<em>Miss Violet Edwards &amp; Annalisa</em><br/><br/>Miss Edwards grimaced at Annalisa's confused performance. She lashed out with the crop, smacking the girl's hand painfully. "Annalisa, I do not need your apology. I need your obedience to the simple rules that have been laid out for your conduct." She let her anger and frustration show in her eyes. "You are a servant. Conveying information clearly and accurately is one of your most important duties."<br/><br/>She stood and walked around the girl as she continued, "If you are sent to someone for a specific purpose, make your greetings as appropriate... and then, for heaven's sake, tell them why you have come. I do not care what mood Mr. Hawkins may be in, what is important is that he sent you to me for the sake of your language, and you should have repeated his request to me exactly." She gave the girl a single hard smack on the bum, which as it was delivered through her clothing was only painful enough to convey the teacher's displeasure.<br/><br/>Circling like a shark, Miss Edwards stood in front of her desk, facing her charge again. "Anyway, dear, an apology to me is not necessary, as I am your teacher. I am not offended, I am concerned for you. If anything you are to be pitied for the circumstances of your upbringing which have crippled your vocabulary."<br/><br/>She looked up at Annalisa, letting her concern show on her face. "Servant girls who cannot speak properly have been known to be rendered mute. You wouldn't want to lose your tongue, now would you?" She went on briskly, her voice more cheerful, "But I am sure that with practice, repetition, and most of all hard work, your language will improve to the point where you can be trusted to speak with gentle people without embarrassing our House."<br/><br/>She tapped the crop against the fingers of her other hand, a gesture she had found effectively caught the attention of any pupil. "We are going to have a conversation. For the purpose of this exercise, speak to me as though you are a lady and we are social equals, perhaps friends. ...I understand if this is an unfamiliar role for you, but I will be judging you primarily by your speech and not your acting ability."<br/><br/>Miss Edwards looked at her pupil's face to make sure she understood as she said, "I want you to take your time, speak slowly if you must, but be deliberate in your words. The first time you stutter upon a word you will have to remove your dress so I can administer punishment with the crop. I will discipline you each time you do not pronounce a word clearly and without stuttering." She frowned darkly. "Needless to say, if you use a term that cannot be found in the dictionary, your punishment will be more severe."<br/><br/>"...Now, let us begin," she said, sounding more light-hearted. She did so love teaching. "Annalisa, my dear friend, it is so lovely to see you again. How have you been this past year?"