new leaf--she did it
for him. HE must not strut around in the merit of it--it is not his.

Y.M. But, anyway, he reared the plant after she watered the seed.

O.M. No. OUTSIDE INFLUENCES reared it. At the command--and trembling--he
marched out into the field--with other soldiers and in the daytime, not
alone and in the dark. He had the INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE, he drew courage
from his comrades' courage; he was afraid, and wanted to run, but he did
not dare; he was AFRAID to run, with all those soldiers looking on. He
was progressing, you see--the moral fear of shame had risen superior to
the physical fear of harm. By the end of the campaign experience will
have taught him that not ALL who go into battle get hurt--an outside
influence which will be helpful to him; and he will also have learned
how sweet it is to be praised for courage and be huzza'd at with
tear-choked voices as the war-worn regiment marches past the worshiping
multitude with flags flying and the drums beating. After that he will
be as securely brave as any veteran in the army--and there will not be a
shade nor suggestion of PERSONAL MERIT in it anywhere; it will all have
come from the OUTSIDE. The Victoria Cross breeds more heroes than--

Y.M. Hang it, where is the sense in his becoming brave if he is to get
no credit for it?

O.M. Your question will answer itself presently. It involves an
important detail of man's make which we have not yet touched upon.

Y.M. What detail is that?

O.M. The impulse which moves a person to do things--the only impulse
that ever moves a person to do a thing.

Y.M. The ONLY one! Is there but one?

O.M. That is all. There is only one.

Y.M. Well, certainly that is a strange enough doctrine. What is the sole
impulse that ever moves a person to do a thing?

O.M. The impulse to CONTENT HIS OWN SPIRIT--the NECESSITY of contenting
his own spirit and WINNING ITS APPROVAL.

Y.M. Oh, come, that won't do!

O.M. Why won't it?

Y.M. Because it puts him in the attitude of always looking out for his
own comfort and advantage; whereas an unselfish man often does a thing
solely for another person's good when it is a positive disadvantage to
himself.

O.M. It is a mistake. The act must do HIM good, FIRST; otherwise he will
not do it. He may THINK he is doing it solely for the other person's
sake, but it is not so; he is contenting his own spirit first--the
other's person's benefit has to always take SECOND place.

Y.M. What