Tommy hated school and was always looking for excuses
not to go there.
  If he sneezed, he asked his mother to write a note saying
he had a cold.
  If he had a headache, he asked his mother to take him to
the doctor during school hours.
  He spent more time at home than he did at school.
  On the days that he did go to school, he looked for excuses
to come home early.
  One day he came home from school in the middle of the morning.
  His father was surprised.
  “You’re home early,” he said. “Is the school closed today?”
  “No, Dad,” Tommy said. “It’s open. I came home early.”
  “How did you do that?” his father asked him. “What did you
say to the teacher?”
  “I told her that I had a new baby brother and that I had to
come home and help you.”
  “But your mother has had twins,” his father said, “a boy and
a girl. You’ve got a baby brother and a baby sister.”
  “Yes, I know, Dad,” Tommy said. “I’m saving up my baby
sister for next week.”

            逃　学
  汤姆不愿意去上学，总找借口逃学。
  他若打喷嚏，就央求妈妈写张假条给老师说他感冒了。
  他若头痛，就嚷嚷着不去上学了，要妈妈带他去看病。
  他在家里的时间比在学校的时间多得多。
  他就是去上学，也总找借口提前回来。
  一天，上午刚过去一半，他就从学校跑回家了。
  爸爸感到很奇怪。
  爸爸问：“你怎么这么早就回来了？学校今天不上课吗？”
  “不是的，爸爸，学校当然上课了，我提前回来的。”汤姆回答。
  爸爸问他：“你回来这么早，怎么向老师请假的？”
  “我跟老师说，我小弟弟刚出生，所以必须回家帮您啊。”
  “但你妈妈生的是双胞胎啊，你既有一个小弟弟，还有一个小妹妹
呢。”爸爸说。
  汤姆理直气壮地回答：“是的，我知道，爸爸，我把小妹妹留到下周再用。”