25 MAY 1944, Page 11

IN THE CLASSROOM

WHAT risks we teachers take In the back row

Genius perhaps is sitting, unaware Of his own latent speed, but with an air Of finding all our erudition slow.

Maybe there is a thing he wants to know But we can't tell him. With appraising stare He judges us, precociously unfair, As having nothing valid to bestow.

Or some felicitous digression leads Away from our routine, and sudden stirred Out of starvation's drowsiness to find Even in us some manna that he needs, He thanks us dumbly for a casual word And makes it treasure in his royal mind.

H. S. Vote HODGE.