Talbot Baines Reed

“ It cannot be helped; why make yourself miserable? Only, you would give worlds to have the thing all over. Such at least were the sensations which stirred in the breasts of Oliver Greenfield and Horace Wraysford as they sat somewhat dejectedly over their books in Oliver’s study that Saturday afternoon. ”

“ You’ve no occasion to flurry yourself; we wouldn’t have hurt a hair on the young gentleman’s head. Ask Mr. Loman.”
“Where’s Loman?” demanded Oliver.
“Gone,” said Stephen. “But I say, Noll, do come away. I’ll tell you all about it. Do come.”
Cripps laughed. “Don’t you swallow all that young swell tells you. He’s a nice boy, he is, but—well, he’d better mind what he says, that’s all!”
“Do come away!” once more entreated Stephen.
“Yes, do come away,” laughed Cripps, mimicking the boy’s tones. ”

“ You cannot get up in a day what it would take you a fortnight to go through. And it is not much good, now you are sure it is useless, to go over again what you have done. You begin to feel a sort of despair, which becomes, as the hours close in, positively reckless. ”

“ I’m game, and it can’t make much difference.”
“I suppose Loman is grinding up to the last?”
“I suppose so; I was almost in hopes he wouldn’t keep it up.”
“Never mind, it will all be over on Monday; that’s a comfort! Come along, old man. Suppose we get young Stee to cox us up to the lock and back.”
Hue and cry was forthwith made for Stephen, but he was not to be found. He was out, Paul said; at the post, or somewhere.
“Oh, all right; you can come and cox us yourself, youngster,” said Wraysford.
“Cox you!” exclaimed Paul; “why, ain’t the Nightingale exam. coming on, then, on Monday?” ”

“ He, with his friend, Padger, and a few other irreconcilables, were just returning from a rat-catching expedition, and the sight of the Fifth Form heroes in boating costume filled them with joy.
“Hullo—my eye—hurrah!” shouted Bramble, taking in the situation in a moment. “There they go! I hope they get drowned ”