American Women's Club of Hamburg Currents Magazine January 2014 | Page 7

FEATURE

A Por trait of M iss M arjor ie Graham
by Jenny M.

Academic schoolchildren in Britain face
important examinations, called O (Ordinary)
and A (Advanced) levels when they are sixteen
and eighteen years old. The results of these exams
decide whether pupils are university material and
so have a major impact on their future careers.
Miss Graham, large and menacing, loomed over
the queue of nervous girls. She was handing out
their O level results, the results which would shape
their future careers.
“Name and form,” she said in her self- important
manner.
“Kay Wilkinson, form four,” replied my friend,
obediently.
Miss Graham glared at her. “I said form and name,
didn’t I?” Then again, in a loud and menacing
voice, “I said form and name, didn’t I. DIDN’T
I?”
“Er, yes, Miss Graham,” said Kay, who was anxious
to have her results in her hand and know which A
level subjects she could choose for the following
school year.
“Yes,” said Miss Graham. “I knew I said form and
name.” She looked at Kay and said, “You’re stupid
aren’t you?” Then, when Kay didn’t answer, she
repeated the question in a louder voice, “You’re
stupid, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Miss Graham,” Kay replied.
“Yes, I always knew you were stupid,” said Miss
Graham in a satisfied voice and finally handed over
Kay’s results.
You may be interested to know that Kay went on
to attend art college and then began an illustrious
career as a lecturer in one of London’s most
prestigious art colleges.
Miss Graham has long gone to the classroom in
the sky and so, one hopes,