hard enough to learn with one."
"Oh, you'll be surprised at what you can
accomplish when you are left to your own initiative,
Robin Lyn. Of course, you will all help each other.
Cooperation in that regard is very important. I will
want you all to fully understand how important it is to
get along with each other, with others of different
backgrounds. Out there, that's what you must do to be
a contributing member of society.
"But, self-reliance is essential. too. We can
cooperate with each other, but we can't become totally
dependent upon others or we become a burden, don't
we? That is truly what the three of you are right now,
a burden. You'll either be cast off or you'll learn to
walk an your own. Sink or swim." she said, her face
now turning cool. When she called for it, that iciness
seemed to emerge from within her, rise to the surface
of her face, penetrate her eyes, tighten her lips, and
make her look taller. More intimidating.
I glanced again at the other two Despite the brave fronts they were putting on. I sensed they were just as anxious about all this as I was. I noticed as well that the three young women behind Dr. Foreman had grown still again. had barely moved a muscle since she had looked at them. How could they be so
disciplined? They were three statues.
How much longer would we be kept here? I
wondered. It was dank and musty, the air so stale my
throat ached. Why did we have to begin in such a
place anyway? The stool was uncomfortable. The
lighting was dull. What was the point of having us sit
at old grade-school desks? I was still tired and achy
from my unpleasant trip. I couldn't wait to go to sleep
in a bed and I had to go to the bathroom. but I was
afraid to mention it yet. I didn't want to be the first