FEJEVARY: I don't know. Nice and quiet up here. (_to_ HARRY, _who is now passing through_) Harry, the library is closed now, is it? HARRY: Yes, it's locked. FEJEVARY: And there's no one in here? HARRY: No, I've been all through. FEJEVARY: There's a committee downstairs. Oh, this is a terrible day. (_putting his things on the table_) We'd better stay up here. Harry, when my niece--when Miss Morton arrives--I want you to come and let me know. Ask her not to leave the building without seeing me. HARRY: Yes, sir. (_he goes out_) FEJEVARY: Well, (_wearily_) it's been a day. Not the day I was looking for. HOLDEN: No. FEJEVARY: You're very serene up here. HOLDEN: Yes, I wanted to be--serene for a little while. FEJEVARY: (_looking at the books_) Emerson. Whitman. (_with a smile_) Have they anything new to say on economics? HOLDEN: Perhaps not; but I wanted to forget economics for a time. I came up here by myself to try and celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the founding of Morton College. (_answering the other man's look_) Yes, I confess I've been disappointed in the anniversary. As I left Memorial Hall after the exercises this morning, Emerson's words came into my mind-- 'Give me truth, For I am tired of surfaces And die of inanition.' Well, then I went home--(_stops, troubled_) FEJEVARY: How is Mrs Holden? HOLDEN: Better, thank you, but--not strong. FEJEVARY: She needs the very best of care for a time, doesn't she? HOLDEN: Yes. (_silent a moment_) Then, this is something more than the fortieth anniversary, you know. It's the first of the month. FEJEVARY: And illness hasn't reduced the bills? HOLDEN: (_shaking his head_) I didn't want this day to go like that; so I came up here to try and touch what used to be here. FEJEVARY: But you speak despondently of us. And there's been such a fine note of optimism in the exercises. (_speaks with the heartiness of one who would keep himself assured_) HOLDEN: I didn't seem to want a fine note of optimism. (_with roughness_) I wanted--a gleam from reality. FEJEVARY: To me this is reality--the robust spirit created by all these young people. HOLDEN: Do you think it is robust? (_hand affectionately on the book before him_) I've been reading Whitman. FEJEVARY: This day has to be itself. Certain things go--others come; life is change. HOLDEN: Perhaps it's myself I'm discouraged with. Do you remember the tenth anniversary of the founding of Morton College. FEJEVARY: The tenth? Oh yes, that was when this library was opened. HOLDEN: I shall never forget your father, Mr Fejevary, as he stood out there and said the few words which gave these books to the students. Not many books, but he seemed to baptize them in the very spirit from which books are born. FEJEVARY: He died the following year. HOLDEN: One felt death near. But that didn't seem the important thing. A student who had fought for liberty for mind. Of course his face would be sensitive. You must be very proud of your heritage.