and dresses carried more unmistakably the marks of
that thorough quiet high breeding, that refinement which is
no mere surface polish, and that fearless unconsciousness
which looks out from pure hearts, which are still, thank
God, to be found in so many homes of the English gentry.

The Long Walk was filling rapidly, and at every half-dozen paces
Tom was greeted by some of his friends or acquaintance, and
exchanged a word or two with them. But he allowed them one after
another to pass by without effecting any introduction.

"You seem to have a great many acquaintances," said his
companion, upon whom none of these salutations were lost.

"Yes, of course; one gets to know a great many men up here."

"It must be very pleasant. But does it not interfere a great deal
with your reading?"

"No; because one meets them at lectures, and in hall and chapel.
Besides," he added in a sudden fit of honesty, "it is my first
year. One doesn't read much in one's first year. It is a much
harder thing than people think to take to reading, except just
before an examination."

"But your great friend who is walking with Katie--what did you
say his name is?"

"Hardy."

"Well, he is a great scholar, didn't you say?"

"Yes, he has just taken a first class. He is the best man of his
year."

"How proud you must be of him! I suppose, now, he is a great
reader?"

"Yes, he is great at everything. He is nearly the best oar in our
boat. By the way, you will come to the procession of boats
to-morrow night? We are the head boat on the river."

"Oh, I hope so. Is it a pretty sight? Let us ask Katie about it."

"It is the finest sight in the world," said Tom, who had never
seen it; "twenty-four eight oars with their flags flying, and all
the crews in uniform. You see the barges over there, moored along
the side of the river? You will sit on one of them as we pass."

"Yes, I think I do," said Mary, looking across the meadow in the
direction in which he pointed; "you mean those great gilded
things. But I don't see the river."

"Shall we walk round there. It won't take up ten minutes."

"But we must not leave the Walk and all the people. It is so
amusing here."

"Then you will wear our colors at the procession to-morrow?"

"Yes, if Katie doesn't mind. At least if they are pretty. What
are your colors?"

"Blue and white. I will get you some ribbons to-morrow morning."

"Very well, and I will make them up into rosettes."

"Why, do