"
"Now that it is done, of course I am full of regrets," said Phineas.
"That is simple human nature, I suppose."
"Simple enough; and the worst of it is that I cannot quite explain
even to myself why I have done it. Every friend I had in the world
told me that I was wrong, and yet I could not help myself. The thing
was offered to me, not because I was thought to be fit for it, but
because I had become wonderful by being brought near to a violent
death! I remember once, when I was a child, having a rocking-horse
given to me because I had fallen from the top of the house to the
bottom without breaking my neck. The rocking-horse was very well
then, but I don't care now to have one bestowed upon me for any such
reason."
"Still, if the rocking-horse is in itself a good rocking-horse--"
"But it isn't."
"I don't mean to say a word against your decision."
"It isn't good. It is one of those toys which look to be so very
desirable in the shop-windows, but which give no satisfaction when
they are brought home.
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