“That, my friend,” said Nagle, “is what you are here to discover for yourself.”
“And in spite of all your objections to schools it appears that you have set up still another one.”
“Our Institute has been called a school, but it shouldn’t be. Our function is primarily to reverse the activities of the ordinary school. You might — and quite correctly — say that we are engaged in de -educating —”
“ De -educating —?”
“Yes. Meaning to remove the homeostatic controls imposed by your education — to whatever degree you wish them removed — and from whatever source your education was derived.”
“Even if I were to accept the possibility of this, it sounds more than a little dangerous — to both the individual and his society.”
Nagle’s eyes grew more sober. “I wouldn’t have you acquire any illusions on that point. It is capable of very great danger — to both parties!”
III.
As if the interview had already gone somewhat farther than he desired, Dr. Nagle arose from behind the desk. “I’m sure you would be more interested in seeing some of our actual procedures. Suppose we look in on some of the people.”
They left the office and went out along the loggia that led past a number of rooms. Montgomery’s heartbeat increased at Nagle’s apparent implication that there was no question of his acceptance by the Institute. If he did a good job of his assignment here and provided a thorough exposé of the crackpot theories upon which the Institute was evidently founded, he ought to be in line for a promotion.