‘If we want to see the Eights we must move on,’ I interrupted hastily, as I saw Reggie beginning to give utterance to some home-truth, and Reggie’s home-truths are the most unpleasant that I know. Fortunately Blitherington assented, and so we all punted down to the barge together. The races were most exciting to all but Cecil’s, who rowed over hopelessly, being behind the bump of James’ and Llewellyn’s. It was decided not to watch the first division, as Blithers had arranged to drive a large party out in a coach to sup at Woodstock and return by moonlight. The supper in The Lion was an enormous success, and it is not wonderful that on the return journey there was a great scramble for the inside of the coach, the four places being eventually secured by Freddy, Muriel, Reggie, and Sybil Accrington. As to what occurred I am unable to make any definite statement, though Reggie insists that Freddy kissed him by mistake in the dark, and this Freddy denies, like Peter, ‘with an oath’; however from the silence inside I gathered that they were all enjoying themselves. Outside Maisie and I, Blithers, Farmborough, the Pilot, Miss MacNeill and de Beresford sang comic songs with ever-increasing vigour, while the Bugg, who had come as general chaperon, rhapsodised into the unheeding ears of the Pilot, who had, as he afterwards admitted, fallen asleep through weariness. The next day was devoted to an inspection of the various colleges, monuments, and points of interest, with tea afterwards in different rooms, ‘a regular field-day for the Bugg,’ as Freddy aptly remarked. On being questioned later as to what she had seen, she mixed up the Martyrs’ Memorial with St. Peter’s-in-the-East, and stated at dinner that she considered the Sheldonian ‘such an ornament to the Parks.’ In the evening Freddy and I conveyed the Famille Blitherington to the O.U.D.S. performance in Gloucester Gardens, in which Fatty sustained a prominent part very creditably, and Cobson did wonderful quick changes as ‘2nd Lord, serving man, knight, soldier, citizen, and apprentice.’ Blitherington afterwards remarked to him, ‘My dear old native, if you went on at the Pav. in town as Ratsini, the quick-change man, you’d make your fortune, and probably marry some light of the variety stage into the bargain. Try it!’ This _al fresco_ entertainment was over earlier than such affairs usually are, and so soon after ten o’clock we left the Dowager and her suite at the Granville and returned to our digs. As we ascended the stairs we heard peels of laughter coming from the room, and Reggie’s raucous voice enquiring, ‘Do you open’? ‘Lord, yes,’ said a lady’s voice, ‘I’ll let you in for twopence.’ A cheery poker party was gathered round the table, consisting of Reggie, the Pilot, de Beresford, Accrington, and a very smart little lady whose face was unknown to us.