become a professor in old Euclid."

"It would be awfully slow, I think," returned Walter, stifling a yawn.

"What then, is your ambition?"

"I want to go out among men. I want to take an active part in the
world."

"You will have to work harder than you do in college, then."

"I suppose I shall. But I am young, Gates. I am only seventeen."

"And I am nineteen, and look twenty-one."

"All the better! The older you look the better, If you are going to be
a college instructor. I would have to wait a long time if I wanted to,
even if I were a good deal wiser than I am now. I am so young, in
short, that I can afford to have a good time."

"It seems to me that is all you think of, Sherwood."

"Oh, well, I'll reform in time and become a sober old duffer like
you," and Walter Sherwood laughed carelessly.

"I hope, at any rate, that you will change your views of life. You
know what Longfellow says: 'Life is real! Life is earnest!'"

"Oh, yes, I know that by heart. But it's no use, Gates, you can't make
an old man of me before my time. Will it disturb you if I play a tune