Портрет художника в юности

           Andthereweresomefellowsoutofsecondofgrammarlisteningandoneofthemsaid:

           —ThesenateandtheRomanpeopledeclaredthatDedalushadbeenwronglypunished.

           Itwaswrong;itwasunfairandcruel;and,ashesatintherefectory,hesufferedtimeaftertimeinmemorythesamehumiliationuntilhebegantowonderwhetheritmightnotreallybethattherewassomethinginhisfacewhichmadehimlooklikeaschemerandhewishedhehadalittlemirrortosee.Buttherecouldnotbe;anditwasunjustandcruelandunfair.

           HecouldnoteattheblackishfishfritterstheygotonWednesdaysinlentandoneofhispotatoeshadthemarkofthespadeinit.Yes,hewoulddowhatthefellowshadtoldhim.Hewouldgoupandtelltherectorthathehadbeenwronglypunished.Athinglikethathadbeendonebeforebysomebodyinhistory,bysomegreatpersonwhoseheadwasinthebooksofhistory.AndtherectorwoulddeclarethathehadbeenwronglypunishedbecausethesenateandtheRomanpeoplealwaysdeclaredthatthemenwhodidthathadbeenwronglypunished.ThosewerethegreatmenwhosenameswereinRichmalMagnall’sQuestions.HistorywasallaboutthosemenandwhattheydidandthatwaswhatPeterParley’sTalesaboutGreeceandRomewereallabout.PeterParleyhimselfwasonthefirstpageinapicture.