`But suppose he fails to get his Fellowship? That must occasionally happen.'

`That occasionally happens.' It was Mein Herr's turn, now, to make admissions.

`And what becomes of the tradesmen?'

`They calculate accordingly. When a man appears to be getting alarmingly ignorant, or stupid, they will sometimes refuse to supply him any longer. You have no idea with what enthusiasm a man will begin to rub up his forgotten sciences or languages, when his butcher has cut off the supply of beef and mutton!'

`And who are the Examiners?'

`The young men who have just come, brimming over with knowledge. You would think it a curious sight,' he went on, `to see mere boys examining such old men. I have known a man set to examine his own grandfather. It was a little painful for both of them, no doubt. The old gentleman was as bald as a coot--'

`How bald would that be?' I've no idea why I asked this question. I felt I was getting foolish.