The meeting at the park (Picture 4) was surprisingly amusing (забавным). Tom realized that his new stepmother and stepsister were both kind and gentle (добрыми и нежными). The father and his new wife ensured that Jane and Tom were treated equally (относились одинаково), and they all quickly developed a common ideal (общий идеал) of a united family. Tom’s mother also remarried (вновь вышла замуж) a year later to a man who was dedicated (предан) to her and who treated Tom with respect (относился к Тому с уважением). Tom gained two new sibs (братьев/сестер) and was happy and satisfied (счастлив и доволен) that he had two caring homes. The divorce, though initially painful, ended up providing (обеспечив) him with more love and support.
The meeting (Picture 4) was a total disaster (катастрофа). The father’s new wife was jealous (ревнива) and forbade (запретила) Tom from visiting often. She spoiled (баловала) her own daughter, Jane, but treated Tom with indifference (относилась к Тому с безразличием) and criticized (критиковала) his manners. Tom felt ignored (игнорируемым) and began to suffer (страдать). His mother, unable to cope (справиться) with the difficult life of a single parent, became very dull (унылой) and unhappy. Tom's relationship with his father was broken (разорвана), and he was forced to bury his head in the sand (прятать голову в песок) to escape the pain (боль). The family, once united, was permanently broken (разрушена) by the divorce.
