THE ENGINEER AND THE SQUIRE Marius amid the ruins of Carthage is not an inspiring figure to us while we are young; it is Marius riding up the Via Sacra at the head of his resounding legions that then dazzles us.

But as we grow older we see how much greater he was when, seated amid the ruins, he sent his scornful message to Rome.

So, Gordon Keith, when a boy, thought being a gentleman a very easy and commonplace thing.

He had known gentlemen all his life--had been bred among them.

It was only later on, after he got out into the world, that he saw how fine and noble that old man was, sitting unmoved amid the wreck not only of his life and fortunes, but of his world.
General Keith was unable to raise even the small sum necessary to send the boy to college, but among the debris of the old home still remained the relics of a once choice library, and General Keith became himself his son's instructor.