Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/114

98 The breakfast was a plain, but substantial one, and Dave fell to with vigor.

"I wish I had such an appetite," said Polly Vane, who sat close by. "But I can't eat more than a bird," he added, sweetly. His girlish manner made it hard for Dave to keep a straight face. It was not until some time later that he learned that Polly was one of the best students at the Hall.

The breakfast over, the new students were told to go to Dr. Clay's private office. They numbered twelve, and began to talk among themselves while waiting for the proprietor of the Hall to join them.

"I came from a school out in Maine," said one boy named Harry Haven. "The master was a softy and the fellows used to ride right over him."

"I don't think you'll ride over Dr. Clay," said Dave.

"You won't ride over Mr. Haskers," put in another. "Oh, but wasn't he sharp at breakfast. He watched us like a hawk. You couldn't make a move but that his eye was on you."

It was not long before Dr. Clay came in briskly. He saw to it that each new pupil had been properly registered, and then he examined each in private. Dave had to wait nearly an hour, but the examination took less than fifteen minutes.

"Your learning does you credit, Porter," said the doctor, at the conclusion. "You are well fitted