"I am sure he is not old, Richard; he is in the very prime of manhood."
"Well, Professor Regulus, then. We boys have a habit of speaking of our teachers in this way. I know it is a bad one, but we all fall into it. All our college professors have a metaphorical name, with the venerable epithet attached to it, which you condemn.
"I do not like it at all; it sounds so disrespectful, and, pardon me for saying it, even coarse."
"You have a great respect for Mr. Regulus."
"I have; he is one of my best friends."
"I dare say he is; I should like to be in his place. You have another great friend, old Dr. Harlowe."
"There, again. Why, Dr. Harlowe is almost young, at least very far from being old. He is one of the finest looking men I ever saw, and one of the best. You college students must be a very presuming set of young men."
I spoke gravely, for I was really vexed that any one whom I esteemed as much as I did Richard, should adopt the vulgarisms he once despised.
"We are a barbarous, rude set," he answered with redeeming frankness. "We show exactly what a savage man is and would ever be, without the refining influence of women. If it were not for our vacations, we would soon get beyond the reach of civilization. Be not angry with my roughness, most gentle Gabriella. Pass over it your smoothing touch, and it shall have the polish of marble, without its coldness."
We had resumed our walk, and the granite walls of Grandison Place began to loom up above the surrounding shade.