Roy and Wilfred’s First Week at School.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXII, 31 May 1902, Page 1112

Roy and Wilfred’s First Week at School.

(Written specialty for the Children’s Page by Cousin V. A. Hoche.) “Ellen,” said Mr. Cameron at the breakfast-table one morning, “those boys must go to school. It is quite time they went.” “But they are so young,” pleaded Mrs. Cameron from behind the silver urn. “So young,” echoed Mr. Cameron. “Nonsense Ellen; Roy is ten and Wilfred is nine. They are quite old enough to go to school. I had to send their last tutor away because he couldn’t manage them; besides,” he continued with growing wrath, “the rascals are always in mischief. Didn’t John tell me that they, with some other boys, ruined the strawberry beds and ate all the fruit. And didn’t Roy rob the hot-house of its choicest blooms to give to a village lass who happened to ask for some flowers. Every day I heai- of their mischievous escapades.” “They are but boys, Hamilton,” remonstrated Mrs. Cameron, “and you can’t expect them 'to be angels. You were a boy yourself once, remember,” she added with a smile. “Yes, but I wasn’t like these boys,” said Mi’. Cameron wrathfully. “I wasn’t up to the pranks they are alw’ays up to. Listen to the noise they are making now.” The schoolroom floor above shook with the noise of scuffling feet and the overturning of chairs, caused by a difference between the two children. They wca-e still squabbling when Maria, the housemaid, entered to perform her sweeping and dusting duties. “Stop your fightin’, boys,” she said, “and listen to what I’m a-goin’ to say.” “Hurry up, Maria, and out with it,” cried Roy. “Master says he’s goin’ to send you to school.” The boys stared at her. “Really and truly?” asked Wilfred. “Yes,” said Maria. “I’m quite sure, because I heard your pa and ma talking about it.” They asked no more questions, but rushed joyfully about the room, thumped recklessly on the piano, gave Maria an affectionate hug (much to that domestic’s indignation and surprise), kicked each other ignominiously, and at last dashed out of the room downstairs into the garden. “What on earth arg they doing nwv?” exclaimed Mr. Cameron, rising from the table, anger and astonish-'rn-nt depicted on his countenance. ‘Their noise is enough to deafen one. They shall go to school to-morrow, Ellen.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Hamilton,” said Mrs. Cameron, laughing. ' “It will take at least a fortnight to fit them out for school. There are the tailors, outfitters and bootmakers to via--,, and several other things to do.” So Mr. Cameron had to postpone the cay of his boys’ departure. Tn the meanwhile the above-named tradesmen were visited by his wife and the two boys, the latter enjoying the novelty of shopping immensely. Mr. Cameron decided to send them to a college kept by a clergyman in a neighbouring town twenty miles away. It waa with great pride the boys viewed their school outfit, packed so neatly in their new trunks. When the last day but one came before leaving for school, both Wilfred and Roy lost some of the hilarity of their spirits, ftnd Mr. Cameron’s desire for a speedy departure greatly diminished. His face had a sad, loving expression on it as he gazed at the two boys who were standing hand in hand by a bow-window, after - bidding farewell to their favourite servants and the ponies and dogs. The father called them to his side and gave them sound and earnest advice. “And,” concluded Mr Cameron, “above all, never omit to say your prayers, for it is the Heavenly Father who guards you when you are away from home.”

The next morning the dog - cart stood before the front door, laden with the boys’ luggage Mrs Cameron tenderly embraced her sons, and the tears rolled down her cheeks aa she did so. Roy and Wilfred retamed her embrace silently, flor they fait very sad leaving home for the first time. They jumped into the dog-cart with their father, who was to drive them to their destination, and waved a last good-bye as they disappeared down the avenue. However, their spirits soon rose, for everything about them was gay and bright, and they laughed and joked and made themselves generally troublesome until they reached Hatherton School. They felt a trifle owed, though, as they - were ushered Into the stiff college parlour. The entered, attired in the orthodox college cap and gown, which attire, being new ho Roy and Wilfred, struck them as being rather comical. He shook hands cordially with Mr Cameron, whom he seemed to know very well, and was then introduced to the boys. He chatted for some time and then left Mr Cameron to say good-bye to his children. This ‘he did but Roy and Wilfred smiled bravely as he drove away. Their luggage was sent up to No- 1 dormitory, where all the young boys of the college slept, and the lads, after unpacking, were duly installed in their class. I will not attempt to describe their first day at school. A good many of my readers, I have no doubt, have had that experience, which I consider is never very pleasant. The day did not pass without an exciting incident, however. Roy and Wilfred were undressing at bed-time, at one end of the dormitory, where their beds were situated. “Are you going to say - your prayers, Boy?” asked Wilfred, in a timid whisper. “Of course I am,” answered Roy. “Didn’t father and mother say we were to?” And so both boys knelt down beside their beds. The noise and clatter in the dormitory suddenly - stopped. “Dear little goodies," said a jeering voice, “Obeying their (darling mammy’s advice,” sneered aruother. The faces of the kneeling lads burned, but they remained still. A well-aimed shoe struck Roy on the head, and a damp towel enveloped (Wilfred’s. “What coward did that?” cried Roy angrily, as he bounded to his feet. There was silence for a moment; then a boy named Morley stepped forward. “Nobody cans me a coward twice,” he said, as he struck Roy in the face. “You are a coward,” shouted Roy, furiously, as he struck Morley in return. A fierce fight followed, and the other boys closed round them, some taking Cameron’s P ar t, and others his adversary’s. In the midst of it the door opened, and on the threshold stood the master, the Rev. Doctor Matton. "Mutton,” he was familiarly called by his pupils. “Boys!” he thundered, “what’s the meaning of this. Are you fighting already, Cameron? lou ought to be ashamed of yourself. Both you and Morley come into my study - to - morrow, and I will administer punishment unto you for this disgraceful offence, happening at this time of the night.” “The rest of you boys,” continued the Doctor, glaring at the others, several of whom had jumped into bed, “are to be detained two hours after school to-morrow, each doing extra lessons,” and, gathering up his gown, the master marched out of the room. The rest of the boys went to bed, and the lights were put out, and all was silent.

“Are you hurt much, Roy?” asked Wilfred in a whisper. “ Not much,” answered the other, “my head aches a bit. I’m glad I gave that fellow a thrashing, though. I don’t care what punishment the Doctor gives me to-mor-row.”

The next morning Roy was summoned to the master’s room, where Morley was already. “ Cameron,” said the Doctor, “ Morley has given me a thorough expla-

nation of last night’s proceeding*, and of his ungentleinanly conduct, and I have decided therefore that I shall not give you corporal punishment, for you do not deserve it. But you must stay in and do extra lessons for two hours, and don’t be in such a hurry to involve yourself in a fight again. You may go now and I’ll deal with Morley.” After this affair the two previous enemies became staunch friends, and neither Roy nor Wilfred was molested at his prayers again. Wilfred got into trouble for being absent without leave, and after being punished he sulked for the rest of the day. Although they wouldn’t admit it, both boys were dreadfully homesick, and they secretly shed tears under the bedclothes at night. One morning, when the boys in No. 1 dormitory were dressing, their attention was drawn to one of the teachers in the garden attempting to ride a bicycle. Each time he tried to mount it he slipped and fell, and when at last he succeeded in getting on the bicycle collided with a garden roller and the rider was thrown sprawling on to a flower-bed. A shout of laughter made him look up at the windows of No. 1 dormitory, where he beheld the grinning faces of a number of boys. “ Boys,” he spluttered wrathfully, I’ll speak to the Doctor about your impudence. More laughter greeted this speech, and the discomfited teacher beat a hasty retreat. Roy Cameron enjoyed the joke as much as anyone, and when the amusing episode was over, he brought forth peu, ink and paper and made a capital sketch of it, exaggerating some of the details to make it more laughable. The drawing was greatly admired and loudly praised by the rest of the boys, and Morley seized it and ran and showed it to the boys of Nos. 2 and 3 dormitories, whence shouts of laughter proceeded. But, alas! while they were enjoying the fun w - ho should pounce upon them but the caricatured teacher himself. Morley’s attempt to hide the sketch was useless. The teacher seized it, and inarched out of the room without a word. A dead silence followed- Morley went dismally back to his face. “ Now, I’m in for it,” he said. “He will see my name in the corner, too.” He was summoned to the master’s room, where he received the greatest thrashing he ever had in his life, the effects of which he felt for many a day after. The usual weekly halfholiday was in the afternoon, but poor Roy remained in the schoolroom doing Latin exercises, while the other boys went out to enjoy themselves. Wilfred went boating on the river with Morley. Unfortunately the boat capsized and precipitated its occupants into the water, where they certainly would have drowned had it not been for the promptness of a passing labourer. When Roy heard of this event, it decided a thought that had been fostering in his brain. He whispered his plans to Wilfred that night, and next morning they made an early escape from the school and caught a train to Oakdene back to their home. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron were having their quiet breakfast when the door opened and Roy and "Wilfred stood hesitating on the threshold. With a little cry of joy and amazement Mrs. Cameron rushed up to them and clasped them in her arms. Explanations followed. The boys, with tears in their eyes, and blushing faces, related everything and begged not to be sent back to school. Mr. Cameron was very angry. “ It is very unmanly to run away from school,” he said. Nevertheless he was very pleased to see his children. After a long discussion, with much pleading on Mrs. Cameron’S part, they decided to keep the boys home for another year, upon the latter guaranteeing good behaviour. “ After all,” said Mr. Cameron. “ they are rather young, and I don’t quite like the way Roy was thrashed either.” , A note was despatched to Doctor Matton explaining matters, and de siring the luggage to be sent back to Oakdene. So ended Roy and Wilfred Cameron’s first and last week at the Hatherton School for some time to come.