But one can never say the last word on such a subject as the Public Schools, especially in a novel. In a novel one is constrained to tell a story or to reveal a character. In The Harrovians you dealt with the Public School System only in as far as it effected the development of Peter, and in Loose Ends you found yourself equally fettered with regard to Maurice. It is for this reason that I feel there is still room for a book such as this, which, though a narrative, has for its object simply the analysis and presentation of public school life. At any rate I hope that you may think, when you come to read it, that it was worth doing. If you do not, well then at least here is your name after the title-page in grateful tribute to many pleasant hours spent in the company of yourself and of your books, and in the hope of many more such hours.
For their sake, if not for its own sake, please accept this book, and believe me,
As ever, your sincere friend,
Alec Waugh.
CONTENTS
| CHAP. | PAGE | |
| I. | INTRODUCTORY | [1] |
| II. | THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL | [20] |
| III. | THE NEW BOY | [38] |
| IV. | THE SECOND YEAR | [60] |
| V. | ATHLETICISM | [76] |
| VI. | THE TRUE ETHICS OF CRIBBING | [91] |
| VII. | MORALITY AND THE ROMANTIC FRIENDSHIP | [124] |
| VIII. | THE MIDDLE YEARS | [161] |
| IX. | PREFECTSHIP | [171] |
| X. | THE LAST TERM | [198] |
| XI. | THE OLD BOY AS SCHOOLMASTER AND PARENT | [215] |
| XII. | SOME SUGGESTIONS: THE LEAVING AGE WITH REGARD TO MORALS | [231] |
| XIII. | THE LEAVING AGE WITH REGARD TO ATHLETICS | [256] |
| XIV. | CONCLUSION | [263] |