I often arrive at my life class quite early. By doing this it is possible to set up my easel and reserve one of my favorite positions in the studio by fastening my paper to the drawing board. Frequently there is still time to go next door into the cafeteria to buy a coffee and perhaps chat with some of the other students. On the day in question, I was alone and just sitting down to drink my coffee when the door into the cafeteria opened. At first I could see no one; then the head of a young girl appeared and looked hesitantly around. I didn’t know her so I just vaguely smiled in her direction. With the briefest smile in return, she walked over to my table. “Excuse me,” she said nervously, “Can you tell me where the life class is held?”

I pointed to the door on the other side of the cafeteria. “It’s just out through that door, turn right, and the door of the life studio is right in front of you.” She thanked me and followed my directions. A minute later she was back again. “Er. . . there doesn’t seem to be anyone there,” she stated.

“No, it’s a bit early. I was first to arrive this morning. You’re new aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Well, just choose your position and set up your easel, “ I suggested.

“Um . . . I’m not a student. I’m the model.”

“Oh, sorry,” I replied. “I didn’t realize that. You’ll want to have a word with David then. He’s our instructor. He’ll be along shortly.” I indicated the chair on the other side of the small round table. “Have a seat and grab a coffee while you’re waiting.”

She sat down. “I don’t think I’ll bother with a coffee. I’ll just wait.”

“OK,” I replied. “Come to think of it, David did tell us last week that we’d be having a new model today, but he didn’t know who. What’s your name?”

“Abigail,” she replied.

“I’m Melanie,” I returned. I noticed that she seemed rather nervous and her thin small hands were clasped tightly into little fists resting right on the edge of the table. It suddenly struck me that this might be her first life modeling engagement, so I decided to help. “This your first life modeling?” I asked.

“Yes,” she replied with a nervous laugh looking down at the table. “It’s the first modeling of any sort for me.”

“Are you nervous?”

She clasped her hands together and raised her eyes to look at me. “Yes, I’m very nervous. I don’t know whether I’ll be any good at it.”

“Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. I remember the first time I did life modeling. I was scared stiff to think that a whole roomful of students would be looking at me, completely naked.”

Abigail looked directly at me with surprised eyes. “Yes, that’s just what I was thinking,” she said. “You do life modeling too?”

“Well, I only do it occasionally when the model doesn’t arrive. But it doesn’t worry me a bit now. Believe me, when the students are drawing you, you might as well be a cabbage. All they are looking at is your shape and the tones. We’ve all seen so many naked girls on that podium, the fact that you are nude doesn’t mean a thing.” This seemed to reassure her, and her smile grew slightly more expansive. She seemed to emerge from behind her defensive screen. “Are you a student?” I asked.

“Yes, I started this week at