Time had wrought changes with both. My master had secured the scholarship for which he had worked so hard during his first year's residence, and no longer inhabited the "Mouse-trap." His present quarters were the rooms immediately above those in which he was at this moment sitting, and it is hardly necessary to say that the two friends were constantly in one another's society. George, though still retaining much of his shyness, had made many acquaintances at his college, but Jim was his only friend. The two had their meals together, attended lectures together, worked together, and, though a greater contrast in all respects could hardly have been possible, were fairly inseparable.

At the present moment they were both working hard for the grand Tripos examination which was to close their college career. Every one said George would stand high in this, and Jim (since he had taken to hard reading) was expected to pa.s.s too, though how, none of his friends cared to prophesy.

They were working hard on the evening in question, when Jim, suddenly shutting up his books and pushing back his chair, exclaimed,--

"Old man, you're overdoing it!"

George looked up from his work, surprised at the interruption. Alas!

his pale face and sunken eyes testified only too forcibly to his friend's protest. I, who knew him best, and saw him at all times, had watched with grief the steady and persistent undermining of his health, at no times robust, and dreaded to think what might be the result of this protracted strain on his const.i.tution.

"I tell you, you're overdoing it, old man, and you must pull up!"

"Suppose we talk of that afterwards," said George.

"Not at all," retorted the dogged Jim; "just shut up your books, Reader, and listen to me."

"I'll listen to you, Jim, but don't make me shut up my books. What have you got to say?"

"Just this; you're doing too much. I can see it. Everybody can see it.

Do you think I can't see your eyes and your cheeks? Do you think I can't hear you blowing like--"

"Really--" began George.

"Listen to me!" went on Jim--"blowing like an old broken-winded horse?

Yes, you may laugh, but I mean it. Do you think I don't know you've never been out of doors ten minutes that you could help for six months?

and that you have even given up the organ?"

"That's true," groaned George, leaning back in his chair.

"Of course it's true, and it's equally true that you'll smash up altogether if this goes on much longer. Then what will be the use of all your achievements? What will be the good of them to your father and mother, for instance, when you are knocked up?"

"I _must_ work up to the Tripos now," pleaded George, "it's only a fortnight."

"My dear fellow, how you talk! As if you weren't certain of a first cla.s.s even if you were not to look at another book between now and then."

"I'm not at all certain," said George, anxiously.

"Yes you are, and if you hadn't worked yourself into an unhealthy, morbid state you would know it. No, old fellow, we've never quarrelled yet, and don't let us begin."

"Certainly not. Why should we?"

"We shall if I don't get my way. Now tell me, what time did you go to bed last night?"

"Three, I believe."

"No, it wasn't, it was four, for I heard you over head; and the night before it was three; and the night before that, if I mistake not, you didn't go to bed at all. Eh?"

George smiled, but said nothing.

"Well," said Jim, putting down his foot, "this must be stopped. You may work till ten every night, but then you _must_ go to bed, or you and I will fall out."

Jim looked so grave as he said this that George was bound to take it in the earnest way in which it was meant. A long argument ensued. George pleaded, Jim bullied, and at last my master was obliged to promise to give over work at twelve every night for the next fortnight. But more he would not promise. No persuasions could tempt him out of doors for more than a hurried five minutes' walk, or induce him to yield to the fascinations of the organ. As the days went on, too, he grew more and more despondent about his own chances, and implored more than once to be released from his promise. But Jim was inflexible, and held him grimly to his engagement.

"You're certain to be among the first three," he said, over and over again, "and if you'll only give yourself two days' rest you may be first."

"Yes, of the third cla.s.s," mournfully replied my master. "I tell you what, Jim, it isn't fair to bind me down to a promise I made almost under compulsion, and for fear of making you angry."

"It's quite fair, and you would make me angry if you didn't stick to it.

Why, my dear fellow, has it ever occurred to you I'm in for the same Tripos as you, and I'm not behaving as ridiculously as you?"

"You are safe to be in the second cla.s.s," said George.

"I wish I were as safe of a second as you are of a first; but I wouldn't kill myself to be senior cla.s.sic."

"You forget how important it is for me to take a good place."

"It is far more important to retain your health."

"Think what a difference it would make at home if I got a fellowship."

"What a difference it would make if you had to go to a hospital."

"What a pity, when I have the chance, not to use it."

"What a pity, when you have the chance, to throw it away by knocking yourself up."

"Surely four days can't make any difference."

"Then why not stop work now and take a rest?"

It was plain to see these two would never agree, and so the time went on until the date of the examination arrived.

The night before the two friends met in George's room. George was in low spirits, nervous and fretful. It was plain to see his friend's protest had come too late to be of much use, for he had grown more and more worn every day; and the additional hours spent in bed had only been a source of worry and vexation. Jim, on the other hand, was doing his best to keep up, not his own spirits only, but those of his friend. His chances of a second cla.s.s were as momentous to him (though he would not admit it) as his friend's of a first, and he too was experiencing, though in a less degree, that heart-sinking which so often characterises the eve of an examination.

"You are not going to work to-night?" said he to my master.

"I think I must," said George, wearily, and putting his hand to his forehead.

"It can't be any earthly good now," said Jim, "so let's forget all about it for a bit and talk of something else."

Forget all about it! George smiled in a melancholy way at the words; but nevertheless he was not well enough to contest the point. "And by the way," added Jim, cheerily, "I've got a letter from Newcome (you remember Newcome, George, the man who played for Sandhurst against us two years ago) I think you'll like to hear."

There was one in the room, whether George liked it or not, who was dying to hear it!

"He's just gone out to India, you know, to join his regiment."

"Here's his letter," he said, producing it and nervously glancing at George to see if he appeared interested. "Shall I read it?"

"Yes, please," said George, slowly.