And while they sat round the fire talking of him, and of Rufus, the images of their coming success quite displaced the images of weary days and careful nights with which that success had been bought.
It was not however to be quite so speedily attained as they had looked for.
The time of examination came, and Winthrop passed through it, as President Tuttle told his father, "as well as a man could;" and took honours and distinctions with a calm matter-of-fact manner, that somehow rather damped the ardour of congratulation.
"He takes everything as if he had a right to it," observed a gentleman of the company who had been making some flattering speeches which seemed to hit no particular mark.
"I don't know who has a better right," said the President.
"He's not so brilliant as his brother," the gentleman went on.
"Do you think so?
That can only have been because you did not understand him," said the President equivocally.

"He will never flash in the pan, I promise you." "But dang it, sir!" cried the other, "it _is_ a little extraordinary to see two brothers, out of the same family, for two years running, take the first honours over the head of the whole College.

What is a man to think, sir ?" "That the College has not graduated two young men with more honour to herself and them in any two years of my Presidency, sir.

Allow me to introduce you to the fortunate father of these young gentlemen -- Mr.Landholm." This story Mr.Landholm used afterwards often to repeat, with infinite delight and exultation.
Rufus was not at Shagarack at this time.

Instead thereof came a letter.
"Mannahatta, Aug.