'Yes. I left it on your table.
'Thank you. Well, good‑bye, my dear boy. I suppose that after that reprehensible affair last night you will have to think of some other profession. Well, you may congratulate yourself that you discovered your unfitness for the priesthood before it was too late. If a parson does a thing of that sort, you know, all the world knows. And so many do, alas! What do you propose doing?
'I don't really know yet.
'There is always commerce, of course. Perhaps you may be able to bring to the great world of business some of the ideals you have learned at Scone. But it won't be easy, you know. It is a thing to be lived down with courage. What did Dr Johnson say about fortitude?… Dear, dear! no trousers!
At the gates Paul tipped the porter.
'Well, good‑bye, Blackall, he said. 'I don't suppose I shall see you again for some time.
'No, sir, and very sorry I am to hear about it. I expect you'll be becoming a schoolmaster, sir. That's what most of the gentlemen does, sir, that gets sent down for indecent behaviour.
'God damn and blast them all to hell, said Paul meekly to himself as he drove to the station, and then he felt rather ashamed, because he rarely swore.