Sublime

The mockery made him feel an outsider; and feeling an outsider he behaved like one, which increased the prejudice against him and intensified the contempt and hostility aroused by his physical defects. Which

pettishly.

opportunity to express his own views, as young people are fond of doing.

inchoate.

the ancient and often barbaric kind of humour that goes by the name of the pun.

prevaricating.