〃So many!〃 she said; gently。 Then she remembered。
〃But theyre not all for your class; are they?〃 she
added。
〃Why arent they?〃 he replied; a fierceness in his voice。
Ursula was rather frightened by his mechanical ignoring of
her; and his directness of statement。 It was something new to
her。 She had never been treated like this before; as if she did
not count; as if she were addressing a machine。
〃It is too many;〃 she said sympathetically。
〃Youll get about the same;〃 he said。
That was all she received。 She sat rather blank; not knowing
how to feel。 Still she liked him。 He seemed so cross。 There was
a queer; sharp; keen…edge feeling about him that attracted her
and frightened her at the same time。 It was so cold; and against
his nature。
The door opened; and a short; neutral…tinted young woman of
about twenty…eight appeared。
〃Oh; Ursula!〃 the newer exclaimed。 〃You are here early! My
word; Ill warrant you dont keep it up。 Thats Mr。 Williamsons
peg。 This is yours。 Standard Five teacher always has this。
Arent you going to take your hat off?〃
Miss Violet Harby removed Ursulas waterproof from the peg on
which it was hung; to one a little farther down the row。 She had
already snatched the pins from her own stuff hat; and jammed
them through her coat。 She turned to Ursula; as she pushed up
her frizzed; flat; dun…coloured hair。
〃Isnt it a beastly morning;〃 she exclaimed; 〃beastly! And if
theres one thing I hate above another its a wet Monday
morning;……pack of kids trailing in anyhow…nohow; and no
holding em〃
She had taken a black pinafore from a newspaper package; and
was tying it round her waist。
〃Youve brought an apron; havent you?〃 she said jerkily;
glancing at Ursula。 〃Oh……youll want one。 Youve no idea
what a sight youll look before half…past four; what with chalk
and ink and kids dirty feet。……Well; I can send a boy down
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