Book excerpt: Charlie Fraser. For some, just a name, just a boy. For some, not even a remarkable boy. Call it devotion. It was as good a word as any. Why Charlie?Why not Dan or Mac or dear old Sparrow? Herbert only knew it to be so - for Charlie Fraser, despite his odd detachment, had presence. Presence. And whatever presence was, it ensured absolute devotion ... The year is 1913, the place a boys' school in colonial South Africa. For every boy, the heart of the school is his own House, his Housemaster and his particular Hero. And, for every newboy coming through the hallowed doors, there are two commandments. The first: Silence and Denial. The second: Not to fail at Footer. Validation lies in honouring these. At whatever cost.