My father was out, but we five between us had a few words of English by this time.

We knew the word school.

We understood.

This child, who had never seen us till yesterday, who could not pronounce our names, who was not much better dressed than we, was able to offer us the freedom of the schools of Boston! No application made, no questions asked, no examinations, rulings, exclusions; no machinations, no fees.

The doors stood open for every one of us.