"I have not given up caring, but I have tried once and got laughed at for my trouble. I don't believe you can squash men like Dennison when they once get into a college; they are like black beetles, and you can't get rid of them unless you kill them."
"We can try," Jack said.
"I tried, and most men thought me a fool. The only thing to do is to leave them alone; but the worst of it is that we can't help meeting Dennison at dinners and things. He smiled on me the other day as if I was his best friend."
"He didn't smile at me."
"I think he hates you; I can't get properly hated, when I try to show Dennison I loathe him he smiles. There's something wrong with me somewhere."
"You are too rottenly good-natured."
"I never thought of that," I said.
"That's it," Jack declared; "I saw Lambert hitting you on the back in the quad this morning."
"I told him that if he did it again I should throw Stubbs' Charters at his head," I replied in self-defence.
"But, don't you see, Lambert would never hit me on the back. He is one of the most gorgeous slopers we have got, and twangs his banjo for Dennison to sing what they call erotic ballads. You've not got enough dignity."