From her I gathered that our troubles were in
some way connected with a lack of money; and money became the idol of my
life.
I sometimes buried a coin that had been given me--as a dog buries his
bone. Then I lay awake all night, fearing I should not find it again in
the morning.
I was sent to school. A classmate said to me one day:
"Of course, a prince will marry you, for you are the prettiest girl
here."
I carried the words home to the maid, who nodded her approval.
"That's true enough," she said. "A pretty face is worth a pocketful of
gold."
"Can one sell a pretty face, then?" I asked.
"Yes, child, to the highest bidder," she replied, laughing.
From that moment I entered upon the accursed cult of my person which
absorbed the rest of my childhood and all my first youth. To become rich
was henceforth my one and only aim in life. I believed I possessed the
means of attaining my ends, and the thought of money was like a poison
working in my blood.
At school I was diligent and obedient, for I soon saw it paid best in
the long run.
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