M.N. Semenova, an English teacher, and her colleague, N.M. Petrova, are receiving Mrs Dorothy Parker, a visiting English teacher, at M.N. Semenova's. Her elder daughter, Helen, is helping by laying and clearing the table.
The ladies are discussing many things and mainly the coming birthday of M.N. Semenova's younger son Nick who is supposed to be at school at the moment. When the tea is in full swing the bell rings and Nick's form tutor, L.G. Bobrova, ap-
pears in the doorway to inform M.N. Semenova of her son's truancy. The hostess and guests are surprised at the news, and now M. N. Semenova is in two minds whether to arrange the birthday party or cancel it.