thoughtful were also glad to think that the shadow
of their beloved cathedral rested benignantly over the
temporary home of those future officers and administrators
of the Empire. And of all those who had
been coached at "Robey's" during the last two years,
there was none better liked, though there had been
many more popular, than the young man who now
stood smiling at old Anna.

During the first three months of his sojourn in the
Close, Jervis Blake had counted very little, for it had
naturally been supposed that he would soon go off to
Sandhurst or Woolwich. Then he had failed to pass
the Army Entrance Examination, not once, as so
many did, but again and again, and the good folk
of Witanbury, both gentle and simple, had grown
accustomed to see him coming and going in their
midst.

Unfortunately for Jervis Blake, his father, though
a distinguished soldier, was a very peculiar man, one
who had owed nothing in his hard laborious youth
to influence; and he had early determined that his
only son should tread the path he had himself trod.

And now poor young Blake had reached the age
limit, and failed for the last time. Every one had
been sorry, but no one had been surprised in Witanbury
Close, when the result of the May Army Exam.
had been published in July.

One person, Mr. Robey himself, had been deeply
concerned. Indeed, the famous coach muttered to
one or two of his old friends, "It's a pity, you know!
Although I make my living by it, I often think there's
a good deal to be said against a system which passes
in -- well, some boys whose names I could give you,

[[56]]

p055 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p056w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p057

v?