As they walked, Squint noticed that Allison was peering intently at his face as if to determine something about him. "Are you often down by the library?" she asked.

"Sure, I mean this is college. Where else am I going to study? But I don't think I'm down here anymore than the typical Joe Student," he explained.

Allison cooked her head again in Squint's direction. Her tongue moved nervously over her teeth and lips. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but didn't. She ran her eyes once more over Squint's form. "What did you say your name was?"

"Sam Quinton, but most people just call me Squint."

"That's the name. I heard about you," she said.

Squint shifted his gaze skyward. "Exactly what did you hear?"

"Well, I'm a second-term freshman. When I got up here this winter, my roommate told me that when spring rolls around to watch out for this lovesick nerd named Squint who lurks outside the library during rain storms. She said he waits until he spots a girl who is umbrellaless then he approaches her offering shelter from the storm. The capper was that this guy tried to wheedle vital information like telephone numbers and addresses from these females. There was even a rumor that he asked one girl for her chest measurement. Are you really that guy?"

"How many people do you know who answer to Squint?"

"But you don't look that desperate. Why do you do it?" Allison asked.

"I do it because I'm here. Everybody has to have a hobby. "

"But that's sick. It's worse than going to bars to pick up women."

"I don't drink," Squint said dryly. "Besides it's a great way to meet people. When was the last time you had a date?"

Allison's eyes enlarged to double their normal size. Her face drew up into a grimace. "What's that supposed to mean, Buster?"

"Just tell me the last time you had a date.”

"Oh, I don't know. I guess about a month ago. With school and stuff, I really don't have time to go out much

Squint eyed her. "You'd go out with a guy if you liked him though?"

"Sure, I guess I could make time," she said.

"Why don't more guys ask you out?"

"Look at me."

"I'm looking," Squint said. You rate about a seven point two on the Squint Scale. Not bad, well into the attractive zone. Your problem is that you don't meet enough people. Do you belong to any clubs?"

"I haven't had time to look into them," she confessed.

Squint thought for a moment. "Are you in a coed dorm?"

"No."

"Do you at least know some guys from your hometown who could act as social contacts for you?"

"Not really," she said.

"How the hell do you meet people?"

"In class mostly, Allison said, "just talking to people around me before class starts.”

"And you've gotten one date out of these pre-class discussions. If you're going to survive this university, you've got to get your priorities straight. People come first."

"But," Allison maintained, "I came to college to get an education."

"People are the best education," Squint interjected.

"You've got to get yourself out into the jet stream of life. Join a club. Write for the newspaper. Or devise your own method," he said, winking his right eye and tapping his umbrella.

"I see what you're saying," said Allison. It's like we're all atoms bombing around in a confined area. The people who get the most dates are the ones coming in contact with the most people."

"They're also the people who have the most people disliking them," he reminded her. "Not everyone you meet is going to fall in love with you."

"That's true," Allison agreed. "I have to go to class now. This is Raymond Building here."

"I know," said Squint. "It was nice meeting you—even though I didn't obtain any vital information. I guess I'll see if I can find an eight before the rain lets up." He smiled.

"Bye," Allison said, and walked towards the building. Ten yards from Squint, she turned and yelled, "Where did you say you got that umbrella?"