Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 47 — page 78: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TO SHAKE passed the Finals. The first name was called. Orfie’s head went up, then, and a great drum-roll rever- berated inside his head. He -could not see clearly through the mist that was in his eyes. **Marshal. First.” Orfie’s head sank. His hands clenched themselves of their own volition. He could not bear to see Marshal stalk to the dais, take his scroll, shake hands with the Head. The other boys’ names were called. One after the other. Until all had been called out, had gone to the Head, taken their scroll, shaken hands, grinned self-consciously at some particular part of the hall where the clapping was loudest, and returned to the eager buzzings of their friends. All had been called out. Save one. Brown. The Head looked over his pince-nez at the group of scientists sitting on the edges of their chairs. He appeared to hesitate. Then he said, firmly: “There is one other pupil who has not been included in the prize awards. The THE STARS 77 reason, I am not at liberty to divulge.” The sun, sinking, deluged the tall windows with colour and sent a radiant pattern of stained glass over the packed people within the Great Hall. “However.” The Head picked up a scroll carefully, as though it were a Marshal’s baton, or the wand of a- celestial angel. ““However, the pupil in question has, I may say inevitably so, scored marks far and away higher than any other boy. His name will not, however, be placed on the list of prize awards. There has - been a——”’ the Head paused and looked helplessly at the assembled scientists beneath him. He swallowed and went on: “The boy is a special case. His brilliagge is sO out- standing that he cannot be compared with the-others.”’ Through the- wondering, speculative buzz in the hall Orfie heard the Head’s voice as though it were coming from some deep-green cavern at the bed of the ocean. “Brown. Come forward, please, and take your scroll of honour.” ee | ae connicloooks.Cconn) ~