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however, I noticed a glance pass between them: and it was Martineau who said to George: ‘I was very glad to see your friend Cotery tonight. How is he getting on, by the way, George?’
    George had not spoken since he tried to dry Eden down. He hesitated, and said: ‘In many ways, he’s doing remarkably well. He’s just having to get over a certain amount of trouble in his firm. But–’
    Eden looked at Martineau, and said: ‘Why, do you know, Passant, I meant to have a word with Howard about that very thing tonight. I didn’t expect to see you here, of course, but perhaps I might mention it now. We’re all friends within these four walls, aren’t we? As a matter of fact, Howard and I happened to be told that you were trying to steer this young man through some difficulties.’
    Eden was trying to sound casual and friendly: he had taken the chance of speaking in front of Morcom and myself, who had originally been asked to Friday nights as friends of George’s. But George’s reply was edged with suspicion: I felt sure that he was more suspicious, more ready to be angry, because of the spilt cup.
    ‘I should like to know who happened to tell you, Mr Eden.’
    ‘I scarcely think we’re free to disclose that,’ said Eden.
    ‘If that is the case,’ said George, ‘at least I should like to be certain that you were given the correct version.’
    ‘Tell us, George, tell us,’ Martineau put in. Eden nodded his head. Hotly, succinctly, George told the story that I had heard several times by now: the story of the gift, the victimisation of Jack.
    Martineau looked upset at the account of the boy’s infatuation, but Eden leant back in his chair with an acquiescent smile.
    ‘These things will happen,’ he said. ‘These things will happen.’
    George finished by describing the penalties to Jack. ‘They are too serious for no one to raise a finger,’ said George.
    ‘So you are thinking of protesting on his behalf, are you?’
    ‘I am,’ said George.
    ‘As a matter of fact, we heard that you intended to take up the matter – through a committee at the School, is that right?’
    ‘Quite right.’
    ‘I don’t want to interfere, Passant.’ Eden gave a short smile, and brought his fingertips together. ‘But do you think that this is the most judicious way of going about it? You know, it might still be possible to patch up something behind the scenes.’
    ‘I’m afraid there’s no chance of that. It’s important to realise, Mr Eden,’ George said, ‘that Cotery has no influence whatever. I don’t mean that he hasn’t much influence: I mean that he has no single person to speak for him in the world.’
    ‘That is absolutely true,’ Morcom said quietly to Eden in a level, reasonable tone. ‘And Passant won’t like to bring this out himself, but it puts him in a difficult position: if he didn’t try to act, no one would.’
    ‘It’s very unfortunate for Cotery, of course,’ said Eden. ‘I quite see that. But you can’t consider, Morcom, can you, that Passant is going the right way about it? It only raises opposition when you try to rush people off their feet.’
    ‘I rather agree,’ said Morcom. ‘In fact, I told Passant my opinion a couple of nights ago. It was the same as yours.’
    ‘I’m glad of that,’ said Eden. ‘Because I know that Passant thinks that when we get older we like to take the course of least resistance. There’s something in it, I’m afraid, there’s something in it. But he can’t hold that against you. You see, Passant,’ he went on, ‘we’re all agreed that it’s very unfortunate for Cotery. That doesn’t mean, though, that we want to see you do something hasty. After all, there’s plenty of time. This is a bit of a setback for him, but he’s a bright young chap. With patience, he’s bound to make good in the end.’
    ‘He’s twenty,’ said George. ‘He’s just the age when a man is desperate without something ahead. You can’t tell a man to wait