Theme: Two different moods of a woman affected everyone.

Introduction:
This story beautifully pictures the two different moods of Miss Meadows. This story is written by Katherine Mansfield Murry, a New Zealand short story writer.

Miss Meadows’ state of mind:
Miss Meadows was the teacher of music in a school. She got a letter from her fiancé, Basil. Basil stated that the marriage between himself and Meadows would be a mistake. So he had no intention of marrying her. She was very much upset and dejected.

On her way to class:
In the morning, when the Science Mistress greeted Miss Meadows, she stared in hatred at the Science Mistress. Mary Beazly was her favourite student. Usually she would greet Miss Meadows with a beautiful yellow Chrysanthemum. But that morning, Miss Meadows did not take it, and simply said “Thank you, Mary”.

At the music class:
Miss Meadows started her music class in a gloomy and depressed mood. She taxed the students by making them sing a sad song, “A Lament. The words were “Fast fade the roses of pleasure”. “Music’s gay measure passes away.” The girls, sense the change in her behaviour and in her stony tone voice. They sang the song in a sorrowful mood.

A sudden change:
Suddenly she was called by Miss. Wyatt, the headmistress. She gave Miss Meadows a telegram from Basil. In the telegram Basil stated- “Forget the letter, I was in a mad mood”. It meant that he would marry her. This gave her greatest happiness. Miss Meadows felt happy and returned to the class with vigour and cheer and she announced a song of happiness.

“We come here To-day with Flowers o’er laden, With Baskets of Fruit and Ribbons to boot, To-oo Congratulate…..

Conclusion:
Thus there were two different moods of Miss Meadows and the changes in her mood affected everyone in the music class. The story brings out the two moods clearly and effectively.