something, but as to what it was--"

"That will do." The professor made a sign, and Ernol sat down,
tremendously embarrassed. "The class will understand that people,
when talking in their sleep, usually say things which are the exact
opposite of what they know to be true."

The man wet his lips, as though with satisfaction at the neatness of
his wording. He added in a generous tone: "I will not reprimand Mr.
Ernol, because his previous work indicates, as he says, that Alma is
an old topic to him. I only wish that he stood as well in certain
other studies!"

A ripple of laughter ran over the class, and again the puzzled youth
was the target for the combined stares of the students. He slipped
down deep into his seat.

"That will do for to-day," said the teacher, glancing at the clock.
"Tomorrow we will begin the study of the other suns of the
universe--what we commonly call stars.

"However, before you go"--his voice took on a certain
ominousness--"let me remind you that it is the custom not to
question the sources of our information. We take them for granted.
In fact, it is more than a custom; the regulations require that any
student who is not satisfied with the sincerity of our public school
system shall be suspended for the first objection, and for the
second shall forfeit all educational rights whatever.

"You will readily see for yourselves, then, that it will not be wise