“I don’t,” answered Taylor. “I just picked the book up. Looks hard, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t think it is really any harder than a modern language, if the modern language is seriously studied. In fact, many teachers are of the opinion that the college requirement in Greek is easier than that in German.”
Neither Archer nor Taylor disputed or commented on this opinion. “Won’t you sit down, sir?” said Archer, suddenly recalling his obligation to a guest.
“No, I thank you,” replied Mr. Alsop. “I returned to speak of something which I ought to have emphasized when I was here a few moments ago. The responsibility for order in the dormitories is really laid upon the students themselves. Every student is expected to see to it that no unseemly disturbance is made, and that nothing is done to interfere with the studies of others. The whole matter is left in your hands, and you are put on your honor to do nothing unworthy of the dignity and name of the school. It’s in the dormitory life that the spirit of the school especially shows itself. We trust you to conduct yourselves like gentlemen, without being watched, and put you on your honor to do so.”
“Yes, sir,” replied Archer, conscious of a peculiar feeling, a mixture of approval of the theory and suspicion as to the practice.
“That is all that I wanted to say. Good night!”
The boys echoed the salutation piously, and the room was left in momentary quiet. Soon the two hidden worthies emerged from the bedroom, and pranced across the floor, chuckling.
“My eye!” cried Lord. “Did you ever hear such stuff? He puts you on your honor, and then tries to make you tell who rough-housed you, and comes sneaking up here to see if he can’t catch some one. That’s a good one!”
“Just go and tell him something in confidence and see what would happen!” exclaimed Fowle (so his name proved to be; his mates called him “Birdie”). “He’d bring it all up before the faculty, and you’d be fired like a shot, as Murphy was last year. That’s his kind of honor.”
“Are they all like that?” asked Archer, in consternation. He had been taught to respect his teachers.