"I don't believe they signed it. They had no right to sign it without saying any thing to me," blustered Tom.
"I think they had a perfect right to do so, and they have done it. The paper gives me entire control of you for the next three years, and you have no power to escape it."
"I will see to that part of the agreement," added the captain, with a smile.
"My father and mother will catch fits the next time I see them," moaned Tom, beginning to realize the situation.
"I shall take care that you don't see them until you are in a proper frame of mind to do so."
"They have put me into this school for three years without saying a word to me!" blubbered Tom, rising from his chair, and beginning to walk about the room.
"It was not necessary to consult you. Your parents have the right to dispose of you as they think best, as long as they do not subject you to any abuse. They have placed you at this school; and you may depend upon it, that you will stay here, and that you will obey orders. If you behave yourself like a reasonable being, you will enjoy yourself, and we shall make a man of you before we are done with you. You can go to bed when you are ready to do so."
The principal retired from the room, and Bates secured the door. It had hardly been closed before Tom began to kick against the wall of the adjoining room. Then he set up a hideous series of yells, that would have done credit to the lungs of wild Indians. He upset the table, and then began to smash the furniture. Crash after crash followed, until it was evident that all the furniture was in process of destruction.
"Bates," called the principal, "take all the furniture out of the brig."