He loved to be told that one of his imaginary products was temporarily out ofstock and he would faithfully promise to call again at some future date, but of coursehe never did. How Harry managed to keep a straight face during these performancesis quite beyond me.

　　Harry does not need to be prompted to explain how he bought his precious bottle ofmud.

　　13.He loved to be told that one of his imaginary products was temporarily out ofstock and he would faithfully promise to call again at some future date, but of coursehe never did.

　　他爱听售货员说他想像出来的那种东西暂时脱销，于是他就煞有介事地许诺改天再来光顾。当然，他再也不会来了。

　　语言点:out of stock相当于lack of，意思是“脱销的。”

　　14.How Harry managed to keep a straight face during these performances is quitebeyond me.

　　我实在想像不出哈里在这些表演中是怎样装出一本正经的样子的。

　　语言点:is quite beyond me的意思是“让我不明白。”

　　15.Harry does not need to be prompted to explain how he bought his precious bottleof mud.

　　毋须暗示哈里就会向你讲起他买下那瓶珍贵香水泥的经过。

　　语言点:句子结构分析:how引导宾语从句，交代explain的内容。