Part 5, Chapter 25 Summary

Colin goes to teach at a school that is populated by students like his old friends Batty and Stringer. To Colin, these children are worthy of being taught many wonderful things; to the headmaster and the other teachers, however, these children are headed only for menial jobs and should be taught only what is necessary. Colin's love of poetry is not what is considered "necessary."

Colin doesn't have a classroom of his own and is shuffled around from class to class as needed. His old friend from King Edward's Grammar, Stephens, is also teaching at the school and they renew their acquaintanceship. In fact, Stephens regularly gives Colin a ride down to the bus stop on the back of his scooter.

Stephens sees the children not as human beings but just the members of a class. To that end, he feels...