Hugh went to his first conference with him noi
entirely easy in his mind. Henley had a reputatior
for “tearing themes to pieces and making a felloe
feel like a poor fish.” Hugh had written hii
themes hastily, as he had during his freshman year
and he was afraid that Henley might discovei
evidences of that haste.
Henley was leaning back in his swivel chair, hu
feet on the desk, a brier pipe in his mouth, as Hugl
entered the cubbyhole of an office. Down came th<
feet with a bang.
“Hello,
Carver,”
Henley
said cheerfully
“Come in and sit down while I go through youi
themes.” He motioned to a chair by the desk
Hugh muttered a shy “hello” and sat down, watch
ing Henley expectantly and rather uncomfortably
Henley picked up three themes. Then he turnec
his keen eyes on Hugh. “I Ve already read these
Lazy cuss, aren’t you?” he asked amiably,
Hugh flushed. “I—I suppose so.”
“You know that you are; no supposing to it.’ He slapped the desk lightly with the theme* “First drafts, aren’t they?”
“Yes, sir.” Hugh felt his cheeks getting warmer Henley smiled. “Thanks for not lying. If yo had lied, this conference would have ended rigl now. Oh, I would n’t have told you that I though you were lying; I would simply have made a few pc lite but entirely insincere comments about your wor
