things I say--pardon the apparent contradiction of what _you_
said--I say the study of the classics has been and still is of the
greatest value."

"What did George Washington know about the classics?" Hardman
interrupted sharply. "He was one of your aristocrats of democracy,
I suppose?"

"He was," answered the professor blandly, "and he knew more about
the classics than, I fear, you do, my dear Hardman. At all events,
he understood what was meant when he was called 'the Cincinnatus
of the West'--and he lived up to the ideal, otherwise we should
have had no American Republic.

"But let us not drop to personalities. What I maintain is that
Latin and Greek are not dead languages, because they still convey
living thoughts. The real success of a democracy--the production
of a finer manhood--depends less upon mechanics than upon morale.
For that the teachings of the classics are excellent. They have a
bracing and a steadying quality. They instil a sense of order and
they inspire a sense of admiration, both of which are needed by
the people--especially the plain people--of a sane democracy. The
classics are fresher, younger, more vital and encouraging than most
modern books. They have lessons for us to-day--believe me--great
words for the present crisis and the pressing duty of the hour."

"Give us an example," said Dick; "something classic to fit this
war."

"I have one at hand," responded the professor promptly. He went to