Neil nods, first to the idea that the situation is dismal, and then because of Billy pointing out his freedom from being under the thumb of that horrid teacher. There are definitely worse ways to spend his summer, he knows that. And far better ones, too. But he can make do.

Whitman, though, puts him in mind of Keating, and of Todd and all the other boys, and he sighs, all melancholy. When the waitress comes over to them, he just orders toast and eggs as he pushes his coffee cup closer to the edge for more.

"Todd was the writer," Neil says softly. "I was good enough for the grade, and have an excellent speaking voice."