Summary

In Chapter 7, the sense of security of the last chapters is shattered abruptly by Dr. Fagan’s last-minute announcement of the Annual School Sports and then the simultaneous visits of Lady Circumference and Mrs. Beste-Chetwynde. Fagan puts Paul in charge of the sports event, and requires that everyone of a distinguished nature be invited. Fagan assigns duties to the staff and his daughters. His imagination and excitement cause him to demand the organization of an elaborate function.

Paul approaches Philbrick to devise impromptu sports equipment. This proximity prompts Philbrick, like the others, to bare his soul to Paul. Despite his attempts at organizing the sporting event, the heats races are foiled as the boys run off but do not return. Along with Grimes, Paul and the other teachers fake the results on paper before sending them off to the printers.

Analysis

In this chapter, Waugh...