I must have my eye in all corners of the hall at once, and do my own work by snatches, as I can." "Can you make them attend to you ?" "Why, yes, pretty well, when it comes to the point--'will you, or will you not ?' Cheviot is a great help, too, and has all the weight of being the eldest fellow amongst us." "But still you find it harder work than learning?
You had rather have to master the dead language than the live tongues ?" "A pretty deal," said Norman; then added, "One knows what to be at with the dead, better than with the living; they don't make parties against one.

I don't wonder at it.

It was very hard on some of those great fellows to have me set before them, but I do not think it is fair to visit it by putting up the little boys to all sorts of mischief." "Shameful!" said the doctor warmly; "but never mind, Norman, keep your temper, and do your own duty, and you are man enough to put down such petty spite." "I hope I shall manage rightly," said Norman; "but I shall be glad if I can get the Randall and get away to Oxford; school is not what it used to be, and if you don't think me too young--" "No, I don't; certainly not.

Trouble has made a man of you, Norman, and you are fitter to be with men than boys.

In the meantime, if you can be patient with these fellows, you'll be of great use where you are.