“Come in,” said the Professor. “Ah, Ned! is it you?” This to a graceful boy of twenty, who entered the room.
“Yes, it is Ned,” said the boy; “and he particularly wishes to see you for a few minutes.”
“Every moment is precious,” said the Professor, “until my lecture is in order. What is the matter? Are you in trouble?”
“Yes,” said Ned, “I am in trouble.”
“Then let me read to you,” said the Professor, “the concluding paragraph of my lecture on Domestic Arts.”
“Oh, don’t!” said Ned; “I really am in trouble.”
“Are you the insulter or the insulted, this time?” asked the Professor.
“Neither,” said Ned, shortly; “and I’m not in trouble on my own account.”
“Ah!” said the Professor; “then you have got into some difficulty in your explorations in low life; or you have spent more than your income; or it’s the perpetual Tom.”