I may say, in confidence, that no one knew from what college Mr. Smith obtained the degree of Master of Arts. He always evaded7 the question himself, saying that it was given him by a Western university causa honoris.
It might be, or it might not. At any rate, he was allowed to wear the title, since no one thought it worth while to make the necessary examination into its genuineness. Nor, again, had anyone been able to discover at what college the distinguished Socrates had studied. In truth, he had never even entered college, but he had offered himself as a candidate for admission to a college in Ohio, and been rejected. This did not, however, prevent his getting up a school, and advertising8 to instruct others in the branches of learning of which his own knowledge was so incomplete.
He was able to hide his own deficiencies, having generally in his employ some college graduate, whose poverty compelled him to accept the scanty9 wages which Socrates doled10 out to him. These young men were generally poor scholars in more than one sense of the word, as Mr. Smith did not care to pay the high salary demanded by a first-class scholar. Mr. Smith was shrewd enough not to attempt to instruct the classes in advanced classics or mathematics, as he did not care to have his deficiencies understood by his pupils.
It pleased him best to sit in state and rule the school, administering reproofs11 and castigations12 where he thought fit, and, best of all, to manage the finances. Though his price was less than that of many other schools, his profits were liberal, as he kept down expenses. His table was exceedingly frugal13, as his boarding pupils could have testified, and the salaries he paid to under teachers were pitifully small.
So it was that, year by year, Socrates Smith, A. M., found himself growing richer, while his teachers grew more shabby, and his pupils rarely became fat.
The school building was a long, rambling16, irregular structure, of no known order of architecture, bearing some resemblance to a factory. The ornament17 of architecture Mr. Smith did not regard. He was strictly18 of a utilitarian19 cast of mind. So long as the institute, as he often called it, afforded room for the school and scholars he did not understand what more was wanted.
“Is Mr. Smith at leisure?” Mr. Roscoe asked of a bare-arm servant girl who answered the bell.
“I guess he’s in his office,” was the reply.
“Take him this card,” said Mr. Roscoe. The girl inspected the card with some curiosity, and carried it to the eminent20 principal. When Socrates Smith read upon the card the name
ALLAN ROSCOE,
and, penciled in the corner, “with a pupil,” he said, briskly:
“Bring the gentleman in at once, Bridget.”
As Mr. Roscoe entered, Mr. Smith beamed upon him genially21. It was thus he always received those who brought to him new scholars. As he always asked half a term’s tuition and board in advance, every such visitor represented to him so much ready cash, and for ready cash Socrates had a weakness.
“I am glad to see you, Mr. Roscoe,” said the learned principal, advancing to meet his visitor. “And this is the young lad. Dear me! he is very well grown, and looks like he was fond of his books.”
This was not exactly the way in which a learned scholar might be expected to talk; but Mr. Smith’s speech was not always elegant, or even grammatically correct.
“I believe he is reasonably fond of study,” said Mr. Roscoe. “Hector, this is your future instructor22, Prof. Socrates Smith.”
“My young friend,” he said, “we will try to make you happy. Smith Institute is a regular beehive, full of busy workers, who are preparing themselves for the duties and responsibilities of life. I aim to be a father to my pupils, and Mrs. Smith is a mother to them. I am truly glad to receive you into my happy family.”
Hector scanned attentively25 the face of his new teacher. He was not altogether prepossessed in his favor. That the reader may judge whether he had reason to be, let me describe Mr. Smith.
He was a trifle over six feet in height, with yellowish, sandy hair, high cheek bones, a rough and mottled skin, a high but narrow forehead, a pair of eyes somewhat like those of a ferret, long, ungainly limbs, and a shambling walk. A coat of rusty26 black, with very long tails, magnified his apparent height, and nothing that he wore seemed made for him.
Perhaps, as the first Socrates was said to have been the homeliest of all the Athenians, it was fitting that the man who assumed his name should also have the slightest possible claim to beauty.
“He may be a learned man,” thought Hector, “but he is certainly plain enough. It is well that he has something to compensate27 for his looks.”
“I hope you are glad to come here, my boy,” said Socrates, affably. “I sincerely trust that you will be contented28 at the institute.”
“I should like a little conversation with you, Professor Smith,” said Allan Roscoe. “I don’t know that it is necessary to keep Hector here during our interview.”
Socrates took the hint.
“Wilkius,” said Mr. Smith, “this is a new scholar, Hector Roscoe. Take him to the playground, and introduce him to Mr. Crabb.”
“All right, sir. Come along.”
This last was addressed to Hector, who went out with the new boy.
“I thought it best to speak with you briefly31 about Hector, Professor Smith,” commenced Allan Roscoe.
“Very appropriate and gratifying, Mr. Roscoe. I can assure you he will be happy here.”
“I dare say,” returned Mr. Roscoe, carelessly. “I wish to guard you against misinterpreting my wishes. I don’t want the boy pampered33, or too much indulged.”
“We never pamper32 our boarding pupils,” said Socrates, and it is quite certain that he spoke the truth.
“It spoils boys to be too well treated.”
“So it does,” said Socrates, eagerly. “Plain, wholesome34 diet, without luxury, and a kind, but strict discipline—such are the features of Smith Institute.”
“Quite right and judicious35, professor. I may remark that the boy, though reared in luxury by my brother, is really penniless.”
“You don’t say so?”
“Yes, he is solely36 dependent upon my generosity37. I propose, however, to give him a good education at my own expense, and prepare him to earn his living in some useful way.”
“Kind philanthropist!” exclaimed Socrates. “He ought, indeed, to be grateful.”
“I doubt if he will,” said Mr. Roscoe, shrugging his shoulders. “He has a proud spirit, and a high idea of his own position, though he is of unknown parentage, and has nothing of his own.”
“Indeed!”
“I merely wish to say that you do not need to treat him as if he were my nephew. It is best to be strict with him, and make him conform to the rules.”
“I will, indeed, Mr. Roscoe. Would that all guardians38 of youth were as judicious! Your wishes shall be regarded.”
After a little more conversation, Allan Roscoe took his leave.
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1
philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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attainments
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| 成就，造诣； 获得( attainment的名词复数 )； 达到； 造诣； 成就 | |
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pedagogue
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| n.教师 | |
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plebeian
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| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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9
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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doled
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| 救济物( dole的过去式和过去分词 )； 失业救济金 | |
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reproofs
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| n.责备，责难，指责( reproof的名词复数 ) | |
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castigations
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| n.严厉的责骂、批评或惩罚( castigation的名词复数 ) | |
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frugal
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| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
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depot
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| n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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30
lank
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| adj.瘦削的；稀疏的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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pamper
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| v.纵容，过分关怀 | |
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pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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34
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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35
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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