Of all the masters, Mr Forder was the one he would least have chosen to take up an affair of this kind.

He was harsh, unsympathetic, hasty.

And of all persons to prime the master in the circumstances of the case, Dangle was the least to be trusted.
His temptation was to go at once to Rollitt, and force the matter to a conclusion before Mr Forder had time to interfere.

Things were going from bad to worse.

Would they never come right again?
Next morning, before he could decide what to do, a message came from Mr Forder, requesting him and his fellow-prefects to come across to the master's room.
In no amiable frame of mind they obeyed.