In London he was still a very
young man; but at Oxford he was held to be one who, from his three
years' life in town, had become well versed in the world's ways. He
was much in the habit of coming to Oxford, and when there usually
spent a good deal of his time with George Bertram.

And so Wilkinson walked forth into the street arm and arm with his
cousin. It was a grievous trial to him; but he had a feeling within
him that the sooner the sorrow was encountered the sooner it would
be over. They turned into the High Street, and as they went they met
crowds of men who knew them both. Of course it was to be expected
that Bertram's friends should congratulate him. But this was not the
worst; some of them were so ill advised as to condole with Wilkinson.

"Get it over at once," whispered Bertram to him, "and then it will be
over, now and for ever."

And then they arrived at Parker's, and there found all those whom
Bertram had named, and many others. Mr. Parker was, it is believed,
a pastrycook by trade; but he very commonly dabbled in more piquant
luxuries than jam tarts or Bath buns. Men who knew what was what, and
who were willing to pay--or to promise to pay--for their knowledge,
were in the habit of breakfasting there, and lunching. Now a
breakfast or a lunch at Parker's generally meant champagne.

Harcourt was seated on the table when they got into the back room,
and the other men were standing.

"Sound the timbrels, beat the drums;
See the conqu'ring hero comes,"

he sung out as Bertram entered the room. "Make way for the
double-first--the hero of the age, gentlemen! I am told that they
mean to put up an alabaster statue to him in the Common Room at
Trinity. However, I will vote for nothing more expensive than
marble."

"Make it in pie-crust," said Bertram, "and let Parker be the artist."

"Yes; and we'll celebrate the installation with champagne and _pate
de foie gras_," said Twisleton.

"And afterwards devour the object of our idolatry, to show how
short-lived is the fame for which we work so hard," said Madden.

"I should be delighted at such tokens of your regard, gentlemen.
Harcourt, you haven't seen Wilkinson."

Harcourt turned round and shook hands warmly with his other friend.
"Upon my word, I did not see you, Master Wilkinson. You have such a
habit of hiding yourself under a bushel that one always misses you.
Well; so the great day is over, and the great deed done. It's a bore
out of