"--_deprives me of the hope that you can possibly have found time to glance through my poor works. Yet, believe me, even I have had my little circle. I, too, have walked in the groves of the Academy with my cluster of disciples, striving to contribute my mite to the sum-total of our knowledge._ "Now we might come to the point, I think-- "_But my course is run; my torch extinguished. Two years ago I was attacked by paralysis of the lower limbs_-- "Always say 'lower limbs' when talking to a lady, Philip-- "--_lower limbs, followed by general prostration of the entire system. I am now sufficiently recovered to don my armour once more; but alas! my occupation is gone. My Fellowship expired six months ago, and has not been renewed. My pupils are dispersed to the corners of the earth. Entirely without private means, I have migrated to London, where I am endeavouring to eke out an existence in a populous but inexpensive quarter of the town--the existence of a retired scholar and gentleman, save the mark!--_ "That's a good touch, Philip! "_--by clerical work._ "No, don't put that. She will think clerical means something to do with the Church. Say 'secretarial' instead-- "_Have you any typing you could give me to do? I hate asking, and I know that you know I hate asking; but there is a subconscious, subliminal bond, subjective and objective,--_ "I don't know what that means, but it sounds splendid-- "_--that links together all brothers of the pen; and I venture to hope that in appealing to you, of all our great brotherhood, I shall not appeal in vain._ "We had better wind up with a classical quotation of some kind," concluded Uncle Joseph. "She will expect it from a Don with paralytic legs, I fancy. Reach me down that Juvenal, Philip. I have a notion. Yes, here we are:-- "_Possibly you may ask, and ask with justice, why the University has done nothing for me. I did make an appeal to the authorities; but--well, a man hates to have to appeal twice for a thing that should by rights be granted without appeal at all; and I desisted. The University is rich and respectable; I am worn-out and shabby. What could I do?_ _Plurima sunt quæ Non homines audent pertusa dicere læna._ "Get that down right, Philip. She may take it to some educated person to get it translated." "What does it mean, Uncle Joseph?" asked Philip, carefully copying out the tag. "It means, roughly, that a man with patches on his trousers cannot afford to ask for much. Now to wind up:--