"You get straight A's, but not for long, my dear, if you keep that up.

Seriously, Jody, let me speak to you frankly and sincerely."

Jody groaned under her breath.

"I think of you as my own daughter. I think of all my girls as my daughters. I want only the best for them. Only the BEST! And this is not the BEST! You must have grace, my dear. And self-respect. And tidy behavior. Know what I mean?"

Jody grimaced. Miss Glen was always using those same stupid expressions.

"Know what I mean?" or "tidy." It made Jody want to puke.

"Yes, Miss Ellen." She thought she should curtsey in a snotty manner, but she resisted the impulse.

"My dear," Miss Glen implored, taking her hand in her own. Jody wanted to pull it away. She had her doubts about Miss Glen's own sexuality. Her loose, old skin made her nervous. She hated the feel of it. She liked the, young skin. Age made her nervous. "My dear," she repeated, "I KNOW, I just NOW you understand, don't you?" Without waiting for a reply, she went on, "I KNOW I can depend on you, can't I? To set an example for the other girls, know what I mean?"

"Yes, Miss Glen," she said through smiling lips and clenched teeth, wanting to pull her hand away from her bony grasp. She felt Miss Glen trying to search out her gaze, trying to penetrate her own reserve.

Finally she let her hand drop and Jody moved towards her desk. "I think I better study now, Miss Glen, okay?" She looked at her brightly.

"Yes, dear, of course. Excuse the interruption. You understand, I know."

"Yes, Miss Glen," she said sweetly.

The headmistress went out, closing the door. Jody sat sullenly down at her desk. She felt thwarted. She felt robbed of her privacy. And again her hand went to her crotch. She wished she could put a lock on the door. They were always interrupting you here. They were always barging in when they weren't wanted. They didn't just want your mind, she thought, they wanted your very soul.