"Won't you take us a little more seriously?"
"I cannot be interested," Peter shot out impulsively.
"Is this wise?" the Warden gravely inquired. "We expect you to do well."
"I will try, sir."
Peter was sad, but not sullen.
"You owe it to the College," said the Warden, drily incisive. Then he added: "Why must you go so quickly, Mr. Paragon? You are not yet ready for things outside."
Peter was suddenly grateful. He was, at any rate, understood.
"I will try with my whole soul," he ardently exclaimed.
"Meanwhile," the Warden concluded with a smile, "notes on gobbets need not be written in the manner of La Rochefoucauld. There isn't time."