‘It must be very convenient to have a college here.’
‘Yes, a good departure, quite good. Standard not very high yet,
but that will come. I thoroughly approve of this movement for
increasing the number of University Colleges in Provincial towns.
By the way, Walter,’ she went on, ‘I want to speak to you about
that last regulation of the Board of Faculties and Arts, about
the P.Q.T. External Examinations, you know the one I mean, 1346;
I think it is on the new schedule.’
She took up a bunch of papers from the table beside her and began
to look through them.
‘Here it is,’ she said, and began to read it aloud.
It was something about the qualifications necessary for anyone
going in for some particular examination; it conveyed nothing,
of course, to me. Walter said something about its not making
much difference, and she interrupted him:
‘I entirely disagree with you, Walter. Take the case, for instance,
of a girl in the Vth Form who had already passed 3y and 6b in
the Higher Certificate; her position would be quite anomalous!’
‘But do many girls pass 3y and 6b, and nothing else?’
‘Not many, but some do. In any case it ought to be made quite
clear; would such a girl be eligible, or not?’
‘You see,’ she said, turning to me, ‘so many of our girls take
the London University External degree, and as Walter is now a
Member of the University, I always apply to him in my difficulties.’
Walter said:
‘I am afraid I can’t be any use to you over this, Maud. I really
have nothing to do with the External Examinations. You had better
apply to the Secretary of the Board of Faculties, direct.’
There was irritation in his voice; he held out his cup.
‘May I have some more tea?’ he asked.
‘Certainly, certainly. I did not see that you had finished; and,
Helen, let me give you some more. You did say milk and sugar,
I think. Walter, please give Helen some cake. Yes, I think I
had better apply to the Board of Faculties direct. It is always
best to go to the Fountain Head. But you must support me on the
Board, if the question is raised. Helen must excuse us talking
so much shop,’ and she turned brightly to me: ‘We Academic people
have so much shop to talk, and so little opportunity.’
Walter said:
‘I find plenty of opportunity!’
‘Ah, but you are at the Fountain Head! That is one of the advantages
of University life over that of a school. It has that advantage,
undoubtedly. But what is Helen most interested in? We must make
friends, mustn’t we? Now that we are to be sisters-in-law!’
Walter said:
‘Helen is interested in a great many things. Literature and pictures,
and music . . . aren’t you, Helen?’
I felt like a child, being discussed and drawn out by grown-up
people.