"Well, you see I am pretty well up in the Imigliner books; what I have
got to rub up is my Divinity and my Logic--especially my Logic. Will you
grind Logic with me? Say 'Yes,' for I know you will keep your word."

"It is too good an offer to refuse, Hardie; but now I look at you, you
are excited: wonderfully excited: within the race, eh? Now,
just--you--wait--quietly--till next week, and then, if you are so soft as
to ask me in cool blood----"

"Wait a week?" cried the impetuous youth. "No, not a minute. It is
settled. There, we cram Logic together next term."

And he shook Edward's hand again with glistening eyes and an emotion that
was quite unintelligible to Edward; but not to the quick, sensitive
spirits, who sat but fifteen yards off.

"You really must excuse me just now," said Edward, and ran to the
carriage, and put out both hands to the fair occupants. They kissed him
eagerly, with little tender sighs; and it cost them no slight effort not
to cry publicly over "the beloved," "the victorious," "the ploughed."

Young Hardie stood petrified. What? These ladies Dodd's sisters. Why, one
of them had called the other mamma. Good heavens! all his talk in their
hearing had been of Dodd; and Kennet and he between them had let out the
very thing he wanted to conceal, especially from Dodd's relations. He
gazed at them, and turned hot to the very forehead. Then, not knowing
what to do or say, and being after all but a clever boy, not a cool,
"never unready" man of the world, he slipped away, blushing. Kennet
followed, goggling.