‘She suggested that the world might have been created in six days. That Darwin’s theories were unproven. I had to laugh.’ Smith’s happy gaze caught Rocastle’s disapproving expression. ‘Perhaps you had to be there.’

‘Then there was the incident over the punishment Mr Challoner had prescribed for Atkins.’

‘They were on a cross-country run. The boy was hurt.’

‘Mr Challoner’s view is that he was slacking. He completed the course twice, so he can’t have been too badly injured, can he? Well, can he?’

‘No, I suppose not⁠ —’

‘Listen, Smith, I’ll be plain. Your interference in other teachers’ lessons is bad for discipline. I’ve heard that your own History classes run remarkably smoothly. Why can’t you let others get on with their work?’

‘I…’ Smith lowered his head. ‘I don’t know. I’m sorry if I caused any trouble. I’ll try not to meddle.’

‘That’s the spirit. I admire a man who knows when he’s wrong. As for this afternoon’s little sortie, well, it’s not really done for a housemaster to enter into the personal business of his House. Bad form. I don’t know how they did it up in Scotland⁠ —’

‘My last headmaster, Mr Gothley, was very keen on knowing everyone’s affairs.’

‘Well, that’s the trouble, then. You’re just getting used to how we do things south of the border. The Celtic temperament’s a fine thing in war. I remember a rather stirring bayonet demonstration given by the Scots Guards at a tattoo when I was a lad. However, the way of discipline and stability is our chosen path, and we do well enough with it.’

‘Yes.’ Smith nodded. ‘I see.’

‘Good man. I’m sure we shan’t have to talk like this again. Good Lord, is that the time? Not on evening prep, are you? No, well then, I shan’t keep you from getting back to the lodge. How are you finding it?’

‘I haven’t had any trouble. It’s always been at the bottom of the drive,’ Smith told him seriously.

Rocastle wasn’t listening, thumping some papers into shape on his desk. ‘Good, good.’ There was a knock at the door. ‘Enter.’

Joan Redfern entered. She was in her early forties, a science teacher, with an occasional strand of hair escaping from her carefully pinned coiffure.

‘Excuse me, Head and, oh, hello, Dr Smith, I was just wondering if I could use your telephone at the weekend. My aunt in Grims appears to be ailing, and I’d like to discover the precise situation.’

‘Of course,’ said Rocastle. ‘Will you be requiring time off, Mrs Redfern?’

‘Oh goodness, no, it’s not as serious as all that. Thank you anyway. Good day.’

She nodded to Rocastle, gave Smith a little smile, and left.