"I am afraid things have reached a crisis, Joe.

I have watched it coming on for a year now--your poor scholarship, your carelessness and inattention, your constant desire to be out of the house and away in search of adventures of one sort or another." He paused, as though expecting a reply; but Joe remained silent.
"I have given you plenty of liberty.

I believe in liberty.

The finest souls grow in such soil.

So I have not hedged you in with endless rules and irksome restrictions.