CHAPTER II.
Even the practical Mr.Sperry was taken aback.

The young man before him was squarely built, with broad shoulders, and a certain air of muscular activity.

But his face, although good-humored, was remarkable for offering not the slightest indication of studious preoccupation or mental training.

A large mouth, light blue eyes, a square jaw, the other features being indistinctive--were immobile as a mask--except that, unlike a mask, they seemed to actually reflect the vacuity of the mood within, instead of concealing it.

But as he saluted the trustees they each had the same feeling that even this expression was imported and not instinctive.