What a blunt fellow is this grown to be! He was quick mettle when he went to school. blunt – adj. Not smart. mettle – n. Wit; intelligence. Which statement paraphrases this excerpt best? This guy is really smart, just like he was when he was in school! This man has gone to blacksmith school and has become very dull. This man has gone to school but should not have done because he is just a blacksmith. This man, who was smart in school, has grown up to be unintelligent.