Book III -- Lena Lingard

III-I

At the University I had the good fortune to
come immediately under the influence of a
brilliant and inspiring young scholar. Gaston
Cleric had arrived in Lincoln only a few
weeks earlier than I, to begin his work as head
of the Latin Department. He came West at
the suggestion of his physicians, his health
having been enfeebled by a long illness in
Italy. When I took my entrance examinations
he was my examiner, and my course was ar-
ranged under his supervision.

I did not go home for my first summer vaca-
tion, but stayed in Lincoln, working off a
year's Greek, which had been my only condi-
tion on entering the Freshman class. Cleric's
doctor advised against his going back to New
England, and except for a few weeks in Colo-
rado, he, too, was in Lincoln all that summer.
We played tennis, read, and took long walks
together. I shall always look back on that

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v?