You have got through very well, said Mr Lindsay; I am happy to say that I shall be able to get you very satisfactorily placed.
Reginald was not a little pleased. He would have liked to ask Where? but he thought that might not be etiquette; so he restrained his curiosity, and ran off with a light stop to deposit his books in his room, and afterwards to join Power at breakfast, with a remarkably good appetite.
Where do you think I shall be, though? he asked more than once. Power guessed, but did not like to run the risk of disappointing him, so wisely would not give an opinion. At last, a short time before eleven oclock, he set off with Mr Lindsay to make his début in school. He was left by himself in the school-yard while Mr Lindsay, as did most of the masters, went into Chambers, to have a talk with the Doctor. He felt for a moment a little forlorn, standing in that wide place with so many boys around him, and yet not one he could call a friend or even an acquaintance; for neither Power nor Anson had yet come.
The boys now began to pour into the school-yard. Many came up to him and began the old standard questions.
Whats your name? asked one; any relation of Warrender at Rowleys?
No, answered Reginald. I have had no relation here since my father was at Eton, that I know of.
Oh, yes but surely youre a cousin of Tom Jones? observed one who was looked upon as a great wag.
I am not aware that I have that honour, answered Reginald.
Several similar questions he had to answer, which he did in perfect good humour. At last a big, hulking fellow, who looked as if he had got fat on sucking-things, rolled up to him. There was something in the boys air which reminded him wonderfully of a bully at his former school.
How are you, Master Jones? said the fellow, with a supercilious look.
Pretty well, Tommy Green, answered Reginald, giving him back glance for glance.
How dare you call me Green! exclaimed the big boy, looking angry.
Because you have a remarkably verdant hue about you, answered Reginald, who felt galled by the tone of bullying superiority assumed by the other.
The big boys rage at the unusual impudence of a new fellow instantly blazed forth. Take that for your pains, young one! he cried out, giving Reginald a blow on the chest; and that and that and that.
Reginald was for a moment staggered, but instantly recovering himself, he flew at the big fellow, and returned the blows with interest.
A mill a mill a mill! was the cry, and fellows rushed up from all parts of the yard, and closely surrounded the combatants. Reginald defended himself as well as he could from his big antagonist, who, fortunately, though evidently inclined to bully, was no great adept in the science of pugilism. At another time Reginald would
not use a crib. I should feel ashamed of myself, and disgraced every time I did so. Another reason is, that we came to school to gain knowledge, to prepare ourselves for college, and for our future course in life, as completely as we can; and the use of cribs prevents our doing this, for though they may enable us to get through a lesson, depend on it a lesson learnt with them is very quickly again forgotten. There is nothing like having to turn over the leaves of a dictionary that we may find a word, to enable us to remember it.
Yes, but few fellows can turn over the leaves as quickly as you can, observed Anson.
I learned the knack at a private tutors long ago, answered Reginald. I thought it a bore at first, but he showed us how to do it properly, and I very soon found the advantage of what he insisted on.
Power supported Reginald in this and many other respects, when he held out boldly against what his straightforward, honest mind at once saw to be bad practices. He made enemies by so doing, but he also made friends; the enemies he made were the least worthy, and the friends the most worthy of his school-fellows many of them becoming and continuing firm and fast ones.
Reginald very soon made acquaintance with old Harry Cannon, the waterman at Cuckoo Weir. Fully thirty fellows were either standing on Lower Steps or in punts, without a rag on them, ready to plunge into the clear stream; or were swimming about by themselves, spluttering and coughing; or were being dangled at the end of old Harrys blue pole. Reginald had thought that it was necessary to go, at all events, in the first place, to old Harry. Many of the fellows, not knowing that he could swim, tried to frighten him; but, without much ceremony, he doffed his clothes, and in he went with a rats header at once, and swam boldly up the stream, stemming it lustily; then he turned a sommersault, trod water, and went through a variety of manoeuvres to which the youngsters present were but little accustomed.
Youll do, sir; youll do, shouted old Harry, quite delighted with the spirited way in which he took to the water; a Newfoundland dog couldnt have done it better.
Of course, on the first passing day, Reginald who was to be met by Power, Anson, and some others of his new friends, in a boat started off for Middle Steps.