“Thank you,” replied Bob. “Did you say you had had your luncheon?”
“No, we’ve been waiting for the victor. We’ll have it now.”
As she departed to look after the various baskets, Jock said, “Bob, you’re the greatest fellow I ever saw. You never seem to be working much, but yet you always come out all right. It’s the same way with your studies. You don’t work as hard as I do, but you always beat me. I don’t understand it.”
“Don’t you believe that Bob doesn’t work,” interrupted Bert. “I know him better than you do. It’s the thing he doesn’t do that helps Bob, as much as what he does do. Now I watched him out there in the race. Most of the other fellows were striking out with their paddles in every direction, but Bob here just watched the current and let that do most of the work. It’s the same way with his studies. Most of the fellows spend half their time in fussing around and getting ready, and then breaking in on their work after they’ve once begun. But you never saw Bob do that. He never makes a false move, or an unnecessary one, and when he starts, he just keeps at the necessary things and lets the others go. Bob does so well because he makes everything count.”
“That’s the secret of success, young man,” said Mr. Clarke. “The reason why so many men fail in life is because they waste their time and strength in unnecessary things, and don’t learn what not to do.”
“I think our luncheon is ready now,” said Miss Bessie, as she rejoined the group. “I had a basket of fruit I was going to give you,” she added, speaking to Bob, “but I’m afraid it’s spoiled.”
“Never mind. To the victors belong the spoils,” said Ben. “Give it to him just the same.”
A groan followed Ben’s pun, but the sight of the welcome baskets speedily banished all other thoughts, and for a time the scene on board the yacht was one in which all who were there certainly rejoiced. The perfect summer day, the sight of the many boats moving about over the river, the bright colors to be seen on every side, the animation and happiness of those on board the yacht, were sufficient to inspire all, and certainly the party in which we are particularly interested was not one that required much beyond the youth and health which were theirs to make them have an enjoyable time.
Their delight was increased when in the “finals” for the canoe races Ben was able to secure third prize. He himself was more than content with the award, for he had been compelled to enter the lists against some who had had the practice and experience of many summers, and he had had but one. His long arms, and, above all, his persistence in the face of all obstacles, had availed; and when our boys returned to camp they were highly delighted with the achievements of the day, as we may be well assured were the other members of the party.