But the squire!--their squire, that dignified old gentleman, so upright in his saddle, so considerate and courteous to every one--but he never forgot his position--never in that way! I also asked if he had never tried to establish, or advocated, or suggested to them any kind of reunions to take place from time to time, or an entertainment or festival to get them to come pleasantly together, making a brightness in their lives--something which would not be cricket or football, nor any form of sport for a few of the men, all the others being mere lookers-on and the women and children left out altogether; something which would be for and include everyone, from the oldest grey labourer no longer able to work to the toddling little ones; something of their own invention, peculiar to Norton, which would be their pride and make their village dearer to them?
And the answer was still no, and no, and no.

He had never attempted, never suggested, anything of the sort.

How could he--the squire! Yet he wrote those wise words:-- No nation can be truly great That hath not something childlike in its life Of every day.
Why are we lacking in that which others undoubtedly have, a something to complete the round of homely happiness in our little rural centres; how is it that we do not properly encourage the things which, albeit childlike, are essential, which sweetly recreate?
It is not merely the selfishness of those who are well placed and prefer to live for themselves, or who have light but care not to shed it on those who are not of their class.

Selfishness is common enough everywhere, in men of all races.

It is not selfishness, nor the growth of towns or decay of agriculture, which as a fact does not decay, nor education, nor any of the other causes usually given for the dullness, the greyness of village life.