Pen had another
Alma Mater now. But it is not all children who take to her kindly.
CHAPTER XIX
Pendennis of Boniface
Our friend Pen was not sorry when his Mentor took leave of the young
gentleman on the second day after the arrival of the pair in Oxbridge,
and we may be sure that the Major on his part was very glad to have
discharged his duty, and to have the duty over. More than three months of
precious time had that martyr of a Major given up to his nephew--Was ever
selfish man called upon to make a greater sacrifice? Do you know many men
or Majors who would do as much? A man will lay down his head, or peril
his life for his honour, but let us be shy how we ask him to give up his
ease or his heart's desire. Very few of us can bear that trial. Say,
worthy reader, if thou hast peradventure a beard, wouldst thou do as
much? I will not say that a woman will not. They are used to it: we take
care to accustom them to sacrifices but, my good sir, the amount of
self-denial which you have probably exerted through life, when put down
to your account elsewhere, will not probably swell the balance on the
credit side much.
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