The man conducted Tom between the two rows of beds, until he arrived at the further end of the room, where he stopped and pointed to a number painted on a piece of tin, which was hung against the wall.
“There’s number thirteen,” said he. “This bed belongs to you.”
As soon as the man had left the dormitory, some of the students, who had been closely watching Tom, gathered about him, as if they were impatient to make his acquaintance. The latter felt somewhat embarrassed when he found himself surrounded by so many strangers; but, wishing to make a favorable impression upon them, he tried hard to look unconcerned, and prepared to receive their advances as graciously as possible.
“How are you, my son?” began one of the boys.
“My son!” repeated Tom, in astonishment.
“Well, then, tell us what your name is? You are a greeny, are you not?”
“Now, see here,” drawled Tom, “I want you to quit calling me greeny. I’ll tell the teacher if you don’t look out.”
This speech showed another trait in Tom’s character. He was a “tell-tale;” and when he became involved in trouble with any of his school-mates, he never undertook to defend himself, but hurried off to lay the matter before the teacher. It was evident that he intended to continue the practice at the academy.
“You’ll tell the teacher, will you!” exclaimed the boy who had first addressed him. “Then we have seen enough of you. Let him alone, fellows; he’s a Spooney and working for a commission.”