“Of course it is, and especially so for a boy in your position. Now, I don’t know what attitude the headmaster will adopt, but of this I am quite certain. A great deal will depend on whether you tell me the truth. I shall know if you tell me a lie. You’ve got to tell me the whole story. Now, how did this thing start?”

“On the first night of the Christmas term, sir.”

“How?”

“I met them at a dance in the pageant grounds.”

“The pageant grounds are out of bounds. You ought to know that.”

“It was the first night, sir.”

“Don’t quibble with me. They’re out of bounds. Well, what happened next?”

“I danced with her, sir.”

“Were you alone?”

“No, sir.”