"Very true," replied his wife; "and it certainly shows a desire to be correct in behavior that is commendable."
"And as unusual as it is commendable," added Lawrence. "It is such a manly view of life as we seldom meet with, except in ripe manhood."
"Well, read more of his rules," suggested Mrs. Washington.
Lawrence continued to read, "In your apparel, be modest, and endeavor to accommodate yourself to nature rather than to procure admiration; keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly, with respect to times and places.
"Wherein you reprove another, be unblamable yourself, for example is better than precept.
"When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it."
"Not many men reduce these rules to practise very thoroughly," remarked Lawrence. "To square one's life by these rules requires uncommon circumspection and decision. Few are equal to it."
"I think that George comes as near doing it as any one," suggested Mrs. Washington.
"I was just thinking of that," replied Lawrence. "I am not sure but his manly bearing is owing to these rules. No one can think enough of them to write them down carefully in a book without being more or less influenced by their lessons."
"It would seem so," remarked Mrs. Washington; "but are there no rules relating to our higher duties to God among the whole number?"