And those children! shall they have never a word? How they assembled in the early morning, and haunted the precincts till 8.50, when they were admitted into school, and harangued on behaviour; how they, beribboned, brought down flaxen-haired, blue-eyed infants still more beribboned, and too much pleased with the ribbons to take thought for the inspector; while comely matrons stood at their doors representing the past, but carrying in their arms the scholars of the future: how they waited wearily till the Man arrived, and then in audible whispers discussed the question whether It was The Same—with apparent reference to the inspection of the previous year; how they struggled tearfully through the morning; fled home; and, what time the Inspectors had emerged from the ever hospitable Rectory, and were gazing at the tombs of the rude forefathers in the churchyard, were ready, clad in their workaday suits, to see their enemies off with faintly subdued derisive cheers.
And the Rector and Rectoress said, “Well, that’s over for another year.”
And the teachers said, “Thank Goodness, that is done; he seemed in a pretty good temper.”
And H.M.I. said to his colleague: “Nice old boy. What induced him to marry her? Never mind; sha’n’t see her again for a year. What school to-morrow? Home, Charlie.”
FOOTNOTES:
[12] “In respect that it is solitary I like it very well, but in respect that it is private it is a very vile life,” said Touchstone.
[13] Certificate printed on parchment, attesting competence as teacher. See Chapter on “Reports.”
[14] F. H. Myers, St. Paul.
CHAPTER X
ARCADIA CLERICORUM
“I am one that had rather go with sir priest,
than sir knight.”—Twelfth Night.