“Ah yes,” said Mr. Bent, “true enough, if the risk were _our_ risk--a danger to you and me. But it isn’t. The danger is to the other boys--the boys who are here and the boys who are coming. If you want to make a public school a reformatory, you ought to be honest with the parents; you ought to say to them frankly, ‘I am keeping such and such boys, whom I know to be dangerous, because I think that the companionship of _your_ son may possibly do them good.’ What d’you suppose the parents would say to that? What d’you imagine any of _our_ married colleagues would say, if you proposed to plant a reformatory lad in the middle of their young families, because you felt sure it would be good for _him_ and you weren’t going to be scared by the risks? Answer me that!” “There are reformatories and reformatories,” replied Mr. Plummer sententiously. “Anyhow,” he added, as the dust-laden wind swept down the road, “the prospect is gloomy--and I shouldn’t wonder if we had some snow.” CHAPTER XIV THE DAY OF DECISION One evening, a week after this conversation, Mr. Bent received a summons to see the headmaster in his study after dinner; so, putting on his great-coat, for the wind was still blowing keenly from the north-east, he repaired to the Prætorium. Mr. Flaggon was seated at his table, writing letters, but he waved his guest into an armchair and wheeled his own chair round to face the fire. “I have to make arrangements for next Term,” he began, with an abruptness that was characteristic. “I am assuming that I shall be here and that Chowdler will have gone. In that case I want you to take his house.” Mr. Bent was not altogether unprepared for his offer, though he had never allowed his thoughts to dwell much on the subject. He paused for a few moments before replying: “It won’t be a bed of roses--at least at first; but a year ago I should not have hesitated for a moment. To-day I know my limitations better, and I am not sure whether I have the necessary qualities.” Mr. Flaggon eyed him keenly for a moment, and then said: “I think you are more fitted for the post than anyone else here--if you will follow your better nature.” “Then I will do my best,” said Mr. Bent, “and trust that my better nature will pull me through.” There was a pause before Mr. Flaggon began again, somewhat hesitatingly: “I think, perhaps, that it would be better if this matter were kept private between us two--for the present at all events. I am thinking chiefly of your own position.” “You mean,” said Mr. Bent, “that, if certain things happen, I shall cut a better figure if I am found seated on the top of the fence than if I have come down definitely on the wrong side.”