The first edition of this book is dated 1889. The edition used is dated 1920. The publisher was R.T.S., 4 Bouverie Street, London EC4. The number of pages is 308.

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General information

I did find the start of this book to be rather annoying, for it can never have been realistic that a school would advertise for a form-master and house-master. Even in those days it would have been absolutely normal that a house-master would undergo a long period as a junior master before even being asked to take a house at some time in the future. This would be something like five years on the staff, and then a further ten years before actually taking charge of a house. As for being Master of the Shell, again, there would be a period of probation while a young man was learning the ropes about teaching, before he would become head of a Block, such as Shell. In my school there was a Shell, but it was rather a side alley, rather than the broad avenue leading to the Sixth Form. It was usual for the Head of a Block to be a man who had done his fifteen years as a house master, and who had therefore been on the staff for thirty years or more.

One last point about appointing a young master to a school: he would be expected to play a full part in sport or other outdoor activities. Our hero had indeed been an Oxford Blue, and he could have got a job on the basis of this and his academic record. But he would never have been accepted if he mentioned that he was planning soon to marry, for the school needed him heart and soul as a bachelor for at least five years. On the other hand it was quite desirable that he should marry before becoming a house master, though on the whole the most excellent house masters are the unmarried ones.

It takes quite a few chapters to get past the welter of nineteenth century school-boy slang before we get to any decisive fresh action. There was another house-master, who was an exceedingly nasty man. Some of the boys lay a trap for him, catch him, tie him up with a rope, and leave him for the night in the boot box, after which none of the boys will admit to this misdemeanour. By chance the hero, Mr. Railsford, finds out who did it, but under circumstances which make it impossible for him to tell anyone. The nasty man tries to pin the deed on him, and it comes to the point where he has to resign rather than tell.

Luckily he is saved at the very last moment, so late that his cab has arrived to take him to the station. When all is revealed, it is the nasty man that has to resign. We are left to presume that the school continued harmoniously for many a year. with Railsford still a house master, and Master of the Shell.

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Contents

Chapter I.
Twice Accepted.

Chapter II.
“Veni, Vidi, —“

Chapter III.
Opening Day.

Chapter IV.
A Friendly Chat.

Chapter V.
Arthur and the Baronet settle down for the Term.

Chapter VI.
When the Cat’s away the Mice will play.

Chapter VII.
The Session of Masters and an Outrage.

Chapter VIII.
The Doctor has a Word or Two with Railsford’s House.

Chapter IX.
Ainger has a Crumpet for Tea, and Smedley sings a Song.

Chapter X.
Arthur puts two and two together.

Chapter XI.
A “Cause Célèbre.“

Chapter XII.
Throwing down the Gauntlet.

Chapter XIII.
A Fly in the Ointment.

Chapter XIV.
Challenging the Record.

Chapter XV.
Mr. Bickers prefers the Door to the Window.

Chapter XVI.
The Testimonial.

Chapter XVII.
The Secret Out.

Chapter XVIII.
Rods in Pickle for Railsford.

Chapter XIX.
Felgate, the Champion of the Oppressed.

Chapter XX.
The Little Sweep.

Chapter XXI.
The Naturalists’ Field Club.

Chapter XXII.
The Haunted Window.

Chapter XXIII.
“After You.“

Chapter XXIV.
The Strange Adventures of a Brown-Paper Parcel.

Chapter XXV.
The Blow falls.

Chapter XXVI.
Things go well with Mr. Bickers.

Chapter XXVII.
Clearing up, and clearing out.

Chapter XXVIII.
“Dulce Domum.“

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