“I should have to come out first of all,” said he, “to get what would keep me at college. And even so, I’m not cut out for that sort of life.”
“If you mean living by your brains, I say you are.”
“Of course you say so. You’re always stuffing me up. But, apart from that, you know there are other reasons why I should not be likely to get on well at a university.”
I knew what his meaning was only too well.
“But what rubbish we are talking!” said he. “We’ve made up our minds I’m going to come out first, when it’s more likely all I shall do will be to scrape through with a pass, and not take honours at all.”
At this point Mr Smith looked in to wish Jack joy before he started, and greatly to my relief Billy entered at the same time.
The latter visitor was quite unexpected.
“Well, Billy, what’s up?” I inquired.
“Ga on! As if you didn’t know,” replied the grinning youth.
“I don’t know.”