The teacher forcibly grabbing Ellie and repositioning her might have improved her posture for singing, it did little for her mood. Ellie's eyes flashed from sadness to anger as her muscles resisted external control. She had known school mistresses this uncaring... and she hated them for it. Her vision drifted over the teacher and landed on Miss Catherine.

In Ellie's view, Miss Catherine just stood there, lumpen. She had not joined in a chorus of scolding, yet she had not suggested something different; she had certainly not offered any support to her. She was like those children in school who stood silently by as the cane was wielded, merely glad it wasn't their palm or bum being struck.

I'll show ye...

A single piano ivory clanged: “Do”

Then another: “Re”

Then another: “Mi”