Holworthy Hall

“ That's about all."
"He told me himself," said Spinden, "his family lets him have anything he wants. They think he's a wonder. They haven't the least idea that he even smokes—and he said his dad would murder him if he knew how he sops up high balls. They think he's sporty about clothes and society and all that sort of rot, but they don't know the rest of it."
"And that's just the reason' said McHenry, "that I want him to be fired at mid-years—for poor scholarship!" ”

“ Her voice lifted a tone or two. "And who are you—who are you, you namby-pamby little dude—coming in here to hand me any such line of conversation as that?" Her voice lifted again. "What business is it of yours? What are you butting in for? Why don't you keep your mouth shut?" ”

“ He possessed about as much moral fiber as a mud turtle, but he had an allowance which was sinfully large; for his father, having led a most secluded and repressed boyhood, was rather pleased at the notion of entertaining a sport in the family. He sent Tommy Foster to Cambridge in the confident expectation of making a gentleman of him; and Tommy, discovering that no one was particularly interested in what he did or how he did it, took advantage of the opportunity to go to the devil as fast as he conveniently could. ”

“ Tommy dragged himself to the desk, and picked up a pen.
"My dad—my dad will murder me!" he quavered.
"No, he won't," disputed McHenry. "He'll only talk a lot, and start you to work—which'll be good for you! And you can paste this in your hat: you 're going to write him that you 're quitting because the work is too hard. Tommy, but if I hadn't gone in town for you this afternoon, and taken a few young chances myself, you'd have been expelled—and then I hope he would have murdered you! Are you all ready?"
The Terrible Freshman dropped his head on the blotter and wept. ”

“ Do you see the point?"
"In a way," conceded Spinden. "But—you know a lot of people are watching him, Pepper. The proctor's getting mighty suspicious, these days. I don't think he can hang around stage doors much longer without getting caught. That's a fact!"
"Then," announced McHenry firmly, "we'll have to take action, Monk. The Terrible Freshman will have to flunk out at mid-years and save his reputation!"
"Pepper," said Spinden, "I wish that sometimes—not always, but just once in a while—I could make you out!"
"Good Lord!" flashed McHenry. "Good Lord, Monk! ”

“ Spinden told him, gradually regaining his senses.
"Now, don't kid me," laughed Tommy, sinking into the cushions of McHenry's window seat. "Look here. I don't know anybody in this dump. Why don't you two be good fellows, and come in town with me to-night? It's on me. I've got a wad big enough to choke a horse. I want to speed it up, and make some friends."
"Don't worry," said McHenry. dryly. "A man with manners like yours—"
"Well, are you on?" ”

“ McHenry laid down his pen and contemplated his friend soberly.
"Monk," he said, "there's a lad who's going to raise particular Cain around this place—as long as he stays here, and the indications are that it won't be so long at that! What bothers me is that there are plenty of men who'll let him spend his money. ”

“ He could live at home, the letter said, go into the factory, and probably advance much farther in the commercial world than if he had to begin under the handicap of four years spent in academic training which doesn't concern itself especially with the problem of manufacturing and distributing mesh underwear.
Then McHenry and Spinden sold Tommy's furniture for him, bought him a ticket home, and put him on the train. ”