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That was all. When everybody came back we went through the cards again and marked them on the back with honest opinions based on all the current circumstances. Finally they were re-stacked into new groups, which are worth mentioning if only because of their magnificent optimism and as showing the way everyone felt about it just then.

The main divisions were Good, Bad and Indifferent, naturally, but these were sub-divided into "Very special indeed (for grizzly or frightened kids)," "Special for little kids," "Good for nice girls," "Good for tough boys," "Good home for anybody," "Just good," "Good at a pinch," "Would, but not keen," "Could, but wouldn't without a row," "Unsuitable," "Bad," "Impossible," and "Never on your life."

By eight in the evening there were two hundred homes waiting for children, all owned by people who really wanted them. It was all very pleasant and intimate and simple. There was a lot of bed borrowing and airing and messages about taking two sisters, or two brothers, so they could sleep together. Mrs. Golding sent up from the farm to say she could manage six tough little boys, it didn't matter how rough, and that did sound like a glorious offer for someone because hers is a farm as live and vigorous as any of fifty years ago.