42 



THE EARLY DAYS OF 



had not put in an appearance at the surgery again, it was assumed 

 that he was convalescent. Moreover, on enquiry from the Sergeant, 

 it was discovered that 156 was at that moment enjoj'ing a game at 

 leap-frog, near a point where he could be safely viewed without the 

 disturbance which a personal interview might occasion. 



Such an excellent suggestion was at once carried into effect, and 

 my father was led to a window on the left side of the entrance to 

 the old hotel, where he remained until he saw me, as he often 

 afterwards declared, spring at least a foot higher in the air than 

 any other boy. Then, mounting his steed, he rode home again ; 

 though perhaps more slowly than he came. 



But at length the first holidays of Marlborough College, although 

 I thought they would never come, actually arrived, and on the 20th 



December, 1843, as I 

 was getting into bed, 

 and as m}' friend 

 Chang, who occu- 

 pied the bed next to 

 mine, was taking 

 dire vengeance for 

 all the rough treat- 

 ment he had received 

 during the past half- 

 year, by singing the 

 doggerel lines, which 

 for some days past 

 had been in the 

 mouths of all the 

 Lower School, one of 

 the maids came into 

 the room and told me 

 that my father had 

 arrived, and would take me home next day. If the ecstatic feeling 

 which came over me could have been prolonged for ever, life would 



"YOUR FATHER HAS ARRIVED." 



