June 20 + 

Sat at Liverpool University for the practical exam. Zoology, Board of Education. + 

At the close the other students left but I went on working. Prof. Herdman asked me if I had finished. I said “No,” so he gave me a little more time. Later he came up again, and again I said “No,” but he replied that he was afraid I must stop. “What could you do further?” he asked, picking up a dish of plankton. I pointed out a Sagitta, an Oikopleura, and a Noctiluca, and he replied, “Of course I put in more than you were expected to identify in the time, so as to make a choice possible.” Then he complimented me on my written papers which were sent in some weeks ago, and looking at my practical work he added, “And this, too, seems to be quite excellent.” + 

I thanked him from the bottom of a greedy and grateful heart, and he went on, “I see you describe yourself in your papers as a journalist, but can you tell me exactly what has been your career in Zoology?” I answered of course rather proudly that I had had no career in Zoology. + 

“But what school or college have you worked at?” he persisted. + 

“None,” I said a little doggedly. “What I know I have taught myself.” + 

“So you’ve had no training in Zoology at all?” + 

“No, sir.” + 

“Well, if you’ve taught yourself all you know, you’ve done remarkably well.” + 

He still seemed a little incredulous, and when I explained how I got a great many of my marine animals for dissection and study at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, he immediately asked me suspiciously if I had ever worked there. We shook hands, and he wished me all success in the future, to which I to myself devoutly said Amen. + 

Came home very elated at having impressed someone at last. + 

Now for Dublin. + 