We often read in novels how a seemingly respectable person or family has some terrible secret which has been concealed from strangers for years.

我们经常在小说中读到，一个表面上受人尊重的人物或家庭，却有着某种多年不为人知的骇人秘密。

选自：新概念英语第三册 Lesson 24:A skeleton in the cupboard