“The examiners, however, thought differently,” said Sir Matthew; “your work was miserable. I have this very day been making special inquiries into the matter, that I may not judge you unfairly. You have not only failed, but failed ignominiously. Don’t fidget about while I am talking to you; sit down and listen to me for I have much to say.” Ralph forced himself to obey in silence. “I am perfectly well aware,” resumed Sir Matthew, “that nowadays young men think nothing of failing, that they go in for an examination time after time with light hearts while their unfortunate fathers have to pay the piper. You were not in a position to behave in that fashion. And you would have shown, I think, a finer sense of honour if you had worked well.” “I did work,” said Ralph emphatically. “If you------” Sir Matthew raised his long hand and waved it downwards in a silencing manner that was peculiarly his own. “I say nothing,” he continued, in his cool, measured tone, “as to what I might have expected after the large sum I have thrown away on your schooling at Winchester; I say nothing as to the three months in Germany and the special coach I provided for you; I say nothing of the manner in which I took you at once into my own house when there was no one to stand by you; I say nothing as to the fatherly care I have bestowed on you all these----” He broke off abruptly, for Ralph, with the look of one goaded past bearing, had sprung to his feet. “No,” he cried passionately, “at least that word you shall not use: there was never anything fatherly about you. All those other things that you cast in my teeth though you say you won’t mention them--they are true enough, and I have tried to be grateful--I--” he half choked in the desperate struggle between his pride and a certain sense of courtesy which still clung to him--“I will try always to be grateful.” He strode across the room to the window, panting for air. A chuckle escaped Sir Matthew. “You were always a good hand at acting,” he remarked, “but I shall be obliged if you will come down from your high horse and remember that I am talking about a business arrangement. Don’t waste my time, but listen to what I have to say to you.”