A new teacher, not yet graduated from university, starts her job at a girls' boarding school. Meanwhile the Deputy-Head's ex-husband comes back into her life.
Characters
Barbara Baillie: deputy-head.
Georgia Jamieson.
Mary Clynes.
Lorna Hart.
Fay Jarvis: sports mistress, in distinctive smart uniform.
Vi Miller.
Andrea Macphie: a new teacher.
Miss Hilbury: headmistress.
Time
First day of a new school year. From about 8:30-9 am.
Place
The staff room of a provincial boarding school for girls.
It should have a general air of moving-in: piles of text-books, papers in manilla folders, brief-cases, and small suitcases. A couple of half-unpacked boxes of books on the floor. A large table in centre, to accommodate eight, with upright chairs around it. Small side-table near one wall, with electric jug, cups etc., biscuit-tin. Door centre back, and on wall behind it a row of eight pegs, with academic gowns and mortar-boards on seven. There may be a couple of battered armchairs and a sofa. (sofa would have to be without back rest, because it would be lost placed behind table, and cannot sensibly be placed before it, to face audience, if actors have to turn their backs entirely on those near the table. Plenty of bookshelves.