Mrs Donovan squelched off to a changing room. Mr Shrapnell watched her go. Then he began to laugh. The children started to laugh. Miss Pandemonium started to laugh. Mr Shrapnell got to his feet and carefully got into the tin tub. He took up an oar.
‘May I row you round the pool, Violet?’ he asked.
‘I’d be delighted, Headmaster,’ smiled Miss Pandemonium. She climbed into the tub and they began to paddle sedately round the pool while the children cheered and waved.
And even as the tub began to sink lower and lower with their weight they
didn’t care, and slowly slid beneath the waves, laughing.