"It's a glorious feeling, to be going up, I tell you," said Regan, with a sudden lighting up of his rugged features. "Can hardly believe it. I've been up against those infernal examinations six times, and I'd have gone up against them six more but I'd down them." "Where did you come from?" "Pretty much everywhere. Des Moines, Iowa, at the last." "It's a pretty fine college," said Stover, with a new thrill. "It's a college where you stand on your own feet, all square to the wind," said Regan, with conviction. "That's what got me. It's worth everything to get here." "You're right." "I wonder if I could get hold of some upper classman," said Regan uneasily. That this natural desire should be the most unnatural in the world was already clear to Stover; only, somehow, he did not like to look into Regan's eyes and make him understand. "How are you, Stover? Glad to see you." Dink, looking up, beheld the erect figure and well-mannered carriage of Le Baron, a sophomore, already a leader of his class, whom he had met during the summer. In the clean-cut features and naturally modulated voice there was a certain finely aristocratic quality that won rather than provoked. Stover was on his feet at once, a little embarrassed despite himself, answering hurriedly the questions addressed to him. "Get your room over in York Street? Good. You're in a good crowd. You look a little heavier. In good shape? Your class will have to help us out on the eleven this year." Stover introduced Regan. Le Baron at once was sympathetic, gave many hints, recommended certain people to see, and smilingly offered his services. "Come around any time; I'll put you in touch with several men that will be of use to you. Get out for the team right off--that'll make you friends." Then, turning to Stover, he added, with just a shade of difference in his tone: "I was looking for you particularly. I want you to dine with me to-night. I'll be around about seven. Awfully glad you're here. At seven." He passed on, giving his hand to the right and left. Stover felt as if he had received the accolade. Schley ahead was squirmingly impressed; one or two heads across the aisle turned in his direction, wondering who could be the freshman whom Le Baron so particularly took under his protection. "Isn't he a king?" he said enthusiastically to Regan, with just a pardonable pleasure in his exuberance. "He made the crew last year--probably be captain; subtackle on the eleven. I played against him two years ago when he was at Andover. Isn't he a king, though!" "I don't know," said Regan, with a drawing of his lips. Stover was astounded. "Why not?" "Don't know." "What's wrong?" "Hard to tell. He sizes up for a man all right, but I don't think we'd agree on some things."