Perhaps you have never heard the word Loyalty before, and maybe Rowland
had not either, but he knew what it meant, and tried to practise it.
Rowland was not a very strong little boy, and he could not eat so many
different kinds of food as some children can, for some of them made him
sick. Among other things he was forbidden to take pastry. His mother,
who loved him very dearly, had one day said to him, "Rowland, my boy, I
cannot always be with you, but I trust you to do what I wish," and
Rowland said he would try always to remember.
One time he was invited to go and stay with his cousins, who lived in a
fine old house in the country. They were strong, healthy, rosy children,
quite a contrast to their delicate little cousin, and perhaps they were
a little rough and rude as well.
There was a large apple tart for dinner one day, and when Rowland said,
"I do not wish for any, Auntie, thank you," his cousins looked at him in
surprise, and the eldest said scornfully, "I am glad that =I= am not
delicate," and the next boy remarked, "What a fad!" while the third
muttered "Baby". This was all very hard to bear, and when his Aunt said,
"I am sure a little will not hurt you," Rowland felt very much inclined
to give in, but he remembered that his mother trusted him, and he
remained true to her wishes.
This is Loyalty, doing what is right even when there is no one there to
see.
(Blackboard.)
Be True or Loyal when no eyes are upon you.