The mischievous gods had given him, as the one gift they give at birth to each child on earth, great eloquence.
IX
SIC TRANSIT—
"Everyone likes me," said the man.
"That is Popularity," whispered the little star.
"Everyone likes me and envies me," said the man, a year later.
"That is Fame," whispered the little star.
"Everyone despises me," said the man, a year later still.