It so happened that Mr.Snape had been summoned to an evening conference with Mr.Oldeschole and the other pundits of the office, to discuss with them, or rather to hear discussed, some measure which they began to think it necessary to introduce, for amending the discipline of the department.
'We are getting a bad name, whether we deserve it or not,' said Mr.Oldeschole.

'That fellow Hardlines has put us into his blue-book, and now there's an article in the _Times_!' Just at this moment, a messenger brought in to Mr.Snape the unfortunate letter of which we have given a copy.
'What's that ?' said Mr.Oldeschole.
'A note from Mr.Corkscrew, sir,' said Snape.
'He's the worst of the whole lot,' said Mr.Oldeschole.
'He is very bad,' said Snape; 'but I rather think that perhaps, sir, Mr.Tudor is the worst of all.' 'Well, I don't know,' said the Secretary, muttering _sotto voce_ to the Under-Secretary, while Mr.Snape read the letter -- 'Tudor, at any rate, is a gentleman.' Mr.Snape read the letter, and his face grew very long.

There was a sort of sneaking civility about Corkscrew, not prevalent indeed at all times, but which chiefly showed itself when he and Mr.
Snape were alone together, which somewhat endeared him to the elder clerk.

He would have screened the sinner had he had either the necessary presence of mind or the necessary pluck.

But he had neither.