All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL IX A GARDEX FAIR. 115
when on his beat by recollections of Herbert
Spencer. He was a contented pohceman.
well?'
' My daughter,' he asked, ' have I done
Claire did not know exactly what he meant,
and therefore replied, in general terms, ' that
he always did well.'
' Have I done well,' he repeated, ' for these
young men ? There is not a better educated
couple of young men in London, yet they are
only clerks, and may remain servants all their
lives unless they get a chance. Fate is some-
times malignant. They may never get the
chance. Yet I cannot believe that these two
boys, who know so much and can think and
reason, will remain wliere they are.'
One day a Thought came to him. It wa« a
lialf-holiday, and he was gardening among his
lettuces, clad in the blue blouse which protected
his shirt front and white waistcoat. It was a
Thought so great, so splendid, so magnificent,
that for the moment it intoxicated him and he
reeled to and fro as one who had drunk strong