I try not to interfere with how Principal Henri-Levy runs her school but I did overrule her decision as to excusing D. from the annual “field day”, where students run races, play games, climb ropes, tug of war, etc.  There is no reason why D. can’t participate.  It is true that the gravel track would be hard on bare feet but D.’s are so tough by now that she will do well against the other girls in their sneakers.  It was clear that Mme. Henri-Levy’s actual concern was having

With only slightly jerky steps Tami approached the Dean’s office.  She was being rubbed and stimulated in every possible secret place, but she thought she would probably be able to contain the inner fire for the time being.  She knew her face to be a little flushed and her breathing a little ragged, but it wasn’t like the Dean would be making her run in place or anything like that.  She could stand perfectly still during this meeting, whatever it was about.        Still, she

“She can speak.  And read!”  Rydall, in his ragged tunic, hat off, hair wild around his ears, staggers into the kitchen, to an astonished Mr. and Mrs. Whyte.  The wife is horrified to see the naked girl so close to the doorstep.  “Get that -- witch away from this house!”             “She is no witch!”  Though it is not his place to do so, Rydall pushes the garlic and the St. Benedict medals away from their place on the window sill.  “You have no need of these.  Though I have

Once again, she initiated the conversation, with a courtesy. “Good morning, Mr. Zhu.”  As she stood respectfully before me I noticed that one of her cold-stiffened nipples was marked with what looked like ketchup.  With so many American visitors the crudities of the American diet here are an unavoidable presence.  She also smelled vaguely of stale hamburger. “I just have a few more questions. . . Do you take out the garbage every day?” “Yes.  Also I sweep the floors at nig

“I’ll call Dr. Chatterjee,” Mrs. Schreiber said, “as to how Kai-Kai can best be regenerated in the time we have. The I-6 is at 7:30. I understand it’s set for the library lounge, right across the street. So we’ve got pretty much the full hour and a half. And meanwhile,” she said to Angela, “let’s eat. Kai-Kai’s lasagna is delicious.” The Schreibers had a big room that served as both a kitchen and dining room. The house was small, but elegant and clean with tasteful art

May 17   It’s at the McMurtrys’ this time, the biweekly barbershop quartet practice.  Mark is the baritone.  They start tonight with that old chestnut, “Aura Lee”.  “I think Elvis ruined that song,” opines Bob, the tenor, in his chirpy voice. They’ve thought about entering the SPEBSQSA competitions.  The national this year is in Detroit.  But they’ve decided against it.  “We’re not exactly great, and it’s just fun,” as Harry Pulver (bass) has said.  Plus, their voices are t