The girl showed commendable composure, thought Miss Edwards to herself, both during her punishment and when describing her deplorable relations.<br/><br/>"Your language choices were excellent," Miss Edwards said, with a faint smile of praise, gone as quickly as it had crossed her face. "However, dear, there are some things that you may wish to say more gently... particularly in company above your stature." She suppressed a frown at the brazen word 'prostitute', which the girl had at least used instead of something both common and vulgar, bless her. "Your mother... was<em>no better than she should have been.</em>" This was one of the most damning things Miss Edwards could say of a woman, and it was an effective euphemism for this occasion. "And as for your father, it is sufficient to say he died before your birth, my dear. Any possible scandal should be mentioned only by dire necessity."<br/><br/>She stood abruptly, pacing around her student. "Your vocabulary will improve over time. However, this exercise proved that you can, in fact, speak well if you are careful and paying attention." She gave Annalisa a smack on the right buttock with the flat of her palm, the crop tucked under her thumb to add some sting to the blow, effectively underlining her last word. "I don't want anything less than your best, do you understand? The next time you are overheard stammering or using incorrect words, I will see that you are whipped<em>thoroughly</em>. To treat this with any lesser seriousness would be an insult to you."<br/><br/>She paced back around to grab Annalisa's jaw, forcing the girl to stare her straight in the eye. "The offense after that, you will be gagged like an animal, with a horse bridle between your teeth. So be careful. If you are not sure of the polite words to say, say nothing at all." The bridle treatment could last anywhere from hours to days - even longer - depending on the teacher's mood at the time of punishment.<br/><br/>She released Annalisa as suddenly as she had grabbed her. "You are dismissed, and may thank me before you leave." She was tired. It was time to rest before she rose early, as she was accustomed to doing. She thought she had made some progress with her dear student, who really was one of the bright ones.