Harrison's Slight Error explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Trickery and Cunning

  Harrison's elaborate plan to trick the new boy into dismantling Venables' study.

• Social Hierarchy and Initiation

  The new boy's introduction to the school and Harrison's attempt to assert dominance.

• Friendship and Loyalty

  Mace's failure to keep a seat and the betrayal by Harrison's friends on the train.

Characters to notice

• P. St. H. Harrison

  Protagonist who loses his train seat and schemes revenge.

• Richard Venables

  Head of Merevale's House; his study is targeted by Harrison's prank.

• J. S. M. Babington

  Teases Harrison in the train carriage.

• Barrett

  Joins in mocking Harrison on the train.

• Grey

  Another passenger who taunts Harrison.

• Mace

  Friend who failed to keep a seat for Harrison.

• Tony Graham

  Owner of the study Harrison claims as his own.

• The Babe

  Mentioned as part of the school community.

Key passages

• “The one o’clock down express was just on the point of starting.”

  The 1:00 PM express train was about to depart.

  Opening scene setting.

• “Harrison turned on him savagely. 'Look here,' he said, 'just you get out of that. What do you mean by bagging my seat?'”

  Harrison angrily confronted the new boy for taking his seat.

  Conflict initiation.

• “Harrison's idea was that when Venables returned and found an absolute stranger placidly engaged in wrecking his carefully-tidied study, he would at once, and without making inquiries, fall upon that absolute stranger and blot him off the face of the earth.”

  Harrison hoped Venables would attack the new boy for wrecking his study.

  Harrison's revenge plan.

• “Venables and the stranger were seated in two armchairs, apparently on the very best of terms with one another.”

  Venables and the new boy were getting along well.

  Prank backfires.

• “Harrison turned a delicate shade of green.”

  Harrison turned pale with shock.

  Harrison's realization.