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 pass 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 constitution.

"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! A