““The First Lieutenant shouted something, but I couldn’t hear it over the noise of the crowd. I was thrilled that the tenants were protecting Browne. In High Scape, corporal punishment was a form of entertainment. I didn’t know if I could bear to watch Browne being beaten. If she was going through it, the least I could do was bear witness, but I didn’t think I had the fortitude for it. Then Fiona was shouting, and I couldn’t hear her, either. This was getting ridiculous. “Will everyone shut the hell up?” I shouted. The sudden silence was shocking and gratifying. Who knew I could do that? That had never worked at any other time in my life.””
