tward and visible sign of a successful
Woodbridge career--an election to Star, one of the two Senior Clubs.

This is not the place for a discussion of these two Clubs. Furthermore,
they who know anything at all about Woodbridge know about them. They
know well enough, without any reminder here, that an election to either
is the first prize in the college social life, and they know,
furthermore, that their influence extends over into graduate life,
colouring it pleasantly to the end of one's days. The reticence which
the members of the Clubs feel in regard to them--a reticence found
highly amusing by outsiders--extends to the Woodbridge community, and
there is, accordingly, a somewhat formidable atmosphere about them which
is vaguely felt by all. But here we must let the affair rest. They are
not to play any other part in our story than to shed their benign
influence over the hero, and we may dismiss them except for an
occasional inevitable reference, with a brief statement. When, in his
Sophomore year, he had made the baseball team, it had been conceded that
Tom's chances of "coming across" were good, and when, later, it was
discovered that he read books not prescribed in the college courses, he
was "sure." The baseball, however, had come first, for it is true at
Woodbridge, as well as in Ephesus, that baseball adds lustre to letters.
Why he had chosen Star rather than Grave--for the choice had been given
him--is a matter so intimately connected with the outstanding
characteristics of the two Clubs that an explanation would promptly lead
to the discussion above declined. Let it suffice, therefore, that he
"went" Star because of good and sufficient reasons, and we shall have
done with this delicate business.

Then the war had come; and now, after two years of service and a year in
a graduate school, Tom was back, an infant member of the Faculty.

* * * * *

Tom loitered up the walk to the Dean's house to make the pleasure of his
arrival the greater. The Norris house, a somewhat solemn brown-stone
structure built in the 'thirties, fascinated him. He found it impossible
to stay away for long; and now, as he rang the bell, his pulse quickened
with the thought of the rooms about to be opened to him.

II

Tom stepped into the hall and threw his hat, muffler, and overcoat upon
the hall bench. "Lovely day, isn't it, Norah?" he said to the maid who
had let him in, receiving her "Yes, M