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           Hereadvoluminouslyallspring,thebeginningofhiseighteenthyear:"TheGentlemanfromIndiana,""TheNewArabianNights,""TheMoralsofMarcusOrdeyne,""TheManWhoWasThursday,"whichhelikedwithoutunderstanding;"StoveratYale,"thatbecamesomewhatofatext-book;"DombeyandSon,"becausehethoughthereallyshouldreadbetterstuff;RobertChambers,DavidGrahamPhillips,andE.PhillipsOppenheimcomplete,andascatteringofTennysonandKipling.Ofallhisclassworkonly"L’Allegro"andsomequalityofrigidclarityinsolidgeometrystirredhislanguidinterest.

           AsJunedrewnear,hefelttheneedofconversationtoformulatehisownideas,and,tohissurprise,foundaco-philosopherinRahill,thepresidentofthesixthform.Inmanyatalk,onthehighroadorlyingbelly-downalongtheedgeofthebaseballdiamond,orlateatnightwiththeircigarettesglowinginthedark,theythreshedoutthequestionsofschool,andtherewasdevelopedtheterm"slicker."

           "Gottobacco?"whisperedRahillonenight,puttinghisheadinsidethedoorfiveminutesafterlights.

           "Sure."

           "I’mcomingin."

           "Takeacoupleofpillowsandlieinthewindow-seat,whydon’tyou."

           AmorysatupinbedandlitacigarettewhileRahillsettledforaconversation.Rahill’sfavoritesubjectwastherespectivefuturesofthesixthform,andAmorynevertiredofoutliningthemforhisbenefit.

           "TedConverse?’At’seasy.