"Maybe they're not all here yet," put in his brother.
"Let us hope so. This looks like the main dormitory. Let's go in."
They found Mrs. Stone a pleasant faced matron, who welcomed them kindly and made them feel at home.
"Let me see!" she exclaimed in a thoughtful manner. "I don't know just where to put you yet. The rooms have not all been assigned. I have tried to talk to Dr. Doolittle about it, but every time I approach him he seems to be thinking of something else. But I know what I can do. I'll give you a temporary room for to-night, and to-morrow we'll settle the matter. Come this way."
She led them up a flight of stairs and down a long corridor. Frank and Andy noted that however neglected the outside of the place was, the interior was clean and neat, though it was badly in need of repairs. Evidently Mrs. Stone was an energetic housekeeper, doing the best she could under the circumstances.
"There, this will have to do for the present," she said, as she threw open the door of a room. "Perhaps I can find a better apartment for you to-morrow. Supper is served at six o'clock. The warning bell rings a quarter of an hour before that. All the boys dine together in the main hall. You will sit at the freshman table."
"How will we know which it is?" asked Andy.
"Oh, some of the students will show you. Now I must leave you. I think you will find all that you need. If not, let me know."
The boys gazed at each other, and then around the room. It was not a very inviting place. The wall paper was old and dingy, but it seemed clean. There were no ornaments in the apartment, and the beds, of which there were two, were old, as were the washstands and bureaus.
"Well, I guess we can stand it, but it's going to be quite a struggle," said Frank with a sigh.