“What a big hall!” exclaimed Clarence.
“Everything in this building is big,” said John with conscious pride; “the playroom and the dormitory and the classrooms, and the science department——they’re all big.”
“I think,” replied Clarence, “that, from your description, the place will suit me perfectly. In fact, I’ve a mind to buy it. Name your price.”
“For a fellow who arrives at Campion College in a bathing suit and nothing else, you’ve got the most wonderful nerve. Ah! here we are. This is your room for the night.”
“Come in,” said a rumbling voice in answer to John’s knock.
“I’ve brought him, Will. Here’s the boy who came to College down the river, Clarence Esmond.”
“Welcome, Clarence. You’re to be my guest for to-night and so long as you choose the room is yours. I’ve heard something of your story; in fact, everybody knows how you got here. I hope you’ll enjoy every minute of your stay.”
Will was a ruddy-cheeked young man of fully six feet, with tremendous shoulders and chest, and a voice that would compete, not without hope of victory, with a bass drum. His smile alone was enough to win him friends.
“Glad to meet you, Will,” said Clarence. “John here has been telling me all about you. He says you’re Prefect of the Senior Sodality. What does that mean?”
“Aren’t you a Catholic?”