Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

After nearly polishing off their plates, Scales stood up to settle the bill.

Just as they were about to leave, they bumped into Slater, Sybil, Grace, and Arkle. The only one missing from their usual troupe was Hertha, which wasn't surprising considering she never dined at places like this. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Ms. Payne's three musketeers?!" Slater broke the ice with a smirk, but his teasing tone made people uncomfortable.

Roseanne and her companions didn't respond.

Slater's smile stiffened a bit before he continued, "What a coincidence running into you here. Didn't see Ms. Payne with you. Too stingy to treat you to a meal at such a swanky place, huh? Not like us; Ms. Edna covered our tab today." "The department really does spoil us, huh? Most of this year's research funds went to our project."

"It's a real shame, you know. You guys work your tails off for a grad degree, only to end up with an advisor who barely has a say. What kind of future does that hold for you?"

Slater's words flew non-stop, while Sybil and Grace looked on with cold indifference.

Only Arkle, ever the peacemaker, tried to intervene but was briskly pushed aside by Slater-

"Back off, bumpkin! I don't want to catch your country stink!"

his eyes, but he continued, "Come on, we're all classmates

just shut it? You

I've got a mouth, don't I?" Arkle

arguing was

The country boy's got a temper. Know your place, will ya? Or do you no

Arkle hung his head.

advice: Kids from our background will always face unfair treatment. Keep your head down until you're

suddenly spoke up,

and Carlson always say they hope we can all

move to remind Slater not

someone too hard could lead

alright. Wasn't trying to give him a hard time. Just can't stand people who don't know their

to Roseanne and her group, "Speaking of which,