By M. R. James

Introduction

A School Story is a subtle and chilling ghost narrative that blends memory, mystery, and the supernatural. Through a conversation between two men, M. R. James explores how ordinary school experiences can conceal deeply unsettling truths.

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The Story Begins

Two men sat in a smoking-room, recalling their school days. One mentioned a strange footmark on a staircase—supposedly left by a ghost. The conversation turned to the folklore of schoolboys: eerie tales passed down, often without explanation.

One of them then shared a story—not merely a tale, but something that had actually happened during his own school days.

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The School and the New Master

The school was near London, set in a large, old building surrounded by fields and ancient trees. Among the boys was a friend named McLeod.

One term, a new master arrived—Mr. Sampson. He was a well-travelled man, engaging and knowledgeable, and quickly became popular among the students.

One peculiar detail stood out: a gold coin he wore on his watch-chain, marked with the initials G.W.S. and the date 24 July 1865.

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The First Strange Incident

During a Latin class, the boys were asked to construct sentences using memini (“I remember”).

While others wrote simple sentences, McLeod hesitated. Then suddenly, as if compelled, he wrote:

“Memento putei inter quatuor taxos.”
(Remember the well among the four yew trees.)

When Mr. Sampson read it, he reacted strangely—falling silent, visibly disturbed, and questioning McLeod intensely about it.

No one understood why.

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The Second Incident

Weeks later, during another exercise, something even stranger occurred.

Among the students’ papers, an extra sheet appeared—written in red ink, in no one’s handwriting. There were more papers than students.

The message read:

“Si tu non veneris ad me, ego veniam ad te.”
(If you do not come to me, I will come to you.)

Moments later, the writing vanished without a trace.

Mr. Sampson, clearly shaken, dismissed the class early.

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The Third Incident: The Apparition

That night, McLeod woke his friend in terror.

He had seen a figure outside Mr. Sampson’s window—a thin, wet-looking man, possibly not even alive, beckoning from the windowsill.

When they looked, nothing was there.

But the fear remained.

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The Disappearance

The next day, Mr. Sampson was gone.

No explanation. No trace. He had simply vanished.

The boys never spoke of what they had witnessed.

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The Revelation

Years later, a chilling discovery emerged.

At a country house in Ireland, a well was being cleaned. Inside, two bodies were found—locked together.

Among them was a gold coin.

It bore the inscription:

G.W.S., 24 July 1865

The same as Mr. Sampson’s.

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Themes for Reflection

• Hidden guilt and past sins
• The inevitability of justice
• The supernatural as moral consequence
• Memory and suppressed truth

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Conclusion

A School Story is not merely a ghost story—it is a quiet meditation on the past that refuses to remain buried. Through understated horror, M. R. James shows how the unseen can surface in the most unexpected ways.