Just before lunch, I meet Hamilton in the corridor.  He’s talking to some other  monitors but calls me over.
“Wilson!”
I hope he’s changed his mind as he’s smiling at me.

“Yes, Hamilton,”  I respond as I go over to him.  You know him well as you are in his junior fencing  team.
“I’d like you  like to be in the team against  St.Marks on Friday - OK?”
“Yes, wonderful, thanks Hamilton”
He seems relaxed and friendly as ever,  but I  know he hasn’t forgotten.”
“We’ll arrange a practice sometime soon.”  he adds.

I  go into the dining room for lunch,  not long to go now before it’s all over.  I  don’t eat much and  my House Master,  sitting at the head of my table today  asks  me  why I’m not eating.  I wonder if he knows?  Did Hamilton ask permission?

“I think I’ve got an Old Grange coming after lunch.”   I  respond.
“Oh, you shouldn't let that spoil your appetite, I expect you deserve it.”
He responds and we change the subject.

The Captain of the School  raps his spoon on his table,  there is a hush and we all stand for Grace.  Lunch is over  “In fundequaesumus domine deus...”  he rambles on with the long latin grace.  Then a pause and some announcements about the afternoon games being cancelled because of flooding of part of the rugby field, there would be house runs instead. Then finally  “I want to see Wilson and Johnson-2 in the Old Grange at two o’clock.”