'Well, is there anyone who isn't Tangent?
Four or five voices instantly arose.
'I'm not, sir; I'm not Tangent. I wouldn't be called Tangent, not on the end of a barge pole.
In a few seconds the room had become divided into two parties: those who were Tangent and those who were not. Blows were already being exchanged, when the door opened and Grimes came in. There was a slight hush.
'I thought you might want this, he said, handing Paul a walking stick. 'And if you take my advice, you'll set them something to do.
He went out; and Paul, firmly grasping the walking-stick, faced his form.
'Listen, he said. 'I don't care a damn what any of you are called, but if there's another word from anyone I shall keep you all in this afternoon.
'You can't keep me in, said Clutterbuck; 'I'm going for a walk with Captain Grimes.
'Then I shall very nearly kill you with this stick. Meanwhile you will all write an essay on "Self‑indulgence". There will be a prize of half a crown for the longest essay, irrespective of any possible merit.
From then onwards all was silence until break. Paul, still holding his stick, gazed despondently out of the window. Now and then there rose from below the shrill voices of the servants scolding each other in Welsh. By the time the bell rang Clutterbuck had covered sixteen pages, and was awarded the half‑crown.