"It is?" asked Vernley. "Yes--supposing there is no money?" Vernley had never supposed such a thing. He was silent a moment, thinking. "You mean--he must go to Cambridge with us?" "Of course--and that's three hundred a year." "Three hundred?" said Vernley. He had never realised that so much was being spent on him. Then quietly, "Well--if old Scissors is stuck, we'll find it somehow." "That's what I'm driving at. Three years at three hundred a year is nine hundred pounds--and that's college expenses only. It'll mean a thousand all told." "That's nothing--my guvnor'll never miss it. He'd do anything for Scissors," said Vernley, cutting the cheese. "He'd adopt him and depose me to-morrow." "And there's my governor--he'd want to come in," said Marsh. "Well, there you are, that's settled!" Vernley took a large slice of cucumber. He disposed of money problems just as easily. "But it's not settled, my child. You've forgotten the chief person in the settlement--there's Scissors." "Well?" "You can take a mule to the water, but you can't make him drink--suppose he wouldn't be helped?" "Oh--he would!--he'd be quite decent about it--he'd know it would please us. But I don't think we need worry. He's sure to have some money and there's his relations." "From all I've heard of his relations--we've a better chance," commented Marsh. "I suppose you guessed why Scissors refused the captaincy of the beagles last winter?" "He wanted to work for his Exhibition." "It wasn't that--really--he couldn't afford it." "How do you know?" "I heard him making discreet enquiries as to how much it would cost--and old Scissors wanted it awfully." "I never knew that--I wouldn't have been captain had I known." "That's why I didn't tell you," Marsh explained, "but it shows you that Scissors gets pressed. If he only--" "Ssh," whispered Vernley as the door handle rattled. John entered. He looked worried and carried a letter. "News?" asked Marsh eagerly. "No--only a letter from the firm--about a job," said John. "A job?" queried Vernley. "Yes--they've offered me a junior clerkship at £80 a year in case I need it." He did not add that the wording had cut him to the quick with its "in excess of the customary figure at which our junior clerks begin, but in view of probable necessitous circumstances," etc. "But you're going up to Cambridge with us!" cried Marsh. "Of course, or we don't go," added Vernley. "I don't know," said John, sitting down wearily. "It depends,--I may not be able. I don't know yet how I'm--" "If it's a matter of--" began Marsh, when a warning look from Vernley cut him short. "You're sure to hear soon, Scissors--I shouldn't worry yet," said Vernley. "We're all going up together, we've always said so. You know if you only think hard enough it always is so." "Sounds like the mater and the Higher Thought circle," commented Marsh, wondering what plan Vernley had suddenly conceived when he sent that warning signal.