What can you do? A fatal question. But
here was clearly no opportunity for mental
debate. So, summoning all his courage, but
feeling nevertheless very faint, he answered:

"I have passed both examen artium and
philosophicum,[2] and got my laud clear in the former,
but in the latter haud on the first point."


[2] Examen artium is the entrance examination to the Norwegian
University, and philosophicum the first degree. The ranks given at
these are Laudabilis prae ceteris (in student's parlance, prae),
laudabilis or laud, haud illaudabilis, or haud, etc.



Mr. Van Kirk wheeled round on his chair and
faced the speaker:

"That is all Greek to me," he said, in a severe
tone. "Can you keep accounts?"

"No. I am afraid not."

Keeping accounts was not deemed a classical
accomplishment in Norway. It was only "trade-
rats" who troubled themselves about such gross
things, and if our Norseman had not been too