On the day of the Logic paper, as he emerged into the Schools quadrangle, he felt his arm caught by Mr.Grey.
'Come with me for a walk, Elsmere; you look as if some air would do you good.' Robert acquiesced, and the two men turned into the passageway leading out on to Radcliffe Square.
'I have done for myself, sir,' said the youth, with a sigh, half impatience, half depression.

'It seems to me to-day that I had neither mind nor memory.

If I get a second I shall be lucky.' 'Oh, you will get your second whatever happens,' said Mr.Grey, quietly, 'and you mustn't be too much cast down about it if you don't get your first.' This implied acceptance of his partial defeat, coming from another's lips, struck the excitable Robert like a lash.

It was only what he had been saying to himself, but in the most pessimist forecasts we make for ourselves, there is always an under-protest of hope.
'I have been wasting my time here lately,' he said, hurriedly raising his college cap from his brows as if it oppressed them, and pushing his hair back with a weary, restless gesture.
'No,' said Mr.Grey, turning his kind, frank eyes upon him.

'As far as general training goes, you have not wasted your time at all.