But, my dear reader, a muff like Riddell _was_ the captain of a school; and what's more he didn't give it up even after the day's adventures just described.
Riddell was not perfect.

I know it is an unheard-of thing for a good boy in a story-book not to be perfect, and that is one reason which convinces me this story of mine must be an impossible one.

Riddell was not perfect.

He had a fault.

Can you believe it--he had many faults?
He even had a besetting sin, and that besetting sin was pride.