Dixon was standing by the school gate, and greeted Hamlin with the utmost cordiality, seeming not to notice the coldness with which the other responded. It was impossible to freeze Dixon—he simply would not be frozen.
On this morning the regular recitations were to begin, and Gordon, Clark and Hamlin were eager to hear the new boys recite, that they might judge whether they would be helps or hindrances in that which our boys were so anxious to accomplish this year—to make D the banner section of the school.
They knew that two other sections, at least, were as eager and as determined as they to hold the first place, and one or two poor scholars might bring the record down in spite of all that could be done by others in the class. So eyes and ears were alert that morning in section D.
The first recitation was that of the Latin class. Clark had easily held first rank in this, though Hamlin, Gordon and Sherman were all excellent scholars. The lesson this morning was from Virgil, and according to the usual custom, the class was seated, each boy standing only during his own recitation.
“Reed, you may begin,” Mr. Horton said, “and when you have read five lines, the next may continue.”
One after another, the boys rendered the lines, and, though some had blundered, nobody had failed when it came to Clark. Clark never had been known to fail in Latin translation. The others attended to his recitation only because it was sure to be better than their own; but to-day they wanted him to get through so that they might listen to Everett St. John, who was the next in order.
The lesson was from Virgil, and Clark’s lines ended with the words of Æneas, which he translated thus:—
“By its own fortune, a tempest drove us, carried over different waters, to the Libyan shores—if by chance, the name of Troy has come through your ears. I am the pious Æneas, known by fame above the air, who carry with me in my ship the Penates torn from the enemy. I seek Italy, my country, and a race from greatest Jove.”
As Clark took his seat, St. John rose and said coolly:—
“Those last lines were very roughly rendered, Mr. Horton. It is much better this way:—