An old art lover collected many famous paintings. Under his influence, the son also 1 collections. One day news came that the son 2 his life to rescue another soldier in a battle. The old man felt very 3 and he couldn't cheer himself up even on New Year's Day. He was thinking of his dear son when someone knocked at the door. The old man 4 it and in came a young man who 5 himself, “I'm a friend of your son. He lost his life to 6 me, so I painted this portrait of your son 7 him.” The old man took hold of this painting with 8. Then he carried the painting upstairs and gently 9 it on the wall. It took the place of a painting by Pablo Picasso, a very 10 Spanish artist.
Several years later, the old man passed away and all his 11 would be sold at an auction (拍卖会). The auctioneer (拍卖师) 12 at a portrait of a young man and announced, “Let's 13 with this painting. Who would like to pay $50 for it?”
Nobody thought it was a(n) 14 price. People were whispering, “That's too much for a painting by nobody!”
“$40?”
There was a(n) 15 for a moment. No one responded.
Then a voice came up, “I'm a 16 of the boy. We live in the same block. I saw him growing up, but I've got only $ 10. Can I have this portrait with all my money?”
The auctioneer asked 17, “Ten dollars once? Ten dollars twice? Ten dollars three times? Deal!”
The audience were excited that the real auction would begin. 18, the auctioneer concluded, ' 'The auction is over. According to the 19 will, all the other paintings will 20 the person who buys the portrait.”
