The officer began to write, but just as he finished the first word, a bomb came through the roof of the house and struck the floor close by him. He dropped the pen and sprang to his feet. He was pale with fear. "What is the matter?" asked the king.
"Oh, sir," he answered, "the bomb! the bomb!"
"Yes, I see," said the king. "But what has the bomb to do with what I wish you to write? Sit down, and take your pen. When your country is in danger, you should forget your own safety."
A STORY OF OLD ROME
There was a great famine in Rome. The summer had been very dry and the corn crop had failed. There was no bread in the city. The people were starving.
One day, to the great joy of all, some ships arrived from another country. These ships were loaded with corn. Here was food enough for all.
The rulers of the city met to decide what should be done with the corn.
"Divide it among the poor people who need it so badly," said some.
"Let it be a free gift to them from the city."
But one of the rulers was not willing to do this. His name was
Coriolanus, [Footnote: Co ri o la'nus.] and he was very rich.
"These people are poor because they have been too lazy to work," he said. "They do not deserve any gifts from the city. Let those who wish any corn bring money and buy it."