y out of crude
possibilities that really marks and makes the man and stamps the deed.
Any hungry fool would seize the opportunity to eat who might starve if
he had to make his bread. Go out into the world. You have good eyes. It
will not take long to open them. When they are opened, come back and you
will see opportunities here that will make you glad you are alive."

"But, Billy Little," replied Dic, who was sitting with Rita on the
sycamore divan, while their small elderly friend sat upon the grass
facing them, "you certainly have seen the world. Your eyes were opened
before you came here, and it seems to me your learning and culture are
buried here among the possibilities you speak of."

"No, Dic," answered Billy, "you see, I--well, I ran away from--from many
things. You see, you and I are cast in different moulds. You are six
feet tall, physically and temperamentally." Rita thought Billy was the
most acute observer in Christendom, but she did not speak, save with her
eyes. Those eyes nowadays were always talking.

"Six feet don't amount to much," responded Dic. "There is Doug Hill, who
is six feet three, with no more brains than a catfish. It is what's at
the top of the six feet that counts. You have more at the top of your
five feet four than the tallest man on Blue, and as I said, you seem to
be buried here. Where are the possibilities for you, Billy Little? And
if you can't achieve something great--poor me!"

"There are different possibilities for different men. I think, for
example, I have achieved something in you. What say you, Rita?"

The girl was taken unawares. "Indeed you have, glorious--splendid--that
is, I mean you have achieved something great in all of us whom you have
tried to influence. I see your possibilities, Billy Little. I see them
stamped upon the entire Blue River settlement. La Salle and Marquette,
of whom Dic read to me from your book, had the same sort of
opportunities. Their field was broader, but I doubt if their influence
will be more lasting than yours."

"Rather more conspicuous," laughed Billy.

"Yes," answered Rita, "your achievements will not be recorded. Their
effect will probably be felt by all of us, and the achievement must be
your only reward."

"It is all I ask," returned Billy. Then, after a pause, he spoke in
mock reproof to Dic, "Now, hang your head in shame."

"I suppose it's my turn," Dic replied.

"The achievements of picturesque men only should be placarded t