Why did Patrick keep on asking the same question?为什么帕特里克一直重复同一个问题？
The former Prime Minister, Mr. Wentworth Lane, was defeated in the recent elections.前首相温特沃斯·莱恩先生在最近的选举中落败了。
He is now retiring from political life and has gone abroad.他现在已经退出政坛，并已出国。
My friend, Patrick, has always been a fanatical opponent of Mr. Lane's Radical Progressive Party.我的朋友帕特里克一直是莱恩先生领导的激进进步党的强烈反对者。
After the elections, Patrick went to the former Prime Minister's house.选举结束后，帕特里克去了前首相的住所。
When he asked if Mr. Lane lived there, the policeman on duty told him that since his defeat, the ex-Prime Minister had gone abroad.当他询问莱恩先生是否住在那里时，值班的警察告诉他，自从落败后，前首相就已经出国了。
On the following day Patrick went to the house again.第二天，帕特里克再次来到那栋房子前。
The same policeman was just walking slowly past the entrance, when Patrick asked the same question.还是那位警察，他正缓缓地从门口走过，这时帕特里克又问了同样的问题。
Though a little suspicious this time the policeman gave him the same answer.虽然这次警察有些起疑，但他还是给出了同样的回答。
The day after, Patrick went to the house once more and asked exactly the same question.第三天，帕特里克再次来到那里，问了完全相同的问题。
This time, the policeman lost his temper.这一次，警察终于发火了。
'I told you yesterday and the day before yesterday,' he shouted,“我昨天和前天都告诉过你！”他大声说道。
'Mr.Lane was defeated in the elections.莱恩先生在选举中落败了。
He has retired from political life and gone to live abroad!'他已经退出政坛，到国外定居去了！
'I know,' answered Patrick,' but I love to hear you say it!'“我知道，”帕特里克回答道，“可我就是爱听你这么说！”