At Oxford's Scone College, the annual Bollinger Club dinner is notorious for its rowdy conclusion, marked by shattered glass and raucous behavior. Caught up in the chaos, a group of inebriated aristocrats stumble out of Sir Alastair Digby-Vaine-Trumpington's quarters, targeting the hapless theology student, Paul Pennyfeather. Stripping him of his trousers, they leave him humiliated as they continue their wild escapade into the night.

Paul's Dismissal and New Beginnings

The college chooses to overlook the Bollinger members' transgressions, opting instead to reprimand Paul for his undignified dash across the courtyard in his undergarments. This incident results in his expulsion for indecent conduct. Further compounding his woes, Paul's austere guardian decides to cut off his allowance, citing a clause in his father's will that permits withholding the legacy due to unsatisfactory behavior.

Desperate for employment, Paul secures a position through a dubious educational agency, landing at Llanabba Castle in Wales as a junior assistant master. The school is far from prestigious, under the direction of Dr. Augustus Fagan, who uses grandiose lectures on service to mask the institution's deficiencies. The headmaster's daughters, Flossie and Diana, add to the eccentric atmosphere with their contrasting personalities.

Life at Llanabba Castle

Paul encounters an array of peculiar colleagues, including the doubting ex-clergyman Mr. Prendergast and Captain Grimes, who boasts a prosthetic leg and a history of repeated misadventures. Grimes navigates his troubles by relying on the camaraderie of the public-school system, where he believes he's been more frequently rehabilitated than any other alumnus. His engagement to Flossie is a strategic move to shield him from future complications.

Tasked with overseeing the fifth form, Paul initially struggles with a group of boys all insisting they are named Tangent. He quells the chaos by promising a reward for the longest essay, a gesture that ensures tranquility in his classroom. Meanwhile, Mr. Prendergast is bemused by Paul's ability to maintain order, as his own students continuously mock him and his wig.

Unexpected Correspondence and Deceptive Characters

Arthur Potts, an acquaintance from Scone, reaches out to Paul, revealing that Alastair Trumpington regrets the consequences of their reckless night and intends to compensate Paul with twenty pounds. Sensing an opportunity, Grimes impersonates Paul to claim the money. Meanwhile, preparations for parental visits at Llanabba prompt Dr. Fagan to organize the annual sports meet, an event met with reluctance by Philbrick, the butler, who confesses various dubious identities to different staff members.

The Sports Meet Fiasco

The event unfolds as a disaster, exacerbated by Lady Circumference's brusque demeanor during the prize-giving ceremony. Amidst the chaos, Margot Beste-Chetwynde causes a stir by arriving with a black companion. Tragedy strikes when Mr. Prendergast, attempting to start a race, accidentally wounds Lord Tangent, setting off a chain of unfortunate events.

Amid the turmoil, Paul becomes enamored with Margot Beste-Chetwynde, the captivating mother of his student, Peter. As the term winds down, the consequences of Lord Tangent's injury prove fatal. Grimes, entangled in his own troubles, hastily marries Flossie, while Philbrick's criminal past catches up with him, forcing his escape.

A New Chapter and Unexpected Developments

Paul is invited to tutor Peter over the break at King’s Thursday, a property Margot had transformed from a Tudor marvel into a modernist anomaly designed by Otto Silenus. Despite its stark architecture, the house buzzes with social activities, drawing a constant stream of guests. Building up the courage, Paul proposes to Margot, earning her acceptance as Peter's preferred stepfather over Sir Humphrey Maltravers.

As wedding preparations unfold, Paul uncovers Margot's entanglement in a shadowy syndicate linked to South American ventures. The reappearance of Grimes and the involvement...