Guttural with emotion, Mr. Carter gasped: "I mean to work--indeed I
do."

Again the Dean frantically searched on his desk to discover the
subject in which Mr. Carter had failed; again was unsuccessful. Deep
thought ravelled his brow. His fingers drummed indecision on the
table. It was a telling picture of one struggling between duty and
kindliness--masterly as the result of long practice.

"Mr. Carter," the Dean summed up, "I will consider your case more
fully to-night. Against my better judgment I may perhaps decide not on
this occasion to communicate with your father. But remember this. At
the very outset of your career you have strained to breaking-point the
confidence of your teachers. Only by stupendous efforts on your part
can that confidence be restored. These failures, believe me, will dog
you from now until you are qualified--nay, will dog your whole
professional career. That will do."

In a convulsion of relief and of agitation beneath this appalling
prospect the dogged man quavered thanks; stumbled from the room.



III.

George laughed. "Same old dressing-down," he said. "Don't you ever
alter the formula?"

"It's very effective," the Dean replied. "That's the sixth this