The Mayor of WarwickHopkins, Herbert M. (Herbert Müller)
General
The Mayor of Warwick
Hopkins, Herbert M. (Herbert Müller)
Mayors -- Fiction; New England -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Social classes -- United States -- Fiction
"I know--I know," the president interposed, raising his hand as if to
ward off more words. "And I would not have you think for a moment that
we view you in any such light. On the contrary, I may say that
personally I entertain for you the highest regard and consideration."
"What is the matter, then?" Leigh demanded. "It seems no more than
fair that I should be told definitely where the trouble lies."
The other reflected awhile. "If I were to mention the one definite
complaint, Mr. Leigh, it would not sum up the whole situation; it would
be an explanation that only partially explained. However, the
complaint has to do with your discipline in the class-room."
Leigh stared incredulously. "Discipline?" he echoed.
"Disorder in your class-room," Dr. Renshaw corroborated firmly. "Those
passing by have heard laughter and unseemly shouts from within."
"Who could have made such a report?" Leigh wondered, still at a loss.
"The information came through a responsible channel, through one whose
duty it is to take cognisance of such things and to report them to the
proper authorities."
He was surprised to see that his listener was laughing, not without a
suggestion of scornfulness. "I 've heard the same unseemly shouts
myself, Dr. Renshaw. They come from class meetings and athletic
meetings that are held in my room nearly every day, when the place is
not being used for recitations. There is n't a word of truth in the
charge against me."
Dr. Renshaw's face clouded, and he cleared his throat uneasily. "Mr.
Leigh," he said with dignity, "I told you that the complaint would fail
to sum up the whole situation. We may say _Quaestio cadit_ in regard
to that, if you like. Let us look at it in another light, in the light
of the best interests of the Hall and of yourself. There is a question
of general fitness which implies no criticism upon yourself, upon your
scholarship or character. We are a homogeneous community here, we
understand each other and cherish the ideals which this college was
built to inculcate. You are a product of an entirely different
tradition. You were educated, and have previously taught, in a large
university, and this makes it difficult, perhaps impossible, for you to
appreciate the needs and the point of view of the small college. The
ideal of the professor in a university is self-improvement and personal
achievement; but in the small college, the teacher is expected to give,
above everything else, personal service and devotion to the interests
of his students. He should stand to a large extent _sancti parentis
loco_. I do not say that you have consciously failed to improve this
opportunity of service; I would say rather that, because of your
previous academic experiences, you have failed to see it. The
conviction has therefore been forced upon us, in spite of our personal
regard for you and our appreciation of your attainments, that you would
be happier and more useful in a larger institution, where the point of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account