Not fond of books , therefore without the safeguard which keeps many studious fellows out of harm ; one self-indulgent , indolent , and so used to luxury that pampering of the senses was an easy thing ; the other vain , as all comely boys are , full of conceit , and so eager to find favour in the eyes of his comrades that he was ready for anything which would secure it . These traits and foibles made both peculiarly liable to the temptations which assail pleasure-loving and weak-willed boys . Mrs Jo knew them well , and had dropped many a warning word since they went to college ; but till lately they seemed not to understand some of her friendly hints ; now she was sure they would , and meant to speak out : for long experience with boys made her both bold and skilful in handling some of the dangers usually left to silence , till it is too late for anything but pity and reproach . ` I 'm going to talk to you like a mother , because yours are far away ; and there are things that mothers can manage best , if they do their duty , ' she solemnly began from the depths of the sunbonnet . ` Great Scott ! We 're in for it now ! ' thought Dolly , in secret dismay ; while Stuffy got the first blow by trying to sustain himself with another mug of beer . ` That wo n't hurt you ; but I must warn you about drinking other things , George . Overeating is an old story ; and a few more fits of illness will teach you to be wise . But drinking is a more serious thing , and leads to worse harm than any that can afflict your body alone . I hear you talk about wines as if you knew them and cared more for them than a boy should ; and several times I 've heard jokes that meant mischief . For heaven 's sake , do n't begin to play with this dangerous taste `` for fun '' , as you say , or because it 's the fashion , and the other fellows do . Stop at once , and learn that temperance in all things is the only safe rule . ' ` Upon my honour , I only take wine and iron . I need a tonic , mother says , to repair the waste of brain-tissue while I 'm studying , ' protested Stuffy , putting down the mug as if it burnt his fingers . ` Good beef and oatmeal will repair your tissues much better than any tonic of that sort . Work and plain fare are what you want ; and I wish I had you here for a few months out of harm 's way . I 'd Banting you , and fit you to run without puffing , and get on without four or five meals a day . What an absurd hand that is for a man ! You ought to be ashamed of it ! '
And Mrs XXXXX caught up the plump fist , with deep dimples at each knuckle , which was fumbling distressfully at the buckle of the belt girt about a waist far too large for a youth of his age . '
Banting Dolly George Jo Stuffy brain-tissue conceit day months pampering