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The Twins At St.Clare’s St.Clare’s – St.Clare’s St.Clare’s 01
Enid Enid Blyto Blyton n
The Twi Twins ns Make Up Their Their Minds Minds
One One sunn sunnyy summ summer er afte aftern rnoo oon n four four girl girlss sat sat on the the gras grasss by a tent tenths hs-c -cou ourt rt,, drin drinki king ng lemo lemona nade de.. Their rackets rackets lay beside them, and the six white balls were scattered scattered over the court. Two of the girl Two girlss were ere twi twins.. ns.. Isabe sabell and and Patr atrici icia O'Sul 'Sulli liva van n we werre so alik alikee that hat onl only a few few peop peoplle coul could d tel tell whi which was Pat and and whic which h was was Isab Isabel el.. Both oth girl girlss had had dark dark brow brown n wavy wavy hair hair,, deep deep blue blue eyes eyes and and a mer merry smil smile, e, and and the the Iri Irish lilt in thei theirr voic voices es was was ver very plea pleasa sant nt to hear hear.. The The twin twinss we were re stay stayin ingg for for two two we week ekss with with frie friend ndss of thei theirs rs,, Mary Mary and and Fran France cess Wate Waters rs.. The The four four girls were ere talkin king, and Pat was frowning as she spok poke. She She took ook up her racket and banged it har hard on the the gras grass. s. "It's just too bad that Mummy won't let us go to the same school as you, now that we have all left leftRe Redr droo oofs fsSc Scho hool ol toge togeth ther er.. We'v We'vee been been frie friend ndss so long long and and now now we we'v 'vee got got to go to a diff differ eren entt scho school ol,, and we shan' han'tt see see eac each othe otherr for for ages ages.." "It "It's 's a pity pity that hat Re Redr droo ooffs onl only take takess gir girls up to four fourte teen en," ," sai said Isab Isabel el.. "We "We coul could d have have stay stayed ed on tog togethe etherr and and it woul would d have have been been fun. fun. I loved oved bein beingg head head--gir girl with ith Pat the last ast year year and and it was fun fun bein beingg tenn tennis is-c -cap apta tain in,, and and Pat Pat bein beingg hock hockey ey-c -cap apta tain in.. Now Now we we'v 'vee got got to go to anot anothe herr scho school ol that that doesn't sound a bit nice - and begin at the bottom! We'll be the young ones of the school instead of head-gir head-girls. ls."" "I do wish wish you you we were re comi coming ng toRi toRing ngme mere reSc Scho hool ol with with us!" us!" said saidFr Fran ance cess . "It' "It'ss such such a nice nice excl exclus usiv ivee scho school ol,, our our mot mother her says says.. You You know know - onl only girl girlss of rich rich pare parent nts, s, very very we well ll-b -bre red, d, go ther there, e, and and you you make make such such nice nice frie friend nds. s. We have a bed bedroom to ourselves and our own study udy, and we have to wear evening dre dress at nigh night, t, and and they hey say say the the food ood is wond wonder erfu full !"
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"And we are goi going to St. Clare are's, 's, wher here anybo nybody dy can go, and the dorm ormitories take six or eig eight girl girlss and and aren aren't 't near nearly ly as nice nicely ly furn furniished shed as the the mai maids' ds' bedr bedroo ooms ms are are at home home!!" said said Pat Pat in a disgusted disgusted voice. voice. "I can' can'tt imag imagiine why why Mum Mummy made made up her her mind ind to send end us ther theree ins instea tead of to Ringm ingmer eree," said aid Isab Isabel el.. "I wond wonder er if she she has has quit quitee deci decide ded. d. We'r We'ree goi going home home tomo tomorrrow row and and we we'l'lll both both do our our very very best to make her say we can go to Ringmere, Ringmere, Mary and Frances! Frances! We'll ring you up in the the even evenin ingg and and tell tell you. you."" "We' "We'll ll jump jump for for joy if you you have have good good news news,," sai said Mary Mary.. "Aft "After er all, all, when when you' you've ve been been head head-g -gir irlls at a marv marvel elllous ous scho school ol like ike Re Redr droo oofs fs,, and and had had your your own own love lovelly bedr bedroo oom m and and the the best best stud studyy with with the best vie view, and a hundre dred gir girls looking up to you, it's awful to have to start again in a schoo hool you don't want to go to a bit!" "We "Well ll,, do your your best best to make make your your pare parent ntss chan change ge thei theirr mind minds, s,"" said saidFr Fran ance cess . "Com "Comee on -- let's et's have have anot anothe herr set set befo before re tea! tea!"" They hey all all jumpe umped d up and and toss tossed ed for part partne ners rs.. Isab Isabel el was a sple splend ndid id play player er,, and and had had won won the the tenn tennis is cham champi pion onsh shiip at Re Redr droo oofs fs.. She She was was real reallly rathe atherr prou proud d of her her game game.. Pat Pat was was near nearly ly as good good,, but but much much pref prefer erre red d hock hockey ey.. "The "Theyy don' don'tt play play hock hockey ey at St. St. Clar Clare' e's, s, they they play play lacr lacros osse se," ," said said Pat, at, dism dismal ally ly.. "Sil "Sillly game game,, lacro across ssee play playin ingg with with nets nets on stic sticks ks,, and and cat catchin chingg a ball ball all all the time time ins instead tead of hitt hittin ingg it! it! That That's 's anot anothe herr thin thingg I'll I'll tell tell Mumm Mummyy -- that that I don' don'tt want want to play play lacr lacros osse se afte afterr bein beingg hock hockey ey-c -cap apta tain in." ." The twi twins thoug hough ht har hard of all the reas easons ons they hey woul ould put put befo efore thei heir pare parent ntss whe when the they got got hom home the the next next day. day. They hey talke alked d about bout it as they hey went ent hom home in the trai rain. "I'll 'll say this, and you say that," said Pat. "After all, we ought to know the kind of school ool that would be best for us -- and St. Clare's does sound too fierce for words!" So the the next next even eveniing the the girl girlss bega began n to air air thei theirr thoug hought htss abou aboutt scho school ols. s. Pat bega began, n, and, and, as was her her way, way, she att attacke acked d at once once.. "Mum "Mumm my and and Dadd Daddy! y!"" she she said said.. "Is "Isabel abel and and I have have been been thi thinki nking a lot lot abou aboutt what hat scho school ol we're e're to go to next, and and, ple please ase, we don't want to go to St. Clare's. 's. Every one says it's an awful school." Thei Theirr moth mother er laug laughe hed, d, and and thei theirr fath father er put put down down his his pape paperr in surp surpri rise se.. "Don "Don't 't be sill silly, y, Pat, Pat,"" said said Mrs. Mrs. O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an.. "It' "It'ss a sple splend ndid id scho school ol." ." "Hav "Havee you you quit quitee deci decide ded d abou aboutt it?" it?" aske asked d Isab Isabel el.. "Not Not abso absolu lute telly," y," sai said her her moth mother er.. "But "But Daddy addy and and I both both think hink it will ill be the the best best scho school ol for you now. We do think that Redroofs spoilt you a bit, you kno know -- it's a very expensive and luxu luxuri riou ouss scho school ol,, and and now nowaday adayss we have have to lear learn n to live live much much more more simp simplly. St. St. Clare lare's 's is real really ly a very sensible sensible sort of school, school, and I know the Head and like her." Pat groa groane ned. d. "A sens sensib ible le scho school ol!! How How I do bate bate sens sensiible ble thin things gs - they they'r 'ree alwa always ys horr horriid and and ugly ugly
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and and stup stupiid and and unco uncomf mfor orttable able!! Oh, Oh, Mumm Mummyy - do let us go toRi oRingng-mere mereSc Scho hool ol with ith Mary Mary and and Frances." "Cer "Certa taiinly nly not! not!"" said said Mrs. Mrs. O'Su O'Sull lliivan van at once once.. "It' "It'ss a very very snob snobbi bish sh schoo chool, l, and and Fm not not goin goingg to have have you you two girl girlss comi coming ng home home and and turn turnin ingg up your your nose nosess at ever everyt ythi hing ng and and ever everyb ybod ody. y."" "We "We would ouldn' n't, t,"" said said Isab Isabel el,, frow frowni ning ng at Pat Pat to make make her her stop stop argu arguin ingg for for a whil while. e. Pat Pat lost lost her her tem temper per very very easi easily ly,, and and that that didn didn't 't do when when thei theirr fath father er was was ther here. "Mumm ummy dear - be a pet - just let's tryat Ringmere for a term or two, and then, if you think we're turning turning into snobs, snobs, you can take us away. But you might let us try. They play hockey there, and we do so like that. We'd hate to have to learn a new game, just when we've got so good at hockey." hockey." Mr. O'Sul 'Sulllivan rapp apped with his his pipe pipe on the table. "My "My dear Isabe abel, it will be good for you to star startt at the begi beginn nniing agai again, n, and and lear learn n som someth ething ing new new! I've 've thou though ghtt the the last ast year year that that both both you you girl girlss have have beco become me very very conc concei eite ted, d, and thou though ghtt far far too too much much of your yourse sellves. ves. If you you have have to learn earn new things ngs, and find you're 're not so wonder derful as you thought you were, it will be very good for you both!" both!" The The twi twins we went nt red. ed. They hey we werre angry ngry and and hurt hurt and and almo almost st read readyy to cry. cry. Mrs. Mrs. O'Sul 'Sullliva ivan felt elt sorr sorryy for for them them.. "Dadd Daddyy does doesn' n'tt mean mean to be unki unkind nd,," she she said said.. "But "But he is qui quite righ rightt, my dear dears. s. You'v ou'vee had had a wonderful onderful time at Redroofs, Redroofs, bad things all your own way, been head-girls head-girls and captains, captains, and really lived in luxury. Now you must show us what kind of stuff you are made of when you have to star startt as youn youngs gstters ers of fourt ourtee een n and and a half half in a schoo chooll where here the top clas lasses ses are are eig eightee hteen n yea years old!" Pat Pat look looked ed sulk sulky. y. Isab Isabel el's 's chin chin shoo shookk as she she answ answer ered ed.. "We shan't be happy, and we shan't try to be!" she said. "Ver "Veryy we well ll.. Be unha unhapp ppy! y!"" said said thei theirr fath father er,, ster sternl nly. y. "If "If that that's 's the the sort sort of sill sillyy atti attitu tude de you' you've ve lear learnt nt at Red-roofs, I'm sorr orry we let you stay there so long. ng. I wanted to take you you away two years ago, but you begged so hard to stay, that I didn't. Now say no more about it. I shall write to St. Clare's myself tonight and enter you for next term. If you want to make me proud of you, ou, you will cheer up and make up your minds to be good and hardworking hardworking and happy at your next school." Thei heir fathe atherr light ighted ed his his pipe pipe and and bega began n to read read his his pape paperr agai again. n. Thei heir moth mother er took ook up her her sewi sewing ng.. Ther Theree was no mor more to be said. aid. The twins wins left eft the the room oom toget ogethe herr and went ent int into the the gard garden en.. They They foun found d thei theirr own own secr secret et plac placee behi behind nd the the thic thickk old old yewyew-he hedg dgee and and flun flungg them themse selv lves es dow down on the the grou ground nd.. The eveni vening ng sun sun threw hrew its sla slanti nting gold olden rays rays arou around nd them hem, and the they blin blinke ked d in its its brig bright htne ness ss.. Tear Tearss shon shonee in Isab Isabel el's 's eyes eyes.. "I neve neverr thou though ghtt Mumm Mummyy and and Dadd Daddyy woul ould be so hard hard," ," she she sai said. "Nev "Never er!!" "After all, we oug ought to hav have some say in the matter," said Pat, furiously. She took a stick and dug it hard into nto the ground. "I wish we coul ould run away!"
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"Don' Don'tt be sil silly, ly," sai said Isa Isabel bel. "You "You know know we can' can't. t. Anyw Anyway ay,, it's t's cowa cowarrdly dly to run run away away.. We'l We'lll have have to go to St. Clam's. 's. But how I shall hate it." "We'll 'll both bat bate it," said Pat. "And what's more, I'm jolly well ell going to turn up my nos nose at ever everyt ythi hing ng ther there! e! I'm I'm not not goi going to let them hem thi think we're e're babi babies es of four fourte teen en,, just just come come from from some ome sil silly pre prep scho school ol.. I'll 'll soon oon let them hem know know that that we we werre head head-g -giirls, rls, and tenni enniss- and and hock hockey ey-c -cap apttains ains.. How How horr horriid of Dadd Daddyy to say say we are are conc concei eite ted! d! We'r We'ree not not a bit. bit. We can' can'tt help help know knowin ingg that that we we'r 'ree good good at near nearly ly ever everyt ythi hing ng,, besi beside dess bein beingg pret pretty ty and and quit quitee amus amusin ing. g."" "It "It does does soun sound d a bit bit conc concei eitted when when you you talk talk like like that that," ," said said Isab Isabel el.. "We' "We'd d bet better ter not not say say too too muc much when hen we get get to St. St. Clare are's." 's." "I'm going to say all I like, and you must back me up," p," said Pat. "People ple are going to know who we are, and what we can do! All the mistresses mistresses are going to sit up and take notice notice of us too. The O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an twin twinss are are goin goingg to be SOME SOMEBO BODI DIES ES!! And And don' don'tt you you forg forget et it, it, Isab Isabel el." ." Isabe sabell nodd nodded ed her her dark dark head head with ith its its blac blackk waves aves of hai hair. "I won't on't forg forget et it," t," she she sai said. "I'l "I'lll back back you up. My word, ord, St. St. Clare are's will get a few surpri prises nex next term!"
The Twins Arrive Arrive At St. Clare's Clare's
The time soon came when the twins twins had to leave leave for the winter winter term at St. Clare's. Clare's. Their Their mother mother had had had had a list of thing hingss the they were ere to take take with with them, hem, and and the the twins wins exa examine mined d it car careful efullly. "It's not nea nearly such a long list as we had for Red-roofs ofs," said Pat. "And golly - how few dresses we are allowed! allowed! Mary and Frances Frances said that they were allowed allowed to take as many frocks as they liked iked to Ring Ringm mere ere -- and and they hey had had both both got got long long even evenin ingg dres dresse sess like ike thei theirr moth mother er!! Won' Won'tt they they show how off off to us when they hey see see us agai gain!" "And "And look look - lacr lacros osse se-s -sti tick ckss inst instea ead d of hock hockey ey-s -sti tick cks! s!"" said said Isab Isabel el in disg disgus ust. t. "The "Theyy migh mightt at leas leastt play play hock hockey ey as well ell as lacr lacros osse se!! I didn didn't 't even even both bother er to look ook at the the lacr lacros osse se sti sticks cks Mumm Mummy y bought for us, did you? And look -- we are even told what to bring in our tuck boxes! We could take take what what we like liked d to Re Redr droo oofs fs." ." "Just ust wait till we get to St. Clare's. We'll show that hat we can do as we like," said Pat. "What hat time is the the trai train n tomor tomorro row? w?"" "Ten "Ten o'cl o'cloc ockf kfro rom m Padd Paddin ingt gton on," ," said said Isab Isabel el.. "Wel "Welll -w -wee shal shalll get get our our firs firstt glim glimps psee of the the St. St. Clar Claree girl girlss ther there. e. I bet bet they they'l'lll be a quee queerr-lo look okin ingg crow crowd! d!"" Mrs. Mrs. O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an took took the the twin twinss toLo toLond ndon on . They They taxi taxied ed to Padd Paddin ingt gton on Stat Statio ion, n, and and look looked ed for for the the St. St. Cla Clare re trai train. n. Ther Theree it was, as, draw drawn n up at the the plat platfo form rm,, labe labell lled ed St. St. Clar Clare. e. On the plat platfo form rm were ere scor scores es of girl girls, s, talk talkin ingg exci excite tedl dlyy to one one anot anothe her, r, sayi saying ng good good-b -bye ye to thei theirr pare parent nts, s, hail hailin ing g mist mistre ress sses es,, and and buyi buying ng bars bars of choc chocol olat atee from from the the teatea-wa wago gons ns..
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A simp simplly-dr y-dres esse sed d mist istress ress came came up to the twin twins. s. She She knew knew that that they hey were ere St. St. Clar lare girl girlss beca becaus usee they hey had had on the grey grey coat coatss tha that we were re the the uni uniform orm of the scho schoo ol. She She smi smiled at Mrs. Mrs. O'Su O'Sullliva livan, n, and looked ked at the list in her her ban band. "The "These se are are new new girl girls, s,"" she she sai said, "and "and I am sur sure they they must must be Patri atrici ciaa and and Isab Isabel el O'Sul 'Sullliva ivan, beca becaus usee they they are are so exac exactl tlyy alik alike. e. I'm I'm your your form form-m -mis istr tres ess, s, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, and and I'm I'm very very plea please sed d to see see you. you."" This This was a nic nice we welc lcom omee and and the twins wins liked ked the the loo look of Miss Miss Rober obertts. She was was youn youngg and good good-l -loo ooki king ng,, tal tall and and smil smilin ingg - but but she she bad bad a firm irm mout mouth h and and both both Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el felt felt sure sure that that she she woul wouldn dn't 't stan stand d much much nons nonsen ense se from from her her form form!! "You "Yourr carr carria iage ge is over over here here,, with with the the rest rest of your your form form," ," said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "Say "Say good good-b -bye ye now, now, and and get get in. The The trai train n will ill be goi going in two minu minute tes. s."" She She we went nt off off to tal talk to some some one one else else and and the twin twinss hugg hugged ed thei theirr moth mother er.. "Goo "Goodd-by bye, e,"" sai said Mrs. Mrs. O'Sullivan. "Do your our bes best this term, and I do hop hope you'll 'll be happy ppy at your new schoo hool. Write to me soon." n." The twin twinss got got into into a carr carriiage age wher wheree thre threee or four four othe otherr gir girls were ere alre alread adyy sit sitting ting and and chat chatte teri ring ng.. They said nothing, nothing, but looked with interest interest at the scores of girls passing passing by their compartment compartment to thei theirr plac places es farth arther er up the the
At their last school the twins twins bad been the oldest oldest and biggest biggest there - but now they were among the younge youngest! st!
At Redroofs Redroofs all the girls bad looked at Pat and Isabel with awe and admiration admiration -- the two wonderful onderful head-girl head-girlss -- but now the twins were looking looking at others others in the same way! Tall, Tall, dignified dignified girl girlss from from the the top top form form wal walked ked by, by, talk talkin ing. g. Merr Merryy-vo voic iced ed girl girlss from from othe otherr form formss ran ran to get get thei theirr plac places es,, call callin ingg out out to one one anot anothe herr. Young ounger er ones ones scra scramb mble led d into nto the the carr carriiages ages as the the guar guard d we went nt along ong to warn one that the train was about to go. The The jour journe neyy was was quit quitee fun. fun. Ev Ever eryy one one had had pack packet etss of sand sandwi wich ches es to eat eat at half half-p -pas astt twel twelve ve,, and and the the trai train n stew stewar ard d brou brough ghtt bott bottlles of ging ginger er-b -bee eerr and and lemo lemona nade de,, and and cups cups of tea. tea. At half half-p -pas astt two two the the trai train n drew drew in at a litt little le plat platfo form rm.. A big big noti notice ce said said "Ali "Aligh ghtt here here for for St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss Scho School ol". ". Ther Theree we were re big big scho school ol-c -coa oach ches es wait waitin ingg outs outsid idee and and the the girl girlss pile piled d them themse selv lves es in them them,, chat chatte teri ring ng and and laugh aughiing. ng. One One of them hem turn turneed to Pat and Isabe sabell. "The "There re's 's the the scho school ol,, look look!! Up on that that hill hill ther there! e!"" The The twin twinss look looked ed.. They They saw saw a plea pleasa sant nt whit whitee buil buildi ding ng,, buil builtt of larg largee whit whitee ston stones es,, with with two two towe towers rs,, one one at each each end. end. It look looked ed down down into nto the the vall valley ey,, over over big big play playin ingg-fi fiel elds ds and and gard garden ens. s. "Not "Not near nearlly so nice nice as Redro edroof ofs, s,"" sai said Pat Pat to Isab Isabel el.. "Do "Do you you reme rememb mber er how how swee sweett our our old old
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school used to look in the evening sun?" Its red roof was glowing, and it look ooked warm and welcoming elcoming -- not cold and white like St. Clare's." Clare's." For For a few few minu minuttes both both girl girlss were ere home homesi sick ck for for thei theirr old old scho school ol and and thei theirr old old fri friends ends.. They hey knew knew nobo nobody dy at St. St. Clare lare's 's at all. all. They hey coul couldn dn't 't call call out out "Hal "Halo, o, ther there! e!"" to ever everyy one one as they they had had done done each ach term erm befo beforre. They hey didn didn't 't like the look ook of any any of the the girl girls, s, who who seem seemed ed much much more more nois noisyy and and bois boiste tero rous us than than the the ones ones at Redr edroofs oofs.. It was was all all horr horriid. "Anyway, we are lucky to have got got each other," said Isabel bel to Pat. "I woul ould have hated to come here ere all alone. Nobo Nobod dy seems to talk to us at all." It was was the twins wins'' own faul ault, if the they had had but but know known n it. They hey both both looke ooked d "stu "stuck ck--up" up" as one one gir girl whispered hispered to another. another. Nobody felt much inclined inclined to talk to them or make friends. friends. The Them was was the the same same rus rush of unpa unpack ckiing and and set settli tling in as ther theree is at all all boa boardi rdingng-scho school ols. s. The big big dorm dormit itor orie iess Were Were full full of girl girlss putt puttin ingg away away thei theirr thin things gs,, hang hangin ingg up thei theirr dres dresse sess and and putt puttin ing g photog photograp raphs hs out on their their litt little le dressi dressingng-tab table les. s. Ther here we were re a good good many many dorm dormit itor orie iess at St. St. Clar Clare' e's. s. Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el were ere in numb number er 7, wher wheree ther theree we werre eigh eightt white hite beds beds,, all all exac exacttly ali alike. ke. Each Each was was in its its own own cubi cubicl clee surr surrou ound nded ed by cur curtai tains that that coul could d be draw drawn n open open or clos closed ed,, just just as the the girl girlss plea please sed. d. Pat's at's bed bed was was next next to Isab Isabel el's 's,, much much to thei theirr joy. joy. When When the the girl girlss had had unpa unpack cked ed a tall tall gir girl came came into nto the the dor dormito mitory ry cal calling ling out, out, "Any "Any new new girl girlss here?" Pat and and Isab Isabel el nodd nodded ed thei theirr head heads. s. "We "We are are new, new,"" sai said Pat. at. "Hal "Hallo lo,, twin twins! s!"" said said the the tall tall girl girl,, smil smilin ing, g, as she she look looked ed at the the two two sist sister erss so exac exactl tlyy alik alike, e, "Are "Are you you Patr Patric icia ia and and Isab Isabel el O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an?? Matr Matron on want wantss to see see you. you."" Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el we went nt with with the the gir girl to wher wheree the the scho school ol mat matron ron sat in her her comf comfor orttable able room room,, surr surrou ound nded ed by cupb cupboa oard rds, s, ches chests ts and and shel shelve ves. s. She She was was a fat, fat, joll jollyy-lo look okin ingg pers person on,, but but her her eyes eyes were very sharp indeed. "You "You can' can'tt dece deceiive Matr Matron on over over anyt anythi hing ng,," whis whispe pere red d thei theirr guid guide. e. "Kee "Keep p in her her good good book bookss if you you can. can."" Matr Matron on chec checke ked d over over shee sheets ts,, towe towels ls and and clot clothe hess with with them them.. "You "You will will be resp respon onsi sibl blee for for mend mendin ingg all all your your own own belo belong ngin ings gs," ," she she said said.. "Go "Good od grac graciious! ous!"" said said Pat. Pat. "The "There re we were re sewi sewing ng maid maidss at our our othe otherr scho school ol to do that that." ." "Sho "Shock ckin ing! g!"" said said Matr Matron on,, bris briskl kly. y. "Wel "Well, l, ther theree are are no sewi sewing ng-m -mai aids ds here here.. So be care carefu full of your your thin things gs,, and and reme rememb mber er that that they they cost cost your your pare parent ntss mone money. y."" "Our "Our pare parent ntss don' don'tt need need to wor worry abou aboutt torn torn clot clothe hes, s,"" bega began n Pat. Pat. "Why "Why,, once once at Re Redr droo oofs fs I got got caught in some barbed wire, and everything I had on was torn to bits. They were so torn that the sewi sewing ng-m -mai aid d said said she she coul couldn dn't 't mend mend a thin thing, g, and. and....."" "We "Welll, I woul ould have have made made you you mend mend ever everyy hole hole,, ever everyy rent ent, ever everyy tear, ear,"" said said Mat Matron, ron, her her eyes eyes
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begi beginn nnin ingg to spar sparkl kle. e. "The "There re's 's one one thin thingg I can' can'tt bear bear,, and and that that's 's care carele less ssne ness ss and and wast waste. e. Now Now mind mind you. you. ..Wh ..What at is it, it, Mill Millic icen ent? t?"" Another girl had come into the room with a pil pile of towels, and the twins were very gla glad that hat Mat Matron' ron'ss att attenti ention on was was no longe ongerr give given n to them. hem. They They sli slipped pped out out of the room oom quie quiettly. ly. "I don't on't like Matron," n," said Pat. "And "And I've 've a jolly good ood mind to tear ear someth ething so badly dly that it can' can'tt be mend mended ed,, and and that hat woul would d give give her her some someth thiing to think hink abou about! t!"" "Let' Let'ss go and and see see what hat the the scho school ol is like, ike,"" sai said Isab Isabel el,, slip slippi ping ng her her arm arm into nto Pat' Pat'ss. "It "It seem seemss much much bare barerr and and cold colder er some someho how w than than dear dear old old Re Redr droo oofs fs." ." The The twin twinss bega began n to expl explor ore. e. The The clas classr sroo ooms ms seem seemed ed much much the the same same as any any clas classr sroo ooms ms,, and and the the view from the windows windows was magnificen magnificent. t. The twins twins peeped into the studies. studies. At their old school school they hey had had shar shared ed a fine fine stud studyy betw betwee een n the them, but but here ere there here were ere no stud studiies exce excep pt for for the top top for form girl girlss and and the the fift ifth for form. The The youn younge gerr girl girlss shar shared ed a big big commo ommon n room room,, wher here there here was a wireless, ireless, a gramophone gramophone and a big library library of books. Shelves ran round the common room and each each girl girl shar shared ed part part of a shel helf, putt puttin ingg her her belo belong ngin ings gs ther there, e, and and keep keepiing them them tidy tidy.. Ther Theree we werre smal smalll musi musicc rooms ooms for for prac practtisi ising, ng, a fine fine art art room room,, an enor enormo mous us gym gym, whic which h was was also also used used for for asse assemb mbly ly and and conc concer erts ts,, and and a good good labor aborat ator ory. y. The The mist mistre ress sses es had had two two comm common on room roomss and and their heir own own bedr bedroo ooms ms,, and the the Re Reaad lived ived in a smal smalll wing ing by her herself self,, havi having ng her her own own bedr bedroo oom m in one one of the the towe towers rs,, and and a beau beauti tifu full draw drawin ingg-ro room om belo below. w. "It' "It'ss not not so bad, bad,"" said said Pat, Pat, afte afterr they they bad bad expl explor ored ed ever everyw ywhe here re.. "And "And the the play playin ingg-fi fiel elds ds are are fine fine.. There are many more tennis tennis courts courts here than Redroofs Redroofs - but of course course it's a much bigger bigger school." "I don' don'tt like like 'big 'big scho school ols, s,"" said said Isab Isabel el.. "I like like smal smalle lers rsch choo ools ls,, wher wheree you you are are some somebo body dy,, not not just just a littl ittlee nobo nobody dy tuck tucked ed away away amon amongg heap heapss of othe others rs!" !" They They we went nt into into the the comm common on room room.. The The wire wirele less ss was was on and and a danc dancee-ba band nd was was play playin ingg chee cheerf rful ul musi music, c, whi which was almo almost st drow drowne ned d by the chat chattter of the girl girls. s. Some Some of them them looke ooked d up as Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el came came in. in. "Hal "Hallo lo,, twin twins! s!"" said said a chee cheeky ky-l -loo ooki king ng girl girl with with curl curlyy gold golden en hair hair.. "Whi "Which ch is whic which? h?"" "I'm "I'm Patr Patric icia ia O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an and and my twin twin sist sister er is Isab Isabel el," ," said said Pat. Pat. "Wel "Welll, we welc lcom omee to St. St. Clar Clare' e's, s,"" said said the girl girl.. "I'm "I'm Hila Hilary ry Went Wentwo wort rth, h, and and you' you're re in the the same same dorm dormit itor oryy as I am. am. Have Have you you been been to boar boardi ding ng-s -sch choo ooll befo before re?" ?" "Of "Of cour course se," ," said said Pat. Pat. "We "We went ent to Re Redr droo oofs fs." ." "The "The scho school ol for snob snobs! s!"" said said a dark dark-h -hai aire red d girl girl,, look lookin ingg up. up. "My "My cous cousiin we went nt ther theree - and and didn didn't 't she she fanc fancyy hers hersel elff when hen she she cam came home home!! Expe xpected cted to be waited ited on hand hand and and foot oot, and and coul ouldn't dn't even bear to sew a button on a shoe!" "Shu "Shutt up," up," said said Hil Hilary, ary, seei seeing ng that that Pat we went nt red. ed. "You "You alwa always ys tal talk too too much much,, Jane Janet. t. Wel Well, Patr Patriicia cia and Isabel, this isn't the same kind of school as Redroofs - we work hard and play hard here, and we're jolly well taught to be independent independent and responsible!" responsible!"
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"We didn't n't want to com come here," e," said Pat. at. "We wanted to go to Ringmere ere Sch School, ol, where our frie friend ndss we were re goin going. g. Nobo Nobody dy thou though ghtt much much of St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss at Re Redr droo oofs fs." ." "De "Dear ar,, dear dear,, dear dear,, is that that so?" so?" said said Jane Janett, rai raising sing her her eyeb eyebro row ws til till they hey we were re almo almost st lost lost in the the dark hair on her her forehead. "Well, the point is, my dear twins -- not what you think of St. Clare's -- but but what hat St. St. dar dare's e's thi thinks nks of you! you! Qui Quite a diff diffeerent rent thing hing.. Pers Person onal allly, I think hink it's t's a pit pity that that you you didn didn't 't go som somew ewhe here re else else.. I've 've a feel feeliing you you won' won'tt fit fit in her here." e." "Jan "Janet et,, do be qui quiet," et," said said Hil Hilary. ary. "It' "It'ss not not fair fair to say say thi things ngs like like that that to new new girl girls. s. Let Let them them set settle tle in. Come Comeon on,, Pat Patrici riciaa -- come come on, on, Isabe sabell -- I'll 'll show how you you the the way way to the the Hea Head's d's room room.. You' You'll ll have have to go and and say say howhow-do do-y -you ou-d -do o to her her befo before re supp supper er." ." Pat and and Isab Isabel el we were re almo almost st boil boiliing over over wit with rage age at what what dark dark-h -hai aire red d Jane Janett had had said said.. Hila Hilary ry pushed pushed the twin twinss out out of the room room.. "Don "Don't 't take take too too much much noti notice ce of Jane Janet, t,"" she she sai said. "She "She alway lwayss says says exac exacttly what she thinks, thinks, which which is very nice when she thinks thinks complime complimentar ntaryy things things about people, people, but not so good good when when she she does doesn' n't. t. You' You'll ll get get used used to her her." "I hope hope we shan shan't 't,," sai said Pat Pat sti stiffly ffly.. "I like ike good good mann manner ers, s, somet omethi hing ng that that was taug taught ht at our our scho school ol anyw anyway ay,, even even if it's it's not not know known n here here!" !" "Oh, "Oh, don' don'tt be stuf stuffy fy," ," sai said Hilar ilary. y. "Loo "Look, k, that that's 's the the Head Head's 's room room.. Knoc Knockk on the the door door firs firstt -and and try try som some of your your good good mann manner erss on Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld!" d!" The The twin twinss knoc knocke ked d on the the door door.. A plea pleasa sant nt,, rath rather er deep deep voic voicee cal called led "Com "Comee in! in!" Pat Pat open opened ed the the door door and and the twi twins went ent in. The Head Head Mist Mistrress ess was was sitt sittin ingg at her her desk desk,, wri writing ting.. She She look looked ed up and and smil smiled ed at the girl girls. s. "I need needn n't ask ask who who you you are, are,"" she she said said.. "You "You are so ali alike that that you you must must be the O'Su O'Sullliva livan n twins wins!!" "Yes "Yes," ," said said the the girl girls, s, look lookin ingg at thei theirr new new Head Head Mist Mistre ress ss.. She She was was grey grey-h -hai aire red, d, with with a dign dignif ifie ied, d, ser serious ous face ace that hat brok brokee into nto a love lovely ly smil smilee at times imes.. She She shoo shookk hand handss with ith each each twin twin.. "I am very glad to welcome ome you you to St. St. dare's," she said. "I hope ope that hat one day we shall be proud of you. Do your best for us and St. Clare's will be able to do its best for you!" "We'l "We'lll try, ry," sai said Isabe sabell, and and then hen was quit quitee surpr urpriised sed at hers hersel elff to find find that hat she she had had said aid that that.. She She didn't n't mean to try at all all! She She looke oked at Pat. Pat said noth othing but stared straight in front of her her. "I know know your your moth mother er quit quitee we well ll," ," said said Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld.. "I was glad when she decided to send you here. You must tell her that when you write to her, and and give give her her my kind kind rega regard rds. s."" "Yes "Yes,, Miss Miss Theob heobal ald, d,"" said said Pat. at. The The Head ead Mist Mistre ress ss nodd nodded ed at them hem wit with a smi smile, le, and and turn turned ed to her her desk desk agai again. n. "What "What funn funnyy chil childr dren en!" !" she she thou though ghtt to hers hersel elf. f. "Any "Anyon onee migh mightt thin thinkk they they hate hated d to be here here!!
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Perh Perhap apss they they are are just just shy shy or home homesi sick ck." ." But But they they we were re neit neithe herr shy shy nor nor home homesi sick ck.. They They we were re just just two two obst obstin inat atee girl girlss dete determ rmin ined ed to make make the wors orst of thi things ngs beca becau use they hey hadn' adn'tt been been sent ent to the schoo chooll of thei theirr choi choice ce!!
A Bad Beginning Beginning
The twins twins soon found that St. dare's dare's was quite different different from their old school. school. Even the beds were not nearly so comfortable! comfortable! And instead instead of being allowed allowed to have their own pretty beds bedspr prea eads ds and and eide eiderd rdow owns ns to matc match, h, ever everyy girl girl had had to have have the the same same.. "I hate hate bein beingg the the same same as ever everyo yone ne else else!" !" sai said Pat Pat. "Goo "Goodn dnes esss - if onl only we were ere allo allow wed to have have what we liked, liked, wouldn't wouldn't we make everyone everyone stare!" stare!" "Wha "Whatt I hate hate mos most is bein beingg one one of the young oung one ones," s," said aid Isabe sabel, l, dis dismal mally. "I hate hate bei being spok spoken en to as if I were ere abo about six, six, when hen the the top form orm or fifth ifth--for form girl girlss say say any anythi thing to me. me. It's It's 'Her 'Heree, youou-get out out of my way! Hi, you! Fetch me a book book from the libra brary!' It's just ust too bad." d." The The stan standa darrd of wor work was high higher er at St. St. Clare' are'ss than han at mos most scho school ols, s, and altho lthoug ugh h the the twi twins had had good good brai brains ns,, they they found ound that that they hey were ere rat rather her behi behind nd their heir for form in many many ways, ays, and and thi this, too, too, anno annoye yed d them them very very much much.. They hey had had so hope hoped d that that the they woul ould impr mpress ess the othe otherrs in so many many ways -- and it seemed seemed as if they were even less than nobodies! nobodies! They They soon oon got got to know know the girl girlss in thei theirr form form.. Hila Hilary ry Went Wentwo wort rth h was was one one and and the the shar sharpp-to tong ngue ued d Jane Janett Robi Robins ns.. Then Then ther theree was was a quie quiet, t, stra straig ight ht-h -hai aire red d girl girl call called ed Vera Vera John Johnss and and a rath rather er haug haught htyy-lo look okin ingg girl girl call called ed Shei Sheila la Nayl Naylor or,, whos whosee mann manner erss were very arrogant. arrogant. Thetwinsdidn't Thetwinsdidn'tlikeher likeheratall. atall. "I don don't know what she's got to be so haugh ughty about!" said Pat to Isabel. "It's true she's got a lovel ovelyy home home beca becaus usee I've I've seen seen a phot photo o of it on her her dres dressi sing ng-t -taable ble -- but but my goodn oodneess, ss, she some someti time mess talk talkss like like our our parl parlou ourm rmai aid d at home home.. Then Then she she seem seemss to reme rememb mber er she she must mustn' n'tt talk talk like like that that and and goes goes all all haug haught htyy and and sill silly. y."" Then Then ther theree was was Kath Kathle leen en Greg Gregor ory, y, a frig fright hten ened ed look lookin ingg girl girl of fift fiftee een, n, who who was was the the only only one one who really really tried tried to make friends friends with the twins the first first week. Most of the other girls girls left them alon alone, e, exce except pt for for bein beingg pol polite, ite, and and tell elling them them the the ways ways of the the scho school ol.. They hey all all thou though ghtt that that Pat and Isabel Isabel were-v were-very ery "stuck "stuck-up -up". ". "Ka "Kathl thleen een is funny unny,," sai said Isa Isabel. bel. "She "She see seems so eage eagerr to make make frien riends ds with ith us, us, and and lend end us book bookss and and shar shares es her her swe weet ets. s. She' She'ss been been at St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss for for a yea year, and she doe doesn't sn't seem seem to have have any any friends at all. She keeps asking me to walk with her when we go out, and I keep saying I can't beca becaus usee I've I've got got you. you."" "I feel rather sorry for her somehow, ow," said Pat. at. "She reminds me of a lost dog trying to find a
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new master master!" !" Isab Isabel el laug laughe hed. d. "Yes "Yes,, that that's 's just ust it! I think hink of all all the the girl girlss that hat I like ike Hila Hilary ry the the best best in our our for form. She' he's so nat natural and jolly -- a real sport ort." The twi twins were ere ver very muc much in awe of the the olde olderr girl irls. who who see seemed med very very grow grownn-up up to them hem. The top top form form espe especi cial ally ly seem seemed ed almo almost st as old old and and even even more more dign dignif ifie ied d than than the the mist mistre ress sses es!! The The head head-g -giirl, rl, Wini Winiffred red James ames,, spok spokee a few few words ords to the the twi twins the the firs firstt week. eek. She She was a tall, all, clev clever er-l -loo ooki king ng girl girl with with pale pale blue blue eyes eyes and and pret pretty ty 17
soft oft hair hair.. St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss was prou proud d of her, her, for she she had had pass passed ed many any dif difficu ficullt exam exams. s. with with flyi lying colours. "You are the new new girls, aren't you?" she said. "Settle in and do your best. Come to me if you are in any dif difficu ficullty. ty. I'm the the head head--girl girl and I shou shoulld like like to hel help you you if eve ever! can." an." "Oh, "Oh, than thankk you, you,"" said said the the twin twins, s, feel feelin ingg quit quitee over overco come me at bein beingg addr addres esse sed d by the the head head-g -gir irl. l. Winifred inifred went off with her friends, friends, and the twins twins stared stared after after her. "She "She's 's rathe atherr nice nice,," sai said Isa Isabel bel. "In "In fact act, I think hink most ost of the top top for form girl girlss are are nic nice, thoug hough h they' they're re awfu awfull llyy seri serious ous and and proper proper." ." The Theyy like liked d thei theirr form form-m -mis istr tres ess, s, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, too, too, thou though gh she she woul would d stan stand d no nons nonsen ense se at all. all. Some Someti time mess Pat Pat woul would d try try to argu arguee abou aboutt some someth thin ing, g, and and say, say, 'Wel 'Well, l, that that's 's what hat was was taug taught ht at my old old scho school ol !" Then Miss Rober berts would say, "Really? Well, do it that way if you like -- but you won't get very far far up your your form! orm! Do reme remem mber ber that hat what what sui suits one one scho school ol won't on't work ork in anot anothe her. r. Sti Still, ll, if you you like like to be obst obstiinate nate,, that that's 's your your own own look ook out! out!"" Then Pat woul ould stick out her lower lip, and Isabel would go red, and the rest of the form orm woul ould smil smilee to itse itself lf.. Thos Thosee "stu "stuck ck-u -up" p" girl girlss we were re havi having ng to lear learn n a less lesson on!! The artart-mi mist stre ress ss,, Miss Miss Walk Walker er,, was was a merr merryy soul soul,, youn youngg and and jolly olly,, and and very very good good at her her work work.. She She was was plea pleassed to find ind that hat both both twins wins coul could d draw draw and and pai paint well ell. Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el loved oved Miss Miss Walker's alker's classes. classes. They were very go-as-you-pl go-as-you-please, ease, much more like their old school. school. The girls were allowed allowed to chatter chatter and laugh as they worked, worked, and it was often a very noisy class indeed. indeed. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee was was not not so easy easy-g -goi oing ng.. She She was was very very stri strict ct,, elde elderl rly, y, cons consci cien enti tiou ouss and and fier fierce ce.. She She wore wore pinc pincee-ne nezz glas glasse sess on her her nose nose,, and and thes thesee we were re alwa always ys slip slippi ping ng off off when when she she was was cros cross, s, whic which h was was fairl airlyy oft often. en. She had had enor enorm mous ous feet feet,, and and a rath rather er hars harsh h voic voicee that that the the twins wins hat hated at first. rst. But Mam Mam'zel 'zellle bad bad also lso a grea greatt sens sensee of fun, fun, and and if anyth nythiing tickle ckled d her her she she woul would d go off off into nto enor enormo mous us roar roarss of laug laught hter er that that set set the the whol wholee clas classs laug laughi hing ng too. too. Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el cam came up again gainst st Mam Mam'zel 'zellle very very much much at first irst,, for alth althou ough gh they hey coul could d spea speakk and and
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unde unders rsta tand nd Fren French ch quit quitee we well ll,, they they had had neve neverr both bother ered ed very very much much abou aboutt Fren French ch gram gramma marr and and rule rules. s. And And Mam' Mam'ze zell llee both bother ered ed a grea greatt deal deal abou aboutt thos those! e! "You "You girl girls, s, Pat Patrici riciaa and and Isab Isabel el!" !" she she cri cried. ed. "It "It is not not enou enough gh to spea speakk my lang langua uage ge!! You You wri write it abom abomin inab ably ly!! See See this this essa essayy -- it is abom abomin inab able le,, abom abomin inab able le!" !" "Abo "Abomi mina nabl ble" e" was was Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss favo favour urit itee adje adject ctiv ive. e. She She used used it for for ever everyt ythi hing ng - the the we weat athe her, r, a brok broken en penc pencil il,, the the gir girls, ls, and her her own own eye-g ye-gllasse assess when when they they sli slipped pped off off her her big big nose nose!! Pat and and Isab Isabel el call called ed her her "Mam "Mam'z 'zel elle le Abom Abomin inab able le"" betw betwee een n them themse selv lves es,, and and we were re secr secret etly ly more more than than a litt little le afrai afraid d of the the loudloud-voi voiced ced,, good-h good-hear earte ted d big big Frenc Frenchh-wom woman. an. Hist istory ory was was take taken n thro throug ugho hout ut the the scho school ol by Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, and and her her clas classe sess were ere a riot riot.. Poor Poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy was was a frump rump,, and and coul could d not not mana manage ge any any clas classs of gir girls for more more than han five five minu minute tess. She She was was nerv nervou ouss and and seri seriou ous, s, alwa always ys trem tremen endo dous usly ly poli polite te,, list listen ened ed to ever everyy ques questi tion on that that was was put put to her her no mat matter ter how how sil silly, ly, and and expl explai aine ned d ever everyy diff diffiicult cultyy at grea greatt leng length th.. She She neve neverr seem seemed ed to see see tha that half half the time ime the the girl girlss were ere pull pulliing her her leg. eg. "Bef "Befor oree Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy cam came we had had her her frien riend d Miss Miss Lew ewiis," s," sai said Hil Hilary ary to the the twins wins.. "She "She was mar marvell vellou ous. s. Then Then she she fell fell ill ill in the the midd middlle of last ast ter term, and and aske asked d the Hea Head to have have her her frie friend nd,, Miss Miss Kenne ennedy dy,, unti untill she she was well ell enou enough gh to com come back back.. Old Kenny enny has has got got ump umpteen teen degr degree eess, and is suppos posed to be even cleverer than the Head -- but my word, she' he's a goose ose!" Bit Bit by bit bit the the twin twinss sort sorted ed out out the vari variou ouss girl girlss andm andmiistr stresse esses, s, grew grew to know know the the clas classe sess and and the cus customs oms of the the scho school ol,, and set settled led in. in. But even even when hen two weeks eeks had had gone gone by they hey had had not not got got used used to bein beingg "nob "nobod odie iess in-s in-ste tead ad of some somebo bodi dies es"" as Pat Pat comp compla lain ined ed.. One One thing hing they hey found ound mos most anno annoyying ing. It was was the the cust ustom at St. St. Clare' are'ss for for the the young ounger er girl irls to wait on the two top forms. forms. The fifthfifth- and sixth-for sixth-form m girls girls shared shared studies, studies, two friends friends having having a stud studyy betw betwee een n them them.. The Theyy we were re allo allowe wed d to furn furnis ish h thes thesee stud studie iess them themse selv lves es,, very very simp simply ly,, and, and, in cold cold we weat athe her, r, to have have the their own own fire fire there here,, and and to have have tea by the themse mselves ves inste nsteaad of in the the hal hall with the othe otherrs. One One day day a gir girl came came into nto the the comm common on room oom where here the the twin twinss we were re read readiing and and cal called led to Jane Janett, "Hi "Hi, Jane Janett - Kay Kay Longd ongden en want wantss you. you. You'r ou'ree to ligh lightt her her fire fire and and make make some some toas toastt for for her her." Janet anet got got up with withou outt a word word and and we went nt out out. Pat Pat and and Isabe sabell stare tared d afte afterr her her in surp surprrise. ise. "Gol "Golly ly!! What What che cheek of Kay Long Longde den n to send end a mess messag agee to Janet anet like ike that! hat! I'm I'm jol jolly sure ure I wouldn't go and light anybody's fire!" said Pat. "And "And nei neither ther woul would d I!" I!" sai said Isa Isabel bel "Let Let one one of the the maid maidss ligh lightt it - or Kay hers hersel elf. f."" Hila Hilary ry Went Wentwo wort rth h look looked ed up from from her her embr embroi oide derry. "It "It will will be your your turn turn next next!!" she she said said.. "Loo "Look k out out next next we week ek for for sudd sudden en mess messag ages es,, twin twins. s. If the the fift fifth h or sixt sixth h want want anyt anythi hing ng doin doing, g, they they expe expect ct us to do it. It's the custom of the school - and anyway, it doesn't hurt us. We can have our turn at send sendin ingg mess messag ages es and and orde orderi ring ng the the lowe lowerr form formss abou aboutt when when we we'r 'ree toptop-fo form rmer erss ours oursel elve ves! s!"" "I never heard of such a thing!" cried Pat, furiously. "I jolly well won't go and do a thing for any any one. one. Our Our par parents ents didn didn't 't send send us her here to wait ait on lazy azy toptop-fforme ormerrs. Let them them light ight their heir own own fire firess and and make make thei theirr own own toas toastt!
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Isab Isabel el and and I won't on't do a thing hing!! And And they hey can't an't make ake us eithe itherr!" "Hoi "Hoity ty-t -toi oity ty!!" sai said Hila Hilary ry.. "I neve neverr knew knew such such a hot hot tempe emperr. Get Get furth urther er away away from from me, me, Pat Pat, you'r you'ree scor scorchi ching ng me!" me!" Pat slam slamme med d down down her her book book and and flou flounc nced ed out out of the the room. oom. Isab Isabel el foll follow owed ed her her. All the the othe otherr girls girls laughe laughed. d. "Idi "Idiot otss!" sai said Hila Hilary ry.. "Who Who do they they think hink they they are, are, anyw anyway ay?? Why Why don' don'tt they they get get some ome sens sense? e? They wouldn't wouldn't be at all bad if only they would would shake down. I vote we knock some of their their corn corner erss off, off, else else we shal shalll hate hate them them like like anyt anythi hing ng!" !" "O. "O.K.," K.," said aid Vera. era. "I'm "I'm wil willing. ing. I say, ay, what hat a shoc shockk for them them when hen they hey find find they' hey've ve got got to wait wait on the the toptop-fforme ormerrs too. too. I hope hope they they get getBel Belinda ndaTow Towers ers . I had had to wait wait on her her last last ter term, and and my word, didn't didn't she make me skip around! around! She got it into her head that I was lazy, and I'm sure I lost a whol hole stone tone rushi ushing ng round ound in circ circle less aft after her one one week! eek!"" The The girl girlss laug laughe hed. d. Shei Sheila la Nayl Naylor or spok spokee haug haught htil ily. y. "The "The wors worstt of peop people le who who thin thinkk they they are are som somebod ebodie iess is that that so ofte often n they they are are just just nobo nobodi dies es.. I'm I'm sure sure I shou shoulldn't dn't even even trou troubl blee to know know Patr Patric icia ia and and Isab Isabel el at home home." ." "Oh, "Oh, come come off off the high high hors horse, e, Shei Sheilla," a," sai said Hil Hilary. ary. "The The twin twinss aren aren't 't as bad bad as all all that that.. Anyw Anyway ay,, there here are are a few few shoc shocks ks in sto store for for them hem!" So there were -- and they came the very next week!
A Little Little Trouble Trouble For The Twins
One One day, day, abou aboutt half half-p -pas astt five five,, when when the the twin twinss we were re writ writin ingg home home,, one one of the the four fourth th-f -for orme mers rs popp popped ed her her hea head in at the doo door. "Hi, "Hi, ther there! e!"" she she said said.. "Whe "Where re are are the the O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an twin twins? s?Be Beli lind ndaT aTow ower erss want wantss one one of them them." ." Pat and and Isab Isabel el looke ooked d up. up. Pat we went nt red. red. "Wha "Whatt does doessh shee want ant us for? for?"" she she aske asked. d. "How "How shou should ld I know know?" ?" said said the the mess messen enge ger. r. "She "She's 's been been out out over over the the fiel fields ds this this afte aftern rnoo oon, n, so maybe she wants nts her her boo boots clean eaned. Anyw nyway, jump to it, or you'll 'll get into nto a row!" The The mess messen enge gerr disa disapp ppea eare red. d. The The twin twinss sat sat stil still. l. Hila Hilary ry look looked ed at them them.. "Go "Go on, on, idi idiots ots," she she said said.. "One One of you you mus must go and and find find out out what what Belin elinda da wants ants.. Don' Don'tt keep keep her her waiting, aiting, for goodness' goodness' sake. She's got about as hot a temper as you have, Pat."
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"I'll 'll go," said Isab sabel, and got got up. But Pat pulled her her down. "No, "No, don' don't, t,"" she she said said.. "Fm "Fm not not goi going to clea clean n anyb anybod ody' y'ss boot boots! s! And And you' you're re not, not, eith either er." ." "Loo "Lookk here here,, Pat, Pat, don' don'tt be goof goofy, y,"" said said Jane Janet. t. "Bel "Belin inda da may may want want to tel tell you you some someth thiing. ng. Gol Golly, ly, she she might ight want want to ask ask you you if you' you'll ll play play in a matc match. h. She' She'ss capt captai ain, n, you you know know." ." "Oh, "Oh,"" said said Pat. Pat. 'Wel 'Well, l, I shou should ldn' n'tt thin thinkk it's it's that that beca becaus usee caus causee neit neithe herr Isab Isabel el nor nor I have have ever ever play played ed lacr lacros osse se befo before re,, and and we we were re pret pretty ty bad bad at it yest yester erda day. y."" 'Wel Well, do Go!" o!" said Hilary. "You "You'v 'vee got to go in the end, so why not go now now?" Anot nother her gir girl popp popped ed her her head head in at the the door door.. "I say! say! Bel Belinda inda's 's foam foamiing at the mout mouth! h! Wher Wheree are are those hose O'Su O'Sullliva livan n twins wins?? They' hey'lll get get it hot hot if one one of them them doe doesn't sn't go alon along! g!"" "Come ome on," said Pat to Isabel. "We'll go and see what she wants. But I'm not doing any bootboot-cl clea eani ning ng or fire fire-l -lig ight htin ing, g, that that's 's certa certain in.. And And neithe neitherr are are you!" you!" Th The two got up and went out of the room. Everybody giggled. 'Wish I could go and see what hat happ happen enss!" said said Jane Janet. t. "I love love to see see Bel Belinda inda in a rage rage!!" Beli Belind ndaT aTow ower ersw swas as in her her stud studyy with with Pame Pamela la Harr Harris ison on,, the the girl girl who who shar shared ed it with with her. her. Pat Pat open opened ed the the door door.. "Kno "Knock ck,, can' can'tt you! you!"" crie cried d Beli elinda. nda. "Bar "Bargi ging ng in like ike that hat! And I shou shoulld joll jollyy we welll like like to know know why you've been all this time coming. coming. I sent for you ages ago." Pat was rath rather er taken aken abac aback, k, and and Isab Isabel el did did not not dare dare to say say anyt anythi hing ng.. "Wel "Welll, have haven' n'tt you you a tong tongue ue betw betwee een n you? you?"" sai said Bel Belinda inda.. "My "My good goodne ness ss,, Pam, am, did did you you ever ever see see such a pair of boobs? Well, as you've both come, you can both do a spot of work for me. I want my boots cleaned and Pam's too. And make up my fire for me and put the kettle on to boil. You'll find water just down the passage. passage. Come on, Pam -- we'll go and collect collect our prep and by that that time ime the kett kettle le will will be boi boiling ling and and we we'l'lll make make tea. tea."" The two big girls walked to the doo door. Pat, very very red and and angr ngry, stoppe opped d them. hem. "I didn't come to St. St. Clare's to wait on the older girls," she said. "Nei Neither her did my twin. We shan shan't 't clea clean n your your boot bootss nor nor put put on the the kett kettle le,, nor nor make make up the fire. ire."" Bel Belinda inda stop stoppe ped d as if she she had had been been shot hot. She She star stared ed at Pat Pat as if she she was some some part partiicula cularl rlyy nast nasty y inse insect ct.. Then Then she she turn turned ed to Pam. Pam. "Did you hear that?" she said. "Talk about cheek! All right, my girl - no walks down the town own for for you. you. Just Just reme rememb mber er that that!" !" The twins stared at Belinda in dismay. The St. Care girls were allowe owed to go down to the town in twos to buy anything they needed, or to look at the shop hops, or even to go to the cinema if they
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had had perm permis issi sion on.. Sure Surely ly Beli Belind ndaa hadn hadn't 't the the powe powerr to stop stop them them doin doingg that that?? "I don' don'tt thi think you' you've ve any righ rightt to say say that, hat,"" sai said Pat. at. "I shall go to Winifred James and tell her what hat you' ou've said and ask her about it." "Wel "Well, l, I'm I'm bles blesse sed! d!"" sai said Belin elinda da flar flarin ingg up angr angril ily, y, her her red red hair hair seem seemin ingg to flam flamee too. too. "You "You do want taking down a peg, don't you? Run off to Winifred, Winifred, by all means. Tell your little little tales and see see what what happ happen ens. s."" Pat and Isabel went out of the study. Isabel was very much upset, and wanted to stay and do what Belinda Belinda had ordered, ordered, but Pat was furious. furious. She took hold of her twin's twin's arm and marched marched her off off to Wini Winiffred' red'ss study tudy.. The head head-g -gir irll had her her own own stud study, y, whi which she sha shared red with no one. one. Pat dare dared d not not go in with withou outt knoc knocki king ng.. So, So, she she knoc knocke ked d quie quietl tly. y. "Com "Comee in!" in!" said said Wini Winifr fred ed's 's voic voice. e. The The twin twinss we went nt in. in. Wini Winifr fred ed was was work workin ingg at a tabl table, e, "Wha "Whatt is it?" it?" she she sai said. "I'm I'm rath rather er busy busy.." "Ple "Pleas ase, e, Wini Winifr fred ed," ," said said Pat, Pat, "Bel "Belin inda daTo Towe wers rsor orde dere red d us to clea clean n her her boot boots, s, make make up her her fire fire and put her kettle on. And when we said we wouldn't she said we weren't to go down into the town. So we'v e've come ome to ask you about it." "I see, see,"" said said Wini Winifr freed. "Wel "Welll, it's t's the the cust custom om of thi this scho school ol to get get the junio uniorrs to wait ait on the the seni senior orss with withiin reaso eason. n. It does doesn' n'tt hurt hurt them. hem. When When you you go toRom oRomee , you you must ust do asR asRome ome doe does, you you know. know."" "But "But we didn didn't 't want want to come come toSt toSt.. dare dare's 's,, so we don' don'tt want want to foll follow ow sill sillyy cust custom omss of that that sort sort," ," said said Pat. Pat. "Do "Do we we,, Isab Isabel el?" ?" Isab Isabel el shoo shookk her her head head.. She She coul couldn dn't 't thi think how how Pat coul could d dare dare to speak peak to Wini Winifr fred ed like like that hat. Her knees were shaking as she stood ood! She was never so brave as Pat. "I think hink I shoul hould d wait ait a littl ittlee whil hile bef before ore you you call call our our cust custom omss sil silly," ly," sai said Wini Winifr fred ed.. "Now "Now list isten - can't you clean boots? Don't you know how to make up a fire? Have Have you you neve neverr put put a kett kettlle onto onto boil boil?" ?" "We "We neve neverr had had to at Re Redr droo oofs fs," ," said said Pat, Pat, obst obstiinate nately ly.. "And "And we don' don'tt at home home eith either er." ." "I don' don'tt thi think I'd I'd know know how how to clea lean muddy uddy boot boots! s!"" sai said Isab Isabel el,, think hinkiing tha that perh perhaaps if she sai said that that,, Wini Winifr fred ed woul would d let let them them off. off. "Goo "Good d heav heaven ens! s!"" said said Wini Winifr fred ed in disg disgus ust. t. "To "To thin thinkk you' you're re near nearly ly fift fiftee een n and and you you don' don'tt know know how how to clea clean n boot boots! s! How shock hockiing! ng! All All the the mor more reas reason on why why you you shou shoulld learn earn at once once.. Go back back to Beli elinda' nda'ss study tudy and and try to do wha what she she tells ells you. you. I know know she' she'ss hothot-ttempe empere red d and and will will tick tick you you off off prop proper erlly, but but hone honesstly tly I thi think you you bot both dese deserv rvee it. Do have have a litt little le comm common on sens sense. e."" Wini Winifr fred ed tur turned ned back back to her her book books. s. The twi twins, ns, red in the face, ace, we went nt out out of the the room room and and clos closed ed the the door door quie quietl tly. y. They hey stoo stood d outs outsid idee and and look looked ed at each each othe other. r.
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"I shan shan't 't clea clean n her her beas beastl tlyy boot boots, s, even ven if I have have to stay tay in the scho chool grou ground ndss the the whol hole of the term term and and not not go down down into nto the the town town once once," ," sai said Pat, Pat, angr angril ily. y. "Oh, Pat! I do want to get a new set of hair-grips and some chocolate," said Isabel, in dismay. "Come on -we'd better do it. The others will think we're terribly silly if we kick up such a fuss uss. They laugh at us enough already." already." "Well, you can do it if you like, but I'm not goin oing to!" said Pat, and she stalked ked off off, her her nose in the the air, air, leav leavin ingg Isab Isabel el by hers hersel elf. f. Isab Isabel el stoo stood d for a litt little le whi while, le, thi thinkin nking. g. "Sup "Suppo possing ing I go and do the the jobs jobs that that Bel Belinda inda want wantss done," she thought. "That means that I can go down into the town if! want to - and as Pat is so exactly like me, she can go down too, oo, if we each go at different times, with somebody else. No one one will will ever ever know know!! That That will will tric trickk Beli Belind ndaa nice nicely ly!" !" Isabe sabell we went nt to Bel Belinda inda's 's stud study. y. It was empt empty. y. On the floo floorr lay two pai pairs of very very mudd muddyy boot boots. s. The owners owners had evidently evidently been across sonic very clayey clayey fields. fields. Isabel picked picked them up. Goodness, Goodness, howe howeve verr did did anyo anyone ne set set abou aboutt clea cleani ning ng boot bootss like like that that?? She She hear heard d some some one one pass passiing and and we went nt to the the door door.. She She saw saw Kat Kathlee hleen n Greg Gregor oryy and and call called ed her her. "Kat "Kathl hlee een! n! Look ook at these hese awf awful boot boots! s! How How do I clea lean the them?" m?" Kath Kathle leen en stop stoppe ped d at once once,, look lookin ingg deli deligh ghte ted. d. She She was was plea please sed d that that Isab Isabel el shou should ld ask ask her her help help.. "You want to scrape them first and get all the clay off,"' she said. "Come on, I'll 'll help you." u." Soon Soon the the two two girl girlss we were re clea cleani ning ng the the mudd muddyy boot bootss thor thorou ough ghly ly.. They They took took quit quitee a time time.. Kath Kathle leen en tal talked ked hard hard all all the the time time,, pour pourin ingg out out all all kind kindss of info inform rmat atiion abou aboutt how how her her moth mother er spoi spoilt lt her her at hom home, and and what hat a lot lot of pres resent ents she was was alw always ays get getting ting from her her par parent ents, and and how how muc much mone money y the they sent sent her her for for her her bir birthda thday. y. Isab Isabel el list listen ened ed poli polite tely ly,, grat gratef eful ul for for Kath Kathle leen en's 's help help,, but but thin thinki king ng that that she she was was rath rather er sill silly. y. Afte Afterr all all, ever everyy one one got got pres presen ents ts for for thei theirr birt birthd hday ays, s, and and ever everyy one one had had mone moneyy on thei theirr birt birthd hday ays! s! When the boots were finished finished she put them neatly neatly together together on the shoe-she shoe-shelf, lf, and made up the fir fire. Kath Kathlleen een show showed ed her her wher here to fill the the ket kettle tle and set it on to boi boil. Jus Just then then Belin elinda da and and Pam came came back. back. "Oh, "Oh, so you you deci decide ded d to be sens sensiible, ble, I see see," she she sai said. "Whe "Where re's 's your your twin? win? Did Did she she help help you? you?"" "No, "No,"" said said Isab Isabel el "Well, tell her from me that ther here's to be no going down own to the town till she does oes her bit," said Beli elinda nda, fli flingi nging hers hersel elff down own in a cha chair "I won't on't have have new new girl irls beha ehaving ving as if they hey owne owned d the plac place! e! Is the the kett kettlle boil boilin ingg yet? yet? My good goodne ness ss,, the wat water's er's col cold! How How long ong has has thi this ket kettle tle been been on?" "I'v "I'vee only only just just this this minu minute te put put it on, on, Beli Belind nda, a,"" said said Isab IsabeL eL "I "I suppose it didn't occur to you that it would be a good idea to make up the fire and put the kett kettle le on firs first, t, befo before re you you did did the the boot boots? s?"" said said Beli Belind nda, a, sarc sarcas asti tica call lly. y.
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"I suppose ose you though ught it would be a great pity if the kett ettle boiled whilst you were doing the boots? I don't know what you kids are coming to nowadays. When I was your age I had a lot more more comm commo on sens ense. Clear ear out out now now. And see see that hat you you come come runni unning ng nex next tim time I send send a message!" Isab Isabel el went ent out out of the room oom. Just Just as she she was was clos closiing the the door door Bel Belinda nda yel yelled led to her her agai again. n. "And "And mind mind you you tell ell tha that obst obstiinat nate twin win of your yourss what hat I sai said. If she she dis disobey obeyss I'l I'll repo reporrt her her to Miss Miss Theobald." Isab Isabeel fled. ed. She She felt elt upse upsett and and angr ngry and and very very fool oolish. sh. Why, Why, why why, why hadn hadn't 't she put put the the ket kettle on firs first? t? No wond wonder er that that Beli Belind ndaa had had thou though ghtt her her stup stupid id.. Isabel told Pat what had hap happene pened. d. "And she says you' u'rre not to go down to the town until you do your bit," she said. "But you can, Pat -- because no one will know if it's you or me going! I don' don'tt thin thinkk anyo anyone ne can can tell tell the the diff differ eren ence ce betw betwee een n us yet. yet."" "All All right ight,," said said Pat, at, ungr ungrac aciiousl ously. y. "But "But I don' don'tt thin thinkk much much of you you for for givi giving ng in like like that that,, Isab Isabel el Fanc Fancyy clean cleanin ingg thos thosee dirt dirtyy boots boots!" !" "Wel "Well, l, I rath rather er enjo enjoye yed d it," t," said said Isab Isabel el.. "Kat "Kathl hlee een n help helped ed me. me. Firs Firstt we we.. . ." "Oh, shut hut up, up," said Pat, rudely. "Go "Go and and write an essay about how how to clean boot oots and boil kett kettlles if you you want ant to, to, but but don' don'tt prea preach ch tome tome!" !" Isabel was hurt. But Pat could not be angry with her twin for long. Before an hour had gone by she she had had slipp lipped ed her her arm arm thro throug ugh h Isab Isabel el's 's.. "Sor "Sorry ry,, old old thin thing, g,"" she she sai said. "I wasn' asn'tt real really ly angr angryy with with you. you. I was furio urious us with with Beli elinda, nda, and and took took it out out on you. you. Neve Neverr mind mind!! I'll I'll trick rick Beli elinda nda all all right ight and and go dow down to the town own whene henevver I like, ke, pre pretend tendin ingg that hat I am you." ou." Pat was as good ood as her her word! She slippe pped down to the town with one or othe otherr of the girls, pret preten endi ding ng that that she she was was Isab Isabel el,, and and nobo nobody dy knew knew the the diff differ eren ence ce!! How How the the twin twinss gigg giggle led d abou aboutt their their trick trick!! And And the then som somethi ething ng hap happene pened d. Pat had had gone one dow down to the the town own with ith Kath Kathle leen en aft after tea, ea, when hen a mess messen enge gerr came came to the the comm common on-r -roo oom. m. Isab Isabel el was was wind windin ingg up the the gram gramop opho hone ne,, and and she she jump jumped ed when she heard Pat's name called. called. "Pat "Patri rici ciaa O'Sul O'Sulli liva van! n! Beli Belinda nda want wantss you! you!"" "Wel "Welll -- I must ust pret preten end d to be Pat, at," thou though ghtt Isab Isabel el.. "But "But why doe does Beli elinda nda want want Pat? at? I'm the one one that that does does her her jobs obs just ust now. ow. She She know knowss Pat Pat doesn't." She She soon soon knew knew what hat Bel Belinda nda wante anted. d. The spor sports ts--capt captam am was maki making ng out a list list and and she she looke ooked d up as Isabel came in. "Pa "Patt O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an,, you you play played ed we well ll in the the lacr lacros osse se prac practi tice ce yest yester erda day, y,"" she she said said.. "I was was watc watchi hing ng.. You're a silly, silly, obstinate obstinate kid, but I'm not counting counting that against against you where lacrosse lacrosse is concerned. concerned. I'm I'm put putting ting you you down down for for the mat match on Sat Saturda urday. y.""
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Isab Isabel el star stared ed in surp surpri rise se.. How How plea please sed d Pat woul would d be! be! Isab Isabel el mutt mutter ered ed a than thankk you you and and sped sped,, long onging for Pat to come bac back so that she might tell her the good news. When When Pat Pat hear heard d she she stoo stood d spee speech chle less ss.. "In "In a matc match h alre alread ady! y!"" she she crie cried. d. "How "How dece decent nt of Beli Belind nda! a! If she' she'd d been been spit spitef eful ul she' she'd d have have left left me out out for for mont months hs." ." The Then n she she beca became me sile silent nt and and we went nt away away by hers hersel elf. f. Isab Isabel el knew knew quit quitee we well ll what what she she was was thin thinki king ng,, beca becaus usee she she was was worr worryi ying ng abou aboutt the the same same thin thing g herself Soo Soon Pat came over and put her aim through Isabel bel's. "I feel a beast now, ow," said Pat. "I've 've let you do all the jobs -- and I've 've gone down to the town all I wanted to, just to Spite Belinda. I thought we were being rather rather clever clever to play a trick like that. But now I don't think so." "Nor "Nor do I," sai said Isab Isabel el "I just ust feel eel mea mean and dis dishone honesst. It was dec decent ent of Beli elinda nda to stick tick you you in the match atch,, alt althoug hough h she she must ust have have felt elt furio urious us with you you -- but but we have haven' n'tt been een dec decent ent. And, nd, you you know know,, Pat, Pat, I don' don'tt real really ly mind mind doin doingg anyt anythi hing ng for for the the toptop-fo form rmer ers. s. They They are are awfu awfull llyy good good sort sorts, s, real really ly.. Afte Afterr all all, why why shou shoulld anyo anyone ne mind mind putt puttiing a kett kettlle on to boil boil and and maki making ng toas toast? t? Bel Belinda inda talks to me quite a lot now, ow, and I like her, thoug ough I'm a bit afraid of her hot temper." Pat Pat rubb rubbed ed her her nose nose and and frow frowne ned. d. She She alwa always ys did did that that when when she she felt felt unco uncomf mfor orta tabl ble. e. She She sudden denly got up and went to the door oor. "I'm goi going to tell Belinda I've played her a trick," she said said.. "I'm "I'm not not play playin ingg in the the matc match h on Satu Saturd rday ay know knowin ingg I've I've been been mean mean." ." She ran ran out out. She She we went nt to Bel Belinda inda's 's study tudy and and knoc knocke ked d on the door door.. Beli Belind ndaa yell yelled ed,, "Com "Comee in!" n!" She She look looked ed surp surpri rise sed d when when she she saw saw Pat. Pat. "Hal "Hallo lo,, Isab Isabel el!" !" she she sai said. "I didn didn't 't send send for for you. you."" "I'm "I'm not not Isab Isabel el,, I'm I'm Pat Pat," sai said Pat. at. "I'v "I'vee come come about bout the the matc match h on Sat Saturda urday. y."" 'Wel 'Well, there here's 's noth nothiing more more to tel tell you you than than I told old you you just just now, now,"" said said Belin elinda da.. "That's just it. You didn't tell me just now -- you told my twin, Isabel," said Pat "I was down in the town. I know you said I wasn't to go -- but I'm so like my twin that I knew nobody would ever ever know know." ." "Rat "Rathe herr a mean mean tri trick, ck, Pat, Pat,"" sai said Beli Belind nda, a, in a scor scornf nful ul voic voice. e. "I know," said Pat, in a trouble bled voice. "I'm sorr orry for that. I've come to say thank you for put putting ting me in the mat match, ch, but but of cour coursse I don' don'tt expe expecct to play play now now. Anywa nyway, y, I cou couldn' ldn'tt have have you you being decent to me if I was playing a trick just to pay you out. And I'll take my share of the jobs with Isabel Isabel now. I was silly silly before. before. That's That's all, Belinda" Belinda" "No - not not qui quite all all," said said Beli elinda, nda, in an unex unexpe pect cted edly ly gent gentle le voi voice. ce. "I'v "I'vee some someth thin ingg to say say too. too. You've done something something rather rather mean, but you've been big enough to put it right. right. We'll say no more about it -- but you'll 'll pla play in the match on Sat Saturda urdayy!" Pat flew flew off off to tell ell Isa Isabel bel, her her hea heart leap leapiing for for joy. joy. How How dece decent nt Bel Belinda inda was! as! How How coul could d she she ever ever have have thou though ghtt her her beas beastl tlyy and and horr horrid id??
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"I'l "I'lll boil boil her her old old kett kettlle and and clea clean n her her old old boot bootss and and even even scru scrub b the floo floorr now! now!"" thou though ghtt Pat. at. "And my word I'll shoot a dozen goal oals on Saturday, see if I don don't! 't!" She didn't - but she shot one very difficult one - and how pleased she was to hear both Isabel and and Beli Belind ndaa shou shout, t, "Wel "Welll done done,, Pat! Pat! Oh, Oh, good good shot shot,, good good shot shot!!"
ABattle Battle With Mam'zelle Mam'zelle
Everyy week Ever eek the the twi twin's n's form orm had had marks arks for dif differe ferent nt subj subjeects. cts. Pat Pat and and Isabe sabell had had been been used used to bei being top top in most ost thin things gs at Re Redr droo oofs fs,, and and it was was with with sha shame and and dis dismay may that hat the they found ound they they were nearer the bottom than the top at St. Clare's. Clare's. Hil Hilar aryy saw saw them them look lookin ingg unha unhapp ppyy abou aboutt it and and she she spok spokee to them. hem. "You "You'v 'vee got got to remem emembe berr that you are the only new girls in your form," she said. "The rest of us have been in the form at least two terms, and we are used to St. St. Clare ways. Cheer eer up! up!" It It was was "Mam "Mam'z 'zel elle le Abom Abomin inab able le"" who who real really ly upse upsett the the twin twins. s. She She woul would d not not make make allo allowa wanc nces es for for them them,, and and when when they they sent sent in badl badlyy writ writte ten n Fren French ch essa essays ys,, she she was was very very angr angry. y. She She had the pile of French books on the desk before ore her, all nea neatly marked with "Très bien" or "Bie "Bien" n" or "Ex "Excell cellen entt". But when when she she took took out out Pat' Pat'ss book book and and Isab Isabel el's 's they hey were ere bot both mark marked ed the the same same.. "Abominable!" "Thi "Thiss will ill not not do!" do!" crie cried d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, bang bangin ingg her her big big hand hand down down on the the book books. s. "C'e "C'est st abom abomiinabl nable! e! You You will will writ writee the the whol wholee essa essayy agai again n toda today, y, and and you you will will bri bring it to me afte afterr supper." "We "We can' can'tt writ writee it agai again n toda today, y, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e,"" said said Isab Isabel el,, poli polite tely ly.. "We' "We've ve got got art art this this afte aftern rnoo oon, n, and and aft after tea tea we we'v 'vee got got perm permiissio ssion n to go to the cine cinema ma toge togeth ther er.. We shan shan't 't have have time time to rewr rewriite it. Can we do it tomor omorrrow? ow?" "Oh, "Oh, que que vous vous êtes êtes insu insupp ppor orta tabl ble! e!"" rage raged d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, stam stampi ping ng her her foot foot on the the floo floor, r, and and making the books on her her desk esk jump and slide. de. "How dar dare you talk to me like this! You present me with ith a shoc shocki king ng,, yes, es, a shock hockiing essa essay, y, and and then hen you you talk alk of goi going to the the cine cinema ma.. You will not not go! You will stay beh behind and write the essay for me. And if there is more than one mistake you will write it all over again! That is certain!" certain!" "B "But -- but - we've 've got the tickets," said Isabel. "We had had to boo book our our seats ats. We. .." "I do not not care care abou aboutt seat seats, s, I do not not care care abou aboutt book book-l -lag ag!" !" shou shoute ted d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, now now quit quitee losi losing ng her temper. "All I care about is that you shoul ould learn good French, whic hich is what I am here for. You will bring me the essays tonight." tonight."
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Isab Isabel el look looked ed read readyy to cry. cry. Pat Pat look looked ed muti mutino nous us,, and and stuc stuckk out out her her lowe lowerr lip. lip. Ev Ever eryy one one else else enjoyed the row and a few of the girls were secretly very pleased to see the twins taken down a peg. peg. Nobo Nobody dy dare dared d to be inat nattent tentiv ivee afte afterr that that,, and and the the lesso esson n we went nt very very smoo smootthly, hly, thoug hough h Pat Pat was sulky and joined joined in the lesson lesson as little little as she dared. When When the less lesson on was ove over the twi twins had had a few few words ords toge ogether ther.. I'm goi going to the cine cinem ma!" a!" sai said Pat. "Oh, "Oh, no, no, Pat! Pat!"" said said Isab Isabel el,, shoc shocke ked. d. "We "We can' can'tt do that that.. We'd We'd real really ly get get into into a terr terrib ible le row. row. We'd We'd bett better er stay stay behi behind nd and and do the the work work agai again. n. For For good goodne ness ss'' sake sake let' let's! s!"" "I'm "I'm GO GOIN ING G to the the cine cinema ma!" !" said said Pat, Pat, obst obstin inat atel ely. y. "I'l "I'lll fit fit in the the beas beastl tlyy essa essayy some someho how, w, and and you must too. Let's do it directl ctly after dinner ner. I don don't care how badl adly I do it eit either. er." But after dinner they had to go to a meeting of their form to plan nature ramble bles, so there was no time time then then.. Art took ook up the the whol hole of the the aft afterno ernoon on.. Isabe sabell bega began n to be worr worriied. ed. Supp Suppos osee Pat insi nsisted sted on goin goingg to the the cine cinema ma even even if they they hadn hadn't 't rewr rewrit itte ten n thei theirr essa essays ys?? She She coul could d not not imag imagin inee what what Mam'z Mam'zel elle le woul would d say. say. "Let's miss our tea," said Isabel to Pat as they ran dow down the stairs after the art lesson. "We coul ould do our our essa essays ys then then." ." "Mi "Miss my tea! ea! No, tha thank you! ou!" said said Pat. at. "I'm "I'm jolly olly hung hungrry I don' don'tt know know why why art art make makess me hungry, but it always does. And I know Janet has got a big pot of plum jam sent to her that she's open openiing this his tea tea time. ime. I'm I'm not not goin goingg to miss miss my shar sharee!" Isab Isabel el was hung hungry ry too, oo, and and she she weakl eaklyy gave gave way. ay. She She knew knew that hat if they hey were ere going oing to get get into nto the cine cinema ma in time time they they woul ouldn't dn't have have a momen omentt to spar sparee for anyth nythiing afte afterr tea, ea, let alon alonee rew ewrriti iting essa essays ys!! "I real really ly shan shan't 't go to the the cine cinema ma," ," she she thou though ght. t. "I dare daren' n't. t. Hone Honest stly ly,, I thin thinkk Mam' Mam'ze zell llee Abominable bominable would go up in smoke if she heard we'd gone." But after tea Pat dragged ged Isabe abel off to the dor dormitory ory to get her hat hat and coat. 'We'r We'ree not real eally goin going, g, Pat, Pat, sure surely ly!" !" crie cried d Isab Isabel el.. "In "Inde deed ed we are! are!"" said said Pat, Pat, sti stickin ckingg out out her her lowe lowerr lip. lip. "Com "Comee on." on." "But "But,, Pat Pat -- we we'l'lll real reallly get get into nto a simp simply ly enor enormo mous us row! row!"" sai said Isab Isabel el "It "It isn't sn't wort worth h it. Perh Perhap apss Mam' Mam'ze zell llee will will give give us an hour hour's 's extr extraa work work ever everyy day day or some someth thin ingg like ike that that.. Jane Janett told told me that that once she had to stop in after tea for a whole week and write out French verbs for checking Mam' Mam'ze zell llee just ust a litt ittle bit. bit. And she she woul ouldn't dn't coun countt thi this a litt littlle thing hing." ." "Don't on't be a coward ard, Isabel, el," said Pat. "rye got got a plan. Mam'z m'zell elle said aid we were ere to take our essa ssays to her her afte afterr supp supper er,, didn didn't 't she? she? But she she didn didn't 't say say what what time ime afte fter suppe upper! r! So when when we we'r 'ree in bed bed and and think hink the othe others rs are are asle asleep ep,, we'l e'll slip slip dow down to the comm common on room oom in our our dres dressi sing ng-g -gow owns ns,, rewr rewrit itee our our essa essays ys then then - and and give give them them to Mam' Mam'ze zell llee when when they they'r 'ree fini finish shed ed!" !" "Pat "Pat!! I'd I'd neve neverr dare dare to!" to!" cri cried poor poor Isab Isabel el.. "Thi "Think nk of goi going to find find Mam' Mam'ze zell llee at that that time time of nigh nightt in our our
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dres dressi sing ng-g -gow owns ns.. You You must must be mad. mad."" 'Wel 'Welll, Mam' Mam'ze zellle has has made made me feel eel mad, mad,"" sai said obst obstin inat atee Pat. Pat. "Any "Anyw way, ay, I don' don'tt care care what what happens. You know we nev never wante nted to come to St. Clare's - and if it's going to treat us like this, I'm I'm joll olly sure sure I won't on't stay stay.. I'll I'll get get expe expell lled ed!" !" "Pat "Pat,, you' you're re not not to say say thin things gs like like that that!" !" said said Isab Isabel el.. "Thi "Think nk what what Mumm Mummyy and and Dadd Daddyy woul would d say! say!"" 'Wel 'Welll it's it's thei theirr faul faultt for for send sendin ingg us here here," ," sai said Pat, Pat, who who real reallly was was in a grea greatt rage rage.. "Ye "Yes, but, but, Pat Pat - thi think how how awfu awfull it would ould be if Red-r ed-roo oofs fs hear heard d that hat we we'd 'd been been sent ent away away from from St. St. Clar Clare' e's, s,"" said said Isab Isabel el in a low low voic voice. e. Pat Pat's eyes eyes fille illed d with with tear tears. s. She She didn didn't 't want ant to thin thinkk of that that.. "Com "Comee on," on," the sai said, gruf gruffl flyy. "I'm "I'm not going to change my mind now. If you're coming with me, come. If not, you can jolly well be a coward by yourself!" But Isabel was not not goin oing to be left by herself. She put on her hat and coat coat.. Jane Janett came came int into the room oom as the twins wins we werre goi going out. out. "Hal "Halo, o, ball ballot ot"" she she said said.. "So "So you you are are goin goingg to the the cine cinema ma afte afterr all! all! When Whenev ever er did did you you find ind time ime to rewr rewrit itee your your Fren French ch?" ?" "We have haven' n'tt done done it," t," sai said Pat. at. Janet anet gave gave a long ong whi whistl stle and and stare tared d at the the twins wins in surp surpri rise se.. "I woul wouldn dn't 't like ike to be in your our shoe shoess tomor omorro row w when hen you you tel tell Mam Mam'zel 'zellle that! hat!"" she she said. aid. "You You really are a couple of idiots. I can't think why you should go out out of your way to make things diffic difficult ult for yourselv yourselves! es!"" The twi twins did did not not answ answeer. They hey ran dow downstai stairrs and and were ere soon oon in the town own. But neit either her of them hem real really ly enj enjoyed oyed the the show show,, alth althou ough gh it was was a fine ine nat natureure-fi film lm.. They hey had had to leave eave a littl ittlee befo beforre the end to get back to supp upper in time. There was a deb debate afterwards that hat they had to go to, and they both both wishe ished d they hey coul could d miss miss it. But it was was take taken n by Wini Winiffred red Jam James, es, the head head-g -giirl, and nei neither her of the twins dared to ask if they might miss it. Nine Nine o'cl o'cloc ockk was was the bedt bedtiime for their heir form form and and the two two for forms above bove them them.. Chatt hatter erin ingg and and laugh aughiing, ng, the girl girlss went ent upst upstai airs rs and and undr undres esse sed. d. Usua Usuallly a mist mistrress ess came came to see see that that all all the the girl girlss were in bed, and switched switched off the lights lights - but tonight tonight Hilary Hilary announced announced that she was to see to this. "Mi "Miss ss Rober obertts is with with Miss Miss Theob heobal ald, d,"" she she sai said, "so "so I'm on duty duty toni tonigh ght. t. Hur Hurry, ry, all all of you, you, beca becaus usee the the light ght will ill go off off in five ive minu minuttes' es' time time,, and and you' you'lll have have to fini inish in the the dar dark if you' you'rre not ready. ready."" Two girl Two girls, s, Joan Joan and and Doris oris,, bega began n to have have a pil pillow low-fi -fight ght when when they they hear heard d that that Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was was not not comi coming ng.. Bang Bang-t -thu hud d we went nt the the two two pill pillow ows, s, and and the the girl girlss shri shriek eked ed with with laug laught hter er.. But But it wasn wasn't 't qui quite so funn funnyy when hen one one of the pil pillows lows split plit and and feat feathe hers rs pour poured ed out out int into the the air! ir! "Gol "Gollly!" y!" said said Joan Joan.. "Loo "Lookk at my pil pillow. low. Hila Hilary ry,, for for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake don' don'tt turn turn the the ligh lights ts off off yet yet I must must pick pick up some some of thes thesee feat feathe hers rs!" !"
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"Sor "Sorry ry," ," said said Hila Hilary ry.. "You "You'l'lll have have to do it in the the morn mornin ing. g. Ligh Lights ts are are goi going out out now! now! Miss Miss Robe oberts will be along to see we're 're all right in an hour's ur's time, so let's hope she won' on't spot the feat feathe hers rs all all over over the the plac place. e. She' She'll ll thin thinkk the the cat' cat'ss been been chas chasin ingg hens hens in our our dorm dormit itor ory! y!"" The light ightss snapp napped ed out. out. All All the gir girls were ere in bed bed exce except pt Joan Joan and and Dons, ons, who who were ere stil stilll grop gropiing for for feat feathe hers rs.. They They bad bad to fini finish sh undr undres essi sing ng and and clea cleani ning ng thei theirr teet teeth h in the the dark dark.. Joan Joan upse upsett her her toot toothh-mu mugg and and Dori Doriss bang banged ed her her ankl anklee on her her ches chestt-of of-d -dra rawe wers rs and and groa groane ned d deep deeply ly.. Jane Janett gigg gigglled, ed, and and Kat Kathlee hleen n Greg Gregor oryy we went nt off off int into a spas spasm m of laugh aughtter that that gave gave her her hic hiccups cups.. "Shut "Shut up, up, Kath Kathle leen en," ," orde ordere red d Hila Hilary ry.. "You "You'r 'ree hicc hiccup uppi ping ng on purp purpos ose. e. I know know you! you!"" "I'm "I'm not! not!"" said said Kath Kathle leen en,, indi indign gnan antl tly, y, and and gave gave such such an enor enormo mous us hicc hiccup up that that her her bed bed shoo shook. k. Janet couldn't stop giggling. giggling. Every lime she tried to stop, poor Kathleen Kathleen hiccupped hiccupped again and Janet went off into more gurgles. gurgles. Even the twin Eve twinss, anx anxious ious thoug hough h they they were ere to have have ever everyy one one goi going to slee sleep p qui quickl ckly, could ould not not help help laug laughi hing ng.. Hila Hilary ry lost ost her her temp temper er and and sat sat up in bed. bed. "You "You'r 'ree all mean meaniies!" es!" she she crie cried. d. "If "If any any one one com comes alon alongg and hea hears you you maki making ng thi this row row I'll 'll be bla blamed med beca becaus usee I'm I'm head head of the the dor dormit mitory. ory. Shut Shut up, up, Jane Janett -- and and Kathl athlee een, n, for for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake get get a dri drink of wate water. r. How How do you you supp suppos osee we we'r 'ree goi going to slee sleep p wit with you you hicc hiccup uppi ping ng like like that? hat?"" "Sor "Sorry, ry, Hila Hilary ry," ," said said Kath Kathle leen, en, with with anot another her hicc hiccup. up. "I'l "I'lll get get up and and get get some some wate water. r."" "Get "Get into into bed, bed, Joan Joan and and Dori Doris, s,"" sai said Hil Hilary, ary, snug snuggl gliing down down agai again. n. "I don' don'tt care care if you' you've ve clea cleane ned d your your teet eeth and and brus brushe hed d your your hai hair or not not. GET INTO INTO BED!" D!" In five five minut inutes es'' time ime there here was peac peacee in the the dorm dormit itor oryy exce except pt for an occa occasi sion onal al smal mall and and subd subdue ued d hicc hiccup up from from Kath Kathle leen en and and a smot smothe here red d gigg giggle le from from Jane Janet. t. The The twin twinss lay awake wake,, listen steniing for the the othe others rs to go to sleep leep.. They hey we werre worri orried ed beca becaus usee Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was was comi coming ng in abou aboutt an hour hour's 's time time.. They hey coul could d not not wait ait a whol wholee hour hour befo beforre goi going down to the common room oom. For one thin hing, Mam'zd 'zdlle would uld have gone to bed bed by the time they had had fini finish shed ed thei theirr essa essays ys!! "Isab Isabel el!!" whisp hisper ered ed Pat at last last.. "Isa "Isabe bell! I thi think they they'r 'ree all asl asleep. eep. Get Get up and put put on your your dressing-gown." "But "But Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss hasn hasn't 't been been in yet, yet,"" whis whispe pere red d back back Isab Isabel el.. "Wel "Welll put put our our bols bolste ters rs down down our our beds beds,, so that that they they'l'lll look look like like our our bodi bodies es," ," said said Pat. Pat. "Com "Comee on!" The Theyy got got up quie quietl tlyy and and slip slippe ped d on thei theirr dres dressi sing ng-g -gow owns ns.. They They push pushed ed thei theirr bols bolste ters rs down down thei theirr beds beds and and hope hoped d that that Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss woul wouldn dn't 't noti notice ce anyt anythi hing ng diff differ eren entt when when she she came came.. Then Then out out of the the door door they they we went nt,, and and down down the the diml dimlyy-li litt stai stairrs to the comm common on room room,, which hich was was just ust bel below their their own own dormi dormitor tory. y.
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Pat shut the door and turned ned on the light. The two girls sat down and took out their French book books. s. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee had had mark marked ed all all the the mist mistak akes es,, and and care carefu full llyy and and labo labori riou ousl slyy the the two two girl girlss wrot wrotee out out the the essa essays ys agai again. n. 'Wel 'Welll, mine ine had had fifte ifteen en mista istake kess befo beforre, and and I hope hope it hasn hasn't 't got more more than han five five now! now!"" said said Isab Isabel el.. "Bl "Blow Mam' Mam'ze zellle Abom Abomin inab able le!! I'm I'm so slee sleepy py.. And oh, oh, Pat Pat -dar -daree we go and and find find Mam' Mam'ze zellle now now, do you you thin think? k? My knee kneess are shaki haking ng at the ver very tho thought ught!!" "Oh, "Oh, don' don'tt be stup stupiid," d," said aid Pat. at. "Wha "Whatt can can she she say say to us, us, anyw anywaay? We'v We'vee done done the the ess essays ays agai again n -and she said give them to her after supp upper - and we are goin oing to do that, aren't we?" The ess essays ays were finis nished. hed. Now they hey had had to fin find Mam'z am'zeelle Whe Where woul ould she be? In one one of the mist mistrresse esses' s' comm common on room roomss - or in her her own own bedr bedroo oom m -- or wher where? e? 'Wel Well, com come on," said Pat, at last. "We must go and find her her. Cheer up, up, Isabel bel." The The twi twins slipp lipped ed out out of the the comm common on room room and and went ent to the first irst of the mis mistres tresse sess' moms oms. The light was out and the room was quite dark. No one was there at all. As they went on their way to the the seco second nd comm common on room room,, they they hear heard d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss voic voicee in one one of the the clas classr sroo ooms ms!! What What luck luck!! "She "She's 's in the the uppe upperr thir third d clas classr sroo oom, m,"" whis whispe pere red d Pat. Pat. "I don' don'tt know know who's ho's the there wit with her her, but but it doe doesn't sn't mat matter. er. The The art art mist mistre ress ss,, I expe expect ct - Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss awfu awfull llyy frie friend ndly ly with with Miss Miss Walk Walker er." ." They They knoc knocke ked d at the the uppe upperr thir third d door door.. A surp surpri rise sed d voic voicee call called ed "Com "Comee in! in! Who' Who'ss ther there? e?"" Pat opened the door and the twins went in. And oh my goodness, who should be with Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, stud studyi ying ng a big big Fren French ch char chart, t, but but the the Head Head,, Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld hers hersel elf! f! The The twin twinss we were re so shoc shocke ked d that that they they stoo stood d and and star stared ed with with wide wide eyes eyes.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee crie cried d "Tie "Tiens ns!" !" in a loud loud and and amaz amazed ed voic voice, e, and and Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld sai said noth nothin ingg at all. all. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee reco recove vere red d firs first. t. "Wha "Whatt is wron wrong? g?"" she she crie cried. d. "Are "Are you you ill, ill, mes mes peti petite tes? s?"" "No. "No."" said said Pat, Pat, in rath rather er a trem trembl bliing voic voice. e. "We' "We're re not not ill. ill. We'v We'vee brou brough ghtt you you our our re-w re-wri ritt tten en essa essays ys.. You You sai said we we were re to brin bringg them them afte afterr supp supper er,, so her here they they are. are."" "But "But why why brin bringg them them so late late?" ?" aske asked d Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld,, in her her deep deep,, ser serious ious voice oice.. "You "You must must have have know known n tha that Mam Mam'zel 'zelle le mean meantt you you to brin bringg them hem befo before re you you we went nt to bed. bed."" 'We 'We hadn hadn't 't time time to rewr rewrit itee the the essa essays ys till till just just now, now,"" answ answer ered ed Pat, Pat, sudd sudden enly ly feel feelin ingg very very fool foolis ish h indeed. "We got out of bed bed and went down to the comm ommon room to do them." "Ah "Ah the the bad bad chil childr dren en!! They hey went ent to the the cine cinem ma afte afterr all, all, inste nsteaad of doi doing my ess essays! ays!"" crie cried d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, gues guessi sing ng ever everyt ythi hing ng at once once.. "Ah, "Ah, Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld,, thes thesee twin twinss send send my hair hair grey grey!! The The work they do! It is impossible impossible that they have gone to a school before before they came here! Their work is abominab abominable. le.""
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'We did did go to a schoo hool, and it was a jolly fine one! ne!" cried Pat, indi ndignantl ntly. "Much bet better than St. St. Clares!" Ther Theree was was a sile silenc ncee afte afterr this this.. Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld look looked ed thou though ghtf tful ul.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee was was spee speech chle less ss.. "I thin thinkk we won' won'tt deci decide de anyt anythi hing ng toni tonigh ghtt or talk alk abou aboutt thi this," s," said said Miss Miss Theob heobal ald d at last. ast. "It is too late. Go to bed, twins, ns, and come and and see me at ten o'cl 'clock to mor morrow morning. Ask Miss Robe Robert rtss to excu excuse se you you for for fift fiftee een n minu minute tess then then." ." So back back to bed bed with ith thei theirr Frenc rench h book bookss we went nt the the twins wins,, subd subdue ued d and and dism dismay ayed ed.. What What bad bad luck luck to have have run run into nto the Head ead her hersel self like that hat! Now Now what what was goi going to happ happen en to them them?? They hey didn didn't 't like ike to think hink of ten o'cl o'cloc ockk in the morni orning ng!!
Poor Poor Miss Miss Kenne Kennedy dy!!
Hilary was awake when they got back into bed and she sat up and demanded to know where they they had had been been.. "Mi "Miss Robe Robert rtss came came in and and turn turned ed on the the ligh lightt and and I woke woke up," up," said said Hila ilary. ry. "I spot spottted that that you' you'd d put put bols bolste ters rs down down your your beds beds,, but but Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss didn didn't 't.. What Whatev ever er have have you you been been doin doing? g?"" Pat told old her her. Hila Hilary ry list listen ened ed in amaz amazem emen ent. t. "Wha "Whate teve verr wil will you you two two do next next?" ?" she she sai said. "Hon "Hones esttly, ly, I thi think you' you're re mad. mad. Nobo Nobody dy would ould ever ever thin thinkk you' you'd d been been head head-g -gir irlls in your your old old scho school ol.. You beha behave ve like ike a coup couple le of babi babies es!!" The twi twins were ere annoy nnoyeed wit with Hilary ary, part partiicul cularl arly as they hey each each had had a kind kind of fee feeling ing that hat she she was right. They got into bed bed and lay thinking. It was all very well to be defiant and dar daring -- but it wasn't asn't so funny afterwar afterwards! ds! They They aske asked d Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss to excu excuse se them hem at ten ten o'cl o'cloc ock. k. Mis Miss Robe Robert rtss had had evid eviden entl tlyy been been told told to expe expect ct thi this, for for she nodd nodded ed her her bead bead at once once,, and did did not not ask ask any any ques questi tion ons. s. The The twins wins went ent off off toge togeth ther er to Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld's 's room room.. The The head head was was maki making ng out out timeme-tabl tables es and she she tol told the them to sit sit dow down for for a minut inute. e. It was rathe atherr drea dreadf dful ul wait aiting for for her her to fini finissh wha what she was doing oing.. Both oth the twins felt elt much uch more ore ner nervous vous than than they they pret preten ende ded. d. Pat bega began n to wond wonder er if the the Head ead woul would d wri write home home abou aboutt them them to their heir pare parent nts. s. Much Much as she she had had grum grumbl bled ed abou aboutt goin goingg to St. St. Clare lare's 's,, she she didn didn't 't want ant the the Head Head to repo report rt her her for for misb misbeh ehav avio iour ur at the the scho school ol.. At last ast Miss Miss Theob heobal ald d was read ready. y. She She swun swungg her her chai chairr round ound and and face faced d the twins wins.. She She looke ooked d very serious, serious, but not angry. "I have have been been look lookiing thro throug ugh h the the repor eportts that hat your your fathe atherr sent ent me from from your your last last scho school ol," ," the Head Head bega began. n. "The "Theyy are are ver very good good,, and and you you seem seem to have have been been resp respon onsi sibl blee and and cons consci cien enti tiou ouss
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chil childr dren en ther there. e. I can' can'tt imag imagin inee that that you you can can have have comp comple lete tely ly chan change ged d your your char charac acte ters rs in a few few weeks, eeks, so I am not going to treat you as naughty naughty irresponsi irresponsib1e b1e girls. girls. I know there must be a good good reas reason on behi behind nd all all your your quee queerr beha behavi viou ourr last last nigh night. t. Re Real ally ly,, my dear dears, s, you you gave gave Mam' Mam'ze zell llee and and me quit quitee a shoc shockk when when you you walk walked ed into into the the clas classr sroo oom m in your your blue blue dres dressi sing ng-g -gow owns ns." ." The The Head ead smi smiled. led. The twin twinss fel felt most most reli elieved eved,, and and Pat Pat bega began n to pour pour out out what what had had happ happen ened ed in the the Fren French ch clas class. s. "The French isn't the same as at our old school. It isn't much use our trying to do well, because we always always get everything everything wrong. wrong. It isn't our fault. fault. And Mam'zelle Mam'zelle was simply simply furious furious with us yesterday, yesterday, and..." and..." Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld hear heard d Pat Pat pati patien entl tlyy to the the end. end. "Wel "Well, l, your your Fren French ch diff diffic icul ulti ties es can can easi easily ly be put put righ right, t,"" said said the the Head Head Mist Mistre ress ss.. "I have have spok spoken en to Mam' Mam'ze zellle, le, and and she she say says that that you spe speak we welll and unde underrstan stand d well ell, but but tha that you you have have not not been been well grounded grounded in the writing writing of French. French. She has offered offered to give you half an hour's extra French French a day day unt until you you have have caug caught ht up the the othe otherrs. This his is very very kind kind of her her beca becaus usee she is extr xtreme emely bus busy. All this bother bother has come from the fact that you were behind behind your class class in one thing thing -- and if you are willing to help to put it right by working har hard with Mam'ze 'zelle, there is no need to say any more more abou aboutt your your rath rather er sill sillyy beha behavi viou ourr last last nigh night. t."" The The twin twinss star stared ed at Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld with with mixe mixed d feel feelin ings gs They They we were re most most reli reliev eved ed that that noth nothin ing g more was to be said -- but oh dear, oh dear - extra French each day! How tiresome! And yet how how dece decent nt of Mam' Mam'ze zellle Abom bominab inable le to be wil willing ling to hel help them. hem. "Tha "Thank nk you, you, Miss iss Theob heobal ald, d,"" said aid Pat at last ast. "We' "We'lll try. try. Once nce we catc catch h up the the othe otherrs, we Sha Shan't n't feel feel so angry ngry and and asha ashame med d when hen we are are scol scolde ded d in front ront of the the clas class. s."" "Wel "Well, l, you you won't on't be scol scolde ded d if Mam' Mam'ze zell llee real really ly feel feelss you you are are tryi trying ng," ," sai said Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld.. "Now "Now go to her and arrange what time will be best each day for the extra lesson. And don' on't go marc marchi hing ng thro throug ugh h the the corr corrid idor orss in your your dres dressi singng-go gown wnss at half half-p -pas astt ten ten anym anymor ore! e!"" "No, "No, Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld," ," said said the the twin twinss smil smilin ingg at the the Head Head.. Thin Things gs seem seemed ed sudd sudden enly ly brig bright hter er.. What they had done didn't any longer seem a dreadful dreadful piece of misbehaviour misbehaviour likely likely to be puni punish sheed in dire dire ways ays but but jus just a sil silly bit bit of nons nonseense nse that that they hey we were re bot both hear hearti tilly asha ashame med d of They went out of the room, and skipped skipped down the passage passage to the common room Mam'zelle Mam'zelle was ther there, e, corr correc ecti ting ng pile piless of Fren French ch essa essays ys,, and and mutt mutter erin ingg to hers hersel elff as she she tick ticked ed the the page pagess "Trè "Trèss bien bien,, ma peti petite te Hil Hilary! ary! Ah, Ah, thi this drea dreadf dful ul girl girl Joan Joan ! Ah.. h... come come in!" in!" The The twin twinss we went nt into into the the mist mistre ress sses es'' comm common on room room Mam' Mam'ze zell llee beam beamed ed at them them,, and and patt patted ed them them on the shou shoullder. der. Alth Althou ough gh she she had had an ext extreme remelly qui quick and and hot hot tempe emper, r, she was, as, very very good good hear hearte ted d and and kind kind.. "Ah, now we will see how clever you can be at catching up the others," she said. "Every day you will work with me, and we shall be good friends, friends, nest ce pas?" "Tha "Thank nk you, you, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e,"" said said Pat. Pat. "We "We we were re rath rather er idio idiots ts yest yester erda day. y. We won' won'tt be agai again! n!"" "And "And thank hank you you for for sayi saying ng you' you'll ll hel help us each each day, day,"" said said Isabe sabel. l.
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So that that was was that that,, and and the the clas classe sess with with Mam' Mam'ze zell llee we went nt much much more more smoo smooth thly ly.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee was was pati patien entt with with the the twin twins, s, and and they they trie tried d hard hard.. But nobo nobody dy trie tried d har hard with ith poor poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy! y! Jane Janett was was a born born teas teasee and and legleg-pu pull ller er,, and and she she gave gave the the unfo unfort rtun unat atee hist histor oryy-te teac ache herr a terr terrib ible le time time.. Jane Janett had had a wond wonder erfu full coll collec ecti tion on of tric trickk-pe penc ncil ils, s, all all of whic which h she she trie tried d on Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy y with enormous enormous success. success. One One pencil had a point that was made of rubber, so that it wobbled to one side when Miss Kenn Kenned edyy took took it to writ writee wit with. Anoth nother er penc penciil had had a poi point that that sli slipped pped right ight insid nsidee the penc pencil il as soon soon as any any one one wrot wrotee with with it. it. The The girl girlss all all watc watche hed d with with inte intens nsee eage eagern rnes esss as the the unfo unfort rtun unat atee mist mistre ress ss unwa unwari rily ly used used thes thesee penc pencil ils, s, and and gaze gazed d at them them in surp surpri rise se when when they they beha behave ved d so queerly. Then Then Jane Janett prod produc uced ed a penc penciil that that woul ouldn't dn't wri write at all, all, alth althou ough gh it appe appear ared ed to have have a most most marv marvel ello lous us poi point. nt. To see see poor poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy pres pressi sing ng har hard with with the the penc pencil il,, tryin ryingg her her best best to write "Very good" with it, sent the whole class into fits of giggles. giggles. "Gir "Girls ls,, girl girls! s! Plea Please se make make less less nois noise! e!"" Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy said said.. "Tur "Turn n to page page eigh eighty ty-s -sev even en of your your hist histor oryy book books. s. Today oday I want want to tel tell you you how how the the peop peoplle live lived d in the seven evente teen enth th cent centur ury. y."" The The clas classs at onc once bega began n to turn urn over over the the page pagess of thei heir hist histor oryy book bookss in a most most fever everis ish h mann manner er,, maki aking a noi noise like the whis hisper pering of trees ees in the the wind. ind. They hey went on and and on turn turniing ove over the page pages, s, mutt mutter erin ingg "eig "eight htyy-se seve ven, n, eigh eighty ty-s -sev even en"" to them themse selv lves es all all the the time time.. 'Wha 'Whatt numb number er did did you you say, say, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy? y?"" aske asked d Kath Kathle leen en,, inno innoce cent ntly ly,, thou though gh she she knew knew very very well indeed. "I said said page page eigh eighty ty-s -sev even en," ," said said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, poli polite tely ly.. She She was was alwa always ys poli polite te,, neve neverr rude rude like like Mam' Mam'ze zell llee or sarc sarcas asti ticc like like Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "Oh, "Oh, eigh eighty ty-s -sev even en!" !" said aid all all the girl girlss at once once,, and and immed mmedia iate telly bega began n to turn turn over over thei theirr page pagess the the othe otherr way, way, very very busy busy and and very very ser serious ous -- unti untill Jane Janett let out out a gigg gigglle, and then hen the whol wholee clas lass roar roared ed.. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy rapp rapped ed on the the desk desk.. "Pl "Please, please," she said, "I do beg you to be quie uiet and let us get on with the lesson. on." "Ple "Pleas ase, e, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, did did the the peop people le we wear ar clot clothe hess in the the seve sevent ntee eent nth h cent centur ury, y, or just just skin skins? s?'' aske asked d Jane Janet, t, in an inno innoce cent nt voic voice. e. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy look looked ed surp surpri rise sed. d. "Sur "Surel elyy you you know know that hat they hey wore ore clot clothe hes, s,"" she she said. aid. "I have have a pict pictur uree here here of the kind kind of clot clothe hess they they wore wore.. You You shou should ld know know that that they they didn didn't 't we wear ar skin skinss then then.. Janet." "Not "Not even even thei heir own own skins kins??" aske asked d Jane anet. This his wasn' asn'tt real reallly at all all funny unny,, but but the class ass was now now in a stat statee to gigg giggle le at anyt anythi hing ng,, and and the the twin twinss and and ever everyy one one else lse joi joined ned in the laugh aughtter. er. "Per "Perha haps ps they hey had had jumpe umped d out out of thei theirr ski skins and that that's 's why why they they didn didn't 't wear ear any, any,"" sai said Hila Hilary ry..
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More More gigg giggle less foll follow owed ed this this,, thou though gh half half the the clas classs didn didn't 't even even catc catch h what what Hila Hilary ry had had said said.. "Gir "Girls ls,, I can' can'tt have have thi this, I rea really lly can' can'tt," sai said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy. y. "I shal shalll have have to repo report rt you. you."" "Oh, "Oh, plea pleasse, plea please se,, PLEA PLEASE SE,, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy! y!"" chan chante ted d the the clas classs in a chor chorus us,, and and one one or two two girl girlss pret preten ende ded d to sob. sob. Poor Poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy! y! She She had had to deal deal with with thi this sort ort of thing hing ever everyy time time,, thoug hough h the the uppe upperr forms orms were better behaved. behaved. The lower forms did not mean to be cruel or unkind, but they loved a joke and and did did not not stop stop to think hink abou aboutt Miss Miss Kenne enned dy and and what hat she mus must be feel eeling. ng. They hey just ust thou though ghtt she she was was sill sillyy and and aske asked d for trou troubl ble. e. One One morn mornin ing, g, when when the the clas classs was was espe especi cial ally ly riot riotou ous, s, Jane Janett caug caught ht ever everyy one' one'ss eye. eye. Kath Kathle leen en gigg giggle led, d, for for she she kne knew what hat had had been been plan planne ned. d. When When Jane Janett gave gave the the sign signal al ever everyy girl girl was to drop drop her his history text book book flat on the floor! or! Jane anet nodde odded d, and each girl let go her her book ook. Cras Crash! h! Miss Miss Kenn Kenneedy jumpe umped d in. frigh rightt and and the next next minu minute te the door door open opened ed and and in cam came Miss Miss Rober oberts ts!! She She had been been taki aking a clas classs in the nex next room, oom, and and when when the the cras rash of twe went ntyy hist histor ory y book bookss had had soun sounde ded, d, like like a guns gunsho hot, t, she she had had deci decide ded d it was time time to inves nvesti tiga gate te.. "Miss Kenne nnedy, I don't know if there are any gir girls' names you would like to report to me," said Miss Roberts, in a very cold old voice, "but I shall be glad to have them after morni ornin ng school ool. I am sure you find it as dif difficult as l do to teach with all this noise going on." Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss glar glared ed at the the form form,, and and they they sat sat sile silent nt,, hal half the the girl girlss goin goingg red. red. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy went ent red too. "I'm "I'm so sorr sorryy for for the the nois noise, e, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" she she said said.. "You "You see. see... .."" But Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss was was gone gone shut shutti ting ng the door door aft after her her very very firm firmlly indee ndeed. d. "Ken "Kenny ny won' won'tt repo reporrt any any one, one,"" whis hispere pered d Jane Janett to Isabe sabell. "If "If she she did, did, she she'd have have to repo report rt the whole class, class, and she would be ashamed ashamed to do that." that." Mis Miss Kenne ennedy dy repo reporrted ted no one one -- but but in the the secr secrec ecyy of her her bedr bedroo oom m tha that nigh nightt she she wor worried ried and and toss tossed ed all all nigh nightt long long.. She She had had com come to St. Clare' are'ss beca becaus usee her her frie friend nd,, Miss Miss Lewi Lewis, s, who thoug hought ht so much much of her, her, was ill -- and now Miss Kennedy Kennedy felt that she was letting letting her down because because the girls girls were quite quite out out of han hand, and and she was sure sure that hat not one of them hem had learnt arnt any histor storyy wort orth ment entioni oning that that term! And Miss Robe oberts had had come in like that and and been so cold old and horrid -- and had had hardly spok spoken en to her her in the the comm common on room room afte afterw rwar ards ds.. Supp Suppos osed ed pose pose she she comp compla laiined ned abou aboutt her her to Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld? It was drea dreadf dful ul to fee feel hers hersel elff a fail ailure, ure, and and poor poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy did did not not see see how how she she coul could d poss possib ibly ly turn turn her her fail failur uree into into anyt anythi hing ng like like succ succes ess. s. "I'm "I'm afra afraid id of the the gir girls, ls, that that's 's why! hy!" she she sai said to hers hersel elff. "And And 1 do bate bate repo report rtiing them them,, beca becaus usee if I do they will hate me, and then my classes will be worse than ever." And And in the the dorm dormiitory tory Jane Janett was was plan planni ning ng othe otherr tric tricks ks to plat plat on poor poor unsu unsusp spec ectting ing Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy! Janet anet had had brot brothe herrs, monk monkey eyss all all of them, hem, and and they hey sent sent her her all all kind kindss of tri tricks cks which hich they they them themse selv lves es trie tried d out out in thei theirr own own clas classe ses. s.
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"Pat "Pat!! Isab Isabel el!! Are Are you you asle asleep ep?" ?" whis whispe pere red d Jane Janet. t. "I say! say! My brot brothe hers rs are are send sendin ingg me some some fire fire-c -cra rack cks! s! Have Have you you ever ever hear heard d of them them?" ?" "Nev "Never er," ," said said the the twin twins. s. "Wha "Whate teve verr are are they they?" ?" "Wel "Well, l, you you throw hrow them hem on the fire fire and and they they crac crackk and and spit spit and and hiss hiss," ," whisp hispeered red Jane Janet, t, in gle glee. "My seat is next to the fire-so watch out for some fun next week! I expect the parcel will come tomorrow." The The twins wins gigg gigglled. ed. What Whatev ever er woul ould Kenny enny say say when when the fire fire beg began to spi spit and and hiss hiss and crac crackk? They hugged themselves themselves and pictured pictured Miss Kennedy's Kennedy's alarmed alarmed expression. expression. "Jane "Janet! t!"" whis whisper pered ed Pat. Pat. "Let' "Let's. s....."" But But Hilar ilary, y, head head of the the dorm dormiitory tory,, put put an end end to the the whis whispe perring. ing. "Shu "Shutt up!" up!" she she sai said. "You You know know the the rule rules, s, don' don'tt you? you? For good goodne ness ss'' sake sake,, go to slee sleep! p!""
Janet is up to Tricks Tricks
The parcel parcel of "fire-crac "fire-cracks" ks" duly arrived arrived for Janet She giggled giggled when she took it from the post post-r -rac ack, k, and and wink winked ed at the the twin twins. s. "I'l "I'lll undo undo it m the the dorm dormit itor oryy afte afterr brea breakf kfas ast, t,"" she she id. "Say "Say you' you've ve forg forgot otte ten n some someth thin ingg and and get get perm permis issi sion on to go up befo before re pray prayer ers. s."" Jane Janett and and the twi twins scur scurri ried ed up stai stairs rs to the the dory dory immed mmedia iate telly aft after brea breakf kfas astt, and and for five five minu minute tess they they gloa gloate ted d over over the cont conten ents ts of the the parc parcel el.. Ther Theree s a box box insi nside, de, and and this his cont contai aine ned d abou aboutt fift fiftyy squi squib b crac cracke kers rs smal smalll and and inno innoce cent nt-l -loo ooki king ng,, colo colour ured ed red red and and yell yellow ow.. "But "But wil will they hey real reallly make make muc much noi noise? se?" aske asked d Pat taki aking one one up. up. "I shou shoulldn't dn't think hink they' hey'd d do much much more more than than make make a gent gentlle pop. pop."" "Don "Don't 't worry orry!! I'll I'll thro throw w abou aboutt a doze dozen n on at a time time!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "The "There re'l'lll be quit quitee an expl explos osiion, on, I prom promis isee you. you. Goll Golly! y! We'l We'lll have have some some spor sport! t!"" With With many many gigg gigglles the the girl girlss hurr hurrie ied d down downst stai airrs as the the bell bell for for pray prayer erss we went nt.. They They coul could d hard hardly ly wait for the history-l history-lesson esson to come. It came after the mid-mornin mid-morningg break. break. Janet told some of the other girls what she was to do, and the whole form was in a great state of expectation Even Miss Rober oberts ts fel felt ther theree was was some sometthing hing up, up, thoug hough h the the clas classs tried ried to work work we welll. At the the end end of the the math maths. s. less lesson on,, just ust befo before re brea break, k, Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss spok spokee a few few dry dry word wordss to her her form form.. 'Af 'After break you will have your history lesson as usua usuall I expect you to work as well for Miss Kennedy as you do for me. If you don't, I shall have something serious to say to you all. There is to be no dist distur urba banc ncee at all this his mor morning ning.. DO YOU HEAR EAR ME, ME, JAN JANET?" ET?" Jane Janett jump jumped ed.. She She coul couldn dn't 't imag imagin inee why why Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss had had sudd suddeenly nly pick picked ed her her out. out. She She did did not not
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know know that that she she had had been been look lookin ingg extr extrem emel elyy guil guilty ty!! "Yes "Yes,, Miss Miss Rober oberts ts,," sai said Jane Janet, t, thin thinki king ng that that,, alas alas,, she she woul would d not not be abl able to play play her her fire fire--crac crack k tric trickk afte afterr all. all. But the rest rest of the form form crow crowde ded d roun round d her her duri during ngbr brea eak, k, and and insi insist sted ed that hat she she car carried ried out out her her promise. The Theyy could ouldn' n'tt bear bear not not to have have the the trea reat of seei seeing ng Miss iss Ken Kenne nedy dy jump jump and and star staree with with wide wide eyes eyes at the the fire fire's 's extr extrao aord rdin inar aryy beha behavi viou our. r. "All "All righ right, t,"" said said Jane Janet, t, at last last.. "But "But for for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake don' don'tt give give me away away to Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, that that's 's all all, if she she hear hearss anyt anythi hing ng.. And DO prom promiise not not to laugh augh too too loud loudly ly.. Hone Honest stlly, we'l e'll get get into nto an awfu awfull row row if Miss Miss Rober obertts hear hearss us. us. And she'l he'lll be qui quite near near,, you you know now." "No, "No, she won't on't,," sai said Kathl athlee een. n. "She' She'ss taki aking the sixt sixth h for for som somethi ething ng.. I hear heard d her her say say so. so. And they' hey're re right ght at the the othe otherr end of the the scho school ol!! She She won't on't hea hear a thi thing. ng." "Goo "Good, d,"" said said Jane Janet, t, feel feelin ingg more more comf comfor orta tabl ble. e. "Wel "Well, l, watc watch h out! out! We'l We'lll hear hear some some fine fine spit spitti ting ng and and his hissing sing,, I can can tell ell you! you!"" The whol hole form orm were ere in thei heir pla places ces as qui quiet as mice when hen Mis Miss Kenne enned dy came came in to give them hem thei theirr usua usuall hist histor oryy less lesson on.. She She was was feel feelin ingg even even more more nerv nervou ouss than than usua usual, l, for for she she had had not not for forgot gotten ten how how the form orm had had beha behave ved d the the last ast time she she had had tak taken them. hem. She She was was most ost reli elieve eved to see see them them sitt sittin ingg so quie quietl tlyy in thei theirr plac places es.. "Goo "Good d morn mornin ing, g, girl girls, s,"" said said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, sitt sittin ingg at her her desk desk.. "Goo "Good d morn mornin ing, g, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y,"" chor chorus used ed the the form form,, and and the the less lesson on open opened ed.. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy had had to turn turn to the the blac blackb kboa oard rd to draw draw a hist histor oryy char chart, t, and and imme immedi diat atel elyy ever everyy girl girl turn turned ed her her head head towa toward rdss Jane Janet. t. The The time time had had come come!! Jane Janet' t'ss seat eat was just ust by the fir fire. The box box of fireire-cr craacks cks was in her her desk desk.. Caut autious iously ly she lif lifted ted the lid, and took out about a doz dozen. She threw them into the heart of the fire. Everyy one Ever one wait aited tens tenseely. ly. For a mome moment nt noth nothiing happ happen ened ed at all all exce except pt that that the the fire fire fla flamed med up a litt little le.. Then Then the the exci excite teme ment nt bega began! n! Crack rack!! Spit Spit!! Hiss Hiss!! Half alf the fireire-cr crac acks ks we went nt off off at onc once, and and spark parkss jumpe umped d up the the chim chimne neyy and and leapt out of the fire on to the floor. CRAC CRACK! K! Ssss Ssssss ssss ssss sss! s! Ev Ever eryy one one watc watche hed d and and list listen ened ed,, thei theirr eyes eyes on poor poor Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, who who look looked ed as surp surpri rise sed d and and as star startl tled ed as coul could d be! be! "Mis "Misss Kenn Kenned edy! y! Oh Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy! y! What What's 's happ happen enin ing! g!"" crie cried d Pat, Pat, pret preten endi ding ng to be frig fright hten ened ed.. "It' "It'ss all all righ right, t, Pat -- it's it's prob probab ably ly a very very gass gassyy piec piecee of coal coal," ," said said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy. y. "It' "It'ss all all over over now -- but it really made me jump."• "CRA "CRAC CK! CRAC CRACK! K!"" some some more more firew irewor orks ks went ent off, off, and and a show shower er of spark parkss flew flew out out of the the
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fire fire.. Jane Janett jumpe umped d up, up, took took the the blac blackb kboa oard rd-c -cle lean aner er,, and and bega began n to beat beat out out the spar sparks ks with ith an enor enormo mous us amou amount nt of quit quitee unne unnece cess ssar aryy nois noise. e. "Jan "Janet et!! Jane Janet! t! Stop Stop!" !" crie cried d Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, afra afraid id that that the the next next clas classs woul would d hear hear the the nois noise. e. By this time the class bad bad beg begun to giggle, thou hough they had tried hard to keep eep serious and to smot smothe herr thei theirr laug laught hter er.. When When the the fire fire-c -cra rack ckss we went nt off off once once more more the the clas classs near nearly ly we went nt into into hyst hyster eriics, cs, whic hich were ere not not made made any any bett betteer by the sigh sightt of Jane Janett agai again n pret preten endi ding ng to beat beat out out spar sparks ks on the the floo floorr by flap flappi ping ng abou aboutt with with the the blac blackb kboa oard rd-c -cle lean aner er,, maki making ng an enor enormo mous us dust dust.. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy we went nt pale pale.. She She gues guesse sed d that that some some tric trickk had had been been play played ed,, thou though gh she she coul couldn dn't 't imag imagin inee what what.. She She stoo stood d up, up, lock lockin ingg unex unexpe pect cted edly ly dign dignif ifie ied, d, thou though gh bits bits of stra straig ight ht hair hair fell fell rat rather her wild wildlly from rom the two knot knotss at the side sidess of her her head head.. "Gi "Girls!" ls!" she sai said. "The "There re will be no histo istorry less lesson on this his morni orning ng.. I refu refuse se to tea teach an unru unrully clas classs like like this this." ." She She we went nt out out of the room oom, her her face face whit whitee and her her eyes yes swi swimmi mming with tear tears. s. She would have to go to the Head and give up her job. She She coul couldn dn't 't poss possiibly bly take take fees ees for teac teachi hing ng girl girlss who who sim simply ply play playeed the the whol wholee of the time. ime. But But it was no use going going when she felt so upset. upset. She would would wait until until the end of the morning morning and go then. She hurriedly scribble bled a note ote to Miss Robe oberts, and sent it to her by one of the school maids. "Am afraid I feel unwell, and have had to leave your form for a while," said the note. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was was surp surprrised ised to get get the the note note.. She She deba debate ted d with with her hersel self wheth hether er to let let the firs firstt form carry on by itself - surely Miss Kennedy would have left them some work to do? Or should uld she leave the sixth form to get on by themselves, es, and go back to the first? She decided to give the the sixt sixth h some some ques questi tion onss to answ answer er,, and and leav leavee them them.. They They woul would d beha behave ve them themse selv lves es,, of cour course se but but she she wasn asn't so sur sure abo about her her own own form orm. So she she bega began n to writ rite out out ques questtions ons on the the boar board, d, wonde onderring ing meanw eanwhi hile le what hat the firs firstt for form was up to. The They had had been been rath rather er take aken aback back when when Miss iss Kenn Kenneedy wal walked ked out out. Som Some of the the girl girlss felt elt gui guilty lty and and unco uncomf mfor orta tabl ble, e, but but when when the the fire fire bega began n to hiss hiss and spi spit agai again, n, it all all seem seemeed ter terribl riblyy funn funny y once once more more,, and and Dori Doris, s, Joan Joan,, Kat Kathlee hleen n and and the the rest rest bega began n to gigg giggle le agai again. n. "D "Did you see see old old Ken Kenny when when the the fir first crac crackk went ent off? off?"" crie cried d Joa Joan. "I thoug hought ht I shou shoulld die, die, trying not to laugh. I had an awful stitch in my side, I can tell you." "Jan "Janet et,, thos thosee fire fire-c -cra rack ckss are are simp simply ly marv marvel ello lous us!" !" crie cried d Hila Hilary ry.. "Put "Put some some more more on - Kenn Kennyy won' won'tt be back. All I hop hope is that She does oesn't go and tell ell Miss Theobal bald." "She "She didn didn't 't go tow towards ards the the Head Head's 's room room," ," said said Jane Janet. t. "She "She went ent the the othe otherr way. way. All All righ rightt I'll I'll slick lick some ome more ore on. on. Watc Watch h out out, ever everyo yone ne!!"
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Janet shook the box over the fire, meaning to throw out about a dozen of the little squi quibs - but the the whol wholee lot lot we went nt in! in! Jane Janett laug laughe hed. d. "Gol "Golly ly!! They They'v 'vee all all gone gone in. in. We'l We'lll have have some some fun! fun!"" Dori Doriss was was at the the door door of the the clas classr sroo oom, m, keep keepiing guar guard d in case case a teac teache herr came came alon along. g. Sudd Sudden enlly she gave a cry. "Loo "Lookk out! out! Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss is comi coming ng!! Get Get to your your seat seats, s, qui quick!" ck!" Every very one one scur scurri ried ed to thei theirr seat seatss at once once.. They They pull pulled ed open open their heir hist histor oryy book books, s, and and by the the time ime that that Miss Miss Robe Roberrts came came into into the the room, oom, the the clas classs looke ooked d fai fairly rly peac peacef eful ul,, thoug hough h it was was rath rather er surp surpri risi sing ng to see see so many many bent bent head heads. s. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss beca became me susp suspic icio ious us at once once usua usuall llyy the the girl girlss all looked up when she came into the room! "You "You seem seem ver very busy busy," ," she she said said,, dri drily. ly. "Di "Did Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy leav leavee you you hist histor oryy work work to do?" do?" Nobo Nobody dy answ answer ered ed.. Jane Janett gave gave an anxi anxiou ouss glan glance ce at the the fire fire.. Thos Thosee fire fire-c -cra rack cks! s! How How she she wish wished ed she she hadn hadn't 't put put so many many on! on! The The fir fire bega began n to fla flare up a litt littlle. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss spok spokee shar sharpl ply. y. "Can "Can't 't some somebo body dy answ answer er me? me? Did Did Miss Miss....." ." But But she she did did not not fini finish sh her her ques questi tion on,, beca becaus usee abou aboutt twen twenty ty fire fire-c -cra rack ckss we went nt off off at once once with with the the most most trem tremen endo dous us hiss hissin ing, g, splu splutt tter erin ingg and and crac cracki king ng!! Spar Sparks ks flew flew out out and and huge huge flam flames es shot shot up the the chimney. "Goo "Good d heav heaven ens! s!"" said said Miss Miss Rober oberts ts.. "Wha "Whatt in the the worl world d is goi going on there here?" ?" Agai Again n nobo nobody dy sai said a word word.. There here was was no gigg giggli ling ng or laugh aughiing this this time time,, no smot smothe here red d gurg gurgle les. s. Everyo Everyone ne looke looked d scared scared.. Crac Crack! k! Ssss Ssssss sss! s! Crac Crack! k! Some Some of the the fire firewo work rkss shot shot them themse selv lves es up the the chim chimne neyy and and expl explod oded ed ther there, e, bri bringi nging dow down show shower erss of soot soot.. It was was hot hot soot soot,, and and flew lew out out over over the room oom. Jane Janett and the the gir girls near neares estt the the fire ire bega began n to coug cough h and and chok choke. e. Come ome away away from rom the the fire, ire, Janet anet," ," orde ordere red d Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "Tho "Those se spar sparks ks will will set set fire fire to your your tunic." The soot soot flew flew out out agai again, n, and and blac blackk spec specks ks bega began n to desc descen end d on to book books, s, pape papers rs,, desk deskss and and head heads. s. Miss Miss Robe Robert rts' s' mout mouth h we went nt very very stra straig ight ht and and thin thin.. She She look looked ed roun round d the the clas class. s. "Som "Somee one one has has been been put putting ting firew irewor orks ks int into the fire, ire,"" she said. aid. "The "The clas classs will ill dism dismis isss. I am goi going to the comm common on room room acro across ss the pass passag age. e. I expe expect ct the girl girl who who play played ed this this stup stupiid and and dang danger erou ouss joke to come and own up at once." She left eft the room oom. Every one stared in dis dismay. It was all very well to pla play a joke on stupi upid old old Kenn Kennyy - but but Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was a diff differ eren entt mat matter ter alt altoget ogethe herr! Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss knew knew a grea greatt many many most annoying annoying punishme punishments. nts. "Gosh! I'm in for it now!" said Janet, gloomily. "I' "I'd bet better go and get it over ver."
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Sh She went to the doo door. The twins stared after her. Pat ran to the door oor too. "Janet! Wait! I'm coming too. I was as much to blame as you, because I egged you on. I'd have put put thos thosee fire fire-c -cra rack ckss on if you you hadn hadn't 't!" !" "And And Ill Ill com come as we well ll," ," sai said Isab Isabel el at once once.. "Oh "Oh,, I say! say! That hat is dece decent nt of you! you!"" sai said Jane Janett, slip slippi ping ng her her arm arm thr through ough Pat's at's,, and and hol holding ding out out her her othe otherr hand hand to Isab Isabel el.. Then hen Hilary spok poke up too. "Well, I'll com come along as well. As a matt atter of fact, we'r e're all to blame. It's true you got the squibs and put them on - but we all shared the joke, and it's not fair that only you you shou should ld be puni punish shed ed." ." So it ended in the whole of the class going to the common room, look ooking very downcast and asha ashame med. d. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts look looked ed up, up, surp surpri rise sed d to see see so many many girl girlss crow crowdi ding ng into into the the room room.. "What "What's 's all all this this for? for?"" she she aske asked, d, ster sternl nly. y. "Mis "Misss Robe Robert rts, s, may may I tell tell you? you?"" said said Hila Hilary ry.. "I'm "I'm bead bead of the the form form." ." "I want the person who pla played the trick to own up," said Miss Roberts. "Who did it?" "I did, did,"" sai said poor poor Janet anet,, goin goingg rath rather er white hite.. Her Her knee kneess shoo shookk a littl ittle, e, and and she she looke ooked d on the the floo floor. r. She She coul could d not not bear bear to meet meet Miss Miss Robe Robert rts' s' shar sharp p haze hazell eyes eyes.. "But we were all in it," said Hilary. "We wanted Janet to do it, and we shared in it." "And And may may I ask ask if you you also also trea treate ted d Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy to the the same same sill sillyy trick rick?" ?" aske asked d Mis Miss Rober obertts, in her her most most sarc sarcas asti ticc voic voice. e. "Y "Yes," es," said said Jane Janet, t, in a low voic voice. e. "So "So that hat expl explai ains ns it," t," sai said Miss Miss Rober oberts ts,, thi thinki nking of the the note note tha that Mis Miss Kenne ennedy dy had had sent sent her her. "Wel "Welll, you you wil will all all sha share the the expe expens nses es of the the chi chimney mney bei being swe wept pt and you you wil will all all spend pend two hour hourss each each wash washiing dow down the the wall alls and and scrub crubbi bing ng the the floor oor and desks esks after fter the swe weeep has has been been.. That means that you will work in batches batches of five, each giving giving up two hours of your free time to do it." "Yes "Yes,, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" said said the the clas classs dole dolefu full lly. y. "You "You wil will also also apol apolog ogiz izee to Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, of cour course se," ," we went nt on Mis Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "And "And I shou shoulld like to say that I am ashamed of you for taking advantage of somebod body not able to dea deal with you as I can!" The The form orm troo troope ped d out. out. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss telep elepho hone ned d for for the the swee sweep p and and Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy was was surp surpri rise sed d to find find rela relays ys of girl girlss wayl waylay ayin ingg her, her, offe offeri ring ng her her humb humble le apol apolog ogie iess for for thei theirr beha behavi viou our. r. They did not tell her what had happened, happened, so Miss Kennedy Kennedy had no idea that Miss Roberts Roberts had expe experi rien ence ced d the the same same star startl tlin ingg expl explos osio ions ns from from the the fire fire,, but but had had deal dealtt with with the the whol wholee matt matter er with with a firm irm hand hand.. She She real really ly thou though ghtt that that the girl girlss were ere off offerin eringg thei heir apol pologi ogies of thei theirr own own acco accord rd,, and and she she felt felt almo almost st happ happy. y.
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"I sha shan't n't give give in my res resigna ignati tion on to Miss Miss Theob heobal ald d after fter all all," she she thoug hought ht.. "Any "Anywa way, y, if I did, did, I would have to say why, and I shouldn't shouldn't like to give the girls girls away after they had said they were sorr sorryy in such uch a nice nice way." ay." So So the matt matter er rest rested ed ther theree for a whil whilee and and batc batche hess of dism dismal al gir girls wash washed ed and and scru scrubb bbed ed that that afte aftern rnoo oon n and and even evenin ing, g, inst instea ead d of play playin ingg lacr lacros osse se,, and and goin goingg to a conc concer ert! t! One good thing came out of the row - and that was that the twins' form liked them a great deal better. "It was decent of Pat and Isabel to go after Janet like that and say they'd share the blame," said Hila Hilary ry.. "Goo "Good d for for them them!" !"
The Great Midnight Midnight Feast
Miss Robe oberts kept a very tight hand indee deed on her form for the next week or two, and they squi squirm rmed ed unde underr her her dry dry tong tongue ue.. Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el hate hated d bein beingg spok spoken en to as if they they were ere nobo nobodi dies es,, but but they they did did not not dar dare to grum grumbl blee. "It' "It'ss simpl implyy awfu awfull bei being ticked cked off off as if we were ere in the the kind kindeergar rgartten, en, when hen we we'v 'vee bee been used used to boss bossin ingg the the whol wholee scho school ol at Re Redr droo oofs fs,," said said Isab Isabel el "I shal shalll neve neverr get get used used to it!" it!" "I hate it too," said Pat. But all the same, I can't help liking Miss Robe oberts, you know. I do resp respec ectt her her awfu awfull lly, y, and and you you can' can'tt help help liki liking ng peop people le you you resp respec ect. t."" "Wel "Well, l, I wish wish she' she'd d star startt resp respec ecti ting ng us, us, then then," ," said said Isab Isabel el gloo gloomi mily ly,, "The "Then n mayb maybee she' she'd d like like us, us, and we would uldn't get such a hot time in class. Golly, when I forgot to take my maths. book to her this his mor mornin ning you'd ou'd have have thoug hought ht she she was goi going to 'pho 'phone ne up the the poli police ce stati tation on and and have have me sent sent to prison prison!" !" Pat laugh ughed. "Don't be an idiot," she said aid. "By the way, don don't forget to give hal half a crown towa toward rdss buyi buying ng Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld some someth thin ingg on her her birt birthd hday ay.. I've I've give given n mine mine in." in." "Oh, "Oh, my!" my!" groa groane ned d Isab Isabel el.. "I hope hope I've 've got got hal half a crow crown! n! I had had to give give sixpe ixpenc ncee towar owards ds the swee sweep, p, and and I gave ave a shil hilling to the hous housem emaaid for cle cleani aning my tuni unic for me in case case Mat Matron ron tick ticked ed me off off abou aboutt it -- and and we had had to give give sixp sixpen ence ce to the Babi abies' es' Conv Convaalesc lescen entt Home ome last last we week ek.. I'm just just abou aboutt brok broke! e!"" She went to her part of the shelf in the common room and took down her purse. It was empty! "Gol "Golly ly!!" sai said Isab Isabel el in dism dismay ay.. "I'm "I'm sure ure I had had two two shill hillin ings gs in my purs purse. e. Did you you borr borrow ow it, it, Pat?" "No, "No,"" said said Pat. Pat. "Or "Or I'd I'd have have tol told you. you. It must must be in your your coat coat-p -poc ocke ket, t, sill silly. y.""
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But the two shill hilliings ngs we were re nowh nowheere to be found ound.. Isab Isabeel deci decide ded d she mus must have have lost ost them them,, and and she had to borr orrow some money ney from Pat to give towa owards buyi uying the Head a pre present. nt. Then Janet had a birthday, and every one went down to the town to buy a small present for her all all but but Hila Hilary ry,, who who disc discov over ered ed,, to her her dism dismay ay,, that that the the tenten-sh shil illi ling ng note note that that her her Gran Granny ny had had sent sent her, her, had had disa disapp ppea eare red d out out of her her pock pocket et!! "Oh, "Oh, my, my, a whole hole ten ten shi shilli llings! ngs!"" waile ailed d Hila Hilarry. "I was goin goingg to buy buy all all sor sorts of thi things ngs with with it. it. I real really ly must must get get some some new new shoe shoela lace ces, s, and and my lacr lacros osse se stic stickk want wantss then thendl dleg eg.. Wher Wheree in the the worl world d has has it gone gone?" ?" Joan Joan lent ent Hil Hilary ary a shi shilling ling to buy buy a pres presen entt for for Jane Janet, t, and and on her her birt birthd hday ay Jane Janett was was most ost del delight ighted ed to find find so many many gift gifts. s. She She was was very very popu popula larr, in spit pite of her her blun bluntn tnes ess. s. The finest nest gift gift she she had had was from rom Kath Kathlleen een Grego regory ry,, who pres presen ente ted d her her with ith a gold gold barbar-br broo ooch ch,, with ith her her name name insc inscri ribe bed d at the the back back.. "I say! ay! You shoul houldn dn't 't have have done done that hat!" sai said Janet anet,, in amaz amazeemen ment. 'Why 'Why,, it mus must have have cost ost you you a mint mint of mone money, y, Kat Kathlee hleen! n! I real really ly can' can'tt acce accept pt it. It's t's too gene genero rous us a gift gift.." "Bu "Butt you you must must acce accept pt it, beca becaus usee it's t's got got your your nam name insi nside," de," sai said Kathl athlee een. n. "It "It's no use use to any any one one else else!" !" Every very one one admi admire red d the the litt littlle gol gold broo brooch ch and and read read the the name name insc inscri ribe bed d on the the back back.. Kath Kathlleen een glow glowed ed with with plea pleasu sure re at the the atte attent ntio ion n that that her her gift gift prod produc uced ed,, and and when when Jane Janett than thanke ked d her her agai again, n, and and slip slippe ped d her her arm throu hrough gh hers hers,, she was was red red with ith del delight ight.. "It "It was very ery gene genero rou us of Kathl athlee een n," sai said Jane anet to the the twi twins, ns, as the they we went nt to the clas classr sroo oom m. "But But I can' can'tt unde unders rsta tand nd why why she she we went nt such such a spla splash sh on me! me! Usua Usuall llyy she' she'ss awfu awfull llyy mean mean with with her her gift giftss eit either her give ives not nothing hing at all, ll, or some sometthing hing tha that cost costss hal half a farth arthiing! ng! It isn't sn't as if she she likes kes me suc such a lot, ot, eithe ither. r. I've 've gone gone for her her heap heapss of time timess beca becaus usee she' she'ss such such a goof oof!" Jane Janett had had a marv marveellou llouss tuck tuck hamp hamper er sent sent to her her for her her birt birthd hday ay,, and and she she and and Hilar ilaryy and and the the twi twins unpa unpack cked ed it with with glee glee.. "All "All the the thin things gs I love! ove!"" said said Janet anet.. "A big big choc chocol olat atee cake cake!! Shor Shorttbrea bread d bisc biscui uits ts!! Sard Sardin ines es in toma tomato to sauc sauce! e! Nest Nestle le's 's milk milk.. And And look look at thes thesee pepp pepper ermi mint nt crea creams ms!! They They'l'lll melt melt in our our mout mouths hs!" !" "Let "Let's 's have have a midn midnig ight ht feas feast! t!"" said said Pat, Pat, sudd sudden enly ly.. "We once had one one at Redroofs, bef before we were head girls. I don't know why food ood tastes so muc much nic nicer in the the middl ddle of the the nig night than han in the day daytime time,, but but it does does!! Oh, Jane anet - don't on't you think hink it would uld be fun? un?" "It "It migh mightt be rath rather er spor sport" t" sai said Jane Janett. "But "But ther there' e'ss not not enoug nough h food food here here for us all. ll. The rest est of you will have to bring something as well. Each gir girl had better bring one thing - a cake or ging ginger er-b -bee eerr or choc chocol olat ate. e. When When shal shalll we have have the the feas feast? t?"" "To "Tomo morr rrow ow nigh night, t,"" sai said Isab Isabel el,, with ith a gigg giggle le.. "Mis "Misss Rober oberts ts is goin goingg to a conc concer ert. t. I hear heard d her her say so. She's going to stay the night with a friend and get a train that brings her back in time for prayers."
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"Oh, "Oh, good good!! Tomo Tomorr rrow ow's 's the the nigh nightt then then!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "Let "Let's 's tell tell ever everyy one. one."" So So the whol wholee form form was was told old abou aboutt the the Grea Greatt feas feast, t, and and ever everyy one one prom promiised sed to bri bring some someth thiing. ng. Pat bou bought ght a jam spong onge sand andwich. Isabel, who again had to borrow from Pat, boug ought a bar bar of choc chocol olat ate. e. Joan Joan brou brough ghtt cand candle les, s, beca becaus usee the the girl girlss we were re not not allo allowe wed d to put put on the the elec electr tric ic ligh lightt once once it was tur turned ned out out exce except pt for urge urgent nt reas reason ons, s, such uch as illne llness ss.. The The most most lavi lavish sh cont contri ribu buti tion on was was Kath Kathle leen en's 's!! She She brou brough ghtt a real really ly marv marvel ello lous us cake cake,, with with almo almond nd icing all all over ver it, and pink and yellow sugar gar roses on the top. Every ery one exclai claim med over ver it! "Gol "Golly ly.. Kath Kathle leen en!! Have Have you you come come into into a fort fortun unee or some someth thin ing! g!"" crie cried d Jane Janet. t. "Tha "Thatt cake cake must must have have cost cost you you all all your your pock pocket et-m -mon oney ey for for the rest rest of the the term! erm! It's It's marv marvel ello lous us.." "Th "Thee pret pretti ties estt cake cake I've I've ever ever seen seen," ," said said Hila Hilary ry.. "Jol "Jolly ly dece decent nt of you, you, Kath Kathle leen en." ." Kat Kathlee hleen n was red red with with ple pleasur asuree. She She beam beamed ed roun round d at ever everyy one, one, and enj enjoyed oyed the the smi smiles that that she and and her her cake cake rece receiv ived ed.. "I wish wish I coul could d have have got somet omethi hing ng bett better er than than my silly illy littl ittlee bar bar of choc chocol olaate, te," said said Isab Isabel el.. "But "But I even had to borrow from Pat to get that." "And I can only bring a few biscuits I had left from a tin that Mother sent me a fortnight ago," said said Hilary Hilary.. "I'm "I'm qui quite bro broke sinc sincee I lost ost my ten shil hilling ling note note.." "Any "Anywa way, y, we we'v 'vee got got heap heapss of thin things gs," ," said said Jane Janet, t, who who was was busy busy bidi biding ng ever everyt ythi hing ng at the the bott bottom om of a cupb cupboa oard rd just just outs outsid idee the the dorm dormiitory tory.. "Gol "Golly ly,, I hope hope Matr Matron on does doesn' n'tt sudd sudden enly ly take take it into into her her head head to spri spring ng--clea clean n thi this cupb cupboa oarrd! She She woul ould be surp surpri rise sed d to see see what what's 's in it. Good Goodne ness ss - who brought this pork-pie? pork-pie? How marvellous!" marvellous!" The The whol wholee for form was in a state tate of exci excittemen ementt that hat day day. It was simply gorgeous to have a secret and not to let any of the other forms know. ow. Hilary knew that that the the uppe upperr thi third had had had had a midn midniight ght feas feastt alre alread adyy that that term term,, and and it had had been been a grea greatt succ succes ess. s. She She meant eant to mak make the theirs even ven more ore of a succ succes ess! s! Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss coul couldn dn't 't thin thinkk why why the the firs firstt-fo form rm girl girlss we were re so rest restle less ss.. As for for Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, she she sens sensed ed the the unde underl rlyi ying ng exci excite teme ment nt at once once,, and and grew grew exci excite ted d too. too. "Ah, "Ah, now now, mes mes peti petite tes, s, what what is the matt matteer with ith you you toda today! y!"" she she crie cried, d, when hen one one gir girl aft after anot anothe herr made made a mist mistak akee in the the Fren French ch tran transl slat atio ion. n. "Wha "Whatt is in your your thou though ghts ts?? You You are are plan planni ning ng something - is it not so? Tel Tell me what it is." "Oh, "Oh, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, what whatev ever er make makess you you thin thinkk such such a thin thing! g!"" crie cried d Jane Janet. t. "Wha "Whatt shou should ld we be planning?" "How "How shou shoulld I know know?" ?" sai said Mam Mam'zel 'zellle. "Al "All I know know is tha that you you are are not not pay paying ing att attenti ention on.. "Now "Now,,
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one more mistake and I send you to bed an hour earlier than usual!" Mam' Mam'ze zell llee did did not not mean mean this this,, of cour course se - but but it tickl ickled ed the girl girls, s, who who we were re all all long longin ingg for bedt bedtim imee that that nigh night, t, and and woul would d have have been been qui quite plea please sed d to go earl early. y. Jane Janett gigg gigglled and and was was near nearlly sent out of the room. At last last bedt bedtiime came came,, and and ever everyy one one undr undres esse sed. d. "Who "Who's 's goin goingg to get get the the stuf stufff out out of the the cupb cupboa oard rd?" ?" sai said Pat. Pat. "You "You and and land land Hil Hilary ary and and Isab Isabel el," ," said aid Jane Janet. t. "And "And for for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake don' don'tt drop drop anyt anythi hing ng.. If you you drop drop the the pork pork-p -pie ie on the lino linolleum eum ther theree will ill be a mess mess." ." Everyy one Ever one laugh aughed ed.. They They snug snuggl gled ed dow down into nto bed. bed. They hey all wante anted d to keep keep awak awake, e, but but it was was arranged that some of them should take it in turns to sit up and keep awake for half an hour, waking aking the next girl when it was her turn. Then, at midnight, midnight, they should should all be awakened awakened and the Feas Feastt woul would d begi begin! n! First rst Jane anet sat up in bed bed for half alf an hour hour,, hugg huggiing her her knee knees, s, and and think hinkin ingg of all the thing hingss in the the cupboar oard outside. She was not a bit sleepy. She switched on her torch to look at the time. The hal half-ho f-hour ur was was just ust up. up. She She leane eaned d acr across oss to the next next bed bed and and awok awokee Hila Hilarry. At midnig night every one was fast asleep except for the girl on watch, who was Pat. As she heard the big big clock striking from the west tower of the school, ol, Pat crept out of bed. She went from girl girl to girl girl,, whisp hisper eriing in her her ear ear and and shak shakin ingg her. her. "Hil "Hilar ary! y! It's It's time time!! Wake Wake up! up! Isab Isabel el!! It's It's midn midnig ight ht!! Joan Joan!! The The Feas Feastt is abou aboutt to begi begin. n. Kath Kathle leen en!! Kath Kathle leen! en! Do wake wakeup! up! It's It's twel twelve ve o'clo o'clock! ck!"" At last last ever everyy girl girl was was awak awake, e, and and with with many many smot smothe here red d gigg giggle les, s, they they put put on thei theirr dres dressi sing ng-g -gow owns ns and slippe slippers. rs. The The whol wholee scho school ol was was in dark darkne ness ss.. Pat Pat ligh lighte ted d two two cand candle les, s, and and plac placed ed them them on a dres dressi sing ng-t -tab able le in the middle of the dormitory She had sent Isabel to waken the rest of the form in the next dorm dormit itor ory, y, and and with with scuf scufffles les and and gigg giggle less all all the gir girls crep creptt in. They hey sat sat on the the beds beds nea nearest rest to the the cand candlles, es, and and wait aited whil hilst Pat Pat and the the othe others rs we went nt to get get the the thin things gs out out of the cupb cupboa oard rd.. Pat took her torch and shone it into the cupboard whilst the oth others took out the things. A tin off swee sweete tene ned d milk milk drop droppe ped d to the the floo floorr with with a cras crash. h. Ev Ever eryy one one jump jumped ed and and stoo stood d stoc stockk-st stil ill. l. They They listened, but there was no soun ound to be heard - no door ope opened, no one switched on a light. "Id "Idio iot! t!"" whis whispe pere red d Jane Janett to Isab Isabel el.. "For "For good goodne ness ss'' sake sake don' don'tt drop drop that that choc chocol olat atee cake cake.. Wher Wheree did that tin roll to? Oh, here it is." At last ast all all the the eat eatabl ables were ere safe safelly in the the dorm dormiitory tory,, and and the the door door was was shut shut soft softlly. The The gir girls look looked ed at ever everyt ythi hing ng,, and and felt felt terr terrib ibly ly hung hungry ry.. "Gol "Golly ly!! Pork Pork-p -pie ie and and choc chocol olat atee cake cake,, sard sardin ines es and and Nest Nestlé lé's 's milk milk,, choc chocol olat atee and and pepp pepper ermi mint nt crea creams ms,, tinn tinned ed pine pineap appl plee and and ging ginger er-b -bee eer! r!"" said said Jane Janet. t. "Tal "Talkk abou aboutt a feas feast! t! I bet bet this this beat beatss the the uppe upperr thir third' d'ss feas feastt holl hollow ow!! Come Come on-l on-let et's 's begi begin. n. I'll I'll cut cut the the cake cake." ."
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Soon Soon ever everyy girl girl was munc munchi hing ng har hard and and thi thinkin nkingg that that food ood had had neve neverr tas tasted ted qui quite so nice nice befo beforre. Janet took an opener and opened a ginger-beer ginger-beer bottle. bottle. The first one was quite all right and Janet fill filled ed two two toot toothh-gl glas asse ses. s. But But the the next next ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bott bottle le fizz fizzed ed out out trem tremen endo dous usly ly and and soak soaked ed the the bed bed that hat Jane Janett was was sitt sittiing on. on. Every veryon onee gigg giggle led. d. It went ent off off with with a real real pop, pop, and and soun sounde ded d qui quite loud oud in the silenc ence of the the nigh nightt. "Don "Don't 't worry orry!! No one one will will hear hear that that," ," sai said Jane Janet. t. "Her "Here, e, Pat Pat -- open open the the sar sardine dines. s. I've I've gOt gOt some some brea bread d and and but butter ter some somewh wher ere, e, and and we we'l'lll make make sandwiches." The brea bread d and and butt butter er was was unwr unwrap appe ped d from from its its pape paper. r. Jane Janett had had brou brough ghtt it up from from the the teatea-ttabl able! Every girl had taken a piece from the plate at tea-time, and hidden it to giv give to Janet. "Look -- take a bite of a sardine sandw ndwich, and then a bite of pork-pie, and then hen a spoo poonful of Nest Nestlé lé's 's milk milk," ," said said Pat. Pat. "It "It tast tastes es gorg gorgeo eous us." ." The chocolate was saved till last. By that time the gir girls were all unable to eat any more and could only only suck suck the the swee sweetts and and the choc chocol olat ate. e. They They sat sat abou aboutt and and gigg giggle led d at the sill sillie iest st jokes okes.. "Of cour course se,, the the nice nicest st thin thingg of the the whol wholee feas feastt was was Kath Kathle leen en's 's marv marvel ello lous us cake cake," ," said said Hila Hilary ry.. "The "The almo almond nd icin icingg was was gorg gorgeo eous us." ." "Yes -- and I had one of the sugar roses," said Joan. "Lovely! Howe owever much did you pay for tha that cake, ake, Kat Kath? It was was joll olly dece decent nt of you. you."" "Oh, "Oh, that that's 's noth nothin ing, g,"" said said Kath Kathle leen en.. "Fm "Fm most most awfu awfull llyy glad glad you you like liked d it." it." She She looke ooked d very very happ happy. y. Ther Theree had had not not bee been qui quite enou enough gh cake cake to go round ound and and Kath Kathlleen een hadn hadn't 't even even tast tasted ed the marv marvel ello lous us cake cake.. But she she didn didn't 't mind mind at all all. She She sat sat quit quitee happ happil ilyy watc watchi hing ng the the othe others rs feas feastt on it. it. The Then the gir girls bega began n to pre press Dor Doris to do her her clow clownn-da danc nce. e. This his was a danc dancee she had had learn earntt duri during ng the the holi holida days ys at som some speci peciaal clas classe sess, and and it was very very funn funny. y. Dori Doriss was was ful full of humo humour ur and and coul could d make make the the othe others rs laug laugh h very very easi easily ly.. The The clow clown n danc dancee was was most most ridi ridicu culo lous us,, beca becaus usee Dori Doriss had had to keep keep fall fallin ingg over over hers hersel elf. f. She She acco accomp mpan anie ied d this this fall fallin ingg abou aboutt with with many many groa groans ns and and gurg gurgle les, s, whic which h alwa always ys sent sent the the audi audien ence ce into into fits fits of laug laught hter er.. "Wel "Well, l, don' don'tt laug laugh h too too loud loudly ly this this time time," ," said said Dori Doris, s, gett gettin ingg up. up. "You "You made made such such a row row last last time time I did it in the common room that Belinda Towers came in and ticked me off for playing the fool." She began the dance with a solemn face. She fell over the foot of the bed, on purpose of course, and and rubbe ubbed d hers hersel elff with with a groa groan. n. The girl girlss bega began n to chuc chuckl kle, e, thei theirr hand handss over over their heir mout mouths hs.. Dori Doriss love loved d maki making ng peop people le laug laugh. h. She She sway swayed ed abou about, t, maki making ng comi comica call face faces, s, then then pret preten ende ded d to catc catch h one one leg in anot anothe her, r, and and fell ell, clut clutch chiing at Pat wit with a deep deep groa groan. n. With With a. gigg giggle le Pat Pat fell fell too, too, and and knoc knocke ked d agai agains nstt the the dres dressi sing ng-t -tab able le.. The The tabl tablee shoo shookk viol violen entl tly, y, and and ever everyt ythi hing ng on it slid slid to the the floo floor! r! Brus Brushe hes, s, comb combs, s, phot photog ogra raph ph fram frames es,, toot toothh-mu mugs gs,, a
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ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bott bottle le - good goodne ness ss,, what what a cras crash! h! The The girl girlss star stared ed in horr horror or.. The The nois noisee soun sounde ded d simp simply ly terr terrif ific ic!! "Qui "Quick ck!! Clea Clearr ever everyt ythi hing ng up and and get get in to bed, bed,"" cri cried Jane Janet, t, in a loud loud whis whispe per. r. "Gol "Golly ly!! We'l We'lll have have half half the the mist mistre ress sses es here here." ." The girl girlss bel belongi onging ng to the next next dorm dormit itor oryy fled fled out out of the the door door at once once.. The othe others rs clea cleare red d up quic quickl kly, y, but but very very soon soon hear heard d the the sound ound of an elec electr tric ic light ight bei being swi switche tched d on in the the pass passaage. ge. "Int "Into o bed! bed!"" his hissed sed Hila Hilary ry,, and they hey all lea leapt unde underr the the shee sheetts. They hey pull pulled ed them them up to thei theirr thins hins and and lay lay list listen enin ing. g. Hila Hilary ry reme rememb mber ered ed that that they they had had left left two two ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bott bottle less out out in the the midd middle le of the floo floorr and and they they hadn hadn't 't had had time time to clea clearr up the the rema remaiins of the por porkpi kpie eith either er.. Pork Pork-p -piies were so untidy, untidy, and would scatter scatter themselves themselves in crumbs every time a bite was taken! taken! The door door open opened ed,, and and some some one one was was outl outlin ined ed agai agains nstt the the ligh lightt from from the the pass passag agee out outside side.. Pat saw saw who who it was -old -old Kenn Kenny! y! Wha What bad bad luck! uck! If she she disc disco overe vered d anyth nythiing she she woul ould be sure ure to repo report rt it aft after the the bad bad beha behavi viou ourr of the form form.. But But perh perhap apss she she woul ouldn't dn't swi switch tch on the the dorm dormiitory tory light. Mis Miss Kenne ennedy dy stoo stood d listen steniing. ng. One One of the the gir girls gave gave a gent gentlle snor snore, e, makin akingg bel believe ieve that that she was fast fast asl asleep eep -but -but that that was too too much much for for Kat Kathlee hleen, n, who who was was alre alreaady ver very strun trungg up. up. She She gave gave a smot smothe here red d gigg giggle le,, and and Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy hear heard d it. it. She She swit switch ched ed on the the ligh light. t. The firs irst thing hing die die saw saw were ere the two two ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bot bottles tles stan standi ding ng bold boldlly in the midd middlle of the the floo loor. The Then she saw saw the rem remains ains of the por pork-p k-pie. ie. She She saw the pap paper from rom the choc chocol olat atee. She She gues guesse sed d imme immedi diat atel elyy what what die die girl girlss had had been been up to. A litt ittle smil smilee came came over over her her face. ace. What What monk monkey eyss girl girlss were! ere! She She reme rememb mber ered ed the thri thrill ll of a midn midnig ight ht feas feastt hers hersel elff and and how how she she and and the the othe others rs bad bad been been caug caught ht and and seve severe rely ly puni punish shed ed.. She She spoke poke in a low voi voice to Hilary, the bead of the dorm ormitory ory. "Hila "Hilary ry!! Are Are you you awak awake? e?"" Hila Hilary ry dare dared d not not pret preten end. d. She She answ answer ered ed in a slee sleepy py voic voice. e. "Hal "Hallo lo,, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy! y! Is anyt anythi hing ng wrong?" "I thou though ghtt I hea heard a noi noise from from thi this dorm dormiitor tory," y," said aid Miss Miss Kenn Kenneedy. dy. "I'm "I'm in charg hargee of it toni tonigh ghtt as Miss Miss Rober obertts isn't sn't here here.. But I may have have bee been mistak staken en." ." Hilar ilaryy sat sat up in bed bed and and saw saw the the ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bott bottlles. es. She She glan glance ced d at Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy and and saw saw a twin twinkl klee in her her eye. eye. Per Perhaps haps you you were ere mis mistake taken, n, Miss Miss Kenne ennedy dy,," she she sai said. "Per "Perha haps ps -- perh perhap apss -- it was was mice mice or something." "Per "Perha haps ps it was was said aid Mis Miss Kenne ennedy dy.. Er -- well ell. I don' don'tt see see that that there here's 's anyt anythi hing ng to repo reporrt to Miss Miss Roberts -- but but as you' you're re bead bead of the the dorm dormit itor ory, y, Hila Hilary ry,, you you migh mightt
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see see that that it's it's tidy tidy befo before re Matr Matron on goes goes her her roun rounds ds tomo tomorr rrow ow morn mornin ing. g. Good Good nigh night. t."" Sh She switched off off the light, shut the door and went bac back to her room oom. The girls all sat up in bed at once once and and bega began n to whisp hisper er.. "My good goodne ness ss!! Kenn Kenny' y'ss a spor sport! t!'' "Go "Goll lly! y! She She saw saw thos thosee awfu awfull ging ginger er-b -bee eerr bott bottle less all all righ right! t! And And fanc fancyy agre agreei eing ng that that that that terr terrif ific ic noi noise we made made might ight have have bee been mice! ice!"" "And she as good ood as said we were to remove all traces of the feast, and she promised not to repo report rt anyt anythi hing ng to Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s."" "Though ugh old Rober berts is a sport ort too, oo, in her way." y." Said aid Dons ons "Yes, Yes, but but we we'r 'ree in her her bad bad book bookss at the the momen omentt, don' don'tt forg forget et,, and and anyt nything hing like ike this this woul would d just just abou aboutt fini finish sh thin things gs!" !" said said Isab Isabel el.. "Goo "Good d old old Kenn Kenny! y!""
A Lacrosse Lacrosse Match -- and a Puzzle Puzzle
The only bad effects effects of the Great Midnight Midnight Feast, Feast, as it came to be called, called, were that Isabel, Isabel, Doris and and Vera Vera didn didn't 't feel feel at all all we well ll the the next next day. day. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss eyed eyed them them shar sharpl ply. y. "Wh "What at have have you you been been eati eating ng?" ?" she she aske asked. d. "Onl "Onlyy what what the the othe others rs have have," ," answ answer ered ed Dori Doris, s, quit quitee trut truthf hful ully ly.. "Wel "Welll, go to Matr Matron on and and she' she'lll dose dose you, you,"" sai said Miss Miss Robe Roberrts. ts. The three hree gir girls we went nt off off dole dolefu full lly. y. Matr Matron on had had some some most most disg disgus usti ting ng medi medici cine ne.. She She dose dosed d the the girl girlss gene genero rous usly ly and and they they groa groane ned d when she made them lick the spoon round. round. Then Then Joan Joan and and Kath Kathle leen en felt felt ill ill and and they they we were re sent sent to Matr Matron on too. too."I "I know know thes thesee symp sympto toms ms," ," said said Matr Matron on.. "You "You are are suff suffer erin ingg from from Midn Midnig ight ht Feas Feastt Illn Illnes ess! s! Aha! Aha! You You need needn' n'tt pret preten end d to me! me! If you you will will feas feastt on pork pork-p -pie iess and and sard sardin ines es,, choc chocol olat atee and and ging ginger er-b -bee eerr in the middle dle of the night, you can expect a dose of medicine from me the next day." The girls stared at her in horr orror. How did she know? ow? "Who Who told old you? you?"" aske asked d Joan Joan,, thin thinki king ng that that Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy had had tol told tal tales afte afterr all all. "Nob "Nobod ody, y,"" said said Matr Matron on,, putt puttin ingg the the cork cork back back firm firmly ly into into the the enor enormo mous us bott bottle le.. "But "But I have haven' n'tt been been Mat Matron ron of a girl girls' s' schoo chooll for twen twenty ty--five five year yearss with withou outt know knowiing a few thi things ngs! I dose dosed d your your
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mot mother her bef before ore you, you, Joan Joan,, and and your our aunt aunt too. too. They hey coul couldn dn't 't stand tand midni idnigh ghtt food food any any more more than than you can. Go along now -- don't stare at me like that. I shan't tell tales - and I always say there's no need need to puni punish sh girls irls for havi having ng a midn midniight ght fea feast, st, beca becaus usee the feel eeling ings they hey get get the nex next day day are are punishme punishment nt enough!" enough!" The The gir girls we went nt away away.. Joan oan looke ooked d at Kat Kathlee hleen. n. "You You know know,, I sim simply ply love loved d the the por pork-pi k-piee and and the the sar sardine diness last ast nigh nightt," she she said said,, gloo gloomi mily ly,, "but but the the very very thou though ghtt of them them make makess me feel feel sick sick toda oday. I don't on't beli elieve I'll 'll ever be able ble to look a sardine dine in the face aga again." n." But But ever everyy one one soon soon forg forgot ot thei theirr ache achess and and pai pains, ns, and and the feast east pass passed ed int into a lege legend nd that that was was told old thro throug ugho hout ut the the scho school ol.. Ev Even en Beli Belind ndaa Towe Towers rs hear heard d abou aboutt it and and chuc chuckl kled ed when when she she was was told told how how ever everyt ythi hing ng fell fell off off the the dres dressi sing ng-t -tab able le at the the last last.. It was was Kath Kathle leen en who who told told Beli Belind nda. a. It was was rath rather er stra strang ngee how how Kath Kathle leen en had had alte altere red d duri during ng the the last last few few we week eks. s. She She was was no longe ongerr ner nervous vous and and apol apolog oget etiic to ever everyy one, one, but but took took her her plac placee happ happiily and and laugh aughed ed and and joked oked like like the the rest rest.. She She coul could d even even talk talk to tall tall Bel Belinda inda Tower owerss with withou outt stam stamme meri ring ng with with nerv nervou ousn snes ess! s! She She was was wait waitin ingg on Beli Belind ndaa that that we week ek,, and and rush rushed ed abou aboutt quit quitee happ happil ily, y, maki making ng toas toast, t, runn runnin ingg erra errand ndss and and not not even even grum grumbl blin ingg when when Beli Belind ndaa sent sent for for her her in the the midd middle le of a conc concer ertt rehe rehear arsa sal. l. Kat Kathlee hleen n was to play lay in an impor mporttant ant lacr across osse mat match that hat week, eek, and and so was Isabe sabel. l. They hey we were re the only only fir first-f st-for orm m gir girls chos chosen en - all all the the othe others rs we were re seco second nd form former ers. s. At firs irst Pat bad bad been been by far far the the bet better ter of the the two, wo, but but Isabe sabell soon soon lear earnt the the knac knackk of cat catchi ching and and thr throwin owingg the bal ball in the the easi easies estt way, and had outstripped outstripped her twin. The match was to be against against the second form of a nearby nearby day scho school ol,, and and the the girl girlss we were re very very keen keen abou aboutt it. it. "Kat "Kathl hlee een' n'ss goal goalke keep eper er," ," said said Pat Pat to Isab Isabel el.. "Bel "Belin inda da told told her her toda today. y. I say, say, isn' isn'tt Kath Kath diff differ eren ent? t? I quit quitee like like her her now. now."" "Yes "Yes - and and she' she'ss so gene genero rous us!" !" said said Isab Isabel el.. "She "She boug bought ht some some swee sweets ts yest yester erda dayy and and shar shared ed the the whole hole lot round without without having having even one herself. herself. And she bought bought some chrysanthe chrysanthemums mums for Vera - they must have cost a lot!" Vera era was was in the the sick sick--bay, bay, reco recove veri ring ng from from a bad bad col cold. She She had had been been very very surp surpri rise sed d and and touc touche hed d when Kathleen Kathleen had taken taken her six beautiful beautiful yellow yellow chrysant chrysanthemu hemums. ms. It was so unlike unlike Kathleen Kathleen,, who had always always been rather rather mean before. before. Kath Kathle leen en got got Isabe sabell to prac practi tisse thro throwi wing ng ball ballss int into the the goal goal,, so that hat she she migh mightt get get even even bet better ter at stop stoppi ping ng them them.. She She was was very very quic quick. k. Then Then she she and and Isab Isabel el prac practi tise sed d catc catchi hing ng and and thro throwi wing ng the the ball ball and and runn runnin ingg with with it and and dodg dodgiing eac each othe otherr. "If only nly, only l could shoot oot two or three hree goa goals on Sat Saturda urdayy." Isabel said a doze ozen times a day. Hila Hilary ry laug laughe hed. d. Isab Isabel el aske asked d her her why. why. "I'm "I'm laugh aughin ingg at you, you,"" sai said Hila Hilary ry.. "Who "Who turne urned d up her her nose nose at lacr lacros osse se a few we week ekss ago? ago? You You did! did! Who Who said aid ther theree wasn wasn't 't any any game game wort worth h play playin ingg exce except pt hock hockey ey?? You You did! did! Who Who vow vowed and and decl eclared she would uld nev never try to be any good ood at a silly game like lacross osse? You did. That hat's why Fm laughing hing!! I have to sit and bea bear you raving about lacrosse now, ow, talk alking it all day day long. ng. It soun sounds ds funn funnyy to me." me." Isab Isabel el laug laughe hed d too, too, but but she she we went nt rath rather er red. red. "I must must have have seeme eemed d rath rather er an idiot diot,," she she sai said.
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"You "You were ere a bit bit of a goof. oof."" sai said Jane Janet, t, joi joining ning in. in. "The "The stuc stuckk-up up twins wins!! Tha That's t's wha what we used used to call call you." you." "Oh, "Oh,"" said said Isab Isabel el,, asha asham med. ed. She She made made up her her mind ind to play play so well ell on Sat Saturda urdayy that that her her whol wholee for form would ould be prou proud d of her her. The The stuc stuckk-up up twin twins! s! Wha What a dre dreadfu adfull name name!! She She and and Pat must must reall eally y do some someth thin ingg to make make the the form form forg forget et that that.. Satu Saturd rday ay came came,, a bril brilli lian antl tlyy fine fine wint winter er's 's day. day. The The firs firstt form form we were re exci excite ted. d. The The girl girlss from from tire tire dayday-sc scho hool ol we werre coi coining ning to lunch unch and and they hey bad bad to ent entert ertain ain them. hem. Dinn Dinner er was was to be sausa ausagges and and mash mashed ed pota potato toes es,, with with trea treacl clee pudd puddin ingg to foll follow ow,, a very very favo favour urit itee meal meal.. "Now "Now look ook here here,, Isab Isabel el and and Kath Kathle leen en,, just ust see see you you don' don'tt eat eat too much much,," orde ordere red d Hila Hilary ry.. 'We 'We want you to play your best. You're the only ones from the first form who are playing playing -- all lire rest rest are are sec secondond-fo forrmers mers.. We'l We'lll stuf stufff the the othe otherr scho school ol all all righ rightt - give give the them so much much to eat eat that hat they they won't be able to catch a ball!" "Oh, "Oh, I say say! Can't n't I have have two saus ausage ages?" s?" said said Isabe sabell in disma ismay. y. "And "And I alw always ays have have two two hel helping pingss of treacle treacle pudding." pudding." "Wel "Welll, you you won't on't today oday," ," sai said Jane Janet, t, firm firmlly. "But "But if you you play play we welll and and we win, in, the whol hole form form will will stan stand d you you crea creamm-bu buns ns at teatea-ti time me.. See? See?"" So Isab Isabel el chee heered red up and and we went nt witho ithout ut a seco second nd hel help lag of trea treacl clee pudd puddin ingg qui quite ami amiably ably.. It was a pleasant pleasant lunch. lunch. The guests guests were all jolly, jolly, friendly friendly girls, girls, and how they laughed laughed when they were told the story of the Great Feast! Feast! "We "We can' can'tt have have fun fun like that that," ," said said one one of the dayday-gi girl rls. s. "We alway lwayss go home home at nigh nightt. What What's 's your your lacr lacros osse se team team like like?? Any Any good good?? We'v We'vee beat beaten en you you each each time time we've e've play played ed you you so far. far."" "And "And I bet bet well ell beat beat them them agai again, n,"" crie cried d the the capt captai ain, n, a tall all girl girl with ith flam flamin ingg red red hai hair. "Cre "Cream am-b -bun unss for for you you if you you stop stop thei theirr goal goals, s, Kath Kathle leen en!" !" crie cried d Jane Janet, t, and and ever everyy one one laug laughe hed. d. All All the firs first, t, secon econd d and and thi third for forms turne urned d out out to watc atch the mat match. ch. The four fourth th for form we werre play playiing a matc match h of thei theirr own own away away from from home home,, and and the six sixth rar rarely ely both botheered red to wat watch the juni junior ors. s. Some Some of the the fift fifth h turn turned ed up, up, amon amongg them them Beli Belind ndaa Towe Towers rs,, who who arra arrang nged ed all all the the matc matche hess and and the the play player ers, s, for for she she was was spor sportt-cap -capttain, ain, and very very keen keen that hat St. St. Clare lare's 's shoul hould d win as many many matches matches possibl possible. e. The The play player erss took took thei theirr plac places es.. Isab Isabel el was was trem tremen endo dous usly ly exci excite ted. d. Kath Kathle leen en was was quit quitee cool cool and and cal calm in goal goal.. The The mat match bega began. n. The day day girl girlss made made a stron trongg team team,, and and were ere sple splend ndid id runn runner ers. s. They hey got got the the bal ball at once once,, and and pass passed ed it from rom one one to anot anothe herr whene heneve verr they hey we werre tackl ackled ed.. But Isa Isabel bel jumpe umped d high high into nto the the air air and caught the ball as it flew from one day girl to another! Then hen she she was off like lire wind, nd, rac racing down down the field ield.. A girl came out to tackle and tried to knock ock the ball off Isabel's net -- but Isabel jerked it neatly over her head into the waiting net of another St. Clare girl -- and she was off off down the field too.
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Isab Isabel el sped sped behi behind nd - and and caug caught ht the ball ball again gain neat neatly ly as the the othe otherr girl girl threw hrew it when when tac tackled kled.. But a ver very fast girl was after Isabel and took ook the ball from her. Back the other way raced the dayay-girl, mak making for the goa goal. She passed sed the ball, to anoth other gir girl, who pas passed it to a third - and the the thir third d one one shot shot stra straiight ght at the goal goal,, where here Kathl athlee een n stoo stood d on guar guard. d. Swi Swift as ligh lighttning ning Kath Kathlleen een put put her her net net dow down tow towards ards the bal ball, caug caught ht it and and thr threw it to Isab Isabel el who was was waiti aiting ng not not far far off. off. "Jol "Jolly ly well ell save saved, d, Kath Kathle leen en!!" roar roared ed ever everyy one one of the the St. St. Clar Claree girl girls, s, and and Kat Kathlee hleen n went ent red red with with excitem excitement ent and deligh delight. t. So the the mat match went ent on til till hal half-l f-lime, ime, whe when lemo lemon n qua quarter rterss we were re taken aken roun round d on plate latess to all the hot hot and and pant pantiing play player ers. s. How How they they loved oved sucki ucking ng the the cool cool sour sour lemo lemon! n! "The The scor scoree is thre threee-on one, e,"" said said the umpi umpire re.. "Thr "Three ee to the the dayday-gi girrls of St. St. Chris hristo toph pher er's 's and and one one to St. Clare Clare's. 's."" "Pla "Playy up, up, St. St. Clar Clare' e's! s!"" crie cried d Beli Belind nda. a. "Pla "Playy up. up. Now, Now, Isab Isabel el,, scor score, e, plea please se!" !" The sec second ond hal half of the matc atch bega began. n. The play playeers were ere not not quit quitee so fast ast now now, for they hey were ere tired. red. But But the the exci excite teme ment nt ran ran very very high high,, espe especi cial ally ly when when St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss shot shot two two goal goalss in quic quickk succ succes essi sion on.. one one of them hem throw hrown n by Isabel abel.. Kathleen hopped about on one leg as tire play went on down the other end of the field. She had save saved d seve seven n goal goalss alre alread ady. y. Down Down the fiel field d race raced d the the play player ers, s, the the bal ball flyin lyingg from from one one to anot anothe herr with grace and ease. Kathleen Kathleen stood tensely, tensely, knowing that a goal would be tried. Ti Tire ball came dow down on her, hard and swift. She tried to save the goal, but the ball shot into nto the corn corner er of the net. net. Goal Goal!! Four Four--thre threee -and -and only only five five minu minuttes to go! go! The Then n St. St. Clare are's scor scored ed a mos most unex unexpe pect cteed goal goal in the the next next two two minut inutes es and and that hat made made the the scor scoree equal. "Only nly one and a half minute utes more!" panted Isabel to a St. St. Clare girl as sire passed her the ball. "For "For good goodne ness ss'' sake sake,, let' let'ss get get anot anothe herr goal goal and and win! win!"" The bail came back to her her. A day girl thunde ndered dow down on Isabel, a big big, burly girl. Isabel bel swung round und and dodge dged, the ball sti still in her net. et. She pas passed it to anot nother girl, who nea neatly pas passed it back as soon as she was tackle kled. And then Isabel took a look at the goal, which, althou hough a goo good way away, was almost almost straight straight in front. front. It was worth worth a shot! She She thre threw w the the bai bail har hard and and str straigh aightt down down the the fiel field. d. The goal goalke keep eper er stoo stood d read readyy - but but some someho how w she she miss missed ed the the bal ball and and it roll olled int into the net net, just ust befo beforre the whi whistl stle we went nt for time time!! How the the St. St. Clar Claree girl girlss chee cheere red! d! Pat Pat leap leaptt up and and down down like ike a mad mad thin thing, g, Beli Belind ndaa yell yelled ed til till she she was was hoar hoarse se,, and and Hila Hilary ry and and Jane Janett thum thumpe ped d one one anot anothe herr on the the back back,, thou though gh neit neithe herr of them them quit quitee knew knew why! why! "Goo "Good d old old Isab Isabel el!! She She save saved d the the matc match h just just in time time!" !" cri cried Pat Pat. "Cre "Cream am-b -bun unss for her her!" Hot Hot and and tir tired and and happ happy, y, all all the the girl girlss troo troope ped d off off the the fiel field d to wash ash and and tidy tidy them themse sellves ves befo before re tea. Janet ran to get her purse to rush off on her bicycle to buy the cream-buns.
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But her her pur purse only nly had had a few penc pencee insi nside! de! How stran trangge! Jane Janett knew new qui quite well ell that hat it had had had had five ive shill hilliings ngs in it that that very very mor morning ning - and and she cer certain tainlly hadn hadn't 't spe spent any any of it. it. "I say! say! My mon money's ey's gone gone!!" sire sire said said in dism dismay ay.. "I can' can'tt get get the the crea cream m-bun -buns. s. Das Dash! Wher Where' e'ss it gone?" "Fun "Funny ny,," sai said Isab Isabel el.. "Min "Minee went ent a litt littlle whi while ago -and -and so did did Hil Hilary' ary's. s. Now Now your yourss has has gone gone.." "Well "Well,, don' don'tt disc discus usss it now now," said said Joan Joan.. "We' "We've ve got got to ente entert rtai ain n the dayday-gi girl rls. s. But But it's it's a pit pity abou aboutt the cream-buns cream-buns." ." "I' "I'll ll buy buy them them!" !" said said Kath Kathle leen en.. "I'l "I'lll give give you you the the mone money, y, Jane Janet. t."" "Oh, no!" said Janet. "We wanted to buy them for you and Isabel because you did so well in the mat match. ch. We can' can'tt let let you you buy buy them hem for for your yourse selv lves es!!" "P "Pleas leasee do," do," sai said Kath Kathle leen en,, and and she she took took some some mone moneyy from from her her pock pocket et.. "Her "Heree you you are. are. Buy Buy buns buns for for ever everyy one! one!"" "Wel "Welll -- it's it's joll jollyy dece decent nt of you, you,"" said said Jane Janet, t, taki taking ng the the mone money. y. "Tha "Thank nkss awfu awfull lly. y."" She She sped sped off off on her her bicy bicycl clee whil whilst st the the othe otherr gir girls got got read readyy for for tea. tea. "Wel "Welll play played ed,, kids kids," ," said said Beli Belind ndaa Towe Towers rs,, stro stroll llin ingg up. up. "You "You stop stoppe ped d some some pret pretty ty good good goal goals, s, Kath Kathlleen een -and -and you you just just abou aboutt save saved d the the mat match, ch, Isab Isabel el,, thoug hough h all all the rest rest did did jolly olly we well ll too. too."" Ever Everyy one one glow glowed ed at the the spor sportts-ca s-capt ptai ain' n'ss prai praise se.. Then Then they hey sat sat down down to tea, tea, and and soon soon the the big big pile piless of brea bread d and and butt butter er and and jam, am, curr curran antt buns buns and and choc chocol olat atee cake cake disa disapp ppea eare red d like like magi magic. c. Jane Janett was back in a few minutes minutes with a large large number number of deliciousdelicious-looki looking ng cream-buns cream-buns.. The girls girls gree greete ted d them them with with chee cheers rs.. "Tha "Thank nks. s. Kath Kathle leen en!! You' You're re a bric brick, k, Kath Kathle leen en!" !" ever everyo yone ne crie cried, d, and and Kath Kathle leen en beam beamed ed with with delight. "Wel "Welll, I did did enjo enjoyy toda today! y!"" sai said Isab Isabel el to Pat, at, as they they we went nt off off to the the comm common on room room toge togetther, her, afte afterr seei seeing ng the the dayday-gi girl rlss off. off. "Sim "Simpl plyy marv marvel ello lous us!! Ev Ever eryy bit bit of it." it." "Not "Not quit quitee ever everyy bit, bit,"" said said Pat, Pat, rath rather er grav gravel ely. y. "Wha "Whatt abou aboutt Jane Janet' t'ss mone money? y? Some Somebo body dy took took that that,, Isab Isabel el.. And that that's 's pret pretty ty beas beastl tly. y. Who Who in the the wor world coul could d it be?" be?" "I simp simply ly can' can'tt imag imagin ine, e,"" said said Isab Isabel el Neith either er coul could d anyo anyone ne else else.. The The girl girlss tal talked ked abou aboutt it toge togeth ther er,, and and wond wonder ered ed who who had had been been near near Janet's anet's coat. She had hung it on a peg in the sports sports pavilion, pavilion, and most of the first first and second form had been in and and out. But surely, surely no St. Clare girl could uld poss ossibly do such a thing hing!! "It' "It'ss stea stealling, ing, just just plai plain n stea steali ling ng,," said said Hila Hilary ry.. "And "And it's it's been been goi going on for for some some time time too, too, beca becaus usee I know know besi beside dess myse myself lf and and Jane Janett and and Isab Isabel el have have lost lost mone money. y. Beli Belind ndaa lost lost ten ten shil shilli ling ngss too. She made an awful row about it, but but she never found it." "Could uld it be one of the maids? ds?" said Joan oan.
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"Sho "Shoul uldn dn't 't think hink so," so," sai said Hil Hilary. ary. "The "They' y've ve been been here here for for year years. s. Wel Well - we must must all all be caref areful ul of our our mone money, y, that' hat'ss all all, and, and, if we can' can'tt find find the thief hief,, we welll make make it dif diffic ficult ult for for her her to be one! one!""
A Very Muddled Girl
One aft afterno ernoon on Rita Rita Geor George ge,, one one of the the big big girl girls, s, sent sent for for Kathl athlee een n to give give her her some some inst instrructi uction onss abou aboutt a natu naturre ramb ramblle she she was was get getting ting up. up. Kathl athlee een n was hea head of the the nat nature ure club lub in her for form. She She aske asked d Pat to finish nish windi inding ng the the wool wool that that Isabe sabell was was hol holding ding for her, her, and and ran off. off. "Shan Shan't 't be long long,," she she said said,, and and disa disapp ppea eare red. d. Pat Pat wound ound the wool wool into nto bal balls and and then then threw hrew them them into into Kath Kathle leen en's 's work work-b -bas aske ket. t. Sire Sire look looked ed at her her watc watch. h. "I "I hope Kath won't be long ong," she said. "We are due for gym in five minutes. I'd better go and remi remind nd her. her. Comi Coming, ng, Isab Isabel el?" ?" The The twins wins went ent out out, and made ade the their way to Rita's ta's stud studyy, mean meaniing to see see if Kath Kathlleen een was sti still ther there. e. But But when when they they arri arrive ved d outs outsid idee they they stoo stood d stil stilll in dism dismay ay.. Some Some one one was sobb sobbiing and and cryi crying ng insid nside! e! Some Some one one was was sayi saying ng,, "Oh, "Oh, plea please se forg forgiive me! me! Oh, Oh, plea please se don' don'tt tell tell anyo anyone ne!! Plea Please se,, plea please se,, don' don't! t!"" "Gra "Graci ciou ous! s! That That's 's not not Kath Kathle leen en,, is it?" it?" said said Pat, Pat, horr horrif ifie ied. d. 'Wha 'What' t'ss happ happen ened ed?" ?" They hey did did not not dare dare to go in. in. They They wait waited ed,, hear hearin ingg more more sobs sobs,, piti pitifu full, hear heartb tbro roke ken n sobs sobs,, and and they they hear heard d Rita' ita'ss rathe atherr deep deep voic voice, e, soun soundi ding ng ver very stem stem.. They hey coul could d not not hear hear what hat she she sai said. Then Then the the door door open opened ed and and Kat Kathlee hleen n came ame out, out, her her eyes eyes red, red, and and her her chee cheeks ks tearear-st stai aine ned. d. She She sobb sobbed ed unde underr her her brea breath th,, and and did did not not see see the the twin twins. s. She She hurr hurrie ied d tow towards ards the the stair tairss that that led led to her her dormitory. Pat and and Isabe abel stared after her. "She She's forgot gotten abo about gym.," said Pat. "I don' don'tt like to go to her in case ase she hates ates any one one seei eeing her her cry. cry."" "Oh, let's go and com comfort her," said Isabel. 'We 'Well get get into nto a row for being eing late for gym. - but but it's awful to see any one in trouble like that and not see if we can help." So they ran up the stairs to the dormitory. Kathleen was lying on her her bed, her face buri uried in her pillow pillow,, sobbin sobbing, g, "Kathl "Kathlee een! n! Whate Whateve ver' r'ss happ happen ened ed?" ?" aske asked d Isab Isabel el,, putt puttin ingg her her hand hand on Kath Kathle leen en's 's shou should lder er.. Kath Kathle leen en shoo shookk it off. off. "Go "Go away away!!" she she said said.. "Go "Go away away!! Don' Don'tt come come peep peepin ingg and and pryi prying ng afte afterr me." me."
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"We' "We're re not, not,"" said said Pat, Pat, gent gently ly.. "Wha "What' t'ss the the matt matter er?? We'r We'ree your your frie friend nds, s, you you know know." ." "You "You woul wouldn dn't 't be, be, if I tol told you you what hat had had happ happen ened ed.." sobb sobbed ed Kat Kathlee hleen. n. "Oh, "Oh, do go away away.. Fm goin goingg to pack pack my thin things gs and and leave eave St. St. Clar lare's! e's! I'm I'm goin goingg thi this very very nigh night! t!"" "Kat "Kathl hlee een! n! Do tell tell us what what's 's happ happen ened ed!" !" crie cried d Isab Isabel el "Did "Did Rita Rita tick tick you you off off for for some someth thin ing? g? Don' Don'tt worr worryy abou aboutt that that." ." "It's not the ticking off I'm worrying about - it's the thing I did to get the ticking off," said Kathle hleen. She sat up, her her eyes swollen and red. "Well, Ill tell you - and you can go and spread it all round the school if you like - and every one can laugh and jeer at me - but I'll not be here!" She She bega began n to cry cry agai again. n. Pat and and Isabe sabell we werre very very much much upse upset. t. Isab Isabel el slip slippe ped d her her arm arm roun round d the sobb sobbin ingg girl girl.. "Al "All righ rightt -- tell tell us," us," she she said said.. "We "We won' won'tt turn urn on you, you, I prom promiise. se." "Yes "Yes,, you you wil will, yes yes you you will! ill! What What I've I've done done is so drea dreadf dful ul!!" sobb sobbed ed Kath Kathle leen en.. "You "You won' won'tt beli believ evee it! it! I hard hardly ly beli believ evee it myse myself lf.. I'm I'm -I'm -I'm-I -I'm 'm a thie thief! f!"" "Kat "Kathl hlee een! n! What What do you you mean mean?" ?" aske asked d Pat, Pat, shoc shocke ked. d. Kath Kathle leen en star stared ed at her her defi defian antl tly. y. She She wipe wiped d her her eyes yes with a hand hand that hat shook hook.. "I took took all the money oney that' hat'ss been been missi issing ng!!" she she sai said. "Eve "Every ry bit bit of it - even ven your your two two shil hilling lings, s, Isab sabel. el. I coul couldn dn't 't bea bear neve neverr havi having ng any money oney of my own own, and sayi saying ng no when hen peop peoplle want anted subs subscr crip ipti tion ons, s, and and not not givi giving ng any any nice nice birt birthd hday ay pres presen ents ts to any any one, one, and and bein beingg thou though ghtt mean mean and and selfish and ungener nerous ous. I did so want to be generous to everybody ody, and to make friends nds. I do so love love givi giving ng thin things gs and and maki making ng peop people le happ happy. y."" The The twin twinss star stared ed at Kath Kathle leen en in surp surpri rise se and and horr horror or.. They They coul could d hard hardly ly beli believ evee what what she she said said.. She She we went nt on, on, pour pourin ingg out out her her troub roublles betw betwee een n her her sobs. obs. "I haven't a mother to send me money as you and the other girls have. My father is away abroad and I only have a mean old aunt who gives me about a penny a week! I hated to own up to such a miserable bit of money - and then one day I found a shilling belonging to some one and I bought something for somebody with it -- and they hey were so terribly pleased -- and l was so happy. I can't tell you how dreadful it is to want to be generous and not to be able to be!" "Poo "Poorr Kath Kathle leen en!" !" said said Isab Isabel el,, and and she she patt patted ed her her on the the shou should lder er.. "Nob "Nobod odyy woul would d have have mind minded ed at all if only you had told them you hadn't any money. We could all have shared with you." "But I was too proud to let you do that hat," said Kathleen. "And yet I wasn't n't too proud to steal eal. Oh, I can't think how I did it now! I took Janet's money - and Hilary's - and Belinda's. It was all so easy. And this afternoon l -- I -- I..." She She bega began n to cry so bitt bitter erly ly that that the twins wins were ere quit quitee frig fright hten ened ed.. "Don "Don't 't tel tell us if you' you'd d rat rather her not, not,"" said said Pat. Pat. "Oh, "Oh, I'l I'll tell ell you you ever everyt ythi hing ng now now I've I've begu begun, n,"" sai said poor poor Kat Kathlee hleen. n. "It' "It'ss a reli relief ef to tel tell som somebod ebody. y. Well, ell, this afternoon afternoon when I went to Rita's Rita's study, study, she wasn't wasn't there there -- but I saw her coat hanging hanging up and her her purse sticking out of it. And l went to it -- and oh, Rita came in quietly and caught me! And she's going to Miss Theobald Theobald about it, and I shall be known all over the school as a thief, thief,
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and and I'll I'll be expe expell lled ed and. and... .."" She She we wept pt agai again, n, and and the the twin twinss look looked ed at one one anot anothe herr help helple less ssly ly.. They They reme rememb mber ered ed all all Kath Kathle leen en's 's sudd suddeen gene genero rossity ity - her her gif gifts - the mar marvel vellous lous cake ake wit with sugar ugar roses oses on it - the fine chry chrysa sant nthe hemu mums ms for for Vera Vera - and and they they reme rememb mber ered ed too too Kath Kathle leen en's 's flus flushe hed d chee cheeks ks and and shin shinin ingg eyes eyes when she saw her friends friends enjoying enjoying the things things she had bought bought for them. them. "K "Kathle hleen - go and wash your our face and come down own to gym.," said pat pat at last. "Fm "Fm not not goin goingg to, to," said said Kat Kathlee hleen, n, obs obstina tinate tely ly.. "I'm "I'm goin goingg to stay stay here here and and pack pack.. I don' don'tt want ant to see anybody again. You two have been decent to me, but I know in your heart of hearts that you simpl simplyy despis despisee me!" me!" "We "We don' don't, t, Kath Kath dear dear," ," said said Isab Isabel el 'We' 'We're re terr terrib ibly ly,, terr terrib ibly ly sorr sorryy for for you you - and and we do unde unders rsta tand nd why you did it. You so badly wanted to be generous generous - you did a wrong thing to make a right thin thing, g, and and that that's 's neve neverr any any good good." ." "Ple "Pleas asee go, go, and and leav leavee me alon alone, e,"" said said Kath Kathle leen en.. "Ple "Pleas asee go." go." The The twi twins we went nt out out of the dorm dormiitory tory.. Hal Halfway fway to the the gym. gym. Isab Isabel el stop stoppe ped d and and poll polled ed at Pat's at's arm. "Pa "Pat! Let's go and find Rita if we can. Let's say what hat we can can for poor old Kathle hleen." n." "All right ght," said Pat. The two of them went to Rita's study, dy, but it was empty pty. "Bl "Blow!" said Pat. at. "I wond wonder er if she' she'ss gone gone to Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld alr already eady." ." "We "Well, come on - let's see," said Isabel bel So to the Head's room they went -- and coming out of the the door door,, look lookin ingg very very grim grim inde indeed ed,, was was Rita Rita Geor George ge!! "Wha "Whatt are you you two two kids ids doi doing here here?" ?" she she sai said, and went ent on her her way wit without hout wait waitin ingg for an answ answer er.. Pat Pat look looked ed at Isab Isabel el "She's told Miss Theobal bald," d," she said. "Well - dare we go in and speak to the Head ead about it? I do real really ly thi think Kat Kathle hleen isn't sn't an ordi ordina narry kind kind of thi thiefef-and and if she gets gets bra branded nded as one, one, and and sent sent away away,, she may really become ome one, and be spoilt for always. Come ome on - let's go in." They hey knoc knocke ked, d, and and the Head Head cal called led them them to come come in. She She look looked ed surp surpri rise sed d to see them them.. "Wel "Well, l, twin twins, s,"" she she said said.. "Wha "Whatt is the the matt matter er?? You You look look rath rather er seri seriou ous. s."" Pat didn't quite know how to begin. Then the words came in a rush and the whole story came Out Out abou aboutt how how Kathl athlee een n had had stol stolen en all all the the mone money, y, and and why. hy. "But "But oh, oh, Miss Miss Theob heobal ald, d, Kathl athlee een n didn didn't 't spen spend d a penn pennyy on her hersel self." f." said aid Pat. at. "It "It was was all all for us other hers. She certainly took our money -- but we got it back in gifts and things. She isn't just an ordi ordina nary ry,, cont contem empt ptib ible le sort sort of thie thief. f. She' She'ss terr terrib ibly ly,, terr terrib ibly ly upse upset. t. Oh, Oh, coul could d you you poss possib ibly ly do anyt anythi hing ng about bout it - not not send send her her awa away - not not let the schoo chooll know now? I'm qui quite sure ure Kat Kathlee hleen n woul ould try to repay every penny, and Isabel and I would help her all we coul ould nev never to do such a thing again."
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"You You see, see, it was was all all beca becaus usee Kath Kathle leen en got got hard hardlly any any pock pocket et-m -mon oney ey and and she she was was too too prou proud d to say say so - and she she hate hated d to be thou though ghtt mean mean and and sel selfish fish beca becaus usee real really ly she' she'ss terr terrib iblly gene generrous, ous,"" sai said Isabel. Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld smi smiled led a very very swee sweett smi smile at the the earn earnes estt twi twins. ns. "My "My dear dears, s,"" she she said, aid, "you "you tell ell me such a dif differen erentt story from Rita, and I'm so ver very glad to hear it. Rita natural urallly sees poor oor Kathleen as a plain thief. You see her as she is - a poor muddled child who wants to be generous and chooses an easy but a very wrong way. I am sure I would not have got any explanation from Kath Kathle leen en,, and and I might ght have ave writ ritten ten to her her aun aunt to take ake her her away. way. And And then hen I dre dread what hat might ght have have happ happen ened ed to her, her, poor poor,, sens sensit itiv ivee chil child! d!"" "Oh. "Oh. Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld ! Do you you mean mean that hat you you will will let Kath Kathlleen een stay stay?" ?" crie cried d Pat. Pat. "Of cour ourse," said the Head. "I must talk to her first, and get her to tell me all this herself. I shal hall know know how how to deal deal with with her, her, don' don'tt worry orry.. Wher Wheree is she? she?"" "In "In her her dorm dormit itor ory, y, pack packin ing, g,"" sai said Pat. Pat. Miss Theo heobald stood ood up. "I'll 'll go to her her," she said. "Now you go off off to whatever ver lesson you are suppo pposed to be at and tell you your teac eacher pleas ease to excuse use your being late, but that hat you have been with me. And I just want to say this -- I am proud of you both! You are kind and understand understanding, ing, two two thin things gs that that matt matter er a grea greatt deal deal." ." Blus Blushi hing ng with ith surp surpri rise se and and plea pleasu surre, the the twins wins hel held open open the the door door for for Mis Miss Theob heobal ald d to go out. out. They looked at each other in delight delight "Isn't she a sport?" said Pat. "Oh, how glad I am we dared to come in and tell her. I believe thi things ngs wil will be all all right ight for Kath Kath now! now!"" They They sped ped off off to gym. gym.,, and and were ere excu excussed for for bein beingg lat late. They They wonde onderred and and wonde onderred how how Kath Kathle leen en was was gett gettin ingg on with with Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld.. They They knew knew afte afterr tea tea when when Kath Kathle leen en,, her her eyes eyes stil stilll red, red, but but look lookin ingg very very much much happ happie ier, r, came came up to them them.. "I'm "I'm not not goin goingg," sai said. "I'm "I'm going oing to sta stay here here and and show how Mis Miss Theo Theoba balld Fm as dece decent nt as anyo anyone ne else. She's going to write to my aunt and ask for a proper amount of pocket money to be paid to me -- and l shall give back all the money I took -- and start again. And if I can't be as generous as I'd I'd like ike for for a litt little le whil while, e, I'll I'll wait ait pati patien entl tlyy till till I can. can."" "Yes - and don don't be afraid of owni owning ng up if you haven ven't got mone oney to spare," said Pat. "No "Nobody ody mind mindss that that at all all. That That's 's just ust sil silly prid pride, e, to be afra afraiid of sayi saying ng when hen you you can' can'tt aff afford ord some someth thiing. ng. Oh. Kath - I'm so glad you're 're not going. Isabel and I had just got to like you very much." "You "You'v 'vee been been good good frie friend ndss to me," me," said said Kath Kathle leen en,, sque squeez ezin ingg thei theirr arms arms as she she walk walked ed betw betwee een n them. hem. "If "If ever ever I can retu returrn your your kindn indnes esss, I wil will.. You wil will trust ust me aga again, won't on't you? ou? It woul would d be so awfu awfull not not to be trus truste ted. d. I coul couldn dn't 't bear bear that that.." "Of course we'll trust you," said Pat. "If you go on like that I'll 'll get a hund undred pounds out of the bank and ask you to keep it for me! Don' on't be such uch a silly-billy !"
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Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy Agai Again n
The twins were really really beginning beginning to settle settle down well at St. Clare's. Clare's. They were getting getting used to bei being in the the lowe owest for form ins instea tead of in the top top one, one, and and they hey were ere no longe ongerr cal called the the "st "stuckuck-up up twin twins" s".. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee had had help helped ed them them a grea greatt deal deal with with thei theirr Fren French ch writ writin ing, g, and and they they bad bad caug caught ht up with ith the the rest rest of the for form. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts foun found d that that they they had had good good brai brains ns and and occa occasi sion onal ally ly thr threw them hem a word ord of prai praise se,, whi which they they trea treasu surred very very much much.. Kath Kathle leen en was was thei theirr firm firm Mend Mend.. She She real really ly was was a very very gene genero rous us-h -hea eart rted ed girl girl,, and and alth althou ough gh she she now now had had no longe ongerr plen plenty ty of mone moneyy to spend pend,, she she gave gave gene generrousl ouslyy in othe otherr ways ays - mend mended ed Pat's at's stoc stocki king ngss for for her, her, stuc stuckk toge togeth ther er a favo favour urit itee vase vase of Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss that that got got brok broken en,, and and spen spentt what what time ime she she coul could d with ith Dor Doris and Hil Hilary ary when hen they hey bad bad to go to the the sick sick-m -mo om wit with 'flu 'flu"". She She knew new tha that she she would ould neve neverr be dish dishon ones estt again gain,, and she she hel held her her head head high high and and tried ried to forge orgett the sil silly thing hingss she she had had done, one, which hich were ere now put right ght. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy had had a bit bit bet better ter time time,, for for sinc sincee she she had had been been so nice nice over over thei theirr Great reat Feast east,, the the firs firstt-fo form rmer erss beha behave ved d bett better er.. But But the the seco second nd form form we were re not not so good good.. The Theyy had had disc discov over ered ed that that Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy was was terr terrif ifie ied d of cats cats,, and and it was was perf perfec ectl tlyy asto astoni nish shin ing g the the numb number er of cats cats that that appe appear ared ed at time timess in the the seco second nd-f -for orm m clas classr sroo oom. m. The sec second ond form form found ound ever everyy cat cat the they coul could d lay hand handss on, on, and and secr ecreted eted them hem some omewhe where in the clas classs-ro room om befo before re thei theirr hist histor oryy lesso esson. n. They hey bad bad a big big cupb cupboa oard rd,, and and this this was was a good good plac placee to hide a cat. One One mor morning ning Mis Miss Robe oberts rts was not well ell. She She felt elt sure ure that that she she had had "fl "flu" comi coming ng,, and and she she retired to bed, hopi hoping ng to ward it off off qui quickly kly. So poor oor Miss Kenn ennedy edy had had to tack ackle both oth first and seco second nd form formss toge togeth ther er.. The The firs firstt-fo form rmer erss we went nt into into the the seco second nd-f -for orm m clas classr sroo oom, m, as it was was much much bigge biggerr than than thei theirs rs.. They They ente entere red d in an orde orderl rlyy line line.. Miss Miss Jenk Jenks, s, the the seco second nd-f -for orm m mist mistre ress ss,, was was ther there, e, and and she she gave gave them them their heir plac places es.. "Now "Now sit sit quie quiettly till ill Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy come comes, s,"" she she said, aid, and and went ent off off to take take need needle lewo work rk with with anot anothe herr form form.. As soon soon as she she had had gone gone,, a perf perfec ectt babe babell of noi noise brok brokee out out, and and to the enor enormo mous us ast astonis onishm hmeent of the the firs firstt-fo form rmer ers, s, a larg largee blac blackk cat cat was prod produc uced ed from rom the the pass passag age, e, wher wheree Tess Tessie ie,, a girl girl of the the seco second nd form form,, had had hidd hidden en the the cat cat in a cupb cupboa oarrd. The The cat cat was was most most ami amiable able.. It arch arched ed its its back back and and purr purred ed,, sti stickin ckingg its its tail ail up in the the air. ir. The The twi twins star stared ed at it in surp surpri rise se.. "Why the cat?" asked Pat. "Is it a member of your class, by any chance?" "Ha ha! Funny joke oke, I don don't think," k," said Pain, stroking the cat. "No, Pat - It's just going to give old old Kenn Kennyy a fine ine surp surprrise, ise, that that's 's all all! Didn Didn't 't you you know know she she was was ter terrif rified ied of cats cats?? We'r We'ree goin goingg to shut shut old old Blac Blacki kiee up in our our hand handwo work rk cupb cupboa oard rd over over ther here - and and then then,, at a good good momen omentt Tess Tessiie, who sits near, is going to pull the door open -- and out will walk dear old Blackie, Blackie, large as life and and twic twicee as natu natura rall - and and he'l he'lll make ake str straigh aightt for for Kenny enny,, you you see see if he does doesn' n'tt!"
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The The firs firstt-fo form rmer erss bega began n to gigg giggle le.. This This was was marv marvel ello lous us - even even bett better er than than fire fire-c -cra rack cks! s! "Sh! Sh! She' She'ss comi coming ng!" !" came came a cry cry from from the door door,, wher wheree some some one one was was keep keepiing guar guard. d. "To "To your your places! Put Put the the cat cat into into the the cupb cupboa oard rd,, quic quick, k, Tess Tessie ie!" !" The cat cat went ent into into the cup cupboar board d with ith a rush, ush, much much to its amaz amazem emeent. nt. The doo door was shut hut on it. it. Kath Kathle leen en,, who who was was pass passio iona nate tely ly fond fond of anim animal als, s, bega began n to obje object ct.. "I say say -- can the cat cat brea breath thee prop proper erly ly in there here?? Ought ught we to. to..." "Shu "Shutt up!" up!" hiss hisseed Tessi essie, e, and at that that momen omentt in walke alked d Miss Miss Kenne ennedy dy,, her her pil pile of book bookss unde underr her arm. She smiled at the girls and sat dow down. She felt very nervous ous, for she did not like handling two forms at once. Also she felt something was in the air, and did did not not like the one or two chuck uckles that she hea heard from the back row. Her boc bock dropped ped to the floor and she bent ent to pick it up -- and her belt snapped undone, and flew off. Thi This real eally was wasn't n't ver very funny unny,, but but it see seemed med mos most humo humorrous ous to the the girl irls in the front ront row row, and and the they bent bent over over thei theirr book books, s, tryi trying ng not not to laugh augh.. Miss iss Kenne ennedy dy knew knew tha that they they were ere laugh aughiing and she she dete determ rmiined ned to be firm firm for for once once.. "An "Anyy gir girl who who dist distur urbs bs the clas classs by laug laughi hing ng or play playin ingg will will stan stand d the the whol wholee of the the time time,," she she anno announ unce ced d in as firm a voi voice as she coul could. d. Every very one one was asto astoni nish sheed to hear hear the mil mild Miss iss Kenn Kenned edyy make make such such a stat statem emen ent, t, and and for for a whil whilee the the less lesson on we went nt smoo smooth thly ly.. Tess essie was was to let let the cat cat out out abo about hal half-wa f-wayy throu hrough gh the the clas classs - but but the cat cat thoug hought ht othe otherrwis wise. It had had lai lain dow down on the the hand handwo work rk,, and had had got got itse itself lf mixed ixed up with ith the col coloure oured d raff affia that hat was was used used by the girl girlss for thei theirr bask basket et-m -mak akiing. ng. It tried ried to lick lick the the raff raffia ia off off its its back back legs, egs, but but coul couldn dn't 't.. It stood up and shoo hook itself. It turned round und and round und -- but the more it turned, the more enta entang ngle led d it got, got, and and at last last it beca became me fri frighte ghtene ned. d. It jump jumped ed abou aboutt on the the shel shelf, f, and and some some curio urious us nois noisees cam came from rom the the cupbo upboar ard. d. At firs firstt Miss iss Kenn Kenned edyy coul could d not not imagi agine what hat the the noi noise was. as. The gir girls kne knew qui quite we well ll that hat it was was the cat cat, and and they they bent bent thei theirr head headss over over their heir exer exerci cise se book books, s, doin doingg thei theirr best best not not to laug laugh. h. The The cat cat got got exci excite ted. d. It leapt eapt into nto the air air and knoc knocke ked d its its hea head aga against inst the shelf helf above bove.. Then Then it scra scrabb bble led d abou aboutt and and bit bit sava savage gely ly at the the enta entang ngli ling ng raff raffia ia.. "Wha "Whatt is in that hat cupb cupboa oard rd?" ?" said said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy at last last.. "The "The hand handwo work rk,, Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y,"" answ answer ered ed Tess Tessie ie.. "I know know that that," ," answ answer ered ed Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, impa impati tien entl tly. y. "But "But hand handwo work rk does doesn' n'tt make make a nois noise. e. What What can can be caus causiing all all that that dist distur urba banc nce? e? It must must be mice mice.." It cert certai ainl nlyy wasn wasn't 't mice mice.. It was was just ust poor poor old old Blac Blacki kiee goi going comp complletel etelyy mad. mad. He tore tore roun round d and and roun round d the the big big shel shelf, f, the raff affia cat catchin chingg his his legs egs all all the the time time.. The whol wholee clas classs bega began n to gig giggle gle helplessly.
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"Thi "Thiss is too too much much!" !" said said Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, angr angril ily. y. She She walk walked ed quic quickl klyy to the the hand handwo work rk cupb cupboa oard rd and and flung lung open open the the door door.. Black lackiie was thril hrillled, ed, and and leap leaptt out out with ith an enor enormo mous us yow yowl. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy gave gave a shr shriek iek when hen she she saw the big big blac blackk ani animal spri pringi nging out out, and and she rus rushed hed to the door door.. Black lackie ie we went nt with ith her, her, think hinkiing she she was was goi going to let him him out. out. He rubb rubbed ed agai agains nstt her her ankl ankles es and and Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy we went nt whit whitee with with frig fright ht,, for for she she real really ly was was quit quitee terr terrif ifie ied d of cats cats.. Black lackie ie and and Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy we went nt out out of the door door toge togeth ther er,, part parted ed,, and and fled fled in oppo opposi site te dire direct ctio ions ns.. The The girl girlss put put down down thei theirr head headss on thei theirr desk deskss and and almo almost st sobb sobbed ed with with laug laught hter er.. Tear Tearss tric trickl kled ed out out of Kat Kathlee hleen' n'ss eyes eyes,, and and as for for the the twi twins, ns, they hey had had to hol hold their heir side sides, s, for they hey each ach got got drea dreadf dful ul stit stitch ches es with with laug laughi hing ng so much much.. Tessie stagger gered to the door oor and shut hut it, in case ase any other her mistress came by. For at leas east five minu minute tess the the girl girlss let them themse selv lves es go and and laugh aughed ed till till they they cri cried. ed. As soon soon as they they stop stoppe ped, d, some some one one star starte ted d them them off off agai again. n. "Oh, "Oh, I say say - did did you you see Blacki ackiee when hen he shot shot out? out?"" crie cried d Tess Tessiie, and and ever everyy one one gigg gigglled aga again. in. "It "It must must be mice mice!" !" said said Dori Doris, s, imit imitat atin ingg Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy' y'ss voic voice. e. Shri Shriek ekss of laug laught hter er agai again. n. "Sh! "Sh!"" sai said Tess Tessiie, wipi wiping ng her eyes eyes.. "Som "Somee one one wil will hea hear us. us. I say - I wonde onderr what hat's beco become me of old old Kenn Kenny? y? She She disa disapp ppea eare red d into into the the blue blue.. Do you you supp suppos osee shel shelll come comeba back ck and and fini finish sh the the less lesson on?" ?" But But no Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy came came bac back. She She was sitt itting ing in one one of the empt emptyy com common mon room rooms, s, dri drinki nking a glass of water, er, and looki oking ver very pale. She was afraid of cats ats as some peo people ple are afraid of beetles or bats - but that was not all that made her feel worried and ill. It was the thought of the gir girls play playiing the the trick rick on her her, know knowiing that that she she woul ould so easi easily ly fall fall into nto the trap trap.. "I'm "I'm abso absolu lute tely ly no good good at taki taking ng a clas class, s,"" thou though ghtt Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy, y, putt puttin ingg down down her her glas glass. s. "It "It was all very well when I coached coached one or two girls girls at a time - but this job is too much for me. And yet the money does come in so useful now. Mother Mother is ill. Still, Still, it's no use. I must give it up." Sh She dec decided to go down own to the town own and meet a friend of hers at tea-time. She would uld talk over the mat matter with her her, then hen come ome bac back and and give give in her her noti notice ce to Miss Miss Theob heobaald, confe onfess ssiing that hat she she coul could d neit neithe herr teac teach h nor nor keep keep disc discip ipli line ne.. So dow down to the the town town she we went nt at four four o'cl o'cloc ock, k, afte afterr telep elepho honi ning ng to her her fri friend, end, Miss Miss Roper oper,, to meet meet her her at the the teatea-sh shop op.. An And to the the sam same shop shop went ent the the twins ins and and Kath Kathlleen, en, havi aving tea there here by the themse mselves ves as a gre great trea treat! t! The The teatea-sh shop op was was divi divide ded d into into litt little le cosy cosy part partit itio ions ns with with red red curt curtai ains ns,, and and the the thre threee girl girlss were already already sitting sitting eating eating buttered buttered buns when Miss Kennedy Kennedy and Miss Roper came in. They They chos chosee the the part partiition tion next next to the three hree gir girls, ls, and and sat sat down down.. The gir girls coul could d not not see see them, hem, but but it was poss possiible ble to hear hear the voic voices es.. And they they reco recogn gniz ized ed Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edy' y'ss at once once!! "Lis "Liste ten! n! Ther There' e'ss old old Kenn Kenny! y! I bet bet she' she'ss goin goingg to talk talk abou aboutt the the blac blackk cat! cat!"" chuc chuckl kled ed Kath Kathle leen en.. The girls girls had no intention intention of eavesdroppin eavesdropping, g, but they could not help hearing hearing what was said. And, as they thought, thought, Kenny began to talk about the morning's morning's happenings. happenings. But she talked of something else too -- of her old mother, ill and poor; of the money that her teac teachi hing ng had had so une unexpec xpecte tedl dlyy brou brough ghtt in; of the the bil bills she she had had to pay. pay. She She spoke poke with ith sadn sadnes esss of
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her her fai failure lure to hol hold the the gir girls in clas classs. "I'm "I'm a fraud raud,," she she told old her her Mend. end. "I take ake the schoo chooll's mone moneyy for for tea teachin chingg the gir girls, and I don' don'tt teach each them hem a thin thing, g, beca becaus usee I can' can'tt mana manage ge them them,, and and they they just ust rag me the whol hole time. me. Don't on't you you thin hink I shou shoulld tell tell the the head head thi this, Clara ara? It's It's not not hone honest st of me to go on, leav eaving ing my clas classses bec because ause they they rag me. me. Miss Miss Lewi Lewis, s, the the scho school ol's 's hist histor oryy spec speciiali alist, st, can' can'tt poss possib ibly ly come come back back til till the the end end of next term -- but I don't see how I can honestly take her place till then." "But "But you you do so badl badlyy need need the the mone moneyy to hel help your your moth mother er whils hilstt she' she'ss ill, ill,"" sai said Miss Miss Rope Roper. r. "It' "It'ss bad bad luck luck,, my dear dear,, thos thosee girl girlss must must be wret wretch ches es." ." The The thre threee girl girlss list listen ened ed,, stri strick cken en dumb dumb.. They They we were re horr horrif ifie ied. d. What What seem seemed ed just just teas teasin ingg and and ragging to them hem, meant ant losi osing a job to some omebody ody else, meant being a failure ure -- not not being able ble to hel help a mothe otherr when when she was ill. "Le "Let' t'ss go," go," mutt mutter ered ed Pat, Pat, in a low low voic voice. e. 'We 'We ough oughtn tn't 't to to overh overhear ear this this." ." The Theyy cre crept out out, unse unseen en by Miss iss Kenne ennedy dy,, pai paid their heir bill bill and and went ent back back to scho school ol.. They They all all fel felt unhappy. They hey coul couldn dn't 't let let Miss Miss Kenn Kenneedy give give up her her post ost. She She was a sil silly in many many ways ays, but but she she was kind kind,, and and a real eal spor sport. t. And And they they,, the the girl girls, s, we were re wret wretch ches es!! "Oh, Oh, das dash, I do fee feel mea mean!" n!" said aid Kathl athlee een, n, sitt sittin ingg dow down in the their commo ommon n room room.. "I just ust hate hate myself now. I loved the joke this morning -- but a joke's not a joke when it means real unhap unhappi pine ness ss to some somebod bodyy else else." ." "We "We can' can'tt let let Kenn Kennyy go to Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld," d," said said Pat, at, sudd sudden enlly. "It "It woul would d look look awfu awful. l. Look ook here here - we've e've got got to do some someth thin ing, g, for for good goodne ness ss sake sake.. Thin Thinkk hard hard!" !" Isabel look ooked up. "Ther here's onl only one one thing to do, really," she said. 'We 'We ought ght to get all our form to sign sign a lett letter er,, and and the the seco second nd form form too, oo, apol apolog ogiz iziing for for the the tri trick, ck, and and swea sweari ring ng we won' won'tt rag Kenn Kenny y again. And well have to stick to that" "That hat's not not a bad idea dea at all," sai said Pat. "Ka "Kath, you go to the seco second nd form orm - the they're y're havi havin ng a meet eeting - and and tell tell them them qui quite short hortlly what hat's happ happen ened ed.. I'l I'll write rite out the letter-an letter-and d each one of us can sign it." Kathl athlee een n sped sped off. off. Pat took took a pen pen and and some some note notepa pape per, r, and and she she and and Isab Isabel el wrot wrotee out out the lett letter er.. This is what it said:
DEAR DEAR MISS MISS KE KENNE NNEDY DY,, We are all ashamed of our beha ehaviour this his morning, and we do ask you to accep cept our our ver very
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humble ble apologies. We didn' dn't mean ean the cat to jump ump out out at you you. Please forgive us. If you will, we prom promis isee neve neverr to rag rag you you agai again, n, but but to beha behave ve much much bett better er,, and and work ork hard hard.. We thou though ghtt you you were a great sport not to split on us about You Know What. Yours Yours sincer sincerely ely,,
and then all the names of the girls were to follow, written out by each girl The The seco second nd form form came came in to sign sign thei theirr name names. s. "Wha "What' t'ss 'You 'You Know Know What What'? '?"" aske asked d Tess Tessie ie,, curiously. "It's It's our our Grea Greatt Midn Midniight ght Feast east,," answ answer ered ed Pat. at. "She "She knew knew we bad bad one one and and didn didn't 't tell ell. Now, Now, has has ever everyy one one sign signed ed?? You You have haven' n'tt, Lorn Lorna. a. Put your your name name at the bot bottom. tom."" All All the the girl girlss felt felt rath rather er asha ashame med d when when they they hear heard d Kath Kathle leen en's 's tale tale of what what they they bad bad over overhe hear ard. d. "You "You shou should ldn' n'tt real really ly have have list listen ened ed," ," said said Hila Hilary ry,, repr reprov ovin ingl gly. y. "It' "It'ss mean mean to over overhe hear ar thin things gs." ." "I know know,," sai said Pat. Pat. "But "But we real eally coul couldn dn't 't help help it, Hil Hilary. ary. And anyw anyway ay,, I'm I'm glad glad we did. did. We can can stop stop Kenn Kennyy givi giving ng up her her job, job, anyw anyway ay." ." It did did pre preven vent Mis Miss Kenn Kenned edyy from from goin goingg to Miss iss Theo heobal bald when hen she came came in that hat even eveniing. ng. She She saw the letter on her desk, and opened it. When she read it, the tears came into her eyes. "Wha "Whatt a nice nice let letter! ter!"" she thoug hought ht.. "The "The gir girls are are not not litt littlle wret retches ches afte afterr all! ll! If only only the they keep keep thei theirr prom promis ise! e! I shou should ld be happ happyy teac teachi hing ng them them then then!" !" She She thank hankeed each each form orm the the next next morn orning ing, and ass assure ured them hem tha that she she forga orgave ve them hem. And, nd, for for the the firs firstt time time that that term term,, her her lesso essons ns went ent as smoo smooth thlly as thos thosee of the the othe otherr tea teacher chers, s, for for the the gir girls bad bad no inte intent ntio ion n of brea breaki king ng thei theirr word word.. There here woul would d be gigg giggle less now now and and then then -- sly sly fli flippi ppings ngs of pape paperr dart dartss -- but but no orga organi nize zed d raggi agging ng,, and and no unki unkin ndnes dnesss. Kenny enny was happ happyy. She She taug aught well ell now now that hat she bad bad no ragg agging ing to figh fight, t, and and the the girl girlss beca became me inte intere rest sted ed and and keen keen.. 86
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I'm glad glad we did did the the dece decent nt thing hing," ," said said Pat Pat, one one day, day, afte afterr the the hist histor oryy lesso esson. n. "I aske asked d old old Kenn Kenny y how how her mot mother her was today oday,, and and she she said aid she' she'ss much much bett better er,, and and is com coming ing out out of the the nurs nursiing home home tom tomorro orrow w. Woul Wouldn dn't 't it have have been been awful wful if she she had had die died beca becaus usee we made made Kenn Kennyy her her job job so that that her her mot mother her coul ouldn't dn't be nurs nursed ed back back to hea health? lth?"" "Aw "Awful ful," agr agreed eed Isabe sabell. And And ever everyy one one in the the form form thoug hought ht the same. ame.
A Broken Broken Window Window
One One morn mornin ingg Hila Hilary ry came came into into the the comm common on room room most most exci excite ted. d. "I say! Did you know that the circus was coming to field just outside the town? Well, it is! I saw the the noti notice cess up!" up!" "Goll olly! I hope hope we'r e're all allowed to go!" o!" said Pat, who loved ved a circus. cus. "It' "It'ss Gall Galliiano' ano'ss Circu ircus, s,"" sai said Hila Hilary ry,, and and she she pull pulled ed a hand handbi bill ll out out of her her pock pocket et.. "Loo "Lookk clow clowns ns,, acro acroba bats ts,, danc dancin ingg horse horses, s, perfo perform rmin ingg dogs, dogs, ever everyt ythi hing. ng. If only only Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld give givess perm permis issi sion on for for the the scho school ol to go!" go!" Mis Miss Theo Theoba balld did. did. She She said aid tha that each each even eveniing two of for forms migh mightt go, go, with ith thei heir tea teacher chers. s. The The firs firstt form form e thri thrillled. led. Pat Pat, Isab Isabel el,, Kath Kathlleen een and and Janet anet we went nt dow down town own to exami xamine ne the big big colour coloured ed poste posters rs paste pasted d every everywhe where re.. The They did did look ook exci excitting ing. Then hen the the gir girls went ent to see see the big big tent ents set set up in the the field ield.. They hey lean leaned ed over over the the gate gate td watc watche hed d the the slee sleekk sati satinn-sk skin inne ned d hors horses es bein beingg gall gallop oped ed roun round, d, and and saw saw five five clum clumsy sy-l -loo ooki king ng bear bearss ambl amblin ingg with with thei theirr trai traine ner. r. They They watc watche hed d in wond wonder er when when a big big chi chimpan mpanze zeee dres dresse sed d up in trou trouse sers rs and and jers ersey, ey, came came alon alongg hand hand in band band with with a smal mall boy, boy, who who bad a terri rrier at his hee heels.
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"Gra "Graci ciou ous! s! Look ook at that that big big monk monkey ey!" !" cri cried Isab Isabel el.. "Sam "Sammy my's 's not not a monk monkey ey.. He's He's a chim chimpa panze nzee, e,"" said said the the boy, boy, smil smilin ing. g. "Sha "Shake ke hand hands, s, Samm Sammy! y!"" The The big big chim chimpa panz nzee ee sol solemnl emnlyy hel held out out his his band band to the girl girls. s. Isab Isabel el and and Kathl athlee een n were ere too too afrai fraid d to take it, but Pat put out her hand at once. Sammy shook it up and down. "Are you comi oming to see our show?" asked ked the boy boy. "Rather!" said Pat. "Ar "Are you you in the circus? Wha What do you do? do?" "Fm Jimmy B own and l go into the ring with my famous dog, Lucky. That's Lucky, just by your feet eet. She She know knowss how how to spe spell and and count ount!!" "Oh, "Oh, no! no! Dogs ogs can't an't do tha that!" t!" said aid Isab Isabel el.. Jimm Jimmyy laugh aughed ed.. 'Wel 'Well, l, mine ine can. can. You' You'll ll see see when when you you come come!! Look ook -- see that that girl girl over over ther there, e, ridi riding ng the the blac blackk hors horsee -- that that's 's Lotta otta.. You' You'lll see see her her in the the ring ring too. too. She She can can ride ride the the wilde ildest st hors horsee in the worl world! d!"" The girl girlss star stared ed at Lotta otta.. She She was gall gallop opiing roun round d the the fiel field d on a beau beauti tifful blac blackk hors horse. e. As she she came came near near she she sudd sudden enly ly stoo stood d up on the the hor horse's se's back back and and wave waved d to the ast astonis onishe hed d girl girls! s! "Is "Isn't n't she she awfu awfullly cleve lever! r!"" sai said Pat. at. "How "How I wish wish I coul could d ride ride like like tha that! Does Doesn' n'tt she ever ever fall all off? off?"" "Of course not," said Jimmy. 'Well, I must go. go. Come ome on, Sammy. Well look ook out for you four gir girls whe when you come come to the show show!!" He went ent off off with the chimp himpaanzee nzee and and the littl ttle dog dog. The The gir girls made made thei theirr way way back back to schoo chooll. They hey were ere longi onging ng for for the the nigh nightt to com come when when they hey migh mightt go to the circu ircuss with the firs firstt and and seco second nd form forms. s. "There are two shows each night, ht," said Pat. "One at 6.30 to 8.30, 30, and the second at 8.45 to 10.45. I wish we were goin oing to the later one -- it would be sport getting back at eleven ven o'clock!" k!" "No such luck," said Isabel "Come on, on, hurry -- we shall be late for tea." But But a drea dreadf dful ul blow blow befe befelll the the firs firstt for form the next next mor morning ning.. They hey came came into nto thei theirr clas classr sroo oom, m, chat chatte teri ring ng as usua usuall -- and and saw saw that that one one big big pane pane of the the midd middlle windo indow w was com complet pletel elyy brok broken en!! Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was at her her desk desk,, lock lockiing ster stern. n. "Gra "Graci ciou ous! s! How How did did the the wind window ow get get brok broken en?" ?" crie cried d Jane Janett in surp surpri rise se.. "Tha "Thatt is exa exactl ctly what hat I woul ould like to know know," ," sai said Miss Miss Rob Robert erts. "Wh "When I was in the the comm ommon room 1 heard a crash, and came to see what caused it. I heard the sound of running feet going round the corner of the corridor - and when I came into the room I saw the broken window!" "Who "Who did did it?" sai said Pat. at. "I don' don'tt know know,," answ answer ered ed Miss Miss Rober oberts ts.. "But "But thi this is what hat brok brokee the wind window ow.." She She hel held up a hard hard rubb rubber er lacr lacros osse se ball ball.. "I foun found d it sti still roll rolliing acro across ss the the floo floorr when hen I came came in. in. Some Somebo body dy must ust hav have bee been play playiing wit with it in the class assroom oom -- and the window ndow was was smash masheed. It's agai agains nstt the rules to take lacrosse bal balls out of the locker in the gym gym, unless you go to games, as you know."
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Everyy one Ever one listen stened ed in sile silenc nce. e. They hey all all felt felt a little ttle gui guilty when when Miss Miss Rober obertts ment mentio ione ned d that hat it was was agai agains nstt the the rule ruless to take take lacr lacros osse se ball balls, s, beca becaus usee it was was a rul rule nobo nobody dy both bother ered ed to keep keep.. Any Any girl girl slippe pped to the the locke ockerr to borr borrow ow a ball all to pla play with at brea break. k. "No "Now," said Miss Rober berts, "I want the girl who broke the window dow to own own up now, or to come to me at break and tell me then. She should, of course, have stayed to own up as soon as the window indow was broken broken -- but it is quite natural natural in a moment moment of fright fright to run away." away." Nobo Nobody dy spok spoke. e. All All the the girl girlss sat sat perf perfec ectl tlyy stil stilll in thei theirr seat seats. s. Nobo Nobody dy looke ooked d at any any one one else else.. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss look looked ed sear search chin ingl glyy alon alongg the the rows rows,, look lookin ingg for for a guil guilty ty face face.. But But as half half the the girl girlss we were re blus blushi hing ng with with shee sheerr nerv nervou ousn snes ess, s, that that was was no help help.. Prac Practi tica call llyy all all the the clas classs looke ooked d guil guilty ty and and ill ill at eas ease. They hey alwa always ys did did when hen anyth nythiing went ent wron wrong. g. 'Well," said Mis Miss Robe oberts at last, "it is quite evident that the culp ulprit is not going to own own up now. She must come to me at break, without fail. All you girls have a sense of hono onour, I know, and not one of you is a coward. So I am quite sure that the culprit will be brave enough to come to me. me. I shal shalll be in the commo ommon n room room,, alon alonee." Still nobo obody said a word ord. One or two looked ked round und at each other, er, and every ery one one wonde ndered who the the sinn sinner er was. was. Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el smil smiled ed nerv nervou ousl slyy at each each othe other. r. They They had had been been toge togeth ther er sinc sincee brea breakf kfas ast, t, so they they knew knew that that neit neithe herr of them them was was the the sinn sinner er!! The firs firstt less lesson on bega began. n. It was math maths. s. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss was was not not in a good good temp temper er,, and and nobo nobody dy dare dared d to utt utter a word word.. Dark Dark and and fai fair head headss were ere bent bent busi busily ly over over book books, s, and and when when the the form form--mist mistre ress ss rapped ped out an order it was obey beyed at onc once. Every one knew how dan dangerou erouss it would uld be to get into into trou troubl blee when when Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss was was on the the warp warpat ath. h. Afte Afterr math maths, s, came came Fren French ch.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee came came into into the the roOm roOm,, and and excl exclai aime med d at the the brok broken en window. indow. "Tie "Tiens ns!! The The wind window ow is brok broken en!! How How did did that that happ happen en?" ?" 'We 'We don' don'tt know know,, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e,"" said said Hila Hilary ry.. "Nob "Nobod odyy has has owne owned d up yet. yet."" "Tha "Thatt is abom abomin inab ablle!" e!" crie cried d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, looki ooking ng roun round d the the clas classs with with her her big big dar dark eyes eyes.. "It "It is not not brave!" The The clas classs sai said noth nothiing. ng. They hey all all fel felt unco uncom mfor fortabl table, e, for for it was not not nice nice to think hink that hat som somebod ebodyy in the class was a cowa oward. Sti Still, maybe the cul culprit would uld own own up at break. Whoev oever could uld it be? Pat and and Isab Isabel el thou though ghtt hard hard.. It coul couldn dn't 't be Jane Janett or Hila Hilary ry,, for for both both girl girlss we were re brav bravee-sp spir irit ited ed and owned to a fault at once. It couldn't be Kathleen, for she had been with them. It might be Vera -- or Sheila Sheila - or Joan - or Doris. Doris. No, surely surely it couldn't couldn't be any of them ! They wouldn't wouldn't be cowards. At brea breakk the the firs firstt form orm got got toge togeth ther er and and disc discus usse sed d the the mat matter. ter. "It "It wasn wasn't 't us," us," said said Pat. at. "Isa "Isabe bell and and I were ere toge togetther her all the time ime aft after brea breakf kfas astt till till we we went nt to the the clas classr sroo oom. m. And Kath Kathle leen en was was with us too."
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"Wel Well, it wasn't n't me," e," said Hilary. "I was doing oing a job for Rita." "And "And it wasn wasn't 't me," me," said said Jane Janet. t. "I was was clea cleani ning ng the the bird bird-t -tab able le,, and and Dori Doriss was was help helpin ing. g."" One One by one one the girl girlss of the the firs firstt for form all all sai said wha what they hey bad bad been been doin doingg betw betwee een n brea breakf kfas astt-ttime ime and and the fir first lesso esson. n. App Appare arentl ntly not not one of them them coul could d have have brok broken en the wind window ow -- thoug hough h one one must must be tell tellin ingg an untr untrut uth! h! After break the girls took ook their places in their eir form orm room. om. Miss Roberts came in, her mouth in a thi thin line line and and her her haz hazel eyes eyes col cold. She She look looked ed roun round d the the clas class. s. "I am sorry to say that no one has owned up," she said. "So I have had to report the matter to Miss Miss Theob heobaald. ld. She She agr agrees ees with ith me that that the the windo indow w must must be paid paid for by the the whole hole clas class, s, as the the culp culpri ritt hasn hasn't 't owne owned d up. up. The The wind window ow is made made of vita vita-g -gla lass ss,, and and will will cost cost twen twenty ty shil shilli ling ngss to mend mend.. Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld has has deci decide ded d inste nstead ad of let letting ting you you go to the the cir circus, cus, whi which would ould cost cost one one shi shilli lling each each,, she will ill use use the the mone moneyy for for the the wind window ow." ." The Therre was a gasp of dismay from all the girls. Not go to the circus! That was a terrible blow blow.. They looked looked round one another, another, angry and upset. upset. Why should should the whole class class suffer suffer because because one pers person on had had done done a wrong rong thing hing?? It didn didn't 't seem seem fai fair. "I am sure ure that that the one who brok brokee the window ndow will ill not not want ant her her whol wholee clas classs to be pun punishe shed," d," went on Miss Roberts. Roberts. "So I hope she will still still own up, before before the night comes when our form is due to go to the show -that is, on Thursday. And I trust that if any of you know who it is you will insis nsistt that that she does does her her duty duty byhe byherr for form." m." "But "But Miss Miss Rober oberts ts,, supp suppos osee nobo nobody dy owns owns up, up," bega began n Hil Hilary, ary, "cou "coulldn't dn't we all all put put a shil shilli ling ng of our our own own towa towarrds the the windo indow w and and sti still go to the the circ circus us?" ?" "No, "No,"" said said Miss Miss Rober obertts. "The "There re's 's no argu argume ment nt;; Hila Hilary ry.. What What I have have sai said, stan stands ds,, and and will will not not be alte altere red. d. Open Open your your book bookss at page page eigh eighty ty-t -two wo,, plea please se." ." Wha What a babe babell ther theree was after fter morni orning ng scho school ol was over over,, in the quar quarte terr of an hour hour bef before ore dinn dinner er!! How How angr angryy and and indi indign gnan antt the the girl girlss we were re!! "It's a shame!" cried Janet. "I didn't do it - nor nor did you, Pat and Isabel -- and we jolly well know it. So why shou shoulld we be puni punish sheed too?" oo?" "Wel "Well, l, it's it's the the cust custom om in scho school olss to make make a whole hole form orm suf suffer fer for one one pers person on in a case case like like thi this," s," sai said Hila Hilarry. "The "Theyy do it at my brot brothe her' r'ss scho school ol too - thoug hough h it does doesn' n'tt happ happen en ofte often. n. I don' don'tt see see the point of it myself, but there you are. If only I knew who it was! Wouldn't I take them by the scruf crufff of the neck neck and giv give them hem a shak haking! ng!" "Lo "Look here -- what about one of us owning up to it, so that the rest can go?" said Kathleen, sudd sudden enlly. "I don' don'tt mind ind owni owning ng up and taki aking the blam blame. e. Then hen all you you othe others rs can can go. go." "Don "Don't 't be an idio idiot, t,"" said said Pat, Pat, sli slippin ppingg her her arm arm thro throug ugh h Kath Kathle leen en's 's.. "As "As if we we'd 'd let let you you do a thin thing g like like that! that!""
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"I supp suppos osee you you didn didn't 't do it, it, Kath Kath?" ?" said said Shei Sheila la,, half half-l -lau augh ghin ing. g. "Of "Of cour course se she she didn didn't 't!" !" cri cried Isab Isabel el.. "She "She was was with ith Pat and and me all all the the time time.. It's t's jol jolly dece decent nt of her to offer to take the blame - but I wouldn't dream of it. If I heard she'd owned up to save our skin skinss I'd I'd go stra straig ight ht to Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss myse myself lf and and tell tell her her that that Kath Kathle leen en coul couldn dn't 't poss possib ibly ly have have done done it!" it!" "Oh, "Oh, we well ll,," sai said Kath Kathlleen, een, "I shan' han'tt say say anyt anythi hing ng,, of cours ourse, e, if you you feel eel like that that abou aboutt it. it. If onl only we knew which which of us had done it!" it!" The The whol hole of Tues Tuesda dayy sli slipped pped by and and the whol wholee of Wedn Wednes esda day. y. Sti Still nobo nobody dy bad bad owne owned d up. up. When Thursday Thursday came Miss Roberts Roberts informed informed the class class that the second form were to go to the circ circus us,, but but not not the the firs first. t. The clas classs groa groane ned d and and fidg fidget eted ed.. "I'm "I'm very very sorr sorry, y,"" said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. 'It' 'It'ss most most unfo unfort rtun unat ate. e. I only only hope hope that that the the culp culpri ritt is feel feelin ing g most most unha unhapp ppyy and and unco uncomf mfor orta tabl ble. e. Now, Now, no more more groa groani ning ng plea please se.. Let' Let'ss get get on with with our our geography!"
The Four Truants Truants
That afternoon, afternoon, after after tea, four girls girls of the first form held a secret secret meeting meeting in one of the little little music music moms. moms. They They we were re the the twin twins, s, and and Kath Kathle leen en and and Jane Janet. t. They They we were re all all furi furiou ouss beca becaus usee they they we were re not not allowed to go that night to the show in the town. "Loo "Lookk here here!! Let Let's go!" go!" said said Jane Janet. t. "We "We can can sli slip off off at a quar quarte terr past past eigh eightt on our our 'bi 'bikes kes with withou outt any one noticing; if we go down the path by the lacrosse field. And we can get back in the dark all tight tight." ." "But "But the the scho school ol door doorss are are locke ocked d at ten, ten,"" said said Kath Kath.. "I know know that that,, idio idiot! t!"" said said Jane Janet. t. "But "But what what's 's the the matt matter er with with a ladd ladder er?? Ther There' e'ss one one alon alongs gsid idee the the gard garden ener er's 's shed shed.. We can can easi easily ly get get into into our our dorm dormit itor oryy wind window ow with with that that." ." "Yes Yes -- but but the the ladde adderr will will be seen een the the next next morn mornin ing, g, lead leadiing up to our our wind window ow!!" sai said Isab Isabel el.. "Oh, golly, haven't you any brains!" sighed Janet. "One of us can go up the ladder - and undo the side door to let the others in -- and we can all take the ladder back to the shed before we go in. Is that quite clear, or shal hall l say it all over again?"
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Ever very one laugh augheed. Jane Janett was fun funny when hen she she was was impat patient. ent. "I see, ee," sai said Pat. at. "But "But gos gosh, if we were caught! caught! I don't like to think think what would happen happen to us" "Wel "Welll, don' don't, t,"" said said Jane Janet, t, "beca becaus usee we shan shan't 't be caug caught ht!! Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss neve neverr puts puts the the light ight on at nigh nightt when hen she she come comess to our our dorm dormiitor tory now. now. We shal shalll be all all righ rightt. We must must tel tell Hila Hilary ry thoug hough. h. She She won't on't com come with ith us beca becau use she's he's head head--gir girl and keep keepss all all the the rul rules -- but but she won't on't stop top us going." Hilary didn't dn't stop them. "All right," she said. "Risk it if you you want to. I won' on't stop you. But for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake don' don'tt get get caug caught ht!" !" The secon econd d form orm went off off to the circus rcus with Miss Jenk Jenks. s. The The firs firstt form form stay stayed ed behi behind nd,, sulk sulkyy and and angr angry. y. Only the four who were going to slip off off by themselves looked at all bright Most of the first form form knew knew what what Jane Janett had had plan planne ned, d, but but nobo nobody dy else else dare dared d to risk risk it. it. "You "You'l'lll get get expe expell lled ed if you' you're re caug caught ht,, I shou should ldn' n'tt wond wonder er," ," said said Dori Doris. s. "We "We shan shan't 't be expe expell lled ed and and we shan shan't 't be caug caught ht," ," said said Jane Janet, t, firm firmly ly.. When the time came, the four girls put on their hats and coats and slipped down to the side side-d -doo oor. r. It was dark dark outs outsiide, de, but but the the nigh nightt was was dear dear.. Comi oming home home ther theree woul would d be a moon moon.. They went softly softly to the bicycle bicycle shed. "Gol "Golly ly!! What What a nois noisee bike bikess make make!" !" whis whispe pere red d Jane Janet, t, as the the four four mach machin ines es clan clanke ked d and and ratt rattle led. d. "Now - dow down the path by the field. Come on." Off Off they they all rode rode,, the their lamp lampss shi shining ning in the dark darkne ness ss.. When When the they arr arrived ved at the cir circus cus field ield they hey saw saw the peop peoplle stre stream amin ingg out out of the gat gates. es. They hey had had been been to the the 6.30 6.30 perf perfor orma manc nce. e. "Loo "Lookk Out! Out! Hide Hide by the the hedg hedgee till ill ever everyy one' one'ss gone gone!!" sai said Jane Janet. t. "We "We don' don'tt want want to run into into Miss Miss Jenks Jenks!" !" They hey hid hid unt until it was was safe safe.. They hey push pushed ed thei theirr bic bicycl ycles behi behind nd the hed hedge and and went ent to the the gate, ate, where people were already already going in under the flare of acetylene acetylene lamps. lamps. The girls paid and went towar owards ds the the big big circu ircuss tent tent.. Soon Soon the they had had taken aken the their seat eats, well ell at the back back in cas case any any one one saw them them.. They They took took off off thei theirr scho school ol hats hats.. The The circ circus us was was marv marvel ello lous us.. They They saw saw the the girl girl Lott Lotta, a, - - now now dres dresse sed d in a spar sparkl klin ing, g, shi shining ning froc frock, k, ridi riding ng bare bare-b -bac ackk arou around nd the the ring ring,, stand tandiing on her her hors horse, e, kne kneeli eling, ng, jump jumpiing, ng, smi smiling ing all all the the time. ime. They They saw saw Jimm immy and and his his dog dog Lucky ucky,, and and coul could d not not imagi magine ne how how he had had been been trai traine ned d to be so clev clever er.. The They cheer heereed the absu absurrd clow clowns ns and and the the amaz amazin ingg acro acroba bats ts.. They They love loved d big big Mr. Mr. Gall Gallia iano no,, with with his his crac cracki king ng whip whip and and big big mous mousta tach ches es.. It was a gorgeous gorgeous show and the four girls enjoyed enjoyed every minute. minute. "We' "We'd d bett better er slip slip out out a bit bit befo before re the the end, end,"" whis whispe pere red d Jane Janet, t, watc watchi hing ng Samm Sammyy the the chim chimpa panz nzee ee
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solem olemnl nlyy undr ndress ess him himsel self and put on a pair air of pyja yjamas. mas."" I say -- isn't sn't he funn funnyy? Oh, look ook -- he's he's gett gettin ingg into into bed! bed!"" Just Just befo before re the the show show was was fini finish shed ed the the girl girlss slip slippe ped d out out quie quietl tly. y. Ev Ever eryo yone ne was was inte intent nt on watc watchi hing ng the the five five bear bears, s, ho we were re now now play playin ingg ringring-aa-ri ring ng-o -off-ro rose sess with with thei theirr trai traine ner. r. "Al "All fal fall down down!!" chan chante ted d the the tra trainer iner,, and and jus just as the four four girl girlss went ent out, out, dow down fell fell the five five bear bearss in the ring, for all the world as if they hey were childre dren! "What What a marv marvel elllous ous show show!" !" said aid Janet anet,, as they hey made made thei heir way way to whe where the they had had left eft the their bicy bicycl cles es.. "Whe "Where re's 's my bike bike?? Oh, Oh, here here it is." is." The They mount ounted ed thei theirr bicy bicycl clees and and rode ode off off. The moon moon was was up now now and and they hey coul could d see see clea learly. rly. They were soon back at the school. school. They put their bicycles bicycles into the shed as quietly quietly as they could, could, and and then, hen, wit with beat beatin ingg hear hearts ts,, they hey tipt tiptoe oed d to the shed shed,, outs outsiide whi which the ladde adderr was kept kept.. They hey all all felt elt exci xcited and and ner nervous vous.. Just ust supp suppos osee they they we were re caugh aughtt now now! It woul ould be awfu awfull. But But nobo nobody dy was abou about. t. A dim dim light ight show showed ed from from a mist mistre ress ss's 's bedr bedroo oom m in the east easter ern n wing wing of the the scho school ol.. It was was abou aboutt elev eleven en o'cl o'cloc ockk and and all all the the gir girls and and some some,, of the the mist mistre ress sses es woul would d be asl asleep. eep. They looked for the ladde dder. Ther here were two, a small one and a much uch big bigger one. Janet tugg ugged at the the smal smalle lerr one. one. "I shou shoulld think hink this his one one will ill just ust about bout reac reach, h,"" she she said said.. So the four four of them hem carr carriied it to where here the their dor dormito mitorry window ndowss shon shonee in the moonl oonliight. ght. The They kept kept in the the dar dark shado hadows ws and and we were re as quie quiett as they hey coul could d be. be. They set the ladder up gently against the wall - but to their great dis dismay it didn' dn't nearly reach to the window windowsil sill!l! "Dash Dash!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "Loo "Lookk at that! hat! It's It's much uch too too dang danger erou ouss to try try and and cli climb to the the sill sill from from the the top of the ladder - it's so far below the window. Well -- come on, let's take it back and get the othe otherr ladde adderr. That That's 's long ong enou enough gh to reac reach h to the roof roof,, I shou shoulld thi think!" nk!" They They took ook the sma small ladd ladder er back back and and put put it down down gent gently ly.. But But then then the they found ound they hey coul could d not not poss possib ibly ly carr carryy the the big big ladd ladder er!! It was was enor enormo mous usly ly heav heavyy and and need needed ed two two or thre threee gard garden ener erss to handl ndle it. The four girls coul ould hardly move it and cer certain ainly would not be able ble to set it up against the the wall wall.. They They stoo stood d in the the moon moonli ligh ghtt and and star stared ed at one one anot nother her in dis dismay. may. "Now "Now what hat are are we goi going to do?" do?" aske asked d Isab Isabel el,, her her voi voice qui quiveri vering ng.. "We "We can' can'tt stay stay out out here here all all nigh night. t."" "Of "Of cour course se not, not, sil silly," ly," said said Janet anet.. "We' "We'll ll try try all all the the door doors. s. Mayb Maybee we'll e'll find find one one that hat's unl unlocke ocked. d. Chee Cheerr up." up." So they hey tipt tiptoe oed d round ound the the scho school ol,, tryi trying ng the the door doors, s, but but ever everyy one one of them them was safe safelly locke ocked d and and bolt bolted ed.. The The mai maids did did thei theirr work work we well ll!! Kat Kathlee hleen n bega began n to cry. cry. She She did did not not want want to be caug caught ht brea breaki king ng the the rul rules, es, beca becaus usee she had had trie tried d very hard to be in Miss Theobald's Theobald's good books since she had been forgiven forgiven for her fault It suddenly nly seemed a very dreadful thing to her to be out of door oors when all the oth others were in bed
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and asleep asleep.. "We "We shal shalll be disc discov over ered ed in the the morn morniing," ng," she she whi whisper spered ed.. "And "And we shal shalll cat catch our our deat deaths hs of cold cold stay stayin ingg out out here here." ." "Shu "Shutt up and and don' don'tt be such uch a baby baby,," said aid Jane Janett fier iercel cely "I know know what what we can can do! do! We'l We'lll thro throw w litt little le pebb pebblles up to our our dorm dormiitory tory windo indow! w!"" sai said Pat Pat "The "Theyy will make make a ratt rattli ling ng noi noise and maybe aybe one of the the girl irls wil will wake ake. Then hen she she can can slip slip dow down and open a door for us." "Goo "Good d idea idea!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "Pic "Pickk up tiny tiny pebb pebble les, s, ever everyo yone ne!" !" They They scoo scoope ped d hand handfu fuls ls up from from the the grav gravel el,, and and thre threw w them them up. up. But But Kath Kathle leen en thre threw w very very badl badly y and and her her pebb pebble less rattl attled ed agai agains nstt the wron wrongg wind window ow -- the the one one abov abovee the the dor dormito mitory ry,, wher wheree Mam'z Mam'zel elle le slept slept!! And And Mam'z Mam'zel elle le awoke awoke!! "Qui "Quick ck!! Back Back into into the the shad shadow ows! s!"" whis whispe pere red d Jane Janet, t, urge urgent ntly ly.. "Idi "Idiot ot - you you hit hit Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss window!" indow!" The The big big dark dark head head of Mam' Mam'ze zell llee lock locked ed out, out, and and they they hear heard d her her mutt mutter er to hers hersel elf. f. They hey sque squeez ezed ed toge togeth ther er in a corn corner er,, hard hardly ly dari daring ng to brea breath the, e, terr terrif ifie ied d that that Mam' Mam'ze zell llee woul would d see see them them.. But But the the shad shadow owss were ere blac blackk and she she coul could d see see noth nothiing. ng. Puzzl uzzleed, and and yawn yawniing deep deeplly, she she we went nt back back to her her bed. bed. The girl girlss stay tayed whe where they hey we were re for for a few few minu minute tess and and the then began egan to whisp hisper er.. "Thi "Thiss is awful wful!! Re Real ally ly awfu awful. l. What What are are we goin goingg to do?" do?" "I do wish we hadn hadn't 't sli slipped pped off off to the the cir circus! cus!"" "I'm "I'm so cold cold my teet teeth h are are chat chatte teri ring ng." ." Then Then Pat clut clutch ched ed hold hold of Isab Isabel el's 's arm arm and and whisp hisper ered ed loudl oudly. y. "Loo "Lookk -- look ook - isn't sn't that that some some one one look lookin ingg out out of our our dorm dormit itor oryy wind window ow?" ?" They hey all all looke ooked d up -- and and sure sure enou enough gh a girl girl's 's head head was was peep peepin ingg from from the wind window ow.. Pat slip slippe ped d out out of the shad shadow owss and and stood tood in the the moon moonli ligh ght. t. Hila Hilary ry's 's voi voice cam came down down to her her in a whi whisper sper.. "P "Pat! at! How How lat late you you are! are! Wher Wheree are are the the othe others rs?" ?" "Her "Here, e,"" whisp hisper ered ed Pat. Pat. "The "The ladd ladder erss aren aren't 't any any good good.. Open Open the the side side-d -doo oorr here here and and let us in, in, Hila Hilary ry,, quic quick! k! We'r We'ree so cold cold." ." Hilar ilaryy drew drew in her her head head and and disa disapp ppea earred. ed. A minu minute te later ater the four four girl girlss hear heard d the the key key turni urning ng in the the lock lock of the the side side-d -doo oorr, and and the the bol bolts bein beingg slip slippe ped d back back--and and the the door door was was open open!! They They crep creptt in quie quietl tlyy and and Hila Hilary ry lock locked ed and and bolt bolted ed the the door door once once more more.. They They all all slip slippe ped d upst upstai airs rs like like mice mice,, and and tiptip-to toed ed in thei theirr stoc stocki king nged ed feet feet to thei theirr dorm dormit itor ory. y. Once Once ther theree they they sank sank on to Jane Janet' t'ss bed bed and and bega began n to gigg giggle le from from sheer heer exci excite teme ment nt and reli relief ef.. They hey told told Hila Hilary ry all all that that had had happ happen ened ed,, Dori Doriss woke woke up and and joine oined d the the litt little le grou group. p. The The four four trua truant ntss bega began n to feel feel much much bett better er now now that that they hey we werre safe, afe, and and boas boaste ted d of all all they they had had done done..
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"Di "Did you you hear hear our our pebb pebblles ratt rattli ling ng on the wind window ow?" ?" aske asked d Jane Janett of Hil Hilary. ary. "Why "Why did did you you come come to the the windo indow? w? Golly olly,, wasn' asn'tt I glad glad to hear hear your your voic voice? e?"" "You "Yourr pebb pebble less came came ratt rattli ling ng on to the the floo floor! r!"" sai said Hil Hilary, ary, wit with a laug laugh. h. "The "The wind window ow was was open open at the bottom. I left it like that for you to climb in. When I hea heard the sound of pebbles all over the lino I woke up. At first I couldn't imagine what the noise was - then I switched on my torch and and saw saw the the bits bits of grav gravel el.. We'l We'lll have have to swee sweep p thos thosee up in the the morn morniing." ng." Jane Janett yaw yawned. ned. 'Tm 'Tm so tired ired,," she she sai said. "The "The circu ircuss was mar marvel vellous. ous. I wish wish you you coul could d have have seen seen it, Hilary." "So "So do I," I," said said Hil Hilary. ary. "Buc "Buckk up and and get get undr undres esse sed d now now, for for good goodne ness ss'' sake sake.. And And don' don'tt make make too too much much nois noisee or you' you'll ll wake wake Mam' Mam'ze zell lle. e. Her Her room room's 's just just abov above, e, reme rememb mber er." ." "We "We know know that that all all righ right! t!"" said said Pat, Pat, gigg giggli ling ng as she she reme rememb mber ered ed Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss dark dark bead bead stic sticki king ng out out of the the wind window ow.. "Whe "Where re's 's my nigh nighti tie? e? Oh, Oh, blow blow,, wher where' e'ss it gone gone?" ?" "You "You won't on't find find it on my bed, bed, sill silly, y,"" sai said Isab Isabel el,, who who was alre alreaady undr undres esse sed d and in her her nigh nightg tgow own. n. "You "You'v 'vee got got mudd muddle led. d. That That's 's your your bed, bed, over over ther there, e, and and ther there' e'ss your your nigh nighti tiee on the the pillow." "Oh, "Oh, yes yes," sai said Pat, at, yaw yawning ning.. "I wish I coul could d go to sle sleep in my clot clothe hess!" Soon Soon all all the the dorm dormiitory tory was was qui quiet once once more more,, and and ever everyy girl girl was asl asleep. eep. The The four our trua truant ntss slep sleptt pea peacef cefully ully - but but ther here was was a sho shock in stor tore for for them them in the the morni orning ng!!
A Great Disappointmen Disappointmentt
The four truants truants were extremely extremely sleepy sleepy the next day. They could could hardly hardly wake up. When the dres dressi sing ng-b -bel elll went ent not not one one of them hem got got out out of bed. bed. "Hi, "Hi, Jane Janet! t! Kath Kathle leen en!! Aren Aren't 't you you goin goingg to get get a move move on?" on?" cri cried Hil Hilary. ary. "You "You'l'lll be late late.. And And just ust look ook at those hose lazy azy twi twins - the they have haven n't even even open openeed thei heir eyes! yes!"" "Ano "Anoth ther er five five minu minute tes! s!"" murm murmur ured ed Pat, Pat, slee sleepi pily ly,, but but the the five five minu minute tess stre stretc tche hed d into into ten, ten, and and stil stilll the the four four girl girlss hadn hadn't 't move moved. d. Hilar ilaryy winke inked d at Dori Doris, s, and and the the two two of them them went ent swi swiftly ftly to the the four four white beds and snipped snipped off all the bedclothes, bedclothes, throwing throwing them on the floor. floor. "Ooo "Ooooo ooh! h!"" shiv shiver ered ed the the girl girls, s, for for it was a very very cold cold morn morniing. ng. "You "You mean mean thin things gs!!" "Come on, get up, up, or you' you'lll get into a row," said aid Hilary. And, very slowly and and sle sleepil pily the four our dre dressed ssed,, yawn yawniing all all the the time. ime. They hey chee cheere red d up a bit bit when hen the the res rest of the the for form clus cluste terred round ound
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them them,, aski asking ng what what happ happen ened ed the the nigh nightt befo before re.. They They real really ly felt felt almo almost st hero heroin ines es as they they rela relate ted d their their exciti exciting ng adventur adventures. es. "I don' don'tt feel feel in the the least east like like less lesson onss thi this mor morning ning,," sai said Jane Janett. "Oh, "Oh, my good goodne ness ss - Miss Miss Rober oberts ts is taki taking ng us for alge algebr braa, isn' isn'tt she? she? I alwa always ys am stupi tupid d about bout that that any anyhow, how, and I shan shan't 't be abl able to unde unders rsta tand nd a thi thing toda today. y. I hope hope she' she'ss in a good good temp temper er.." The clas classs went ent into into thei heir form form room room,, and and took took thei theirr plac places es.. Jane Janett got got out out her her alge algebr braa book book and and hurr hurrie iedl dlyy glan glance ced d thro throug ugh h the the chap chapte terr she she had had been been told told to lear learn. n. It seeme eemed d to her her as if she she had had enti ntirely rely forgo orgottten every very word! ord! But tha that was was jus just beca becaus usee she she had had had had suc such a shor hort nigh night. t. "Her "Heree come comess Miss Miss Rober obertts!" s!" hiss hissed ed Dori Doris, s, who who was was at the the door door.. The The girl girlss stoo stood. d. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts came came in - and and good goodne ness ss,, what whatev ever er coul could d have have happ happen ened ed!! She She look looked ed ver very plea please sed, d, and and her her eyes eyes spar sparkl kled ed so that that she she look looked ed real really ly pret pretty ty.. "Sit "Sit,, girl girls, s,"" she she said said,, and and the the girl girlss sat sat down down,, wond wonder eriing why why thei theirr mist mistre ress ss looke ooked d so plea please sed. d. Had Had they they done done some some marv marvel ello lous us prep prep.. or some someth thin ing? g? "Gir "Girls ls," ," said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, "I feel feel very very happ happyy abou aboutt some someth thin ingg this this morn mornin ing. g. I have have foun found d out out that it was not any one in my form who broke the window!" The The girl girlss looke ooked d at her, her, amaz amazed ed.. Miss Miss Rober obertts smi smiled led roun round d the the clas class. s. "It was was one one of the the seco second nd form form,," she she sai said. "App "Appar aren enttly, ly, the bal ball boun bounce ced d in her here, the the girl girl rushe ushed d for it, tried to catch it, and it was knock ocked on to the window, ow, whic hich broke oke." "But "But why didn didn't 't she she own own up?" up?" cri cried Hila Hilary ry,, indi ndignan gnantl tly. y. "That That was joll olly mean mean of her! her! We miss missed ed goin goingg the the circ circus us beca becaus usee of that that." ." "Wai "Waitt," sai said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "The "The girl girl was Quee ueenie, nie, who, ho, as you you know know,, is now now in the the sickick-rroom oom with bad attack attack of 'flu'. 'flu'. She was frighten frightened ed when she broke the window, window, but meant to own up at the end of the morning. In the middle of the morning she was taken ill and was hurried off to the sick-r k-room where she has has been really ill for a few days. Today die is better, and her her form form-m -mis istr tres ess, s, Miss Miss Jenk Jenks, s, we went nt to see see her. her."" "Did "Did she she own own up then then?" ?" aske asked d Jane Janet. t. "Mi "Misss Jen Jenks tol told her her tha that the the seco second nd form orm had had gone gone the cir circus cus the nig night bef before, ore, but but not not the fir first for form, and and Quee Queeni niee aske asked d why, why,"" said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. 'Whe 'When n she car card that hat you you had had all all bee been puni punish shed ed for for somet omethi hing ng that hat was her her faul ault, she was was very very upse upsett and bega began n to cry cry. She She tol told Miss Miss Jenks, enks, of course, course, and Miss Jenks came hurrying hurrying to tell me." "Oh! I am glad it wasn't anybody ody in our form," said Hilary. "I did did hate to think that somebod body was such a mean coward!" coward!" "And "And I coul couldn dn't 't unde unders rsta tand nd it eith either er,," sai said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "I thi think I know know you you all all pret pretty ty we welll and and alth althou ough gh you you are are some someti time mess ver very stup stupiid, aggr aggrav avat atiing and, and, in fact fact,, set set of nui nuisanc sances es - I real really ly coul couldn dn't 't beli believ evee that that any any of you you we were re cowa coward rds! s!""
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Miss Miss Robe Roberrts smil smiled ed as she she made made these hese remar emarks ks,, and and the the clas classs laug laughe hed. d. They hey we werre all all most most relieved. "Can "Can we go to the the circ circus us afte afterr all all, then then?" ?" aske asked d Hil Hilary. ary. "The "There' re'ss still still toni tonight ght or tomor tomorrow row." ." "Of cour ourse," said Mis Miss Rober berts. "You are are to go to mor morrow, Miss Theoba obald says - and and to mak make up for for your your dis disappo appoiintme ntment nt,, which hich was qui quite unde undesserve erved, d, I am to take ake you you down down into nto the the town own and giv give you a real eal good tea first! What hat do you you think of that?" The girl girlss thou though ghtt a lot of it! it! They They sai said "Ooo "Oooh" h" and and "Ah! "Ah!"" and and rubb rubbed ed thei theirr hand handss toge togeth ther er,, and and looke ooked d as chee cheerf rful ul as poss possiible. ble. Tea fir first - a reall eallyy scru scrump mpti tiou ouss tea -- and and then then the the circ circus us - and and it was sure to be good fun on the last night of all! What luck that Queenie Queenie had owned up in time! time! But But the there were ere four our gir girls who who were ere feel eeling mos most unco uncom mfor fortabl tablee about bout the whol wholee thing hing - and and the they were the twins, twins, and Kathleen Kathleen and Janet. Janet. They had played played truant truant and seen the show! show! They looked looked at one one anot anothe herr and and fel felt ver very guil uilty. ty. Why Why hadn hadn't 't they they wait waited ed?? They They we went nt to Hil Hilary ary abou aboutt it afte afterrwar wards. ds. "Hi "Hilary! ary! We feel feel awf awfull ully mean mean now now someh omehow ow - do you you thin thinkk we ough oughtt to go tomo tomorr rrow ow?" ?" aske asked d Pat. Pat. "Wel Well, if you you don' don't, t, what what excu excuse se will ill you you make make?" ?" said said Hil Hilary. ary. "Si "Since nce you you ask ask me, I say say you you jol jolly well oughtn't oughtn't to go! You've had your pleasure, pleasure, by breaking breaking the rules -- well, every one breaks rul rules somet ometiimes, mes, so I'm not not blam blamin ingg you you for for that hat. The thing hing is, it's it's not not fai fair that hat you you shou shoulld have have a second treat. I shou hould feel like that hat myself, just ust as you do. But if you go and tell Miss Roberts why, you certainly certainly will get into a first-clas first-classs row." "Could we say we don't feel well?" said Isabel. "I really don't feel awfully well today - I had so little little sleep." sleep." "Wel "Well, l, say say that that tomo tomorr rrow ow," ," sai said Hila Hilary ry.. "But "But I say, say, it's t's bad bad luck luck on you, you, isn' isn'tt it! it! You' You've ve done done yourself out of a gorgeous tea, and ever very one knows ows that a Sat Saturday night is the best night to see a show show." ." "I wish wish we hadn hadn't 't been been so impa impati tien entt now, now,"" sigh sighed ed Kath Kathle leen en.. "I woul would d so love ove to go wit with you you tomo tomorr rrow ow.." The four four we were re ver very sad. sad. They hey tal talked ked abou aboutt it toge togeth ther er.. "Let "Let's 's go anyh anyhow ow!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. Then Then almo almost st imme immedi diat atel elyy she she chan change ged d her her mind mind.. "No, "No, we can' can't. t. I'd I'd feel feel mean mean all all the the time time.. And And the the othe otherr gir girls woul ould thi think us mea mean too.' oo.' "I only only hope hope Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss does doesn' n'tt send end us to Matr Matron on for for some ome of her her dis disgust gustiing medi medici cine ne,, whe when we tell her we don't feel well tomorrow," tomorrow," said Kathleen, Kathleen, who was a perfect perfect coward over taking medicine. But when hen the nex next day day cam came ther here was was no ques questtion ion of tell elling ing a stor storyy abou aboutt feel feeliing unw unwell ell - for for all all four four girl girlss had had bad bad cold colds! s! They They had had caug caught ht a chi chill stan standi ding ng abou aboutt wait waitin ingg to get get into nto the the scho school ol on Thursday hursday night night - and how they sneezed sneezed and coughed! coughed!
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Miss Robe oberts noti oticed at onc once. "You' u'd d bet better spe spend a day in bed," d," she said. "You may be in for 'flu 'flu'.'. Go alon alongg to Mat Matron ron and and ask ask her her to take take your your temp temper erat atur ures es.. Four our of you you at once once!! Wher Wherev ever er coul could d you you all have have caug caught ht such such bad bad cold colds? s?"" They They didn didn't 't tel tell her. her. They hey went ent to Matr Matron on,, feel eeling ing very very sad sad and sorr sorry. y. Kat Kathlee hleen n had had a tem tempera peratu ture re,, and and as Matr Matron on was was not not at all all sure ure that hat the the whol hole lot lot we werre not not goin goingg to have have "fl "flu" she did the sensible ble thing and popped them all into bed. She gave them each a dos dose out of one of her her enor enormo mous us bott bottle les, s, tuck tucked ed them them up, up, and and left left them them in the the sick sick-r -roo oom m toge togeth ther er.. "A-t "A-tis ishh-oo oo!" !" snee sneeze zed d Kath Kathle leen en.. "Gol "Golly ly,, we were ren' n'tt we idio idiots ts to rush rush off off like like that that the the othe otherr nigh night. t. I do hate hate havi having ng a beas beasttly col cold like like this this." ." "And "And miss missiing that that tea, tea,"" sigh sighed ed Pat. Pat. "Hi "Hilary lary said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss had had rung ung up the the teatea-sh shop op and and made made sure sure that that they they had had thos thosee spec specia iall choc chocol olat atee cake cakess we like like." ." "Wel "Welll -- it's it's no use use grum grumbl blin ing! g!"" said said Isab Isabel el,, sens sensib ibly ly.. "We "We brou brough ghtt this this on ours oursel elve ves. s. Now Now shut shut up, you others. I want to read." The firs irst form orm went ent off off at five five with ith Miss Miss Rober oberts ts and and had had a gorg gorgeo eous us tea tea. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss boug bought ht four four of the spec speciial choc chocol olat atee cake cakess to take take back back to the the girl girlss in the the sick sick--room room.. "I thi think they they have have been been perf perfec ectt bri bricks cks abou aboutt all all this, his,"" she she sai said to Hil Hilary. ary. "Not "Not a grum grumbl ble, e, not not one one word word of comp compla lain int! t!"" Hila Hilary ry said said noth nothin ing. g. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss woul would d have have been been asto astoni nish shed ed if she she bad bad know known n the the real real reas reason on why the four truants truants were not at the circus!. circus!. But Hilary Hilary was certainly certainly not going to tell her. The The cir circus cus was at its best best that that nigh nightt -- and and after fterwa warrds the girl girlss we werre all allowed owed to go behi behind nd the the ring ring and and see see the the perf perfor orme mers rs at clos closee quar quarte ters rs.. Samm Sammyy the the chim chimpa panz nzee ee was was deli deligh ghte ted d to see see them them and and kept kept takin akingg off off his his cap cap to them them most most pol politel itely. y. Jumbo umbo,, the enor enorm mous ous elep elepha hant nt,, ble blew dow down Hila Hilary ry's 's neck neck and and lifted fted her her cur curls as if they hey had had been been blow blown n by the the wind wind!! Lot Lotta let let them hem all all stro stroke ke her her magn magnif ific icen entt hors horse, e, Blac Blackk Beau Beauty ty.. Alto Altoge geth ther er,, it was was a marv marvel ello lous us even evenin ing, g, the the girl girlss we went nt back back tire tired, d, but but very very happ happyy and and talk talkat ativ ive. e. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts sli slipped pped into nto the the sick sick-r -roo oom m to see see if the the four our girl girlss we were re awak awake. e. Mat Matron ron was was just ust tuck tuckin ingg them them up for for the the nigh night. t. "The "There re's 's noth nothin ingg much much wron wrongg with with them them," ," she she told told Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "Kat "Kathl hlee een' n'ss temp temper erat atur uree is down down to norm normal al.. They They'v 'vee just ust got got ordi ordina nary ry bad bad cold colds, s, that that's 's all. all. As tomo tomorr rrow ow is Sund Sunday ay I'll I'll keep keep them in bed one one more day day." "I'v "I'vee brou brough ghtt them them some some of the the spec specia iall choc chocol olat atee cake cakess we alwa always ys have have at the the teatea-sh shop op," ," said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts. s. "I supp suppos osee they they must mustn' n'tt have have them them now. now."" "Oh "Oh, they hey can can if they hey feel eel like like it," said aid Mat Matron, ron, smil smiliing "It "It won't on't hur hurt them! hem!"" All four four girl girlss fel felt like ike choc chocol olat atee cake cakess imme immedi diat atel ely, y, and and sat sat up. up. They They thou though ghtt it was was jolly olly kind kind of Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss to thin thinkk of them them.. They They munc munche hed d thei theirr cake cakess and and list listen ened ed to thei theirr teac teache her' r'ss reci recita tall of the evenin evening's g's happen happening ings. s.
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"Di "Didn't dn't you you thi think Samm Sammyy the the chim chimpa panz nzee ee was was funn funnyy when when he undr undres esse sed d hims himsel elff and and got got into into bed? bed?"" aske asked d Kathl athlee een n eage eagerrly, ly, quit quitee forg forget etti ting ng that that Mis Miss Rober obertts had had no idea dea she she had had seen seen the the circ circus us.. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss star stared ed in surp surpri rise se.. "Kat "Kathl hlee een n saw saw the the post poster erss in the the town town," ," said said Pat, Pat, hurr hurrie iedl dly, y, glar glarin ingg at the the unfo unfort rtun unat atee Kath Kathle leen en with rage. "I thin thinkk it's t's time time the the girl girlss sett settlled dow down now, now, Miss Miss Rober oberts ts," ," sai said Matr Matron on,, comi coming ng in, in, luck luckil ilyy for for the the four, our, at that that ver very mome moment nt.. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss said said good good nigh nightt at once once,, and and went. ent. They They girl girlss lay lay dow down, whi whilst Matr Matron on fus fussed sed roun round d a bit bit, then hen turne urned d out out the light, ght, and and went ent. "Id "Idio iot, t, Kath Kathle leen en!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "You "You near nearly ly gave gave us all all away away!" !" "Sorr "Sorry," y," said said Kathl Kathleen een,, sleep sleepil ily. y. "I quite quite forgot forgot!" !" "No "No more more talk talkin ing! g!"" said said Matr Matron on,, putt puttiing her her head head roun round d the the door door.. "Ano "Anoth ther er word word,, and and I'll I'll come in and give you all a dose of my very ery nastiest medicine!" And And aft after that that ther theree wasn wasn't 't a wor word!
A Terrible Quarrel
The weeks weeks went quickly quickly by. Half-ter Half-term m came and went. went. The twins' mother came to see them at half-term and took them out in the car for the day. She was glad to see them looking looking so well and happy. "Wel Well, how how are are you you gett gettin ingg on?" on?" she she aske asked. d. "I hope hope you' you're re not not findi inding ng St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss quit quitee as bad bad as you feared feared!" !" The twins wins blus blushe hed. d. "It "It's not not a bad bad scho school ol," ," said said Pat Pat. "It' "It'ss qui quite dec decent ent," said aid Isab Isabel el.. Thei heir moth motheer smil smileed to her hersel self. She She knew knew the the twins ins so we welll - and thei theirr few words ords mean meantt that that they they like liked d St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss and and we were re happ happy. y. Everyy we Ever week ek ther theree we were re lacr lacros osse se matc matche hes. s. Some Someti time mess they they we were re play played ed by the the lowe lowerr form forms, s, some someti time mess by the uppe upperr. The twins wins beca became me very very keen keen inde indeed ed,, and and used used to watc watch h all all the the uppe upperr form form matc matche hess with with grea greatt enjo enjoym ymen ent. t. They They thou though ghtt Beli Belind ndaa Towe Towers rs was was marv marvel ello lous us.. She She was was as swif swiftt as the the wind wind,, and and her her catc catchi hing ng was was beau beauti tifu full to watc watch. h.
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"Do you remember how rude we were to her at the beginning of the term?" said Pat. "Golly, I wonder how we dared now!" "We "We we were re awfu awfull idio idiots ts," ," said said Isab Isabel el.. "Hon "Hones estl tly, y, I wond wonder er how how ever everyo yone ne put put up with with us!" us!" "Wel Well, ther here's e's one one pers person on I sim simply ply can' can'tt put put up with with!" !" sai said Pat. Pat. "And "And that hat's Shei Sheilla Nayl Naylor or.. Wha What is the the matt matter er with with her? her? She' She'ss so awfu awfull llyy haug haught htyy and and conc concei eite ted d -alw -alway ayss talk talkin ingg abou aboutt her her marv marvel elllous ous home home and and the the numb numbeer of ser servant vantss they hey keep keep,, and and her her hors horse, e, and thei heir thr three moto motorr-ca cars rs.. Alwa Always ys push pushin ingg hers hersel elff forw forwar ard d and and airi airing ng her her opin opinio ions ns - whic which h aren aren't 't wort worth h twopence, twopence, anyway!" anyway!" Every veryon onee found ound Shei Sheila la very very tryi trying ng inde indeed ed.. She She was was alw always ays doi doing her her best best to impr impres esss peop people le,, and and to mak make them hem thi think that hat she she was was wonde onderf rful ul.. Act Actuall uallyy she she was was a plai plain n and and ordi ordina nary ry girl girl,, with ith rat rather her had had mann manner ers, s, who who didn didn't 't spea speakk ver very well ell. All All her her clot clothe hess were ere good good,, and and she she we went nt to no end of trouble to buy the best of everything - and yet she never brush ushed her hair really well, and if she she coul could d for forget get to wash ash her her neck neck,, she she woul would! d! The The most most impa impati tien entt gir girl in the the firs firstt for form was Jane Janett. She She coul could d not not bear bear vani vanitty, or conc concei eitt, and and Shei Sheila la's 's airs airs and and gra graces ces irr irritat itated ed her her beyo beyond nd word words. s. She She hadn hadn't 't the pat patienc iencee to put put up with ith Shei Sheilla, and and usua usuallly Shei Sheilla kne knew this his and and kept kept out out of her her way. way. One afte aftern rnoo oon, n, just just befo before re tea, tea, the the firs firstt form form we were re enjo enjoyi ying ng them themse selv lves es in thei theirr comm common on room room.. Pat put put on the the gram gramop opho hone ne,, and and play played ed the same same reco record rd four four times imes runni unning ng.. Jane Janett looke ooked d up. up. "For good goodne nesss' sake ake! Are you you trying to learn that record ord by hea heart, Pat? Take it off and bre break it! If I have ave to hear hear it agai again n I'll 'll screa cream m!" "You "You didn didn't 't ough oughtt to talk alk like that that," ," bega began n Shei Sheilla, in a minc minciing voic voicee -- and Janet anet flun flungg down down her her book in a rage. "Har "Harkk at Shei Sheila la!! 'Did 'Didn' n'tt ough oughtt to!' to!' Good Good heav heaven ens, s, Shei Sheila la,, wher wheree we were re you you brou brough ghtt up? up? Have Haven' n'tt you you lear learnt nt by now now that that dece decent nt peop peoplle don' don'tt say say 'Did 'Didn' n'tt ough oughtt to!' to!' My good goodne ness ss,, you you tal talk abou aboutt your your serv servan ants ts,, and and your your Roll Rollss Royce oyce cars cars,, your your hors horsee and and your your lake lake and and good goodne ness ss know knowss what hat -and and then then you talk alk like the the daug daught hter er of the the dust dustma man! n!"" Shei Sheilla we went nt very very white hite.. Pat Pat hurr hurriiedl edly put put on anot anothe herr recor ecord. d. Jane Janett took took up her her book book agai again, n, stil stilll angr angry, y, but but rath rather er asha ashame med. d. If Shei Sheila la had had said said noth nothin ingg more more,, the the whol wholee thin thingg migh mightt have have blow blown n over over.. But afte afterr a whi while Shei Sheila la rais raised ed her her voic voicee and and addr addres esse sed d Jane Janet. t. "I'm sure that if my people knew that I had to put up with girls like you, Janet, they would never have have sent sent me to St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss," she she bega began. n. "You "You'v 'vee no mann manner erss at all, all, you. you...." "Man "Manne ners rs!! You You talk talk abou aboutt mann manner ers! s!"" rage raged d Jane Janet, t, flin flingi ging ng down down her her book book agai again. n. "Goo "Good d heav heaven ens! s! Wha What abou aboutt your your own own manne annerrs, I shoul hould d like ike to know know!! You can begi begin n to talk alk about bout other people's when you know how to wash your neck and brush your hair, and how to eat dece decent ntlly! And And then then you you pret preten end d you you are are too too gran grand d for for us! us! Huh! Huh!"" Janet anet stam stampe ped d out out of the the room room.. Shei Sheilla sat sat perf perfec ecttly stil till, very very pale pale.. The The twi twins glan glance ced d at her, her, and and Pat Pat put put on yet yet anot anothe herr reco record rd,, sett settin ingg it at "Lou "Loud" d".. What What an awfu awfull quar quarre rell! Aft After a whi while Shei Sheila la we went nt out out of the room oom. Pat swi switche tched d off off the gram gramop opho hone ne.. "Di "Didn't dn't she she look look
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awf awful?" ul?" she she sai said to Isa Isabel bel. "I wish Janet anet hadn hadn't 't sai said all that hat. It's t's true it's it's what hat we we'v 'vee all all thou thougght, ht, and perha erhap ps said to one another in joke -- but its rather awful to blurt urt it all out like that." "Wel "Welll it's t's par partly tly Shei Sheilla's a's own own sill sillyy faul fault, t,"" said aid Hilar ilary. y. "If "If she woul wouldn dn't 't swan swankk as she she does does,, and and try try to make make out out she' she'ss some someon onee marv marvel ello lous us,, we woul wouldn dn't 't noti notice ce so easi easily ly the the stup stupid id thin things gs she she does does and and says says I mean mean to say -- if peop peoplle swa swank about bout five five diff differ eren entt bath bathrrooms ooms,, one one pink pink one one blue blue,, one one gree green, n, one one yel yellow low and and one one mauv mauve, e, and then then don' don'tt trou troubl blee to wash wash thei theirr neck necks, s, you you do not notice ice it rather!" "Yes "Yes -- she' she'ss funn funnyy abou aboutt her her bath bathro room oms" s" said said Isab Isabel el "She "She's 's funn funnyy alto altoge geth ther er.. She' She'ss the the only only girl girl in the form that I really and truly don't know at all I mean, I don't know if she's generous or mean mean,, kind kind or unki unkind nd,, hone honest st or dish dishon ones estt trut truthf hful ul or untr untrut uthf hful ul,, joll jollyy or seri seriou ouss -bec -becau ause se she' she'ss alwa always ys pret preten endi ding ng abou aboutt hers hersel elff -- putt puttin ingg on airs airs and and grac graces es,, swan swanki king ng,, bein beingg some somebo body dy that that she she isn't sn't She She migh mightt be qui quite nice nice,, for for all all we know know"" "I shou should ldn' n'tt thin thinkk so," so," said said Hila Hilary ry,, who who was was hear hearti tily ly tire tired d of Shei Sheila la and and her her nons nonsen ense se "Hon "Hones estl tly, y, I thin thinkk she' she'ss batt batty. y."" Shei Sheilla didn didn't 't come come in for for tea, ea, but but nobo nobody dy miss missed ed her her. When When she she didn didn't 't att attend end even eveniing prep prepar arat atiion in the form form room room,, Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss sent sent Pat to find find her. her. Pat hunt hunted ed all all over over the the plac place, e, and and at last last came came acro across ss Shei Sheilla sitt sittiing in a dese desert rted ed and and cold cold littl ittlee musi musicc room room,, all all by hers hersel elf. f. "She "Sheil ila! a! What What in the the worl orld are are you you doin doing? g?"" aske asked d Pat. at. "Hav "Havee you you forg forgot otte ten n it's it's prep prep.. toni tonigh ght? t?"" She Sheil ilaa sat sat sti still and and said said noth nothin ing. g. Pat look looked ed at her her clos closel ely. y. She She look looked ed ill. ll. "Don "Don't 't you you feel feel we well ll?" ?" aske asked d Pat. Pat. "I'l "I'lll take ake you you to matr matron on if you you like like.. What What's 's up, up, Shei Sheila la old old girl girl?" ?" "Nothi "Nothing." ng." said said Sheila. Sheila. "Well, what are you sitting her here for, all in the cold? old?"" asked Pat. "Don't be an idiot. If you' ou're not ill, ill, come come alon alongg to prep prep.. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss is gett gettin ingg all all hot hot and and both bother ered ed abou aboutt you. you."" "I'm "I'm not not comi coming ng,," sai said She Sheila. ila. "I can' can'tt face ace you you all all aga again, in, afte fter what what Janet anet sai said." d." "Wel "Well, l, real really ly!! Fanc Fancyy taki taking ng any any noti notice ce of Jane Janet! t!"" said said Pat, Pat, feel feelin ingg worr worrie ied. d. "You "You know know how how she she loses oses her her temp temper er with ith all of us, us, and and says says thing hingss she she does doesn' n'tt mean mean.. She She's for forgott gotten en all all abou aboutt it by now. now. Come Come alon along! g!"" "She "She didn didn't 't say say thin things gs she she didn didn't 't mean mean.. That That's 's the the whol wholee poin point, t,"" said said Shei Sheila la,, stil stilll in the the same same qui quiet, et, rath rather er quee queerr voi voice. ce. "She "She said said thi things ngs she did did mean mean!! Oh, I hat hate her! her!"" "You "You can' can'tt hate hate old old Jane Janet! t!"" said said Pat. Pat. "She "She's 's drea dreadf dful ully ly quic quickk-te temp mper ered ed and and impa impati tien ent, t, but but she' she'ss very kind too. She wouldn't wouldn't really really hurt you, Sheila. Sheila. Look here -- with me to Matron. Matron. Perhaps Perhaps you' you've ve got got a temp temper erat atur ure. e."" "Lea "Leave ve me alon alone" e" said said Shei Sheilla obst obstiinate nately ly So in desp despai airr Pat Pat left left her, her, feel feelin ingg very very worri orried ed.. What What a pit pity Jane Janett had had flar lared out out like ike that that,, and and said aid thos hose real really ly drea dreadf dful ul thi things ngs! Pat Pat knew knew how how she she woul would d feel if anyone sneered at her in that way in front of every one. She wondered what to do. What shou should ld she she tell tell Miss Miss Robe Robert rts? s?
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On her way back to the form room she pas passed the head-girl's study. The door oor was a little open pen and and Pat coul could d just ust see see Wini Winifr fred ed Jame Jamess bent bent over over a book book.. She She hesi hesittated ated outs outsid ide, e, as a thou though ghtt cam came into nto her her head head.. She She coul couldn dn't 't tell tell Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss abou aboutt the the awfu awfull quar quarre rel. l. But But coul could d she she tell tell Wini Winifr fred ed?? Some Someth thin ing g had had got got to be done done abou aboutt Shei Sheilla, and and she she simp simply ly didn didn't 't know know what! hat! She She knoc knocke ked d at Wini Winiffred' red'ss door. "Com "Comee in!" n!" said said the head head-g -gir irl, l, and and rais raised ed her her seri seriou ouss face face as Pat came came in. "Hal "Hallo lo!! Is ther theree anyt anythi hing ng the the matt matter er?" ?" aske asked d Wini Winifr fred ed.. "Oug "Ought htn' n'tt you you to be at prep prep?" ?" "Y "Yes, es, I ough ought. t."" sai said Pat. Pat. "But "But Miss Miss Rober oberts ts sent sent me to find find some somebo body dy.. And And I'm I'm rath rather er worr worriied abou aboutt this this gir girl, Wini Winifr fred ed,, but but I can' can'tt poss possib ibly ly tell tell Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, so can can l tell tell you? you?"" "Of "Of cour course se," ," said said Wini Winifr fred ed,, "so "so long long as it isn' isn'tt just just tell tellin ingg tale tales, s, Patr Patric icia ia." ." "Of "Of cour course se it's it's not, not, Wini Winifr fred ed!" !" said said Pat. Pat. "I woul would d neve neverr tell tell tale tales. s. But But I sudd sudden enly ly reme rememb mber ered ed that you and this girl come ome from the same town, so I thought maybe you could help a bit." "Thi "Thiss is very very myst myster erio ious us," ," said said Wini Winifr fred ed.. "Wha "What' t'ss it all all abou about? t?"" Then Then Pat Pat expl explai aine ned d abou aboutt the the quar quarre rel, l, and and told told the the head head-g -gir irll all all that that had had happ happen ened ed.. "And "And Shei Sheila la looks ooks so funny unny and and so ill, ill,"" she sai said. "I'm "I'm afrai fraid d it's t's somet omethi hing ng wors worsee than than just just a sil silly quar quarre rell." Wini Winiffred red listen stened ed in silen ilencce. "I'm I'm glad glad you you cam came to me, me," she she said. aid. "It so happ happen enss I'm I'm the onl only pers person on that that can can hel help a litt little le,, beca becaus usee I know know Shei Sheilla's a's hist histor ory. y. You are are a sens sensiible ble pers person on,, Pat, at, so I shal shalll tel tell you you a littl ittle. e. And And perh perhap apss betw betwee een n us we can can help help Shei Sheilla." a." "I hope we can," said Pat. "I don't like her, Winifred -- in fact, I hardly know her at all because she' she'ss alwa always ys hidd hidden en behi behind nd conc concei eitt and and swan swank, k, if you you know know what what I mean mean.. But But she' she'ss awfu awfull lly y unha unhap ppy and I hate ate to see that hat." "She "Sheil ila' a'ss pare parent ntss we were re once once very very poor poor," ," said said Wini Winifr fred ed.. "Her "Her moth mother er was was the the daug daught hter er of our our gard garden ener er.. Her Her fath father er kept kept a kind kind of vill villag agee stor stores es.. He made made a grea greatt deal deal of mone money, y, an enor enormo mous us fort fortun une, e, in fact fact,, so they they rose rose trem tremen endo dous usly ly in the the worl world. d. Now Now they they have have a wond wonder erfu full hous house, e, alm almost ost a man mansion sion,, good goodne ness ss kno knows how how many many serv servaants nts and and cars cars - and and they hey sent ent Shei Sheila la to the bes best scho school olss poss possib ible le beca becaus usee they they want wanted ed thei theirr daug daught hter er to be a lady lady." ." "Oh "Oh." ." said said Pat, Pat, sudd sudden enly ly unde unders rsta tand ndin ingg a lot lot of thin things gs.. "So "So that that's 's why why poor poor Shei Sheila la is alwa always ys swan swanki king ng and and bein beingg haug haught htyy and and arro arroga gant nt,, and and show showin ingg off off - beca becaus usee she' she'ss afra afraid id we we'l'lll not want want to be frie friend ndss with her. her. She' She'ss afra afraiid we migh mightt sneer neer at her. her."" "Yes "Yes -- her her stup stupid id haug haught htiines ness is just ust a sort sort of smoke mokesc scre reen en to hide hide the pla plain, in, ordi ordina nary ry,, rath rather er frig fright hten ened ed pers person on she she is unde undern rnea eath th," ," said said Wini Winifr fred ed.. "And "And now now you you see see what what as happ happen ened ed.. Jane Janett has has blow blown n away away the smo smoke-s ke-scr cree een n and and poi pointed nted out out to ever very one one just just those hose thing hingss that hat Shei Sheila la is alwa lways trying ying to hide -- the manne annerrs and spee peech she lear earnt when hen she she was very ery smal mall." l." "But "But how how awful wfullly sill illy of Shei Sheilla to pret preten end d like like that that!" !" said aid Pat. at. "If she' she'd d tol told us hone honest stly ly tha that her her people had made a lot of money, and how pleased she was to be able to conic to St. Clare's, and
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all all that that,, we we'd 'd have have unde unders rsto tood od and and like liked d her her for for it. it. But But all all that hat sil silly conc concei eitt and and pret preten ence ce!! Hone Honest stly ly,, Wini Winifr fred ed,, it was was awfu awful.l."" "When When peop peoplle feel feel that hat they hey are are not not so clev clever er,, so good good r so we welll-bo l-borrn as othe others rs,, they they ofte often n beha behave ve like like that that,, to hide hide thei theirr feel feelin ings gs of infe inferi rior orit ity, y,"" said said Wini Winifr fred ed,, soun soundi ding ng rath rather er lear learne ned d to Pat. at. "Be "Be sorr sorryy for for them hem and and help help them them." ." "Well - how can I help Sheila?" asked Pat. "I really don't see how I can." "I'll go to her myse yself," said Winifred, getting up. up. "All I want you to do - and Isabel bel, too - is to be extra nice to her for a week or two, and not to laugh at her or point out anything that might hur hurt her. her. Now Now that hat Jane Janett has has drag draggged away away the wal wall She Sheila set up arou round hers hersel elf, f, and and show hown what hat a poor poor thi thing ther theree is behi behind nd it, she she wil will want ant a litt littlle frien riends dshi hip p and and unde underrstan standi ding ng.. If she she's got got any comm common on sens sensee she'l he'lll drop drop her her airs airs and and gra graces ces aft after thi this, and you' you'll ll have have a cha chance nce of findi inding ng out out what the real Sheila Sheila is like. But do give her a chance, chance, won't you?" "Of "Of cour course se I wil will," l," sai said Pat Pat. "Tha "Thank nkss awfu awfullly. ly. Wini Winifr fred ed.. I'll I'll go back back to prep prep.. now. now."" What What Wini Winifr fred ed &ad &ad to Shei Sheilla the twi twins neve neverr kne knew The head head gir girl was wise beyo beyond nd her her year years, s, and and hand handle led d the the shoc shocke ked d and and dist distre ress ssed ed girl girl with with unde unders rsta tand ndin ingg and and gent gentle lene ness ss.. Shei Sheila la appe appear ared ed in the the com common mon room oom that that nigh nightt, pal pale and ner nervous vous,, and and woul would d not not meet meet any any one' one'ss eyes eyes.. But But Pat came came to her her resc rescue ue at once once.. "She "Sheil ilaa! You'r ou'ree just ust the per person son I want anted! ed! Pleas leasee tell ell me wher here I've I've gone gone wrong ong in this his jumpe umperr I'm I'm knit nitting. ng. You'r ou'ree so clever ver at followi owing patt attern erns and I get all muddi uddieed. Look ook - did did I go wrong there - or was it here?" Sheila gladly went to Pat's side, and was soon oon showing her how to put the wrong stitch stitch right. right. When that was done, Isabel Isabel called called to her. "Hi, Sheila Sheila - will you lend me your pain paints ts?? I can' can'tt imag imagin inee what what's 's happ happen ened ed to mine mine." ." "Ye "Yes, of cour course se,," sai said She Sheila, ila, and went ent to fetc fetch h her her pai paints nts. Jane Janett look lookeed up as soon soon as she she was was out of the room oom. "Why "Why all all this this sudd sudden en frie friend ndsh ship ip for for our our haug haught htyy Shei Sheila la?" ?" she she aske asked. d. "To make up a bit for the beastly thin hings you said to her," said Pat. "Give her a chance, Janet. You've bit her hard on her tenderest tenderest places, places, and taken all the stuffing stuffing out of her." "Goo "Good d thin thingg too, too,"" said said Jane Janet, t, gruf gruffl fly. y. "She "She need needed ed it." it."'' "Wel "Well, l, she' she'ss bad bad it, so now now give give her her a chan chance ce,," sai said Pat. Pat. "Don "Don't 't be smal smalll, Jane Janet. t."" "I'm "I'm not, not,"" sai said Janet anet.. "I'm "I'm joll olly sorr sorryy for what what I said aid now, now, thou though gh you you may may not not think hink it. All righ rightt -- I'll do my best. But I'm not going to say I'm sorry. If I do it'll get all hot and bothered again. But But I don' don'tt mind mind show showin ingg I'm I'm sorr sorry. y."" 'Bet 'Bette terr stil still, l,"" said said Isab Isabel el.. "Loo "Lookk out out -- here here she she come comes! s!"" Shei Sheila la came came in with with the the pain paints ts.. "Tha "Thank nks. s."" said said Isab Isabel el.. "Gol "Golly ly,, what what a love lovely ly box! box!""
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Usual sually ly Shei Sheila la woul would d have have said said at once once what what the the box box had had cost cost,, and and woul would d have have boas boaste ted d abou aboutt it. it. But she sai said thing hing.. Jane anet glan glancced at her and and saw that hat she she was stil till .le. Jane Janett was kin kind-he d-hear artted and and gene genero rous us,, alth althou ough gh her her tong tongue ue coul could d be shar sharp p and and bitt bitter er,, and and her her temp temper er was was a. She She got got dow down a tin tin of toff toffee eess from from her her shel shelff and and hand handeed them hem roun round. d. Shei Sheila la expe expect cted ed to be misse issed d out out and and looked looked away. away. "Tof "Tofffee for for you, you, Shei Sheila la,, old old girl girl?" ?" said said Jane Janet, t, in her her ear, ear, plea pleasa sant nt voi voice. ce. Shei Sheila la looke ooked d at Jane Janett and and hesi hesita tate ted. d. She She stil till fel felt sore ore and and angr angryy with ith her. her. But Janet anet's 's brow brown n eyes eyes were ere kind kind and sof soft, and and Shei Sheilla knew knew that hat she she was was tryi trying ng to make make peac peace. e. She She swal swallo low wed her her feel eelings, ngs, and and put put out out her her hand hand to take ake a toff toffee ee.. "Tha "Thank nks, s, Janet anet,," she sai said, in rathe atherr a shak shakyy voi voice the then all all the girl girlss plun plunge ged d into nto a disc discus usssion ion of the the play play they they we were re goi going to prep prepar aree for for Chris hristm tmas as,, and and in the in-r in-res estt of it all all Shei Sheilla forg forgot ot the the quar quarre rel, l, suck sucked ed her her toff toffee ee,, and and grew grew happ happie ier. r. She She thoug hought ht hard hard when hen she she went ent to bed bed that hat nig night. ht. She She sho should uldn't n't have have boas boastted and and brag braggged -but she had only done it because she knew she wasn't as good as the others and she wanted to hide it. And all the time the girls had seen her weak spots, and must have laughed at her. Well -if only they would be friendly dly towards her and not sneer at her, she would try not to mind. She as not a brave girl, and not a very sensible one - but at night she was brave enough ugh and sensible enou enouggh see tha that mone moneyy and serva ervant ntss and cars cars didn didn't 't matt matter er at all. all. It was the per person son unde undern rneeath ath that mattered mattered.. "And "And now now I'l I'll do what hat Wini Winifr fred ed said aid I must must do - show show the the girl girlss the per person son I am unde underrneat neath, h,"" thou thougght poor poor Shei Sheilla, turn turniing over over in bed. bed. "I don' don'tt thi think I'm much uch of a per person son rea really lly -- but but anyw anyway ay,, I'll I'll be bet better ter than than that that awf awful conc concei eitted crea creatu ture re I've I've pret preten ende ded d to be for for a year year!!" And And that that was was the the end end of Shei Sheila la's 's haug haught htyy and and boas boastf tful ul mann manner er.. The The othe otherr girl girlss foll follow owed ed the the exa exampl mple of Jane Janett and and the twin twinss, and and were ere frien riendl dlyy to She Sheila, ila, and and gave gave her her a chan chance ce.. She She took ook the chan chance ce,, and and alth althou ough gh,, as she she had had fear feared ed,, she she wasn wasn't 't much much of a pers person on at firs first, t, neve nevert rthe hele less ss the the rath rather er mous mousee-li like ke gent gentle le Shei Sheila la was was much much nice nicerr than than the the girl girl she she had had been been befo before re.. As time time we went nt on, she would become somebody real, and then hen as Pat said, she would be worth having for a friend. "I shal shalll alw always ays give give peop people le a chan chance ce now, now,"" Pat said said to Isab Isabel el.. "Loo "Lookk at Kathl athlee een n - what hat a bri brick she she is! is! And And Shei Sheila la's 's so diff differ eren ent, t, alre alread ady. y."" "Wel "Well, l,"" sai said Jane Janet, t, who who over overhe hear ard, d, "I shoul hould d joll jollyy we welll thin thinkk you you woul ould give give peop people le a chan chance ce!! Didn Didn't 't we all all give give you you two two a chan chance ce!! My good goodne ness ss,, you you were ere pret pretty ty unbe unbear arab able le whe when you you came came,, I can can tell tell you. you. But you'r ou'ree not not so bad bad now. now. In fact fact,, you' you'rre quit quitee pass passaable! ble!"" Pat Pat and and Isab Isabel el pick picked ed up cush cushio ions ns and and rush rushed ed at the the quic quickk-to tong ngue ued d Jane Janet. t. With With sque squeal alss and and shri shriek ekss she she trie tried d to get get away away,, but but they they pumm pummel elle led d her her unme unmerc rcif iful ully ly.. "We "We shan shan't 't give give you you a chan chance ce,, you you wretc retch! h!"" gigg giggle led d Isab Isabel el.. "You "You don' don'tt dese deserv rvee one! one! Ow Ow,, stop stop pinc pinchi hing, ng, you you brute brute." ." "Wel "Welll, get get off off my midd middlle then, hen,"" pant panted ed Jane Janett. "Wai "Waitt till ill I get get hol hold of a cush cushio ion! n!"" But But they hey didn didn't 't wait! ait! The They tore ore off off to gym. gym. with with Jane Janett afte afterr them, hem, bump bumpiing into nto half half a doze dozen n girl girlss on the way.
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"Thos "Thosee firs firstt-for form m kids kids!" !" said said Tess Tessie ie,, in disg disgus ust. t. "Hon "Hones estl tly, y, they they ough oughtt to be in a kind kinder erga gart rten en,, they they way way they they beha behave ve!" !"
Shei Sheila la Does Does Her Her Bit Bit
Onl Only four four weeks eeks rema emained ned of the the wint inter term. erm. The girl girlss were ere bus busy with play playss. song songss and and sket sketch ches es,, rea ready for for the end end of the term. erm. The first irst form form we were re doi doing a hist histor oriical cal play play with with Miss iss Kenned Kennedyy and thorou thoroughl ghlyy enjoyi enjoying ng themse themselve lves. s. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy had had writ writte ten n the the play play hers hersel elff with with the the girl girlss all all help helpin ingg wher wheree they they coul could. d. Miss Miss Ross Ross,, the the sewi sewing ng mist mistre ress ss,, was was help helpin ingg with with the the cost costum umes es.. It was was grea greatt fun. fun. "You know now, old old Kenny is a good ood sort," said Pat, at, who was busi usily learning her part for the play. "It "It's funny unny -- I hard hardlly eve ever think hink of pla playing ying about bout in her her lesso esson n now. ow. I sup suppos pose it's t's bec becaus ause we'r e're all all so inte intere rest sted ed in the the play play." ." "Wel "Welll, I wish ish I was was as inter nteres este ted d in our our Frenc rench h play play!" !" groa groane ned d Dori Doris, s, whos whosee Fren French ch accen ccentt drov drovee Mam'zelle to despair. "I simply can NOT roll oll my r's in my thro hroat like the rest of you. R-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!" Everyy one laug Ever laughe hed d at Dor Doris's s's funny unny effo efforrts to say the the lett letter er r in the Frenc rench h way way Dons Dons had had no ear ear for for eith either er mus music or lang langua uage ges, s, and and was was the the desp despai airr of both both the music usic mist mistrress ess and and Mam'z am'zel ellle But But she was a wonde onderf rful ul danc danceer, and her her sens sensee of humo umour sent ent the class lass into nto fit fits of laugh aughtter hal half a doze dozen n time timess a day. day. It was was fun fun prep prepar arin ingg for for the the Chri Christ stma mass conc concer ert. t. All All the the diff differ eren entt form formss we were re doin doingg some someth thin ing, g, and and ther theree we were re squa squabb bble less over over usin usingg the the gym. gym. for for rehe rehear arsa sals ls.. Miss Miss Thom Thomas as,, the the gym. gym. mist mistre ress ss,, comp compllaine ained d that hat the the gym. gym. was was used used for for ever everyt ythi hing ng else else but but its its prop proper er purp purpos osee these hese days days!! Les Lessons sons went ent on as usua usuall, of cour coursse, and and Miss Miss Robe oberts rts refu refuse sed d to allow llow the the Chr Christm istmas as prepar parations ons to make any difference at all to the work her form did for her. She She was was very very cros crosss with Pat when hen she she foun found d that hat was secr secret etlly learn earniing her her part part in the the pla play, when when she she shou should ld have have been been lear learni ning ng a list list of gram gramm mar rules ules.. She She had had copi copied ed out out her her words ords,, and and had had neatly fitted them into her her grammar boo book. She had a good part in the play and was very anxious ous to be word word-p -per erfe fect ct for for the the rehe rehear arsa sall that that afte aftern rnoo oon. n. "I think, Pat, that hat you must have got the wrong page in your grammar book," k," said Miss Robe Robert rts, s, sudd sudden enly ly.. "Bri "Bring ng it to me." me." Pat went ent red. She got up with her boo book. She dropp opped it pur purposely ely on the floor so that hat it shut hut, and and then then pick picked ed it up, up, hopi hoping ng that that Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss woul would d not not not notice ice the word wordss of the the play play insid nside. e. But But Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss did, did, of cour course se.. Her Her shar sharp p eyes eyes miss missed ed noth nothin ing! g! "I thou though ghtt so," so," she she said said,, dryl dryly, y, taki taking ng out out the the neat neatly ly-c -cop opie ied d play play-w -wor ords ds.. "Whe "When n is the the rehe rehear arsa sal? l?""
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"Thi "Thiss afte afterno rnoon, on, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" said said Pat. Pat. "Wel "Welll, you you will will lear learn n your your gram gramma marr rul rules inste nstead ad of goin goingg to the the rehe rehear arsa sal, l,"" said said Miss Miss Rober oberts ts.. "That seems quite fair to me, and I hope it does to you. If you learn your part in the play during gram gramma marr time time,, then then it seem seemss just just that that you you shou should ld learn earn your your gram gramma marr rules ules in rehe rehear arsa sall time time." ." Pat look looked ed up in dism dismay ay.. "Oh. "Oh. Miss Miss Rober oberts ts!! Plea Please se don' don'tt make make me miss miss rehea ehears rsal al.. I've I've got got an impo import rtan antt part part in the the play play,, you you know know." ." "Yes "Yes,, and and next next year year thi this form form has has impo import rtan antt exam exams. s. to take take," ," said said Miss Miss Rober oberts ts.. "Wel "Welll, I'll I'll give give you one more chance, Pat. No more of this, please! Learn thos hose rules now and say them to me at the end of the morning. If they are correct, I'll let you off. Go back to your seat!" Pa Pat went to the rehearsal, of course! It was just ust no good at all trying to play any tricks in Miss Robert erts' class, and she she had had to learn her grammar in break eak in order der to get it perf erfect for Miss Rober oberts ts by the the end end of the morn morniing. ng. But ever everyy one one liked iked the form form--mist mistre ress ss.. She She was stri strict ct,, coul could d be ver very seve severe re and and sarc sarcas asti tic, c, but but she she was always always perfectly perfectly just, and never went back on what she said or promised. promised. Mam'zelle Mam'zelle was not alw always ays just just,, but but she she was was so good goodhe hear arte ted d that that very very few few of the the girl girlss real reallly disl disliiked ked her. her. What What with ith work workiing up for the end end of term term exam exams. s.,, and and the conc concer ert, t, the girl girlss had had ver very littl ittlee time time to them themse sellves, ves, but but they they enj enjoyed oyed ever everyy minu minutte. Dori Doriss was was to danc dancee a sol solo danc dancee that that she had had crea create ted d her hersel self. Vera Vera was was to play play the the pian piano, o, at whic which h she she was was extr extrem emel elyy good good.. Five ive of the the girl girlss were in the French French play, and most of them in the history history play. Everybody Everybody was in something. something. Exce Except pt one one pers person on!! Shei Sheila la was was in noth nothin ing! g! This This happ happen ened ed quit quitee by acci accide dent nt.. At firs firstt Mam' Mam'ze zell llee had said she was to be Monsieur Toc-Toc in the play, so Miss Kennedy didn't put her in the hist histor oryy play play -an -and then hen Mam' Mam'ze zell llee chan changged her her mind mind and put put Joan Joan into nto the the French ench pla play inste nsteaad. So Sheila was in neither, and as she didn' dn't pla play the piano or the violi olin, could not recite at all, and was no good at dancing, dancing, she felt very left-out. left-out. She She said said noth nothiing. ng. At first irst nobo nobody dy noti notice ced d that that she she wasn wasn't 't goin goingg to be in anyth nythiing, ng, beca becaus usee it had had all all happ happen ened ed acci accide dent ntal ally ly.. Then Then Isab Isabel el noti notice ced d that that Shei Sheila la was was look lookin ingg mope mopeyy and and aske asked d her her why. why. "Wha "Whatt's up? up? Had Had bad bad news news from rom home home or some someth thiing?" ng?" "Oh, "Oh, no," no," said said Shei Sheila la.. "Not "Nothi hing' ng'ss wron wrong. g."" Isabel said no more but watched Sheila for a few days. She soon noticed that she was not in eith either er of the play playss and and was was not not doin doingg anyt anythi hing ng by her hersel self eith either er.. "I say! say! I bel believe eve you'r ou'ree mise miserrabl able beca becaus usee you' you're re not not in the conc concer ert! t!"" sai said Isab Isabel el.. "I thou thougght you you were ere going oing to be in the Fren French ch play." "I "I was, was,"" said said Shei Sheila la,, unco uncomf mfor orta tabl bly. y. "But "But then then Mam' Mam'ze zell llee chos chosee some some one one else else.. I'm I'm not not in anyt anythi hing ng,, and and every very one one will will not notice ice it, Isa Isabel. bel. I do so hate hate bein beingg left left out. out."" "We "Well ll,, it wasn wasn't 't done done on purp purpos ose, e, sill silly, y,"" said said Isab Isabel el,, laug laughi hing ng.. "I feel as if it was," said Sheila. "I know I'm not much good at anything, but it doesn't make it
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any bett etter when hen I'm not not even ven giv given the chanc hancee to do anyt anythi hin ng." g." "Oh, "Oh, don' don'tt be an idiot diot!!" said said Isab Isabel el.. Shei Sheilla look looked ed obst obstin inat ate. e. Like ike many many weak eak peop people le she she coul could d be reall reallyy pig-he pig-heade aded. d. "Wel "Well, l, I'm I'm fed up! up!" she she sai said. "I shan' han'tt go to the rehea ehearrsal sal or any anythi thing. ng. I'l I'll just ust go off off by mysel yself. f."" "Wel "Well, l, anyw anywaay, you you migh mightt at least east take ake an int interes erestt in what hat the the for form is doi doing, ng, even even if you' you'rre not not doin doingg anyt anythi hing ng yours yoursel elf! f!"" crie cried d Isab Isabel el,, indi indigna gnant ntly ly.. "Tha "That' t'ss mean mean and and stup stupid id." ." "I'l "I'lll be mean mean and stupi tupid d then, hen,"" sai said Shei Sheila la,, almo almosst in tears ears,, and and she she went ent off off by hers herseelf. lf. Isab Isabel el told old Pat. Pat. "Oh "Oh blow blow!!" said said Pat. at. "Jus "Justt as we we were re gett gettiing Shei Sheila la to be sens sensib ible le too, too, and and givi giving ng her her a chanc hancee. Don Don't let' let'ss bot bother her about bout her her! If she she want ants to feel eel she she's left left out out and and sli slight ghted when she isn't, isn't, let her!" her!" Janet came up and listened to the tale. She had been very good to Sheila the last week or two, for for she she had had reall eallyy fel felt very very gui guilty lty over over her her loss loss of tempe emper. r. She She looke ooked d thoug hought htfu full now. now. "No "No -don' don'tt let' let'ss undo undo the the good good work ork we we'v 'vee been been tryi trying ng to do! do!" she she said. aid. "Let "Let's 's thin thinkk of some someth thin ing. g. I know once I was left out of a match when I badly wanted to be in it, and although I'm not such a sil silly as Shei Sheilla, still till I did did feel eel pre pretty tty awfu awfull. I reme remem mber ber thi thinkin nkingg that that the whole hole scho school ol would ould be whisperin hisperingg about me, wondering wondering what I had done to be out of the match!" match!" The The twin twinss laug laughe hed. d. Jane Janett was was so sens sensib ible le and and joll jollyy that that they they coul couldn dn't 't imag imagin inee her her worr worryi ying ng abou aboutt a thi thing like like that that.. "It's all very well to laugh," said Janet net. "You are twins and have always got each other to back up and and laug laugh h over over thin things gs with with -- but but when when you' you're re a natu natura rall llyy lone lonely ly pers person on like like Shei Sheila la,, it's it's diff differ eren ent. t. Litt Little le thin things gs get get awfu awfull llyy big. big."" "You "You are are stic sticki king ng up for for Shei Sheila la all all of a sudd sudden en," ," sai said Pat, at, in surp surpri rise se.. "No, "No, I'm I'm not. not. All All I say say is - don' don'tt let' let'ss spoi spoill what what we've e've been been tryi trying ng to do, do," sai said Jane Janet, t, impa impati tien entl tly. y. "Oh, "Oh, we well ll -- you you thin thinkk of some someth thin ingg then then," ," said said Isab Isabel el.. "I can' can't! t!"" The twin wins went ent off off. Jane Janett sat sat down down and bega began n to think hink.. She She was impa mpatient ient and and impul mpulsi sive ve,, but onc once she she had had set set her her hand hand to anyt nything hing she woul ouldn't dn't give give up. up. She Sheila ila wante nted hel help agai again, n, and and Jane anet was going to give it. "Gos "Gosh! h! I've I've got got it! it!" sai said Jane Janett to hers hersel elf. f. "We' "We'lll make make her her prom prompt pter er,, of cour course se!! We need need som some one at rehearsals with the book, ready to prompt any of us who forg orgets. And my goodnes ness, I forget my word ords all right! I'll go and ask She Sheila if she' he'll be promp ompter at rehearsals and on the conce concert rt night night too." too." She went off to find Sheila. It was some time before she found her, and then at last she ran her to eart earth h in the the art art room room,, tidy tidyin ingg out out the the cupb cupboa oard rds. s. "I say, say, Shei Sheilla! Will Will you you do some someth thin ingg for for us?" us?" crie cried d Jane Janet. t. "Wil "Willl you you be prom prompt pter er for for the play play?? We get into an awful muddle muddle trying trying to prompt each other, and it would be an awful help to have som some one one with the the book book,, who who will ill follo ollow w the wor words and and hel help when hen we go wrong rong.."
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"I woul wouldn dn't 't be any any good good at that that," ," said said Shei Sheila la,, rat rather her sul sullenl lenly. y. "Oh, "Oh, yes yes, you you woul ould, idiot diot!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "It "It woul ould be such such a hel help, Shei Sheilla. Plea Please se do. do. Some Some of us are sure to be nervous on the conc oncert night too, and it would uld be nice to know you were at the side side,, read readyy to prom prompt pt us with with the the word words. s."" "Al "All righ right. t."" sai said Shei Sheila la,, rat rather her ungr ungrac acio ious uslly. She She had had felt felt that hat if she she wasn wasn't 't in the the play playss, she she joll olly well wouldn't wouldn't 'help at all. But that was small and mean -- and Sheila Sheila was doing her best not to be that. So she she beca became me prom prompt pter er,, and and atte attend nded ed all all the the rehe rehear arsa salls with with the book book of word words. s. She She soon soon began gan to enjoy it all, and and love oved the play. She did nothi othing ng but stand or sit with the book ook, prom prompt ptin ingg thos thosee who who forg forgot ot,, whi whilst lst the the othe others rs had had the fun of act acting. ing. But she she didn didn't 't grum grumbl blee or comp compla lain in,, and and the the twin twinss secr secret etly ly thou though ghtt she she was was beha behavi ving ng rath rather er we well ll.. "Goo "Good d for for Jane Janett to have have thou though ghtt of that that,," sai said Pat. Pat. "Y "Yes - she thou though ghtt Shei Sheila la was going oing to refu refusse," e," said said Isabe sabel. l. "I'm "I'm not not at all all sure ure I woul wouldn dn't 't have have said no, if it had been me!" "I shou should ldn' n'tt have have let you! you!"" sai said Pat. at. Two weeks Two eeks bef before ore the the end end of the the term term an accid cciden entt happ happen ened ed.. Vera, era, a ver very qui quiet girl girl in the firs firstt form, fell during gym. and broke her her arm. She brok brokee it just by the wrist and had to be taken ken off to hospital to have it Xrayed yed. It was set in plaster, and her par parents dec decided ded that hat as it was so near the end of the term, she might as well go home, instead of staying the last two weeks. "It's her right arm, so she won' on't be able ble to write at all," said her mother to Miss Theo heobald. "It would be just as well for her to be quiet at home." So poor poor Vera said aid goodod-bye and went ent, pro promising to be back ack the nex next term with her arm mend mended ed agai again! n! And And then then ther theree was was cons conste tern rnat atio ion n in the the clas class, s, beca becaus usee Vera Vera had had an impo import rtan antt part art in the pla play! "Go "Goll lly! y! What What's 's to be done done?" ?" said said Pat, Pat, in dism dismay ay.. "No one one els else can can poss possiibly bly learn earn all the the word wordss in time time.. Ve Vera had such uch a big part. rt." Everyy one Ever one star tared roun round d in desp despai airr. Thos Thosee who who we werre not not in the the pla play felt elt perf perfec ectl tlyy cert certaain that that they coul ould not possibly bly learn the big part in so short ort a time. And then hen Janet spok poke. "The "There re's 's some some one one who does does know know all all the the words ords!" !" she she crie cried. d. "She "Sheiila, la, you you do! do! You'v ou'vee been been prom prompt ptiing us at ever everyy rehe rehear arsa sall, and and you you know know ever everyy part part!! You'r ou'ree the the onl only one one who's ho's been been foll follow owin ingg the the word wordss page page by page page in the the book book.. Can' Can'tt you you take take Vera Vera's 's part part?" ?" Shei Sheilla went ent brig bright ht red. red. All All the the girl girlss look looked ed at her her expe expect ctan antl tly. y. "Go on -- say you will," said Pat. "You can do it just as well as Vera!"
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"I "I should love to," said Sheila. "I'm sure I coul ould do it! I know every word! Well - I know every word of every part now, of course - but I'd just love to do Vera's part. I like it best of all." "Goo "Good! d!"" crie cried d Pat. Pat. "Tha "Thatt's sett settle led d then then.. We'l We'lll get get some some one one else else to be prom prompt pter er and and you you must must be in the play." "So "So at the the next next rehe rehear arsa sall Shei Sheila la was was not not prom prompt pter er,, but but took took one one of the the most most impo import rtan antt part parts. s. She She was was qui quite wor word-pe d-perrfect fect,, and and beca becaus usee she she had had so ofte often n watch atched ed Vera era doin doingg the par part, she was able to act it very well. Ever very one one was plea please sed d. They hey had had all all kno known tha that Shei heila was hur hurt bec becaus ause she had had bee been left eft Out of ever everyt ythi hing ng by acci accide dent nt,, and and had had admi admire red d her her for for taki taking ng on the the rath rather er dul dull job of prom prompt pter er -and and now now tha that she she had had had had such such an unex unexpe pect cted ed rew reward ard the the whol hole for form was was del delight ghted. ed. But But nobo nobody dy was was more more deli deligh ghte ted d than than Shei Sheila la hers hersel elf. f. She She was was real really ly thri thrill lled ed with with her her good good luck luck.. She She we went nt abou aboutt with ith a smi smiling ing face face,, and was so unex unexpe pect cted edlly fly fly tha that the the clas classs coul could d har hardly dly beli believ evee it was was Shei Sheila la.. But Sheila did did not forget to write and tell Vera how sorry she was to hea hear abou bout her her accid cident. nt. She She reme rememb mber ered ed some some one one else else's 's disa disapp ppoi oint ntme ment nt in the the midd middle le of her her own own plea pleasu sure re.. Yes Yes -Shei Sheila la was we welll on the way way to beco becomi ming ng someb omebod odyy now now!
Kath Kathle leen en Has Has A Secr Secret et
One One afte aftern rnoo oon, n, when when Pat, Pat, Isab Isabel el and and Kath Kathle leen en we were re comi coming ng back back from from the the town town acro across ss the the fiel fields ds,, they they hear heard d a whin whinin ingg nois noisee from from the the hedg hedge. e. "Tha "That' t'ss a dog dog!" sai said Kat Kathlee hleen n at once once,, and and she ran to see. see. The othe otherrs foll ollowed owed - and and ther there, e, in the ditc ditch, h, they they saw saw a half half-g -gro rown wn roug roughh-ha hair ired ed terr terrie ier, r, its its ches chestt and and face face blee bleedi ding ng.. "It's It's been been shot shot!!" crie cried d Kath Kathle leen en indi ndignan gnantl tly. y. "Loo "Lookk at all all the pell pellet etss in its poor poor legs legs!! Oh! Oh! It's It's that that hate hatefu full fann fanner er who who live livess over over the the hill hill.. He alwa always ys swea swears rs he'l he'lll shoo shoott any any dog dog that that goes goes wand wander erin ing g in his his fiel fields ds." ." "But "But why?" hy?" aske asked d Pat, Pat, in surp surpri rise se.. "Dog "Dogss go all all over over the the fiel fields ds." ." "Yes "Yes - but but shee sheep p are are in thes hese fiel fields ds,, and soon soon the the lamb lambss will will be born born," ," sai said Kat Kathlee hleen. n. "Dog "Dogss chas chasee shee sheep, p, you you know know,, and and frig fright hten en them them." ." "Well, this poor oor animal has been een shot," said Pat. "What hat are we going to do with it?" "I'm going to take it back to school with me and look after it," said Kathleen. She was quite
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craz crazyy over over anim animal als. s. The The twin twinss look looked ed at her her in asto astoni nish shme ment nt.. "You "You won't on't be able ble to keep him him," said Pat. "And anyway, you ough ught to ring up the pol police and report report him. him. Supp Suppos osee his his owne ownerr is look lookin ingg for for him? him?"" "We "Well, ll, I'l I'll ring up and and see see if any any one one has has been been aski sking for him, him,"" said aid Kathl athlee een. n. "But "But if you thi think Fm goin goingg to leav leavee a dog dog blee bleedi ding ng all all by itse itself lf out out in the fiel fields ds,, you' you're re joll jollyy we well ll mist mistak aken en!" !" "All "All righ right, t, all all righ right! t!"" said said Isab Isabel el.. "But "But how how are are you you goin goingg to take ake him him home home?? He'l He'lll cove coverr you you with ith blood." "As "As if I care care abou aboutt that that!" !" sai said Kath Kathlleen, een, pick pickiing the the dog dog up ver very gent gently ly.. He whine hined d agai again, n, but but snug snuggl gled ed down down into into the the girl girl's 's aims aims,, know knowin ingg quit quitee we well ll that that they they we were re kind kind and and frie friend ndly ly.. They hey wal walked ked back back to scho school ol with ith the the dog. dog. They hey deba debate ted d wher wheree to put put him. him. No girl girl was was allo allow wed to kee keep a dog, and if he were dis discovered he would uld certainly be sent off. And Kathle hleen was quite dete determ rmiined ned that hat she she was goin goingg to nurs nursee him him till ill he was was bett better er!! "Co "Coul uld d we keep keep him him in the the bicy bicycl clee shed shed?" ?" aske asked d Pat. at. "Oh, "Oh, no. no. He woul ould be much much too too cold cold,," sai said Kath Kathlleen, een, stan standi ding ng behi behind nd the the bush bushes es with with the the dog dog in her her arms rms, pond ponder eriing how how to get get him him into nto scho school ol with withou outt bei being seen seen.. "Wai "Waitt a minu minutte - let let's think." The They all thou though ghtt. Then hen Pat Pat gave gave an exc exclama lamattion. ion. "I know know I Wha What abou aboutt that hat littl ittlee boxbox-ro room om near near the the hot hot tank tank upst upstaairs irs in the the atti attics cs?? He'd He'd be warm arm there here,, and and righ rightt away away from from ever everyy one. one. Nobo Nobody dy ever ever goes goes ther there. e."" "And "And we we'r 'ree not not supp suppos osed ed to eith either er,," said said Isa Isabel bel. "Das "Dash! h! We alw always ays seem seem to be doi doing thin things gs we ough oughtn tn't 't to do." do." "Wel "Well, l, this this is for for the the dog' dog'ss sake sake,," said said Kath Kathlleen. een. "I'm "I'm wil willing ling to do anyt anythi hing ng.. Poor Poor darl darlin ing! g! Don' Don'tt whine like that. I promise promise I'll make you better better soon." soon." Jane Janett cam came roun round d the the cor corner ner and saw saw the thre hree of them hem stand tandiing by the bus bushes hes. "Hal Hallo! lo!" she sai said. "Wha "What' t'ss up? up? What What have have you you got got ther there? e? A dog! dog! Good Goodne ness ss grac gracio ious us.. What What's 's wrong rong wit with him?" "He' "He'ss been been shot, hot,"" sai said Kath Kathlleen. een. "We' "We're re goin goingg to keep keep him him in the the boxr boxroo oom m upst upstai airrs in the the att attics ics till he' he's better. Are you you going down own to the town, Janet net? Well ell, be a sport and ask at the pol police sta station tion if anyo anyone ne has has repo report rted ed a lost ost dog. dog. If they they have have,, ask for for thei theirr name name and and addr addres ess, s, and and I'll I'll tell ell them them I've I've got got him him safe safely ly." ." "Al "Alll righ right, t,"" sai said Jane Janet. t. "But "But look lookou outt that that he does doesn' n'tt make make a nois noisee or you' you'lll get get into into trou troubl ble. e. You're quite batty over animals, animals, Kathleen! Kathleen! Good-bye!" Good-bye!" Jane Janett rush rusheed off off to get get her her bic bicycl ycle. Kathl athlee een n turne urned d to the the twins wins.. "You "You go and and see see that hat the coas coastt is clear," she said. "And let's think what to have for a bed for him."
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"The "There re's 's an old old wood wooden en box box in the the gard garden ener er's 's shed shed," ," sai said Isab Isabel el,, eage eagerl rly. y. "Tha "Thatt would ould do nice nicely ly.. I'll I'll get get it." it." She ran to get it Pat went indoors to see if it was safe for Kathleen to take the dog in. She whistled histled a little little tune, and Kathleen Kathleen ran in with the dog. The two of them scurried scurried up the stairs stairs without ithout meeting meeting any one -but round the corner of the corridor corridor they could hear footsteps footsteps coming coming and and the loud oud voi voice of Mam' Mam'ze zellle, le, talki alking ng to Miss Miss Jenk Jenks. s. "Oh, "Oh, crum crumbs bs!" !" groa groane ned d Kath Kathlleen, een, and and she she turne urned d to go dow down the stai stairs rs agai again. n. But But some some one one was now comi oming up. Pat ope opened ned the door oor of a big broom cupboa board and push ushed Kathl athlee een n and the dog into it. She She shut the doo door, and then drop dropp ped on one one knee, pretend ending to do up her shoe. Just as Mam'zelle Mam'zelle and Miss Jenks passed passed her, the dog in the cupboard cupboard gave a whine. whine. Mam'zelle Mam'zelle look looked ed roun round d m surp surpri rise se "Ti "Tiens! ens! Why Why do you you whi whine like ike a dog? dog?"" she she aske asked d Pat, at, and and pass passeed on, on, thi thinki nking that hat gir girls we werre inde indeed ed funn funnyy crea creatu ture res. s. Pat gigg gigglled, ed, and and open opened ed the the door door when when the the two mist mistre ress sses es had had gone gone by. by. "Did you hea hear what Mam'ze 'zelle said?" she asked. "Come on - it's all right now. We can get up the atti atticc stai stairs rs in a tric trice! e!"" They went up to the top of the school. The attics were just under the roof, and the boxrooms were a peculiar peculiar shape, being small, small, with slanting slanting roofs, and almost im126 poss possiible ble to stand tand up in. Here Here were ere kept kept the the trun trunks ks and case casess bel belongi onging ng to the the girl girls. s. The The boxr boxroo oom ms we were re onl only vis visited ited twice wice a term erm - onc once whe when the trunk runkss we were re put put the there, re, and and onc once whe when they they we were re brou brough ghtt dow down to be pack packed ed.. After a moment Isabel came up with the box and an old rug she had found in the locker down downsstai tairs in the the gym. gym. The girl girlss chos chosee the the lit little tle box boxroom room next next to the hot hot tanks anks.. It was was warm arm and cosy. They hey set the wooden box down in a corner and tuck ucked the old rug into it. It made a very cosy cosy bed. bed. The Then Kathleen set to work to bathe the dog's wounds. It took a long time, and the dog dog lay pati patien entl tlyy till till it was was fini finish shed ed,, lick lickin ingg Kath Kathle leen en's 's care carefu full hand handss as she she bath bathed ed him. him. "You "You'r 'ree awfu awfull llyy good good with with anim animal als, s,"" said said Pat, Pat, watc watchi hing ng her. her. "And "And does doesn' n'tt he love love you? you?"" "I'm "I'm goi going to be a vet vet when when I'm I'm grow grownu nup, p,"" sai said Kat Kathlee hleen. n. "The "There re you you are, are, my bea beauty, uty, you' you'rre all all right ight now. now. Don' Don'tt lick off off that hat oint ointme ment nt more ore than han you you can can hel help! Lie qui quietl etly her here now, now, and and you' you'lll soon be all right aga again! I'll bri bring you some ome water and some ome food. od." The The bell bell we went nt for for prep prep.. and and the the thre threee girl girlss hurr hurrie ied d down downst stai airs rs,, care carefu full llyy clos closin ingg the the boxr boxroo oom m door door behi behind nd them them.. They They met met Jane Janett as they they we went nt into into the the clas classr sroo oom. m. "I "I aske asked d at the the pol police ice stat statiion," on," whis whispe pere red d Jane Janet. t. "But "But they they said said nobo nobody dy had had repo report rted ed a dog. dog. I had had to tell tell them them what hat he was was like and and they hey want wanted ed your your nam name and addr addres esss." "Gra "Graci ciou ous! s! What What an idio idiott you you are! are!"" whis whispe pere red d back back Kath Kathle leen en,, as she she took took her her seat seat.. "Wha "Whate teve verr will Miss Theobald Theobald say if the police police ring up the school and ask for me! Really, Really, Janet!" Janet!" "Wel "Well, l, I had had to give give it!" t!" whi whisper spereed Jane Janet. t. "You "You can't an't say no to the the pol police, ice, can can you? ou? Anywa nywayy, I
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don' don'tt expe expect ct the the dog dog will will be repo report rted ed,, so don' don'tt worr worry! y!"" But But Kath Kathle leen en did did worr worry. y. When When she she hear heard d the the tele teleph phon onee bell bell ring ringin ingg that that even evenin ingg she she was was quit quitee sur sure that hat it was the the pol police ringi inging ng up the the Head Head Mist Mistrress. ess. But it wasn' asn't. t. The girls irls brea breatthed hed with ith reli relief ef when when they they hear heard d tha that it was a messa essage ge for for Miss Miss Robe oberts rts. The dog was given ven water and food ood. He lay quit uite quietly in his basket and was as good ood as gold. old. "He ought ght to hav have a run before we go to bed," said Kathle hleen, en, anxi nxious ously. "How are we to mana manage ge it?" it?" "Let's bundle him up in a heap of the clothes we are using for the play," said Pat. "If anyone meet meetss us they they wil will thi think we are are just ust taki taking ng a pile pile of clot clothe hess for rehea ehears rsaal. I'll 'll get get some some!!" So, So, five ive minu minuttes bef before ore bedt bedtim imee the the gir girls crep creptt up the atti atticc stai stairs rs with with a heap heap of clot clothe hes. s. The sur surpri prised sed dog dog was was caref areful ully ly tucke ucked d up in them them,, with with just ust his his nose nose show showin ingg so that hat he coul could d breathe. Then Then Kat Kathlee hleen n car carried ried him him dow downsta nstair irs, s, whi whisper sperin ingg to him him so that that he woul would d lie qui quiet. et. He did did not not want to be quiet at all, and struggled struggled violently, violently, but luckily luckily the girls met nobody except Matron. She She was was in a hur hurry, ry, and and hard hardlly glan glance ced d at them. hem. "You won't be in time for bed if you aren' en't quick!" she called. The girls giggled, and went out out into nto the garden by a little-used door. or. They set the dog free in a tiny yard wher here the garden deners chop choppe ped d firew irewoo ood d and and logs, ogs, and and he limp limped ed abou aboutt joyf oyfully ully.. Then hen they they pack packed ed him him up in the pil pile of clot clothe hess agai again, n, and and scur scurri ried ed indo indoor ors. s. Thi This time time they they were ere not not so lucky ucky.. They hey met met Beli elinda nda Tow Towers! ers! She She stop stoppe ped d and and glar glared ed at them. hem. "Don "Don't 't you you know know that that your your bedbed-ti time me bel bell has has gone gone?? What What are are you you doi doing wand wander erin ingg about bout here here?? And what on earth earth is that in those those clothes? clothes?"" Th The dog struggled to get out and its head came out with a jerk. "Oh, we've 've been trying so hard not not to let let any any one one see see him! him!"" sai said Kathl athlee een, n, almo almost st in tea tears. rs. Beli elinda, nda, he's he's been been shot shot,, he's he's.. . ." "Don "Don't 't tell ell me anyt nything hing abou aboutt him him and and I sha shan't n't now, now,"" said aid Beli elinda, nda, who who was was ver very fond ond of anima animals ls too. too. Go on - take that hat pile of clothes away -- and go to your dorm ormitory quic uickly kly." "Good Good old old Beli elinda! nda!"" said said Pat Pat, as the thre threee of them hem went ent up the stai stairs rs to the boxr boxroo oom. m. "Isn "Isn't 't she she a spor sport? t? "talk about Nelson turning the blind eye eye - she turned a blind eye on our dog all right! Do hurry, Kath Kath.. We real really ly shal shalll get get into nto a row row if we're e're much much long longer er!" !" They tuck ucked the dog up again in his basket. He licked ked their bands and wuffed a very small bark. "Isn "Isn't 't he clev cleveer?" r?" cri cried Kath Kathlleen, een, in deli deligh ghtt. "He even even know knowss he that that he mus must whis whispe perr a bar bark." k." "Well ell, it was a pretty loud oud whis hisper, er," sai said Pat. "Com "Comee on. on. Let' et's go down own and hope ope that hat Hilary won't say a word. It's about the first first time we've been late, late, anyway. anyway. I hope the dog doesn't doesn't bark the the pla place dow down in the the nigh nightt!" "Of "Of cour coursse he won' won't! t!"" said aid Kath Kathlleen, een, shut shutti ting ng the the boxr boxroo oom m door door
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car careful efully ly.. "Hel Hell slee sleep p all nigh nightt - and and in he morn morniing, ng, very very ear early, ly, Ill Ill take take him him for a run run agai again. n."" They hey tore tore down down to thei theirr dorm dormit itor ory, y, to find find Hila Hilary ry gett gettin ingg most most exas exaspe pera rate ted d with with them them.. "Whe "Where re have have you you been been?" ?" she she dema demand nded ed.. "You "You know know it's t's my job job to see see you' you're re here here on time ime at nine nine o'cl o'cloc ock. k. It's t's too bad of you." "We' "We've ve been been putt puttin ingg a dog dog to bed, bed,"" whis whispe pere red d Kath Kathle leen en.. Hila Hilary ry star stared ed in surp surpri rise se.. "Wha "Whatt did did you you say? say?"" she she aske asked. d. "Put "Putti ting ng what hat to bed? bed?"" "Sha "Shalll I tell ell eve every one? one?"" said aid Kathl athleeen to the the twi twins. ns. They hey nodd nodded ed.. It was lovel ovelyy to have have a sec secret ret -but it was gre great fun to surprise ever very one one and tell it! So Kath Kathle leen en expl explai aine ned d abou aboutt the the hurt hurt dog, dog, and and ever everyy one one list listen ened ed in amaz amazem emen ent. t. "Fan "Fancy cy taki taking ng a dog dog to the boxr boxro oom! om!" cri cried Dor Doris. 'Wel 'Welll, I'd never ever dare to do that hat! Supp Suppos osee Mat Matron went ent up ther there! e! She' She'd d soon soon find find him! him!"" 'Wel 'Well, l, we shal shalll onl only keep keep him him for for a day day or two two till till he's he's qui quite bet better, ter,"" said said Kath Kathlleen. een. "Then Then we'l e'll hav have found ound out out wher here he belon elongs gs to and and can tak take him back back.." But it wasn't quite as easy as all that!
The Secret Secret Is Out!
The dog made no noise at all in the night. night. Kathleen Kathleen managed managed to wake very early, early, and creep up to the box-r x-room oom to take him for a run in the little woodod-yard. He completely refu efused to be taken down all wrapped up again, so Kathleen een had had to put a bit bit of string round his neck and lead him down down the the stai stairrs. He made made rathe atherr a noi noise flopp loppin ingg dow down, but but nobo nobody dy came came to see see what hat was was the the matter. It was was mar marvel vellous ous the way way his his legs legs and and ches chestt and and face face bad bad hea healed duri during ng the nigh nightt. Kath Kathlleen een was was very pleased. pleased. The dog fawned round her legs in the yard, and tried to jump up to lick her hand. The girl thought thought he was a marvellous marvellous dog, and hoped against against hope that no one would claim him. "If "If only nly l cou could kee keep him him unti untill the end end of term, rm, and then hen take take him hom home!" e!" she thou hought ght. 'Wou 'Would ldn' n'tt it be love lovely ly!" !" She She took him him back to the boxroom again. This time he didn't want her to leave him, and after she she had had shut hut the door door and and gone gone bac back to the the dor dormito mitorry she she felt elt sur sure she she coul could d hear hear him him whini hining ng and and scra scrapi ping ng agai agains nstt the the door door.. The The firs firstt-fo form rm's 's clas classr sroo oom m was was just just unde undern rnea eath th the the boxr boxroo ooms ms.. The The room room wher wheree the the dog dog was was not not exac exacttly over overhe head ad but but more more to the the right ight.. Kathl athlee een n list istened ened anxi anxiou oussly to see if he was was maki making ng any any nois noisee duri during ng scho school ol time time.. Her Her shar sharp p ear ears hear heard d the the patt patteer of feet feet and and smal smalll whi whines, nes, but but Miss Miss
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Robert Robertss appare apparentl ntlyy heard heard
When Mam'zelle Mam'zelle came to take a French French lesson, lesson, however, however, she heard the dog quite plainly! plainly! Her ears ears were ere exce exceeeding dingly ly keen keen.. The The firs firstt time time that hat the the dog dog whine hined, d, she she look looked ed up in surpr urpris ise. e. "Wha "Whatt can can that hat noi noise be?" be?" she she sai said. "Wha "Whatt nois noise, e, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle? e?"" aske asked d Isab Isabel el,, with with an inno innoce cent nt face face.. "The "The nois noisee of a dog! dog!"" said said Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, impa impati tien entl tly. y. "The "The whine hine,, the bark bark!! Is it poss possiible ble tha that you you have have not not hear heard d it, Isab Isabel el!" !" All the clas classs pret preten ende ded d to liste isten n hard hard.. Then hen the the girl girlss shoo shookk thei heir head headss. "You "You must must be mist mistak aken en,, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e,"" said said Dori Doris, s, grav gravel ely. y. "The "There re surel urelyy isn't sn't a dog dog in the scho school ol,," sai said Joan Joan.. "Onl "Onlyy the kitch itchen en cat cats." s." Mam' Mam'ze zell llee was rea really mos most asto astoni nish shed ed to thin thinkk tha that she was was the onl only one one who hear heard d the stran trange ge noises. "Ah, "Ah, it must must be som somethi ething ng wron wrongg with with my ear ears, then, hen,"" she she sai said, and she she shook hook her her big big head head vigorously. igorously. "I will get the doctor to syringe syringe them for me. I cannot have dogs barking barking and whining hining in my head." head." The The clas class, s, alre alread adyy in a stat statee of gigg giggle le,, was was glad glad to burs burstt into into laug laught hter er at this this.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee rappe apped d on the the desk desk..
"Eno "Enoug ugh! h! I made made no joke joke!! Take ake down down dic dictée, tée, plea please se.." The The clas classs went ent on wit with its work. ork. The dog dog in the the boxr boxroo oom m expl explor ored ed the the plac placee thor thorou ough ghly ly,, and, and, judg judgin ingg by the the nois noise, e, trie tried d a good good deal deal of scra scratc tchi hing ng at the the door door and and the the wall walls. s. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee look looked ed extr extrem emel elyy puzz puzzle led d once once or twic twice, e, and and glanced at the girls to see if they too had noticed the noises - but one and all went serenely on with their work, and appeared appeared to hear nothing nothing -- so Mam'zelle Mam'zelle pressed pressed her ears thoughtfull thoughtfully, y, and made up her her mind to see the doc doctor that ver very same day. The twi twins and Kath Kathlleen spe spent most ost of thei heir free ree tim time in the the boxr oxroom oom with the dog. dog. It was alwa always ys so plea please sed d to see see them them,, and and they they all all grew grew ver very fond fond of it indee ndeed. d. The onl only exas exaspe pera rati ting ng thing hing was tha that whe when they hey left eft it, it woul would d bar bark and whine hine after fter the them, and try to scrat cratch ch the the door door open open.. They They we were re alwa always ys afra afraid id that that some somebo body dy woul would d hear hear it then then.. But two days went by safely, and it was not discovered ered.. The girls fed it, gave it water, and took it down down secr secret etly ly for for runs runs in the the woody oodyar ard. d. Kath Kathle leen en real really ly ador adored ed the the litt little le crea creatu ture re,, and and indee ndeed d it was was a very very inte intell llig igen entt and and affe affect ctio iona nate te anim animal al.. "As nobo obody has claimed to be its owner ner, I really think I might kee keep it for myself, don't you?" aske asked d Kath Kathlleen, een, anxi anxiou oussly, ly, as she she and and the the twin twinss str stroked oked the the dog dog up in the boxr boxroo oom m one one free free
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half-hour our "I do love him so He really is a darling I couldn't bear to take him him to the pol police-station now and leave him there, You know, if nobody claimed him at all the police would have him put to slee sleep. p."" "Wel "Well, l, you keep keep him him then, hen,"" said said Pat. Pat. "Ther Theree isn't sn't much much long longeer till till the end end of the term. erm. But But you' you'lll have to move him out of here when the maids come up to get down our boxes for us. That's very soon. I don't see what you're going to do, really I don't!" Howe Howeve verr, the the twins wins and Kat Kathlee hleen n did did not not need need to bot bother her abou aboutt what hat was was goin goingg to happ happen en beca becaus usee the the dog dog soon soon deci decide ded d thin things gs for for hims himsel elf. f. One One mor morning ning about bout 'fou 'fourr days days afte afterr he had had been been found ound,, he lay dow down in a bit bit of wintr ntry sun sunshi shine that hat came came sla slanti nting thro throug ugh h the atti atticc wind window ow.. It made ade him him fee feel rest estless ess and he jumpe umped d up and and prowled round. He came to the door and stood sniffing at it. Then hen he began to jump at the handle. After a while he managed, quite by chance, to jerk the catch back - and the door ope opened! The dog dog was was deli deligh ghte ted. d. He push pushed ed it wide wide open open with with his his nose nose and and trot trotte ted d down down the the att attic stai stairs rs.. Now Now all might still have been well if one of the school cats bad not been lying fast asleep on a mat mat unde undern rnea eatth one one of the the cor corrido ridorr radi radiat ator ors. s. The dog dog sni sniffed ffed the the catcat-sm smel ell, l, and and trot trotte ted d up in delight. ht. What! A cat! And what hat was more, a cat asleep! With a loud oud wuff uff the dog dog leapt on the cat in play. It was only a puppy and would not really have hurt it -but the cat was in a most terrible ble fri fright ght It leap leaptt up, up, gave gave an angu anguis ishe hed d yowl yowl,, and and fled fled down down the corr corrid idor or,, its tail tail stra straiight ght up in the air. air. The The dog dog gave gave chas chasee at once once,, pran pranci cing ng alon alongg on all all four four pupp puppyy-le legs gs!! And that that was how how Miss Miss Theobald heobald met the dog. She was going along to one of the classrooms when first the cat and then the dog shot round her legs egs. She She turn urned in amaz amazeemen ment. Cats ats ther here were ere in the schoo chool, l, beca becaus usee of mice mice -- but but wher here in the the world did a dog suddenly appear from? The cat cat leap leaptt out out of a wind window ow.. The dog dog paus paused ed,, surp surpri rise sed d that that the the cat cat had had disa disapp ppea eare red d so sudd sudden enlly. Then hen he dec decided ided to go and and find find Kath Kathlleen. een. He thou thougght he had had smel smeltt her her some somewh wher eree alon alongg the pass passag agee So off off be trot trotte ted d agai again, n, and and soon soon came came to the the firs firstt-fo form rm clas classr sroo oom. m. He stoo stood d up on his his hind hind legs egs and and whine hined d and and scrat cratch ched ed.. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee was was once once agai again n givi giving ng a Fren French ch less lesson on,, and and the the whol wholee clas classs was was busy busy corr correc ecti ting ng its its Frenc rench h prep prep., ., and and writ writiing cut cut vari variou ouss mist mistak akes es.. When When the dog dog jump jumped ed up at the the door door and and whined, hined, Mam'zelle Mam'zelle leapt to her feet. "Tiens! This time it is not my ears! It is in truth a dog!" She marched to the door oor and ope opened it. In ran the the dog, dog, his his tail ail waggi agging ng nine ninete teen en to the the doze dozen, n, and and went ent stra straig igh ht to Kath Kathlleen. een. How How all the the class class stared stared!! And afte afterr him him came came Mis Miss Theo Theoba bald ld,, dete determ rmiined ned to unra unrave vell the the myst myster eryy of the dog! dog! She She looke ooked d into nto the the clas classr sroo oom m and saw saw Mam' Mam'ze zell llee stamp tampiing up and and down down,, and and Kath Kathlleen een doin doingg her her best best to quie quiett the the exci excite ted d dog! dog! "Wha "Whatt is all all this this dist distur urba banc nce? e?"" aske asked d Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld in her her quie quiet, t, seri seriou ouss voic voice. e. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee tur turned ned to her her at once once,, her her hand handss waggi agging ng above bove her her shoul houlde derrs as she she pour poured ed out out how how she had had hear eard a dog som some days ays ago, and how how he had had come to the door oor and scrat cratcched.
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"I thin thinkk perh perhap apss Kath Kathle leen en know knowss more more abou aboutt him him than than any any one? one?'' said said Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld,, noti notici cing ng how how the ani animal mal faw fawned ned on the girl girl,, and how how she str stroked oked and and pat patted ted him. him. "Kat Kathlee hleen, n, come come with with me, me, and and perh perhap apss you you can can give give mean mean expl explan anat atio ion. n."" Kath Kathle leen en,, rath rather er pale pale,, stoo stood d up. up. She She foll follow owed ed the the Head Head to her her room room,, the the dog dog trot trotti ting ng amia amiabl bly y at her her heel heels. s. Mis Miss Theob heobal ald d made made her her sit down down.. "I didn didn't 't mean ean to do any wrong rong," ," said said Kat Kathlee hleen, n, begi beginn nniing her her tal tale "But "But he was was so hur hurt. Miss iss Theobald, heobald, and I do so much love dogs, and I've never had any pet of my own, and..." and..." "Begi Begin n at the the begi beginn nniing," ng," said said the the Head. ead. So Kath Kathlleen een tol told the the whol wholee stor story, y, and and Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld liste istene ned. d. At the the end end she she reach eached ed for for the telep elepho hone ne and and took took off off the recei eceive ver. r. She She aske asked d for for the poli police ce stat statio ion. n. Kath Kathle leen en's 's hear heartt stoo stood d stil still! l! What Whatev ever er was was the the Head Head goin goingg to say! say! Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld enqu enquir ired ed if any any dog dog had had been been repo report rted ed miss missin ing. g. Appa Appare rent ntly ly none none had. had. Then Then she she asked what would happen if a dog was kept, that had been found hurt. "It had no collar when it was found," found," she explained. explained. After a while she put down the receiver and turned to Kathleen, who now had the dog on her knee. "I can't imagine how you have kept the dog hidden all this time," she said, "and I am not going to enqu enquiire. re. I know know you you are are fond ond of ani animal mals. Well Well,, appar pparen enttly ther here is no reas reason on why you you shou shoulld not keep the dog for yours urself, if no one claims it within a certain time. So I propose ose to let you keep it until you return urn home for the holidays, and if your aunt will let you have it, you can take it back. But it must be kept in the stables, Kathleen. For once in a way I will relax the rule ule that says no pet must be kept, and let you have have the dog unt until the hol holidays." If If Kathl athleeen had had not not been been in such uch awe of the the Head ead she she woul ould cert certaainly nly have ave flung ung her arm arms roun ound her her neck neck!! As it was was she she coul could d hard hardlly swal swalllow a lump lump that that sudd sudden enlly appe appear ared ed in her her thr throat, oat, which hich made made it very very diff diffic icul ultt for for her her to say say anyt anythi hing ng.. But But she mana manage ged d to stam stamm mer out out her her thank hankss. The dog was not in awe of Miss Theobald, however -- and he went to her and licked her hands solemnly, for all the world as if he knew what had been said! "Take him to the stables now, and get one of the men to find a good place for him," said' Miss Theobald. heobald. "And next time you want to do anything anything peculiar, peculiar, Kathleen, Kathleen, come and ask either either me or Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss firs first! t! It real really ly woul would d save save quit quitee a lot of trou troubl ble! e!"" Kath Kathle leen en hurr hurrie ied d off, off, her her eyes eyes shin shinin ing. g. The The dog dog trot trotte ted d afte afterr her. her. Befo Before re she she we went nt to the the stab stable less the the girl girl ran back back to her her clas classr sroo oom m and and bur burst in, her her chee cheeks ks flus flushe hed d and and her her eyes eyes spar sparkl kliing. ng. "I say!" she cried. "I'm to keep the dog. I'm to take him him home if my aunt.. ." "Ka "Kath thle leen en!! I will will not not have have my clas classs inte interr rrup upte ted d in this this scan scanda dalo lous us way! way!"" crie cried d Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, risi rising ng in wrath from her desk. Kathleen Kathleen took one look at her and disappeared. disappeared. She went to the stables stables and found one of the gardeners. He soon gave the dog a place, and Kathleen left him him, happy in the thoug hought ht that hat now now she coul could d com come and and take take him him for for a walk alk whene henevver she wante anted d to. to.
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On her her way back back to her her form form she met met Bel Belinda nda Tower owers, s, off off for for a prac practtice ice in the lac lacross rossee fiel field. d. "Bel "Belin inda da!!" she she crie cried. d. "The "The dog dog esca escape ped d and and came came to me in the clas classr sroo oom m! And he chas chased ed a cat cat and and Miss iss Theob heobaald saw him him and and came came afte afterr him him - and she' she'ss lett lettiing me keep keep him! him!""
"Goo "Good d for for you! you!"" said said Bel Belinda inda.. "Now "Now buzz buzz off off back back to your your form form.. You You firs firstt-for -form m kids kids alwa always ys seem seem to be doin doingg some someth thin ingg extr extrao aord rdin inar ary! y!"" Kat Kathlee hleen n buzz buzzed ed off off She She we went nt ver very, very ery qui quietl etly back back to the Frenc rench h less lesson on and sat dow down. Mam' Mam'ze zellle stil stilll had had a lot to say, say, but but the the word wordss rolle olled d off off Kath Kathlleen' een'ss head head like like wate waterr off off a duck duck's 's back. She sat and dreamed of the dog dog who was really to be her very ery own. "And if you you do not pay more attention to me I will give you a three-page essay to write about out dogs dogs in Fren French ch!" !" she she sudd sudden enly ly hear heard d Mam' Mam'ze zell llee say, say, and and pull pulled ed hers hersel elff toge togeth ther er The The whol wholee clas classs was grinning grinning at her Mam'zelle Mam'zelle was glaring glaring half-angry half-angry half-amuse half-amused, d, for the girl had really really not hear heard d a word ord unti untill then hen Kathl athlee een n didn didn't 't at all want want to write rite a thre threee-pa page ge ess essay in Fren French ch Good Good grac gracio ious us!! She She woul wouldn dn't 't be able to take the dog for a walk. So for the next twenty minutes she worked harder than any one one in the clas class, s, and and Mam' Mam'ze zellle sai said no more more!! And And duri during ng the the half half-h -hou ourr betw betwee een n morn mornin ingg scho school ol and and dinn dinner er,, four four girl girlss crow crowde ded d roun round d an exci excite ted d dog dog and and quar quarre rell lled ed as to what hat name name he shou should ld be give given! n! "I'm "I'm his his owne ownerr and and I'm going oing to choos hoose! e!"" said said Kath Kathlleen een, fir firmly. mly. "His His name name is Bink inks. I don' don'tt know why -- but he looks like a Binks to me." So Binks he was, and Binks he remained till the last day of term came and he went home with Kat Kathlee hleen. n. What What a time ime he bad bad till till then, hen, with ith doze dozens ns of girl girlss clam clamou ouri ring ng to take take him him for for wal walks, ks, and bringi nging him so many things ngs to eat that he grew as fat as a barrel! Even the mistresses love oved him him and and gave gave him him a pat when hen they hey met met him him out out with Kathl athleeen. en. All but but Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, who who thou though ghtt that that scho school ol was was no plac placee for for dogs dogs!! "He "He is abom abomin inab able le!!" she she said said,, whe wheneve neverr she saw him. him. "Tha "Thatt dog! dog! How How he dist distur urbe bed d my class lass!!" But the there was was a twi twinkle nkle in her her eye, eye, so nobo nobody dy took took her her seri seriou ousl sly! y!
A Shock For Isabel
Exams. began. The twins were very anxious to do well in them, for they badly wanted to be top in somet omethi hing ng.. They hey had had caug caught ht up we well ll wit with the res rest of thei heir for form, but but as mos most of the othe otherr girl girlss
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had had been been ther theree a good good deal deal longe ongerr than than they they had, had, Mis Miss Rober obertts tol told them them that hat they they coul could d not not expe xpect to come ome out out top that term. The The maths aths.. exa exam. came ame first irst.. It was was qui quite a stiff tiff one, one, for Miss Miss Rober oberts ts had had taugh aughtt her her for form a good ood deal eal that hat term and and expec pected them hem to make ake a good good show howing. ng. Pat and and Isabel bel groaned aned over ver it, but did thei theirr bes best. "I know know I got got ques questtions ions 3,4 3,4 and 5 quit quitee wron wrongg," said said Isa Isabel, bel, when when they they com compare pared d thei theirr pape paperrs aft afterw erwards ards.. "I think hink I got got the the prob proble lems ms righ rightt thou though gh,, but but they hey took ook me so long ong to puzz puzzle le out out that hat I didn't do them all." "I bet bet I'll I'll be bott bottom om,," said said Pat, Pat, dism dismal ally ly.. She She stil stilll at time timess rese resent nted ed bein beingg a "nob "nobod ody" y",, as she she put put it, it, thou though gh she she was was rapi rapidl dlyy forg forget etti ting ng all all the the high high-a -and nd-m -mig ight htyy idea ideass she she had had held held at firs first. t. Fren French ch wasn wasn't 't so bad. bad. Than Thanks ks to "Mam "Mam'z 'zel elle le Abom Abomin inab able le's 's"" coac coachi hing ng the the twin twinss we were re now now we well ll up to the avera verage ge of thei theirr clas classs in writi riting ng.. It was poor poor Dori Doriss who who "fel fell down down"" in Frenc rench. h. She She stam stamme mere red d and and stut stutte tere red d in the the oral oral exam exam.. and and drov drovee Mam' Mam'ze zell llee near nearly ly fran franti tic. c. "Have Have I taug taught ht you you thre threee ter terms alre alread adyy and and sti still you you spea speakk Frenc rench h like ike a four four--year year-o -olld in the the kind kinder erga gart rten en?" ?" she she stor storme med. d. "Now "Now repe repeat at tome tome agai again n one one of the the Fren French ch vers verses es you you lear learnt nt this this term." The The cros crosse serr Mam' Mam'ze zell llee got, got, the the wors worsee poor poor Dori Doriss beca became me.. She She gaze gazed d hope hopele less ssly ly roun round d the the clas class, s, and and wink winked ed at the the twin twins. s. "Ah! Ah! You You wink wink!! You will will soon soon wink wink the the othe otherr side side of your your face face!" !" cri cried Mam' Mam'ze zellle, le, get getting ting all all mixe mixed d up. up. "You "You will ill have have noug nought ht for for your your oral oral Fren French ch." ." As Dor Doris had had expec pected to be bott ottom anyhow how this did not dis disturb urb her a great dea deal. She sat down thankfully. Joan Joan was next next,, and and as she she was good good at Frenc rench, h, Mam Mam'zel 'zelle le cal calmed med down down a littl ittle. e. The The exam exams. s. we went nt on unti untill only only the the geog geogra raph phyy one one was was left left.. The The twin twinss exam examin ined ed the the list listss each each morning and were sad to see that they were not top in anything at all. They were not even second in anyth nythiing! ng! Pat Pat man managed aged to get get third hird in natu nature re,, and and Isab Isabel el fift fifth h in his histor tory, but but that that was the highes highestt they they reache reached! d! "Gol "Golly ly!! Our Our exam exam.. mark markss won' won'tt look look too too good good on our our repo report rts, s,"" sigh sighed ed Pat. Pat. "We "We we were re alwa always ys top top in most most thi things ngs at Redr edroofs oofs,, long ong befo before re we we werre head head of the the scho school ol.. Moth Mother er and and Dadd Daddy y won't like us not being top in a single single thing here." here." "Why, they'll 'll think we did did what we said, and didn' dn't try at all," said Isabel bel. "Oh, blow! And we have bee been trying. What a pity we said all we did did before we came. I don't see how Daddy can help feel feelin ingg we've e've slack lacked ed all all this his term term.. He's He's so used used to gett gettin ingg repo report rtss that that show show us top top in near nearly ly everything." "Well -- there ere's only nly the geo geography exam. left," said Pat. 'We 'We might be top in that hat -- but I doub oubt it! I don' don'tt feel feel I know know an awfu awfull lot lot about bout Afric frica, a, thoug hough h we we'v 'vee been been stud studyying ing the wret wretch ched ed pla place all all ter term. Whic Which h part part of it do the the Zul Zulus live? ve? I neve neverr can can reme remem mber. ber.""
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"I "I wis wish we coul could d just just be top top in it," t," said aid Isab Isabel el,, gett gettin ingg out out her her geog geogra raph phyy text text-b -boo ook, k, and and tur turning ning over ver the pag pages. 'Pat - let's cram hard all tonig night and really see if we can't n't do well. Come ome on!" So So the the two of them them bent bent thei theirr head headss over over thei theirr textb extboo ooks ks and and sole solemn mnlly bega began n to read read thro throug ugh h the whole of the lessons they bad had that term on Africa. They looked at the maps they had draw drawn, n, and drew drew them them rough oughlly agai again n two or thre threee time times. s. They hey made made lists sts of towns owns and and port portss and and said them to one anot nother. They por pored over ver the rivers and learnt those too, and read ead up about out the the peop people less of Afri Africa ca,, the the anim animal alss and and the the prod produc ucts ts.. 'Wel 'Welll, I real eally fee feel I know know som somethi ething ng now now," sai said Isab Isabel el,, wit with a sigh. igh. "I espe especi cial ally ly know know all all the prod produc ucts ts of Afri Africa ca,, and and the the rive rivers rs." ." "And "And I espe especi cial allly know know all all abou aboutt the the clima limate te," ," sai said Pat. at. "But "But I bet bet we shan shan't 't get get aske asked d ques questtions ions abou aboutt thos thosee thin things gs!! Exam Exam.. ques questi tion onss alwa always ys seem seem to deal deal with with the the thin things gs you you miss missed ed beca becaus usee you you were ill, or forgot to look up, or for some reason simply can't remember at all!" "Wel "Welll, I can' can'tt do any more more work ork tonig onight ht,," sai said Isa Isabel bel. "I want ant to fini finish sh the the slee sleeve ve of the the jumpe umperr Fm knit nitting. I've only got a few more ore rows to do. Where did I put the pattern boo book?" "Can "Can't 't imag imagiine, ne," sai said Pat. at. "You "You'r 'ree alwa always ys losi losing ng it. it. I thin thinkk you you took took it into nto the the form form--room room wit with you you this this afte aftern rnoo oon. n."" "Blo "Blow! w!"" said said Isab Isabel el.. "So "So I did. did."" She got up and went out of the common room. She quite forgot that she and the others had been told not to go to the first form room that eve evening, bec because the exam. papers were ere to be set out out ther here. She She saun saunte tere red d alon alongg to the room room,, open opened ed the the door door and and we went nt in. She She walke alked d over over to her des desk and opene ened it. Yes - ther theree was was the the patt patter ernn-bo book ok.. Good Good!! Isab Isabel el took took it, it, and then then pick picked ed up a penc penciil that that belonged to Miss Roberts. She went to the teacher's big des desk and put it in the groo groovve that held penc pencil ilss and and pens pens.. And there, staring up at her from the des desk were the exam. paper pers for tomor morrow! A list of geog geogra raph phyy ques questi tion onss was wri written tten out out very very neat neatlly on a sheet heet,, of pape paper. r. Isabe sabell star stared ed at them them with with a beating beating heart. heart. If onl only she kne knew what hat the the quest uestiions were ere she she coul ould cra cram them up and and answ nswer them hem so per perfectl ctly that that she she woul would d be top! top! With Withou outt thin thinki king ng she she hurr hurrie iedl dlyy read read down down the the ques questi tion ons. s. "Sta "State te what what you you know know abou aboutt the cli climate mate of Sout South h Afr Africa. ica. What What do you you know know abou aboutt the the race race call called ed Pygmi ygmies es?? What do you . .." Isab Isabel el read read the the ques questi tion onss from from top top to bott bottom om,, and and then hen went ent out out of the the room room.. Her face face was was flus flushe hed d and and her her hea heart was beat beatin ing. g. "All "All thos thosee ques questtions ons are are what hat we we'v 'vee bot both bee been looki ooking ng up thi this even evenin ing, g,"" she she said aid to hers hersel elf. f. "It "It does doesn' n'tt matt matter er me seei seeing ng the the pape paperr at all all. I've I've alre alread adyy cram cramme med d up the the answ answer ers. s."" Pat looke ooked d up as Isab Isabel el came came back back into nto the the comm common on room room.. "Got "Got the patt patter ern n book book?" ?" she she aske asked. d. Isab Isabel el looke ooked d dow down at her her empt emptyy hand hands. s. No - she she had had lef left the patt patter ern n book book behi behind nd aft after all all.
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"Did "Didn' n'tt you you find find it?" it?" said said Pat, Pat, surp surpri rise sed. d. "Yes - I did," said Isabel. "But I've 've gone and left it behind after all." "Wel "Welll, aren aren't 't you you goin goingg to go and and get get it?" it?" aske asked d Pat, Pat, stil stilll more more surp surpri rise sed. d. Isab Isabel el hesi hesita tate ted. d. She She coul ould not bear ear to go bac back into the form orm room oom again. ain. "Wha "Whatt is the the matt matter er,, Isab Isabel el?" ?" aske asked d Pat, Pat, impa impati tien entl tly. y. "Hav "Havee you you gone gone dumb dumb?? What What's 's up?" up?" "Pat "Pat,, the the geog geogra raph phyy pape paperr ques questi tion onss we were re on Miss Miss Robe Robert rts' s' desk desk," ," said said Isab Isabel el.. "I read read them them." ." "Isa "Isabel bel!! That That's 's cheat cheatin ing! g!"" said said Pat. Pat. "I "I didn didn't 't think hink abou aboutt wheth hether er it was was chea cheatting ing or not, not,"" sai said Isab Isabel el,, in a trou troubl bled ed voi voice. ce. "But "But it's it's all all righ rightt, Pat Pat - the the ques questi tion onss we werre all all abou aboutt what what we've e've bee been looki ooking ng up this his eve evening ning.. So it won' won'tt matter." Pat star stared ed at Isab Isabel el.. Isabe sabell woul would d not not look look at her. her. "Isa "Isabe bel, l, I don' don'tt see see how how in the worl world d you' you'rre goin goingg to sit sit for for the the geog geogra raph phyy exam exam.. tomo tomorr rrow ow when when you you know know you' you've ve alre alread adyy seen seen the ques questtions ions,," she she sai said at last last.. "I dare dare say say you you could ould answ answer er them them all all qui quite perf perfec ectl tlyy with withou outt any any furt furthe herr looki ooking ng up at all all -- but but if anyo anyone ne kne knew abou aboutt thi this the they'd y'd think hink you you were ere a chea cheatt. And you' you're re not not - you' you've ve alwa always ys been been stra straig ight ht and and hono honour urab able le.. I just just don' don'tt unde unders rsta tand nd you. you."" "I did it all in a hurr urry," said aid poor oor Isabel bel. 'Wel 'Well, l, you' you'd d bett better er tell tell Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" said said Pat. Pat. "Oh, "Oh, I can' can'tt!" sai said Isab Isabel el,, in hor horror ror. "You "You know know how stri strict ct she she is. I can' can'tt" "We "Well ll,, you you must must answ answeer all all the the ques questi tion onss so badl badlyy that hat Miss Miss Robe Roberrts will will be angr angryy with ith you, you, and and then hen you you can can tell tell her her why why you' you've ve don done it, it," said said Pat. "If "If she she know knowss you you have haven' n'tt taken aken adva advant ntaage of seei seeing ng the ques questi tion onss she she can' can'tt thin thinkk you' you'rre a chea cheatt. You'l ou'lll have have to own own up bef before ore or after fter.. Go on now, now, Isab Isabel el,, you you know know you you must must." ." "Wel Well - I'l I'll own own up after fterw wards ards,," sai said Isab Isabel el.. "I'l "I'lll sit sit for for the exam exam.. and and do the answ answer erss so badl badly y that I'll be bottom. Then when Miss Roberts rows me I'll tell her why. Oh, blow! Why was l so silly? I did it all in a hurry. I might even have been top, you know - because all the questions were ones ones I coul could d answ answer er quit quitee we well ll." ." "Don "Don't 't tel tell me what what they hey were ere," sai said Pat "I don' don'tt want want to know know,, else else I'll 'll feel eel awkw awkwar ard d abou aboutt ans answeri ering them hem. Cheer heer up, up, Isabe sabell, I, know know you you well ell enoug nough h to know now you you didn didn't 't mea mean to che cheat! at! Anybody can be silly!" silly!" Isab Isabel el was was not not very very happ happyy that that nigh night. t. She She toss tossed ed and and turn turned ed,, wish wishin ingg to good goodne ness ss she she hadn hadn't 't seen seen the the geog geogra raph phyy ques questi tion ons. s. She She coul could d so easi easily ly have have answ answer ered ed them them corr correc ectl tlyy and and got got high high mar marks! ks! What What an idi idiot she had had been been!! The geog geogrraphy aphy exam exam.. was was to be held held first irst thin thingg afte afterr pray prayer erss next next day. day. At nine nine o'cl o'cloc ockk all all the the firs firstt form form file filed d into into thei theirr room room,, and and took ook thei theirr plac places es.. Isab Isabel el saw saw that that the the exam exam ques questi tion onss we werre still on the desk. Pat saw them there ere too, though of course it was impossible ble for any one to read
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them. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss came came in. in. "Goo "Good d morn mornin ing, g, girl girls! s!"" she she said said.. "Goo "Good d morn mornin ing, g, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" chor chorus used ed the the clas class, s, and and sat sat down down.. "Geo "Geogr grap aphy hy exam exam.. this this morn mornin ing, g,"" said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, bris briskl kly. y. "Do "Do we well ll,, plea please se!! Joan Joan,, come come and and give give out out the the ques questi tion ons. s."" Isabel watched Joan go up for the slips of paper. She felt miserable. It was not nice to have to do badly dly on purp urpose ose, but ther here was noth othing els else to do. Just ust as Joan Joan was was takin akingg up the the pape papers rs Miss Miss Rober obertts gave gave an excl exclam amat atio ion n and and stop stoppe ped d her. her. "Wai "Wait! t! I don' don'tt bel believe eve thes thesee are are the righ rightt pape paperrs! No - they they'r 'ree not! not! How How stup stupiid! They They are are the exam exam.. ques questi tion onss for for the sec second ond form orm, who have have been been doi doing Afri frica too. too. Go to Miss Miss Jenks enks wit with thes hese, and ask her to give you the papers I left on her desk. Tell her I've left the first form's exam. ques questi tion onss ther there, e, and and that that thes thesee are are for for her her form form." ." Joan Joan took ook the the pape papers rs and and disa disapp ppea eare red d out out of the the room room.. Isab Isabel el look looked ed at Pat. at. Pat was was smi smiling ling in deli deligh ght. t. When When Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss turn turned ed to wri write some someth thin ingg on the the boar board d Pat leane eaned d acro across ss and and whispered hispered to Isabel. Isabel. "What luck! ck! Now you can do your our bes best instead of your worst, old gir girl! You saw the wrong ong questions! Hurrah!" Isab Isabel el nodd nodded ed.. She She was was real really ly deli deligh ghte ted d too. too. It seem seemed ed too too good good to be true true.. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss turn turned ed roun round. d. "No "No talk talkin ing! g! If I catc catch h any any girl girlss whis whispe peri ring ng duri during ng exam exams. s. I shal shalll dedu deduct ct ten ten mark markss from from thei theirr pape papers rs.. Do you you hear hear me, me, Pat? Pat?"" "Yes "Yes,, Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s,"" said said Pat, at, meek meekly ly.. Joan Joan came came back back with with the the righ rightt pape papers rs and and dist distri ribu bute ted d them them roun round d the the clas class. s. Isab Isabel el read read hers hers quic quickl kly. y. YesYes- they they we were re quit quite, e, quit quitee diff differ eren entt from from the the ques questi tion onss she she had had read read last ast nigh nightt. How marv marvel ello lous us!! Now Now she she coul could d set set to work work and reall eallyy do her her best to be top. She would never be such an idiot again. She hadn't meant to be a cheat, but it was horr horrib ible le to feel feel like like one. one. But But poor poor Isabe sabell was rathe atherr nerv nervou ouss now now afte afterr her her expe experi rien ence ces, s, and did did not not do near nearlly such uch a good paper as Pat. at. Her han hand shook ook as she drew the maps required, and she made some ome silly mist mistaakes. kes. So when hen the the pape papers rs we werre gat gathere hered d up and and cor correct recteed Isa Isabel bel was was nowh nowher eree near near the the top! top! She was sixth - but Pat was top! Isabel was as pleased to see Pat's name heading the list as she would ould have been to see her own. She squeezed squeezed her twin's twin's arm hard. "Good for you, ou, Pat!" she said. 'Tm 'Tm joll olly glad! One of us is top in some omethin hing anyhow how!" Pat glow glowed ed with with plea pleasu sure re.. It was was marv marvel ello lous us to see see her her name name head headiing the the list list.. Mis Miss Rober oberts ts came came up and patted her on the back. "You "You did did an exce excell llen entt pape paper, r, Patri atrici cia, a,"" she she sai said. "Eig "Eight htyy-th thrree per per cent cent is very very good good.. But But I was was surp surpri rise sed d that that Isab Isabel el didn didn't 't do bett better er?? Why Why was was that that,, Isab Isabel el?" ?" But But Isab Isabel el did did not not tel tell her her and and Miss Miss Robe Roberrts laug laughe hed d and and we went nt on her her way. way. Sur Surpri prising sing thi things ngs
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happ happen ened ed in exam exams. s. -- prob probaably bly next next term erm thos thosee O'Su O'Sull lliivan van twin twinss woul would d be top in near nearlly everyt everythin hingg !
The Concert Concert
And now the end of the term was indeed indeed drawing drawing near. Miss Theobald Theobald and the other mistresse mistressess were busy making out reports, reports, putting putting up lists, lists, helping helping the girls with the great concert, concert, and going thro throug ugh h exam exam.. pape papers rs.. The The girl girlss them themse selv lves es we were re rest restle less ss,, look lookin ingg forw forwar ard d to the the holi holida days ys,, gett gettin ingg read readyy-fo forr the the conc concer ert, t, wond wonder erin ingg what what thei theirr repo report rtss woul would d be like like,, and and near nearly ly driv drivin ing g Mam' Mam'ze zell llee mad mad with with thei theirr inat inatte tent ntio ion. n. Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss was was more more leni lenien ent, t, but but even even she she grew grew impa impati tien entt when when Isab Isabel el told told her her that that ther theree were fourteen fourteen ounces ounces in a pound. pound. "I know you all go slightly mad at the end of term," she said, "but there really is a limit to my patience. Isabel, if there was a lower form than this I'd send you to it for the rest of the morning!" The last two weeks were really great fun. For one one thing all the cupbo pboards had had to be turned out, washed, ashed, dried and tidied. tidied. The twins had never done this at Redroofs Redroofs School, School, and at first were incl inclin ined ed to turn turn up thei theirr nose nosess at such such work work.. But But when when they they saw saw the the othe others rs tyin tyingg hand handke kerc rchi hief efss roun round d thei theirr hair hair,, and and putt puttin ingg on over overal alls ls.. they they coul couldn dn't 't help help thin thinki king ng it woul would d be rath rather er fun, fun, even even thoug hough h the clea cleani ning ng had to be done done in thei theirr free ree lime. ime. "Com "Comee on, on, Pat, Pat, come come on. on. Isab Isabel el!! Don' Don'tt stan stand d looki ooking ng stuc stuckk-up up like ike you you used used to! to!" crie cried d Jane Janet, t, who sensed at once the twins hadn't done work like this before. before. "You'll "You'll get dirty, dirty, but you can alwa always ys bath bath and and wash wash your your hair hair!! Come Come on, on, high high-a -and nd-m -mig ight htie ies! s!"" This was not a name that the twins liked at all, so they climbed down at once. They found big hank hankiies and and tied ied up their heir hai hair. They They put put on over overaalls, lls, and we went nt to join oin the the othe otherrs. Hilar ilaryy was was in char charge ge of the the firs firstt-fo form rm clea cleani ning ng.. It It real really ly was fun. fun. Every veryth thiing had had to be taken aken out out of the the cupb cupboa oarrds, ds, and and ther theree we werre squea quealls and and shri shriek ekss of deli deligh ghtt when when thin things gs long long-l -los ostt came came to ligh lightt agai again n "Oh! "Oh! I thou though ghtt I'd I'd neve neverr see see that that penk penkni nife fe agai again! n!"" sque squeal aled ed Dori Doris, s, poun pounci cing ng on a smal smalll pear pearll-ha hand ndle led d knif knifee in deli deligh ght. t. "Whe "Where reve verr has has it been been all all this this time time?" ?" "Gol "Golly ly!! Here Here's 's Miss Miss Robe Robert rts' s' foun founta tain in-p -pen en!" !" crie cried d Hila Hilary ry,, a litt little le late later. r. "Loo "Lookk -- tang tangle led d up in this his bundl undlee of raff raffia ia.. Oooh Oooh!! I kno know how how it got the there. re. Do you you remem emembe berr, Janet anet,, when hen you you dump umped a whole lot of it on to Miss Rober berts' desk in handw dwor orkk one one day, and she obje bjected cted,, and you carted it all off to the cupb upboar oard agai gain? Well, I bet you took the pen with you! ou! My word, what a hunt we had for it." it." "Wel "Welll, for for pit pity's y's sake sake don' don'tt remin emind d her her that hat it migh mightt have have been been me," me," sai said Janet anet.. "She "She's 's alw always ays
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goi going off off the deep deep end end about bout some someth thiing now. now. Look Look -- take take her her the pen. pen. Isabe sabel, l, and and say we found ound it in the hand andwork cup cupboa board. You'v ou'vee been in her her bad boo books toda oday, so maybe you'l ou'lll get an unexpect unexpected ed smile! smile!"" Isab Isabel el did! did! Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was was deli deligh ghte ted d to see see her her pen, pen, and and beam beamed ed at Isab Isabel el with with plea pleasu sure re.. Isab Isabel el wonde ondere red d if Miss Miss Rober oberts ts was was in a good good enou enough gh temp temper er to be aske asked d some sometthing hing.. She She trie tried. d. "Miss Roberts! I'm so sorry I made a mess of my maths. this morning. If I promise to do better tomorrow, need I do those ose sums ums all over again? I've such uch a lot to do today day." But Miss Miss Robe Robert rtss was was not not to be caug caught ht like like that that!! "My "My dear dear Isab Isabel el!!" she sai said, "I am del delight ghted that that you have been able to give me back my pen -- but I think you'll agree with me that that isn't any real reason why I should forgive you for shockingly bad bad work! And even if you find me my bes best hat, hat, whic which h unac unacco coun unta tabl blyy flew flew from from my head head last last Sund Sunday ay and and comp comple lete tely ly disa disapp ppea eare red d over over the the fiel fields ds,, I shou shoulld stil stilll say say you you must must do your your sums sums agai again! n!"" The The clas classs chuc chuckl kled ed.. Mis Miss Rober oberts ts coul could d be ver very dry dry when hen she she like liked. d. Isab Isabel el laugh aughed ed too and and we went nt back back to the the clea cleani ning ng and and tidy tidyin ing. g. "I wish ish I coul could d find find her her hat hat for for her her!" she sai said. "She' She'ss jol jolly str strict, ct, but but she' she'ss an awfu awfull spor sport! t!"" Ther here was was grea greatt exci excittemen ementt when hen the nigh nightt of the conc concer ertt came came.. For the last ast few few days days bef before ore the the conc concer ertt the gir girls had had been been in a stat statee of grea greatt exci excittemen ement, t, gett gettiing thei theirr line liness perf perfec ectt, and and rehe rehear arsi sing ng ever everyt ythi hing ng.. Each Each form form was was to do some someth thin ingg and and the the conc concer ertt was was to last last thre threee hour hours, s, with a break in between between for refreshme refreshments. nts. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee had had taug taught ht Fren French ch play playss and and song songss to each each form form,, and and pest pester ered ed the the girl girlss cont contin inua uall llyy to make make sure ure that that they they we were re wor word per perfec fect. The sixt sixth h for form were ere doi doing a short hort Greek reek play play.. The fift fifth h were doing an absurd sketch sketch that they had written written themselves themselves,, called called "Mrs. Jenkins Jenkins Pays a Call", Call", and and bor borrowe rowed d all all kind kindss of quee queerr hats hats and and cloth lothes es from rom the the mistr istres esse ses, s, and and even even from rom the the scho school ol cook! The The four fourth th form form had had got got up a jazz jazz band band,, whic which h soun sounde ded d simp simply ly marv marvel ello lous us,, thou though gh Mam' Mam'ze zell llee said said that that she she coul could d easi easily ly do with withou outt the the side side-d -dru rum, m, whic which h coul could d be hear heard d ratrat-aa-ta tatt-ta tatt ttin ingg from from a music sic room oom at all kinds of odd hour hourss. The third form orm were doi doing par part of a Sha Shakesp espeare play play,, and and the the seco second nd and and fir first were ere doin doingg play playss and and odd odd thing hingss such such as Dori Doris' s'ss solo solo danc dance, e, and and Tessie's essie's recitations recitations.. She Sheiila was trem remendo endous uslly exci excite ted. d. She She knew knew that hat if she had had been been give iven a par part in the hist histor oryy pla play at the begi beginn nniing she woul would d neve neverr have have had had the chan chance ce of such such a big big part art. Now, ow, beca becau use of Vera era's acci accide dent nt,, she she had had a fine fine part part.. She She prac practi tise sed d it cont contin inua uall lly, y, thin thinki king ng abou aboutt it, it, putt puttin ingg in acti action onss that that Vera Vera had had neve neverr thou though ghtt of, of, and and asto astoni nish shin ingg ever everyy one one by her her acti acting ng.. "She "She's 's goi going to be joll jollyy good good!" !" whi whisper spered ed Jane Janett to Pat. Pat. "I'm "I'm qui quite gett gettiing to like ike old old Shei Sheila la now. now. Who would have thought thought there was a hardworkin hardworking, g, interesti interesting ng little little person like that underneath underneath all all thos thosee old old posi posing ngss and and boas boasti ting ngss of hers hers!!" Pat and and Isab Isabel el work worked ed their heir hard hardes estt for for the the conc concer ertt too. oo. All the mist mistre ress sses es and and the staf stafff we were re comi coming ng and and the whol wholee scho school ol would ould be watch atchiing. ng. Nobo Nobody dy must must forg forget et thei theirr word wordss or do
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anyt anythi hing ng sill silly. y. Each Each form form had had its its own own hono honour ur to upho uphold ld!! The The grea greatt nigh nightt came came.. Ther Theree we were re gigg giggli ling ngss and and whis whispe peri ring ngss all all day day long long.. Less Lesson onss slac slacke ked d off off that that day, day, exce except pt Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss Fren French ch clas classe ses. s. Mam' Mam'ze zell llee woul would d sure surely ly not not allo allow w even even an eart earthq hqua uake ke to spoi spoill her her less lesson ons! s! No wond wonder er that that the the girl girlss we were re such such exce excell llen entt Fren French ch scho schola lars rs by the the time ime that hat the they reach eached ed the the top form. orm. The sewi sewing ng mist mistre ress ss work worked ed at top top spee speed d to alt alter dres dresse sess at the the last last mome moment nt.. Matr Matron on prov proved ed unex unexpe pect cted edlly good good at prov provid idiing a real real meal meal in one one of the the play plays, s, inst instea ead d of the pret preten endd-on onee that hat Hila Hilary ry had had arra arrang nged ed for. for. "Gol Golly! ly! Isn't sn't that that dece decent nt of her her!" said said Hil Hilary, ary, looki ooking ng at the the jug of lemon emonad adee and and the the cur currant rant buns buns that hat Mat Matron ron had had pres presen ente ted d her her with. ith. "I shal shalll enj enjoy my par part in the play play now now!" "Wel "Welll, don' don'tt stuf tuff your your mouth outh so full ull that that you you can' can'tt spea speak, k,"" grinn rinned ed Jane Janet. t. "I say -- what hat abou aboutt asking Mam'zelle to let us have a meal of some ome sort in the French play too." o." But But nobo nobody dy dare dared d to ment ention ion such such a thi thing to Mam' Mam'ze zellle! le!
At six o'clock o'clock the concert concert began. Everyone Everyone had filed filed into the gym., where benches benches and chairs chairs had' had' been been set set read ready. y. The stag stagee had had its curt curtai ains ns and and foot footli ligh ghts ts,, and and look looked ed fine fine.. Ther Theree were ere pots pots of plan plants ts borr borrow owed ed from from Miss Miss Theo Theoba bald ld's 's hoth hothou ouse se at the the side sides. s. The The mist mistre ress sses es sat sat in the the thre threee fron frontt rows rows leav leavin ingg thei theirr form formss to look look afte afterr them themse selv lves es for for once once.. The kitchen kitchen staff staff sat behind behind the mistresse mistresses. s. The girls girls were on benches benches at the back, completel completely y fill fillin ingg the the gym. gym. Everyo Ever yone ne had had a prog progra ramm mme, e, desi design gned ed and and colo colour ured ed by the the girl girlss them themse selv lves es.. Pat Pat was was terr terrib ibly ly prou proud d to see see that hat Miss Miss Theob heobaald had had the the one one that hat she she her hersel self had done done.. She She saw saw the the Head ead looki ooking ng car careful efullly at the desi design gn of the the cove coverr, and and she she wonde ondere red d if Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld woul ould see see her her name name in the the corn corner er -- Pat Pat O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an.. Every very form form kne knew when when its turn turn was comi oming and knew knew when hen it must ust rise qui quietly and and go to the back of the stage to dress and await its turn. The fifth form were acting their play first, and as soon soon as the the curt curtai ains ns swun swungg asi aside and and show showed ed the the girl girlss dres dresse sed d up most most ridi ridicu cullousl ouslyy in odd odd hat hats and and coat coatss and and shaw shawls ls,, the the audi audien ence ce we went nt off off into into fits fits of laug laught hter er.. The The scho school ol cook cook sque squeal aled ed out, out, "Oh, there's my old hat! I never thought I'd see it on a stage!" The sket ketch was was real eally funny unny and the audi udience nce loved oved it. Then hen came ame the Greek eek play by the sixt ixth which was really really a serious serious and difficult difficult thing to understand. understand. The first-for first-formers mers listened listened politely politely and and clapp lapped ed bard bard at the end, end, but but they they secr secret etly ly thou though ghtt that that the fift fifth h for form were ere very very much much bet better! ter! The fourt ourth h form orm came ame on with ith thei heir jazz band band,, and and this his was an insta nstant nt succ succeess. ss. The drumm rummer er was simply simply marvellous marvellous and Mam'zelle Mam'zelle quite forgave forgave the constant constant irritatio irritation n that the practising practising of the the drum drum had had give given n her. her. Swi Swingi nging danc dancee tune tuness we werre play played ed,, and and the the audi audien ence ce roar roared ed the chor chorus uses es.. They They kept kept clap clappi ping ng for for enco encore ress, but but as it was was now now hal half-t f-time, ime, the the jazz jazz band band had had to stop stop at last last!! How How the the girl girlss enjo enjoye yed d the the trif trifle less and and jell jellie ies, s, crea creamm-bu buns ns,, sand sandwi wich ches es and and lemo lemona nade de!! When When they they
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went into the dining-roo dining-room m to have their meal, they gasped at the sight of so much food. "Gol "Gollly? We'l We'lll neve never, r, neve neverr eat eat all all that that!" !" cri cried Pat. Pat. "Pat "Patri rici ciaa O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an,, you you don' don'tt know know what what you' you're re talk talkin ingg abou about! t!"" said said Jane Janet, t, lift liftin ingg up a plat platee of aspa aspara ragu guss sand sandwi wich ches es.. "Spe "Speak ak for for your yourse self lf!! Have Have one one - or two two whil whilst st they they'r 'ree here here." ." And And sur sure enou enough gh Pat didn didn't 't know know what hat she she was tal talking king abo about -- for in twe went ntyy minut nutes not not a thing hing was was left eft on the the dish dishes es!! The girl irls made made a clea clean n swee sweep p of ever verythi ything ng -- and, and, hidd hidden en unde underr the long ong clot cloth h of the tabl table, e, sat sat some some one one as hung hungrry as the girl girlss -- Bink Binks, s, the the pupp puppyy-dog -dog!! Kathleen had let him him out secretly and bad tied him to a leg of the big table. She She gave him bit bits of saus sausag agee roll, oll, whic which h he ate ate eag eagerl erly. He was sen sensibl siblee enoug nough h not not to poke poke his his nos nose out in case case he was discovered, discovered, and nobody guessed guessed he was there except Isabel, Isabel, who had been filled filled with asto astoni nish shme ment nt at the the amou amount nt of saus sausag agee roll rollss that that Kath Kathle leen en was was appa appare rent ntly ly able able to eat. eat. The Then n she she sudd sudden enly ly real realiz ized ed what what was was happ happen enin ing. g. "Oh "Oh -- you you monk monkey ey,, Kath Kath!! You' You've ve got got Bink Binkss there." "Sh! "Sh!"" said aid Kath Kathlleen. een. "Don' Don'tt say say a wor word. I didn didn't 't see why he shoul hould d miss miss the fun. un. Isn't sn't he good good?" ?" Bink Binkss had had a mar marvell vellou ouss time ime aft after that, hat, for there here were ere two two peop people le feed feedin ingg him him inste nstead ad of one! one! The The conc concer ertt bega began n aga again in hal half an hour hour.. The The first irst form orm gave gave thei theirr two shor shortt play playss, and and Shei Sheilla acte acted d so magn magniifice ficent ntly ly that that the the audi audien ence ce act actuall uallyy roar roared ed her her name name and and made ade her her com come and and give give a spec speciial bow bow. The The girl girl was happ happiier than han ever ever she she had had been been in her her life, ife, and and look looked ed quI quIte pret prettty as she she stoo stood d on the stag stage, e, flus flushe hed d and and exci excite ted. d. Wini Winifr fred ed,, the the head head-g -gir irl, l, smil smiled ed acro across ss at Pat Pat to let let her her know now how how plea please sed d she she was, as, for for she she gues guesse sed d that that Pat and the othe others rs had had been been givi giving ng She Sheila ila the chan chance ce she had had begg begged ed for her her. The The Fren French ch play play was was a succ succes esss too, too, and and Mam' Mam'ze zell llee beam beamed ed roun round d with with plea pleasu sure re when when she she hear heard d it clap clappe ped d so hear hearti tily ly.. "Tho "Those se firs firstt-fo form rm kids kids aren aren't 't half half bad, bad,"" Isab Isabel el hear heard d Beli Belind ndaa Towe Towers rs say, say, and she stored it up in her mind to tell the oth others later on. Dori Doriss did did her her danc dance, e, whi which was was real reallly exce excelllent ent. She She too was was enco encore red, d, and and came came on agai again n in a clow clown' n'ss dres dress. s. She She proc procee eede ded d to do the the clow clown n danc dancee whi which bad bad ende ended d so disa disast stro rous uslly, on the nigh nightt of the Grea Greatt Feas east, and and thi this time time it end ended in plen plenty ty of cheer heerss and clapp lappin ingg. Jus Just as she was fini finish shin ing, g, a dist distur urba banc ncee arri arrive ved d in the the shap shapee of Bink Binks! s! He had had bitt bitten en thro throug ugh h his his lead ead and and had had com come to join join his his mist mistre ress ss.. Kat Kathlee hleen n was was in the wing wingss at the the side side of the stag stage, e, wat watchi ching Dor Doris danc dancin ing. g. Bink Binkss leapt eapt up on to the the stag stagee joyf joyful ully ly,, to joi join Kat Kathlee hleen, n, and and tri tripped pped Dori Doriss up very very neat neatly ly,, for for all all the worl world d as if he were ere joini oining ng in the danc dance? e? Dori Doriss prom prompt ptly ly fell fell over over just just as the the musi musicc ende ended. d. How How the the audi audien ence ce laug laughe hed d and and chee cheere red! d! Bink Binkss turne urned d round ound as he hear heard d them, hem, his his pink pink tongu onguee hang hangiing out out, and and his his tail tail wagg waggiing joyf oyfully ully.. Then hen he we went nt to Kath Kathlleen, een, who, ho, fear earful ful of bein beingg scold coldeed, rus rushed hed off off at once nce to put put him him back back int into the the stables. But But nobo nobody dy scol scolde ded d her her, not not even even Mam' Mam'ze zellle, le, who who bad bad neve neverr ceas ceased ed to say say that that she she thou though ghtt it was "abominable" "abominable" and "insupportable" "insupportable" to allow "that dog" in the school!
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The The conc concer ertt ende ended d with with the the whol wholee scho school ol sing singin ingg the the scho school ol song song,, a very very swin swingi ging ng,, hear hearte teni ning ng tune une that hat the twin wins hea heard for the the fir first lime. me. They hey we were re the the onl only ones ones who did did not not kno know it. "Wel "Welll sing sing it next next time! ime!"" whis whispe perred Pat to Isabe sabel. l. "Oh, "Oh, Isab Isabel el!! Wha What a lovel ovelyy eveni vening ng!! It beat beatss Redr Re droof oofss hollo hollow, w, don't don't you thin think? k?"" Then Then yawn yawnin ingg huge hugely ly,, for for it was was an hour hour past past thei theirr usua usuall bedt bedtim ime, e, the the firs firstt-fo form rmer erss we went nt up to bed. bed. They hey chat chatte tere red d and and laugh aughed ed as they they undr undres esse sed, d, and we werre just ust as long long as they hey liked ked - for for thi this was the last evening evening of term, and tomorrow tomorrow they were breaking breaking up and going home!
The Last Day
Next Next day day the the trun trunks ks were ere drag dragge ged d dow down from rom the loft. oft. Eac Each had had its owne ownerr's name name on in whit hite pain paint, t, and and soon soon they they we were re bei being pack packed ed.. Matr Matron on bust bustlled to and and fro, fro, givi giving ng out out clot clothe hes, s, and and seei seeing ng that that the the girl girlss pack packed ed at leas leastt mode modera rate tely ly we well ll.. She She made made Dor Doris take take out out ever everyy sing single le thing hing and and begi begin n agai again. n. "Bu "Butt Matr Matron on,, I'll I'll neve neverr have have time time!" !" said said Dori Doriss laug laughi hing ng at Matr Matron on's 's anno annoye yed d face face.. "If "If you you stay stay here here till till next next we week ek you you will will pack pack prop proper erly ly!" !" said said Matr Matron on,, gri grimly. mly. "Dor "Doris is Edwa Edward rd,, your mother and your two aunts came here years ago, and they never learnt to pack -- but you are goin oing to! It is not sensi nsible to put breakable things at the bottom of your trunk unk, and shoes and and boot bootss on the the top top of your your best best thi things ngs. Begi Begin n agai again? n?"" "Ka "Kath th!! What What's 's your your home home addr addres ess? s?"" yell yelled ed Pat. Pat. "You "You said said you' you'd d give give it tome tome and and you you have haven' n't. t. I want to write to you for Christmas. Christmas."" Kath Kathle leen en we went nt red red with ith plea pleasu sure re.. No one one had had even even both bother ered ed to ask for for her her addre ddresss befo before re.. She She wrote it down for Pat. Then there was a general general exchange exchange of addresses, addresses, and promises promises to tele teleph phon one, e, and and invi invita tati tion onss for for part partie iess afte afterr Chri Christ stma mass if so-a so-and nd-s -so o coul could d only only mana manage ge to come come The scho school ol didn didn't 't seem seem like like scho school ol any any more more.. Ev Ever eryw ywhe here re ther theree was was babb babbli ling ng and and chat chatte teri ring ng and and gigg giggli ling ng,, and and even even when when mist mistre ress sses es came came into into the the clas classr sroo ooms ms and and dorm dormit itor orie iess nobo nobody dy thou though ghtt of bein beingg quie quiet. t. The The mist mistre ress sses es we were re exci excite ted d too, too, and and talk talked ed laug laughi hing ngly ly amon among g themselves. "I' "I'm m plea please sed d with with my lot lot this this term term," ," said said Miss Miss Robe Robert rts, s, watc watchi hing ng Shei Sheila la thro throw w some someth thin ingg acro across ss to Pat. "Two or three of them hav have altered so much for the better that I hardly know them." "Wha "Whatt abou aboutt thos thosee O'Su O'Sull lliv ivan an twin twins? s?"" aske asked d Miss Miss Jenk Jenks. s. "I thou though ghtt they they we were re goin goingg to be a hand handfu full when when they they came came.. They They we were re call called ed the the 'stu 'stuck ck-u -up p twin twins' s',, you you know know,, and and at firs firstt I coul couldn dn't 't bear bear the the look look of thei theirr disc discon onte tent nted ed face faces. s.""
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"Oh, "Oh, they they'r 'ree all all righ right, t,"" sai said Miss Miss Robe Roberrts at once once.. "The "They' y've ve sett settle led d dow down we well ll.. They They'v 'vee got got good good stuf stufff in them. hem. One One of thes thesee day days St. Clare' are'ss will ill be prou proud d of the them, mark mark my wor words? ds? The They're y're monk monkey eys, s, thoug hough. h. Look ook out out when hen you you get get them them in your your form orm som some time next next yea year!" r!" "Oh, "Oh, they they'l'lll be all righ rightt afte afterr a 'ter 'term m or two in your your tend tender er care care!!" laugh aughed ed Miss Miss Jenks enks.. "I neve neverr have have any any troub roublle with girl girlss that that come ome up into nto my for form from from your yours. s. It's It's onl only the the new new girl girlss that hat com come strai traigh ghtt into nto my for form that that I have have both botheer with with.." Mam' Mam'ze zell llee sail sailed ed by, by, beam beamin ing. g. She She alwa always ys ente entere red d ever everyy girl girl's 's addr addres esss in a litt little le blac blackk holi holida day y note note-b -boo ook, k, and and most most cons consci cien enti tiou ousl slyy wrot wrotee to ever everyy one one of them them in the the holi holida days ys.. "Goo "Good d old old 'Mam 'Mam'z 'zel elle le Abom Abomin inab able le'!'!"" whis whispe pere red d Pat Pat as she she we went nt by. by. Mam' Mam'ze zell lle' e'ss shar sharp p ears ears hear heard d what what she she said said.. 'Wha 'Whatt is that hat you you cal call me?" me?" she she dem demande anded, d, tower owerin ingg over over Pat as she she knel kneltt pack packin ingg her her trunk runk.. "Oh "Oh - noth nothin ing, g, Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e,"" said said Pat, Pat, horr horror or-s -str truc uckk to thin thinkk that that Mam' Mam'ze zell llee migh mightt have have over overhe hear ard. d. The The othe otherr girl girlss look looked ed roun round, d, grin grinni ning ng.. They They all all knew knew the the twin twins' s' name name for for Mam' Mam'ze zell lle. e. "You "You will will tell tell me, me, plea please se.. I dema demand nd it!" it!" insi insist sted ed Mam' Mam'ze zell lle, e, her her eyes eyes begi beginn nnin ingg to flas flash. h. 'Wel 'Well, l,"" said said Pat, Pat, relu reluct ctan antl tly, y, "I only only call call you you 'Mam 'Mam'z 'zel elle le Abom Abomin inab able le'' beca becaus usee at firs firstt you you call called ed me and and Isab Isabel el and and our our work work abom abomiinabl nablee so ofte often. n. Pleas leasee don' don'tt be cros cross! s!"" But But Mam Mam'zel 'zellle was was not not cros cross. s. For some some reas reason on the name name tickl ckled her her sense ense of humo humour ur,, and and she thre threw w back back her her head head and and roar roared ed.. "Ha! Ha! 'Ma 'Mam'ze m'zellle Abom Abomin inab ablle'! e'! That hat is a fine fine name name to cal call your your Frenc rench h mist mistre ress ss.. And next next term term your work will be so fine that I shall say you are 'magnifique!' and you will then call me 'Mam'z 'Mam'zell ellee Magnif Magnifiqu ique', e', n'est n'est cepas? cepas?"" At last all the pac packing was don done. Each gir girl went to say a poli olite goodod-bye bye to Miss Theo heobal bald. When the twins twins went in together together,, she looked looked at them seriously seriously,, and then smiled smiled an unusuall unusually y swee sweett smil smilee at them them.. "I don' don'tt thi think you you want wanted ed to come come to St. St. Clar Clare' e's, s, did did you? you?"" she said. aid. "And "And now now som somehow ehow I thi think you' you've ve chan change ged d your your mind minds? s?"" "Yes "Yes,, we have have chan change ged d our our mind minds! s!"" said said Pat Pat hone honest stly ly.. She She neve neverr mind minded ed owni owning ng up when when she she altered her ideas eas. 'We 'We hat hated coming here. We were ere going oing to be real eally awf awful, and we did did try to be. But -- we welll -- St. St. Clare' are'ss is fine. ne." "And "And we shal shalll simp simply ly love ove comi coming ng back back agai again n next next term, erm,"" said said Isab Isabel el,, eage eagerl rly. y. "It' "It'ss hard hard work work here, and things aren't a bit the same as at our old school ool, and it's odd bein eing one of the young ones after being top of the school -but we've 've got used to it now." "One "One day day mayb maybee you' you'll ll be one one of the the top top ones ones at St. St. Clar Clare' e's, s,"" said said Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld. But the the thou thougght of being eing as gran grand d and grea reat as Wini Winiffred Jame Jamess was too muc much for for the twins wins.. "Oh, "Oh, no!" no!" said said Pat. Pat. 'We 'We coul could d neve never, r, neve neverr be that that!" !"
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But But Miss Miss Theob heobaald smi smiled led a secr ecret smil smile. e. She She knew knew far far mor more abou aboutt the girl girlss than han the they knew new abou aboutt them themse selv lves es,, and and she she felt felt sure sure that that she she was was righ right. t. Thes Thesee trou troubl bles esom omee twin twinss had had the the maki making ngss of fine fine girl girls, s, and and she she and and St. St. Clar Clare' e'ss woul would d see see to it that that they they ful fulfill filled ed the prom promiise they they show showed ed.. "Here are are your our repor ports," she said, and gave one to each ach girl. "Give my love ove to your your mot mother and tell her that I haven't had to expel you yet!" "I hope our reports are good," said Pat. "We told Daddy we weren't going to try a bit -- and if they they'r 'ree bad bad hell hell thin thinkk we we were re joll jollyy mean mean." ." "Wel "Welll, you' you'lll see see when when you you get get home home!" !" sai said Miss Miss Theo Theoba balld, smi smiling ling.. "But "But - I woul wouldn dn't 't wor worry ver very much much,, if l we were re you! you! Good Good--bye! bye!"" The The twi twins said said good good-b -bye ye to ever everyy one, one, and and rece receiived ved fat fat kiss kisses es on each ach chee cheekk from from Mam' Mam'ze zellle, le, who seemed unaccountabl unaccountablyy fond of every girl that day. Miss Roberts Roberts shook hands and warned warned them them not not to eat eat too too much much plum plum pudd puddiing. ng. Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy look looked ed rath rather er sad sad she she sai said good good--bye, bye, for her friend, Miss Lewis, was now quite well, and was coming back to take up her old old post the next next term term.. "I shan shan't 't see see you you agai again, n,"" said aid Kenn Kenny, y, as she she sai said good good--bye bye to the the twin twins. s. "I'm "I'm goi going to miss miss you you all all very very much much." ." "G "Good ood-bye bye, Kenny nny," said Pat. "We were ere pigs to you at first - but you do forgive give us for bei being piggy ggy, don't on't you? And I do pro promise to write. I won't on't for forget. et." 'Nei 'Neitther her wil will I," I," sai said Isabe sabell, and and then then Jane Janett and Hil Hilary ary and and the the res rest came came crow crowdi ding ng up, up, and and Miss Miss Kenn Kenned edyy grew grew qui quite tear tearfu full as the the girl girlss pour poured ed good good-b -bye yess and and good good wish wishes es on her. her. What What a good good thing hing it was that hat she she hadn hadn't 't been been a fail failur uree aft after all! ll! The The mos most upro uproaariou riouss pers person on that hat day day was Binks. nks. He was set set free free and and spen spentt his his time time taki aking choc chocol olat atee from from his his frien riends ds,, and and goi going round ound licki cking peop people le's 's hand handss and and faces aces as they they knel kneltt to pack pack.. No mis mistres tresss had had the the hear heartt to comp compllain ain abou aboutt him him and and he had had a marv marvel ello lous us time time.. "He "He will will hat hate leavi eaving ng me when when l come come back back to scho school ol agai again! n! "sai "said d Kat Kathlee hleen, n, as she she patt patted ed his his wiry head. "But never mind - we shall shall have a whole month together. together. Miss Theobald Theobald wrote wrote to my aunt, and Aunt is going to see if he behaves." "Of "Of cour course se he'l he'lll beha behave ve!" !" said said Jane Janet. t. "But "But I expe expect ct hell hell take take afte afterr you, you, Kath Kathle leen en - some someti time mess he'l he'lll beha behave ve we well ll -and -and some someti time mess he won' won't! t!"" Kath Kathle leen en laug laughe hed d and and gave gave Jane Janett an affe affect ctio iona nate te punc punch. h. She She didn didn't 't live live a grea greatt way way from from the the twin twinss and and they they had had alre alread adyy made made plan planss to cycl cyclee over over and and see see one one anot anothe herr. She She was ver very happ happy. y. The bell rang to say that the first coac oach was ready to take the girls to the station. That hat was for the the firs firstt form form.. Shou Shouti ting ng good good-b -bye yess to thei theirr teac teache hers rs,, the the girl girlss ran ran helt helter er-s -ske kelt lter er down down the the stai stairs rs and piled into the big big motoror-coach. What fun to be breaking up! What fun to be going home to Chri Christ stma mass joll jollit itie ies, s, part partie iess and and thea theatr tres es!! Ther Theree we were re Chri Christ stmas mas prese present ntss to buy, buy, Chri Christ stma mass card cardss to send, end, all all kind kindss of things to look forw orward to. Pat and Isabel got into the train together and sat dow down with the others to wait for the rest of the scho school ol to come ome dow down in the the coach oaches es.. Befor eforee ver very long long the engi engine ne gave gave a viol violen entt whi whistl stle and and the the
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carr carria iage gess jerk jerked ed.. They They we were re off! off! The twi twins cran craneed the their hea heads out out of the the wind window ow to see the last ast of the big big whit whitee bui building ding they hey had had grow grown n to love love.. "Goo "Goodd-by bye! e!"" said said Pat unde underr her her brea breath th.. "We "We hate hated d you you when hen we first irst saw saw you, you, St. St. Clar lare's! e's! But But now now we love ove you! you!"" "And "And we we'l'lll be glad glad to see see you you agai again! n!"" whisp hisper ered ed Isab Isabel el.. "Oh, "Oh, Pat -- it's it's marv marvel elllous ous that that we we'l'lll be goin goingg back back in four four we week eks' s' time time,, isn' isn'tt it? it? Good Good old old St. St. Clar Clare' e's! s!"" And then then the the scho school ol disa disapp ppea eare red d from from sight ight,, and and the the trai train n rat rattled tled on its its nois noisyy way, way, sing singiing a song song that that seem seemed ed to say say over over and and over over agai again. n. "We' "We're re plea please sed d we're e're comi coming ng back back agai againn---TO ST. ST. CLAR CLARE'S E'S!! We're We're pleas pleased ed we're we're comin comingg back back agai again n TO TO-ST -ST..-CL CLAR ARE' E'S! S!"" A fun funny song ong, but quite uite a true one one, thou though ghtt the twi twins! ns!
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