That Wagonload

John Fiske, a Harvard scholar, once visited Herbert Spencer, regarded as one of the greatest philosophers of his time in England. During their conversation, Spencer asked about Mrs. Fiske and the children back in America. Upon returning home, Fiske wrote to his wife, “I showed Spencer the little picture of the picnic wagon with all our children inside. As I watched him study that picture, I realized how lonely he must be, without a wife or children of his own, and how isolated he is with all his greatness. I began to pity him. Then, when I saw him gaze at the…