Bunter the Bad Lad by Frank Richards.

Published in 1960 by Cassell & Co

Illustrated by C. H. Chapman.

In contrast to some of the heavier feuding & downfall type stories, this is a jolly comic romp that pleases for many reasons. Coker has written an impertinent limerick about his form-master. Being Coker, he loses it in the quad. It is found by Bunter, who attempts to return it to Coker, hoping to be rewarded by being asked to a study spread. Coker, being Coker, smacks Bunter’s head before the fat owl can explain the reason for his visit.

Breathing wrath & indignation, Bunter decides to hold the limerick over Coker’s head. Realising that the precious document is not safe hidden about his person, Bunter slips it into an envelope, and asks Mr Quelch to mind it for him. So begins a glorious period of little loans & free tuck for Bunter as the “bad lad” proceeds to blackmail the hapless Horace.

There was an old duffer named Prout

Enormously podgy and stout

He talks awful rot

And he never knows what

He’s talking & talking about.

(Coker’s limerick)