olive branch most distinctly. I cannot improve upon Doctor van
Dyke's statement of the rule, but I can interpret it in terms of my
own experiences by way of verifying it. I am sure he has it right.

The fourth rule is worthy of meditation and prayer; "When you attain
that which you have desired, you shall think more of the kindness of
your fortune than of the greatness of your skill. This will make you
grateful and ready to share with others that which Providence hath
bestowed upon you; and truly this is both reasonable and profitable,
for it is but little that any of us would catch in this world were
not our luck better than our deserts." I shall omit the lesson in
arithmetic to-morrow and have, instead, a lesson in life and living,
using these four rules as the basis of our lesson. My boys and girls
are to have many years of life, I hope, and I'd like to help them to
a right start if I can. Some of my many mistakes might have been
avoided if my teachers had given me some lessons in the art of
living, for it is an art and must be learned. These rules would have
helped, could I have known them. I am glad to know that my pupils
have faith in me. When I pointed out a nettle to them one day, they
avoided it; when I showed them a mushroom that is edible, they
accepted the statement without question. So I'll see what I can do
for them to-morrow with these four rules. Then, if we have time, we
shall learn the lines of Mrs. Higginson:

"I know a place where the sun is like gold,
And the cherry blooms burst with snow,
And down underneath is the loveliest nook,
Where the four-leaf clovers grow.

One leaf is for hope, and one is for faith,
And one is for love, you know,
And God put another in for luck--
If you search, you will find where they grow.

But you must have hope, and you must have faith,
You must love and be strong--and so,
If you work, if you wait, you will find the place
Where the four-leaf clovers grow."

CHAPTER XXXI

MOUNTAIN-CLIMBING

Mountain-climbing is rare sport. And it is sport if only one has the
courage to do it. We had gone to the top of Vesuvius on the
funicular railway; but one man decided to make the climb. We forgot
the volcano in our admiration of the climber. Foot by foot he made
his way zigzagging this way and that, slipping, falling, and
struggling till at last he reached the summit. Then, fifty throats
poured forth a lusty cheer