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

ALL LV A GARDEN FAIR. 199
should always see what you were driving at,
and you couldn't aim at anything detestable.
What I mean is—I sometimes think— well
he hesitated a good deal, because this was
really a very disagreeable thing to say ;
mean—sometimes it seems— that this desire
for glory may be a pretty selfish kind of thing.
Not that you are selfish, Allen, only there is a
heap of things in the world which are waiting
to be done. Wouldn't it be better for every
one to take his share of the work and do it,
without caring about being praised while he
is alive and remembered when he is dead?
Let a man do his work as well a.s he can, and
have done with it.'
Allen receival this admonition meekly.
He confessed that he did think very nuuli in-
deed about fame ; the crown of laurel seemed
of all things the most desirable. He owned
that it might be selfish, but that he greatly
longed to distinguish himself.
' After all,' said Will, thinking, ' if you do
have the admiration of the whole world when
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' I