Tales of St. Austin's

The story follows Pillingshot, a student who feels deeply wronged by his teacher, Mr. Mellish, after an unexpected examination is announced mid-term. Pillingshot grapples with feelings of frustration and humiliation, believing that such surprises undermine the fairness of academic assessments. He fantasizes about confronting his teacher assertively but ultimately resorts to a timid response. This narrative explores themes of authority, the pressures of academic life, and the struggle for respect in a student-teacher dynamic.