stion is simply--_when do we
start?_"

There was laughter, a scattering of applause. Ormond smiled, said, "An
excellent question, Reuben! The answer is that a number of you will
start immediately.

"A limited quantity of the instruments--fifteen, I believe--are
available now on the premises, stored in my office. Within a few weeks
I will have enough on hand to supply as many of you as wish to speed
up their progress by this method. Since the group's contributions paid
my research expenses, I cannot in justice ask more from you
individually now than the actual cost in material and labor for each
instrument. The figure ... I have it somewhere ... oh, yes!" Ormond
pulled a notebook from his pocket, consulted it, looked up and said,
mildly, "Twelve hundred dollars will be adequate, I think."

Cavender's lips twitched sardonically. Three or four of the group
might have flinched inwardly at the price tag, but on the whole they
were simply too well heeled to give such a detail another thought.
Checkbooks were coming hurriedly into sight all around the lecture
room. Reuben Jeffries, unfolding his, announced, "Dr. Al, I'm taking
one of the fifteen."

Half the students turned indignantly to stare at him. "Now wait a
minute, Reuben!" someone said. "That isn't fair! It's obvious there
aren't enough to go around."

Jeffries smiled at him. "That's why I spoke up, Warren!" He appealed
to Ormond. "How about it, Dr. Al?"

Ormond observed judiciously, "It seems fair enough to me. Eleanor, of
course, is retaining the instrument with which she has been working.
As for the rest of you--first come, first served, you know! If others
would like to have Mavis put down their names...."

* * * * *

There was a brief hubbub as this suggestion was acted on. Mavis,
Dexter Jones and Perrie Rochelle then went to the office to get the
instruments, while Dr. Ormond consoled the students who had found
themselves left out. It would be merely a matter of days before the
new instruments began to come in ... and yes, they could leave their
checks in advance. When he suggested tactfully that financial
arrangements could be made if necessary, the less affluent also
brightened up.

Fifteen identical red alligator-hide suitcases appeared and were lined
up beside Ormond's table. He announced that a preliminary
demonstration with the instrument would be made as soon as those on
hand had been distributed. Mavis Greenfield