CHAPTER XXIII

WILLIE’S PLANS BLOSSOM.

N the morning, Willie’s head was full of his
dream. How gladly would he have turned it

‘into a reality! That was impossible—but might
he not do something towards it? He had long
ago seen that those who are doomed not to realise
their ideal, are just those who will not take the first
step towards it. “Oh! this is such a little thing’
to do, it can’t be any use!” they say. “And it’s
stich a distance off what I mean, and what I should
give my life to have!” They think and they say
that they would give their life for it, and yet they
will not give a single hearty effort. Hence they
just stop where they are, or rather go back and
back until they do not care a bit for the thoughts
they used to think so great that they cherished
them for the glory of having thought them, But
_ even the wretched people who set their hearts on
making money, begin by saving the first penny
they can, and then the next and the hext. And
they have their reward: they get the riches they

want—-with the loss of their souls to be sure, but
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