Alcock's unexpected death changes the situation for everyone at Bamfylde. David is relieved to hear that the headmaster died of natural causes as he had feared suicide. He is also pleased to hear that the Board had concluded insufficient evidence to dismiss him, though he's confused when Algy is appointed interim Headmaster until a permanent replacement can be found. Algy encourages him to work as hard as he can and to look at this interim period as an opportunity to learn more about what it means to be a Headmaster. David impresses the Board's Chairman with a proposal to increase school revenues during the quiet summer months. His hard work is rewarded in the end. David's relationship with Christine seems tenuous at best. Unable to be with her on election day, she feels alone and abandoned and informs him that she is off to Canada on a scholarship and will be away for a year or two.
—garykmcd