“Are you going to be late again?”
“No, ma’am,” holding my hands behind me and looking at the floor.
“I want you to return the ruler and come back down here to stand next to me. From now on you are to report to my office before and after each class.” This brings catcalls from those who suspect she wants to continue to play with me in private.
I make the return trip with the ruler while Miss Frazer continues the class. I'm even more embarrassed now, after being punished and with every classmate looking at me with curiosity and bemusement. The guy tries to avoid taking the ruler. I drop it in his lap and hurry back down to the front. Now I stand facing the class, putting my hands in my pockets and then behind me, shuffling from one foot to another, trying to brush my shirt opening closed
