I put the letter down at this point and swore. Extreme stupidity always makes me swear. It is almost the only thing in the world which does. The Archdeacon, who has been acquainted with Lalage since her birth, ought to have more sense than to suppose, or allow any one else to suppose, that she ever required urging on. Even Father Maconchy’s reading of the situation was intelligent compared to that. “Miss Pettigrew says that the Trinity College authorities have taken the matter up and are strongly of opinion that you are financing the publication. Thormanby tells me that the same rumour is current in the club. He heard it from five or six different men, and says he has been written to about the matter since he came home by people who are most anxious about your connection with it. I do not know what to believe, and I do not want to press my opinion on you, but if, without making things worse for Lalage than they are at present, you can disclaim responsibility for the publication, whatever it is, it will probably be wise for you to do so.” It did not seem to me to matter, after reading what my mother said, which of the other letters I took next. I tried one of the two which bore typewritten addresses, in the hope that it might be nothing worse than a bill. It was, as a matter of fact, a statement of accounts. The first sheet ran thus: Anti-Tommy-Rot Gazette Guarantee Fund Trinity College, Dublin, No. 175, and at the rooms of the Elizabethan Society Debtor and Creditor Account To 8 per cent, due on one third of £30, being amount of guarantee for one month as per agreement signed August 9th, ult., equals 1s. 4d. (say, one shilling and fourpence). Examined and found correct J. Selby-Harrison. Stamps (1s. 4d.) enclosed to balance account. Please acknowledge receipt. It is very gratifying to a guarantor to receive interest on his promise in this prompt and business-like way, but I am not sure that 8 per cent, will be sufficient to compensate me for the trouble I shall have in explaining my position to the Board of Trinity College, the Representative Body of the Church of Ireland, the Standing Committee of the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, the Presbyterian General Assembly, and the committee of the Kildare Street Club. The next sheet of Selby-Harrison’s accounts was equally business-like in form. Anti-Tommy-Rot Gazette Guarantee Fund Trinity College, Dublin, No. 175, and at the rooms of the Elizabethan Society Per Contra.