and even sharing
it. Dr Ponsford, however, massive, stern, with his shaggy eyebrows and
pursed mouth, was above any such weakness.

"What have you been doing since you left college?" demanded he,
presently fixing the candidate with his eyes.

It was a home question. Railsford answered it honestly, if
hesitatingly.

"I was unfortunately not under the necessity of working," he added,
after going through the catalogue of his abortive studies, "that is, not
for my livelihood." Some of the governors nodded their heads a little,
as though they recognised the misfortune of such a position.

"And what places you under that necessity now?"

"I do not expect to remain a bachelor always, sir."

Here a governor chuckled.

"Ha, ha! Hymen comes to the rescue. Wonderful the revolutions he makes
in young fellows' lives."

The governor had left school fifty-five years ago, and was rather proud
to have remembered who Hymen was. The doctor waited with chilling
patience till the interruption was over.

"You feel yourself competent to take charge of a house of forty to fifty
boys, do you? as well as to conduct a class of seventy?"

"I have thought over the matter, and tried to realise the duties, and
think I can succeed."

"Quite right; I like that. No brag," said another of the governors, in
an aside.

"Your temper is good, is it? you are not likely to fall out with your
fellow-masters, are you?"

"Yes, that's important," interjected a governor.

"I believe I am good-tempered and patient."

"Well, Mr Railsford, you may retire. If you are not busy elsewhere,
you can remain a short time in the outer room."

Railsford retired, and for an interminable half-hour kicked his heels in
the ante-chamber. He got to hate the picture on the wall and the
ruthless ticking of the clock in the hall outside. Presently the door
opened and his name was called. This time the spokesman was the
chairman of the governors.

"We have been through your testimonials a second time, Mr Railsford,
and are satisfied with them, both those which refer to your scholarship
and those which relate to your character and other qualifications. We
are also glad to know from you that you have fully considered the
responsibilities of this very important post, and are prepared to enter
upon them in a firm yet conciliatory spirit. The governors and head-
master agree with me in considering that, taken as a whole, your
qualifications are higher than