The unusual thing about the dining hall is that it is completely silent, with no noise or chatter from the students.

Dinah can easily spot Lloyd and Harvey in the crowded dining area because they are the only ones not wearing the school uniform. They stand out among the other students.

Lloyd, Harvey, Ian, Ingrid, and Mandy are different from the other students because they are not under the control of the Headmaster. They are aware of his strange behavior and are suspicious of him, unlike the other students who seem to blindly follow him.

When Dinah is asked about her thoughts on the Headmaster and the school, she hesitates and gives a vague answer. She doesn’t want to reveal her suspicions or draw attention to herself.

During the assembly, Dinah tries to escape and explore the school to find evidence of the Headmaster’s strange behavior. However, she is caught by the Headmaster’s hypnotic gaze and is unable to leave her seat. She is unsuccessful in her attempt to investigate further.

At the end of the chapter, Dinah feels a strange sensation and realizes that the Headmaster has been staring at her. She becomes frightened and wonders if he somehow knows about her suspicions.

Lloyd, Harvey, Ian, Ingrid, and Mandy do not go to the assembly like everyone else because they are aware of the Headmaster’s strange behavior and do not trust him. They choose to stay away and avoid being under his control.