“For all that,” said Wales, “it’s a question of whether the cock of a house is to be allowed his rights or not.”
“It’s more a question whether Jarman is to be allowed his rights,” said Tempest. “I quite agree that these young muffs are a nuisance, and it’s all the more aggravating to be dragged into a mess by them. But he’d no right to interfere.”
“Strictly speaking, I suppose he was right,” said Pridgin. “There is a rule about juniors being in by 6:30; although every one knows half an hour’s grace is given on half-holidays. And I suppose he’s right about the fireworks.”
“You think I ought to cave in?” asked Tempest.
“I don’t say that. But I’d let the matter alone.”
“We shall never stop Jarman at that rate,” said Wales. “I should say fight it out.”
“All very well for you and me,” said Pridgin, “who are comfortably out of it. But it means a big job for old Tempest. He’ll have to bear the brunt of it.”
“I can’t well drop it when he’s told me to give him a list of the youngsters present,” said Tempest.
“You certainly are not called upon to give him a list of the day boys.”
“Well, as I only know one of them, it wouldn’t be easy. If he’d only lagged me, and given me extra drill and lines, it wouldn’t have been so bad. But it was playing it low down to—”