Lyttleton Old School is a rather indifferent boys public school. The most casual observation of this establishment reveals its dedication, not to the education of the pupils, but the comfort of the staff.
Pinkerton fails to create a non-smokers' common room for Flax, but otherwise manages to maintain the peace by discovering that Davies and Renfrew have been lying to Miss Shilling about their marital statuses.
Parsons and Flax almost ruin Pinkerton's schemes to find £8,000 for the gymnasium fund. The ambitious Bursar has the last laugh.
The Headmaster goes on the wagon, Davies gives Miss Shilling an unwelcome present, and Parsons demands the redecoration of the common room. All of which present problems for Pinkerton.
Pinkerton has difficulty in replacing a maths teacher. He also has a problem containing Flax's humanitarianism, and escaping the wrath of Renfrew, whose jealousy has been provoked by Davies's anonymous letter to Miss Shilling.
The Headmaster decides to star in the school play. The long-time producer, Beech is considerably displeased. Pinkerton has to placate Beech and thwart the Headmaster's dramatic ambitions.