Such elementary schools as North Carolina possessed had vanished in the war; the prevailing custom was for the better-conditioned families to join forces and engage a teacher for their assembled children.

It was in such a primary school in Cary that Page learned the elementary branches, though his mother herself taught him to read and write.

The boy showed such aptitude in his studies that his mother began to hope, though in no aggressive fashion, that he might some day become a Methodist clergyman; she had given him his middle name, "Hines," in honour of her favourite preacher--a kinsman.

At the age of twelve Page was transferred to the Bingham School, then located at Mcbane.

This was the Eton of North Carolina, from both a social and an educational standpoint.