d all that sort of thing. You seem to
think, too, that the fraternities are democratic. They aren't, or there
wouldn't be any fraternities. You don't seem to realize that
fraternities are among other things political organizations, fighting
each other on the campus for dear life. You've heard fraternities this
week knocking each other. Well, about nine tenths of what's been said is
either lies or true of every fraternity on the campus. These
fraternities aren't working together for the good of Sanford; they're
working like hell to ruin each other. You think that you are going to
like every man in the fraternity you join. You won't. You'll hate some
of them."

Hugh was aroused and indignant. "If you feel that way about it, why do
you stay in a fraternity?"

Graham smiled gravely. "Don't get angry, please. I stay because the
fraternity has its virtues as well as its faults. I hated the fraternity
the first two years, and I'm afraid that you're going to, too. You see,
I had the same sort of notions you have--and it hurt like the devil when
they were knocked into a cocked hat. The fraternity is a pleasant club:
it gets you into campus activities; and it gives you a social life in
college that you can't get without it. It isn't very important to most
men after they graduate. Just try to raise some money from the alumni
some time, and you'll find out. Some of them remain undergraduates all
their lives, and they think that the fraternity is important, but most
of them hardly think of it except when they come back to reunions.
They're more interested in their clubs or the Masons or something of
that sort."

"My father hasn't remained an undergraduate all his life, but he's
interested in the Nu Delts," Hugh countered vigorously.

"I suppose he is," Graham tactfully admitted, "but you'll find that most
men aren't. But that doesn't matter. You aren't an alumnus yet; you're a
freshman, and a fraternity is a darn nice thing to have around while you
are in college.

"What I am going to say now," he continued, hesitating, "is pretty
touchy, and I hope that you won't be offended. I have been trying to
impress on you that the fraternity is most important while you are in
college, and, believe me, it's damned important. A fellow has a hell of
a time if he gets into the wrong fraternity.... I am sure that you are
going to get a lot of bids. Don't choose hastily. Spend to-morrow
thinking the various bunches over--and choose the one t