2 JUNE 1939, Page 15

Even as at school, the head-boy passes through the admiring

throng with rapid strides of busy importance: the gait of the junior whips takes upon itself the self-conscious lilt of the newly-appointed prefect. At no time does this similarity impress itself so forcibly upon one as on the last day of term. The sense of impending release, the imminence of other and gentler standards of social behaviour, the approaching interruption of our communal existence, creates an atmosphere of comradely vivacity. Old animosities are discarded with our school clothes ; the shout of derision, the obviously averted eye, give place to polite enquiries regard- ing the approaching holidays ; the grey suits, the neat checks of the last day of term give to our school-fellows the adorn- ment and the glamour of some other and some unknown world ; even the head prefect has discarded his flowing tails in favour of a neat green suit. Amity abounds.

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