The setting is the same as in ‘cloning, a true story’ that boys’ boarding school run by monks and the following altercation at the stone staircase of the school was witnessed by the headmaster from the door to his office. The head, a Trappist with a sense of humour, related the story over and over and each time after the telling would add, ‘What’s said in the heat of the moment can be wonderful.’
Sister Rita was a French nun who despite many years in an English-speaking environment still spoke with a pronounced French accent, one of her few charms. To be fair to her, she couldn’t afford to be charming because as Head of Housekeeping her job demanded constant vigilance and discipline. She was a woman of moderate height and quite slim build, from some angles wraithlike but that appearance in no way reflected her steel will. Her dedicated team of window cleaners, furniture polishers, floor washers and table setters was far from dedicated to domesticity made up as it was of teenage boys from an orphanage, lads the monks were good enough to hire. After a few years working at the school many of them went on to be placed in the catering and hotel industry so their first employment while menial for the most part gave them a leg up in life and Sister Rita made sure those rough and ready lads appreciated the opportunity they were afforded.
The roughest of all was a stocky 16-year-old named Eddie, a habitual skiver who at every opportunity would sneak away for a drag behind the shed at the bottom of the vegetable garden and on more than one occasion was caught guzzling altar wine in the chapel. Sister Rita kept as sharp an eye on him as she could and on the morning of the altercation caught him sneaking down the stairs having abandoned his mop and bucket on the landing above. As he reached the bottom there she was and the surprise of seeing her stopped him dead.
‘Where do you think you’re going?’ she said. ‘Get up these stairs and wash the landing.’
‘It’s done,’ Eddie said.
‘No, it isn’t, I’ve been watching you. Up and wash.’
‘It’s done,’ he repeated.
‘Up and wash the landing, I won’t tell you again.’
‘I won’t,’ he said.
Sister Rita bristled; it was the first time Eddie had openly defied her and she wasn’t having it.
‘What did you say?’
‘I won’t.’
‘You will do as you’re told.’
‘I won’t.’
‘You will.’
‘I won’t.’
The exchanges became loud and rapid.
‘You will.’
‘I won’t.’
‘You will.’
‘I won’t.’
‘You will.’
‘I fuckin’ well won’t.’
‘You fuckin’ well will.’
Headmaster always maintained the good sister didn’t realise what she’d said or if she did she showed no sign of it but Eddie certainly knew. He looked at her with saucer eyes and new-found respect, a woman who spoke his language, and took the stairs two at a time and began mopping with unaccustomed vigour. Sister Rita stood hands on hips at the foot of the stairs until he had quite finished and then satisfied he’d done what he was supposed to she glided down the corridor to the refectory to check that the tables were being properly set for lunch.
johnpoetflanagan 
Loved it!
Happy you liked it, Myra.
Thank You for reading and commenting.
Big Hugs
John
Great story, John!
Thank You, Sue,
Thank you very much.
Big Hugs
John
…and hugs back 🙂
Good for Sister. When there’s nowhere to go, you stand your ground. Otherwise, you skedaddle.
Absolutely, Alicia!
Thank You for reading and commenting.
Best Wishes
John
Loved it.
Thank You, Rekha.
Happy you liked it.
Big Hugs
John
Delivered with great aplomb, John. When backed into a corner going a little ‘ off-piste’ can certainly disarmk!
Yes, Chris, I had the feeling you’d enjoy those two formidables.
Thank You so much for reading and responding.
My best to You
John
Hilarious! The Headmaster was right and Sister Rita was a force to be reckoned with.
You, Sir, are a great storyteller.
Winnie and myself send love.
Harry
And love back,
Winnie and Harry.
Always great to know you like the work.
Best Always
John
A better story about what a teacher is than many I’ve read.
Thanks for sharing – well told!
Regards,
Amy
Thank You, Amy
Thank you very much.
Best Wishes
John
Brother John – Nice piece of humor for a chilly morning in north Georgia.
Brother David,
Stay warm in Georgia!
Thank You for reading and i’m happy you liked it.
Love to You and Diane.
john
Loved the story and the telling. Thank you for sharing John. 🙂
You’re most welcome, Sam.
Many thanks for your lovely response.
Big Hugs
john
That is a good one.
Thank You, Bruce, very much.
Best Always
john
John, thank you for an enjoyable read this morning. I would want to stay clear of Sister Rita, for sure! Have a wonderful day!
Warm wishes,
Pepperanne
A formidable woman, Sister Rita, not to be meddled with
but she had a tough job.
Many thanks, Pepperanne, for all the support.
Warmest Wishes to You
john
Awesome story, Rita sounds like a hell of a nun! 😉
Best wishes!
Ry
One hell of a nun is right, Ry, tough as old boots
but she had no choice, those lads were more than a handful.
Best Always
john
Wow you made it so interesting Brother John. Thank you.
Brother Dilip,
Thank You for those kind, supportive words.
Best to You
john
Hehehehe……. fuching good!!!!!!
Glad you liked it,
Dear Rosa.
Abrazos fuertes
john
Great story, and having been taught by nuns, I’ve known my share of Sister Ritas. Nuns are wonderful, remarkable women and this story proves it.
Yes, Noelle, remarkable women and so many
who dedicate their lives to the service of others.
Thank You for your understanding and as one who was taught
by the good sisters i’m sure you have a stock of stories.
Big Hugs
john
Haha. Loved the dialogue. ..fuckin’ well will. My favorite line, jf. I love a bossy nun. 😉 You make me laugh. Hugs.
Great response, Audrey, just great – Thank You.
And if i make you laugh i’m truly happy.
Big Hugs
jf
😆 Hilarious. “You fuckin’ well will”…love it! Thank you, John, and I hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day. xo
So happy you liked it
Elizabeth
Thank You
and a lovely Valentine’s Day to you, too.
Best Wishes
john
😀 😀 how funny! I have met persistent Sister in high school, no we did not want to get her upset 😉
Yes, Indah, those sisters can be formidable!
Wise not to upset
Big Hugs
john
This day has been particularly harsh and cruel to me John. My thanks for the levity so beautifully shared. It has eased a burden I have not cherished carrying, JonMichael
i’m truly sorry to hear the day has been cruel
Jon, My Friend
truly sorry
but i’m glad the little story put a small smile on your face.
Ever Your Friend
john
I laughed, John! And I should channel my inner Sister Rita to deal with my 3 sons 😉
i think it’ll have to be the inner sister
Dear Angie
to handle the boys…but if you tried a habit
it might get interesting around the house! Just a thought.
Thank You so much for reading and responding.
Best Wishes
john
So great Uncle John! She reminds me of some nuns I know from my childhood days attending a catholic school – bless her heart, she stood her ground and finally broke through the young lad.
Happy Valentines Day – Miss Mary
Yes indeed, Miss Mary, the good Sister Rita..not to be meddled with and as Harry said ‘ a force to be reckoned with’
Happy Valentine’s to You
uncle john
I loved the story. You are remarkable. Hugs, Barbara
Thank You
Barbara
very much for your kind comment.
Happy Valentine’s
Best Always
john
Reblogged this on IdealisticRebel's Daily View of Favorites.
Thank You so much for reblogging.
Big Hugs
john
Had a good laugh over the Sister’s response. Well done, John.
Happy you liked it, Kate.
Thank You
Big Hug
john
LOL! So funny. Reminds me of my years overseeing operations for a commercial janitorial firm. I had over seventy staff, many the likes of which I’d never encountered before nor since. LOL!! Had a few conversations of that nature too!
A wonderful read as always John!
Glad, Don, you could identify with this in a real way,
that’s always rewarding for me so i thank you sincerely
for sharing your experiences.
Best Always
john
Remind me to be nice to Sister Rita! Great story, John.
Very wise, Christy, to stay well clear of the good Sister!
Thank You so much for reading and commenting.
Big Hugs
John
Very funny:) A great story! I think Sister Rita knew exactly what she was saying.
True story: When I was 12, a priest called me and a couple of my friends “bitches”. He was mad that we crawled under the bathroom stall doors and locked them every Saturday after catechism class. We should have realized it would catch up with us. I suppose he was the one who had to crawl under the doors to unlock them.
Thank You so much, Robin, for reading and responding
and i LOVE your story about the priest – just great!!
Again, Thank You
Big Hugs
john
It was one of those days so I’m grateful you brought a smile to my face so easily. Thank you.
You’re most welcome, Malcolm, and i’m happy i made you smile.
i understand well ‘one of those days’ i’ve had a few since monday
but am ‘on the mend’
Bless you!
john
John, I’m just beginning to catch up with some of your delightful stories. A spellbinder you are.
So kind and generous to say that.
Thank You.
Best Wishes
john
A fabulous anecdote well told! Wonderful writing!
hugs,
Holly
Thank You, Holly,
Thank you very much.
Big Hugs
john
Hah, I love dipping in and out of here, I always find something and this had me belly laughing. Also the Winnie the pooh quote is my fave ever. What day is it? ETC Cheers John xxx
A great response I appreciate deeply.
Thank You.
Best Always to You
john