Ally slanged Thurston right and left, and told him that if he chose to drink beer in a low 'pub' with the biggest blackguards in the school, he needn't expect that the fellows in the Sixth would have anything to do with him, and that he ought to send in his resignation as a prefect." On entering the school buildings, our three friends were convinced of the truth of their comrade's story, and on their way to the schoolroom the question was repeated at least half a dozen times--"Have you heard about old 'Thirsty' being cobbed in the Black Swan ?" Diggory thought of the conversation he had overheard in Acton's study, and mentioned it to Carton.
"Yes," answered the latter.

"Big Fletcher's a beast.

I know Thurston's very chummy with him, but I don't see that's got much to do with it.
My brother, who left last term, said that 'Thirsty' used to be rather a jolly chap, only he's got a fearful temper when he's crossed.

Most of the chaps like him as a prefect, because as long as you don't interfere with him he doesn't seem to care much what any one does.

The real thing is he's going to the dogs, and, as Allingford says, he ought to resign." Away in one of the Sixth Form studies the subject of their conversation was sitting with his hands in his pockets, frowning at the fire.