THE RELUCTANT SCHOLAR
E. was in a reminiscent mood, prompted by the ringing of the school bell. A small boy went past, dragged almost on tiptoe by his tight-lipped mother. 'When I, was a little lad,' said E., 'they 'ad a job to get me there too.. They was always 'sendin' old Williams, the School .Board, after me..1 saw 'im comin' an'
I used to run to me. grannie's. She 'ad a settle, one o' them that opened up. I used to get in an' pull the seat. down on meself. Of course,. old Williams found out about this. He used to knock on it with 'is stick an' I 'ad to come out. He couldn't walk very fast but he used to drive me in front of 'im like a sheep. I used to run an' if I could get far enough in front I used to 'ide. 'Alf 'is time he never got me there. I wasn!t for 'avin' education rammed down my throat. I wouldn't never 'ave been there either, only me dad come 'ome to work and said I'd be took to school on a dog-collar an' lead. I 'ad to go after that, but I never forgave 'em for makin' me, not even when I was done with it!'
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