‘I think so,’ I replied, ‘for I am pointing out to them something of great moment to their happiness when I declare that unless they reopen the question of the end of living they will grow dissatisfied and exist wretchedly. For they must not go on letting themselves be led by men with a low aim or no aim at all. For the conditions of the future will not support the philosophy of “making good” as did the conditions of the past. There is a point of view which suits a man or nation in the early struggle with poverty which becomes ridiculous when the struggle is past.’ ‘Many of them are beginning to think so,’ said Agathon. ‘And I am beginning to think,’ said Lysis rising, ‘that we have considered these Americans quite long enough, and that we should now move to some other place and refresh ourselves, and with new companions examine something else.’ ‘I am of your mind; Lysis,’ said Phaelon, and he also rose. ‘I will accompany you,’ I said. ‘Perhaps when the Americans hear what we say of them they will change themselves of their own accord and become what we would like them to be. And if this discussion of ours has that result it will be more useful, I think, than many of our talks. But whatever happens we have done our best for these Americans by telling them the truth. For there are times when it is important to know the truth, and life is one of them.’ THE END Transcriber’s Notes: ――Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). ――Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected. ――Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.