Slowly, though I fought it back, a red wave of confusion surged over my face and neck. I turned as red as ochre. I grew warm with perspiration of embarrassment. I gazed fixedly out through the window.... "You're getting out of position," warned Professor Grant. Vanna still observed me with steadfast, large, blue eyes. She started her sketch with a few, first, swift lines. "Excuse me," I rose, "I feel rather ill." I posed, "I've been up all night drinking strong coffee and writing poems," I continued, my voice rising in insincere, noisy falsetto. "Step down a minute and rest, then, Mr. Gregory," advised Professor Grant, puzzled, a grimace of distaste on his face. "Isn't he silly," I overheard a girl student whisper to a loud-dressed boy, whose easiness of manner with the female students I hated and envied him for.... I resumed my pose. I blushed no more. I endured the cool, level, impersonal glances of the girl I had fallen in love with.... "The model's a little wooden, don't you think, professor?" she observed, to tease me, perhaps. She could not help but sense the cause of my agitation. But then she was used to creating a stir among men. Her beauty perturbed almost the entire male student body. * * * * * I noticed that her particular chum was a very homely girl. I straightway found charms in this girl that no one had ever found before. And Alice and I became friends. And, while posing, I came before the time, because she, I discovered, was always beforehand, touching up her work. Alice was a stupid, clumsy girl, but she adored Vanna and liked nothing better than to talk about her chum and room-mate. She took care of Vanna as one would take care of a helpless baby. "Vanna is a genius, if there ever was one ... she doesn't know her hands from her feet in practical affairs ... but she's wonderful ... all the boys," and Alice sighed with as much envy as her nature would allow--"all the boys are just crazy about her ... but she isn't in love with any of them!" My heart gave a great bound of hope at these last words. "Professor Grant's students--about two-thirds of them--have enrolled in his classes, because she's there." And then I went cold with jealousy and with despair ... one so popular could never _see_ me ... if it were only later, when my fame as a poet had come! * * * * * "Vanna has to be waited on hand and foot. I don't mind though," continued Alice, "I hang up her clothes for her ... make her bed ... sweep and dust our rooms ... it makes me happy to wait on anything so beautiful!" and the face of the homely girl glowed with joy.... * * * * * I was poor and miserable. I bent my head forward, forgetful of my determination to walk erect and proud, with a pride I did not possess. Langworth was coming behind me. He slapped me on the back. I whirled, full of resentment. But changed the look to a smile when I perceived who it was....