But usually the men and women who are left desolate in their old age are
those who have been unloving in their youth. "A man that hath friends
must show himself friendly," and an aged man or woman who has made
friends through life, and been full of love and affection toward others,
is tolerably sure to be tenderly cared for in later years. But true
affection is never eager for returns. We love because we must love;
never because we expect to be loved in return. We do for others because
we wish to make them happy; and not because we wish them to do for us.

Kindness and generosity have their place in the playground. There may be
thoughtfulness for one who is weaker than the rest, or who is a
newcomer, or who, for any reason, is neglected by others. There is an
opportunity to stand up for those who are ill-used. There is a generous
sympathy for those who, in any way, are having a hard time.

In all these ways boys and girls, when they are at play, show pretty
well what they are going to be in later life. When Napoleon was at a
military school, the boys were one day playing at war. One set of them
held a fort which the others were trying to capture. The boy, Napoleon,
led the attacking party. In the midst of the fight there was a flourish
of trumpets, and a party of officers entered, who had come to inspect
the school. The boys that held the fort forgot their play, and stood
staring at the entering group. Napoleon did not lose his head for a
moment. He kept his party up to their work. He took advantage of the
interruption, and when the besieged recovered their wits, their fort
was captured. He was already the Napoleon who in the real battles of
later years knew how to turn so many seemingly adverse circumstances to
good account.

We always think of Sir Walter Scott as a very affectionate man; but once