back his spectacles and laying down the agricultural work he had
been perusing. "It is presided over by Captain Victor Putnam, an
old army officer, who in his younger days used to be a
schoolmaster. He is a strict disciplinarian, and will make you
toe the mark; but let me say right here, I have it from Mr. Colby
that there is no schoolmaster who is kinder or more considerate of
his pupils."

"Is it a regular military institution like West Point?" asked Tom.

"Hardly, Thomas, although the students, so I am informed, dress
like cadets and spend an hour or so each day in drilling, and in
the summer all the school march up the lake and go into an
encampment."

"That just suits me!" broke in Sam enthusiastically. "Hurrah for
Putnam Hall!"

"Hurrah!" echoed Tom faintly, and Dick nodded to show he felt as
they did. At the cheer, Sarah the cook stuck her head into the
door.

"Sure an' I thought Tom was out of his head, bedad," she observed.

"Sarah, I'm going away soon -- to a military academy. I won't
bother you any more," said Tom.

"Won't yez now? That will be foine." Then the cook stopped
short, thinking she had hurt the boy's feelings. "Oh, Master
Torn, don't moind me. You're not such an -- an awful bother as we