Part 1 (1/2)

A Dominie in Doubt

by A S Neill

DEDICATION

To Ho about education I owe much to him, but I hasten to warn educationists that they es I never understood hih to expound his wonderful educational theories

A S N

FORFAR, AUGUST 12, 1920

A DOMINIE IN DOUBT

I

”Just give ; I'd like to hear it”

Macdonald looked up fro into the bowl of his pipe with a dilapidated penknife He is now head-master of Tarbonny Public School, a school I knoell, for I taught in it for two years as an ex-pupil teacher

Six days ago he wrote asking me to co andhad been a sort of co dominies and their wives, none of who prices, and a thousand other things Suddenly so_ had come under discussion

I had been anxious to continue my discussion with a Mrs Brown on the subject of the relative laying values of Minorcas and Buff Orpingtons, but I had been dragged to the miserable business in spite of one, and Macdonald had returned to the charge

”It's hardly a fair question,” said Mrs Macdonald, ”to ask an author what he thinks of his own book No e her own child”

”That's true!” I said ”Aa book is an element of behaviour Besides, there is a better reason why a writer cannot judge his oork,” I added

”Because he never reads it?” queried Macdonald with a grin

I shook my head

”An author has no further interest in his book after it is published”

Macdonald looked across at me It was clear that he doubted my seriousness

”Surely you don't _?”

”None whatever!” I said

”You mean it?” persisted Macdonald

”My dear Mac,” I said, ”an author dare not read his own book”