I would be here for a long time, with hateful mistresses and with Hattie ordering me about. I stared out the window at Madame Edith's garden until exhaustion and hunger produced a kind of stupor in me. In a while, I slept
* * *
"HERE, ELLA. You can eat this."
An urgent whisper pushed its way into my dream about roasted pheasant stuffed with chestnuts.
Someone shook my shoulder. "Wake up. Ella, wake up."
An order. I was awake.
Areida thrust a roll into my hands. "It's all I could get. Eat it before the others come in."
In two swallows I ate the soft white roll, more air than sustenance. But more sustenance than I'd had in days.
"Thank you. Do you sleep in here too?"
She nodded.
"Where?"
The door opened and three maidens entered.
"Look! Queer ducks flock together." The speaker was the tallest pupil in the school. She pronounced her l's as y's, mocking Areida's accent.
"Ecete iffibensi asura edanse evtame oyjento?" I asked Areida. ("Is this how they behave at finishing school?")
"Otemso iffibensi asura ippiri." ("Sometimes they are much worse.")
"Are you from Ayortha too?" the tall maiden asked me.
"No, but Areida is teaching me the beautiful Ayorthaian language. In Ayorthaian, you are an ìbwi unju.'" It only meant "tall girl." I didn't know any insults in Ayorthaian. However, Areida was laughing, which made it seem the worst of epithets.
I laughed too. Areida collapsed on top of me, and together we shook the purple chair.
Madame Edith, the headmistress, bustled in. "Young ladies! What do I see?"
Areida leaped up, but I remained seated. I couldn't stop laughing.
"My chairs are not made to take such abuse. And young ladies do not sit two to a seat. Do you hear me? Ella! Stop your unseemly laughter."
I stopped mid giggle.
"That's better. Since it's your first day here, I shall excuse your behavior and trust that it will have improved tomorrow." Madame Edith turned to the others.
"Into your nightdresses, young ladies. The Shores of Sleep are approaching."
Areida and I exchanged glances. It was very cheering to have a friend.
Everyone else reached the Shores of Sleep, but I remained oceans away. I had been given a nightdress so covered with bows and frills that I couldn't lie flat comfortably.
I slipped out of bed and opened my carpetbag. If I couldn't sleep, I could read.
Madame Edith thought fear of the dark was to be expected in young ladies, so a lamp was left burning.
My book opened to a letter from Mandy.
Dear Ella,
This morning I baked scones. Bertha and Nathan and I will eat them for a snack before we go to bed. But I baked two extra. We'll have to divide yours and eat them too.
I promised myself I wouldn't trouble you by saying how much I miss you, and see how I start.
That parrot man, name of Simon, came here today with one of has birds to give you. It speaks Gnomic and Elfian. He said it wasn't fine enough for the menagerie, but you might like it. He told me what to feed it. I never thought I'd be cook to a parrot.
I wish it would stop talking once in a while. I wonder if I have a recipe for parrot stew. Don't worry, sweet, I would never cook your present.
Yesterday, you had a grander visitor, and received a bigger gift than a bird.
The prince himself came to see you, leading a centaur colt. When I told him you were away from home, he wanted to know where you'd gone and when you'd be back. And when he heard you were at finishing school, he was indignant. He demanded to know why you needed to be finished since there was nothing wrong with you to start with. I couldn't answer him because I'd like to ask that father of yours the same question.
I did tell him we had nowhere to keep a growing centaur. He's a little beauty, but what can I do with him? Your prince said he'd raise him for you. He asked me to tell you the colt's name, Apple. That made me remember my manners, and I gave him his name to eat before he left with the prince.
Speaking of leaving, your father departed the same day you did. Said he was off to the greenies, which I gathered was has disrespectful name for the elves.
Said not to expect him back, anytime soon.
I wish you were coming home soon. Bertha and Nathan send their love, and I send mine, by the bushel, by the barrel, by the tun.
From
your
old
cook,
Mandy
P.S. Drink