Nanny Mitchel and Mrs Hegitey proceeded to discuss the in and outs of Mrs Hegitey’s kind proposal to tutor Patricia free of charge.
In a lot of ways, it appeared that it was not as if Nanny Mitchel was interviewing Patricia’s potential tutor, it was more the case of Mrs Hegitey interviewing Nanny Mitchel
As the conversation progressed it would have appeared obvious to most people that Mrs Hegitey had reverted back to her old headmistress role and was leading the conversation.
However, Nanny Mitchel appeared oblivious to all this, for she was just happy that she had found a tutor.
Various subjects were discussed on the subject of my forthcoming tuition.
These subjects included the following
One, my current academic ability.
Two, times that I was to be tutored and what I was to be tutored in.
Three, The uniform I was to wear whilst being tutored.
Four. An appropriate room in which to be tutored in.
Five. Discipline and chastisement, which would obviously involve the use of corporal punishment.
On the subject of my current academic ability.
Nanny Mitchel informed Mrs Hegitey that It appeared that I was very much considered a slow learner by my teachers.
She continued that my test results were nothing short of abysmal, as was my school reports which were littered with phrases such as, “Must try Harder!” and “Does not Pay Attention.”
I was considered backward by most, as well as borderline special needs.
It was fairly common knowledge that I was at least three years behind my fellow pupil.
Nanny Mitchel also informed Mrs Hegitey that I was on the bottom table for everything, which was sometimes considered by the less kind pupils as the thick table.
“Well Patricia will not be sitting on the thick table in my class,” Mrs Hegitey interjected in a matter-of-fact voice, as if to reassure Nanny Mitchel that I would be safe in her hands.
Next came the subject of times I would be tutored as well as what exactly I would be taught.
Mrs Hegitey had always hoped that one day she would be able to return to teaching.
However, she knew very well that she would never be able to teach in a state school again.
By modern state school standards, her methods of teaching were prehistoric and out of date compared to others in the profession.
Mrs Hegitey had old-fashioned values, old-fashioned standards, old fashioned dress sense, in fact, come to mention it, everything about Mrs Hegitey was old-fashioned.
Mrs Hegitey’s old-fashioned ways and methods would be exactly in par with Nanny Mitchel’s way of thinking.
It was as if they were both of like minds, which indeed they were.
It was decided between Mrs Hegitey and Nanny Mitchel that the only way I would ever have a chance of catching up would be through the old-fashioned practice of repetition.
This repetition would be carried out with the emphasis on the three ours.
This would mean
Reading,
Arithmetic,
Writing.
It was of no great surprise that I lacked complete ability in all three of these subjects.
It appeared that Mrs Hegitey had already mapped her procedures out for teaching a long time ago, just in case she was ever fortunate enough to return back to her chosen profession.
Mrs Hegitey informed Nanny Mitchel that I would eventually be taught more involved subjects, such as domestic science, sewing, and deportment.
However, it was agreed that the basics of my education needed to be covered first.
Mrs Hegitey informed Nanny Mitchel that as with a normal school my lessons would start at nine in the morning, sharp and finish at three thirty in the afternoon.
It was at this point in the conversation Nanny Mitchel was starting to feel that Mrs Hegitey was somewhat overbearing in what was being discussed.
However because Nanny Mitchel had lacked an academic education, she had the utmost respect for those who were above her own working-class roots and who were actually well educated.
It was very rarely that Nanny Mitchel would ever even attempt to question the authority of these types of people.
She had now realized that she was definitely not going to question Mrs Hegiteys authority in these matters.
The next on the list of subjects to discuss was that of the school uniform that I would be wearing during my tuition with Mrs Hegitey.
Mrs Hegitey informed Nanny Mitchel that a school uniform would have to be purchased for me, in order for her to tutor me.
Mrs Hegitey also insisted that this was non-negotiable.
She went on to say that she could not teach a pupil adequately if that pupil was not dressed properly.
Nanny Mitchel was also informed that my uniform was to be worn neatly and tidily at all times.
Once again Nanny Mitchel agreed to all these terms, however, she was starting to wonder whether it was me or her who was going to be the pupil of Mrs Hegitey.
At this point, Nanny Mitchel also wondered where the money was going to come from for a new school uniform for me.
However, it was as if Mrs Hegitey was some form of Psychic.
No sooner had Nanny Mitchel had this thought of finances, Mrs Hegitey handed her an envelope with school uniform vouchers topped with a twenty-pound note.
“That should cover Patricia’s school uniform expenses Mrs Mitchel,” said Mrs Hegitey in a kindly fashion as she handed the envelope to Nanny Mitchel.
Nanny Mitchel was not a fan of taking things from people as if she was a charity case.
In normal circumstances, if Nanny Mitchel did not have something then she would be more than happy to go without it.
However it appeared that unbeknown to Nanny Mitchel, Mrs Hegitey was weaving a spell on her.
Nanny Mitchel thanked Mrs Hegitey for what she had received and put the money and vouchers in her handbag.
Mrs Hegitey went on to inform Nanny Mitchel as to what my school uniform should consist of.
Out of her drawer, Mrs Hegitey produced a list of items that needed to be purchased.
Nanny Mitchel was informed that all these garments could be purchased at “Dolphin House the School Fitters.”
Mrs Hegitey now went on to inform Nanny Mitchel that some form of separate school room would be required for tuition purposes.
It appeared that this was not going to be a problem as Nanny Mitchel had a spare room in her house that could be transformed into a schoolroom.
However, having said this, the room would need a jolly good cleaning.
For now this all appeared to be satisfactory to Mrs Hegitey who was by now fully emersed in her role as potential Headmistress.
The last subject to be discussed was that of discipline and chastisement if I was to transgress, which knowing me would be highly likely.
Mrs Hegitey made no secret of the fact that she would be using corporal punishment as part of my tuition.
However, she would be keeping a record of all punishments administered in a school punishment book.
With this Mrs Hegitey once again went to the drawer of the desk she was sitting at and produced a cane and a slipper.
She explained to Nanny Mitchel that she had kept these implements from her days of teaching as they held sentimental value to her.
What exactly this sentimental value was could be anyone’s guess.
However, it was now becoming apparent that there may be something possibly very sinister about this lady.
Questions could be asked as to whether Mrs Hegitey actually enjoyed administering discipline instead of doing it for the right reasons.
It appeared to Nanny Mitchel it had been a long time since Mrs Hegitey had used either of these implements.
Or had it been?
In reality, she may have used them on her staff in the shoe shop.
Nanny Mitchel appeared to be oblivious to all this and was in full agreement with Mrs Hegitey’s methods of chastisement.
She even added as much as.
“If Patricia is punished in the school room, she will be punished by me as well.”
Mrs Hegitey put both the slipper and the cane on her desk.
“I think its time to call Patricia into the office,” said Mrs Hegitey in a very determined manner.
