“There _had_ been a little unpleasantness before I arrived,” he said afterwards, in describing the events, “but I soon settled all that.” It will be readily understood, therefore, that Mr. Chowdler was in no mood to tolerate rebuffs when he returned to Chiltern. And yet, as ill-luck would have it, a rebuff of the most unexpected kind awaited him. On the eve of his departure for Switzerland he had written to the headmaster to intimate that he wished to have Cheeny as a house Prefect in the following term, and it would therefore be convenient if the boy were made a school Prefect at the same time. In all his past experience a wish of this kind had been equivalent to a command, and had only needed the official endorsement of the headmaster. However, this time, on his return from Sauersprudel, he found, not the official endorsement he expected, but a note, requesting him to come and see Mr. Flaggon on the matter at his earliest convenience. The interview was more surprising even than the note. Mr. Flaggon, it appeared, intended, when appointing Prefects, to take much less account in future of mere athletic distinction and much more of mental ability; “because,” he said, “although I know that there are often striking exceptions, brain power and character are closely allied, and the boy who has brains is more likely to understand and appreciate high ideals than the boy who has none. I have gone into Cheeny’s claims very carefully; and, except for your high opinion of him, which of course weighs with me, I can find no reason for promoting him to such a responsible post. He is quite low in the school and----” “Then you can’t have seen him in the Cock-house match last Term,” interrupted Mr. Chowdler angrily. “I did,” replied Mr. Flaggon. “I admired his spirit and I envied him his agility. But that kind of spirit alone doesn’t make a Prefect; and I notice that all his masters say of him that he collapses before any difficulty in his work and is inclined to sulk.” Mr. Chowdler was too indignant to speak; but worse was in store; for Mr. Flaggon continued implacably: “But there is another boy in your house whom I _am_ very glad to make a Prefect. I mean Dennison. He has earned the honour by his place in the school alone, and, so far as I can judge--and I have been studying him rather closely--he has qualities which justify me in feeling very hopeful about him.” Dennison! Mr. Chowdler nearly had a fit. Dennison! One of those morbid, cantankerous, precocious boys, who have none of the good-fellowship, none of the joy of life, that are the crown of youth. A boy with a jealous, sour, carping disposition, unpopular with his fellows and unresponsive to his housemaster; a boy without influence and eaten up by an unhealthy egotism. “You misjudge him,” said Mr. Flaggon. “The boy is reserved, rather sensitive, and shy of expressing himself; but he has character and a conscience. With guidance and a little sympathy he will make a very useful Prefect.”