“Almost all other schools have clerical Heads,” said the Reverend John gently.
“It isn’t fair on the chaps,” Stalky replied. “Makes ’em sulky. Of course it’s different with you, sir. You belong to the school—same as we do. I mean ordinary clergymen.”
“Well, I am a most ordinary clergyman; and Mr. Hartopp’s in Orders, too.”
“Ye—es, but he took ’em after he came to the Coll. We saw him go up for his exam. That’s all right,” said Beetle. “But just think if the Head went and got ordained!”
“What would happen, Beetle?”
“Oh, the Coll. ’ud go to pieces in a year, sir. There’s no doubt o’ that.”
“How d’you know?” The Reverend John was smiling.
“We’ve been here nearly six years now. There are precious few things about the Coll. we don’t know,” Stalky replied. “Why, even you came the term after I did, sir. I remember your asking our names in form your first lesson. Mr. King, Mr. Prout, and the Head, of course, are the only masters senior to us—in that way.”
“Yes, we’ve changed a good deal—in Common-room.”
“Huh!” said Beetle with a grunt. “They came here, an’ they went away to get married. Jolly good riddance, too!”