MISS LOUISE STOPPED BEFORE ONE OF THE DOORS, THEN OPENED IT. THERE WAS THE SOUND OF RUSTLING TAFFETA PETTICOATS AS THE PUPILS HASTILY ROSE TO THEIR FEET.

GERALD COULD FEEL THEIR EYES SURVEYING HIM QUIZZICALLY. HOW HE WISHED HE COULD TURN ABOUT AND FLEE FROM THE ROOM!

A PRETTY YOUNG WOMAN NOW ROSE FROM HER SEAT AT THE TEACHER'S DESK, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON A RAISED PLATFORM AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM. THERE WAS A SMILE OF WELCOME ON HER FACE WHICH SOMEHOW EASED HIS FRAYED NERVES.

"MISS NATALIE," MISS LOUISE ANNOUNCED. "THIS IS YOUR NEW STUDENT, GERALDINE. "

"YOU ARE MOST WELCOME IN MY CLASS, MISS GERALDINE," SAID THE YOUNG TEACHER.

SUPPRESSED GIGGLES FLOATED AROUND THE ROOM AS GERALD DUTIFULLY CURTSEYED TO MISS NATALIE, JUST AS HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO BY HIS AUNT. A STREN GLANCE FROM MISS NATALIE WAS ENOUGH TO SILENCE THE GIGGLERS.

"YOU ARE VERY WELL-MANNERED, MISS GERALDINE," MISS NATALIE REMARKED. "BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CURTSEY TO TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOMS. YOU MUST SAVE SUCH GESTURES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS."

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