in constant contact
with one who, not content with so living himself, is always
coming across them, and laying bare to them their own
faint-heartedness, and sloth, and meanness. The latter, no doubt,
inspires the deeper feeling, and lays hold with a firmer grip of
the men he does lay hold of, but they are few. For men can't
always keep up to high pressure till they have found firm ground
to build upon, altogether outside of themselves; and it is hard
to be thankful and fair to those who are showing us time after
time that our foothold is nothing but shifting sand.

The contrast between Jervis and Hardy now began to force itself
daily more and more on our hero's attention.

From the night of the town and gown row, "The Choughs" became a
regular haunt of the crew, who were taken there under the
guidance of Tom and Drysdale the next day. Not content with
calling there on his way from the boats, there was seldom an
evening now that Tom did not manage to drop in and spend an hour
there.

When one is very much bent on doing a thing, it is generally easy
enough to find very good reasons, or excuses at any rate, for it;
and whenever any doubts crossed Tom's mind, he silenced them by
the reflection that the time he spent at "The Choughs" would
otherwise have been devoted to wine parties or billiards; and it
was not difficult to persuade himself that his present occupation
was the more wholesome of the two. He could not, however, feel
satisfied till he had mentioned his change in life to Hardy. This
he found a much more embarrassing matter than he fancied it would
be. But, after one or two false starts, he managed to get out
that he had found the best glass of ale in Oxford, at a quiet
little public on the way to the boats, kept by the most perfect
of widows, with a factotum of an ostler, who was a regular
character, and that he went there most evenings for an hour or
so. Wouldn't Hardy come some night?

No, Hardy couldn't spare the time.

Tom felt rather relieved at this answer; but, nevertheless went
on to urge the excellence of the ale as a further inducement.

"I don't believe it's half so good as our college beer, and I'll
be bound it's half as dear again."

"Only a penny a pint dearer," said Tom, "that won't ruin
you,--all the crew go there."

"If I were the Captain," said Hardy, "I wouldn't let you run
about drinking ale at night after wine parties. Does he know
about it?"

"Yes, and goes there himself ofte