I think that he consoled himself by believing that he did so from a
strong and sustaining sense of duty; but I believe that the
pleasure of the thing was really at the root of his effort, as it
is at the root of most of the duties we faithfully perform. I do
not mean that he had a strong natural vanity, though his enemies
accused him of it. But publicity was naturally congenial to him,
and the only sign, as a rule, that he was suffering, when he made
such an appearance, was a greater deliberation of movement, and a
ghastly fixity of smile. As to the latter phenomenon, a man with
the dramatic sense strongly developed, will no doubt take a
positive pleasure in trying to obliterate from his face and manner
all traces of his private discomfort. Such stoicism is a fine
quality in its way, but the quality that I am in search of is an
even finer one than that. My friend's efforts were ultimately based
on a sort of egotism, a profound conviction that a public part
suited him, and that he performed it well. What one rather desires
to attain is a more sympathetic quality, an interest in other
people so vital and inspiring that one's own personal sufferings
are light in the scale when weighed against the enjoyment of
others.
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