"I don't think you'd die, Philippa. And since you're not a senior you're not allowed to have dates. Not seeing Paul would be automatic before your penalties were even considered." The color drained from Flip's face and she stared up at Madame Perceval, but she did not move or say anything. Madame spread cheese on a cracker, handed it absently to Flip, and leaned back in her chair. She held the cheese knife in her hand and suddenly she slapped it against her palm with a decisive motion. "I'm not going to forbid you to see Paul, Philippa," she said, "but you will have to have a penalty and a stiff one, because the fact that it was Paul you were seeing does not lessen the seriousness of your offense, but I'll decide on that tomorrow. In the meantime I want to talk to you about Paul." For a moment Madame Perceval looked probingly at Flip. Then, as though satisfied with what she saw, she continued. "We've been worried about Paul, and I think you can help us." "Me, Madame?" Flip asked. "Yes, you. Yes, I think you of all people, Philippa." "But how, Madame?" "First of all simply by seeing him. Signorina told me that Georges was planning to get permission for you to come to the gate house to see Paul once a week. I shall see that you get the permission. And remember, Philippa, that I am doing this for Paul's sake, not yours." "Yes, Madame. But Madame--" "But what, Philippa?" "Monsieur Laurens asked what Mlle. Dragonet's name was. Wouldn't he know?" Madame Perceval laughed. "He was just playing along with Paul. Paul didn't want you to know he had any connection with the school." "Oh. But--" "But what, Philippa?" "Why are you worried about Paul, Madame?" "I can't tell you that now, Flip. Paul will let you know himself sooner or later. In the meantime, the best way that you can help him is to continue trying to get on with the girls here at school, and to become really happy here. That sounds like rather a tall order to you, doesn't it? But I think you can do it. You'd like to, wouldn't you?" "Oh, Madame, you know I would. But please--I don't see--how would that help Paul?"