"England has not that brilliant variety of colour," said Tenby.
"But there is something so soothing in green."
"You know, of course, Mr. Reding," said the tutor, "that there is plenty of green in Italy, and in winter even more than in England; only there are other colours too."
"But I can't help fancying," said Charles, "that that mixture of colours takes off from it the repose of English scenery."
"The repose, for instance," said Tenby, "of Binsey Common, or Port Meadow in winter."
"Say in summer," said Reding; "if you choose place, I will choose time. I think the University goes down just when Oxford begins to be most beautiful. The walks and meadows are so fragrant and bright now, the hay half carried, and the short new grass appearing."
"Reding ought to live here all through the Long," said Tenby: "does any one live through the Vacation, sir, in Oxford?"
"Do you mean they die before the end of it, Mr. Tenby?" asked Vincent. "It can't be denied," he continued, "that many, like Mr. Reding, think it a most pleasant time. I am fond of Oxford; but it is not my habitat out of term-time."
"Well, I think I should like to make it so," said Charles, "but, I suppose, undergraduates are not allowed."
Mr. Vincent answered with more than necessary gravity, "No;" it rested with the Principal; but he conceived that he would not consent to it. Vincent added that certainly there were parties who remained in Oxford through the Long Vacation. It was said mysteriously.