"Yes, sir; it's a choice between that and not going at all. And what I
wanted to ask you was, whether it will subject me to much annoyance or
contempt; because, if so--"
"_Contempt_, my dear fellow!" said Mr Carden quickly. "Yes," he added,
after a pause, "the contempt of the contemptible--certainly of no one
else."
"But do you think that any Harton fellows will cut me?"
"Unquestionably not; at least, if any of them do, it will be such a
proof of their own absolute worthlessness, that you will be well rid of
such acquaintances."
Julian seemed but little reassured by this summary way of viewing the
matter.
"But I hope," he said, "that no one, (even if they don't cut me), will
regard my society as a matter of mere tolerance, or try an air of
condescension."
"Look here, Julian," said the master; "a sub-sizar means merely a poor
scholar, for whom the college has set apart certain means of assistance.
From this body have come some of the most distinguished men whom Saint
Werner's has ever produced; and many of the Fellows, (indeed quite a
disproportionate number), began their college career in this manner.
Now tell me--should you care the snap of a finger for the opinion or the
acquaintance of a man who could be such an ineffable fool as to drop
intercourse with you because you are merely less rich than he? Don't
you remember those grand old words, Julian--
"Lives there for honest poverty,
Who hangs his head and a' that?
The coward slave we pass him by,
And dare be poor for a' that."
"And yet, sir, half the distinctions of modern society rest upon
accidents of this kind."
"True, true! quite true; but what is the use of education if it does not
teach us to look on man as man, and judge by a nobler and more real
standard than the superficial distinctions of society? But answer my
question."
"Well, sir, I confess that I should think very lightly of the man who
treated me in that way; still I should be _annoyed_ very much by his
conduct."
"I really think, Julian," replied Mr Carden, "that the necessity which
compels you to go up as a sizar will be good for you in _many_ ways.
Poverty, self-denial, the bearing of the yoke in youth, are the highest
forms of discipline for a brave and godly manhood. The hero and the
prophet are rarely found in soft clothing or kingly houses; they are
never chosen from the palaces of Mammon or the gardens of Belial."
They talked a little longer on the subject, and Mr Carden pointed out
how, at the universities more than anywhere, the aristocracy of
intellect and character are almost solely recognised, and those patents
of nobility honoured which come direct from God. "After a single term,
Julian, depend upon it you will smile at the sensitiveness which now
makes you shrink from entering on this position. At least, I assume
that even by that time your name will be honourably known, as it will be
if you work hard. You must never forget that `Virtus vera nobilitas' is
the noble motto of your own college."
"Well, I _will_ work at any rate," said Julian; "indeed I _must_."
"But may I ask why you have determined on going up as sizar?"
"Oh yes, sir. I am far too grateful for all your many kindnesses to me,
not to tell you freely of my circumstances."
And so, as they walked on that beautiful summer evening over the green
fields, Julian, happy in the quiet sympathising attention of one who was
not only a master, but a true, earnest, and affectionate friend, told
him some of the facts to which we shall allude in the retrospect of the
next chapter.