مدرسه‌ی آقای استلینگ

CHAPTER THREE

Mr Stelling’s School

In August 1828, Tom went to live at Mr Stelling’s school. Tom was lonely and unhappy. The work was very difficult.

The school was at King’s Lorton. It was many miles from St Ogg’s. Tom did not go back to Dorlcote Mill until December.

Tom went back to the mill for the Christmas holiday. He spoke to his father.

‘Why must I learn Latin’ Tom asked. ‘I hate Latin! My Uncle Deane is a rich businessman. He did not learn Latin.’

‘You must learn Latin, Tom,’ Mr Tulliver said. ‘Then you can learn about the law. Our neighbour wants to take water from the River Floss. He wants the water for his land. But I need the water for the mill.’

‘There will be a law suit,’ Mr Tulliver said. ‘Our neighbour is wrong. We will fight our neighbour in the law court. You must learn about the law, Tom. Then you can help me in the law of court.’

‘Lawyer Wakem will speak for our neighbour,’ Mr Tulliver said. ‘He will speak in the law court. Wakem is a very bad man. I hate him!’

‘Mr Wakem’s son, Philip, will go to Mr Stelling’s school,’ said Tom. ‘He is going to study with Mr Stelling too. He will be at the school after Christmas.’

‘Philip Wakem is a thin, weak boy,’ Mr Tulliver said. ‘He is clever. But you are as clever as him.’

So, after Christmas, Tom went back to Mr Stelling’s school. When Tom arrived, a boy with a sad face was standing in the library. The boy was thin and he had a twisted back. He was two years older than Tom.

‘Hello,’ said the boy. ‘I’m Philip Wakem.’

‘I’m Tom Tulliver,’ Tom replied.