The Book She Never Read

(Room 12, after the last lesson of the summer term. Cass puts a book on the desk.)

Cass: I'm giving it back. Sorry.

Marguerite: You've had it since October.

Cass: I know. I didn't read it.

Marguerite: Not one page?

Cass: I read the title. It's about an island, right?

Marguerite: More or less.

Cass: You knew I wouldn't read it.

Marguerite: I did, yes.

Cass: So why did you lend it to me?

Marguerite: Because then you had to come and talk to me about it. Every week, all year.

Cass: That's… a bit clever.

Marguerite: Take it with you. Bring it back when you're thirty.

Cass: And if I read it?

Marguerite: Then bring me your opinion. That's better.