Mark Twain and Chauncey M.Depew once went abroad on the same ship.When the ship was a few days out they were both invited to a dinner.Speech-****** time came.Mark Twain had the first chance.He spoke for twenty minutes and made a great hit.Then it was Mr.Depew's turn.
“Mr.Toastmaster Ladies and Gentlemen.”the famous raconteur said as he arose，“Before this dinner Mark Twain and me made an agreement to trade speeches.He has just delivered my speech，and I thank you for the pleasant manner in which you received.I regret to say that I have lost the notes of his speech and cannot remember anything he was to say.”
Then he sat down.There was much laughter.Next day an Englishman who had been in the party came across Mark Twain in the smoking-room.“Mr Clemens.”he said，“I consider you were much imposed upon last night.I have always heard that Mr.Depew is a clever man，but，really，that speech of his you made last night struck me as being the most infernal rot.”
马克·吐温和昌西·德普有次一同乘船出国。出发几天之后，他们同被邀请参加晚宴。到了发表演讲的时间，由马克·吐温先演讲。他讲了20分钟，出尽风头。下面轮到德普了。
“主持人，女士们，先生们”，这位著名的健谈人士起身说道，“晚宴之前，我和马克·吐温商量好，要交换演讲。他刚才已经替我做了演讲，感谢大家热烈的反响。很遗憾，我把他的演讲的笔记弄丢了，记不起他要说什么了。”
说完他便坐下了。其他人笑成了一片。第二天，宴会上的一个英国人在吸烟室遇到了马克·吐温，他说：“克莱门斯先生，我觉得您昨晚肯定给大家留下了深刻的印象。我之前一直听说德普先生很聪明，但是，您昨晚的演讲，在我看来，真是烂透了，真的。”
1.invite vt.
（1）邀请；招待；聘请：
例句：to invite somebody to a party
邀请某人参加晚会
to invite one's friend to dinner
招待朋友吃饭
（2）请求；要求；征求；欢迎：
例句：to invite somebody to consider
请求某人考虑
to invite tenders
招标
vi.（1）发出邀请：
例句：It's not he who invites.
不是他邀请的。
（2）有吸引力
2.hit（演出等）成功
3.raconteur n.健谈者；善谈者；擅长讲故事的人
E.g.Mark Twain was an excellent raconteur.
马克·吐温擅长讲故事。
4.arise vi.
（1）（从坐，躺或跪中）起身，起来，起立：
例句：She arises from her chair when he entered the room.
当他进房间时她从椅子上站起来。
（2）起床：
例句：They arose at sunrise to get an early start to the park.
他们黎明即起，早出发去公园。
（3）升起，上升，升高：例句：A thin curl of smoke arose lazily from the cobin.
一缕薄烟懒洋洋地从小屋升起。
（4）（由……）引起，（由……）产生，由……得出；起因于，由于；起源（于）；发出；出自（与from或out of连用）：
例句：After such destruction many problems in resettlement often arise.
在这样的破坏之后重新定居中的许多问题常常由此产生。
The present difficulties in our country arise from（或out of）the reduced value of its money.
我国目前的困难是货币贬值引起的。
5.note n.笔记
6.laughter n.笑声
E.g.The room is filled with laughter.房间内充满了笑声。
7.infernal adj.地狱的；恶魔的；可憎的
E.g.Although I picked it up before entering the Infernal Gate，I believe you should carry out this crucial mission.
虽然我在进入地狱之门以前就拿过它，但我相信只有你才能进行这个决定性的任务。
8.rot n.（表示厌恶、蔑视、烦恼等）胡说；糟了
1.go abroad
（1）出国：
例句：They went abroad for their holiday.
他们出国度假。
（2）自由外出；出门：
例句：The little children go abroad on Sunday.
孩子们星期天外出活动。
2.sit down 坐下
E.g.They sat down by the roadside to take a rest.
他们在路旁坐下休息。
3.be impressed upon 给……留下深刻印象
E.g.Jane's performance will be impressed upon my memory for a long time.
简的表演将会在我的记忆中留下长久的印象。