Page:Isvar Chandra Vidyasagar, a story of his life and work.djvu/166

Rh morning; surely, I am very fortunate to-day.' Vidyasagar whispered into the ears of his friend, that he wondered how the merchant could identify him. The shrewd, witty merchant replied, that fire must proclaim itself by its heat, even when put under cover.

Even in later years, when he was enfeebled by age and disease, no one could match him in pedestrianism. It is said, that when he was staying at Karmatar for change of climate, he was out one day to take a walking excursion accompanied with some of his friends and a grown-up grandson. The grandson said to him,—'Let us see, if you can outpace us to-day.' The feeble grand-father smiled, and said,—'Very good, let it be so?' So saying, he proceeded on his way, and the others followed. Shortly, all others save the grandson fell much behind. Soon afterwards, the grandson saw that his dear grandpapa, with his usual slippers on, had much outpaced him. He tried his best, to overtake him, but could approach him no nearer. The grandfather enjoyed the fun from a distance, and smiled at the futile attempts of his grandson, who was now quite abashed and dumb-founded with amazement.

Dear reader, you see what wonderfully expert walker Vidyasagar was. Was not his strength of body equal to his strength of mind, and his strength of mind equal to his strength of heart? What happy combination! How many were or are