"Well because really he must be very unhappy, You know, Holy Father."
"In your opinion, Mr. Guthrie, he himself is the cause of his own unhappiness?"
"Quite so, Holy Father. You see he doesn't seem to be able to rub along with the other men. He can't come down to their level so to speak. He keeps himself too much to himself: won't or can't conciliate the least little bit. Of course they all think it's pride on his part; and they pay him out with practical jokes of a rather doubtful kind I'm afraid. He's good and kind and clever and all that sort of thing: but he hasn't the slightest idea of making himself popular as a church-student should be among church-students. You see, he's what I may call (if I may be quite frank about him) such a Beastly Fool. The rector doesn't like it I'm sure."
"Then perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the fault is not so much in the man as in his environment?"
"That's what I've always said, Holy Father. His present environment is quite unsuitable for a man of that kind. He must find it extremely unpleasant."
"Mr. Guthrie, won't you try to make it more pleasant for him? Bear with him: defend him: don't seem to form a party with him against the others: but don't give the others the idea that you approve of their attitude to him. Will you do as much as that?"
"I'm sure I'll do anything in my power, Holy Father."
"That at least is in your power.—God bless you."
The Pope went on to the reception room to fetch Cardinal Carvale. Not to neglect the superiors, (although He was very tired) He allowed them to show Him rather dubious and very ugly treasures; and tolerated half-an-hour of vapid conversation. They thought Him so nice. He was bored to death. After conferring the usual favours, He obtained a whole playday for the college: notified the rector that He was carrying off a student: arranged for Mr. Jameson to visit Cardinal Sterling; and took His departure. He put His acquisition into a victoria, and bade him drive to the obelisk in St. Peter's Square.
"Dreadful place!" Hadrian ejaculated to Carvale as they turned down Tritone. "Do you think you could make it decent if you were rector?"