One day I was【39】to the college I taught in at Henderson, 17 miles away from where I lived. When a quarter mile was left down the road to the college, my car died. I tried to start it again, but the engine wouldn't【40】So I walked to the college. My secretary asked me what had happened. "This is my lucky day," I replied, smiling. "Your car breaks down and today is your lucky day？" She was【41】. "What do you mean？" "I live 17 miles from here." I replied. "My car could have broken down anywhere along the freeway. It didn't.【42】it broke down in the perfect place: off the freeway,within walking distance of the college. I'm still able to teach my class and get help from the tow truck. If my car was meant to break down today, it couldn't have been in a more convenient way." The secretary's eyes opened【43】and then she smiled.
I scanned the sixty faces before me.【44】it was a big crowd, no one made any noise. Somehow, my story had【45】them. In fact, it had all started with a student's observation that I was cheerful.
(36)

A. nervously
B. carefully
C. cheerfully
D. eagerly