Morning was a relaxed time for Samuel and Jeffrey. The whirlwind breakfast activity had subsided, giving them time to ponder over a drink. They shooed the cat away who had temporarily taken over the sunny spot on the back deck. The cat knew its tail was in jeopardy if it didn’t skedaddle.
Thoughtfully they chewed over the news and events of the previous day, giving comment and opinion as fore-casters of the future in time-honoured fashion and opining on the past.
Their attention turned to the hallowed halls of education.
“My Big Sister started school this year,” said Jeffrey.
“My Big Brother starts next year,” said Sam. “Is Big School different?”
“It certainly is. Each day, she puts on her school uniform, packs lunch in her bag and off she goes.”
“What else happens?”
“She says that they do numbers and letters and reading. Sometimes there’s drawing and colouring in and pasting.”
Sam sat open mouthed. “You mean there’s no playing? No blocks or trucks or Lego or cars?”
“There’s playing, but only at certain times and no blocks or trucks or Lego or cars. But I haven’t told you the worst part,” said Jeffrey.
“What could be worse than no toys to play with?” asked Sam, fear creeping into his voice.
Jeffrey dropped a bombshell. “My Big Sister said that at Big School you have to sit in a chair.” For maximum impact he dragged the syllables out as long as strings of melted cheese, “All day.”
“Like the Naughty Chair?” asked Sam. “I was put on the Naughty Chair for drawing on the walls with Mum’s lipstick. Apparently it was her favourite. I thought I drew a good picture of Bob the Builder.”
“Dunno. But all I know is that you have to sit in it all day.”
“So Big School is sitting in a Naughty Chair all day long,” Sam said, trying to comprehend such a villainous punishment.
The pair contemplated in silence as the cat ventured near enough for a pat, but wary enough should its tail be pulled.
Sam broke the tension. “You know what this means? We’d better on our best behaviour or else we’ll be sent to Big School to sit on the Naughty Chair.”
“You’re right,” said Jeffrey. “I don’t want to get stuck on a chair all day long.”
A Fullness in Brevity - Adam Byatt 