then “Director of Education, Town Hall — Sir — ” Now then! — I don’t know how one really stands — I suppose one could get out of it in less than month — Anyhow “Sir — I beg to resign my post as classmistress in the Willey Green Grammar School. I should be very grateful if you would liberate me as soon as possible, without waiting for the expiration of the month’s notice.” That’ll do. Have you got it? Let me look. “Ursula Brangwen.” Good! Now I’ll write mine. I ought to give them three months, but I can plead health. I can arrange it all right.’

He sat and wrote out his formal resignation.

‘Now,’ he said, when the envelopes were sealed and addressed, ‘shall we post them