Sometimes I doubt whether there is love between my parents. Every day they are very __21__

Sometimes I doubt whether there is love between my parents. Every day they are very __21__trying to earn the money for my brother and me to go to school. They don’t act in the __22__ ways that I read in books or see on TV. In their opinion, “I love you” is too __23__ for them to say. Sending each other flowers on Valentine’s Day is __24__   more out of the question. Finally Dad becomes impatient. When he’s very tired from the hard work, he will lose __25__.

One day, Mum was sewing a quilt (床罩). I silently sat down beside her.

“Mom, I have a question to ask you. Is there love between you and Dad?”

Mom stopped work and __26__ her head with __27__ in her eyes. She didn’t answer at once.

I was __28__ because I thought I had hurt her. I was in a great embarrassment, not knowing what to do. At last she said __29__ “Susan, look at this thread (线). Sometimes it appears, but most of it __30__ in the quilt. The thread really makes the quilt strong. If life is a quilt, then love should be a thread．It can __31__ be seen anywhere or anytime, but it’s really __32__. Love is inside.”

I couldn’t understand her __33__ the next spring, when Dad suddenly got sick seriously. Mom had to stay with him in the __34__ for a month. When they returned, it seemed that both of them had had a serious illness.

After that, every day at __35__ and dusk (黄昏), Mom helped Dad walk slowly on the country road．It seemed they were the most harmonious __36__.

The doctor had said Dad would __37__ in two months, but two months later he still couldn’t walk by himself. All of us were worried about him.

“Dad, how are you feeling now?” I asked one day.

“Susan, don’t worry about me. To tell the truth, I just like walking with your mom. I like this kind of life.” __38__ his eyes, I know he loves Mom deeply.

Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and sweet __39__. But from this experience, I understand that love is just a thread in the quilt of our __40__. Love is inside, making life strong and warm.

21―25  BACAC           26―30  AADBC    31―35  BCDDC        36―40  CBABC