Dover Beach Read Online Free PDF Page B

cafeteria. Students were moving in and out, lounging at tables, reading bulletin boards. I looked at them, searching for a familiar face.
    None at the moment. I wouldn't have to wait long, I was sure.
    The faces I saw seemed happy and full of adolescent high spirits. Strange. Perhaps they knew something I didn't. I bought a Globe from a blind guy huddled in a corner and sat at an empty table near the door. I read "Garrick Petitions South for Winter Fuel Aid" by Gwendolyn Phillips very carefully, and I skimmed the rest. After a while I heard someone call my name.
    "Walter Sands! What are you doing here?"
    I looked up. It was Cindy Tappen. She seemed a lot more, well, mature than I remembered—her body had filled out nicely, and the once scruffy hair was now short and curled. She had on tight, faded jeans, leg warmers, and an ancient leather jacket. She was even wearing lipstick. What was this younger generation coming to? "Hi, Cindy. Can I buy you some cider?"
    "No, that's okay." She sat next to me and gave my arm a squeeze. "So how're you doing, Walter? When did you get back into town?"
    "A couple of months ago."
    "In the army, right? What were you up to?"
    "Guarding the salvagers down in Washington."
    "Oh, wow. I bet that was exciting."
    "Pretty boring, actually. And depressing."
    "Oh, well, sorry to hear it. Back with Gwen and those folks?"
    I nodded. "I've been meaning to look you up, but—"
    Cindy smiled. "Yeah, yeah. So now what? Thinking of school?"
    "Not really. I've got some other, um, angles I'm working on."
    She reached out and covered my hand with hers. "You should come to school, Walter. Honestly. A person with your brains—do it for your country."
    I shrugged. "That's what Stretch keeps saying. Tell you what I'll do for my country, Cindy—I'll help you make strong, smart babies. The country needs your babies more than it needs my brains."
    Cindy grinned. "Tell you what. You come to school, and I'll let you help me make babies."
    "This is blackmail. I won't hear of it."
    "Suit yourself. So what brings you to Northeastern, if you don't want an education?"
    "I'd like to ask a favor."
    "Okay. Watcha want?"
    I didn't particularly care to hear any more comments about my new profession, so I prevaricated. "I met this guy from down South in the army. His folks were separated, back in the old days. His father was a biology professor at MIT, and my friend never learned for sure what happened to him. So I promised to find out what I could."
    Cindy made a face. "Sounds like a waste of time, Walter. How can I help?"
    "Well, I was wondering if you knew of any professors from MIT that are still teaching here—someone who might have known this guy's father."
    Cindy removed her hand from mine and considered. "I don't know who taught where in the old days, Walter. But I could introduce you to the chairman of the bio department. I took a course from him last semester. He's sort of yucky, but he's old, so maybe he'd know something."
    "That sounds great, Cindy. I'd appreciate it."
    She stood up and held out her hand. "No time like the present. Let's go. Maybe he can talk you into coming to school."
    * * *
    Cindy led me through a maze of cinder-block corridors to a frosted-glass door. A hand-lettered sign had been taped to it:
    R. Costigan
    Chman. Bio. Dept.
    She opened the door and we walked inside.
    We were in a small reception area filled with cartons and broken-looking equipment. From the office to our right a man's voice was speaking, loudly: "Yes? Yes? I'm sorry, I can't—What?" We moved into the man's line of sight. He gestured for us to wait while he continued to talk into the phone. "I'm having difficulty.... Could you speak a little... What?" Finally he shook his head and replaced the receiver. "Not worth the effort," he muttered. He looked at Cindy. "Um, Sally, is it?"
    We moved into his office. It was as messy as the reception area. "Cindy. Cindy Tappen, Professor. I had you last semester."
    "Ah, yes. Cindy." He