he said, with the most ostentatious air and bombastic confidence. Two or three of the company could not refrain from laughing at his airs, not to say his blunders.
“What are you laughing at?” inquired Sidney, in his independent tone, and as though he was highly insulted.
“I beg your pardon, Sidney, but I think they were smiling at a mistake or two which you have made in that Latin quotation,” said Arthur, quietly.
“Mistake, indeed! I have made no mistake,” said Sidney, in an angry tone.
“I think you have,” observed Arthur, modestly.
“Show me, then, if you can. I guess that is out of your power,” said Sidney, more excited.
“Don’t be excited, my friend,” said Arthur; “I think I can give the line correctly.”
Arthur quoted the line as it occurs in the book. The difference appeared to Sidney; but he would make no acknowledgment. Nor would he give up the exhibition of his academic learning. He thought he would be a match for Arthur and the young gentlemen who seemed to ridicule what he knew they could not mend, so he made another attempt.
“Which of you,” he inquired, “can tell me in what part of Horace the following line occurs:—
‘Amor improbe non quid pectora mortalia cogis’?”