The Argosy — page 54: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

44 Our First Term.at Oxford. nursed her, and must have caught it of her. A good son he was. They were well off once, sir, but the father just brought ’em to beggary; and Charley—he had a good education of his own—came down from London when his mother got ill, and looked out for something to do here that he might stay with her. At first he couldn’t find anything ; and when he was at a sore pinch, he took a. place at Christchurch college as scout’s helper. He had to pocket his pride: but there was Nanny as well as his mother.” ““T see.” “He'd been teacher in a school up in London, sir, by day, and in the evenings he used to help some young clergyman as scripture-reader to the poor in one of them crowded parishes we hear tell of: he was always one for trying to do what good he could. Naturally he’d be disheartened at falling to be a bed-maker in a college, and I’m afraid the work was too hard for him: but, as I say, he was a goodson. The mother settled in Oxford after her misfortunes.” ‘How is he supported now? And the little girl ?” “Tt’s not over much of a support,” said Mrs. Cann with disparage- ment. “Not for him, that’s a craving for meat and drink every hour. The eldest brother is in business in London, sir, and he sends them what they have. Perhaps he’s not able to do more.” It was not late. I thought I would, for once, pay Mrs. Everty a visit. A run of three minutes, and I was at her door. They were there—the usual set. Tod, and Richardson, and Lord Gaiton, and the two men from Magdalen, and —well, it’s no use enumerating—seven or eight in all. Richardson and another were quarrelling at écarté, four were at whist; Tod was sitting apart with Sophie Chalk. She was got up like a fairy at the play, in a cloud of thin white muslin ; her hair hanging around and sparkling with gold dust, and little gleams of gold ornaments shining about her. If ever Jaseph Todhetley had need to pray against falling into temptation, it was during the weeks of that unlucky term. ‘This is quite an honour, Johnny Ludlow,” said Madame Sophie, rising to meet me, her eyes sparkling with what might have been taken for the most hearty welcome. “It is not often you honour my poor little room, sir.” “Itis not often I can find the time for it, Mrs. Everty. Tod, I came in to see whether you were ready to go in.” He looked at his watch hastily, fearing it might be Jater than it was ; and answered curtly and coolly. “Ready P—no. Ihave not had my revenge yet at écarté.” Approaching the écarté table, he sat down. Mrs. Everty drew a chair behind Lord Gaiton, and looked over his hand. The days passed. I had two cares on my mind, and they bothered me, _ (C(O)