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The Egotist Considers
"IwasbeginningtothinkIwasgrowingeccentrictillIcameuphere.Itwasapose,Iguess."
"Don’tworryaboutthat;foryounotposingmaybethebiggestposeofall.Pose—"
"Yes?"
"Butdothenextthing."
AfterAmoryreturnedtocollegehereceivedseverallettersfromMonsignorwhichgavehimmoreegotisticfoodforconsumption.
IamafraidthatIgaveyoutoomuchassuranceofyourinevitable
safety,andyoumustrememberthatIdidthatthroughfaithin
yourspringsofeffort;notinthesillyconvictionthatyouwill
arrivewithoutstruggle.Somenuancesofcharacteryouwillhave
totakeforgrantedinyourself,thoughyoumustbecarefulin
confessingthemtoothers.Youareunsentimental,almostincapable
ofaffection,astutewithoutbeingcunningandvainwithoutbeing
proud.
Don’tletyourselffeelworthless;oftenthroughlifeyouwill
reallybeatyourworstwhenyouseemtothinkbestofyourself;
anddon’tworryaboutlosingyour"personality,"asyoupersist
incallingit;atfifteenyouhadtheradianceofearlymorning,
attwentyyouwillbegintohavethemelancholybrillianceof
themoon,andwhenyouaremyageyouwillgiveout,asIdo,
thegenialgoldenwarmthof4P.M.
Ifyouwritemeletters,pleaseletthembenaturalones.