“I guess I can do it,” he said.
There were soon busy days in the Fairfield household.
Besides making arrangements for the voyage, and getting their business affairs in shape to leave, Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield had to arrange for Tom’s stay at Elmwood. This was done by correspondence and, about a week after Tom had heard the news, he went to the school to take the entrance examinations. He met a few lads in like case, all rather miserable, and Tom felt a feeling of pride as he walked about the campus, and thought that soon he would be a student there.
“That is, if I pass,” he mused. “That Latin exam. was a bit stiff, and so were the maths. Maybe the others will be easier. I hope so, anyhow.”
Tom’s hopes were realized, for on the second day—the test extending over that time—he had no difficulty in answering the entrance questions. Then he went back home, to receive, a few days later, word that he had passed, and would be admitted to the Freshman class.
“Wow!” he cried, as he read the formal announcement. “That’s great! I’m going to tell the boys!”
He rushed off to find Dick and Will, his most particular chums. But, on visiting their houses, he was informed that they had gone fishing on the river.
“I’ll find ’em,” he said. “I know the fishing hole. I’ll go down in my motorboat.”
He hurried back to the dock, and, as he reached a point where he could look down to it, he uttered an exclamation of dismay.