It told him that he could do wonders; that he could go out into the world and accomplish all that would be required to free his mother from debt, and relieve her from the severe drudgery of her life.
A great many people think they can "do wonders." The vanity of some very silly people makes them think they can command armies, govern nations, and teach the world what the world never knew before and never would know but for them.

But Bobby's something within him was not vanity.

It was something more substantial.

He was not thinking of becoming a great man, a great general, a great ruler, or a great statesman; not even of making a great fortune.

Self was not the idol and the end of his calculations.