“Are you alone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“No one else with you?”
“No, sir.”
“Quite certain of that?”
“Oh, yes, sir.”
“Very well. Don’t let this happen again, Curtis.”
“Burtis, please, sir. No, sir. Thank you, sir.”
“Hm! Good night!”
But the encounter with Mr. Collins couldn’t spoil the adventure. Unaided and alone, reflected Kendall as he mounted the stairs to his room, he had met the enemy and repulsed it! He had saved the school from vandalism! He, Kendall Burtis, had done it, and from now on they could no longer disregard his existence. He was a hero!