Do you remember you are studying law, sir?--that your Scots law
trials are coming on, sir?--that every moment of your time just
now is worth hours at another time?--and have you leisure to go
to Noble House, sir?--and to throw your books behind you for so
many hours?--Had it been a turn in the meadows, or even a game at
golf--but Noble House, sir!'

'I went so far with Darsie Latimer, sir, to see him begin his
journey.'

'Darsie Latimer?' he replied in a softened tone--'Humph!--Well,
I do not blame you for being kind to Darsie Latimer; but it would
have done as much good if you had walked with him as far as the
toll-bar, and then made your farewells--it would have saved
horse-hire--and your reckoning, too, at dinner.'

'Latimer paid that, sir,' I replied, thinking to soften the
matter; but I had much better have left it unspoken.

'The reckoning, sir!' replied my father. 'And did you sponge
upon any man for a reckoning? Sir, no man should enter the door
of a public-house without paying his lawing.'

'I admit the general rule, sir,' I replied; 'but this was a
parting-cup between Darsie and me; and I should conceive it fell
under the exception of DOCH AN DORROCH.'

'You think yourself a wit,' said my father, with as near an
approach to a smile as ever he permits to gild the solemnity of
his features; 'but I reckon you did not eat your dinner standing,