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I bicycled over to St Magnus's at Little Bechley and took some rubbings of the brasses there. I wished you had been with me.
Yours,
Arthur Potts.
PS. ‑I understand you are thinking of taking up educational work. It seems to me that the great problem of education is to train the moral perceptions, not merely to discipline the appetites. I ca
'What do you think about that? asked Paul, handing Mr Prendergast the letter.
'Well, he said after studying it carefully, 'I think your friend is wrong about sensibility. It doesn't do to rely on one's own feelings, does it, not in anything?
'No, I mean about the money.
'Good gracious, Pe
'It's a temptation.
'My dear boy, it would be a sin to refuse. Twenty pounds! Why, it takes me half a term to earn that.
The bell rang for tea. In the dining‑hall Paul gave the letter to Grimes.
'Shall I take the twenty pounds? he asked.
'Take it? My Godl I should think you would.
'Well, I'm not sure, said Paul.
He thought about it all through afternoon school, all the time he was dressing for di
'If I take that money, he said to himself, 'I shall never know whether I have acted rightly or not. It would always be on my mind. If I refuse, I shall be sure of having done right. I shall look upon my self‑denial with exquisite self‑approval. By refusing I can convince myself that, in spite of the unbelievable things that have been happening to me during the last ten days, I am still the same Paul Pe
He tried to explain something of what he felt to Grimes as they sat in Mrs Roberts's bar parlour that evening.
'I'm afraid you'll find my attitude rather difficult to understand, he said. 'I suppose it's largely a matter of upbringing. There is every reason why I should take this money. Digby‑Vane‑Trumpington is exceedingly rich; and if he keeps it, it will undoubtedly be spent on betting or on some deplorable debauch. Owing to his party I have suffered irreparable harm. My whole future is shattered, and I have directly lost one hundred and twenty pounds a year in scholarships and two hundred and fifty pounds a year allowance from my guardian. By any ordinary process of thought, the money is justly mine. But, said Paul Pe
'Well, I'm a gentleman too, old boy, said Grimes, 'and I was afraid you might feel like that, so I did my best for you and saved you from yourself.
'What d'you mean by that?
'Dear old boy, don't be angry, but immediately after tea I sent off a wire to your friend Potts: Tell Trumpington send money quick, and signed it "Pe
'Grimes, you wretch! said Paul, but, in spite of himself, he felt a great wave of satisfaction surge up within him. 'We must have another drink on that.
'Good for you, said Grimes, 'and it's on me this round.
'To the durability of ideals! said Paul as he got his pint.
'My word, what a mouthful! said Grimes; 'I can't say that. Cheerioh!
Two days later came another letter from Arthur Potts:
Dear Pe
I enclose Trumpington's cheque for £20. I am glad that my dealings with him are at an end. I ca
Stiggins is reading a paper to the O.S.C.U. on 'Sex Repression and Religious Experience'. Everyone expects rather a row, because you know how keen Walton is on the mystical element, which I think Stiggins is inclined to discount.
Yours,
Arthur Potts.
There is a most interesting article in the 'Educational Review'on the new methods that are being tried at the I
'This same Potts, said Grimes as he read the letter, 'would appear to be something of a stinker. Still, we've got the doings. How about a binge?
'Yes, said Paul, 'I think we ought to do something about one. I should like to ask Prendy too.
'Why, of course. It's just what Prendy needs. He's been looking awfully down in the mouth lately. Why shouldn't we all go over to the Metropole at Cwmpryddyg for di
Later in the day Paul suggested the plan to Mr Prendergast.
'Really, Pe
And, much to Paul's embarrassment, a tear welled‑up in each of Mr Prendergast's eyes, and coursed down his cheeks.
CHAPTER VII Philbrick
That morning just before luncheon the weather began to show signs of clearing, and by half‑past one the sun was shining. The Doctor made one of his rare visits to the school dining‑hall. At his entry everybody stopped eating and laid down his knife and fork.
'Boys, said the Doctor, regarding them benignly, 'I have an a
'Good God! murmured Paul.
'I won the long jump at the last sports, saud Briggs, 'but everyone said that it was because I had spiked shoes. Do you wear spiked shoes, sir?
'Invariably, said Paul.
'Everyone said it was taking an unfair advantage. You see, we never know beforehand when there's going to be sports, so we don't have time to get ready.
'My mamma's coming down to see me to‑morrow, said Beste‑Chetwynde; 'just my luck! Now I shall have to stay here all the afternoon.
After luncheon Paul went to the morning‑room, where he found the Doctor pacing up and down in evident high excitement.