shiny, slightly discoloured, suddenly clammy to the neck.  What if he did happen to be well equipped for science teaching?  That was nothing.  He speculated on the cost of a complete outfit.  It would be difficult to get such grey trousers as those he had seen for less than sixteen shillings, and he reckoned a frock coat at forty shillings at least—­possibly even more.  He knew good clothes were very expensive.  He hesitated at Poole’s door and turned away.  The thing was out of the question.  He crossed Leicester Square and went down Bedford Street, disliking every well-dressed person he met.

Messrs. Danks and Wimborne inhabited a bank-like establishment near Chancery Lane, and without any conversation presented him with forms to fill up.  Religion? asked the form.  Lewisham paused and wrote “Church of England.”

Thence he went to the College of Pedagogues in Holborn.  The College of Pedagogues presented itself as a long-bearded, corpulent, comfortable person with a thin gold watch chain and fat hands.  He wore gilt glasses and had a kindly confidential manner that did much to heal Lewisham’s wounded feelings.  The ’ologies and ’ographies were taken down with polite surprise at their number.  “You ought to take one of our diplomas,” said the stout man.  “You would find no difficulty.  No competition.  And there are prizes—­several prizes—­in money.”

Lewisham was not aware that the waterproof collar had found a sympathetic observer.

“We give courses of lectures, and have an examination in the theory and practice of education.  It is the only examination in the theory and practice of education for men engaged in middle and upper class teaching in this country.  Except the Teacher’s Diploma.  And so few come—­not two hundred a year.  Mostly governesses.  The men prefer to teach by rule of thumb, you know.  English characteristic—­rule of thumb.  It doesn’t do to say anything of course—­but there’s bound to be—­something happen—­something a little disagreeable—­somewhen if things go on as they do.  American schools keep on getting better—­German too.  What used to do won’t do now.  I tell this to you, you know, but it doesn’t do to tell everyone.  It doesn’t do.  It doesn’t do to do anything.  So much has to be considered.  However ...  But you’d do well to get a diploma and make yourself efficient.  Though that’s looking ahead.”

He spoke of looking ahead with an apologetic laugh as though it was an amiable weakness of his.  He turned from such abstruse matters and furnished Lewisham with the particulars of the college diplomas, and proceeded to other possibilities.  “There’s private tuition,” he said.  “Would you mind a backward boy?  Then we are occasionally asked for visiting masters.  Mostly by girls’ schools.  But that’s for older men—­married men, you know.”

“I am married,” said Lewisham.

“Eh?” said the College of Pedagogues, startled.

“I am married,” said Lewisham.