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And then, is it not our duty to consult the pleasure of others rather than our own, and above all that of our masters? Fancy then the difference to them in looking over a vulgus which has been carefully touched and retouched by themselves and others, and which must bring them a sort of dreamy pleasure, as if theyd met the thought or expression of it somewhere or anotherbefore they were born perhaps; and that of cutting up, and making picture-frames round all your and my false quantities, and other monstrosities. Why, Tom, you wouldnt be so cruel as never to let old Momus hum over the O genus humanum again, and then look up doubtingly through his spectacles, and end by smiling and giving three extra marks for it: just for old sakes sake, I suppose. Well, said Tom, getting up in something as like a huff as he was capable of, its deuced hard that when a fellows really trying to do what he ought, his best friendsll do nothing but chaff him and try to put him down. And he stuck his books under his arm and his hat on his head, preparatory to rushing out into the quadrangle, to testify with his own soul of the faithlessness of friendships. Now dont be an ass, Tom, said East, catching hold of him, you know me well enough by this time; my barks worse than my bite. You cant expect to ride your new crotchet without anybodys trying to stick a nettle under his tail and make him kick you off: especially as we shall all have to go on foot still. But now sit down, and lets go over it again. Ill be as serious as a judge. Then Tom sat himself down on the table, and waxed eloquent about all the righteousnesses and advantages of the new plan, as was his wont whenever he took up anything; going into it as if his life depended upon it, and sparing no abuse which he could think of, of the opposite method, which he denounced as ungentlemanly, cowardly, mean, lying, and no one knows what besides. Very cool of Tom, as East thought, but didnt say, seeing as how he only came out of Egypt himself last night at bed-time. Well, Tom, said he at last, you see, when you and I came to school there were none of these sort of notions. You may be rightI dare say you are. Only what one has always felt about the masters is, that its a fair trial of skill and last between us and themlike a match at football, or a battle. Were natural enemies in school, thats the fact. Weve got to learn so much Latin and Greek and do so many verses, and theyve got to see that we do it. If we can slip the collar and do so much less without getting caught, thats one to us. If they can get more out of us, or catch us shirking, thats one to them. Alls fair in war but lying. If I run my luck against theirs, and go into school without looking at my lessons and dont get called up, why am I a snob or a sneak? I dont tell the master Ive learnt it. Hes got to find out whether I have or not; whats he paid for? If he calls me up and I get floored, he makes me write it out in Greek and English. Very good; hes caught me, and I dont grumble. I grant you, if I go and snivel to him, and tell him Ive really tried to learn it, but found it so hard without a translation, or say Ive had a tooth-ache or any humbug of that kind, Im a snob. Thats my school morality; its served me, and you too, Tom, for the matter of that, these five years. And its all clear and fair, no mistake about it. We understand it, and they understand it, and I dont know what were to come to with any other. Tom looked at him pleased, and a little puzzled. He had never heard East speak his mind seriously before, and couldnt help feeling how completely he had hit his own theory and practice up to that time. Thank you, old fellow, said he. Youre a good old brick to be serious, and not put out with me. I said more than I meant, I dare say, only you see I know Im right: whatever you and Gower and the rest do, I shall hold onI must. And as its all new and an uphill game, you see, one must hit hard and hold on tight at first. Very good, said East; hold on and hit away, only dont hit under the line. But I must bring you over, Harry, or I shant be comfortable. Now, Ill allow all youve said. Weve always been honourable enemies with the masters. We found a state of war when we came, and went into it of course. Only dont you think things are altered a good deal? I dont feel as I used to the masters. They seem to me to treat one quite differently. |
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