Tom Brown at Oxford

that he was contracting hi

of womanly tenderness and Berserker rage, alternating like storms and sunshine of a July day on a high moorland, his keen sense of humor and appreciation of all the good things of life, t

est gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of on

he following is recommended as a test in the case of any man about whom you are not quite sure; especially if he sh

sovereign, and your last leg of mutton? If you wouldn't do this you have no right to call him by the sacred name of friend. If you would, the odds are that he would do the same by you, and you may count yourself a rich man. For, probably were friendship expressible by, or convertible into, current coin of the realm, one such friend would be worth to a man, at least 100,000L. How many millionaires are there in Engla

g things in his gift, and his powers of procuring enjoyment of one kind or another to miserable body or intellect-why, such a friendship as that is to be appraised easily enough, if you find it worth your whi

He was not bound hand and foot and carried away capt

sing away on the hob. "Ah," thought Tom, "he expects me, I see;" so he turned his back to the fire and made himself at home. A quarter of an hour passed, and still Hardy did not return. "Never knew him out so long before at this time of night," thought Tom. "Perhaps he's at some party. I hope so. It would do him a good deal of good;

actly which ought to be added to Hardy to make him an unexceptional object of hero-worship; when the man himself came suddenl

llow, what's the matter?" he said;

, abruptly; and then began to smok

watching for him, and t

matter, Hardy; you look dr

ors as to the duties of their position; not pleasant, perhaps, for a youngster to swallow; but I

Tom. "I'm sure I am very sorry

What do you think of that fellow Chanter's offering Smith, the junior servitor, a bo

ght to be cut. He will be cut, won't he? You don

fellow came here after hall to ask me w

be horsewhipped

l on Smith directl

t party, and just gave him his choice between writing an abject apology then and there to my dictation, or having the whole business laid before

een horsewhipped too. It makes one's fingers itc

'all right.' Probably the boy's self-respect is hurt for life.

isn't so bad as

it is; one or two things of this sort-and I've seen many more than tha

did you ever know a bribe

paused a minute, and then went on; "I tell you, if it were not for my dear old father, who would break his heart over

gh?" said Tom, gently, for he felt

his life in his hand all over the world wherever he is sent, or he has to leave the service. Service!-yes, that's the word; that's what makes every young red-coat respectable, though he mayn't think it. He is serving his Queen, his country-the devil, too, perhaps-very likely-but still the other is some sort. He is

began striding up and down the room, his right arm behind his back, the hand gripping his left elbow, his left hand brought round in front close to his body, and holding the bowl of his pipe, from which he was blowing off clouds in puffs like an engine just starti

ds of the business, and spending their time in looking after those who don't want looking after, and cramming those who would be better without the cramming, or else standing by, cap in hand, and shouting, 'Oh young men of large fortune and great connexions! You future dispensers of the good things of this Realm, come to our colleges and all shall be made pleasant!' and the shout is taken up by undergraduates, and tradesmen, and horse-dealers, and cricket-

a sledge-hammer, and crash went glass and crockery behind. Tom jumped to his feet, in doubt whether an assault on him would not follow, but the fit was over, and Hardy looked round at him with a rueful and deprecating face. For a moment Tom tried to look solemn and heroic, as befitted the occasion; but somehow, the sudden contrast flashed upon him, and sent him off, before he coul

ld think you must find it an expensive amusement.

m naturally a man of

uld have something softer put up for me if I were you; your bolst

ere," he went on, as the state of affairs inside disclosed itself to his view; "how many times have I told that thief George never to put an

see," said Tom, holding up the broken article; "and,

der; "I had a lot of odd saucers, and there's enough left to last my

he had done before, and even thought he might venture on a little mild expostulation or

dress to the Vice-Chancellor, Doctors, &c. in 1636-more critical times, perhaps, even than ours? No? Well, listen then;" and he went to his bookcase, took down a book, and read; "'The very truth is, that all wise princes respect the welfare of their estates, and consider that schools and universities are (as in a body) the noble and vi

ue," said

a right to be jealo

an ought

asonable," said Tom, who had no mind to be d

ered," said Hardy, "a

ast set up here. They can't h

I suppose. But do you mean to say you ever heard of a more dirty, blackguar

e of them, you know. I don't believe there's

eing rich. But, now, I don't want you to think me a violent one-sided fanatic; shall

"I should like n