AT the gate of the New Race University and Masculine Beauty Preserve the
pretty gate-keeper on duty looked at Langdon, then at his fair captor, in
unfeigned astonishment.
"Why, Ethra!" she said, "is _that_ all you've brought home?"
"Did you think I was going to net a dozen?" asked Ethra Leslie, warmly.
"Please unlock the gate. Mr. Langdon is tired and hungry, and I want the
Regents to finish with him quickly so that he can have some luncheon."
The gate-keeper, a distractingly pretty red-haired girl, regarded Langdon
with dubious hazel eyes.
"He'll never pass the examination," she whispered to Ethra. "What on
earth are you thinking of?"
"What are _you_ thinking of, Marcella? You must be perfectly blind not to
see that he complies with every possible requisite! The Regents'
inspection is bound to be only a brief formality. Be good enough to unbar
the gates."
Marcella slowly drew the massive bolts; hostile criticism was in the gaze
with which she swept Langdon.
"Well, of all the insignificant looking young men," she murmured to
herself as Ethra and her acquisition walked away along the path, side by
side.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]