One day after the exams the teachers sat at their desks correcting papers while the pupils read comics, played chess or cards or talked quietly in groups. Coulter, at a desk in front of Thaw, turned round and said, “What are ye reading?” Thaw showed a book of critical essays on art and literature. Coulter said accusingly, “You don’t read that for fun.” “Yes, I read it for fun.” “People our age don’t read that sort of book for fun. They read it to show they’re superior.” “But I read this sort of book even when there’s nobody to see me.” “That shows you arenae trying to make us think you’re
...more
