exchange, turns again and rends me, like an animal frequently mentioned
in Scripture; but, _nota bene,_ never once with approbation."

And the afflicted Rhetorician attempted a diabolical grin, but failed
signally; and groaned instead.

"Is this your answer to the university, sir?

At this query, delivered in a somewhat threatening tone, the invalid sat
up all in a moment, like a poked lion. "Oh, if Badham o' Wadham thinks to
crush me _auctoritate sua et totius universitatis,_ Badham o' Wadham may
just tell the whole university to go and be d----d, from the Chancellor
down to the junior cook at Skimmery Hall, with my compliments."

Ill-conditioned brute!" muttered Badham of Wadham. "Serve you right if
the university were to chuck you into the Thames." And with this comment
they left him to his ill temper. One remained; sat quietly down a little
way off, struck a sweetly aromatic lucifer, and blew a noisome cloud; but
the only one which betokens calm.

As for Hardie, he held his aching head over his knees, absorbed in pain,
and quite unconscious that sacred pity was poisoning the air beside him,
and two pair of dovelike eyes resting on him with womanly concern.

Mrs. Dodd and Julia had heard the greatest part of this colloquy. They
had terribly quick ears and nothing better to do with them just then.
Indeed, their interest was excited.

Julia went so far as to put her salts into Mrs. Dodd's hand with a little
earnest look. But Mrs. Dodd did not act upon the hint. She had learned