Was the seeming unfairness of this interview merely a way of proving this to him?
But Tank wasn't finished. "You next embarked with a passing diplomat of uncertain reputation who suggested a way to free you from your commitment to Gleep."
"He was very kind." Dillingham did not regret his brief association with Trach, the galactic who resembled a trachodon dinosaur.
"He resembled one of the vicious predators of your planet's past—yet you trusted your person aboard his ship?"
"I felt, in the face of galactic diversity of species, that it was foolish to judge by appearances. One has to be prepared to extend trust, if one wants to receive it."
"You believe that?" Honeycomb demanded.
"I try to." It was so hard to defend himself against the concentrated suspicion of the council.
"You do not seem to trust the common directives of this University, however."
What answer could he make to that? They had him in another conflict.
"Whereupon you proceeded to investigate another unfamiliar jaw," Tank said. "Contrary to your expressed policy. Why?"
"Trach had befriended me, and I wanted to help him."
"So you put friendship above policy," Sponge said. "Convenient."
"And did you help him?" Tank again. It was hard to remember who said what, since they were all so murderously sharp.
"Yes. I adapted a sonic instrument that enabled him to clean his teeth efficiently."
"And what was your professional fee for this service?"
Dillingham reined his mounting temper. "Nothing. I was not thinking in such terms."
"A moment ago you were quite concerned about costs."
"I was concerned about unnecessary expense to the patient. That strikes me as another matter."
"And the dinosaur told you about the University of Dentistry?" Sponge put in.
"Yes, among other things. We conversed quite a bit."
"And so you decided to attend, on hearsay evidence."
"That's not fair!"
"Is the color in your face a sign of distress?"
Dillingham realized that they were now deliberately needling him and shut up. Why should he allow himself to get excited over a minor slur, after passing over major ones? All he could do that way was prove he was unstable, and therefore unfit.
"And did you seriously believe," Sponge persisted nastily, "that you had any chance at all to be admitted as a student here?"
Again he had no answer.
"On planet Electrolus you provoked a war by careless advice," Honeycomb said. "Whereupon you conspired to be exiled—to this University. What kind of reception did you anticipate here, after such machinations?"
So that was it! They resented the circumstances of his application. What use to explain that he had not schemed, that Trach had cleverly found a solution to the Electrolus problem that satisfied all parties? This trio would only twist that into further condemnation.
"I made mistakes on that planet, as I did elsewhere," he said at last. "I hoped to learn to avoid such errors in the future by enrolling in a corrective course of instruction. It was ignorance, not devious intent, that betrayed me. I still think this University has much to offer me."
"The question at hand," Tank said portentously, "is what you have to offer the University. Have you any further statements you fancy might influence our decision?"
"I gather from your choice of expression that it has already been made. In that case I won't waste any more of your time. I am ready for it."
"We find you unsuitable for enrollment at this University as a student," Tank said. "Please depart by the opposite door."
So as not to obstruct the incoming interviewees! Very neat. Dillingham stood up wearily. "Thank you for your consideration," he said formally, keeping the irony out of his tone. He walked to the indicated exit.
"One moment, applicant," Honeycomb said. "What are your present plans?"
He wondered why the creature bothered to ask. "I suppose I'll return to practice wherever I'm needed—or wanted," he said. "I may not be the finest dentist available, or even adequate by your standards—but I love my profession, and there is much I can still do." But why was it that the thought of returning to Earth, which he was free to do now and where he was adequate, no longer appealed? Had the wonders he had glimpsed here spoiled him for the backwoods existence? "I would have preferred to add the University training to my experience; but there is no reason to give up what I already have just because my dream has been denied." He walked away from them.
The hall did not lead to the familiar elevators. Instead, absent-mindedly following the wrist-band glow, he found himself in an elegant apartment. He turned, embarrassed to have blundered into the wrong area, but a voice stopped him.
"Please sit down, Earthman."
It was the old Oyster he had treated two days before. He was not adept at telling aliens of identical species apart, but he could not mistake this one. "What are you doing here?"
"We all have to dwell somewhere." Oyster indicated a couch adaptable to a wide variety of forms. "Make yourself comfortable. I have thoughts to exchange with you."
Dillingham marveled at the change in his erstwhile patient. This was no longer a suffering, unreasonable indigent. Yet—
"Surely it occurred to you, Doctor, that there are only three groups upon this planet? The applicants, the students—and the University personnel. Which of these do you suppose should lack proper dental care? Which should lack the typical University identification?"
"You—" Dillingham stared at him, suddenly making connections. "You have no band—but the elevator worked for you! It was a put-up job!"
"It was part of your examination," Oyster said.
"I failed."
"What has given you that impression?"
"The Admissions Advisory Council found me unfit to enter this University."
"You are mistaken."
Dillingham faced him angrily, not appreciating this business at all. "I don't know who you are or why you were so determined to interfere with my application, but you succeeded nicely. They rejected me."
"Perhaps we should verify this," Oyster said, unperturbed. He spoke into the translator: "Summon Dr. Dillingham's advisory subgroup."
They came—the Sponge, the Honeycomb, the Tank, riding low conveyors. "Sir," they said respectfully.
"What was your decision with regard to this man's application?"
Tank replied. "We found this humanoid to be unsuitable for enrollment at this University as a student."
Dillingham nodded. Whatever internecine politics were going on here, at least that point was clear.
"Did you discover this applicant to be deficient in integrity?" Oyster inquired softly. It was the gentle tone of complete authority.
"No, sir," Tank said.
"Professional ethics?"
"No, sir."
"Professional caution?"
"No, sir."
"Humility?"
"No, sir."
"Temper control?"
"No, sir."
"Compassion? Courage? Equilibrium?"
"That is for you to say, sir."
Oyster glanced at Dillingham. "So it would seem. What, then, gentlemen, did you find the applicant suitable for?"
"Administration, sir."
"Indeed. Dismissed, gentlemen."
"Yes, Director." The three left hastily.
Dillingham started. "Yes, who?"