申論題

    My father used to take me on short outings when I was about thirteen. From the time we started heading home, I would pray he would stop at the ice cream store and hand me twenty cents to buy our cones. I knew we would __31__ go straight for the ice cream store or turn and go home empty-__32__.

   One day on the way from one of those trips, as usual, I was __33__ his offer. Then he asked if I would like an ice cream. I said yes, but when he asked if I would like to treat, I hesitated and said I would __34__. The ice cream cost twenty cents, and I could afford it. When it __35__ to my own money, ice cream just didn't seem like a good thing to spend it __36__. 

    But why didn't I think that he had bought me at least fifty ice cream cones, and I had never bought him a single one? __37__ we turned to head home, I felt __38__ about my selfishness and ungratefulness. My father didn't rub it in, __39__. Nor did he act disappointed. Since then, I have known that generosity __40__ two ways and gratitude sometimes costs a little more than "thank you."