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Amory, Son of Beatrice
He’llfailhisexams,tutorallsummeratHarstrum’s,getintoSheffwithaboutfourconditions,andflunkoutinthemiddleofthefreshmanyear.Thenhe’llgobackWestandraisehellforayearorso;finallyhisfatherwillmakehimgointothepaintbusiness.He’llmarryandhavefoursons,allboneheads.He’llalwaysthinkSt.Regis’sspoiledhim,sohe’llsendhissonstodayschoolinPortland.He’lldieoflocomotorataxiawhenhe’sforty-one,andhiswifewillgiveabaptizingstandorwhateveryoucallittothePresbyterianChurch,withhisnameonit—"
"Holdup,Amory.That’stoodarnedgloomy.Howaboutyourself?"
"I’minasuperiorclass.Youare,too.We’rephilosophers."
"I’mnot."
"Sureyouare.You’vegotadarngoodheadonyou."ButAmoryknewthatnothingintheabstract,notheoryorgenerality,evermovedRahilluntilhestubbedhistoeupontheconcreteminutiaeofit.
"Haven’t,"insistedRahill."Iletpeopleimposeonmehereanddon’tgetanythingoutofit.I’mthepreyofmyfriends,damnit—dotheirlessons,get’emoutoftrouble,pay’emstupidsummervisits,andalwaysentertaintheirkidsisters;keepmytemperwhentheygetselfishandthentheythinktheypaymebackbyvotingformeandtellingmeI’mthe’bigman’ofSt.Regis’s.IwanttogetwhereeverybodydoestheirownworkandIcantellpeoplewheretogo.I’mtiredofbeingnicetoeverypoorfishinschool."
"You’renotaslicker,"saidAmorysuddenly.
"Awhat?"
"Aslicker."