Snow, C.P. - George Passant (aka Strangers and Brothers).txt

by Unknown

  "I suppose we're waiting for Calvert as usual," said Canon Martineau, who had a slight resemblance to his brother, but spoke with a drier and more sardonic tang. "And can anyone tell me how long this meeting is likely to last?"

  "No meeting ever seems likely to last long until you've been in it a few hours," said Beddow cheerfully. "But anyway, the sooner we begin this, the sooner we shall get through."

  Ten minutes later, Calvert appeared, a small bald man, pink and panting from hurry. Beddow shook his hand warmly and pulled out a chair for him at the committee table.

  "I hope you won't mind sitting by me," he said. He chatted to Calvert for a few moments about investments; and then briskly, but without any implication that Calvert was late, said: "Well, gentlemen, we've got a certain amount ahead of us tonight. If you don't object I think we might as well begin."

  The City Education Committee was made up partly from councillors and partly from others, like the Canon: in its turn it appointed this one, ad hoc: and so Beddow took the chair. He, with Calvert on his right and the Principal on his left, sat looking towards the door, on the same side of the committee table: the Canon and Miss Geary occupied the ends of it. I worked at the smaller table behind theirs, and within reach of the Principal and Beddow.

  The Principal read the minutes (I was there purely to record) and then Miss Geary interrupted.

  "Can we take No .6 first, Mr. Chairman?" No .6 on the agenda read: " J. Cotery. Termination of Bursary."

  "I believe Mr. Passant wishes to make a statement. And I noticed that he was waiting in the staff--room."

  "I suggest that the first three items cannot conveniently wait," said the Principal promptly. Beddow looked round the table.

  "I think the feeling of the meeting is for taking those three items first," he said. "I'm sorry, Miss Geary: we shan't waste any unnecessary time."

  The three items were, in fact, mainly routine--fees for a new course in architecture, scholarships for next year. The clock on the Principal's desk was striking the third quarter when Beddow said: "That polishes off your urgent business, doesn't it? Well, I suppose we're obliged to get No .6 over some time. Perhaps this would be a convenient opportunity to have Mr. Passant in."

  The Principal said nothing. Beddow went on: "But before I do ring for him, I should like to say something that we all feel. We are all more than sorry that Mr. Calvert should be put in the position of having to listen to criticism--criticism of whether he should continue to pay an employee's fees or not. Perhaps he'll let me assure him, as a political opponent, that he has the reputation of being one of the best employers in this city. We all know that he has originated the very scheme over which he is being forced to listen to--unfortunate criticism. Perhaps I can say that one of the compensations for educational work in the city is the privilege of meeting men like Mr. Calvert--political opponents though they may be--round the same friendly table."

  The Principal produced a loud, deliberate "Hear, hear." Calvert gave a quick, embarrassed smile, and went on scribbling on the pad of foolscap in front of him.

  Beddow rang the bell: George was shown in.

  "Ah, sit down there, Mr. Passant. I'm sorry we've had to keep you so long," said Beddow, with his brisk, friendly smile. His affability was genuine at the root, but had become practised as he found it useful. He pointed out a small canebottomed chair on the other side of the table. George sat down; he was isolated from the others; they all looked at him.

  "I'll now ask the Principal," said Beddow, "to speak of this business of the bursary."

  "This is really a very ordinary matter, Mr. Chairman," said the Principal. "The Committee is aware of the conditions on which our bursaries are awarded. Owing to the inspiration of our benefactor, Mr. Calvert"--the Canon smiled across at Calvert--"various employers in the town have co-operated with us in paying the fees of young men of promise. No one has ever contemplated that this arrangement could not be cancelled in any particular case, if there appeared adequate reason to the employer or ourselves. There are several precedents. The present case is entirely straightforward. Cotery, the man in question, has been sent here by Mr. Calvert; his course normally would extend over three years, of which he has completed one. But Mr. Calvert has decided that there is no likelihood of his being able to use Cotery in a position for which this course would qualify him; and so, in the man's own best interests, he considers that his bursary here should be discontinued. Several of these cases, as I say, have been reported to the committee in previous years. The committee has always immediately approved the employer's recommendation."

  "As the Principal has told us," Beddow said, "we have always taken these cases as a matter of form.... But Mr. Passant, I believe, is interested in this young man Cotery, and has asked permission to attend this business to-night. After the Principal's statement, Mr. Passant is there anything that you want to say?"

  "Yes, Mr. Chairman, there are some things that I want to say," said George. He had nowhere to rest his hands: he pulled down his waistcoat. But he was not resentful and defensive, as he had been with Eden the Friday night before. Four out of these five were against him: always ready to scent enemies, he must have known. Yet, now it had come to the hour, his voice was clear, masterful, and strong.

  "First, this committee is responsible for appointing Cotery and it is responsible now if his support is withdrawn. The only consideration which such a committee can act upon is whether a man is making good use of his opportunity. Cotery could not be making better. I sent a request to the Principal that a report from those supervising his work here should be circularized to the committee. If it has not arrived, I can say that they regard his ability as higher than anyone in their department for the last three years. You cannot ask more than that. If the committee allows itself to be coerced by an employer to get rid of such a man, it is showing itself singularly indefferent to merit. And it ouhht in honesty to declare that its appointments are governed, not partly but entirely, by employers' personal vendettas."

  George's voice rang round the room. Calvert's sounded faint by contrast as he broke in: "I can't allow--I mean, personal considerations have nothing to do with it."

  "I should like to ask, through you, Mr. Chairman," said George, the instant Calvert finished, "whether Mr. Calvert maintains that personal considerations have not dictated his entire course of action?"

  "I protest," said the Principal.

  "It's entirely a matter--the organization of my firm, I mean, didn't happen to give room for another man at Cotery's age. I let him know--I think he realized during the summer. I certainly let him know."

  In the midst of George, Beddow and the Principal, all fluent in their different manners, Calvert was at a loss for words. His face was chubby and petulant, and quite unlike his handsome son's. His irritation seemed naïve and bewildered; but I felt a streak of intense obstinacy in him.

  "I think," said George, "that Mr. Calvert ought to be allowed to withdraw his last suggestion."

  "I have no intention of--No," said Calvert.

  "Then," said George, "who knew that you wouldn't have room for Cotery? and so intended to cut him off here?"

  "No one, except Cotery and myself. I don't--it's not necessary to discuss my business with other people."

  "That is, no one knew of your intention until you wrote to the principal some days ago?" said George.

  "There was no need."

  "No one knew of your intention, in fact, until another incident had happened? Until after you told Cotery that you had forbidden your son--"

  Beddow interrupted loudly: "I can't allow any more, Mr. Passant. I've got to apologize again"--he turned to Calvert--"that you've been compelled to listen to remarks that, giving Mr. Passant every shadow of a doubt, are in the worst possible taste."

  "I entirely concur," said the Principal. It was clear that he and Beddow, at any rate, knew the whole story. "And, Mr. Chairman, since a delicate matter has most regrettably been touched on, I wonder if Miss Geary would
not prefer to leave the room?"

  "Certainly not," said Miss Geary; and settled herself squatly and darkly in her chair.

  "I take it," said George, "that to punish a man without trial is in the best possible taste. And I refuse to make this incident sound ominous by brooding over it in silence. Mr. Calvert either knows or ought to know that Cotery is absolutely innocent; that the whole matter has been ridiculously exaggerated; that it was nothing but a romantic gesture."

  "I believe that," said Calvert. A glance of sympathy passed between them; for a second, they were made intimate by their quarrel. Then Calvert said obstinately: "But it has nothing to do with it."

  "I am a little surprised," said Canon Martineau, "that Mr. Passant is able to speak with such authority about this young man Cotery. I confess that his standing in the matter isn't quite so obvious--"

  "I have a right to appear here about any student," said George. Their hostility was gathering round him: but he was as self-forgetful as I had ever seen him.

  The Principal seized a cue, and said: "Mr. Passant has, as it happens, a right to appear about students with whom he is not connected. In fact, Cotery never attended any of your classes, Mr. Passant?"

  "He presumably wouldn't have done so exceptionally well in printing," George said loudly, "if he had attended my classes in law."

  "Classes in law," said the Principal, rising to a cautious, deliberate anger, "which amount to two a week, this committee may remember. Like those given by twenty other visiting helpers to our regular staff."

  "The committee may also remember," said George, "that they can terminate the connection at a month's notice. That, however, does not affect the fact that I know Cotery well: I know him, just as I know a good many other students, better than anyone else in this institution."

  "Why do you go to this exceptional trouble?" asked the Canon. "Because I am attached to an educational institution: I conceive that it is my job to help people to think."

  "Some of your protégés are inclined to think on unorthodox lines?" the Principal said.

  "No doubt: I shouldn't consider any other sort of thinking was worth the time of a serious-minded man."

  "Even if it leads them into actions which might do harm to our reputation?" said the Principal.

  "I prefer more precise questions. But I might take the opportunity of saying that I know what constitutes a position of trust: and I do not abuse it."

  There was a hush. Calvert's pencil scribbled over the paper. "Well," said Beddow, "perhaps if--"

  "I have not quite finished," said George. "I am not prepared to let the committee think that I am simply intruding into this affair. I am completely unapologetic. I repeat, I know Cotery well: you have heard my questions: I regard my case as proved. But I don't want to leave the committee under a misapprehension. Cotery is one out of many. You will be judged by what you make of them. They are better human material than we are. They are people who've missed the war. They are people who are young at the most promising time in the world's history. If they don't share in it, then it's because this committee and I and all we represent are simply playing the irresponsible fool with our youngsters and betters. You may take the view that it's dangerous to make them think: that it's wiser to leave them in the state of life into which it has pleased God to call them. I refuse to take that view: and I shall not, while I have a foot in this building."

  He stood up to go.

  Beddow said: "If no one has anything more to ask Mr. Passant..."

  Until the door had closed Beddow did not speak again, but his eyes moved from Calvert to the Canon.

  "Well, Principal," said Beddow, but his tone had lost (I was excited to notice) some of its buoyancy, "I take it that you have made your recommendation."

  "I have, sir," said Cameron emphatically.

  "In that case, if no one has a motion, I suppose we accept the recommendation and pass on."

  Miss Geary leaned forward in her chair. "Certainly not," she said. "We've been listening to a man who believes what he says. And I want to hear some of it answered."

  There was a stir round the table: they were relieved that she had spoken out, given them someone to argue against.

  "Haven't we been listening," said Canon Martineau, with his subtle smile, "to a man who has a somewhat exaggerated idea of the importance of his mission?"

  "No doubt," said Miss Ceary. "Most people who believe in anything have a somewhat exaggerated idea of its importance. And I don't pretend that he made the best of his case. Nevertheless--"

  She was speaking from a double motive, of course; her dislike for the Principal shone out of her: so did her desire to help George.

  It was still one against four, if it came to a vote; but there was a curious, hypercharged atmosphere that even the absolute recalcitrants, Calvert and the Principal, felt as they became more angry. Over Beddow and Martineau certainly, the two most receptive people there, had come a jag of apprehension. And when, after Miss Geary had competently put the position of Cotery again, and Calvert merely replied stubbornly: "He's known for months that I didn't intend to keep him here. Nothing else came into account. Nothing else--" the Canon became restless.

  "Of course," he said, "there are times when it's not only important that justice should be done: sometimes it's important that justice should appear to be done. And in this case, unless we're careful, it does seem to me possible that our Mr. Passant may make a considerable nuisance of himself."

  "I regret the suggestion," said the Principal, "that we should consider giving way to threats."

  "That isn't Canon Martineau's suggestion, if I understand it right," said Beddow. "He's saying that we mustn't stand on our dignity, even when we're being taught our business by a man like Passant. Because nothing would take the wind out of his sails like giving way a bit. And, on the other hand, it might do this young fellow Cotery some good if we stretched a point."

  "The Chairman has put my attitude," said Martineau, "much more neatly than I could myself."

  "I'm afraid that I still consider it dangerous," said the Principal.

  "Well," said Beddow, "if we could meet one condition, I myself would go so far as to stretch a point. But the condition is, of course, that we must satisfy Mr. Calvert. We shouldn't think of acting against your wishes," said Beddow to Calvert, in his most cordial and sincere manner.

  Calvert nodded his head.

  "I can't alter my own position," he said. "There's no future--I can't find a place for Cotery. I decided that in the summer. I don't bear him any ill-will--"

  "I wonder," Canon Martineau looked at Beddow with a sarcastic smile, "whether this idea would meet the case? Cotery would normally have two more years: we pay half the cost, and Mr. Calvert half. Mr. Calvert, for reasons we all accept, can't go on with his share. But is there anything to prevent us keeping to our commitment, and remitting--may I suggest--not the half, but all Cotery's fees for just one year.

  "Except that it would be no practical use to the man himself," said Miss Geary.

  "No," said Calvert. "He needs the whole three years."

  "I'm not so desperately concerned about that," said the Canon.

  "He'd have to get the money from some other source. If he wanted to finish," said Beddow briskly. "I agree with the Canon: I think it's a decent compromise."

  Miss Geary saw that it was her best chance.

  "If you'll propose it, Canon," she said, "I'm ready to second."

  "I deeply regret this idea," and the Principal. "And I am sure that Mr. Calvert does."

  Canon Martineau and Beddow had judged Calvert more shrewdly, however, and he shook his head.

  "No," he said, "I can't support the motion. But I shan't vote against it."

  It was carried by three votes to one, with Calvert abstaining.

  SIX

  RESULTS OF A CELEBRATION

  I went straight from the committee to our public-house, where George and Jack were waiting.

  "Well?" cried George, as soon as
I entered. I saw that Morcom was with them, sitting by the fire.

  "It's neither one thing nor the other," I said. I told them the decision.

  "It's a pretty remarkable result for any sane collection of men to achieve. I never believed that you'd drive them into it. But it doesn't help Jack, of course."

  "Nonsense," George shouted. "You're as cheerful as Balfour giving the news of the Battle of Jutland. Your sane collection of men have been made to realize that they can't treat Jack as though he was someone who just had to be content with their blasted charity. Good God alive, don't you see that that's a triumph? We're going to drink a considerable amount of beer and we're going to Nottingham by the next train to have a proper celebration; in the meantime, I'm going to hear every word that they found themselves obliged to say."

  Jack smiled, raised his glass towards George, and said: "You're a wonderful man, George."Jack was shrewd enough to know already that, for himself, the practical value of the triumph was nothing: but it was his nature to rejoice with him who rejoices. He could not bear to spoil George's pleasure.

  George lived through my description of the meeting before he confronted them and after he left. He was furiously indignant with Beddow's attempt to propitiate Calvert, more than with the Principal's: "I suppose Cameron, to do him justice, is out to get benefactions for the institution: it's true that he's quite incapable of administering them, but we can't reasonably expect him to realize that. But what Beddow, who calls himself a socialist, thinks he's doing, when he tries to lick the feet of a confounded business man-----" so George went on, drinking his beer, chuckling with delight at Miss Geary's interventions, re-interpreting the Canon's equivocal manoeuvres as directly due to the influence of Howard Martineau. "The Canon must have worked out his technique. To come in one our side without letting it seem obvious," said George. But he had no explanation of Calvert's naïve defence that he formed his decision about Jack long before the incident with his son.

  "That's just incredible," said George. "If I'd wanted to invent something improbable, I couldn't have invented anything as improbable as that."