Full-fledged B.A.’s

           “IwishIweredead,orthatitweretomorrownight,”groanedPhil.

           “Ifyoulivelongenoughbothwisheswillcometrue,”saidAnnecalmly.

           “It’seasyforyoutobeserene.You’reathomeinPhilosophy.I’mnot—andwhenIthinkofthathorriblepapertomorrowIquail.IfIshouldfailinitwhatwouldJosay?”

           “Youwon’tfail.HowdidyougetoninGreektoday?”

           “Idon’tknow.PerhapsitwasagoodpaperandperhapsitwasbadenoughtomakeHomerturnoverinhisgrave.I’vestudiedandmulledovernotebooksuntilI’mincapableofforminganopinionofanything.HowthankfullittlePhilwillbewhenallthisexaminatingisover.”

           “Examinating?Ineverheardsuchaword.”

           “Well,haven’tIasgoodarighttomakeawordasanyoneelse?”demandedPhil.

           “Wordsaren’tmade—theygrow,”saidAnne.

           “Nevermind—Ibeginfaintlytodiscernclearwateraheadwherenoexaminationbreakersloom.Girls,doyou—canyourealizethatourRedmondLifeisalmostover?”

           “Ican’t,”saidAnne,sorrowfully.“ItseemsjustyesterdaythatPrisandIwerealoneinthatcrowdofFreshmenatRedmond.AndnowweareSeniorsinourfinalexaminations.”

           “‘Potent,wise,andreverendSeniors,’”quotedPhil.“DoyousupposewereallyareanywiserthanwhenwecametoRedmond?”

           “Youdon’tactasifyouwerebytimes,”saidAuntJamesinaseverely.

           “Oh,AuntJimsie,haven’twebeenprettygoodgirls,takeusbyandlarge,thesethreewintersyou’vemotheredus?”pleadedPhil.