The priest cheered up. "For opportunities lost," he said. "The lost opportunities—how sad a theme, how melancholy a retrospect! Tell me of them."

"I said nothing about lost opportunities," the dying man replied; "I said that there was much to regret, and there is; but there were no opportunities that in this particular I neglected. They simply did not present themselves often enough."

"Tell me of this sorrow," said the priest. "Perhaps I may be able to comfort you."

The dying man again smiled his grim smile. "My greatest regret," he said, "and one, unhappily, that could never be remedied, even if I lived to be a thousand, is—"

"Yes, yes," said the priest, leaning nearer.

"Is," said the dying man, "that I have known so few children."


Sentry (for the second time, after officer has answered "Friend," and come up close). "HALT! WHO GOES THERE?"

Officer. "WELL, WHAT HAPPENS NOW?"