on that point?' he replied, 'I should like to ask what is your opinion, gentlemen?' And it was generally thought—as Broughton would have phrased it—that the examiners could not have explained it to him half so clearly as he could to them. However, how it was I don't know; but it is certain that Harwood was recommended to wait for the next examination; and most people fancied that he was sent down for his bumptiousness."
"Some men," said Charles Larkyns, "get through by a fluke, and some men get plucked by a fluke."
"Charley, don't be personal!" groaned little Mr. Bouncer. "You hurts my feelings. I went to your rooms twice yesterday, and could n't find you. Where were you, and what were you doing with yourself? Tell us all about it."
"That 's a skilful way of diverting remarks from yourself, Bouncer, and carrying the war into the enemy's country," said Mr. Flexible Shanks. "But by all
