He was professor of physics in the high school, possessor of a large family, a meagre salary, and a select fund of parrot-learned knowledge.
"Yes, sir," Martin said humbly, wishing somehow that the man at the desk in the library was in Professor Hilton's place just then.
"And I should advise you to go back to the grammar school for at least two years.

Good day." Martin was not deeply affected by his failure, though he was surprised at Ruth's shocked expression when he told her Professor Hilton's advice.

Her disappointment was so evident that he was sorry he had failed, but chiefly so for her sake.
"You see I was right," she said.

"You know far more than any of the students entering high school, and yet you can't pass the examinations.
It is because what education you have is fragmentary, sketchy.

You need the discipline of study, such as only skilled teachers can give you.