Портрет художника в юности

           FatherArnallgaveoutthetheme-booksandhesaidthattheywerescandalousandthattheywerealltobewrittenoutagainwiththecorrectionsatonce.ButtheworstofallwasFleming’sthemebecausethepageswerestucktogetherbyablot:andFatherArnallhelditupbyacornerandsaiditwasaninsulttoanymastertosendhimupsuchatheme.ThenheaskedJackLawtontodeclinethenounMAREandJackLawtonstoppedattheablativesingularandcouldnotgoonwiththeplural.

           —Youshouldbeashamedofyourself,saidFatherArnallsternly.You,theleaderoftheclass!

           Thenheaskedthenextboyandthenextandthenext.Nobodyknew.FatherArnallbecameveryquiet,moreandmorequietaseachboytriedtoansweritandcouldnot.Buthisfacewasblack-lookingandhiseyeswerestaringthoughhisvoicewassoquiet.ThenheaskedFlemingandFlemingsaidthatthewordhadnoplural.FatherArnallsuddenlyshutthebookandshoutedathim:

           —Kneeloutthereinthemiddleoftheclass.YouareoneoftheidlestboysIevermet.Copyoutyourthemesagaintherestofyou.

           Flemingmovedheavilyoutofhisplaceandkneltbetweenthetwolastbenches.Theotherboysbentovertheirtheme-booksandbegantowrite.AsilencefilledtheclassroomandStephen,glancingtimidlyatFatherArnall’sdarkface,sawthatitwasalittleredfromthewaxhewasin.