Curiosity prompted Clif to seek information of Mr. McKnight one evening, and so, after the instructor’s opinion had been obtained on a matter regarding the approaching examinations, Clif introduced the subject of Mr. Cooper. “You know, sir, we like him a lot,” said Clif. “It’s funny, but he doesn’t seem much older than we are. I mean he isn’t――isn’t stodgy a bit; doesn’t try to make a chap realize that he’s just a kid and doesn’t know much of anything. You know, some men _are_ like that!” The last sentence was added defensively in response to Lovey’s smile. “Yes, I guess they are,” Lovey agreed. “And I can easily see that Cooper wouldn’t be. I found him very interesting and likable, too, Clif.” “Yes, sir.” Clif hesitated. “He didn’t tell you―― I mean, you don’t happen to know why he’s here, sir?” “Here? In Freeburg? Why, no, he didn’t say. And I didn’t ask him. In fact, it didn’t occur to me, Clif. But why shouldn’t he be here?” “I suppose there isn’t any reason why he shouldn’t,” laughed Clif, “only it seems sort of a dead place to _live_ in. I mean to say, if you hadn’t some _reason_ for doing it, sir, you wouldn’t hit on this place as a――a residence, now would you?” “I wouldn’t,” agreed the instructor, “but another man might. I could imagine a chap who was looking for the quiet life in an attractive village being quite satisfied with Freeburg. The Inn isn’t so bad, Clif, and you’ve got to own that this part of the country is mighty pretty in spring. Perhaps Mr. Cooper is doing some writing or――well, reading. I understand there are still a few in this country who sometimes read.” “I don’t think it’s that, though,” pondered Clif. “Tom goes to see him pretty often, sir, and he says Mr. Cooper hasn’t many books in his room. Awhile ago he borrowed one from Loring Deane, a book on baseball.” “Well, he will doubtless tell us if he wants us to know, Clif. After all,” he added with a twinkle, “it’s rather more his affair than ours.” “Yes, of course,” Clif flushed slightly. “I guess you think I’m sort of cheeky, sir, but――” “No,” Mr. McKnight laughed, “I just think that you’re a whole lot like the rest of us, Clif; that is, extremely curious about things that don’t really concern us. That is a lamentable feature, old chap, of our national character.” So Clif departed better informed on the national character, but with no new information regarding Mr. Cooper.