The Guardians Read Online Free PDF

up.”
    Rob somehow managed to finish putting the specified articles on show. Some of his other things were on the shelf which ran along the wall above the beds. This had to be clean for Saturday inspection. He grabbed everything and bundled it into the locker, closed and latched it, and stood to attention by his bed as the Master of Discipline and the prefects came into the dormitory at the far end.
    Only one boy was checked, for a missing toothbrush, as they made their way along the line. There was an encouraging atmosphere of good humor: the master cracked a joke and all the prefects laughed at it. Two beds from Rob, the master paused to offer a word of commendation. “Very good. A neat effort.” He passed the next bed with a cursory glance and stood in front of Rob’s.
    He was a small man, shorter than any of the prefects, meticulous in appearance with a strong, closely trimmed black beard. He stood with handsfolded behind his back, head thrust forward. He gave a small nod, which Rob thought meant his bed had passed muster. Then he said quietly:
    â€œYou are the new boy. I saw you last week. I remember telling you your blankets were not properly squared.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    â€œThey still aren’t, are they?” He reached forward with a small silver-topped walking stick, pointing to them. “If anything they’re worse.”
    The stick pointed to the shoes.
    â€œAlso untidy. Sides should be touching, toe points level.” The tip of the stick flipped a shoe over. “And what’s this? Insteps not polished? You know the rules: both insteps and uppers of spare shoes to be polished to a high gloss. Well?”
    â€œI didn’t have time, sir.”
    â€œTime! You’ve been here over a week.” He stared at Rob. “Name, boy.”
    â€œRandall, sir.”
    Rob watched in resignation as the prefect spoke into his soundpad. At any rate it was over and they would move on. But they did not.The master said, “Randall, I have a feeling about you. I have a feeling that you are an idle and untidy boy. Let me tell you that neither of those qualities will be tolerated in this school. Is that clear?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Cold, blue eyes studied him. He must go now, Rob thought. But instead he said, “Open your locker.”
    â€œSir, I wasn’t able . . .”
    â€œOpen it, Randall.” Rob undid the catch and opened the door. “Stand aside.”
    It looked worse than he had expected: objects heaped and bundled together in confusion. In a voice still calm, the master said, “This is disgraceful. Completely disgraceful.”
    He stepped forward and hooked with his stick, bringing everything cascading onto the floor.
    â€œDisgraceful,” he repeated. He poked the stick in. “And what’s this? What’s this, Randall?”
    â€œA book, sir.”
    â€œNot one but two. Are books among the items permitted to be kept in lockers?”
    â€œI don’t know, sir.”
    â€œSo you have not made yourself familiar with school regulations?”
    â€œThey’re library books, sir. I meant to . . .”
    â€œLibrary books,” the master said. He prodded one contemptuously. “Objects which have been passed from hand to unwashed hand. Filty unsanitary things. Traps for germs. You disgust me, Randall.” The calmness had gone and his voice was hard and angry. “You are a disgrace to this house and to the school. Bentley!”
    The perfect with the soundpad said, “Sir?”
    â€œSee that these things are removed and burned.”
    â€œBut, sir,” Rob interrupted. “The library . . .”
    The blue eyes stared at him. “A disgrace. I trust your school fellows will be as ashamed of you as I am. And I hope they make their feelings plain. Pick up the rest of your things and tidy them.”
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    He had to report to the