The Professor asked to be introduced, whereupon says his mother, "I shall return the call, but make no visiting acquaintances." The "early-to-bed" plan was also impracticable.

It was not long before somebody came hammering at his "oak" just as he was getting to sleep, and next morning he told his mother that he really ought to have a glass of wine to give.

So she sent him a couple of bottles over, and that very night "Mr.Liddell and Mr.Gaisford" (junior) turned up.

"John was glad he had wine to offer, but they would not take any; they had come to see sketches.

John says Mr.Liddell looked at them with the eye of a judge and the delight of an artist, and swore they were the best sketches he had ever seen.