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

ALL IX A CARDEX J AIR. 15
' As for Olinthus,' continued M. Pliilipon,
' let him continue to run bravely, short course
or long course, and many prizes will be his.'
Olinthus, commonly called Tonuny, blushed
to the roots of his hair. Nobody noticed this
proof of modesty, because his face was already
so red from the running that no amount of
blushes could have deepened that hue. It was
a blush absolutely wasted. At a later age,
when blushes are rare, this might have caused
subsequent regret. Who would not wish to
retain that bUish which adorns the cheek of
youth when good deeds come to light ? Wliy, it
is an incentive to good deeds. Titus blushed
daily. ]^ut Tommy did not mind. Ho Avas,
as I have said, short of figure and bruad of
shoulder, his legs were sturdy, his fiice broad
and rather flat, and his nose was a little turned
uj) at the end. rerha])s he was only a com-
monplace boy to look at. He who makes it
the business of his pilgrimage to watch his
fellow-men becomes something like a portrait
painter, inasmuch as he finds no one common-