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Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894

"The Professor at the Breakfast-Table"


BEVERLY FARM, MASS., June 18, 1891.
O. W. H.
THE PROFESSOR
AT THE
BREAKFAST-TABLE.
What he said, what he heard, and what he saw.


I
I intended to have signalized my first appearance by a certain large
statement, which I flatter myself is the nearest approach to a universal
formula, of life yet promulgated at this breakfast-table. It would have
had a grand effect. For this purpose I fixed my eyes on a certain
divinity-student, with the intention of exchanging a few phrases, and
then forcing my court-card, namely, The great end of being.--I will thank
you for the sugar,--I said.--Man is a dependent creature.
It is a small favor to ask,--said the divinity-student,--and passed the
sugar to me.
--Life is a great bundle of little things,--I said.
The divinity-student smiled, as if that were the concluding epigram of
the sugar question.
You smile,--I said.--Perhaps life seems to you a little bundle of great
things?
The divinity-student started a laugh, but suddenly reined it back with a
pull, as one throws a horse on his haunches.


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