And Margaret looked earnestly at her mother, but did not speak.

"May we go, mamma?" said Mary.

"Yes, you three--all of you, indeed, unless you wish to say any
more."

The "boys" availed themselves of the permission. Norman tarried to
put his books into a neat leather case, and Ethel stood thinking.
"It means altogether--it is a lesson against ambition," said she.

"True," said her mother, "the love of eminence for its own sake."

"And in so many different ways!" said Margaret.

"Ay, worldly greatness, riches, rank, beauty," said Flora.

"All sorts of false flash and nonsense, and liking to be higher than
one ought to be," said Norman. "I am sure there is nothing lower, or
more mean and shabby, than getting places and praise a fellow does
not deserve."

"Oh, yes!" cried Ethel, "but no one fit to speak to would do that!"

"Plenty of people do, I can tell you," said Norman.

"Then I hope I shall never know who they are!" exclaimed Ethel. "But
I'll tell you what I was thinking of, mamma. Caring to be clever,
and get on, only for the sake of beating people."