"What sort of spirit! Why, the spirit not to let themselves be outdone; to stand as high as anybody, and higher; be No. 1, and carry off the first honours. A spirited girl don't like to be No. 2. Christina will never be No. 2."
"Is it quite certain that such a spirit is the one to be cultivated?"
"It makes them study,"—said Mrs. Thayer, looking at her questioner to see what he meant.
"What do you think the Bible means, when it tells us not to seek for honour?"
"Not to seek for honour?" repeated the lady.
"Not the honour that comes from man."
"I didn't know it forbade it. I never heard that it was forbidden. Why, Mr. Eberstein, it is natural to wish for honour. Everybody wishes for it."
"So they do," Mr. Eberstein assented. "I might say, so we do."
"It is natural," repeated the lady.
"Its being natural does not prove it to be right."