prepostors

The master of the week being short-sighted, and the prepostors of the week small and not well up to their work, the lower-school boys employ the ten minutes which elapse before their names are called in pelting one another vigorously with acorns, which fly about in all directions.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

It was a great and solemn sight, and never more so than at this time of year, when the only lights in the chapel were in the pulpit and at the seats of the prepostors of the week, and the soft twilight stole over the rest of the chapel, deepening into darkness in the high gallery behind the organ.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

The master mounted into the high desk by the door, and one of the prepostors of the week stood by him on the steps, the other three marching up and down the middle of the school with their canes, calling out, "Silence, silence!"

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

For the new prepostors were either small young boys, whose cleverness had carried them up to the top of the school, while in strength of body and character they were not yet fit for a share in the government; or else big fellows of the wrong sort — boys whose friendships and tastes had a downward tendency, who had not caught the meaning of their position and work, and felt none of its responsibilities.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

Not even his authority could prevent the hissing; and so strong was the feeling that the four prepostors of the week walked up the school with their canes, shouting "S-s-s-s-i-lenc-c-c-c-e" at the top of their voices.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

They are quite ready to fight — no boys in the school more so; but they are prepostors, and understand their office, and can't uphold unrighteous causes.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

These on the left; and on the right the lower fifth, shell, and all the junior forms in order; while up the middle marched the three prepostors.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

And now the master of the week has finished, and locked up the big school; and the prepostors of the week come out, sweeping the last remnant of the school fags, who had been loafing about the corners by the fives court, in hopes of a chance of bolting, before them into the close.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

The small prepostors dash in every now and then, and generally chastise some quiet, timid boy who is equally afraid of acorns and canes, while the principal performers get dexterously out of the way.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971

The big fifth-form boys, who were a sporting and drinking set, soon began to usurp power, and to fag the little boys as if they were prepostors, and to bully and oppress any who showed signs of resistance.

Tom Brown's Schooldays Hughes, Thomas, 1822-1896 1971