Some of our most eminent men have been
apprenticed to the trade of printer. I believe, after all, it is the
name that has prejudiced you."
"No it isn't. I have seen him."
"Henry Walton?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
"In Oscar's room."
"Well?"
"I don't like his appearance."
"What's the matter with his appearance?" asked Oscar.
"He looks low."
"That's where I must decidedly contradict you, Fitz, and I shall
appeal confidently to the members of the Society when they come to
know him, as they soon will, for I am sure no one else shares your
ridiculous prejudices. Harry Walton, in my opinion, is a true
gentleman, without reference to his purse, and he is bound to rise
hereafter, take my word for it."
"There's plenty of room for him to rise," said Fletcher with a sneer.
"That is true not only of him, but of all of us, I take it."
"Do you refer to me?"
"Oh no," said Oscar with sarcasm. "I am quite aware that you are at
the pinnacle of eminence, even if you do flunk in Greek occasionally."
Fitzgerald had failed in the Greek recitation during the day, and
that in school parlance is sometimes termed a "flunk." He bit his
lip in mortification at this reference, and walked away, leaving
Oscar master of the situation.
"You had the best of him there, Vincent," said George Sanborn. "He
has gone off in disgust."
"I like to see Fletcher taken down," said Henry Fairbanks.
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