"And how old may Oxford be?" asked a young voice.
"It was founded by Alfred the Great, 'way back in the ninth century, 872," came in the firm, assured voice of the Fairy Prince.
"And Cambridge?" asked some one else.
"In 1257," came the quick reply.
"And you go in the Belle Virgeen?"
"In the Belle Virgeen, most surely."
"What will be the whole course?" was the next question.
"Five years if I finish. Affairs may be such as to prevent my finishing."
"Oh! Ah! Indeed!" cried a voice of mock surprise. "Five years to fit a lad, who already hath somewhat in his noddle, to do a man's work?"
"And but twenty-one will I be then," answered the Fairy Prince. "Youth is the time for study."