When I was young, we didn't have a Christmas tree. My mother said that we weren't going to have one 1 we couldn't afford(承担起) it.
About three days before Christmas, I was out collecting my pocket money from my neighbour. It was 2 and very cold. I went to the apartment building to meet the lady who owed(欠) me seven dollars. She 3 me in and not only did she pay me, but also gave me a dollar tip! It was a surprise for me. I now had 4 whole dollars.
On the way home, I walked past a Christmas tree 5 and an idea hit me. I wanted to buy a Christmas tree! I didn't really want to spend all my money, but the tree was so 6 that I couldn't control myself.
I dragged(拖) the tree all the way home. The snow was much heavier, but I didn't 7 . You can't imagine how proud and 8 I was. When Igot home, I asked Mom to come to the front door and I 9 the lights on the tree.
"Where did you get that tree?" my mother cried in surprise. "I bought it up on Main Street,"I said, trying to control my excitement. "10 did you get the money?" Her tone(语调) was quite different. " From my pocket money," I explained. "So you spent all 11 money on this tree?"she shouted.
Without waiting for my answer, she went into her bedroom 12 . I just stood there, feeling awful and began to 13 .
Years later, I truly understood my mother.My family was really poor at that time. In her eyes, it was a waste to buy such a tree. What she14 only was to give us a more comfortable life. Now I had my own family. And I knew the15 of supporting a family. Though there were no Christmas trees, it was best to stay with family.
