Part 10 (2/2)

You should have lived when I was young. There was old Dr. Troughton of Nun's Hall, he carried his snuff loose in his pocket; and old Mrs.

Vice-Princ.i.p.al Daffy used to lay a train along her arm, and fire it with her nose. Doctors of medicine took it as a preservative against infection, and doctors of divinity against drowsiness in church.”

”They take wine against infection now,” said Mr. Reding; ”it's a much surer protective.”

”Wine?” cried Mr. Malcolm; ”oh, they didn't take less wine then, as you and I know. On certain solemn occasions they made a point of getting drunk, the whole college, from the Vice-Princ.i.p.al or Sub-Warden down to the scouts. Heads of houses were kept in order by their wives; but I a.s.sure you the jolly G.o.d came _very_ near Mr. Vice-Chancellor himself.

There was old Dr. St.u.r.dy of St. Michael's, a great martinet in his time.

One day the King pa.s.sed through Oxford; St.u.r.dy, a tall, upright, iron-faced man, had to meet him in procession at Magdalen Bridge, and walked down with his pokers before him, gold and silver, vergers, c.o.c.ked hats, and the rest. There wasn't one of them that wasn't in liquor.

Think of the good old man's horror, Majesty in the distance, and his own people swaying to and fro under his very nose, and promising to leave him for the gutter before the march was ended.”

”No one can get tipsy with snuff, I grant,” said Mr. Reding; ”but if wine has done some men harm it has done others a deal of good.”

”Hair-powder is as bad as snuff,” said Mary, preferring the former subject; ”there's old Mr. Butler of Cooling, his wig is so large and full of powder that when he nods his head I am sure to sneeze.”

”Ah, but all these are accidents, young lady,” said Mr. Malcolm, put out by this block to the conversation, and running off somewhat testily in another direction; ”accidents after all. Old people are always the same; so are young. Each age has its own fas.h.i.+on: if Mr. Butler wore no wig, still there would be something about him odd and strange to young eyes.

Charles, don't you be an old bachelor. No one cares for old people.

Marry, my dear boy; look out betimes for a virtuous young woman, who will make you an attentive wife.”

Charles slightly coloured, and his sister laughed as if there was some understanding between them.

Mr. Malcolm continued: ”Don't wait till you want some one to buy flannel for your rheumatism or gout; marry betimes.”

”You will let me take my degree first, sir?” said Charles.

”Certainly, take your M.A.'s if you will; but don't become an old Fellow. Don't wait till forty; people make the strangest mistakes.”

”Dear Charles will make a kind and affectionate husband, I am sure,”

said his mother, ”when the time comes; and come it will, though not just yet. Yes, my dear boy,” she added, nodding at him, ”you will not be able to escape your destiny, when it comes.”

”Charles, you must know,” said Mr. Reding to his guest, ”is romantic in his notions just now. I believe it is that he thinks no one good enough for him. Oh, my dear Charlie, don't let me pain you, I meant nothing serious; but somehow he has not hit it off very well with some young ladies here, who expected more attention than he cared to give.”

”I am sure,” said Mary, ”Charles is most attentive whenever there is occasion, and always has his eyes about him to do a service; only he's a bad hand at small-talk.”

”All will come in time, my dear,” said his mother; ”a good son makes a good husband.”

”And a very loving papa,” said Mr. Malcolm.

”Oh, spare me, sir,” said poor Charles; ”how have I deserved this?”

”Well,” proceeded Mr. Malcolm, ”and young ladies ought to marry betimes too.”

”Come, Mary, _your_ turn is coming,” cried Charles; and taking his sister's hand, he threw up the sash, and escaped with her into the garden.

They crossed the lawn, and took refuge in a shrubbery. ”How strange it is!” said Mary, as they strolled along the winding walk; ”we used to like Mr. Malcolm so, as children; but now--I like him _still_, but he is not the same.”

”We are older,” said her brother; ”different things take us now.”

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