moods, and today she reminded him of the various biographies of great
men they had read together. Had not all of them suffered every
disappointment and discouragement in the beginning of their careers?
Overcome innumerable obstacles? Many had been called upon to endure
grinding poverty as well until they forced recognition from the
world, and he at least was spared that. If Life took with one hand
while she gave with the other, the reverse was equally true; and also
no doubt it was a part of her beneficence that she not only
strengthened the character by preliminary hardships, but amiably
planned them that success might be all the sweeter when it came.

Masters laughed. "Incontrovertible. Mind you practice your own
philosophy when you need it. All reverses should be temporary if
people are strong enough."

She lost her color for a moment, but answered lightly: "That is an
easy philosophy for you. If one thing failed you would simply move on
to another. Men like you never really fail, for your rare abilities
give you the strength and resource of ten men."

"I wonder! The roots of strength sometimes lie in slimy and
corrupting waters that spread their miasma upward when Life frowns
too long and too darkly. Sometimes misfortunes pile up so
remorselessly, this miasma whispers that a man's chief strength
consists in going straight to the devil and be done with it all. A
resounding slap on Life's face. An insolent assertion of the
individual will against Society. Or perhaps it is merely a
disposition to run full tilt, hoping for the coup de grace--much as I
felt when I lay neglected on the battlefield for twenty-four hours
and longed for some Yank to come along and blow out my brains."