Chapter 4 Summary

George Abbot tries to act older than the teenager he actually is. He carries a pipe and does not wish to be seen as a child. He does not like his position as the authority only over seven to twelve-year-old children. He teaches, with monotonous routine, from the readers and the times tables. He lashes out with his ruler to punish mistakes and this shames him greatly.

Ending up in Australia had been a fluke for him, a chance arrangement. He was appreciated and pampered as a child and was disappointed when his childish charm abruptly stopped working in his mid-teenage years. His godfather, Mr. Robinson, had paid for his schooling since his father had died. He felt indebted to him and could not argue when it was suggested he work in Australia although he had wanted to go to Africa, which he...