Walter Sherwoods Probation | Page 6

was answered by the chairman.
"Brothers," he said, "time waits for no man. The hour has arrived when,
according to agreement, we must wind up our festivities. Hand in hand
we will sing 'Auld Lang Syne,' hoping, at some auspicious season after
the coming vacation is over, to have another good time. I thank you all
for accepting my invitation, and hope you have enjoyed yourselves."
"Three cheers for Sherwood!" cried one of the company.
They were given with a will. Then the parting song was sung, and the
students retired to their rooms in one of the college dormitories.
Doctor Mack went thoughtfully to bed.
"It is well I came," he reflected. "Walter has done nothing decidedly
wrong as yet, but it is evident he is not improving."

"Well," said James Holdens as he met Doctor Mack the next morning,
"did you hear the boys last night?"
"I couldn't very well help it," answered the doctor, smiling. "That
young Sherwood seems to be very popular."
"Yes, sir; he is very free with his money."
"In what other way does he spend it?"
"Mr. Daniels keeps half a dozen horses to let to students and others.
Sherwood hires a team at least twice a week, and of course it counts
up."
"I was not able to spend money in that way when I attended college."
"Then you are a college graduate?" said Holden.
"Yes."
"Did you graduate at Euclid?"
"No; I am a Yale man."
"I congratulate you, sir; I should like to graduate from Yale.
"I hope you may, some time, my young friend. You would derive more
benefit, I'll be bound, than those young roysterers of last evening."
"I hope they didn't keep you awake, sir."
"They certainly did as long as they stayed. I should have gone to bed
soon afterward, but that I had something on my mind. By the way, don't
mention to any of the students that they had an unseen listener."
"No, sir."
Doctor Mack took the first train after breakfast, and returned to his
home without seeing his ward.

Nancy Sprague questioned him eagerly.
"And how is Master Walter?" she asked.
"Very well, indeed, Nancy."
"Was he surprised to see you?" "He didn't see me, Nancy."
"He didn't see you!" ejaculated the housekeeper.
"No; the fact was, I went away on a matter of business, and it was not
convenient to call on Walter. But I heard him."
"I don't see how you could have been near him without seeing him."
"I shall see him soon, Nancy, and so will you. In two weeks vacation
will be here. Examinations are near, and I might have interfered with
his studies," the doctor added, with a little innocent evasion.
"To be sure, sir! To be sure! I make no doubt Master Walter is a great
scholar."
"I have very strong doubts on that point myself," thought Doctor Mack,
but he did not care to express himself thus to Nancy.
"I am so glad the dear boy is coming home soon," murmured the
housekeeper. "He has been studying so hard he needs a good long rest.
I will make some cookies expressly for him after he comes. I don't
believe he gets any at college."
"I wonder what Nancy would say if she could have seen Walter
presiding at the supper, and heard the songs?" thought Doctor Mack.
CHAPTER IV
THE DAY AFTER THE FEAST
The same morning, in a comfortably furnished room in Simpson Hall,
sat, or rather lounged, Walter Sherwood.

"I feel sleepy this morning, Gates," he said to his chum. "I can't fix my
mind on this confounded logic."
"No wonder, Sherwood. You have good reason to be tired after last
evening."
"That's so! We had a good time, though. I am sorry you couldn't accept
my invitation."
"I couldn't afford it, Sherwood. You know we are very differently
situated. You are rich, while I am the oldest son of a country minister,
with all I can do to get through college. As it is, I shall be in debt."
"Why not be in debt to me? You never would accept anything from
me."
"Yes, I did. I have let you go to the entire expense of furnishing this
room, though I have an equal share in it."
"Oh, that's nothing! You pay me in helping me through my lessons
when I am behind. If you hadn't read my Horace to me the other day I
should have flunked as sure as can be."
"It would be better for you to get your own lesson, Walter." "Well, I
suppose it would," answered his roommate, yawning. "I wish you could
drive this logic into my head. I suppose I am unusually stupid this
morning."
"Suppose we go over it together."
Fifteen minutes later Walter said complacently: