This sobriquet, let me explain, was applied to Professor Fordham in no unkind or depreciatory spirit by his classes. Originally intended as a play upon his Christian name, it grew into popular esteem as descriptive of their pride in his manly carriage and knightly demeanor. The quintette at the window watched him with interest and admiration now, as he strode along the gravelled avenue leading to the Presidents' house.
"He would march up to the cannon's mouth in the same style," commented the chief speaker. "Did you ever see better shoulders?"
"Did you ever see a better man?" interrogated the fifth of the group—a grave senior, who had not spoken before.
And to the honor of the watchers, as of the watched, be it recorded that a hearty acquiescence in his verdict followed the question.
The goodly man found abundant favor, likewise in Mrs. Baxter's eyes, as she invited him to enter her abode.
"'Will you walk into my parlor?'
Said the spider to the fly."
Sang one of the graceless rascals in the dormitory, as a commentary upon the, to them, dumb show.
It was to Fordham anything but dumb. Mrs. Baxter was excruciatingly voluble in excusing herself for "what you must, I am certain, regard as an unparalleled liberty, my dear Professor!" she continued, when he was seated.
"I am gratefully at your service whenever you can make use of me, madam," was the reply, which was more sincere than professions of the kind usually are.
Mrs. Baxter's genuine love for her young cousin, and her numberless acts of neighborly kindness, had greatly endeared her to Jessie's husband. Her peculiarities of manner and phraseology weighed nothing with him when compared with her sound principles and generous heart.