What is Tourism?

HOSPITALITY INDUSTY PROFESSOR TANYA JOYNER encounter MARCH22. 2013 TEST CHAPTER 9 NAME LU QIONGQIONG(JENNY) 1 what can touristry be delineate as? Tourism can be defined as the idea of attracting, accommodating, and pleasing groups or individuals traveling for pleasure or business. It is categorized by geography, ownership, function, industry, and travel motive. 2 business travels has increased in recent years due to what? Business travel has increased in recent years as a result of the growth of collection centers in several cities.As a result, business travelers have given a boost to hotels, restaurants, and auto rental companies. The depend of female business travelers is rising slope as well. 3 who serves as the middle person between a country and its visitors? Travel agencies, tour operators, travel managers, wholesalers, national offices of touristry, and destination forethought companies serve as middlepersons between a country and its visitors. 4 tourism is a collectio n of industries and when combined form the worlds largest industry.Is the to a higher place statement TRUE OR FALSE 5 from social and ethnic perspective tourism can further international understanding and economically improve poorer countries. Is the statement above TRUE OR FALSE AND apologize WHY? I think that is right. From a social and cultural perspective, tourism can have both positive and negative impacts on communities. Undoubtedly, tourism has made significant contribution to international understanding.World tourism organizations recognize that tourism is a means of enhancing international understanding, peace, prosperity, and fundamental freedom for all without short letter as to race, sex, language, or religion. Tourism can be a actually interesting sociocultural phenomenon. Similarly, depending on the reason for the tourist visit, myriad opportunities ar available to interact both socially and culturally with local people. provided that the number of tourists is ma nageable and that they respect the host communitys sociocultural norms and values, tourism provide an opportunity for a number of social interactions.

History of Lithuania Essay

The agricultural of Lithuania had originated in the in the 12th century during the reign of Mindaugas in which became the king of the deposit in during 1251. In 1325 due matrimony, another individual became the King of Poland Ladislaus II who was suitable to unite the countries of Poland and Lithuania. By 1410, the Polish and Lithuanians together were able to defeat groups of Teutonic Knights at the Tannenberg who were extremely powerful during that those times. In the period of the fourteenth and 16th century the states of Lithuania and Poland was bingle of the largest Empires in Europe that encompasses that spaces from the Black sea up until the Moscow region.In the past, the countries of Lithuania and Poland had made a union which lasted for more or less 200 historic period. The countries ballockly united indoors in 1569. The countries of Austria, Prussia and Russia detached from Poland during the years of 1772 until 1795. For the reason that Poland was divided into sever al states, Lithuania was left to be ruled chthonian Russia. As Russia was ruled over Lithuania, it tried to immerse their newly acquired country into the Russian language and culture. However, in that respect had become a rise of anti-Russian protests. afterward the collapse of Russia throughout the World War I, Lithuania rush decl atomic number 18d their independence just now still under another foreign assistanceGermany in 1918. (infoplease n. p. ) In 1940, the Republic of Lithuania was taken over by the Soviet aggregate. beginning one June 1941 until 1944 German Troops were able to occupy the state of Lithuania therefore, the Lithuanian army served the World War II in representation of Germany. As a consequence, there were estimated 240,000 Jews were slaughtered for the period of the Nazi Regime.Again, Soviets were able to invade Lithuania during 1944. (infoplease n. p. ) In 1988, the movements for the Lithuanian independence have again emerged again. The non-communist lea der of the largest and most universal Lithuanian movement (Sajudis) Vytautas Landsbergis became the elected president of the again newly unconditional state of Lithuania. By the day in which the new president was elected, the domineering Council of the Republic of Lithuania has decl ard that they are rejecting the Soviet ruling and are in preparation to restore the independence of the state.Because of the closing to restore independence, the Soviet Union immediately imposed economic mandate. However, after a while the sanction was lifted through a face-saving compromise. (infoplease n. p. ) With the state of Lithuanias decision to be independent, the state was immediately recognized by various nominate European countries as well as the United States and other nations. In September of 1991, at last the Soviet Union have accept and recognized the independence of the former Baltic States. Finally in the seventeenth September 1991, the United Nations have admitted the newly ind ependent states.Also during these time, the in(predicate) implementation of various legislative and structural reforms helped Lithuania to attract numerous operate foreign investments. The investments and interest of the various foreign investors had paved the way for Lithuania to have development and ride the waves through the planetary economy. (infoplease n. p. ) During the year 2001, Lithuania had finally true the offer of membership made by European Union (EU) and coupling Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and formally joined the two international organizations in the year 2004.In the year 2003, Valdas Adamkus an incumbent President was beaten(a) by Rolandas Parksas during the presidential election. Adamkus became truly upset and disappointed with the results of the election because it was Adamkus was the person responsible in the entry of Lithuania to the EU and NATO. However in the calendar month of April in the year 2004, Paksas was ejected from the presidential sea t due to the various issues and one of those were his investigated connections among Russian mobsters.This issue brought by Paksas became the most devastating political crisis which invaded the state of Lithuania since its independence since the Soviet Unions ruling. After the removal of Paksas in the office, Adamkus was again elected to the presidential seat. (infoplease n. p. ) Current Demographics and Socioeconomic Status The formal name of Lithuania is Republic of Lithuania or Lietuvos Respublika in their local language. The state of Lithuania is determined within the Eastern Europe which is hem ining the Baltic Sea, Russia (227 kilometers), Latvia (576 kilometers), and Belarus (680 kilometers).The district of Lithuania has a totality of 65,300 square kilometres and could be about compared to the size of West Virginia however the body politic state is somewhat larger (CIA n. p). The landscape of Lithuania is cognise to be preponderantly has a flat lands however it is most ly containing fertile lands which are very suitable for agricultural industries. There are two varieties of hills which is located in the north and southern mathematical function of the country. Although there are two hills within the territory of Lithuania, there is no land form which could be closely compared to mountains because the hills were only an average of 500 feet.The highest of the hills is the Juozapines Hill which is 958 feet located near the border of Belarus. In addition, the country is mostly covered with woodland and forests. (Bultje 11) The coast margin of Lithuania is located near the Baltic Sea (62 milers away) which is in the western part of the state. The coastline of the territory is composed of an excessively amount of sandbar which is about 2 miles wide which the have called Curonian Spit while the water linking the sandbar and the mainland is called Curonian Lagoon. Lithuania is known to have numerous rivers within its rivers.One of the most known rivers in Lithuania is Neman River or the Memel in the German Language. The Neman is the longest river in Lithuania which is 582 miles from Belarus and flows until the city of Kaunas and past it finally go through the Baltic Sea. Other rivers in Lithuania are Neris and Ventra. Although there are many rivers which are available most of the rivers are not passable by boat. There are 3,000 lakes in the territory which are most located in the eastern part of Lithuania. The largest lake in the country is Druksiai (17. sq. m.) but the deepest is Tauragnas (198 ft). (Bultje 12) The climate in the country of Lithuania is known to be reasonably mild however it differs within the inland and the coastal areas. In the location of the coastal regions it mostly has maritime temperaturesmeaning the weather in the winter and summer is not far from each other. In addition, humidness is also fairly high. The central regions of Lithuania have a continental temperature in which it has specific seasons. Simil ar to other countries, the climates vary from summer and winter but the state only has a few rainfalls.During the summer time, which is from the months of May to August, the temperatures in the central region could reach the temperature of 86 F but in the coastal areas it is typically cooler than the inland temperature. The winter in Lithuania is usually longer than the summer time. The winter season is during November to March where in there is a harsh frost and thick white vitamin C very much lies on the ground. Often, the numerous lakes become frozen. In addition, there are snowstorms and freezing rains which are likely to occurring during these months.In the eastern part of the country, the weather usually gets colder than other parts of the country. The temperature of in the eastern region could drop up to 13 F. In comparison to the summer seasons where in the coastal areas are mostly temperate in the coastal areas, the winter season makes the coastal areas much colder. Co mpared to the winter season, spring is extremely short. During the month of April where in the snow has already melted the flowers and plants immediately pops out from the ground. The autumn season starts in the September which is has low temperature with a mixture of low temperature. (Bultje 13)

High School Exit Examinations Essay

In baffle to rate the educational faculty of bookmans similar Tests or examinations, take a crap been designed, which do so in an unbiased manner, regardless of social background and educational experience. One such(prenominal) evidence is the nine-fold-choice examination, wherein the assimilators realise to make a selection from a number of answers for a particular question and indicate their choice on a test form. Such tests argon frequently assumption to educatees who study in easy and secondary cultivatehouses (Standardized Tests, 2006).These examinations benefitted scholars to a large extent, because they had to take just unmatched traffic circle of examinations, in stray to apply for admission to different schools. The College Board initiated the bookworm Aptitude Test or the SAT in 1926. The SAT is a multiple choice test that was based on the psychological tests given to US Army recruits. The SAT, by the year 1940, was being widely busy by educational insti tutions in the US (Standardized Tests, 2006). Standardized tests argon taken by elementary school and noble school, and undergraduates and graduates.The absolute majority of these tests are controlled by the Educational Testing Service or ETS and the American College Testing or ACT Program. The results of these tests help educational institutions to assess scholastic performance and to bump the suitability of a scholarly person for a particular undergraduate or graduate degree program (Standardized Tests, 2006). The Center on Education insurance or the CEP had made it mandatory for fifty two percent of the students perusal in the public schools to take the risque school surpass examinations.However, the effectuation of this policy became difficult as the CEP had realized that opposition from the public towards this requisite high gear school extend examination had been on the increase. It was also determined that students who failed to bring a transcend smear in th is examination would not be awarded the high school diploma. This decision to withhold high school diplomas to students who failed in the go on examination was greeted with a great deal of tube (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, & Pecheone, 2005). The writ of execution of the exit examinations also caused a gradual reduction in the number of graduate students.This was evident in the Afro American and Latino students, incline language learners and students with disabilities. This reform would result in reduced incentives for students who had been striving to persevere in school, a reduction in the curriculum and a rationalize for higher order performance skills, because of the utilization of limited measures and irrelevant judgments regarding student learning (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, & Pecheone, 2005). The use of exit examinations varies from order to state. Some states have already implemented them, whereas other states have not implemented them.A majority of states have put forward several options and alternatives. So far solo eight states have implemented the mandatory exit examination as a compulsory prayment, in which the student has to dominate a good-bye cicatrice, in order to obtain a high school diploma. Further, this system does not take cognizance of the excellence of performance of the students and their academic usher and is solely guided by whether the students have obtained a pass cross in the exit examination or not (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, & Pecheone, 2005).Most of the states have implemented multiple measures of performance in order to evaluate the students capability of learning. The student requires a pass tag in the state examination, which is used as an indicator for the students ability to obtain a state diploma. Moreover, the student is also required to obtain a pass mugful in other alternatives that test the student by using a wide range of methods so as to establish their academic learnin g.In these states, there is not just a single test to disqualify students from graduation but there comprise an array of indicators to determine the knowledge of the students (Darling-Hammond, Rustique-Forrester, & Pecheone, 2005). In an important accounting relating to the implementation of the high school exit test in the state of Mississippi, 60 five recommendations had been proposed. Some of these are, it would be totally inappropriate to require students to obtain a pass mark in an examination that contained material that had not been taught to the students.Further, the exit examination should be based on a multiple choice system, which would test thinking skills. Moreover, the exit examination would be unwanted for the students of the state of Mississippi. In addition, the national level exit examination would require a total restructuring of the curriculum of the district schools, which would create serious difficulties. Furthermore, measures that evaluate the students sk ills and performance should be segmented.Moreover, great care would have to be taken while implementing tests that evaluate the performance and skills of students (ED384990 Issues To Consider in Moving beyond a Minimal Competency High domesticate Graduation Test, 1995). The states of Arizona, calcium and doh introduced high school exit examinations, in which high school students from the year 2006 have to obtain a pass mark, in order to be awarded a high school diploma. In most of the states of the Union that enforce such high school exit examinations, students are required to take it in the sophomore year.The level of these tests is of the 10th grade and students who are unable to obtain a pass mark are get outd with a number of opportunities to again take this test. Sixteen of the xx three states that have made these tests compulsory have directed the schools to provide remediation to students who fail to obtain a pass mark. Furthermore, in states that are introducing these e xaminations, financial help for such remediation has in most of the cases been provided by it (David, 21st June, 2006).In the state of New York students have taken these high school exit tests with a really high degree of mastery and have obtained a large number of diplomas. However, this has not proved to be applicable to students belonging to the minority communities. The Education Commissioner disclosed that eighty one percent of white students obtained their diplomas in due course, whereas the students of minority communities found the obtainment of pass marks in English, mathematics, global history, geography, US history and cognition to be a daunting task.Consequently, only forty two percent of the Hispanic students, forty five percent of African American and lx eight percent of Asian students obtained their diplomas within the stipulated while (Hoff, 23rd of March, 2005). A survey conducted by the National Center on Educational Outcomes has revealed the concomitant that fifty percent of the states of the Union have made it mandatory to obtain a pass mark in the exit test, in order to be eligible to obtain a high school diploma.However, very few states have implemented an alternative procedure for evaluating disabled students, which is of an combining weight weight standard in comparison to the test applied to regular students. This report goes on to state that the absence of tests for the disabled and regular students that are of equivalent rigor, gives rise to the impression that disabled students are not competent to secure grade level work (Samuels, 4th of May, 2005). In the state of California, the governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a law that exempts disabled students from taking and obtaining a pass mark in the high school exit test.This new law states that if a student had been permitted to follow an individual education plan and if such a student had satisfied all other criteria for being awarded with a high school diploma and furthe r if that student had received remediation for the exit test, then that student would be allowed to graduate, irrespective of having obtained a pass mark in the exit test. The objective of this law was to enable the state of California to provide better instructions for disabled students (Jacobson, 8th of Februray, 2006).In the state of Utah, even if students who do not obtain a pass mark in every portion of the high school exit test, they are awarded the high school diploma. However, such diplomas contain a statement that the student had not obtained a pass mark in the high school exit test. Several states of the Union are having second thoughts about go along with such high school exit tests and at the same time a several students have proved to be unsuccessful in obtaining a pass mark in their graduation examinations.The law in the state of Utah has made it mandatory for high school students to obtain a pass mark in mathematics, reading and that part of the Utah Basic Skills Com petency Test that comprises of tests on writing skills, in order to be awarded with a high school diploma (Olson, 25th January, 2006). In another study it was established that states of the Union, in which high school exit tests are in vogue, have a graduation rate and college arrest examination marks that are importantly lower than states that do not have such tests.In particular, students from states of the Union, that had made it mandatory to obtain a pass mark in the high school exit examination, fared worsened than students from states of the Union that did not insist on such a condition, in the internationally acknowledged Scholastic Aptitude Test. Moreover, such students had a significantly lower rate of graduation (Viadero, 2nd of February, 2005). It has been opined by many plenty that high school exit examinations result in an increase in the number of students who discontinue their studies, before obtaining a high school diploma.The detractors of such exit examinations h ave very pertinently pointed out the fact that the already low graduation rates are being forced downward to a much lower level. Many critics have stated that it would be patently unfair to deny a student who had completed bakers dozen years of schooling a high school diploma, merely because that student could not obtain a pass mark in the high school examination. Moreover, many persons consider such a denial of a high school diploma to be ruthlessly unjust, because such a diploma is essential for ensuring a bright future.

Reason, is the ability to use your thinking in order to form conclusions Essay

Reason, is the ability to practice your thinking in crop to form conclusions, inferences, or judgments. to use reason in order to so such things we need not only to think but to a fault connect and make paths with the other ways of knowing and the mindful surrounds with the use of our senses like the article states. While trying to make conclusions, inferences or judgments we hunt down to search for courses that led to such behavior actions or outcomes.For example, we can acquire the idea of Sherlock homes whether he wanted to conclude about something he not only think about it but he in truth search for the components who led to that. Then when he actually found the pieces of the work over he is competent to conclude of make a judgment of whatsoever circumstance. For that reasons, we can say that in other to score to conclusions and gain companionship about them we firstly need to search for all the pieces and then rig them together and conclude.Pursuing this further, rea son on its can give us knowledge however, this information may not be as better and certain as when using all the components in order to reach to an ending. The article states that when actually observing the situations and using the mindful of the surroundings and using all the scenes in order to actually observe then, we are able to actually see what is behind the blanket and understand what we were actually prying for.Answers are easier when we actually search for them and find all the components that make one. If we lam to actually do into the conclusions we would never actually gain knowledge we close likely believe we are when we are not. In order to actually gain knowledge we need to search for it and use our perception sensation and language. In that spot we are able to gain knowledge the moment when we actually see the whole picture.

Importance of Flowers in Our Lives

Flowers ar wondrous creations of nature and atomic number 18 one of the most beautiful gifts of nature. Flowers are of cessation importance in every sphere of human life. Flowers arrangement of various(a) designs and types are available for making various affaires of our life to a greater extent cherished. Several occasions in our society such as birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines Day, weddings, etc. need flowers to celebrate. Colourful and fragrant flowers make every occasion bright and happy. People of all ages from child to old people hunch forward flowers.Gifting flowers is the most affectionate expression of love to the dear ones. Hence, flower is a must in each and every occasions of our life. Flowers play an substantial role in making the life of a human existence more cheerful and happy. People use flowers in several forms and on several occasions.Flowers are used as beautiful flower arrangements for decorating homes. They are also help people in proposing their pa rtner for life, as head as flowers are used as a symbol of lament and tribute on loved ones funeral. Apart from above said uses, at that place are several other uses of flowers in various activities of our daily life.Varieties of flowers RoseA pink wine is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosacea. There are all over 100 species. They form a group of plants that can be perpendicular shrubs, climbing or trailing with stems that are a good deal armed with scheming prickles. SunflowerThe sunflower is an annual plant native to the Americas. Its name is derived from the flowers shape and image, which is often used to capture the sun. The plant has a awkward, hairy stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves, and circular flower heads.JasmineJasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family. It contains around two hundred species native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.LotusThe Lotus, the national flower of India, i s a symbol of supreme reality. Hindu religion and mythology portray goddess Saraswathi, the muse of learning, as being seated on a lotus flower.TulipThe tulip is a perennial, bulbous plant with showy flowers in the genus Tulipa, of which around 75 wild species are currently accepted and which belongs to the family Liliaceae.LilyLily is a feminine given name at a time derived from lily, the flower. In the United States, Lily became one of the top-100 names for newborn girls in 2002 and reached a rank of 18 by 2009. hibiscusHibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is sooner large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions passim the world.

Integration of Aristotle’s Four Causes and Ego Psychology Essay

Ego Psychology Theory is based on Freuds structure of mind model of identity, ego, and superego elaborated in much detail. Individuals have different ego controlling between primitive travails and realities. Individuals invariably deal with identities, drives and egos. However, if one has good control with ego, they can express their desire, drives and moral philosophy in realistic and socially appropriate ways. If failed, one confronts difficulties such as battle with inner self-importance and loss of get on with interpersonal relationship.However, through pop out lifetime, individuals change their feelings and behaviors to better fit their necessarily or minimize their conflict between primitive drives and realities. The material cause for ego psychological science is identity and ego. Individuals ar born with primitive drives, sexual desires, and egos which enable to organize their identity, drives and synthesize judgment, defined as decisions toward another in feelings , or to be informed of drives that affects feelings in accord with reality. In other words, ego can switch a right direction for or control identity drives, whether it is conform to or not in light of reality.The formal cause of ego psychology is ego development which is follows by means of the individuals needs, e. g. , affiliation with others, learning, etc. Hartmann says that we essential develop autonomous ego-development (Hartmann, 1958, p, 101). The ego must be understood in relation with the individuals needs and drives, traits, expectations, and values. According to Hartmann, peoples defense mechanism develop their ego. Hartmann pointed out that the defense processes may simultaneously serve both the control of instinctual drive and adaptation to the external world. (Hartmann, 1958, p.51) The efficient cause is adaptation reality get the hang and a reciprocated relationship between an individual and his or her environment. The outcome of made adaptation implies fitti ng together (Hartmann 1958, p, 36). If individuals overcome their conflicts, they are lead to their functions which are more or less closely related to the perceive reality. Therefore, favored adaptation embeds an individual in an environment. Also, it solves conflict among individual needs, capacities, and their environments due to the confused tendencies of defensive egos.In early stages the ego is focused on differentiating itself from others and on affirming its separate existence though expression of drives. Later, the individuals begin to learn rules of strike to follow in order to avoid assemblage criticism (Martin,1981). The refer of interpersonal and environmental factors is thought to be crucial to the evolution of mature ego functions during the lifelong developmental process. The final cause of ego psychology is to find better adaptation and sustain ego function with demand to individual needs to adapt to their environments, drives, traits, and expectations.Other m anifestations of social functioning difficultys and self regulation and control of drives affect other peoples perceptions is commutation to the development of an individuals behaviors and are appropriate in indisputable circumstances. People, because of their inevitable and requisite relationship with the world, are subject to change their attitudes, behaviors, and notwithstanding their egos in order to cope with the changes and demands of other people around them and in the group they belong in.ReferencesIrving M. Rosen. (1968) Ego psychology of the adult years.Journal of Religion and Health, pile 7, Number 3 PDF (243. 6 KB) Retrieved whitethorn 2, 2008, from SpringerLink database. Hartmann, Heinz. (1958) Ego psychology and the problem of adaptation. New York, NY International Universities Press. Martin A, James. (2000) Ego psychology notes. Retrieved Apr. 2, 2008, from http//www. brynmawr. edu/Acads/GSSW/jam/switr/991415. htm Martin, Grotjahn. (1981) The therapeutic group pro cess in the light of developmental ego Psychology. Group, Volume 5. Retrieved May 2, 2008, from SpringerLink database.

State Capitol Building

The first state capitol building in Jefferson city was built in the period of 1823-1826 and was destroyed by fire in 1837. A new capitol building had been approved at the time and was unblemished in 1840. The second capitol was destroyed by fire on February 5, 1911, when a bolt of lightning struck the dome. The present capitol was built in the period of 1913-1917 and stands upon the kindred spot as the first, high atop a bluff overlooking the atomic number 42 River. 1 significance in the capitol building is the moment State Museum, which is fit(p) on the first floor of the Missouri State Capitol Building, and run by the Department of Natural Resources and Division of State Parks. The museum contains long-term exhibits and regularly changing temporary exhibits. Also, there is a program that develops a series of locomotion exhibits that can be used as educational tools by schools, civil and other groups. The Missouri State Museum is responsible for a large collection, consistin g of well-nigh 93,000 artifacts and objects from all aspects of Missouris write up.These artifacts and objects have been collected since the museum was first opened. One of the highlights of the collection is the collection of over 125 Missouri Civil fight battle flags. Thirty-three of the flags have been conserved and eleven have been framed. The Missouri Veterans Gallery is in the east end of the Missouri State Museum is a new long-term exhibit. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a brass manakin of the USS Missouri battleship built by the U. S. Navy for research. The exhibit too includes artifacts and images related to Missouri veterans as well as excerpts from interviews with veterans.The Museum staff develop this exhibit to inform visitors about the key role of Missouri veterans in the history of the state. In 1935, Missouri native Thomas Hart Benton was summoned upon the Missouri House of Representatives to paint a wall painting on all 4 walls of the House Lounge, which is a large meeting room on the deuce-ace floor in the Capitols west wing. The mural portrays bold and natural scenes of everyday Missouri life, which at first sparked controversy among the legislators. Bentons mural represents a source of pride and a popular stop for visitors touring the Capitol.In addition to housing the two legislative bodies, the Capitol provides office space for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, depositary of State, Treasurer, State Auditor and some administrative agencies. The structure is also remarkable for its architectural features, including its eight 48-foot columns on the south portico and six 40-foot columns on the northwestward side its 30-foot-wide grand stairway and its bronze front doors, each 13 by 18 feet. There are no weaknesses of the capitol building when providing a historical museum, free guided tours, and opened almost everyday of the year.The aim of the capitol building is more to inform tourist about Missouri history than housing for two legislative bodies, the Capitol provides office space for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, repository of State, Treasurer, State Auditor and some administrative agencies. The museum had excellent exhibits, including the brass deterrent example of the USS Missouri battleship. Throughout the first floor, the capitol building had exhibits about the early settlers. I would recommend to people who love to learn about history to strickle a tour of the Missouri State Capitol Building.

Ethics of Observation

Uses of Observation within a work environmentIdentifies stages of development Identifies take aim of ability Use reflexions to plan activities Monitors budges in behaviour Use to propound suspected abuse/neglect Psychological evidenceWhy is observation important?By observing electric razorren within a work environment, we argon adequate to(p) to examine their interests and dislikes. As teachers, its important for us to know the children we work with as deeply as we can, so we can relate to them and get in touch with their personalities. Once we dumbfound had the chance to observe children, we are able to plan activities and lessons according to individual teaching styles and the childrens attitudes towards learning. By doing this, we are able to make their first years within a learning environment proceed to their best potential.Read on to learn about honourable IssuesEthical IssuesBefore carrying out an observation on any child, make sure you have received permission from the parents of the child, your supervisor and depending on the age of the child, the child herself/himself. present is a list of Ethical Issues concerning observationsAnonymity is important because completely of your observations as a teacher should be kept confidential. If anyone who isnt supposed to read your observations does authorise to find them, you need to take careful measures to tick that only you lead be able to make sense of them. You will need to change the names of all children involved in your observation (Child A, B, C etc.) as well as the school name and the members of staff names (Staff A, B, C etc.).Confidentiality is vital when works with children. You wouldnt want to let a childs file fall into the wrong hands. Only certain stack are allowed to read your observations, such as your supervisor, the parents of the child if they ask, and the child themselves. You should check over that your records are kept in a safe place, and treat them in a confidential ma nner.Objectivity is needed within the observations you make within the working place. You cannot let your personal feelings or thoughts intrude with your observations. You mustiness check that all statements are accurate, supported by evidence and are not discriminatory.Storage of info is used to ensure that data is kept in a deposit place. It makes sure that only authorised people are given opening to the records. This ties in with the Data Protection Act 1998.Rights of the parents and child. Each have the counterbalance to refuse being observed and to see the observation record. The parents have the indemnify to refuse permission of observation. Accuracy is essential within an observation to ensure that children are not assessed on inaccurate evidence. The evidence recorded must be as true a reflection of the childs actions as possible. If the record is not as accurate as it could be, we may not take the precautions to meet the needs of the child. Purpose of the observation is needed. The observation you record should not be used in any counsel to harm the child. Responsibility to record the observation as accurately and as carefully as possible is yours. Conclusions should be fair and supported by reasonable evidence. This ensures that the observation is used to the benefit of the child.

Styles of Learning

Introduction There argon numerous incompatible expressive styles of schooling, plainly only three of these styles atomic number 18 most commonly employ in school settings auditory, ocular, and a conclave of the devil. Auditory learners ar typically not bad(predicate) lis xers who are able to pick things up when they hear them and returns from sense of auditory modality lectures, adeptstorming, and participating in discussions. They are great at listening and pick come forth up on the tone/inflection in which things are said, hearing what others simply whitethorn not. Many times, these are participants who talk through projects with you and appetite verbal input.They think best outloud and cease typically follow verbal directions. Written development may rich person little appeal to them, so they may read it outloud to digest it fully (Weichel, 2016). Visual learners concord a keen eye and are taking it all in. Observation and note-taking are their strengths ho wever, those notes may be in pictures, diagrams, or address, depending on their preferences. They may sic themselves in the room so they can focus and avoid distractions.They benefit from opthalmicization exercises, watching videos, written instructions, maps, diagrams, silent knowledge, and flowcharts. Many enjoy reading and are able to process the nomenclature and recall what they stand seen (Weichel, 2016). bypass-run stock board is the second stage of the multi-store retrospect model proposed by the Atkinson-Shiffrin (McLeod, 2009). It acts as a kind of scratch-pad for temporary recall of the information which is creation process at any point in time (Mastin, 2018).Short-term shop has three key-aspects limited capableness, limited duration, and encoding. For limited capacity, only about sevensomesome items can be stored at a time. The magic trick tally seven (plus or minus two) provides evidence for the capacity of on the spur of the moment term memory. arou nd adults can store between 5 and 9 items in their short memory. This idea was put forward by Miller (1956) and he called it the magic account seven.He thought that short term memory could pee-pee seven (plus or minus two) items because it had only a true number of slots in which those items could be stored. However, Miller didnt specify the amount of information that can be held in each(prenominal) slot. Also, if we can chunk information unitedly we can store a lot to a greater extent(prenominal) information in our short-term memory (McLeod, 2009). For limited duration, storage is very fragile and information can be lost with distraction or passage of time.It is normally assumed that the short-term memory spontaneously decays over time, typically in the region of ten to fifteen seconds, but items may be h oldish for up to a minute, depending on the bailiwick (Mastin, 2018). Items can be unplowed in short-term memory by repeating them verbally (acoustic encoding), a process known as rehearsal. Peterson and Peterson (1959) showed that the longer the delay, the less information is recalled.The rapid loss of information from memory when rehearsal is prevented is taken as an distinction of short-term memory having a limited duration (McLeod, 2009). When several elements (such as digits, words, or pictures) are held in short-term memory simultaneously, they effectively con tryout with each other for recall. New content, therefore, gradually pushes out older content (known as displacement), unless the older content is actively protected against interference by rehearsal or by directing attention to it.Any removed interference tends to cause disturbances in short-term memory retention, and for this reason concourse often feel a distinct desire to complete the tasks held in short-term memory as soon as possible. When something in short-term memory is forgotten, it means that a nerve whimsey has merely ceased being transmitted through a particular neur al network. In general, unless an impulse is reactivated, it stops flowing through a network after unspoiled a few seconds (Mastin, 2018).The type or characteristics of the information also affects the number of items which can be retained in short-term memory. For instance, more words can be recalled if they are shorter or more commonly utilise words, or if they are phonologically similar in sound, or if they are taken from a single semantic category (such as sports, for example) rather than from different categories. There is also some evidence that short-term memory capacity and duration is increased if the words or digits are articulated out loud instead of being read subvocally, in the head (Mastin, 2018).Some researchers (e.g. Eugen Tarnow) get to proposed that there is no real distinction between short-term and long-run memory at all, and certainly it is difficult to demarcate a bring boundary between them. However, the evidence of patients with some kinds of anterograd e amnesia, and proveations on the focus distraction affect the short-term recall of lists, suggest that there are in fact two more or less get out systems (Mastin, 2018). sex activity and hormones influence how the human brain develops. Recognizing some of the differences between the manlike and female brain can help to understand why males and females often have different learnedness styles and behavioral patterns. The female brain has a higher proportion of gray bet while the male brain has a higher proportion of white matter. Having more gray matter may explain why young women are usually more efficient in processing information, often have stronger verbal skills, and usually excel at juggling several activities (Male and Female Brains Are not the Same, 2015).Having more white matter appears to help the male brain depute information throughout the brain. This can enhance young mens spacial skills, such as navigation and and solving math problems. The differences betwee n males and females is generally hormonal, whereby males have dominant androgens while females have more of estrogens than androgens (Does Gender extend to reposition, 2018).Researchers have argued that the difference in these sex hormones is what differentiates memory in macrocosm based on gender. Generally, boys have hypernym scholastic ability when compared to girls. In terms of academics, boys technically have surpassing memory. However, girls and females technically have superior short term memory on various issues (Does Gender hazard Memory, 2018). The purpose of this experiment was to determine which of the most common learning modes used in school, auditory learning, visual learning, or a combination of the two modes, was most effective for information retention among males and females.This experiment explores how many words twenty 8-10 socio-economic class olds can memorize in a short period of time.ResultsProcedure threesome tests, a visual test, an auditory test, and a combination test, testing both auditory and visual modes together, were created for twenty 8-10 category olds to be able to read, along with a copy of each test.For the visual test, each 8-10 family old was inclined a list of 20 words to read over.After reading over the list, the list was taken away, and the tyke recited how many words he or she remembered.For the auditory test, each 8-10 socio-economic class old was read another list of 20 words, and then recited how many words he or she remembered.For the combination test, each 8-10 year old was given a list of 20 words to look at while the same words were read to them.All three tests were given to each 8-10 year old, and the order in which the test were administered and which lists of words that were used were changed each time to avoid test, test-practice, or test-fatigue bias.After each test was given, the jibes were put down and averaged, along with separating the males from the females. screens are located in cec al appendage A, Appendix B, and Appendix C.Data The material collected was from twenty 8-10 year olds, ten being male and ten being female. For the visual test, the ten males scored 3, 5, 5, 5, 8, 7, 5, 9, 4, and 4 out of twenty, and averaged 5.5 words. For the auditory test, the ten males scored 3, 6, 5, 4, 6, 7, 6, 8, 6, and 6 out of twenty, and averaged 5.7 words. For the combination test, the ten males scored 5, 6, 4, 5, 8, 5, 5, 9, 7, and 5 out of twenty, and averaged 5.9 words.For the visual test, the ten females scored 6, 5, 4, 9, 8, 5, 8, 7, 5, and 6 out of twenty, and averaged 6.3 words. For the auditory test, the ten females scored 6, 4, 4, 6, 7, 4, 5, 4, 4, and 4 out of twenty, and averaged 4.8 words. For the combination test, the ten females scored 5, 6, 4, 6, 6, 4, 7, 6, 6, and 4 out of twenty, and averaged 5.4 words. The males averaged 5.7 words per test, and the females averaged 5.5 words per test.Table 1 Boys oodles on the Visual, Auditory, and gang Tests (Out of 2 0)Visual TestAuditory TestCombination Test335566554545868775565989467465Average 5.5Average 5.7Average 5.9Table 2 Girls make headway on the Visual, Auditory, and Combination Tests (Out of 20)Visual TestAuditory TestCombination Test665546444966876544857746546644Average 6.3Average 4.8Average 5.4Graph 1 Girls Scores on the Visual Test (Out of 20)Graph 2 Girls Scores on the Auditory Test (Out of 20)Graph 3 Girls Scores on the Combination Test (Out of 20)Graph 4 Boys Scores on the Visual Test (Out of 20)Graph 5 Boys Scores on the Auditory Test (Out of 20)Graph 6 Boys Scores on the Combination Test (Out of 20)Graph 7 Boys Average Scores on All Three Tests (Out of 20)Graph 8 Girls Average Scores on All Three Tests (Out of 20)Discussion In this experiment, ten 8-10 year old boys and ten 8-10 year old girls were given three tests, a visual test, an auditory test, and a combination (auditory and visual combined) test, and asked to recite how many words they remembered from each test.The predi cted results of the experiment were that the girls would remember more words than the boys because girls generally have a superior short-term memory than boys (Does Gender Affect Memory, 2018). The results to the experiment proved otherwise boys averaged a score of 5.7 words overall, and the girls averaged a score of 5.5 words overall. The actual results may have differed from the predicted results because the girls were tested in the hall where many other children were walking in and out of rooms, causing the girls to lose focus on the experiment. They may have not been able to focus on reading the visual test or following along on the combination test.They may have also not been able to hear the auditory test or the combination test as it was read to them. The boys may have see less interruptions when being tested, allowing them to obtain higher scores. The words on the lists may have also been more appealing for 8-10 year old boys, than for 8-10 year old girls. Although girls ge nerally have a superior short-term memory compared to boys, this experiment may have proved that boys can have a superior short-term memory compared to girls.Research by many psychologists has shown that the female gender manages to organize their memory in a united style while, on the other hand, the male gender organizes their memory in a truly distinguished style (Does Gender Affect Memory, 2018). Differences in memory among males and females are diverse based on various situations and circumstances (Does Gender Affect Memory, 2018). The ten 8-10 year old boys involved in this experiment may have proved that boys have a better short-term memory when given three short tests.Since the boys scored the highest on the combination test, they qualification also be superior in auditory and visual learning rather than the girls.This experiment tested the short-term memory of both girls and boys when it comes to short lists of words. It proved that boys may sometimes prove superior to gir ls in certain circumstances, and that boys arent primarily auditory or visual learners, but the ones experimented on are a combination of the two. Although the female brain matures faster than the male brain, this experiment concluded that girls may not always have a superior short-term memory to boys (Does Gender Affect Memory, 2018).ReferencesDoes Gender Affect Memory Research Paper Example Topics and Well Written Essays 1000 words. (2018).Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https//studentshare.net/psychological science/63811-does-gender-affect-memoryMale and Female Brains Are Not the Same. (2015). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http//www.multiplyingconnections.org/become-trauma-informed/male-and-female-brains-are-not-sameMastin, L. (2018).Short Term (Working) Memory. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http//www.human-memory.net/types_short.htmlMcLeod, S. (1970, January 01). Saul McLeod. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from https//www.simplypsychology.org/short-term-memory.htmlWeichel, J. (201 6, August 19).Whats their learning style? Part 3 Visual learners. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http//msue.anr.msu.edu/news/whats_their_learning_style_part_3_visual_learners AppendixA Airplanes Balloon glass over Doughnuts Fireworks Glitter Harmonicas field glass cream Jumping Karate Legos Macaroni Nachos Ocean Pirates Rainbows Shark Toys Unicorns WaffleAppendixB cosmonaut Bacon Cakes Disney Elephants Fire trucks Gorilla Halloween Insects Jelly bean Kite Lollipops Marshmallow Narwhals Parrot Rabbits sea horse Texting Volcano WatermelonAppendixC Aquariums Basketball Cheeseburger Dolphin Easter Frogs Ghost Hamsters Ice skating Juggling Ladybugs Magic Naps Pizza Robots Sea turtle Trampoline Whales Zombies Waves

Breastfeeding and Human Milk Essay

Breast supply is a tool, gift, and experience that a passel of fathers disregard, overlook and dismiss. This paper is aimed at proving the signifi shadowce of this vital locomote of love. Breast laddering not only provides vital nutrients, it too fosters m any(prenominal) health, economic and steamy benefits. The advantages of dresser milk will cl headly outweigh any incommodiousness some may complain of. Breast milk al ace dope provide whole the nutrients a sister needs until it is six months honest-to-goodness with no other supplements ask. Human milk provides the perfect balance of nutrition, proteins, and hormones needed for a spoil.It keisternot be replicated by any other substance much(prenominal) as soy milks or formulas. Since titmouse milk is made specifically for the gay babe, mothers milk is much easily digested than any foreign substances like infant formula, cows milk or soy milk. Breast milk is a living substance, it will alternate as the babys nutr itional needs change. in that respect is no need to change it with age as you would with a traditional formula. Protein and congenital fatty acids, such(prenominal) as DHA, that atomic number 18 found in human breast milk ar perfect for assuring the best study for the central nervous system and brain. (llli.org 2007). there is no need for virtually mothers to introduce formula to their infants in order to as indisputable health to their child. economy is just an imitation of breast milk. Im not sure why any mother would want to machinate believe their child such a cheap imitation when the best is available. It would be like wearying tennis shoes from Dollar General and throwing away a short good pair of Louis Vuitton red stilettos. Human breast milk overly has been proven to increase a childs intelligence. Research suggests that the IQs of breastfed babies were significantly higher than those of formula fed infants.DHA found in human milk has been shown to boost visual acuity and cognitive development. (llli. org 2007) special health benefits also include but are not peculiar(a) to The brain, higher IQs are found in breastfed children. cholesterin and other types of fat in human milk support the ingathering of nerve tissue. The eyes are helped. Visual acuity is higher in babies fed human milk. Even the ears stay healthier. Breastfed babies get fewer ear infections. The mouth palate is not disturbed as with some bottles. There is slight need for orthodontics in children breastfed more than than a year.There is improved muscle development of face from suckling at the breast. discriminating changes in the taste of human milk also prepares babies to accept a variety of solid food for thoughts. Throat surgeries are little(prenominal) believably. Children who are breastfed are less likely to require tonsillectomies. Respiratory systems are stronger. Evidence shows that breastfed babies provoke fewer and less severe upper respiratory infection s, less wheezing, less pneumonia and less influenza. The heart and circulatory system soak up benefits too. Evidence suggests that breastfed children may acquire lower cholesterol as adults.Heart rates are lower in breastfed infants. The digestive system keep in lines fewer problems. Babies scram less diarrhea, fewer gastrointestinal infections in babies who are breastfeeding. Six months or more of exclusive breastfeeding reduces fortune of food allergies. Also, less risk of Crohns ailment and ulcerative colitis in adulthood. The tolerant system is stronger. Breastfed babies respond die to vaccinations. Human milk helps to mature babys own immune system. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of childhood cancer. The endocrine system is boosted. There are cut down risk of getting diabetes. Kidneys do not have to reckon as hard.With less salt and less protein, human milk is easier on a babys kidneys. The appendix is healthier. Children with acute appendicitis are less likely to h ave been breastfed. The urinary tr motion sees fewer infections in breastfed infants. Joints and muscles hurt less. adolescent rheumatoid arthritis is less common in children who were breastfed. Skin is smoother. Less supersensitive eczema is found in breastfed infants. Growth is regulated better. Breastfed babies are leaner at one year of age and less likely to be fat later in life. Bowels are cleaner. Less constipation and stools of breastfed babies have a less-offensive odor.(Sears, 2013) Another major perk of breastfeeding is the reduction in the crib death rate. SIDS also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a worry to all mothers of newborns. Research has found that by just the act of breastfeeding, the instances of SIDS is less likely by 60%. (cdc. gov 2011) Sixty percentage, that is not a small number. If I said that e rattlingone would be sixty percent more likely to win the lottery if you bought your lottery ticket at caste K grocery in Mountain View, Arkansas, to the highest degree stack would take off work, jump in their cars and race to get to Circle K.The lines to buy tickets would be out the door, but when you say breastfeeding reduces SIDS risk by 60%, most people just shrug it off. Makes one wonder which is more big to most people, the life of their child or the possibility of a little extra cash. I get that, yes, it is inconvenient at cartridge holders, but once again the life of my child is more important. Breastfeeding is not fail safe, but can greatly improve the odds of a happy healthy baby. Breastfeeding also has numerous health benefits for the mother that a lot of people overlook or do not know.Nursing seems to reduce the chances of a woman getting breast cancer. The chances of breast cancer are reduced by twenty-five percent in breastfeeding moms. There is also a correlation in the length of age breastfed. The longer the child nurses the less the chance of the woman developing breast cancer. (Sears 2007) Another reward to the mother is the decrease in instances of osteoporosis. Non breastfeeding mothers are quartet times more likely to get a fracture from osteoporosis. (Sears, 2007) ovarian cancer and uterine cancer risk are also close to diminished by choosing to nurse.As per personal experience, I can assure for the next benefit. I have six children and have had friends that were pregnant at the same time as me. Some of them breastfed and some of them did not. I have noted through the past few years that the mothers that breastfed consistently woolly-headed their pregnancy weight far faster than those that chose to formula feed. Breastfeeding burns galore(postnominal) extra calories. Mothers that breastfeed tend to return to their pre pregnancy weights faster and have a smaller hip circumference one month postpartum.(WebMD, 2012) So, not only can I possibly increase my lifespan by treat, I can look good doing it. The next benefit of treat is financial. Breast milk is free As with the eco nomy being less than desirable, finances can be a bit tight. The bell of feeding an infant until age one is staggering. The cost to formula feed an infant is around $1200 per year. (kellymom. com 2012) Even with factoring in the cost of extra food for the nursing mom, the savings would be huge. Many low-income families have a very hard time affording the cost of formula, so the government ends up option up the tab.If more moms would decide to nurse, the savings annually would be massive. vocal me old fashioned or just plain hard, but I believe if a woman can breastfeed she should. There is no since in a woman sitting around sucking up government assistance when she could easily provide the nutrients herself for her child. Yes, I do run into some woman physically cannot breastfeed, but I believe most of it comes down to pure laziness and lack of effort. The emotional bond of nursing a child is also fostered by breastfeeding. Since physical contact is important for newborns, breas tfeeding is perfect.It helps them feel more secure, comforted and warm. Moms also tend to relax and bang some quiet close times with their children. (womenshealth. gov, 2013) Having a newborn can be quite an stressful and slowing down to take the time to hold your baby close and nurse skin to skin has quite the soothing effect for mothers. Nursing stimulates the production of Oxytocin, which lets the milk flow and calms the mother. era formula feeding moms still bond with their children, the closeness that mother and baby receive while nursing is far more than any bottle can provide.We have been the product of an on the go society. Everything is made to go fast fast fast. Unfortunately, our children have fell victim to this phenomena also. A lot of mothers sacrifice the bonds provided by breastfeeding for the convenience of a bottle. As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding can also benefit society. A nation could avoid 1000 deaths per year if 90 percent of mothers chose to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. Also, we could make it approximately $13 billion per year with less medical cost because breastfed babies tend to be healthier. (womenshealth.gov, 2013).With healthier children, moms would have to miss less work because of taking off for sick children. Society also can reap the rewards of less waste if more mothers breastfed. There would be less formative waste from bottles and bottle liners. I really do not see why anyone would not want to at least attempt to feed their child naturally. The milk never has to be mixed, heated, or measured. Bottles do not have to be sterilized, washed, or bought. The milk will not transcend or cost you a dime. The bond with the child will operate a lifetime and the time will not be wasted.The right and health benefits are extensive. I do know that not all moms get the privilege of staying home with their children, but pumping is still a feasible option. The milk itself is the real goal. The colostrum first milk has been deemed as watery gold. Just a few weeks of colostrum can boost the childs immunity greatly. If a woman can just concord it a chance, it would be a choice she would never regret. There are no poisonous effects for the mother from breastfeeding. The only time a mother should not breastfeed is when she has HIV or advanced cases of tuberculosis.(Medlineplus. gov, 2013) Also, some other consideration would be if the mother is using illegal drugs. The drugs would be harmful if passed through the milk and ingested by the infant. All in all I believe breastfeeding is the best start any mom can instal her child. We give our children shots in order to avoid diseases, why not give them the liquid gold that only a mommy can make? With just a little effort and selflessness, a mother can provide her baby with a lifetime of betterment.Bibliography Breastfeeding. April 5, 2013. WomensHealth. gov. family line 2013 www. womenshealth. gov/breastfeeding Breastfeeding. August 26, 2013 . CDC. gov. September 2013 www. cdc. gov/breastfeeding Breastfeeding Answers. March 25, 2013. La Leche League. September 2013 www. llli. org Breastfeeding vs Formula. February 2012. WebMd. September 2013 http//www. webmd. com/baby/breastfeeding-vs-formula-feeding-twins? Common newborn Concerns. October 26, 2011. KellyMom. September 2013 http//www. kellymom. com MedlinePlus. August 15, 2013. National Institutes of Health. September 2013 www. nlm. nih. gov.

Explore the ways in which Frayn presents the character of Keith in Spies Essay

Frayn presents the temperament of Keith in Spies by dint of the protagonist Stephens recollection of their childhood adventures as best friends. Keith is shown as aw be and confident in his populateledge and status, with an imagination so evidently limitless to the point of violence. Despite this, Frayn evokes sympathy from the reader by portraying Keith for what he truly is a young boy who handlings the signal detection halt as a instrument of drop from what appears a normal, but tart upbringing.Frayn presents Keith in relation to Stephen, within the context of their friendship. Through their contrasting characteristics and family backgrounds their personalities argon created. Frayns use of Stephen as a subservient yet satisfied friend highlights Keiths dominance He Keith was the leader, and I was the led.. He was the ships officer corps I was the Other Ranks, and grateful to be so. Frayns use of repeated sentence structure emphasises the divide in status of the two. Th e family relationship is presented as balanced by both Stephen and Keiths contentedness of the mogul imbalance. Stephen is grateful to follow Keith, who enjoys beingness leader. Keiths dominance and power over Stephen is made evident, especially as Frayn presents Keith, in Stephens eyes, as sanely of a god One single heroic deed, to lay at Keiths feet in the morning. This image that is portrayed is that of a sacrifice, an offering to buy off for what Stephen feels are his inadequacies, and his betrayal of Keiths trust.Frayn also makes it evident that Keiths assume superiority above other children comes from his awareness of his status in society. once again Frayn uses Stephens memory as a framework to subtly swear the reader of Keiths social status. In Stephens memory they are socially colour-coded- Keiths yellow and black uniform immediately identifies him as coming from the right school. Keith does not talk to other children in the Close, whole to Stephen, whom he can ea sily manipulate. Frayn submits Keiths insensitivity as he patronises Stephen with Go home if youre bored, old bean, a term Keiths father uses on him to signal a punishment. Frayn clearly uses this phrase to demonstrate Keith echoing his fathers threattowards him, this time it is directed at Stephen. In this case, however, the punishment Keith intends for Stephen is not a caning, but the humiliation of show like a child in their pretend adult spying game.Through Keith, Frayn demonstrates the power of a childs imagination. From the outset he introduces Keith as an imaginative boy who leads fantastic expeditions like investigating murderer-neighbours. This inclination is further developed by Frayn with, My mother is a German spy. This shows Keiths awareness of his mothers unusual and deceptive behaviour, with the war as a backdrop adding realism to his game. Frayn shows Keiths imagination as an escape from his perfectly ordered bedroom- a reflection of his fathers strict control of the house.Frayn employs the use of Keiths fathers character to create fearsomeness within Keiths character himself. The reader empathises with Stephens emotional state of terror at Keith, as Frayn creates apprehension at Keiths stretch into the boys den and the iconic bayonet is taken out. In contrast with Barbara Berrills perception of it as simply and more importantly, realistically, a carving injure- in Keiths hands tension is immediately created portrayed as an echo of Mr Hayward through learned behaviour, Keith is capable of inflicting physical pain and violence, and does so. He makes a dismissive comment to Stephen, If you think that hurt, you dont know what hurting is. One the one hand this could be interpreted as Keiths typical undermining of Stephens feelings, challenging him to act like the brave, unconquerable adult Keith perceives himself to be. On the other hand, it could be read as a cry for help, suggesting that for Keith, physical pain from his father is more bea rable than being restricted of his freedom to be what he truly is a child.In Keith Frayn shows a lost childhood, exploring within it the idea of secrets of what seem normal and flawless in the surface, presenting imagination as a way to violence, and alternatively, a means of escapism from a harsh world.

Major Characteristics Of Qualitative Research Education Essay

Chapter 3RESEARCH orderological abbreviation3.0 IntroductionIn this chapter, picture for doer volition explicate in item on how the inquiry leave alone be conducted. This includes the seek jut show up chosen by the look doer, the query processs, savor choice, orders of assembleing selective disciplines, and methods of informations analytic thinking employ. In explicating the methods and processs employed, the investigate histrion as well explains the principle for taking the peculiar methods and processs conducted in this question.3.1 Research DesignPatton ( 1990 ) in Fraenkel and Wallen ( 2006 ) draw one of the major(ip) features of soft look is design flexibility w present they suggested that a qualitative enquiry should quash from stick on a stiff designs or state of personal matters so that the state of affairs advise be understood in-depth. They anyhow recommended a qualitative look into should prosecute new waies of strike that suits with the enquiry histrion involvement. From his ain reading and sentiment, the research histrion would wish to correct qualitative research as a type of scientific research. It is because by and large scientific research consists of a proper probe that seeks for replies to a inquiry consistently by uses a predefined set of processs. In entrap to reply the inquiries, research thespian collects grounds and produces findings that were non de circumstanceined in progression and that are applicable beyond the immediate boundaries of the expect after.Therefore to transport turn extinct his research qualitatively, the research histrion would wish to utilize instance mass as the method for the research histrion to carry on this research. subject field survey is one of methods to carry on qualitative research where Robert take over chances ( 1997 ) defines a instance as a delimited administration as it tells a narrative ab bulge out a delimited system. A system refers to a set of i nterconnected elements that are wholesome while leap outlines the boundary of the system ( Holmes et al, 2008 ) . However the research worker himself emergency to find the instance foremost and subsequently the research worker leave alone uses consort informations aggregation techniques such as interviews, observation by dint of literature, and relevant documental synopsis to transport out a holistic survey of the entity. By utilizing instance survey, the research worker get out authentically try to look into the constituents or parts that make up the system to see how they operate. By refer to this research the research worker pull up stakes look into the scientific objurgate caterpillar tread of landing field of Steiner Waldorf statement as he will compare the bod of study with Malaysian scientific refine pipeline of study.At one manus, the research worker will look at the of import constituents of course of study of twain Malaysian and Steiner Waldorf way. On the new(prenominal) manus the research worker will compare twain course of studies in order to look at the strength and the failings in Malaysian scientific battlefield course of study as compared to Steiner Waldorf s. Hence, the research worker believes that the research worker will see the personal contact and keenness every(prenominal) cow dung ripe as holistic positions on both(prenominal) course of studies by utilizing instance survey and comparative analysis.3.2 Research MethodsHarmonizing to Fraenkel and Wallen ( 2006 ) qualitative research employed one-third chief techniques to roll up and award out informations which are signal detection people and drillroom, questioning the topic every billet good as analysing written documents or other signifiers of communicating. Therefore for the informations aggregation the research worker employed the three several(predicate) methods viz. observations, interviews, and papers analyses. By using more than one methods, th e research worker believe it will assist to triangulate the informations, to supply multiple beginnings of grounds every berth good as to increase the cogency and depend business leader of the findings of this research. Below here are the accounts on each method3.2.1 ObservationsObservation fundamentally conducted in order to look into something that the research worker unfamiliar with. Because of that, certain sorts of research inquiries can best be answered by observation ( Fraenkel & A Wallen, 2006 ) . Harmonizing to Holmes et Al ( 2008 ) observation can be classified harmonizing to the utilization that the research worker plays. Fraenkel and Wallen ( 2006 ) suggested the same and as follow Participant Observation, the research workers genuinely take part in the state of affairs or puting they are detecting and when the research worker takes on the ply of a complete instrumentalist his individuality is non known to the other phalluss of the mathematical separate or oth er function that could be play by the research worker is every s participant as perceiver. This is where the research worker participates wholly in the activities of the concourse organism studied and on the same clip stating the group all the way that he is do research.Non-participant Observation, sit on the out of boundss where the research worker does non take part in the activity being observed or really he is indirectly gnarled with the state of affairs being observed. There both functions that the research worker could play. First every snatch perceiver as participant where the research worker instantly identifies himself as research worker and do non hold to feign as a member of the peculiar group being studied. Second one the research worker could be complete perceiver which is wholly contradicted with complete participant. The mien of the research worker may or may non, recognize by the group because the research worker is really observes the activities without any purpose to take part.For this research, the observations carried out by the research worker were really used both types of observation. In one state of affairs the research worker plays his function every spot participant as perceiver and in yet, another state of affairs, the function changed to observer as participant. The research worker alter with the alteration of state of affairs where it involved clip and intent of the observation. For exemplification when the research worker participated in the casts unionised by the Steiner Waldorf section in Plymouth the research worker besides transporting out his observation and informed the member of the group that he was carried out observation for his research. However during his check to the Steiner school in Plymouth, he was no longer participant as observer alternatively, he was observer as participant where he observed the reading and acquisition procedure, status and environment of the school every bit good as the act ivities that the school had along that twenty-four hours.It was same with the observation carried out by the research worker in Malaysia. The research worker plays his function wholly every bit observer as participant with the groups of pupils and instructors involved in this research. However when it involved with his personal experience as in-service instructor, he was really a complete participant, where he observed the phenomenon occurred in the group that he studied without stating them the existent state of affairs. But it was a really minor portion from the observations that the research worker carried out.3.2.2 InterviewInterview is a common tool unremarkably used in qualitative research. It is used by research worker to cognize and understand people s experiences and their interior perceptual experiences, attitudes, and feelings of world ( Zhang.Y, 2006 ) . By mentioning to its construction, interview can be dissever into three classs unified interview, semi-structured interview, and unstructured interview ( Fontana & A Frey, 2005 ) and as in Frankael and Wallen ( 2006 ) the unstructured interview precondition is used as folksy interview.Structured interview is the interview that has a set of predefined inquiries and the inquiries asked to the respondent in the same mode. Structured interview is equal to study and questionnaire except that it is conducted verbally instead than in authorship.Semi-structured interview can outdo be described in footings of the flexibleness in the interview procedure. Just like structured interview, this type of interview consists of a series of inquiries which designed to arouse particular proposition reply from respondent. However it normally more open-ended than inquiries in a structured interview but in the class of interview, interviewers has a flexibleness to set the sequence of the inquiries to be asked and add inquiries based on the mise en scene of the conversations.In stately interview as the term impli es shows that the interview conducted is less formal as compared to structured or semi structured interview. It is besides similar to a insouciant conversation and fundamentally carried out to prosecute the involvements of both the research worker and the respondent in bend. This type of method is normally used in qualitative research.For this research, the research worker carried out the three types of interview. Informal interviews were used by the research worker at the initial portion of this research. The interviews were conducted on few instructors, negotiation and pupils in the efforts to happen out the job of Malaysian scientific retard course of study. During his visit to Plymouth, the method changed to semi structured interview as the research worker hoped to garner every bit much information as possible to fall some penetration most the Steiner instruction.The inquiries designed fundamentally to assist the research worker to acquire the intended reply from the responde nts. Time is ever being the restriction of any research. Therefore when the research worker traveled buns to Malaysia, the research worker still hopes that he could acquire more information about scientific rail course of study from the Steiner instruction. Therefore he conducted email interview with few Steiner instructors, lectors and its ex-students. In the electronic mail the research worker explained briefly about research that he carry oning every bit good as direction how the respondent should reply the inquiries. The research worker classified the electronic mail interview method as structured interview in the sense that inquiries asked were fixed ( in term of get a line ) and no farther probing were carried out. Email interviews conducted by the research worker as portion of member cheque which is a term of method that usage in qualitative research to verify what the research worker had understood based on the old interviews, observations and papers that he analyzed or as mean of formalizing via triangulation.3.2.3 Document/Content psychoanalysisIt is a technique that allow the research worker to analyze human being behaviour in an indirect air such as by means of an analysis of human communicating, written content of communicating, text edition, essays, newspaper, diaries, magazines, articles and others ( Frankael & A Wallen, 2006 ) . satisfied analysis besides has been defined as a research method for the subjective reading of the content of text informations through the systematic categorisation procedure ( Hsieh & A Shannon, 2005 ) and besides as an attack of empirical, methodological controlled analysis of texts within their context of communicating ( Mayring, 2000 ) .Therefore in this research papers refers to written beginnings that the research worker have pay offed from the online beginnings ( articles, studies and diaries ) and other written beginnings such as books that explain about Steiner and Malaysian scientific discipli ne course of study. The paperss collect include official realityations which discuss the purposes and aims of scientific discipline instruction and other facets of course of study such as execution, appraisal and the public presentation. These varied paperss were analyzed and discussed in relation to the findings gathered through observations and interviews carried out by the research worker antecedently.3.3 Research ProceduresSince this is a comparative survey between 2 different course of studies, there are processs that need to be carried out by the research worker in two different states which is Malaysia and Britain. Therefore, the research worker will explicate the processs in figure of different phases as elaborate below Phase 1To take aim the job about the Malayan scientific discipline course of study, the research worker had idle interviews with few senior instructors and talks with scientific discipline instruction basis. Besides that the research worker besides condu cted few informal interviews with pupils in mainstream scientific discipline category. The thought to compare the Malayan and Steiner scientific discipline course of study really came from co-workers who had general thought about the Steiner Waldorf instruction.Phase 2 ( Initial Study )The research worker gathered information about Steiner instruction including the history, attacks and its course of study every bit good as read about the research conducted on Steiner instruction. At the same clip, the research worker besides contacted the Head of the Steiner Waldorf instruction in University of Plymouth and liaises with the Senior Tutor of the Industrial linkages of that university via electronic mail to set up resonance in front the visit to Britain. Meantime, the Head of the Steiner Waldorf section helped the research worker to form Steiner and scientific discipline related plans for the research worker to go to during the visit and one of which is a visit to a Steiner school in Plymouth.Phase 3Prior to carry oning this research in the UK, the research worker needed to obtain permissions from the undermentioned partiesThe Dean of Faculty of discipline of University Teknologi Mara ( UiTM ) to obtain permission to subject the proposal to the UiTM International Linkages centralise ( UiLC ) The Head of UiLC for the blessing of the fund needed by the research worker to carry on this survey in Britain The Vice Chancellor of UiTM to obtain the blessing for the research worker to carry on this survey in Britain andThe Head of Steiner Waldorf Department in University of Plymouth for permission and to be involved in this research.Phase 4When in the UK, information was gathered or obtained through changing beginnings and methods as highlighted aid earlier, viz. subsequentJoined a hebdomad plan organized by Steiner Waldorf Department in University of Plymouth. The plan besides involved a category of first twelvemonth pupils who making their Bachelor in Steiner Educa tion Group interview with the few talks and pupils from the Steiner Waldorf Department Interview with the Head of Steiner Waldorf Department in University of Plymouth Educational visit to one Steiner school in Plymouth where interviews were carried out with a few instructors from different backgrounds Observation of one scientific discipline lesson and one practical or experiment session andExchange of electronic mails with the few scientific discipline instructors, lectors and pupils who graduated from Steiner schools.Phase 5Once the intended informations were obtained from the UK, this phase will more concentrating on informations analysis and to happen more grounds to farther support the earlier findings.Conducted email interview with few Steiner scientific discipline instructors, talks and ex-students.Making analysis on paperss about Steiner course of study specifically on scientific discipline.Conducted a group interview with pupils from 2 different schools in Petaling territ ory.Analyzed information gathered.3.4 Sampling SchemeA standard in a research survey is the single or group on which information is obtained ( Fraenkel & A Wallen, 2006 ) . Another sentiment, a sample consists of a group of persons drawn from the population where the sample is really a fraction from the whole population ( Holmes et al, 2008 ) . A group of sample can be really little or possibly rather crowing depending on the figure of population as the sample drawn is really supposed to stand for the full population. There are two major types of trying which is chance trying and non-probability have.For this research, the research worker chose purposive sampling and thingumajig sampling when behavior this research. A convenience sample is group of persons who ( handily ) are available for survey while purposive sample is chose based on the research worker judgement where the sample is believed could give utile information for the research ( Fraenkel & A Wallen, 2006 ) . On th e other positions, Holmes et Al ( 2008 ) in his book stated that purposive sampling is a manner where the research worker, in taking sample, considers the topics that belong to a specific group. fundamentally this method is appropriate for a subject that has non been studied much before while convenience sampling is a means perusal of whomever or whatever is available.In effort to analyze on Malayan and Steiner Waldorf s scientific discipline course of study, the research worker was really blend the method in trying. Even though the sample might yarn-dye personal networking of the research worker, there were few facets that the research worker gave due(p) consideration and judgement. That is why the research worker chose to utilize purposive and convenience sampling. In order to understand a phenomenon from position of participants, the research worker chose sample who gave more utile information. In add-on, the research worker besides look at the engagement, willingness and coope ration of the sample to involves with the research so that it will do much easier for the research worker.3.5 Sample3.5.1 Sample for Malayan Science programmeThe samples that the research worker chose to garner utile information sing Malayan scientific discipline course of study can be divided into three classs, viz. as expert ( lector with scientific discipline instruction background ) , practician ( instructor ) and pupils.3.5.2 Sample for Steiner Waldorf scientific discipline course of studyThe samples that the research worker chose to understand about Steiner Waldorf instruction and its scientific discipline course of study besides can be divided into three classs, viz. as expert ( lectors with Steiner instruction background and Steiner scientific discipline instruction background ) , practician ( instructor ) and pupils.3.6 data AnalysisData analysis is one of the of import parts in any research. It requires systematic processs to pull off the information gathered and the a bility to analysis the informations critically and exhaustively. However, to transport out the analysis, research worker will utilize the research inquiries and research aims that constructed earlier as the usher. He believes that, it will assist the research worker to demo the right way of the geographic expedition of the informations.As the research worker employed observations, interviews and papers analysis as the methods to garner the informations, each method will undergo different degrees of analysis at one point and subsequently will be combined as a rich information that will be able to reply the research inquiries. Any notes that made by the research worker during his observations, informal interviews, transcript of email interviews, pictures recorded, diaries, and any publications related were organized consequently into its ain class.Next, the informations were analyzed in order for the research worker to look at any bing forms or subjects and assist the research worker to place basic characteristics of the information. This will assist the research worker to pause and document a database construction and on the same clip to drag about the informations extensively by utilizing qualitative package. The package will let the research worker to code, recover and analyse informations which could do the rich information be have a go at it more organized and utile.3.7 DrumheadThe model of this research took topographical point within qualitative processs since the purpose of this research is compare the Malayan and Steiner Waldorf scientific discipline course of study. Interviews conducted with the instructors, talks and pupils from both systems every bit good as the observation that the research worker carried out in Malaysia and Britain were the chief research tools. The information gathered was supported by the analysis of paperss such as diaries, articles, official publications and several ministry paperss related to science instruction. The inform ations put down with the assistance of qualitative informations analysis package helped the research worker to come out with the findings of the research.

Businesses Processes Are the Most Important at Summit Electric Supply Essay

1. Which businesses does are the most of import at treetop Electric Supply? Why? There are several(prenominal) business processes that were used by the confidential information Electric Supply companionship. Among them the important ones are1) ERP software from SAP- Scalability and investors visibility was the two factors most important to the company and both these factors were very well tackled by the ERP software.SAP functionality in sales and distribution, materials caution and financials greatly benefited the company to boost its distribution capacity. 2) SAPs NetWeaver BW For Business Intelligence reporting and analysis this process was used. This helped the company to evaluate the profit adequate to(p)ness of its sales wrinkles,using what-if solutions. 3) The Batch management process- Wires and c open are Summit most important product category. It buys these products in reels of length 5000 feet and then cuts them into versatile lengths and sells to the customers wh ich make it difficult to maintain the inventory of this product. The batch management process removed the problem of maintaining the inventory of such products.2. What problems did Summit eat with its grizzly remainss? What was the business sham of those problems? There were a few problems that Summit went finished with when they were using the middle-aged legacy systems. Some of the few problems they came across were The experient system caused them to squander delay with their supplies. Also the system was complicated as it would separate different categories of products which eventually was difficult to combine when needed. The business impact from the problems was that the system was not able to keep up with the fast festering business. It limited the business as it was only able to handle a few range of numbers and location at a duration.3. How did Summits ERP system improve operational skill and decisions making? rejoin several examples. Summits ERP system improved operational efficiency and decisions making by advancing operations. It made the processing faster and distributed the supplies on time. With the old system the Summit had to do a huge number of manual scat. The employees would have to go into details with the customers just to find precise creates to identify a product. Once they have done that they would have to adjust it into Microsoft excel spreadsheet. The whole old system was too much time consuming.For example collecting and reviewing all the invoices manually would take up to a month and the company would have stacks of papers of the copies of the invoices to give to their v sackors. promptly the new ERP system has improved it. They are now able to make up much data quickly and they are able to view them more than often. The ERP system has helped provide tools to help the company evaluate the sales channel with what-if scenarios. For example, now that the company uses this tool, they are now able to evaluate profit ability by the branch, sale person, customers, and manufacture. Now the exposure to the internal working of the system, on how its operations are performed have been greatly enhanced which in cristal makes the company and the management to make important decisions.4. Describe two ship counselling in which Summits customers benefit from the new ERP system. One way that the Summits customers are benefitting from the new ERP system is that they can deposit on the company for their needs and products. The company is now more expeditious with the new ERP system. The company wants the customers to feel that they can provide what all they have produced all the products which the customers want are being dispatched to them in a compact time period. Also customers can track their order status and from which manufacture it came from. Large customers that have long-term job sites are benefitting from the new system as well.The company built temporary warehouses on-site to supply the custo mers with its galvanizing products. They create what they call parent-child warehouse relationship to be able to work with the customers. That subject matter that if a Summits office has more than a few temporary on-site warehouses than the warehouse can be controlled manage subparts of the main Summits warehouse. With this system, it helps to prevent anybody from selling the consigned inventory into the warehouse.5. Diagram Summits old and new process for treatment chargebacks. The old process for handling chargebacks had so many flaws in it due to which the company was losing on revenue enhancement opportunities and sometime barely making any profit. Processing chargeback in the old system was very much manual. You have to compare the sales to contract. This means that a distributor can have up to hundreds maybe thousands of contracts. They have to identify the chargeback and which manufacturer with enough archiveation of the contract. They would have to go done the customer s invoices for detailed manufacturers to identify which chargeback they could have necessitateed. Then after identifying they would have to draw the chargeback details in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.The new process for handling chargebacks was more efficient. It automatically review Summits billing activity for the day and the compares it to all chargebacks agreements loaded in the SAP system by the end of every day. Whenever there was a match in the system they were able to claim. The system is after identifying the claimable chargebacks were able to create a separate chargeback document outside the consumer invoice. The system is able to process chargeback more quickly and is able to review it within the same day. Since it is fully automated, the company increased its claim by 118 percent over the old system.

Niche Company/Urban Outfitters

The purpose of this report is to analyse the challenges of climb up a business and the difference between the major(ip) forms of business particularly, street corner markets as comp bed to the larger master(prenominal)stream markets. intend triad (3) challenges when setting up a business. Explain why they be challenges. The three important challenges when setting up a business are cash flow, increase supply and convey, and human resources. Depending on the grapheme of business, you will have the sign cost of beginning the business prior to any income derived from that business. What type of crossway are you selling and is there a consumer direct for the harvest.Finally, staffing the business is excessively a major concern. Depending on the type of business, there will a great deal be an initial cash investment. Property will have to be acquired from which you will operate the business. The cost will depend on the location, where you harvest-festival will be in deman d, whether you are purchasing the property or renting and the amount of square footage needed. The property needs to be beautify in couch to display the increase and there is also the outgo of the inventory labor is also involved with decorating and stocking the inventory.Are you able to do this yourself or will individuals need to be hired? Also, do you as the business proprietor have enough cash flow to incarnate your living expenses during this time, when there is no or little income available? urban Outfitters move Case Study Creating a business. 2 The business began with an creative thinker or product and the question must be answered as to whether or not it is in demand. Consumers must want the product in influence for the business to succeed if the consumer does not want the product, the business will fail. Therefore, matchless must ask if the product ill be in demand in the area where the business will be located for example, coke sleds would not be in demand on a equatorial island. Beginning a business requires an enormous amount of time and avail is often needed. Unless you limit your hours of operation, it would be impossible for a single proprietor to fulfill all the hours needed. At first, one may have family and/or friends unforced to invest their time, but this will lone(prenominal) last for so long. Hiring employees is a difficult task one must make sure the person is well suited for the po induction.The individuals you hire will be representing your business. Define what a niche product is. Give at least three examples of niche products. A niche product is designed to appeal to individuals with specialised interests, needs, and bell range. A few examples of a niche product would imply plus size womans clothing, import automobile compensate service, and ethnic foods. Explain why a niche product big businessman have an advantage in a market. Would price necessarily be an advantage? Explain why or why not.urban Outfitters Cont inuing Case Study Creating a business. 3 Niche products or operate are narrowd and facilitate a small segment of the market. A niche market masters a product specifically, designed to serve only one type of individual in the market. The advantage is the niche company can focus on one group of consumers. expenditure may possibly be lower marketing to a smaller group of individuals is often more(prenominal)(prenominal) efficient and cost effective. However, producing a lesser quantity with a high demand would have the potential of superlative the price. For example, an import car owner desires a mechanic specializing in imported car repair.There is not a high demand for this type of repair service therefore, the price for this service would be higher. The higher price would not be concern for the imported car owner because his main concern is having his car repaired correctly. Identify and explain three reasons why customers would be more for exclusivity. 1) An exclusive prod uct gives the impression that it is special therefore, individuals are willing to pay more for something that is unique or special. 2) An exclusive product could be considered hard to find or purchase because of availability making it more special. various(prenominal)s want what someone else may not be able to obtain. 3) Individuals are willing to pay more for an exclusive product in order to impress others. The person that is impressed would find value in that item. urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Creating a business. 4 Explain how a niche player halts away at a larger competitions sensual. Give three examples of retailers who have done this. There are three areas in which a niche player can chip away at a larger competitors base go after a different way of delivering a product provide a premium product or service and specialize in a one product line.Barnes and Noble Book chime ins deliver their product in a specialize way. This bookstore offers a wide grade of books fo r the learner it would be truly rare for a customer to be unable to find a particular book. One can sit in a living room type atmosphere read their purchase while having a transfuse of cappuccino or espresso. Second get hold of Books is a chain offering pre-owned books at a greatly reduced price. This is a very generic way of shopping for books since there is no reasoning to where the books are shelved and coffee is unavailable. private instructor stores offer very overpriced limited design handbags priced in the hundreds of dollars.A customer walking into the store is made to smell out as if they are the only person there. Individual attention is there for the asking making each customer feel that her business is truly appreciated. Macys, a large department store, also offers Coach handbags however, selection is limited since the store also offers other designer handbags. Starbucks provides gourmet coffee their mission statement is to provide the best cup of espresso. They d o not offer a food menu their only product is the gourmet coffee. McDonalds now offers cappuccino and other coffee drinks along with their burgers and other menu items.Although their coffee drinks are less expensive, it is well cost the price of a Starbucks to have a good cup of Java. Urban Outfitters Continuing Case Study Creating a business. 5 Summary titan businesses consider niche marketing to be less profitable. However, for small outgo businesses, which have just started off with their business ventures, it can be very profitable. By targeting a group of people with a specialized demand your income can soar. You are not competing with the larger mainstream provider. Therefore, you will obtain more profit with a lesser effort by limiting yourself to that specialized niche market.

The Blue Sword CHAPTER ONE

She scowled at her gl rump of chromatic juice. To stand for that she had been delighted when she starting drived present was it scarcely ternionsome months past? with the prospect of fresh orange juice e truly day. and she had been dullard to be delighted this was to be her home, and she motivati unmatchabled poorly to go along c be it, to be grateful for it to be exact well, to make her brformer(a) proud of her and Sir Charles and peeress Amelia delighted with their generosity. lady Amelia had explained that the orchards hardly a few eld s asideh and western of here were the charmingst in the expanse, and m some(prenominal) of the oranges she had seen at Home, before she came protrude here, had probably let from those same orchards. It was hard to cogitate in orange groves as she looked kayoed the window, across the flat deserty plain beyond the Residency, unbroken by either amour more than(prenominal) vigorous than a few patches of harsh grass an d scrawny sand-colo sanguine bushes until it disappea cherry at the feet of the black and copper-brown mountains. only when thither was fresh orange juice e genuinely day.She was the first mystify down to the table every(prenominal) good morning, and was gently rag by Lady Amelia and Sir Charles close to her healthy green appetite just forthwith it wasnt hunger that drove her place of bed so early. Since her days were complete of purpose, she could not sleep when night came, and by dawn each morning she was more than indicatey for the maid to enter her room, urge back the furnishs from the steep windows, and hand her a cup of tea. She was often pop out of bed when the charwoman arrived, and dressed, sitting at her window, for her bedroom window faced the same elbow room as the breakfast room, staring at the mountains. The servants model kindly of her, as she gave them microscopic extra work tranquillize a lady who move up and dressed herself so early, and without assistance, was certainly a bittie eccentric. They knew of her impoverished understate that explained a great deal but she was in a fine house now, and her host and hostess were only as well as exiting to confide her boththing she readiness want, as they had no children of their own. She might try a petty(a) harder to adapt to so pleasant an existence.She did try. She knew what the apprehensions behind the looks the servants gave her were she had dealt with servants before. nevertheless she was adapting to her new animateness as lift out as her ener wash upic spirit could. She might permit screamed, and hammered on the w tout ensemble(prenominal)s with her fists, or jumped over the low windowsill in her room, clambered to the scope by the ivy trellis (special ivy, bred to withstand the desert heat, upkeepfully watered by Sir Charles gardener every day), and run score toward the mountains but she was arduous her best to be good. So she was merely first to t he breakfast table.Sir Charles and Lady Amelia were any that was kind to her, and she was fond of them afterwards a few weeks in their company. They had, indeed, been farthermost more than kind. When her beat died a year agone, Richard, a very junior military adjutant, had located the difficulty of an unmarried sister and an entailed state before Sir Charles, and begged for advice. (She heard tot every(prenominal)y this, to her acute embarrass manpowert, from Richard, who wanted to be certain(p) she mute how much she had to be grateful for.) He and his wife had give tongue to that they would be happy to completeer her a home with them, and Richard, a give care relieved to think hard or so the propriety of such a gods finish up, had create verbally to her and give tongue to, Come out. He had not specifically state, Mind your manners, but she undersas welld that too.She hadnt any choice. She had bop, because her father had t overage her five geezerhood ago when her find died, that she would bring in no inheritance what money in that respect was was tied up very strictly for the eldest son. Not that Dickie will mistreat you, their father had express, with the ghost of a smile, but I feel that, with your temperament, you had best ingest as gigantic as possible a warning to retract yourself to it. Youll kindred existence dependent on your crony plain slight, I fancy, than you the like being dependent on me. He tapped his fingers on his desk. The thought that lay silent between them did not admit to be mouth aloud that it was not likely she would marry. She was proud, and if she had not been, her parents would take aim been proud for her. And there is footling market for penniless dispiritedbloods of no particular beauty left(p)ly when the somberness of the blood is suspected to produce been diluted by a questionable great-grand fuss on the catchs side. What the questionableness exactly consisted of, annoy was not meeted. With the self-centeredness of childishness she had not thought to ask and later, after she had realized that she did not care for society nor society for her, she had no desire to ask.The channelizeboard journey einsteinium on the Cecilia had been long but un tied(p)tful. She had found her sea legs al roughly at once, and had do relay localises with a middle- mount upd lady, also traveling alone, who asked no individual(prenominal) questions, and loaned her novels freely to her young companion, and discussed them with her upon their return. She had let her own mind go numb, and had read the novels, and sit down in the sun, and strolled the decks, and not thought most the past or the future.They docked at Stzara without mishap, and she found the earth heaved under her strangely when she first sight foot ashore. Richard had been granted a months set citadelh to meet her and escort her newton to her new home. He looked younger than she had contained he had gone ab highr oad three years ago, and had not been Home again since. He was tender to her at their reunion, but wary they seemed to yield little in cat valium any more. I shouldnt be surprised, she thought its been a long magic spell since we played unitedly every day, before Dickie was sent off to school. Im an encumbrance now, and he has his career to think of. only it would be slender to be fellows, she thought wistfully. When she pressed him to give her some idea of what she could expect of her new life, he shrugged and said Youll see. The people are like Home, you survive. You neednt have much to do with the inbreds. There are the servants, of contour, but they are all right. Dont worry active it. And he looked at her with so worried a face that she didnt grapple whether to laugh or to shake him. She said, I appetency you would tell me what is worrying you. Variations of this conversation occurred several times during the first days of their journey to sterilizeher. At this p oint there would be a long silence.Finally, as if he could bear it no more, he burst out You wont be able to go on as you did at home, you survive.But what do you mean? She hadnt thought much about native servants, or her position, yet and unambiguously Richard knew her well enough of old to guess that now. She had compose him letters, several each year, since he had gone overseas, but he had seldom answered. She had not minded very much, although she had thought occasionally, as when his six hastily scrawled lines at Christmas arrived, that it would have been pleasant if he were a discover letter writer but it hadnt troubled her. It troubled her now, for she matte that she was facing a crazy a stranger who perhaps knew too much about her and her modify way of life.She blinked at him, and tried to rearrange her thoughts. She was excited, but she was frightened too, and Richard was all she had. The memory of their fathers funeral, and she the only family member standing besi de the minister, and of the small handful of servants and tenants whom she had drive inn all her life and who were far onward from her now, was nonoperational raw and recent. She didnt want to think about her new life she wanted time to repose into it gradually. She wanted to pretend that she was a tourist. Dickie Dick, what do you mean?Richard must have seen the homesick bewilderment on her face. He looked back at her unhappily. Oh er its not your house, you know.Of course I know that she exclaimed. I notify what the Greenoughs are doing for you and for me by by taking me in. And she added carefully You explained all that to me in your letter.He nodded.Do you think I dont know how to behave myself? she said at be be intimate, goaded, and was rewarded by some other long silence plot she felt the blood rising in her face.Its not that I dont think you know how, he said at last. She flinched, and he began An devastate, she said firmly. Its still kindle. He looked at he r with diswhitethorn, and she realized that she was confirming his fears about her, but she wasnt going to hand about that of all things. The realization that she would insist on being called Harry seemed to silence him, because he did not try to drive with her further, but withdrew into his recession seat and stared out the window.She could tell by his utterance that he did not want to hurt her, but that he was truly apprehensive. She and Richard had been wild animals together as small children but when Dickie had been packed off to school, their sire had dragged her into the house, mostly by the ears or the nape of the neck, and begun the long difficult military operation of reforming her into something resembling a young lady.I suppose I should have started years ago, she told her sulky daughter but you were having such a good time, and I knew Dickie would be sent away soon. I thought it exactly f give vent that your lessons should start sooner. This bring up the cloud a little from her daughters brow, so she added with a smile, And, besides, Ive always liked riding horses and climbing trees and falling into ponds better myself. After such an open avowal of sympathy from the enemy, lessons could neer be quite awful on the other hand, they were not perhaps as thorough as they might have been. On particularly fine-looking days they often packed a eat and rode out together, mother and daughter, to inspire themselves the mother said with a little fresh air but the books as often as not stayed in the saddlebags all day. The daughter learned to love books, particularly adventure novels where the hero rode a beautiful horse and ran all the villains by means of with his silver sword, but her fancywork was never above passable and she only learned to dance after her mother pointed out that such grace and balance as she might learn on the dance floor would doubtless stand her in good stead in the saddle. She learned the housekeeping necessary in an old ramshackle country house well enough to regaining over the management of theirs successfully during her mothers last illness and the first atrocious months after her mothers death were made easier by the fact that she had something to do. As the first pain of loss wore away, she realized also that she liked being useful.In the shock five years later of her fathers death, and with the knowledge that she must start her home, and leave it in the indifferent men of a business manager, it had occurred to her to be relieved that the little easterly invest at the farthest-flung border of the Homelander imperium where Richard had been posted, and where she was about to join him, was as small and isolated as it was. Her mother had escorted her to such small parties and various social occasions as their country neighborhood might offer, and while she knew she had conducted herself creditably she had not enjoyed herself. For one thing, she was merely too big taller than all the women, taller than most of the men.Harry could get nought more useful out of her brother about his private misgivings as the small rickety train carried them newton. So she began to ask general questions a tourists questions about her new country and then she had better luck. Richard began visibly to thaw, for he recognized the sincerity of her interest, and told her quite cheerfully that the town at the end of their journey, where Sir Charles and Lady Amelia awaited them, was the only town of any size at all indoors three days of it. Theres a wireless station out in the middle of nowhere where the train stops it exists only for the train to have someplace to stop and thats all. The towns name was Istan, after the natives Ihistan, which was deemed too hard to pronounce. Beyond Istan was a scattering of small depressed cottages in carefully irrigated fields where a tough local tassel-headed grain called korf was grown. Istan had been a small village before the Homelanders came, where the farmers and herders and nomads from the surrounding country came to market every fortnight and a few pot-menders and rug-weavers kept shops. The Homelanders used it as an outpost, and expand it, although the native marketplace remained at its center and built a fort at the eastern edge of it, which was named the cosmopolitan Leonard Ernest Mundy.Istan had lately become a place of some importance in the governmental ne twork the Homelanders had laid over the country they had conquered eighty years before. It was still an isolated spot, and no one went there who didnt have to for it was at the edge of the great blue desert of the peninsular continent the Homelanders called Daria. But thirteen years ago the Aeel Mines had been discovered in the Ramid Mountains to the northwest, and in the last eight years the Mines had been formally declared the most profitable discovery on the entire Darian continent, and that was give tongue to a great deal. The profits on oranges alone paid the takings of half the civil servants in the Province.The Mines are awful to get to, though the Ramids are very nasty going. Istan is on the only feasible route to the Mines, and is the last town large enough to re-supply any caravan or company going that way or coming back out again. Thats why we got the railroad, finally. Before that we were the only reason anyone would want to come so far, and our attractions are limited. But the Mines are the big thing now. They may unconstipated figure out a way to dig a road through with(predicate) the Ramids. I wish them luck.Istan also remained tactically important, for while southernmost of it the boundary to Homelander territory swung rapidly east, the Homelanders failed to push it back any close the mountains of the north and east. The natives, perhaps from learning to cope with the desert to survive at all, had proved to be a tougher breed than their southern cousins.Some of this Harry had read at Home when she had first heard of Richards posting three years before. But she felt the reality of it now, with the western wind blowing down on her from the rich Aeel Mines, and the odd greenish-bronze tint in the sky, and the brilliant red of the sunsets. She saw the dull brown uniforms of the Homelander soldiers stationed here, with the red stripe vertically displace over the left breast that indicated they served in the Darian province of the Homelander sovereignty. There were more soldiers, the farther they traveled. Its still a sore point that Istan is the eastern verge we bathroomt seem to bear the idea that the border doesnt run straight, north to south, because we would like it to. They keep threatening to mount new offensives, but Colonel Dedham hes in iron bang of the old Mundy dictates that they wont do it. And who wants to own a lot of desert leastwise? Its the farmland in the south and the Mines that make it worthwhile to be here.She boost him to talk about Her Majestys Government of the R oyal Province of Daria, and if she did not find out as closely as she might to the descriptions of the ranks and duties of the civil servants Richard had the most edge with, she arrived at Istan at last with some small idea of how Homelanders in general were expected to respond to Daria. And she had seen korf with her own look, and a band of the range tinkers known as dilbadi, and the changing color of the earth underfoot, from the southern red to central brown to northern yellow-grey. She knew a broad-leafed ilpin tree from the blue evergreen torthuk, and when Lady Amelia met her with a corsage of the little rosy-pink pimchie flowers, she greeted them by name.Lady Amelia was a small round woman with big hazel eyes and curly grey hair and the wistful look of the fading beauty. Her husband, Sir Charles, was as tall as Richard and much broader he must ride cardinal stone, Harry thought dispassionately as she shook his hand. He had a red face and white hair and a magnificent musta che, and if his blue eyes were a little shallow, there were laugh lines generously around them, and his smile was warm. She felt as if they had looked forward to her coming, and she relaxed a little there was none of the loftiness she was expecting toward a woeful relation someone elses poor relation at that. Sir Charles during the first pointing gave her a complete muniment of Daria, its past, its conquest by the Homelanders, its present, and its likely future, but most of it she was too weary to follow. Lady Amelias occasional quick comments, when her husband stopped to draw breath, about Harrys present comfort were much more welcome, although she tried not to disposition it. But midway through the nonethelessing, as Sir Charles was gesturing with his liqueur glass and even Richard was looking a bit glassy-eyed, Lady Amelia caught her new charges eye for a long moment. A look of patience and affection passed between them and Harry thought that perhaps all would be well, an d she went up to bed in good spirits.For the first few days in Istan she unpacked, and looked around her, and only saw the newness of everything. But the Homelanders of Istan were a small but thriving community, and she was the a la mode(p) addition to a society which looked forward to, and welcomed, and cross-examined, and talked about, its additions.She had always suffered from a shadowy restlessness, a longing for adventure that she told herself severely was the result of reading too umteen novels when she was a small child. As she grew up, and particularly after her mother died, she had learned to ignore that restlessness. She had nearly bury about it, till now. She wondered sometimes if her brother felt that impatience of spirit too, if something like it had had anything to do with his shutting up at a small Border station, however tactically important, although his prospects, when he graduated from university, had suggested something better. This was one of the many things she did not ask him. other question she did not ask was if he ever missed Home.She set down her empty orange-juice glass, and sighed. Theyd missed the orange groves, coming north from Stzara, where her ship put her ashore. She picked up her genitals from its shining white, neatly folded linen napkin, and turn it so that the sunlight that had glittered through her orange juice now caught in tiny star-bursts across its tines. Dont fidget, she told herself.This morning she was to go riding with the two Misses Peterson, scented wattle and Elizabeth. They were near her own age, and the admitted beauties of the station the entire 4th Cavalry, stationed at the General Mundy, were in love with them. But they were also cheerful and open-hearted, and she was fond of them. She had never much cared for beauty, although she was aware that she lacked it and that her position might have been a little easier if she had not.They would return from their ride by midmorning, because the sun would be growing too hot for anyone to brave it for plea undisputable. She planned to ask Lady Amelia if they might all come back here for lunch. She already knew what the answer would be Why, of course We are always delighted to see them. I am so pleased, my dear, that you should be so clever as to attach the two most charming girls we have here to be your particular relay stations. Harry caught herself playing with her fork again, and laid it down emphatically. This evening there was to be other dance. Richard had promised to escort her she had to acknowledge that, however little they found to say to one another now, he was very good about escorting her to parties, and dancing with her which meant that there was at least one man present whom she did not predominate over. Her gratitude was not at all dimmed by the suspicion that he was nursing a secret passion for Cassie, nor by the thought, not even a real suspicion, that he might not want himself made a fool of by his sisters unpo pularity. No, his kindness was real he love her, she thought, in his silent and anxious way. Perhaps simply being a very junior military adjutant with an unmarried sister all of a sudden thrust on ones hands inevitably made one a bit of a prig.It never occurred to her to speculate whether any of the young men in their shining regimentals that Dickie painstakingly introduced her to, and who then painstakingly asked her to dance, presented themselves from any motive outside a willingness to do their friend Crewe a regard by standing up with his oversized sister. It would have surprised her very much to learn of her two or three admirers, who so far resisted the prevailing atmosphere of the barracks as to incline to an altar less dwell than that of either Miss Peterson. But shes just like her brother, one of them complained to his best friend, who listened with a friends patience, although he was himself incapable of seeing the charms of any woman other than Beth Peterson. So damned polite. Oh, shes nice enough, you know. I dont suppose she actually dislikes me, he continued, a bit uncertainly. But Im not at all sure she even recognizes me from one day to the next, so it hardly counts.Well, said the friend good-humoredly, Dick remembers you well enough.The admirer threw a boot at his friend the one he hadnt polished yet. You know what I mean.I know what you mean, agree the friend. A cold fish. The admirer looked up from the boot-blacking angrily and the friend held up the extra boot like a shield. Dicks stiff with honor. I daresay his sisters like that. You just dont know her well enough yet.Balls, dinner parties, moaned the admirer. You know what theyre like it could take years. The friend in silent sympathy (thinking of Beth) tossed the boot back, and he began moodily to black it.The object of his affections, had she known of this conversation, would have agreed with him on the subject of balls and dinner parties. In fact, she would have added the rider tha t she wasnt sure it could be done at all, getting to know someone at any succession of such parties, however prolonged. And the friend was right about Dick Crewes powerful sense of honor. He knew well enough that at least two of his friends were falling in love with his sister but it never crossed his mind to say anything about them to her. He could not compromise the privileged knowledge of friendship in such a way.And Dicks sister, oblivious to the fact that she had won herself a place in the station hierarchy, chafed and fidgeted.Lady Amelia arrived at the breakfast table next. They had just colonised the question of Cassie and Beth coming to lunch in near the little words anticipated when the door to Sir Charles study, across the hall from the breakfast room, assailable and Sir Charles and his secretary, Mr. Mortimer, entered to breakfast. The two women looked at them in surprise they had the unmistakable air of men who have been awake several hours, working hard on energ y more than a cup or two of the dark hard local coffee, and who will rush through their meal now to get back to whatever they have been doing. Neither of them looked very happy about their prospects.My dear, said Lady Amelia. Whatever is wrong? Sir Charles ran a hand through his white hair, accepted a plate of eggs with his other hand, and sat down. He shook his head. Philip Mortimer glanced at his employer but said nothing. Richards not here yet, said Sir Charles, as if his absence explained everything.Richard ? said Lady Amelia faintly.Yes. And Colonel Dedham. Im sorry, my dear, he said, a few mouthfuls of eggs seeming to restore him. The message came quite out of the blue, in the middle of the night, he explained through his metaphors as well as his mouthful. Jack Colonel Dedham has been out, try to find out what he can, and I told him to come to breakfast and tell us what hes learned. With Richard that boy knows how to talk to people. beat them. Blast him. Hell be here in a few hours.His wife stared at him in complete bewilderment, and his young guest averted her eyes when he looked at her, as it was not her place to stare. He laid down his fork and laughed. Melly, your face is a study. Young Harry here is going to be a fine ambassadors wife someday, though look at that stove poker face You really shouldnt look so much like your brother it makes you too easy to read for those of us who know him. Just now youre thinking Is the old man gone at last? wag him till were sure if he calms down a bit, perhaps well get some sense out of him even now. Harry grinned back at him, untroubled by his teasing, and he reached across the table, braving candlesticks and an artistically arranged arena of fruit, to tap her cheek with his fingers. A generals wife, on second thought. Youd be vitiated on the diplomatic corps were all such dry paper-shufflers. He speared a piece of toast with his fork, and Lady Amelia, whose manners with her own family were as punctilio us as if she dined with royalty, looked away. Sir Charles piled marmalade on his toast till it began to ooze off the edges, added one more dollop for good measure, and ate it all in three gulps. Melly, I know Ive told you about the difficulties were having in the North, on this side of the mountains with our lot, and on the far side with whatever it is they breed over there a very queer bunch, from all we can gather and its all begun to escalate, this last year, at an alarming speed. Harry, Dicks told you something of this?She nodded.You may or may not know that our real hold over Daria ends just about where this station stands, although technically on paper Homeland rule extends right to the foot of those mountains north and east of here the Ossanders, which run out from the Ramids, and then that far eastern range you see over the sand, where none of us has ever been those mountains are the only bits of the old kingdom of Damar still under native rule. There used to be quite a lot of fleck along this border say, forty years ago. Since then their king oh yes, theres a king more or less ignores us, and we more or less ignore him. But odd things call them odd things Jack will tell you what he thinks they are still happen on that plain, our no-mans-land. So we have the 4th Cavalry here with us.Nothing too odd has happened since the current king took the throne around ten years ago, we think they dont bother to keep us up to date on such things but it never does to be careless. Um. He frowned and, while frowning, ate another piece of toast. Everything has been quiet for oh, at least fifteen years. Nearly as long as Ive been here, and thats a long time. Ask Jack, though, for stories of what it was like up and down the northern half of this border before that. He has visual modality of them. He stood up from the table, and went across the room to the row of windows. He lifted the curtain farther back as he looked out across the desert, as if breadth of view might assist clarity of thought. It was obvious his mind was not on the explanation he was giving and for all his assumed cheerfulness, he was deeply worried. Damn Excuse me. Where is Jack? I expected he would have at least sent young Richard on ahead before now. He radius as if to himself, or perhaps to Philip Mortimer, who made soothing noises, poured a cup of tea, and took it to Sir Charles where he stood make a face into the morning sunlight.Trouble? said Lady Amelia gently. More trouble?Sir Charles dropped the curtain and turned around. Yes More trouble. He looked down at his hands, realized he was holding a cup of tea in one of them, and took a swallow from it with the air of a man who does what is expected of him. There may be war with the North. Jack thinks so. Im not sure, but I dont like the rumors. We must secure the passes through the mountains particularly Ritgers Gap, which gives anybody coming through it almost a direct line to Istan, and then of course to the whole Province. It may only be some tribal uproar but it could be war, as real as it was eighty years ago. There arent many of the old Damarians left the Hillfolk but weve been forced to have a graceful healthy respect for them. And if King Corlath decides to throw his chances in with the Northerners There was a clatter in the street below. Sir Charles head snapped around. There they are at last, he said, and bolted for the front door and threw it open himself, under the scandalized eye of the pantryman who had emerged from his inner sanctum just too late. Come in Ive been in high fidgets for the last hour, wondering whats become of you. Have you found out anything that might be of use to us? I have been trying to explain to the ladies what our problem is.Would you care for breakfast? Lady Amelia asked without haste, and with her usual bland courtesy. Charles may be trying to explain, but so far he has not succeeded. In response to her gesture, a maid laid two more place s at the table. With a jingling of spurs the two newcomers entered, apologized for their dirt, and were delighted to accept some breakfast. Richard dropped a perfunctory kiss on his sisters cheek on his way to the eggs and ham. After a few minutes of tea-pouring and butter-passing, while Sir Charles strode up and down the room with barely suppressed impatience, it was Lady Amelia who spoke first. We will leave you to your business, which I can see is very important, and we wont cod you with demands for explanations. But would you answer just one question?Colonel Dedham said, Of course, Melly. What is it?What is it that has suddenly throw you into this turmoil? Some unexpected visitor, I gather, from what Charles said?Dedham stared at her. He didnt tell you ? Good God. Its Corlath himself. Hes coming. He never comes near here, you know none of the real Hillfolk do if they can help it. At best, if we want badly enough to talk to him, we can catch one of his men as they pass throug h the foothills northeast of here. Sometimes.You see, broke in Sir Charles, it makes us apply that perhaps he wishes to cooperate with us not the Northerners. Jack, did you find out anything?Dedham shrugged. Not really. Nothing that we didnt already know that his coming here is unprecedented, to say the least and that it is in fact him. Nobody had any better guesses than ours about why, suddenly, he decided to do so.But your guess would be prompted Sir Charles.Dedham shrugged again, and looked wry. You know already what my guess would be. You just like to hear me making an ass of myself. But I believe in the, um, curious things that happen out there he waved the sugar spoon and I believe that Corlath must have had some cast of sign, to go to the length of approaching us.A silence fell Harry could see that everyone else in the room was uncomfortable. polarity? she said tentatively.Dedham glanced up with his quick smile. You havent been here long enough to have heard any of the queer stories about the old rulers of Damar?No, she said.Well, they were sorcerers or so the story goes. Magicians. They could call the lightning down on the heads of their enemies, that sort of thing useful stuff for founding an empire.Sir Charles snorted.No, youre quite right all we had was matchlocks and enthusiasm. correct magic wanes, I suppose. But I dont think its waned quite away yet theres some still living in those mountains out there. Corlath can trace his bloodlines back to Aerin and Tor, who ruled Damar in its golden age with or without magic, depending on which version you prefer.If they werent legends themselves, put in Sir Charles.Yes. But I believe they were real, said Jack Dedham. I even believe they wielded something we timeworn Homelanders would call magic.Harry stared at him, fascinated, and his smile broadened. Im quite used to being taken for a fool about this. Its doubtless part of the reason why Im still a colonel, and still at the General Mundy. B ut there are a number of us old soldiers whose memories go back to the Daria of thirty, forty years ago who say the same thing.Oh, magic, said Sir Charles disgustedly, but there was a trace of uneasiness in his voice as well. Have you ever seen lightning come to heel like a dog?Dedham through his politeness looked a little stubborn. No. I havent. But its true enough at least that the men who have gone up against Corlaths father and grandfather were plagued by the most awe-inspiring bad luck. And you know the Queen and Council back Home would give their eye odontiasis to push our border back the way weve been saying we would for the last eighty years. painful luck? said Lady Amelia. Ive heard the stories, of course some of the old ballads are very beautiful. But what sort of bad luck?Dedham smiled again. I admit it does begin to sound foolish when one tries to explain it. But things like rifles or matchlocks misfiring, or blowing up not just a few, but many yourself, and your n eighbor, and his neighbor. And their neighbors. A cavalry charge just as it reaches full stretch, the horses begin to trip and fall down as if theyve forgotten how to gallop all of them. Men mistake their orders. Supply wagons lose their wheels. one-half a company all suddenly get grit in their eyes simultaneously and cant see where theyre going or where to shoot. The sort of little things that always happen, but carried far beyond probability. Men get irrational about such things, however much they scoff at elves and witches and so on. And its pretty appalling to see your cavalry crumple up like theyre all drunk, while these madmen with nothing but swords and axes and bits of leather armor are coming down on you from every direction and nobody seems to be firing at them from your side. I assure you Ive seen it.Richard shifted in his chair. And Corlath Yes, Corlath, the colonel continued, sounding still as unruffled as when he thanked Lady Amelia for his cup of tea, while Sir C harles face was getting redder and redder and he whuffled through his mustache. It was hard not to believe Dedham his voice was too level, and it rang with sincerity. They say that in Corlath the old kings have come again. You know hes begun to reunite some of the outlying tribes the ones that dont seem to owe anyone any particular allegiance, and who live by a sort of equal-handed brigandry on anyone within easy reach.Yes, I know, said Sir Charles.Then you may also have heard some of the other sort of stories theyve begun to tell about him. I imagine he can call lightning to heel if he feels like it.This is the man whos coming here today? said Lady Amelia and even she now sounded a little startled.Yes, Amelia, Im afraid so.If hes so blasted clever, muttered Sir Charles, what does he want with us?Dedham laughed. Come now, Charles. Dont be sulky. I dont suppose even a magician can make half a zillion Northerners disappear like raindrops in the ocean. We certainly need him to keep t he passes through his mountains closed. And it may be that he has decided that he needs us to mop up the leaks, perhaps.Lady Amelia stood up, and Harry reluctantly followed her. We will leave you to discuss it. Is there is there anything I could do, could arrange? Im afraid I know very little about entertaining native chieftains. Do you suppose he will want lunch? She spread her hands and looked around the table.Harry suppressed a smile at the thought of proper little Lady Amelia offering sandwiches, with the crusts neatly trimmed off, and lemonade to this barbarian king. What would he look like? She thought Ive never even seen any of the salvemen, the Hillfolk. All the natives at the station, even the merchants from away, look subdued and a little wary.Oh, bosh, said Sir Charles. I wish I knew what he wanted lunch or anything else. Part of what makes all this so complicated is that we know the Free Hillfolk have a very complicated code of honor but we know almost nothing ab out what it consists of.Almost, murmured Dedham.We could offend them mortally and not even know it. I dont know if Corlath is coming alone, or with a select band of his thousand best men, all armed to the teeth and carrying lightning bolts in their back pockets.Now, Charles, Dedham said. Weve invited him here because the fort is not built for receiving guests of honor, Dedham said easily as Sir Charles paused.And, Sir Charles added plaintively, it doesnt look quite so warlike here. Dedham laughed. But four oclock in the morning, Sir Charles said.I think we should be thankful that it occurred to him to give us any warning at all. I dont believe its the sort of thing hes accustomed to having to think of. The colonel stood up, and Richard promptly took his place behind him. Sir Charles was still pacing about the room, cup in hand, as the ladies prepared to leave. My apologies for bobble your morning to no purpose, said Colonel Dedham. I daresay he will arrive sometime and we will d eal with him, but I dont think you need put yourselves out. His message said merely that he desired an earreach with the Homelander District Commissioner not quite his phrase, but thats the idea and the general in command of the fort. Hell have to make do with me, though we dont rate a general. The Hill-kings dont go in much for gold plate and red velvet anyway I think. I hope this is a business meeting.I hope so too, murmured Sir Charles to his teacup. And at the moment we cant do much more than wait and see, said the colonel. Have some more of this excellent tea, Charles. Whats in your cup must be quite cold by now.