Cope was in good enough
physical condition,--the unspeakable draught from the unspeakable flask had
ensured that,--but he felt what was in the air of the classroom and was
correspondingly ill at ease.
He had had, for several days, an understanding with Basil Randolph that
they were to go together to the next weekly reception of the president's
wife. Randolph wished to push Cope's fortunes wherever he might, and to
make him stand out from the general ranks of the young instructors. He had
the entree to the Thursdays at the president's house, and he wanted Cope to
meet personally and intimately, under the guidance he could provide, a few
of the academic dignitaries and some of the wealthier and more prominent
townspeople. Notwithstanding Mrs. Phillips' confident impression, Cope's
exploit at her own table had gained no wide currency. The people she had
entertained were people who expected and commanded a succession of daily
impressions from one quarter or another. With them, a few light words on
Cope's achievement were sufficient; they walked straight on toward the
sensation the next day was sure to bring.
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