PLEDGES!

Have you heard that recently?

TAKE OFF YOUR BLINDFOLDS!

Listen up! He is your brother, and he is talking to you! He is “educating” you on how to become a True Gentleman. He is educating you about the highest principles and — RECITE! — about ACTIONS WORTHY OF THE HIGHEST PRECEPTS OF TRUE MANHOOD, DEMOCRACY AND HUMANITY (or truth or honor or whatever).

I think I only vaguely knew I would quit, standing there in a smoky living room full of guys who were usually my friends, but who were now growling at me to memorize these words they were at once betraying. You can do a lot with democracy; you cannot memorize it.