They had a dignified negro waiter, and they dined in the evening and it all seemed very fine and luxurious. 2 A.M. 158 However, after saying good night ... he would sneak off to his room, tie a wet towel around his head, and pole.... The Meeting 186 "I don't know, mother," he said slowly, "I don't know...." CHAPTER I THE FIRST DAY AT COLLEGE "Hi, there! you big Freshman, take off your hat--yes, we're talking to _you_--take off your hat to the class above you--stop, don't try to get by, my sober-faced young friend. That would not be nice of you." At first the Freshman did not understand that he was the one addressed, and, when he did, his first startled impulse was to hurry by and pretend not to notice them. But he could not now; the walk was blocked by this group of four fellows who were now calmly smiling at him in an amused way, as if he were a curious child, though really he was as old as any of them. The only way he could avoid them was by turning back toward the street, and this he would not do. So he stood his ground and looked straight back at them. "Well, you seem to enjoy looking; how do you like us, Freshman?" asked one of the Sophomores, taking his pipe out of his mouth. Three of them were smoking pipes and all four wore those queer striped-flannel coats of broad orange and black that had attracted his attention when he first got off the train. Afterward he learned that they were called blazers. They were close beside him now and they were looking him up and down. One of them remarked to the others, "O, ye shades of Aaron Burr, but this is a green one. What's your name, Freshman?" Then one of the others interrupted in a loud tone, "Take off your hat, Freshman." It was the same high voice that had broken in upon him at the first. Its owner was the shortest of the lot, but he smoked the longest pipe. "Take off your hat," he commanded, "and don't look so sober. We aren't going to hurt you." They were all looking at him. The Freshman felt himself blushing; he smiled and tried to look good-natured. "I wouldn't smile if I were you," put in one of the others; "your teeth aren't even." The others laughed at this, but the small Sophomore said, "Come, wipe away that smile and take off your hat, I tell you." The Freshman stopped smiling and looked up across the campus instead. Two men were entering an old brown building, busily talking, their arms about each other's shoulders; they seemed very happy. He shifted from one foot to the other.