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great roommate, Benjamin Montgomery, the youngest son of a local businessman. He and Benjamin had much in common, including older sisters and a love of the natural world. Of course, Benjamin was more interested in playing around than studying, but Jared was sure his attitude would change once they got into the full swing of the semester.
    The only fly in Jared’s ointment was a certain senior, Luke Talbot. He was the snobby fellow who’d escorted the beauteous Amelia on the train. And he’d made it clear that he had no time for underclassmen. But it would not be hard to avoid Mr. Talbot since they shared only chapel together. The seniors went to different classrooms, practiced their military exercises in a different area than the freshmen, and ate at different times.
    With a shrug, Jared dismissed Luke Talbot from his thoughts and looked down at the flyer in his hand. It was an announcement for the first meeting of the Societas Philomathesian, a literary society at East Tennessee University. The door to his room opened, and Jared looked up to see Benjamin entering.
    â€œI couldn’t believe old Mr. Wallace surprised us with that test today.” Benjamin tossed his book on their shared desk and threw himself across his bed.
    â€œIt wasn’t so bad. He only asked questions from the chapter on regular Latin declensions.”
    Benjamin made a face at him. “He might as well have asked about cathedrals in France or shipping lanes in the Mediterranean.”
    A laugh bubbled up from Jared’s chest. “Tell me you didn’t say the same thing to Mr. Wallace.”
    A nod answered him. Benjamin Montgomery was a charmer who had won over most of their teachers within the first few days of his arrival. He was a good-looking man with a wiry strength that served him well on the parade grounds and large, deep blue eyes that held a hint of mischief all the time. He could say the most outrageous things, and the only response he got was appreciative laughter. Jared wished he had the same talent.
    â€œYou are incorrigible.” Jared shook his head. “That would be a better line of questioning from Mr. Whitsell, our geography teacher.”
    â€œGeography, history, language, mathematics. All of it is nonsense. The only part of college that appeals to me is the military part.” Benjamin sat on the edge of his bed and held his arms up, pretending to aim a rifle at the far wall. “I’m only attending ETU to please my parents. As soon as I finish here, I’m going to join up and shoot me some Yanks.”
    â€œWhat if I join the Yanks? Are you going to shoot me?”
    Benjamin dropped his stance, and his mouth dropped open. His eyes, normally dark blue, turned almost purple in shock. “Fight with the Yanks? Now you sound like Whitsell, ready to betray your own countrymen.”
    â€œDon’t tell me you haven’t considered it. It’s well known that Knoxville is divided. No matter which side you choose, you’re likely to be fighting against someone you know.”
    A shrug was his only answer. “What are you reading?” asked Benjamin.
    Jared held up the flyer in his hand. “The Societas Philomathesian is holding a meeting tomorrow night. Say you’ll go with me.” Jared knew it would be out of character for his roommate to attend something as serious as a literary society meeting, but he hoped to convince his friend. “I’ll help you with your Latin verbs.”
    Benjamin stared at him for a full minute before answering. “I’ll do it, but I want something more than a Latin tutor. I need a partner in crime.”
    â€œI don’t know. . . . What kind of crime?”
    â€œIt won’t be too bad. I just want to cause Mr. Wallace as much confusion as he caused me this morning.”
    Now it was Jared’s turn to study his roommate’s face as he considered his options. He could go alone to the society meeting and fade