Summary

“School” begins in 1936, when Eddie started at Chilham School. His close relationship with Pat raised eyebrows, by students and teachers alike; after being satisfied that there was “no physicality” about their relationship (81), however, it was decided that the boys would be treated as brothers. Pat sat his entrance exams, and was accepted to attend Cambridge after he had served in the war.

One night the school’s alarm bells woke all the boys up. They were ordered to dress, handed rifles, and told that the invasion was upon them. They learned later it had been a false alarm; Pat contracted pneumonia due to being outside all night, however, and was placed in San to recuperate. Eddie was not allowed to see him at first, as his Housemaster, Oils, disapproved of their closeness. However, Eddie appealed the decision on the grounds of “slander...