B It was the week before Christmas, and the line at the post office snaked twice around the lobby( 大厅 ). It seemed that no one was moving. The office looked like an exhibit in the Postal Wax Museum. I came to the self-service machine where the line was much shorter. I don’t like self-service. I tell people it’s because I don’t approve of taking jobs away from people, but the real problem is that I’m not good at it. The machine always asks me something I don’t know the answer to. I hate this. I am a retired letter carrier, and we moved mail in the old-fashioned way hand to hand, human to human. We were fast, friendly, and frequently accurate. The woman in the front of the line was clicking away at the screen. And the clicks were surprisingly loud. Any signs of hesitation on her part were telegraphed to the whole lobby. I felt sorry for her: The machine could smell fear. The next person took a long time, too. I breathed deeply. By the time it was my turn, I had the heart rate of a yogi( 伽修行者 ). Under the weight of concern from the people in line behind me, I felt a growing obligation to minimize the seconds between clicks. Finally it was time to slide in a credit card. The machine didn’t take it. “Try putting it in the other way” the gentleman behind me suggested. No good. “I’ve got a different card,” I said, and fished around for that one, beginning to sweat. The machine wanted a PIN, but not the one I suggested. “Start over.” I clicked, intending to try the first card again. Oh no. I had to start all over again. “I’ m sorry,” I said, looking back, sheepish . “I guess I don't know what I’m doing. You all go ahead.” “Don’t give up,” said the nice man behind me. “Try it again. We’re all friends here, right?” Smiles were blooming all down the line. I tried again, clicked with deliberation and sincerity, and introduced my credit card as though I were presenting it to the queen. Finally, I made it! I couldn’t have been happier. Everyone burst into applause. Comfort and joy! 24. What do we know about the post office? A. It was pretty large. B. Something went wrong there. C. It was very busy at Christmas. D. Efficient services were provided. 25. While waiting for his turn, the author was . A. a little excited B. totally relaxed C. bored and impatient D. nervous and anxious 26. What does the underlined word “sheepish” in Paragraph 8 mean? A. Grateful B. Surprised C. Embarrassed D. Determined 27. What did the man behind the author do? A. He rushed the author. B. He laughed at the author. C. He mailed for the author. D. He encouraged the author.