When men have left off playing the tune, they do not care much for the pipe: but Pen thought he had a great friendship for Smirke, because he could sigh out his loves and griefs into his tutor's ears; and Smirke had his own reasons for always being ready at the lad's call.
Pen's affection gushed out in a multitude of sonnets to the friend of his heart, as he styled the Curate, which the other received with great sympathy.

He plied Smirke with Latin Sapphics and Alcaics.

The love-songs multiplied under his fluent pen; and Smirke declared and believed that they were beautiful.

On the other hand, Pen expressed a boundless gratitude to think that Heaven should have sent him such a friend at such a moment.

He presented his tutor with his best-bound books, and his gold guard-chain, and wanted him to take his double-barrelled gun.