Vag wandered among the Houses, unashamedly liking the College scene, summertime-style. Harried-looking people in seersucker coats toiled toward the subway kiosk with leather bags, and gleaming convertibles scooted off eagerly along streets leading away from the Square, but Vag was content.

Abruptly Vag was impelled forward by an energetic whack on the shoulder. He looked around and up at a pleased-looking bronzed lad, yelled, "Sturdy!" and suddenly his freshman year was near and vividly remembered. Sturtevant Pendrake had been the most aggressively self-conscious dilettante and social figure in Vag's prewar circle. Vag had at that time known many ivy-towerish characters, but he still recalled his start of surprise at walking into Sturdy's room and finding ivy growing on the inside walls, deep and luxuriant. Sturdy it was who started the fad of the costs of many tailors: sleeves by Chipp, lapels by Press, pockets by Brooks, and so on. The thing had started as a gag, but Sturdy saw to it that it mushroomed, and Vag was still shamefaced about having bought one just to string along with the boys.

Vag realized that he himself had changed, in dress and outlook, out of recognition, but by his look Sturdy might have stopped out of 1940. "Look guy," Sturdy beamed, "It's good to find a human in town. Let's get a drink and talk. I know a couple of girls." Vag smiled privately. He bet Sturday knew a couple of girls. Rumors of his high-flying amours had in their freshman year kept three baby deans permanently poised to pounce.

"Thanks, no," Vag said gently, careful to expunge any defensive tinge from his voice, "I'm married now--you remember Lucy Baxter from Radcliffe?"

"Lucy Baxter?" exclaimed Pendrake increduously, "I mean--well, I may have met her, but--umm . . ."

Vag smiled pityingly, "Yes, but she wasnt' exactly in the bunch, I know. Divine gal, Sturdy."

Sturdy swallowed profoundly, "Yeah, well, uh--what's something good this fall? I'll be coming back in September--just got out of an occupation stretch in Korea. Really, this place is as devoid of three-dimensional people as . . ."

Vag made a sudden decision. "Look, Sturdy, I've been back a year now. I could have a solid job in publishing, but I want to be here. Last year I took History 1, Math 2, a couple of Philosophy courses, and got to know a few hundred people all over the College. I'm a settled married guy, but I'm eager as a kid about my reading. Listen, Sturdy, 'a voyage of discovery' isn't just words. I do huge amounts of outside reading, and find it thoroughly exciting. I'm getting to know my own University for the first time . . ."

Vag broke off as he saw in Pendrake's eyes the defensive glaze one assumes when listening to a religious or political fanatic. He extended a hand and said, "Goodbye, kid. Lucy's expecting me."

Pendrake looked at once puzzled and abashed, and nodded vaguely. "So long, feller. I, umm . . . guess I'll go over to town and try to find some guys . . ."

1940 would never seem so far off as now, Vag mused. He watched the dispirited retreat of Sturtevant's bulk and felt only compassion. In spite of himself he was reminded of a wounded elephant's search for the graveyard.