THREE months passed, and Tom was still a boarder with the Middletons. The academy—for there was one in the town—was in session, and Tom was numbered among the pupils. James Davenport, his sister Imogene, and Mary Somers, also attended. Edwin, who had only been on a visit, had returned to his home in the city.
Our hero had easily gained an ascendency in the school. His physical prowess made his companions shy of opposing him, and I am compelled to say that he showed a disposition to assert authority over his school-fellows. He oftentimes insisted on carrying his point, when it would have been in better taste to consult the wishes of others. There was evidently some ground for the name which he had won in his former home, that of the bully of the village. But Tom had redeeming traits. He always sided with the weaker against the stronger. Though he domineered over the smaller boys, he allowed no one else to do so. He had more than once interfered to protect younger boys from the exactions of the lawyer’s son, who was also inclined to be despotic, but was mean as well. James was always compelled to give in to Tom, partly because he was afraid of him, but partly, also, because he respected Tom’s wealth. “A boy who is rich has a right to command,” thought James. Still he did not like Tom, nor did Tom like him, but James thought it best to preserve the peace between them. As for Imogene, she partly liked and partly hated our hero. He was rich, and she was ambitious of receiving his attentions, but she hated him because he would often neglect her and devote himself to Mary Somers, who, poor girl, received more than one angry lecture from her jealous cousin.
“Was it my fault that Tom chose to go home with me?” she asked on one occasion.
“Probably you invited him?” sneered Imogene.
“I did not.”
“Then you looked as if you wanted him to come. I know your sly ways, miss.”
“You are too bad, Imogene. Go and speak to Tom, if you want to—I am not to blame. Besides, doesn’t he go home with you sometimes?”
“That is different. I am his social equal. He is rich, and so am I. But you are as poor as poverty.”
“It isn’t very kind to be reminding me of that all the time.”