When I was growing up, I was ashamed to be seen with my father. He was severely disabled and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on.
It was difficult to coordinate（协调）our steps—his slow, mine impatient—and because of that, we didn’t say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, “You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you.”
He never talked about himself as an object of sympathy, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a “good heart”, and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him. I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don’t know accurately what a “good heart” is.
Unable to join in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. I now know he participated in some things indirectly through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he “played” too. When I joined the Navy, he “joined” too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, “This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different.” Those words were never said aloud.
He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my unwillingness to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about small affairs, when I am envious of another’s good fortune, when I don’t have a “good heart”.
At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, “You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you.”
小题1:The author felt unhappy walking with his father because ________.
A．he felt sympathy for his father’s physical disability
B．it was hard for them to walk at the same pace
C．he didn’t want others to know he had an ugly father
D．it was not easy for his father to keep balance小题2:In the father’s view, the most important quality a good person should have is ________.
A．beautiful appearance
B．excellent health
C．a smart head
D．a good heart小题3:It can be inferred from the text that ________.
A．the father was proud of his only son
B．the father took part in all his son’s activities
C．the author was upset when asked to his father’s office
D．the author was an outstanding player小题4:According to the last paragraph, by saying “You set the pace. I will adjust to you.” the author means that ________.
A．he is now glad to help his father to walk
B．he regrets his unwillingness to walk with his father
C．he will follow Father’s standards of being a good man
D．he will never forget how mentally strong his father was
