It was the violent efflux
of versification, among other symptoms, which gave Pen's guardian and
physician satisfaction. He might be heard spouting verses in the
shrubbery walks, or muttering them between his teeth as he sat with the
home party of evenings. One day prowling about the house in Pen's
absence, the Major found a great book full of verses in the lad's study.
They were in English, and in Latin; quotations from the classic authors
were given in the scholastic manner in the foot-notes. He can't be very
bad, wisely thought the Pall-Mall Philosopher: and he made Pen's mother
remark (not, perhaps, without a secret feeling of disappointment, for she
loved romance like other soft women), that the young gentleman during the
last fortnight came home quite hungry to dinner at night, and also showed
a very decent appetite at the breakfast-table in the morning. "Gad, I
wish I could," said the Major, thinking ruefully of his dinner pills.
"The boy begins to sleep well, depend upon that." It was cruel, but it
was true.
Having no other soul to confide in--for he could not speak to his mother
of his loves and disappointments--his uncle treated them in a scornful
and worldly tone, which, though carefully guarded and polite, yet jarred
greatly on the feelings of Mr.
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