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           Hewalkedintotheroomandstraightovertothetable,andthensuddenlynoticedthattherewereotherpeopleintheroom.

           "’Lo,Kerry."Hewasmostpolite."Ah,menofPrinceton."Theyseemedtobemostlyfriends,sohepickeduptheenvelopemarked"Registrar’sOffice,"andweigheditnervously.

           "Wehaveherequiteaslipofpaper."

           "Openit,Amory."

           "Justtobedramatic,I’llletyouknowthatifit’sblue,mynameiswithdrawnfromtheeditorialboardofthePrince,andmyshortcareerisover."

           Hepaused,andthensawforthefirsttimeFerrenby’seyes,wearingahungrylookandwatchinghimeagerly.Amoryreturnedthegazepointedly.

           "Watchmyface,gentlemen,fortheprimitiveemotions."

           Hetoreitopenandheldtheslipuptothelight.

           "Well?"

           "Pinkorblue?"

           "Saywhatitis."

           "We’reallears,Amory."

           "Smileorswear—orsomething."

           Therewasapause...asmallcrowdofsecondssweptby...thenhelookedagainandanothercrowdwentonintotime.

           "Blueasthesky,gentlemen...."

           AFTERMATH

           WhatAmorydidthatyearfromearlySeptembertolateinthespringwassopurposelessandinconsecutivethatitseemsscarcelyworthrecording.Hewas,ofcourse,immediatelysorryforwhathehadlost.Hisphilosophyofsuccesshadtumbleddownuponhim,andhelookedforthereasons.

           "Yourownlaziness,"saidAleclater.

           "No—somethingdeeperthanthat.I’vebeguntofeelthatIwasmeanttolosethischance."