ent.

"Speak not when others speak; sit not when others stand. Speak not when
you should hold your peace. Walk not when others stop."

"That is paying attention to little things with a will," remarked Mrs.
Washington.

"And that is what impresses me," responded Lawrence. "Most boys think
that such small matters are beneath their notice, when attention to
these secures attention to more important things."

"Very true," replied his wife; "and it certainly shows a desire to be
correct in behavior that is commendable."

"And as unusual as it is commendable," added Lawrence. "It is such a
manly view of life as we seldom meet with, except in ripe manhood."

"Well, read more of his rules," suggested Mrs. Washington.

Lawrence continued to read, "In your apparel, be modest, and endeavor to
accommodate yourself to nature rather than to procure admiration; keep
to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, with
respect to times and places.

"Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself, for example is
better than precept.

"When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him
that did it."

"Not many men reduce these rules to practise very thoroughly," remarked
Lawrence. "To square one's life by these rules requires uncommon
circumspection and decision. Few are equal to it."

"I think that George comes as near doing it as any one," suggested Mrs.
Washington.

"I was just thinking of that," replied Lawrence. "I am not sure but his
manly bearing is owing to these rules. No one can think enough of them
to write them down carefully in a book without being more or less
influenced by their lessons."

"It would seem so," remarked Mrs. Washington; "but are there no rules
relating to our higher duties to God among the whole number?"

"Yes, several; but you should remember that these are rules of behavior
in company and conversation alone, and not our religious duties. But
here is one rule that lies in that direction":

"Labor to keep in your heart that little spark of celestial fire called
conscience."

"And here is another":

"If you speak of God or His attributes, let it be seriously, in
reverence; and honor and obey your parents."

"George has done that to perfection," remarked Lawrence. "Profanity and
disobedience, even in their least offensive form, he was never guilty
of. And here is still another rule having reference to our higher
obligations, which he has observed w