So how were your schooldays when you were a child, Joan?
Well, from seven to twelve I went to a school in Belgium.
In Belgium? How come?
It was my father's idea. One of his friends was sending his daughter, and my father wanted to impress his friend so he decided to send me, too.
Just to impress a friend? It's hard to believe. So what was it like?
We had to get up early and go to church before class. And at mealtimes we just had to sit silently with our hands folded in our laps. And I wasn't allowed to speak English at all. I had to learn French but nobody taught me. I just had to sit in the lessons and try to understand.
It's awful for a child of seven!
And they were terribly strict about manners! I suppose that was one good thing. I had the most beautiful manners when I left.