“Max doesn’t seem to fancy the new teacher.”
“He’s not so bad,” answered Alex, as he scientifically speared an olive. “He isn’t pretty to look at, I know; but he would be well enough in class, if the fellows would let him alone. Have you seen the doctor?”
“Not yet.”
“You’ll like him; all the boys do. He’s a good man, and Lieutenant Wilde is another.”
“I’ve seen him,” said Leon; “and he told us to come to his room to-night. Where does he live, at the doctor’s?”
“No; he’s down there now, but he rooms here and sits at the head of this table. There’s always a squabble among the boys, to see who shall sit near him. He’s so jolly that he keeps them in a roar, all meal-times. Is this the first time you have been away to school?”
Leon modestly confessed his inexperience.
“Well, Flemming is a good place to come to, and I know you’ll like it. You start at an advantage,” Alex went on, in a lower voice; “in being Harry Arnold’s brother. Everybody here likes Hal, and if you’re the fellow you look, they’ll like you too, provided you keep out of mischief.” And he turned away from Leon, and began to talk with the boy on the other side of him.
“I saw you chumming with Alex Sterne at supper to-night,” remarked Harry, as the boys were starting for Lieutenant Wilde’s room. “How did you like him?”
“Immensely,” responded Leon, with unexpected fervor.