[39] First-floor: the floor above the ground-floor,—the second story.
[40] Burgess: a citizen or voter in a town.
[41] Van: a large light-covered wagon.
[42] Nor: than.
[43] Regulator: the name of the rival coach.
[44] Half: the half year.
[45] Arter: after.
[46] Pig and Whistle: as Oxford lies on the direct road between Rugby and White Horse Vale, Tom would naturally return by this coach.
[47] Pea-shooters: tin tubes used by boys for blowing peas at a mark.
[48] First-day boys: probably those that went up at the beginning of the term.