# XIV: Norris Takes a Short Holiday explained — A Prefect’s Uncle

> Chapter companion for A Prefect’s Uncle by P. G. Wodehouse.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_prefect_s_uncle_se/chapters/xiv-norris-takes-a-short-holiday
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_prefect_s_uncle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_prefect_s_uncle_se/chapters