midnight
`` I 've taken a turn at reading hard , which may astonish you . The doctor told me , if I really thought of some day arraying my manly form in a scarlet jacket and wearing a sword , I ought to put it on with my mathematics , which are not my _ forte _ , you know . So now I 'm drawing circles and triangles at every available moment , and my logarithm tables are thumbed almost to death . Do n't imagine _ you 're _ the only burner of midnight oil . `` I had a letter from home to-day . They were saying they had n't seen you lately . I hope you 'll go up when you can ; it would be a charity to the dear old folk ; besides , they are very fond of you -- queer taste !