A Student's Lesson Learned Well

Chapter Eight

Sally was scared. Standing naked in the middle of 'her room' she heard voices outside the door. Then it grew quiet.

Wiping the tears that had finally stopped she tried to assess her situation. She had heard the...what was he? A psychopath? Well, no. She had flat out insulted the man to his face and he had laughed it off. The old man could have beaten her, made her do things...but he didn't? It didn't make any sense. Why did he let her go?

Not that it was much safer here; and time was running out. He said three minutes.

Not wanting the bastard busting in on her while still naked, Sally opened one of the drawers of the cupboard. Hurriedly, the girl slipped on the black sports bra she had brought. Once over her head it took a moment to get it over her large chest. It was a heavy duty design that covered nearly all of her upper torso, and she needed it.

"You have one minute, Yeager." Sally could hear the dreaded voice through the door.

Not wasting any more time, Sally kicked her shoes and stockings off. Not messing with her panties she grabbed her maroon shorts, put both feet in and then yanked them up so hard she gave herself a wedgie. The nervous girl had just got her running shoes on when Mr. Cox burst in with her clothes in hand.

"Yeager, I told you to meet me outside," the disciplinarian shouted.

Sally held her breath watching the man yell at her. She fought back the panic that threatened to overwhelm; to make her do something stupid. I can't make this any worse! Taking a deep breath, Sally said as calmly as she could, "I'm sorry, sir. I'm ready now." There was still a tremor in the teen's voice.

Mr. Cox stared at her narrowly. "Fine then. Get out here. Immediately!"

Tense, ready for anything, Sally cautiously walked by the disturbed former school teacher and entered the hallway. Once out of the room, she saw him throw her clothes on the floor.

"You will clean your room when the next lesson is finished, Yeager."

Her anger rising again, she fought for self-control. He's baiting you she told herself. "Yes, sir," was all she said.

"One more thing, Yeager," Cox said looking down at the teen, "Although what you said back there was not crude and refreshingly honest, you will not refer to me in that manner from here on out. Am I making myself very clear?" He looked back at the door with the hooks next to it.

Sally nodded nervously. "Yes, sir."

"Let's get in the classroom then."

Again, being very cautious, Sally followed Mr. Cox into the larger room. She came up short. There were mats spread out on the floor...where did those come from? But the biggest surprise was Mr. Cox's assistant standing near the desk, now dressed in a robe. For a brief instant, Sally's hopes rose. Then, looking closer at the stern expression on the tall lady's face, that quickly faded. What the fuck were they up to now?

Mr. Cox walked around the mats and stood before the desk. "Miss Holeman will be leading your gym time here. I will of course be monitoring your activities to make sure you meet the standards of Warrington as well as mine." Sitting down he waved to the tall blond standing at the end of the mat.

Nodding, Beth addressed the shorter lady for the first time. "Miss Yeager. I will be starting with a few stretches and warmups to check your limberness. Please remove your shoes and socks and stand on the mat." She pointed to a spot near the middle of the mats indicating where she wanted Sally to go. Tentatively, the busty teen did so. When she was barefoot the student looked back at Miss Holeman.

Sally did a double take. The tall lady had shed her robe revealing the body of a fitness model. She wore a french cut unitard made of a shiny silvery colored material that rippled with well toned muscles underneath. Miss Holeman was not a bodybuilder but Sally could tell the lady trained hard to look this way. Her conical B cups seemed to not need any support at all. The young girl had a sudden feeling of inferiority at her appearance which she had never felt before.

"Lets start with the upper body." Miss Holeman ran through a few neck and arm stretches. Mr. Cox paid particular attention when Sally raised both arms above her head, twisting this way and that. The teen knew what he was doing, but it was better than what could have happened earlier she supposed.

Finishing with that, the blond spread her feet a yard wide and began stretching the lower back and legs. Sally felt proud she could touch the mat with her palms and had no problem reaching under her spread legs. Well, as much as her boobs would let her at least. Thank god the old letch wasn't behind her.

"Miss Yeager. Can you do the splits?" her instructor asked, calmly moving into a side sitting split.

"Um, no, Ma'am. It's been a long time since I have." Miss Holeman's outfit really didn't leave much to the imagination down there Sally thought to herself. She must not be wearing any liner under that. Suddenly remembering that she herself had no underwear on, Sally wondered what might be showing down there as well. Great!

"Let's see how far you can go." The instructor commanded.

Sighing, the teen turned sideways and let her feet slide apart. She felt her leg muscles tighten up as she moved down. With six inches still under her she could go no further. Sally refused to look at 'Old Baldy' but knew for sure he was watching her every move.

"Hmmm," said Miss Holeman. "We will have to work on that. She grabbed her rear leg and pulled it to her back.

Holy fuck! Sally thought to herself.

Mr. Cox spoke up. "Perhaps you could help Miss Yeager with her stretches, Miss Holeman?"

"Of course." The fit lady stood smoothly. Sally watched her come close. She really was a lot taller than her. "Let's start with a halfway lift with your hands on the shins."

Sally, having no idea what the girl was talking about, looked at her questioningly.

With a little grin on her face, Beth explained. "Feet together, bend over and place your hands on the front of your shins."

Sally slowly did so. After she had bent down with her bottom thrust out, she realized that she had mimicked a classic caning position. Mr. Cox, for his part, raised an eyebrow.

"Now straighten your legs back until they are nearly locked. You should feel your leg muscles stretch out as well as your bottom and back."

Sally began to push her knees back; and couldn't believe how quickly the tightness built up.

"Now hold it for a bit." Miss Holeman reached and lightly rubbed the younger lady's legs. "Feeling it here?"

"Yes, ma'am." Sally had to admit that the woman seemed to know what she was doing.

They did a few more stretches and lunges. Sally was actually surprised when, helped by Miss Holeman, she pulled off a standing split. It was not surprising that Mr. Cox had an excellent view of course. Once more she let her legs slide apart and found herself only three inches above the mat.

"Better," Miss Holeman said. "The gym mistress at your school seems to keep you in adequate shape."

Sally didn't know what to make of the backhanded compliment. Most girls at school thought she was in excellent condition. Looking at the taut woman next to her, she did wonder if the blond worked out every waking moment of the day.

Miss Holeman helped the teen up out of the split. "Now let's check your agility." She indicated two pieces of tape about two feet apart. "If you could..."

"Miss Holeman, " Mr. Cox interrupted.

The tall woman paused clearly not expecting this. "Sir?"

Sally looked on with trepidation. Anything the ugly man had to say couldn't be good. She wasn't disappointed.

"I'm sure your regimen is very thorough, Miss Holeman, but I find adversarial workouts really test a person's limits. Wrestling for example." Mr. Cox said that as if it was the most sensible idea he had ever had. Miss Holeman's nonplussed expression as well as Sally's jaw seemingly to have become unhinged let the old gentleman know that it wasn't.

"What!? Sir?" Sally exclaimed. "I've never wrestled before!"

Mr. Cox grinned. "An excellent opportunity to learn then! Miss Holeman has some experience I'm sure."

Shrugging, the early twenty something appeared to collect her thoughts a moment. "Miss Yeager, it appears we will be practicing Greco-Roman wrestling today." Sally sighed but didn't complain, knowing what could happen if she did.

Miss Holeman quickly ran through the rules. No striking. No choking or holds that could endanger the neck or head area. Pins on the back for a three count was three points. Throws one point. Holds for more than ten seconds one point. Forcing the opponent off the mat one point as well.

The older woman nodded to the junior indicating for her to get ready. Mr. Cox sat up in his chair, his attention completely focused on the girls.

Slowly, with hair in single braids, the thinly clad opponents circled each other. Sally warily watched her 'tutor' spread into a slightly crouched position. Not really knowing what to do she decided to match the pose. Sally tried to think what advantages she could have...

With a suddenness that surprised the teen, the taller lady swept in looking for a grab near Sally's waist. Instinctively, she locked her hands on both of the taller woman's arms and fell back. In seconds Sally's feet came off the mat.

"A point for Miss Holeman!" the now eager teacher exclaimed. "Yeager, you will have to do better than that!" He then noticed Sally's look of frustration. "You need motivation, obviously." Seeming to think about it, the balding man smiled crookedly. "I know! For every point difference between the two of you, that will earn the loser a swat on your," Mr. Cox looked meaningfully downward, "posterior."

Sally looked as if she were going to protest.

"Unless of course you wish to skip this class? We can fill the time easily." Mr. Cox's intimation was all too clear to the teen.

Sally bit down hard on her anger that threatened to rise into another outburst. "No, sir," she said sullenly. Sally began to realize that 'Old Baldy' was going to find a way to punish her bottom, one way or another.

Sally turned to the ridiculously fit lady who was standing in the middle of the mats. The teen began to move into a defensive position but was stopped by a shake of the older lady's head.

Miss Holeman pointed at a spot next to her feet. "After losing a point you must get on all fours. The position in wrestling is called par terre. I will place you in a hold and then you must break it."

Tanya's shoulders slumped. Wonderful! Getting down on the mat in front of the old bastard was exactly what she didn't want to do. Sighing, the eighteen year old knelt down and placed her hands on the mat.

From Mr. Cox's perspective, the view of his former student couldn't have been better. She did look a bit submissive with her bottom facing him, the fine curves drawing his eyes.

Sally sensed Miss Holeman kneel and wrap her arms around her waist. How was she getting out of this?

Almost immediately Sally felt the woman pull her to the side. The teen attempted to spread her arms and legs trying to keep contact with the mat but found herself steadily being pulled further over. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she was summarily flipped on her back.

Reacting quickly, Sally reached for the blond's arm but found her hand grasping a much stronger thigh instead. Miss Holeman had turned away and grabbed one of her legs and was pulling it up! A moment later all Sally could see was a rock hard ass descending on her boobs. Her back pressed firmly to the floor she heard a gleeful Mr. Cox count "One, two, three!"

Miss Holeman immediately released the inexperienced smaller girl and shook her head. "That was a poor choice keeping your back near the ground Miss Yeager. You have to wait for a better opportunity."

Sally, her cheeks burning, snapped back, "Like when? After six months of practice?"

Something passed over the blond's face. "We can't always choose the positions we are placed in." She walked to the far corner. "Learn, adapt; and try to come out on top."

Sally stood slowly. Knowing how unfair this contest was she felt her anger finally take over. Fine. Let her come then.

Miss Holeman started to close in on the teen once again. Sally tensed but did not move. The tall lady gave Sally a condescending look and then began to move to the girl's left. At least she started to when Sally suddenly charged her. In two quick strides the smaller girl lowered her shoulder into the midsection of the surprised woman. Reacting quickly, the flexible blond twisted enough to avoid the full force of Sally's charge, but it still put her off balance and she fell on her back as Sally passed. The wind rushed out of the blond and she was momentarily stunned. Just as Sally recovered from her headlong charge, Miss Holeman regained her feet.

"Stop!" Both girls froze, each with a look of fire in their eyes. Mr. Cox strode out on the mat. "To your corners! Immediately!" he shouted at Miss Holeman after she failed to move. Flinching, the tall lady finally responded with a "Yes, sir." Giving the younger teen a glare she moved away and keeled in the corner taking deep breaths.

"As entertaining as an all out cat fight would be, that is not why we are here," Mr. Cox said scowling at both ladies.

Miss Holeman nodded. "I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

The old man turned to Sally. "You were told not to strike your opponent, Yeager. For that I add three points to her favor. Now apologize to your trainer."

Sally fumed. Looking at the now smirking older lady she stuffed her feelings deep inside. Why did she have to apologize when it was so obvious the situation was so unfair?

"Yeager?" Mr Cox warned, his patience running out.

"I'm sorry, Miss Holeman." Sally made at least a passable show at being sincere. "I lost control of my temper. I hope I didn't hurt you."

"You didn't, but you could have, Miss Yeager." The instructor, now having calmed down, answered reasonably.

Mr. Cox walked back to his chair. "As I said before, Yeager, you need discipline. You will learn it here one way; or another." Sitting down he waved his hand at Miss Holeman. "We have fifteen minutes. Let's make the best use of them."

Miss Holeman stood and brushed away a wisp of hair that had got in her face. Sally prepared herself as best she could but could see by the look on the tall girl's face that she was not going to be messing around any longer.

Not knowing what to expect, Sally tried to keep her distance from her superior foe. Sliding to her right she barely avoided a grab to her arm. Running out of room she shifted back quickly. Trying to bat the hand reaching for her arm again, the teen hit nothing but air. A moment later she found her forward foot pulled out from under her and the top heavy girl fell on her back.

Sally desperately tried to twist away from the strong lady that was sliding her way up the teen's tanned legs. Swinging her free leg, Sally tried to get her hips and knee under her so she could push up, and the teen was partially successful. Unfortunately, she felt what must have been Miss Holeman's foot hook hers and drag it back.

Grunting, Sally reversed motion to try to face the blond who was now tightly gripping her lower torso. The now locked leg prevented her from completely doing so. The panting teen grabbed the arm wrapped around the front of her but she couldn't prevent it from slipping up her rib cage. A moment later Sally felt her breasts push up as the strong limb rudely nestled under them.

Sally, still trying to push the arm away, felt Miss Holeman shift herself again so both of her muscled legs wrapped around the teens knees. Slipping just a bit higher she secured the upper arm under her chest lock and with a quick jerk pulled the other arm behind the now helplessly struggling teen.

Watching the now sweating young lady, Mr. Cox had to appreciate Miss Holeman's technique. The old man thought he saw something small trying to push through the tight fabric at the center of each of the teen's breasts. The gentleman leaned forward to be sure. He found that it was always interesting to study the unintended responses of his students when under his tutelage. But all too quickly the ten seconds passed and the old man reluctantly called "Break!"

The blond lady pushed Sally off of her and stood up. The younger teen took a lot longer to recover.

Miss Holeman walked over to where her robe lay. Sally noticed that two bottles laying there and she picked them up. "Water, Miss Yeager?" she asked.

Realizing how thirsty she was, the sweating girl nodded. Taking the bottle while still sitting on the mat she twisted it open and took a long pull on the cool water. Still breathing hard, Sally looked up at the toned fair woman and couldn't believe that she had barely broken a sweat.

"Not too long a break, Miss Holeman. This is a workout after all." Mr Cox said a bit impatiently.

Sally drained the remainder of her bottle as Miss Holeman reached for it. The rest and water had helped but she knew that it was time to try to fight her way out of a hold again. Getting on all fours once more, the girl had an idea. Well, the beginnings of one since almost immediately Miss Holeman was at the teen's side ready to grab her.

Giving the appearance of total exhaustion (which wasn't all that hard for the girl), Sally waited for a similar tug Miss Holeman had given her earlier. Feeling the tall lady grip her exposed mid-section and pull, Sally pushed as hard as she could upwards into the now kneeling woman.

Sally couldn't see exactly what Miss Holeman was doing, but she felt her hip bounce off of the smaller breasts of the lady leaning over her. As the blond adjusted her grip, Sally sprung up on her feet and twisted around to get a hold of an arm. The taller woman, moving nimbly, stayed behind the brunette.

Sally could feel Miss Holeman tightening her grip on her waist. Looking down she saw a foot thrust out between her legs. The instructor was going to throw her, the teen guessed. Trying her tactic again she pushed back with all her strength directly into the body of her opponent.

Again, not being able to see exactly what happened, her feet started to come off the ground...but then there was a squawk from behind the teen and they both tumbled backwards. As Sally came down she realized her backside had fallen on the flat tummy of Miss Holeman and her grip had come loose.

Flipping over she found herself on top of the temporarily surprised blond. With no time to think, she used her only advantage that came to mind at that moment. Grabbing the woman's arms she leaned over and mashed her prodigious chest into Miss Holeman's face.

"Ummmpphh," was all Sally heard from the now prone woman. Sally then squeezed her tits down with all her might, wedging the blond's cheeks into the nylon covered globes. A moment later she could feel the trapped instructors nose against her sternum.

Mr. Cox was understandably surprised at this turn of events and had forgotten to start counting. He watched as his assistant started bucking madly trying to push Sally off. Mr. Cox's eyebrows rose as Sally pressed her advantage, sliding her chest this way and that following Miss Holeman's head movements. Seeing that Sally was not going for a pin he finally called out. "Point for Yeager!"

Rolling off quickly, Sally's cheeks were flushed. Placing an arm over her chest, she felt how stiff her nipples had become from all of the friction they had just received. What she did was instinctual and in the heat of the moment seemed the right thing to do. Watching the tall blond as she stood up, her face red as well for different reasons, Sally regretted what she had done. "I'm sorry," she offered with some anxiety.
Frowning, the taut Miss Holeman faced the old man who was still grinning. "How much time, sir?" she asked.

"Five minutes," he responded leaning back in his chair.

Miss Holeman knelt down quickly next to Sally. The teen noticed that one side of her unitard had crept into her ass crack revealing a firm cheek. It appeared that the woman didn't care. "Let's get this over with," she said determinedly.

Sally really didn't want to touch the tense woman. She could sense that maybe the instructor had been holding back a bit up to now. With some trepidation the smaller teen reached around the bigger woman's waist. Again, Sally's instincts were serving her well. Miss Holeman had been holding back quite a bit.

The tall woman had been surprised by the strength and creativity of Sally. Mr. Cox was right about her earlier. Well, it wouldn't be enough this time. Feeling Sally's arms grab her, the twenty two year old started moving with a purpose.

Grabbing the teen's hands, Beth let the girl get above and behind her. Holding Sally's arms in place at her belly, she kicked a leg out and flipped both of them onto their backs, the blond now on top. Still holding onto the young lady's arms, Beth knew she could just lean into the girl and pin her back to the mat.

But that would be too easy.

Still, the older woman took a moment to enjoy herself. Placing her head back she nestled herself softly right into Sally's pillowy mounds. "Ahhh..." She sighed mockingly. It came as no surprise when Miss Holeman felt the teen try to wildly shove her off.

Grabbing Yeager's hands, Beth broke the hold the teen had on her and pushed away. Quickly springing to her feet she watched the now much slower brunette begin to do so as well. Timing her move just as Yeager got upright, Beth grabbed an arm, twisted and spun the teen face first back onto the mat. Not letting go of the arm, the heavier woman dropped her weight down on the lower back of the teen eliciting a loud grunt from the struggling girl.

Shifting her grip up, Beth locked Yeager's upper arm into a hold behind her back. The brunette, trying to push her off, reached back with her other arm.

"Why, thank you!" Beth exclaimed as she grabbed that one as well. Pulling them together she then reached around and put her forearm right in the teen's collarbone. Slowly, relentlessly, Beth pulled back.

Watching the teen struggle, Mr. Cox saw the girl grit her teeth as she tried to keep herself pressed to the mat. With a groan, Yeager's upper body was bent back. Reluctantly, the teen's now sweat drenched tits pulled up into view as well. Was it his imagination or was Miss Holeman twisting the student's back a bit making them swing back and forth? Surely not.

If not for the pain in her back and her exhaustion, Sally would have been mortified. As it was, the poor girl conceded to ten seconds of this rough handling by her instructor. Squinting at 'Old Baldy', Sally expected the call..."Uuaagh!"

The arm near her neck released and Sally felt her boobs compress painfully back into the mat. Struggling frantically she got one hand free and started to push up. All that got her was a swift flip on her back as Miss Holeman turned her over effortlessly.

With the last erg of strength she had, the teen grasped the hands that were descending on her. Gasping, she pushed for all that she was worth. It wasn't enough. Sally felt the bigger woman bearing down and her elbows hit the mat. A muscled leg pushed between hers, nestling tightly against her wet shorts.

Sally looked up and saw that she was face to face with her opponent. She was so close that Sally could see her ice blue eyes staring back. Not able to meet her intense gaze, Sally turned her head sideways. Feeling the woman's firm breasts press on her chest, the teen was forced back down to the mat. With a whimper she felt all of her resistance wilt away as her body was pinned solidly down.

There was a moment of utter silence in the room...and then Mr. Cox called out the three count.

The teen watched Miss Holeman get up. The younger girl didn't move, she was utterly spent. At least the bigger woman had the good grace to at least be breathing hard.

"Good match," Miss Holeman offered graciously before she stepped away.

"Well!" Mr. Cox said after a long pause. "That lesson was certainly enlightening." He reached back and grabbed the ruler he had left there earlier. "Time to settle up, Miss Yeager," he said, trying to keep the smirk off his face.

Sally thought she should be angry, but all she felt was tired: and a bit confused. The teen struggled up to her knees. "I need a moment, sir."

"Times a wasting, Yeager. Crawl over here if you must."

Sally shook her head. "I can stand, sir."

"Actually, I insist." Mr. Cox's eyes narrowed. "Crawl to me, turn around and hold the par terre position in front of my chair."

Ah! There it is, Sally thought. Even this tired, she still could find a little hate for this despicable man.

Seeing her scowl, Mr Cox raised his eyebrows. "Don't worry, Yeager. This is not punishment. I won't go too hard on you."

Her cheeks burning, Sally slowly made her way to the sitting old man. The teen's body was already sore and all that 'Old Baldy' seemed to want to do was inflict more pain and humiliation on her.

"Now turn around, Yeager," Mr. Cox said in his best classroom voice.

Sally wasn't fooled. Sitting this close to the man she could see the anticipation on his face. Just a day ago Sally would never have imagined she would be doing this. Shuddering, the sweating teen turned her backside to the ugly bastard.

Mr. Cox was very pleased with the lady in front of him. Yeager didn't put up much of a fuss, which he honestly thought she would have. The workout had taken a lot of the fight out of her for the moment.

Appreciating the view, the former school teacher saw that most of Miss Yeager's form fitting gym shorts were dry over her backside. His eyes roved downward to a slightly hidden spot which seemed to be a bit more damp. Yes, the soft pouch formed by her hidden curves under the thin material was considerably darker. One could almost imagine that the teen was...

Refocusing, the educator reminded himself that this was instruction after all. It was time for a quiz.

"Yeager. In all the excitement I seemed to have lost count of the points. Could you remind me?" He asked of the kneeling pupil.

"What? Sir?" Sally said trying to look back. She was too tired for this.

"Could you tally the net points between you and Miss Holeman for me?" the old man said with a hint of a smile.

Sally frowned. "I...I really don't remember, sir."

Mr. Cox chuckled. "You would think a lady in your position would be paying more attention. You had better figure it out because I do not think you want me taking a wild guess."

Sally shook her head. "No, sir," she sighed.

Trying to think back she remembered the first pin...and of course the last. The rest was just a blur. Oh yeah, her point. That was a highlight. Then there were several other points. "Eleven," she guessed.

Mr. Cox looked at Miss Holeman. The lady answered, "Close, Miss Yeager, but it was actually ten."

Smiling, the professor gave the teen a light tap on one cheek with the ruler. The girl visibly jumped, obviously not expecting that. "We will do eleven swats to serve as a lesson for you to pay more attention from now on, Yeager. You have no excuse to move out of position, miss. If you do, you know the consequences."

Slumping, Sally looked forward and prepared herself for the mortifying punishment she was about take from the old man. Pop! Her back stiffened. She waited for the pain to come...but it didn't. At least not what she had expected from a ruler after what had happened to her foot. There was some stinging, no doubt about it, but not nearly enough.

Playfully, Mr Cox took his time bending the ruler back, using both hands at the ends. Releasing one end the ruler gave a satisfying smack against the teen's maroon covered bottom. Carefully choosing his targets, he deliberately let the ruler find some choice spots to hit.

Sally jumped a bit after the fourth hit. The old man had popped the bottom curve of her left buttock just above her bare thigh. Not to leave the other wanting, Mr. Cox quickly matched the strike there as well.

Not really hurting, Sally still wanted to squirm. Pawp! The tingling and a slight warming was spreading to several areas of her upraised bottom and it was becoming uncomfortable. Pop! Knowing that 'Old Baldy' was watching closely, the teen refused to move; to give him, Pop!...him any pleasure at what the old man was doing to her.

Mr. Cox was of course enjoying himself immensely. So much so that Miss Holeman rolled her eyes at him. She did make sure he couldn't see her reaction and turned to grab her robe.

"Two to go, Yeager." Mr. Cox debated with himself a moment and then picked his target. Shifting the ruler vertically he carefully aimed just to the left of the center of her bottom. The inner curve looked just wide enough...Pop!

Mr. Cox smirked after hearing a bit of a grunt from his student. She wasn't expecting that he mused. Turning the ruler to face the adjoining curve he saw the teen tense her cheeks up finally. It narrowed the spot he wanted to apply the ruler to, but her feedback to his 'lesson' more than made up for it.

The last one finished, Sally was told to stand. Mr. Cox studied the disheveled girl. Her cheeks were red. Mouth grimacing in a thin line. Posture stiff. The spirit of the girl was admittedly strong. Good, Cox thought.

"Miss Yeager, this lesson is now over. Did you learn anything?" Cox asked his student.

Sally had a lot of choice words to describe 'Old Baldy's' lesson but held them in check. Instead she answered stiffly, "Yes, sir. I've learned that I need to look out for myself. That others will not treat you fairly."

"Hmmm, yes," Mr. Cox said as he stood. She had at least got part of it. "That is true. We do have to verify that someone can be trusted before they commit to an undertaking." The old tutor pointed at the mats. "You have to admit that a few days of this and you you would become a new woman, Yeager."

Or die of a heart attack, Sally thought. She really did feel like mush right now.

"Fold up the mats and then clean up. Miss Holeman will supervise that you are ready for your next lesson," Mr. Cox said, waving at the floor.

A few minutes later Mr. Cox watched the ladies leave. He stared at Miss Holeman closely. Yes, he did need to verify his trust. Very soon.