"I've sent for you on a personal matter." "Yes, sir." "I've noticed you this year and I--I like you.

I think you have in you the makings of a--a very good man." "Yes, sir," Amory managed to articulate.

He hated having people talk as if he were an admitted failure.
"But I've noticed," continued the older man blindly, "that you're not very popular with the boys." "No, sir." Amory licked his lips.
"Ah--I thought you might not understand exactly what it was they--ah--objected to.

I'm going to tell you, because I believe--ah--that when a boy knows his difficulties he's better able to cope with them--to conform to what others expect of him." He a-hemmed again with delicate reticence, and continued: "They seem to think that you're--ah--rather too fresh--" Amory could stand no more.

He rose from his chair, scarcely controlling his voice when he spoke.
"I know--oh, _don't_ you s'pose I know." His voice rose.