as if he had not batted his way through Eton, and boated it through
Oxford.

Mrs. Poynsett obtained her word with Julius in good time that
evening. He laughed a little. "Poor Herbs! when will people
understand that it is the spirit of the thing, the pursuit, not the
individual chance participation in any particular amusement, that is
unclerical, as they are pleased to call it?"

"What do you think of Herbert?"

"A boy, and a very nice boy; but if he doesn't get his healthful
play somehow, he will burst out like a closed boiler some day."

"A muscular Christian on your hands?"

"Not theoretically, for he has been well taught; but it's a great
animal that needs to work off its steam, and if I had known it, I
would not have undertaken the problem of letting him do that,
without setting up bad habits, or scandalizing the parish and
Bindon--who is young the other way, and has no toleration. We had
this morning's service in a state of siege from all the dogs.
Herbert thought he had shut them safely up, but they were all at his
heels in the churchyard; and though he rated them home, and shut all
the doors, we heard them whining and scratching at each in turn."

"I thought I should have died of it," said Rosamond, entering. "His
face grew red enough to set his surplice on fire, and Mr. Bindon
glared at him, and he missed his verse in the Psalm; for there was
the bull terrier, crouching and looking abject at the vestry-door,