Part 16 (1/2)
Thus our fresh> the end of the ter enough for him to learn what Oxford life was like, and that there was in it a great deal to be copied, as well as sos to be shunned The freshness he had so freely shown on entering Oxford had gradually yielded as the ter the Brazenface boat all the way up frouine dreaallery of the theatre, he had taken part in the licensed saturnalia of the Commemoration, and had cheered for the ladies in pink and blue, and even given ”one more” for the very proctor who had so lately interfered with his liberties; and when he had gone to a farewell pass-party (which Charles Larkyns did ~not~ give), and had assisted in the other festivities that usually mark the end of the academical year, - Mr Verdant Green found himself to be possessed of a considerable acquisition of knowledge of a most urative eastern language of Mr Bouncer, ”he was sharpened up no end, by being well rubbed against university bricks So, good by, old feller!” said the little gentleinary
---Impositions are often performed by deputy
[120 ADVENTURES OF MR VERDANT GREEN]
individuals, ”and give my love to Sairey and the little uns” And Mr
Bouncer ”went the complete unicorn,” for the last ti a farewell solo to Verdant, which was of such an agonizing character of execution, that Huz, and Buz his brother, lifted up their noses and howled <vg120-1jpg>
”Which they're the very moral of Christyuns, sir!” observed Mrs
Tester, as dabbing her curtseys in thankfulness for the large amount hich our hero had ”tipped” her ”And has ears for rateful thanks to you, sir, for the saed I feel in my art Which it reelly were like whatAnd were took to the West Injies for a sojer Which he were - ugh! oh, oh! Which you be'old 120-2jpg> how I ah them doorin' the veecation
Without a havin' 'eoin' to your cupboard, sir For just three spots o' brandy on a luar, sir Is a suh!” Upon which Mrs Tester's grief and spasms so completely overcame her, that our hero presented her with an extra half-sovereign, ith to purchase the medicine that was so peculiarly adapted to her complaint Mr Robert Filcher was also ”tipped” in the same liberal manner; and our hero completed his first ter hi those who seemed disposed to join in this opinion was
[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 121]
the Jehu of the Warwickshi+re coach, who expressed his conviction to our delighted hero, that ”he wos a young gent as had much himproved hisself since he tooled hiuvnor” To fully deserve which high opinion, Mr Verdant Green tipped for the box-seat, sood for hi the coache” on the road
The carriage er encased in canvas, after the manner of females) was soon transferred to it; and aent our hero to the Manor Green, where he was received with the greatest deht
Restored to the bosom of his family, our hero was converted into a kind of domestic idol; while it was proposed by Miss Mary Green, seconded by Miss fanny, and carried by unanimous acclareatly enhanced his attractions
The opinion of the drawing-room was echoed fro heard freely to declare, that ”Oxford College had made quite a man of Master Verdant!”
As the little circurounded her encoinia Verdant, ither opinion of her nephew's improvement than were the rest of the fareat deal on the subject
[122 ADVENTURES OF MR VERDANT GREEN]
”Well, Verdant!” said Mr Green, after hearing divers anecdotes of his son's college-life, carefully prepared for home-consumption; ”now tell us what you've learnt in Oxford”
”Why,” replied our hero, as he reflected on his freshman's career, ”I have learnt to think forthat I hear; and I think I could fight my way in the world; and I can chaff a cad -”
”Chaff a cad! oh!” groaned Miss Virginia to herself, thinking it was so extremely dreadful
”And I have learnt to row - at least, not quite; but I can sar, you know I've learnt that”
”Oh, Verdant, you naughty boy!” said Mrs Green, with maternal fondness ”I was sadly afraid that Charles Larkyns would teach you all his wicked school habits!”
”Why,on a footstool at her brother's knee, and spoke up in defence of his college friend; ”why, entlemen smoke; and of course Mr Charles Larkyns and Verdant ht you s than that, did he not?”
”Oh, yes,” replied Verdant; ”he taught inia ”Infatuated young aff and sherry-cobbler, and brew bishop and egg-flip: oh, it's capital! I'll teach you how to ht!”