The next day he came into my room to recite another lesson in the same
study.
"Well, Simon, have you worked that example?"
"No, sir," he answered; "but I can and will do it, if you will give me
a little more time."
"Certainly, you shall have all the time you desire."
I always like those boys who are determined to do their own work, for
they make our best scholars, and men too. The third morning you should
have seen Simon enter my room. I knew he had it, for his whole face
told the story of his success. Yes, he had it, notwithstanding it had
cost him many hours of severest mental labor. Not only had he solved
the problem, but, what was of infinitely greater importance to him, he
had begun to develop mathematical powers which, under the inspiration
of "I can and I will," he has continued to cultivate, until to-day he
is professor of mathematics in one of our largest colleges, and one of
the ablest mathematicians of his years in our country.