Page:The plastic age, (IA plasticage00mark).pdf/32

20 “Very well, then. I am your regular adviser. You will come to me when you need assistance. Good day.”

“Good day, sir,” and as Hugh passed out of the door, the gruff voice bawled, “Next!” The boy nearest the door rose and entered the sanctum.

Hugh sought the open air and gazed at the hieroglyphics on the card. “Guess they mean something,” he mused, “but how am I going to find out?” A sudden fear made him blanch. “I bet I get into the wrong places. Oh, golly!”

Then came the upper-classmen, nearly seven hun¬ dred of them. The quiet campus became a bedlam of excitement and greetings. “Hi, Jack. Didya have a good summer?”. . . “Well, Tom, oV kid, I sure am glad to see you back.”. . . “Put her there, ol’ scout; it’s sure good to see you.” Every¬ where the same greetings: “Didya have a good summer? Glad to see you back.” Every one called every one else by his first name; every one shook hands with astonishing vigor, usually clutch¬ ing the other fellow by the forearm at the same time. How cockily these lads went around the campus! No confusion or fear for them; they knew what to do.

For the first time Hugh felt a pang of homesick¬ ness; for the first time he realized that he wasn’t yet part of the college. He clung close to Carl and