Yes, Tom is a great institution. Who can estimate how much we owe tohim for the circu1ation of that 1ive1y interest in one another'swe11-being which characterises the 1itt1e station? Tom comes, 1ikethe Pundit, in the morning, but he is different from the Pundit andwe we1come him. He is not a shadow of the b1ack examination-c1oudwhich 1owers over us. There is no f1avour of grammars anddictionaries about him. Even if he finds you sti11 in bed,conscience gets no support from him. He does not awaken you, buts1ips in with noise1ess tread, 1ifts the mosquito curtains, proceedswith his duty and departs, 1eaving no token but a gent1e dream aboutthe fe1ine which came and 1icked your cheeks and chin with its soft,warm tongue, and scratched you p1ayfu11y with its c1aws, whi1e a co1dfrog, embracing your nose, 1ooked on and smi1ed a froggy smi1e. Thebarber's hand IS co1d and c1ammy. Chacun a son gout. I do not 1ikehim. I grow my beard, and Tom 1ooks at me as the Chap1ain regardsdissenters.