"This is a small preliminary step, but it is essential. You must be cleansed and dressed in a proper garment, that you may conform to the standards. You may now remove and discard your alien wear, which is not suitable for the seminary. You will not be using it again."

"Of course I will be using it again," said Glawen between clenched teeth.

"This is sheer madness! Has the world gone insane? I don't want to be here, and I don't intend to stay here!"

"As to that, Glawen, I cannot say. I can only obey the Ordene. You will find that it is the easiest way."

"But I don't want to obey the Ordene."

"So it may be, but seminary rules are exact. And who knows?

When you discover the excellence of Syntoraxis, your attitude may change! Consider that!"

"It is a most remote possibility. What I have seen so far I abominate."

Lilo said coldly: "For now, you may use that booth, for your privacy."

Glawen stepped into the booth, removed his outer garments and emerged, to find Mutis waiting for him.

Mutis pointed to a stool.

"Sit!"

"What for?"

"So that I can remove that septic louse-mat from your head.

Here we live in a state of civilized cleanliness."

"Never mind the haircut," said Glawen, restraining his outrage with an effort.

"When I leave here I don't want to look a freak."

"Sit." Mutis and Funo seized his arms and thrust him down upon the stool.

"Now, then!" said Mutis.

"Sit quiet and give us no trouble or it's the owl-trap for you, and the wind blows cold of nights."

Lilo said tonelessly: "Do as he orders. It will be for the best."

Silently vowing a dozen revenges, Glawen sat like a stone while Mutis, with rude efficiency, clipped away his hair.

"Now, then!" said Mutis.

"Off with your breech clout or whatever you call it, and into the bath!"

Glawen was forced to wash in acrid de contaminant fluid," then shower in cold water, and at last was allowed to dress in standard seminary garments which he selected for himself from bins.

Mutis had now gone off about his affairs. Lilo told Glawen:

"I will now take you to your chamber, for a period of meditation."

"One moment." Glawen made a bundle of his old clothes, which he tucked under his arm. Lilo watched without comment.

"Come."

She led him along the corridor, meanwhile reciting a list of admonitions for Glawen's guidance.

"For a certain period, you must refrain from visiting the town or walking about the countryside. Dismiss all such inclinations; they will be strongly disapproved."

"I won't be here long enough to feel the need. Or so I hope."

Lilo spoke more quickly.

"In that case, you will find no reason to attempt the stairs, since they are extremely dangerous."

"They sound not only dangerous but ominous," said Glawen.

"You are perceptive! So, be guided! Remember, the earnest student finds life easier than one who frets and shirks.

Plainly, you are not one of this latter sort; am I correct?"

"I am a Clattuc ofClattuc House! Does that answer your question?"

Lilo glanced at him sidewise.

"What is a "Clattuc'?"

"This will be made clear: sooner, I hope, than later."

Lilo was silent for a period, then asked, almost wistfully:

"You have traveled far and wide across the Reach?"

"Not as far as I might like. In fact, I have visited only a few worlds along the Wisp."

"It must be interesting to travel," said Lilo."

"I have only a few memories of the creche at Strock, and then the seminary." She halted before the door.

"This is to be your chamber." She opened the door, and waited. Glawen stood back obstinately. Lilo said: "Truly, you gain nothing by inflexibility. Mutis loves nothing more than intransigence."

Glawen sighed and entered the room. Lilo said: "We shall talk more later. I am pleased that the Ordene selected me to be your instructor;

usually the task falls to Bayant or Hylas. Meanwhile, for your convenience and protection, I will lock the door."

"Protection against what?"