Outside the lecture-rooms nobody would speak to him.

Inside he found himself the solitary occupant of the bench he sat on--a position of comparative physical comfort, for the other seats were crowded, but not otherwise desirable.

A great English poet had just composed a poem, which a musician, no doubt equally eminent, had set to a noble tune.
It embodied an appeal for funds for purposes not clearly specified, and hazarded the experiment of rhyming 'cook's son' with 'Duke's son,' which in less fervent times might have provoked the criticism of the captious.
It became the fashion in college to chant this martial ode whenever Hyacinth was seen approaching.

It was thundered out by a choir who marched in step up and down his staircase.

Bars of it were softly hummed in his ear while he tried to note the important truths which the lecturers impressed upon their classes.