Ruler?
He might break one of their ringers, or they might resist; or worse still baffle him with some ingenious excuse which he would not know how to deal with.
He sat by his bed staring hopelessly at the paper and wishing himself anywhere but head of the school--and then as no new light appeared to dawn on the question, and as going back to bed would be a farce, he proceeded to dress.
He had just completed his toilet when he heard some one moving in the next study.
"There's Fairbairn getting up," he said to himself.

"I wonder if he could help me ?" He thought he could.

And yet, under the nervous exterior of this boy there lurked a certain pride which held him back from acting on the impulse.

After all, if he was to do the work, why should he try to shunt part of his responsibility on to another?
So, though he went to his friend's study, he said nothing about the batch of juniors from whom he expected a morning call.
Fairbairn was arraying himself in his boating things, and greeted his friend cheerily.
"Hullo, Riddell, here's an early start for you!" "Yes," said Riddell; "I couldn't sleep very well, so I thought I might as well get up." "Best thing for you.

But why haven't you your flannels on ?" "I'm not going out," said Riddell.