During the years of depression(萧条), food and money were very hard to find and people had to trade things with each other.
One day I was 36 some potatoes from Mr Miller. I noticed a small poor boy hungrily 37 a full basket of 38 green peas. Then I was 39 to see that Mr Miller sold the boy a bag of peas for just a marble (弹球).
Mrs Miller, who had been standing nearby, 40 and told me that Mr Miller loved to trade with the three boys in the village for peas, tomatoes, and other things 41 he didn’t really need any marbles. I left the stand, smiling to myself, 42 by this man.
Several years went by. One day I learned that Mr Miller had died. I took part in the funeral(葬礼), 43 three young men . They came over to Mrs Miller, hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke with her and moved on, 44 their eyes.
Our 45 came to meet Mrs Miller. I mentioned 46 she had told me about the 47 . She told me,“Those three young men above were the boys I told you about. They just told me 48 they appreciated the things Jim‘traded’with them. Now, at last, they came to pay their debt.”
“We’ve 49 had a great deal of the wealth in this world,” she added, “but right now, Jim would consider himself to be the 50 man.”
Then she gently lifted the 51 fingers of her husband. Resting underneath were three red marbles.
At that time I realized that we would not be 52 by our words, but by our kind 53 . It is said that it takes a minute to find a 54 person, an hour to appreciate him, a day to love him, but an entire life to 55 him.
James Barry
36.A.buying B. selling C.borrowing D. hunting
37.A.glaring at B. glanced at C. staring at D.watched at
38. A. picking fresh B.freshly picked C. picked freshly D.fresh dried
39. A. astonished B. amazed C. annoyed D.worried
40.A.turned over B.going over C. came over D.coming over
41.A.but B. otherwise C. or D. although
42.A.suspected B.impressed C.regreted D.embarrassed
43.A.saw B.discovering C.finding D.seeing
44.A.closing B.wiped C.cleaning D.wiping
45.A. time B. chance C. turn D. decision
46.A. the story B. the proverb C. the legend D. the joke
47.A. marbles B. men C. debt D. life
48.A.why B. how C. when D. what
49.A. ever B. always C. never D.seldom
50.A. honest B. happiest C. coldest D. richest
51.A. lifeless B. regretless C. useless D. hopeless
52.A. thought B. touched C. remembered D. affected
53.A.deeds B. things C. remarks D.rewards
54.A. strict B. honest C. special D. learned
55.A.ignore B. forget C. recognize D.remind