"Manuela!" sounded in curt command tone in the dormitory, where Manuela was busy being the last to turn down her bed. "Come here at once!" Manuela's knees trembled. Fräulein von Bernburg's voice sounded harsh. She immediately lowered her hands and followed the call. As she stood in front of Fräulein von Bernburg with her eyes downcast, she struggled to hold herself upright and her heart was pounding so hard she thought it must be heard.
"Manuela, what do I have to learn from you? Since when have you been rude?"
There was no reply, only Lela's head sank lower on her breast.
"You were rude to Frau Headmistress."
Manuela nodded.
"How did that happen? Tell me."
Haltingly and full of fear, Manuela began to speak. "We walked across the corridor—Ilse and I. And then—and then Frau Headmistress came by and called me, and Mademoiselle Oeuillet was there also. And then Frau Headmistress told me to keep straight, and—and I kept myself straight."
"You made a naughty move, didn't you?"
Manuela nodded guiltily.
"And why is that, Manuela?"
Manuela had to think about that first.
"Because—because Frau Headmistress said we should walk like German soldiers, and I thought she was only saying that because of Mademoiselle, and Mademoiselle would be offended. And then I exaggerated it, and Frau Headmistress said I was behaving like a boy."
"And you stuck your tongue out at her? Is that true?"
"No, Fräulein von Bernburg. I only made a grimace."
"Why?"
"Because—" suddenly Manuela's calm was over, "because I want to be a boy, I hate being a girl. I don't like my hair and my skirt, I always wore trousers at home when I did gymnastics with my brother and I prefer to wear them always." Now she looks up at Fräulein von Bernburg as if she was able to help her.
"I don't want to be a woman—I want to be a man and always be there for you, Fräulein von Bernburg, and that's why she shouldn't say it—not Frau Headmistress—not she."
"Manuela!" With pale and immobile face, Fräulein von Bernburg stands opposite the agitated child. "Such words must not be spoken between us, do you hear me? Now you go immediately to Frau Headmistress and apologise. Do you understand?"
That was an order and nothing could be done about it. Two minutes later, Lela stands in front of the tall grey figure, who looks at her angrily.
"I've come to ask for forgiveness, Frau Headmistress."
"Had Fräulein von Bernburg sent you?"
"Yes, Frau Headmistress."
"Has Fräulein von Bernburg send you?"
"Yes, Frau Headmistress."
"So, are you one of those who have a crush on her?"
"No, Frau Headmistress."
"Then go—it's all right."
A curtsy and a dull sound that came from the stick in Frau Oberin's hand touching the floor roughly; and Lela left the room.