The chapel doors open beneath the school bell. Paul is brought inside by Chenevix-Trench, while Willie and Christopher remain behind in the common room with their notes and unfinished books.
The headmaster sits beneath the dark, carved canopy, silver hair bright above his black gown. A prefect waits at a side table, ledger open and pen poised.
the headmaster
Bring the boy forward. This inquiry will distinguish the money order, the flight from authority, and any disciplinary matter arising separately.
Chenevix-Trench enters from the married quarters carrying a leather folder. He places the secured money order, the receipt, and his written account before the headmaster.
Anthony Chenevix-Trench
Foot removed disputed property from my study, ignored an order to return, and remains subject to the correction already entered.
Prefect
The record requires three headings, sir: custody of property, disobedience in leaving, and the postponed correction. They must not be merged.
The headmaster studies the papers before looking toward Paul. The prefect begins writing, and Chenevix-Trench waits beside the table, unable to turn the inquiry into a single accusation.
✓ Quest Accepted
Keep the postponed correction separate from the inquiry’s findings
“I apologise to the Headmaster for my behaviour, I accept that I need to be punished, and I request that my Housemaster, Chenevix-Trench, should be given complete powers to deal with all three matters, in the usual fashion.”
FAILURE (Mediocre Oratory, rolled +2)
Paul Foot
I apologise for my behaviour, sir. I accept that I must be punished, and request that Housemaster Chenevix-Trench be given complete powers over all three matters, in the usual fashion.
Paul’s apology hangs beneath the carved canopy. Chenevix-Trench looks pleased, but the headmaster raises one hand before he can answer.
the headmaster
Your apology is accepted, Foot, but you cannot surrender the distinctions established by this inquiry. The three matters will not be placed wholly in your housemaster’s hands.
Anthony Chenevix-Trench
The boy recognises the necessity of discipline, sir. It would be efficient to let me deal with the whole account.
the headmaster
Efficient, perhaps. Proper, no. The money order remains a matter of custody, your flight a matter of conduct, and the postponed correction remains separately entered.
Paul’s request fails, but it produces a usable protection: Chenevix-Trench cannot merge the order, the flight, and the correction into one charge. The prefect writes that limitation into the ledger.
Prefect
The record now states plainly that each matter requires its own authority and decision, sir.
Quest Complete
Keep the postponed correction separate from the inquiry’s findings