Enid Blyton: Fifth Formers of St. Clare's (St. Clare's #6) 1 BACK FO !"E #$%!E !E & S!.

C'A E'S had stood silent and em(ty d)rin* ei*ht +ee,s of the s)mmer holiday. E-.e(t for the so)nd of mo(s and /r)shes0 and a tradesman rin*in* at the /ell0 the (la.e had /een 1ery 2)iet. !he s.hool .at missed the *irls and +andered a/o)t misera/ly for the first +ee, or t+o. B)t no+ e1erythin* +as different. !he s.hool .oa.hes +ere rollin* )( the hill0 f)ll of .hatterin*0 la)*hin* .hildren3St. Clare's +as /e*innin* a ne+ +inter term 4 ' #ho +o)ld thin, this +as a +inter term 5' said 6at O'S)lli1an0 to her t+in0 $sa/el. ' !he s)n is as hot as it +as in the s)mmer. #e mi*ht /e a/le to ha1e a fe+ *ames of tennis0 still.' ' $ shall .ertainly ha1e a s+im in the (ool0' said Bo//y Ellis0 +hose fa.e seemed e1en more fre.,led than )s)al. ' $ ho(e there's fresh +ater in today3$ mi*ht ha1e a s+im after tea.' ' Ah0 yo) Bo//ee 4 Al+ays yo) m)st (lay tennis or s+im or r)n or 7)m( 4' said Cla)dine0 the little Fren.h *irl. ' And yo)r fre.,les 4 %e1er did $ see so many on one fa.e. $ ha1e /een .aref)l in the hot s)n these holidays3not one fre.,le did $ .at.h 4' !he *irls la)*hed. Cla)dine +as al+ays terrified of *ettin* fre.,les3/)t ne1er did one a((ear on her (ale fa.e and +hite hands. !he *irls (o)red into the s.hool0 r)nnin* )( the familiar ste(s0 sho)tin* to one another0 d)m(in* their la.rosse sti.,s e1ery+here. ' "allo0 "ilary 4 "allo0 8anet 4 Oh0 there's Carlotta0 loo,in* more li,e a *y(sy than e1er. "ey0 Carlotta0 +here did yo) *o for yo)r holidays 5 9o) loo, as dar, as a *y(sy.: ' $ ha1e /een to S(ain0' said Carlotta. ' Some of my (eo(le li1e there0 yo) ,no+. $ had a *rand time.' ' !here's &ira/el3*olly0 she's a+f)lly tall no+ 4' said $sa/el. ' ;ladys loo,s more li,e a mo)se than e1er /eside her.' ' "allo 4' said the /i*0 stra((in* &ira/el0 .omin* )(. ' "o+'s e1ery one 5' ' "allo0 &ira/el0 hallo ;ladys0' said the *irls. ' 9o)'1e /een s(endin* the hols. to*ether0 ha1en't yo) 5 $ /et yo) (layed tennis and s+am all the time 4' Both &ira/el and ;ladys +ere fond of *ames0 and this term &ira/el +as an-io)s to /e s(orts .a(tain at St. Clare's. She had /een in the fifth form for t+o terms0 and Annie !homas0 the s(orts .a(tain0 had let &ira/el hel( her. %o+ Annie had left0 and there +as a .han.e that &ira/el mi*ht /e .a(tain0 for there +as no one in the si-th form really fitted to ha1e that (ost. ' 'et's *o and loo, at o)r .lassroom0' said Bo//y Ellis. ' $t +as *oin* to /e re< de.orated in the hols.0 $ ,no+. 'et's see +hat it's li,e.' !hey all troo(ed )(stairs to the /i* fifth form<room. Certainly it loo,ed 1ery ni.e0 (ainted a (ale /anana yello+. !he li*ht +as .lean and .lear in the room0 and the 1ie+ from the +indo+s a lo1ely one. ' #e'1e only *ot this term here3and then +e *o )( into the si-th form 4' said "ilary. ' Fan.y /ein* at the to( of the s.hool4 $ remem/er +hen $ first .ame to St. Clare's0 $ tho)*ht the fifth and si-th formers +ere almost *ro+n<)(. $ hardly dared to s(ea, to them.' ' $ e-(e.t the yo)n* ones thin, the same thin* of )s0' said 8anet. ' $ ,no+ most of them s.)ttle o)t of my +ay +hen $ .ome alon*3li,e fri*htened ra//its 4' ' $ ha1e a yo)n* sister in the se.ond form this term0' said Cla)dine0 the Fren.h *irl. ' She .ame o1er +ith me from Fran.e. 'oo,3there she is0 the little Antoinette.' !he *irls loo,ed o)t of the +indo+. !hey sa+ a *irl of a/o)t fo)rteen0 1ery li,e the (ale<fa.ed0 dar,<haired Cla)dine0 standin* +at.hin* the others. She loo,ed 1ery self<(ossessed. '=on't yo) +ant to *o do+n and sho+ Antoinette ro)nd a /it 5 ' said 6at. ' $ /et she feels lonely and ne+.' 'Ah0 Antoinette +o)ld ne1er feel

so0' said Cla)dine. ' She .an stand on her o+n toes0 li,e me.' ' Stand on her o+n feet0 yo) mean0' said Bo//y0 +ith a .h).,le. ' 9o)'ll ne1er *et those En*lish sayin*s ri*ht0 Cla)dine. Ah3there's old &am'>elle 4' !he *irls +at.hed &am'>elle *oin* o)t into the *arden0 an an-io)s loo, on her fa.e. ' She is loo,in* for the little Antoinette0' said Cla)dine. ' She has not seen her for t+o years. Ah0 Antoinette +ill no+ /e s+am(ed in lo1e and affe.tion 4 &y a)nt +ill thin, her little nie.e Antoinette is as +onderf)l as me0 her nie.e Cla)dine 4' &am'>elle +as Cla)dine's a)nt0 and this fa.t +as at times )sef)l to Cla)dine0 and at other times0 em/arrassin*. For Antoinette 7)st then it +as most em/arrassin*. !he little Fren.h *irl had /een en7oyin* herself0 +at.hin* the e-.ited En*lish *irls .at.hin* hold of one another's arms0 s+in*in* ea.h other ro)nd0 .hasin* one another0 and *enerally /eha1in* in the )s)al s.hool<*irl +ay3a +ay0 ho+e1er0 that the dem)re Antoinette had not /een )sed to. !hen0 2)ite s)ddenly0 an a1alan.he des.ended )(on her0 t+o (l)m( arms almost stran*led her0 and a lo)d and e-.ited 1oi.e (o)red o)t Fren.h endearments in first one ear and then another. 'o)d ,isses +ere sma.,ed on ea.h .hee,0 and then another h)* .ame +hi.h made Antoinette *as( for /reath. ' Ah0 la (etite Antoinette0 mon (etit .ho)0' .ried &am'>elle at the to( of her 1oi.e. All the *irls sto((ed (layin* and stared at Antoinette and &am'>elle. !hey *i**led. $t +as (lain that Antoinette +as not at all (leased to /e *reeted in ()/li. in this +ay. She disentan*led herself as /est she .o)ld. She .a)*ht si*ht of her elder sister0 Cla)dine0 leanin* o)t of a hi*h +indo+0 *rinnin* in deli*ht. She (ointed )( to her at on.e. ' =ear !ante &athilde0 there is my sister Cla)dine +ho loo,s for yo). %o+ that she has seen yo) *reet me0 she +ill +ish yo) to *reet her too.' &am'>elle *lan.ed )( and sa+ Cla)dine. Still holdin* Antoinette0 she +a1ed franti.ally and /le+ ,isses. ' Ah0 there is the little Cla)dine too 4 Cla)dine0 $ .ome to em/ra.e yo).' Antoinette +ri**led a+ay and lost herself in the near/y .ro+d of *irls. &am'>elle t)rned her ste(s to+ards the door that led to the stairs. ' $ .ome0 $ .ome 4' she .alled to Cla)dine. ' And $ *o0' said Cla)dine0 ()shin* a+ay the *i**lin* *irls. ' &am'>elle +ill /e 2)ite o1er.ome this term +ith t+o nie.es here.' So0 +hen (oor &am'>elle (anted into the fifth<form .lassroom to em/ra.e her se.ond nie.e0 Cla)dine +as not to /e fo)nd. ' $ ha1e missed her0 /)t $ +ill find her 4' .ried &am'>elle0 and she /eamed ro)nd at the fifth formers there. ' Ah0 Bo//ee0 yo) ha1e .ome /a.,3and yo) An*ela 3and Alison3all of yo)0 the dear *irls 4 And yo) are *oin* to +or, hard for me this term0 so hard3for is it not ne-t term that yo) *o )( into the to( form0 the si-th form. !hat is indeed a solemn tho)*ht 4' !he Fren.h tea.her +ent o)t of the room0 h)ntin* for her dear Cla)dine. !he *irls la)*hed. ' =ear old &am'>elle0' said "ilary0 ' $ shall ne1er for*et her0 if $ li1e to /e a h)ndred 4 !he tri.,s +e'1e (layed on her3do yo) remem/er those a+f)l stin,</alls yo) had0 8anet0 +hen +e +ere in the fo)rth form 5 $ la)*hed till $ .ried then0 +hen $ sa+ &am'>elle's fa.e as the smell rea.hed her.' ' !here's only one ne+ *irl this term0' said 8anet ' in o)r form0 $ mean. $ sa+ her name on the list do+nstairs. She's .alled Anne<&arie 'on*den. And Feli.ity ay has .ome )( from the fo)rth form.' ' A/o)t time too0' said &ira/el. ' She's older than most of the fifth already. $ thin, she's a /it /atty.' '%o0 she's not3it's only that she's a real m)si.al *eni)s0' said ;ladys. ' 9o)'1e said yo)rself hea(s of times that

she is0 &ira/el. She doesn't seem to .are a/o)t anythin* /)t m)si.3other lessons 7)st roll off her0 li,e +ater off a d).,'s /a.,. She's al+ays /ottom of e1erythin* e-.e(t m)si..' ' #ell0 &iss Corn+allis +on't /e 1ery thrilled if Feli.ity ta,es no noti.e of anythin* /)t m)si.0' said Bo//y0 +ho had reason to ,no+ that the fifth<form mistress +as +hat the *irls .alled amon* themsel1es ' a real sla1e<dri1er'. ' $ /et Feli.ity +ill ,no+ more *eo*ra(hy0 history and maths this term than she has e1er ,no+n all the time she has /een at s.hool4' ' Any other *irls 5 ' said &ira/el. ' #ell0 it's f)nny0 Alma 6)dden's name +as do+n on the list of fifth formers0' said 8anet. ' B)t she's si-th form0 isn't she 5 $ mean0 +hen she .ame last term0 she +as ()t into the si-th form3/)t no+ her name is do+n for o)r form. 6erha(s she's /een ()t /a., into the fifth for some reason.' ' #ell0 $ +ish she +asn't0' said Bo//y. ' $ .an't say she thrills me. She's so li,e her name3()ddeny4 She's a /it li,e a s)et ()ddin*0 fat and stod*y and d)ll.' ' She's *ot a /eastly tem(er0' said "ilary. ' $ *)ess she +on't /e too (leased at .omin* do+n into the fifth form4' &atron a((eared at the door of the .lassroom +ith a tall0 slender0 dar,<eyed *irl0 +hose (ale /londe hair made her eyes seem 1ery /la., indeed. ' "allo0 fifth formers 4' she said0 her .heerf)l smile /eamin* at e1ery one. ' All /a., 5 ;ood *irls. %o+ don't any of yo) dare to *o do+n +ith m)m(s or measles0 .hi.,en (o- or anythin* else4 $'1e /ro)*ht yo) the only ne+ *irl for yo)r form3Anne<&arie 'on*den.' Anne<&arie smiled ner1o)sly. She +as not (retty0 /)t her *olden hair and dar, eyes made her rather stri,in*. ' "allo0' she said0 a+,+ardly0' are yo) all fifth formers 5 #hat are yo)r names 5 ' "ilary0 +ho +as head of the form0 introd).ed e1ery one 2)i.,ly. ' !hese are the O'S)lli1an t+ins0 6at and $sa/el. 9o)'ll (ro/a/ly ,no+ t'other from +hi.h in a fe+ terms4 !his is 8anet0 and this is o/erta0 .ommonly .alled Bo//y. 9o)'ll al+ays ,no+ her /y her fre.,les4 'oo, o)t for these t+o0 for they ,no+ more tri.,s than any one else.' Anne<&arie smiled (olitely. "ilary +ent on0 dra**in* first one *irl for+ard and then another. ' !his is =oris3she .an mimi. any one )nder the s)n. She'll /e mimi.,in* yo) /efore lon*0 Anne<&arie4' Anne<&arie did not loo, as if this thrilled her 1ery m).h. She tho)*ht =oris loo,ed a rather .l)msy0 st)(id *irl. She did not see the intelli*ent eyes and h)moro)s mo)th of the /orn a.tress that =oris +as. ' "ere's Carlotta0 dar, as a *y(sy 4' +ent on "ilary. Carlotta *a1e her )s)al .hee,y *rin. ' And (lease let me tell yo)0 Anne<&arie0 that $ +as on.e a .ir.)s<*irl0 and rode horses in a .ir.)s<rin*0' said Carlotta. ' An*ela is s)re to tell yo) that sooner or later0 so $ may as +ell tell yo) no+ 4' !he *olden<haired /ea)tif)l *irl .alled An*ela fl)shed +ith annoyan.e. $t +as 2)ite tr)e that she loo,ed do+n on Carlotta and al+ays had3/)t she had ho(ed that Carlotta had not tho)*ht of it the last term or t+o. Carlotta had a 1ery shar( ton*)e0 and lashed o)t )nmer.if)lly at any one she disli,ed. "ilary h)rried on0 ho(in* to a1ert a 2)arrel /et+een the hot<tem(ered Carlotta and the annoyed An*ela. ' !his is An*ela0' she said. ' O)r dream of /ea)ty 4' '9o)'1e for*otten the "ono)ra/le0' said a mali.io)s 1oi.e3Carlotta's. ' !he "ono)ra/le An*ela Fa1orlei*h4 An*ela m)st ha1e her la/el.' 'Sh)t )(0 Carlotta0' said "ilary. An*ela s.o+led0 ma,in* her lo1ely fa.e 2)ite )*ly for a moment. !hen she tossed her head and +ent o)t of the room. She had learnt /y no+ that /ea)ty and +ealth +ere no mat.h for a shar( +it li,e Carlotta's. An*ela mi*ht /e the most

/ea)tif)l *irl in the s.hool and the ri.hest0 /)t Carlotta .o)ld al+ays defeat her in a s2)a//le. '!his is 6am0 the /rains of the form0' said "ilary0 ()llin* a (lain0 )nder*ro+n *irl for+ard0 +ith *reat /i* *lasses on her short<si*hted eyes. ' She +or,s m).h too hard0 /)t no/ody .an sto( her 4' Some one (ee(ed in at the door. $t +as Cla)dine0 .ome to see if her a)nt +as still there. ' $t's all ri*ht. &am'>elle is still loo,in* for yo)0 /)t not here0' said Carlotta. ' Anne<&arie0 this is Cla)dine0 the Bad ;irl of the form3she only +or,s at +hat she li,es0 she al+ays *ets +hat she +ants 3and she doesn't .are ho+ she does it. She has /een here 2)ite a lon* time already0 tryin* to learn +hat she .alls : the En*lish sense of hono)r :3/)t she hasn't e1en smelt it yet 4' 'Ah0 yo) /ad Carlotta0' said the *ood<h)mo)red Cla)dine. ' Al+ays yo) ma,e f)n of me. $ am not so /ad0 and not so *ood.' &ira/el and ;ladys +ere ()lled for+ard0 and the (lain0 2)iet 6a)line0 +ho had on.e /een as /i* a /oaster as An*ela0 /)t had learnt a /itter lesson0 and +as no+ a m).h ni.er *irl. ' !here yo) are3that's the lot0' said "ilary0 ' e-.e(t Feli.ity0 o)r m)si.al *eni)s0 +ho is .omin* )( from the fo)rth form0 and hasn't arri1ed yet3and Alma 6)dden +ho .omes do+n from the si-th. $ ha1en't seen her a/o)t yet0 either.' ' $ ho(e yo) don't do anythin* +onderf)l4' said Bo//y0 to Anne<&arie. ' #hat +ith 6am's /rilliant /rains0 and An*ela's film<star /ea)ty0 and Feli.ity's m)si.al *eni)s0 the fifth form has *ot eno)*h +onderf)l (eo(le in it4 $ ho(e yo)'re a ni.e ordinary (erson0 Anne< &arie.' #ell3$'m not0' said Anne<&arie0 fl)shin* red. ' $'m 3$'m a (oet.' !here +as a dee( silen.e after this. A (oet 4 #hat e-a.tly did Anne<&arie mean /y that 5 ' #hat do yo) mean3yo) +rite (oetry0 or somethin* 5 ' said Bo//y. ' Oh0 hel( 4' ' 9o) .an't hel( /ein* a (oet0 if yo) are one0' said Anne<&arie. ' 9o)'re /orn a (oet. &y *randfather +as a famo)s (oet0 and my *reat<a)nt +as a *reat +riter. $t's in the family3and it's .ome o)t in me0 $ s)((ose. $'m al+ays +ritin* (oetry. &ostly in the middle of the ni*ht.' ' "el(4' said Bo//y0 a*ain. ' #e'1e had many 2)eer thin*s at St. Clare's3/)t not a (oet0 as far as $ remem/er. 9o) and Feli.ity +ill ma,e a (air4 She *ets )( in the middle of the ni*ht to +rite a t)ne3yo) *et )( to +rite (oems4 #ell 3yo)'ll /e a/le to ,ee( ea.h other .om(any 4' Another *irl ()t her head in at the door and the t+ins yelled to her. ' Alison4 #here ha1e yo) /een 5 Come and /e introd).ed to o)r (oet.' A (retty0 dainty *irl .ame into the room0 smilin*. $t +as the t+ins' .o)sin0 Alison. ' !his is Alison0' said 6at. ' O)r little featherhead. !hin,s of nothin* /)t her hair and her .om(le-ion and +hether she has a shiny nose0 and . . .' Alison +o)ld ha1e s.o+led0 or /)rst into tears a fe+ terms /efore0 at this .andid introd).tion0 /)t she +as thi.,er<s,inned no+. She merely l)n*ed o)t at 6at0 and nodded amia/ly at Anne<&arie. ' 9o)'d /etter loo, o)t0 Cla)dine0' she said0' yo)r a)nt is .omin* alon* the (assa*e.' ' 9o) .an't es.a(e no+0' said "ilary. ' 9o)'1e *ot to *o thro)*h +ith it3*o on0 it (leases old &am'>elle. She really is fond of yo)0 *oodness ,no+s +hy 4' &am'>elle s+e(t into the room0 sa+ Cla)dine and fl)n* herself on her. ' &a (etite Cla)dine4 "o+ are yo) 5 "o+ are yo)r dear father and mother0 and all the family 5 $ ha1e seen the little Antoinette3ah0 ho+ lonely and shy the (oor .hild loo,ed. $ ha1e .a,es and /is.)its for yo) /oth in my room3yo) +ill .ome no+0 this 1ery min)te0 and eat them +ith me 4' Cla)dine let herself /e ta,en off. !he others la)*hed. ' F)nny to thin, of Cla)dine /ein* a fifth<former4

6erha(s she +ill t)rn o1er a ne+ leaf no+ she's so hi*h )( in the s.hool.' B)t that +as the last thin* Cla)dine meant to do. She +ent her o+n +ay0 sayin* +hat she (leased0 doin* +hat she (leased0 and al+ays +o)ld. $t +as s)r(risin* that so many (eo(le li,ed her 4 ? S!@=$ES OF !"E$ O#% $! +as the r)le at St. Clare's that as soon as any *irl had /een in the fifth form for t+o terms she sho)ld /e allo+ed to ha1e a small st)dy of her o+n0 +hi.h she shared +ith one other *irl. !hese st)dies +ere tiny (la.es0 and the *irls .o)ld0 if they +ished0 f)rnish them themsel1es0 tho)*h the s.hool (ro1ided s).h thin*s as a ta/le0 .hairs and a .ar(et and shel1es. &ost *irls .ontented themsel1es +ith ()ttin* )( a (i.t)re or t+o0 /rin*in* their o+n 1ases for flo+ers0 a ta/le.loth or so0 and a .lo.,. A fe+ +ere more am/itio)s and *ot a .ar(et from home0 and may/e e1en an arm.hair. !he *irls themsel1es .hose the .om(anion +ith +hom they +anted to share a st)dy. !his +as not )s)ally diffi.)lt0 /e.a)se /y the time they rea.hed the to( forms the *irls had all more or less made their o+n friends0 and0 +hen they +ere in the fo)rth form0 had (lanned +ith +hom they +ere *oin* to share the st)dy. $t +as f)n arran*in* a/o)t the st)dies. !he (airs had to *o to &atron and tell her they +ere *oin* to share a st)dy0 and then &atron +o)ld allot one to them. ' Fan.y yo) ha1in* a st)dy 4' she +o)ld say. ' =ear me3it seems no time at all sin.e yo) +ere in the first form and $ nearly *a1e yo) a s(an,in* for not re(ortin* yo)r sore throats to me4' 6at and $sa/el O'S)lli1an +ere to share a st)dy0 of .o)rse. &ira/el and ;ladys +anted to as +ell. An*ela had as,ed Alison to share +ith her3/oth *irls had the same dainty tastes. ' $ /et there +ill /e nothin* /)t mirrors all the +ay ro)nd the +alls of yo)r st)dy 4' said Bo//y to Alison. $t +as a standin* 7o,e that Alison al+ays loo,ed into any mirror she (assed0 or e1en in the *lass of (i.t)res0 to see if her hair +as all ri*ht. Bo//y and 8anet +ere to share a st)dy. Both +ere tom/oys0 +ith a lo1e for (ra.ti.al 7o,es. #hat tri.,s +o)ld /e hat.hed o)t0 in their st)dy 4 One odd (air +as 6am Boardman0 the /rainy one of the form0 and =oris Ed+ard0 +ho +as al+ays near the /ottom. For all her /rillian.e at mimi.ry and a.tin*0 =oris .o)ld not do ordinary lessons +ell0 and admired 6am's /rains dee(ly. 6am had tried to hel( the /i**er *irl at times0 and a +arm friendshi( had s(r)n* )( /et+een them0 +hi.h made =oris s)**est sharin* a st)dy. 6am had left St. Clare's on.e0 /)t had missed it so m).h that her (arents had sent her /a., a*ain some time later0 !he lonely little 6am0 +ho had ne1er had a real friend0 at on.e +el.omed the idea of sharin* a st)dy +ith =oris. =oris made her la)*h0 she teased her and ()t on her /i* *lasses and mimi.,ed her. She +as *ood for 6am. ' #hom is Carlotta *oin* +ith 5' +ondered 6at. ' "ilary0 (erha(s. !hey li,e one another 1ery m).h.' B)t no3"ilary0 as head<*irl of the form0 had the hono)r of a st)dy all to herself. So Carlotta .o)ld not share +ith her. She .hose Cla)dine4 &atron +as o(enly do)/tf)l a/o)t this. ' 9o)'ll ha1e a mi*hty /ad effe.t on ea.h other0' she said. ' 9o)'re /oth as .hee,y and don't<.arish as .an /e. #hat yo)'ll /e li,e if yo) share a st)dy0 $ .an't thin,. B)t mind3any /ro,en f)rnit)re or re(orts of ro+diness0 and yo)'ll *o do+n to the .ommon room of the fo)rth formers.' ' Oh0 &atron<ho+ .an yo) thin, that +e sho)ld /e ro+dy 5' said Cla)dine0 ()ttin* on her most inno.ent loo,. ' $ shall ,ee( o)r st)dy /ea)tif)lly0 so /ea)tif)lly. =id $ not in the holidays em/roider t+o ta/le<.loths0 and three .)shion<.o1ers for o)r st)dy 5 '

Anne<&arie and Feli.ity +ere to share a st)dy0 altho)*h Feli.ity had not /een t+o terms in the fifth form0 and Anne<&arie +as ne+. &atron did not +ant them to /e the only t+o +itho)t a st)dy. ' !+o *eni)ses to*ether0' said Bo//y0 +ith a la)*h. ' !hey o)*ht to )se )( the midni*ht oil all ri*ht0 +ritin* (oems and t)nes4' %o one had as,ed 6a)line to share a st)dy +ith them0 and she had no friend to as,. She +as not a *irl that any one li,ed m).h0 for she +as en1io)s0 and had /een 1ery /oastf)l till the others had fo)nd o)t that all her +onderf)l tales +ere made )(. She had *one into her shell0 and no one ,ne+ 2)ite +hat the real 6a)line +as li,e. ' 9o) had /etter share +ith Alma 6)dden0' said &atron0 ti.,in* them off on the list. ' 9o)'re the only t+o left.' ' Oh0' said 6a)line0 dismally. She didn't li,e Alma 1ery m).h. %o/ody did. She +as so fat and )n+ieldy and /ad<tem(ered. B)t there +as no one else to share +ith0 so that +as that. ' #ell<that's the lot of yo)0' said &atron0 sh)ttin* her /oo,. ' 9o) all ,no+ the st)dy<r)les0 don't yo) 5 9o) .an ha1e yo)r teas there /y yo)rsel1es0 if yo) don't +ant to *o to the dinin*<room. 9o) .an *et in some one from the first or se.ond form to do any little 7o/ yo) +ant done. 9o) .an do yo)r (re(. there in the e1enin*s0 and yo) .an *o )( to /ed +hen yo) +ant to0 (ro1idin* it is not after ten o'.lo.,.' !he *irls felt free and inde(endent0 ha1in* little rooms of their o+n. !he st)dies +ere .osy .orners0 dens0 /its of home<they .o)ld /e arran*ed ho+ the *irls li,ed0 and the tiny fire<(la.es .o)ld /)rn .osy fires to sit /y. An*ela0 of .o)rse0 f)rnished hers li,e a miniat)re (ala.e. She /)ndled o)t e1ery /it of the s.hool f)rnit)re there0 and *ot her mother to send do+n thin*s from her o+n /edroom. She +ent do+n to the to+n +ith Alison0 and the t+o had a +onderf)l time .hoosin* .)rtain material0 .)shion<.o1ers and r)*s. !hey .ost a lot of money. Alison hadn't 1ery m).h0 /)t An*ela had had ma*nifi.ent ti(s from +ealthy )n.les and a)nts in the holidays0 and had sa1ed them )( for her st)dy. She s(ent la1ishly0 and +o)ld let no one into their room till it +as finished. !hen she and Alison *a1e a ' ho)se<+armin*' as they .alled it. !hey had ordered in .a,es and sand+i.hes from the lo.al /a,er0 and had /o)*ht lemonade and *in*er</eer. !he ta/le +as loaded +ith eata/les0 and a /ri*ht fire /)rnt in the *rate0 tho)*h the day +as far too hot. !he *irls .ro+ded in .)rio)sly. !hey *as(ed at the (olished f)rnit)re0 /ea)tif)l mirrors and (i.t)res0 the t+o arm<.hairs0 and the lo1ely r)*s. !hey fin*ered the sil, .)rtains and loo,ed at the /rilliant .hrysanthem)ms in the 1ases. ' #ell 4' said Bo//y0 ' 7)st +ait till &atron sees all this 4 She'll tell &iss !heo/ald yo) ha1e too m).h money to s(end0 An*ela 4' ' $ don't see that it's anythin* to do +ith &atron0' said An*ela0 stiffly. ' Alison and $ don't .onsider there is eno)*h /ea)ty or .omfort at St. Clare's3not as m).h as +e are )sed to at home0 any+ay3and no+ that +e ha1e a st)dy of o)r o+n0 +e don't see +hy +e .an't fill it +ith o)r o+n ideas. =on't yo) li,e it0 Bo//y 5' ' #ell3it's a /it too sho+y for me0' said Bo//y. ' 9o) ,no+ my sim(le tastes4 B)t yo) .ertainly ha1e made a mar1ello)s 7o/ of it0 An*ela3and this tea is s)(er4' !he other *irls added +hat they +anted to their st)dies. Cla)dine ()t o)t her em/roidered ta/le<.loths and .)shion<.o1ers. Carlotta added a fe+ thin*s she had /ro)*ht from S(ain0 one thin* es(e.ially *i1in* the little st)dy .olo)r and .hara.ter3a dee( red em/roidered sha+l from Se1ille. !he only (eo(le +hose st)dy +as 2)ite (lain and +itho)t .hara.ter +as the one shared /y 6a)line and

Alma. %either of them had any taste or m).h money0 and e-.e(t for a /l)e 1ase .ontri/)ted /y 6a)line and a tea<.osy as (l)m( as Alma herself *i1en /y Alma0 the little st)dy +as as /are as in the holidays. Alma 6)dden had a most )nfort)nate name. $t +o)ld not ha1e mattered a /it if she hadn't /een so li,e a s)et ()ddin* to loo, at0 /)t she +as. "er s.hool t)ni. al+ays loo,ed li,e a sa., tied ro)nd in the middle. "er eyes +ere almost hidden in her ro)nd0 (asty fa.e. $t +as the fifth formers +ho ni.,named her 6)ddin*0 and she hated it0 +hi.h +as not to /e +ondered at. $f she had la)*hed0 and said ' 9es0 $ am rather ()ddin*y3 /)t $ shall thin o)t soon4' the others +o)ld (ro/a/ly ha1e li,ed her0 and .alled her 6)ddin* more in affe.tion than in derision. B)t Alma fle+ into one of her /ad ra*es +hen she +as teased. She had 2)eer tem(ers3not hot ones0 2)i.,ly flarin* )( and do+n0 li,e Carlotta's or 8anet's3/)t .old0 s(itef)l ra*es. !ry as they +o)ld the others .o)ld not li,e anythin* a/o)t (oor Alma. 6oor 6a)line fo)nd sharin* a st)dy +ith Alma 1ery d)ll indeed. Alma seldom had any intelli*ent remar, to ma,e0 and tho)*h she (ored o1er her (re(. she rarely *ot *ood mar,s. She +as selfish too0 and al+ays too, the more .omforta/le .hair0 and hel(ed herself to more .a,es than 6a)line. Feli.ity and Anne<&arie fo)nd it rather tryin* to li1e to*ether in the same st)dy. Feli.ity tho)*ht there +as nothin* in the +orld /)t m)si.0 and she +as al+ays sin*in* or tryin* o)t t)nes on her 1iolin0 +hen Anne<&arie +anted to +or, or to +rite. ' Feli.ity 4 &)st yo) (lay that a+f)l0 *loomy t)ne a*ain 5' Anne<&arie +o)ld say. ' $'m tryin* to *et the last 1erse of this (oem ri*ht.' ' #hat (oem 5 $s it the one yo) +ere doin* last +ee, 5 ' Feli.ity +o)ld say. ' #ell0 it's a dreadf)l (oem 3all +ords and no meanin*. 9o) are no (oet0 Anne<&arie. #hy sho)ld $ sto( my m)si. in order that yo) sho)ld +rite third<rate (oetry 5' Feli.ity did not mean to /e r)de or e1en h)rtf)l. She +as0 as Bo//y said0 2)ite '/atty' a/o)t her m)si.. She +as +or,in* for a stiff e-am.0 the '. .A.&. and +as 1ery yo)n* indeed to ta,e it. &iss !heo/ald0 the "ead &istress0 did not +ant her to +or, for it0 and had already told Feli.ity's (eo(le that the *irl m)st li1e an ordinary life0 and ta,e more interest in ordinary thin*s. ' She is *ro+in* one<sided0' &iss !heo/ald e-(lained to Feli.ity's (arents0 +ho .ame to see her one day. ' Sometimes $ thin, she doesn't li1e in this +orld at all4 !hat is /ad for a yo)n* *irl. She is already far too old for the fo)rth form0 and yet is not fit to do the +or, of the fifth. B)t $ thin, $ had /etter ()t her )( into the fifth0 +here the *irls there of her o+n a*e +ill +a,e her )( a /it. $ +ish yo) +o)ld say that Feli.ity m)st ()t off +or,in* for this diffi.)lt m)si. e-am. for a year or t+o. She has (lenty of time /efore her 4' B)t Feli.ity's (eo(le +ere too (ro)d of their /rilliant da)*hter to ()t off any e-am. $t +o)ld /e +onderf)l to ha1e a *irl +ho +as the yo)n*est to (ass s).h an e-am. 4 ' 6)t her )( in the fifth form if yo) +ish0 &iss !heo/ald0' said Feli.ity's father. ' B)t don't let her sla.,en in any +ay in her m)si. st)dies. #e ha1e /een told she is a *eni)s0 and a *eni)s m)st /e hel(ed and en.o)ra*ed in e1ery +ay.' ' Of .o)rse0' said the "ead &istress0 ' /)t +e m)st /e s)re that o)r +ays of en.o)ra*ement are the ri*ht ones0 s)rely. $ don't li,e all this hard0 m)si.al +or, for so yo)n* a *irl0 +hen it means that other0 2)ite ne.essary +or, has to /e s.am(ed.' B)t it +as no )se tal,in* li,e that to Feli.ity's (arents. !heir *irl +as /rilliant0 and she m)st *o on /ein* e1en more /rilliant i And so it +as that Feli.ity +as ()t )(

into the fifth form0 to /e +ith *irls of her o+n a*e e1en tho)*h her +or, +as far /elo+ the form's standard3and yet had to +or, e1en harder at her m)si. than /efore. She did not li,e or disli,e Anne<&arie. She +as there and had to /e ()t )( +ith0 /)t so lon* as she did not interfere too m).h +ith her m)si.0 Feli.ity did not really noti.e her st)dy .om(anion. B)t Anne<&arie +as 7ealo)s of Feli.ity and her )ndo)/ted *eni)s. Anne<&arie +as .on1in.ed that she too +as a *eni)s. "er (eo(le +ere s)re she +as0 as +ell. !hey had her /est (oems framed0 they re.ited them to 1isitors0 +ho +ere too (olite to say +hat they really tho)*ht0 and they tried to *et ()/lishers to (rint them $t +as most annoyin* that the *irls at St. Clare's didn't seem to thin, anythin* of her lo1eliest (oems. !here +as that one /e*innin* : =o+n the lon* lanes of the F)t)re &y tear</edimmed eyes are (eerin*0 Only An*ela and Alma had /een im(ressed +ith it. %either of them had eno)*h /rains to ,no+ a *ood (oem from a /ad one0 and they .o)ld not see the +o)ld</e .le1erness and insin.erity of the lon* and ostentatio)s (oem. ' #hat's it mean 5' said Carlotta. ' $ may /e 1ery st)(id0 /)t $ don't )nderstand a +ord of it. #hy are yo)r eyes tear< /edimmed0 Anne<&arie 5 Are yo) so afraid of yo)r f)t)re 5 #ell0 $'m not s)r(rised0 if that's the +ay yo)'re *oin* to earn yo)r li1in* 4 9o) +on't *et m).h money.' '$t's tosh0' said Bo//y. '9o) +rite somethin* yo) really feel0 Anne<&arie0 and may/e yo)'ll *et somethin* *ood o)t of yo)r mind. !his is all (reten.e37)st tryin* to /e a+f)lly *ro+n<)( +hen yo)'re not.' So Anne<&arie +as /itterly disa((ointed that her *eni)s +as not re.o*ni>ed0 +hilst e1ery one a((arently a*reed that Feli.ity really +as *ifted. Still0 on the +hole0 the st)dy .om(anions *ot on fairly +ell0 some of them m).h /etter than others0 of .o)rse. !he t+ins rarely 2)arrelled0 and had so m).h the same tastes and li,in*s that sharin* a st)dy +as0 for them0 a thin* of deli*ht. Bo//y and 8anet too +ere 1ery ha((y to*ether0 and so +ere &ira/el and ;ladys. $t +as 2)eer at first to *et )sed to sendin* for the yo)n*er ones to do odd 7o/s. B)t on the +hole that +as 2)ite a *ood idea too. &any of the first formers0 for instan.e0 had /een head<*irls0 or at least in the to( forms of their (re(. s.hools0 and it did them *ood to /e at the /ottom of another s.hool0 ha1in*0 at times0 to r)sh off to do the /iddin* of the older *irls. !he t+ins remem/ered ho+ they had hated it at first. ' #e tho)*ht it +as /eneath o)r di*nity to li*ht someone's fire0 do yo) remem/er 5' said 6at to $sa/el0 as she (o,ed )( the fire that a first former had 7)st /een in to li*ht for her. ' $t +as 7olly *ood for )s. #e +ere so st)., )(3tho)*ht s).h a lot of o)rsel1es too4 #e *ot o)r .orners r)//ed off all ri*ht.' ' #e *et to ,no+ the yo)n*er ones too0' said $sa/el. ' !hey .hatter a+ay to )s +hen they .ome to do their 7o/s. $'m *ettin* to li,e some of the little first formers 1ery m).h. One or t+o of them +ill /e 1ery *ood at *ames3they are a+f)lly ,een.' 'An*ela sends for the yo)n* ones far too m).h0 tho)*h0' said 6at0 fro+nin*. ' She and Alison ma,e them do too many 7o/s. !hey'1e *ot a /it of (o+er0 and they are )sin* it /adly.' ' Better *et "ilary to ti., them off0' said $so/el0 ya+nin*. ' ;olly0 it's fi1e to ten. Come on0 +e'd /etter (a., )( and *o to /ed. $sn't it ran to *o +hen +e li,e 5 ' ' So lon* as it's not after ten o'.lo.,4' said 6at0 imitatin* &atron's .ris( 1oi.e. '")rry3or it +ill /e after ten 4' A !"E %E# E%;'$S" !EAC"E !"A! term there +ere a *reat many more *irls at St. Clare's in the yo)n*er forms0 and &iss !heo/ald de.ided to en*a*e an

e-tra mistress0 to ta,e some of the +or, off the sho)lders of the .lass<mistresses. So0 to the interest of all the *irls0 &iss #ill.o- a((eared. She +as (resent at Assem/ly the se.ond day and loo,ed ro)nd +ith 1a*)e0 rather so)lf)l eyes. ' "er name's &iss #ill.o-0' the *irls +his(ered to one another. 'She's a+f)lly .le1er. She's *oin* to ta,e En*lish. She +rites4 She has had a /oo, of (oetry ()/lished.' !he *irls all *a>ed at &iss #ill.o- +ith a+e. !hey tho)*ht that any one m)st indeed /e .le1er to ha1e +ritten a /oo,. &iss #ill.o- *a>ed /a., at the *irls0 her eyes dreamy and far a+ay. #hat .o)ld she /e thin,in* of 5 Another /oo,0 (erha(s 5 $t +as al+ays e-.itin* to ha1e a ne+ tea.her. #hat +o)ld she /e li,e in .lass 5 Stri.t 5 ")moro)s 5 'enient 5 =)ll 5 #o)ld she /e a *ood one to (lay a fe+ tri.,s on 5 ' $ thin, she loo,s most interestin*0' said Alison. ' $ do really. $ thin, she loo,s as if all ,inds of /ea)tif)l tho)*hts are (assin* thro)*h her mind.' 'She's (ro/a/ly +onderin* +hat there +ill /e for l)n.h0' said Bo//y. ' $ al+ays s)s(e.t those (eo(le that loo, dreamily into the distan.e. Anne<&arie does it sometimes0 and $ ,no+ 7olly +ell that half the time she's +onderin* if Feli.ity has remem/ered to *et the .a,es for tea0 or somethin* li,e that0 and the other half she's thin,in* of nothin* at all.' Anne<&arie +ished she .o)ld thin, of somethin* smart to say /a.,0 /)t she ne1er .o)ld. #ell3(oets +ere al+ays mis)nderstood0 she ,ne+ that. 6eo(le la)*hed at them0 and 7eered at their +or,3/)t then0 years after they +ere dead0 (eo(le said ho+ +onderf)l they +ere. '6erha(s &iss #ill.o- +ill ,no+ that $ am a real (oet0' she tho)*ht. ' $t +o)ld /e ni.e to ha1e some one on my side. $ daresay if &iss #ill.oreads my (oems and li,es them she +ill ma,e the others .han*e their minds. $'ll +or, a+f)lly hard in her .lasses0 and *et on her *ood side.' &iss #ill.o-'s lessons +ere .ertainly interestin*. !hey +ere filled +ith (lays and (oetry0 and the *irls +ere allo+ed to de/ate anythin* they li,ed0 so lon* as it had to do +ith literat)re. !here +as no do)/t that &iss #ill.o- ',ne+ her st)ff' as Bo//y ()t it. She +as 1ery +idely read0 had an e-.ellent memory0 and really did ,no+ ho+ to (i., o)t thin*s that +o)ld interest the *irls0 and ma,e them thin,. She +as a stran*e +oman to loo, at0 tho)*h3)ntidy0 1a*)e and *i1en to ' /its and (ie.es' as 8anet said. A s.arf +o)nd ro)nd her ne.,0 a /rilliant /elt0 a 1ery stri,in* hand,er.hief. She +ore *old<headed (ins in her /la., hair0 and her dresses all had a dra(y loo, a/o)t them. !hey did not really fit her. She had an affe.ted 1oi.e +hi.h rather s(oilt her readin* of (oetry0 for she (it.hed it dee( and lo+0 +hen really it sho)ld ha1e /een 2)ite ordinary. She had *ra.ef)l0 dramati. *est)res0 +hi.h filled Alison's romanti. so)l +ith deli*ht. Alison .o(ied one or t+o of the *est)res. She fl)n* o)t her hand dramati.ally +hen she +as tellin* 6at and $sa/el somethin*0 and hit Bo//y +ith the /a., of her fin*ers. ' "ey4 ' said Bo//y. ' O)r feather<head is .o(yin* &iss #ill.o- 4 Alison0 yo)'re not *oin* to lose yo)r heart to her0 are yo) 5 ' Alison +ent red. She al+ays /l)shed 1ery easily0 +hi.h annoyed her. ' $ don't ,no+ +hat yo) mean0' she said. ' $ admire &iss #ill.o-0 $ m)st say. "er ,no+led*e of En*lish literat)re is mar1ello)s.' ' Oh0 Alison 4' *roaned Bo//y. ' =on't say yo)'re *oin* to +orshi( &iss #ill.o-. "a1en't yo) *ot o1er that silly ha/it yet 5 9o) ne1er .hoose the ri*ht (eo(le to +orshi(0 either 4' ' #hy isn't &iss #ill.o- the ri*ht (erson 5 ' said Alison tryin* to s(ea, .oldly0 tho)*h she felt 1ery hot and .ross. ' She's .le1er3she's +ritten a /oo, of most mar1ello)s

(oetry3she's *ot a lo1ely dee( 1oi.e0 and $ thin, she's most (i.t)res2)e<loo,in*.' ' @ntidy and messy0 yo) mean0' said Bo//y0 in dis*)st. ' 6i.t)res2)e<loo,in*0 indeed 4 #hat an idiot yo) are0 Alison. $ thin, &iss #ill.o- +ants smartenin* )( and ma,in* tidy. ;old<to((ed (ins in her hair3*osh0 it nearly made me si., to see them.' Bo//y +as *oin* to e-tremes and did not mean all she said. She +as s).h a do+nri*ht0 /oyish (erson0 she so m).h hated nonsense and sho+0 that (eo(le li,e &iss #ill.omade her ' *o off the dee( end' and say more than she meant. 'Oh0 &iss #ill.o- is not so /ad as yo) ma,e o)t0 Bo//y0' said 6at0 seein* that Alison loo,ed as if she +as a/o)t to /)rst into tears. 'And she's not so +onderf)l as yo) ma,e o)t0 either0 Alison. Any+ay3 for *oodness' sa,e don't ()t on a +orshi((in* a.t this term. 9o)'1e /een fairly sensi/le the last t+o terms or so.' Alison t)rned a+ay. ' emem/er &iss B)entin0' said Bo//y0 +arnin*ly. '=on't ma,e the same mista,e a*ain4' &iss B)entin had /een +orshi((ed /y Alison +hen she +as in a lo+er form0 and Alison had /een /itterly h)rt /y her0 /e.a)se she had fo)nd o)t that the mistress +as la)*hin* at her /ehind her /a.,. She had learnt a hard lesson then and had /een more .aref)l +hom she *a1e her heart to. B)t no+ it loo,ed as if she +as *oin* to start all o1er a*ain4 ' $t's no *ood tryin* to sto( her0' said 6at0 +at.hin* her .o)sin as she left the room0 her head hi*h in the air0 and her .hee,s /)rnin*. '9o) only ma,e her +orse0 Bo//y. She *oes all loyal and intense.' ' #ell0 $'1e said my say0' said Bo//y. ' $t +o)ldn't matter a /it if only Alison +o)ld .hoose some/ody de.ent0 /)t she ne1er does.' ' $f &iss #ill.o- +as sensi/le she'd ni( Alison in the /)d0' said 6at. ' &iss Corn+allis soon ni(s any silliness in the /)d 4 So do the other mistresses. $ .an see that &iss #ill.o- is *oin* to en.o)ra*e that a+f)l Anne<&arie too.' '#ell3let her4' said Bo//y. '$f she +ants the Alisons and Anne<&aries of the +orld sittin* at her feet0 she's +el.ome to them. Come on3let's *o and see if the .o)rt is hard eno)*h for tennis.' !hey (assed Alma 6)dden on the +ay o)t. !he *irl loo,ed rather d)ll and misera/le. 6at felt sorry for her. ' Come and ha1e a *ame 4' she .alled. ' &a,e )( a fo)r.' ' $ .an't r)n0' said Alma0 in her )s)al d)ll 1oi.e. ' $'m too fat.' ' #ell0 it +ill *et yo)r fat do+n a /it0' said $sa/el. ' Come on 4' B)t no3Alma +as almost as o/stinate at ref)sin* any e-er.ise as Cla)dine +as. Cla)dine *ot o)t of all *ames if she .o)ld0 and e1en o)t of the nat)re +al,s. At first she had arran*ed matters so that &atron (iled mendin* on her0 +hi.h had to /e done in *ames time3/)t &atron had *ot +ise to this little tri., after a time0 and Cla)dine s)ddenly fo)nd that she had not eno)*h mendin* to ma,e an e-.)se for missin* o)t<door life. B)t Cla)dine +as not to /e defeated in anythin*. $f she did ha1e to ()t on *ames .lothes and shoes0 and a((ear on the field or .o)rt0 she +o)ld /e ta,en +ith 1iolent .ram(s0 or +o)ld feel si.,0 and ha1e to *o off. $t +as sim(ly ama>in* ho+ she mana*ed to slide o)t of the thin*s she disli,ed. She and Carlotta +ere a real (air in their st)dy. Carlotta +o)ld not do thin*s she disli,ed either0 if she .o)ld *et o)t of them /)t she )sed o(en and dire.t methods0 +hereas Cla)dine really en7oyed *ettin* her +ay se.retly0 ()ttin* on an inno.ent fa.e all the time. !hey /oth made +ar a*ainst &ira/el0 +ho0 to her intense deli*ht0 had /een made s(orts .a(tain for the s.hool that term0 as she had ho(ed. ;ladys had /een made 1i.e< .a(tain0 and this (leased them /oth. ;ladys +as small0 /)t 1ery 2)i., and deft on

the (layin*<field or tennis .o)rt0 and a fine little s+immer. Also0 she +as 1ery *ood at dealin* +ith some of the shy0 yo)n*er *irls0 +ho +ere a /it afraid of &ira/el's heartiness and dri1e. &ira/el +as a ty(i.al s(orts .a(tain0 lo)d<1oi.ed0 hearty in manner0 stra((in* in fi*)re0 and not 1ery sensiti1e to the feelin*s of others. She +as al+ays tryin* to ma,e Alison0 Cla)dine0 An*ela and Carlotta ta,e more interest in the *ames0 and they +ere 7)st as determined not to. $t annoyed her intensely +hen they +o)ld not t)rn )( at (ra.ti.es she had arran*ed0 or *ot /ored on the field and tal,ed. ' !his &ira/el0 she is a (est0' .om(lained Cla)dine to her a)nt0 &am'>elle. ' Al+ays she +ants me to *o to the field and ma,e myself hot and dirty and )ntidy. Can yo) not tell her my heart is +ea,0 ma tante 5 ' ' Cla)dine4 "a1e yo) a +ea, heart0 my .hild 5 !his yo) ha1e ne1er told me /efore 4' .ried &am'>elle0 in alarm. : "a1e yo) a (ain 5 9o) m)st *o to &atron.' !his +as the last thin* that Cla)dine +anted to do. &atron +as the one (erson +ho .onsistently dis/elie1ed all that Cla)dine said. ' %o0 $ ha1e no (ain0' said Cla)dine0 dem)rely. ' Only 7)st a little fl)tter here3no+ and a*ain +hen $ r)n or *o )( the stairs.' &am'>elle loo,ed at Cla)dine hard. She lo1ed her dearly0 /)t it did sometimes .ross her mind that her nie.e mi*ht de.ei1e her in order to *ain her o+n ends. Cla)dine had (ressed her hand o1er the (la.e +here she tho)*ht her heart +as0 to sho+ +here the fl)tter .ame3/)t )nfort)nately she +asn't indi.atin* the ri*ht (la.e. '!iens4' said &am'>elle0 half<alarmed still /)t a little an*ry. ' !hat is not yo)r heart. !hat is yo)r stoma.h. &ay/e yo) need a dose of *ood medi.ine.' Cla)dine disa((eared at on.e. She +as not *oin* to ha1e any of &atron's *ood medi.ine. She made )( her mind to find o)t e-a.tly +here her heart +as0 so that another time she +o)ld not ma,e a mista,e. After a fe+ days the fifth form settled do+n into their )s)al familiar ro)tine. !hey ta.,led their ne+ +or,0 *r)m/led and *ro)sed0 la)*hed and tal,ed0 (layed *ames and +ent to /ed tired o)t. $t +as a *ood life0 an interestin*0 f)ll and friendly one. Sometimes the fifth formers felt a little sad +hen they tho)*ht that they had only one more form to *o into3and then St. Clare's +o)ld /e left /ehind for e1er. !here +as to /e a stiff e-am. half<+ay thro)*h the term0 +hi.h e1ery one +as to ta,e0 e1en =oris and Alma and Feli.ity0 +ho felt a/sol)tely .ertain they +o)ld not /e a/le to (ass it. ' B)t it +on't do yo) any harm to +or, for it0' said &iss Corn+allis0 in her .ris( 1oi.e. ' $f yo) .o)ld 7)st *et a 6ass $ sho)ld feel yo) had a.hie1ed somethin* 4 $ shall allo+ yo) to rela-0 all of yo)0 after the e-am. is o1er0 /)t $ m)st insist that yo) do yo)r 1ery /est for the first half of the term0 and really st)dy hard.' So there +as some 1ery hard +or, done in the little st)dies that term. Carlotta *roaned o1er her maths and Cla)dine ()>>led o1er *rammar. Feli.ity tried to learn her En*lish literat)re and to +rite essays +hi.h )s)ally ended a/r)(tly /e.a)se she had s)ddenly tho)*ht of a ne+ t)ne. Anne<&arie r)shed thro)*h all her (re(. e-.e(t the En*lish and then s(ent la/orio)s ho)rs o1er that0 ho(in* to +in a((ro1al from &iss #ill.o-. E1en =oris and An*ela +or,ed0 tho)*h neither of them li,ed it. S.hool +as f)n3/)t it +as hard +or, too 4 C A%;E'A 'OSES "E !E&6E !"E little first formers .ame and +ent at the /iddin* of the fifth. !hey ran errands0 they made toast for tea and they .hattered a/o)t their affairs to any one +ho +o)ld listen. &ira/el +as al+ays ,indest to those +ho +ere *ood at *ames. She

en.o)ra*ed them to (ra.tise +ell at .at.hin* and r)nnin* for la.rosse0 she made )( the teams for the s.hool0 and .oa.hed them +ell in her s(are time. !he yo)n*er *irls tho)*ht she +as +onderf)l. '9o) ,no+0 that little &olly #illiams is a+f)lly *ood0' said &ira/el to ;ladys0 +hen she +as ma,in* )( the teams one day. ' $'1e a *ood mind to let her (lay in the third team0 ;ladys. And 8ane !eal is *ood too0 if she +o)ld (ra.tise r)nnin* a /it more. She .o)ld /e 2)ite fast.' ''ittle Antoinette is 7)st as /ad as Cla)dine0' said ;ladys. ' $ .an't *et her to (ra.tise at all0 or to ta,e any interest in *ames. Cla)dine doesn't /a., as )( there0 either. She is al+ays tellin* Antoinette *ood e-.)ses to ma,e.' '$'m tired of Cla)dine and her silly +ays0' said &ira/el0 im(atiently. ' She's .)nnin*. She'll *et herself e-(elled one day 4' ' Oh0 no3 she isn't as /ad as that0' said ;ladys0 2)ite sho.,ed. ' She's 7)st different from )s0 that's all. She's /etter than she +as.' ' $ sho)ld ho(e so0 after all these terms at St. Clare's0' said &ira/el0 +ritin* the list of *irls for the third team. ' #ell3$'1e ()t &olly #illiams do+n3she'll /e thrilled.' ' $t's a (ity An*ela and Alison order the yo)n* ones a/o)t so m).h0' said ;ladys. ' !hey ha1e al+ays *ot one or other of them in their st)dy0 doin* somethin* for them. An*ela e1en *ot 8ane !eal in to do some mendin* for her0 and that's not allo+ed.' ' $'ll s(ea, to 8ane a/o)t it0' said &ira/el0 in her dire.t +ay. ' $'ll tell her she's not s)((osed to do An*ela's mendin*0 and she m)st )se that time to *et o)t on the (ra.ti.e field.' '#ell3+o)ldn't it /e /etter to tell An*ela that0 not 8ane 5' said ;ladys. ' $t +o)ld .ome /etter from An*ela0 if she told 8ane to sto( doin* her mendin*0 than it +o)ld from yo).' ' $'ll deal +ith 8ane myself0' said &ira/el0 1ery m).h the s(orts .a(tain0 rather o1er</earin* and arro*ant that mornin*. ' 8ane's fond of An*ela0' said ;ladys0 as &ira/el +ent o)t of the roon. &ira/el snorted. ' She loo,s )( to me no end0' she said. ' $'m (retty .ertain she'll do +hat $ +ant0 and not +hat An*ela says. 9o) really .an lea1e these thin*s to me0 ;ladys.' &ira/el fo)nd 8ane !eal and .alled to her. ' "ie 8ane 4 Come here a min)te 4' !he fo)rteen<year<old 8ane0 small0 sli*ht and 2)i.,0 +ent to &ira/el0 her fa.e fl)shin*. She +ondered if &ira/el +as *oin* to tell her she +as to (lay in the third team +ith &olly. #hat a thrill that +o)ld /e 4 ' 8ane0' said &ira/el0 in her dire.t +ay0 ' $ +ant yo) to do a /it more (ra.tisin* in the field the ne-t fe+ +ee,s. 9o)'ll /e *ood if yo) really do (ra.ti.e. 9o) o)*ht to ha1e /een o)t this +ee,. $ hear yo)'1e /een doin* An*ela's mendin* instead0 and yo) ,no+ yo) don't need to do that.' ' $ li,e to0' said 8ane0 fl)shin* a*ain. ' $'m *ood at se+in* and An*ela isn't. $ li,e doin* thin*s for her.' ' #ell0 yo) *i1e that )( and (ay more attention to *ames0' said &ira/el. '$'m in .har*e of *ames and $ +ant the *ood (layers doin* their /est.' ' $ +ill do my /est0' said 8ane0 (ro)d to hear the *reat &ira/el say that she +as one of the *ood (layers. 'B)t $ did (romise An*ela to do all her mendin* this term3at least $ offered to0 &ira/el.' '#ell0 yo) m)st tell her yo) .an't0' said &ira/el0 +ho 2)ite failed to see that anythin* mattered e-.e(t +hat she +anted herself. 'B)t 3 she'll /e 1ery .ross and )(set3 and $ do li,e doin* thin*s for her0' said 8ane0 half<fri*htened0 /)t o/stinate. '$ 3 $ thin, she's /ea)tif)l0 &ira/el. =on't yo)5' '$ don't see +hat that's *ot to do +ith it0' said &ira/el0 im(atiently. 'Any+ay0 $'m yo)r s(orts .a(tain and yo)'1e *ot to do as yo)'re told. $f yo) don't0 $ shan't let yo) (lay in e1en the fo)rth team0 let alone the third.' &ira/el's tone +as shar(. She t)rned on her heel and

+ent off. 8ane loo,ed after her0 and tears smarted in her eyes. She admired &ira/el so m).h3and she did li,e An*ela so m).h too. An*ela had s).h a lo1ely smile and she said s).h ni.e thin*s. !he other *irl she shared her st)dy +ith +as ni.e too3 Alison. 8ane +ent to find her friend0 Sally. She told her all that &ira/el had said and Sally listened. '#ell0' said Sally0' yo)'ll ha1e to do +hat &ira/el tells yo) if yo) +ant to (lay in the third team and ha1e some *ood mat.hes. #hy don't yo) *o to An*ela and tell her +hat &ira/el has said 5 9o) ,no+ 2)ite +ell that if she is as s+eet and ,ind as yo) say she is0 she'll say at on.e that of .o)rse yo) m)stn't do her mendin* any more.' 'Oh3that's a *ood idea0' said 8ane0 loo,in* ha((ier. '$ .o)ldn't /ear to )(set An*ela0 Sally. $ do really thin, she's +onderf)l. $ sho)ld /e misera/le if she +as an*ry +ith me.' '!ell her +hen yo) *o and ma,e toast for her tea today0' said Sally. So that afternoon0 rather trem/lin*ly0 8ane /e*an to tell An*ela +hat &ira/el had said. ' An*ela0' she /e*an0 ()ttin* a (ie.e of /read on to the toastin*<for,0 'An*ela0 $'1e /ro)*ht yo)r mendin* /a.,. $'1e done e1erythin*0 e1en that sto.,in* that had a ladder all the +ay do+n the /a., of the le*.' '!han,s0 8ane0' said An*ela and *a1e 8ane a smile that thrilled her. 'B)t3$ don't /elie1e $'ll /e a/le to do it m).h more0' +ent on 8ane. ' #hy e1er not 5 ' demanded An*ela. ' 9o) (romised yo) +o)ld. $ hate (eo(le +ho /a., o)t of thin*s +hen they ha1e (romised to do them.' ' #ell0 yo) see3&ira/el s(o,e to me a/o)t it today0' said 8ane0 rather des(erately. ' She said3she said33' ' Oh0 $ .an *)ess +hat she said0' said An*ela sneerin*ly. ' She said yo) +ere a +onderf)l (layer3and yo) m)st (ra.tise more3and yo) m)stn't do odd 7o/s for that horrid An*ela. And yo) mee,ly said yo) +o)ldn't. 'ittle t)rn<.oat.' ' Oh An*ela0 don't tal, li,e that0' said (oor 8ane0 ' $t's not fair. Of .o)rse &ira/el didn't s(ea, a*ainst yo). B)t $ ha1e to do +hat she says0 don't $ 5 She's s(orts .a(tain.' ' $ don't see +hy any one has to do +hat dear0 hearty0 lo)d<1oi.ed &ira/el says 4' said An*ela. ' $ don't see +hy /e.a)se she's mad on somethin* she sho)ld e-(e.t e1ery one else to /e mad on it too. !his (assion for *ames0 *ames0 *ames4 $ a*ree +ith Cla)dine that it's silly.' ' Oh0 /)t An*ela0' said 8ane0 sho.,ed0 ' *ames are lo1ely. And they ma,e yo) *et the team<s(irit too0 and (lay for yo)r side instead of yo)rself3and33' '=on't (rea.h at me0' said An*ela0 an*rily. ' 9o)'re only a half</a,ed first former. $ don't .are +hat yo) do0 any+ay. ;o and (ra.tise r)nnin* and .at.hin* mornin*0 noon0 and ni*ht if yo) +ant to. $ shall .ertainly not allo+ yo) to do anythin* for me in f)t)re. $ don't li,e t)rn<.oats. 'ea1e that toast and *o and find Diolet "ill and send her to me. She .an do my 7o/s instead of yo).' 8ane +as horrified at this o)t/)rst. She had *i1en her heart to the /ea)tif)l0 radiant An*ela0 and no+ it +as treated as r)//ish4 An*ela didn't +ant her any more. She +o)ld ha1e that silly Diolet "ill0 +ho adored An*ela from afar and +o)ld do anythin* for a smile from her. 8ane *a1e a so/ and r)shed o)t of the room. $n a fe+ min)tes Diolet "ill .ame in0 thrilled to /e sent for. An*ela *a1e her orders in a la>y 1oi.e0 am)sed to see ho+ the little first former almost trem/led +ith e-.itement as she tidied )( the room0 and h)n* on An*ela's li*htest +ord. Alison .ame in after a +hile and loo,ed s)r(rised to see Diolet there instead of 8ane. ' #here's o)r de1oted 8ane 5 ' she as,ed. An*ela told her in a fe+ +ords +hat had ha((ened. Diolet "ill listened ea*erly. She +as *lad that 8ane +as in dis*ra.e. She +o)ld sho+ An*ela ho+ m).h

ni.er she0 Diolet0 +as 4 #hen Diolet +ent o)t Alison s(o,e rather shortly to An*ela. ' 9o) sho)ldn't ha1e said all that in front of Diolet. 9o) ,no+ ho+ ,een 8ane +as on yo)3she'll ha1e a fit if she ,no+s all this +ill /e (assed ro)nd her form.' ' Ser1es her ri*ht0' said An*ela0 1i.io)sly. ' An*ela0 yo) ma,e these ,ids a+f)lly silly0' said Alison0 after a (a)se. ' $ don't really thin, yo) treat them (ro(erly. 9o) o)*htn't to let them thin, yo)'re so +onderf)l. $ /et (oor 8ane is .ryin* her eyes o)t. 9o) ,no+ &iss !heo/ald disli,es that ,ind of thin*.' An*ela +ent (ale +ith ra*e. She al+ays hated /ein* fo)nd fa)lt +ith. She *lared at Alison and tried to thin, of somethin* really .)ttin*. She fo)nd +hat she +anted at last. ' eally0 Alison0' she said0 in her li*htest0 most 7eerin* 1oi.e0 ' really0 Alison3+ho are yo) to tal, of thin,in* (eo(le +onderf)l4 9o)'re a (erfe.t ninny o1er that +onderf)l &iss #ill.o- of yo)rs0 aren't yo)5 #hy0 yo)'re e1en tryin* to .o(y that dee( 1oi.e of hers. $t 7)st ma,es me la)*h.' Alison +as dee(ly h)rt. #hen she +as fond of any one she .o)ld not /ear to hear a sin*le +ord said a*ainst them. ' &iss #ill.o- is an a/sol)tely sin.ere (erson0' she said0 +ith di*nity. ' !hat's +hy $ li,e her. 9o)'1e no interest in En*lish literat)re0 or anythin* at all really0 e-.e(t yo)rself0 An*ela3so yo) .an't )nderstand my admirin* any one +ith s).h an interestin* .hara.ter as &iss #ill.o-.' '!osh0' said An*ela0 r)dely. !he t+o *irls said no more to ea.h other that e1enin*. An*ela f)med in silen.e and Alison +rote a lon* and0 as she fondly ho(ed0 intelli*ent essay for &iss #ill.o-. $t +as not a 1ery ha((y e1enin*. An*ela had her ,nife into &ira/el after that. She did not dare to *o and ta.,le &ira/el o(enly a/o)t 8ane0 /e.a)se she +as afraid of &ira/el's r)deness. &ira/el +as tastin* (o+er for the first time as s(orts .a(tain0 and she +as rather arro*ant and /l)nt in her s(ee.h. Also she +as 1ery thi.,<s,inned and An*ela des(aired of /ein* a/le to say anythin* that +o)ld h)rt her. So she had to .ontent herself +ith loo,in* at her sneerin*ly0 and sayin* mo.,in* thin*s /ehind her /a.,. B)t as sneerin* *lan.es and +ords +ere ty(i.al of An*ela +hen she +as )(set a/o)t somethin*0 no one too, m).h noti.e0 &ira/el least of all. An*ela made thin*s )( +ith Alison0 not so m).h /e.a)se she +anted to0 /)t /e.a)se she sim(ly had to ha1e some one to tal, to and air her 1ie+s to. Also0 Alison *en)inely admired her loo,s and her .lothes0 and it +as al+ays (leasant to /as, in admiration of that sort. Alison +as not foolish +ith An*ela as she had /een +hen she first .ame. She no lon*er s(oilt her and (raised her and a*reed +ith e1erythin*. B)t she .o)ld not hide her real admiration of the lo1ely *irl +ith her shinin* *olden hair0 and /rilliant /l)e eyes. She +as *lad to ma,e )( the 2)arrel +ith An*ela0 for she +anted to tal, a/o)t &iss #ill.o-3ho+ +onderf)l she +as in .lass0 +hat /ea)tif)l (oetry she +rote0 ho+ +ell she re.ited in that so)lf)l 1oi.e of hers. So0 in ret)rn for admiration0 An*ela listened0 rather into /ored0 to all that Alison +anted to say. !hey +ere friends a*ain3/)t it +o)ld not ta,e m).h to t)rn them into enemies on.e more 4 E "A = #O K3A%= A '$!!'E F@% !"E fifth form +ere .ertainly +or,in* 1ery hard. &iss Corn+allis ,e(t their noses to the *rindstone0 as 6at said0 and (iled (re(. on to them. &iss #ill.o- e-(e.ted a *reat deal of them too. &iss !heo/ald0 the "ead0 too, the form for one or t+o lessons and altho)*h she did not *i1e them a *reat deal of (re(. the *irls felt that +hat she did *i1e them m)st /e s(e.ially +ell done. #hen &am'>elle (iled (re(. on them too0 the *irls *re+

indi*nant. ' ;ra.io)s 4 #hat +ith all that maths. to do0 and that ma( to dra+0 and those Fren.h (oems to memori>e0 and that essay for &iss #ill.o-0 +e'll all ha1e ner1o)s /rea,do+ns 4' *roaned Bo//y Only 6am Boardman did not seem to mind. She had an ama>in* memory0 and had only to loo, at a (a*e on.e to ,no+ it /y heart. =oris en1ied her this *ift from the /ottom of her heart. ' $'1e no memory at all for lessons0' she si*hed. ' #hat $ learn in the mornin* $'1e for*otten in the e1enin*.' ' #ell0 if yo)'re *oin* to /e an a.tress0 yo)'ll ha1e (arts to learn0 +on't yo) 5 ' said 6am. ' !he f)nny thin* is0 +hen $ a.t a (art and say the +ords o)t lo)d0 $ .an remem/er them 2)ite easily0' said =oris. ' $ ne1er for*et them then. $t's sittin* h)n.hed )( o1er a /oo,0 readin* and re<readin* the +ords that *ets me do+n.' ' #ell0 =oris0 stand )( and re.ite the +ords o)t lo)d0 and a.t them if yo) +ant to0' said 6am0 a *leam of f)n .omin* into her solemn eyes. '"ere<<ta,e this Fren.h (oem<<it's all a/o)t the so</ea)tif)l .o)ntry<side0 as &am'>elle +o)ld say. e.ite it o)t lo)d0 a.t the .o+s and the shee(0 fris, +hen yo) .ome to the (art +here the little lam/s (lay0 and +addle li,e a d)., +hen yo) *et to them. 9o)'ll soon learn it.' So0 to the ama>ement of 6at and $sa/el0 +ho loo,ed in at 6am's st)dy to /orro+ a /oo,0 =oris thre+ herself heart0 so)l and /ody into the Fren.h (astoral (oem. She de.laimed the (oem lo)dly0 +ith *est)res of all ,inds. She fris,ed li,e a lam/0 she .he+ed .)d li,e a .o+0 she +addled li,e a d).,. $t +as (erfe.t. !he *irls shrie,ed +ith la)*hter. =ons had t)rned the solemn and rather hea1y Fren.h (oem into a real .omedy. ' %o+ 3 do yo) ,no+ it 5 ' said 6am0 +hen =oris finished0 and sat do+n (antin* in a .hair. =oris s.re+ed )( her nose and tho)*ht hard. ' 'et me see0' she said0 ' it /e*ins li,e this . . .' B)t )ntil she *ot )( and a.ted the (oem as she had done /efore0 she .o)ld not remem/er a +ord. $t +as e1idently the a.tin* that /ro)*ht the +ords to her mind. ' #ell 3 yo) do ,no+ the (oem0' said 6am0 (leased. '9o) +on't for*et it no+. &am'>elle +ill /e (leased +ith her .here =oris tomorro+ 4 ' =oris0 ho+e1er0 +as not in &am'>elle's *ood /oo,s the ne-t day. "er Fren.h e-er.ise +as nothin* /)t mista,es and +as slashed ri*ht a.ross +ith &am'>elle's thi., /l)e (en.il. &am'>elle ne1er s(ared her /l)e (en.il +hen she +as annoyed0 and a (a*e disa((ro1ed of /y her +as al+ays a terri/le si*ht. ' Ah0 yo) =oris 4 ' /e*an &am'>elle0 +hen she +as *oin* thro)*h the +or, +ith her .lass. ' 9o) 4 "a1e $ had yo) on my th)m/ . . .' ' @nder my th)m/0' said Bo//y0 +ith a *rin. &am'>elle *lared at her and res)med0 ' "a1e $ had yo) on my th)m/ for all these terms and still yo) do not ,no+ that a ta/le is she not he. #hy are yo) not in the ,inder*arten 5 #hy .an yo) still not (rono)n.e the Fren.h 5 All the others .an. 9o) are a *reat /i* st)(id *irl.' ' 9es0 &am'>elle0' said (oor =oris0 mee,ly. #hen &am'>elle fle+ into a ra*e0 it +as /est to /e mee,. B)t for some reason =oris's mee,ness irritated &am'>elle e1en more. 'Ah3yo) mo., at me no+4 : 9es0 &am'>elle : yo) say0 +ith yo)r ton*)e in yo)r mo)th and /)tter meltin* in yo)r .hee, 4' .ried &am'>elle0 *ettin* thin*s mi-ed )( as )s)al. !he *irls *i**led. '9o) mean0 +ith yo)r ton*)e in yo)r .hee,0 and /)tter that +on't melt in yo)r mo)th0' s)**ested Bo//y a*ain. ' =o not tell me +hat $ mean0 Bo//ee0' said &am'>elle0 e-as(erated. ' Al+ays yo) interr)(t. =oris0 stand )(.' =oris stood )(0 her h)moro)s mo)th t+it.hin*. She +o)ld a.t this s.ene after+ards for the /enefit of the *irls.

"o+ they +o)ld la)*h $ ' 9o)r +ritten +or, is 1ery /ad. %o+ let me hear yo)r oral +or,0' demanded &am'>elle. ' 9o) ha1e learnt the Fren.h (oem 5 9es3then let me hear it. Be*in4' =oris .o)ldn't thin, of a sin*le +ord. She stared into the distan.e0 ra.,in* her /rains. She ,ne+ there +ere all ,inds of animals in it3/)t ho+ did the +ords *o 5 'She did learn it0 &am'>elle0' said 6am's 1oi.e0 earnestly. '$ heard her say it all thro)*h +itho)t loo,in* at the /oo, on.e.' ' !hen $ too +ill hear it no+0' said &am'>elle. ' Be*in0 =oris.' 6am sat 7)st /ehind =oris. She +his(ered the first line to her. =oris /e*an3and then she s)ddenly ,ne+ that if only she .o)ld a.t the (oem0 she .o)ld say e1ery +ord3/)t not one line +o)ld .ome )nless she a.ted it4 Oh dear 3she .o)ldn't (ossi/ly a.t it in front of &am'>elle0 +ho lo1ed Fren.h (oetry0 and +o)ld thin, she +as ma,in* f)n of it. ' #ell0 =oris0 $ +ait. $ +ait (atiently0' said &am'>elle0 +ho +as anythin* /)t (atient at that moment. ' Can yo) or .an yo) not say the (oem to me 5' ' 9es. $ .an0' said =oris. ' B)t3/)t only if $ a.t it.' ' !hen a.t it0' said &am'>elle0 losin* the last of her (atien.e. ' B)t if yo) are not tellin* me the tr)th0 ma .here =oris0 $ .om(lain to &iss !heo/ald. A.t it3/)t say the (oem thro)*h +itho)t mista,e.' So0 in des(air0 =oris a.ted the Fren.h (oem in her )s)al e-a**erated0 ridi.)lo)s manner0 +a**lin* herself0 .he+in* the .)d0 +addlin*0 fris,in*3and0 of .o)rse0 as soon as she a.ted the (oem0 she ,ne+ it all the +ay thro)*h +itho)t a sin*le mista,e. She .ertainly had a 2)eer memory. !he *irls +ere thrilled and am)sed at =oris's renderin* of the solemn (oem0 /)t they felt .ertain that &am'>elle +o)ld /e e-.eedin*ly an*ry. $t +as Cla)dine that sa1ed the sit)ation. She .la((ed her hands in deli*ht. She thre+ /a., her head and la)*hed her infe.tio)s la)*h. She held her sides and almost do)/led herself )(. ' Oh ma tante0 ma tante 4' she .ried to her a)nt. ' !he .le1er =oris0 the mar1ello)s =oris4 S).h a (oem she ma,es of it3and not one sin*le mista,e. Ah0 ne1er ne1er shall $ for*et this (oem no+ 4' &am'>elle ()shed her *lasses on to her nose more firmly. "er fa.e .han*ed. She let o)t a roar of deli*hted la)*hter0 and the .lass /reathed lo)dly in relief. So lon* as &am'>elle sa+ the 7o,e it +as all ri*ht. &am'>elle too, off her *lasses and +i(ed her streamin* eyes. ' $t is .le1er0 1ery .le1er0 =oris0' she said. ' $t is not the ri*ht +ay to re.ite s).h a (oem0 no. B)t it is 1ery .le1er and 1ery am)sin*. $ +ill for*i1e yo) this time for yo)r /ad +or,. $t is tr)e that yo) ,no+ the (oem0 and yo) ha1e made it 1ery f)nny. $s it not so0 Cla)dine 5' Cla)dine a*reed. '#e too +ill say the (oem li,e that0' she s)**ested0 her eyes *leamin* +ith f)n. B)t &am'>elle +as not *oin* so far as that. ' Ah non4' she said. ' =oris has a *ift that +ay. One *irl is f)nny0 /)t fo)rteen0 fifteen *irls +o)ld not /e f)nny. !iens4 'oo, at the .lo.,. #e ha1e +asted half the lesson on this /ad0 .le1er =oris. ;et o)t yo)r /oo,s0 (lease.' =oris fo)nd that she .o)ld learn anythin* if only she said it o)t lo)d and ()t ridi.)lo)s a.tions to the +ords. B)t so often she .o)ld not re(eat +hat she had learnt )nless she a..om(anied it +ith the a/s)rd a.tions. &iss #ill.o- did not thin, this +as f)nny. She .alled it ' (layin* the fool' and said it +as 1ery /ad taste. As for doin* s).h a thin* in &iss Corn+allis's .lass or &iss !heo/ald's0 it +as 2)ite )nthin,a/le. "o+e1er m).h the *irls /e**ed =oris to re.ite the latest maths. r)les +ith a((ro(riate3or ina((ro(riate3a.tions she +o)ld not. ' $'m not *oin* to *et e-(elled 7)st to ma,e yo) la)*h0' she said. ' $ m)st *o on (loddin* a+ay0 and *et

6am's hel( as m).h as $ .an. $'ll ne1er /e any *ood at lessons.' ' B)t yo)'ll al+ays /e a/le to ma,e (eo(le la)*h 4' said $sa/el. ' $'d almost rather do that than anythin*0 /)t $'m not m).h *ood at it.' ' $'d rather +rite a /oo, or (aint a /ea)tif)l (i.t)re0' said Alison. 'So +o)ld $0' said Anne<&arie. '&).h rather. !o lea1e somethin* of oneself /ehind0 somethin* one has made or .reated3no+ that's really +orth< +hile.' ' =eirdre fans 4' said Carlotta0 mo.,in*ly. Alison had fo)nd o)t that &iss #ill.o-'s first $nitial +as =. and had as,ed her +hat it stood for. ' =eirdre0' said &iss #ill.o-0 and Alison had tho)*ht it a most /ea)tif)l name0 almost (i.t)res2)e eno)*h for her darlin* &iss #ill.o-. =eirdre #ill.o-3a lo1ely name for a (oet4 She had told An*ela and An*ela had told e1ery one else. Both Anne<&arie and Alison +ere al+ays ro)nd &iss #ill.o-0 and the *irls no+ .alled them '=eirdre fans'. $t annoyed them 1ery m).h. Alison +as sorry no+ that she had told any one &iss #ill.o-'s name3she +o)ld ha1e li,ed to /e the only one that ,ne+ it. She and Anne<&arie /oth 1ied +ith ea.h other for &iss #ill.o-'s attentions. Alison +as 7ealo)s of Anne<&arie /e.a)se she .o)ld +rite (oetry0 and &iss #ill.o- en.o)ra*ed her to /rin* her her (oems. Anne<&arie +as 7ealo)s of Alison /e.a)se she felt s)re that &iss #ill.o- li,ed Alison the /etter of the t+o0 +hi.h +as 2)ite tr)e. A little of Anne<&arie and her intenseness +ent a 1ery lon* +ay. ' 9o)'re /oth silly0' said Bo//y0 +ho ne1er .o)ld )nderstand +hat she .alled 'slo((iness'. ' Can't yo) see that any one +ho en.o)ra*es a .o)(le of idiots li,e yo) .an't /e +orth s).,in* )( to 5' B)t this ,ind of remar, only made Alison and Anne<&arie more de1oted. $t e1en /ro)*ht them to*ether a little in their .ommon indi*nation0 +hi.h am)sed the *irls 1ery m).h. !he ' =eirdre fans' +ere the .a)se of a lot of f)n that half<term 4 6 A%;E'A A%= !"E 9O@%;E ;$ 'S '$!!'E 8ane !eal t)rned )( on the la.rosse field and (ra.tised >ealo)sly0 m).h to &ira/el's satisfa.tion. '!here yo) are0' she said to ;ladys0 tri)m(hantly. ' 9o) see0 a little (lain tal,in* has done 8ane !eal a lot of *ood. $ shall ma,e her a 1ery *ood (layer in no time. ;ladys had noti.ed that 8ane had done e-a.tly +hat &ira/el had told her0 /)t she had also noti.ed too that 8ane loo,ed rather misera/le. 'She doesn't seem 1ery ha((y a/o)t it0' she said. ' And it doesn't seem to me that she ()ts m).h heart into all her (ra.tisin*. $ /et An*ela made thin*s 1ery )n(leasant for her +hen she told her she .o)ldn't do her mendin* any more.' ' Oh0 +ell<it's a *ood thin* if 8ane *ets that sort of nonsense ,no.,ed o)t of her0' said &ira/el. ' $ .an't /ear these ,ids that *o ro)nd +orshi((in* (eo(le.' ' #ell0 a lot of them thin, no end of yo)0' said ;ladys0 ' and yo) li,e them to.' '!hat's different0' said &ira/el at on.e. '!hey loo, )( to me /e.a)se $'m s(orts .a(tain0 /e.a)se $ ma,e them +or, hard0 and /e.a)se $ don't stand any nonsense. $ sho)ld ti., them off if they *ot slo((y o1er me.' ' #ell<all the same $ thin, little 8ane loo,s misera/le0' said ;ladys. '=on't fro+n li,e that at me0 &ira/el. After all0 $'m yo)r 1i.e< .a(tain0 and $ ha1e a ri*ht to say +hat $ thin, to yo).' &ira/el loo,ed in s)r(rise at ;ladys0 +ho +as often .alled the &o)se0 /e.a)se she said so little and +as so 2)iet. &ira/el +as fond of ;ladys<in fa.t she +as the only *irl in the s.hool that she had any real affe.tion for at all. All the same0 she didn't thin, she .o)ld allo+ ;ladys to find fa)lt +ith her de.isions<+hat +as the sense of /ein* .a(tain if yo) didn't ma,e yo)r o+n de.isions and sti., to them 5 A little (o+er had *one to &ira/el's head 4 '

9o) .an say +hat yo) li,e to me0 of .o)rse0' said &ira/el0 stiffly0 '/)t that doesn't mean $ shall (ay attention to yo)r s)**estions0 $'m afraid0 ;ladys. $ shall listen to them0 of .o)rse</)t $ am the one to de.ide e1erythin*.' ;ladys said no more. &ira/el +as not *oin* to /e a 1ery easy (erson to li1e +ith that term4 ;ladys +ished she +as /old li,e Carlotta0 or do+nri*ht li,e Bo//y0 or a stron* .hara.ter li,e "ilary<they al+ays seemed a/le to .o(e +ith others in the ri*ht +ay0 /)t ;ladys +as afraid of h)rtin* them0 or of ma,in* them an*ry. An*ela made a f)ss of Diolet "ill0 in order to ()nish (oor 8ane. She *a1e her one of her /est hair<slides and a /oo,0 +hi.h sent the foolish Diolet into trans(orts of deli*ht. Diolet sho+ed them to 8ane and Sally. ' 'oo,0' she said0 ' isn't An*ela a dear 5 She's so *enero)s. $ thin, she's +onderf)l. $ do thin, yo) +ere silly to 2)arrel +ith her0 8ane. $ thin, An*ela is +orth three of &ira/el 4' 8ane loo,ed misera/ly at the /oo, and the hair<slide. An*ela had ne1er *i1en her a (resent. She +ished she .o)ld disli,e An*ela0 /)t she .o)ldn't. E1ery time she sa+ the *olden<haired *irl0 +ith her starry eyes set in her o1al fa.e0 she tho)*ht ho+ +onderf)l she +as. Sally +as sorry for 8ane. 'Cheer )(0' she said. ' An*ela isn't +orth +orryin* a/o)t. $ /elie1e she's only ma,in* )( to Diolet 7)st to ma,e yo) 7ealo)s. $ thin, she's /ein* /eastly.' B)t 8ane +o)ld not hear a +ord a*ainst An*ela0 ho+e1er m).h she had /een h)rt /y her. Diolet too +as .ross at Sally's remar,s. ' As if An*ela +o)ld *i1e me (resents 7)st to ma,e 8ane 7ealo)s 4' she said0 shar(ly. ' $f yo) as, me0 $ thin, she *a1e me them /e.a)se $ mended her /l)e 7)m(er so neatly. $t too, me ho)rs.' ' =o yo) do her mendin* then 5 ' said 8ane0 7ealo)sly. ' Of .o)rse0' said Diolet. '$ don't .are +hat &ira/el says to me3if $ (refer to do thin*s for An*ela0 $ shall do them.' Diolet told An*ela ho+ )(set 8ane +as0 and An*ela +as *lad. She .o)ld /e 1ery s(itef)l +hen anythin* )(set her. She +as es(e.ially s+eet to Diolet and to the other first former +ho .ame +hen Diolet .o)ld not .ome. !he t+o of them tho)*ht she +as the ni.est *irl in the +hole s.hool. Antoinette0 Cla)dine's little sister0 also at times had to do 7o/s for the fifth and si-th formers. She did not li,e An*ela0 and al+ays fo)nd e-.)ses not to *o to her st)dy0 e1en +hen an )r*ent messa*e +as sent. '!hat yo)n* sister of yo)rs is a (erfe.t n)isan.e0' An*ela .om(lained to Cla)dine. ' Can't yo) ,no., some sense into her0 Cla)dine 5 #hen $ sent for her yesterday0 she sent /a., to say that she +as doin* her (ra.tisin*<and no+ $ hear that she doesn't e1en learn m)si.4' ' She mi*ht ha1e /een (ra.tisin* somethin* else0' s)**ested Cla)dine0 (olitely. ' &ay/e la.rosse.' An*ela snorted. ' =on't /e silly 4 Antoinette *ets o)t of *ames 7)st li,e yo) do<the 1ery idea of thin,in* she mi*ht ()t in a /it of (ra.ti.e is a/s)rd. $ /elie1e yo) en.o)ra*e her in these /ad +ays<sli((in* o)t of anythin* she doesn't li,e.' Cla)dine loo,ed sho.,ed. 'Ah0 /)t s)rely the little Antoinette lo1es e1erythin* at this so<En*lish s.hool 5 ' ' =on't (retend to me0' said An*ela0 e-as(erated. ' $ sho)ld ha1e tho)*ht that in all the terms yo) ha1e /een here0 Cla)dine0 yo) +o)ld ha1e *ot more En*lish<yo)'re 7)st as Fren.h as e1er yo) +ere 4' Cla)dine +o)ld not lose her tem(er at this )n*ra.io)s s(ee.h. ' $t is *ood to /e Fren.h0' she said0 in her li*ht0 amia/le 1oi.e. ' $f $ +ere

En*lish $ mi*ht ha1e /een yo)0 An*ela<and that $ .o)ld not ha1e /orne. Better a h)ndred times to /e a Fren.h Cla)dine than an En*lish An*ela 4' An*ela .o)ld not thin, of any really *ood retort to this0 and /y the time she had fo)nd her ton*)e Cla)dine had *one o1er to s(ea, to &am'>elle. An*ela ,ne+ she had *one to &am'>elle on ()r(ose<no one +o)ld dare to atta., Cla)dine +ith &am'>elle standin* /y 4 &am'>elle +as intensely loyal to her t+o nie.es. ' All ri*ht0' tho)*ht An*ela0 s(itef)lly. ' $'ll 7)st *et that sli((ery sister of hers and ma,e her do all ,inds of thin*s for me 4 $'ll s(ea, to "ilary a/o)t it0 and she'll tell Antoinette she's 7olly +ell *ot to .ome +hen $ or Alison send for her.' "ilary ,ne+ that Antoinette +as /ein* 1ery na)*hty a/o)t .omin* +hen she +as sent for</)t she ,ne+ too that An*ela )sed the yo)n*er *irls far too m).h. She )sed her (rettiness and .harm to ma,e them into little sla1es. So she +as not 1ery hel(f)l to An*ela +hen the *irl told her a/o)t Antoinette. ' $'ll tell her she m)st o/ey the fifth and si-th formers0' she said. ' B)t An*ela0 don't *o too far0 (lease. &ost of )s ,no+ that yo) are )sin* yo)r (o+er too m).h in that dire.tion.' ' #hat a/o)t &ira/el 5' said An*ela0 at on.e. ' =oesn't she thro+ her +ei*ht a/o)t too m).h 5 She's )n/eara/le this term0 7)st /e.a)se she's s(orts .a(tain 4' ' !here's no need to dis.)ss &ira/el0' said "ilary. ' #hat +e'1e all *ot to reali>e this term0 the term /efore +e *o )( into the si-th0 is that this is the form +here +e first sho)lder res(onsi/ilities0 and first ha1e a little (o+er o1er others. 9o)'re not *i1en (o+er to (lay a/o)t +ith and *et (leas)re from0 An*ela0 as yo) seem to thin,. 9o)'re *i1en it to )se in the ri*ht +ay.' ' =on't /e so (rea.hy0' said An*ela. ' eally0 are +e ne1er *oin* to ha1e any f)n or *ood times a*ain at St. Clare's 5 E1ery one loo,s so serio)s and solemn no+adays. Bo//y and 8anet ne1er (lay tri.,s in .lass. #e ne1er ha1e a midni*ht feast. #e ne1er . . .' ' emem/er that +e are all +or,in* 7olly hard0' said "ilary0 +al,in* off. ' 9o) .an't +or, hard and (lay the fool too. #ait till the e-am. is o1er and then may/e +e .an ha1e a /it of f)n.' "ilary s(o,e to Antoinette and the small0 dar,<eyed Fren.h *irl listened +ith the )tmost (oliteness. ' 9es0 "ilary0 $ +ill *o to An*ela +hen she sends for me0' said Antoinette. ' B)t al+ays she sends for me at so3/)sy a time4' ' #ell0 ma,e yo)r e-.)ses to me0 not to An*ela0' said "ilary0 firmly. Antoinette loo,ed at "ilary and si*hed. She ,ne+ that "ilary +o)ld not /elie1e in her e-.)ses0 and +o)ld insist0 in that firm0 (olite +ay of hers0 that Antoinette sho)ld do as she +as told. An*ela sa+ "ilary s(ea,in* to Antoinette and +as (leased. She de.ided to *i1e Antoinette a /ad time< she +o)ld tea.h her to ' toe the mar,' (ro(erly. ' Diolet0 $ shan't +ant yo) for a fe+ days0' she told the adorin* Diolet. ' Send me Antoinette instead.' ' Oh0 /)t An*ela<don't $ do yo)r 7o/s +ell eno)*h for yo) 5 ' said Diolet in dismay. ' Antoinette is s).h a m)tt <she .an't do a thin*4 eally she .an't. 'et me do e1erythin*.' ' Antoinette .an se+ and darn /ea)tif)lly0' said An*ela0 ta,in* (leas)re in h)rtin* Diolet0 +ho had /een 1ery silly that +ee,. ' 9o) made an a+f)l darn in one of my tennis so.,s.' Diolet's eyes filled +ith tears and she +ent o)t of the room. Alison loo,ed )( from her +or,. ' An*ela0 sto( it0' she said. ' $ thin, yo)'re /eastly< ma,in* the ,ids adore yo) and then /ein* )n,ind to them. Any+ay<yo)'ll ha1e a hard n)t to .ra., in Antoinette 4 She +on't adore yo). She's *ot her head s.re+ed on all ri*ht.' ' She +o)ld adore me if $ +anted her to0' /oasted An*ela0 +ho ,ne+ the

(o+er of her (rettiness and smiles0 and +ho .o)ld t)rn on .harm li,e +ater o)t of a ta(. 'She +o)ldn't0' said Alison. 'She's li,e Cla)dine< sees thro)*h e1ery one at on.e0 and si>es them )( and then *oes her o+n +ay entirely0 li,in* or disli,in* 7)st as she (leases.' ' $ /et $'ll ma,e Antoinette li,e me as m).h as any of those silly ,ids0' said An*ela. ' 9o) +at.h and see. 9o)'ll /e s)r(rised0 Alison.' ' $'ll +at.h</)t $ shan't /e s)r(rised0' said Alison. ' $ ,no+ little Antoinette /etter than yo) do 4' F A%!O$%E!!E =EFEA!S A%;E'A !"E ne-t time she +as sent for0 Antoinette arri1ed (rom(tly0 all smiles. She +as 7)st as neat and .hi. as Cla)dine0 2)i.,<+itted and most inno.ent<loo,in*. &iss 8en,s0 the se.ond form mistress0 had already learnt that Antoinette's inno.ent loo, +as not to /e tr)sted. !he more inno.ent she loo,ed0 the more li,ely it +as that she had mis/eha1ed or +as *oin* to mis/eha1e4 ' 9o) sent for me0 An*ela 5 ' said Antoinette. '9es0' said An*ela0 ()ttin* on one of her flashin* smiles. ' $ did. Antoinette0 +ill yo) .lean those /ro+n shoes o1er there0 (lease 5 $'m s)re yo)'ll do it /ea)tif)lly.' Antoinette stared at An*ela's /eamin* smile and smiled /a.,. An*ela felt s)re she .o)ld see intense admiration in her eyes. ' !he (olish0 (lease 5 ' said Antoinette0 (olitely. ' 9o)'ll find it in the .)(/oard0 to( shelf0' said An*ela. ' "o+ .hi. and smart yo) al+ays loo,0 Antoinette37)st li,e Cla)dine.' ' Ah0 Cla)dine0 is she not +onderf)l 5 ' said Antoinette. 'An*ela0 $ ha1e fi1e sisters0 and $ li,e them all0 /)t Cla)dine is my fa1o)rite. Ah0 Cla)dine3$ .o)ld tell yo) thin*s a/o)t Cla)dine that +o)ld ma,e yo) mar1el0 that +o)ld ma,e yo) +ish that yo) too had s).h a sister0 and . . .' B)t An*ela +as not in the least interested to hear +hat a +onderf)l sister Cla)dine +as0 and she +as .ertain she +o)ld ne1er +ish she had one li,e her. An*ela (referred /ein* a s(oilt only .hild. 9o) had to share thin*s +ith sisters4 ' Er3the (olish is in the .)(/oard0 to( shelf0' she said0 her /ri*ht smile fadin* a little. ' !he (olish3ah yes0' said Antoinette0 ta,in* a ste( to+ards the .)(/oard0 /)t only a ste(0 ' %o+0 Cla)dine is not the only +onderf)l sister $ ha1e< there is 'o)ise. Ah0 $ +ish $ .o)ld tell yo) +hat 'o)ise is li,e. 'o)ise .an do e1ery em/roidery stit.h there is0 and +hen she +as nine0 she +on . . .' ' Better *et on +ith my shoes0 Antoinette0' said An*ela0 /e*innin* to lose (atien.e. A h)rt loo, .ame into Antoinette's eyes0 and An*ela made haste to /esto+ her /rilliant smile on her a*ain. Antoinette at on.e .heered )( and too, another ste( to+ards the .)(/oard. She o(ened her mo)th0 (lainly to *o on +ith her (raise of 'o)ise or some other sister0 /)t An*ela (i.,ed )( a /oo, and (retended to /e a/sor/ed in it. ' =on't tal, for a /it0' she said to Antoinette. ' $'1e *ot to learn somethin*.' Antoinette +ent to the .)(/oard. She too, a .hair and stood on it to *et the (olish. !hen she ste((ed do+n +ith a small (ot in her hand0 and a little se.ret smile on her mo)th<<the ,ind of smile that Cla)dine sometimes +ore. An*ela did not see it. Antoinette fo)nd a /r)sh and d)ster and set herself to her tas,. She s2)ee>ed .ream on to the shoes and smeared it on +ell. !hen she /r)shed it in and then r)//ed hard +ith the soft d)ster. She held the (air of shoes a+ay from her and loo,ed at them +ith (ride. ' =one 5' said An*ela0 still not loo,in* )( in .ase Antoinette /e*an tal,in* a*ain. ' !hey are finished0' said Antoinette. ' Shall $ .lean yet another (air0 An*ela 5 $t is a (leas)re to +or, for yo).' An*ela +as deli*hted to hear this. Aha<Alison +o)ld soon see that she .o)ld +in the heart of Antoinette as easily as any one else's. ' 9es0

Antoinette<.lean all the shoes yo) li,e0' she said0 smilin* s+eetly. ' "o+ /ea)tif)l that (air loo,4' ' =o they not 5' said Antoinette. ' S).h /ea)tif)l shoes they are too 4 Ah0 no *irl in the s.hool +ears s).h fine .lothes as yo)0 An*ela<so /ea)tif)lly made0 so .are< f)lly finished. 9o) ha1e more .hi. than any En*lish *irl3yo) mi*ht /e a 6arisian4' ' $'1e /een to 6aris and /o)*ht .lothes there t+o or three times0' said An*ela0 and +as 7)st a/o)t to des.ri/e all the .lothes +hen Antoinette started off a*ain. ' Ah0 .lothes3no+ yo) sho)ld see my sister 8eanne4 S).h mar1ello)s .lothes she has0 li,e those in the sho(s at 6aris3/)t all of them she ma,es herself +ith her .le1er fin*ers. S).h style0 s).h .hi.0 s).h . . .' : 9o) seem to ha1e *ot a +hole lot of 1ery .le1er sisters0' said An*ela0 sar.asti.ally0 /)t Antoinette did not seem to reali>e that An*ela +as /ein* .)ttin*. ' $t is tr)e0' she said. ' $ ha1e not yet told yo) a/o)t &arie. %o+ &arie . . .' ' Antoinette0 finish the shoes and let me *et on +ith my +or,0' said An*ela0 +ho felt that she .o)ld not /ear to hear a/o)t another sister of Antoinette's. ' !here's a *ood *irl4' She )sed her most .harmin* tone0 and Antoinette /eamed. ' 9es0 An*ela0 yes. $ am too m).h of a .hatter<tin0 am $ not 5 ' ' Bo-0 not tin0' said An*ela. ' %o+0 do *et on0 Antoinette. $t's lo1ely to hear yo)r .hatter0 /)t $ really ha1e *ot +or, to do.' Antoinette said no more /)t /)sied herself +ith three more (airs of shoes. She stood them in the .orner and ()t the em(ty (ot of .ream into the +aste<(a(er /as,et. ' $ ha1e finished0 An*ela0' she said. ' $ *o no+. !omorro+ yo) +ill +ant me0 is it not so 5 ' ' 9es0 .ome tomorro+ at the same time0' said An*ela0 s+it.hin* on a .harmin* smile a*ain and sha,in* /a., her *leamin* hair0 ' 9o)'1e done my shoes /ea)tif)lly. !han, yo).' Antoinette sli((ed o)t of the room li,e a mo)se. She met Cla)dine at the end of the (assa*e and her sister raised her eye/ro+s. ' #here ha1e yo) /een0 Antoinette 5 9o) are not s)((osed to /e in the fifth form st)dies )nless yo) ha1e /een sent for.' ' $ ha1e /een .leanin* all An*ela's shoes0' said Antoinette0 dem)rely. !hen she *lan.ed s+iftly )( and do+n the .orridor to see that no one else +as in si*ht0 and shot o)t a fe+ senten.es in ra(id Fren.h. Cla)dine la)*hed her infe.tio)s la)*h0 and (retended to /o- her sister's ears. '!iens4 B)elle me.hante fille4 #hat +ill An*ela say5' Antoinette shr)**ed her sho)lders0 *rinned and disa((eared. Cla)dine +ent on her +ay0 and (a)sed o)tside An*ela's st)dy. She heard 1oi.es. Alison +as there no+ too. Cla)dine o(ened the door. ' "allo0' said Alison. ' Come for that /oo, $ (romised yo) 5 #ait a min)te3$'1e ()t it o)t for yo) some+here.' She .a)*ht si*ht of all An*ela's shoes standin* *leamin* in a .omer. ' $ say4 =id yo)n* Diolet .lean them li,e that for yo) 5 She doesn't )s)ally *et s).h a (olish on 4' ' %o3Antoinette did them0' said An*ela. ' She +as tellin* me all a/o)t yo)r sisters and hers0 Cla)dine.' ' Ah yes0' said Cla)dine0' there is my sister 'o)ise0 and my sister &arie and my sister . . .' ' Oh0 don't yo) start on them0 for *oodness' sa,e0' said An*ela. '#hat's the matter0 Alison0 +hat are yo) starin* at 5' ' "a1e yo) )sed )( all that lo1ely fa.e< .ream already 5' said Alison0 in a s)r(rised 1oi.e0 and she (i.,ed an em(ty (ot o)t of the +aste<(a(er /as,et. ' An*ela0 ho+ e-tra1a*ant of yo)4 #hy0 there +as hardly any o)t of it yesterday3and no+ it's all *one. #hat ha1e yo) done +ith it 5' ' %othin*0' said An*ela0 startled. ' $ hardly e1er )se that0 it's so terri/ly e-(ensi1e and diffi.)lt to *et. $ ,ee( it for 1ery s(e.ial o..asions. #hate1er .an ha1e ha((ened to

it 5 $t really is em(ty 4' !he t+o *irls stared at ea.h other0 ()>>led. Cla)dine sat on the side of the ta/le0 s+in*in* her foot0 her fa.e 2)ite im(assi1e. !hen An*ela sla((ed the ta/le hard and e-.laimed in an*er. ' $t's that fool of an Antoinette4 She's .leaned my shoes +ith my /est fa.e<.ream4 Oh0 the idiot 4 All that lo1ely .ream *one3*one on my shoes too4' ' B)t yo)r shoes0 they loo, so /ea)tif)l4' remar,ed Cla)dine. ' &ay/e the little Antoinette tho)*ht that ordinary shoe<(olish +as not *ood eno)*h for s).h fine shoes.' ' She's an idiot0' said An*ela. ' $ +on't ha1e her do any 7o/s a*ain.' ' 6erha(s that's +hy she did this0' said Alison0 dryly. ' $t's the ,ind of thin* o)r dear Cla)dine +o)ld do0 for the same ,ind of reason0 isn't it0 Cla)dine 5 ' ' Shall $ tell Antoinette yo) +ill not need her a*ain /e.a)se yo) are 1ery an*ry at her foolishness 5' said Cla)dine. ' Ah0 she +ill /e so sad0 the (oor .hild 4' An*ela de/ated. She felt s)re that Antoinette had made a real mista,e. She +as .ertain the *irl li,ed her too m).h to (lay s).h a tri., on her. "o+ thrilled Antoinette had seemed +hen she had smiled at her4 %o 3the *irl had made a *en)ine mista,e. An*ela +o)ld *i1e her another .han.e. ' $'ll try her a*ain0' she said. ' $'ll for*i1e her this time. #e all ma,e mista,es sometimes.' ' "o+ tr)e4' said Cla)dine. ' %o+0 my sister &arie0 hardly e1er does she ma,e a mista,e0 /)t on.e . . .' ' Oh0 *et o)t0' said An*ela0 r)dely. ' $t's /ad eno)*h to ha1e yo) and Antoinette here +itho)t ha1in* to hear a/o)t yo)r do>ens of sisters4' Cla)dine remo1ed herself *ra.ef)lly and +ent to find Antoinette to re(ort the s)..ess of her tri.,. Antoinette *rinned. ' C'est /ien0' she said. ' Dery *ood4 Another time $ +ill a*ain /e foolish0 oh so foolish4' An*ela sent for her a*ain the ne-t day. Antoinette entered +ith droo(in* head and do+n.ast eyes. ' Oh0 An*ela0' she said0 in a lo+0 mee, 1oi.e0 'my sister Cla)dine has told me +hat a terri/le mista,e $ made yesterday. "o+ .o)ld $ ha1e /een so foolish 5 $ (ray yo) to for*i1e me.' 'All ri*ht0' said An*ela. '=on't loo, so misera/le. Antoinette. By the +ay0 $ thin, $'ll .all yo) !oni<it's so m).h friendlier than Antoinette0 isn't it 5 ' Antoinette a((eared to *reet this idea +ith ra(t)re. An*ela /eamed. "o+ easy it +as to *et ro)nd these yo)n* ones 4 #ell<she +o)ld *et all the +or, she .o)ld o)t of this silly Fren.h *irl0 she +o)ld +ind her ro)nd her little fin*er<and then she +o)ld send her (a.,in* and tea.h her a *ood shar( lesson 4 ' #hat +o)ld yo) ha1e me do today 5 ' Antoinette as,ed0 in her mee, 1oi.e. ' &ore shoes 5' ' %o0' said An*ela. ' %o more shoes. &a,e me some an.ho1y toast0 !oni.' ' 6lease 5' said Antoinette0 not )nderstandin*. ' Oh0 dear<don't yo) ,no+ +hat an.ho1y toast is 5 ' si*hed An*ela. ' #ell0 yo) ma,e ordinary /)ttered toast <and for *oodness' sa,e toast the /read /efore yo) ()t the /)tter on<then yo) s(read it +ith an.ho1y (aste. 9o)'ll find it in the .)(/oard. &a,e eno)*h for three (eo(le. Anne<&arie is .omin* to tea0 to read )s her ne+ (oem.' ' Ah0 the +onderf)l Anne<&arie4' said Antoinette0 *ettin* o)t the /read. ' %o+ one of my sisters0 the one .alled 'o)ise0 on.e she +rote a (oem and ...' ' !oni0 $'1e *ot to *o and see some one0' said An*ela0 *ettin* )( h)rriedly. ' ;et on +ith the toast0 and do it really .aref)lly0 to ma,e )( for yo)r silly mista,e yesterday.' ' An*ela0 /elie1e me0 yo)r little !oni +ill *i1e yo) s).h toast as ne1er yo) ha1e had /efore4' said Antoinette +ith fer1o)r. She held a (ie.e of /read to the fire. An*ela +ent o)t0 determined not to .ome /a., till Antoinette had made the toast and +as safely o)t of the +ay. !al, a/o)t a .hatter/o-4 She

seemed to ha1e a ne1er<endin* flo+ of .on1ersation a/o)t her family. She mi*ht start on her /rothers ne-t<if she had any4 As soon as An*ela had *one o)t of the room0 Antoinette ()t aside her artless +ays and .on.entrated on her 7o/. She made si- (ie.es of toast 1ery ra(idly and s(read them +ith /)tter. !hen she *ot a (ot do+n from the .)(/oard shelf3/)t it +as not an.ho1y. $t +as the (ot of /ro+n shoe (olish that she sho)ld ha1e )sed the day /efore4 $t loo,ed e-a.tly li,e an.ho1y as she s(read it on the toast. Caref)lly the little mon,ey s(read the /ro+n (aste0 (iled the sli.es on a (late and set them /eside the fire to ,ee( +arm. !hen she sli((ed o)t of the room and made her +ay to the noisy .ommon room of her o+n form. Soon Alison .ame in and sat do+n /y the fire. !hen An*ela (o((ed her head ro)nd the door and sa+ to her relief that Antoinette +as *one. ' $ sim(ly .o)ldn't stay in the room +ith that a+f)l .hatter/o-0 dri1ellin* on a/o)t her sisters0' said An*ela. ' Ah0 she's made a ni.e lot of toast0 hasn't she 5 "allo3 here's Anne<&arie.' Anne< &arie .ame in0 her /i* eyes dar, in her (ale fa.e. '9o) loo, tired0' said An*ela. 'Been /)rnin* the midni*ht oil5 $ +ish $ .o)ld +rite (oems li,e yo)0 Anne<&arie.' ' $ +or,ed on a (oem till (ast t+el1e0' said Anne<&arie0 in her intense 1oi.e. ' $t's a *ood thin* no one sa+ the li*ht in my st)dy. Ah3tea's ready0 ho+ lo1ely 4 'et's t)., in0 and then $'ll read my latest (oem.' G !" EE =$S;@S!E= ;$ 'S A%;E'A lifted the toast on to the ta/le. ' $ *ot Antoinette to ma,e an.ho1y toast for )s0' she said. ' $t loo,s *ood0 doesn't it 5 !a,e a sli.e0 Anne<&arie.' Anne<&arie too, the to( sli.e. $t seemed to ha1e rather a (e.)liar smell. Anne<&arie loo,ed rather do)/tf)lly at it.. ' $t's all ri*ht0' said Alison0 seein* her loo,. An.ho1y al+ays smells a /it f)nny0 $ thin,.' She and Anne<&arie too, a *ood /ite o)t of their toast at the same se.ond. !he shoe<.ream tasted a/omina/le. Anne<&arie s(at her mo)thf)l o)t at on.e0 all o1er the ta/le. Alison0 +ith /etter manners0 s(at hers into her hand,er.hief. An*ela too, a /ite /efore she reali>ed +hat the others +ere doin*. !hen she too s(at o)t at on.e0 and .l)t.hed her mo)th +ith her hands. ' Oh 4 Oh 4 #hat is it 5 $'m (oisoned4' She r)shed to the nearest /athroom and the others follo+ed0 their ton*)es han*in* o)t. Anne<&arie +as (rom(tly si., +hen she rea.hed the /athroom. !ears (o)red from her eyes and she had to sit do+n. ' An*ela 4 #hat filthy (aste 4 "o+ .o)ld yo) /)y s).h st)ff5' she said. ' "orri/le 4' said Alison0 rinsin* her mo)th o)t o1er and o1er a*ain. ' All that toast +asted too. $t's +i.,ed. An*ela0 +hate1er (ossessed yo) to *et (aste li,e that 5 $'1e ne1er tasted an.ho1y li,e that /efore0 and $ ho(e $ ne1er shall a*ain. @*h4' An*ela +as feelin* ill and 1ery an*ry. #hat in the +orld had that idiot Antoinette done 5 !hey +ent /a., to the st)dy and An*ela o(ened the door of the little .)(/oard. She too, do+n the (ot of an.ho1y. $t +as )nto).hed. So Antoinette .o)ldn't ha1e )sed it. !hen +hat had she )sed 5 !here +as only 7am /esides the (aste. Alison (i.,ed )( the (ot of /ro+n shoe<.ream and o(ened that. $t +as (ra.ti.ally em(ty. ''oo,0' said Alison0 an*rily. ' She )sed the shoe<.ream< (lastered all the toast +ith it4 She deser1es a *ood s(an,in*.' An*ela +as +hite +ith an*er. She ()t her head o)t of the door and sa+ a first former (assin*. ' "ey0 &olly0' she .alled0' *o and find Antoinette and tell her to .ome here at on.e.' '9es0 An*ela0' said &olly0 and +ent off. Dery soon Antoinette a((eared0 her dar, eyes +ide +ith alarm0 and her li(s trem/lin* as if +ith emotion. ' Antoinette4 "o+ dare

yo) ()t shoe<.ream on o)r toast 5' almost s.reamed An*ela. ' 9o) mi*ht ha1e (oisoned )s all. Can't yo) tell the differen.e /et+een an.ho1y (aste and shoe< (olish0 yo) a/sol)te idiot 5 9o)'1e made )s all ill. &atron +ill (ro/a/ly hear a/o)t it. 9o) o)*ht to /e re(orted to &iss 8en,s0 yo) o)*ht to ...' ' Ah0 ah0 do not s.old yo)r little !oni so0' said Antoinette. ' 9o) ha1e /een so ,ind to me0 An*ela0 yo) ha1e smiled0 yo) ha1e .alled me !oni 4 =o not s.old me so 4 $ +ill *i1e )( my tea<time0 $ +ill ma,e yo) more toast0 and this time $ +ill s(read it +ith the an.ho1y0 there shall /e no mista,e this time.' ' $f yo) thin, $'m e1er *oin* to tr)st yo) to do a sin*le thin* for me a*ain0 yo)'re mista,en0' said An*ela0 still tastin* the a+f)l taste of shoe<.ream in her mo)th. ' $ mi*ht ha1e ,no+n a Fren.h *irl +o)ld (lay the fool li,e this. $ tell yo)0 yo)'1e made )s all ill. Anne<&arie +as si.,0: ' $ am desolated0' +ailed Antoinette. ' Ah0 An*ela0 $ (ray0yo) to let me .ome a*ain tomorro+. !omorro+ $ +ill /e *ood0 so *ood. !omorro+ yo) +ill .all me !oni and smile at me a*ain0 tomorro+ . . ' ' !omorro+ $'ll *et Diolet "ill0' said An*ela. ' Clear o)t0 Antoinette0 yo)'re a (erfe.t mena.e.' Antoinette .leared o)t and there +as (ea.e. ' #ell0' said An*ela0' she'll +ish she'd /een more sensi/le tomorro+. Ser1es her ri*ht 4 $ +as ni.e to her0 and she tho)*ht the +orld of me</)t $ .an't ()t )( +ith idiots. She'll /e 7olly sorry +hen she sees $ don't mean to *i1e her another .han.e4' ' $ don't feel li,e any tea no+0' said Alison0 loo,in* at the remains of the toast +ith disli,e. ' =o yo)0 Anne<&arie 5' '%o0' said Anne<&arie0 and sh)ddered. '$ still feel si.,. $ don't e1en ,no+ if $ .an read my (oem. $t doesn't *o 1ery +ell +ith shoe<(olish.' ' Oh0 do read it0 Anne<&arie0' /e**ed An*ela0 +ho really did admire her (oems. ' #hat's it a/o)t 5' ' $t's all a/o)t the sadness of s(rin*0' said Anne<&arie0 rea.hin* for her (oem. ' $t's a 1ery sad (oem0 really.' ' All yo)r (oems are sad0' said Alison. ' #hy are they0 Anne<&arie 5 $ li,e (oems that ma,e me feel ha((y.' ' $ am not a 1ery ha((y (erson0' said Anne< &arie0 1ery solemnly0 and loo,ed intense. ' 6oets aren't0 yo) ,no+.' ' B)t some m)st ha1e /een0' o/7e.ted Alison. ' $ ,no+ lots of 1ery .heerf)l (oems.' 'Sh)t )(0 Alison0' said An*ela. ' ead yo)r (oem0 Anne<&arie.' Anne<&arie /e*an her (oem. $t +as 1ery dolef)l0 f)ll of im(ressi1e +ords0 and rather d)ll. %either Alison nor An*ela li,ed it 1ery m).h0 /)t they .o)ldn't hel( feelin* im(ressed. "o+e1er .o)ld Anne< &arie +rite li,e that 5 She m)st indeed /e a *eni)s4 ' $t m)st /e ni.e for yo)0 sharin* a st)dy +ith Feli.ity0 +ho thin,s as m).h of m)si. as yo) do of (oetry0' said Alison. ' 9o) o)*ht to *et Feli.ity to set some of yo)r (oems to m)si.. !hat +o)ld /e +onderf)l.' ' $'1e as,ed her. She +on't0' said Anne<&arie0 shortly. !he tr)th +as that Feli.ity +o)ld not admit that Anne<&arie's (oems +ere +orth t)((en.e. $t +as 1ery h)miliatin* to Anne<&arie. ' #rite somethin* real0 and $'ll ()t a t)ne to it0' Feli.ity had said. ' $'m not *oin* to +aste my m)si. on se.ond<rate st)ff.' !he door o(ened s)ddenly and &atron loo,ed in. ' $ hear yon (oor *irls ha1e had a nasty dose of shoe<(olish0' she said. ' $ ho(e it +asn't anythin* 1ery serio)s.' An*ela tho)*ht she +o)ld ta,e the .han.e of *ettin* Antoinette into tro)/le0 so she e-a**erated at on.e. ' Oh0 &atron0 it. +as a+f)l4 #e had o)r mo)ths a/sol)tely f)ll of the /eastly st)ff. Anne<&arie m)st ha1e s+allo+ed a lot0 /e.a)se she +as si.,. $ sho)ldn't /e s)r(rised if +e are ill0 serio)sly ill toni*ht0' said An*ela. ' $'m s)re $ s+allo+ed some0' said Anne<&arie0 loo,in* solemn. ' $ e-(e.t +e all did.' ' !hen yo) m)st .ome and

ha1e a dose at on.e0' said &atron. ' !hat shoe<.ream .ontains a (oisono)s in*redient +hi.h may irritate yo)r insides for a +ee, or more0 )nless $ *i1e yo) a dose to *et rid of it. Come alon* +ith me strai*ht<a+ay.' !he three *irls stared at her in alarm. !hey sim(ly .o)ld not /ear &atron's medi.ines. !hey +ere really so 1ery nasty4 An*ela +ished fer1ently that she had not e-a**erated so m).h. She tried to ta,e /a., +hat she had said. ' Oh +ell0 &atron0' she said0 +ith a little la)*h0 'it +asn't as /ad as all that0 yo) ,no+. #e s(at o)t (ra.ti.ally all of it< and +e rinsed o)r mo)ths o)t at on.e. #e're (erfe.tly all ri*ht no+.' ' $ dare say0' said &atron. ' B)t $'d rather /e on the safe side0 $ don't +ant yo) in /ed for a +ee, +ith a t)mmy )(set of some sort. Come alon*. $'1e *ot somethin* that +ill sto( any tro)/le immediately.' 'B)t &atron0' /e*an Alison. $t +as no *ood. %o/ody .o)ld reason +ith &atron on.e she had really de.ided to *i1e any one a dose. !he three *irls had to *et )( and follo+ her. !hey loo,ed 1ery /l)e0 and felt most h)miliated. As a r)le &atron left the fifth and si-th formers to loo, after themsel1es0 and seldom .ame after them0 s)**estin* medi.ine. !hey felt li,e first or se.ond formers0 troo(in* after her for a dose. &atron too, them to her room0 and meas)red o)t the medi.ine into ta/le<s(oons0 one for ea.h of them. $t tasted almost as nasty as the shoe<(olish toast 4 ' 6ooh4' said Alison0 tryin* to *et the taste o)t of her mo)th. '#hy don't yo) *et some ni.e<tastin* medi.ines0 &atron 5 $'1e ne1er tasted any so /eastly as yo)rs.' ' #ell0 $'1e *ot a m).h +orse one here0' said &atron. ' #o)ld yo) 7)st li,e to try it 5 ' ' Of .o)rse not4' said Alison. !hen a tho)*ht str)., her. ' &atron 3ho+ did yo) ,no+ +e'd had shoe<(olish on o)r toast today5 #e hadn't told a so)l. #ho told yo)5' ' #hy0 the (oor little Antoinette told me0' said &atron0 .or,in* )( the /ottle. ' 6oor .hild0 she .ame to me in a terri/le state0 sayin* she had (oisoned yo) all /y mista,e0 and +hat +as she to do if yo) died in the ni*ht0 and .o)ldn't $ do somethin* a/o)t it 5 ' !he three *irls listened to this +ith mi-ed feelin*s. So it +as Antoinette +ho not only (ro1ided them +ith shoe<(olish toast0 /)t also +ith medi.ine from &atron 4 !he little horror 4 ' 9o)'1e no idea ho+ )(set she +as0' +ent on &atron0 /ris,ly. ' 6oor little so)l0 $ felt really sorry for her. An En*lish *irl mi*ht ha1e /een am)sed at the mista,e she had made0 /)t Antoinette +as so )(set $ had to .omfort her and *i1e her some .ho.olate. $t's +onderf)l +hat .ho.olate +ill do to soothe the ner1es of a first or se.ond former 4 %othin* /)t /a/ies0 really.' !he tho)*ht of Antoinette eatin* &atron's .ho.olate +as too m).h for An*ela0 Alison and Anne<&arie. !hey felt that they sim(ly m)st *et hold of Antoinette and tell her +hat they tho)*ht of her. ' #here is Antoinette0 do yo) ,no+0 &atron 5' as,ed An*ela0 +ishin* she .o)ld *et the .om/ined tastes of shoe<(olish and medi.ine o)t of her mo)th. ' $ sent her to her a)nt0 &am'>elle0' said &atron. ' $'m s)re she +o)ld .heer her )( and ma,e her thin, she hadn't done s).h a dreadf)l thin* after all 4 Fan.y thin,in* she really had (oisoned yo) 4 ' !he three fifth<formers +ent /a., to the st)dy. $t +o)ldn't /e a /it of *ood *oin* to fet.h Antoinette no+. She +o)ld (ro/a/ly /e ha1in* a ni.e .osy tea +ith &am'>elle0 +ho +o)ld /e f)ssin* her )( and tellin* her e1erythin* +as all ri*ht0 a mista,e +as a mista,e0 and not to +orry0 (a)1re (etite Antoinette4 ' $'ll send for her tomorro+ and 7olly +ell ,ee( her nose to the *rindstone0' said An*ela0 an*rily. ' $ told her she needn't do anythin* more for

me3/)t $'ll ma,e her no+. $'ll ma,e her sorry she e1er (layed those tri.,s. Cle1er little /east3*oin* off to &atron and (lay<a.tin* li,e that. She's +orse than Cla)dine 4' Alison +as alarmed to hear that An*ela +as *oin* to ma,e Antoinette do some more 7o/s for them. ' For *oodness' sa,e0 don't /e silly 4' she said to An*ela. 'Antoinette is far too .le1er for )s to *et e1en +ith. She'll only do somethin* e1en +orse than she has already done. $ told yo) she +o)ldn't /e li,e the others0 silly and +orshi((in*. $ told yo) she +o)ld si>e yo) )(4 $ told yo). . . .' ' Sh)t )(0 Alison0' said An*ela. ' $ hate (eo(le +ho say : $ told yo)0 $ told yo) 4 : $ +on't ha1e Antoinette if yo) thin, she'll (lay +orse tri.,s. She'd end in (oisonin* )s0 $ sho)ld thin,. $ +ish $ .o)ld (ay her o)t0 tho)*h.' ' $t's (artly yo)r o+n fa)lt0 all this0' said Alison. ' $f only yo)'d treat the yo)n*er ones li,e the others do0 sensi/ly and (ro(erly0 +e sho)ldn't ha1e all these )(sets.' Anne<&arie tho)*ht it +as time to *o. She al+ays said that 2)arrels )(set her (oeti. feelin*s. So she +ent0 ta,in* her mo)rnf)l (oem +ith her. ' #e'd /etter not say a +ord a/o)t this to any one0' said An*ela. ' Else the +hole s.hool +ill /e la)*hin* at )s. #e +on't let it *o any f)rther.' B)t alas for their (lans 3Antoinette told the story to e1eryone0 and soon the +hole s.hool +as en7oyin* the 7o,e. $t made An*ela f)rio)s0 for she hated /ein* la)*hed at0 it h)miliated Alison too0 for e1en &iss #ill.o- *ot to hear of it and teased her and Anne<&arie. ' #hat a/o)t a little essay on : An.ho1y Sa).e :0' she said. ' 6oor Alison0 (oor Anne<&arie0 +hat a shame 4' H &$SS #$''COI $S $% A BA= !E&6E &$SS #$''COI +as in a /ad tem(er. She had 7)st had /a., from her ()/lishers her se.ond /oo, of (oems0 +ith a (olite note to say that they +ere not as *ood as the first ones0 and they re*retted they did not see their +ay to ()t them into /oo,<form. &iss #ill.o- had an e-.ellent o(inion of her o+n +ritin*s0 7)st as Anne<&arie had of hers. Also she had /oasted in ad1an.e of her se.ond /oo, of (oems<and no+ it +o)ld not /e ()/lished. She +as disa((ointed0 and0 li,e many rather +ea, .hara.ters0 her disa((ointment t)rned to resentment instead of to a determination to *o on and do /etter. So she +ent to her En*lish .lass loo,in* rather *rim0 and feelin* that she .o)ld not stand any nonsense or /ad +or, that mornin*. As a +hole0 the .lass had /een +or,in* really 1ery +ell0 for &iss #ill.o-'s lessons +ere interestin*. Alma 6)dden had not /een a/le to ,ee( )( +ith the .lass 1ery +ell0 and =oris .o)ld not learn /y heart +ith any s)..ess )nless she +as allo+ed to a.t +hat she said. Feli.ity too +as only really interested if the (oems or (lays aro)sed her sense of rhythm and m)si.. !he *irls +ere rather tired that mornin*. !hey had had a stren)o)s half<ho)r +ith the *ym.<mistress0 +ho0 feelin* rather /ris,0 had ()t them thro)*h a *reat many 1i*oro)s e-er.ises. !hen had .ome a 1ery hard three<2)arters of an ho)r o1er maths. and then the En*lish lesson. !he *irls +ere feelin* that they +anted to rela- a little</)t here +as &iss #ill.o- demandin* intense .on.entration and attention. Carlotta let o)t an enormo)s ya+n +hi.h dre+ &iss #ill.o-'s +rath )(on her. !hen Cla)dine said she felt si., and (lease .o)ld she *o o)t of the room 5 ' $t is astonishin* ho+ many times yo) mana*e to feel si., +hen yo) +ant to miss some (art of a lesson0' said &iss #ill.o-0 irritated. ' ;o strai*ht to &atron0 (lease0 and tell her.' ' $ +o)ld rather not0' said Cla)dine0 (olitely. ' $ do not feel si., eno)*h for that. $ .an /e si., in here if yo) +o)ld rather $ stayed for the lesson.' $t loo,ed as if &iss #ill.o- +as *oin* to

o1er+helm Cla)dine +ith her +rath0 +hen Feli.ity made them all 7)m(. She /e*an to tattoo on her des,0 s+ayin* to and fro in e.stasy. ' 'a<di<la<di<la 4' she san*0 ' oh0 la<la<la<di<la4' ' Feli.ity4 #hat in the +orld are yo) doin* 5 ' .ried &iss #ill.o-0 in.ensed +ith ra*e. Feli.ity too, not the sli*htest noti.e. #ith eyes still .losed0 she .ontin)ed her s+ayin*0 and her sin*in*0 at times th)m(in* the des, to a..ent the rhythm. ' Feli.ity 4' almost sho)ted &iss #ill.o-0 one of her *old<to((ed (ins fallin* o)t of her hair on to the des,. She didn't noti.e it. ' =o yo) hear +hat $ say 5 #hat has .ome o1er this .lass this mornin* 5 ' Bo//y *a1e Feli.ity a /an* on the sho)lder. Feli.ity o(ened her eyes +ith a start0 and *a>ed ro)nd the room. She did not in the least seem to ta,e in the fa.t that she +as in .lass and that &iss #ill.o+as f)rio)s +ith her. She sh)t her eyes a*ain and /e*an s+ayin*. ' She's m)si.< mad0' said Bo//y. ' She's in a ,ind of m)si.<dream0 &iss #ill.o-. $ don't /elie1e she .an hel( it. "ie0 Feli.ity4' ' She *oes li,e this in o)r st)dy at ni*ht0 1ery often0' said Anne<&arie. ' $ often thin, she does it on ()r(ose. She al+ays does it +hen $ +ant to read one of my (oems o)t lo)d.' ' 8olly sensi/le of her0' remar,ed 6at. ' 'a<di<la<di< la 4' h)mmed Feli.ity. &iss #ill.o- stared at her 1ery hard. She sim(ly .o)ld not ma,e o)t if the *irl's a.tions +ere *en)ine or ()t on. ' Boom<di</oom0 di</oom0' finished Feli.ity and /an*ed the des, hard. ' Ah0 $'1e *ot it at last4' !he *irls la)*hed. A.tin* or not0 it +as 1ery f)nny. Feli.ity /eamed ro)nd. ' $ ha1e it4' she said. ' !he melody $'1e had in my mind for the last t+o +ee,s. $t *oes li,e this<la<di< la<di<la . . .' %o+ it +as &iss #ill.o-'s t)rn to /an* on the des,. $t +as seldom that she really did lose her tem(er0 for she .onsidered that meant a loss of di*nity0 and &iss #ill.o- al+ays li,ed to a((ear di*nified and self<.ontrolled. B)t really0 Feli.ity +as too m).h for any one 4 ' 'ea1e the room0' .ommanded &iss #ill.o-0 her 1oi.e trem/lin* +ith an*er. ' $ +on't ha1e any one in my .lass (layin* the fool li,e this. 9o) sho)ldn't ha1e .ome )( into the fifth form<yo) sho)ld ha1e *one do+n into the third4' ' ;o o)t of the room 5 ' said Feli.ity0 ()>>led. ' #hy m)st $ 5 $ didn't mean to interr)(t the lesson<$ didn't do it on ()r(ose. $t .ame o1er me s)ddenly. %o+ $ am 2)ite all ri*ht.' ' 'ea1e the room0' ordered &iss #ill.o- a*ain. !he *irls +ere silent. $t +as almost )nheard<of for a fifth form *irl to /e sent from the room. $f &iss !heo/ald heard of it there +o)ld /e serio)s tro)/le for Feli.ity. Feli.ity *ot )( and +al,ed o)t of the room as if she +as in a dream. She loo,ed ()>>led and sho.,ed. She stood o)tside the door and leaned a*ainst the +all. "er head a.hed. !hen the ne+ melody .ame /a., a*ain into it and she /e*an to sin* it 2)ietly. !he so)nd .ame into the silent .lassroom. ' Anne<&arie0 tell Feli.ity to *o to her st)dy0 and to +rite o)t the +hole of the a.t of the (lay she is no+ missin*0' said &iss #ill.o-. ' $ +ill not ha1e this /eha1io)r.' ' Feli.ity thin,s she's a *eni)s0' said Anne<&arie. 'She's al+ays a.tin* li,e this.' '$ didn't as, for any .omment0' said &iss #ill.o-. She al+ays for*ot to ()t on her dee(0 rather dra+lin* 1oi.e0 +hen she +as in a tem(er0 and her 1oi.e no+ so)nded rather harsh and )n(leasant. Almost e1ery one *ot into tro)/le that mornin*. =oris +as s.olded for not ,no+in* her (art in the (lay they +ere readin*. Alma +as ha)led )( for eatin* s+eets0 'li,e any silly little first former0' said &iss #ill.o- in dis*)st0 ta,in* the /a* a+ay from the fat0 )nha((y Alma. ' 6oor old 6)ddin* 4' +his(ered 6at to $sa/el. ' $ /elie1e eatin* is her only (leas)re in life 4' '

6at4 #hat did yo) say 5 ' demanded &iss #ill.o-. 6at +ent red. ' #ell<$ .an't 1ery +ell tell yo)0' she said0 not +ishin* to re(eat +hat she had said0 and h)rt Alma. &iss #ill.o- at on.e felt .ertain that 6at had /een sayin* somethin* r)de a/o)t her. ' &iss *ames this afternoon and +rite o)t yo)r (art in the (lay instead0' she sna((ed. 6at loo,ed )(set0 /)t did not dare to ar*)e +ith &iss #ill.o- in her (resent mood. !he *irls *re+ ner1o)s. 6a)line dro((ed her /oo,s on the floor and made &iss #ill.o- 7)m(. She *ot a fe+ shar( +ords that made her s2)irm and loo, at the mistress +ith resentment. Bo//y de/ated +hether or not to .heer thin*s )( /y ma,in* &iss #ill.o- and the .lass la)*h /)t de.ided that nothin* on earth +o)ld *et a smile o)t of the mistress that mornin*. #hate1er .o)ld /e +ron* +ith her 5 She +as not )s)ally li,e this. Only Alison and Anne<&arie *a>ed at her +ith admiration that mornin*. !hey /oth tho)*ht that their /elo1ed &iss #ill.o- loo,ed lo1ely +ith her dar, so)lf)l eyes flashin*. A /it of &iss #ill.o-'s hair .ame do+n and h)n* /y her ear. Alison sa+ her feelin* a/o)t for the (in that )s)ally ,e(t it )(0 and +al,ed from her seat. She (i.,ed )( the (in that had dro((ed and ()t it on &iss #ill.o-'s des, +ith one of her rather s+eet smiles. Someho+ the a.tion and the smile soothed &iss #ill.o-. ' !han, yo)0 Alison0' she said0 )sin* the dee( 1oi.e that al+ays thrilled Anne<&arie and Alison. ' 9o) are al+ays on hand to hel( 4' Anne< &arie felt 7ealo)s. She ne1er li,ed it +hen &iss #ill.o- (raised Alison in any +ay. She sat loo,in* *loomy. !he .lass +as am)sed to see this little /y(lay. After the readin* of the (lay +as finished0 there +ere fi1e min)tes left. ' "as any one fo)nd anythin* interestin* to read 5' as,ed &iss #ill.o-0 +ho al+ays en.o)ra*ed the .lass to /rin* any (oem they li,ed or to 2)ote any (rose lines they .ame a.ross0 +hi.h (leased them. A((arently no one had. ' #e'1e /een +or,in* too hard this +ee, to read m).h0' said "ilary. ' #e ha1en't time for anythin* till this a+f)l e-am. is o1er.' '&iss #ill.o-0' said Anne<&arie0 ner1o)sly smilin*. ' Co)ld $ read the .lass a (oem of mine0 (lease 5 $ +o)ld so li,e to ,no+ if yo) li,e it.' &iss #ill.o- +as not really in the mood to hear (oems /y any one0 sin.e her o+n had /een sent /a.,. B)t the .lass0 thin,in* that they .o)ld sit /a., and ha1e a little rest for fi1e min)tes0 a((la)ded Anne<&arie's s)**estion lo)dly. Anne<&arie fl)shed +ith (leas)re. She tho)*ht they +ere +el.omin* her (oem. $t didn't enter her silly little head that the *irls +anted a rest0 and +o)ldn't listen to a +ord of it. ' #ell0' said &iss #ill.o-0 rather )n*ra.io)sly0 ' yo) .an read it if yo) li,e0 Anne<&arie.' Anne<&arie *ot a (ie.e of (a(er o)t of her des,0 .o1ered +ith her s(ra+lin* hand<+ritin*0 +hi.h +as al+ays far too /i*. She .leared her throat0 and /e*an0 ()ttin* on a dee( 1oi.e that +as s)((osed to /e a flatterin* imitation of &iss #ill.o-'s o+n style. '!"E 'O%E'9 &$'' 'ost in the +reathin* mists of time0 Silent as years that are lost0 Broodin* . . .' %o/ody /)t An*ela listened. !he +hole .lass +as /ored to tears /y Anne<&arie's (retentio)s0 solemn and insin.ere (oetry. Anne<&arie let herself *o0 and her 1oi.e ran* 2)ite sonoro)sly thro)*h the .lassroom. B)t she +as not allo+ed to finish it. &iss #ill.o- had listened in a state of irritation0 and sto((ed her half<+ay thro)*h. !he (oem +as (lainly an imitation of one of her o+n (oems0 in the /oo, she had had ()/lished0 and of +hi.h the adorin* Anne<&arie had /o)*ht a .o(y. "er (oem +as .alled ' !he =eserted Farm'0 and the +hole (lan of it +as m).h the same as

Anne<&arie's0 e1en to the ideas in the different 1erses. As an imitation it +as 1ery .le1er</)t Anne<&arie had not meant it to /e an imitation. She had tho)*ht she +as +ritin* a most ori*inal (oem0 and had not e1en reali>ed that she had dra+n on her memories of &iss #ill.o-'s o+n (oem. 'Sto(0' said the mistress0 and Anne<&arie sto((ed0 ()>>led. She *lan.ed at &iss #ill.o-0 +ho +as fro+nin*. ' #hen yo) +rite somethin* really ori*inal0 somethin* o)t of yo)r o+n mind0 somethin* +hi.h isn't .o(ied from my +or, or any one else's0 $'ll listen to it0 Anne<&arie0' said &iss #ill.o-0 ()ttin* on her dee(0 dra+lin* 1oi.e a*ain. ' B)t &iss #ill.o-<$ didn't .o(y it from any+here0' stammered Anne<&arie0 horrified. '$<$ only tried to model it on yo)r o+n style0 +hi.h $ admire 1ery m).h. E1en if Anne<&arie's (oem had /een as *ood as one /y Sha,es(eare0 &iss #ill.o- +o)ld not ha1e admired it that mornin*0 +hen she +as still smartin* from the sendin* /a., of her o+n (re.io)s .olle.tion of (oems. ' =on't ma,e e-.)ses0' she said .oldly. ' $f $ +ere yo) $ sho)ld tear the (oem )(. %o+<there's the /ell. 6)t yo)r /oo,s to*ether and *o o)t for Brea,. Alison0 yo) .an stay and hel( me for a fe+ moments. $ +ant these (a(ers ()t in order.' $n tears (oor Anne<&arie +ent o)t of the room<and +ith smiles Alison hel(ed &iss #ill.o-. !he other *irls h)rried o)t than,f)lly<+hat a ner1e<ra.,in* En*lish lesson it had /een 4 1J ABO@! ;E%$@SES0 S6O !0 A%= &E%=$%; '9O@ +eren't si., after all0 Cla)dine0' said An*ela0 rather mali.io)sly0 as they +ent o)t. ' $t (assed0' said Cla)dine0 airily. ' "a((ily Feli.ity too, &iss #ill.o-'s attention0 or $ mi*ht ha1e had to *o to &atron.' ' #e'd /etter *o and *et Feli.ity o)t of her st)dy0' said $sa/el to 6at. ' $ +onder if she's +ritten o)t the a.t of that (lay. $t's an a+f)lly lon* one.' !hey +ent to Feli.ity's st)dy. Anne<&arie +as there0 .ryin*. She s.o+led at the others +hen they .ame in. ' Cheer )(0 silly0' said 6at. ' #hat does it matter +hat dear =eirdre says a/o)t yo)r (oem 5 $ /et she's 7ealo)s0 that's all4' ' 9o) don't ,no+ anythin* a/o)t (oetry0' sniffled Anne<&arie. ' $ don't /elie1e yo) heard a +ord of my (oem0 any+ay.' ' B)ite ri*ht0 $ didn't0' said 6at. ' $'d listen if $ )nderstood +hat yo) +ere tryin* to say in yo)r (oems0 Anne<&arie0 /)t it al+ays seems to me as if yo) ha1en't *ot anythin* to say.' ' 9o)'re all )n,ind to me0: so//ed Anne<&arie0 thoro)*hly )(set /y t+o thin*s3the fa.t that her (re.io)s (oem had /een s.offed at0 and that her adored &iss #ill.o- had sn)//ed her. ' Oh0 don't /e s).h a /a/y0' said 6at0 and t)rned to loo, at Feli.ity0 +ho +as +ritin* fe1erishly in a .orner0 .o(yin* o)t the (lay in a ner1o)s0 1ery small hand+ritin*. ' Bad l).,0 Feli.ity0' said 6at. ' Come on o)t no+0 tho)*h. =o yo) *ood to *et a /lo+ in the air this mornin*. 9o) loo, a+f)l.' ' $ don't ,no+ +hat ha((ened to me in .lass today0' said Feli.ity0 raisin* her head for a min)te. ' 9o) see0 $'1e /een +or,in* so hard on my m)si.0 and the t)ne $'1e /een *ro(in* for s)ddenly .ame to me<and my mind 7)st +ent after it0 and $ for*ot e1erythin* else.' ' $t's /e.a)se yo)'re a *eni)s0' said 6at0 ,indly0 for she li,ed Feli.ity0 +ho ()t on no airs at all0 and +as not in the least .on.eited. ' ;eni)ses al+ays do f)nny )n)s)al thin*s0 yo) ,no+. !hey .an't hel( it. !hey li,e +or,in* in the middle of the ni*ht0 they *o +itho)t food for days sometimes0 they +al, in their slee(0 they are a/sent<minded<oh0 they're not li,e ordinary (eo(le at all. So .heer )(<yo) .an't hel( /ein* a *eni)s. 6ersonally0 $ thin, yo)'re +or,in* too hard.' Anne<&arie listened to this sym(atheti. s(ee.h +ith sniffles and a

dis.ontented loo,. She tho)*ht herself 7)st as m).h a *eni)s as Feli.ity</)t no/ody e1er tal,ed to her li,e that 4 %o/ody e1er .alled her a *eni)s0 e-.e(t An*ela<and An*ela really didn't ,no+ the differen.e /et+een a n)rsery rhyme and a *reat (oem 4 'ife seemed 1ery hard to (oor Anne<&arie 7)st then. ' 6erha(s0' tho)*ht Anne<&arie0 s)ddenly0 ' (erha(s if $ do some 2)eer thin*s0 li,e Feli.ity does0 the *irls +ill reali>e $'m a *eni)s too. $t's +orth tryin*0 any+ay<so lon* as $ don't *et myself into a ro+. $t's no *ood doin* anythin* in &iss #ill.o-'s .lass<after Feli.ity's (erforman.e it +o)ld /e silly.' She .heered )( a little and +ent o)t for Brea,. Feli.ity +o)ld not *o o)t. She +as intent on finishin* the +ritin* o)t of the (lay0 so that she .o)ld on.e more *i1e her mind freely to the m)si. that seemed al+ays all aro)nd her. Feli.ity +as findin* thin*s 1ery hard that term. !he +or, in the fifth form +as more diffi.)lt than in the fo)rth0 and there +as the strain of the e-am. to fa.e. She +as also +or,in* e1en harder at her m)si.0 and 1ery often .o)ld not slee( at ni*ht. &ira/el also +as +or,in* 1ery hard at the s(orts standard of the +hole s.hool. She +anted to raise the standard of the la.rosse so that e1en the fo)rth and third teams +o)ld +in all their mat.hes. #hat a feather it +o)ld /e in her .a(0 if she did4 ;ladys did not a((ro1e of all this intense dri1e for hi*h effi.ien.y in *ames and *ym. and r)nnin* (ra.ti.e. ' 9o)'re tryin* to do too m).h too 2)i.,ly0' she said to &ira/el. ' 9o)'ll *et m).h /etter res)lts if yo) *o more slo+ly0 &ira/el. 'oo, at this (ra.ti.e list of yo)rs for the first form. 9o)'ll ma,e them all fed )( +ith *ames if yo) insist on so m).h time /ein* *i1en to them.' '=o them *ood0' said &ira/el0 intent on the se.ond form list. ' !hese ,ids o)*ht to /e 1ery *ratef)l for the interest $ ta,e in them. !hat 8ane !eal for instan.e3 she is ten times /etter sin.e she did +hat $ told her and ()t in more (ra.ti.e. She's the /est .at.her in the first form.' ' #ell0 yo) .an dri1e (eo(le li,e 8ane !eal0 +ho al+ays +ant to do the /est they .an for any one they li,e0' said ;ladys0 ' /)t yo) .an't dri1e e1ery one. Some 7)st *et o/stinate. $ thin, yo)'re not at all sensi/le +ith some of the fo)rth formers3and yo) really o)*ht to ,no+ /etter than to *o after (eo(le li,e Carlotta and An*ela and Cla)dine.' ' $ +ish yo) +o)ldn't al+ays find fa)lt +ith me0 ;ladys0' said &ira/el0 im(atiently. ' 9o)'re 2)ite different from +hat yo) )sed to /e. 9o) )sed to li,e /ein* *)ided /y me0 yo) said $ +as the stron* one0 and yo) 2)ite loo,ed )( to me.' ' $ ,no+0' said ;ladys0 ' and $ do no+. $ only +ish $ had half yo)r stren*th of +ill and ()r(ose0 &ira/el. B)t as $ a..e(ted the (ost of 1i.e<.a(tain0 +hi.h does /rin* +ith it the res(onsi/ility of sharin* +ith yo) most of yo)r de.isions0 $ .an't sit /a., and not say thin*s $ o)*ht to say. $ don't +ant to say them3$ ,no+ yo) +on't li,e some of them3/)t $'d /e a 1ery (oor thin* if $ didn't say them.' &ira/el really +as s)r(rised at ;ladys. Al+ays she had /een the leader of the t+o and ;ladys had follo+ed mee,ly and +illin*ly. $t +as somethin* ne+ for &ira/el to find ;ladys sti.,in* )( for her o+n ideas0 and a.t)ally *oin* a*ainst her sometimes $ &ira/el sho)ld ha1e admired her 2)iet friend for this0 /)t instead0 *loryin* in her (osition of s(orts .a(tain0 she only felt resentf)l. ' $ mean to ma,e St. Clare's the /est s(orts s.hool in the .o)ntry0' she said o/stinately. '$ shan't listen to any e-.)ses of o1er<+or, or tiredness from any one. !hey'll 7)st ha1e to ()t as m).h into their *ames as they do into their s.hool<+or,.' ' E1ery one is not as /i* and stron* as yo) are0' said ;ladys0

loo,in* at the h)*e0 stra((in* *irl. '$ don't +onder yo) are *oin* to train as a *ames<mistress. 9o)'re 7)st .)t o)t for it 4 9o) .o)ld ta,e *ym. and *ames the +hole day lon* and then *o for a ten<mile +al, in the e1enin*4 B)t do0 do remem/er0 &ira/el0 old thin*0 that yo)n*sters li,e 8ane !eal really ha1en't the stren*th to do all yo) do 4' 8ane !eal had most .ons.ientio)sly done all that &ira/el had as,ed her0 for she +as a loyal and hard+or,in* *irl. She felt (ro)d +hen &ira/el told her that she +as no+ the /est at /all<.at.hin* in la.rosse in the +hole of her /i* form. B)t she had ne1er sto((ed +orryin* a/o)t An*ela0 and she lon*ed to ma,e )( the 2)arrel +ith her0 and do thin*s for her a*ain. She sat in (re(. and de/ated thin*s in her mind. "o+ .o)ld she /e.ome friends +ith An*ela a*ain 5 "o+ .o)ld she do her 7o/s instead of Diolet0 +ho0 after the )(set +ith Antoinette0 had /een ta,en /a., into fa1o)r a*ain. She .o)ld not for the life of her thin, ho+ to *et /a., into An*ela's *ood /oo,s. '9o) seem to /e lost in dreams0 8ane0' said &iss o/erta's 1oi.e. '$ .an't thin, yo) are doin* yo)r maths.0 +ith that fara+ay e-(ression on yo)r fa.e.' '$3$ +as 7)st thin,in* of somethin*0' said 8ane0 em/arrassed0 and /ent her head to her +or,. !he ne-t day Diolet +ent do+n +ith a 1ery /ad .old0 and +as ta,en off to the san. /y &atron0 snifflin* and feelin* 1ery sorry for herself. She .alled to 8ane as she +ent. ' Find that s.hool<story for me0 and my ne+ 7i*<sa+ ()>>le and /rin* them in sometime to me0' she said0 and 8ane (romised she +o)ld. A..ordin*ly she +ent to Diolet's lo.,er after mornin* s.hool0 and loo,ed for the thin*s she +anted. She fo)nd them3and she also fo)nd t+o (airs of An*ela's sto.,in*s0 and t+o 1ests0 all +antin* 2)ite a lot of mendin*. She stared at them. Diolet +o)ld /e a+ay from s.hool for three or fo)r days. Sho)ld she0 8ane0 do the mendin*0 and ta,e it /a., to An*ela0 and as, if she mi*ht ta,e Diolet's (la.e till she .ame /a., 4 $t +o)ld /e lo1ely to *o to her st)dy a*ain0 and tidy )( the /ea)tif)l (la.e0 loo, at the (i.t)res on the +all0 fill the 1ases +ith +ater3do all the thin*s she lo1ed doin*. An*ela +o)ld smile at her a*ain0 and e1erythin* +o)ld /e all ri*ht. 8ane mended e1erythin* /ea)tif)lly0 s(endin* all her free time on the sto.,in*s and the 1ests. Some of her free time sho)ld ha1e /een s(ent in learnin* a (art in a (lay the first form +ere doin*. "o+ .o)ld she learn it0 +hen she had to *o to /ed early0 li,e all the other first formers 5 ' $'ll ta,e my tor.h to /ed +ith me0 and +hen the others are aslee(0 $'ll s+it.h it on )nder the /ed<.lothes and learn my (art then0' tho)*ht 8ane. She +as (leased at ha1in* tho)*ht of s).h a *ood +ay o)t. %o one +o)ld ,no+. She did not thin, of ho+ tired she +o)ld feel the ne-t day 4 She too, the thin*s to An*ela that afternoon +hen An*ela sent for Diolet. She +ent in timidly0 her heart /eatin* fast0 for she +as afraid of An*ela's sneers and sn)/s. Alison +as there alone. She +as s)r(rised to see 8ane. ' "allo0 ,id0' she said. ' #here's Diolet 5' ' $n the san. +ith a .old0' said 8ane. ' $ mended An*ela's thin*s instead. #here is she0 Alison 5 ' '"a1in* a tal, +ith &ira/el0' said Alison. &ira/el had /een ha1in* serio)s tal,s +ith all the fifth form that day0 as,in* them to hel( her in ma,in* the s(orts standard for St. Clare's m).h hi*her. She +o)ld .ertainly not ha1e m).h s)..ess +ith An*ela0 +ho detested *ettin* hot and )ntidy 4 'Oh0' said 8ane0 disa((ointed0 and ()t the mended sto.,in*s and 1ests do+n. !hen her fa.e /ri*htened0 for An*ela .ame into the room and sh)t the door 1iolently. She loo,ed

.ross. ' !hat idiot of a &ira/el 4' she said to Alison0 not seein* 8ane at first. ' She +ants to t)rn )s all into tom/oys li,e herself0 *reat stra((in* .reat)res0 stridin* alon* instead of +al,in*0 sho)tin* instead of s(ea,in*0 (layin* ' 8ane is here0' said Alison0 +arnin*ly. An*ela t)rned and sa+ her. She still loo,ed .ross0 and 8ane hastened to e-(lain +hy she +as there. ' Diolet's ill0 (lease An*ela0' she said. ' So $ ha1e done yo)r mendin* myself. $ ho(e yo) don't mind. $<$< +o)ld li,e to do it for yo) a*ain0 if yo)'ll let me.' An*ela stared at 8ane )nsmilin*ly. ' B)t +hat a/o)t dear &ira/el0 and her an-iety to ma,e yo) into a +onderf)l little s(orts+oman 5 ' she said in a mo.,in* 1oi.e. ' $ .an do /oth0' said 8ane0 an-io)sly. ' $ .an ma,e time for my +or,0 and my *ames and for anythin* yo)'d li,e me to do too.' An*ela ,ne+ it +o)ld annoy &ira/el if she heard that she +as ma,in* 8ane s(end her time on all ,inds of 7o/s for her. So she nodded her head and *a1e the *irl a sli*ht smile0 +hi.h +as hea1en to 8ane. ' All ri*ht0' she said. ' $'ll ha1e yo) a*ain. $'m tired of that silly Diolet any+ay0 +ith her /i* .o+'s<eyes. 9o) .an .ome instead.' Filled +ith deli*ht 8ane s(ed off. E1erythin* +as all ri*ht a*ain4 !he +onderf)l An*ela had smiled at her4 She didn't mind if she had to +or, in /ed e1ery ni*ht so lon* as An*ela +ent on /ein* ni.e to her. 11 &$ ABE' &AKES "E SE'F A %@$SA%CE &$ ABE' +as really ma,in* herself a n)isan.e 7)st then0 es(e.ially +ith the fifth form0 +ho +ere +or,in* 1ery hard indeed for the e-amK She +as tryin* to *et them interested in the yo)n*er ones0 to ma,e them *o and ta,e (ra.ti.e *ames +ith them. !hey o/7e.ted to this 1ery m).h. ' $t's a silly idea0' said 6at. ' !hose /a/ies m).h (refer to (ra.tise on their o+n. !hey don't li,e /ein* .hi11ied a/o)t /y )s /i* ones.' ' Besides0 +e'1e *ot to +or,0' said "ilary0 e-as(erated. '$ .an't ima*ine +hen yo) do any e-tra +or, for the e-am.0 &ira/el<$'m s)re yo) s(end all yo)r e1enin*s in yo)r st)dy0 (re(arin* yo)r s(orts lists and list for mat.hes0 and *oodness ,no+s +hat.' $t +as tr)e that &ira/el +as doin* 1ery little e-tra +or,. She +as tr)stin* to s.ra(e thro)*h the e-am.0 /)t she did not .are +hether she *ot *ood mar,s or not. "er +hole so)l +as in the r)nnin* of the s.hool *ames0 and she often annoyed the *ames<mistress intensely. B)t &ira/el's thi., s,in made her 2)ite in1)lnera/le to .)ttin* remar,s or sn)/s. ' She 7)st dri1es on li,e a tan,0' said Bo//y. ' %o/ody .an sto( her. She'll ha1e )s all trailin* after her hel(in* her in her s(orts ideas 7)st /e.a)se +e're so tired of ar*)in* +ith her.' ' 9o) .an't ar*)e +ith &ira/el0' said =oris. ' She ne1er listens to a +ord any one says. $ do)/t if she e1en listens to ;ladys no+. $t's a (ity ;ladys isn't a stron*er .hara.ter. She mi*ht ha1e some infl)en.e o1er o)r head< stron* &ira/el 4' ';ladys )sed to ha1e infl)en.e o1er her0' said 6at. ' =o yo) remem/er +hen &ira/el first .ame to St. Clare's and +as r)de and defiant0 and said she +o)ldn't stay lon*er than half<term0 +hate1er ha((ened 5 ' ' 9es0' said $sa/el0 remem/erin*. ' She +as sim(ly )n/eara/le<2)ite )nreasona/le. And it +as the little &o)se ;ladys0 +ho *ot her ro)nd0 and made her stay on0 and /e.ome 2)ite a de.ent mem/er of St. Clare's.' ' B)t &ira/el has *ot s+elled<head no+ she's s(orts .a(tain0' said Bo//y. ' ;ladys .an't do anythin* +ith her. $ heard her ar*)in* +ith &ira/el the other day0 and all that ha((ened +as that &ira/el *ot an*ry and sh)t her )(.' ' $ ha1e ne1er li,ed this &ira/el of yo)rs0' remar,ed Cla)dine0 +ho had .onsistently *ot o)t of *ames and *ym. +hene1er she .o)ld0 all the time she had

/een at St. Clare's. ' She is al+ays h)ntin* me here0 there and e1ery+here0 .allin* )(on me to do this and that.' !he *irls smiled. Cla)dine )s)ally fo)nd it 2)ite easy to e1ade (eo(le +ho +anted her to do somethin* she disli,ed0 /)t fe+ (eo(le +ere so (ersistent as &ira/el. %o matter +here Cla)dine hid herself &ira/el +o)ld r)n her to earth0 (rod).e a list of *ames and try to (in Cla)dine do+n to a (ra.ti.e. ' 9esterday0 in my *reat des(air0 $ +ent to s(ea, to &iss !heo/ald0' said Cla)dine0 raisin* her eye/ro+s and her sho)lders in an am)sin* +ay. ' !here +as &ira/el .lose /ehind me0 +a1in* a *reat list0 and there +as $0 ta,in* to my toes.' '"eels0' said Bo//y0 la)*hin*. ' $ r)n fast0' said Cla)dine0 ' and $ find myself o)tside &iss !heo/ald's door. #hat shall $ do to *et a+ay from this dreadf)l &ira/el 5 $ ,no., at the door. $ *o in 4 ' !he *irls +ere am)sed and +ondered +hat Cla)dine .o)ld ha1e fo)nd so s)ddenly to say to &iss !heo/ald. ' #hat e-.)se did yo) ma,e 5 ' as,ed 8anet. ' $ held a lon* .on1ersation +ith &iss !heo/ald0' said Cla)dine0 solemnly. 'Ah0 +e tal,ed0 and +e tal,ed0 +hilst the (oor &ira/el0 she +aited (atiently o)tside the door 4' ' #hat on earth did yo) tal, a/o)t 5' said Bo//y0 .)rio)sly. Cla)dine loo,ed mis.hie1o)s. '!here +as no &iss !heo/ald there 4' she said. ' $ tal,ed to myself0 and then $ tal,ed a*ain as if $ +as ans+erin*. !he door +as sh)t. "o+ .o)ld the *ood0 (atient &ira/el ,no+ that only $0 Cla)dine0 +as in the room 5' ' #as &ira/el o)tside the door +hen yo) +ent o)t 5 ' said Bo//y. ' Alas<&iss !heo/ald herself .ame to the door +hen &ira/el +as still standin* there0' said Cla)dine. ' !he (oor &ira/el 4 She m)st ha1e /een so s)r(rised to see &iss !heo/ald0 as s)r(rised as $ +as s)ddenly to hear her 1oi.e o)tside the door. &e0 $ did not stay in the room any lon*er. $ 7)m(ed o)t of the +indo+. !he *ardener +as there0 and he too 7)m(ed<ho+ do yo) say it<he 7)m(ed o)t of his s,in.' !he *irls yelled at the tho)*ht of Cla)dine 7)m(in* oat of &iss !heo/ald's +indo+0 in order to a1oid /oth &ira/el and &iss !heo/ald. %one of the others0 e-.e(t (erha(s Carlotta0 +o)ld ha1e tho)*ht of doin* s).h a thin*. ' 9o) really are the limit0' said Bo//y. ' #hat is this : limit: that yo) are al+ays tal,in* of 5 ' in2)ired Cla)dine. ' %e1er mind. #hat ha((ened ne-t 5 ' said "ilary0 +ho al+ays en7oyed Cla)dine's (ran,s. ' Ah0 +ell<$ +ent in at the side<door0' said Cla)dine0 ' and $ heard &iss !heo/ald and &ira/el /ein* most s)r(rised at ea.h other. &iss !heo/ald said : &y dear &ira/el0 ho+ .an Cla)dine /e tal,in* to me in the dra+in*<room if $ am here0 o)tside the door 5 =o not /e foolish :.' !he *irls *i**led. '=idn't &iss !heo/ald o(en the door 5 ' as,ed 8anet. ' 9es0' said Cla)dine0 ' and there +as no one in the room. Ah0 it +as *ood to see (oor &ira/el's fa.e then 4 So s)r(rised it +as0 so ()>>led. And &iss !heo/ald0 she +as 2)ite .ross.' ' =id &ira/el as, yo) +hat had ha((ened 5 ' said 6at0 *rinnin*. ' Ah yes<she as,s me so many times0' said Cla)dine. And $ say0' $ do not )nderstand0 &ira/el. S(ea, to me in Fren.h. B)t the (oor &ira/el0 her Fren.h is so /ad $ do not )nderstand that either4' ' Sh<here is &ira/el0' said 6a)line0 as the s(orts .a(tain .ame into the room. 9o) al+ays ,ne+ +hen &ira/el +as .omin*<she +al,ed hea1ily0 she fl)n* doors o(en0 and her 1oi.e +as lo)d and .onfident. She .ame to+ards the *irls. ' $ say0' she said0 ' $'1e 7)st *ot &iss !heo/ald's (ermission to .all a /i* s(orts meetin* tomorro+ ni*ht in the assem/ly hall. Se1en o'.lo.,. $t's to dis.)ss all the mat.hes this term< and there are some 7olly im(ortant ones. Se1en o'.lo.,0 don't for*et. And $ shall

e-(e.t e1ery mem/er of the fifth form to /e there. !he yo)n*er *irls are all .omin*0 of .o)rse0 and it +o)ldn't do to let them see any of )s sla.,in* or not attendin* the meetin*. ' 9es0 /)t &ira/el<it's Sat)rday ni*ht0 and yo) ,no+ +e +ere *oin* to ha1e a dan.e0' (rotested An*ela. ' 9o) ,no+ that. $t +as all arran*ed. !he third and fo)rth form +ere .omin* too. $t +as to /e real f)n.' ' #ell0 $ ()t the meetin* tomorro+ ni*ht /e.a)se the dan.e isn't a /it im(ortant and the meetin* is0' said &ira/el. '#e .an ha1e a dan.e any other Sat)rday. B)t $'1e *ot 2)ite a lot of ne+ ideas to ()t /efore the s.hool. $'1e /een +or,in* them all o)t.' ' 9o) mi*ht as, )s if +e +o)ld a*ree to e-.han*in* a dan.e fer1o)r silly meetin*0' said Alison. ' 9o)'re so 7olly hi*h<handed 4 $ shan't .ome to the meetin*. $'1e *ot /etter thin*s to do.' &ira/el loo,ed sho.,ed. "o+ .o)ld there /e /etter thin*s to do than attend a s(orts meetin*0 and dis.)ss the ins and .)ts of mat.hes 5 She stared at Alison and fro+ned. ' 9o)'1e *ot to .ome0' she said. ' &iss !heo/ald said Cla)dine 7)m(ed o)t of the +indo+ $ .o)ld arran*e the meetin*0 and tell e1ery one to attend. $t +on't ta,e lon*.' ' 9o) al+ays say that</)t yo)r meetin*s ta,e ho)rs0' said Carlotta. ' 9o) stand )( and tal, and tal, and tal,. $ shan't .ome.' '$ shall re(ort any one +ho doesn't0' said &ira/el0 /e*innin* to loo, an*ry. ' &ira/el<()t the meetin* another time0' said "ilary. ' 9o)'re only *ettin* e1ery one's /a., )(. 9o) really are. #e +ant a little f)n tomorro+ ni*ht. #e'1e a@ +or,ed hard this +ee,.' ' $'m sorry0' said &ira/el0 stiffly. ' !he meetin* +ill /e held tomorro+ ni*ht0 and nothin*0 +ill (re1ent it0 not e1en yo)r +ish0 my dear "ilary. 9o) may /e head of the form0 /)t $ am head of the +hole s.hool for s(orts.' She +ent o)t and sh)t the door lo)dly. She ,ne+ the *irls +o)ld say hard thin*s a/o)t her0 /)t she didn't .are. She meant to ha1e her +ay. !he *irls +o)ld than, her all ri*ht +hen e1ery sin*le mat.h a*ainst other s.hools +as +on4 She +o)ld ()t St. Clare's at the to(. ' She has a +as( in her hat0 that *irl0' said Cla)dine0 dis*)sted. ' A /ee in her /onnet0 yo) mean0' said 6at. ' "o+ yon do *et thin*s mi-ed )(0 Cla)dine4 9es0 old &ira/el .ertainly has *ot a /ee in her /onnet<its<s(orts0 s(orts0 s(orts +ith her all the time0 and e1ery one else has *ot to /e dra**ed into it too. $ lo1e *ames</)t honestly0 $ find myself not +antin* to t)rn o)t on the field no+0 sim(ly /e.a)se $ ,no+ &ira/el +ill /e there0 ready to .he., a@ shir,ers and late<.omers 4' ' Shall +e ha1e to *o to this /eastly /orin* meetin* 5 ' said Feli.ity. ' $ +anted to +or, at my m)si..' ' And $ +anted to finish my ne+ (oem0' said Anne<&arie at on.e. ' #e'll ha1e to *o0 if &iss !heo/ald has a*reed to let &ira/el .all the meetin*0' said "ilary0 rel).tantly. ' $ s)((ose she told &iss !heo/ald that +e +ere all ,een on the meetin*. $t's a n)isan.e</)t +e'll ha1e to t)rn )(.' ' &ay/e the meetin* +ill not /e held after all.' said Cla)dine. ' %ot a ho(e0' said Bo//y. ' $ ,no+ &ira/el. On.e she ma,es )( her mind a/o)t somethin*0 that somethin* ha((ens. She's a /orn di.tator. She'll /e a((allin* in the si-th form 4' ' $ thin, may/e the meetin* +ill not ha((en after all0' said Cla)dine0 loo,in* dreamily into s(a.e. ' #hat do yo) mean 5 ' said Bo//y. ' $ ha1e a feelin* here0' said Cla)dine0 (ressin* a hand to her t)mmy. ' $t tells me0 this feelin*0 that somethin* +ill sto( the meetin* tomorro+ ni*ht. #hat .an it /e5' "ilary loo,ed s)s(i.io)sly at Cla)dine0 +ho +as +earin* one of her most inno.ent and an*eli. e-(ressions. Cla)dine ret)rned her loo, +ith .andid +ide<o(en eyes. ' Are yo) (lannin*

anythin* 5 ' said "ilary. ' Be.a)se if so0 don't. 9o) .an't meddle +ith thin*s li,e s.hool meetin*s0 on.e yo)'re a fifth former.' ' "o+ tr)e t' said Cla)dine0 +ith a si*h0 and +ent off to her st)dy +ith Carlotta. !hat ni*ht0 +hen e1ery one in Cla)dine's room +as aslee( the little Fren.h *irl sli((ed o)t of /ed and +ent alon* the .orridor. She +ent do+n the stairs and soon ret)rned +ith somethin* that shone /ri*htly ea.h time she (assed )nder a dimmed li*ht. She de(osited it in an )n)sed .hest o)tside the dormitory door0 .o1ered it +ith an old r)*0 and then sli((ed alon* another .orridor to the dormitory in +hi.h her sister Antoinette sle(t. She a+o,e Antoinette /y a li*ht to).h0 and ,nelt /y her sister's /ed to +his(er. ' O)t0 o)t0' +his(ered /a., Antoinette0 ' yes 4 9es0 Cla)dine0 $ +ill do as yo) say. =o not fear. $t +ill /e done 4' Cla)dine sli((ed /a., to /ed li,e a little +hite *host. She .lim/ed /et+een the sheets0 *rinnin* to herself. =ear &ira/el0 it +ill /e diffi.)lt for yo) to hold yo)r meetin* tomorro+0 (oor &ira/el0 yo) +ill /e disa((ointed0 foolish &ira/el0 yo) .annot *et the /etter of the little Fren.h Cla)dine 4 #ith these (leasant tho)*hts Cla)dine fell fast aslee(. 1? !"E &EE!$%; $S S6O$'! !"E third0 fo)rth0 and fifth forms +ere 1ery m).h annoyed and )(set /y &ira/el's .ommand to attend the s(orts meetin* on Sat)rday ni*ht. !hey had loo,ed for+ard to the dan.e so m).h<it +as 7)st li,e &ira/el to s(oil e1erythin* 4 ' She +al,s a/o)t +ith those lon* strides of hers as if she o+ns the +hole s.hool0' said Belinda of the fo)rth form. ' $ )sed to li,e *ames /)t no+ $'m *ettin* fed )( +ith them0' .om(lained ita of the third form. ' &ira/el ti.,s me off in ()/li. on the field as if $ +ere one of the first form. $ +on't stand it 4' B)t she did stand it /e.a)se &ira/el +as a 1ery stron* (ersonality determined to *et her o+n +ay. She +as )sin* her (o+er to the )tmost and /eyond. !he fifth formers all ()t a+ay their 1ario)s o..)(ations that Sat)rday ni*ht as se1en o'.lo., dre+ near. !hey *r)m/led.as they sh)t their /oo,s0 rolled )( their ,nittin*0 ()t a+ay their letters. B)t not one of them ref)sed to *o +hen the time .ame0 for they ,ne+ that0 as fifth formers0 they m)st t)rn )( e1en if only as a *ood e-am(le to the yo)n*er ones. &ira/el +as standin* on the (latform of the assem/ly hall0 r)nnin* thro)*h the list of thin*s she meant to say. She *lan.ed )( as the *irls .ame filin* in0 her 2)i., eyes +at.hin* to see that e1ery one t)rned )(. #oe /etide any )nl).,y first or se.ond former +ho did not arri1e 4 &ira/el +o)ld /e after them the ne-t day 4 Antoinette .ame )( to &ira/el. !he s(orts .a(tain *lan.ed )( im(atiently. ' #hat is it0 Antoinette 5 ' ' 6lease0 &ira/el0 may the se.ond form ha1e a ne+ /all to (ra.tise +ith 5 ' said Antoinette. ' $t seems that +e ha1e lost the one +e had0 and +e are oh0 so ,een0 to (ra.tise hard for yo).' ' "m0' said &ira/el0 rather dis/elie1in*ly0 for Antoinette .o)ld not /y any means ha1e /een .alled ,een on *ames. ' #hy didn't Diolet .ome to me a/o)t it 5 ' ' Diolet is in the san.0' said Antoinette. ' #ell0 .ome to me on &onday a/o)t the /all. $ .an't (ossi/ly deal +ith matters li,e that no+0' said &ira/el. ' 9o) o)*ht to ,no+ /etter than to .ome 7)st /efore an im(ortant meetin* li,e this.' ' 9es0 &ira/el0' said Antoinette0 and sidled a+ay. &ira/el tho)*ht of her +ith e-as(eration. She +as a sla.,er0 7)st li,e Cla)dine</)t she +o)ld (in her do+n and ma,e her (lay *ames (ro(erly if it too, her three terms to do it 4 !he *irls all filed in. &ira/el .a)*ht si*ht of 8ane !eal in the first<form /en.hes0 loo,in* rather (ale. 8ane +as *a>in* at An*ela0 +ho +as

loo,in* 1ery /ea)tif)l that e1enin*. She had had her hair +ashed0 and it *listened li,e finest *old. &ira/el fro+ned. She +ished that 8ane and the other first formers +o)ld sto( ra1in* a/o)t that foolish An*ela 4 She ran her eyes o1er the fifth form. !hey all seemed to /e there</)t +ait a min)te0 +here +as Feli.ity 5 &ira/el s(o,e to Anne<&arie0 +ho +as (assin* /y the (latform at that moment. ' #here's Feli.ity 5' ' She's .omin*0 &ira/el0' said Anne<&arie0 shortly0 for she0 li,e e1ery one else0 resented *i1in* )( a 7olly dan.e for a d)ll meetin*. ' She had some m)si. to finish .o(yin* o)t. She said she +as 7)st .omin*.' ' #ell0 $ shall /e*in +itho)t her.' said &ira/el. ' She's al+ays )n()n.t)al. S).h a /ad e-am(le for the yo)n*er ones 4 $t's a min)te (ast se1en already.' E1ery one +as no+ in their seats. !here +as a *reat sh)fflin* of feet0 and an o)t/rea, of .o)*hin* from the se.ond form0 +ho +ere a 1ery li1ely lot this term. &ira/el +ent to the front of the (latform. She loo,ed enormo)s there. She /e*an 1ery self<.onfidently0 for she +as seldom at a loss for +ords0 +hen her /elo1ed *ames +ere the s)/7e.t. ' ;ood e1enin*0 *irls0' she /e*an0 in her lo)d0 determined 1oi.e. ' $ ha1e .alled this im(ortant meetin* here to<ni*ht for a 1ery s(e.ial reason. $ +ant to ma,e St. Clare's the head of all the s.hools in the ,in*dom in their (rofi.ien.y at *ames of all ,inds. $ +ant )s to ha1e ho.,ey as +ell0 $ +ant )s to . . .' !here .ame an interr)(tion. A first<form *irl stood )( and sto((ed &ira/el. ' 8ane isn't +ell. She says she +on't lea1e the meetin*0 /)t she m)st0 m)stn't she 5 ' $t +as Sally0 8ane !eal's friend. E1ery one t)rned to loo, at (oor 8ane0 +ho0 +hite in the fa.e0 felt 2)ite faint +ith em/arrassment. ' !a,e her o)t0 Sally0' said &ira/el0 rather im(atiently. She did not li,e /ein* interr)(ted in her o(enin* s(ee.h. Sally hel(ed 8ane o)t. ' Are yo) *oin* to /e si., 5 ' she as,ed in a lo)d +his(er0 +hi.h em/arrassed (oor 8ane e1en more. She +as terri/ly )(set at holdin* )( &ira/el's meetin*0 /)t she really did feel 2)eer. !he t+o +ent o)t0 and &ira/el res)med her s(ee.h0 +hi.h +ent on for three or fo)r min)tes. ' $ +ant )s to +in all o)r la.rosse mat.hes0 $ +ant )s to form a ho.,ey team that is )n/eata/le0 $ +ant )s to . . .' B)t +hat else &ira/el +anted no/ody e1er ,ne+. !here .ame a s)dden and )n)s)al noise that made e1ery one 7)m( 1iolently. $t +as the lo)d' .lan*in* of the s.hool fire</ell 4 Clan*4 Clan*4 Clan* 4 Clan* 4 &ira/el sto((ed and listened0 startled. Fire 4 !his +as not 7)st a (ra.ti.e alarm she +as sore<&iss !heo/ald +o)ld ne1er .hoose a time li,e this for an )ne-(e.ted fire<(ra.ti.e K she ,ne+ there +as an im(ortant meetin* /ein* held. !he first and se.ond formers loo,ed )neasily at one another0 and then loo,ed for a lead from the older ones. !here +ere no mistresses (resent. "ilary stood )(0 her fa.e 2)ite .alm. ' "el( me to *et the first and se.onds o)t 2)ietly0' she said to the t+ins and to 8anet and Bo//y. ' #e'll mar.h them into the *ro)nds0 o)t /y the side door.' &ira/el also too, 2)i., .ommand. "er stron* 1oi.e ran* o)t reass)rin*ly. ' !hat's the s.hool fire</ell. 9o) all ,no+ +hat to do. Stand0 (lease.' !he *irls st ood0 *lad to ha1e a leader. &ira/el sa+ that "ilary0 the t+ins0 Bo//y and 8anet had mo1ed a.ross to the yo)n*er *irls0 and she sa+ that she .o)ld e-(e.t the )tmost hel( from them. Some of the first formers loo,ed father s.ared. ' i*ht t)rn4' roared &ira/el ' Follo+ "ilary #ent<+orth. &ar.h4' $n (erfe.t order0 +itho)t any (ani. at all0

the first and se.ond forms mar.hed o)t0 led /y "ilary0 +ho )ndid the *arden door and +ent into the *ro)nds. $t +as a dar, ni*ht0 /)t the *irls ,ne+ the *ro)nds +ell. 6at and $sa/el too, o)t the se.ond form. Bo//y and 8anet0 and the head<*irl of the third form then mar.hed off +ith that form. !he fo)rth formers follo+ed +ith the fifth0 sniffin* the air ea*erly to see if they .o)ld smell smo,e. ' #here's the fire 5 ' .ried Belinda. ' $ .an't see a si*n any+here 4' &ira/el +ent o)t of the hall last0 (leased to find that fihe .o)ld handle an emer*en.y so effi.iently. "er lo)d .onfident 1oi.e had at on.e instilled tr)st into e1ery *irl. She +ondered +here the fire +as. !he first of the mistresses to arri1e on the s.ene +as &am'>efle. &iss !heo/ald +as o)t0 and the Fren.h &istress had /een left in .har*e for that e1enin*. !he lo)d0 distressed 1oi.e of &am'>dle +as heard lon* /efore she a((eared in the door+ay. ' Ah 4 #here are the *irls 5 9es0 yes<in the assem/ly hall. !o thin, that a fire sho)ld .ome +hen &iss !heo/ald is o)t 4 ;irls0 +here are yo)0 Cla)dine0 Antoinette0 sho+ yo)rsel1es to me0 $ (ray yo)4 Are yo) safe5' ' B)ite safe 4' .ame Cla)dine's am)sed 1oi.e0 and then Antoinette left the dar,ness of the *ro)nds and +ent to +here &am'>elle stood in the door+ay. ' $ too anf safe0' she said in her dem)re 1oi.e. &am'>elle thre+ her arms ro)nd Antoinette as if she had res.)ed her from flames. ' Ah0 my little Antoinette 4 =o not /e afraid. $ am here0 yo)r stron* A)nt &athilde4' ' #here's the fire0 &am'>elle 5 ' .alled a 1oi.e. ' Ah0 the fire 4 #here is it 5 ' re(eated &am'>elle0 still feelin* rather da>ed. !hen &atron a((eared on the s.ene0 and too, .ommand at on.e. She had s(ed ro)nd the s.hool immediately she had heard the fire</ell0 to see +here the fire .o)ld /e. She had /een to the (la.e +here the fire</ell +as ,e(t to see +ho +as rin*in* it</)t the fire</ell +as standin* in its (la.e0 and no one +as near it 4 She +as ()>>led0 /)t as her nose0 eyes and ears told her that .ertainly there +as no fire ra*in* any+here near she felt s)re that some one had /een (layin* a 7o,e. &atron had /een lon* eno)*h at St. Clare's to smell a 7o,e a mile a+ay /y: no+. ' ;irls0 .ome in at on.e 4' she said0 in her .ris(0 .ool 1oi.e. ' !here is no fire. B)t $ m)st .on*rat)late yo) on res(ondin* to the /ell so 2)i.,ly and 2)ietly0 and *oin* o)t of doors in this sensi/le +ay.' ' #ell0 +e +ere all at a meetin*0' said "ilary0 +ho +as near the door. ' $t +as easy. #e 7)st mar.hed o)t. B)t &atron<+ho ran* the /dl then 5 ' ' #e shall no do)/t find that o)t later0' said &atron0 dryly. ' $n the meantime0 (lease mar.h indoors a*ain.' !he *irls all mar.hed in. Some of them +ere shi1erin*0 for it +as a .old ni*ht. &atron sa+ this and ho(ed the san. +o)ld not /e in)ndated +ith (eo(le ha1in* .olds the follo+in* +ee, 4 She loo,ed at her +at.h and made )( her mind 2)i.,ly. ' 9o) +ill all *o to yo)r .ommon rooms and yo)r st)dies at on.e0' she said. ' "ead<*irls0 ma,e )( the fires in the .ommon rooms0 (lease0 and see that the rooms are +arm. $n ten min)tes' time .ome to the ,it.hen0 t+o *irls from ea.h form0 and there +ill /e 7)*s of hot .o.oa ready0 +hi.h $ +ant yo) all to drin, as soon as (ossi/le.' !his +as (leasant ne+s. !he *irls h)rried in0 *lad to thin, of +arm fires and hot .o.oa. B)t &ira/el +as annoyed. She s(o,e to &atron. ' &atron0 $'m sorry0 /)t $'m afraid the *irls m)st *o /a., to the hall. #e +ere 7)st /e*innin* a most im(ortant meetin*. Shall $ tell them or +ill yo) 5 ' &atron loo,ed hard at the self<.onfident &ira/el. ' #e shall neither of )s tell them0' she said. ' 9o) heard +hat $ said to them. !hey'1e had

a s(ell o)t there in the .old and $ don't +ant them to *et .hills. !here +ill /e no meetin* toni*ht.' ' ")rrah 4' said one or t+o lo+ 1oi.es0 as the *irls h)rryin* in heard this +el.ome ne+s. ' ;ood old &atron.' &ira/el o)*ht to ha1e ,no+n that one (erson she .o)ld ne1er flo)t +as &atron. She /e*an to ar*)e. ' B)t &atron<this is a most im(ortant meetin*. $ shall ha1e to *o to &iss !heo/ald0 $'m afraid0 and as, her for her a)thority to .ontin)e my meetin*0 if yo) +on't *i1e the *irls (ermission.' ' Dery +ell. ;o and as, her0' said &atron0 +ho ,ne+ 2)ite +ell that &iss !heo/ald +as o)t. So off +ent &ira/el0 an*ry and determined0 /itterly disa((ointed that her +onderf)l meetin* +as s(oilt. B)t &iss !heo/ald +as not in her dra+in*<room. $t +as most annoyin*. &ira/el hardly dared to *o /a., and ta,e )( the matter +ith &atron a*ain. She had not at all li,ed the tone of &atron's 1oi.e. "er s(irits san, and she felt rather misera/le. !hen her fa.e *re+ *rim. ' #ell0 $ shall find o)t +ho ran* that /ell and s(oilt my meetin*0 any+ay 4 And +on't $ *i1e them a dressin*< do+n<in front of the +hole s.hool0 too 4' 1A #"O A%; !"E F$ E<BE''5 &$ ABE' +ent stormin* to her st)dy. ;ladys +as there0 +armin* herself in front of a .heerf)l little fire. ' 6ity the meetin* +as s(oilt0' she said0 thin,in* that &ira/el +o)ld /e in need of a little .omfort a/o)t it. ' 9o) +ere ma,in* a 1ery *ood s(ee.h0 &ira/el.' ' ;ladys0 +ho do yo) thin, ran* that fire</ell 5 ' said &ira/el0 *rimly. ' $s that .o.oa in the 7)* 5 $'ll ha1e a .)(. %ot that $'m .old0 /)t $ do feel a /it )(set at ha1in* the meetin* .om(letely s(oilt /y some silly idiot +ho thin,s it .le1er to (lay a (ra.ti.al 7o,e li,e that.' ;ladys said nothin*. She had no idea at all +ho the .)l(rit .o)ld /e. &ira/el stirred her .o.oa 1iolently0 and +ent on tal,in*. ' #ho +asn't there 5 #ell0 Feli.ity +asn't0 of .o)rse 4 ;ladys0 .o)ld it ha1e /een Feli.ity 5' ' Of .o)rse not0' said ;ladys. ' $ don't s)((ose Feli.ity e1en ,no+s there is a fire</ell0 let alone +here it is 4' ' #ell<$ shall .ertainly find o)t +here she +as all the time0' said &ira/el. ' !his is really the sort of idioti. 7o,e Cla)dine +o)ld (lay</)t she +as there all the time. $ sa+ her myself<and Antoinette +as there too0 /e.a)se she .ame )( and s(o,e to me at the /e*innin* of the meetin*.' ' And she +as o)t in the *ro)nds +ith the others0' said ;ladys0 remem/erin*. ' =idn't yo) see her *o )( to &ara'>elle and s(ea, to her +hen &am'>elle yelled o)t for Cla)dine and Antoinette 5 ' ' 9es0' said &ira/el0 fro+nin*. ' #ell0 +ho else +asn't there 5 Diolet is in the san. E1ery one else +as there as far as $ .an remem/er. $ ti.,ed (eo(le off as they .ame in0 /e.a)se $ +asn't *oin* to let any one *et o)t of the meetin* if $ .o)ld hel( it.' ;ladys offered no s)**estion. &ira/el s)ddenly sla((ed the ta/le hard and made ;ladys 7)m(. ' =on't0 &ira/el0' she said. ' =on't /e so 1iolent.' &ira/el too, no noti.e. ' Of .o)rse< 8ane !eal +ent o)t0 didn't she<and Sally. =o yo) thin, either of them +o)ld ha1e done it 5 ' '$ sho)ldn't thin, so for a moment0' said ;ladys. '#hy0 8ane is 1ery fond of yo)0 and Sally is far too sensi/le to do a thin* li,e that.' ' $ shall find o)t0' said &ira/el0 her fa.e hard. ;ladys loo,ed rather distressed. ' =on't *o a/o)t it too an*rily0' she said. ' 9o)'ll only ()t (eo(le's /a.,s )(.' ' $ don't .are if $ do0' said &ira/el0 and she didn't. ;ladys si*hed. $f only &ira/el did .are a little mora a/o)t other (eo(le's feelin*s0 she +o)ld rind them easier to ta.,le. She +as al+ays .om(lainin* that (eo(le +o)ld not .o<o(erate +ith her or hel( her. &ira/el *)l(ed do+n her .o.oa. '$'m *oin* off to Feli.ity's st)dy first0' she said. ' See yo) later.' She

+ent o)t of the room. ;ladys too, )( some ,nittin*. She +as ma,in* a 7)m(er for her mother0 and she had 1ery little s(are<time for it0 +ith all her e-am0 +or,0 s(orts +or,0 and &ira/el's in.essant demands to .o(e +ith. She .o)ldn't hel( feelin* rather *lad that she had an )ne-(e.ted ho)r to *et on +ith her ,nittin* 4 &ira/el +ent into Feli.ity's st)dy. Feli.ity +as there0 tryin* her 1iolin softly0 +hilst Anne< &arie sat o1er the fire0 a (en.il and note/oo, on her ,nee0 tryin* to .om(ose a +onderf)l ne+ (oem. She ,e(t fro+nin* at Feli.ity's soft (layin*0 /)t Feli.ity +as 2)ite )na+are of Anne<&arie's fro+ns or e1en of Anne<&arie herself. She 7)m(ed 1iolently +hen &ira/el .ame into the room. !hen0 thin,in* she had .ome to see Anne<&arie0 she +ent on +ith her soft (layin*. &ira/el s(o,e to her ro)*hly. ' Feh'.ity0 +hy +eren't yo) at the s(orts meetin* this e1enin* 5 ' Feli.ity loo,ed startled. ' Oh0 &ira/el<$'m so sorry. $ really did mean to .ome0 and $ for*ot all a/o)t it4 $ +as (layin* my 1iolin0 and someho+ for*ot $ had said $ +o)ld *o 4 "o+ a+f)l of me 4' ' #here +ere yo) +hen the fire</ell +ent 5 ' said &ira/el. ' Fire</ell 5 ' said Feli.ity0 loo,in* astonished. ' #hat fire</ell 5 ' ' She ne1er hears anythin* /)t her m)si. +hen she's really +ra((ed )( in it0' said Anne<&arie. ' 9o) ,no+ ho+ she /eha1ed in .lass the other day0 &ira/el. $ don't e-(e.t she heard the /ell at all.' ' $ didn't0' said Feli.ity0 loo,in* really /e+ildered no+. ' =id it rin* 5 #as there a fire 5 #hat ha((ened 5 ' ' Oh0 yo)'re ho(eless0' said &ira/el0 and +ent o)t of the st)dy. Feli.ity stared at Anne<&arie0 +ho made an im(atient noise0 st)ffed her fin*ers in her ears0 and tried to *o on +ith her (oem. &ira/el +ent to find 8ane !eal and Sally. !hey +ere in the first<form .ommon room0 8ane still loo,in* rather (ale0 /)t /etter. She fl)shed +hen &ira/el .ame in0 2)ite thin,in* that the s(orts .a(tain had .ome to see ho+ she +as. B)t &ira/el hadn't. She .ame strai*ht to the (oint. ' 8ane and Sally<did either of yo) rin* the fire</ell +hen yo) left the meetin* 5 ' !he *irls stared at her in s)r(rise. $t +o)ld not ha1e o..)rred to either of them to s(oil s).h an im(ortant meetin*4 8ane felt 1ery h)rt to thin, that &ira/el sho)ld ima*ine her to /e .a(a/le of s).h a thin*. ' #ell<ha1en't either of yo) ton*)es 5 ' said &ira/el. !he +hole of the first form had no+ *athered ro)nd the three0 and +ere listenin* +ith the *reatest interest. ' Of .o)rse +e didn't0' said Sally0 indi*nantly. ' As if +e'd do a thin* li,e that 4 Any+ay0 (oor 8ane +as feelin* a+f)lly ill. She had a terri/le heada.he. She's al+ays ha1in* heada.hes.' ' Sh)t )(0 Sally0' said 8ane0 +ho ,ne+ that &ira/el did not loo, 1ery ,indly on s).h tilin*s as heada.hes. ' =id yo) lea1e 8ane alone at all 5' said &ira/el to Sally. ' 9es<yon .ame /a., to the meetin* +itho)t her0 didn't yo) 5 !hen she .o)ld easily ha1e sli((ed o)t of yo)r .ommon room and r)n* the /ell0 .o)ldn't she 5' 'O,4' said Sally0 really indi*nant. 'as if 8ane +o)ld do a mean thin* li,e that 4 9es0 $ did lea1e her here as she seemed a /it /etter and $ +ent /a., to the meetin*< and as soon as $ sat do+n0 the /ell ran*. B)t it +asn't 8ane rin*in* it.' 8ane +as terri/ly )(set to thin, that &ira/el sho)ld e1en thin, she .o)ld s(oil a meetin* of hers. "er li(s trem/led0 and she .o)ld not tr)st herself to s(ea,. ' %o+ don't /)rst into tears li,e a /a/y0' said &ira/el to 8ane. ' $'m not sayin* yo) did do it<$'m only sayin* that yo) had the .han.e to do it. $t 7)st ()>>les me to ,no+ +ho .o)ld ha1e done it0 /e.a)se e1ery/ody +as at the meetin*0 e-.e(t yo) and Feli.ity<and $'m (retty .ertain that Feli.ity didn't e1en ,no+ St. Clare's

(ossessed s).h a thin* as a fire</ell 4' ' #ell0 it loo,s as if $ m)st ha1e done the deed then0' said 8ane0 /itterly0 tryin* to ,ee( the tears o)t of her eyes. ' !hin, it +as me0 if yo) li,e. $ don't .are t' ' %o+ that's not the +ay to tal, to yo)r s(orts .a(tain0' said &ira/el. ' $'m s)r(rised at yo)0 8ane. #ell0 $ s)((ose $ shall find o)t one day +ho ran* that /ell.' She +ent o)t of the room and sh)t the door )nne.essarily lo)dly. !he first formers loo,ed at one another. ' Beast0' said Sally. ' $ shan't do one sin*le min)te's more la.rosse (ra.ti.e than $ .an hel( 4' '%or shall $0' said "ilda0 and the others all a*reed0 8ane mo((ed her eyes0 and the others .omforted her. ' %e1er mind0 8ane. =on't yo) +orry a/o)t it. #e all ,no+ yo) didn't do it 4' ' $ +ish $ ,ne+ +ho had done it0' said Sally0 her eyes s(ar,lin*. ' $'d *o and (at her on the /a., and say : 8olly *ood sho+ 4: ' !he others la)*hed and a*reed. $t +as 2)eer ho+ in a fe+ short +ee,s &ira/el had .han*ed from an o/7e.t of *reat admiration into one of detestation. &iss !heo/ald had to /e told a/o)t the stran*e rin*in* of the fire</ell0 a((arently done /y no/ody at all. She +as rather in.lined to ta,e a serio)s 1ie+ of it and &ira/el +as (leased. ' $ am *lad yo) too thin, it is a serio)s matter to ha1e an im(ortant0 (re<arran*ed meetin* .om(letely s(oilt /y some/ody's st)(id ra**in*0' said &ira/el. ' Oh0 dear me0 $ +as not thin,in* of yo)r meetin*0' +as &iss !heo/ald's rather dam(in* re(ly. ' $ +as thin,in* that $ .annot ha1e the fire</ell r)n* +itho)t (ro(er .a)se. $f it is0 then the *irls +ill not ta,e +arnin* +hen the /ell is r)n* for a real fire. !hat is a 1ery serio)s matter<not the interr)(tion of yo)r meetin*.' ' Oh0' said &ira/el0 rather .rest<fallen. ' #ell0 .o)ld $ ha1e the meetin* ne-t Sat)rday ni*ht instead0 &iss !heo/ald5 ' ' $'m afraid not0' said the "ead &istress. ' !he heads of the third0 fo)rth and fifth forms ha1e already /een to me to as, me if they may ha1e the (ost(oned dan.e then0 &ira/el. $ don't thin, +e .an (ossi/ly e-(e.t them to (ost(one it a*ain. !hese forms are +or,in* 1ery hard this term0 and 1ery +ell. $ +ant them to rela- +hen they .an.' &ira/el left &iss !heo/ald0 an*ry and de(ressed. She +ent into her st)dy and sat do+n at the ta/le to do some +or,. ' #hat's the matter 5' said ;ladys. ' "ilary and the head<*irls of the third and fo)rth ha1e /een to &iss !heo/ald /ehind my /a., and *ot her to say they .o)ld ha1e their dan.e this .omin* Sat)rday0' said &ira/el0 *loomily. ' $t's a/sol)tely the only .han.e $ ha1e of *ettin* the +hole s.hool to*ether on Sat)rday e1enin*s0 and they ,no+ it. =e.eitf)l /easts 4' ' =on't /e silly0' said ;ladys0 feelin* a +a1e of an*er. ' !hey (ro/a/ly ne1er e1en ima*ined yo)'d a.t)ally +ant them to *i1e )( another Sat)rday e1enin*. =o /e sensi/le0 &ira/el. And loo, here<+hy ha1e yo) left little 8ane !eal o)t of ne-t +ee,'s mat.hes 5 She's 1ery *ood and yo) ,no+ it. $t +ill /rea, her heart to /e left o)t0 +hen yo)'1e as *ood as told her she mi*ht (lay.' ' $'m not satisfied that she didn't ha1e somethin* to do +ith the rin*in* of that /ell0' said &ira/el. ' #ell 4' said ;ladys0 e-as(erated0 ' yo) mi*ht at least +ait till yo) are s)re0 /efore yo) ()nish her li,e this. $ thin, she's a 1ery de.ent little ,id0 $ m)st say0 and $'m dead .ertain she +o)ldn't do a thin* li,e that.' ' 'oo, here0 $'m .a(tain0 not yo) 4' said &ira/el0 losin* her tem(er. '$ ,ee( on ha1in* to remind yo) of that. $ +on't ha1e yo) (rea.hin* at me and interferin*.' ;ladys +ent rather +hite. She hated ro+s of any sort0 and al+ays fo)nd it diffi.)lt to stand )( to &ira/el for any len*th of time. She too, )( a /oo, and said no more. &ira/el too, )( a /oo, too0

and loo,ed at it fro+nin*. B)t she did not see a +ord that +as (rinted there. She +as t)rnin* o1er and o1er in her mind the same 2)estion<#"O ran* that fire</ell 5 She +o)ld ha1e /een interested in a little .on1ersation /et+een Cla)dine and Antoinette if she .o)ld ha1e heard it. ' Dery *ood0 ma (etite0' Cla)dine remar,ed to Antoinette. ' $t +as *ood to sho+ yo)rself so +ell to &ira/el at the /e*innin* of the meetin*0 and to a((ear o)t in the *ro)nds +hen !ante &athilde .alled )s. !here is no one +ho thin,s of yo)0 no one at all.' ' Clan*0 .lan*0 .lan* 4' said Antoinette0 her dar, eyes *leamin* +ith mis.hief. ' $ felt li,e the old to+n .rier at home. Clan*0 .lan*0 .lan*0 the meetin* +ill not /e held0 .lan*0 .lan*0 .lan* 4 Ah0 it is a *ood /ell to rin* 4' ' Sh. "ere .ome the others0' said Cla)dine. ' Sli( a+ay0 Antoinette. Be s)re $ +ill hel( yo) if yo) +ant me to0 sin.e yo) ha1e done this thin* for me.' Some of the fifth formers .ame )(. ' #hat mis.hief are yo) thin,in* of 5 ' said Bo//y to Cla)dine. ' 9o) loo, (leased.' ' $ +as remem/erin* ho+ $ said : $ feel as if there +ill /e no s(orts meetin*:0' said Cla)dine. ' And $ +as ri*ht0 +as $ not0 Bo//ee 5' 1C !"E !E & ;OES O% !"E *irls soon for*ot a/o)t the stran*e rin*in* of the fire</ell<all e-.e(t &ira/el0 +ho felt s)re 8ane m)st ha1e done it. $n fa.t0 she +ent e1en f)rther in her tho)*hts and s)s(e.ted An*ela of ha1in* ()t 8ane )( to doin* it 4 She too, no noti.e at all of (oor 8ane0 left her o)t of the mat.hes0 and alto*ether made her life misera/le. An*ela tried to ma,e thin*s )( to 8ane0 deli*hted at the .han.e of ma,in* a f)ss of some/ody ne*le.ted /y &ira/el. 6oor 8ane +as in a *reat state of mind0 )(set /e.a)se &ira/el +as )n,ind to her0 thrilled /e.a)se An*ela +as s+eet to her0 and o1er<tired +ith all her learnin* in /ed at ni*ht +ith the li*ht of her tor.h. She had heada.hes0 felt terri/ly slee(y all the day0 and .o)ld not see (ro(erly0 for she +as s(oilin* her eye<si*ht /y readin* in /ed /y the dim li*ht of the tor.h. She +as not the only one +ith heada.hes 7)st then. Feli.ity0 al+ays more or less affli.ted +ith them0 +as ha1in* them almost .ontin)o)sly. Also0 to Anne<&arie's alarm0 Feli.ity had /e*)n to +al, in her slee( at ni*ht 4 !his +as somethin* that Feli.ity had done as a .hild0 +hen her mind +as o1er<ta-ed0 and no+ she had /e*)n to do it a*ain. Anne<&arie sle(t in the /ed ne-t to Feli.ity's0 and +as a+a,ened one ni*ht to see a dim +hite fi*)re stealin* o)t of the door. She sat )( and s+it.hed on her tor.h. Feli.ity's /ed +as em(ty4 ' "as she *one to the st)dy to do some more +or, 5 ' tho)*ht Anne<&arie. ' #hat an idiot she is 4 $'d /etter *o and *et her. She'll *et into an a+f)l ro+ if &iss Corn+allis finds o)t.' Anne<&ane fl)n* her dressin*< *o+n ro)nd her sho)lders and +ent after Feli.ity. !o her s)r(rise Feli.ity did hot *o in the dire.tion of their st)dy. $nstead she +ent do+n the stairs and into the assem/ly room. She .lim/ed )( the (latform ste(s0 and stood in the middle of the (latform. ' Feli.ity 4' +his(ered Anne<&arie0 astonished. ' #hat are yo) doin* 5 Feli.ity 8' Feli.ity too, a/sol)tely no noti.e at all. She /o+ed *ra.ef)lly0 too, a ste( /a.,+ards and then raised her arms as if she +as (layin* a 1iolin. $t +as 2)eer to see her in the li*ht of the moon that shone thro)*h a near/y +indo+. @( and do+n +ent Feli.ity's ri*ht arm0 as the *irl (layed an ima*inary t)ne on an ima*inary 1iolin. "er eyes +ere +ide o(en0 fi-ed and starin*. Anne<&arie shi1ered to see them. She +ent )( the ste(s and to).hed Feli.ity on the arm. !he *irl made no res(onse. She +ent on +ith her t)neless (layin*0 and then /o+ed as if she had

finished. Anne<&arie too, her /y the arm. !o her s)r(rise Feli.ity .ame 2)ite readily +ith her. ' Are yo) a+a,e or aslee(0 Feli.ity 5 ' said Anne<&arie0 fearf)lly0 as they +ent )( the stairs. !here +as no re(ly. Feli.ity +as fast aslee(0 tho)*h her eyes +ere +ide o(en. Anne<&arie too, her safely to her /ed and *ot her in. Feli.ity .)ddled do+n0 sh)t her eyes and /reathed dee(ly. Anne<&arie *ot into /ed too0 /)t lay a+a,e a lon* time ()>>lin* o1er Feli.ity's slee(<+al,in*. ' $t m)st /e /e.a)se she's a *eni)s0' tho)*ht the 7ealo)s Anne<&arie. ' She does 2)eer thin*s0 as all *eni)ses seem to do. Slee(<+al,in* m)st /e a si*n of *eni)s0 $ s)((ose. $ +ish $ did )n)s)al thin*s too. !hen may/e e1ery one +o)ld thin, $ +as a *eni)s<as $ am 4 S)((ose $ start a little slee(<+al,in* of my o+n 5 $f only the *irls +o)ld +a,e )( and see it0 it +o)ld /e a *ood +ay of sho+in* them $'m a *eni)s too. B)t they all slee( so so)ndly 4' Still0 it +as an idea0 and Anne<&arie (ondered o1er it a *ood deal0 ma,in* )( her mind that +hen a s)ita/le .han.e .ame she too +o)ld slee(<+al,4 Feli.ity did not remem/er anythin* a/o)t her slee(+al,in* the ne-t day and +as half<in.lined to dis/elie1e Anne<&arie's a..o)nt of it. She shr)**ed her sho)lders0 and +ent off to her m)si.<lesson. She .o)ld not find interest in anythin* /)t her /elo1ed m)si. these days. Anne<&arie +as still tryin* her /est to +in /a., &iss #ill.o-'s smiles</)t as the only +ay she ,ne+ +as /y (esterin* her to read her (oems0 she +as not 1ery s)..essf)l. She so /adly +anted (raise and admiration for her talents0 that she did not see that &iss #ill.o- only had time for those +ho *a1e (raise and admiration to her 4 &iss #ill.o- +as in many +ays a *ro+n<)( Anne< &arie0 (osin* and (ost)rin*0 soa,in* )( ad)lation and flattery from any<one +ho +o)ld *i1e it to her. She had no time for (eo(le li,e Anne<&arie0 +ho also demanded it. For this reason Alison +as 1ery m).h her fa1o)rite. Alison had a real *ift for ma,in* herself a +illin* sla1e to (eo(le of &iss #ill.o-'s ty(e. 'i,e 8ane for An*ela0 Alison +as (leased to do all ,inds of 7o/s at all ,inds of ho)rs0 if she .o)ld (lease her idol. &iss #ill.o- too, ad1anta*e of this0 and ,e(t the de1oted Alison 2)ite /)sy. Feli.ity raised her arms as if (layin* the 1iolin ' $t's a (ity0' said her .o)sins. ' She's e1en /e*innin* to dress li,e &iss #ill.o-<rather )ntidy and /itty 4 ' So she +as. She +o)ld a((ear in .lass +ith a startlin* /elt ro)nd her slim +aist0 or a s.arf ro)nd her ne.,0 and had e1en mana*ed to *et some (ins rather li,e &iss #ill.o- +ore in her hair<only Alison's +ere *ilt<to((ed0 not *old4 ' =ear little =eirdre fan 4' said Bo//y0 mo.,in*ly0 +hen she sa+ the (ins holdin* /a., Alison's (retty0 .)rly hair. ' ;olly0 yo) and Anne<&arie really are a (air 4 'oo, at Anne<&arie0 she's *ot on a /roo.h 7)st li,e the /i* ones o)r =eirdre +ears 4' $t +as really f)nny to see the +ay the t+o *irls 1ied +ith ea.h other to imitate &iss #ill.o-. B)t &iss Corn< +allis +as not (leased. She eyed the t+o *irls ea.h day0 and said nothin* at first0 for the fifth formers +ere allo+ed more freedom +ith their .lothes than the forms /elo+. B)t0 +hen Alison a((eared +ith t+o s.ar1es of different .olo)rs t+ined ro)nd her ne.,0 and Anne<&arie .ame +ith an o)t<si>e (e+ter /roo.h that had a /rilliant oran*e stone in the middle0 &iss Corn+allis .o)ld /ear it no lon*er. ' "a1e yo) a sore throat0 Alison 5' she in2)ired 7-Llitely. Alison loo,ed s)r(rised. ' %o0 &iss Corn+allis0' she said. ' !hen +hy t+o s.ar1es0 Alison 5' said &iss Corn+allis0 still in a tone of *reat (oliteness0 +hi.h ran* a +arnin* in the ears of the .lass. "o+ +ell

they ,ne+ that e-tra<(olite tone 4 $t al+ays s(elt =an*er4 ' $<$ tho)*ht they loo,ed ni.e0' stammered Alison0 also hearin* the +arnin* in that .old0 (olite 1oi.e. ' #ell0 Alison0 $ had tho)*ht till this term that yo) had *ood taste0' said &iss Corn+allis. ' 9o) al+ays loo,ed tidy and neat and dainty<+ell<t)rned o)t0 in fa.t. B)t this term yo) loo, li,e a third<rate imitation of some little sho(<*irl +ho thin,s the more .olo)rs and s.ar1es and (ins and /roo.hes she +ears0 the /etter she loo,s.' ' Oh0' said (oor Alison0 s.arlet in the fa.e. ' And Anne<&arie seems to /e *oin* the same +ay0' said &iss Corn+allis0 loo,in* at the +o)ld</e (oet in a +ay that made her s2)irm and lon* to ta,e off the enormo)s /roo.h. ' #hat is that dinner<(late yo) are +earin*0 Anne<&arie 5 =o yo) really thin, it /e.omes yo) 5 ' Anne<&arie remo1ed the /roo.h +ith trem/lin* fin*ers She .o)ld not /ear to ha1e any fa)lts (ointed o)t in ()/li.. ' !hat's /etter0' said &iss Corn+allis. ' $ don't ,no+ if yo) are imitatin* any one0 either of yo)</)t let me tell yo) this<imitation is not al+ays the sin.erest form of flattery +hen yo) ma,e yo)rsel1es loo, s).h silly little si*hts 4' ' 6oor little =eirdre fans 4' +his(ered Bo//y to 8anet. ' !hat +as a .ra., at dear &iss #ill.o- 4 $ /et Corny ,no+s all a/o)t +hat sillies they are o1er her 4' !hat +as the end of Alison and Anne<&arie tryin* to dress li,e &iss #ill.o-</)t they still +ent on tryin* to imitate her dee(0 dra+lin* 1oi.e0 her *ra.ef)l *est)res0 and her rather ro)nd< sho)ldered +al,. !he *irls *ot 1ery tired of it0 and tried to tease them o)t of it. B)t Alison0 thrilled /e.a)se her dear =eirdre +as ma,in* s).h a friend of her0 +as not in a state to listen to anythin* the others said0 and Anne<&arie +as too o/stinate. $f Alison .o)ld imitate &iss #ill.o- and (lease her /y doin* so0 then Anne<&arie meant to as +ell 4 !em(ers /e*an to /e rather short as the e-am0 dre+ near. "ard +or, and +orryin* a/o)t the e-am0 made most of the fifth form feel harassed and +orn. Only Bo//y ,e(t .heerf)l0 and Cla)dine0 of .o)rse0 did not t)rn a hair. E1en Carlotta +orried a little0 for she +anted to (lease her father0 +ho had said he +o)ld /e (ro)d if she (assed this rather stiff e-am. +ell. 6a)line +orried a lot too. She +as not /rainless and .o)ld do 2)ite +ell if she tried0 /)t she did not li,e her st)dy< .om(anion0 Alma. ' She's 2)eer0' she told Alison. ' She doesn't seem to +or, at all0 7)st sits and stares at her /oo, and eats and eats0 li,e a .o+ .he+in* .)d. She's al+ays *r)m/lin* too<says the food isn't eno)*h here0 and she +ants more s+eets and isn't allo+ed them. $t's a+f)l to s+ot o1er yo)r +or, +hen a (erson li,e that sits o((osite0 *lo+erin* and *r)m/lin* and .he+in* 4' ' 6oor old 6)ddin* 4' said Alison0 thin,in* of the fat0 d)ll Alma0 +ho +as al+ays at the /ottom of the form. !he mistresses did not seem to /e )nd)ly )(set at Alma's (osition. $n fa.t0 they rather seemed to ta,e it for *ranted0 +hi.h +as 2)eer. &iss Corn+allis al+ays had a fe+ shar( +ords to say to any of the others +ho stayed too lon* at the /ottom of the form 4 B)t she rarely s(o,e sar.asti.ally to Alma a/o)t her +or,. ' $t's a+f)l to li1e +ith some/ody li,e Alma all the time0' si*hed (oor 6a)line. Carlotta heard her and made a s)**estion. ' Come in and share o)r st)dy +ith me and Cla)dine +hen yo) *et too fed )(0' she said0 *enero)sly0 for she did not really li,e 6a)line 1ery m).h. ' $t's a /it /i**er than most (eo(le's0 so there'll /e a .orner for yo) if yo) li,e. B)t don't do it too often or yo)'ll *et Alma's /a., )(.' ' Oh0 than, yo)0' said 6a)line0 *ratef)lly. ' $t +ill ma,e s).h a differen.e if $ .an sometimes (o( in ne-t door to

yo)r st)dy0 Carlotta. 9o) +ill /e .heerf)l .om(any after Alma. She really is a ()ddin* 4' Carlotta and Cla)dine *ot on 1ery +ell to*ether. !he yo)n*er *irls +ho .ame to do 7o/s for them li,ed them 1ery m).h. Antoinette often .ame0 and stran*ely eno)*h0 ne1er made the ,ind of e-traordinary mista,es she had made in An*ela's st)dy4 One day Antoinette fo)nd her sister alone and s(o,e to her +ith dan.in* eyes. ' Cla)dine 4 O)r form is to ha1e a midni*ht feast 4 =o yo) remem/er tellin* me of the fine feast yo) had +hen yo) +ere in the fo)rth form<yo) had a midni*ht (i.ni. /y the s+immin*<(ool.' ' 9es0 $ remem/er0' said Cla)dine0 and she si*hed. ' $t is a (ity to /e in the fifth form. #e are so *ood no+. #e do not ha1e midni*ht feasts0 +e do not (lay tri.,s. 9o) +ill en7oy yo)r feast0 my little Antoinette.' ' Cla)dine0 .o)ld yo) tell )s a *ood (la.e to ,ee( o)r .a,es and tins and *in*er</eer in 5 ' as,ed Antoinette. ' #e .an't ,ee( them in the .ommon room0 and +e daren't hide them in o)r dormitory. !ell me +here +e .an ,ee( them in safety.' Cla)dine tho)*ht hard. ' !here is a /i* .)(/oard 7)st o)tside my st)dy0' she said at last. ' $t has a ,ey. 9o) shall ()t yo)r thin*s there0 Antoinette0 and $ +ill ta,e the ,ey 4 !hen e1erythin* +ill /e safe and $ .an *i1e yo) the ,ey +hen yo) +ish for it. 9o) ha1e only to ()t yo)r head into my st)dy and +in, at me<and $ +ill .ome o)t +ith the ,ey4' ' Oh0 than, yo)0 a million times 4' said Antoinette. ' !he se.ond form +ill /e so (leased. #hat a fine sister yo) are 4 ' She disa((eared0 and in d)e time the .)(/oard +as (iled f)ll of eata/les and drin,s. Cla)dine remo1ed the ,ey. ' %o+ no one +ill find them0' she said0 and h)n* the ,ey on a nail in her st)dy. B)t some/ody did find them0 +hi.h +as 1ery )nfort)nate 4 1E A'&A A%= !"E S!O E C@6BOA = A'&A did not at all li,e the +ay 6a)line deserted the st)dy they /oth shared in the e1enin*s. 6a)line +o)ld sit for a little +hile0 tryin* to st)dy0 then0 e-as(erated /y Alma's .ontin)ally .he+in* of .ho.olate0 *)m or toffee0 she +o)ld *ather )( her /oo,s and disa((ear. ' #here are yo) *oin* 5' Alma +o)ld .all after her. B)t 6a)line did not /other to re(ly. So Alma de.ided to see +here 6a)line +ent to. She (o((ed her head o)t of her st)dy door in time to see 6a)line *o into the ne-t st)dy0 +hi.h +as Cla)dine's and Carlotta's. She stood and fro+ned. 6a)line +as not really friendly +ith either of them<so +hy0 tho)*ht Alma0 sho)ld she ,ee( (o((in* into their st)dy 5 She sat and /rooded o1er the matter. !he ne-t time that 6a)line disa((eared she made )( her mind to follo+ her into the ne-t st)dy0 after a +hile0 and see e-a.tly +hat she +as doin* there. $t so ha((ened that Carlotta had had a /i* /o- of s)*ared .andies sent to her /y her *randmother0 and0 in her )s)al *enero)s +ay0 she o(ened it and laid it on the ta/le in front of Cla)dine and 6a)line. ' "el( yo)rsel1es +hilst yo) +or,0' she said. Cla)dine loo,ed lon*in*ly at the deli.io)s .andied s+eets. !here +ere /its of lemon and oran*e and n)t0 all .andied ro)nd /ea)tif)lly. Cla)dine0 ho+e1er0 tho)*ht a *reat deal of her .om(le-ion0 +hi.h +as 1ery *ood0 and she too, only one s+eet0 meanin* to ma,e it last all the e1enin*. B)t 6a)line hel(ed herself li/erally. She had 1ery little (o.,et< money to /)y herself l)-)ries0 and s+eets of this ,ind did not often .ome her +ay. 8)st as she +as .hoosin* her fo)rth s+eet0 the door o(ened and Alma .ame in. ' Co)ld yo) lend me a maths0 /oo, 5 ' she as,ed0 rather self<.ons.io)sly. ' Oh0 yo)'re here0 6a)line 4 $ say0 +hat *or*eo)s s+eets 4 9o) ne1er told me yo) had a lo1ely

/o- li,e that0 6a)line.' She tho)*ht it +as 6a)line's /o- /e.a)se the *irl +as hel(in* herself to them. Carlotta *a1e 6a)line no time to re(ly0 nor did Cla)dine. !hey /oth disli,ed Alma0 and +ere afraid that0 seein* 6a)line there0 she mi*ht sit do+n and stay for the +hole e1enin*. !hen there +o)ld /e no s+eets left 4 ' "ere's the maths0 /oo,0 Alma0' said Carlotta0 and thre+ her one. ' Sh)t the door after yo)0' added Cla)dine. Alma *lared. She tho)*ht them 1ery r)de0 as indeed they +ere. B)t +ho .o)ld /ear to ha1e Alma sittin* there all the e1enin* 5 6a)line loo,ed )n.omforta/le as Alma +ent o)t and /an*ed the door after her0 almost sha,in* the (i.t)res from the +all. ' She'll /e sim(ly /eastly to me no+0' she said. ' $ s)((ose she s(ied after me and sa+ +here $ +ent. #hat's the matter +ith her 5 She's so terri/ly fat and (asty<loo,in*.' ' 8)st o1er<eatin*0 $ sho)ld thin,0' said Carlotta0 /e*innin* to' +rite an essay. ' %o+ sh)t )( for a /it0 /oth of yo). $ +ant to thin,.' Alma +as 1ery an*ry that the three *irls in the st)dy had not as,ed her to ha1e e1en one s+eet. She did no +or, at all that e1enin*. She sat and /rooded o1er that enormo)s /o- of s+eets. Alma had a .ra1in* for that ,ind of thin*. ' !hey're mean (i*s0' she tho)*ht. ' eally mean. $ shall *et e1en +ith them0 tho)*h. $'ll +ait till Carlotta and Cla)dine are o)t0 and $'ll sli( in and hel( myself to a fe+ s+eets. $ s)((ose they're 6a)line's0 and she too, them in there to share +ith the others0 instead of sharin* them +ith me.' So Alma ,e(t a +at.h to see +hen Carlotta and Cla)dine +ent o)t. !here +as a little al.o1e some +ay )( the (assa*e0 o1er +hi.h a .)rtain h)n*. $f she stood there 2)ite 2)ietly she .o)ld see +hen the t+o *irls left their st)dy. !+o e1enin*s later her (atien.e +as re+arded. 6a)line had *one to a de/ate. Alma sli((ed into the al.o1e and +aited to see if Carlotta and Cla)dine +o)ld *o to it at half<time0 as she had heard them say they +o)ld. S)re eno)*h0 in a short +hile0 the st)dy door o(ened0 and Carlotta and Cla)dine .ame o)t. !hey +ent do+n the .orridor0 tal,in*. Alma +aited till their footste(s had died a+ay. She +as 7)st *oin* to sli( o)t of the al.o1e and into the st)dy0 +hen she heard footste(s ret)rnin*. She (ee(ed o)t to see +ho it +as. $t +as Cla)dine h)rryin* /a.,. She had 7)st met Antoinette0 +ho had *i1en her a tin of s)*ar /is.)its to hide in the .)(/oard +ith the other thin*s. Cla)dine ran into her st)dy0 too, do+n the ,ey of the .)(/oard0 +ent o)tside and )nlo.,ed it0 ()shed in the tin0 then lo.,ed the door a*ain and h)n* the ,ey on its nail. Alma +at.hed in the *reatest ama>ement. Cla)dine h)rried off to 7oin the de/ate do+nstairs. Alma ste((ed o)t of the al.o1e0 her little eyes *leamin*. So that +as +here the fifth form ,e(t their stores. !hey m)st /e *oin* to ha1e a (arty of some ,ind0 and they hadn't told her a +ord a/o)t it 4 Alma +as trem/lin* +ith ra*e. "o+ mean e1ery one +as 4 $t had /een /ad eno)*h in the star.hy si-th form the last term0 /)t really0 the fifth form +ere e1en +orse0 the +ay they left her o)t of thin*s. Alma +al,ed into her o+n st)dy and sat do+n hea1ily. She loo,ed a.ross at the .)(/oard there. !here +as a/sol)tely nothin* to eat0 nothin*<and it +as a*es till s)((er<time<and e1en then there +o)ldn't /e m).h to eat. She +ondered +here Cla)dine ,e(t the ,ey of that store .)(/oard. $t +o)ld /e f)n 7)st to ha1e a (ee( inside and see +hat +as there<not to eat any of it0 of .o)rse<oh no0 tho)*ht Alma0 she +o)ldn't do that0 mean tho)*h the others had /een not to as, her to share. B)t she +o)ld dearly li,e to loo,. !here

+as no one a/o)t at all. She ti(toed to Cla)dine's st)dy and ()shed o(en the door. She loo,ed ro)nd for the ,ey. Co)ld that /e the one0 han*in* on the nail /y the fire< (la.e 5 She too, it off and +ent to the .)(/oard in the (assa*e o)tside. #ith trem/lin* fin*ers she sli((ed the ,ey into the lo.,. $t t)rned easily 4 $t +as the ,ey. Alma o(ened the .)(/oard and loo,ed inside. !he thin*s that +ere there 4 $t seemed as if e1ery sin*le thin* she li,ed +as there<sardines and tinned mil,0 stra+/erry 7am and (inea((le in tins0 *in*er</eer and a /o- of s+eets0 /is.)its and .ho.olate. $t +as 2)ite im(ossi/le for Alma to resist the tem(tation to (ilfer the .)(/oard. 8)st one of those .ho.olates <7)st a /is.)it to *o +ith it<7)st a s+eet or t+ot ;)iltily the *irl hel(ed herself0 then0 hearin* footste(s0 h)rriedly sh)t the door0 t)rned the ,ey0 and sli((ed /a., into her o+n st)dy. She +aited till the footste(s had *one /y0 then ran into Cla)dine's st)dy ne-t door0 and ret)rned the ,ey to its nail. For 2)ite a lon* time Alma sat and /rooded o1er her dis.o1ery. She felt .ertain that the fifth form +ere *oin* to ha1e a (arty. She hadn't heard a +ord a/o)t it</)t then0 no/ody e1er told her anythin* 4 Alma /adly +anted the thin*s in the .)(/oard. "er .ontin)al .ra1in* for food made her find e-.)ses for the +ron* thin* she +anted to do. ' $t's only ri*ht $ sho)ld share 4 E1en if they don't as, me0 $'m a fifth former and $ o)*ht to share in their treats. #ell0 $ shall share< /)t in se.ret0 instead of +ith them at the (arty 4 !hat +ill ()nish them for their meanness. $t +ill *i1e them a sho., to find a lot of the thin*s *one.' $t +as a .)rio)s se.ret to ha1e0 /)t Alma fo)nd *reat (leas)re in thin,in* a/o)t that store .)(/oard in /ed at ni*ht0 and in .lass the ne-t day. She h)**ed the se.ret to herself0 and *a1e Cla)dine many tri)m(hant *lan.es0 +hi.h the Fren.h *irl +as 2)ite at a loss to )nderstand. Alma /e*an to *o to the store .)(/oard +hene1er Cla)dine's st)dy +as em(ty. She +as 1ery artf)l0 for she +as .aref)l not to ta,e thin*s +hose a/sen.e +o)ld /e 1ery noti.ea/le. She did not ta,e m).h of the /arley s)*ar in the /ottle there0 for instan.e0 /e.a)se she ,ne+ it mi*ht .at.h Cla)dine's eye. B)t she .aref)lly too, all the /ottom ro+ of the /o- of .ho.olates0 +hi.h +o)ld not /e noti.ed till the first ro+ +as eaten. She too, a fe+ /is.)its from ea.h ro+ in the /i* tin0 not one +hole ro+. She dran, half of ea.h *in*er</eer /ottle0 /)t filled ea.h one )( +ith +ater so that it +o)ld seem as if the /ottles had not /een tam(ered +ith. She en7oyed /ein* .)nnin* li,e this. 6oor Alma<her +hole interest seemed to lie in food0 more food and yet more food. Fat0 )n+ieldy and (asty<fa.ed0 +ith no friends0 fe+ /rains0 and a sly0 s)s(i.io)s nat)re0 she +as not a ha((y (erson. She had a +onderf)l time (ilferin* the store .)(/oard. Cla)dine added a fe+ more thin*s to it0 ne1er s)s(e.tin* that many had already *one. Alma +as 1ery .le1er at *ettin* the ,ey0 and ta,in* food +hen no one +as a/o)t. $f she had only )sed half as m).h /rain in .lass as she did in stealin* from the .)(/oard0 she +o)ld not ha1e /een so far do+n at the /ottom of the form. !hen one e1enin* somethin* ha((ened. 6a)line0 Cla)dine0 and Carlotta had *one do+n to the .ommon room of the fo)rth form to dis.)ss somethin* +ith the *irls there0 and Alma0 alone in her st)dy0 (lanned to ta,e some /is.)its and some .ho.olate<(erha(s she mi*ht e1en ta,e a tin of sardines0 as there +ere no+ fi1e or si- of them. She .o)ld o(en them +hen she +as alone in her o+n st)dy. She stole o)t and *ot the ,ey from the st)dy ne-t door. She had 7)st ()t it into the lo.,

of the .)(/oard and t)rned it0 +hen she heard some one .omin*. $n a (ani. she fled to her o+n st)dy ne-t door0 only 7)st disa((earin* in time. B)t the ,ey fell o)t of the lo., +ith a .lan* and lay on the floor. $t +as Alison .omin*. She heard the ,ey fall0 and +as s)r(rised. She (i.,ed it )( +hen she .ame to it0 and ()t it into the .)(/oard lo.,. !he door s+)n* o(en <and to Alison's s)r(rise she sa+ the stores there 4 She +as still starin* in ama>ement +hen Cla)dine .ame alon*0 *a1e an e-.lamation and slammed the door sh)t. She *lared at Alison. ' =id yo) *et the ,ey from my st)dy 5 #ell0 really0 Alison0 $ did not thin, it of yo) 4 #hat /)siness is it of yo)rs 5 ' Alison +as ()>>led. ' From yo)r st)dy 5 ' she said. ' Of .o)rse not4 Some one m)st ha1e /een at the .)(/oard and o(ened it +hen $ .ame alon*0 /e.a)se $ heard footste(s s.)rryin* a+ay0 and then heard the ,ey fall o)t of the lo.,. $ ()t it /a.,0 the door s+)n* o(en< and $ sa+ the thin*s. $ don't +ant to ,no+ anythin* at all a/o)t the food0 Cla)dine0 and $ .ertainly shan't tell any one</)t it's o/1io)s that some/ody ,no+s a/o)t the .)(/oard0 isn't it 4' Cla)dine /elie1ed Alison at on.e. Alison mi*ht /e +ea, and silly in many +ays0 /)t she +as honest and tr)thf)l. Cla)dine s+)n* the door o(en and loo,ed into the .)(/oard 1ery tho)*htf)lly. So some one ,ne+ of the stores<some one ,ne+ +here the ,ey +as ,e(t< some one ,ne+ the se.ret 4 $t +asn't lon* /efore Cla)dine dis.o1ered that the someone had also ta,en 1ario)s thin*s from the stores. She sh)t the door and lo.,ed it0 an*ry and ()>>led. ' Some one's /een at the thin*s0' she said to Alison. ' /)t as far as $ ,no+ only $ and my little sister Antoinette ,ne+ the hidin*<(la.e. !he se.ond form are to ha1e a midni*ht feast0 and $ ha1e ,e(t their food )nder lo., and ,ey for them. #ho .o)ld ha1e fo)nd o)t the hidin*<(la.e <and +ho .o)ld /e dishonest eno)*h to steal the thin*s 5 ' ' $ .an't ima*ine0' said Alison0 ama>ed. ' $t is s).h a mean0 lo+<do+n thin* to do. #ho e1er did it is a/sol)tely des(i.a/le. $t's )n/elie1a/le4 Any+ay0 Cla)dine0 if $ +ere yo) $'d ,ee( the ,ey some+here a/o)t yo)r (erson. !hen the thief0 +hoe1er it is0 +on't /e a/le to *et it 4' 16 A'&A<A'$SO%< A%= A%%E<&A $E A'&A heard all this .on1ersation 2)ite .learly. She felt a +a1e of an*er a*ainst Alison. $nterferin* little /)sy/ody 4 %o+ she. Alma0 +o)ld not /e a/le to feast herself on the hidden *oodies any more. She sat (er< fe.tly still0 ho(in* that neither of the *irls +o)ld .ome into her st)dy and see her there. She felt *)ilty0 and +as s)re her *)ilt +o)ld sho+ in her fa.e. B)t they did not .ome. $t did not o..)r to either of them that the thief +o)ld /e any+here near. !hey felt s)re she had r)n a+ay. &ay/e it +as a se.ond former </)t ho+ dis*)stin*0 +hoe1er it +as 4 !he ne-t time Alma had a .han.e of ti(<toein* into the st)dy ne-t to hers0 the ,ey +as missin*. She had feared it +o)ld /e. She s)((osed that Cla)dine had it ro)nd her ne., in safety. %o+ Alma +o)ld not /e a/le to en7oy those deli.io)s0 de.eitf)l little feasts any more 4 !he *irl made a .)rio)sly /i* thin* o)t of the +hole ha((enin*0 and for a fe+ days tho)*ht of nothin* else. She hated Alison for /ein* the )n+ittin* .a)se of de(ri1in* her of the food she .ra1ed for. ' $'ll (ay her o)t0' she tho)*ht. ' S(oilin* thin*s for me li,e this4 $'ll *et e1en +ith her.' Alma +as stran*ely .le1er in )nderhand +ays. St)(id (eo(le .an often /e .)nnin*0 and Alma +as no e-.e(tion. She set her +its to +or,0 and Alison /e*an to *o thro)*h an )n(leasant and most annoyin* time. !hin*s ,e(t disa((earin* o)t of her st)dy. %e1er An*ela's thin*s0

/)t al+ays Alison's. ' #here's my hair<slide 5' +ailed AlisonK ' it's *one0 and $ only sa+ it on the +indo+<sill this mornin*. "a1e yo) /orro+ed it0 An*ela 5 ' ' Of .o)rse not0' said An*ela. ' 9o)'1e dro((ed it some+here.' !hen it +as Alison's hair</r)sh that disa((eared from her dressin*<ta/le in the dormitory. She h)nted all o1er for it0 and then had to re(ort the loss to &atron0 +ho +as not 1ery (leased. ' "o+ .an yo) (ossi/ly mislay a Aatr</r)sh 5 ' she said to Alison. ' $ s)((ose yo)'1e /een )sin* it in a /edroom /attle or somethin*0 and it's flo+n o)t of the +indo+ 4' ' #e fifth formers don't ha1e /edroom /attles0' said Alison0 +ith m).h di*nity. !hen her *eometry o)tfit +ent. $t .om(letely and )tterly 1anished0 and no amo)nt of h)ntin* /ro)*ht it to li*ht. Bo//y had t+o and lent her one. ' B)t for *oodness' sa,e don't lose it0' she said. ' 9o) seem to /e losin* e1erythin* this term4' !he same day Alison's ,nittin* needles disa((eared o)t of the s.arf she +as ,nittin*0 and the stit.hes all ()lled o)t loose +hen she too, the +or, o)t of her /a*. ' %o+ this is 1ery 2)eer0' said Alison0 and she held it )( to sho+ An*ela. ' 'oo,<the needles are *one<and a@ the sti.hes are dro((ed. An*ela<+hat do yo) thin, of that 5 ' ' #ell0' said An*ela0' $ thin, some one's doin* /eastly thin*s to yo)0 Alison. $ do really. And $ /et $ ,no+ +ho it is0 too 4' ' #ho 5 ' said Alison0 feelin* sho.,ed and h)rt. ' Some one +ho is a+f)lly 7ealo)s of yo)0' said An*ela. ' 9o) don't mean<Anne<&arie 5 ' said Alison0 still more sho.,ed. 'Oh An*ela<s)rely she +o)ldn't do mean thin*s li,e this 4 =o yo) thin, that she's /een ta,in* all those thin*s of mine that disa((eared too5 Oh no<she .o)ldn't /e as lo+ do+n as that.' ' 6eo(le say that +hen any one is 7ealo)s they don't mind +hat they do0' said An*ela. 'And yo) ,no+ Anne<&arie is a+f)lly 7ealo)s /e.a)se yo) are so +ell in +ith yo)r dear =eirdre0 and at the moment she isn't in =eirdre's *ood /oo,s. #hy she .an't see that her dear idol is /ored stiff +ith her (oems $ really don't ,no+ 4' ' She's a /east if she is really ta,in* my thin*s0 and s(oilin* my ,nittin*0' said Alison0 almost in tears. !he *irl al+ays lo1ed to /e li,ed /y e1ery one0 and it h)rt her 1ery m).h to thin, that one of her o+n form .o)ld /e so )n,ind. ' $ shan't listen to a sin*le one of her silly (oems no+.' So0 m).h to Anne<&arie's s)r(rise0 neither An*ela nor Alison e1in.ed the sli*htest interest in a lon* ne+ (oem0 .alled ' !he #eary "eart'0 +hi.h she +ent alon* to their st)dy to read o)t lo)d that e1enin*. '#e're /)sy0' said Alison0 shortly. 'And yo) o)*ht to /e0 too0' said An*ela0 1irt)o)sly. '!he e-am0 is .omin* 7olly near.' ' $t +on't ta,e lon* to read my (oem to yo)0' said Anne<&arie0 .rest<fallen. ' !his is ho+ it /e*ins . . .' ' =o *et o)t0' said An*ela. ' $'m doin* maths0 and they don't *o +ith (oetry0 e1en if the (oem is .alled : !he #eary "eart:0 +hi.h is 1ery des.ri(ti1e of mine at the moment.' ' #hy don't yo) +rite a (oem .alled : !he &issin* Knittin*<%eedles 5 :0 said Alison0 )ne-(e.tedly. Anne<&arie stared at her ()>>led. ' #hy ,nittin*<needles 5' she in2)ired at last. ' #ell0 yo) o)*ht to ,no+0 o)*htn't yo) 5 ' said Alison. B)t Anne< &arie didn't. !hin,in* that Alison and An*ela +ere r)de and )n,ind0 and a little mad0 she +ent a+ay0 .arryin* her (re.io)s (oem +ith her. She /)m(ed into &iss #ill.o- on her +ay0 and *a1e a *as(. ' Oh<&iss #ill.o-<(lease +o)ld yo) read this 5 $ s(ent ho)rs o1er it last ni*ht.' &iss #ill.o- too, the (oem and *lan.ed at it. $t +as the same ,ind as )s)al0 (retentio)s0 f)ll of lon* +ords0 solemn0 sad and far too lon*. &iss #ill.o- felt im(atient. She determined to /e .andid +ith Anne<&arie0 no+ that

she had her alone. ' 'oo, here0 Anne<&arie0' she said0 in her dee( 1oi.e. ' $ +ant to *i1e yo) a little ad1i.e<and $ +ant yo) to listen to it .aref)lly0 and follo+ it.' ' Oh yes0 &iss #ill.o-0' said Anne<&arie0 fer1ently. ' $ +ill0 indeed $ +ill.' ' #ell0' said &iss #ill.o-0 ' yo) .an't +rite (oetry0 and yo) may as +ell ,no+ it. 9o) .an rhyme and *et the metre ri*ht</)t yo)r ideas are r)//ish. eal (oetry has ideas in it0 /ea)tif)l (i.t)res0 *reat feelin*s. !ear )( all yo)r (oems0 Anne<&arie0 and set yo)r mind on the .omin* e-am. !hat is my ad1i.e to yo). 9o) thin, yo)'re a *eni)s. #ell0 yo)'re not4 9o) are 7)st an ordinary little s.hool<*irl +ho has *ot s+elled head0 and thin,s she .an +rite. $t is my o(inion that )nless yo)r .hara.ter .han*es .onsidera/ly0 yo) ne1er +ill +rite a really *ood (oem 4' &iss #ill.o- s+e(t off0 *lad to ha1e relie1ed her mind of the irritation that Anne<&arie and her ne1er<endin* (oems al+ays aro)sed in her. Anne<&arie0 str)., a/sol)tely d)m/0 *a>ed after her0 too h)rt e1en for tears. "er ,nees felt rather +ea,. She +ent to her st)dy and sat do+n. Feli.ity +as there0 .onnin* o1er some m)si. theory0 h)mmin* softly to herself. She did not e1en see Anne<&arie .ome in. $t too, a little time for all that &iss #ill.o- had said to sin, in. 6oor Anne<&arie had had the *reatest sho., of her life. All her *reat ideas a/o)t herself /e*an to totter and +a1er. #asn't she a *eni)s 5 Co)ldn't she +rite mar1ello)sly 5 She /e*an to feel as if she +asn't Anne<&arie any more<she +as no/ody0 no/ody at all. She *a1e a s)dden lo)d so/ that entered e1en Feli.ity's ears. ' #hat's )( 5' said Feli.ity0 loo,in* ro)nd. ' Oh0 yo) +o)ldn't )nderstand 4' said Anne<&arie0 /itterly. ' 9o)'re a *eni)s0 yo) don't seem to li1e in this +orld0 yo) don't noti.e anythin* that *oes on at all. 9o) don't e1en ,no+ $'m here half the time. #ell0 +hat does it matter 5 $'m no/ody0 not e1en Anne<&arie. $'1e had e1erythin* stri((ed a+ay from me0 e1erythin* $ .ared a/o)t.' ' =on't e-a**erate so0' said Feli.ity0 mildly s)r(rised at this .)rio)s o)t</)rst. ' Can't yo) find the ri*ht rhyme for one of yo)r (oems 5 $s that +hat has )(set yo) 5 ' ' Oh0 yo)'re im(ossi/le 4' said Anne<&arie0 and thre+ a /oo, at Feli.ity0 +hi.h s)r(rised her e1en more. Anne< &arie +ent o)t of the room. Feli.ity +as at on.e a/sor/ed in her +or, a*ain0 little .reases /et+een her eyes0 her heada.he /otherin* her as )s)al. Anne<&arie +as h)rt0 sho.,ed and resentf)l. She +ondered if &iss #ill.o- .o)ld (ossi/ly /e ri*ht. After all0 she ,ne+ a/o)t (oetry0 so she o)*ht to ,no+ if Anne< &arie's +as *ood or /ad. Anne<&arie tho)*ht a *reat deal a/o)t &iss #ill.o- that e1enin*0 and +hat she had said. "er resentment made her /e*in to see the En*lish mistress rather more dearly than )s)al. She remem/ered ho+ the *irls la)*hed at her (osin* and (reten.e0 her 1a*)e +ays and so)lf)l loo,s. Almost in a flash her adoration t)rned to detestation. 6oor Anne<&arie< all the thin*s she .ared for had indeed /een reft from her s)ddenly. "er (ride in herself and in her *eni)s +as *one0 her ho(es for the f)t)re0 her .onfiden.e that &iss #ill.o- li,ed and admired her0 e1en her (oems no+seemed +orthless. She half tho)*ht she +o)ld do as &iss #ill.o- had so .oldly ad1ised her0 and tear them )(. B)t a do)/t still (ersisted in her mind a/o)t the tea.her's a/ility to ,no+0 really ,no+ +hether her0 Anne<&arie's0 (oems +ere *ood. S)((ose she tore them )(0 and +rote no more< and s)((ose after all &iss #ill.o+as +ron*0 and her (oems +ere *ood<+hat a loss to the +orld they mi*ht /e 4 ' $f only $ .o)ld find o)t +hether or not &iss #ill.o- is as *ood a 7)d*e as she al+ays

sets o)t to /e 4' tho)*ht Anne<&arie0 2)ite o/sessed /y the s)/7e.t. ' B)t ho+ .o)ld $ 5 $ don't see ho+ $ .o)ld.' !hen a +ay .ame to her0 and she tho)*ht so dee(ly a/o)t it that she didn't e1en hear Alison s(ea,in* to her as she (assed. ' $'ll do it 4' tho)*ht Anne<&arie0 e-)ltantly. ' $'ll do it 4 $'ll find some little<,no+n (oem of one of the 1ery *reat (oets<&atthe+ Arnold (erha(s0 or Bro+sin*<and $'ll +rite it o)t in my o+n hand+ritin*<and ne-t time +e ha1e to +rite a (oem for &iss #ill.o-0 $'ll send in0 not a (oem of my o+n0 /)t a .lassi. 4' She *ot )( to *o to the s.hool li/rary to loo, thro)*h the /oo,s of (oets there. ' $f &iss #ill.o- (raises the (oem0 $ shall ,no+ she *en)inely a((re.iates *ood (oetry<if she sneers at it. thin,in* it is mine0 $ shall ,no+ she doesn't 4 Ah0 &iss #ill.o-0 +e shall see 4' Anne<&arie +as soon /)sy t)rnin* o1er the (a*es of &atthe+ Arnold0 !ennyson0 and Bro+nin*. She felt as if her +hole ha((iness0 her +hole f)t)re de(ended on this. She m)st /e .aref)l not to .hoose a (oem at all +ell<,no+n0 or .ertainly &iss #ill.o- +o)ld re.o*ni>e it. She m)st .hoose one as li,e her o+n style as (ossi/le <somethin* yearnin* and so)lf)l and rather hi*h</ro+. Ah0 Anne<&arie meant to test &iss #ill.o-0 no matter +hether she .heated or not in doin* so 4 %o+ that her li,in* for &iss #ill.o- had so s)ddenly 1anished0 Anne<&arie's 7ealo)sly of Alison disa((eared too. Silly little Alison0 she tho)*ht0 (ityin*ly0 as she sh)t one /oo, of (oems and o(ened another. B)t Alison0 not ,no+in* anythin* a/o)t &iss #ill.o-'s )n,indness to Anne<&arie0 and its res)lt0 still tho)*ht that the other *irl +as 7ealo)s of her0 and ()t do+n the annoyin* disa((earan.es of her thin*s to s(ite on Anne<&arie's (art. Alma ,ne+ this and re7oi.ed. $t made thin*s m).h easier for her0 if Alison so .learly s)s(e.ted some one else 4 She too, a fe+ more thin*s0 en7oyin* (oor Alison's e-as(eration and annoyan.e. !o Alma the loss of the hidden food in the .)(/oard +as as *reat a /lo+ as &iss #ill.o-'s +ords had /een to Anne<&arie 4 1F &$ ABE' $S DE 9 "$;"< "A%=E= !"E se.ond formers de.ided to ha1e their feast in their o+n dormitory0 +hi.h +as .on1eniently far from any mistress's 2)arters. !hey as,ed the first form to 7oin them and there +as *reat re7oi.in* amon* the yo)n*er ones at this. ' 8olly de.ent of them' said Sally. ' $ 1ote +e *et in a s(ot of food o)rsel1es. =on't yo) thin, so0 8ane 5 ' 8ane +as not as thrilled as the others. She had /een 1ery 2)iet and s)/d)ed lately0 h)rt at &ira/el's ne*le.t of her0 and at her )n7)st s)s(i.ion re*ardin* the rin*in* of the fire</ell0 +hi.h mystery still had not /een .leared )(. She +or,ed hard for An*ela0 findin* .omfort in the older *irl's li,in* and (raise0 and still did a *ood deal of her +or, at ni*ht )nder the sheets. ' Cheer )(0 8ane 4' Sally ,e(t sayin*. ' 9o) loo, li,e a hen .a)*ht in the rain. =o .heer )( 4' 8ane tried to smile. She had /een 1ery afraid of s)ddenly /)rstin* into tears lately0 a most )n)s)al thin* for her to do. ' $t +ill /e f)n ha1in* a midni*ht feast0' she said0 tryin* to thin, it +o)ld /e f)n. B)t someho+ nothin* seemed f)n lately. $t +as so a+f)l to /e left o)t of mat.hes0 +hen she ,ne+ she +as /etter than the others. #hat +as the )se of (ra.tisin* hard e1ery s(are min)te she had0 +hen &ira/el ,e(t treatin* her li,e this 5 $t +asn't fair0 tho)*ht 8ane0 resentf)lly. $t really +asn't. Cla)dine had told Antoinette of the (ilferin* of the .)(/oard0 and the se.ond formers +ere annoyed and ()>>led0 for Antoinette had told no one of the hidin*<(la.e. Still there +as (lenty of food left0 so ne1er mind 4 Antoinette +ent to Cla)dine. ' Cla)dine0 +e

are to ha1e o)r feast tomorro+ ni*ht. Can $ ha1e the ,ey of the .)(/oard (lease 5 $ and one of the others +ill .ome )( here 1ery 2)ietly 7)st /efore midni*ht0 and *et the thin*s.' ' "ereK is the ,ey0' said Cla)dine0 ta,in* it off a thin strin* she +ore ro)nd her ne.,. ' %o+ don't ma,e a noise tomorro+ ni*ht0 +hate1er yo) do. "a1e a *ood time 4 $ +ish $ +as .omin* too 4' Antoinette *rinned. She +as en7oyin* this first term at St. Clare's. 'i,e Cla)dine0 she had sli((ed o)t of thin*s she did not li,e0 had (layed many )ndete.ted (ran,s0 and had en7oyed the f)n and the 7olly .om(anion< shi(. She too, the ,ey and +ent off. She hadn't *one far /efore she retra.ed her footste(s. "o+ many /ottles of *in*er</eer +ere there 5 #o)ld there /e eno)*h0 no+ that the first form +as .omin* 5 She sli((ed the ,ey in the lo., and t)rned it. Alma0 in her st)dy0 heard the .li., of the lo.,. "o+ +ell she ,ne+ it 4 She (ee(ed o)t of the door. #hy0 it +as Antoinette at the .)(/oard0 not Cla)dine. She +ent o)t of the door. Antoinette 7)m(ed 1iolently and sh)t the door. ' #hat ha1e yo) *ot in that .)(/oard 5 ' said Alma0 in a smooth 1oi.e. ' 'et me see.' Before Antoinette .o)ld o/7e.t she *ra//ed the ,ey from her and o(ened the .)(/oard. !hen she (retended to /e 1ery s)r(rised at the .ontents. ' ;ood *ra.io)s 4 #hat is all this 5 =oes it /elon* to yo)0 Antoinette 5 ' Antoinette hesitated. She disli,ed Alma and did not tr)st her. B)t +hat .o)ld she do 5 $f she +as r)de0 Alma mi*ht /e most )n(leasant. ' $ see it is a se.ret0' said Alma0 lon*in* to ta,e one of the tins of (ine< a((le. ' ;i1e me one of those tins. Antoinette0 and $ +ill not tell any one of this at all. $ s)((ose yo) are *oin* to ha1e a midni*ht feast 5' ' 9es0 tomorro+0' said Antoinette0 disli,in* Alma e1en more. ' $'m sorry $ .an't *i1e yo) a tin0 Alma. $ sho)ld ha1e to as, the others first. $t is not a ni.e thin* for yo) to as,0 any+ay<$ do not li,e a /ar*ain of this sort 4' Antoinette sh)t the door firmly and lo.,ed it a*ain0 /efore Alma had made )( her mind +hat to do. She too, the ,ey from the lo., and st)ffed it into her (o.,et0 eyein* Alma defiantly. ' $ +ill as, the others if yo) may ha1e a tin of (ine<a((le0 if yo) +ish me to0 Alma0' she said. ' B)t<s)rely yo) do not +ish me to 5' Alma s.o+led. Of .o)rse she .o)ld not ha1e Antoinette tellin* the se.ond form that she +anted a tin of (inea((le. She tried to la)*h it off. ' =on't /e silly 4 $ didn't really mean it. $ don't li,e (ine<a((le. #ell<$ ho(e yo) en7oy yo)r feast 4' ' 9o) +on't tell tales of )s0 +ill yo) 5 ' said Antoinette0 distr)stin* Alma more and more. ' 9o) (romise that0 +on't yo) 5 !he se.ond form +o)ld thin, yo) +ere terri/le to tell s).h a tale0 Alma. 9o) ha1e the En*lish sense of hono)r0 ha1e yo) not0 this hono)r that al+ays yo) En*lish *irls are tal,in* of 5' ' Of .o)rse0' said Alma0 +al,in* off +ith +hat di*nity she .o)ld m)ster. She +ent into her st)dy. She tho)*ht of the food in that .)(/oard. She tho)*ht of Antoinette's half<1eiled insolen.e. 6ro/a/ly she +o)ld tell the se.ond formers a/o)t the tin of (ine<a((le she had as,ed for< and they +o)ld n)d*e ea.h other +hen she (assed0 and *i**le. Alma +ished she .o)ld tell tales0 and *et the feast sto((ed4 B)t +ho +o)ld listen to her 5 She +o)ld not dare to .arry tales to &iss !heo/ald or &iss Coro<+allis0 nor +as she .ertain that "ilary0 the head<*irl of the form0 +o)ld e1en listen to her 4 !hen a tho)*ht str)., her. #hat a/o)t &ira/el 5 &ira/el +as so ,een on s(orts<and there +as a mat.h the day after ne-t4 She +o)ld not /e at all (leased if she ,ne+ that the first and se.ond form +ere *oin* to ha1e a midni*ht feast 7)st /efore the mat.h. &ira/el sho)ld /e told

a/o)t it0 and may/e0 in her /l)nt0 o1er/earin* +ay0 she +o)ld sto( it. !hat +o)ld ()nish Antoinette all ri*ht 4 Alma did not dare to *o to &ira/el dire.t. She (rinted a note0 so that her hand+ritin* +o)ld not /e re.o*ni>ed0 and did not si*n her name at the end. ' =O %O! EI6EC! !"E !"$ = !EA& !O #$% $!S &A!C" O% F $=A90' said the note. '!"E9 #$'' A'' BE @6 A! &$=%$;"! 4' &ira/el fo)nd the note on her ta/le in the st)dy that e1enin*. She (i.,ed it )( in .)riosity and read it. ' ;ladys4' she said0 tossin* the note o1er to her0' +hat in the +orld does this mean 5 ' ;ladys read it distastef)lly. ' $t's a +ret.hed anonymo)s letter0' she said0 ' sent /y some one +ho +ants to tell tales and doesn't dare to do it o(enly. Beastly. !ear it )( and ()t it in the +aste<(a(er /as,et. =on't ta,e any noti.e of it. !hat's the +ay to treat letters of that sort.' ' 9es0 /)t ;ladys<the third la.rosse team +on't +in their mat.h if they are )( at midni*ht0' ar*)ed &ira/el. ' And $ do +ant them to. $'1e set my heart on it. $ s)((ose they're *oin* to ha1e a midni*ht feast or somethin*0 silly ,ids. !hey'll /e tired o)t ne-t day.' '#ell0 didn't yo) en7oy midni*ht feasts +hen yon +ere in the lo+er forms 5 ' said ;ladys. ' "a1e yo) for*otten +hat f)n they +ere 5 ' ' #e didn't ha1e them 7)st /efore an im(ortant mat.h0' said &ira/el. ' #e didn't0 ;ladys.' ' For *oodness' sa,e don't thin, of sto((in* the feast0 or +hate1er it is0' said ;ladys0 alarmed. ' 9o) .an't interfere li,e that0 &ira/el0 and /e s).h a s(oil<s(ort.' &ira/el tho)*ht for a fe+ moments. ' $ ,no+ +hat to do. $'ll send a note to Katie0 +ho's head of the se.ond form0 and inform her that $ ha1e heard there is to /e somethin* *oin* on at midni*ht tomorro+0 and $ +o)ld li,e her to see that it is ()t off till after the mat.h. !hey +ill res(e.t my +ishes $ am s)re<then they .an (lay the mat.h (ro(erly +itho)t /ein* tired0 and ha1e their feast after+ards.' ' #ell0 $ sho)ldn't e1en do that0' said ;ladys. ' $ don't thin, the feast +ill really ma,e m).h differen.e to the mat.h<and any+ay0 only a/o)t a 2)arter of the *irls are (layin* in it<hardly that 4' ' 9o) ne1er /a., me )( in anythin* no+0' said &ira/el0 fro+nin*. She said no more0 /)t /)sied herself in +ritin* a short note to the head<*irl of the se.ond form. Katie *ot it that day and read it in s)r(rise. She sho+ed it to Antoinette. '"o+e1er did &ira/el *et +ind of o)r (lans 5 ' she said. ' "a1e yo) told any one0 Antoinette 5' ' #ell<only Alma0' said the Fren.h *irl0 and she told Katie +hat had ha((ened at the store .)(/oard. ' "o+ a+f)l4' said Katie0 sho.,ed at the tale and at Alma's /eha1io)r. ' $ say<$ +onder if she +as the one +ho (ilfered o)r stores 4' ' 6erha(s0' said Antoinette. ' She is not a ni.e *irl0 that one.' Katie .alled a meetin* of the se.ond formers in the .ommon room and read them &ira/el's note. $t +as0 as mi*ht /e e-(e.ted0 rather arro*ant and (erem(tory. E1idently &ira/el e-(e.ted to /e o/eyed0 and that +as that. ' $ 1ote +e ha1e the feast tomorro+ ni*ht as (lanned0' said 9olande. ' &ira/el has /een thro+in* her +ei*ht a/o)t too m).h lately. $ .all that a most )n.i1il note. Any+ay0 +hat /)siness is it of hers 5 She's al+ays interferin* no+.' E1ery one follo+ed 9olande's lead. $t +as .)rio)s ho+ )n(o()lar &ira/el had /e.ome. She had tried to dri1e e1ery one too fast0 and no+ they +ere di**in* their toes in and ref)sin* to /)d*e 4 ' $'d /etter not ans+er this note of &ira/el's to<day0 had $ 5 ' said Katie. ' $'ll ans+er it after +e'1e had the feast0 then she .an't sto( it 4' &ira/el +as s)r(rised to ha1e no ans+er from Katie0 *i1in* an )nderta,in* to (ost(one the feast till after the mat.h0 /)t it did not o..)r to her at

all that the first and se.ond formers +o)ld dare to defy her. She felt ()>>led and tho)*ht that Katie +as not 1ery mannerly <s)rely she ,ne+ that an ans+er sho)ld al+ays /e sent at on.e to any re2)est from one of the to( form *irls 5 !he first and se.ond form +ere *ettin* e-.ited. $t +as the first time they had had a feast at ni*ht0 and to them it seemed a terri/ly e-.itin* thin*. E1ery sin*le *irl +as *oin*. Diolet +as /a., from the san. no+ after a /o)t of fl)0 and +as loo,in* for+ard to it too. 8ane tried to loo, for+ard to it0 /)t she +as feelin* 1ery )nha((y. !hen a dreadf)l 2)arrel /le+ )( /et+een her and Diolet0 and 8ane felt as if she .o)ldn't /ear thin*s any more4 Diolet had .ome /a., from the san. e-(e.tin* to do An*ela's 7o/s as )s)al. She had /een disa((ointed /e.a)se An*ela had not e1en sent a ,indly messa*e to her +hen she +as ill. %e1er mind<An*ela +o)ld /e 1ery *lad to see her /a.,0 doin* her .leanin* and mendin* as /efore0 tho)*ht Diolet. B)t An*ela didn't +ant Diolet moonin* ro)nd a*ain. She had *ot )sed to the 2)iet and effi.ient little 8ane0 +ho0 so lon* as she *ot a smile and a +ord of (raise no+ and a*ain0 seemed to /e 2)ite .ontent. Diolet +as too tal,ati1e0 and al+ays li,ed to re.o)nt all her tho)*hts and doin*s0 +hi.h +as 1ery /orin* to the self<.entred An*ela. So0 to Diolet's enormo)s dismay0 An*ela did not *reet her +armly0 and merely informed her that (erha(s she +o)ld li,e to *o and see to 6a)line's 7o/s0 as 8ane +as doin* e1erythin* ne.essary. Diolet did not dare to ar*)e +ith An*elar /)t r)shed off to 8ane at on.e. ' 9o) )nderhand thin* 4' she said0 her eyes s(ar,lin* +ith an*er. ' 9o) *o /ehind my /a., +hen $'m ill< and +orm yo)rself into An*ela's *ood *ra.es a*ain< and do all the thin*s she +as lettin* me do. 8ane !eal0 $ shall ne1er s(ea, to yo) a*ain0 and neither +ill half the first form 4' 8ane tried to defend herself0 /)t Diolet had a ready ton*)e0 and .o)ld say some /itter0 .)ttin* thin*s. 8ane +as tired o)t and )nha((y0 and she /)rst into tears. ' 8)st li,e yo) 4' said Diolet0 s.ornf)lly. ' 9o) thin, yo)'ll *et sym(athy 7)st /e.a)se yo) .ry. #ell<yo) 7)st /)rst into tears +ith An*ela0 and see +hat she says 4 She .an't stand anythin* of that sort 4' 8ane .o)ld not hel( feelin* that (erha(s she had done a mean tri., to Diolet. She hardly sle(t at all that ni*ht0 and in the mornin* she a+o,e +ith a sore throat and a heada.he0 +hi.h made her feel more misera/le than e1er. '$t's a *ood thin* $'m not (layin* in the mat.h tomorro+ 4' she tho)*ht and +ondered if &ira/el +o)ld e1er ()t her name do+n for a mat.h a*ain. 8ane felt rather 2)eer that day. She had a hi*h tem(erat)re and didn't ,no+ it. She did /adly on the la.rosse field and &ira/el ti.,ed her off. She .o)ld not .on.entrate in .lass and &iss o/erts +as not (leased. Diolet a1oided her and some of the other first formers0 +ho +ere friends of Diolet's0 did not s(ea, to her either. ' $ +ish $ +as at home0' tho)*ht 8ane0 lon*in*ly. ' $f $ .o)ld 7)st tell &other all a/o)t it $'d feel /etter. $ .an't +rite it in a letter. $ +ish $ .o)ld *o home.' !he idea *re+ and *re+ in her +orried mind and at last 8ane made a (lan she +o)ld ne1er ha1e made if she had /een 2)ite +ell. $nstead of *oin* to the feast she +o)ld *o home 4 ').,ily for her0 her home +as a.t)ally in the ne-t 1illa*e0 fo)r miles a+ay. 8ane felt s)re she .o)ld easily +al, there in the middle of the ni*ht 4 !hen she +o)ld see her mother0 tell her e1erythin*0 and thin*s +o)ld /e all ri*ht a*ain. She did not ,no+ she +as /e*innin* to ha1e fl) and had a tem(erat)re0 she had no idea she +as not normal 7)st then. Sally .o)ld not *et a

+ord o)t of her and +as +orried. 6oor 8ane<she +as not ha1in* an easy time 7)st then. B)t ne1er mind0 she tho)*ht0 $'ll /e home toni*ht 4 1G A S@ 6 $S$%; %$;"! !"A! Friday ni*ht +as to /e a most astonishin* one for &am'>elle0 tho)*h she did not ,no+ it. She ne1er for*ot it0 and0 +hene1er she too, a holiday in her /elo1ed Fran.e0 she +o)ld often re.o)nt the ha((enin*s of that ni*ht0 to sho+ her enra(t)red listeners ho+ 2)eer +ere the En*lish *irls 4 $t +as the ni*ht of the Feast0 and the first and se.ond formers +ere to ha1e it at t+el1e o'.lo., shar( in one of their dormitories. Antoinette had already se.reted some of the thin*s on the to( of a hi*h .)(/oard in her dormitory0 and meant to fet.h the rest 7)st /efore midni*ht. &ira/el0 )nfort)nately0 had seen Antoinette h)rryin* alon* the .orridor o)tside her st)dy0 .arryin* 1ario)s s)s(i.io)s (ar.els. She had .alled alter Antoinette0 /)t Antoinette had tho)*ht it ad1isa/le not to hear0 and had s.)rried fast ro)nd the .orner0 almost ,no.,in* o1er &iss #ill.o-. &ira/el stared after the disa((earin* Antoinette in e-as(eration. eally0 these ,ids +ere *ettin* too )n.i1il for +ords. She +ent /a., into her o+n st)dy and fro+ned. Co)ld those ,ids /e *oin* to ha1e their feast that ni*ht after all<+hen she had as,ed them not to 5 Co)ld they flo)t her re2)est in that +ay<s)rely not4 All the same a do)/t (ersisted in &ira/el's mind0 and she .o)ld not *et rid of it. She said nothin* to ;ladys0 /)t she made )( her mind to ,ee( a+a,e that ni*ht0 and to *o alon* to the first or se.ond form dormitories a/o)t midni*ht0 to see if anythin* +as ha((enin*. ' And if there is<+on't $ *i1e them a tal,in* to 4' tho)*ht &ira/el0 *rimly. ' $'ll re(ort them too. $'ll ma,e them see they .an't disre*ard my orders 4' %o+ Anne<&arie had (lanned to sta*e a slee(<+al,in* a.t that ni*ht. She had tho)*ht of 2)ite a lot of thin*s to do +hi.h +ere e-traordinary0 and mi*ht ma,e (eo(le say ' Ah0 she does those /e.a)se she's a *eni)s0' as so often +as said of the a/sent<minded Feli.ity. B)t she rather do)/ted her a/ility to .arry them off in front of the shar(<eyed0 2)i.,<minded mem/ers of the fifth form. $t +o)ld ne1er do to ()t on some sort of *eni)s a.t0 and ha1e the others roar +ith la)*hter0 dis/elie1e in it0 and tell her it +as all ()t on. $t +as *ettin* to /e 2)ite im(erati1e to Anne<&arie to /e tho)*ht really .le1er. She had to do somethin* to .an.el o)t the dam(in* effe.t of &iss #ill.o-'s +ords. #ho +o)ld /e ta,en in most easily5 She tho)*ht for a +hile0 and then de.ided on &am'>elle. She had heard of the many tri.,s the *irls had (layed on the Fren.h &istress thro)*h the years0 and she felt s)re she +o)ld ta,e in &am'>elle. &am'>elle +o)ld e-.laim0 and +a**le her hands0 and tell e1ery one. She +o)ld say ' Ah0 la (etite Anne<&arie0 she +al,s in her slee(0 she re.ites (oetry as she +al,s0 she is a *eni)s 4 #e m)st /e .aref)l of her0 +e m)st .herish this talented *irl 4 One day she +ill /e fam o)s 4' 9es0 .ertainly &am'>elle +o)ld /e the /est one to im(ress. !he middle of the ni*ht +o)ld /e the /est time. She +o)ld find some means of +a,in* &am'>elle0 and /rin* her o)t in the (assa*e0 and then she +o)ld let her see her0 a((arently +al,in* in her slee(0 re.itin* lines and lines of (oetry. &am'>elle +o)ld /e most im(ressed0 and (erha(s e1en &iss !heo/ald +o)ld thin, that Anne<&arie +as a *eni)s0 and as, to see some of her (oems. Anne<&arie +as really 1ery (leased +ith her idea. She

2)ite loo,ed for+ard to ()ttin* it into (ra.ti.e that ni*ht. ' A/o)t half<(ast t+el1e or so0' she tho)*ht. ' !hat +o)ld /e the /est time. E1ery one +ill /e aslee( /y then.' She had0 of .o)rse0 .hosen a most )nfort)nate ni*ht for her slee(<+al,in*0 for 2)ite a n)m/er of (eo(le +ere *oin* to /e +ide<a+a,e 4 All the first and se.ond formers +o)ld /e re1ellin* in their feast. 8ane !eal +o)ld /e stealin* thro)*h the s.hool0 meanin* to r)n off home. &ira/el +o)ld /e on the (ro+l to find o)t if the yo)n*er *irls +ere really ha1in* their feast. Alma +o)ld /e snoo(in* a/o)t to see if there +as li,ely to /e any food left in the .)(/oard. Antoinette and one or t+o others +o)ld /e fet.hin* the rest of the food. And Feli.ity +as to .hoose that ni*ht for slee(<+al,in* too</)t *en)ine slee(<+al,in*0 in her .ase. So there +o)ld /e 2)ite a n)m/er of (eo(le +anderin* a/o)t0 tho)*h Anne<&arie hadn't the remotest idea of this. All the *irls +ent off to /ed as )s)al at their ordinary times. !he first and se.ond formers +ent first0 *i**lin* +ith e-.itement0 1o+in* that they +o)ldn't slee( a +in, till midni*ht. Antoinette and Sally +ere to /e res(onsi/le for ro)sin* any one +ho did *o to slee(. $t +as thrillin* to loo, for+ard to s).h an es.a(ade. !he third and fo)rth formers +ent off to /ed later. !he fifth and si-th .o)ld stay )( till ten o'.lo.,0 and )s)ally did. !hey all retired as )s)al0 e1en Feli.ity0 +ho often did not *o till m).h later0 lost as )s)al in her m)si.. $t +as astonishin* that no mistress had dis.o1ered her li*ht /)rnin* so late in her st)dy0 /)t so far no one had. !hen the mistresses +ent to /ed0 ya+nin*0 ha1in* a last +ord to*ether /efore they (arted. &am'>elle +as the last to *o. She had a (ile of Fren.h essays from the si-th form to *o thro)*h0 and had left them rather late. ' $ +ill .orre.t these0 and then *o0' she tho)*ht0 *lan.in* at the .lo.,. ' "alf<(ast ele1en already 4 "o+ slo+ $ ha1e /een toni*ht 4' At 7)st a/o)t fi1e min)tes to t+el1e &am'>elle +ent into her /edroom. At t+el1e o'.lo., she +as *ettin* into /ed0 and the /ed +as a/o)t to .rea, )nder her rather hea1y +ei*ht0 +hen some so)nd .a)*ht her ears. $t so)nded as if somethin* hard had /een dro((ed on the floor immediately a/o1e her head. &am'>elle sat on the side of the /ed and (ondered o1er the 1ario)s (ossi/le .a)ses of the noise. $t +as not the .at. $t +as not the )ne-(e.ted *roan or .rea, that f)rnit)re sometimes *a1e at ni*ht. $t +as not any mistress on the (ro+l0 /e.a)se all had *one to /ed. !hen +hat .o)ld it /e 5 &am'>elle tho)*ht hard. She ,ne+ that the fifth form st)dies +ere a/o1e her /edroom0 stret.hin* in a lon* .o)(le of ro+s do+n and aro)nd t+o .orridors. S)rely no one .o)ld (ossi/ly /e )( still 5 !he fifth form m)st all /e in /ed 4 Another small so)nd de.ided &am'>elle. She had /etter *o and in1esti*ate. $t mi*ht /e a /)r*lar. &am'>elle had a horror of /)r*lars0 /)t she felt it her d)ty to find o)t +hether there +as one in the s.hool or not. Feelin* e-tremely /ra1e0 and armin* herself +ith a hair/r)sh0 she ()t on her dressin*<*o+n and sli((ers0 tied the *irdle ti*htly ro)nd her (l)m( +aist0 and o(ened her /edroom door. All the (assa*es and .orridors of St. Clare's +ere li*hted thro)*ho)t the ni*ht0 /)t +ith s(e.ially dimmed li*hts. $t +as (ossi/le to see a fi*)re0 /)t not to ma,e o)t +ho it +as. !he .orridors loo,ed rather eerie to &am'>elle as she set o)t on her 7o)rney of in1esti*ation. !he first thin* that &am'>elle did +as to fall o1er the s.hool .at0 +ho +as an enormo)s /la., fello+0 m).h *i1en to +anderin* aro)nd at ni*ht. Seein* &am'>elle (erfe.tly .learly0 tho)*h she .o)ld not see him at all0 he

ad1an.ed )(on her0 and tried to r)/ a*ainst her an,les0 deli*hted to see a fello+< +anderer in the ni*ht. &am'>elle *a1e a m)ffled shrie,0 and almost o1er/alan.ed. One of her /i* feet .a)*ht the .at on its side0 and it *a1e one of its yo+ls. &am'>elle re.o*ni>ed the .at's 1oi.e0 and +as relie1ed to find that it +as not a /)r*lar lyin* on the floor to .at.h her foot0 /)t only the .at. ' Sssst4' she said0 in a (ier.in*0 si/ilant +his(er0 and the .at fled0 *rie1ed at &am'>elle's la., of friendliness. &am'>elle +ent )( the stairs to the ne-t floor0 +here she had heard the noise. Antoinette +as )( there0 on her third 7o)rney to .olle.t the eata/les +ith Sally. !o her horror she s)ddenly heard &am'>elle's (ier.in* ' Ssssst4' noise from the floor /elo+. She .l)t.hed Sally. ' Some/ody's a/o)t 4 =id yo) hear that 5 Oh0 ho+ tiresome0 Sally 4 #hat shall +e do 5 ' ' !here's an al.o1e near here0' +his(ered Sally. ' 'oo, <+here that .)rtain is. #e'll *et /ehind there +ith o)r tins and /ottles. B)i., 4 &ay/e +hoe1er it is +ill (ass /y. =on't snee>e or anythin* 4' !he t+o *irls (ressed themsel1es /ehind the .)rtain0 their hearts /eatin* fast. !hey heard &am'>elle's foot< ste(s .oinin* alon*0 ma,in* a soft s+ishin* noise in her /i* /edroom sli((ers. !hey stood 2)ite still. &am'>e@e .ame to the al.o1e. She tho)*ht the .)rtain /)l*ed s)s(i.io)sly0 and she ()t o)t a trem/lin* hand. She distin.tly felt some soft /ody /ehind it 4 She *a1e a *as(. Antoinette and Sally de.ided to ma,e a /olt for it0 and s)ddenly shot o)t from the al.o1e0 dro((in* a *in*er</eer /ottle on (oor &am'>elle's toes. She *a1e an an*)ished *roan0 lifted her foot0 and did a fe+ hea1y ho(s o1er to the o((osite +all0 ()ttin* o)t a hand to steady herself +hen she *ot there. She .a)*ht si*ht of t+o fi*)res ra.in* do+n the dim (assa*e0 and ro)nd the .orner. She had no idea +hether they +ere /)r*lars or *irls. As she felt her .orns tenderly0 +rath s+e(t o1er her. "o+ dared (eo(le dro( thin*s on her feet in the middle of the ni*ht0 and then r)n a+ay +itho)t a(olo*i>in* 5 &am'>elle determined to .hase the s.am(s0 +hoe1er they +ere0 and r)n them to earth. She did not see the *in*er</eer /ottle lyin* at her feet0 and she fell o1er it as she +ent s+iftly do+n the (assa*e0 st)//in* her other foot this time. !he /ottle +ent rollin* off and hit the +all. &am'>e@e sto((ed a*ain and *roaned. She ran do+n the (assa*e and .ame to the .orner. !here +as no one to /e seen there. !he (assa*e +ent .om(letely ro)nd the third floor of the /)ildin*0 and .ame /a., a*ain +here it /e*an0 and &am'>elle tho)*ht it +o)ld /e a *ood idea to *o the +hole +ay and see if any one +as a/o)t on that floor. So off she set0 determined to r)n to earth +hoe1er +as )( so late at ni*ht. 6ad<(ad<(ad0 +ent her feet0 and e1ery no+ and a*ain &am'>elle set her (in.e<ne> firmly on her nose0 for they had an irritatin* +ay of 7)m(in* off +hen she ran. 6ad<(ad<(ad<the .hase +as onl 1H &A&'ME''E O% !"E #A <6A!" A'&A +as the ne-t one to /e dimly seen /y &am'>elle. She had tLeen .ertain that Antoinette +o)ld *o to the store .)(/oard that ni*ht0 and +o)ld (ro/a/ly ma,e t+o or three 1isits. 6ro/a/ly in /et+een she +o)ld lea1e the door o(en. !hen0 tho)*ht *reedy Alma0 she mi*ht /e a/le to (o( in and ta,e somethin* for herself. A tin of (ine<a((le for instan.e. She seemed to .ra1e for a tin of (ine< a((le 4 So0 ma,in* s)re that the rest of her dormitory +ere aslee(0 Alma rose 2)ietly from her /ed0 and +ent )( the stairs to the third floor. She made her +ay to the .)(/oard 7)st at the same moment as &am'>elle0 (antin*0 .ame ro)nd the last

of the fo)r .omers of the .orridor0 /a., a*ain to +here the al.o1e +as. !he store .)(/oard +as 2)ite near. &am'>elle sa+ a fi*)re in the (assa*e. Ah<there +as one of the midni*ht +anderers0 at least 4 &am'>elle +o)ld tea.h them to dro( thin*s on her (oor toes 4 She .re(t )( /ehind the )ns)s(e.tin* Alma0 +ho +as half in the .)(/oard0 *ro(in* a/o)t for a tin of some ,ind. Alma had the sho., of her life +hen she felt a hand on her sho)lder. She l)n*ed o)t in fri*ht and str)., (oor &am'>elle s2)are in the middle. &am'>elle do)/led )( at on.e0 and *a1e s).h a dee( *roan that Alma +as horrified. She .o)ld not mo1e an in.h0 /)t stood there0 trem/lin*:. &am'>elle re.o1ered ra(idly. She felt .ertain that this m)st /e a /)r*lar riflin* .)(/oards. "e +as dan*ero)s4 "e had *i1en her a terri/le /lo+0 the /i* .o+ard 4 &am'>elle +as not *oin* to .ome to *ri(s +ith him. ;i1in* Alma a s)dden ()sh0 +hi.h landed her amon* the tins0 /ottles and old r)*s0 she sh)t the door firmly0 lo.,ed it0 and too, the ,ey. ' "a 4' said &am'>elle0 addressin* the alarmed Alma in the .)(/oard. ' %o+ $ ha1e yo) )nder ,ey and lo., 4 $ *o for the (oli.e 4' #ith this terrifyin* threat she (added of4 to tele(hone to the (oli.e. She +ent do+nstairs0 .on*rat)latin* herself heartily on her smartness and /ra1ery0 and feelin* her middle tenderly to see if she +as /r)ised. As soon as she *ot do+nstairs she sa+ 8ane !eal0 +ho had .hosen that moment to .ree( a+ay from the others0 ()t on her hat and .oat and *o to find a side<door she .o)ld o(en 2)ietly. B)t (oor little 8ane +as no+ feelin* 1ery ill. !he fl) +as sendin* her tem(erat)re hi*h0 and she felt as if she +as in a dream. All she +anted +as to *et to her mother0 and to do that she ,ne+ she m)st *et o)t of St. Clare's and +al, and +al,. So0 hardly ,no+in* +hat she +as doin*0 she felt +ith a fe1erish hand alon* the +all to find the side<door. She m)ttered to herself as she +ent. ' $ m)st find the door. !hat's the first thin*. $ m)st find the door.' &am'>elle heard the m)tterin* and sto((ed in ama>ement and alarm. Co)ld this /e yet another /)r*lar 5 #ho +as this (erson *ro(in* alon* the +all<+ith a hat on too 4 &am'>elle .o)ld not see in the dim li*ht +hat ,ind of a (erson it +as0 /)t ha1in* *ot the idea of /)r*lars firmly in her mind0 she felt .ertain this m)st /e another< (ro/a/ly the se.ond of the t+o she had first seen ra.in* do+n the )(stairs (assa*e. She /e*an to ti(toe .a)tio)sly after 8ane. 8ane felt alon* the +all till she .ame to a door. ' "ere is a door0' she m)ttered. ' $ m)st o(en it and *o o)t. $'1e fo)nd a door.' B)t it +as not the side<door0 leadin* into the *arden. $t +as the door of the se.ond form *ames .)(/oard0 f)ll of la.rosse sti.,s0 old *oal<nets0 a fe+ dis.arded rain<.oats and s).h thin*s as this. 8ane o(ened the door and +ent into the .)(/oard. &am'>elle0 tri)m(hant0 sa+ a .han.e of re(eatin* her re.ent /rillian.e0 and of lo.,in* this se.ond /)r*lar into a .)(/oard too. She darted for+ard0 sh)t the door and lo.,ed it0 lea1in* (oor 8ane in the dar,ness amon* thin*s that felt most e-traordinary to her hot little fin*ers. ' $ +ant to *o home0' said 8ane and s)ddenly san, do+n on to a (ile of sti.,s and nets0 for her le*s felt as if they +o)ld no lon*er .any her. She lay there0 fe1erish and half<dreamin*0 not ,no+in* or .arin* in the least +here she +as. &am'>elle .o)ld not hel( feelin* 1ery (ro)d of herself. #hat other mistress at St. Clare's .o)ld .at.h and im(rison t+o /)r*lars in one ni*ht li,e this 5 &am'>elle /e*an to thin, she +as +asted as a Fren.h mistress. She sho)ld ha1e /een in the (oli.e for.e. ' %o+ $ *o to the

tele(hone0' she said to herself0 thin,in* +ith deli*ht of the astonishment of the (oli.e +hen they heard her ne+s. B)t she +as not yet to /road.ast her ne+s0 for0 e1en as she +ent into the hall0 she sa+ some/ody else 4 !his time it +as Feli.ity0 +al,in* in her slee(0 tryin* to find the assem/ly room0 so that she mi*ht on.e a*ain mo)nt the (latform0 and (lay her ima*inary 1iolin. She +al,ed solemnly0 her eyes +ide o(en0 h)mmin* a melody in a lo+0 soft 1oi.e. She had on her +hite ni*ht< *o+n0 and &am'>elle +as a/sol)tely (etrified to see this fi*)re +al,in* to+ards her0 ma,in* a 2)eer lo+ h)mmin*. ' !iens 4' said &am'>elle0 and too, a ste( /a.,+ards. For the first time she /e*an to +onder +hether the ni*ht's ha((enin*s +ere real or +hether she mi*ht /e dreamin*. $t seemed astonishin* that so many (eo(le +ere a/o)t0 in the middle of the ni*ht. !his .o)ld not /e a /)r*lar. $t loo,ed li,e somethin* )nearthly<a s(irit +anderin* a/o)t0 lost and lone 4 &am'>elle shi1ered. B)r*lars she had /een a/le to deal +ith</)t s(irits +ere different. !hey faded a+ay0 they disa((eared into thin air0 if they +ere to).hed0 and &am'>elle did not li,e thin*s of that sort. She de.ided not to *o to the tele(hone 7)st then0 as she +o)ld ha1e to meet this +anderin* s(irit fa.e to fa.e. She +o)ld retire to her /edroom for a little +hile till the s(irit had ret)rned to +here1er it had .ome from. So &am'>elle t)rned tail and fled. B)t for some reason Feli.ity0 fast aslee( as she +as0 seemed to (er.ei1e &am'>elle as she disa((eared to+ards the stairs. $nto her dreamin* mind .ame the idea that this (erson mi*ht ta,e her to the (latform0 so that she mi*ht (lay her +onderf)l .om(ositions0 and she follo+ed &am'>elle )( the stairs0 her eyes *lassy and +ide o(en0 her hands o)tstret.hed. &am'>elle *lan.ed /ehind and +as most alarmed to find the +hite s(irit follo+in* her. She had not /ar*ained for this at all. She almost ran to *et to her /edroom on the se.ond floor. Feli.ity follo+ed0 seemin* almost to float )( the stairs0 for she +as tall and thin0 and m).h too li*ht for her a*e. &am'>elle /olted into her /edroom and sat do+n on her /ed0 o)t of /reath. !he door o(ened and Feli.ity .ame in0 her eyes still +ide o(en. As &am'>elle had her li*ht on0 she sa+ at on.e that +hat she had tho)*ht +as a fri*htenin* a((arition +as only Feli.ity. ' !ims 4' said &am'>elle0 ()ttin* her hand )( to her forehead. ' !iens 4 #hat ,ind of a ni*ht is this0 +hen /)r*lars and .hildren +al, aro)nd. Feli.ity0 my .hild0 are yo) a+a,e 5 ' !here +as somethin* rather terrifyin* a/o)t Feli.ity's +hite0 )na+a,ened fa.e. &am'>elle sa+ that she +as so)nd aslee(0 and +as afraid to +a,e her. She +as more lNan relie1ed +hen Feli.ity0 feelin* the /ed0 dre+ /a., the .o1ers0 *ot into it and sh)t her eyes. $n a min)te or t+o she +as a((arently slee(in* 2)ite (ea.ef)lly. &am'>elle stared do+n at the (ale fa.e on her (illo+. !o ha1e t+o /)r*lars sh)t into t+o se(arate .)(/oards and a slee(<+al,in* *irl in her /ed +as rather /e+ilderin*. She .o)ld not ma,e )( her mind +hether to tele(hone to the (oli.e or to *o and .all &iss !heo/ald and sho+ her Feli.ity. &am'>elle had had eno)*h e-(erien.e of *irls to ,no+ that slee(<+al,in* +as not a *ood thin*<somethin* had ha((ened to ma,e Feli.ity a.t in this +ay0 and that somethin* m)st /e in1esti*ated. !here +as a noise )(stairs a*ain. Antoinette and Sally had ret)rned to the .)(/oard for eata/les0 and had fo)nd the door lo.,ed0 the ,ey *one0 and a (risoner in the .)(/oard 4 $n ama>ement and fear they fled /a., to their dormitory to tell the others. &am'>elle0 dist)r/ed /y the noise they made0

+ent o)t of her /edroom0 and0 as an aftertho)*ht0 t)rned the ,ey in the lo.,0 in .ase Feli.ity sho)ld try a little more slee(<+al,in*. She +as 7)st in time to see Antoinette and Sally0 t+o 1a*)e fi*)res in the distan.e0 r)nnin* /a., to their dormitory. ' !iens 4' said &am'>elle a*ain0 th)nderstr)., to find yet more (eo(le a/road that ni*ht. ' =o $ slee( or +a,e 5 E1ery+here $ *o $ see (eo(le fleein* in the ni*ht 4' !he ne-t (erson &am'>elle sa+ +as &ira/el0 +ho +as .ree(in* do+n the stairs to see if the se.ond formers +ere holdin* their feast after all. &am'>elle .o)ld not /elie1e her eyes. #as the +hole s.hool +anderin* a/o)t that ni*ht<or +as this yet another /)r*lar 5 &ira/el +as a tall0 stra((in* *irl0 and she +ore (y7amas. $n the dim (assa*e she loo,ed as /i* as a man0 and &am'>elle felt .ertain this m)st /e another of the *an* of /)r*lars that a((eared to /e infestin* St. Clare's that ni*ht. She follo+ed her0 tryin* to ma,e no noise at all. $t +as /e.omin* 2)ite a .ommon< (la.e for &am'>elle to lo., (eo(le )( that ni*ht0 and she fondly ima*ined she .o)ld someho+ im(rison this /)r*lar also. &ira/el +ent to+ards the se.ond form dormitories. &am'>elle0 afraid that the /)r*lar mi*ht s.are the *irls there0 h)med her ste(s. !he s.hool .at rea((eared at this moment0 and tri((ed (oor &am'>elle )(0 so that she made a noise. &ira/el loo,ed ro)nd0 and sli((ed 2)i.,ly into one of the /athrooms that ran o((osite the dormitories. She did not +ant any of the se.ond formers to ,no+ she +as snoo(in* ro)nd0 in .ase /y any .han.e they +ere not holdin* the feast after all. &am'>elle sa+ +ith *reat (leas)re that on.e a*ain she .o)ld lo., some/ody into some+here. She /e*an to thin, that /)r*lar<.at.hin* +as the easiest thin* in the +orld<merely a matter of t)rnin* a ,ey in a lo.,. She t)rned the ,ey in the sh)t /athroom door<and there +as yet another /)r*lar a..o)nted forl &am'>elle tho)*ht +ith deli*ht of the s)r(rise and admiration of the other mistresses +hen they heard of her e-(loits. She felt ready to im(rison half a do>en more /)r*lars into .)(/oards and /athrooms if ne.essary. &ira/el +as horrified at /ein* lo.,ed in. She had no idea +ho had t)rned the ,ey0 /)t tho)*ht it +as some silly tri., of one of the yo)n*er *irls. So she settled do+n to +ait for the door to /e )ndone. She felt s)re no *irl +o)ld ,ee( her im(risoned all ni*ht lon*. &am'>elle de.ided that she +o)ld no+ *o to &iss !heo/ald0 as she felt that no (oli.eman +o)ld /e in.lined to /elie1e a tele(hone .all from her a/o)t three lo.,ed<)( /)r*lars. So she (added alon* the (assa*e to the stairs </)t 7)st as she +as a/o)t to des.end them0 she .a)*ht si*ht of yet another ni*ht +anderer. !his time it +as Anne<&arie0 +ho +as no+ ()ttin* on her slee(<+al,in* a.t in imitation of Feli.ity0' and +as on her +ay to +a,e )( &am'>elle. &am'>elle .o)ld not /elie1e her eyes +hen she sa+ yet another slee(<+al,er. %o0 really she m)st /e *oin* mad 4 !here .o)ld not /e so many (eo(le r)shin* a/o)t at ni*ht in the s.hool (assa*es 4 Anne<&arie sa+ &am'>elle standin* )nder one of the dimmed lam(s0 and re.o*ni>ed her. At first she *ot a sho.,0 for she had e-(e.ted &am'>elle to /e in /ed and not am/lin* a/o)t. B)t as soon as she +as s)re it really +as &am'>elle0 she a.ted e-a.tly as if she +as +al,in* in her slee(. She *lided /y &am'>elle0 her eyes set and starin* 7)st as Feli.ity's had /een0 m)tterin* a (oem. &am'>elle hesitated to *ra/ her0 for she had heard it +as /ad to a+a,en slee(<+al,ers s)ddenly. So she did not to).h Anne<&arie0 /)t follo+ed her0 +his(erin* )nder her

/reath. ' !he (oor .hild 4 "ere is another +ho +al,s in her slee( 4 $ +ill follo+ her.' Anne<&arie led &am'>elle a fine dan.e0 and finally ended )( o)tside the se.ond form dormitories. !he *irl on *)ard there *a1e the alarm +hen she sa+ the t+o fi*)res .omin*0 and there +as a terrifi. s.ram/le as /ottles and tins and (lates +ere ()shed )nder /eds. !he .andles +ere /lo+n o)t and *irls *ot h)rriedly into /ed0 those +ho didn't /elon* to that dormitory s2)ee>in* into +ardro/es and )nder /eds. Anne<&arie0 still a.tin*0 +andered into the se.ond form dormitory0 meanin* to +al, to the end and /a.,</)t she fell o1er an em(ty /ottle0 and *a1e an e-.lamation. &am'>elle follo+ed her into the room and s+it.hed on the li*ht. Anne< &arie0 da>ed /y the s)dden li*ht0 /lin,ed in .onf)sion0 +at.hed in ama>ement /y *irls in /ed. !hen0 remem/erin* her slee(<+al,in* a.t0 she on.e a*ain /e.ame *lassy<eyed and *lided /et+een the /eds. !he *irls sat )(0 *i**lin*. ' She's (retendin* 4' .alled Antoinette. ' Ah0 no0 she +al,s in her slee(0 the (oor0 (oor .hild0' said &am'>elle. ' #hat .an +e do for her 5 ' ' $ +ill .)re her0 ma tante' said the irre(ressi/le Antoinette0 and lea(t o)t of /ed. She too, a 7)* of .old +ater and thre+ it all o1er (oor Anne<&arie0 +ho0 an*ry and +et0 t)rned and *a1e Antoinette s).h a ti.,in* off that all the *irls ,ne+ at on.e that she .ertainly had not /een slee(<+al,in* /efore0 /)t only (lay<a.tin*. &am'>elle reali>ed it too0 and tried to ha)l Anne<&arie o)t of the room0 s.oldin* her 1i*oro)sly0 and tellin* her to *o and .han*e her +et thin*s at on.e. So en*rossed +as she that she entirely failed to see any si*ns of the midni*ht feast0 nor did she noti.e any of the *irls s2)ashed into the +ardro/es or )nder the /eds. Antoinette thre+ the 7)* of .old +ater at Anne<&arie ' ;olly 4' said Sally0 as soon as &am'>elle had *one ofl +ith Anne<&arie0 ' $ don't /elie1e she e1en sa+ the si*ns of o)r feast0 not e1en that /ottle that rolled o)t from )nder a /ed 4' ' Bit of l)., for )s0' said Diolet. ' Come on0 let's finish e1erythin* )( 2)i.,ly0 and hide the thin*s and *et to /ed /efore &am'>elle thin,s of .omin* /a., 4' !he *irls *i**led. &ira/el0 sh)t in the /athroom 7)st o((osite0 heard them0 and ,ne+ they +ere still en7oyin* their feast. She *re+ 1ery an*ry indeed. She felt .ertain one of the se.ond formers had lo.,ed her in0 and she +as determined to re(ort the +hole lot of them and ha1e them +ell ()nished. &am'>elle too, Anne< &arie to &atron's room0 and +o,e &atron )(0 e-(lainin* 1ol)/ly a/o)t Anne<&arie and +hy she +as +et. Anne<&arie0 her slee(<+al,in* a.t 2)ite r)ined0 +e(t .o(io)sly0 fearin* that she +o)ld /e tiie la)*hin* sto., of the s.hool ne-t day. '%o+ sto( that silly .ryin*0' said &atron0 /ris,ly *i1in* Anne<&arie a 1i*oro)s r)/<do+n +ith a 1ery ro)*h to+el. She had lon* a*o si>ed )( Anne<&arie as a silly0 s+ollen< headed *irl0 7)st the ,ind to a.t a/o)t li,e this0 ' $ m)st *o0' said &am'>elle0 remem/erin* the 1ario)s (eo(le she had lo.,ed )( that ni*ht. ' $ ha1e /)r*lars to see to.' &atron stared. ' #hat did yo) say 5 ' she in2)ired. ' $ said0 $ ha1e /)r*lars to see to0' said &am'>elle0 +ith di*nity. ' $ ha1e s(ent the ni*ht .hasin* (eo(le ro)nd the .orridors0 and lo.,in* them )(. $ *o to &iss !heo/ald no+0 and she +ill tele(hone to the (oli.e. Ah0 the (eo(le $ ha1e .hased toni*ht. 9o) +o)ld not /elie1e it0 &atron 4' &atron didn't. She tho)*ht &am'>elle m)st /e dream<in*. ' #ell0 yo) *o and *et &iss !heo/ald and the (oli.e and +hate1er else yo) li,e0' she said0 r)//in* Anne<&arie so hard that she *roaned. ' B)t don't /rin* me any more +et *irls to dry

in the middle of the ni*ht. $ don't a((ro1e of them.' &am'>elle +ent off. She .ame to &iss !heo/ald's /edroom and ,no.,ed on the door. A s)r(rised 1oi.e .ame from inside. ' 9es 5 #ho is it 5 ' ' $t is 40 &am'>elle0' said &am'>elle0 and o(ened the door. ' 6ardon me for .oinin* at this time of the ni*ht. &iss !heo/ald</)t $ ha1e /)r*lars <lo.,ed )( in .)(/oards and a slee(<+al,er in my /edroom.' ?J A '$!!'E @%'OCK$%; &$SS !"EOBA'= listened to &am'>elle's tale in the )tmost astonishment. $t seemed to her as if all the .orridors of St. Clare's m)st ha1e /een (eo(led +ith /)r*lars0 ro//ers0 thie1es0 and others the +hole of the ni*ht</)t +hat +as e1en more astonishin* +as the tho)*ht of &am'>elle0 +ho +as terrified e1en of mi.e and /eetles0 1aliantly .hasin* the /)r*lars and0 more remar,a/le still0 lo.,in* them )( +holesale 4 She .o)ld hardly /elie1e it. She loo,ed .losely at &am'>elle0 and +ondered if the Fren.h mistress .o)ld (ossi/ly ha1e dreamt it all. She *ot o)t of /ed and ()t on her dressin*<*o+n. ' $ thin,0 /efore $ tele(hone the (oli.e0 yo) had /etter sho+ me +here yo) lo.,ed these men )(0' she said. &am'>elle trotted her off to the .)(/oard +here she had lo.,ed in little 8ane !eal. !here +as no so)nd from there at all. &iss !heo/ald +as ()>>led. She ra((ed on the door. Still no so)nd. 8ane had fallen into a fe1erish do>e. &iss !heo/ald s)ddenly heard the so)nd of o1erlo)d /reathin*0 2)i., and hoarse. She felt s)re it +as no /)r*lar there. She )nlo.,ed the door0 to &am'>elle's dismay0 and s+it.hed on the li*ht inside the /i* .)(/oard<and there0 /efore (oor &am'>elle's startled eyes0 lay little 8ane !eal0 o/1io)sly ill0 f)lly<dressed0 e1en to her hat. ' !his .hild's ill.' said the "ead &istress0 feelin* 8ane's /)rnin* hot hand. ' 'Fl)0 $ sho)ld thin,0 and a 1ery hi*h tem(erat)re +ith it. #hat on earth is she doin* dressed )( li,e this0 +ith hat and .oat on 5 #as she *oin* o)t 5' &am'>elle +as d)m/fo)nded. She .o)ld not thin, of a +ord to say. &iss !heo/ald *ently a+o,e 8ane0 and hel(ed her to her feet. She .o)ld hardly stand. Bet+een them the t+o mistresses too, her to &atron's room0 +ho0 at one *lan.e sa+ that 8ane +as serio)sly ill. ' $'ll .arry her to the san.0' she said. ' $'ll slee( there +ith her myself toni*ht.' &atron's .a(a/le0 stron* arms lifted the half< )n.ons.io)s 8ane easily0 and /ore her a+ay to the 2)iet and .omforta/le san. +here all the ill *irls +ere n)rsed. !here +as no one there at the moment. &atron soon had 8ane )ndressed and in /ed +ith a hot +ater /ottle. ' #ell0' said &iss !heo/ald0 than,f)l to ha1e fo)nd (oor 8ane /efore +orse /efell her0 '+hat a/o)t yo)r ne-t /)r*lar0 &am'>elle 5 ' &am'>elle fer1ently ho(ed that the ne-t (risoner +o)ld (ro1e to /e a /)r*lar0 e1en if he lea(t o)t at them and es.a(ed 4 She led the +ay to the /athroom o((osite the se.ond form dormitory. !he se.ond formers +ere still a+a,e and heard the footste(s and 1oi.es in +onder. As the footste(s (assed their door0 they sat )( and +his(ered. ' #ho is it 5 #hat's )( 5' Antoinette lea(t o)t of /ed and (added to the door. She (ee(ed o)t .a)tio)sly. !o her enormo)s astonishment she sa+ the "ead &istress standin* /y the /athroom door0 +ith &am'>elle0 her a)nt 4 Antoinette *a(ed as she sa+ &iss !heo/ald ra( 2)ietly on the door and say0 ' #ho's in here 5 ' A 1oi.e ans+ered somethin*0 an an*ry 1oi.e. &iss !heo/ald heard that it +as a *irl's 1oi.e and not a man's0 and she )nlo.,ed the door. O)t shot &ira/el0 e-(e.tin* to see a *ro)( of *rinnin* se.ond formers<and sto((ed short in ama>ement +hen she sa+ &am'>elle and the "ead &istress. &am'>elle's eyes

almost dro((ed o)t of her head. She had sh)t her /i**est /)r*lar<or so she tho)*ht<into the /athroom<and no+ it +as only &ira/el0 that /i* detesta/le0 lo)d< 1oi.ed &ira/el0 +hose tal, +as all of *ames0 *ames0 and yet more *ames. &am'>elle snorted in dis*)st. ' $ +ant to .om(lain0' said &ira/el0 in a lo)d 1oi.e0 s)r(rised /)t )na/ashed /y the si*ht of the "ead. .' $ .ame to see if the se.ond formers +ere ha1in* a midni*ht feast0 +hi.h $ had for/idden<and one of them lo.,ed me in this /eastly .old /athroom. $ +ant to re(ort them. &iss !heo/ald. $ ,no+ they held a feast0 and there's a most im(ortant mat.h tomorro+. And $ demand that the *irl +ho lo.,ed me in shall /e ()nished.' ' $t +as &am'>elle +ho lo.,ed yo) in0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' 9o) had no ri*ht to /e +anderin* a/o)t at ni*ht li,e this. &am'>elle tho)*ht yo) +ere a /)r*lar and lo.,ed yo) in.' Antoinette stiffled a *i**le and r)shed /a., into the dormitory. She related in +his(ers +hat she had heard. !he *irls +ere half<am)sed and half<an*ry<am)sed to thin, that &ira/el had /een lo.,ed )(0 and an*ry to thin, she had /een snea,in* ro)nd0 and had re(orted them. !hen &am'>elle's lo)d 1oi.e (enetrated into the listenin* dormitory. ' #hat is this )ntr)thf)l thin* yo) say. &ira/el 5 !he se.ond formers had no feast toni*ht4 =id not $ *o there to .hase Anne<&arie0 after $ had lo.,ed yo) in0 and the *ood *irls +ere all in /ed and aslee( 4 %ot a thin* to /e seen0 not a tin0 not a /ottle4 9o) are a /ad )ntr)thf)l *irl0 tryin* to *et others into tro)/le to (rote.t yo)rself from /lame 4' &ira/el +as s(ee.hless. She *lared at &am'>elle0 and &iss !heo/ald hastened to inter1ene. ' #ell0 if &am'>elle +as in the se.ond form dormitory0 and the *irls +ere in /ed and aslee(0 it seems to me that yo) m)st /e mista,en0 &ira/el.' ' $'m not0' said &ira/el0 r)dely. ' &am'>elle isn't s(ea,in* the tr)th. ;o into the se.ond form dormitory and as, the *irls if $ or &am'>elle are ri*ht. &iss !heo/ald. !hen yo) +ill see.: ' $ shall do nothin* of the sort0' said the "ead &istress0 .oldly. ' Be more (olite0 &ira/el. 9o) for*et yo)rself.' &ira/el0 simmerin* +ith ra*e0 dared say no more. ' ;o /a., to /ed0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' $ +ill settle this tomorro+. $ do not feel 1ery (leased +ith yo)0 &ira/el.' &ira/el +ent /a., to /ed +ith an an*ry heart. She ,ne+ she +as ri*ht. !hose se.ond formers had had a feast0 and &am'>elle m)st /e shieldin* them</e.a)se of Antoinette0 she s)((osed. #ell0 she +o)ld *et e1en +ith the little /easts. She +o)ld .an.el the mat.h ne-t day 4 %o one sho)ld (lay. She +o)ld sho+ those yo)n*sters she +as s(orts .a(tain0 and ma,e them toe the line t ' #ell0' said &iss !heo/ald0 loo,in* at &am'>elle0 as &ira/el retreated0 ' +hat a/o)t yo)r ne-t /)r*lar0 &am'>elle 5 ' &am'>elle too, the "ead )( to the .orridor that ran ro)nd the fifth form st)dies. She +as feelin* rather ner1o)s no+ that her /)r*lars +ere all t)rnin* into *irls. $t +as really most e-traordinary. &iss !heo/ald ra((ed on the .)(/oard in +hi.h Alma +as im(risoned. Alma's 1oi.e +as heard. ' 'et me o)t 4 $t's a+f)l in here 4' !he "ead )nlo.,ed the door0 and Alma sta**ered o)t0 stiff and .old. &iss !heo/ald loo,ed at her in s)r(rise. ' #hy +ere yo) +anderin* a/o)t at ni*ht 5 ' she said0 shar(ly. '$<er<$ heard a noise0' said Alma0 stammerin*ly for she +as afraid of the "ead. ' And some one lo.,ed me in that .)(/oard.' &iss !heo/ald s+it.hed her tor.h on and li*hted )( the inside of the .)(/oard. She sa+ at a *lan.e that it had /een )sed as a storin*<(la.e for food. ' 9o) +ent to ta,e food from here0 $ s)((ose. Alma 5 ' she

said. ' #as it yo)r o+n food 5 ' '$ +asn't ta,in* any0' said Alma. '$ +as<+ell0 $ +as 7)st loo,in*.' ' !his *irl is al+ays eatin*0' said &am'>elle in dis*)st. 'Al+ays she .he+s somethin*0 al+ays she s).,s.' ' ;o /a., to /ed0 Alma0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' $ +ill see yo) in the mornin*.' Alma s.)ttled off than,f)lly. &iss !heo/ald t)rned rather .oldly to &am'>elle. ' Any more /)r*lars 5 ' she as,ed. ' Oh0 &iss !heo/ald0 tr)ly $ am sorry to ha1e made so many mista,es4' said &am'>elle0 (assin* her hand thro)*h her hair in /e+ilderment. ' $ (ray yo) to for*i1e me0 to . . .' ' =on't +orry a/o)t it0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' $t is (erha(s a *ood thin* that all this has ha((ened. $t seems that a *reat deal is *oin* on this term at St. Clare's that $ m)st in2)ire into. %o+<+ho is this *irl yo) had in yo)r /edroom<the one yo) fo)nd slee(<+al,in* 5 ' 'Feli.ity0' said &am'>elle0 fer1ently ho(in* that Feli.ity +o)ld still /e there. She h)rried do+n the stairs to her room0 and )nlo.,ed the door. Feli.ity +as still there0 lyin* aslee( in /ed. She loo,ed 1ery yo)n* and thin and0 e1en in her slee(0 her fa.e +ore a harassed0 +orried loo,. &iss !heo/ald loo,ed at her for some time. '!his *irl is o/1io)sly o1er<+or,in*0' she said0 and si*hed. ' "er m)si. is too m).h for her0 /)t her (arents insisted on her ta,in* her e-ams. $ thin,0 &am'>elle0 if yo) don't mind0 +e'll lea1e her in. yo)r /ed. 9o) had /etter slee( in the /ed in &iss "arry's room< she is a+ay for a fe+ days. $ s)((ose yo) ha1e no more lo.,ed<)( *irls to sho+ me toni*ht 5 ' ' %o0' said &am'>elle0 loo,in* so .restfallen that the "ead smiled. She (atted &am'>elle's (l)m( arm. ' 9o) meant +ell0' she said. ' $f they had all /een /)r*lars0 as yo) tho)*ht0 yo) +o)ld ha1e done a *ood ni*ht's +or,. Any+ay0 it is a *ood thin* that so many thin*s ha1e .ome to li*ht. ;ood ni*ht.' &iss !heo/ald +ent /a., to /ed0 +orryin* a/o)t little 8ane !eal0 Alma0 &ira/el and Feli.ity. $t loo,ed as if 8ane had /een tryin* to r)n a+ay. She m)st find o)t a/o)t that. &am'>elle *ot into a stran*e /ed0 .old and ()>>led. #hy had so many *irls /een +anderin* a/o)t that ni*ht 5 Ah0 that detesta/le &ira/el0 ho+ dare she say that she0 &am'>elle0 +as tellin* an )ntr)th that ni*ht 5 And that dreadf)l Alma 5 =id she *o snoo(in* ro)nd e1ery ni*ht to steal food from .)(/oards 5 !here +as somethin* +ron* +ith her0 that *irl 4 ' !omorro+ $ +ill tal, +ith Cla)dine and Antoinette0' tho)*ht &am'>elle0 s.re+in* )( her eyes0 tryin* to *o to slee(. ' !hey ha1e *ood sense0 they +ill tell me e1erythin*. $t is a (ity that En*lish *irls ha1e not the *ood sense of Fren.h *irls. $t +ill /e a (leas)re to tal, to my *ood little Cla)dine and Antoinette<they do not +ander ro)nd at ni*ht for me to lo., )(. Alas0 to thin, that $ made so many (risoners0 and no+ not one remains 4' ?1 A FE# @6SE!S !"E ne-t day the +hole s.hool ,ne+ the story of the ni*ht es.a(ades0 and ho+ &am'>elle had lo.,ed )( so many *irls. !here +as a *reat deal of *i**lin* and .hatterin*0 and Anne<&arie had her le* ()lled a/o)t her slee(<+al,in*. ' "o+ .an $ hel( slee(<+al,in* 5' she as,ed0 tryin* to ass)me a di*nity she did not feel. ' Feli.ity slee(+al,s too0 doesn't she 5 And yo) don't la)*h at her.' &iss #ill.o- heard a/o)t Anne<&arie's slee(<+al,in* a.t and la)*hed too. She e1en teased her a/o)t it in .lass0 +hi.h h)rt Anne<&arie more than anythin*0 and made her 2)ite determined to *et e1en +ith &iss #ill.o- if she .o)ld. Feli.ity did not a((ear in .lass that day. $t +as re(orted that she had *one to the san. for a rest and +o)ld not /e ta,in* the e-am0 +hi.h +as the ne-t +ee,. 8ane !eal +as 1ery ill indeed. Sally had /een allo+ed to see her and had

.ome /a., rather s.ared. ' &atron's +orried a/o)t her and so is the do.tor0' said Sally. ' "er mother is there in the san.0 too. $'m not allo+ed in any more. &atron shooed me o)t. $ heard &atron say that 8ane's +orried a/o)t somethin* and she .an't *et o)t of her +hat it is. B)t $ ,no+ 4 $t's all this /)siness +ith &ira/el and An*ela0 and $ ,no+ 8ane reads in /ed late at ni*ht +ith a tor.h. She learns her En*lish and 'atin that +ay. She told me so.' ' #ell<hadn't yo) /etter *o and tell &atron +hat yo) ,no+0' said Katie. ' She mi*ht ()t thin*s ri*ht for 8ane then.' ' She .an't0 silly0' said Sally. ' 9o) ,no+ +hat +orries 8ane more than anythin*<ihe's )(set /e.a)se &ira/el /elie1es she ran* that fire</ell to sto( her meetin*0 and that's +hy &ira/el is so /eastly to her. $f only +e .o)ld find o)t +ho did rin* that /ell0 and ma,e them o+n )(0 it +o)ld ta,e a *reat load off (oor 8ane's mind 4' Diolet "ill +as feelin* )n.omforta/le that mornin*0 +hen she heard ho+ ill 8ane +as. She remem/ered her 2)arrel +ith 8ane0 and the )n,ind thin*s she had said. She +ished she hadn't no+. ' $t +ill /e a *ood thin* to (lay in the mat.h this after< noon0' said Sally. '!a,e o)r minds off e1erythin* 4 #e'll feel /etter o)t on the field0 (layin* or +at.hin*.' B)t &ira/el thre+ a /om/<shell that mornin*. She ()t a noti.e on the /oard0 and soon e1ery one +as ro)nd it0 astonished and an*ry. ' !he mat.h today is .an.elled0 o+in* to the /eha1io)r of the team mem/ers0' said the noti.e0 and it +as si*ned /y &ira/el. '#ell4' said Sally. '#o)ld yo) /elie1e it 4 "o+ has she *ot the ner1e to sti., )( a noti.e li,e that 5 And +hat ri*ht has she to .an.el o)r mat.h 5 ' ' She's *ot the ri*ht /e.a)se she's s(orts .a(tain0' said Diolet. ' Beast 4 $ 1ote +e send her to Co1entry and don't s(ea, a +ord to her0 or smile at her0 or t)rn )( at any (ra.ti.es at all 4' E1ery one a*reed. $t +as an )nheard of thin* for the lo+er forms to treat an )((er form *irl in this +ay0 /)t they felt so indi*nant that not one mem/er of the first or se.ond form /a.,ed o)t of the a*reement. 8)st /e.a)se they had dared to ha1e a feast in s(ite of &ira/el0 she +as treatin* them a/omina/ly0 and ()ttin* )( a noti.e in ()/li. to ma,e them loo, small 4 ;ladys sa+ the noti.e and +as sho.,ed. She +ent strai*ht to &ira/el. ' &ira/el i "o+ .o)ld yo) ()t )( that noti.e 5 #hate1er +ere yo) thin,in* of 5 9o) .an't .an.el the mat.h 4' ' $ .an and $ ha1e0' said &ira/el *rimly. ' $'1e sent a tele*ram to the s.hool +e +ere (layin*. !hey +on't /e .omin*. #e shall ha1e a (ra.ti.e mat.h0 instead. $ ha1e 7)st +ritten o)t another noti.e a/o)t that<the (ra.ti.e is to /e at three o'.lo.,0 and e1ery *irl m)st attend from the t+o lo+est forms.' ' &ira/el0 yo) m)st /e mad0' said ;ladys0 2)ite alarmed at her friend's *rim fa.e. ' 9o) .an't ()t all the *irls a*ainst yo) li,e this0 yo) really .an't. 9o)'ll only *et the +orst o)t of them instead of the /est.' ' $'1e told yo) /efore that $ +on't ha1e yo) interferin* +ith my de.isions0' said &ira/el. ' !hen +hat is the )se of my /ein* 1i.e<.a(tain 5' said ;ladys. '%ot a /it of )se 4 $ .an't hel( yo)0 /e.a)se yo) +on't let me 4' '#ell0 yo)'re not m).h )se0 if yo) really +ant to ,no+0' said &ira/el0 .oldly0 and +ent o)t of the room to (in the la.rosse (ra.ti.e noti.e on the /oard. !he *irls held an informal meetin* a/o)t the (ra.ti.e0 and one and all determined not to t)rn )(. $t +as Sat)rday0 and0 if they +ished0 they .o)ld *o for nat)re<ram/les. All the first and se.ond forms de.ided to do this0 e1en Antoinette0 +ho detested +al,in*. So0 to the astonishment of &iss o/erts and &iss 8en,s0 the +hole of the t+o lo+est forms +ent off in the s)nshine

to*ether0 ta,in* +ith them nat)re note/oo,s and .olle.tin* tins and 7ars0 .hatterin* lo)dly as they (assed /y the +indo+s of the mistresses' .ommon room. ' #ell 4' said &iss o/erts0 loo,in* after the la)*hin* *irls0 '+hat's .ome o1er them5 #hy this s)dden0 1iolent and +holesale interest in nat)re 5 $ tho)*ht there +as to /e a mat.h or la.rosse (ra.ti.e or somethin*.' &ira/el t)rned )( on the (layin* fields at fi1e to three0 *rim<fa.ed and determined. B)t no/ody else arri1ed. &ira/el +aited till ten (ast three0 and then0 rather +hite0 +ent /a., to the s.hool. One of the third formers0 hardly a/le to hide her smiles0 told her (olitely that the first and se.ond formers had all *one o)t for a nat)re +al,. !hen &ira/el ,ne+ that she had lost. $t had /een her +ill a*ainst the +ills of the first and se.ond form0 and they had +on. !hey had i*nored her orders. !hey had sho+n her +hat they tho)*ht of her and her a)thority. She sat do+n in her st)dy0 feelin* dismayed. She sa+ a note on the ta/le addressed to her and o(ened it. $t +as a formal resi*nation from ;ladys. $ +ish to resi*n my (ost as 1i.e<.a(tain as $ feel $ .annot /e of any )se to yo). ;'A=9S &ira/el thre+ the note on to the floor. She felt )n< ha((y and /itter. She had /een so (leased to /e s(orts .a(tain. She had +or,ed so hard for that (osition. She had had s).h hi*h ho(es of ()ttin* St. Clare's at the 1ery to( of the la.rosse and tennis s.hools. %o+ the *irls had defied her0 and e1en her /est friend had deserted her. $t +as a /itter ho)r for &ira/el. !he *irls .ame /a., from their +al,0 rosy<.hee,ed and merry. !hey heard from the third form ho+ &ira/el had *one o)t alone to the (layin* field0 and had +aited there in 1ain. !hey also heard that ;ladys had resi*ned as 1i.e<.a(tain and they +ere (leased. ' ;ood old ;ladys0' they said. ' #e al+ays tho)*ht it +as f)nny she sho)ld /a., &ira/el )( in her )n(leasant +ays 4' #hen &ira/el a((eared in ()/li. at all that +ee,<end the *irls .aref)lly t)rned a+ay from her. ' Almost as if $ +as in 2)arantine for somethin* /eastly 4' tho)*ht &ira/el0 /itterly. !he *irl +as 1ery +orried and )nha((y0 /)t far too (ro)d to a((eal e1en to ;ladys for .omfort. ;ladys +as misera/le too0 and +o)ld ha1e made thin*s )( +ith &ira/el at on.e if her friend had t)rned to her0 or had admitted that she had /een too hi*h<handed +ith the yo)n*er ones. B)t &ira/el +as .old and standoffish0 and *a1e ;ladys no .han.e to /e friendly. !he e-am0 +as to /e held the ne-t +ee,0 and most of the *irls +ere feelin* the strain. Only a fe+0 li,e .le1er 6am0 or the (la.id "ilary0 did not seem to +orry. Feli.ity +as not to ta,e the e-am. A s(e.ialist had .ome from 'ondon to see her. "e s(o,e to &iss !heo/ald 1ery serio)sly. ' !his *irl is on the 1er*e of a ner1o)s /rea,do+n0' he said. ' "er mind seems f)ll of m)si. and nothin* /)t m)si.. See ho+ she (lays an ima*inary 1iolin0 and strains to hear the t)ne. She m)st do no more +or, in m)si. for a year.' &iss !heo/ald nodded. "o+ she +ished Feli.ity's (ro)d (arents had not insisted on their *ifted *irl +or,in* for that diffi.)lt m)si. e-am. 4 "o+ m).h /etter it +o)ld ha1e /een for her to ha1e dro((ed her m)si. for a +hile0 and to ha1e entered into the ordinary0 normal life of the other fifth formers0 instead of losin* herself ni*ht and day in her /elo1ed m)si.. %o+ her m)si. mi*ht s)ffer /e.a)se Feli.ity's /rain had /een +or,ed too hard. ' 6arents' fa)lt0 $ s)((ose 5 ' said the s(e.ialist0 +ritin* a fe+ notes in his .ase</oo,. ' #hy +ill (arents of *ifted .hildren al+ays ()sh them so hard 5 ' '8)st selfishness0' said &iss !heo/ald. '#ell<yo) thin, +e m)st ,ee( Feli.ity in /ed for a time<then let

her *et )( and +ander ro)nd a /it0 +itho)t any lessons<and then *rad)ally 7oin in +ith the others0 +itho)t doin* any m)si. at all 5 ' ' She .an (lay at her m)si.0 /)t not +or, at it0' said the s(e.ialist. ''et her en7oy it +itho)t +orryin* a/o)t it. She +ill (ro/a/ly do that anyho+ +hen she ,no+s she is not to +or, for the m)si. e-am0 for at least another t+o years.' Feli.ity's (arents .ame to see her0 +orried and dismayed. !hey remem/ered ho+ &iss !heo/ald had (leaded +ith them not to ()sh Feli.ity on so 2)i.,ly. !hey +ere fri*htened +hen they sa+ her +hite fa.e and enormo)s0 dar,<rimmed eyes. ' =on't +orry too m).h0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' #e ha1e sto((ed her in time. "er slee(<+al,in* *a1e )s +arnin*. &am'>elle dis.o1ered that0 and so +e ha1e /een a/le to deal +ith Feli.ity 2)i.,ly. Soon she +ill /e a nonnal0 ha((y *irl a*ain0 and +hen she ,no+s she need not +or, ni*ht and day for her m)si. e-am.0 a *reat +ei*ht +ill /e off her mind0 and she +ill la)*h and .hatter and /e as .heerf)l as the others.' $t +as a rather s)/d)ed father and mother that +ent home that day. ' &iss !heo/ald mi*ht ha1e said0 : $ told yo) so0: to )s0' said Feli.ity's mother. ' B)t she didn't. 6oor Feli.ity<$ feel +e are 1ery m).h to /lame for all this.' !he other slee(<+al,er0 Anne<&arie0 +as not ha1in* a 1ery *ood time. #hene1er the first or se.ond formers sa+ her .omin*0 they immediately ()t on *lassy stares0 and +ith o)t<stret.hed hands0 /e*an to *lide here and there. Anne< &arie hated this teasin*0 and +hen it s(read to the fifth form too0 and *lassy eyes a((eared there also0 Anne<&arie +as 1ery near tears. ' $t's /eastly of yo)0' she said to Alison and An*ela0 +ho la)*hed at her. ' $ ,no+ $ shan't (ass the e-am0 if yo) all 7eer at me li,e this. $t's mean of yo).' ' #ell0 yo)'re (retty mean yo)rself0' said Alison. ' 9o) ,ee( on doin* /eastly thin*s to me0 don't yo) 5 #here ha1e yo) ()t my *eometry set yo) hid last +ee, 5 ' Anne<&arie stared in s)r(rise. She hadn't the least idea +hat Alison +as tal,in* a/o)t. ' Oh0 don't ()t on that +ide<eyed inno.ent loo,0' said Alison0 im(atiently. '#e all ,no+ yo) .an a.t0 /)t don't try to ta,e )s in /y it4 $ ,no+ 7olly +ell yo)'re 7ealo)s of me /e.a)se &iss #ill.o- li,es me /etter than she li,es yo)0 and yo)'re tryin* to *et /a., at me /y hidin* my thin*s and ma,in* silly /its of tro)/le for me4' ' $'m not0' said Anne<&arie0 her 1oi.e trem/lin* +ith indi*nation. ' $ +o)ldn't dream of doin* s).h a thin*. $ ha1en't to).hed yo)r thin*s 4 And as for /ein* 7ealo)s of yo)0 yo) needn't +orry 4 $'1e no time for &iss #ill.o- no+ 4 $'m s)re she's not as .le1er as yo) thin,. And +hat's more $'ll sho+ yo) she isn't.' ' =on't /e silly0' said Alison. ' And don't tal, a/o)t &iss #ill.o- li,e that. 9o)'re 7)st (lain 7ealo)s and yo)'re ta,in* my thin*s and /ein* /eastly 7)st to *et e1en +ith me.' ' $ tell yo) $'m not (layin* tri.,s on yo)0 and $'m not 7ealo)s0' .ried Anne<&arie0 ' 9o) .an ,ee( &iss #ill.o- all to yo)rself 4 $ don't e1er +ant to see her a*ain 4 =eirdre #ill.o- indeed 4 "er name is =oris0 7)st (lain =oris<$ sa+ it +ritten in one of her /oo,s. $ /et she .alls herself =eirdre 7)st /e.a)se she thin,s =oris is too ordinary. She's a<a<silly (retender 4' Anne<&arie fl)n* herself o)t of the room0 and Alison stared after her in ra*e. An*ela la)*hed. ' 9o) t+o am)se me0' she said. ' $'m *lad $ don't *o off the dee( end a/o)t any one li,e yo) do 4 Silly0 $ .all it 4' ' Oh0 do yo) 4' said Alison0 in a .)ttin* 1oi.e. ' #ell0 let me tell yo)0 yo)'re 7)st as /ad in another +ay<yo) smile s+eetly at the lo+er form ,ids and *et them all ro)nd yo) to +ait on yo)<then +hen yo)'re tired of them0 yo) 7)st ti., them off<and

they're as misera/le as .an /e. $ /et yo)'re (artly res(onsi/le for 8ane !eal tryin* to r)n a+ay4' An*ela o(ened her mo)th to ans+er heatedly0 /)t 7)st then the door o(ened and Anne<&arie (o((ed her head in a*ain. ' $'ll sho+ &iss =oris #ill.o- )( tomorro+0 in front of the +hole .lass 4' she said. ' 9o) see if $ don't 4 !hen yo)'ll ha1e to say $'m ri*ht0 and yo)'ll /e 7olly si., yo) didn't see thro)*h her. So there4' !he door /an*ed and Anne<&arie disa((eared. ' $'m tired of Anne<&arie and her silly +ays0' said Alison0 +ho still tho)*ht that it +as she +ho +as (layin* tri.,s on her0 and had no idea it had /een Alma. ' 'et her do +hat she li,es. $ shall al+ays li,e &iss #ill.o- 4' ?? A%%E<&A $E ! A6S &$SS #$''COI A%%E<&A $E had (re(ared her little tra( for &iss #ill.o-0 and She had (re(ared it 1ery .aref)lly. E1ery +ee, &iss #ill.o- set the *irls some ,ind of .om(osition to do0 and they sent in their entries0 +hi.h +ere .aref)lly *one thro)*h /y her and mar,ed. !his +ee, the s)/7e.t set +as a (oem. $t had to /ft only ei*ht lines lon*K the first and third lines had to rhyme0 and the se.ond and fo)rth0 the fifth and se1enth and the si-th and ei*hth. !he s)/7e.t has to /e '!ho)*hts.' !he fifth form *r)m/led. !hey didn't li,e +ritin* (oetry0 they .o)ldn't +rite (oetry0 it +as a silly +aste of time for them in e-am. +ee,. $t +as 7)st li,e &iss #ill.o- to set a (oem for them to do 4 So they *r)m/led and *roaned0 /)t all the same they mana*ed to (rod).e somethin* that .o)ld /e .alled a (oem. Anne<&arie had h)nted thro)*h the (oets for a lesser<,no+n (oem that +o)ld s)it her ()r(ose. $f only she .o)ld find one that +o)ld 7)st do 4 And /y *reat *ood fort)ne she s)ddenly fo)nd e-a.tly +hat she +anted. $t +as a little ei*ht<line (oem /y &atthe+ Arnold0 .alled =es(onden.y0 +hi.h seemed to Anne< &arie to /e 7)st +hat she +anted. She .o(ied it o)t in her /i*0 rather s(ra+ly hand< +ritin*. eally it seemed as if it +as her o+n (oem0 it +as 7)st as sad as the ones she li,ed to +rite 4 Anne<&arie sent the (oem in +ith those of the others of her form. She si*ned her name at the /ottom. %o+0 &iss =oris #ill.o-0 +e +ill see if yo) ,no+ *ood (oetry +hen yon see it 4 !he En*lish lesson d)ly arri1ed0 and Alison *lan.ed .)rio)sly at Anne<&arie0 +ho seemed e-.ited. #as she really *oin* to .any o)t her silly threat and do somethin* to &iss #ill.o- 5 Alison felt a little dist)r/ed. O)*ht she to +arn =eirdre 5 &iss #ill.o- arri1ed0 .arryin* the sheaf of (oems in her hand. She loo,ed as so)lf)l as e1er0 and +ore a trailin* .rimson s.arf ro)nd her s+an<li,e ne.,. !he first (art of the lesson +as *i1en to the readin* of a (lay. !hen .ame the time set a(art for the .ommentin* on the *irls'o+n +or,. &iss #ill.o()lled the sheaf of (oems to+ards her. ' %ot a 1ery *ood set0' she remar,ed0 sli((in* the elasti. /and off the (a(ers. ' $ s)((ose the e-am0 has had an effe.t on yo)r .reati1e (o+ers. 6ain's is the /est<2)ite a (raise+orthy little effort0 sim(le and honest. Cla)dine0 $ .an't (ass yo)rs. 9o) may ha1e meant it to /e f)nny0 /)t it isn't.' Cla)dine made a fa.e0 +hi.h fort)nately for her &iss #ill.o- did not see. &iss #ill.o- dealt +ith e1ery one's (oems ra(idly0 2)otin* from one or t+o0 (raisin* here and there0 and .ondemnin* the efforts of =oris0 An*ela and Carlotta. !hen she .ame to the last one0 +hi.h +as Anne<&arie's. She loo,ed ro)nd the .lass0 a rather s(itef)l loo, in her lar*e eyes. ' And no+ at last +e .ome to the (oet of the .lass0 Anne<&arie. A sad0 heart<rendin* (oem as )s)al. 'isten to the +ailin*s of o)r (oet. '!"O@;"!S !he tho)*hts that rain their steady *lo+0 'i,e stars on life's .old sea0

#hi.h others ,no+0 or say they ,no+< !hey ne1er shone for me. !ho)*hts li*ht0 li,e *leams0 my s(irit's s,y0 B)t they +ill not remain. !hey li*ht me on.e0 they h)rry /y0 And ne1er .ome a*ain.' &iss #ill.o- read these lines o)t in a mo.,<heroi. +ay0 e-a**eratin* the feelin* in them0 ma,in* f)n of the +hole (oem. She ()t do+n the (a(er. ' Anne<&arie0 +hy m)st yo) +rite li,e this 5 $t is all so silly and insin.ere and 2)ite meanin*less. #hat for instan.e .an yo) (ossi/ly mean /y : Stars on life's .old sea 5 : #hat is life's .old sea 5 8)st +ords that .ame into yo)r head and yo) ()t them do+n /e.a)se they so)nded *rand. 'ife's .old sea 4 idi.)lo)s 4' Anne<&arie stared at &iss #ill.o- steadily. She felt 1ery tri)m(hant. !hat +asn't her (oem 4 $t +as +ritten /y a *reat (oet0 not /y Anne<&arie at all 4 !hat 7)st sho+ed that &iss #ill.o- didn't ,no+ a thin* and +asn't any 7)d*e of *ood (oetry 4 &iss #ill.o- didn't li,e the steady0 2)eerly tri)m(hant loo, on Anne<&arie's fa.e. She felt a +a1e of an*er a*ainst her. ' 9on ha1e the s.ansion and the rhymin* 2)ite .orre.t4' she said s.ornf)lly to Anne<&arie0 ' /)t all the same $ .onsider yo)r (oem the +orst of the form.' ' &iss #ill.o-0' said Anne<&arie0 s)ddenly0 in a hi*h0 dear 1oi.e0' $'m so sorry<$ thin, $ m)st ha1e made a mista,e in sendin* in that (oem 4 $ don't /elie1e it is mine after all 4' !he .lass t)rned to loo, at Anne<&arie. She sat tensely0 still +ith that tri)m(hant loo, on her fa.e. ' #hat do yo) mean 5 ' said &iss #ill.o-0 im(atiently. ' %ot yo)r (oem 5 !hen +hose is it 5 $ m)st say it to)nds e-a.tly li,e yo)rs 4' ' $t's<it's 1ery ,ind of yo) to say that0' said Anne<&arie0 '/e.a)se yo) see<that (oem is /y &atthe+ Arnold0 not /y me at all. $'m *lad yon thin, his (oetry is li,e mine. $ feel hono)red. !ho)*h $ don't s)((ose0 if he +ere ali1e0 he +o)ld /e at all (leased to hear the thin*s yo) ha1e 7)st said a/o)t /is little (oem<it's 2)eer to thin, yo) .onsider &s (oem the +orst in the form 4' !here +as dead silen.e. Alison t)rned s.arlet0 seein* the tra( Anne<&arie had set for &iss #ill.o-0 and the (rom(t +ay in +hi.h she had fallen headlon* into it. Anne<&arie ()lled a 1ol)me of &atthe+ Arnold's (oems from her des, and o(ened it at a .ertain (a*e. ' "ere's the (oem0' she said0 *ettin* )( from her des,. ' $t's .alled : =es(onden.y : not : !ho)*hts :. $'ll sho+ it to yo). &iss #ill.o-.' &iss #ill.o- had *one +hite. She ,ne+ it had /een a tra( no+<Anne<&arie's re1en*e for the .r)el +ords she had s(o,en to her some days /a.,. She had sho+n her )( in front of the +hole .lass. Oh +hy0 +hy had she said that the (oem +as the +orst in the form 5 #hy had she said s).h s(itef)l thin*s 5 Only to h)rt Anne<&arie0 and /e.a)se she tho)*ht she +anted ta,in* do+n t+o or three (e*s. Alison +as terri/ly distressed. She hated to see &iss #ill.otra((ed li,e that<and she also hated to thin, that the tea.her had allo+ed herself to /e tra((ed /e.a)se of her o+n (etty s(ite. She loo,ed +ith disli,e at the tri)m(hant Anne<&arie. ' 9o) ha1e .heated0 Anne<&arie0' said &iss #ill.o-0 tryin* to re*ain her di*nity. ' $ shall ha1e to re(ort yo) to &iss !heo/ald for a *ra1e a.t of de.eit.' ' 9es0 &iss #ill.o-0' said Anne<&arie mali.io)sly0 and the En*lish mistress ,ne+ that it +o)ld /e no *ood re(ortin* Anne<&arie<for Anne<&arie +o)ld also re(ort her o+n side of the matter0 and &iss !heo/ald +o)ld not thin, 1ery m).h of a tea.her +ho .ondemned lines /y a *reat (oet 7)st /e.a)se she tho)*ht they +ere +ritten /y a s.hool<*irl she disli,ed. !he /ell ran*0 and ne1er did &iss #ill.o- feel so relie1ed to hear it. She *athered )( her /oo,s and sailed o)t. !he *irls ro)nded

on Anne<&arie. : !hat +as a /eastly thin* to do 4' said "ilary. ' $ tho)*ht it +as f)nny0' said Cla)dine. ' 9o) +o)ld 4' said 6at. ' $t +as .ertainly .le1er0 /)t it +asn't a de.ent thin* to do0' ' $ ,no+ it +asn't0' said Anne<&arie0 defiantly. 'B)t $ +anted to *et my o+n /a.,. And $ did.' '#ell0 $ ho(e yo)'re ha((y a/o)t it0' said Alison0 /itterly. ' !ryin* to h)miliate a *ood tea.her in front of the +hole .lass.' ' =id she feel sorry for (oor little =oris<=eirdre then 5 ' /e*an Anne<&arie0 /)t "ilary +as not *oin* to allo+ any s(ite of that sort. ' Sh)t )(0 /oth of yo)0' she said. ' &ay/e yo) +on't /e s).h an ass o1er &iss #ill.o- no+0 Alison<and (erha(s0 no+ yo)'1e ta,en yo)r re1en*e0 Anne<&arie0 yo)'ll .ool off and try to /eha1e de.ently for the rest of the term. Alison has .om(lained to me a/o)t yo)r /eha1io)r to her0 and it's *ot to sto(.' ' $ don't ,no+ +hat yo) mean /y my : /eha1io)r to Alison :0' said Anne<&arie0 ()>>led. ' She .om(lains thai $ ta,e her thin*s0 and (lay tri.,s on her0 /)t $ don't. #hy sho)ld $ 5 $'m not 7ealo)s of her or anythin*. She .an ,ee( &iss #ifl.o- all to herself if she +ants to 4 $ don't mind 4' &ost of the .lass0 altho)*h they tho)*ht it +as not a ni.e thin* to h)miliate a mistress ()/li.ly0 had se.retly en7oyed the e-.itement. Alma .ertainly had0 for she had often /een held )( to ridi.)le /y &iss #ill.o- for her .om(lete ina/ility to a((re.iate any fine literat)re at all. She +as *lad to see her defeated /y Anne<&arie<and she +as *lad too +hen she heard Alison o(enly a..)sin* Anne<&arie of the tri.,s she0 Alma0 had /een (layin* on the )ns)s(e.tin* Alison 4 ' $'ll (lay 7)st one more and that shall /e the last0' she tho)*ht. ' $ ,no+ she had a /o- of s+eets sent to her today. $'ll sli( in and ta,e those +hen 'she isn't there0 and shell /lame Anne<&arie a*ain 4' B)t Alma tried her tri.,s on.e too often. #hen she sli((ed into Alison's st)dy0 it +as em(ty0 and she (i.,ed )( the /o- of s+eets 2)i.,ly. She h)rried to her o+n st)dy and ran in. !o her dismay /oth Alison and An*ela +ere there0 +aitin* to as, 6a)line somethin*4 Alison immediately sa+ the /o- of s+eets in Alma's hand. ' !hose are my s+eets 4' she said. ' 9on /east0 yon too, them o)t of my st)dy 4 Alma0 yo)'re a thief 4 $'m s)re yo) +ere a thief /efore too<yo) (ilfered the .)(/oard o)tside0 +hen the se.ond formers hid their st)ff there. An*ela0 isn't she a/sol)tely a+f)l 5 Alma stood there st)//ornly0 tryin* to thin, of some +ay o)t. '' $ +asn't *oin* to eat them0' she said at last. '$ +as only (layin* a tri., on yo) /e.a)se $ don't li,e yo).' ' 9o) +ere stealin*0' said Alison0 f)rio)sly. '9o) ,no+ yo) meant to eat them 4 !his +ill ha1e to /e told to "ilary. $t's sim(ly a+f)l for a fifth former to /e .a)*ht stealin*.' Alma sat do+n s)ddenly0 feelin* fri*htened. She had had a solemn and 1ery serio)s tal,in* to /y &iss !heo/ald a/o)t /ein* fo)nd in the .)(/oard the other ni*ht0 and it had /een im(ossi/le to .on1in.e the "ead &istress that she had not /een doin* anythin* +ron*. $f this *ot to her ears0 matters +o)ld /e e1en more serio)s. ' $ didn't steal them0 Alison0' she said0 des(erately. ' $ tell yo)0 $ +as 7)st (ayin* yo) o)t /e.a)se yo) sto((ed me *oin* to the .)(/oard +here the se.ond formers ()t their food<tho)*h yo) didn't ,no+ it. $ too, yo)r ,nittin*<needles<and yo)r *eometry set< and other thin*s. Only to s(ite yo)0 tho)*h0 not to steal them. !hey're all here0 loo, 4' She )nlo.,ed her des, in the .orner and /efore Alison's astonished eyes lay all the thin*s she had missed d)rin* the last +ee, or t+o 4 ' Brin* them into my st)dy0' said Alison0 .om(letely at a loss to ,no+ +hat to do or say. ' $'ll ha1e to thin,

a/o)t this. #hat a /east yo) are0 Alma<es(e.ially as yo) ,ne+ $ +as /lamin* Anne< &arie all the time.' Alma too, e1erythin* /a.,0 +ee(in*. Alison too, one loo, at the ()ffy0 (asty fa.e and t)rned a+ay in disli,e. "o+ .o)ld a *irl +ho had /een in the to( form do thin*s li,e this 5 6erha(s that +as +hy she had /een dro((ed /a., into the fifth<may/e /e.a)se of some dis*ra.e or other 4 ?A A FE# !"$%;S A E C'EA E= @6 ' #A$! till the e-ams0 are o1er /efore yo) ma,e any f)ss a/o)t Alma0' said An*ela to Alison. ' Oh dear<no +onder Anne<&arie didn't ,no+ +hat +e +ere tal,in* a/o)t +hen +e ,e(t a..)sin* her of ta,in* yo)r thin*s 4' ' $ shall ha1e to a(olo*i>e to her.' said Alison0 *loomily. 'Blo+ Alma<+hat a first<.lass idiot she is0 really 4 $sn't she 2)eer 5 $ don't )nderstand her at all. Sometimes $ thin, she's daft.' !he e-ams0 +ere no+ (ressin* on the *irls0 and they +ere +or,in* fe1erishly. Only 6am a((eared to find them easy. "ilary +or,ed thro)*h her (a(ers methodi.ally0 and so did 6at and $sa/el0 Bo//y and 8anet0 /)t Carlotta0 Cla)dine and An*ela *ot 1ery hot and /othered. So0 2)eerly eno)*h0 did &ira/el0 +hi.h +as )n)s)al for her0 /)t she had *i1en so m).h of her time to the or*ani>in* of the s.hool *ames that she had not +or,ed as +ell at her e-am0 tas,s as the others had. ' !hese a+f)l 2)estions 4' she said0 as she read one after another. ' $ .an't seem to ans+er any of them t' At last the e-ams0 +ere o1er and the +hole form hea1ed a si*h of relief. #hat a +ee, it had /een 4 !he *irls +anted to yell and la)*h and stam( and r)sh a/o)t. !hey /e.ame 1ery /oistero)s0 e1en the 2)iet 6am. B)t the tea.hers t)rned a /lind eye and a deaf ear on the yellin* *irls0 and did not e1en a((ear to see Carlotta doin* .art<+heels all ro)nd the *ym. ' !han, *oodness +e ha1en't *ot to +ait lon* for the res)lts0' said =oris. ' $ hate ha1in* to +ait +ee,s. &iss Corn+allis says +e shall ,no+ in a fe+ days.' ' "o+'s little 8ane !eal 5 ' said 6at0 remem/erin* the first former for the first time for a fe+ days. ' $s she /etter 5 ' ' She's o1er the fl)0' said $sa/el0' /)t &atron says she's still +orried in her mind. #hen she +as so ill0 she ,e(t ra1in* a/o)t the fire</ell0 and &ira/el and An*ela. $ rather thin, there's *oin* to /e a fe+ in2)iries made a/o)t .ertain mem/ers of o)r form soon4 6oor 8ane< it's rotten to thin, no one e1er o+ned )( a/o)t that /ell0 /)t let 8ane ta,e the /lame. $t made &ira/el sim(ly /eastly to her. She is the only (erson that hasn't /een to see 8ane in the san. =id yo) ,no+ 5 ' ' 8)st li,e her0' said 6at. !he e-am0 res)lts .ame oat and +ere (osted )( on the /oard. 6am and "ilary +ere to( +ith hono)rs. !he others .ame in t)rn do+n the list. Carlotta +as *lad to see she had (assed. =oris 7)st s.ra(ed thro)*h too0 and so did Cla)dine and Alison. !hree *irls failed. !hey +ere An*ela0 Alma<and0 most s)r(risin*ly0 &ira/el4 Alma had not e-(e.ted to (ass. An*ela +as ama>ed that she hadn't $ As for &ira/el0 she +as h)miliated /eyond +ords. !o thin, that she0 s(orts .a(tain of St. Clare's0 sho)ld ha1e failed. She r)shed off to her st)dy0 filled +ith shame and horror. "o+ e1ery one +o)ld sneer 4 ;ladys0 +ho had hardly s(o,en +ith &ira/el sin.e she had resi*ned as 1i.e<.a(tain0 stared in ama>ement at the e-am0 res)lts. &ira/el failed 4 She .o)ld hardly /elie1e her eyes. #ith her heart f)ll of sym(athy and +armth she h)rried off to find her one<time friend. &ira/el +as sittin* /y the +indo+0 her h)miliation almost more than she .o)ld /ear. ;ladys +ent to her0 and too, her hand. ' Bad l).,0 old thin*0' she said. ' $'m a+f)lly sorry. 9o) +or,ed too hard at the mat.hes and thin*s0 that's

all. =on't +orry too m).h a/o)t it. !+o others ha1e failed as +ell' &ira/el +as to).hed /y ;ladys's +arm sym(athy. She had felt lonely and deserted. #ith tears in her eyes she *a>ed at ;ladys0 and tried to s(ea,. ' $ .an't /ear it0' she said at last. ' !hey'll all la)*h at me. &e0 the s(orts .a(tain 4 !hey'll /e *lad to la)*h too. !hey hate me. E1ery one hates me. #here ha1e $ *one +ron* 5 $ meant to do so +ell.' ' 'et's /e friends a*ain0 &ira/el0' said ;ladys. ' 9o) need me0 don't yo) 5 9o) +o)ldn't let me hel( yo) at all this term</)t let me hel( yo) no+. !he *irls don't really hate yo)<they admired yo) a+f)lly at the /e*innin* of the term0 and there's no reason +hy they sho)ldn't a*ain.' 6oor &ira/el<and (oor An*ela4 Both li,ed to shine0 and /oth had failed. #hat +as the )se of /ein* s(orts .a(tain0 +hat +as the )se of /ein* the most /ea)tif)l *irl in the s.hool0 if yo)r /rains +ere so (oor yo) .o)ldn't e1en *et as *ood mar,s as =oris or Alisont Cla)dine had /een rather 2)iet for a day or t+o. She had /een to see 8ane !eal and ta,en her a lo1ely little hand,er.hief she had em/roidered for her. !hen she so)*ht o)t Antoinette and made a (ro(osal to her that s)r(rised that se.ond former 1ery m).h. '#hat4 !ell &iss !heo/ald that $ ran* the fire</ell 4' said Antoinette0 in s)r(rise and dis*)st. ' Are yo) mad0 Cla)dine 5' ' 9es0 (erha(s0' said Cla)dine0 tho)*htf)lly. ' $ am afraid $ ha1e .a)*ht a little of this En*lish sense of hono)r0 alas 4 $ fed )n.omforta/le here +hen $ thin, of 8ane !eal +orryin* a/o)t the fire</ell0 and of &ira/el thin,in* it is 8ane. $t is a *reat (ity0 /)t $ fear $ ha1e .a)*ht this sense of hono)r0 Antoinette.' ' Oh0 is it .at.hin* 5 ' said Antoinette0 in alarm. ' $ do not +ant to *et it0 it is an )n.omforta/le thin* to ha1e. See ho+ it ma,es yo) /eha1e0 Cla)dine.' ' $ +ill *o to &iss !heo/ald and tell her it +as all my fa)lt0' said Cla)dine0 at last. ' 9o) do not need to .ome into it0 Antoinette. After all0 it +as my idea0 and yo) only .arried it o)t. $ +ill *o and .onfess.' She *a1e a h)*e si*h and +ent off. &iss !heo/ald +as startled and am)sed to see Cla)dine arri1in* +ith a saintly and determined e-(ression on her fa.e. ' &iss !heo/ald0 $ ha1e .a)*ht the sense of hono)r from some/ody at St. Clare's0' anno)n.ed Cla)dine. ' $ ha1e .ome to ma,e a .onfession. $ told my little sister to rin* the fire</ell0 +hen &ira/el +as a/o)t to hold her st)(id meetin*. $ did not mean to o+n )(0 /)t no+ $ feel )n.omforta/le here a/o)t it.' Cla)dine (ressed her t)mmy0 and &iss !heo/ald listened *ra1ely. ' $ am *lad yo) ha1e o+ned )(0 Cla)dine0' she said. ' $t +as a silly thin* to do0 /)t it /e.ame a serio)s thin* +hen some one else +as s)s(e.ted of it. 6lease tell "ilary. $ shall not ()nish Antoinette0 /)t she too m)st o+n )( to 8ane !eal0 and ()t her mind at rest.' Clandine +ent o)t0 ,no+in* that her real ()nishment +as to /e o+nin* )( to the serio)s head<*irl of the form. "ilary did not fa1o)r mis/eha1io)r of this ,ind no+ that they +ere to(<formers0 and she had a +ay of tal,in* that at times made Cla)dine feel 1ery small. She made her feel small no+. ' 9o) don't reali>e that ne-t term +e shall all /e in the to( form0' she said to Cla)dine. ' From there +e *o o)t into the +orld. #e .an't /eha1e li,e na)*hty .hildreri in the first form no+. #e ha1e to set an e-am(le to the yo)n*er ones0 +e ha1e to learn +hat res(onsi/ility means4' '9on sho)ld /e a (rea.her. "ilary0' said Cla)dine0 7o,in*ly. B)t "ilary +as not in a mood to /e 7o,ed +ith. She too, her (osition as head<*irl 1ery serio)sly0 all the more so /e.a)se she ,ne+ she +o)ld not /e head<*irl of the si-th. She +as only

stayin* one term more0 and the head<*irl m)st /e some one stayin* for three terms. E1ery one +as +onderin* +ho +o)ld /e .hosen. Cla)dine +ent off. a/ashed0 and fo)nd Antoinette0 +ho +as hi*hly indi*nant at /ein* sent off to 8ane !eal to .onfess. B)t +hen she sa+ 8ane's fa.e0 she +as not sorry she had *one. ' Oh.' said 8ane0 ' +as it really yo)0 Antoinette 5 Oh0 $'m *lad yo) told me. 9o) ,no+. $ really /e*an to feel it mi*ht ha1e /een me0 $ +as so +orried a/o)t it. #hate1er +ill &ira/el say 5 ' &ira/el soon heard a/o)t it. ;ladys told her. She fl)shed )n.omforta/ly0 thin,in* of the hard time she had *i1en (oor 8ane /e.a)se of her )n7)st s)s(i.ions. She tho)*ht for a +hile and then +ent strai*ht off to the san.0 +here 8ane still +as. ' 8ane0 $'1e heard +ho ran* the fire</ell0' said &ira/el0 hardly li,in* to meet 8ane's eyes. ' $t +asn't yo)0 and $ +as s)re it +as. $ +as /eastly to yo)<left yo) o)t of mat.hes )nfairly<and thin*s li,e that. $'m<$'m sorry a/o)t it. $ . . .' ' $t's all ri*ht0 &ira/el0' said 8ane0 ea*erly. ' $ don't mind no+. %ot a /it. All $ +ant is to *et )( 'and (ra.tise hard for yo) a*ain0 and (erha(s (lay in a mat.h /efore the term ends.' 8ane's +arm res(onse and loyalty +ere 1ery (leasant to &ira/el0 +ho had /een 1ery misera/le. She smiled at the first former0 left her some /arley s)*ar0 and +ent /a., to her st)dy0 thin,in* ho+ ni.e it +as to ha1e some one loo, at her +ith li,in* on.e a*ain. &ira/el's 1isit to 8ane made a *reat im(ression on the lo+er forms. 8ane soon s(read it a/road0 and s(o,e so *lo+in*ly of &ira/el's ,ind +ords to her0 that the yo)n*er ones /e*an to *et o1er their disli,e and defian.e. !hey had deserted the (ra.ti.e field0 and had sho+n little or no interest in *ames sin.e &ira/el had .an.elled their mat.h</)t no+ they *rad)ally drifted /a.,0 and &ira/el fo)nd0 to her deli*ht0 that they seemed as ,een as e1er. ;ladys too, /a., her resi*nation0 and &ira/el set to +or, h)m/ly and ha((ily to ma,e o)t *ames lists a*ain and to arran*e mat.hes</)t she let ;ladys do at least half of it0 and +as .aref)l to listen to her and to ta,e her ad1i.e +hen she *a1e it. !he t+o +ere m).h ha((ier than they had e1er /een /efore and ;ladys +as *lad to see her friend learnin* from the /ad mista,es she had made. ' 'oo,s as if &ira/el +ill /e a *ood .a(tain after all0' said Bo//y in s)r(rise. ' #ell0 +ell<+e're all t)rnin* o1er a Ae+ leaf4 !here's Feli.ity /a., a*ain0 not .arin* t+o hoots a/o)t her m)si. for a /it0 and /ein* 2)ite one of )s<and there's Anne<&arie *one all friendly and 7olly sin.e Alison a(olo*i>ed to her for s)s(e.tin* her +ron*ly< and there's Alison /eha1in* sensi/ly too0 no+ that she sees thro)*h dear =eirdre<and An*ela isn't /ein* s).h an idiot +ith the yo)n*er ones sin.e she failed in her e-am.' ' %o<that +as a sho., that ()lled her to*ether a /it0' said 6at. 'She's +or,in* hard no+. =id yo) ,no+ that "ilary *a1e her a most a+f)l tal,in*<to. She +e(t /).,ets of tears0 and +as f)rio)s +ith "ilary</)t she .ertainly has /een /etter sin.e.' ' $t's only Alma that's still a (ain in the ne.,0' said $sa/el. ' $ hate s(ea,in* to her e1en. $ ,no+ "ilary's *one to tell &iss !heo/ald a/o)t her ta,in* those thin*s of Alison's. $ /et shell /e e-(elled or someth in* if she isn't .aref)l.' B)t Alma +as not e-(elled. $nstead "ilary e-(lained somethin* to the *irls that made them feel rather )n.omforta/le. '$ told &iss !heo/ald all a/o)t o)r tro)/le +ith Alma0' said "ilary0 ' and she told me +e m)st /e

(atient +ith her and ()t )( +ith her0 /e.a)se she .an't hel( it 7)st no+. !here's somethin* +ron* +ith her *lands0 that .an't /e ()t ri*ht for a/o)t si- months. !hat's +hy she's so fat0 and al+ays h)n*ry0 and loo,s so (asty and f)nny. She +as sent off from her last s.hool in dis*ra.e< /)t &iss !heo/ald +ants to ,ee( heiK here and hel( her0 till she .an ha1e some sort of mar1ello)s o(eration done that .an ()t her ri*ht.' ' 6oor old 6)ddin*0' said =oris. ' She's her o+n enemy0 $ s)((ose<or her *lands are0 +hate1er they may /e $ #ell<$ s)((ose +e m)st ()t )( +ith o)r Alma0 and *rin and /ear it +hen she .he+s and s).,s and *o//les0' =oris /e*an to imitate Alma at a meal0 and the *irls s.reamed +ith la)*hter. B)t there +as no real )n,indness in the la)*hter. One and all +ere ready to ()t )( +ith Alma no+ and< hel( her0 e1en selfish little An*ela0 and +ild Carlotta. !hey +ere *ro+in* )(0 they +ere fifth formers0 they .o)ld /eha1e de.ently. St. Clare's ()t its mar, on yo) /y the time yo) +ere in the fifth form 4 ?C #"O S"A'' BE "EA= OF !"E SC"OO'5 AF!E the e-am0 the *irls rela-ed +ith (leas)re and relief. !he tea.hers *a1e them less (re(0 to do0 and the fifth formers s(ent (leasant e1enin*s in their o+n st)dies or ea.h others'0 tal,in* and la)*hin*. ' Christmas +ill soon /e )(on )s0' said 6at. ' !he rest of this term +ill fly 4 $ al+ays li,e the Christmas term< it /e*ins in s)mmer< time0 +hen the Se(tem/er s)n is still hot0 and it often ends in sno+0 +ith Christmas /e.,onin* ro)nd the .orner.' ' 9o) so)nd 2)ite (oeti.0' said =oris. ' Anne<&arie )sed to say thin*s li,e that 4' Anne<&arie la)*hed. She had not +ritten any (oems for some time0 for0 after the s)..ess of her tri., on &iss #ill.o-0 she had felt rather ashamed of herself. After all0 she had (retended too0 7)st li,e &iss #ill.o-0 she had tried to +rite (oems that so)nded 1ery *rand0 /)t +ere 2)ite +orthless really. %o+ Anne<&arie +as determined to +ait till she had somethin* to say0 /efore she +rote (oetry a*ain. She had had a tal, +ith &iss !heo/ald0 +ho had heard of Anne<&arie's '.heatin*' as &iss #ill.o- .alled it. !he "ead &istress hadn't m).h time for the En*lish tea.her herself0 sensin* that she +as insin.ere and rather .on.eited</)t she .o)ld not allo+ any of the *irls to flo)t a)thority0 or /e insolent0 +itho)t re(rimandin* them se1erely. So Anne<&arie had had a /ad t+enty min)tes0 and had .ome a+ay a sadder and +iser fifth former0 determined that she +o)ld +rite no more ' +onderf)l' (oetry )ntil0 as &iss !heo/ald said0 she had somethin* real and honest and sin.ere in her heart to ()t into her +ritin* and ma,e it +orth +hile. &ira/el had *ot o1er the sho., of failin* in the e-am.. and +as tryin* to ma,e the lo+er forms for*et her st)(id arro*an.e and harshness. "er 1oi.e +as still lo)d and .lear0 /)t not ha)*hty or di.tatorial0 and she no lon*er +al,ed as if the +hole earth /elon*ed to her. She +as a +iser (erson alto*ether0 and the *irls res(e.ted her for /ein* a/le to .han*e herself so .om(letely. 8ane !eal +as on.e a*ain +or,in* hard for &ira/el0 e-)ltin* in her ret)rned health and stren*th0 a *reat +ei*ht off her mind. An*ela no lon*er *a1e the yo)n*er ones so many 7o/s to do0 and she and Alison did their mendin* to*ether. "ilary had made a *reat im(ression on An*ela +hen she had ti.,ed her off0 and had really fri*htened her. ' 9o)'re a (oor0 (oor thin*0 An*ela0' she had told her. '9o) )se yo)r (retty fa.e and smile to sa1e yo)rself tro)/le0 and yo) are *ettin* a la>y mind and a la>y /ody0 lettin* other (eo(le do the thin*s yo) o)*ht to do. %o +onder yo) failed in the e-am.<and failed misera/ly too 4

$f yo)'re not .aref)l yo)'ll *o on /ein* a fail)re in all ,inds of +ays0 and (eo(le +ill la)*h at yo) instead of admirin* and res(e.tin* yo). #hat do yo) s)((ose 8ane and Sally and Diolet and the rest of yo)r lo+er form sla1es thin, of their darlin* /ea)tif)l An*ela no+0 +hen they see that she and Alma tied for /ottom (la.e in the e-am. 4 6)ll yo)rself to*ether a /it0 for *oodness' sa,e.' Ea.h term /ro)*ht different thin*s to learn0 /esides lessons. !hose *irls +ho fa.ed their diffi.)lties0 sa+ and )nderstood their fa)lts0 .on2)ered their failin*s0 and /e.ame stron* .hara.ters and leaders +o)ld ma,e the finest +i1es and mothers of the f)t)re. &iss !heo/ald +at.hed the fifth formers .aref)lly0 and +as (ro)d of many of them. She remem/ered them as silly little first formers0 and a little less<silly se.ond formers. She remem/ered 6at and $sa/el O'S)lli1an0 the ' st).,<)( t+ins' as they had /een .alled0 +hen they first .ame. She remem/ered ho+ &ira/el had 1o+ed not to stay lon*er than half a term0 and had mis/eha1ed herself dreadf)lly in her first term. She remem/ered the +ildness of Carlotta0 +ho had .ome to St. Clare's from .ir.)s< life0 )ntamed and headstron*. She remem/ered Bo//y0 +hose /rilliant /rains +ere on.e only )sed in mad and .le1er tri.,s<and Cla)dine0 )ntr)thf)l0 de.eitf)l and )ns.r)()lo)s0 +ho +as at last findin* res(onsi/ility and a sense of hono)r. "ere +ere all these *irls no+0 de(enda/le0 honest<minded0 hard+or,in*0 and res(onsi/le. !r)ly St. dare's +as a s.hool to /e (ro)d of. Before the end of the term .ame the "ead &istress m)st .hoose the head<*irl for the +hole s.hool. All the si-th +ere lea1in*0 and the fifth +ere to *o )(0 +ith one or t+o ne+ *irls. "ilary +as the only one of the fifth +ho +as not stayin* on for one more +hole year. She +as only to stay one term more0 and then she +as to *o to $ndia to /e +ith her (arents there. Other+ise "ilary +o)ld ha1e /een head of the si-th0 and a *ood res(onsi/le head she +o)ld ha1e made. B)t no+ some one else m)st /e .hosen. !he *irls +ondered +ho it +o)ld /e. $t +as a tremendo)s hono)r0 for the head<*irl of the si-th +o)ld /e the head<*irl of the +hole s.hool0 a (erson of *reat infl)en.e. ' $t +on't /e me0 any+ay0' said =oris0 .omforta/ly. ' $'m too st)(id.' ' And it +on't /e me0' said Carlotta. ' $'m still too +ild.' ' %or me0' said Bo//y0 *rinnin*. ' $'m still too m).h *i1en to (layin* tri.,s. =idn't &am'>elle 7)m( +hen she dran, her *lass of mil, this mornin* and fo)nd a /la., /eetle at the /ottom 5 ' !he *irls *i**led. $t +as a silly tri.,0 /)t had .a)sed a lot of f)n. Bo//y had (o((ed a little tin /la., /eetle into &am'>elle's *lass of mid<mornin* mil,0 and her horror +hen she had dr)n, all the m@, and then had s)ddenly seen the /eetle at the /ottom had /een most am)sin* to +at.h. '!iens4' she had .ried. ' #hat is this /la., animal $ ha1e almost dr)n, 5 Oh la0 la0 that it sho)ld .hoose my *lass and no one else's4' !he *irls re.alled all the tri.,s Bo//y and 8anet had (layed on (oor &am'>elle<the +ay they had made the (lates dan.e<the dreadf)l stin,</alls<and many others. !hey had all /een *ood f)n0 and &am'>elle had al+ays 7oined in the la)*hter after+ards. ' #e /rea, )( in three days' time0' said Bo//y. ' !hen heyho for the holidays<and +hen +e .ome /a.,0 +e shall all /e si-th formers0 *ra1e and serio)s and solemn 4 %o tri.,s then<no *i**les< no messin* a/o)t4' ' Oh r)//ish 4' said Carlotta. ' #e shan't s)ddenly alter 7)st /e.a)se +e're si-th formers. #e shall /e 7)st the same. $ do +onder +ho +ill /e head<*irt 6erha(s one of the t+ins +ill.' ' $ ho(e not0' said 6at0 at on.e. ' $'d hate to

/e somethin* $sa/el +asn't0 and she +o)ld hate it too. Other+ise +e'd either of )s lo1e it. $t's the thin* $'d li,e /est in the +orld at the moment. $ lo1e St. Clare's0 and $'m (ro)d of /elon*in* to it. $f $ .o)ld do somethin* for it $ +o)ld</)t $ don't +ant to do somethin* that $ .an't share +ith $sa/el.' ' $ feel the same a/o)t that0' said $sa/el. ' B)t if +e did ha1e the hono)r of /ein* as,ed0 either of )s0 to /e head<*irl0 +e'd say no. Any+ay0 there are (lenty of others +ho +o)ld ma,e /etter head<*irls than +e sho)ld.' At that 1ery moment the matter +as /ein* de.ided /y &iss !heo/ald0 &iss Corn+allis and &am'>elle. !hey +ere sittin* to*ether in the "ead's dra+in*<room0 dis.)ssin* the 1ery +ei*hty and im(ortant 2)estion of +ho sho)ld /e the ne-t head<*irl. $t +as im(ortant /e.a)se the head<*irl had a (o+erf)l infl)en.e on the +hole s.hool0 and +as0 in fa.t0 ty(i.al of the s(irit of St. Clare's. !hey +ere *oin* do+n the list of *irls. ' "ilary .an't /e0 of .o)rse0' said &iss Corn+allis. ' A (ity0 /e.a)se she has had *reat e-(erien.e of /ein* head<*irl in three or fo)r forms. Still0 (erha(s it is time some one else had a .han.e of sho+in* leadershi(.' ' 8anet 5 ' said &iss !heo/ald. !he others shoo, their heads. 8anet .o)ld still /e hot<tem(ered and +ilf)l at times. She had not yet learnt to *)ard her shar( ton*)e .om(letely. A head<*irl had to ha1e .om(lete .ontrol of herself. ' %ot Bo//y0 of .o)rse0' said &iss Corn+allis. ' Brilliant0 tr)sta/le0 /)t still a little )nsteady. #hat a/o)t ;ladys 5' ' !oo *entle<not eno)*h of a leader0' said &iss !heo/ald0 +ho ,ne+ the .hara.ters of e1ery *irl in a most remar,a/le +ay. 'And Cla)dine $ am afraid +e m)st also .ross o)t0 &am'>elle.' &am'>elle si*hed. $t had /een a se.ret +ish +ith her for t+o or three terms that Cla)dine0 her little Cla)dine0 mi*ht /e head of St. Clare's0 the s.hool in +hi.h &am'>elle had ta)*ht for so many many years. B)t e1en &am'>elle0 /iassed as she +as0 ,ne+ that Cla)dine +as not fit to lead others. ' $f she had /een at St. Clare's +hen she +as thirteen no+0' said &am'>elle0 ' ah0 then my little Cla)dine mi*ht ha1e had time to learn eno)*h to /e.ome head<*irl4' Both &iss !heo/ald and &iss Corn+allis had their do)/ts a/o)t this. $n fa.t0 &iss Corn+allis tho)*ht that if Cla)dine had /een at St. Clare's e1er sin.e she +as a /a/y0 she +o)ld still not ha1e /een s)ita/le for a head<*irl. B)t neither +anted to )(set &am'>elle0 +ho adored her t+o nie.es0 so they said nothin*. ' Alma0 .ertainly not0 (oor *irl0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' She is a most )nfort)nate .hild. 6erha(s +hen she is in really *ood health0 she +ill im(ro1e. Carlotta no+<no0 $ thin, not. Still rather )na..o)nta/le and )n.ontrolled in her tem(er. $ al+ays feel she is still .a(a/le of sla((in* (eo(le if she doesn't a((ro1e of them.' &am'>elle remem/ered 1ario)s sla((in* e(isodes in Carlotta's s.hool<life and smiled. ' Ah0 she +o)ld sla( the first formers hard if they did not /eha1e 4' she said. ' She +o)ld /e an am)sin* head< *irl0 /)t (erha(s not a 1ery *ood one.' ' Feli.ity0 no0' said &iss Corn+allis. ' She +ill al+ays /e a(t to for*et e1erythin* +hen her m)si. fills her mind. She +ill (erha(s someday /e one of the foremost m)si.ians or .om(osers0 /)t only in her art +ill she /e fit to lead others.' ' An*ela and Alison<neither of them leaders in any+ay0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' "o+ *ood it +o)ld /e for /oth of them to /e head<*irls0 and feel the +ei*ht of leadershi( and res(onsi/ility on their sho)lders</)t ho+ /ad for the s.hool 4 Alison is still s).h a feather<head0 and An*ela has a lot to learn yet. !hree more terms to learn it in<+ell0 may/e it +ill /e eno)*h.' ' Anne<&arie +o)ld /e

ho(eless0' said &am'>elle0 ' so +o)ld 6a)line.' :!hat lea1es =oris0 6am and the t+ins0' said &iss !heo/ald0 loo,in* at her list. ' =oris is too st)(id0' said &am'>elle. ' Still she .annot roll her : 's : for me in the Fren.h +ay. Ah0 she +ill /e a *reat s)..ess on the sta*e0 that *irl0 she is so .le1er a mimi.. B)t she is st)(id in all other +ays0 tho)*h a ni.e0 ni.e *irl.' !he others a*reed. ' 6am +o)ld ma,e an ideal head< *irl0' said &iss !heo/ald.' /)t she is too yo)n*. Almost t+o years yo)n*er than the oldest in the fifth. She is stayin* on t+o years0 so (erha(s she +ill /e head<*irl in the f)t)re. A ni.e0 hard<+or,in*0 2)iet and de(enda/le .hild.' '!hat only lea1es the O'S)lli1an t+ins0' said &iss Corn+allis0 ' and $ am s)re that +e .annot .hoose one +itho)t the other. !hey are inse(ara/le and al+ays ha1e /een. !he other t+in +o)ld feel 1ery m).h left o)t if +e .hose one of them.' ' Ah<$ ha1e it 4' said &am'>elle0 s)ddenly0 /an*in* the ta/le and ma,in* the< other mistresses 7)m(. ' $ ha1e it 4 9es. +e +ill ha1e t+o head<*irls 4 #hy not 5 $s not St. =are's /i**er than e1er it +as 5 "as not the head<*irl more than eno)*h to do 5 !hen +e +ill ha1e t+o head<*irls0 *irls +ho +ill +or, to*ether as one<so +hy not the O'S)lli1an t+ins 5 ' &iss !heo/ald and &iss Corn+allis loo,ed at ea.h other. $t +as a *ood idea. !+o head<*irls +ho +ere t+ins +o)ld .ertainly +or, 1ery +ell to*ether0 and .o)ld share the res(onsi/ility +ell. 6at and $sa/el had .onsistently done *ood +or,0 and had *ro+n into s(lendid0 tr)st+orthy and sensi/le *irls. ' 9es0' said &iss !heo/ald0 at last. ' $t's a 1ery *ood idea indeed. !he t+ins +ill ma,e fine head<*irls. $t +ill do them a +orld of *ood0 for they ha1e ne1er )nder<ta,en any ,ind of leadershi( here so far. !hey shall /e 7oint head<*irls. $ +ill ma,e the anno)n.ement tomorro+.' So0 +hen the +hole s.hool +as .alled to*ether for the head to anno)n.e the .han*es in the .omin* term0 the names of the t+o ne+ head<*irls +ere *i1en. ' #e ha1e .aref)lly st)died the 2)estion of +ho shall /e head<*irl of the s.hool for the .omin* year0' said &iss !heo/ald. ' And $ thin, there is no do)/t that o)r .hoi.e is +ise and +ill /e 1ery (o()lar. St. Clare's is *ro+in* fast0 and the head<*irl has a *reat deal to doK sometimes too m).h. So +e ha1e de.ided to ha1e t+o head<*irls +or,in* to*ether0 and +e ha1e .hosen a (air +ho ha1e /een +ith )s from the first form0 and ha1e made their +ay )( the s.hool steadily and +ell0 +innin* e1ery one's res(e.t and admiration. %e-t term the O'S)lli1an t+ins +ill /e o)r head<*irls4' !here +as a terrifi. o)t</)rst of .heerin*0 .la((in* and stam(in* at these +ords. E1eryone ,ne+ the li,e<as<(ea t+ins0 e1eryone li,ed them and tr)sted them. %o+ they +ere to /e head<*irls to*ether<s(lendid 4 !he t+ins +ere o1er+helmed. !hey /l)shed s.arlet0 and +hen they heard the o)t/)rst of .heerin*0 they felt s)dden tears (ri.,in* their eye<lids. $t +as a +onderf)l moment for them. !o /e .hosen to head the s.hool0 to lead it. to hold the /i**est hono)r St. Clare's had to offer <that +as somethin* +orth +hile. ' !han, yo)0' said 6at. standin* )( +ith $sa/el0 +hen the .heerin* had lessened. '#e'll<+e'll do o)r 1ery /est4' So they +ill<and their /est +ill /e 1ery *ood indeed. And there +e m)st lea1e them0 a/o)t to ha1e their dearest +ish0 head<*irls of St. Clare's0 the finest s.hool they ,no+.