Back in the mid-Fifties, in my probationary year, the head told staff to expect a visit from the mayor one morning. I drilled my first year junior D stream remedial class about the forthcoming visit, telling them to stand when the mayor and his party entered the room, and to greet him with: “Good morning, Mr Mayor.”
We practised diligently, at regular intervals, for days. During the morning of the planned visit we received a message from the mayor’s secretary explaining that he had been unavoidably delayed and would not arrive until after lunch.
As he entered the classroom, the mayor, with a smile, said: “Good afternoon, children.”
Class 1D rose, as practised, and dutifully replied: “Good morning, Mr Mayor.”
SID HOPKINS
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