"Is not this the College?" "Yes to be sure. The best College in London. Quick, let me see the dog." "I have no dog, sir. I have made some mistake." "Then you have got a pony. Pet over-fed. Shetland breed." "No indeed. Nothing except myself; and I am looking for Miss Ross." "Young lady, you have made a very great mistake. You have kept me five minutes from a lecture on the navicular disease. And my practice is controverted by an upstart youth from the country. I am in search of authorities." And off he darted, I suppose to the library. It was clear that I had made some mistake, so I found my way back to the street, and asked in the nearest shop what building it was that I had just left. "Oh, them’s the weterans," said the woman, "and a precious set they be!" "Why, they did not look like soldiers." "No, no, Miss. Weterans, where they takes in all the sick horses and dogs. And very clever they are, I have heard say." "And where is the College where the young ladies are?" "I don’t know of no other College nearer than High Street, where the boys wear flat caps. But there’s a girls’ school down the road." "I don’t want a school. I want a College where young ladies go." "Then I cant help you, Miss." And back I went to consult Mrs. Shelfer. "Bless my soul, Miss Valence," cried the little woman, out of breath with amazement, "have you been among them niggers? It’s a mercy they didn’t skin and stuff you. What do you think now they did to my old Tom?" "How can I guess, Mrs. Shelfer?" "No, no, to be sure not. I forgot, my good friend. Why, they knowed him well it seems, because he had been there in dear Miss Minto’s time, for a salmon bone that had got crossways in his oesop, so they said at least, but they are the biggest liars--so only a year ago come next Boxing-day, here comes to the door half a dozen of them, bus-cad and coachman all in one, all looking as grave as judges. When I went to the door they all pulled their hats off, as if I had been the Queen at the very least. ’What can I do for you, my good friends?’ says I; for Shelfer was out of the way, and catch me letting them in for all their politeness. No, no, thank you. ’Mrs. Shelfer,’ says the biggest of them, a lantern-jawed young fellow with covers over his pockets, ’Mrs. Shelfer, you are possessed of a most remarkable cat. An animal, ma’am, of unparalleled cemetery and organic dewelopment. Our Professor, ma’am, is delivering a course of lectures on the Canonical Heapatightness of the Hirumbillycuss." "Well done, Mrs. Shelfer! What a memory you must have!"