The bell had just done ringing when they had started for the school, so that Eric knew that all the boys would be by this time assembled at their work, and that he should have to go alone into the middle of them.  As he walked after the servant through the long corridors and up the broad stairs, he longed to make friends with him, so as, if possible, to feel less lonely.  But he had only time to get out, “I say, what sort of a fellow is Mr. Gordon?”

“Terrible strict, Sir, I hear,” said the man, touching his cap with a comic expression, which didn’t at all tend to enliven the future pupil.  “That’s the door,” he continued, “and you’ll have to give him the doctor’s note;” and, pointing to a door at the end of the passage, he walked off.

Eric stopped irresolutely.  The man had disappeared, and he was by himself in the great silent building.  Afraid of the sound of his own footsteps, he ran along the passage, and knocked timidly.  He heard a low, a very low murmur in the room, but there was no answer.  He knocked again a little louder; still no notice; then, overdoing it in his fright, he gave a very loud tap indeed.

“Come in,” said a voice, which to the new boy sounded awful; but he opened the door, and entered.  As he came in every head was quickly raised, he heard a whisper of “New fellow,” and the crimson flooded his face, as he felt himself the cynosure of some forty intensely-inquisitive pairs of eyes.

He found himself in a high airy room, with three large windows opening towards the sea.  At one end was the master’s throne, and facing it, all down the room, were desks and benches, along which the boys were sitting at work.  Every one knows how very confusing it is to enter a strange room full of strange people, and especially when you enter it from a darker passage.  Eric felt dazzled, and not seeing the regular route to the master’s desk, went towards it between two of the benches.  As these were at no great distance from each other, he stumbled against several legs on his way, and felt pretty sure that they were put out on purpose to trip him, especially by one boy, who, pretending to be much hurt, drew up his leg, and began rubbing it, ejaculating sotto voce, “awkward little fool.”

In this very clumsy way he at last reached the desk, and presented his missive.  The master’s eye was on him, but all Eric had time to observe was, that he looked rather stern, and had in his hand a book which he seemed to be studying with the deepest interest.  He glanced first at the note, and then looked full at the boy, as though determined to read his character at a glance.

“Williams, I suppose?”

“Yes, Sir,” said Eric, very low, still painfully conscious that all the boys were looking at him, as well as the master.

“Very well, Williams, you are placed in the lowest form—­the fourth.  I hope you will work well.  At present they are learning their Cesar.  Go and sit next to that boy,” pointing towards the lower end of the room; “he will show you the lesson, and let you look over his book.  Barker, let Williams look over you!”