A Prefect’s Uncle · Chapter
XIV: Norris Takes a Short Holiday explained
Norris, confident in his House's cricket team, accepts an invitation from his wealthy uncle to play in a village match instead of attending the crucial House match against Leicester's.
What happens
Norris, confident in his House's cricket team, accepts an invitation from his wealthy uncle to play in a village match instead of attending the crucial House match against Leicester's. Despite Baker's protests, Norris obtains leave from Mr. Jephson by evading the true reason. He enjoys a triumphant game, scoring 78 not out, and returns to find that Leicester's, led by Gethryn's bowling (8 for 9), have crushed his team, dismissing them for 21 and 48 runs.
Themes in this chapter
Sportsmanship and Competition
The chapter contrasts Norris's selfish prioritization of personal glory over team duty with Leicester's disciplined teamwork and fielding practice.
Deception and Truth
Norris uses 'diplomatic evasion' to mislead Mr. Jephson about his reason for leaving, while Baker accuses him of lying.
Characters to notice
- Norris
Captain of Jephson's House; skips the House match to play in a village cricket match, scoring 78 not out.
- Baker
Norris's housemate; tries to persuade Norris to stay for the House match and later coldly informs him of the defeat.
- Pringle
Observes Leicester's fielding practice with Lorimer; criticizes his own House's fielding.
- Lorimer
Accompanies Pringle; discusses the poem he submitted and worries about being caught.
- Mr. Gethryn
Key player for Leicester's; takes 8 wickets for 9 runs in the match against Jephson's.
- Mr. Jephson
House master; grants Norris leave for the weekend without knowing the true reason.
Key passages
“It's all rot... to say that they haven't a chance, because they have.”
Pringle dismisses the common opinion that Leicester's team is hopeless, arguing they have a real chance.
Pringle's contrarian view highlights the underestimation of Leicester's team.
“He must never know!”
Norris declares that Mr. Jephson must not learn his true reason for leaving.
Norris plans to deceive his housemaster about his absence.
“Gethryn took eight for nine. Does that seem to make it any clearer?”
Baker reveals that Gethryn's bowling performance (8 wickets for 9 runs) explains the team's collapse.
Gethryn's exceptional bowling is the decisive factor in the match.