In the doorway stood a somewhat tall woman, in a trim grey suit with green cuffs and lapels. Startled, Brenda gazed fearfully at her, and hurried out of the room.

"In the future, you will kindly remember there are certain rooms in
this school which are not to be disturbed." The woman said sharply.

"Yes, Mam."

"My name is Mrs. Fraumeni." She said. Brenda stared at her and frowned. "Why do you stare at me that way?" Mrs. Fraumeni asked.

"Well, you don't look at all like a Catholic principal, Mam." Brenda told her.

"I'm afraid you don't look very much like a vocal teacher. Turn around, please." Mrs. Fraumeni instructed her with a turn of her finger.

"What?"

"Hmm, turn." Brenda turned around as the principal scrutinized her clothes. "Sss – It's the Amabile clothes. You'll have to change before you meet the children." She said grimacing.

"But I don't have any other clothes. You see, at the public school we don’t bring a change of clothes to school." Brenda explained.

"What about this outfit?"

"I wore it today when I left the school."

"Hmm."

"Well, I would have bought myself a new dress, but there wasn't time. I can buy my own clothes you know." Brenda stated proudly.

"Well, I'll see that you get some money... today, if possible. Now, Miss ... uh ..."

"Zadorsky, sir."

"Ms. Zadorsky, I don't know how much Mr. O’Brien has told you."

"Not much." Brenda interrupted.

"You are the twelfth in a long line of vocal teachers, who have come to teach my pupils since I came here. I trust that you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours." Brenda became very worried when he said that. With a alarmed look on her face she asked, "What's wrong with the children?"

Mrs. Fraumeni paused. "Oh there’s nothing wrong with the children -- Only the vocal teachers."

"Oh."

"They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it, this school cannot be properly run. You will please remember that, Ms." she said cruelly.

"Yes, Mam."

"Every morning you will drill the intermediates in their vocal. I will not permit them to dream away their school year. Each afternoon, the juniors will have vocal. Being on time is to be strictly observed, no exceptions..."

"Excuse me, sir, when do they play?" Brenda interrupted yet again.

"...You will see to it that they conduct themselves at all times with the utmost orderliness and decorum. I'm placing you in command."

Brenda placed her hand to her head in an overly enthusiastic salute and shouted "Yes, Mam!" Mrs. Fraumeni gave her look as if to ask, "Are you mocking me?". Brenda raised her eyebrows at her. Mrs. Fraumeni abruptly took a silver boatswain's whistle from his pocket and blew it shrilly in a rhythmic pattern. Brenda's mouth dropped open in surprise. Thunderous, pounding footsteps are heard from inside the school. Brenda ducked for cover beside Mrs. Fraumeni, in fright that the school was falling down.