"I know the boys will be quiet until you return." "If they don't," replied Finigan, "the alternative is in no shape enigmatical.

Mark what I've already said, gintlemen.

Sparable, do you keep a faithful journal of the delinquents; and observe that there are offices of importance in this world besides flagellating erudition into reptiles like you." He then looked about him with an air of vast importance, and joined Hycy on his way to the public-house.

Having ordered in the worthy pedagogue's favorite beverage, not forgetting something of the same kind for himself, he addressed Finigan as follows:-- "Finigan, I received a devilish queer letter from you to-day--take your liquor in the mean time--what did you mean by it ?" "From me, Mr.Hycy--_nego_, I say--_pugnis et calc bu nego_." "Come, come, you know you wrote me an anonymous letter, referring to some ridiculous copartnership or other that I can neither make head nor tail of.

Tell me candidly what you meant." "Very good, Mr.Burke; but sure I know of old that jocularity was always your forte--even when laying in under my own instruction that sound classical substratum on which the superstructure of your subsequent knowledge was erected, you were always addicted to the facetious and the fabulous--both of which you contrived to blend together with an ease and volubility of language that could not be surpassed." "That is all very well; but you need not deny that you wrote me the letter.