ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS, A SEVERE-LOOKING WOMAN IN HER LATE FORTIES, INQUIRED, COMING OVER TO WHERE HE WAS STANDING.

"YES, MA'AM," GERALD REPLIED, DROPPING HIS EYES DEMURELY.

"IN THAT CASE I SHALL IGNORE YOUR UNTIDY BEHAVIOR THIS TIME. BUT TAKE HEEDS YOU SHALL BE EXPECTED TO PLACE YOUR USED TOWEL IN THE PROPER RECEPTACLE IN THE FUTURE!"

"I WILL," HE MANAGED TO STAMMER.

"DISMISSED!" CAME THE STENTORIAN VOICE WITH ITS FINAL COMMAND.

THE GIRLS FLOCKED OUT OF THE BATHROOM IN A FLUTTER OF SKIRTS, CHATTERING AND GIGGLING.

"YOU REALLY MUST BE MORE CAREFUL, GERALD, "JANIE WARNED, TAKING HIM BY THE

HAND AND LEADING HIM TO THE DINING HALL. "THIS IS A VERY TOUGH SCHOOL, AND THE PUNISHMENTS ARE DEVILISHLY SEVERE !"

SHE SHUDDERED A BIT AS SHE SAID THIS, AND GERALD BELIEVED EVERY WORD SHE SAID.

THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT, AND GERALD PACKED AS MUCH OF IT AWAY AS HIS CORSETS

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WOULD ALLOW WITH THEIR FIENDISH RESTRICTION OF HIS WAISTLINE. HE SPENT A LOT OF TIME GLANCING ABOUT THE ROOM TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH OF THE FIFTY OR SO GIRLS WERE BOYGIRLS.

LUNCHEON FINISHED, JANIE LEFT HIM FOR THE REST OF THE NOON HOUR AND HE WANDERED ABOUT ON THE CAMPUS ALONE, FEELING A BIT MORE SECURE IN HIS MASQUERADE.

ONE OF THE GIRLS HE HAD THOUGHT MIGHT BE A BOY EDGED OVER TO HIM AND WHISPERED IN HIS EAR. "I SAW YOU STARING AT ME DURING LUNCH JUST NOW. WHY?"

"OH, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T REALLY MEAN TO BE RUDE," GERALD HASTENED TO REPLY.

THE GIRL LEANED CLOSER AND SAID, "I IN HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE THREE BOYS GIRL'S CLOTHES ENROLLED IN THIS SCHOOL." SHE WATCHED INTENTLY FOR GERALD'S REACTION. "YOU'RE TEASING ME!" GERALD SAID AS CASUALLY AS POSSIBLE. "THAT COULDN'T BE TRUE.

$0

"I'M NOT TEASING. THERE REALLY ARE BOY-GIRLS HERE, SHE SAID.

INWARDLY, GERALD WAS IN A TURMOIL. 53 -