—"And I have decided," continued Mr. Brett, bending his brows judicially, "to recommend Ericson and Smythe."
"Nincompoops, both of them," observed Mr. Allnutt at once.
"I fancy Brett was addressing the Headmaster," said Haydock drily.
"Oh, this is quite an informal discussion," said Mr. Allnutt cheerfully. "The best boys in your House, Brett, are Meldrum and Lemaire. Why don't you recommend them?"
With a great effort Mr. Brett kept his temper.
"They do not happen to be House prefects," he replied stiffly, "and are therefore ineligible for monitorships."
Much to Mr. Brett's discomfiture, all three of his companions turned and gazed at him in undisguised astonishment.
"Why, man," burst out Mr. Allnutt, "Lemaire is the most brilliant boy in the School!"
"His bodily infirmity"—began Mr. Brett majestically.
"I see, I see," said Allnutt. "Bodily infirmity is a bar to promotion in your House; but not mental infirmity—eh? I suppose you have noticed that Ericson is a congenital idiot?"