How Ruth Made History at Oxford

Ruth Lawrence is 11 years old. She made history yesterday when she came a clear first out of the 530 candidates who sat the entrance exam for St. Hugh's College, Oxford .The college is likely to offer her a scholarship. Ruth sat three three-hour papers – Algebra and Geometry; Calculus and Statistics; and Maths, Pure and Applied. «I was happy with the first two», she said yesterday, «but I wasn't sure about the third».

Ruth has never been to school. Her father, Harry Lawrence, a computer consultant, gave up his job when Ruth was five to educate her at home. Her mother, Sylvia, who also works in computers, is the family breadwinner.

Harry Lawrence explained that, besides mathematics, Ruth also enjoyed English, History, Geography, Nature study and other subjects. She began to read at four and started academic subjects at five. «We didn't think at first that she wouldn't go to school», he said, «but we enjoyed teaching her so much and we seemed to be making quite a good job of it, so we just carried on».

Because she doesn't go to school, Ruth hasn't mixed much with other children. «She enjoys serious conversation with adults», her father said, «andI don't think she will feel out of place at Oxford». He doesn't think she works harder than other children of her age, but concentrates on what she enjoys, principally Mathematics. «She watches television a little but not as a habit», he explained. «But she plays the piano and has quite a wide range of interests».

If she does well at Oxford, Ruth expects to take a further degree and eventually hopes to become a research professor in mathematics ambition she may achieve while still in her teens.

Mr. Blue

After M. Embry

Miss Trott's first form had n lesson in reading. Miss Trott called on Tim to read, but he did not know where to read. He stood and looked through the window. He saw a cat there. The cat sat on the balcony and looked into the classroom. He was a big grey-blue cat with largo bright eyes. It rained that morning and cats do not like rain. Miss Trott stood up, came to the window and saw the blue cat too.

«He want to come in,» Tim said. «Can we let him in?*

« No, no», Miss Trott said.

The blue cat hoard the teacher and looked at her with his largo eyes as if he said, «Why not?»

The boys and girls left their desks and went to the window to see the cat.

«He is cold! » Bess said. «Can he come in? » «Well, » said Miss Trott, «just for a few minutes then». She went to the door and called the cat, «Kitty-kitty kitty! » The cat came to the door and stood there. He did not try to come in.

«Come in, Kitty. You wanted to come in, » said Boss.

The cat walked into the classroom, went round the room, looked into the bookcases and then went to Bess. The girl touched the cat and said, «He is thin and he is hungry. »

«May I go to the dining-room and bring some milk for him? » asked Tim. «Yes, you may», said the teacher.

The cat liked the milk. When the saucer was clean he went to Miss Trott’s table and jumped on it. He set down on the exercise-book and began to wash his face.

«Go away», the teacher said, «He can't sit on my desk», she said to her pupils. The cat jumped down when Miss Trott pushed him. He walked round the room and then sat down in the corner and looked offended. Miss Trott told the children to take out their books. Then they began to do sums.