strengthened by a natural tendency toward a prim provincialism where practical present-day considerations are concerned (though he is most liberal—even radical—in his tolerant understanding of the manners and morals of Greece and Imperial Rome!). This classroom poise of his, however, he cannot quite carry off outside the classroom. There is an unconvincing quality about it that leaves his larger audience—and particularly the Professor himself—subtly embarrassed. As Marsden is one of his old students, whom, in addition, he has known from childhood, he is perfectly at ease with him]
Marsden
[Holding out his hand—with unmistakable liking]
Here I am again, Professor!
Professor Leeds
[Shaking his hand and patting him on the back—with genuine affection]
So glad to see you, Charlie! A surprise, too! We didn’t expect you back so soon!
[He sits in his chair an the left of the table while Marsden sits in the rocker]
[Looking away from Marsden a moment, his face now full of selfish relief as he thinks]
Fortunate, his coming back . . . always calming influence on Nina . . .
Marsden
And I never dreamed of returning so soon. But Europe, Professor, is the big casualty they were afraid to set down on the list.
