"'And you're not to call me young person either. I'm not a young person.'
"'Then look here, old chap----'
"'Charlie Mason, if you call me old chap I'll get out of the boat this instant!'
"'That's right. Do.' He pretended to wait for me to get out. I was not so absurd. He went on: 'I don't know if you're aware that it's easier to learn rowing with one scull than with two?'
"'How was I to know that? No one ever told me. Nobody takes sufficient interest in me to tell me anything.'
"'If you had betrayed the slightest sign of desiring the information I would have taken sufficient interest in you to tell you that. I came out here to have a dip. I have had half of it. During the interval, before I have the other half, I shall have pleasure in imparting to you that instruction for which your soul professes to yearn.' I had said nothing about my soul, or about yearning either; I am not so profane. He pointed to the seat behind me. 'Get on to that seat and sit in the middle.'
"'You must take the boat to shore first. You know how strongly I object to changing places while the boat is in the middle of the river; it does make it wobble so.'
"'Is the teacher to obey or to be obeyed? Execute my commands!'
"I 'executed his commands,' and the boat did not turn over. Charlie moved on to the seat which I had occupied. He showed me his back.
"'Do as I do.'