was a beginner. "I'll put you in the Sigma Alpha fraternity for
one thing. It's the best here."

"I don't know anything about fraternities," Scarborough said.
"What are they for?"

"Oh, everybody that is anybody belongs to a fraternity. There
are about a dozen of them here, and among them they get all the
men with any claim to recognition. Just now, we lean rather
toward taking in the fellows who've been well brought up."

"Does everybody belong to a fraternity?"

"Lord, no! Two-thirds don't belong. The fellows outside are
called `barbs'--that is, barbarians; we on the inside are Greeks.
Though, I must say, very few of us are Athenians and most of us
are the rankest Macedonians. But the worst Greeks are better
than the best barbs. They're the rummest lot of scrubs you ever
saw--stupid drudges who live round in all sorts of holes and
don't amount to anything. The brush of the backwoods."

"Oh, yes--mm--I see." Scarborough was looking uncomfortable.

"The Sigma Alphas'll take you in next Saturday," said Pierson.
"They do as I say, between ourselves."

"I'm ever so much obliged, but----" Scarborough was red and
began to stammer. "You see--I--it----"

"What's the matter? Expense? Don't let that bother you. The