. Tom Browns school-days . light the next morning he was marching throughRoss-shire, and in the evening hit the Caledonian canal, took thenext steamer, and travelled as fast as boat and railway could carryhim to the Rugby station. As he walked up to the town, he felt shy and afraid of beingseen, and took the back streets; why, he didnt know, but he fol-lowed his instinct. At the school-gates he made a dead pause;there was not a soul in the quadrangle—all was lonely, and silent,and sad. So with another effort he strode through the quad-rangle, and into the School-house offices. He found the lit
. Tom Browns school-days . light the next morning he was marching throughRoss-shire, and in the evening hit the Caledonian canal, took thenext steamer, and travelled as fast as boat and railway could carryhim to the Rugby station. As he walked up to the town, he felt shy and afraid of beingseen, and took the back streets; why, he didnt know, but he fol-lowed his instinct. At the school-gates he made a dead pause;there was not a soul in the quadrangle—all was lonely, and silent,and sad. So with another effort he strode through the quad-rangle, and into the School-house offices. He found the little matron in her room in deep mourning; shookher hand, tried to talk, and moved nervously about: she was evi-dently thinking of the same subject as he, but he couldnt begintalking. Where shall I find Thomas ? said he, at last, getting desperate. In the servants hall, I think, sir. But wont you take any-thing ? said the matron, looking rather disappointed. No, thank you, said he, and he strode off again to find the [370]. :YOUVE HEARD ALL ABOUT IT, I SEE SCHOOL DAYS old verger, who was sitting in his little den as of old, puzzling overhieroglyphics. He looked up through his spectacles, as Tom seized his handand wrung it. Ah! youve heard all about it, sir, I see, said he. Tom nodded, and then sat down on the shoe-board, while theold man told his tale, and wiped his spectacles, and fairly flowedover with quaint, homely, honest sorrow. By the time he had done, Tom felt much better. Where is he buried, Thomas ? said he, at last. Under the altar in the chapel, sir, answered Thomas. Youdlike to have the key, I dare say. Thank you, Thomas—yes, I should, very much. And theold man fumbled among his bunch, and then got up, as thoughhe would go with him; but after a few steps stopped short, andsaid: Perhaps youd like to go by yourself, sir ? Tom nodded, and the bunch of keys was handed to him, withan injunction to be sure and lock the door after him, and bringthem back before eight oc
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