Sir Gregory had declared that as so large a portion of his heart and affections was bound up with the gentlemen of the Weights and Measures, he could not bring himself actually to ask questions of them, and then to listen to or read their answers.

Should any of his loved ones make some fatal _faux pas_, his tears, like those of the recording angel, would blot out the error.

His eyes would refuse to see faults, if there should be faults, in those whom he himself had nurtured.

Therefore, though he came with his colleagues to the Weights and Measures, he did not himself take part in the examination.
At eleven o'clock the Board-room was opened, and the candidates walked in and seated themselves.

Fear of Sir Gregory, and other causes, had thinned the number.