Steve accepted the joking with a grim smile.
It wasn't easy.

For the first few days he had to drive himself to his work with bit and spur.

His feet lagged and he groaned in spirit--perhaps audibly, too--as he approached his books.

But he did it, and little by little it became easier, until, as Mr.Daley had predicted, it had become a habit with him to do certain things at certain hours and he was uncomfortable if his routine was disarranged.

I don't think Steve ever got where he loved to study, but he did eventually reach a pride of attainment that answered quite as well.