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“Oh, don’t worry about that, I can do it.” Pippi gave a rote answer she always gave when someone offered to do something for her.
Ms. Cat was silent outside the door for a second. “Pippi, we’ve already had this conversation. You’re not in charge tonight, right? When Mr. Sam or I ask you to do something, what should your response be?”
Pippi’s stomach danced at the gentle correction. What would happen if she didn’t obey? She had been following every rule to the letter since her run in with Master Derek, but was that really the way to get the full experience of what it would be like to be Sam and Cat’s Little?
Every fiber of her being wanted to say, Yes, Ma’am. Well, almost every fiber. There was one little niggle that told her to rebel. See what these people were made of. It was a small rebellion in its own right anyway. How bad could it be?
Instead of responding, she stayed silent and quickly got herself dressed.
“Pippi? I asked you a question,” Ms. Cat warned from the other side of the door.
The dance in Pippi’s tummy accelerated as she towel dried her hair. She didn’t really know what to do next. If she spoke, she would fold. Biting her lip, she shook her head, knowing Ms. Cat couldn’t see her anyway.
“If you don’t answer me by the count of three, little girl, I’m going to come in and Mr. Sam won’t be far behind. It’s not very polite to ignore me.”
Pippi squeezed her eyes shut. She didn’t wanna be a rude girl. She should just give in.
No, no, no, no, stay strong. I need to know!
Sitting on the edge of the bed, she clasped her hands between her knees and waited.
“One.”
Pippi squeezed her eyes closed.
“Two.”
Pippi clamped her lips.
“Three.”
Pippi’s heart rate spiked as the door opened. Her entire body tensed waiting for what was to come, but after about thirty seconds of silence she peeked one eye open. Catherine was standing in the door way, arms crossed, and one brow raised. She didn’t look upset though. If Pippi had to wager a guess, it looked like she was fighting back a smile.
“Are you testing me, little girl?” Ms. Cat asked.
Pippi shook her head, then nodded, then shook it again.
Ms. Cat smiled at that. “You know I think Mr. Sam was right when he said you’re too cute for your own good. You know you’re being naughty, don’t you?”
Pippi took a deep breath, fortifying herself. One thing she would not do was lie. She nodded.
“No more nodding. I need you to use your words. I want to hear you say, ‘Yes, Ma’am. I’m testing you by being naughty’. But before you do that, I want to assure you that I don’t mind being tested. I don’t mind you pushing boundaries to see where the lines lie. We will pass your tests and we will be steadfast in showing you exactly where the boundaries are. So now, let me hear you say it.”
Pippi thought she was going to die in that moment. Her butterflies had butterflies.
“Is it too late to say sorry and ask for forgiveness?” Pippi asked.
“It’s never too late. It won’t save you though. Once you do something naughty, you receive a consequence, no ifs ands or buts about it.”
“Okay.” Pippi’s shoulders dropped. She’d gotten herself into it, no use in making things worse. “Yes, Ma’am, I was being naughty and testing you.”
“Good girl. Go stand in the corner.”
“Huh?” She hadn’t expected that. She didn’t know what she expected, but it wasn’t that.
“You heard me. Go put your nose right in that corner with your hands behind your back. No moving, no talking, nothing. You will think about why you’re being naughty and you will wait until I tell you you may come out.”
“But how long will that be?” Pippi had never been sent to the corner, and if she thought she’d felt like a Little girl before, she certainly did now as she trudged over to the spot where the walls met and assumed the position Ms. Cat had instructed.
