Next morning there was a lovely College meeting.

'Two hundred and thirty pounds, murmured the Domestic Bursar ecstatically, not counting the damages! That means five evenings, with what we have already collected. Five evenings of Founder's port!

'The case of Pennyfeather, the Master was saying, 'seems to be quite a different matter altogether. He ran the whole length of the quadrangle, you say, without his trousers. It is unseemly. It is more: it is indecent. In fact, I am almost prepared to say that it is flagrantly indecent. It is not the conduct we expect of a scholar.

'Perhaps if we fined him really heavily? suggested the Junior Dean.

'I very much doubt whether he could pay. I understand he is not well off. Without trousers, indeed! And at that time of night! I think we should do far better to get rid of him altogether. That sort of young man does the College no good.

* * *

Two hours later, while Paul was packing his three suits in his little leather trunk, the Domestic Bursar sent a message that he wished to see him.

'Ah, Mr Pennyfeather, he said, 'I have examined your rooms and noticed two slight burns, one on the window-sill and the other on the chimney‑piece, no doubt from cigarette ends. I am charging you five‑and‑sixpence for each of them on your battels. That is all, thank you.

As he crossed the quad Paul met Mr Sniggs.

'Just off? said the Junior Dean brightly.

'Yes, sir, said Paul.

And a little farther on he met the Chaplain.

'Oh, Pennyfeather, before you go, surely you have my copy of Dean Stanley's Eastern Church?

'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?