_The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ I believe you, my young friend. But a man fights best when he has a good basis of old English fare to stand on, against all opposing forces, whether of body or mind. Come and see me. And whatever happens in this world, never let it spoil your dinner. _Harry Hedgerow._ That's father's advice, sir. But it won't always do. When he lost mother, that spoiled his dinner for many a day. He has never been the same man since, though he bears up as well as he can. But if I could take Miss Dorothy home to him, I'm sure that would all but make him young again. And if he had a little Harry dandle next Christmas, wouldn't he give him the first spoonful out of the marrow-bone! _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ I doubt if that would be good food for little Harry, notwithstanding it was Hector's way of feeding Astyanax.{1} But we may postpone the discussion of his diet till he makes his appearance. In the meantime, live in hope; but live on beef and ale. The doctor again shook him heartily by the hand, an Harry took his leave. [Illustration: Live in hope; but live on beef and ale 294-252] The doctor walked on, soliloquising as usual. 'This young man's father has lost a good wife, and has never been the same man since. If he had had a bad wife, he would have felt it as a happy release. This life has strange compensations. It helps to show the truth of Juvenal's remark, that the gods alone know what is good for us.{2} 1 Il. xxii. vv. 500, 501. 2 Juvenal: Sut. x. v. 346.