Chapter 6 chapter Five

"What is school crime?" Lucy asked Handa as they walked upstairs together after dinner.They stopped by the open fan windows, looking down into the atrium, letting others who were going to the studio pass them. "Use the gymnasium as a shortcut to get out," said Handa immediately. "No, I mean true crime." Handa turned and looked at her sharply.After a while he said, "My dear Lucy, these girls don't have enough time to study to plan or actually commit crimes. How did you even think of it?" "A remark made at tea about the 'only crime' committed, which seems to have something to do with starvation."

"Oh! It's this one!" Handa's frowning frown faded away. "Steal food. We have this happen occasionally.With so many people living together, there are always those who cannot resist the temptation. "You mean, go to the kitchen and steal food?" "No, it's food from the student's room. It's just a minor problem, it won't be too serious. It will stop on its own. This is really not a sign of a crime, it's just a lack of willpower. Students don't steal money and don't take it They can’t resist the temptation of cakes, but they can’t resist the temptation of cakes. Especially sweet cakes. They consume too much energy and their bodies need a lot of sugar. Although there is no dietary limit on the table, they are still in a state of hunger forever.”

"They really work very hard. In your opinion, what percentage of students can successfully graduate?" "Among these students,"—Henda nodded to a group of seniors walking across the courtyard to the lawn—"eighty percent of the students, that's the average. You will have to take the test a second time." "But not all of them graduated smoothly. There must have been some accidents, right?" "Yeah, there are always accidents." Handa turned around and began to climb the stairs. "What about the girl Diderot replaced, did she not continue her studies because of an accident?"

"No, she has a nervous breakdown." Handa replied curtly. Lucy followed her friend's bulky figure up the shallow steps, and recognized Handa's tone.It’s like what Handa said when she was the class monitor when she was a child: “No slippers are allowed on the cloakroom floor.” This tone leaves no room for discussion. You know, Handa didn't think of her beloved school as an altar for young students.Middle school is a bright road for students to lead to the future.If a small number of people think that this channel is full of dangers, then it can only be said that they have different opinions. However, the good intentions of the founder of the school must not be blamed.

"It's like being in a monastery," Nash said yesterday morning. "There's no time to imagine life outside." This is a fact.Miss Ping has seen the daily life of the school.During the meal last night, she also saw the two unmarked reports left by the students in the classroom.But in the convent, the world is small but safe.There is no competition and everything goes smoothly.There is no life in the convent where the anxiety is overwhelmed and the crazy all-out life is required.The same, only self-devotion and endless narrowness. Was it really so narrow? She wondered, thinking of the party in the studio.If it is in other junior colleges, most of the people who attend the party are the same type of people.

If it is a science college, the meeting will be full of scientists; if it is a seminary, there will be many theologists. But in this warm studio hung with paintings and covered with chintz, the high windows are open, and the fragrance of flowers and plants in the summer night is blowing in, but it also gathers all kinds of people from different worlds.Mrs. Rever reclined gracefully on a firm Empire sofa, smoking a yellow cigarette through a green filter, representing a theatrical world full of paint, art, and pretense. Ms. Luke, who is sitting on a chair, represents the academic world of books and discussions.Busy about pouring her coffee, young Miss Wager is the poster boy for fitness, competition, and instinct in the sporting world.The dinner guest, Dr. Eyrin Knight, who was also a visiting teacher, was a representative of the medical profession.The foreign representatives were not present: Fjord Gotasson accompanied her non-English-speaking mother back to her room in order to converse in Swedish.

Lucy continues to weave a story of a school leaver, taught by representatives of so many different worlds, at least not because the course content is not exciting enough. "Miss Ping, after spending an afternoon with the students, what do you think of them?" Mrs. Rever asked Lucy, rolling her eyes. What a stupid question! Lucy thought to herself, and began to wonder how a respectable middle-class English couple could raise a femme fatale Mrs. Leaver. "I think," said Lucy, happy that she could speak her mind honestly, "each of them could be a live advertisement for the Reich Sports Academy." Handa's face brightened.School is like Handa's life.Every plant, every tree and any activity of Lai's Academy are closely related to Handa, and the school is her parents, lover and child.

"They're a lovely bunch of young men indeed," sang Doreen Vargo cheerfully.She herself hadn't been out of school for long. "They are like a pack of war-crazed beasts," said Miss Luc sharply, "who thought the painter Botticelli was a kind of spaghetti." She carefully examined the coffee that Miss Vargue handed her. "Speaking of which, they don't even know what pasta is. Not long ago, when Dex was still in nutrition school, she stood up and accused me of destroying her imagination." "This is beyond my expectation. I always thought that anything related to Miss Dax could not be destroyed." Mrs. Rev expressed her thoughts in a lazy, velvety tone.

"You spoiled her imagination of what r said the young physician who had settled in the window seat. "I just told them that all pasta is just flour. This obviously caused Dexter's disillusionment with Italy. "What does she imagine Italy look like?" "The swaying macaroni stretches out into a vast sea." Handa added two cubes of sugar to a small cup of coffee (Lucy secretly envied in her heart: it's so good, her figure is already like a flour sack, but she doesn't mind), turned around and said: "At least they are with you." Crime has nothing to do with it."

"Crime?" everyone asked in surprise. "Miss Ping just asked about the crimes at Lai's Academy. This really does not change the nature of psychologists." Before Lucy had time to make any excuses for her simple thirst for knowledge, Mrs. Rever followed Handa's words and said: "Then, she must be allowed to speak. Quickly dig out all the shady secrets we have hidden." Come out, what crime have we committed?" "The most serious thing was just around last Christmas, when someone rode a bicycle without a light on," said Miss Varger automatically.

"Crime," said Mrs. Rever, "is a crime, not a petty misconduct." "If it's misconduct, there's that horrible nympho who appears every Saturday night at the gate of the garrison barracks in Rabo Town." "Yes," said Miss Luc, thinking, "does anybody know what happened to her when we got her out?" "She works in the Plymouth Seamen's Shelter." Handa opened her eyes amid the laughter. "I don't think there's anything funny about it. The only real crime we've had in the last ten years, as you know, is the watch incident. Even that," Handa added quickly, fearful of damaging the reputation of her beloved school. , "It should also be regarded as a personality deviation, not theft. She doesn't take anything but the watch, and the watch is never used. It is just placed generously in the desk drawer. There are nine watches in total, yes behavioral deviation." "If you refer to the precedent, she should be working with the goldsmith now." Mrs. Rev said. "I don't know," said Handa gravely. "I think her family kept her at home. They were fairly well off." "Look, Miss Ping, the proportion of incidents on campus is less than one-third." Mrs. Leaver shook her thin hand, "We're not too interesting a bunch." "It's too normal." Miss Wager answered, "It would be more interesting if some small scandals happen occasionally. There must always be some variation beyond the handstand and the back roll. " "I'd like to see handstands and back rolls." Lucy asked, "Can I go to the senior class tomorrow morning?" Handa immediately said that she must go to the senior class. They were busy preparing for the performance of the grade announcement, So this time it can be regarded as a performance specially made for Lucy." They are the best class. "Can I be the first to use the gymnasium on Tuesday for the final physical exam?" Miss Wager asked, and the discussion began about the schedule. Miss Ping changed to a seat by the window and chatted with Dr. Knight. "Are you teaching a class on 'gut villi'?" "Oh, no. Health education is a general secondary school subject, and Karin Luc is in charge of it." "So what do you teach?" "Teach different courses for different grades. Public health is what is commonly called 'social' disease. Life is like your courses." "Psychology?" "Yes. Public health is my job, but psychology is my specialty. I like your book very much, and what I admire most is the clarity and objectivity of the book. Usually people tend to exaggerate an abstract subject. "Lucy's face is slightly flushed. The most pleasing thing is an expert's praise. "Besides, I'm the school's medical advisor," Dr. Knight went on, with an amused face. "It's just an idle job. They are a group of students who are extremely healthy." "But—" Lucy began.It was Diderot, the outsider, who insisted that there was something abnormal about the students. If her thinking is true, then this outsider, who is also a trained expert, should be able to tell at a glance. "Of course there are occasional incidents," said Dr. Knight, misunderstanding Lucy's "but." "Their everyday life involves the usual minor injuries—bruises, sprains, dislocated fingers, that sort of thing. , but rarely serious cases. During my time here, only Bantley—the student who used to live in the room you are now living in—broke her leg and will not be able to return to class next semester." "But - these all-out training, this exhausting life, don't they break under the pressure?" "Yes, everyone knows. The last semester is even more difficult. In the eyes of the students, this is the most difficult time. There are various assessment courses—" "Assessment courses?" "Yes, every student has PE and DANCE and is required to perform in front of the faculty and be graded by the performance. It's stressful enough. That's the assessment course. Plus there are final exams in other subjects and Publishing grades, assigning work, living away from school, etc. It's been a lot of work for these dear kids. But they are surprisingly full of energy, otherwise there is no way to make it through. Let me add some more Coffee. I'd like some for myself." She took Lucy's coffee cup and went to the table, and Lucy leaned back in the hem of the thick curtain, looking down at the garden. After the sun went down, the lines of the scenery became much blurred, and the cool and moist air brushed against her cheeks.At the other end of the house (perhaps the student's classroom), the piano sounds accompanied by the girls' singing.Charming singing: Singing effortlessly, the voice is clear, and there is no show of fancy technique and fashionable part changes.The tune is full of folk flavor; the tradition is sensual, and it is by no means a melancholy sound with self-pity and posturing.The unpretentious young voice is matched with the innocent old tunes.Lucy suddenly realized that she hadn't heard such unmodified music for a long time.If it was London at this time, there would be only dirty air and noisy radios; but in this paradise, there would be fresh air, grass-scented gardens and a woman singing from the bottom of her heart. I've lived in London so long, she thought, I must have changed.Maybe it's time to live in the south for a while, or go abroad.People sometimes forget that the world is full of life. "Who's singing?" Lucy took the coffee cup. "I think it's Stewart." Dr. Knight didn't seem very interested. "Miss Ping, if you want, you can save my life." Lucy said that saving the doctor's life would give her the greatest satisfaction. "I'm going to London to attend a medical conference," Dr. Knight said secretly. "It's Thursday, but I happen to have a psychology class that day. Miss He Ju feels that I am attending medical conferences all day long, so I There is really no way to make her agree to let me go. But if you will help me with my class, things will be easy." "But I'm going back to London after noon tomorrow." "What a coincidence!" Dr. Knight was disappointed. "Do you have to go back?" "It is strange to say that I have just been thinking how much I would rather not go back to London." "Then don't go. Stay a day or two longer and save my life. That's all, Miss Ping." "If I come to substitute, will Handa say anything?" "Your idea is absurd. I'm a best-selling author, I'm a celebrity, I'm the author of the latest textbook on the subject—" Lucy waved her hand to admit the gaffe, but her eyes wandered to the garden.Why was she going back to London? Was there anything waiting for her there? Nothing and nobody.For the first time, she felt that her exquisite celebrity life was a little desolate, a little narrow, and a little inhuman.Could it be possible? The life she had been so content with was so devoid of warmth.There are many contacts with people, at least her life is full of contacts with people. But now that I think about it, I actually met the same type of people.Apart from Mrs. Somermus, who came from the suburbs of Manchester, who helped her at home, and Aunt Heely, who lived in Worperswick, who invited her occasionally for weekends, there were small businessmen. Her contacts are always related to the publishing industry and academia.Sure, the gentlemen and gals from both fields are smart and interesting, but their interests are admittedly rather limited.She couldn't possibly talk about Social Security, Uchiyama ballads, and lotteries with the same people, for example.Each of these people has a specialization, and their specialization is related to royalties.Lucy couldn't even figure out her own royalties, and often couldn't talk to them. What's more, none of them are young. At least not as young as these kids.Perhaps among the people she knew, there were some who were of the same age as these students, but apart from their age, they had already been weighed down by the right and wrong in the world and their own importance.It's good to change a little bit and get to know the first appearance of the world. Besides, it's nice to be liked by everyone. There was no need to waste any more time discussing why she wanted to stay longer, why she was willing to give up the comforts of civilization yesterday morning.It's nice to be loved by everyone. In the past few years, she has gone from being ignored, being jealous, being admired, and being flattered, all the way to becoming a well-bred person.The last time she experienced the warmth of being loved was the prize she received when she graduated from elementary school and the compliments from her classmates.To be able to stay in such a young, happy and warm environment, she would rather not care about the bell, boil the beans and the bathroom. "Dr. Knight," said Miss Varger, rising from the conversation behind her, "do the disciples want you to introduce them to a physician in Manchester?" "Yes, the four of them asked together, and of course I agreed. In fact, I am very happy to introduce them. I think they will be quite successful." "Separate the four of them, each of them is ordinary," said Miss Luke, "but with the strength of four people, they are invincible, which will definitely help them in the future in Lancashire. This is my first In one case, four men combined are stronger than six-and-a-half men. If no one wants to read the Sunday Times, I'll take it away." Apparently no one wants to read it.When Lucy saw it at noon today, the newspaper was already lying intact on the table in the studio, and only Miss Luc had touched it so far. "This year's senior students took good care of themselves. We hardly need to help. Unlike other students, they have no dissatisfaction." Mrs. Levor's tone was full of sarcasm. "It always surprises me," Ms. He Ju's tone was not at all sarcasm, "how every student can successfully find the right job opportunity in the huge job market. As soon as there is a vacancy, someone will be hired immediately." Substitute. Almost like—two identical parts in one machine. Amazing fit. I don't think I've had a wrong arrangement in all my years at Lay's. Oh, yes. By the way, there was a letter from Colway College, you know, from Cowell College in Edinburgh. It said that Miss Murcadt was getting married and needed someone to replace her. Do you remember Miss Murcader, Molly? Right?" Apart from Handa, the most senior officer was Mrs. Rever, who was christened Molly. "Of course I remember her. She danced like a ball of unleavened dough." The lady judged people by how they danced the circle of one foot in ballet. "Good girl," said Handa happily, "I think Cynna Stewart would be a good fit for Colway College." "Did you tell her?" asked Miss Wagga. "No, not yet, I'll have to think twice before deciding." "You mean slow planning?" said Mrs. Rev. "You must have known about noon yesterday, because that was the time of the last postman's delivery. Hidden to us until now." "It's not that important," Handa replied defensively, with a smile that was almost a smirk. "But I do hear there's a 'best opportunity,' really good job." "Say it!" Everyone asked together. But Handa refused, because she hadn't received a formal notice, what if there really wasn't any notice or application form? It's best not to talk about it until it's confirmed. But she still seemed quite excited and mysterious. "Okay, I'm going to bed." Miss Luke picked up the newspaper and turned her back to Handa's huge body. "Are you going to leave tomorrow after lunch, Miss Ping?" "Well," Lucy announced suddenly and unexpectedly, "I was wondering if I could stay a few more days, and you asked me too," she reminded Handa, "it's interesting to see a different world, and here it is Fascinating, so—" God, she herself felt like an idiot talking.Would she never learn to be a celebrity Lucy Ping? Her stammer was met with a chorus of agreement.Lucy couldn't help being moved when she saw a trace of happiness flashing across Miss Luc's face. "Save it until Thursday, when I have a senior psychology class. Substitute for me so I can go to a medical conference in London." Dr. Knight suggested, as if he had just stumbled upon the idea now. "Well, I don't know if it's—" Lucy acted, looking at Handa with uncertain eyes. "Dr. Knight is always running around and attending those meetings," Miss He Ju showed a nonenthusiastic and disapproving attitude. "But if you're lucky enough to have another lesson with a student, Lucy, we'd definitely welcome it." "It is my honor. It is more interesting to be a temporary teacher than to be a guest lecturer in a class. I would very much like to stay on as a substitute. She got up and winked to Dr. Knight, who shook her arm quietly in thanks. "Now I probably have to go back to the student dormitory." She said good night to everyone, and went out with Mademoiselle Luc. When the two walked towards the back of the house together, Miss Luc looked towards the side of the road, but Lucy seemed to catch a friendly and joyful look in those ice-gray eyes. "Do you really like our zoo?" Miss Luc asked Lucy, "Or do you just want to pin some more souvenirs on your private bulletin board?" This is exactly what that "Sao Walnut" said yesterday afternoon. "Are you here to find an experiment subject?" In that case, she decided to give the same answer to see Miss Luc's reaction. "I want to stay because I like it here. In a sports academy it's unlikely that there will be cases beyond normal, you say, isn't it?" "Why can't it be?" asked Miss Luc. "Practicing sweat all day may dull the mind, but the emotional changes are still there." "Really?" Lucy was surprised. "If I was as tired as a dog, I'd be numb to everything except go to bed and sleep." "A good night's sleep is fine. It's a normal, pleasant and calming response. If you wake up tired, you've got a problem." "what is the problem? " "That's what we're discussing." Miss Luc said tactfully. "So according to you, it happens from time to time that you are still tired after waking up?" "Well, I'm not their medical advisor, so I'm not really obligated to poke around with a stethoscope, but I'd say over 90% of seniors in their final semester are so tired that even waking up in the morning is a chore. Slight nightmare. When people are tired, they can't control their emotions normally. Insignificant obstacles become as gigantic as the world's highest peaks, careless words become the subject of complaints, small disappointments become suicides. "Lucy's mind was filled with the faces at teatime. Tanned, happy and smiling faces, carefree and trusting. In a group of relaxed and healthy students, where to find any A hint of twist and rage? No trace. They did lament the workload, but that was humorous complaint at best. They can be really tired.In fact, they were definitely pretty tired—it would be a miracle if they weren't.But Lucy didn't believe they were unnaturally tired. "Here's my room," Miss Luc paused. "Have you anything to read? I suppose you meant to leave yesterday, and probably didn't bring any books with you. Shall I lend you any?" She opened the door, and Lucy saw a neat room, the only decorations being a print, a frame of photographs, and a closet of books.From the next room came the sound of conversation in Swedish. "Poor Frau," said Mademoiselle Luc suddenly, and Lucy pressed her ear. "She was homesick all the time. It would be nice to be able to talk in my own language again. ’ Finding Lucy’s eyes on the picture, she said, ‘My sister. " "She's lovely," said Lucy, trying not to betray any surprise in her tone. "Yes." Mademoiselle Luc closed the curtains. "I hate moths, don't you? I was a teenager when my sister was born, and I almost brought her up by myself. She is now in her third year of medical school. "She came over and stood with Lucy and looked at the picture together." What would you like to read? From Rouyan to Proust. "Lucy took The Young Visitor. It's been quite a while since she last read it, but she couldn't help smiling when she saw it for the first time. Reflex, nothing. Unconsciously. She looked up to see that Miss Luc was smiling too. "Well, there's one thing I'll never do," Lucy said regretfully. "What's up? " "Write a book that will make the world smile." "Not the whole world," Miss Luc's smile gradually widened, "I have a cousin who only read half a book and then stopped. When I asked her why, she said 'it's not real at all'. " So Lucy walked all the way to her bedroom, smiling, glad that she would not have to catch the train tomorrow, and thinking of Mademoiselle Luc, who had a lovely little sister and liked wild stories.When she walked into the long corridor of the wing, she saw Boa Nash at the corner of the stairs at the other end, raising a rattle to her shoulders, and the next second the entire wing was filled with harsh ringing.She stood there and covered her ears with her hands, but Bao'er laughed at her while ringing the bell.Bao'er is so cute standing there with a cruel weapon in hand. "Is ringing the sleep bell the responsibility of the senior reps too?" Lucy asked Boa when she finally stopped ringing the bell. "No, the senior students take turns every week, and this week it happens to be my turn. The list is arranged by surname. Since I rank relatively low, I will only have one turn in a semester." She looked at Miss Ping, lowered her voice, and pretended to trust her. The tone said, "Yeah, it's only one turn, and I'm pretending to be happy—because everyone thinks it's a horrible thing to stare at a clock—but I really like making noise." Yes, Lucy thought.Relaxed and in good health, she definitely enjoys making noise.Then, almost immediately, Lucy thought, Maybe she likes not making noise but the feeling of power in a group.No, she dismissed the thought.Nash's life was very smooth, as long as he opened his mouth and stretched out his hand, he could get what he wanted.She doesn't need any substitutes for gratification, there is nothing lacking in her life.She just simply likes loud bells. "However," Nash went downstairs with her, "it's not a sleep bell, it's a light-off bell." "I didn't expect it to be this late, so do I have to turn off the lights too?" "Of course not, the gods can do whatever they want." "Even a lodging god?" "Here's your cabin." Nash turned on the light and stood aside so that Lucy could walk into the bright little room.After a long stay in the Georgian studio on a summer evening, the bright room looked like an illustration in an American magazine. "I'm so glad to meet you, and I have to make a confession. I can't bring you breakfast tomorrow." "Never mind," Lucy was saying, "I've got to get up anyway—" "That's not what I meant, of course not. It's Maurice—an underclassman—who wants to send you over, and—" "The girl who kidnapped George?" Yeah, I forgot you were there, that's the one.She thought it would be a huge flaw in her life not to bring you breakfast on your last day; so I told her that as long as she didn't ask for autographs or bother you, she'd be fine.I hope you don't mind, she's a good girl, and she'd be glad to bring you breakfast. "It doesn't matter if a murderer brings her breakfast, Lucy just wants to be alone and enjoy her toast in peace. She still thanked Morris for his kindness and said that tomorrow is not the last day of her stay. She intends to stay and not leave until after class is over on Thursday. "Are you really going to stay? That's great! I'm so happy! Everyone's going to be so happy. You've been so kind to us." "Is it good for you like medicine?" Lucy protested, wrinkling her nose. "No, it's as good as a tonic." "Like someone's cough syrup." Lucy was actually quite happy. So happy that he didn't even bother with bobby pins--an action normally regarded as an annoying project--.She put cream on her face and examined her plain face carefully.There is no doubt that the lines of the round face are softer and there are no wrinkles.If your face looks an awful lot like a cookie, you can at least console yourself that it has a smooth, unmarked surface.She thinks that God gives everyone a face that suits them. If she has a straight nose like a star, then she has to dress up to match it every day.If her face was as thin as Mademoiselle Luc's, she would have to live with it.Lucy never puts up with anything in life, not even writing a book. Miss Ping remembered in time that there was no bedside table—students were discouraged from reading in bed—and she turned off the light, went to the window, drew the curtains, and looked out at the yard.She stood by the open window, breathing in the night air. Lai's College was peaceful.Voices, bells, laughter, protests, footsteps.The sound of running water in the bathroom and the sounds of coming and going, all fell silent, and there was only the silent late night in the darkness. "Miss Ping." A whisper came from the opposite window. Can they see her? No, of course not.Someone heard her pulling the curtains. "Miss Ping, I'm so glad you're willing to stay." Words spread on campus like climbing vines.She and Nash only said good night to each other fifteen minutes ago, and the news had already spread to the opposite room. Before she could answer, a chorus of murmurs came from the windows around the atrium.Yes, Miss Ping. We are all so happy.Happy.Miss Ping. Yes indeed.right.Glad, Miss Ping. "Good night, everyone," said Lucy. Good night, everyone answered.Good night.I'm so happy, good night. She pulled up a chair to hold the freshly wound watch—the only chair—so she wouldn't have to search under the pillow tomorrow morning.How strange that she couldn't wait to get out of this place yesterday morning. Perhaps because of the psychologist's self-respect, Miss Ping didn't have any premonition at all, and she didn't hear any elf whispering in her sleepy ear: "Get out of here. Get out of here before anything happens. Get out of here."