so; well, then, mustn't it be right for you to
have? You wouldn't have it put under your nose, I suppose, just
for you to smell at, and let it alone?"

"Yes, I know all that. I've been over it often enough, and
there's truth in it. But, mind you, it's rather slippery ground,
especially for a freshman; and there's a good deal to be said on
the other side--I mean, for denying oneself just for the sake of
the self denial."

"Well, they don't deny themselves the pleasure of looking at a
fellow as if he were a Turk, because he likes St. Paul's better
than Westminster Abbey."

"How that snubbing you got at the Ecclesiological wine party
seems to wrankle.--There now! don't bristle up like a hedgehog.
I'll never mention that unfortunate wine again. I saw the eight
come in to-day. You were keeping much better time, but there is a
weak place or two forward."

"Yes," said Tom, delighted to change the subject, "I find it
awfully hard to pull up to Jervis's stroke. Do you think I shall
ever get to it?"

"Of course you will. Why you have only been pulling behind him a
dozen times or so, and his is the most trying stroke on the
river. You quicken a little on it; but I didn't mean you. Two and
five are the blots in the boat."

"You think so?" said Tom, much relieved. "So does Miller, I can
see. It's so provoking--Drysdale is to pull two in the races next
term, and Blake seven, and then Diogenes will go to five. He's
obliged to pull seven now, because Blake won't come down this
term; no more will Drysdale. They say there will be plenty of
time after Easter."

"It's a great pity," said Hardy.

"Isn't it," said Tom; "and it makes Miller so savage. He walks
into us all as if it were our faults. Do you think he's a good
coxswain?"

"First rate on most points, but rather too sharp tongued. You
can't get a man's best out of him without a little praise."

"Yes, that's just it, he puts one's back up," said Tom. "But the
Captain is a splendid fellow, isn't he?"

"Yes, but a little too easy, at least with men like Blake and
Drysdale. He ought to make them train, or turn them out."

"But who could he get? There's nobody else. If you would pull,
now--why shouldn't you? I'm sure it would make us all right."

"I don't subscribe to the club." said Hardy; "I wish I had, for I
should have liked to have pulled with you, and behind Jervis this
year."

"Do let me tell the Captain," said Tom, "I'm sure he'd manage it
somehow."

"I'm