My 14-year-old son, John, and I spotted the coat at the same time at a second-hand clothing store. It had a black velvet (丝绒) collar, delightful tailoring, a Fifth Avenue label and a(an)1price of merely $28. We looked at each other, saying nothing, but John's eyes2. Dark, woolen topcoats were popular just then with teenagers, but could cost several hundred dollars now. John put the coat on and3it. He turned from side to side,4himself in the mirror with a serious, studied5that soon changed into a smile. It's a perfect6.
John wore the coat to school the next day and came home wearing a big smile. "How did the kids like your coat?" I asked. "They love it." He said, carefully7it on the chair and smoothing it flat. Over the next few weeks, the8came over John. Quiet, reasoned discussion9argument. He became more thoughtful and eager to10. "Good dinner, Mum," he would say every evening. One day when I11that he start on homework before dinner, John said, "You are right, and I guess I will."
When I asked one of his teachers12caused the changes, she said with laughter, "It must be his coat!"
John and I both know we should never13a person's clothes for the real person within them. But it is meaningful to14a standard of excellence for the world to see, to practice a standard of excellence in thought, speech and behavior, and to15what is on the inside with what is on the outside.
