There was an iron fence surrounding the school in token
protection from intrusion, but the gate stood wide open. I
peered out the windows of the cab in curiosity as we drove
MYTH-NOMERS AND IM-PERVECTIONS 165
up to what Edvick said was the administration building,
hoping to catch a glimpse of the students practicing their
lessons, but was disappointed. The people I saw were much
more interested in being young—skylarking and flirting with
each other—than in demonstrating their learning to a casual
visitor. I did, however, notice there were more than a few
students from off-dimension in their number. Either the
school was much more tolerant of off-worlders than the rest
of the dimension, or they simply weren’t as picky about
who they accepted money from. I never did get a chance
to find out which it really was.
After a few inquiries, I was shown into the office of the
head record keeper. That individual listened carefully to my
story, though he was so still and outwardly calm that I found
myself fighting a temptation to make a face at him in mid-
sentence just to see if he was really p’aying attention. I have
a hunch I would not do well in a formal educational environ-
ment.
“I see,” he said, once I had ground to a halt. “Well,
your request seems reasonable. Aahz . . . Aahz … I don’t
recall the name off-hand, but it does ring some sort of a
bell. Oh well, we can check it easily enough. GRETTA!?”
In response to his call, a young female Pervect appeared
in the office door. She glanced quickly at Pookie who was