Men see others who are richer than they; or more famous, or more fortunate—­so they think; and they become envious.  You have not reached the period of such empty vanity, and I have long passed it.  Let us, therefore, make our mutual vows not to be disturbed by the good luck or the good graces of others, but to continue, instead, to contemplate the contented cat on the rug and the unenvious sky that hangs over all alike.

This mood will continue to keep our lives simple.  Consider our diet.  Could anything be simpler or better?  We are not even tempted by the poisonous victuals wherewith mankind destroys itself.  The very first sound law of life is to look to the belly; for it is what goes into a man that ruins him.  By avoiding murderous food, we may hope to become centenarians.  And why not?  The golden streets will not be torn up and we need be in no indecent haste to travel even on them.  The satisfactions of this life are just beginning for us; and we shall be wise to endure this world for as long a period as possible.

     And sleep is good—­long sleep and often; and your age and mine
     permit us to indulge in it without the sneers of the lark or the
     cock or the dawn.

     I pray you, sir, therefore, accept my homage as the philosopher
     that you are and my assurance of that high esteem indicated by my
     faithful imitation of your virtues.  I am,

     With the most distinguished consideration,
     With the sincerest esteem, and
     With the most affectionate good wishes,
     Sir,
     Your proud,
     Humble,
     Obedient
     GRANDDADDY.

To Master Walter Hines Page,

On Christmas, 1915.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 23:  By William Roscoe Thayer, published in 1915.]

[Footnote 24:  The Ambassador had in mind The Round Table.]

[Footnote 25:  James W. Gerard, American Ambassador to Germany, and, as such, in charge of British interests in Germany.]

[Footnote 26:  The German military and naval attaches, whose persistent and outrageous violation of American laws led to their dismissal by President Wilson.]

[Footnote 27:  E.S.  Martin, Editor of Life.]

[Footnote 28:  Mr. Henry Ford at this time was getting together his famous peace ship, which was to sail to Europe “to get the boys out of the trenches by Christmas.”]

[Footnote 29:  J.M.  Dent, the London publisher.]

[Footnote 30:  $500,000,000.]

[Footnote 31:  The Ambassador’s Sons.]

[Footnote 32:  The Ambassador’s infant grandson, son of Arthur W. Page.]

CHAPTER XVIII

A PERPLEXED AMBASSADOR