“But I have been examined,” Mr. Pucker kept on saying dejectedly.  “I have been examined, and they rejected me.”

“I think it was an ’oax, sir,” said Filcher.

“A what!” stammered Mr. Pucker.

“A ’oax—­a sell,” said the scout.  “Those two gents has been ’aving a little game with you, sir.  They often does it with fresh parties like you, sir, that seem fresh and hinnocent like.”

Mr. Pucker was immensely relieved at this news, and at once went to Mr. Slowcoach, who, after an examination of twenty minutes, passed him.  But Filcher was alarmed at the joyful way in which he rushed out of the tutor’s room.

“You didn’t tell ’im about the ’oax, sir, did yer?” asked the scout anxiously.

“Not a word,” said the radiant Mr. Pucker.

“Then you’re a trump, sir!” said Filcher.  “And Mr. Verdant Green’s compliments to yer, sir, and will you come up to his rooms and take a glass of wine with him, sir?”

It need hardly be said that the blushing Mr. Pucker passed a very pleasant evening with his new friends, and that Mr. Verdant Green was very proud of having got so far out of the freshman’s stage of existence as to take part in one of the most successful hoaxes in the history of Oxford.

III.—­Town and Gown

Mr. Verdant Green, Mr. Charles Larkyns, and a throng of their acquaintances were sitting in Mr. Bouncer’s rooms, on the evening of November 5, when a knock at the oak was heard; and as Mr. Bouncer roared out, “Come in!” the knocker entered.  Opening the door, and striking into an attitude, he exclaimed in a theatrical tone and manner: 

“Scene, Mr. Bouncer’s rooms in Brazenface; in the centre a table, at which a party are drinking log-juice, and smoking cabbage leaves.  Door, left, third entrance.  Enter the Putney Pet.  Slow music; lights half down.”

Even Mr. Verdant Green did not require to be told the profession of the Putney Pet.  His thick-set frame, his hard-featured, battered, hang-dog face proclaimed him a prize-fighter.

“Now for a toast, gentlemen,” said Mr. Bouncer.  “May the Gown give the Town a jolly good hiding!”

This was received with great applause, and the Putney Pet was dressed out in a gown and mortar-board, and the whole party then sallied out to battle.  From time immemorial it has been the custom at Oxford for the town-people and the scholars to engage, at least once a year, in a wild scrimmage, and the pitched battle was now due.  No doubt it was not quite fair for the men of Brazenface to bring the Putney Pet up from London for the occasion; but for some years Gown had been defeated by Town, and they were resolved to have their revenge.

When Mr. Bouncer’s party turned the corner of Saint Mary’s, they found that the Town, as usual, had taken the initiative, and in a dense body had swept the High Street and driven all the gownsmen before them.  A small knot of ’varsity men were manfully struggling against superior numbers by St. Mary’s Hall.