In this way Sophie enjoyed many happy Intensive Reading English classes. But then there came a class that gave her quite a kind of mixed feeling. In the evening before that class, her desk mate invited her to watch the latest American film The Bachelor. This film was so funny and long that they kept laughing till 10 o’clock. As soon as the film ended they returned to each other’s dorm and fell fast asleep. It was not until the next day, when the professor asked the class to turn to the exercise page when she remembered her homework. But it was too late, and she could do nothing but stare at the blank page. She dared not to write on it, for the professor was standing right beside her; she could only pray in her mind, imploring that the professor never called her to answer the questions.

By this time the professor has already asked twice: “Any volunteers? Tell me the answer for this exercise.”

Sophie kept her head very low and her hands back. She was very careful not to draw any of her professor’s attention. Strangely, other students did not put up their hands, either. 

The professor waited for a moment, and getting no response, asked again: “Who have finished this exercise, please put up your hands.”

Now the classroom was very quiet. Nobody made any movement. 

“Who has not done this exercise, put up your hand.”

All did. 

Silence.

What a shock! Such a result! NONE of the students finished their homework! What a sight! For the first time in her life Sophie witnessed a strike. Her heart was pounding faster and faster. She wanted to slap herself. How could she be so silly as to forget so little homework! How could all her classmates be as silly as herself! All in all, the class had embarrassed the professor very much！This time even good-tempered professor shall punish them severely. 

She was wrong. The professor was not furious, but only stood on the platform in silence. Sophie thought the professor was restraining herself with all her might. She wanted to stand up and say sorry, but feared that she might get even angrier. 

After a while the professor began slowly: “Last time you tricked me like this. Today another strike. Next time I do not allow you to behave this way. You can make a same mistake once, twice, but for the third or fourth time I can never forgive you. Next time you must know what is right or wrong.”

   Even for primary school students, this kind of patience could overwhelm them. Sophie was too ashamed to raise her head. Though dumb and bold a girl she had been, she felt very sorry for the professor this time. 

From then on, Sophie finished her homework very carefully every time. And the class always handed in the homework on time.