"Oh, yes, yes, Dr. Endicott!" Cindy gasped, remembering what Max and Jack had said.

"Fine. Then come in. I want to acquaint you with some more of our policies."

They entered Alicia Endicott's office, the setting sun adding a peculiar pall to the setting. Against the back wall, near a tall wide case filled with medical books, was an enormous fireplace with gargoyles carved into the surrounding molding. Cindy felt chilled just staring at the hideous thing. Two throne-like chairs flanked either side of the fireplace, their faded-gold upholstery contrasting oddly with the dark-blue carpeting covering the floor. Dr. Endicott sat behind her large desk, sifting through several papers and reading in a monotone voice finally about the various disciplinary rules.

"… and at no time are patients to question the authority of the doctors, nurses or attendants at the hospital."

Hospital? Is that what she called this place? Cindy nearly laughed. She remembered how she had squirmed and bucked under Max's attack. Would Dr. Endicott call that part of her treatment? She kept still, sitting primly in front of the doctor with her hands meekly folded in her lap.

"Is everything clear now, dear?"

"Yes, Doctor."

Cindy felt her stomach growling with hunger. Only now did she realize that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. The idea of going to Hannah Manor had upset her so much that she couldn't even think of having lunch. It must be five, maybe six o'clock by now. The girl remembered what Dr. Endicott said about the dining hall and wondered if they would be serving dinner soon.

"Come with me," she said, rising from behind her desk. "I think it's time we have our first therapy session… before dinner, that is. It's good to start off on the right foot."

The woman was so businesslike that Cindy actually felt some of her fear fading away perhaps things would be better.