The Corn Is Green Page #8

before we've had that little talk,

even your mother,

I'm in a pretty nervous

state myself this morning

and I shall strike you so hard

that I shall probably kill you.

I mean every word I say.

I don't mind.

Three hours will go by soon enough.

- Good morning.

- Sorry.

- It's a dreadful day. How kind of you.

- Not at all.

Ron, the Squire is here.

Anything for a lark?

I'm glad it isn't me.

- Squire.

- Oh, thank you.

- You're soaking.

- Yes, I am rather wet.

I've got a spiffy bit of news for you.

I bought the barn from Sir Herbert...

and we can move the whole shool next door

by the end of the year.

- What do you think of that?

-Wonderful.

Aren't you pleased about it?

Yes, but...

this examination is rather worrying.

- Squire, your chair.

- Oh, thank you.

- Good day, everyone.

- Good morning.

- Let me take your things.

- Thank you.

- Beastly weather, isn't it?

- Yes, it is.

- You haven't caught cold, have you?

- No, Miss Moffat.

Before I open the papers, I have

a feeling they may bring up Henry VIII.

- Would you memorize these facts.

- Thank you.

White heather. Just a thought.

Thank you.

Good luck, my boy.

- Thank you, sir.

- I'm glad it isn't me.

One minute more, Evans.

You'd better sit down.

Name and particulars, to save time.

And don't get exuberant.

- No.

- Or illegible.

No.

Aren't you going to wish

my little proteg good fortune?

Good luck.

Thank you.

Ready?

Henry VIII.

- Greetings, Learned lady.

- Good morning, Squire.

You know I'm beginning to feel

like a silly old Headmaster?

Watching these eager little

beggars sucking up education

like a lot of blinking little blotters.

There's quite a thrill to it

once you get the proper viewpoint.

You don't think my being

there disturbs them,

makes them selfconscious,

nothing of that sort?

Of course not. We like having you.

That's very nice of you. Extremely so.

Any news yet from young Evans?

I expect we'll hear in a day or two.

I must say I've got that young man

on my mind these days.

Well, I must be toddling on.

Goodbye, dear lady. Goodbye.

You mustn't be late for class, you know.

- Wonder where my chip book is.

- You were using it only yesterday.

Right where you are.

Oh, yes, of course. Here it is.

More bills for the school.

I wish you could be more

careful in your expenditures.

Nonsense.

Moderation is a vastly overrated virtue.

Ron, your next class

is waiting for you.

Do you know what has happened

to Bessie Watty?

Why do you ask that?

Well, there's been a great

deal of curiosity.

Gossip, really.

She was sent back to service

in Cheltenham.

Anything odd about that?

No, I suppose not.

Only people have been asking questions.

- Now. You all understand that?

- Yes, Mr. Jones.

- Let me see your slate, Robbart.

- Mr. Jones!

In that word there, "known",

what in goodness is a "k" doing there?

Well,... it is there because...

that is the proper way to spell.

It is not the way you say it.

"Nown" is the way it sounds.

You do not say "k-nown".

Is that not right, Squire?

I must admit you've got a point there.

N-O-W-N.

K-N-O-W-N.

Your viewpoint is completely logical.

No one can deny that.

Please, sir.

How many "I"s in daffodils?

Daffodils?

The usual number, I suppose.

- One "I" or two, sir?

- Look here, my good man.

If you don't know the meaning

or the proper spelling of a word,

look it up in the dictionary.

You're the one who's supposed

to be getting the education. Not I.

I went through all that myself ages ago.

There's no reason for me to delve

into all those matters over again.

- And now, pupils,

I have a surprise for you.

- Morgan Evans,

- Yes.

Our Morgan is returning

from Oxford University.

And if you all will behave yourselves,

you can stay in here

to welcome him this afternoon.

In the meantime, the class must go on.

Now, now, boys.

Sit down. Sit down.

Or I will not allow you

to wait for Morgan.

- Any sign of him yet?

- No, there's no sign of young Evans.

Only old Sarah.

He is not expected before the train

leaving Oxford in the morning.

Just the same, I sent the wagon

at dawn to the station on the off chance.

If you would please sit down, sir.

The pupils are having enough

difficulty concentrating now.

Excuse me. I simply can't do

a thing with my class.

No concentration at all.

Do you think that Morgan may

know the result when he arrives?

I doubt it. Miss Moffat said we ought

to get a letter in day or two.

I think I'll propel the old pins

down the road. Just in case.

- Please, Squire.

- What is it, my boy?

- What sort of place is Oxford?

- I don't know I'm sure.

Cambridge myself.

Oh, thank you, Jones.

Now pupils, we'll continue

our History class from this morning.

Sarah Pugh,

what are you all dressed up for?

- Because for Morgan Evans.

- Is there any news?

Of Morgan? Oh, quickly.

- Any news?

- Not yet, Mr. Jones.

But when it comes I know it's

good news, so what do I do?

I open the dresser, out the lavender

bags and into my Sundays!

Before we have definite

news that is unwise.

John Goronwy Jones, please, sir.

You are an old soft.

Everybody is ready to meet him

down by the Railroad Station!

The grocer got his fiddle...

And William Williams,

the public, got his cornet.

And me with my mouth organ.

Perhaps preparing for news

to be good means that it will be.

Everything is preordained.

Morgan Evans has either won

the scholarship or lost it.

Let us all say together:

"Morgan Evans has won the scholarship. "

"Morgan Evans has won the scholarship. "

This waiting is getting to

be a definite strain.

If we're going to welcome the lad,

Great Scot, let's go and welcome him!

Squire, wait, we'll go with you.

- Pupils, pupils, please!

- Don't worry. I'll go tell Miss Moffat.

Pupils!

Class must go on. Please.

It's simply no use.

They're all scurrying down

the road to meet Morgan.

You're the only one

who doesn't seem to be nervous.

I'm past being nervous, Ron.

If he has won,

I shan't believe it, frankly.

And if he has lost?

If he has lost,

we must proceed

as if nothing had happened.

Won't you come and help me

keep some semblance of order?

Very well, Ron.

I shall be up presently.

...love alone his watch is keeping,

all through the night.

Miss Ronberry,

how great their English has improved.

Very well. Now shall we try and

sing the words with the music?

Yes, Miss Moffat.

You'd better follow me

on the blackboard for the first time.

"Sleep my love and peace attend thee

all through the night. "

"Guardian angels God will lend thee

all through the night. "

"Soft the drowsy hours are creeping

"hill and vale in slumber steeping,

"love alone his watch is keeping,

"all through the night. "

That was splendid.

And now, Miss Ronberry, I suggest

that they sing it from memory.

- We'll try.

- Good afternoon.

Good afternoon, Miss Moffat.

- Are you ready?

- Yes, Miss Ronberry.

Mr. Hughes. Are you sure that Morgan

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