Jimmie, an 80-year-old gentleman, retired to Florida after his wife of 58 years had pass  away. He was quite alone in the world and longed  for  companionship again.

　　One day, as he was walking through a public park, he spied what he considered to be a very pretty, silver-haired lady sitting alone on a park bench. Getting  his  nerve  up, he approached the lady and asked graciously, "Pardon me, ma'am, but may I sit here with you?"

　　The silver-haired Marcie looked up to see a distinguished-looking, white-haired gentleman and replied, "Why certainly," and moved over gently to give him room to sit down.

　　For the next two hours, the two sat and talked about everything. They discovered that they came from the same part of the country, liked the same big band music, voted for the same presidential candidates, had had long, happy marriages, ha lost their spouses during the previous year, and in general agreed about almost everything.

　　Finally, the old gentleman cleared his throat and asked sheepishly, "Ma'am, may I ask you two questions?"

　　With great interest and anticipation, Marcie replied, "Why certainly!"

　　The old gentleman removed a  handkerchief  from his coat pocket and spread it out on the ground before her. He very gingerly got down on one knee and looked her softly in the eyes. "Marcie, I know we've only known each other for a couple of hours, but we have so much in common. I feel I have known you all my life. Will you marry me and be my wife?"

　　Marcie grabbed at Jimmie's hands and said, "Why, yes, I will marry you! You have made me so very happy!" She reached over and kissed him gently on the cheek. Then Marcie said, "You said you had two questions to ask me. What is the second question?"

　　Jimmie scratched his neck and said, "Will you help me get up?"

Key  words：

pass  away　過世

long  for　渴望

companionship　（n.）伴侶關係

spy　（v.）發現

silver-haired　（adj.）銀髮的

Getting   his   nerve   up　他提起勇氣

distinguished-looking　相貌堂堂

room　（n.）空間、空位

candidate　（n.）候選人

spouse　（n.）配偶

throat　（n.）喉嚨

sheepishly　（adv.）難為情地；靦腆地

anticipation　（n.）期盼

handkerchief　（n.）手帕　

gingerly　（adv.）非常小心地、極為謹慎地

scratch　（v.）抓