“I am unable to comprehend the nature of your language, sir,” said the Rev. Thomas Tozer angrily, thinking it was an impudent undergraduate.  “I don’t understand you, sir; but I desire at once to know your name and college.”

Mr. Bouncer, however, succeeded in explaining matters to the proctor, who then congratulated the Pet on having displayed pugilistic powers worthy of the Xystics of the noblest days of Ancient Rome.  Both the Pet and the undergraduates wondered what a Xystic was, but instead of inquiring further into the matter, they went to the Roebuck, where, after a supper of grilled bones and welsh-rabbits, Mr. Verdant Green gave, “by particular request,” his now celebrated song, “The Mar-arble Halls.”

The forehead of the singer was decorated with a patch of brown paper, from which arose a strong smell of vinegar.  But he was not ashamed of it; indeed, he wore it all the next day, and was sorry when he had to take it off—­for was it not, in a way, a badge of courage?

From this time Mr. Verdant Green began to despise mere reading-men who never went in for sports.  He resolved at once to go in for them all.  He took to rowing, and was rescued from a watery grave by Mr. Bouncer.  Then, defeated but undaunted, he took to riding, and was thrown off.  But what did it matter?  Before the term ended, he grew more accustomed to the management of Oxford tubs and Oxford hacks.

It is true that the unfeeling man who reported the Torpid races for “Bell’s Life” had the unkindness to state in cold print; “Worcester succeeded in making the bump at the Cherwell, in consequence of No. 3 of the Brazenface boat suffering from fatigue.”  And on the copy of the journal sent to Mrs. Green of Manor Green, her son sadly drew a pencil line under “No. 3,” and wrote:  “This was me.”  But both Mrs. Green and Miss Virginia Green were more than consoled when their beloved boy returned home about midsummer with a slip of paper on which was written and printed: 

GREEN, VERDANT, E. Coll.  AEn.  Fac.  Quiaestionibus Magistrorum Scholarum in Parviso pro forma respondit.

Ita testamur (GULIELMUS SMITH. 
(ROBERTUS JONES.

In other words, Mr. Verdant Green had got through his Smalls.  But, sad to say, poor Mr. Bouncer had been plucked.

Mr. Verdant Green smiled to himself.  It was the sheerest bit of good luck that he had managed to get through.  Still, he had learned more at Oxford than was taught in books—­he had learned to be a manly fellow in spite of his gig-lamps.

* * * * *

CHARLOTTE BRONTE

Jane Eyre

      Charlotte Bronte was born at Thornton, Yorkshire, England, on
     the 21st of April, 1816, of Irish and Cornish stock.  By reason
     of her father’s manner of living, she was utterly deprived of
     all companions of her own age.  She therefore lived in a little