A long time ago one of the undeserving rich, a person like myself, must have been faced with the same difficulty. Looking upon the ancestor of Old Bunting he must have reflected thus: "In a short time the fellow will notice something and will then proceed to take all my property away from me and hand over to me his in exchange, reserving only for himself that large and exceedingly sharp scythe." Being, unlike myself, a man of extraordinary cleverness, he must have gone to Old Bunting's ancestor, and told him that Industry was the source of Happiness. Old Bunting's ancestor, knowing himself to be excellently industrious, must have been pleased, and never having had time to think for himself, must have accepted the statement on the word of the well-dressed gentleman. Once incorporated with the mental equipment of Old Bunting's ancestor the thing would be handed down through the Bunting generations until it has reached Bunting, our contemporary.
That might account for it.
It is certainly inconceivable that the idea could have originated among the deserving poor.
I have said that I was extremely pleased when I landed my greatest trout.
I am also extremely pleased that I am one of the undeserving rich.
