Read Fermina Marquez (1911) for Free Online Page B

quickly.
Besides, the sixth-form boys were only two months away from their exams; they therefore had to work harder than ever . . . The black marks and punishments noted down by Mr Lebrun would be upheld; but Mr Lebrun would be free to lift them at the end of the week if his pupils' conduct satisfied him . . . The incident was closed.
The prefect of studies shook Mr Lebrun by the hand, led him into the passage for a few seconds and moved off.
Mr Lebrun was astonished to see his charges calm down. The prefect of studies' soothing words had brought about this radical transformation. For all this, he remained no less vanquished in his struggle with the prep group. According to all the school rules, the entire lot ought to be kept in: the instigators placed in detention rooms and Leniot made to await the summons of the disciplinary committee. The punishments and black marks would be quashed, that was quite certain. One or two unrepentant types might regret that the bait had come to an end so soon. But the majority of the pupils were pleased with Leniot's intervention.
Dust had yet to settle in the room - the exhilarating, eye-stinging dust which follows a battle. Joanny, standing in his place, briefly summed up the incident, recalled the propitiatory words of the prefect of studies, then held out his hand to Mr Lebrun who was almost apologetic. The marks would be excellent this evening! In his turn, Pablo went up to the rostrum and in a few minutes of hushed discussion with Mr Lebrun, patched up their disagreement.
Joanny Leniot could read his victory in everybody's eyes. The prefect of studies really did seem to present his extraordinary action as the work of a sneak but no one was taken in by this. It was a great success: the South Americans wholeheartedly approved of the deed. But the main point was that Joanny would not have the black mark which would have caused his name to be removed from the roll of honour. Like a gambler who has hazarded the last of his purse and has finally won, he remained slightly dazed, too enraptured for his joy to burst out immediately.
Again after such a feat, everything appeared so straightforward to him. Were she there, he would already have declared himself. But once again, there was no hurry. A seduction was an undertaking of method, patience and profound calculation. "That and the prize for excellence," what a wonderful end to the school year! . . .
A drum roll summoned all the pupils to the refectory; after a quickly taken supper they returned to their prep rooms for a quarter of an hour and, once prayers had been said, the drum boomed again for bedtime. The din of the pupils going up to the dormitories filled the corridors and stairways. Joanny was on the look-out for the second-form boys, for the lower classes filed past the top forms who would stand waiting outside their prep rooms and go up last of all. With the noise of their footfall and the sounds of their voices, the younger ones walked jauntily past, in close order, large eyes gleaming here and there from out of the shadows. With jokes and smiles exchanged amongst themselves and calls of goodnight by the juniors to the senior boys, this was the one moment of the day when we were truly gentle and good. As the second formers were going by, Leniot slipped in amongst them and followed little Marquez who was walking at the front. There was a sudden jostling on the staircase; somebody overtook Marquez, pushed him brutally out of the way and made him fall. So Leniot was able to step up to him; he helped him to his feet again and proffered him his beret, which had rolled on to the staircase. Marquez took the beret, stammered out his thanks and continued on his way up.
"Y el panuelo tambien," said Leniot holding out his handkerchief which he had just picked up.
Little Marquez looked at Leniot for the first time. And his glance was full of astonishment. Sorrowfully, he attempted to smile. Then Joanny hesitated no longer; he took him by the