Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/313

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turning an eye of stern disapproval at the tutti-frutti ice.

"And what do you expect to be when you grow up, my lad?" asked Thorndyke.

"I shall be a philanthropist," replied James, Junior, with dignity. "I shall try to use my wealth as a means of benefiting others. I am president of our association for giving Christmas gifts to poor boys, and I like it very much. We, who have superior advantages, should try and extend a helping hand to others less fortunately placed."

Less fortunately placed! Thorndyke looked at the boy with the deepest commiseration, and pitied the poor children of the rich.

"You can learn a great deal from a poor boy," said he, presently, watching the boy's solemn, handsome face. He might have been a hearty, wholesome youngster, this grandson of Danny Hogan's, had he but been given a chance. "The poor boy is the normal boy; a boy should be generally dirty and noisy; he should occasionally get a lecture from his mother and a licking from his father, and a black eye from some other boy. He must be a fighter. No less a man than Paul Jones has said