(1) The interview seemed over. (2) The Principal of the
college sat looking at the candidate. (3) The Principal's back was to
the light and her stout, short outline was solid against the window,
softened only by the fuzz of her ageing but rather pretty hair. (4)
Outside the bleak and brutal Cambridge afternoon - December and raining.
(5) The candidate sat opposite wondering what to do.
(6) The chair had a soft seat but wooden arms. (7) She crossed her legs
first one way and then the other - then wondered about crossing her
legs at all. (8) She wondered whether to get up. (9) There was a cigarette
box beside her. (10) She wondered whether she would be offered a cigarette.
(11) There was a decanter of sherry on the bookcase. (12) It had a neglected
air.
(13) This was the third interview of the day. (14)
The first had been as she had expected - carping, snappish, harsh, watchful
- unfriendly even before you had your hand off the door handle. (15)
Seeing how much you could take. (16) Typical Cambridge. (17) A sign
of the times. (18) An hour later and then the second interview - five
of them this time behind a table - four women, one man, all in old clothes.
(19) That had been a long one. (20) Polite though. (21) Not so bad.
(22) "Is there anything that you would like to ask us?"
((23) "Yes please, why I'm here. (24) Whether I really
want to come even if you invite me. (25) What you're all like. (26)
Have you ever run mad for love? (27) Considered suicide? (28) Cried
in the cinema? (29) Clung to somebody in bed?")
(30) "No thank you. (31) I think Miss Blenkinsop-Briggs
has already answered my questions in the interview this morning." (32)
They move their pens about, purse their lips, turn to one another from
the waist, put together the tips of their fingers. (33) I look alert.
(34) I sit up-right. (35) I survey them coolly but not without respect.
(36) I might get in on this one. (37) But don't think it is a good sign
when they're nice to you, said old Miss Bex. (38) And now, here we are.
(39) The third interview. (40) Meeting the Principal.
(41) An interview with the Principal means I'm in for a Scholarship.
(42) How ridiculous!
(43) I can't see her face against the light. (44)
She's got a brooding shape. (45) She is a mass. (46) Beneath the fuzz
a mass. (47) A massive intelligence clicking and ticking away - observing,
assessing, sifting, pigeonholing. (48) Not a feeling, not an emotion,
not a dizzy thought. (49) A formidable woman.
(50) She's getting up. (51) It has been delightful.
(52) She hopes that we may meet again. (53) (Does that mean I'm in?)
(54) What a long way I have to come for an interview. (55) The far far
north. (56) She hopes that I was comfortable last night.
(57) We shake hands in quite a northern way. (58)
Then she puts on a coat - very nice coat, too. (59) Fur. (60) Nice fur.
(61) Something human then about her somewhere.
(62) She walks with me to the door and down the stairs and we pause
again on the college steps.
(63) There is a cold white mist swirling about, rising
from the river. (64) The trees lean, swinging long, black ropes at the
water. (65) A court-yard, frosty, of lovely proportions. (66) A fountain,
a gateway. (67) In the windows round the courtyard the lights are coming
on one by one. (68) But it is damp, old, cold, cold, cold. (69) Cold
as home.
(70) Shall I come here?
(71) Would I like it after all?
If
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