And, besides, he enjoyed those lessons.

The only thing to do was to stay at home in the evenings and keep his nose in his books.

Tom didn't have much trouble, he reflected, and why should he?
Sometimes he got thoroughly angry with Tom for the ease with which that youth mastered lessons! To make matters worse, just at that time, there was due the last of the week an original composition in French, designed by Mr.Daley as a test for the class.

French did not bother Steve much, although this was partly due to the fact that Mr.Daley had been very lenient with him, knowing that he was having trouble in the classical courses.

But writing an original composition in French was a feat that filled Steve with dismay.