Darker and darker, grimmer and grimmer, gets the picture that you paint. You are putting the wind up me alright. Perhaps I should have tried harder to find a Private English Language Centre to accept me. I have worked for a few learning centres in China, so I know they give you a fair deal and encourage you to speak Mandarin. I have actually spent only one day teaching in a Chinese university, so I'll give way to your greater knowledge, Clyde. You sound like you know what you're talking about to me. It looks like I got it right years ago when I avoided working for universities and state schools.

Time is betraying me, so it looks as if I'll have to start at the dreaded university now, 1 Sept. I will remember what you said though and not teach the leaders' nippers for free. Thank you so much.