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Experiments in Convalescence
HeenjoyedbothVachelLindsayandBoothTarkington,andadmiredtheconscientious,ifslender,artistryofEdgarLeeMasters.
"WhatIhateisthisidioticdrivelabout’IamGod—Iamman—Iridethewinds—Ilookthroughthesmoke—Iamthelifesense.’"
"It’sghastly!"
"AndIwishAmericannovelistswouldgiveuptryingtomakebusinessromanticallyinteresting.Nobodywantstoreadaboutit,unlessit’scrookedbusiness.Ifitwasanentertainingsubjectthey’dbuythelifeofJamesJ.Hillandnotoneoftheselongofficetragediesthatharpalongonthesignificanceofsmoke—"
"Andgloom,"saidTom."That’sanotherfavorite,thoughI’lladmittheRussianshavethemonopoly.Ourspecialtyisstoriesaboutlittlegirlswhobreaktheirspinesandgetadoptedbygrouchyoldmenbecausetheysmilesomuch.You’dthinkwewerearaceofcheerfulcripplesandthatthecommonendoftheRussianpeasantwassuicide—"
"Sixo’clock,"saidAmory,glancingathiswrist-watch."I’llbuyyouagrea’bigdinneronthestrengthoftheJuvenaliaofyourcollectededitions."
LOOKINGBACKWARD
Julyswelteredoutwithalasthotweek,andAmoryinanothersurgeofunrestrealizedthatitwasjustfivemonthssinceheandRosalindhadmet.Yetitwasalreadyhardforhimtovisualizetheheart-wholeboywhohadsteppedoffthetransport,passionatelydesiringtheadventureoflife.
