midday
For with years we begin to realise our ignorance , and the lesson is not complete when the grave slams the book . A few plumb the depths of their ignorance before death : these are able to speak -- and these are the teachers of men . We get here one reason why giants are fewer in our day : with the growth of man 's imaginings and his inventions there is more vanity to be forced through ; the truths of life lie deeper hid ; more phantasms arise to lure us from the quest of realities ; the task of striking truth accumulates . Soon after midday the party broke up . Its members lunched early ; visiting surgeons and physicians went their rounds at half-past one . George strolled to the Dean 's office . A woebegone-looking youth in spectacles stood before the table ; opposite sat the Dean .