The truth is that Neil is very grateful for his education at Welton, for the opportunities that it would have awarded him, for the conviction it taught him. But the oversight over his life was a miserable one, the constant reminder that no matter what he did, he wasn't ever quite good enough, had colored most of his education.

"I imagine not," he says. The waiter circles over to take their drink order and ask if their ready for food, and Neil casually orders a scotch and soda. "Did you fight, or were you too young for that?"