the hour of two
The two boys ran swiftly down the stairway -LRB- their room was on the third floor of the dormitory -RRB- and soon were on the street which was directly in front of the building . As they walked rapidly in the direction of the station , which was a half-mile or more distant from the college buildings , the sight which greeted their eyes was one that stirred the very depths of their hearts . The very buildings themselves were impressive , some old and antiquated , dating back a century or more and venerable with age , and others new and beautiful , the recent gifts of some loyal alumni . From the huge clock in the tower of the chapel rang out the chimes which announced that the hour of two was come and gone . The beautifully kept grounds , the stately buildings , the very leaves on the huge elms that grew about the grounds were all impressive at the time to the boys to whom the entire picture was new . In the wide street that led directly through the midst of the college buildings , were passing young men of their own age , some of whom would suddenly stop and grasp with fervor the hands of some students just returned from the long summer vacation . From the windows of the dormitories could be seen the faces of students who were leaning far out and shouting their words of greeting to friends on the street below .