Halting, accidentally in a row, before this spot they looked at it with interest. Suddenly the Professor stepped in front of the others, and, pointing to the knoll, said, with twinkling eyes—
“What does it suggest? Come, dux (to Slingsby, who happened to stand at the head of the line), tell me, sir, what does it suggest?”
“I know, sir!” exclaimed the Captain, who stood at the dunce’s extremity of the line, holding out his fist with true schoolboy eagerness.
“It suggests,” said the artist, rolling his eyes, “‘a thing of beauty;’ and—”
“Next!” interrupted the Professor, pointing to Lawrence.
“I know, sir,” shouted the Captain.
“Hold your tongue, sir!”
“Ay, ay, sir.”
“It is suggestive,” said Lawrence, “of an oasis in the desert.”
“Very poor, sir,” said the Professor, severely. “Next.”