This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...it around, do, I 'm always ready to hear all the remarkable things. T0M (readsfrom book). "It's getting so that it 's harder to find a gentleman than a genius." HARRY. Well, that is indeed a remarkable statement. But the question is, is it true? oI-IN. I wonder if we all know what a gentleman is? WILL. Of course, we do. I have known a gentleman from a clodhopper ever since I have known anything. TOM (with feigned surprise). O! Then you do profess to know something? (Laughter.) HARRY. Come, look out, Tom, or you 'll show us all what a gentleman is not. WILL (seriously). Pshaw! I know he 's only joking. HARRY. Yes, but you know a gentleman will never joke about facts. (Laughter.) T0M. Well, really, Harry, that is the worst of all. But, seriously now, boys; suppose we each of us define the term "gentleman," according to our own conception of the word. ohn, we will begin with you. What is a gentleman? JOHN. I can give no better definition than the one my mother taught me: " He is simply a gentleman." WILL. That 's a good definition, but the common idea seems to be that a gentleman is a person who wears good clothes. ' Tom. If that were true this sentiment would never have been published, for there are plenty of masculine beings clad in fine clothes. HARRY. I have often thought a gentleman might be described as a person who has been to college. (Laughter) oHN. In that case the country would be full of them. But, come, Tom, you started this discussion, tell us your idea of a gentleman. To1vI (rises and crosses over). That 's not an easy thing to put into words, but perhaps I can do so. (Coming to C.) I think a gentleman is one who tells the truth and minds his own...