A BLUISH FLOOR
In September, a new study was put at her disposal. Located in a far wing, it was tiny, desks jammed up against each other. It had been renovated that summer. Blue linoleum, blue walls. Looked magnificent on the first of September. We cleaned the classrooms and studies ourselves. There were only two cleaners for the whole school. They cleaned the Head Mistress’ office, the Directors’ of Studies offices, the staff room, the vestibule and the stairways. A bucket and mop stood in each classroom. The teachers showed us how to wash the floors. Deftly. That’s how they did it at home: cloth in the bucket, ring it out with both hands, wrap it round the swab. Run of the mill. The women teachers demonstrated with enthusiasm, their hands getting wet and dirty. This was called ‘wet clea
