Never had I enjoyed my daily work so much, or met with so hearty and intelligent a response. An excellent set of men were in college that year; gentlemanlike, eager to learn, in some cases notably clever, in almost all agreeable to deal with. My popularity--enhanced by that episode of the fire at the Master’s Lodge--was great. Why should I hesitate to say so, since thankfulness rather than vanity did, I can honestly affirm, fill my heart? I had arranged to take a reading party to North Wales during the long vacation, and to this I looked forward as a new and interesting experience. Halidane, moreover, for cause unknown, had ceased from troubling me. Ever since his return, at the beginning of term, he had worn a somewhat hang-dog look; and, though almost cringingly civil when we chanced to meet, appeared, as I thought, to shun rather than seek my society. What had happened to the fellow? Had the change in his demeanour any connection with the Master’s visit to his ‘sainted patron,’ Lord Longmoor, at Bath? I did not know, nor did I greatly care, so long as I continued to be relieved of his officious and unsavoury attentions. And so, taking things all round, it seemed to me, just now, the lines had after all fallen to me in pleasant places. Temptation had been resisted, difficulties overcome, honour--and my conscience--satisfied. If much had been denied, yet much remained--sufficient, and more than sufficient, to make life a gift, not only good but glad--though after, perhaps, a somewhat serious pattern. Then came an afternoon the events of which stand out very forcibly in my memory. They marked a turning-point; a parting of the ways, abrupt as it was unexpected. For, neglecting alike the attractions of the glorious weather and of ‘the boats’--it was during the June races--I stayed in my rooms to look through a set of mathematical papers. Some pleased me by their ability. Others amused--or irritated--me by their blunders. Heavens, what thick heads some of those youngsters had! After about an hour’s work, lulled by the stillness and the sunny warmth--droning of bees in the clematis below my window, chippering cries and glancing flight of swallows back and forth to their nests under the parapet above--I laid aside the papers, and, leaning back in my chair, sank into a brown study.