_Nunc desiderium, curaque non levis._
_Johnny._ I do not care for the light of the stars.
_Papa._ Hang it, JOHNNY, how do you get at "stars" in that line?
_Johnny._ _De_, of, _siderium_, dative, no, genitive plural of _sidus_,
a star, Papa, and _levis_ is light.
_Papa._ Finish. _Interfusa nitentes
Vites aequora Cycladas._
What do you make of that? "With an infusion of nitre the vines are equal
to Cyclops"--is that it?
_Johnny._ I think so, Papa dear. The Cyclops were great giants, who
poked out the eye of Achilles with a hot stick, for throwing stones at
their ship.
_Papa._ Go to bed!
_Johnny._ What for, Papa?
_Myself._ Yes, what for, TOM? I'm sure the dear fellow has done his best
to please you.
_Papa._ You are right. It is I who ought to be sent to bed. All right,
JOHNNY. Let us have a game at the _Battle of Dorking_--get the board.
That's good fun. But L100 a-year, and _sollicitum_, a solicitor, isn't.
However, we'll alter that.
And, dear _Mr. Punch_, he gave notice the very next day that JOHNNY
should not go back to the Private School, and is going to send him to a
College, to be starved, fagged, beaten, knocked down with cricket-balls,
trampled down at football, and taught to fight.
Believe me, yours,