Chapter 4

           OfthelifeofBenjaminButtonbetweenhistwelfthandtwenty-firstyearIintendtosaylittle.Sufficetorecordthattheywereyearsofnormalungrowth.WhenBenjaminwaseighteenhewaserectasamanoffifty;hehadmorehairanditwasofadarkgray;hisstepwasfirm,hisvoicehadlostitscrackedquaveranddescendedtoahealthybaritone.SohisfathersenthimuptoConnecticuttotakeexaminationsforentrancetoYaleCollege.Benjaminpassedhisexaminationandbecameamemberofthefreshmanclass.

           OnthethirddayfollowinghismatriculationhereceivedanotificationfromMr.Hart,thecollegeregistrar,tocallathisofficeandarrangehisschedule.Benjamin,glancinginthemirror,decidedthathishairneededanewapplicationofitsbrowndye,butananxiousinspectionofhisbureaudrawerdisclosedthatthedyebottlewasnotthere.Thenheremembered—hehademptieditthedaybeforeandthrownitaway.

           Hewasinadilemma.Hewasdueattheregistrar’sinfiveminutes.Thereseemedtobenohelpforit—hemustgoashewas.Hedid.

           "Good-morning,"saidtheregistrarpolitely."You’vecometoinquireaboutyourson."

           "Why,asamatteroffact,myname’sButton——"beganBenjamin,butMr.Hartcuthimoff.

           "I’mverygladtomeetyou,Mr.Button.I’mexpectingyoursonhereanyminute."

           "That’sme!"burstoutBenjamin."I’mafreshman."

           "What!"