阅读下面短文，按照句子结构的语法性和上下文连贯的要求，在空格处填入一个适当的词或使用括号中词语的正确形式填空，并将答案填写在答题卡标号为16—25的相应位置上。

Once upon a time there was a rich merchant   16 __      _____ had four wives. He loved the 4^th wife the most.  He took great care of her and gave her nothing   17___ _______the best. He also loved the 3^rd wife very much. He was very  18         __ (pride) of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. He also loved his 2^nd wife. She is __  19 ___________very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s close friend. __20__________ the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2^nd wife and __21____________ would always help him out and tide(帮助渡过) him   22__________ difficult times. Now, the merchant’s 1^st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great 23___________ (contribute) in maintaining his wealth and business as well as   24____________ (take) care of the household. _ 25   ________, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.