FEJEVARY: She needs the very best of care for a time, doesn't she?
HOLDEN: Yes. (silent a moment) Then, this is something more than the fortieth anniversary, you know. It's the first of the month.
FEJEVARY: And illness hasn't reduced the bills?
HOLDEN: (shaking his head) I didn't want this day to go like that; so I came up here to try and touch what used to be here.
FEJEVARY: But you speak despondently of us. And there's been such a fine note of optimism in the exercises. (speaks with the heartiness of one who would keep himself assured)
HOLDEN: I didn't seem to want a fine note of optimism. (with roughness) I wanted—a gleam from reality.
FEJEVARY: To me this is reality—the robust spirit created by all these young people.
HOLDEN: Do you think it is robust? (hand affectionately on the book before him) I've been reading Whitman.
FEJEVARY: This day has to be itself. Certain things go—others come; life is change.
HOLDEN: Perhaps it's myself I'm discouraged with. Do you remember the tenth anniversary of the founding of Morton College.