“We will move out into town temporarily,” I answered. “Of course we cannot attend recitations, nor go upon the college grounds, but we must stay here at Belmont for the sake of the ball nine if for nothing else.”
“It will be best for you to stay for several reasons,” said the professor. “Have you written to your parents about the matter?”
“No, sir.”
“Better do so at once, and so anticipate the formal notification which Mr. Dikes will have to send them. Tell your story in full, and then, when the notification comes, your parents will understand it. Now as to your studies. I suppose you intend to keep abreast of your classes?”
“We would like to,” answered Ray, “but we feared that we would be unable to do so without the privilege of attending lectures.”
“Not at all,” said the professor. “Let some one of your classmates bring you his written notes to copy each day. You can get Mr. Dikes to tutor you. He does that sort of work frequently. I strongly advise this for your own good, and because I know that the fact that you are conscientiously working to keep up with your classes will influence Dr. Drayton in your favor.”
This suggestion we caught at gladly. Under Professor Fuller’s encouraging words, the affair was rapidly taking on a more cheerful aspect. We continued to talk the matter over for some time longer, and when at length we rose to go, it was with hearts considerably lightened.
“I don’t know how we can thank you for your kindness,” said Ray earnestly, as we stood by the door.
“Why, I have done nothing as yet but talk,” answered the professor, smiling. “Wait a few days, and we’ll see what can be done. However it may turn out, don’t be discouraged. Make the best of it, work hard and you need not be despondent.”
Once more shaking us warmly by the hand, he bade us good morning, and returned to his library, while we hastened over to the college to make preparations for our change of quarters.