The Fifth Form at Saint Dominic's, by Talbot Baines Reed.
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This is a rather famous book about life in a boys' boarding school. We
start off with the entry to the school of a little new boy, not quite
eleven years old, who also happens to have an older brother in the
school. We learn about the school at the same time as little Steevie
does.
Steevie is appointed to be the fag of one Loman, and as the story
unfolds we begin to see life through the eyes of the older boy. There
is an interesting moment when Steevie refuses to do the work of fag to
Loman, and is soundly beaten up for his refusal.
There is a rather unsuitable public-house owner, Cripps, and Loman
becomes indebted to him for a large sum of money. What Loman does to
try to liquidate his debt is what much of the latter part of the book
is about. We do not wish to spoil the story for you, so we will not go
into any details of this.
There is a rather nice episode during the summer holidays when some of
the boys row down the river Thames from Oxford to London, which your
reviewer has also done more than once. Many of the landmarks that they
saw are still there. You will enjoy reading or listening to this book.
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THE FIFTH FORM AT SAINT DOMINIC'S, BY TALBOT BAINES REED.