What is your scout's name?" And when he had been told it, he turned
to Mr. Filcher and asked him, "What the doose he meant by not waiting
on his master?" which, with the addition of a few gratuitous threats,
had the effect of bringing that gentleman to his master's side, and
reducing Mr. Verdant Green to a state of mind in which gratitude to
his companion and a desire to beg his scout's pardon were confusedly
blended. Not seeing any dishes upon the table to select from, he
referred to the list, and fell back on the standard roast beef.

"I am sure I am very much obliged to you," said Verdant, turning to
his friendly neighbour. "My rooms are next to yours, and I had the
pleasure of being driven by you on the coach the other day."


[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 53]

"Oh!" said Mr. Fosbrooke, for it was he; "ah, I remember you now! I
suppose the old bird was your governor. ~He~ seemed to think it
any thing but a pleasure, being driven by Four-in-hand Fosbrooke."

"Why, pap - my father - is rather nervous on a coach," replied
Verdant: "he was bringing me to college for the first time." "Then
you are the man that has just come into Smalls' old rooms? Oh, I
see. Don't you ever drink with your dinner? If you don't holler for
your rascal, he'll never half wait upon you. Always bully them well
at first, and then they learn manners."

So, by way of commencing the bullying system without loss of time,
our hero called out very fiercely "Robert!" and then, as Mr. Filcher
glided to his side, he timidly dropped his tone into a mild "Glass of