George Passant by C. P. Snow Read Free Book Online Page B

innocent; that the whole matter has been ridiculously exaggerated; that it was nothing but a romantic gesture.’
    ‘I believe that,’ said Calvert. A glance of sympathy passed between them; for a second, they were made intimate by their quarrel. Then Calvert said obstinately: ‘But it has nothing to do with it.’
    ‘I am a little surprised,’ said Canon Martineau, ‘that Mr Passant is able to speak with such authority about this young man Cotery. I confess that his standing in the matter isn’t quite so obvious–’
    ‘I have the right to appear here about any student,’ said George. Their hostility was gathering round him: but he was as self-forgetful as I had ever seen him.
    The Principal seized a cue, and said: ‘Mr Passant has, as it happens, a right to appear about students with whom he is not connected. In fact, Cotery never attended any of your classes, Mr Passant?’
    ‘He presumably wouldn’t have done so exceptionally well in printing,’ George said loudly, ‘if he had attended my classes in law.’
    ‘Classes in law,’ said the Principal, rising to a cautious, deliberate anger, ‘which amount to two a week, this committee may remember. Like those given by twenty other visiting helpers to our regular staff.’
    ‘The committee may also remember,’ said George, ‘that they can terminate the connection at a month’s notice. That, however, does not affect the fact that I know Cotery well: I know him, just as I know a good many other students, better than anyone else in this institution.’
    ‘Why do you go to this exceptional trouble?’ asked the Canon.
    ‘Because I am attached to an educational institution: I conceive that it is my job to help people to think.’
    ‘Some of your protégés are inclined to think on unorthodox lines?’ the Principal said.
    ‘No doubt. I shouldn’t consider any other sort of thinking was worth the time of a serious-minded man.’
    ‘Even if it leads them into actions which might do harm to our reputations?’ said the Principal.
    ‘I prefer more precise questions. But I might take the opportunity of saying that I know what constitutes a position of trust: and I do not abuse it.’
    There was a hush. Calvert’s pencil scribbled over the paper.
    ‘Well,’ said Beddow, ‘perhaps if–’
    ‘I have not quite finished,’ said George. ‘I am not prepared to let the committee think that I am simply intruding into this affair. I am completely unapologetic. I repeat, I know Cotery well: you have heard my questions: I regard my case as proved. But I don’t want to leave the committee under a misapprehension. Cotery is one out of many. You will be judged by what you make of them. They are better human material than we are. They are people who’ve missed the war. They are people who are young at the most promising time in the world’s history. If they don’t share in it, then it’s because this committee and I and all we represent are simply playing the irresponsible fool with our youngers and betters. You may take the view that it’s dangerous to make them think: that it’s wiser to leave them in the state of life into which it has pleased God to call them. I refuse to take that view: and I shall not, while I have a foot in this building.’
    He stood up to go.
    Beddow said: ‘If no one has anything more to ask Mr Passant…’
    Until the door closed Beddow did not speak again, but his eyes moved from Calvert to the Canon.
    ‘Well, Principal,’ said Beddow, but his tone had lost (I was excited to notice) some of its buoyancy, ‘I take it that you have made your recommendation.’
    ‘I have, sir,’ said Cameron emphatically.
    ‘In that case, if no one has a motion, I suppose we accept the recommendation and pass on.’
    Miss Geary leaned forward in her chair. ‘Certainly not,’ she said. ‘We’ve been listening to a man who believes what he says. And I want to hear some of it answered.’
    There was a stir round the table. They were relieved