Selfish or not selfish, the wise thing for the boy to do is to refuse to lend his books. It is too much like lending a meal or a friend; but they can all be shared in the presence of the owner. If the boy's chum has a hungry mind and clean hands, he may be asked to drop in and read the book where it belongs, but not to carry it off elsewhere. Or better still: the owner of the book who knows its riches may fall into the habit of reading his favourite portions aloud to his boy friends who have gathered in for that purpose. No single thing will awaken such a love for good literature as the gathering of choice bits of it through the ear. That is the good lesson that has come from the tent of the Arab. And it is a lesson that readers must learn to-day. By no means let the book of the boy fail to entertain his chums, but let it entertain them at his own home. Does any one who has laboured hard to build a house move out of it as soon as it is completed? Does any one who has cultivated a friendship give it up as soon as it is secure? Should any one who has learned to thoroughly enjoy a good book throw it aside as soon as this is done? Like the house or the friend, that book should continue to be a comfort to him who has learned to appreciate it. In short, the boy must make friends with a few books and then keep them without capitulation. If he does, he may some day feel the truth of these verses: "Books, we know, Are a substantial world, both pure and good; Round these with tendrils strong as flesh and blood, Our pastimes and our happiness will grow." CHAPTER V EDITIONS OF STANDARD BOOKS "A precious treasure had I long possessed, A little yellow canvas-covered book, A slender abstract of the Arabian Tales; And for companions in a new abode, When first I learnt, that this dear prize of mine Was but a block hewn from a mighty quarry-- That there were four more volumes, laden all With kindred matter, 'twas to me, in truth, A promise scarcely earthly." --WORDSWORTH.