“Why, sir,” answered Hansel, gaining confidence, “you see Phin has been obliged to be absent from recitations for two or three days, and he is trying for a scholarship, and he is afraid he won’t get it on account of being absent.”
“And he has asked you to intercede for him?”
“No, sir, he doesn’t know I’ve come to see you, but he’s a particular friend of mine, sir, and I don’t want him to lose the scholarship. I thought if you knew why he was absent you would—would make allowances.”
“So I will,” answered the principal gravely. “So I will. I don’t approve of the arrangement whereby Mrs.—Freer, you said?—whereby Mrs. Freer is living in the village, but that is another matter. You may tell Dorr, if you wish, that he will be given every opportunity to make up what recitations he has missed.” He drew a sheet of paper toward him and wrote on it in slow, careful characters. “Dorr, I believe, is a very worthy lad, and he should be congratulated on having such devoted friends.”
“Thank you, doctor,” murmured Hansel. He arose, but the other motioned him back.
“While you are here,” said the principal, “I should like to discuss another matter with you. I understand from Mr. Ames that you are one of the prime movers in a—ah—movement to alter the athletic arrangements here?”
“I suppose I am, sir.”
“Kindly tell me what it is you wish to accomplish.”
And Hansel told him, not very fluently, I fear, and the principal heard him through with unchanging countenance, his eyes from under their bushy eyebrows scrutinizing the boy’s face every instant. When Hansel had finished, the doctor nodded thoughtfully once or twice.