Page:Hermione and her little group of serious thinkers (1923, c1916).djvu/129

Parents, and Their Influence you could have heard him—my, if I weren't such an advanced thinker, I would be a savant——

Anyhow, he said, this savant, that Mothers held back Civilization through Selfishness—they teach the Child, you know, that it is—er, well, you know, they lose sight of Ulterior Ethics and Race Morality while inculcating Individual Self-Improvement.

It's frightful to think about it, isn't it? Simply frightful!

Then and there I resolved that if I were ever a Mother I would turn over the up-bringing of my children to experts and savants and specialists like that.

"Papa," I said, "you allowed poor, dear Mamma to make me selfish—you know you did! What have you to say for yourself? What right had you to make me a Self-indulgent Individualist?"

And, you know, I have struggled and struggled to get rid of the selfishness my parents trained into me. How I strive for Harmony and Humility! Nearly every night before I go to bed I say to myself: "Have I been humble today? Truly humble? Or have I failed?"

Children are not nearly simple enough these days.

Oh, for more Simplicity! That is what we all need.

Though I will say this for Mamma—that it [115]