* * *
For a few boys, Jonathan being one of them, morning assembly always had a risk attached. At the end of the formalities, after the announcements had been made and most of the teaching staff departed, Mr Wallace or Mr Durrant would appear with any pieces of games kit or clothing found away from the owner’s peg or locker.
“Pierce J, your change shirt, on the floor again. That’s the second time this term.”
A note went into Mr Wallace’s diary, another debit for Jonathan. Shamefaced, Jonathan went and collected his now very dirty shirt from Mr Wallace.
“Sorry, sir.”
Minor rule infractions earned debits just as good work earned credits. Too many debits and a boy might make a visit to see Mr Durrant or Captain Porter in their studies. Credits on the other hand earned the occasional treat, a trip out at the weekend perhaps to the cinema.
“Reward as well as punishment,” was the idea Captain Porter had with this system. To Mr Barnes though, the availability of minor sanctions seemed to encourage an element of pettiness at times. Mr Durrant’s particular obsession with boys not losing things was petty and for some boys distinctly upsetting for what was really a very trivial event. In the eyes of Mr Barnes, the fact that it seemed to be the same few boys each term who were earning most of the debits, and if enough accumulated, an interview with Captain Porter or Mr Durrant, proved his point.
Jonathan was one of those boys. Slightly disorganised at times and always up to some form of mischief or another. Jonathan accumulated debits the way Clancy accumulated credits.
Curious Pip caught up with Jonathan in the queue for lunch after he had been summoned to Mr Durrant for collecting six debits that half term. Pip whispered “Did you go to see Mr Durrant?”
“Yes, but you won’t tell anyone will you?” Jonathan was not keen to advertise his visit to Mr Durrant’s study. He was ashamed he had been there. It was where only naughty boys went.
“No, don’t worry. I will keep it secret. I certainly wouldn’t want to go there.”
“Me neither. I don’t recommend it at all, but it’s not as bad as you think, honest. Just a lecture, sort of.”
*****