Page:The plastic age, (IA plasticage00mark).pdf/126

 That proctor’s idiotic smile had thrown Hugh’* thoughts into what seemed hopeless confusion, but a small incident almost immediately brought ordei and relief. The gymnasium cat was wandering around the rear of the gymnasium. It attractec the attention of several of the students—and of J proctor. Being very careful not to make am noise, he picked up the cat and started for the door Almost instantly every student looked up; anc then the stamping began. Four hundred freshmei stamped in rhythm to the proctor’s steps. H< blushed violently, tried vainly to look unconcerned and finally disappeared through the door with th cat. Hugh had stamped lustily and laughed ii great glee at the proctor’s confusion; then he rd turned to his work, completely at ease, his nervous ness gone.

One hour passed, two hours. Still the freshme wrote; still the proctors paced up and down. Sue denly a proctor paused, stared intently at a yout who was leaning forward in his chair, walke quickly to him, and picked up one of his goloshe: The next instant he had a piece of paper in h: hand and was walking down the gymnasium afte beckoning to the boy to follow him. The bo shoved his feet into his goloshes, pulled on h baa-baa coat, and, his face white and strainec marched down the aisle. The proctor spoke a fe' words to him at the door. He nodded, opened tli