The kettle sang away merrily on the hob of the snuggery, for, notwithstanding the time of year, they lighted a fire, throwing both the windows wide open at the same time; the heaps of books and papers were pushed away to the other end of the table, and the great solitary engraving of King's College Chapel over the mantelpiece looked less stiff than usual, as they settled themselves down in the twilight to the serious drinking of tea.
After some talk on the match, and other indifferent subjects, the conversation came naturally back to Tom's approaching departure, over which he began again to make his moan.
"Well, we shall all miss you quite as much as you will miss us," said the master.

"You are the Nestor of the School now, are you not ?" "Yes, ever since East left," answered Tom.

"By-the-bye, have you heard from him ?" "Yes, I had a letter in February, just before he started for India to join his regiment." "He will make a capital officer." "Ay, won't he!" said Tom, brightening.

"No fellow could handle boys better, and I suppose soldiers are very like boys.

And he'll never tell them to go where he won't go himself.