Miss Tabitha looked doubtful and hesitated an instant before she replied, "George Watson comes from Wyoming, I think, John."
"So he does," assented the doctor, gravely; "but measured in a straight line, my dear, California is slightly farther than Wyoming."
"Is it?" asked Miss Tabitha, untroubled. "I never could remember where those western States are."
"You remember many more important things, however. My sister, boys, fancied that she detected a certain resemblance between you, and even surmised that you might be--er--twins. Doubtless she's mistaken."
"No, sir," answered Ned, more than a trace of surprise in his voice. "I mean, we are twins, sir."
"Why, now that's interesting! Looking closer--" the doctor leaned forward and craned his head--"I believe I detect a certain slight similarity myself!"
There was a perceptible twinkle behind the glasses and Laurie dared a laugh, in which the doctor and Ned joined, while Miss Tabitha murmured: "Well! I should think you _might_!"
"I hope you are both going to like the school," continued the doctor. "Of course, you'll find our ways a little different, but we'll try to make you feel at home. You are the first representatives of your State who have attended our school, and I trust that both in conduct and industry you will bring honor to it. Mr. Cornish, your hall master, will advise you in all matters pertaining to your studies, Other questions may be taken to Mr. Cummins, the school secretary, whom you have doubtless already met. But I want you always to feel at perfect liberty to come to me at any time on any matter at all. And," added the doctor, with a twinkle, "if we fail you, there is still my sister, who, I assure you, possesses more wisdom than all of us."
Miss Tabitha acknowledged the compliment with a little wry smile, and Ned and Laurie arose.
"Luncheon is served at one in West Hall," continued the doctor. "That's the dormitory behind you there. Beginning with supper to-night, you will take your meals in your own hall, but only a few of the students have arrived as yet, and so only one dining-room is open. I'm very glad to have met you, young gentlemen. Mr. Cummins will direct you to your room. Good morning."
Five minutes later, the Turner twins set their suitcases down on the floor of Number 16 East Hall and looked about them. Number 16 was not palatial as to size, but it was big enough to hold comfortably the two single beds, the study-table, the two narrow chiffoniers, and the four chairs that made up its furnishing. There was a generous-sized closet at each side of the door, and two windows set close together between the beds. Under the windows was a wide seat, lacking only pillows to make it inviting. From the casements the boys looked over or through the topmost branches of the maples that lined Washington Street and followed Summit Street as it continued its ascent of the hill and presently leveled out between a thick wood on one side and an open field on the other.