Detective and mystery stories; Inheritance and succession -- Juvenile fiction; Schools -- Juvenile fiction
A fine-looking man was the doctor, tall, erect, dignified, with firm
face and piercing eyes--eyes which could look terribly severe when
their owner was angry, but which otherwise were gentle, and even
mirthful.
Dr. Beverly was proud of his school, but prouder still of his work. He
did not labour to make scholars only, but also to build up men--good,
noble men--who should be a credit to the old school, and a blessing to
their country. Work or play, the doctor believed in everything being
done as well as it could be, for his watchword was "Whatever you do, do
it to the glory of God," and nothing can be done to God's glory that
is not done as well as it possibly can be.
Mr. St. Clive had explained how Ralph came to be under his care,
and had told the doctor how much he owed to him; and he finished by
mentioning the cruel statement which Lord Elgert had made, and the
angry way in which Ralph had answered it.
"I tell you this," he said, "that you may know everything. I attach no
weight to Elgert's statement myself--it is too absurd, but you must
exercise your own discretion," and the doctor smiled slightly.
"Lord Elgert is rather prone to make rash statements," he said. "I
shall be quite willing to receive your young friend, and I will do my
best to turn him into a good man."
"That I am sure of," was the hearty reply, "and I am also sure that you
will have good material to work upon. Then I will bring Ralph over."
"And do you propose that he shall board here entirely, or return to you
every Saturday, as most of the lads do?"
"Oh, come home. That is how I did in my day--you know I want to watch
the boy. Good-day, doctor," and Mr. St. Clive came away.
Marlthorpe College was a splendid old building, with large playing
fields at the back, and a great quadrangle in front, to which entrance
was gained through a pair of great iron gates, against which the
porter's lodge was built.
The school itself was at the other side of the quadrangle, directly
facing the gates--a two storey building, with the hall, in which the
whole school assembled upon special occasions, below, and with the
classrooms above. It had two wings; the one to the right being the
doctor's own residence, and that on the left the undermaster's quarters.
At the back there were again buildings on the right and left--on the
left junior dormitories, the dining-hall, and matron's rooms; and on
the right senior dormitories and studies.
Mr. St. Clive drove home and told Ralph the result of his visit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account