e
outposts in his schools' system of discipline Bramhall was the
weakest held. The house was under the sway of an ineffective master
with a stinging tongue; and trouble would have stirred long ago had
it not been for the heavy hand of the junior house-master, Radley,
whom Salome's predecessor had placed there to strengthen the
position. And insubordination had been not uncommon since the
accession of the too genial White to the captaincy.

In justice to White I must say that, if he had been present this
evening, he would have done his best to quell the disturbance. But
the decision of the judges had no sooner reached him than he had
disappeared from the sight of men. As a matter of fact his great
heart was breaking in the privacy of the science buildings. The only
other house-prefects were, strangely enough, the redoubtable Cully
and Johnson, who had sought consolation by retiring together to a
cafe in the town. So, when Salome arrived at Fillet's study, there
were no prefects available to disband the rebels. What was he to do?
It would be quite inexpedient for a master to venture himself into
the field of fire. If he suffered indignity, severe punishment would
be necessary, and that might provoke further defiance. Then again,
an alien prefect from another house would have little hope of
success on Bramhall territory. Truly Salome was out in a storm.

Hardly had they placed me on the steps, very surprised and
gratified, before Pennybet roared out:

"Was it true that you cheated, as Fillet tried to make out?"

"No!" I cried.

If I had been a nobler youth, I should have assumed that Fillet
acted conscientiously from a mistake. But I believed, and wanted to
believe, that his had been a piece of deliberate revenge; that,
recalling my imitation of his affliction, he had determined to rob
me of my triumph. So, being a vindictive young animal, I declared to
the mob what I conceived to be the truth. And all of them agreed,
while many began to hoot.

"Now, I've been sent by some boys at the back," said Penny, "to tell
you that what you've got to do is to go up to Fillet's room and
tender him a mock-apology for losing the Cup for his house. We're to
cheer ironically and hoot down here, and make a hell of a noise.
Then if he says 'Are those young devils cheering you or hooting me?'
you're to say 'They're doing both, sir.' It's a good scheme, whoever
invented it, because he can't touch you for civilly apologising and
then