=Children.=—­Again, this man elects to have children in his world, for he has come to know that there is no sweeter music on earth than the laughter of a child.  Were he sojourning five hundred miles away from the abode of children he would soon be glad to walk the entire distance that he might again hear the prattle, the laughter, or even the crying of a child.  Cowboys on the plains have been thrown into a frenzy of delight at the sight of a little child.  Full well the man knows that, if he would have children in his world, he must find these children for himself; for this task may not be delegated.  If he would bring Paul and Florence Dombey into his world, he must win them to himself by living with them throughout all the pages of the book.  In order to lure Pollyanna into his world to imbue it with the spirit of gladness, he must establish a community of interests with her by imbibing her spirit as revealed in the book.

=Characterizations.=—­He may not have Little Joe in his world unless his spirit becomes attuned to the pathos of Bleak House.  And he both wants and needs Little Joe.  Echoing and reechoing through his soul each day are the words of the little chap, “He wuz good to me, he wuz,” and acting vicariously for the little fellow he touches the lives of other unfortunates as the hours go by and brings to them sunshine and hope and courage.  And he must needs have Tiny Tim, also, to banish the cobwebs from his soul with his fervent “God bless us every one.”  The day cannot go far wrong with this simple prayer clinging in his memory.  It permeates the perplexities of the day, gives resiliency to his spirit, and encourages and reenforces all the noble impulses that come into his consciousness.  Wherever he goes and whatever he is doing he feels that Tiny Tim is present to bestow his childish benediction.

=Lessons from childhood.=—­In Laddie he finds a whole family of children to his liking and feels that his world is the better for their presence.  To Old Curiosity Shop and Silas Marner he goes and brings thence Little Nell and Eppie, feeling that in their boon companionship they will make his world more attractive to himself and others by their gentle graces of kindness and helpfulness.  In his quest for children of the right sort he lingers long with Dickens, the apostle and benefactor of childhood, but passes by the colored supplement.  For all the children in his world he would have the approval and blessing of the Master.  He would know, when he hears the words “Except ye become as little children,” that reference is made to such children as he has about him.  At the feet of these children he sits and learns the lessons of sincerity, guilelessness, simplicity, and faith, and through their eyes he sees life glorified.