2.
MY DEAR OLD NED:――Your letter was just like you, cross old
devil that you are! I’m coming, old horse; so write my name
down on your parchment immediately. The Professor starts this
noon, and says he will wait over a train for me in Endeston,
where he wants to make a visit this afternoon; so that I shall
start to-morrow morning, and meet him there. Mother says it’s
because he has so much delicacy of feeling that he doesn’t want
to see our parting; and, by Jove! Ned, it’s going to be hard.
She doesn’t say much; but I know how she suffers; and it makes
me almost feel as though I was wrong to go. I’ll bet I’ll have
a handsomer sash than you will, after all. Mother wants me to
give you the enclosed letter, which seems mysterious to me;
still I obey. I am in a great hurry, so can’t write any more,
but shall be with you on Friday.
Yours,