The nonchalance of [the young] who […] would disdain as much as a lord to do or say aught to conciliate one, is the healthy attitude of human nature. A [youth] is in the parlour what the pit is in the playhouse; independent, irresponsible, looking out from his corner on such people and facts as pass by, he tries and sentences them on their merits, in the swift, summary way of [the young], as good, bad, interesting, silly, eloquent, troublesome. He cumbers himself never about consequences, about interests: he gives an independent, genuine verdict. You must court him: he does not court you.