Relatively Speaking

Most institutions have their resident bore: the man who is at his happiest when he is given free rein to collar an audience and to keep a tight hold until he has satisfied himself that another life has been enriched by the fruits of his experience and wisdom. Such a man is Mr. Melluish. He occupies a chair by the fireplace in the masters' common room at Linton House preparatory school and he regards it as his mission in life to offer comfort and advice to the masters, mistresses and assistant matrons who inadvertently stray into his path.