Staefel consoles him. Flora has all the arrangements for the wedding in hand, including the date, the time and the church. At Brookfield, the masters are assembled in the Common Room, cross-examining Staefel about Chipping's bride. He refuses to reveal much. They are indignant when he tells them that Chipping wants to bring Kathy into this male preserve, but one by one, with stars in their eyes, they melt when she comes through the door. Her beauty and sweet charm captivate them all and her transformation of Chipping's life at school begins when she calls him "Chips". Of course, his colleagues cry, "Why didn’t we think of it?" They boys who are lurking outside the door are equally enchanted and Kathy takes her second step in Chips' rehabilitation by inviting them all to tea, which will be held at their house every week. Kathy takes up residence at the school, charming everyone with her warmth. Chips watches her with the boys, learns and blossoms. She brings him out of his shell and shows him how to be a better teacher by taking an interest in the things that occupy the students. She encourages him to share his flair for Latin puns with the boys, and the first attempt is a roaring success. At Christmastime, they learn that Chips is going to be housemaster next term. Kathy is thrilled because this particular house has a room that will be perfect for a nursery. But their marriage will be tragically short. After a long and difficult labor, she dies in childbirth, along with their baby. The whole school mourns her loss. As the years pass, Chips becomes a much-loved school institution, developing a rapport with generations of pupils. In 1909, he is pressured to retire by a new and more "modern" headmaster, who, among other issues, insists that Chips teach the new Latin pronunciation. Chips insists that it is a waste of time when all the rest of their lives they will use the old form, and pronounce Cicero as SIS-er-ro, and not as KEE-kir-ro. The boys rally their families, and the board of governors of the school—most of whom are former students—take his side of the argument and tell him he can stay until he is 100. However, Chips does concede the issue of the new pronunciation. Chips finally chooses to retire in 1914 at the age of 69, but is asked back to serve as interim headmaster because of the shortage of teachers during the war.