I seized the wrapper and savagely I wrapped it about me. I ran for the screen, shouting:
“Oh! you devils! You beasts! You shall not torment me any more.”
Again I was behind the screen, and with mad, hurrying, fumbling hands I was dressing myself. There was the scraping of boots and stools, and several whistles from the class-room, after that first silence.
Then the master came behind the screen.
“What does this mean, Miss Ascough?” he demanded. I was crying bitterly. “Did anyone say or do anything to offend you? If so, I’ll put him out of the class.”
I said:
“Oh, yes, they are not gentlemen. They all stared at me and talked about me.”
There was an indignant murmur of denials from the students. Mr. Lawton put his head over the screen and I saw him wink to the students. Then he turned to me and said in a coaxing voice:
“Now, now, be a good girl. We want you to finish the pose. If anybody dares to be rude to you, you just tell me about it, and I’ll put him out.”
“No, no,” I said. “I’ll not do it again.”