Many years ago when the summers seemed longer and life was less complicated, we had rented

a cottage 【26】______ a river in the heart of the country 【27】______ the whole family was going to 【28】______ a three-week holiday. There were four of us: me, Mum and Dad, and Mum's sister, Auntie June. Oh, and I mustn't forget to 【29】______ . Spot, our little dog. I was 【30】______ to go off by myself all day, 【31】______ I promised to be careful and took Spot with me for 【32】______ .

One day I was out fishing with Spot when we heard a lot of shouting in the 【33】______ followed by a scream and splash. I was a bit 【34】______ so I called Spot and we both hid 【35】______ a bush where we could see but not be 【36】______ . After a few moments, a straw hat came drifting down the river, followed by an oar, a picnic basket and 【37】______ oar. Then came the rowing boat itself, but it was 【38】______ upside down! A few seconds later my dad and Auntie June came running 【39】______ the river bank, both wet 【40】______ . Spot started barking so I came out of hiding and said hello. My dad got really angry 【41】______ me for not trying to catch the boat as it went past. Luckily, 【42】______ , the boat and both the oars had been caught by an overhanging tree a little further downstream, but not the hat or picnic basket. So I had to let them 【43】______ my sandwiches. Dad and Auntie June both made me 【44】______ not to tell Mum what had happened 【45】______ she would be worried.

【26】

A．on

B．across

C．in

D．by