I am your teacher , and I think it right and proper that I should let you know something of my plans for this class " I tried to pitch my voice into its most informally pleasant register. " We're going to talk, you and I, but we'll be reasonable with each other. I would like you to listen to me without interrupting in any way, and when I'm through any one of you may say your piece without interruption from me." I was making it up as I went along and watching them; at the least sign that it wouldn't work I'd drop it, fast.
They were interested, in spite of themselves; even the husky blase Denham was leaning forward on hisdesk watching me.
"My business here is to teach you, and I shall do my best to make my teaching as interesting as possible. If at any time I say anything which you do not understand or with which you do not agree, I would be pleased if you would let me know. Most of you will be leaving school within six months or so; that means that in a short while you will be embarked on the very adult business of earning a living.Bearing that in mind, I have decided that from now on you will be treated not as children, but as young men and women, by me and by each other. When we move out of the state of certain higher standards of conduct are expected of us..."
"For instance," I continued. "there are really two ways in which a person may enter a room; one is in a controlled, dignified manner, the other is as if someone had just planted a heavy foot in your backside. Miss Dare has just shown us the second way; I'm quite sure she will now give us a demonstration of the first."
To this day I do not know what made me say it, but there it was. I was annoyed with the way in which she had just barged her way in, insolently carelessly late.
All eyes were on her as she had probably planned, but instead of supporting her entrance they were watching her, waiting to see the result of my challenge.She blushed.