His waistcoat also was much too short, and his coat was threadbare, the sleeves being so short as to display a considerable portion of his arms.

Add to these a coarse slouched hat, much the worse for wear, and a heavy mass of yellow hair much too long, and we can easily understand what the good doctor said of him: "He was wonderfully awkward, but had a sort of independent, go-as-you-please manner that impressed me favorably." "Who are you ?" asked the doctor.
"My name is James Garfield, from Solon." "Oh, I know your mother, and knew you when you were a babe, but you have outgrown my knowledge.

I am glad to see you." "I should like to see you alone," said James.
The doctor led the way to a secluded spot in the neighborhood of the house, and then, sitting down on a log, the youth, after a little hesitation, opened his business.
"You are a physician," he said, "and know the fiber that is in men.
Examine me and tell me with the utmost frankness whether I had better take a course of liberal study.

I am contemplating doing so, as my desire is in that direction.

But if I am to make a failure of it, or practically so, I do not desire to begin.