Page:The Works of H G Wells Volume 11.pdf/64

 no mere personal grievance of mine—were kept, well, to say the least of it, in tutelage. Rather than let authority go definitely out of his hands, he would allow things to drift. Witness that door, witness the business of the nurse."

Mr. Dad, with his lips compressed, nodded his head; each nod like the tap of a hammer.

"I never believed in all this overdoing history in the school," Mr. Dad remarked rather disconnectedly. "If you get rid of Latin and Greek, why bring it all back again in another form? Why, I'm told he taught 'em things about Assyria. Assyria! A modern school ought to be a modern school—business first and business last and business all the time. And teach boys to work. We shall need it, mark my words."

"A certain amount of modern culture," waved Sir Eliphaz.

"Modern," said Mr. Farr softly.

Mr. Dad grunted. "In my opinion that sort of thing gives the boys ideas."

Mr. Farr steered his way discreetly. "Science with a due regard to its technical applications should certainly be the substantial part of a modern education."

They were in the smoking-room and half way through three princely cigars before they got beyond such fragmentary detractions of the fallen headmaster. Then Mr. Dad in the clear-cut style of a business man, brought his companions to action. "Well," said Mr. Dad, turning abruptly upon Sir Eliphaz, "what about it?"