It had been worth waiting for.

This much of his future he had found worth planning.
He pictured the unfortunates back in the old room, breathing chalk dust, vexed with foolish problems, tormented by discipline.

He was never again to pass a public school save with a sensation of shuddering relief.

He had escaped into his future, and felt no concern about what it should offer him.

It was enough to have escaped.
Having savoured freedom another ten minutes, he sauntered over to the _Advance_ office as a favour to Sam Pickering.