If you can't manage the leave, write a long letter home at all events.
And so, God bless you, and all success! Yours sincerely, W.Considine.
I had thought of writing you a long letter of advice for your new career; and, indeed, half accomplished one.

After all, however, I can tell you little that your own good sense will not teach you as you go on; and experience is ever better than precept.

I know of but one rule in life which admits of scarcely any exception, and having followed it upwards of sixty years, approve of it only the more: Never quarrel when you can help it; but meet any man,--your tailor, your hairdresser,--if he wishes to have you out.
W.C.
I had scarcely come to the end of this very characteristic epistle, when two more letters were placed upon my table.

One was from Sir George Dashwood, inviting me to dinner to meet some of my "brother officers." How my heart beat at the expression.

The other was a short note, marked "Private," from my late tutor, Dr.Mooney, saying, "that if I made a suitable apology to the bursar for the late affair at my room, he might probably be induced to abandon any further step; otherwise--" then followed innumerable threats about fine, penalties, expulsion, etc., that fell most harmlessly upon my ears.