Read Online The Initiation by Ridley Pearson - Free Book Online

reading my homework assignments and writing papers.”
    â€œYou see? Not so difficult.” He sized up James. “Why Baskerville?”
    â€œExcuse me, Headmaster?”
    â€œYour aspirations? What do you hope to get from your time here? How will you be different ongraduation day from the young man you are now?”
    James had no clue what an aspiration was. It sounded like something bad, maybe something to do with breathing. “I hadn’t really—” James caught himself again. Talking to the headmaster was a steep learning curve. “I suppose I want to be smarter. Get into a good college.”
    â€œWas it your idea to attend Baskerville?” the man asked bluntly.
    â€œWell, no, not exactly.” James hung his head. “I’m kind of a city guy, Headmaster. My father . . . Baskerville . . .”
    â€œThe legacy issue.”
    â€œYeah, something like that.”
    Crudgeon took a deep breath of either consideration or restraint. “Our heritage, our history is everything, James. It shapes who and what we are. What we are to become. Acceptance is a hurdle hard to fly over gracefully. Most of us prefer to smash into the hurdles several times before allowing ourselves the strength of will to carry us over. It may become difficult for you. For your sake, I hope not. I encourage you to make the best of your situation here at Baskerville. Will I put you in detention, suspend, expel you if I need to? Absolutely. You will get no special treatment from me or the other teachers or coaches. None. But, at the same time,you and your sister are family here. Your name means a great deal here at Baskerville, and I’m sure your father would join me in encouraging you to keep that in mind at all times. Heavy a burden as that may be, it is also a badge of honor. It’s your choice how you deal with it.”
    â€œYes, sir. Headmaster, sir.”
    â€œI will ask you this only once. Did you have anything to do with the disappearance of your family Bible?”
    â€œWhat? Me? No, sir! I didn’t know we had a family Bible, Headmaster. Much less one here at Baskerville.”
    â€œVery well. Unless you have any questions I may answer, we’re done here. You may leave.”
    â€œThere is one question I have,” James said, standing.
    â€œSpeak.”
    â€œMy roommate, Headmaster. Do we . . . ? Is there . . . ?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThe whole year?” James asked, exasperated.
    â€œThe terms are seventeen weeks, separated by vacation. During a student’s first term there is no opportunity to change roommates. From then on, rooming situations can be applied for every eight weeks, every half semester, both by room andresidents. Seniority is given precedence in every such decision. Mrs. Furman can answer that kind of question for you.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œI would have thought Mr. Holmes would suit you.”
    James wondered how the man could possibly know the name of his roommate. Perhaps, he thought, it was contained in some of the paperwork on his desk. He hoped so.
    â€œNo. I mean, he’s okay, I guess. Just a little—”
    â€œBritish.”
    â€œThere is that, but he’s—”
    â€œMr. Holmes was my personal choice for you, James. I rarely am involved in the selection of roommates, but in your case—”
    â€œI thought you weren’t going to treat me special.”
    The headmaster’s eyes flared.
    â€œBe careful, young man. You’re on thin ice.”
    James recalled Mrs. Furman’s warning about being too casual.
    â€œI’m sorry for interrupting.”
    â€œI believe we’re done here.” Head down, unpleasant.
    â€œI’m sorry, Headmaster.”
    â€œYou can see your own way out. I trust you willmake every effort to enjoy the academy, James. I trust you will come to think of us as a home away from home.”
    â€œYes, sir. Thank you, sir.” James made for