e, he knew, would never utterly die, but time
would weaken it: and so in the first few days he did his best to train
the new-comers on his stair in the best traditions of the college and
university. Also he endeavoured to keep them from sowing political
wild oats: there was nothing Galer loathed more bitterly than carrying
up Radical or Socialist newspapers. Martin soon began to hate the man
fervently. He wanted to find out how one could change one's rooms, for
he would live in a pigsty to avoid Galer.

"Your cheese, sir," the wheezy voice would say. "I see as 'ow these
deemagogues 'ave brought a lot of transport workers out. Wicked I call
it. Wot the Gov'ment ought to do is to be firm. 'Ave out the troops
and 'and out a bit of sleeping-draught. That's my notion of ruling.
One of those there riff-raff killed a loyal worker."

"In other words, a scab," said Martin boldly.

"It's a 'orrid name to give a chap," said Galer. "I don't see no crime
in bein' loyal. I 'ope you don't 'old with these paid agitators!"

"I certainly hold with Trade Unionism."

"The Trade Unions aren't wot they were. Oh no! Swelled 'ead too big
for their boots and all that."

Martin made no answer and, while Galer rambled on, he saw that the only
policy was to declare himself a revolutionary and have done with it.
Of course Galer would despise him: but he might cease to argue.

The crisis came at lunch-time two days later.

"By the way, sir," said Galer, bread in hand, "are you 'aving a paper?"

"Yes, I start to-morrow. _Daily Herald_ and _Manchester Guardian_."

Galer sniffed, threw down the food, and left the room in silence.

II

If Baedeker treated of Oxford colleges as he treats of Continental
hotels the visitor would probably be informed that King's is 'well
spoken of.' King's is small and comfortable but plainly in the first
grade. No taint of specialism mars its charming mediocrity. It is
not, like Balliol, aggressively successful, cornering the university
scholarships and claiming half the important people in Europe as its
alumni, nor does it, like New College, combine a gentle attachment to
the humaner letters with supremacy on the river. It does not aspire to
royalty or rugger Blues. Most class lists contain one or two firsts
from King's and the King's eight never falls from the top division.
The college has two excellent quads, a garden, a pleasing chapel, and
some astonishing beer. Its port, however,