"THIS MUST BE WHERE I CAME IN," COMMENTED MISS LOUISE, GETTING UP FROM HER CHAIR. "I'M GOING OUT NOW AND TAKE CARE OF SOME ERRANDS. I'LL LEAVE YOU TWO GIRLS TOGETHER TO TALK THINGS OVER, IN HOPES THAT MISS GERALDINE CAN TALK SOME SENSE TO OUR NEW STUDENT. I'LL BE GONE AT LEAST A HALFHOUR.

"WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT, 11 GERALD SAID. "TAKE YOUR TIME."

"THERE'S A ROOM OVER THERE," MISS LOUISE SAID, POINTING TO A PANELED DOOR TO THE LEFT OF HER DESK, "WHICH WE USE FOR OUR ORIENTATION SESSIONS. YOU'LL FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED IN THERE, GERALDINE DEAR."

"THANK YOU, " GERALD RESPONDED.

"DO I NEED TO LOCK THE DOOR BEHIND ME?" MISS LOUISE INQUIRED, LOOKING AT FELIX.

"I DOUBT IT WILL BE NECESSARY, 00 SAID GERALD. "I DON'T BELIEVE FELICE WILL WANT TO GO RUNNING OUT IN THE STREET IN HER PRESENT ATTIRE DO YOU, FELICE DEAR?"

"NO, I GUESS NOT," THE BOY MUTTERED. "ALL RIGHT THEN," MISS LOUISE SAID BRIGHTLY. "BE GOOD GIRLS, NOW."

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MISS LOUISE UNLOCKED THE DOOR, OPENED IT, AND DEPARTED.

FELIX AND GERALD EYED EACH OTHER FOR A LONG MOMENT AFTER SHE HAD GONE, SOMEWHAT LIKE FIGHTERS LOOKING FOR AN OPENING IN THEIR OPPONENTS' DEFENSES.

GERALD BROKE THE SILENCE AT LAST, DECIDING ON A KIND OF STRAIGHTFORWARDNESS AND CASUALNESS. "WELL, NOW, SHALL WE BEGIN?"

"BEGIN WHAT?" FELIX SAID SUSPICIOUSLY.

"YOU DON'T EXPECT TO ATTEND CLASSES IN THOSE ILL-FITTING CLOTHES, DO YOU? WE MUST GET YOU CHANGED OVER INTO YOUR PRETTY SCHOOL UNIFORM, " GERALD POINTED OUT.

"WE'LL DO NO SUCH THING!" FELIX REPLIED VEHEMENTLY.

GERALD IGNORED HIS OUTBURST. "COME ON NOW; IT'S IN THE NEXT ROOM." HE TOOK THE SOON-TO-BE-INITIATED BOY-GIRL BY THE ARM.

"YOU LET GO OF ME, 01 PULLING AWAY.

THE BOY GRATED,

"PULL AWAY FROM ME ONCE MORE," GERALD HISSED, "AND I'LL BREAK YOUR ARM FOR YOU."

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