Mrs. Liu was retiring after my final year. My classmates were all going away after the exams, so I was tasked with buying her retirement present. I chose an upright blue and white vase (about 8 inches tall): the blue and white combination looks Chinese; it can be used as a vase for cut flowers or Chinese calligraphy brushes.
Went in to SOAS to present it to Mrs. Liu, hugging the wrapped-up vase to keep it safe. It was around noon.
Took the lift up to the third floor, where the Chinese Section was. Just as I was stepping out of the lift, Mr. Weys walked past.
He said: “Ah, you must’ve heard then?”
Me, totally baffled: “Heard what?”
Mr. Weys: “Today’s when the results are published. I’ve just come from the exam board meeting. I thought that’s why you’re here —to find out about your results.”
I felt the blood drain from my whole body. If I’d known the results would be out, I’d have stayed away for sure, such is the coward that I am.
Mr. Weys continued: “Since you’re here, I’ll tell you now then.”
When he told me what I’d got, I burst into tears, and put my arms around him. To this day, I still don’t know how I managed to hug Mr. Weys and not drop the vase. Even more surprisingly, how I managed not to break his ribs with the vase between us.
He saw that I was shaking too: “Oh dear, I think you’re in need of a sherry.”
He led me to his (then-Acting Departmental Head) office, where he produced a bottle of sherry. (So, teachers in those days kept a bottle in their office then…!). The first glass was gulped down in one go — my explanation is that sherry glasses/portions are rather small….
Mr. Weys saw that I was still dazed, “I think you need another one.” This was noon!
(London, 1981)
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