‘Poor old Verimisti, who came to town with me yesterday, isn’t up yet,’ Squiff informed us; ‘he was very tired last night, didn’t arrive at the ‘Knavesmire’ till 4.30 a.m., and then gave the cabby sixpence and expected him to be satisfied. I had to come down in jimmies, pay the cabby, and help him to disembark. When I looked him up this morning he was having his fourth Laager, and at the mere mention of ham he turned a rich yellow.’ ‘I gather, we’re all dining at the ‘Sphere’ at 7.30,’ I said, ‘we shall be the old crew plus Verimisti (if he’s well enough to come) and de Beresford. Is Fatty up?’ ‘No,’ answered Freddy, ‘Fatty’s got a wealthy uncle in town who insisted on seeing the Bodleian and James’ Gardens this afternoon; but he’s going to shunt the old man at five, and coming up ready dressed by the 5.50.’ ‘I shall go back and unpack after tea,’ I said, ‘where are the others staying?’ ‘We’re at the Knavesmire,’ replied Squiff, ‘but von Graussman, and the Pilot and Reggie are at the Haverstock, while de Beresford and Accrington are doing themselves proud at the Great Trafalgar.’ The Cabin was crowded, but after some time we got a table, but no chairs, so I leaned against the wall, while Freddy sat on Squiff’s knee. This seemed to cause some surprise, until we found ourselves obliged to give our only seat to a lady who was standing, and as we couldn’t sit on the floor we left hurriedly and tealess. Two shillings-worth all round at the American bar at the ‘Cri’ seemed to revive us wonderfully, and after this it was time to dress, so we hurried home to the Knavesmire. When we had finished we found Verimisti painfully dressing, assisted by the boots, and looking very yellow about the gills. ‘Oh! Freddy,’ he cried when he saw us, ‘I have my tongue so like sulphur, and have my twelfth laager just drunk, and still thirsty am I!’ We both laughed most unfeelingly, and after he had bathed his aching brow in cold water, led him gently downstairs, and, having packed ourselves into two hansoms, made for the Sphere, which we reached, according to our invariable custom, ten minutes late. We found the rest of the party already assembled in the big hall, and made our way to a table for ten which had been reserved for us. The whole family, especially von Graussman, were in a highly excitable state, and the stirring selections of cake-walks and musical comedies that were played by the band caused some of the parties who were dining in the room to perform most extraordinary antics. A popular Sousa march was accompanied by clapping of hands, while ‘Sammy’ was sung by the entire company. ‘Well! here’s confusion to the Examiners,’ said Freddy, as he drained his glass after the fish; and when Freddy begins drinking--confusion or otherwise--after the fish, I know what is likely to ensue. Freddy had also just been ploughed in Contracts. ‘To ’Ell mit dem,’ added von Graussman, who had missed Law Prelim. again.