The doctor found out, for he quietly shifted his last question over Dab's left shoulder, and let it fall upon Dick in such a way as not to scare him.
"You's got me, dis time! Dat's de berry place whar we stopped at de end of our school, las' year."
"Then, I think I know about where it's best for you to begin. I'll have another talk with you about it, Richard. You must come up and see me again."
It was not a great deal to say; but the way in which he said it plainly added,—
"I mean to be your friend, my dear boy. I'll do all I can to help you along."
Dick understood it too, but he was feeling dolefully about his tongue just then.
"Missed fire de fust time!" he said to himself; but he carefully replied, aloud,—
"Thank you, sir. Will you tell me when to come?"
"To-night, right away after tea. Now, young gentlemen, I must bid you good-morning. Bear in mind that the first law of Grantley Academy is punctuality. I expect you to be in your places promptly at nine o'clock, Monday morning."
"We will, sir," said Dabney. "But will you please tell us when we are to be examined?"