\"Whyinthenameofallthesages,\"hewoulddemand,\"couldn\'tyouhavedonethiswellatschool?Youmighthaveledyourclass,insteadofRalphHambleton.\"
IgrewveryfondofMr.Wood,andevenofhisthinlittlewife,whooccasionallyflittedintotheroomafterwehadfinished.Ifullyintendedtokeepupwiththeminafterlife,butIneverdid.Iforgotthemcompletely
Myparentswerenotwhollyeasyintheirmindsconcerningme;theywerebewilderedbythenewaspectIpresented.Formylatelyacquiredmotivewasstrongenoughtocompelmetorestrictmyselfsocially,andtheeveningsIspentathomeweregiventostudy,usuallyinmyownroom.
OnceIwascaughtwithaLatingrammar:Iwasjust\"lookingoverit,\"I
said.Mymothersighed.Iknewwhatwasinhermind;shehadalwaysbeensecretlydisappointedthatIhadnotbeensenttocollege.Andpresently,whenmyfatherwentouttoattendatrustee\'smeeting,theimpulsetoconfideinheralmostovercameme;Ilovedherwiththataffectionwhichgoesouttothosewhomwefeelunderstandus,butIwaslearningtorestrainmyfeelings.ShelookedatmewistfullyIknewthatshewouldinsistontellingmyfather,andthuspossiblyfrustratemyplans.ThatIwasnotdiscoveredwasduetoacertainquixotictwistinmyfather\'scharacter.Iwasworkingnow,andthoughnotactuallyearningmyownliving,henolongerfeltjustifiedinpryingintomyaffairs.