Everybody talked at once and there was a perfect maze of conversation, but through the current of news and youthful chatter, it was finally arranged that they were to drink tea at the lodgings of the young men that very afternoon and perhaps later go canoeing on the river.
“We are all students at Magdalen College and we have rooms together in the jolliest old place you ever saw,” announced Timothy.
“But how did it happen that you became so educational all of a sudden?” demanded Elinor. “I thought you were to be a musician, Edward?” she added turning to the English cousin.
Edward’s face became very red.
“So did I until my grandmother granted her permission, and then I decided it would be more fun to go to college with Edward and Timothy.”
“And I thought you were to be an engineer, Timothy?” said Billie.
“It’s this enterprising American Edward who’s done it all,” answered Timothy. “We couldn’t bear to be separated from him, English Eddie and I couldn’t, so that’s why we entered this seat of wisdom and learning. But it is a great experience. I’m not sorry for the work I had to do to get in.”
“And here we are at the most beautiful college in Oxford,” continued the American Edward proudly. “I had a tough pull, too, and studied day and night, but I’m here and it’s great.”
He led the way up that famous High Street which Hawthorne said was the noblest old street in England, turned to the left and finally conducted them through a gateway into the beautiful Quadrangle of St. Mary Magdalen College. They climbed the Magdalen Tower where at five in the morning on every first day of May the choir still sings a Latin hymn. From the summit of this ancient tower they saw the lovely little river, the verdant banks of which were dotted with students.
“And now, let us lead you gently to the tea table,” said Timothy.