Chapter 10 Chapter nine

The first time Lucy heard someone talking about Alinga's vacancy was not from the faculty, but from the students.She spent Saturday afternoons with Frau and Mrs. Gottassen, helping to sew costumes for the Swedish folk dances performed by the younger students on grades day.It was a sunny afternoon, and they moved a whole pile of colorful clothes to a corner of the garden, and sat sewing while admiring the rural scenery of England.The cricket and tennis teams were out, so the gardens were empty and there were no hardworking students to spoil the creekside green.They were indulging in the happiness of sewing, and Mrs. Getason seemed to be reporting the benefits of Lucy to her daughter. Furuo's serious expression disappeared, and Lucy happily discovered that this woman who reminded her of the cold and white snow in the sun, It can also be combined with a warm chuckle and humorous affection. (In fact, Lucy's needlework had shaken Mrs. Getassen's confidence in her somewhat, but she was forgiven for being English.) Mrs. Getason returned to the old topic of food and published She has endless admiration for a minced meat delicacy called fulica de la.

Lucy (whose culinary skills were limited to cutting up the tomato, placing it in a pot, cooking it with whatever ingredients were on hand, and topping it off with a creamy sauce) thought it was too time-consuming and decided to make it Mrs. Getason's comments fell on deaf ears. "Do you have any activities tonight?" Furuo asked her. "My mother is going to see a play in Labo Town with me. She hasn't seen the performance of the British Theater Company yet. You are welcome to go with us." Lucy explained that she was going to a job-finding party at Zina Stewart's room tonight. "I know the staff don't usually attend, but I'm not officially a teacher."

Fu Ruo looked at her and said, "You should be considered right, you are good for them." It was that sentence that sounded like a doctor's.As if she was a prescription. "How do you say that?" "Oh, my English isn't good enough, and I can't explain it in German. It's partly because you wear heels, partly because you wrote a book, and partly because they don't need to be in awe of you." Heart, and some—oh, a thousand little reasons. For them, you came at exactly the right time, when they need a distraction. Gosh, I wish my English was better. "

"You mean, I'm like an alkaline solution for hyperacidity." To her surprise, Fu Ruo laughed lightly. "Yes, it's like this. It's a pity you can't go to the theater with us tonight, but it's an honor to be invited by the students, and I think you will enjoy it. Exams are over, everyone is very happy. Come back after the game After that, they will be fine all weekend. They will have a lot of fun this Saturday. Break free. ’ she added the last few words in English. They did break free.Furuo and her mother walked towards the front room where they were staying, and Lucy walked towards the door of the atrium. At this moment, there was a sound from all around.There was the sound of water splashing from the bathroom on the two floors, countless voices screaming, footsteps thumping on the old oak stairs, singing, whistling, and crooning.Both teams are clearly back - judging by the atmosphere, triumphantly - and the house is buzzing.In the excitement, there are three words like the main theme of the tune, shuttling through the bubbles.Alingo.Alingo.As Lucy passed the downstairs bathroom to go upstairs, she heard for the first time: "Did you hear that? My God, it's Allingo!"

"what? " "Ah-ling-ge!" A faucet was turned off. "I can't hear the water on. Where did you just say that?" "Alingo!" "I do not believe." "Of course it is," said another voice, "it's true." "Impossible, there won't be a good vacancy like Alingo's turn." "It's true. Miss He Ju's secretary secretly told Miss Qiao Li, and Miss Qiao Li told her sister who lived in the village, and then her sister told Miss Neville at the Little Teapot Teahouse that Sao Walnut had a date with her cousin this afternoon. Miss Nevill told her again when we went to tea."

"Is that little boy here again?" "Hey, Ah Lingo! Who'd believe it! Who do you think they'd recommend?" "Oh, it's not easy." "Yes, it must be Innes." "Lucky Innes." "Oh, well, that's what she deserves." "Think about it, it's Alinga!" It's the same upstairs, with the sound of splashing water, the sound of washing, and alinga floating in the foam. "Who told you that? " "Showing walnuts." "My dear, she's out of her mind, and everybody knows that." "Eh. It has nothing to do with me anyway. It must be assigned to Innes. I may spend my life in the country."

"She may be out of her mind, but she can't know what Alingo stands for, so it can't be fabricated. She also asked: Is Alingo a school!" "Isn't it a school! God has eyes!" "Let me tell you, our Boss He Ju is going to be dizzy with joy, my dear." "Will she pass out until dinner to replace the milk pudding and give us egg tarts?" "I think Jolie made the puddings yesterday and put them in a row by the door." "Uh, they just wait in line. I'm going to Labo Town." "I'm going too. Hey, is Innes there?"

"No, she's getting dressed after taking a shower." "I said, let's help Innes hold a celebration party, everyone celebrates together, don't let her have a small private party. Anyway, it's always—" "Yeah. That's it, okay! After all, it's not every day that such a great job comes along, and Innes deserves it, and everyone's happy for her, and—" "Yeah, open in the public classroom!" "Anyway, this is an honor shared by everyone. It is the icing on the cake for Lai's Academy." "Alingo! Who would believe it!"

"Alingo!" Lucy wondered if the obedient secretary had broken the news because Handa was about to make it public.Even the cautious Handa couldn't hold back such big news.If there are no other special considerations, Alinge should wait for Handa to recommend candidates.Lucy guessed that Handa probably had to wait until after the dreaded final exam week to announce, and she deeply admired Handa's timing. Just as she was walking down the corridor to her little room at the end, she met Innes.Innes was buttoning her clean blouse. "Well, it looks like you've had a productive afternoon," said Lucy.

"You mean the noise?" replied Innes. "Yeah, we won. But it wasn't the expedition song that was making the noise, it was purely praising them for not having to go through such a final exam week again. "Lucy noticed her unconscious use of the word 'they'. For a moment she wondered where the girl's composure was coming from. Is it possible that she hadn't heard about the Allinger vacancy yet? Then , Lucy saw the bright look on Dax's face when Innes passed the dark corridor in front of Dax's brightly open door. Lucy felt tenderness in her heart. That's it, isn't it? It's like the gates of heaven are in your open in front of you.

"Anyway, you look happy." Lucy returned to plain words, because there were no words to describe Innes' shining eyes. "To quote Eileen O'Donnell, I'm ecstatic." Innes said as they passed by, "You'll be at Stewart's celebration! Great, see you then. " Lucy powdered her nose a little and decided to go to the "Old House" to hear the staff's reaction to the Allingo incident.There might be some tea to drink—she had completely forgotten about tea, and evidently the Getasons had forgotten about it, too.She took the champagne she ordered from Miss Jolie and prepared for Stewart's celebration in the evening, and turned a place in the ice bucket, sighing in her heart, it's a pity that the wine merchants in Rabo Town could not supply better vintage wine , Fortunately, for students, any product in the Champagne region of France is "champagne". To go to the "old house", you have to go through the upper-class rooms and the downstairs bathroom. Lucy heard that this large-scale concert seemed to have reached a new climax. More and more students heard the news. Then raise the volume higher than the sound of running water, the sound of slamming doors, and the sound of deafening footsteps, and add comments.pass it on.From the loud narration.Where the emotions are high, step into the quiet.The main house, painted in pastel colors, with open windows, bright spaces, and a peaceful main house, really made Lucy feel out of place.She crossed the wide landing and opened the studio door.This place was also peaceful. She closed the door and walked a few steps forward, only to find that the room was really solemn.Comprehending the unusual silence, she walked toward the center of the staff seats.Judging by the expressions on their faces, this is a serious confrontational situation.Handa stood with her back to the fire, flushed, defensive and stubborn, while the others stared at her angrily and accusingly. Lucy wanted to leave the room, but someone mechanically poured a cup of tea and handed it to her, making it difficult for her to put down the cup and leave even though she wanted to leave.The tea was already strong and cold. No one noticed Lucy.Either they had fully accepted her as part of the faculty, or they still couldn't help themselves from the quarrel to notice her presence.When they saw Lucy's appearance, it was like people seeing a ticket inspector in a train carriage, and they didn't find it awkward. They completely regarded her as a character who appeared suddenly, regardless of whether she existed or not. "It's ridiculous," said Mrs. Rev. "Ridiculous." For the first time ever, Lucy saw Mrs. Rev not in a dancer's pose, but sitting on a chair with her feet on the floor. Miss Luke stood behind her, her pale face was even more pale than usual, but there were two unusual blushes on her cheekbones.Fu Ruo sat on a chair covered with calico, with a contemptuous and gloomy expression.Miss Wagga was pacing back and forth in front of the window, both embarrassed and angry, as if she had just come to the God Realm from the mortal world, but found that there was also uneasiness in this world. "I don't see the absurdity of that," said Handa in a tone of leadership, but even Lucy could hear the uncertainty.Handa was clearly the target of criticism. "It's more than absurd," said Mrs. Rev. "It's just wrong folly." "Jasmine, stop talking nonsense." "It's wrong from either point of view. You are providing a sub-advice to someone with the highest demands, and you will also discredit Lai's College for at least twenty years in the best case It is possible to revive the reputation of the school only after that. Let me ask you, what is all this for? Why? Just because of your whim!" "I don't think it was a whim," Handa said angrily, lacking some of the restraint she always had. "No one here can deny that she was an outstanding student and she deserved it. Even she did well in her theoretical subjects this term." "It's not all very well," said Miss Luc, in a voice as thin as water dripping on a metal plate. "I corrected the pathology examination paper last night, but she didn't even get a first grade." Hearing this, Lucy turned her thoughts away from the tea in her hand and began to listen with ears. "My God, what a pity," Handa shifted her attention from the main topic to the news. "She has been doing very well, much better than I expected." "The girl is a fool, and you know it yourself," said Mrs. Rever. "Nonsense. She's the most brilliant student Lay's ever had" For God's sake, Handa, stop saying that.You know as well as anyone here what the definition of excellence is. "Her thin brown palm was at arm's length from her, waving a piece of blue note paper (she was of "Mrs." age, but hated wearing reading glasses), and aloud: "'We want to know Among the recent graduates of your school, are there any outstanding students who can fill the vacancies of this school?This newcomer will be able to learn more about the school's traditions and maintain a wonderful friendship with Lai's College, starting at Alinga. 'Beautiful friendship with Lai's College! You want to recommend Ruth and ruin this friendship!" "I don't understand why you are so stubbornly opposed to her, it is completely prejudice.She has always been a model student, and I haven't heard any of you say anything bad about her before today.It's not until this moment, when I'm about to make her earnest efforts pay off, that you suddenly get angry.I just can't figure it out. Frau! You must agree with me that you have no better pupils than Miss Ruth, have you?" player.But if she's out of the gym or the arena, it doesn't matter if she's—whether she's a handstand better than anyone else, or a backup, character is what counts.And Ruth—Miss's personality is not particularly admirable. " "Furuo!" Handa said in surprise, "I thought you liked her!" "Do you think so?" This cold and unfeeling sentence seemed to say.I'm supposed to like all my students, and if you see me favoring or ignoring one student, it's my fault. "You asked, and you got the answer," said Mrs. Rever happily. "Even I couldn't make it clearer." "Maybe—" Miss Wagga began, "I mean, maybe they need her to teach physical education. There are many courses in Allinger, gymnastics, competitions, dance, etc., and there are specialized personnel for each subject. Maybe Miss Ruth isn't so bad." Lucy didn't understand whether Miss Varger's remarks were aimed at Ruth's outstanding performance in the competition course, or whether she wanted to ease the matter and bring the two sides closer. "Little Doreen," began Mrs. Rever, in the tone of someone with dull aptitude, "they don't want someone who's 'not that bad'. They want a good graduate gymnast who can do it all over England. Best girls' school to teach. Do you think that's how Ruth makes you feel? Do you think so?" "No, no, I don't think so. I admit, it does sound like Innes is qualified." "No. I don't think I think so either. I admit that Innes is more like that." "That's right. Innes is indeed more similar. What is incomprehensible is why Miss He Ju doesn't think so." She stared at Handa with her big black eyes, and Handa flinched a little. "I told you! There's a vacancy at Wichley Orthopedic Hospital that would be a good fit for Miss Innes. She's doing an outstanding job in medicine." "Jesus! Wilkeley Orthopedic Hospital!" "Isn't the unanimous objection enough to make you admit your mistake, Miss He'ju?" Miss Luke spoke bitterly in her indignation, "the opinion of a few people is not convincing enough." This sentence should not be said.If Handa had originally left room for negotiation, now she is completely willing to go all out. She angrily dealt a blow to Miss Luc's theory. "My minority opinion may not carry enough weight, Miss Luke, but my identity as the principal of this school is unquestionable. Whether you agree with me or not, it doesn't matter to the matter. I trust you as usual today, and let you know that there is Such a vacancy. It is indeed a pity that you cannot agree with me, but it will not affect the outcome of the matter. I have the right to decide, and I have already decided on this matter. I can say that you have the right to object, But can't interfere." She picked up the cup with trembling hands, put it on the tea tray according to her old habit, and went to the door.Lucy thought, like a wounded, shambling elephant. "Wait a minute, Handa!" Mrs. Leaver's eyes looking at Lucy shone with sly light. "Let us ask the opinion of this outsider who is also a trained psychologist." "But I'm not a trained psychologist." "Let's hear Miss Ping's opinion." "I don't know what Miss Ping has to do with the vacancy—" "No, I'm not referring to the job vacancies. I'm referring to these two students. Tell us, Miss Ping, and tell us your opinion. You've been here less than a week, and no one can accuse you of prejudice." "You mean Ruth and Innes?" Lucy asked deliberately, trying to buy time. Handa who was about to push the door stopped. "I don't know them well, but I'm quite surprised that Miss He Ju wants to assign this job to Miss Ruth. I don't think she's suitable—in fact, I think she's quite unsuitable." For Handa, this was tantamount to adding fuel to the flames. With a look on her face that read "You're so reckless", she turned and left the studio, muttering: "It's amazing how a pretty face can affect people so much. .” Lucy thought that Handa should be referring to Innes’s beauty, not herself. There was no sound in the studio. "I thought I knew Handa very well." At last Mrs. Rever finally sighed in bewilderment. "I thought I could completely trust her justice." Miss Luke was even more bitter. Fu Ruo got up without saying a word, walked out with arrogance and depression.They cast gloomy approving glances, and her silence was enough to make a statement. "It's a pity that such a thing should happen when everything is going well." Miss Wagga, as always, made unhelpful remarks like a headless chicken. "Everyone is so happy with their jobs, and—" "Do you think it's possible for her to change her mind after she thinks it over again?" Miss Luc asked Mrs. Rever. "She has been thinking about it for almost a week. Or it can be said that it has been planned for almost a week, so in her view, this is already a fait accompli and there is no room for negotiation." "However she wasn't sure how we would react, or she wouldn't have kept it to herself for so long. Maybe after she thought about it—" "When she thinks about it again, she will only remember that Karin Luc questioned her authority—" "But behind any decision there should be the support of the board of directors. It is impossible to be so dictatorial. There must be someone who can make her change the decision. Such a lack of impartiality is not allowed to happen, because—" "Of course there are boards. You should have met those directors when you got the job. If the talk on Friday was on a subject like yoga or theosophy or voodoo, you'd only occasionally see a director come in that night. Dining. She was a ravenous parasite in amber beads and black satin. She thought Handa was perfect. The rest of the board didn't think otherwise. I can definitely say that at this moment, and that's what's amazing.The witty Handa has transformed this originally unpopular school into what it is today. How could it be so blind to see things and make such a judgment—it’s wonderful, it’s really wonderful. ""But we can always do something—" "My kind and dull Caroline," said Mrs. Rever, rising gracefully, "we'll just go back to our room and pray." She reached for her silk scarf—even in the heat, moving indoors is difficult. Never leave. "At worst, there's aspirin and a hot bath. These two things may not cure everything, but at least they can lower blood pressure." She emerged from the studio with an elegant posture that is almost unburdened by the body of ordinary people. "If even my wife can't influence Miss He Ju, probably no one else can influence her." Miss Wagga said. "Of course I can't help it," said Mademoiselle Luc, "I'll only piss her off. Even if I don't piss her off, even if I have the charm of Cleopatra and charm her with every word, I won't be able to correct the problem in her mind." Deranged. She's straight up, you know? She's one of the straightest people I've ever met. She really sees things that way and thinks Ruth is everything and deserves the best, that we Everyone is prejudiced and opposed for the sake of opposing. How could anyone persuade her?" She stared blankly at the bright window for a long time before picking up the book. "If I can still find an empty bathroom, I'll have to go get changed." When she left it was only Lucy and Miss Wager, who was evidently anxious to leave too, but did not know how to exit gracefully. "It's a mess, don't you think?" she suggested. "Yeah, what a pity." Lucy felt that this sentence was not an appropriate conclusion, and she was still dizzy from the sudden turn of events.She now found that Miss Varger was still in her outdoor clothes. "When did you find out about this?" "I heard the students downstairs talking about it - we'd just come back from a game. I rushed up to make sure it was right on time. I mean, just in time for the argument. It's a pity, everything was fine." "You know, all the students originally thought that this job must belong to Innes." Lucy said. "Yes," said Miss Vargue, in a calm voice. "I heard them discussing it in the bathroom, and it's a given that they would think that Innes should be fine for all of us. To me, she wasn't the best student - I mean, just me in the competition courses she taught—but she was definitely a good coach. She always knew what she was doing. Of course, she did very well in other courses, and she should really study medicine, or something like that Brain work. Well, I should go, to get away from these things." She hesitated. "Don't think we're always like this, Miss Ping, okay? It's the first time I've seen a staff get so excited about something like this. We're a bunch of friends, so it's a pity that it happened. I really hope that someone can make Miss He Ju change her mind. But based on what I know about her, I'm afraid no one can do it."