I rented a tent and pitched it on an island in the middle of the Kaw, or Kansas River. There I was alone. I rented a boat to take out my possessions. I lived naked till I grew brown all over. I studied and read and wrote to my full desire, there in the grateful silence of trees and waters--a solitude broken only by an occasional train streaming its white trail of smoke as it whistled and raced round the curve of shining track toward Laurel. I read Josephus entirely through, haltingly, line by line, in the Greek. I read all the books the "stack" at the university could afford me on New Testament life and times, in preparation for my play on Judas. My only companions were a flock of tiny mud-hens with their dainty proud little rooster. I heard them talking in bird-language, saw them paddling with diminutive gravity up and down in the mud, on the island mud-bank just beneath the high place on which my tent was pitched. When I grew lonesome for company, human company, I swam ashore, my clothes tied on top of my head to keep them dry, and, dressing, walked into Laurel. Where I lounged about for the day on the streets, or in the stores, or in the livery stables ... I knew everybody and everybody knew me, and we had some fine times, talking. I had access to the local Carnegie Library as well as to the university "stack". My food did not cost me above a dollar a week. For I went on a whole wheat diet, and threw my frying pan away. I was the tramp, as ever, only I was stationary. * * * * * The opening days of the fall term came round again. Summer weather, hot and belated, lingered on. I was now more native to the river than to life in a four-walled room and on street pavements. I debated seriously whether I should return to classes, or just keep on studying as I was, staying in my tent, and taking books out at the two libraries. I knew that they'd allow me to continue drawing out books at the university, even though I attended classes no longer--Professor Langworth would see to that. Also, most of the professors would whisper "good riddance" to themselves. I camped at their gates too closely with questions. I never accepted anything as granted. The "good sports" among them welcomed this attitude of mine, especially the younger bunch of them--who several times invited me to affairs of theirs, behind closed blinds, where good wine was poured, and we enjoyed fine times together.... I was invited on condition that I would not let the student-body know of these _sub rosa fiestas_. Which were dignified and unblameworthy ... only, wine and beer went around till a human mellowness and conversational glow was reached. * * * * * A trifling incident renewed my resolve to continue as a student regularly enrolled.... Though considered a freak and nut, I was generally liked among the students, and liked most of them in turn....