So William Wright had gone alone to the christening feast, and there
John Wesley had met him for the first time, and talked with him, and
afterwards walked home full of thought. For, in truth, Hetty's
husband had drunk more of John Lambert's wine than agreed with him,
and had asserted himself huskily, if not aggressively, under the cold
eye of Mr. Wesley senior. John, as godfather, had been called upon
for a speech, and his brother-in-law's "Hear, hear" had been so
vociferous that while his kinsfolk stole glances at one another as
who should say, "But what can one expect?" the Rector put out a hand
with grim mock apprehension and felt the leaded window casements.
"I'll mend all I break, and for nothing," shouted Mr. Wright
heartily: and amid a scandalised silence Charles exploded in merry
laughter, and saved the situation.
For a fortnight after his return to Oxford, college work absorbed all
John's leisure: but he found time as a matter of course to meet
Charles on his arrival at the Angel Inn, and took him straight off to
Christ Church to present him to the Senior Censor. Next day he
called to find his brother installed in Peckwater, on the topmost
floor, but in rooms very much more cheerful than the garret suggested
by Mr. Sherman. Charles, at any rate, was delighted with them and
his sticks of furniture, and elated--as thousands of undergraduates
have been before his day and since--at exchanging school for college
and qualified liberty and the dignity of housekeeping on one's own
account.
"_Est aliquid quocunque loco, quocunque recessu_," he quoted, and
showed John with triumph the window seat which, lifted, disclosed a
cupboard to contain his wine, if ever he should possess any.
"Are you proposing to become a wine-bibber in your enthusiasm?" asked
John.
Charles closed the lid, seated himself upon it, drew up his legs, and
gazed out across the quadrangle. He had made a friend or two already
among the freshmen, and this life seemed to him very good.
"My dear Jack, you would not have me be a saint all at once!"
John frowned. "You do not forget, I hope, in what hope you have been
helped to Christ Church?"
Charles sat nursing his knees. A small frown puckered his forehead,
but scarcely interfered with the good-tempered smile about his mouth.
"Others beside my father have helped or are willing to help.
See that letter?"--he nodded towards one lying open on the table--
"It is from Ireland. It has been lying in the porter's lodge for a
week, and my scout brought it up this morning."
John picked it up, smiling at his boyish air of importance. "Am I to
read it?"
Charles nodded, and while his brother read, gazed out of window.
The smile still played about his mouth, but queerly.
"It is a handsome offer," said John slowly, and laid the letter down.
"Have you taken any decision?"
"Father leaves it to me, as you know," Charles answered and paused,
musing. "I suppose, now, ninety-nine out of a hundred would jump at
it."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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