"You shock our guest from Paris, sir."
The prize English essayist was hardly allowed to recite the first paragraph of his production.
"Very nice."
"But a great bore."
"It's not as good as mine."
"That'll do, sir."
"The Vice-Chancellor is gaping, sir."
"Three cheers for the lady who jilted the Senior Proctor!"
Under the storm of enthusiasm evoked by this happy suggestion, the English essayist gave place to the Greek poet, a rosy-cheeked stripling who stood his ground barely two minutes.
"Aren't you very young, my dear?"