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Amory, Son of Beatrice
aharshphrasefromthelipsofanolderboy(olderboysusuallydetestedhim)wasliabletosweephimoffhispoiseintosurlysensitiveness,ortimidstupidity...hewasaslavetohisownmoodsandhefeltthatthoughhewascapableofrecklessnessandaudacity,hepossessedneithercourage,perseverance,norself-respect.
Vanity,temperedwithself-suspicionifnotself-knowledge,asenseofpeopleasautomatonstohiswill,adesireto"pass"asmanyboysaspossibleandgettoavaguetopoftheworld...withthisbackgrounddidAmorydriftintoadolescence.
PREPARATORYTOTHEGREATADVENTURE
ThetrainslowedupwithmidsummerlanguoratLakeGeneva,andAmorycaughtsightofhismotherwaitinginherelectriconthegravelledstationdrive.Itwasanancientelectric,oneoftheearlytypes,andpaintedgray.Thesightofhersittingthere,slenderlyerect,andofherface,wherebeautyanddignitycombined,meltingtoadreamyrecollectedsmile,filledhimwithasuddengreatprideofher.Astheykissedcoollyandhesteppedintotheelectric,hefeltaquickfearlesthehadlosttherequisitecharmtomeasureuptoher.
"Dearboy—you’resotall...lookbehindandseeifthere’sanythingcoming..."
Shelookedleftandright,sheslippedcautiouslyintoaspeedoftwomilesanhour,beseechingAmorytoactassentinel;andatonebusycrossingshemadehimgetoutandrunaheadtosignalherforwardlikeatrafficpoliceman.Beatricewaswhatmightbetermedacarefuldriver.
