"I wish he'd stop preaching and go to work at something," he said to Jack.

The psychology of the father's attitude toward him was incomprehensible.

He could get along very well without a father; why could not his father get along without him?
He hated all this fuss, anyway.

It only made him feel sorry and perplexed, and he wished sincerely that his father would let him alone.
Jack brought a letter from Mary which troubled him.
"I am going home in March, a week before the term ends.

Mother isn't very well, and just as soon as I can I must go.