All that week was really spent in "getting settled," and there did not seem to be more than a day or so of it.
Saturday came around again somewhere in the place commonly taken by Wednesday, and surprised them all.
They had all been busy enough, but Dick Lee had never in all his life found so little spare time on his hands.
"It's no use, Cap'n Dab," he remarked on Friday: "we can't eat up all de corn I've shelled, not if we has johnnycake from now till nex' summer." Dab was looking a little thoughtful at that moment.
"Ford," he said slowly, "has she missed a day yet ?" "A corn day?
No." "Or a meal ?" "No, I said I'd cut a notch on my slate first time she did, and it's all smooth yet." He held it up as he spoke; and Frank remarked,-- "Yes, smooth enough on that side; but you've nicked it all down on the other, end to end.

What's that for ?" "That?
Oh! that's quite another thing.

I'm keeping tally of Joe and Fuz.
Every time one of 'em asks a question about our boarding-house, or Mrs.
Myers, or Almira, or' little Dr.Brandegee, I nick it down.

Got to quit pretty soon, or buy another slate." "They've kind o' kept away from us," said Dab.

"They're in only one of my classes, but they're in three of yours." "Ain't in any ob mine," said Dick; "but Dr.Brandegee says he'll promote me soon." Dick's tongue always began to work better, the moment he mentioned the academy-principal.
"I don't mind their keeping away from us," said Frank.
"Nor I," said Ford.
At that moment they reached their own gate, and Dick darted forward in response to an imaginary call from Mrs.Myers.
Ford went on,-- "They can keep away all they please, but they won't do it long.