“Oh, that doesn’t matter,” she said. “You shouldn’t worry so much about what other people are up to. It will disturb your inner balance.”

“But . . .” I sat in helpless confusion. How could I clarify this without insulting her? “But I need to be . . . where the teachers are.”

Now she frowned slightly. “I don’t follow. Perhaps it will be clearer if I just say that the curriculum is ready, and anytime you’d like to begin your studies, you’re welcome to. Did you know there’s even a schoolroom in the house? It hasn’t been used for probably a hundred years, but we can set it up for you—if you feel you need that kind of environment. Who knows, it might be a good change for Agatha, as well.”

Now I was starting to get it. “Are you talking about homeschooling?” I asked.

“Of course.”

“I . . .” I found myself utterly speechless. “I’m sorry, I don’t think . . . I don’t . . . I don’t want to do homeschool. I’d like to go to the regular school. The one in town. With people.”

“Margot, we talked about this.” She stared at me like I’d started making animal noises and declared myself to be in the process of transforming into a frog. “We had a conversation. It was decided weeks ago.”

“No,” I said. “No, we didn’t. I would remember that. Because I think it’s a terrible idea.”

“Well, I’m sorry,” she said, too offended to be sorry. “But this issue has been settled for some time now. I wouldn’t have ordered an expensive curriculum if I’d thought there was any doubt.”

I felt panicky. “Laura, I seriously did not agree to this.”

She set down her silverware and pursed her lips. “Are you calling me a liar?”

“No. Of course not. But . . . I really don’t want to homeschool. And I don’t remember ever even talking about it.”

“Just because you don’t remember it,” she said, “doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

We were both quiet. She watched me carefully, and I was struck by the horrible truth of what she was saying.

“But . . .” I said.

“I’ve already been through this with you, but I’ll explain again if you honestly don’t remember. John and I talked it over and decided that you would thrive with this home-study program. It’ll suit your self-discipline so well. I can provide whatever support you need, and John, too, when he has time—he’s obviously brilliant.”

“But why can I not go to normal school?”

“I don’t know how much you know about Agatha’s past,” she said. “But the truth is . . . since she had her troubles, I don’t like the idea of setting you loose among people we know nothing about. Wild people.”