Wondering what could be the matter, Tom finished dressing, and in a few minutes presented himself at the office. President Wallington and Professor Sharp were both waiting for him.
"So you've come at last, have you, you young rascal!" cried Abner
Sharp angrily. "How dare you do such an outrageous thing?"
"Gently, professor," remonstrated the president of Brill. "You are not yet certain—"
"Oh, he did it, I am sure of it!" spluttered Professor Sharp. "I declare I ought to have him locked up!"
"Did what?" demanded Tom, who was much mystified by what was going on.
"You know well enough, you young reprobate!" stormed the instructor.
"See here, Professor Sharp, I'm neither a rascal nor a reprobate, and
I don't want you to call me such!" cried Tom, growing angry himself.
"You are, and I will have you to understand—"
"I am not, and if you call me bad names again I'll—I'll—knock you down!" And Tom doubled up his fists as he spoke.
"Rover, be quiet!" exclaimed Doctor Wallington, so sternly that both
Tom and Professor Sharp subsided. "I'll have no scene in this office.
You must behave yourself like a gentleman while you are here.
Professor, you must not call a student hard names."