conomy,
to support himself during his college career. Most other young fellows
would have shrunk from the prospect, but such was my master's ambition
that I believe he would have endured life in a stable if only he could
have there enjoyed the advantages and encouragements of a college
course.

It was, at any rate, a fine sight to see him settle down in his new
dispiriting quarters, determined to make the best of everything, and
suffer nothing to damp his ardour for work. He unpacked his few
precious books and laid them on the shelf; he hung up the likenesses of
his father and mother over the chimney-piece; he produced the cheese
which the latter had insisted on his bringing with him, and, as a
crowning-effect, set me up on the mantel-shelf with as much pride as if
I had been a marble clock.

"That looks something like!" he said to himself. "Now for a little tea,
and then--grind!"

The little tea, however, was "sooner said than done." It involved a
prolonged hunt for the "gyp," or attendant, and a still more prolonged
conference on the subject of hot water, tea, and bread. The suggestions
thrown out by the college official, too, were so very lordly and
extravagant--such, for instance, as ham and eggs, chicken, marmalade,
and chocolate--that poor George's heart fluttered as much as his mouth
watered while he listened. Chicken and chocolate for a poor student who
had barely enough money to afford so much as the luxury of living in the
"Mouse-trap" of Saint George's! Well he might be scared at the idea!
He politely declined the grand offer of his scout, and asking him to
light a small fire and procure him a loaf, sallied out himself into the
town and purchased a small and very cheap quantity of groceries. With
these he returned in triumph to his rooms, and, with the utmost
satisfaction, partook of his first college meal, with a Euclid open on
the table beside him.

Then pouring out a final cup of tea to enjoy, cold, later on, he
"cleared the decks for action," as he called it, which meant putting
away the tea, butter, sugar, and bread in a cupboard, and folding up the
table cloth. Poor George! he had no false pride to forbid such menial
offices; he had not the brag about him which would have led another to
stand on the staircase and howl "Gyp" till every one far and near should
be made aware that he had had a meal which required clearing away. No;
he was only a gamekeeper's son, in a hurry to get at his book