The Vagabond

"--and in deference to an old custom, the final exam will include both the reading and the lectures. I hope, however, that some of you will do one or the other. And I also hope--and I leave this thought with you--that you will consider my material in light other than that reflected by a blue book. I don't claim any white hopes--white hopes are where you find them--but the future lies ahead and there seems some chance that ..."

There was some chance that Vag understood all this but it was slight. And he didn't have much time to cogitate for new the professor was silently lapping up his notes in his folder and was stepping off his stand. A perplexed hush followed. Vag looked around, a bit puzzled, but nobody moved. Pink and purple argyles, he thought, was this a last class? Still nobody moved, but Vag decided to risk a gambit and slapped his notebook closed with a loud crack. It was the right thing to do, for right away his row was clapping and the whole class caught on when the professor reached the door. Dr. Fairexam (office hours Mondays and Fridays) footnoted the applause with a smile and Vag congratulated himself for his foresight. He had saved the hour.

That's that, Vag thought, as he weaved his way out into the Spring. But last classes were deceptive. Problems never died away that neatly--never trickled off promptly at one o'clock on Friday or Saturday. If only they did, Vag mused. Wouldn't it be nice to declare a reading period for the Palestine Situation. A sort of academic moratorium, when everyone would catch up on their Required Reading. He wondered if examination conflicts were worse than ideological conflicts. One could be prevented--why not the other? Might set up a committee in charge of examination groups; perhaps a branch of the Italian delegation, assigning roman numerals.

Vag played with the idea as he flipped his notebook from hand to hand. A committee to solve all conflicts! In his hazy mind's eye, he imagined a crowd watching the news roll around the Times Tower and yelling II, IV, VI, VIII, who do we appreciate? So simple too--give each problem a number and get everlasting peace. Vag hurried to reach University Hall before his white hope had faded.