He was coming back, from having posted it, when he noticed, standing on the steps of Opus Manor, a solitary figure.
“I hope that isn’t Sam Heller, waiting to renew the quarrel with me,” reflected Tom, as he drew nearer. “Still, if it is, I’ll meet him half way, though I don’t want to get into a fight my first day here.”
But he was soon made aware that it was not the bully who stood on the steps. It was a lad about his own age, a tall, straight youth, with a pleasant smiling face, and merry brown eyes. No, I am just a trifle wrong about that face. It was naturally a jolly one, but just now it bore a puzzled and unhappy look.
“Hello,” said Tom pleasantly, as he mounted the steps, and was about to pass in.
“Hello!” greeted the other. “Do you room here?”
“Yes. This is my first day.”
“Say, you’re in luck. It’s my first day too. I’m a stranger in a strange land, and I’m stuck.”
“What’s the matter?” asked Tom.
“Well, very foolishly, I delayed settling about my room until I got here. I thought there’d be plenty of places, and, when I did arrive I found that Opus Manor was the only desirable place for us Freshmen. Up I steps, as bold as brass, and asks for a room and bath. ‘Nothing doing,’ answers the worthy monitor, or words to that effect. Consequently, behold yours truly without a place to sleep, unless he goes into town to a common boarding house. And I did want to get in with the Freshmen! It’s tough luck!”