There are many clever men who don't get a first class, and yet it is good for them to be here--so long as they are not loungers and idlers, of course.
And you have not been a lounger; you have been headstrong and a little over-confident, perhaps,'-- the speaker's smile took all the sting out of the words--'but you have grown into a man, you are fit now for man's work.

Don't let yourself be depressed, Elsmere.

You will do better in life than you have done in examination.' The young man was deeply touched.

This tone of personal comment and admonition was very rare with Mr.Grey.He felt a sudden consciousness of a shared burden which was infinity soothing, and though he made no answer, his face lost something of its harassed look, as the two walked on together down Oriel Street and into Merton Meadows.
'Have you any immediate plans ?' said Mr.Grey, as they turned into the Broad Walk, now in the full leafage of June, and rustling under a brisk western wind blowing from the river.
'No; at least I suppose it will be no good my trying for a fellowship.
But I meant to tell you, Sir, of one, thing-I have, made up my mind to take Orders.' 'You have?
When ?' 'Quite lately.

So that fixes me, I suppose, to come back for divinity lectures in the autumn.' Mr.Grey said nothing for a while, and they strolled in and out of the great shadows thrown by the elms across their path.
'You feel no difficulties in the way ?' he asked at last, with a certain quick brusqueness of manner.
'No,' said Robert, eagerly.