Fairly contrary....

Barbara quickly learnt at school that she was different, possibly not in good ways. For a start she didn't seek refuge in groups who agreed, and she often felt what the teachers said wasn't entirely accurate. Perhaps it was because she asked so many questions that she was considered impertinent.

Whilst being taught to be honest and well behaved, she experienced moments were she appeared to be undermined and, dismayed, this led to evenings (sometimes obliquely) enquiring about her day.

Her peers on the other hand appeared to be much more receptive and confident, maybe these elements empowered them when elected to select their team-mates during physical education events. During these sporting activities she spent time observing the reasons for success, though this didn't always apparently necessitate the innate talents you might expect as a spectator.

So whilst a young child she concluded, the purpose of rules wasn't to encourage a few to break them, the prerequisite was possibly, though obscure, to ensure lack of evidence    reasonable doubt.

Consequently she was a consistently obstinate and reluctant participant of each P.E affray. You see, Barbara thought that the whole concept of sport was to demonstrate how effective success was at producing what you might call failure.

If that wasn't enough, she was also recalcitrant. Most notably during any religious instruction. Regardless of what she was taught she persisted with her own thoughts and researched the subject from various and alternative perspectives.

Still, the general description revealed in reports that Barbara was considered a very polite, quiet and bright student - particularly in the areas of English, Maths, Art and Science.