The two prefects, with flushed faces, elbowed their way into the room as though just arrived to quell the uproar.

A few boys snatched up books and flopped down at their desks.

But Mr Bickers had too keen an eye to let himself be imposed upon.

He had witnessed the scene from a window in his own house, and surmising by the noise that no authority was present to deal with the disorder, had taken upon himself to look in in a friendly way and set things right.
"Silence!" he cried, closing the door behind him, and walking two steps into the room.

"Where is Mr Railsford ?" "Out, sir," said Stafford.
"And the prefects ?" "Felgate and I are prefects, sir.