266 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



device for the recluse to feel justified in separating 

 himself from the affairs of the world. If he values 

 the power that lies in simple things and the height 

 and breadth of vision that comes from a close 

 contact with nature, that is sufficient. An over- 

 powering desire to get away from the superficialities 

 of life can only be satisfied by taking up that un- 

 fettered existence where truth is unvarnished and 

 beauty is undented. No, it does not require cour- 

 age to do what you want to do — to homestead, for 

 instance — but it did take courage to say 'no' to the 

 directing advice of relatives and intimate friends." 



"And why homestead?" I asked, feeling that 

 she fully appreciated the higher opportunities that 

 go with homesteading. 



"Our ancestors," she began, after a few minutes' 

 thought, "who pioneered either through choice or 

 necessity, laboured that their children and their 

 children's children might be 'better off' than them- 

 selves. But is it not for each of us to decide anew 

 just what is 'better' for ourselves, and for those 

 with whom and for whom we are living of the pres- 

 ent and of the future? Does the 'better off' lie 

 in vainly struggling to outdo our neighbours in 

 accumulating possessions? Or will we find it by 

 holding on to those fine, sturdy, fundamental 

 qualities that make for strength of body and hap- 

 piness of spirit ? The test of all effort should be 

 not how much it gives us, but how deeply it makes 

 us live." 



