Практический курс английского языка 2 курс - [5]

Anne gave a watery smile. The Children's faces were unmoved.

"Miss Lacey," repeated Miss Enderby with emphasis. "Can you say that?"

"Miss Lacey," chorused the class obediently.

"Perhaps you could say 'Good morning' to your new teacher?" suggested Miss Enderby in an

imperative tone.

"Good morning. Miss Lacey," came the polite chorus.

"Good morning, children," responded Anne in a voice which bore no resemblance to her

own.

Miss Enderby motioned to the children to take their seats. "I should give out paper and

coloured pencils," said Miss Enderby, "as soon as you've called the register6. Keep them busy while

you're finding your way about the cupboards7 and so on."

She gave a swift look round the class. "I expect you to help Miss Lacey in every way," said

the headmistress. "D'you hear me, Arnold?"

The little boy addressed, who had been crossing and uncrossing his eyes in an ugly manner

for the enjoyment of his neighbours, looked suitably crest-fallen.

5 term n

School terms in Great Britain are arranged in the following way:

Usually called

Approximate dates

the first term the antumn term

Sept 5 — Dec. 20

the second term the winterterm or spring term

Jan. 5 — Mar. 25 (or later, depending on the date of Easter)

the third term the summer term

Apr. 15 (or later) — Jul. 20

6 to can the register is used only if the names are called out and the pupils answer. To mark smb. present/absent is often used

in connection with registration. The expression to take the register is also used in the sense of "mark".

In schools the form teacher marks the register every morning before lessons, and often before afternoon lessons too. The

register is a book with a list of the pupils' full names, addresses and dates of birth. When marked, the register is usually kept in the

school office, and not taken to lessons.

In universities and colleges there is generally no formal marking of a register by the teaching staff.

7 cupboard n: a cabinet or closet fitted with shelves.

"If I were you, I should keep an eye on that boy," murmured Miss Enderby. "Broken home —

brother in Borstal8 — and some rather dreadful habits!"

Anne looked with fresh interest at Arnold and thought he looked quite different from what

Miss Enderby said about him. Far too innocent and apple-cheeked to have such a record. But even as

she looked, she saw his pink face express his scorn of Miss Enderby who was giving her final

messages to the new teacher.

"Break9 at ten forty-five, dear," said the headmistress. "Come straight to the staff room. I will

wait there till you join us. I will introduce you to those you didn't meet on your first visit How do

you like the idea of having a cup of tea then? We need rest after all. If there's anything that puzzles

you, I shall be in my room. You can depend on me. Just send a message by one of the children."

She made her way to the door and waited before it, eyebrows raised as she turned her gaze

upon the children. They gazed back in some bewilderment

"Is no one going to remember his manners?" asked Miss Enderby.

With a nervous start Anne hastened forward to the door, but was waved back by a movement

of her headmistress's hand. A dozen or more children made a rush to open the door. A freckled girl

with two skinny red plaits was the first to drag open the door. She was rewarded by a smile.

"Thank you, dear, thank you," said Miss Enderby and sailed majestically into the corridor.

There came a faint sigh of relief as the door closed behind her, and the forty-six tongues which had

so far kept unnaturally silent began to wag cheerfully. Anne watched this change with some dismay.

She remembered with sudden relief some advice given her at college in just such a situation.

"Stand quite still, be quite calm, and gradually the children will become conscious that you

are waiting. Never, never attempt to shout them down."

So Anne stood her ground waiting for the chattering to subside. But the noise grew in volume

as conversations became more animated. One or two children ran across the room to see their distant

friends. Two little boys attacked each other. A child with birthday cards was displaying their beauties

to an admiring crowd round her desk. Arnold had removed his blue pullover and was attempting to

pull his shirt over his head, in order to show his friends a scar on his shoulderblade.

Amidst growing chaos Anne remained silent. She looked at the clock which jerked from one

minute to the next and decided to let it leap once more before she abandoned hope.

One crumb of comfort, if comfort it could be called, remained with her. This was an outburst

of natural high spirits. Her presence, she noted, meant nothing at all to them.

A chair fell over, someone yelped with pain, there was a burst of laughter, and Anne saw the

clock jump to another minute. Anne advanced into action.

"To your desks!" she roared, "And quickly!"

With a pleasurable shock she saw her words obeyed. Within a minute order had returned.

Refreshed by the break the children turned attentive eyes upon her.

Anne's self-esteem crept back.

( From "Fresh from the Country" by Miss Reed)