It was hard not to get asleep in the bath, but I managed. After scrubbing my body and my scalp (it's a miracle I didn't get any lice on the train), I went back to bed, with my hair still wet. Mother wouldn't approve -- but not sleeping in the bath was my limit. After the heavy breakfast, I felt quite drowsy -- and the tiredness from a week-long train ride didn't help much.
When I woke up, the house was full of noises. My brothers had returned from school and were behaving in their usual monkey ways. I felt quite proud. I had taught them most of the tricks -- from throwing rocks to sliding down banisters to tackling each other. Without me, they'd have been good boys. And that's social suicide in Crow Hill. But thanks to my thoughtful guidance, Sam and Billie, the only two light arall in Cr
