That week was a long one to Tom, but, to his immense relief, the arrangements were all completed at last, and one afternoon, about half-past three o’clock, the new student, dressed in his uniform, found himself standing in the presence of the principal. Mr. Newcombe had accompanied him to the academy, and, after urging him to make the best possible use of his time, and to strictly obey all the rules and regulations, he bade him good-by, and returned to his office, satisfied that he had left his son in safe hands for a few months, at least.
“Now, Newcombe,” said the principal—a tall, dignified, military-looking man—“you are a member of the Newport Military Academy. I shall expect to hear a good account of you.”
“I shall do my best, sir,” replied Tom. “I want to be an officer, and I would like to know how to go to work to get a commission.”
“There is but one way,” replied the principal, with a smile, “and that is very simple. If you strictly obey the rules and regulations, you will be entitled to your shoulder-straps.”
“How long before I can get them?” asked Tom.
“Not until the first of next quarter. That will give you two months in which to prepare for the examination. Remember, now, that you are expected to read the rules and regulations until you know just what to do, and how to do it. You will find several copies of them hung up in your dormitory, so that you can have them close at hand for reference.”
The professor then faced to the right, with as much precision as if he had been standing in the ranks, with a musket on his shoulder; going to his desk, he opened a large book, which Tom thought looked like the ledger in his father’s office; and, after turning over the leaves for a moment, rang a bell, which was presently answered by a servant belonging to the academy.
“Thomas Newcombe, dormitory H, number thirteen,” said the principal. “Now, you may go with this man, and he will show you where you belong. I hope that I shall soon be able to assign you new quarters, for the students in that dormitory belong to the lowest class in school.”
Tom’s trunk, which contained his clothing, each article of which was marked with his name, stood in the hall, just outside the principal’s door. This the man raised to his shoulder; and, after conducting Tom up a flight of stairs, ushered him into a large, airy room. This was dormitory H, which was destined to be the new student’s quarters, not for a short time, as the principal fondly hoped, but during his entire stay at the academy. On both sides of the room, and at one end, were arranged the beds belonging to the students. At the left of the entrance, were two rooms, one of which belonged to the assistant teacher, who had charge of the dormitory, and the other to the officers commanding that company. The dormitory was filled with students, all of whom appeared to be busily engaged with their books.