Arrived at the gate, he descended, and Hector followed him.

The school building was a long, rambling, irregular structure, of no
known order of architecture, bearing some resemblance to a factory.
The ornament of architecture Mr. Smith did not regard. He was
strictly of a utilitarian 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 eminent 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 genially. 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.