His vision of life swung from its focus upon outward and
invisible things to a new surprising regard of his own tangible self.
He grew aware of himself as an entity, of the world as a broad and
various field of exploit and discovery.
There was, his father had bluntly indicated, no place for him at home;
and suddenly he realized that his duties at college had been a tedious
grind for inconsiderable return. This admission brought to him the
realization that he detested the whole thing--the hours in class; the
droning negligent recitations of the men; the professor of philosophy
and letters' pedantic display; the cramped academic spirit of the
institution. The vague resentment he had felt at the half-concealed
disdain of his fellows gave place to a fiery contempt for their
majority; the covert humility he had been forced to assume--by the
thought of Hester and the few miserable dollars of an inferior
position--turned to a bitter freedom of opinion.
The hour for supper approached and passed, but Elim did not leave his
room. He walked from wall to wall, by turns arrogant and lost in his
new situation. Of one thing he was certain--he would give up his
occupation here. It might do for some sniveling sycophant of learning
and money, but he was going forth to--what?
He heard footfalls in the bare hall below, and a sudden easy desire for
companionship seized him; he drew on the sturdy Meikeljohn coat and
descended the stairs to the lower floor.
Pages:
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230