"But you know, Larkyns," observed Mr. Smalls, "that was nothing to my
case, when I got laid up with elephantiasis on the biceps of the
lungs, and had a fur coat in my stomach!"

"Dear me!" said Verdant sympathizingly; "and was that also through
too much study?"

"Why, of course!" replied Mr. Smalls; "it couldn't have been anything
else - from the symptoms, you know! But then the sweets of learning
surpass the bitters. Talk of the pleasures of the dead languages,
indeed! why, how many jolly nights have you and I, Larkyns, passed
'down among the dead men!' "

Charles Larkyns had just been looking over the letter which


[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 65]

Verdant had brought him, and said, "The governor writes that you'd
like me to put you up to the ways of the place, because they are
fresh to you, and you are fresh (ahem! very!) to them. Now, I am
going to wine with Smalls to-night, to meet a few nice, quiet,
hard-working men (eh, Smalls?), and I daresay Smalls will do the
civil, and ask you also."

"Certainly!" said Mr. Smalls, who saw a prospect of amusement,
"delighted, I assure you! I hope to see you - after Hall,
you know, - but I hope you don't object to a very quiet party?"