“So I saw at once on entering your office. I must not detain you, but I have a small private difficulty on which I want your help; I am leaving your service shortly, as you know.”
“Yes, alas!”
“And am returning to my birthplace in Central India to take charge of education there. I want to start a High School there on sound English lines, that shall be as like Government College as possible.”
“Well?” he sighed, trying to take an interest.
“At present there is only vernacular education at Mau. I shall feel it my duty to change all that. I shall advise His Highness to sanction at least a High School in the Capital, and if possible another in each pargana.”
Fielding sunk his head on his arms; really, Indians were sometimes unbearable.
“The point—the point on which I desire your help is this: what name should be given to the school?”
“A name? A name for a school?” he said, feeling sickish suddenly, as he had done in the waiting-room.
“Yes, a name, a suitable title, by which it can be called, by which it may be generally known.”
“Really—I have no names for schools in my head. I can think of nothing but our poor Aziz. Have you grasped that at the present moment he is in prison?”