Page:Life's little ironies (1894).pdf/63

“Mind you work in the morning. What time do you get up ?”

The younger replied: “ Half-past five.”

"Half-past four is not a minute too soon this time of the year. There is no time like the morning for construing. I don’t know why, but when I feel even too dreary to read a novel I can translate—there is something mechanical about it, I euppose. Now, Cornelius, you are rather behindhand, and have some heavy reading before you if you mean to get out of this next Christmas,”

“I am afraid I have.”

“We must soon sound the bishop. I am sure you will get a title without difficulty when he has heard all. The subdean, the principal of my college, says that the best plan will be for you to come there when his lordship is present at an examination, and he'll get you a personal interview with him. Mind you make a good impression upon him. I found in my case that that was everything, and doctrine almost nothing. You'll do for a deacon, Corney, if not for a priest,”

The younger remained thoughtful. “Have you heard from Rosa lately ?” he asked; “I had a letter this morning.”

“Yes. The little minx writes rather too often. She is homesick — though Brussels must be an attractive place enough. But she must make the most of her time over there. I thought a year would be enough for her, after that high-class school at Sandbourne; but I have decided to give her two, and make a good job of it, expensive as the establishment is,”

Their two rather harsh faces had softened directly they began to speak of their sister, whom they loved more ambitiously than they loved themselves.

“But where is the money to come from, Joshua?”

“I have already got it.” He looked round, and