“Do you reverse many of the prefects’ rulings?” asked Adams.
“Oh no, sir, not now,” said David, anxious to do such justice as could be done to those two impotent figureheads. “You see, neither of them liked their silly rulings reversed, and they’ve become much more sensible. But you simply can’t have a prefect looking in your study when you’re out, and wanting to cane you because he finds a pipe there. Fancy Frank or Cruikshank doing a scruggish, low-down trick like that!”
“You seem rather fond of that instance,” said Adams.
“Yes sir, because it’s so jolly typical,” said David.
“I’m considering what to say to the Head,” he remarked. “I shall certainly tell him there’s another side to the question, besides Manton’s.”
“Oh, ripping!” said David cordially. “I felt sure you’d see it.”
“I suppose you enjoyed the Court of Appeal a good deal?” he asked.
“Rather, sir,” said David. “I should think we did. Wish you could have heard one of the trials, with us three on the bench, and Manton as defendant, and some junior as plaintiff. You see, sir, Manton and Crossley consented to it all; that’s another point in our favour, isn’t it! Gregson planned all the ritual, because his pater’s a real judge in Appeal Courts, and we call each other ‘My learned brother Crabtree’ or ‘Blaize,’ for of course there are no nicknames or Christian names in Court. It’s all quite serious; there’s no rag about it. We were thinking of appointing a permanent counsel to plead for plaintiffs——”
“David, you don’t suppose that the Court of Appeal is going to be allowed to remain in existence?” he asked.
“That’s as you wish, sir,” he said. “But——”
“Nothing sir. I was only thinking that there’ll be rather rows again.”
“I hope not,” said Adams. “That’s exactly what you and fellows like you have got to prevent.”
“But how can we if you’re going to stop it?” asked David.
“In hundreds of ways: by backing the prefects up without over-riding them. You’re sensible enough to know that.”
“Is the Head sick about it, sir?” he asked.
“He’s never sick about anything till he’s in full possession of the facts. He was prepared to be uncommonly sick, when he had only heard the other side. In fact, he said something about giving you another lesson with regard to obeying authorities. But after what you’ve told me I don’t think you need be alarmed.”