Page:About people (IA aboutpeople00well).pdf/26

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ABOUT PEOPLE.

can easily be left aloft in its shining isolation.

The average man or woman understands arithmetic, spells correctly from memory rather than by intuition, is industrious, cordial, shakes hands heartily, is good-humored, sensible, moderate, free from prejudice, helpful, sometimes aggressive, generally unconscious.

The average gentleman or lady knows languages, writes an English hand, fulfils all needful demands, but does not work from real love of occupation, is well-bred, quotes bright and applicable sayings, is even-tempered, has honest prejudices, hides haste under a forced slowness, helps where there is no fear of being considered intrusive, lays the hand in another's palm as greeting, smiles serenely, laughs softly, and is self-contented, instead of self-conscious. Rarely does either the average gentleman or lady become the exceptional, for they are radically helplessly bornée."

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