained-glass windows donateddecades earlier by Victoria, perhaps to atone² for the upset she caused in worshipping there.

Something about the head of the Church of England worshipping in the Church of Scotland—itcaused a stir, which I never understood.

I’ve seen photographs of us going into the church that day, but they bring back no memories.

Did the minister say anything? Did he make it worse? Did I listen to him or stare at the back of thepew and think about Mummy?

On the way back to Balmoral, a two-minute drive, it was suggested that we stop. People hadbeen gathering³ all morning outside the front gates, some had begun leaving things. Stuffedanimals, flowers, cards. Acknowledgment should be made.

We pulled over, stepped out. I could see nothing but a matrix of colored dots. Flowers. Andmore flowers. I could hear nothing but a rhythmic⁴ clicking from across the road. The press. Ireached for my father’s hand, for comfort, then cursed myself, because that gesture set off anexplosion of clicks.

I’d given them exactly what they wanted. Emotion. Drama. Pain.

They fired and fired and fired.

 

1 granite   

adj.花岗岩，花岗石

参考例句：

• They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。
• The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。

2 atone   

v.赎罪，补偿

参考例句：

• He promised to atone for his crime.他承诺要赎自己的罪。
• Blood must atone for blood.血债要用血来还。

3 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

4 rhythmic   

adj.有节奏的，有韵律的

参考例句：

• Her breathing became more rhythmic.她的呼吸变得更有规律了。
• Good breathing is slow,rhythmic and deep.健康的呼吸方式缓慢深沉而有节奏。