As Oldham went through the outer room to put away his broom and dustpan,
Mr. Miller, the principal, entered.
[Sidenote: A Better Method]
“Hello!” he called out, cheerily. “So you’re the boy who’s helping out
in a pinch, are you? I know John Smith appreciates that, and so do I.
This floor looks as though you might have swept it—not a speck to be
seen. Did you?”
“Yes, sir.” Oldham’s checks flushed with pleasure.
“Good, sincere work. Every corner clean. Well, I must go on up. I came
down to see how John here was getting on, but since you’re helping him I
needn’t stay longer. Aren’t you about through, yourself?”
“In a few minutes, Mr. Miller,” Oldham replied. “I have to do the
furnace-room yet.” And he turned back to do a bad job over.
(2) _Adolescence._ In learning the great lesson of altruistic living it
is not strange if young persons sometimes fail to see their acts in
clear perspective. Only time and more experience can furnish that
perspective. The following incident illustrates an exaggerated ideal of
altruistic service on the part of a high school boy who sacrificed his
scholarship for athletics.