Tex turned disconsolately away. "Just as I said-no 'jai-man.' I'll be here five years, ten years, fifteen years old and grizzled. Promise to write on my birthday."
"Gee, Tex, I'm sorry!" Matt tried to swallow his own elation.
"Tex, did you look on the other half of the list?" Pete wanted to know.
"What other half? Huh?"
Pete pointed. Tex dove back into the swarm; presently he reappeared. "What do you know? They passed me!"
"Probably didn't want to expose another class of youngsters to you. What ship?"
"P.R.S. Oak Ridge. Say, you and Oscar got the same ship?"
"Yep-the Aes Triplex."
"Rank discrimination, that's what it is. Well, come on, we'll be late to lunch."
They ran into Girard Burke in the passageway. Tex stopped him. "No use bothering to look, Stinky. Your name's not on the list."