11. Acid Drops

The teacher has his fingers in my hair. It is clear, although he is attempting to be just, that he finds my very being repellent.

There has been an accusation of nits.

I am bewildered. Who is my enemy? Bruce's father, Baldwin? The American boy's mother? She wears dark glasses and smokes cigarettes with white filter tips. The old lady with sherbet talcum? The stamp man's neighbours? Who among the children?

All of them. None can meet my eyes. Not even Bruce.

I hear whispers like the rustle of pine needles.

A note is sent home. There are no nits, my furious mother discovers, and a note is sent back. There is a short, placatory announcement which convinces nobody.

I buy a snow-white bag of sweets to buy friends. There are few takers. page 181 Acid drops are too sharp and bitter and give you goose-bumps on the inside of your mouth.