Douglas Spaulding (one of the main characters) is an okay guy, but he might not believe he was so back at school. He still remembers the Harry episode and blames himself and the others for being cruel to Harry. Even 40 years later Douglas still remembers the episode, so I guess when he meets Harry, he may not want to get recognized by him. You could say Douglas is a typical schoolboy. We do not get to know much about him except that he was like the others at school and was jealous and mean against Harry. Well, he fitted in just perfectly then became a middleclass writer, I think happy enough with his life and job.
             When I read the story, I immediately thought of Harry as a typical character I have seen other places before. He is the smart or nerdy one at school that does not fit in with the crowd and that everybody hate. You hear Douglas complain about Harry's smartness and that he have to show of. But if you see it another way, do you not get good grades or so by being smart and marking with your hand? Harry was born with that ability and just because the others were less fortunate it does not mean he should behave dumb. Of course if he was a show off, he got what he deserved. But maybe they were all so jealous that they made him into one?
             Harry remembers the episode with the pants very well and still does after 40 years. He lived his life marked by that episode and I believe he thought; I will show them! I will become someone big and rich, I will show them all some day. And every time he would failure at something he would do it better by practising harder etc. Maybe he planned over the years, if he met one of them, what he would do or how to react. Finally after 40 years luck comes by his way.
             He stops Douglas and acts all nice and gentlemanlike. Then the bomb drops. Harry changed his name and is now very rich and powerful. Page 5, line 140-144 Harry is cool and calm. I believe he is very pleased with Douglas's re...