"Good-bye again, Miss Oliphant." Captain Oliphant had already bidden his daughter a tender farewell, and was enjoying a cigar in the library.
"Oh," said he, as the tutor entered, "you got my note, did you, sir ?" "I did, thanks." "Well, sir ?" "That was the question I was about to ask you.

Excuse my saying it, but it was a very foolish note for a man in your position to write.

Did Mrs Ingleton--" "Mrs Ingleton has decided, on my advice, to send her son to Oxford.

I have recently been there, and made inquiries." "Indeed! I'll join you in your smoke, if you don't mind," and the tutor drew a chair up to the table and filled his pipe.
Captain Oliphant was considerably disconcerted at this cool reception of his piece of news; but, warned by previous experiences, he forbore to bluster.
"I think the life will suit him.

He is wasting his time here." "If his health improves sufficiently," said the tutor, "there is a good deal to be said in favour of the University." "You think so, do you ?" said his co-guardian drily.