"How late you are!" was Frank's salutation; "just because I want to have a talk with you."
"Upon the old theme," said William, with a smile. "Oxford or Cambridge?"
"I say, William, if you are going to throw cold water upon it——But it won't put a damper upon me," broke off Frank, gaily.
"I would rather throw hot water on it than cold, Frank."
"Look here, William. I am growing up to be a man, and I can't bear the idea of living longer upon my mother. At my age I ought to be helping her. I am no nearer the University than I was years ago; and if I cannot get there, all my labour and my learning will be thrown away."
"Not thrown away," said William.
"Thrown away as far as my views are concerned. I must go to the Bar, or go to nothing—aut Cæsar, aut nullus. To the University I will go; and I see nothing for it but to do so as a servitor. I shan't care a fig for the ridicule of those who get there by a golden road. There's Lacon going to Christchurch at Easter, a gentleman commoner; Parr goes to Cambridge, to old Trinity."
"They are the sons of rich men."
"I am not envying them. We have not faced the difficulties of our position so long, and made the best of them, for me to begin envying others now. Wall's nephew goes up at Easter——"
"Oh, does he?" interrupted William. "I thought he could not manage it."