Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-11-08
CHAPTER I-Continued

makes one hungry"
Are we to wait for Mr.-Haskell? ~
II think we ought to-" Mrs. Denver
said.
The servitor turned at the door on
hearing these words. "Don't wait for
him Don't look for him until you
see him."
The quartette laughed little nerv-
ously, and drew up their chairs. Mrs.
Denver, at Janet's request, poured the
tea, and they all drank 1t with the
slight constraint of people only just
beginning to know each other.
Il love the region" Payne remarked.
Il think inconsistencies drew me to this
spot; how intensely quiet it Isl"
Intensely quiet. I wonder where
the scholars are"
"Of course, they may all be in the
class rooms" Arthur ventured. "Or
else out at Internationally In the
gymnasium"
Mrs. Denver was carefully putting
some dropped crumbs on the edge Of
the tray. II want to get right into
work-see where the linen closets are,
and the mending room, and know what
servants will be directly under my
supervision--there's so much detail in
house as big as this; and am eager
to know his rules and requirements. !"
II hope there's a good library"
Janet remarked.
II am going into the hall for a
minute" Arthur said, rising, Ito look
again at those old portraits" He re-
turned In little while with an air Of
relief. "Wel, I glanced through a
glass door and discovered a handful
of the scholars bending over their
desks; but Of all absorbed students,
and In such fading light, tool Not one
stirred or looked up while was stand
ing there. Then / examined those
great maps in the rear hall They are
dated back in the ffties-Queer to keep
obsolete maps In a modern academy |
The desks were very clumsy looking,
too-an ancient type. I should think
parents would make a row about such
archaic furnishings. hope the school
books are more modern than the
MAPS"
Queer that one hears no BELLS"
said Mrs. Denver. I'D feel sort of at
home If heard bell"
What they did hear was long, low
laugh-like the laughter of a very
sophisticated, crafty, but not very
friendly person. 1t was repeated
after moments interval, then seemed
to die away on the staircase. Twi-
light was setting in, but no one came
to light the lamps. At last Haskell
appeared, smiling, bending down his
handsome, sensitive face to smell his
gardenia.
The four rose with alacrity, and he
led them down the hall past the
glass door. The newcomers glanced
through 1t.
There are some real students r!
Janet remarked. How intensely abb
sorbed they SEEM"
Haskell at the head Of the little
procession turned sharply around,
glanced through the door, and for an
instant his face became deathly white.
But he recovered himself almost at
once. "Ah, the lights should be on
there. This way, my pedagogues. l
ask your admiration of the curve Of
this staircase; Is 1t not beautifully"
Ee went on before them with light,
Almost jaunty step. Mrs. Denver
shifted the air suspiciously, thinking
she smelled must. ''This place needs
thorough overhauling," she thought.
'How glad I'll be to get started-to
settle down-to know just what have
to do"
"This is your ROOM" Haskell said
to Janet. throwing open a door with
the number 80 on 1t. "And yours is
just next" addressing Mrs. Denver.
"You will find matches on the table.
Unfortunately we have to use lamps
here. The bathroom is just opposite.
Now. Wilton, Fleming"
His voice had suddenly become both
harsh and secretive. The two men
followed him down the corridor, dis.
appeared around a corner.
Janet put hand on Mrs. Denver's
arm. II am so glad to be next door
to you. It's all so strange"
"You feel strange here, too?"
"very strange"
'He must be rather stern or those
young people wouldn't sit so still"
"They seemed almost like dead peo-
ple,' Janet remarked. LET us light
the lamp"
Il wish there weren't so many pines
Its a gloomy tree" Mrs. Denver
commented.
"Wen feel better when we've been
introduced to the other teachers and
know our duties"
"Are there other teachers7
Their blank faces confronted each
other. at would be a very small