178 Tue Mar 24]
pause. Again I thought I was safe, but presently "Mr Findlay!" (oh Heavens!) "Just do this piece of prose please, don't hurry, take your time & bring it up when you have done!" Accordingly at 10.50, after hearing the other people's vivas (except the three still writing) I presented the Prose to the old man. "Just wait 10 min will you please!" "You can wait in here or outside as you prefer" I elected to stop inside so he presented me with an edition of Byron's Childe Harold to pass the time away. When the best part of 10 min had elapsed one of the examiners called me for the viva. "Well Mr Findlay what do you think of Soc. doctrine of reminiscence?" I replied in effect "Not much!" Then he asked in what cases it would break down, so I gave as instances Nat. Science History, Geography. This seemed to satisfy him. He leaned over to the man on his right and said in a loud whisper "You're going to pass this man aren't you?" "Yes, on that second prose". He then informed me officially that they had passed me on the second prose. "the other papers were quite good!" By now it was about 11.20 so I had just time to get back to Coll, resume ordinary dress and catch the 12.0