The president read it.
“Do you know,” said he, “this boy from Van is a perfect puzzle to me. First he is awkward as he can be, breaks your jardinière, and never offers a single word of apology; then here comes this present, which shows a delicacy of feeling rare in a boy of his age.”
“He is exceptionally shy; but I believe there is good stuff in Archag, and that we shall make something of him. Mrs. Spencer has spoken to me of him very favorably, and you know how accurate her judgment is.”
“Yes, yes; only don’t spoil him for me by flattery and kind attentions.”
[1] Abou saboun, the “soap-father,” the name given to an attendant at the hamam, whose duty it is to soap the frequenters of the bath. [↑]
CHAPTER VII
ARCHAG’S FIRST TROUSERS
For several weeks the boys talked of nothing but the arrival of Monsieur Bernier, their future French teacher. One morning the president received a telegram from Aleppo announcing the arrival of the young man that same evening, and by way of doing him honor, Dr. Mills gave all the classes a half-holiday. The Sophomores were talking of their new professor: