"
"Yes," said John, with a low, gruff sound in his voice, "but is not
that like being killed in battle?"
"The world doesn't think it so, my boy," said the soldier. "Well!
what is it you propose to do?"
"I don't suppose it will make much difference yet," said John,
"except that at Oxford I should go in more for physical science."
"You don't want to give up the university?"
"Oh, no! Dr. Medlicott said a degree there is a great help, besides
that, all the general study one can get is the more advantage,
lifting one above the mere practitioner."
"That is well," said the Colonel. "If you are to go to the
university, there is no need to dwell further on the matter at
present. You will have had time to see more of the world, and you
will know whether this wish only comes from enthusiasm for a pleasant
young man who has been kind to you, or if it be your real deliberate
choice, and if so, your mother will have had time to reconcile
herself to the notion. At any rate we will say no more about it for
the present. Though I must say, Johnny," he added, as he turned his
horse's head between the ribbon borders of the approach, "you have
thought and spoken like a sensible lad, and so like my dear brother,
that I could not deny you."
If Johnny could hardly believe in the unwonted commendation which
made his heart throb, and sent a flood of colour into his cheeks.
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