A STUDENT'S CERTIFICATE 193 



come to me, Mr. Stevenson. There may be doubt- 

 ful cases, there is no doubt about yours. You 

 have simply not attended my class.' The document 

 was necessary to me for family considerations ; 

 and presently I stooped to such pleadings and 

 rose to such adjurations, as made my ears burn 

 to remember. He was quite unmoved ; he had 

 no pity for me. * You are no fool,' said he, v and 

 you chose your course.' I showed him that he 

 had misconceived his duty, that certificates were 

 things of form, attendance a matter of taste. 

 Two things, he replied, had been required for 

 graduation, a certain competency proved in the 

 final trials and a certain period of genuine training 

 proved by certificate ; if he did as I desired, not 

 less than if he gave me hints for an examination, 

 he was aiding me to steal a degree. ' You see, 

 Mr. Stevenson, these are the laws and I am here 

 to apply them,' said he. I could not say but 

 that this view was tenable, though it was new 

 to me ; I changed my attack : it was only for 

 my father's eye that I required his signature, 

 it need never go to the Senatus, I had already 

 certificates enough to justify my year's attend- 

 ance. ' Bring them to me ; I cannot take your 

 word for that,' said he. ' Then I will consider.' 

 The next day I came charged with my certificates, 

 a humble assortment. And when he had satisfied 

 himself, ' Remember,' said he, ' that I can promise 



N 



