– This is not a dress, but a negligee! – Maria said with a laugh, took the satin from me and threw it into my suitcase. – But it's too early for you to wear such things, so don't get excited.
– And I'm not going to! – I snorted back.
– I was just about to ask you: how did you manage to get into Oxford without leaving Poland? – My sister asked, sitting down next to me.
I looked at her and couldn't believe that she was almost two hundred years older than me, when to others we were the same age.
– It wasn't easy. You know you have to come to the interview in person, and I was afraid that my offer to do it over Skype would be rejected. But I took precaution and sent them a certificate that I have a severe form of bronchitis and for health reasons…
– Where did you get it from, you wretch? – Maria laughed.
– I forged it, of course! But I did not lie so much: I am forbidden to go outside our garden, if I am not with my parents or one of you. Well, I'll tell you more: I was interviewed on Skype, they asked me questions, sometimes stupid and illogical, but I answered them all, and it was not easy for me… I was so excited that I forgot many English words! But they praised me for my interesting answers and said that my English was very funny: correct, but with a Polish accent. I sent my documents online, and now I just need to transfer the money for my studies, but Martin said he would take care of it!
– Clever girl. And what college did you get into?
– St John's College, philosophy department.
Maria propped her chin up with her palm and sighed.
– I went there once… But that was fifty years ago» she said, closing her eyes dreamily. – Oh, what parties were organised there!
– Fifty years ago? But Mścislav advised me…» I began in surprise, not understanding my brother's logic.
– He did the right thing! Yes, I studied at St. John's fifty years ago, but only three years ago I graduated from another college – All Saints'. By the way, your sister was a big name there!
– Then why don't you tell me about living in a university flat? – I asked.
– What? – Maria looked at me in disbelief. – I've heard about it, but I thought you were joking.
I shrugged silently.
– 'My naive little sister, you're not living in a university flat! You know what? I'll find you a nice family to rent you a flat – it's much better than living among mortal girls. Besides, your social circle should be strictly limited to teachers and tutors.