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Amory, Son of Beatrice
NotforaseconddoIregretbeingAmerican—indeed,Ithinkthataregrettypicalofveryvulgarpeople,andIfeelsurewearethegreatcomingnation—yet"—andshesighed—"Ifeelmylifeshouldhavedrowsedawayclosetoanolder,mellowercivilization,alandofgreensandautumnalbrowns—"
Amorydidnotanswer,sohismothercontinued:
"Myregretisthatyouhaven’tbeenabroad,butstill,asyouareaman,it’sbetterthatyoushouldgrowuphereunderthesnarlingeagle—isthattherightterm?"
Amoryagreedthatitwas.ShewouldnothaveappreciatedtheJapaneseinvasion.
"WhendoIgotoschool?"
"Nextmonth.You’llhavetostartEastalittleearlytotakeyourexaminations.Afterthatyou’llhaveafreeweek,soIwantyoutogouptheHudsonandpayavisit."
"Towho?"
"ToMonsignorDarcy,Amory.Hewantstoseeyou.HewenttoHarrowandthentoYale—becameaCatholic.Iwanthimtotalktoyou—Ifeelhecanbesuchahelp—"Shestrokedhisauburnhairgently."DearAmory,dearAmory—"
"DearBeatrice—"
SoearlyinSeptemberAmory,providedwith"sixsuitssummerunderwear,sixsuitswinterunderwear,onesweaterorTshirt,onejersey,oneovercoat,winter,etc.,"setoutforNewEngland,thelandofschools.
TherewereAndoverandExeterwiththeirmemoriesofNewEnglanddead—large,college-likedemocracies;St.Mark’s,Groton,St.Regis’—recruitedfromBostonandtheKnickerbockerfamiliesofNewYork;St.Paul’s,withitsgreatrinks;PomfretandSt.