The sight of this man triggers a flood of painful memories from Perkins’ time at Repton, a prestigious boarding school. He recalls the "study-pracs," a system where older students controlled younger ones, making them act as servants. Perkins specifically remembers his tormentor, Bruce Foxley, who held absolute power over him. The memories are visceral and humiliating: Foxley would force Perkins to warm Foxley’s frozen toilet seat by sitting on it before Foxley used it, among other degradations.
The ending is classic Dahl irony.
I'm assuming you're referring to "The Galloping Foxley" by Roald Dahl. galloping foxley pdf
Perkins becomes convinced that the stranger on the train is his childhood bully, now an older, heavier man. The recognition becomes an obsession. Eventually, Perkins decides to confront the man. He introduces himself with his full name, expecting a reaction of fear or recognition. The stranger turns, looks at Perkins, and says he does not know him. He then introduces himself not as Bruce Foxley, but as , a man who attended a different school (Eton) and claims to have a butler named Galloping Foxley. The sight of this man triggers a flood