"Is this the Second Form?"
"Yea, verily, Clothespin, this is the Second Form—that is, the best part of it," returned Soda.
But if the students had been amazed by the newcomer's temerity in mounting the steps, they were dumfounded by his reply, as he bowed gravely:
"I am glad to meet you all. My name is James Appleby Bronson. I have passed my examinations to the Second Form."
An instant the students on the top step gazed from their new member to one another, then Soda arose, and, with a mocking wave of his hand, bowed low and commanded:
"Second Formers, rise and salute your fellow member, Mr. James Appleby Bronson, called Clothespin for short."
As though moved by a spring, the twenty-two members of the Second Form stood up and chorused:
"Welcome, Clothespin."
"Then I can sit with you?" asked the newcomer, looking toward Soda.
"You can sit on the top step, there by the railing," replied the leader, pointing to a place at the opposite side of the porch. "There are a few formalities to be settled before you can be really one of us."