“Do you really believe what you have written, Mauney?” he asked.
“I really do, Professor,” the young man replied, determinedly.
“Then we can better discuss it, knowing that you are sincere. In the first place, why do you feel as you do?”
“Because, since the first day I came to college, I have been confronted by this cut-and-dried, academic spirit which, to me at least, acts like poison.”
“You mean that, here in our department, there is a spirit, on the part of the tutors, which is disagreeable to you?”
“Yes, sir. But, of course, I made no reference to any university in particular.”
“I know. But, nevertheless, you gained the impression here?”
“Yes.”
“That is extremely unfortunate,” said Freeman, in a tone of real sincerity. “Of course, as you must realize, your book, in places, assumes an attitude of frank rebellion, and, whether or not you would have written it had you known you were coming on the staff, the appearance is nevertheless equally as ridiculous. You see what I’m driving at?”