There was a knock at the bedroom door, and silence fell suddenly.
"Come in," called Peter, not without relief.
The Junior Prior stood in the doorway. He had heard an uproar in Peter's rooms, and he did not immediately see the company.
"Mr. Paragon," he said with the dignity of a sergeant, "what's all this noise?"
He had got as far as this when Dundoon suddenly put a fond arm around his neck.
"It's all right, Peepy," he said. "Peter Pagger's been very rude to me."
The Junior Prior changed colour, and Peter enjoyed his confusion. The Junior Prior's attempt at discipline collapsed. He had come to assert his authority over a mere member of the college, but he had fallen among friends.
"Don't you think this has gone far enough?" He almost pleaded with Dundoon.
"Peter Pagger's been very rude to me."
"Yes. But I think you ought to come away."