“Yes, sir.”
“Now,” continued the Head, finding it a little hard to word his phrases exactly, “I agree with Mr. Roylston, the master so caricatured, that that was most reprehensible. I do not suppose you have any defense for it.”
“None, sir. I can only say, while I now see how it was calculated to be taken as an insult, I did it simply for fun.”
“Precisely. It was not a matter that I myself, taking all things into consideration, should have regarded as a capital crime, but it has caused deep offense to the master involved and he has not seen his way to forgetting or perhaps even to forgiving it. In fact, because of it, he has protested emphatically against your appointment.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I repeat, I should myself have overlooked such an offense—I should have accepted your apology in the spirit in which I think it was given. But as Mr. Roylston is unwilling to do so, I do not feel that I should be justified in overruling his protest. The same reason disqualified you as a prefect.”
Tony was silent.
“I need not point out to you,” the Doctor continued, “that while I believe Mr. Roylston is severe, that I do not think he is acting with any conscious injustice.”
“No, sir. I recognize his right to protest against my appointment. I have not complained of your decision, sir.”
“No, I know that you have not. I felt it due to you that you should understand perfectly what interfered with your appointment. I know also that I can count on you for as loyal help as though you were a prefect.”