"You have made good use of your experiences," observed Page.
"Not always," returned the other. "Nevertheless, I believe that is the chief thing we have to do,—to learn something above worldly wisdom from our experiences little and great."
"So your theory regarding success and failure would simply be to decide its real nature by its spiritual effect on a man."
"Yes," Clover smiled. "You have thought of that before or you would not have grasped so quickly what I meant."
Her visitor nodded. "Yes, I have had a similar thought. The greatest apparent success may amount to a failure if it make a man more arrogant and selfish than before; and the most dismal failure is a success if only it brings with it an interior humility and willingness to be taught."
They talked another quarter of an hour before Page arose and took his leave. He left his compliments and farewell for Miss Bryant, shook hands with Clover, and reached the door of the room before he started and turned back with sudden recollection.
"Why didn't you remind me?" he said reproachfully. "I haven't done my errand."
Mrs. Van Tassel smiled. "Priscilla's part was a passive one, if I recollect rightly."
"But you also recollect the rough temper of Captain Standish. I think you are rather cruel."
"Oh, failure might have given you true humility."