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.If I go to school here, will the other girls think I don’t belong?Before that thought could drag me down, Aunt Tootie whisked me into a small, brightly lit waiting room.A white-haired, rosy-cheeked woman opened an interior door.She smiled, looking as happy and plump as a July toad.“Well, good morning, Tootie.What a fine day this is.”Aunt Tootie shook the woman’s outstretched hand.“It’s so pleasant now that the humidity has let up.Iris, I’d like you to meet my grandniece, Cecelia Rose Honeycutt.And Cecelia, this is Mrs.Iris Fontaine, the headmistress of this lovely school.”Mrs.Fontaine grinned and took my hand.“Cecelia, welcome to Rosemont.I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”My cheeks colored up, and when I opened my mouth to speak, the words Thank you, ma’am came out as an unintelligible “Tat Hayo, man.”I wanted to die.Aunt Tootie looked at me kinda strange, but Mrs.Fontaine just smiled and said, “Please, come into my office so we can relax and chat.”From a gray cardigan draped around her shoulders, I detected the faint scent of mothballs as she led us into a mahogany-paneled room that had a big desk plunked in the center.After listening to her give us a proud history of the school and its many virtues, she nodded toward the door.“I’d love to show you what we have to offer, Cecelia.Would you like a tour?”“Yes, ma’am.”Aunt Tootie gave me a quick wink as we followed Mrs.Fontaine out the door.Lining the walls of the first-floor hallway were framed photographs of the students, all of them wearing plaid kilts and blazers that had a crest on the chest pocket.Perfect little Southern belles.I stood on my tiptoes and scanned their faces.They were the kind of girls who played croquet on perfectly manicured lawns, their faces glowing with that luminous light of carefree privilege.I touched my cheek and wondered what it would take for me to obtain that same kind of radiance.How long I examined the pictures of those fresh-faced girls I don’t know, but I was startled when Aunt Tootie called from the other end of the hallway.“Cecelia Rose, c’mon, honey, we’re heading upstairs.”After we toured the classrooms and the art department, Mrs.Fontaine showed us the new library, which was so wonderful I was left speechless.“This was just completed in March,” Mrs.Fontaine said, gesturing to the massive bookcases and rows of study tables.“We’re quite proud of it.”Aunt Tootie smoothed her hand over the side of a polished bookshelf.“You certainly should be, Iris.It’s just lovely.”“You have three sets of encyclopedias?” I said, scanning a case full of research books.Mrs.Fontaine nodded.“Yes, and we have an entire section dedicated to the American masters of literature and art.”“Isn’t it wonderful, Cecelia?” Aunt Tootie said.Then she turned to Mrs.Fontaine.“Iris, where’s the powder room?”“Down the hall to your left.”“Thank you.” She looked at me and said, “I’ll be right back, honey.”I didn’t want her to leave, but I knew I’d look like a big baby if I followed her.My throat tightened as I watched her disappear.Though Mrs.Fontaine smiled, I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d sized me up and found me lacking.She folded her hands and looked at me thoughtfully.“Cecelia Rose, when I went through your transcripts, I was quite surprised.Pleasantly so.It’s rare for a student to consistently excel in such a broad range of subjects.”I let out a breath and relaxed a little.“Thank you, ma’am.”Mrs.Fontaine pulled out a chair and sat down.She gestured to the chair next to her, and I sat, clamping my hands between my knees so she wouldn’t see them shake.We were so close I could smell the mothballs again.“When I went over your transcripts, I was particularly impressed with your English scores.”Her compliment made my cheeks color up, and I fiddled with the hem of my jumper.“I love English.It’s my favorite subject.”Mrs.Fontaine smiled.“We’re kindred spirits in that regard.It was my favorite subject too.So tell me, Cecelia, what are some of your favorite books?”“Well, I like anything by Agatha Christie, and I love Nancy Drew.” I looked around the library and tried to imagine what it would be like to study in such a beautiful room.“Are … are all these books just to read here in the library, or can they be checked out?”“With the exception of the research books, everything can be taken home.We have a librarian who keeps track of everything.”Just then the door opened and Aunt Tootie walked in.“The powder room is charming, Iris.I just love those tiny hexagon tiles and the pink wallpaper.”“We tried to keep the new addition in keeping with the original house.I’m so glad you approve.” Mrs [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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