Intheolddaystherewereangelswhocameandtookmenbythehandandledthemawayfromthecityofdestruction。Weseenowhite-wingedangelsnow。Butyetmenareledawayfromthreateningdestruction:ahandisputintotheirs，whichleadsthemgentlyforthtowardacalmandbrightland，sothattheylooknomorebackward；andthehandmaybealittlechild\'s。
ThereisneitherEastnorWest，Border，norBreed，norBirth，Whentwostrongmenstandfacetoface，tho\'theycomefromtheendsoftheearth!
IThappenedbymerechancethattheSeptemberdayonwhichProfessorVincentBurgess，A。B。，fromBoston，firstenteredSunriseCollegeasinstructorinGreek，wasthesamedayonwhichVicBurleigh，overgrowncountryboyfromaKansasclaimoutbeyondtheWalnutRiver，signedupwiththesecretaryoftheCollegeBoardandpaidtheentrancefeeforhisfreshmanyear。
Andfurther，bychance，ithappenedthatthetwoyoungmenhadfirstmetatthegatewaytothecampus，onecomingfromtheEastandtheotherfromtheWest，andhavingexchangedthecourtesiesofstrangergreeting，theyhadwalked，sidebyside，upthelongavenuetothefootoftheslope。
Together，theyhadclimbedthebroadflightofstepsleadinguptotheimposingdoorwayofSunrise，withthegreatletterS
carvedinstonereliefaboveit；and，afterpausingamomenttotakeinthematchlesswonderofthelandscapeoverwhicholdSunrisekeepswatch，thecollegeportalhadswungopen，andthetwohadenteredatthesametime。
InsidethedoorwaytheProfessorandthecountryboywereimpressed，thoughindifferingdegrees，withthemassivebeautyoftherotundaoverwhichthestainedglassofthedomehangsahaloofmellowradiance。
Involuntarilytheyliftedtheireyestowardthiscrownoflightandsawfarabovethem，wroughtindaintycoloring，thedesignofthegreatStateSealofKansas，withitsinscriptionTheysawsomethingmoreinthatupwardglance。Onthestairwayoftherotunda，ElinorWream，thenieceofthepresidentofSunriseCollege，wasleaningoverthebalustrade，lookingatthemwithcuriouseyes。
HersmileofrecognitionasshecaughtsightofProfessorBurgess，gaveplacetoanexpressionofhalf-concealedridicule，assheglanceddownatVicBurleigh，thebig，heavy-bonedyoungfellow，sogrotesquelyimpossibletotheharmonyoftheplace。
Asthetwomendroppedtheireyes，theyencounteredtheupturnedfaceofaplainlydressedgirlcomingupthestairsfromthebasement，withabigfeatherdusterinherhand。
ItwasoldBondSaxon\'sdaughterDennie，whowasearninghertuitionbykeepingthelibraryandofficesinorder。
Asiftoevenmatters，itwasVicBurleighwhocaughtatokenofrecognitionnow，whiletheyoungProfessorwassurveyedwithfearlessdisapproval。
Allthistookonlyamomentoftime。Longafterwardthesetwomenknewthatinthatmomentanantagonismwasbornbetweenthemthatmustfightitselfoutthroughthelengthofdays。
Butnow，Dr。LloydFenneben，DeanofSunrise，knowntostudentsandalumnialikeas\"DeanFunnybone，\"wasgraspingeachman\'shandwithacordialgripandmeasuringeachwithakeenglancefrompiercingblackeyes，ashebadethemequalwelcome。
Andherealllikenessofconditionsendsforthesetwo。Dayscomeandgo，moonswaxandwane，seedtimeandharvest，coldandheat，summerandwinterglidefourfoldthroughtheirappointedseasons，beforethetwoyoungmenstandsidebysideonacommonlevelagain。
Andtheeventsofthesechangingseasonsringinsorapidly，andinsoinevitableafashion，thatthewholecyclerunslikearealstoryalongthepage。
STRIFE
_Withthefirstfaintnoteoutofdistanceflung，FromthemomentmanhearsthesirencallOfVictory\'sbugle，whichsoundsforall，TohisinnerselfthepromiseismadeTowearynot，restnot，butallunafraidPresson——tillforhimthepaeanbesung。
Thesongforthevictorissweet，issweet——
YettothemusicamemoryclingsOftramplednestlings，ofbrokenwings，Andoffaceswhitewithdefeat!_——
ELIZABETHD。PRESTON
CHAPTERI
\"DEANFUNNYBONE\"
_Naturetheysay，dothdote，AndcannotmakeamanSaveonsomeworn-outplan，Repeatingusbyrote:
ForhimherOld-Worldmouldsasideshethrew，……
Withstuffuntainted，shapedaheronew_——LOWELL
DR。LLOYDFENNEBEN，DeanofSunriseCollege，hadmigratedtotheWalnutValleywiththefoundingoftheschoolhere。
Infact，hehadbroughtthecollegewithhimwhenhecamehither，andhadsetit，asalightnottobehidden，onthecrestofthathighridgethatrunseastofthelittletownofLagondaLedge。Andthetowneagerlytookthenewschooltoitself；atonceitsprideandprofit。
Yea，thetownrisesandsetswithSunrise。Whenthefirstgleamofmorning，hiddenbytheeastridgefromtheWalnutValley，glintsredlyfromthesouthwindowsofthecollegedomeinthewintertime，andfromthenorthwindowsinthesummertime，thetownbestirs；itself，andthefactorywhistlesblow。
AndwhenthelastcrimsongloryofeveningputsahaloofflameaboutthebrowofSunrise，thepeopleknowthatoutbeyondtheWalnutRiverthedayispassing，andthepearl-graymantleoftwilightisdeepeningtovelvetydarknessonthewide，quietprairielands。
LagondaLedgewasabetterplaceafterthecollegesettledpermanentlyaboveit。Someimprovidentcitizenstookanewholdonlife，whilesomeundesirableswhohadlivedinlawlessinfamyskulkedacrosstheWalnutanddisappearedinthatroughpicturesqueregionfullofuncertaintiesthatliesbehindthewestbluffsofthestream。
Allthis，afterthecollegehadfoundanabidingplaceonthelimestoneridge。ForSunrisehadbeenamigratorybirdbeforereachingtheoutskirtsofLagondaLedge。Asafulfillmentofprophecy，ithadarisenfromthevisionsandpocketsofsomeBostonscholars，andithadcometotheWestandwasmadeflesh——orstone——anddweltamongmenontheoutskirtsofaboomingyoungKansastown。
LloydFennebenwasjustoutofHarvardwhenDr。JoshuaWream，hisstep-brother，manyyearshissenior，professorofallthedeadlanguageseverleftunburied，hadputaconsiderablefortuneintohishands，andintohisbrainthedreamofalife-work——
eventhebuildingofagreatuniversityintheWest。FortheWreamswereastubborn，self-willed，bookishbreed，whoheldthatsalvationofsoulscouldcomeonlythroughpossessionofacollegediploma。
YoungFennebenhadcometoKansaswithallhisyouthandhealthandmoney，withhighidealsandcultureandambitionforsuccessanddreamsofhonor——and，hiddendeepdown，thememoryofsomesortofloveaffair，butthatwashisownbusiness。
WiththisdreamofanewHarvardonthewesternprairies，hehadburnedhisbridgesbehindhim，andinanunbusiness-likeway，relyingtoomuchuponaboardoftrusteeswhomhehadinterestedinhisplanshehadeagerlybegunhistask，strugglingtoadapttheWesttohisuniversitymodel，measuringallmenandmeansbythescholarlyruleofhisAlmaMater。Beingayoungman，hetookhimselffullseriously，anditwasatremendousblowtohissenseofdignitywhentheyouthfulJayhawkersattheoutsetdubbedhim\"DeanFunnybone\"——anamehewasnevertolose。
Hiscollegeflourishedsoamazinglythatanotherboomtown，fartherinland，cameacrosstheprairieoneday，andbeforetheeyesoftheyoungdeanboughtitofthemoney-lovingtrustees——
bodyandsoulanddean——andpackeditoffasthePlainsIndianswouldcarryoffawhitecaptive，milesawaytothewestward。
Plumpeddowninabigframebarracksinthepublicsquareoftwentyacresinthemiddleofthisnewtown，atoncerealestatedealersadvertisedtheplaceastheliterarycenterofKansas；
whilelotsinstragglingadditionsfarawayacrosstheprairiedrawswereboomedas\"collegeflatswithinwalkingdistanceoftheuniversity。”
InthisnewsettingLloydFennebenstartedagaintobuildupwhathadbeensorecklesslytorndown。Butitwasslowdoing，andinadowncasthourtheheadoftheboardoftrusteestookcouncilwiththeyoungdean。
\"Funnybone，that\'swhattheboyscallyou，ain\'tit？\"
Thenamehadcomealongovertheprairiewiththeschool。
\"Funnybone，youareaslikelyamanaseverescapedfromBoston。Butyou\'renevergoingtobuildtheEastintotheWest，nomore\'nyoucouldramtheWestintotheAtlanticseaboardstates。
MyadvicetoyouistogetyourselfintotheWestforgoodanddropyourhigherlearnin\'notions，andbeoneofus，orbeatitbacktowhereyoucamefromquick。”
DeanFennebenlistenedasamanwhohearsthereadingofhisownobituary。
\"You\'vecomeouttoKansaswithbeautifuldreams，\"theblufftrusteecontinued。\"Drop\'em!You\'retoolatefortheNewEnglandpioneerswhocomeWest。They\'vehadtheirdayandpassedon。
Thethingforyoutodoistocommercializeyourselfrightaway。
Gotobuyin\'andsellin\'dirt。It\'sallamancandoforKansasnow。
Justboomherrealestate。”
\"AllamancandoforKansas!\"Fennebenrepeatedslowly。
\"Sure，andI\'lltellyousomethingmore。Thistownisbusted，absolutelybusted。I，andafewothers，broughtthiscollegehereasaninvestmentforourselves。
Itain\'tpaidus，andwe\'vethrowedthethingover。
I\'vejustclosedadealwithaNewJerseysyndicatethatgetsmeridofeveryfootofgroundIownhere。Thecounty-seat\'sgoin\'
tobeeighteenmilessouth，anditwillbekingdomcome，a\'most，beforetherailroadextensionisanynearer\'nthat。
Letyouruniversitygo，andcomewithme。Icanmakeyourichinsixmonths。Insixweeksthecoyoteswillbehowlin\'
throughyourcollegehalls，andtheprairiedogslayin\'
outatownsiteonthecampus，andtherattlesnakescoilin\'
roundthedoorsteps。Willyoucome，Funnybone？\"
Thetrusteewaitedforananswer。Whilehewaited，thesouloftheyoungdeanfounditself。
\"Funnybone!\"Lloydrepeated。\"Iguessthat\'sjustwhatIneed——
afunnyboneinmyanatomytohelpmetoseethehumorofthisthing。
Gowithyouandgiveupmycollege？Builduptheprosperityofacommonwealthbystarvingitsmind!No，no；I\'llgoonwiththethingIcameheretodo——
sohelpmeGod!\"
\"You\'llsoongotothedevil，youandyouroldschool。
Good-by!\"Andthetrusteelefthim。
Amonthlater，DeanFennebensataloneinhisuniversitybarracksandsawtheprairiedogsmakingthedustflyastheydiggedaboutwhathadbeenintendedforaflowerbedonthecampus。Thenhepackeduphismeagerlibraryandothercollegeequipmentsandwalkedtenmilesacrosstheplainstohireamanwithateamtohaulthemaway。
Theteamsterhadmuchadotodrivehishalf-bridle-wiseIndianponiesnearenoughtotheuniversitydoorwaytoloadhiswagon。
Beforethethresholdahugerattlesnakelaycoiled，alreadydisputinganyhumanclaimtothiskingdomofthewild。
DiscouragingasallthismusthavebeentoFenneben，whenhestartedawayfromthedesertedtownhesmiledjoyouslyasamanwhoseeshisroadfairbeforehim。
\"ImightgobacktoCambridgeandpokeaboutafterthedeadlanguagesuntilmybrotherpasseson，andthendropintohischairintheuniversity，\"hesaidtohimself，\"butthetrusteewasright。
IcanneverbuildtheEastintotheWest。ButIcanlearnfromtheEasthowtobringtheWestintoitsownkingdom。Icanmakethedeadlanguagesservemethebettertospeakthelivingwordshere。
AndifIcandothat，ImayearnaMaster\'sDegreefrommyAlmaMaterwithoutthewritingofalearnedthesistoclinchit。
ButwhetherIwinhonororIamforgotten，thisshallbemylife-work——
outontheseKansasprairies，totillasoilthatshallgrowMENANDWOMEN。”
ForthenextthreeyearsDeanFennebenandhiscollegeflourishedonthebordersofalittlefrontiertown，ifthatcanbecalledflourishingwhichusesuptime，andmoney，andenergy，Christianpatience，anddoggedpersistence。
ThenanAugustprairiefire，sweepingupfromthesouthwest，leapedthenarrowfire-guardabouttheonebuildingandburnedupeverythingthere，exceptDeanFenneben。Sixyears，andnothingtoshowforhisworkontheoutside。Inside，thesixyears\'
stayinKansashadseenthemakingoverofascholarlydreamerintoahard-headed，far-seeing，masterfulman，whotooktheWestashefoundit，butdidnotleaveitso。Nothe!
Allthepowerofhigherlearninghestillheldsupreme。
Butbydaysofhardworkinthecollegehalls，andnightsofmeditationoutinthesilentsanctuaryspacesoftheprairiesroundabouthim，hehadbeenlearninghowtocomputetheneedsofmenastheangelwiththegoldenreedcomputedthewallsandgatesoftheNewJerusalem——_*accordingtothemeasureofaman_。
SuchwasDeanFennebenwhocameaftersixyearsofservicetothelittletownofLagondaLedgetoplantSunriseonthecrestabovetheWalnutValleybeyondreachofprairiefireorburstingboom。
Firmsetasthelimestoneofitsfoundations，herearedhereacollegethatshouldlive，forthatitsbuilderhimselfwithhisfeetonthegroundandhisfacetowardthelighthadlearnedthesecretofliving。
Milesawayacrossthevalley，thedomeofSunrisecouldbeseenbyday。
Bynight，theoldcollegelanternatfirst，andlaterthestuddingofelectriclights，madeabeaconforalltheopencountryside。
Butifthewayfarer，bychanceorchoice，turnedhisfootstepstothoserockybluffsandglensbeyondtheWalnutRiver，wherefromthetownofLagondaLedgetakesitsname，helosttheguidingrayfromthehilltopandgropedinblackanddangerouswayswheredarknessrules。
AbovethesouthturrethungtheSunrisebell，whoseresonantvoicefilledthewholevalley，andwhatthesightofSunrisefailedtodoforLagondaLedge，thesoundofthebellaccomplished。
Thefirstclasstoentertheschoolnicknameditshead\"DeanFunnybone，\"butthisgavehimnoshockanymore。
Hehadlearnedthehumoroflifenow，thespiritoftheopenlandwheretheviewisbroadtobroadeningsouls。
AnditwastothehandofDeanFennebenthatProfessorVincentBurgess，A。B。，GreekinstructorfromBoston，andVicBurleigh，thebigcountryboyfromaclaimbeyondtheWalnut，cameonaSeptemberday；albeit，theonehadhisheadintheclouds，whiletheother\'sfeetwerecloggedwiththegrassroots。
CHAPTERII
POTTER\'SCLAY
_Thisclay，wellmixedwithmarlandsand，Followsthemotionofmyhand，Forsomemustfollowandsomecommand，Thoughallaremadeofclay_——
LONGFELLOW
THEafternoonsunshinewasfloodingtheSeptemberlandscapewithmoltengold，fillingthevalleywithintenseheat，andripplingbackinwarmwavesfromthecrestoftheridge。
DeanFenneben\'sstudyinthesouthtowerofSunriselookedoutonthenewheavenandthenewearth，everyday-dawncreatedafreshforhiseyes；fortruly，theWalnutValleyinanymoodneedsonlyeyesthatseetobecalledagoodlyland。
Anditwasbecauseofthemagnificentvista，unfoldinginwoodland，andwindingriver，andfertilefield，andfargoldenprairie——
itwasbecauseoftheunconsciouspowerofallthisuponthestudentmind，thatDr。Fennebenhadsethiscollegeuphere。
OnthisSeptemberafternoon，theDeansatlookingoutonthislandofpuredelighta-quiverinthelatesummersunshine。
NaturehaddonewellbyLloydFenneben。Hisheightwascommanding，andhewasslender，ratherthanheavy，witheaseofmovementasiftheplayofeverymusclewasnervedtoharmony。
Hisheavyblackhairwaswornatriflelongontheupperpartofhisheadandfellinmassesabovehisforehead。
Hiseyeswereblackandkeenunderheavyblackbrows。
Everyfeaturewasstrongandmassive，butsavedfromsternnessbyagenialkindlinessandsenseofhumor。
Whoevercameintohispresencefeltthatmagneticpoweronlyakingofhiskindcanpossess。
LongtheDeansatgazingatthegleaminglandscapeandthesleepytownbeyondthecampusandthepigeonscirclinggracefullyabovealittlecottage，hiddenbytrees，uptheriver。
\"Awonderfulregion!\"hemurmured。\"Ifthatoldwhite-hairedbrotherofminediggingabouttherootsofGreekandSanscritbackinHarvardcouldonlyseeallthis，maybehemightunderstandwhyIchoosetostayherewithmycollegeinsteadoftyingupwithauniversitybackEast。But，maybenot。
Weareonlystep-brothers。Heisoldenoughtobemyfather，andwithallhisknowledgeofbookshecouldneverreadmen。However，hesentmeWestwithafatpocketbookintheinterestofhighereducation。
IhopeI\'veinvestedwell。Andourmagnificentgroupofbuildingsuphereandourbroad-acredcampus，togetherwithoursplendidenrollmentofstudentsjustifymyhope。Strange，IhaveneverknownwhosemoneyIwasusing。
NotJoshuaWream\'s，Iknowthat。MoneyisnothingtotheWreamsexceptasitendowslibraries，buildscolleges，andextendsuniversities。
Tooscholarlyfortheseprairies，allofthem!Tooscholarly!\"
TheDean\'seyeswerefixedonatinyshaftofbluesmokerisingsteadilyfromtheroughcountryinthevalleybeyondLagondaLedge，buthismindwasstillonhisbrother。
\"Dr。JoshuaWream，D。D。，Litt。D。，LL。D。，etc。!Hehastakenallthedegreesconferable，exceptthedegreeofhumaninsight。”Somethingbehindthestrongfacesentalineofpathosintoitwiththethought。
\"Hehaspiledupenoughformetolookafterthisfall，anyhow。
Itwasbadenoughforthatnieceofourstobeleftapennilessorphanwithonlythetwounclestolookafterherandbothofusbachelors。
Andnow，afterhehasbeenshapingElinorWream\'slifeuntilsheisreadyforcollege，hesendsheroutheretome，franklydeclaringthatsheistoomuchforhim。Shealwayswas。”
Heturnedtoaletterlyingonthetablebesidehim，asmileplayingaboutthefrownonhiscountenance。
\"HehopesIcandobetterbyElinorthanhehasbeenabletodo，becausehe\'sneverhadawifenorchildtoteachhim，\"hecontinued，givingwordtohisthought。\"Afinetimeformetobegin!
Nowifenorchildhasevertaughtmeanything。Hesayssheisagoodgirl，abeautifulgirlwithonlytwogreatfaults。Onlytwo!
She\'slucky。`One\'\"——Fennebenglancedmorecloselyattheletter——\"
`isherself-will。\'IneverknewaWreamthatdidn\'thavethatfault。
`Andtheother\'\"——thefrowndrovebackthesmilenow——\"`ishernotionofwealth。Nobodybutarichmancouldeverwinherhand。\'
Shewhohasbeensimplyreared，withalltheWreamcreedthathighereducationisthefinalendofman，issetwithaWream-likefirmnessinherhatredofpoverty，hereagernessforrichesandluxury。
AndtoaddtoallthisresponsibilityhemustsendmehispetGreekscholar，VincentBurgess，totryoutasaprofessorinSunrise。ABurgess，ofallmenintheworld，tobesenttome!OfcoursethisyoungmanknowsnothingofmyaffairsbutismybrothertoooldandtooscholarlytorememberwhatI\'vetriedathousandtimestoforget？
Ithoughttheoldwoundhadhealedbythistime。”
Awaveofsadnesssweptthestrongman\'sface。\"I\'veaskedBurgesstocomeupatthree。Imustfindoutwhatmaterialissenthereformyshaping。
Itisapresident\'sbusinesstoshapewell，andImustdomybest，Godhelpme!\"
AshadowdarkenedLloydFenneben\'sface，andhisblackeyesheldastrangelight。HestaredvacantlyatthelandscapeuntilhesuddenlynotedtheslenderwaveringpillarofsmokebeyondtheWalnut。
\"Therearenohousesinthoseglensandhiddenplaces，\"hethought。
\"Iwonderwhatfireisunderthatsmokeonadaylikethis。
Itisafarcryfromthetopofthisridgetothebottomofthathalf-tamedregiondownthere。Onemayseeintothreecountieshere，butitisroughtravelingacrosstheriverbyday，andworsebynight。”
ThebellabovethesouthturretchimedthehourofthreeasVincentBurgessenteredthestudy。
\"Takethisseatbythewindow，\"Dr。Fennebensaidwithagenialsmileandahandclaspworthremembering。\"YoucanseeanEmpirefromthispoint，ifyoucaretolookout。”
VincentBurgesssatateaseinanypresence。Hehadthefaceofascholar，andthemannersofagentleman。Buthegavenosignthathecaredtoviewtheempirethatlaybeyondthewindow。
\"Wearetobeco-workersforsometime，Burgess。MayIaskyouwhyyouchosetocometoKansas？\"
Fennebencamestraighttothepurposeoftheinterview。
Thiskeen-eyed，business-likemanseemedtoBurgessveryunlikeoldDr。Wream，whomeverybodyatHarvardlovedandanybodycoulddeceive。
Buttothedirectquestionheanswereddirectlyandconcisely。
\"Icametostudytypes，toacquiregeographicalbreadth，tohaveseclusion，thatImaypursuemoreprofoundresearch。”
TherewasaplayoflightinDr。Fenneben\'seyes。
\"YoumustjudgeforyourselfofthevalueofSunriseandLagondaLedgeforseclusion。Butwemakeaspecialtyofgeographicalbreadthouthere。
Astotypes，theyassayfairlywelltotheton，theseJayhawkersdo。”
\"WhatareJayhawkers，Doctor？\"Burgessqueried。
\"Yonderisonespecimen，\"Fennebenanswered，pointingtowardthewindow。
VincentBurgess，lookingout，sawVicBurleighleapingupthebroadstepsfromthelevelcampus，agiantfellow，fullysixfeettall。
Theswingofstrength，voidofgrace，wasinhismotion。
Hisfacewasgypsy-brownunderacropofsunburnedauburnhair。
Astiffnewderbyhatwassetbashfullyonaheadsetunabashedonbroadshoulders。Thestore-markoftheready-madewasonhisclothing，anditwasclearthathewaslessaccustomedtocutstonestepsthantospringingprairiesod。
Clearlyhewasarealproductofthesoil。
\"Why，thatistheyoungbumpkinIcameinwiththismorning。
IthoughtIwasstridingalongsideanelephantinbulkandwildhorseinspeed，\"Burgesssaidwithasmile。
\"Youwillhaveashareintaminghim，doubtless，\"Dr。Fennebenreplied。
\"Helookshardlybridle-wiseyet。Enterhimamongyourtypes。
Ididn\'tgethisnamethismorning，butheinterestedmeatonce，asafellowofgoodbloodifnotofgoodmanners，andIhaveaskedhimtocomeinherelater。Someboysmustbemetontheverythresholdofacollegeiftheyaretorunsafelyalongthefouryears。”
\"HisnameisBurleigh，VictorBurleigh。Irememberitbecauseitisnotanewnametome。Picturehiminacapandgownathomeinalibrary，orstandinguptoreceiveaMaster\'sDegreefromauniversity!
Hiskindleaveaboutthemiddleofthesecondsemesterandreverttothesoil，don\'tthey？\"
Burgesslaughedpleasantly，andleanedforwardtogetonemorelookatthecountryboy，disappearingbehindagroupofevergreensinthenorthangleofthebuilding。
\"Theydonotalwaysleavesosoonasthat。Youcan\'ttellthegradeoftimbereverytimebythebarkoutside。”
TherewasadeepertoneinDr。Fenneben\'svoicenow。
\"Butastoyourself，youhadamotiveincomingtoKansas，Ijudge。
Youcanstudytypesanywhere。”
Whethertheyoungmanlikedthisornot，heansweredevenly:
\"IamtogiveinstructioninGreekhereatLagondaLedge。Beastlyname，isn\'tit？Suggestiveofrattlesnakes，somehow!Ishallspendmuchtimeinstudy，forIampreparingacomprehensivethesisformyMaster\'sDegree。Theverybarrennessofthesedullprairieswillkeepmeclosetomylibraryforacoupleofyears。”
\"Oh，youwilldoyourworkwellanywhere，\"Dr。Fennebendeclared。
\"Youneednotputwallsofdistancesaboutyouforthat。
Ithoughtyoumighthaveamoredefinitepurposeinchoosingthisstate，ofallplaces。”
Fenneben\'smindwasrunningbacktothedaysofhisownfirststruggleforexistenceintheWest，andhisheartwentoutinsympathytotheundisciplinedyoungprofessor。
\"Ihaveareason，butitisentirelyapersonalmatter。”
Burgesswaslookingatthefloornow。\"DidyouknowIhadasisteronce？\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"Dr。Fennebensaid。
\"ShewasmarriedandcametoKansas。ThatwasafteryouleftCambridge，Isuppose。Sheandherhusbandarebothdead，leavingnochildren。Myfatherwasbitterlyopposedtohercomingouthere，andneverforgaveherforit。
Hediedrecently，makingmehisheir。I\'vealwaysthoughtI\'dliketoseethestatewheremysisterlived。Shediedyoung。
Shecouldnothavebeenasoldasyouare，andyouareayoungmanyet，Doctor。Inaddition，myfatherleftinmycaresometrustfundsforaclaimantwhoalsolivedinKansas。Heisdeadnow，butIwanttofindoutsomethingmoredefiniteconcerninghim。
Outsideofthis，Ihopetodowellhereandtosucceedtohigherplaceselsewhere，soon。Allthispersonaltomyself，andworthy，Ihope。”
HelookedatFenneben，whowasleaningforwardwithhiselbowonthetableandhisheadbowed。Hisfacewashiddenandhiswhitefingerswerethrustthroughtheheavymassesofblackhair。
\"Youwillfindagreatfieldhereinwhichtoworkoutyoursuccess，\"
theDeansaidatlength。\"ButImustgiveawordofwarning。
Itriedoncetoreproducetheeasternuniversityhere。
Ilearnedbetter。IfKansasistobeyourtrainingground，mayIsaythatthemanwhoopenshisfrontdoorforthefirsttimeonthegreenprairiesoftheWesthasnolesstolearnthanthemanwhofirstpitcheshistentbesidetheblueAtlantic？Don\'tsayIdidn\'tshowyouwheretofindtheblazedtrailifyougetlostfromitforalittlewhile。”
Dr。Fenneben\'sfacewascharmingwhenhesmiled。
\"OneotherthingImaymention。Youknowmyniece，Elinor？I\'vebeenoutheresolong，Imayneedyourhelpinmakingherfeelathomeatfirst。”
TherewasanewlightinBurgess\'seyesatthementionofElinorWream\'sname。
\"Oh，yes，IknowMissElinorverywell。Ishallneedhermoretomakemefeelathomethanshewillneedme。”
Somehowtheanswerwasatrifletooquickandsmoothtoringright。
Dr。Fennebenforgotitinaninstant，however，forElinorWreamherselfcamesuddenlyintotheroom，atall，slendergirl，withafacesofullofsunshinycharmthatnogreatdefectofcharacterhadyetmadeitsmarkthere。
\"Ibegyourpardon，UncleLloyd；Ithoughtyouwerealone。Howdoyoudo，ProfessorBurgess。”Shecameforwardsmilinglyandofferedherhand。
\"MakesmehomesickforoldCambridgeandUncleJoshuawhenIseeyou。
IwanttogodowntoLagondaLedge，andIdon\'tknowthestreetsatall。
Don\'tyouwanttoshowmetheway？\"
\"Can\'tyouwaitformetodothat，Norrie？Ihaveonlyonemoreengagementfortheafternoon，andMissSaxonwillbewantingtodustinheresoon。”
Dr。Fennebenlookedfondlyathisniece，amantomakeothermenjealous，ifoccasionoffered。
\"Pleasedon\'t，MissElinor，\"VincentBurgessurged。
\"IshallbedelightedtoexploredarkestKansaswithyouatanytime。”
\"Thereisnomistakingthatlookinaman\'seyes，\"Dr。Fennebenthoughtashewatchedthetwopassthroughtherotundaandoutofthegreatfrontdoor。\"IhaveguessedJoshua\'splaneasilyenough，butI\'veonlyhalfguessedhimout。Whydidhementionhismoneymatterstome？
ThereisenoughmeritinhimworththeshapingSunrisewillgivehim，however，andImustdoaman\'spart，anyhow。AsforElinor，there\'saready-mademissionaryfieldinher，soJoshuawarnsme。
