A Prefect’s Uncle · Chapter
III: The Uncle Makes Himself at Home explained
Gethryn discovers that the new boy, Farnie, is actually his uncle, four years his junior.
What happens
Gethryn discovers that the new boy, Farnie, is actually his uncle, four years his junior. Farnie's confident and cheeky demeanor unsettles Gethryn, who tries to advise him about school life, including warnings about Monk. Farnie reveals he has brought a large sum of money, obtained by tricking his father, and quickly becomes popular among the younger boys.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Obligation
Gethryn grapples with the unexpected responsibility of having his younger uncle at school, balancing familial duty with personal embarrassment.
Deception and Truth
Farnie deceives his father to obtain extra pocket money, and Gethryn warns him about the deceptive Monk.
Coming of Age
Farnie's confident navigation of school life contrasts with Gethryn's attempts to mentor him, highlighting different stages of maturity.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Gethryn
Struggles to assert authority over his younger uncle, Farnie, and tries to give him advice about school.
- Farnie
Arrives at Beckford as a new boy, reveals himself as Gethryn's uncle, and displays a confident, cheeky personality.
- Leicester
Mentioned as the head of the house Farnie is joining; described as a 'perfectly decent sort of man'.
- Bishop
Present during the conversation between Gethryn and Farnie; Gethryn is referred to as 'the Bishop'.
Key passages
“I’m very sorry, I hadn’t the least idea you wanted the thing kept dark. How was I to know? I’ve just been telling it to some of the chaps in there. Awfully decent chaps. They seemed to think it rather funny.”
Farnie apologizes sarcastically, explaining he already told other students about being Gethryn's uncle.
Farnie's casual disregard for Gethryn's wishes establishes his cheeky character.
“Doesn’t it strike you that for a kid like you you’ve got a good deal of edge on?”
Gethryn asks Farnie if he realizes how impertinent he is for his age.
Gethryn's frustration with Farnie's attitude is evident.
“I asked for fifteen. Got it, too. I’ve spent a pound of it. I said I wanted to buy a bike. You can get a jolly good bike for five quid about, so you see I scoop ten pounds.”
Farnie explains how he tricked his father into giving him extra money by claiming he needed a bicycle.
Highlights Farnie's cunning and unscrupulous nature.