fifth formers at st clare's.docx

8/9/2019 Fifth Formers at St Clare's.docx

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1 BACK FOR THE WINTER TERM

ST. CLARE'S had stood silent and em t! d"#in$ ei$ht %ee&s o the s"mme#holida!. E()e t o# the so"nd o mo s and *#"shes+ and a t#adesman #in$in$ atthe *ell+ the la)e had *een ,e#! -"iet. The s)hool )at missed the $i#ls and%ande#ed a*o"t mise#a*l! o# the #st %ee& o# t%o.

B"t no% e,e#!thin$ %as di/e#ent. The s)hool )oa)hes %e#e #ollin$ " the hill+ "llo )hatte#in$+ la"$hin$ )hild#en0St. Cla#e's %as *e$innin$ a ne% %inte# te#m

' Who %o"ld thin& this %as a %inte# te#m 2' said 3at O'S"lli,an+ to he# t%in+Isa*el. ' The s"n is as hot as it %as in the s"mme#. We mi$ht *e a*le to ha,e a

e% $ames o tennis+ still.'

' I shall )e#tainl! ha,e a s%im in the ool+' said Bo**! Ellis+ %hose a)e seemede,en mo#e #e)&led than "s"al. ' I ho e the#e's #esh %ate# in toda!0I mi$htha,e a s%im a te# tea.'

' Ah+ !o" Bo**ee Al%a!s !o" m"st la! tennis o# s%im o# #"n o# 4"m ' saidCla"dine+ the little F#en)h $i#l. ' And !o"# #e)&les Ne,e# did I see so man! onone a)e. I ha,e *een )a#e "l in the hot s"n these holida!s0not one #e)&le did I)at)h '

The $i#ls la"$hed. Cla"dine %as al%a!s te##i ed o $ettin$ #e)&les0*"t ne,e#did one a ea# on he# ale a)e and %hite hands.

The $i#ls o"#ed into the s)hool+ #"nnin$ " the amilia# ste s+ sho"tin$ to oneanothe#+ d"m in$ thei# la)#osse sti)&s e,e#!%he#e.

' Hallo+ Hila#! Hallo+ 5anet Oh+ the#e's Ca#lotta+ loo&in$ mo#e li&e a $! s! thane,e#. He!+ Ca#lotta+ %he#e did !o" $o o# !o"# holida!s 2 6o" loo& as da#& as a$! s!.7

' I ha,e *een to S ain+' said Ca#lotta. ' Some o m! eo le li,e the#e+ !o" &no%. Ihad a $#and time.'

' The#e's Mi#a*el0$oll!+ she's a% "ll! tall no% ' said Isa*el. ' 8lad!s loo&s mo#eli&e a mo"se than e,e# *eside he#.'

' Hallo ' said the *i$+ st#a in$ Mi#a*el+ )omin$ " . ' Ho%'s e,e#! one 2'

' Hallo+ Mi#a*el+ hallo 8lad!s+' said the $i#ls. ' 6o"',e *een s endin$ the hols.to$ethe#+ ha,en't !o" 2 I *et !o" la!ed tennis and s%am all the time '

Both Mi#a*el and 8lad!s %e#e ond o $ames+ and this te#m Mi#a*el %as an(io"sto *e s o#ts )a tain at St. Cla#e's. She had *een in the th o#m o# t%o te#ms+

and Annie Thomas+ the s o#ts )a tain+ had let Mi#a*el hel he#. No% Annie had



le t+ and the#e %as a )han)e that Mi#a*el mi$ht *e )a tain+ o# the#e %as no onein the si(th o#m #eall! tted to ha,e that ost.

' Let's $o and loo& at o"# )lass#oom+' said Bo**! Ellis. ' It %as $oin$ to *e #e9de)o#ated in the hols.+ I &no%. Let's see %hat it's li&e.'

The! all t#oo ed " stai#s to the *i$ th o#m9#oom. Ce#tainl! it loo&ed ,e#! ni)e+ainted a ale *anana !ello%. The li$ht %as )lean and )lea# in the #oom+ and the

,ie% #om the %indo%s a lo,el! one.

' We',e onl! $ot this te#m he#e0and then %e $o " into the si(th o#m ' saidHila#!. ' Fan)! *ein$ at the to o the s)hool I #emem*e# %hen I #st )ame to St.Cla#e's+ I tho"$ht the th and si(th o#me#s %e#e almost $#o%n9" . I ha#dl!da#ed to s ea& to them.'

' I e( e)t the !o"n$ ones thin& the same thin$ o "s+' said 5anet. ' I &no% most o

them s)"ttle o"t o m! %a! %hen I )ome alon$0li&e #i$htened #a**its '

' I ha,e a !o"n$ siste# in the se)ond o#m this te#m+' said Cla"dine+ the F#en)h$i#l. ' She )ame o,e# %ith me #om F#an)e. Loo&0the#e she is+ the littleAntoinette.'

The $i#ls loo&ed o"t o the %indo%. The! sa% a $i#l o a*o"t o"#teen+ ,e#! li&ethe ale9 a)ed+ da#&9hai#ed

Cla"dine+ standin$ %at)hin$ the othe#s. She loo&ed ,e#! sel 9 ossessed.

':on't !o" %ant to $o do%n and sho% Antoinette #o"nd a *it 2 ' said 3at. ' I *etshe eels lonel! and ne%.'

'Ah+ Antoinette %o"ld ne,e# eel so+' said Cla"dine. ' She )an stand on he# o%ntoes+ li&e me.'

' Stand on he# o%n eet+ !o" mean+' said Bo**!+ %ith a )h")&le. ' 6o"'ll ne,e# $etthose En$lish sa!in$s #i$ht+ Cla"dine. Ah0the#e's old Mam';elle '

The $i#ls %at)hed Mam';elle $oin$ o"t into the $a#den+ an an(io"s loo& on he#a)e.

' She is loo&in$ o# the little Antoinette+' said Cla"dine. ' She has not seen he# o#t%o !ea#s. Ah+ Antoinette %ill no% *e s%am ed in lo,e and a/e)tion M! a"nt%ill thin& he# little nie)e Antoinette is as %onde# "l as me+ he# nie)e Cla"dine '

Mam';elle %as Cla"dine's a"nt+ and this a)t %as at times "se "l to Cla"dine+ andat othe# times+ em*a##assin$. Fo# Antoinette 4"st then it %as most em*a##assin$.

The little F#en)h $i#l had *een en4o!in$ he#sel + %at)hin$ the e()ited En$lish $i#ls)at)hin$ hold o one anothe#'s a#ms+ s%in$in$ ea)h othe# #o"nd+ )hasin$ oneanothe#+ and $ene#all! *eha,in$ in the "s"al s)hool9$i#l %a!0a %a!+ ho%e,e#+that the dem"#e Antoinette had not *een "sed to.

Then+ -"ite s"ddenl!+ an a,alan)he des)ended " on he#+ t%o l"m a#ms almostst#an$led he#+ and a lo"d and e()ited ,oi)e o"#ed o"t F#en)h endea#ments in



#st one ea# and then anothe#. Lo"d &isses %e#e sma)&ed on ea)h )hee&+ andthen anothe# h"$ )ame %hi)h made Antoinette $as o# *#eath.

' Ah+ la etite Antoinette+ mon etit )ho"+' )#ied Mam';elle at the to o he#,oi)e. All the $i#ls sto ed la!in$ and sta#ed at Antoinette and Mam';elle. The!

$i$$led. It %as lain that Antoinette %as not at all leased to *e $#eeted in "*li)in this %a!. She disentan$led he#sel as *est she )o"ld.

She )a"$ht si$ht o he# elde# siste#+ Cla"dine+ leanin$

o"t o a hi$h %indo%+ $#innin$ in deli$ht. She ointed " to he# at on)e.

' :ea# Tante Mathilde+ the#e is m! siste# Cla"dine %ho loo&s o# !o". No% thatshe has seen !o" $#eet me+ she %ill %ish !o" to $#eet he# too.'

Mam';elle $lan)ed " and sa% Cla"dine. Still holdin$ Antoinette+ she %a,ed#anti)all! and *le% &isses. ' Ah+ the#e is the little Cla"dine too Cla"dine+ I )ome

to em*#a)e !o".'

Antoinette %#i$$led a%a! and lost he#sel in the nea#*! )#o%d o $i#ls. Mam';ellet"#ned he# ste s to%a#ds the doo# that led to the stai#s. ' I )ome+ I )ome ' she)alled to Cla"dine.

' And I $o+' said Cla"dine+ "shin$ a%a! the $i$$lin$ $i#ls. ' Mam';elle %ill *e-"ite o,e#)ome this te#m %ith t%o nie)es he#e.'

So+ %hen oo# Mam';elle anted into the th9 o#m )lass#oom to em*#a)e he#se)ond nie)e+ Cla"dine %as not to *e o"nd. ' I ha,e missed he#+ *"t I %ill ndhe# ' )#ied Mam';elle+ and she *eamed #o"nd at the th o#me#s the#e.

' Ah+ Bo**ee+ !o" ha,e )ome *a)&0and !o" An$ela 0and Alison0all o !o"+ thedea# $i#ls And !o" a#e $oin$ to %o#& ha#d o# me this te#m+ so ha#d0 o# is it notne(t te#m that !o" $o " into the to o#m+ the si(th o#m. That is indeed asolemn tho"$ht '

The F#en)h tea)he# %ent o"t o the #oom+ h"ntin$ o# he# dea# Cla"dine. The $i#lsla"$hed. ' :ea# old Mam';elle+' said Hila#!+ ' I shall ne,e# o#$et he#+ i I li,e to *ea h"nd#ed The t#i)&s %e',e la!ed on he#0do !o" #emem*e# those a% "l stin&9

*alls !o" had+ 5anet+ %hen %e %e#e in the o"#th o#m 2 I la"$hed till I )#ied then+%hen I sa% Mam';elle's a)e as the smell #ea)hed he#.'

' The#e's onl! one ne% $i#l this te#m+' said 5anet ' in o"# o#m+ I mean. I sa% he#name on the list do%nstai#s. She's )alled Anne9Ma#ie Lon$den. And Feli)it! Ra!has )ome " #om the o"#th o#m.'

' A*o"t time too+' said Mi#a*el. ' She's olde# than most o the th al#ead!. I thin&she's a *it *att!.'

'No+ she's not0it's onl! that she's a #eal m"si)al $eni"s+' said 8lad!s. ' 6o"',e

said !o"#sel hea s o times that she is+ Mi#a*el. She doesn't seem to )a#e a*o"t



an!thin$ *"t m"si)0othe# lessons 4"st #oll o/ he#+ li&e %ate# o/ a d")&'s *a)&.She's al%a!s *ottom o e,e#!thin$ e()e t m"si).'

' Well+ Miss Co#n%allis %on't *e ,e#! th#illed i Feli)it! ta&es no noti)e o an!thin$*"t m"si)+' said Bo**!+ %ho had #eason to &no% that the th9 o#m mist#ess %as

%hat the $i#ls )alled amon$ themsel,es ' a #eal sla,e9d#i,e#'. ' I *et Feli)it! %ill&no% mo#e $eo$#a h!+ histo#! and maths this te#m than she has e,e# &no%n allthe time she has *een at s)hool '

' An! othe# $i#ls 2 ' said Mi#a*el.

' Well+ it's "nn!+ Alma 3"dden's name %as do%n on the list o th o#me#s+' said 5anet. ' B"t she's si(th o#m+ isn't she 2 I mean+ %hen she )ame last te#m+ she%as "t into the si(th o#m0*"t no% he# name is do%n o# o"# o#m. 3e#ha sshe's *een "t *a)& into the th o# some #eason.'

' Well+ I %ish she %asn't+' said Bo**!. ' I )an't sa! she th#ills me. She's so li&e he#name0 "dden! She's a *it li&e a s"et "ddin$+ at and stod$! and d"ll.'

' She's $ot a *eastl! tem e#+' said Hila#!. ' I $"ess she %on't *e too leased at)omin$ do%n into the th o#m '

Mat#on a ea#ed at the doo# o the )lass#oom %ith a tall+ slende#+ da#&9e!ed $i#l+%hose ale *londe hai# made he# e!es seem ,e#! *la)& indeed.

' Hallo+ th o#me#s ' she said+ he# )hee# "l smile *eamin$ at e,e#! one. ' All*a)& 2 8ood $i#ls. No% don't an! o !o" da#e to $o do%n %ith m"m s o# measles+

)hi)&en o( o# an!thin$ else I',e *#o"$ht !o" the onl! ne% $i#l o# !o"# o#m0Anne9Ma#ie Lon$den.'

Anne9Ma#ie smiled ne#,o"sl!. She %as not #ett!+ *"t he# $olden hai# and da#&e!es made he# #athe# st#i&in$. ' Hallo+' she said+ a%&%a#dl!+' a#e !o" all th

o#me#s 2 What a#e !o"# names 2 '

Hila#!+ %ho %as head o the o#m+ int#od")ed e,e#! one -"i)&l!.

' These a#e the O'S"lli,an t%ins+ 3at and Isa*el. 6o"'ll #o*a*l! &no% t'othe# #om%hi)h in a e% te#ms This is 5anet+ and this is Ro*e#ta+ )ommonl! )alled Bo**!.

6o"'ll al%a!s &no% he# *! he# #e)&les Loo& o"t o# these t%o+ o# the! &no%mo#e t#i)&s than an! one else.'

Anne9Ma#ie smiled olitel!. Hila#! %ent on+ d#a$$in$ #st one $i#l o#%a#d andthen anothe#.

' This is :o#is0she )an mimi) an! one "nde# the s"n. She'll *e mimi)&in$ !o"*e o#e lon$+ Anne9Ma#ie '

Anne9Ma#ie did not loo& as i this th#illed he# ,e#! m")h. She tho"$ht :o#isloo&ed a #athe# )l"ms!+ st" id $i#l. She did not see the intelli$ent e!es and

h"mo#o"s mo"th o the *o#n a)t#ess that :o#is %as.



' He#e's Ca#lotta+ da#& as a $! s! ' %ent on Hila#!. Ca#lotta $a,e he# "s"al)hee&! $#in.

' And lease let me tell !o"+ Anne9Ma#ie+ that I %as on)e a )i#)"s9$i#l+ and #odeho#ses in a )i#)"s9#in$+' said Ca#lotta. ' An$ela is s"#e to tell !o" that soone# o#

late#+ so I ma! as %ell tell !o" no% '

The $olden9hai#ed *ea"ti "l $i#l )alled An$ela <"shed %ith anno!an)e. It %as-"ite t#"e that she loo&ed do%n on Ca#lotta and al%a!s had0*"t she had ho edthat Ca#lotta had not tho"$ht o it the last te#m o# t%o. Ca#lotta had a ,e#! sha#ton$"e+ and lashed o"t "nme#)i "ll! at an! one she disli&ed.

Hila#! h"##ied on+ ho in$ to a,e#t a -"a##el *et%een the hot9tem e#ed Ca#lottaand the anno!ed An$ela. ' This is An$ela+' she said. ' O"# d#eam o *ea"t! '

'6o"',e o#$otten the Hono"#a*le+' said a mali)io"s ,oi)e0Ca#lotta's. ' The

Hono"#a*le An$ela Fa,o#lei$h An$ela m"st ha,e he# la*el.'

'Sh"t " + Ca#lotta+' said Hila#!. An$ela s)o%led+ ma&in$ he# lo,el! a)e -"ite "$l!o# a moment. Then she tossed he# head and %ent o"t o the #oom. She had

lea#nt *! no% that *ea"t! and %ealth %e#e no mat)h o#

a sha# %it li&e Ca#lotta's. An$ela mi$ht *e the most *ea"ti "l $i#l in the s)hooland the #i)hest+ *"t Ca#lotta )o"ld al%a!s de eat he# in a s-"a**le.

'This is 3am+ the *#ains o the o#m+' said Hila#!+ "llin$ a lain+ "nde#$#o%n $i#lo#%a#d+ %ith $#eat *i$ $lasses on he# sho#t9si$hted e!es. ' She %o#&s m")h too

ha#d+ *"t no*od! )an sto he# 'Some one ee ed in at the doo#. It %as Cla"dine+ )ome to see i he# a"nt %as stillthe#e.

' It's all #i$ht. Mam';elle is still loo&in$ o# !o"+ *"t not he#e+' said Ca#lotta. 'Anne9Ma#ie+ this is Cla"dine+ the Bad 8i#l o the o#m0she onl! %o#&s at %hatshe li&es+ she al%a!s $ets %hat she %ants0and she doesn't )a#e ho% she doesit. She has *een he#e -"ite a lon$ time al#ead!+ t#!in$ to lea#n %hat she )alls 7the En$lish sense o hono"# 70*"t she hasn't e,en smelt it !et '

'Ah+ !o" *ad Ca#lotta+' said the $ood9h"mo"#ed Cla"dine. ' Al%a!s !o" ma&e "no me. I am not so *ad+ and not so $ood.'

Mi#a*el and 8lad!s %e#e "lled o#%a#d+ and the lain+ -"iet 3a"line+ %ho hadon)e *een as *i$ a *oaste# as An$ela+ *"t had lea#nt a *itte# lesson+ and %asno% a m")h ni)e# $i#l.

' The#e !o" a#e0that's the lot+' said Hila#!+ ' e()e t Feli)it!+ o"# m"si)al $eni"s+%ho is )omin$ " #om the o"#th o#m+ and hasn't a##i,ed !et0and Alma 3"dden%ho )omes do%n #om the si(th. I ha,en't seen he# a*o"t !et+ eithe#.'

' I ho e !o" don't do an!thin$ %onde# "l ' said Bo**!+ to Anne9Ma#ie. ' What %ith3am's *#illiant *#ains+ and An$ela's lm9sta# *ea"t!+ and Feli)it!'s m"si)al



$eni"s+ the th o#m has $ot eno"$h %onde# "l eo le in it I ho e !o"'#e a ni)eo#dina#! e#son+ Anne9Ma#ie.'

Well0I'm not+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ <"shin$ #ed. ' I'm 0I'm a oet.'

The#e %as a dee silen)e a te# this. A oet What e(a)tl! did Anne9Ma#ie mean*! that 2

' What do !o" mean0!o" %#ite oet#!+ o# somethin$ 2 ' said Bo**!. ' Oh+ hel '

' 6o" )an't hel *ein$ a oet+ i !o" a#e one+' said Anne9Ma#ie. ' 6o"'#e *o#n aoet. M! $#and athe# %as a amo"s oet+ and m! $#eat9a"nt %as a $#eat %#ite#.

It's in the amil!0and it's )ome o"t in me+ I s" ose. I'm al%a!s %#itin$ oet#!.Mostl! in the middle o the ni$ht.'

' Hel ' said Bo**!+ a$ain. ' We',e had man! -"ee# thin$s at St. Cla#e's0*"t nota oet+ as a# as I #emem*e#. 6o" and Feli)it! %ill ma&e a ai# She $ets " in themiddle o the ni$ht to %#ite a t"ne0!o" $et " to %#ite oems Well0!o"'ll *ea*le to &ee ea)h othe# )om an! '

Anothe# $i#l "t he# head in at the doo# and the t%ins !elled to he#. ' AlisonWhe#e ha,e !o" *een 2 Come and *e int#od")ed to o"# oet.'

A #ett!+ daint! $i#l )ame into the #oom+ smilin$. It %as the t%ins' )o"sin+ Alison.

' This is Alison+' said 3at. ' O"# little eathe#head. Thin&s o nothin$ *"t he# hai#and he# )om le(ion and %hethe# she has a shin! nose+ and . . .'

Alison %o"ld ha,e s)o%led+ o# *"#st into tea#s a e% te#ms *e o#e+ at this )andidint#od")tion+ *"t she %as thi)&e#9s&inned no%. She me#el! l"n$ed o"t at 3at+ andnodded amia*l! at Anne9Ma#ie.

' 6o"'d *ette# loo& o"t+ Cla"dine+' she said+' !o"# a"nt is )omin$ alon$ theassa$e.'

' 6o" )an't es)a e no%+' said Hila#!. ' 6o"',e $ot to $o th#o"$h %ith it0$o on+ itleases old Mam';elle. She #eall! is ond o !o"+ $oodness &no%s %h! '

Mam';elle s%e t into the #oom+ sa% Cla"dine and <"n$ he#sel on he#. ' Ma etite

Cla"dine Ho% a#e !o" 2 Ho% a#e !o"# dea# athe# and mothe#+ and all theamil! 2 I ha,e seen the little Antoinette0ah+ ho% lonel! and sh! the oo# )hild

loo&ed. I ha,e )a&es and *is)"its o# !o" *oth in m! #oom0!o" %ill )ome no%+this ,e#! min"te+ and eat them %ith me '

Cla"dine let he#sel *e ta&en o/. The othe#s la"$hed. ' F"nn! to thin& o Cla"dine*ein$ a th9 o#me# 3e#ha s she %ill t"#n o,e# a ne% lea no% she's so hi$h " inthe s)hool.'

B"t that %as the last thin$ Cla"dine meant to do. She %ent he# o%n %a!+ sa!in$%hat she leased+ doin$ %hat she leased+ and al%a!s %o"ld. It %as s"# #isin$that so man! eo le li&ed he#



= ST>:IES OF THEIR OWN

IT %as the #"le at St. Cla#e's that as soon as an! $i#l had *een in the th o#m o#t%o te#ms she sho"ld *e allo%ed to ha,e a small st"d! o he# o%n+ %hi)h shesha#ed %ith one othe# $i#l. These st"dies %e#e tin! la)es+ and the $i#ls )o"ld+ ithe! %ished+ "#nish them themsel,es+ tho"$h the s)hool #o,ided s")h thin$sas a ta*le+ )hai#s and a )a# et and shel,es.

Most $i#ls )ontented themsel,es %ith "ttin$ " a i)t"#e o# t%o+ *#in$in$ thei#o%n ,ases o# <o%e#s+ a ta*le)loth o# so+ and a )lo)&. A e% %e#e mo#e am*itio"sand $ot a )a# et #om home+ and ma!*e e,en an a#m)hai#.

The $i#ls themsel,es )hose the )om anion %ith %hom the! %anted to sha#e ast"d!. This %as not "s"all! di?)"lt+ *e)a"se *! the time the! #ea)hed the to

o#ms the $i#ls had all mo#e o# less made thei# o%n #iends+ and+ %hen the! %e#ein the o"#th o#m+ had lanned %ith %hom the! %e#e $oin$ to sha#e the st"d!.

It %as "n a##an$in$ a*o"t the st"dies. The ai#s had to $o to Mat#on and tell he#the! %e#e $oin$ to sha#e a st"d!+ and then Mat#on %o"ld allot one to them.

' Fan)! !o" ha,in$ a st"d! ' she %o"ld sa!. ' :ea#

me0it seems no time at all sin)e !o" %e#e in the #st o#m and I nea#l! $a,e !o"a s an&in$ o# not #e o#tin$ !o"# so#e th#oats to me '

3at and Isa*el O'S"lli,an %e#e to sha#e a st"d!+ o )o"#se. Mi#a*el and 8lad!s%anted to as %ell. An$ela had as&ed Alison to sha#e %ith he#0*oth $i#ls had thesame daint! tastes.

' I *et the#e %ill *e nothin$ *"t mi##o#s all the %a! #o"nd the %alls o !o"#st"d! ' said Bo**! to Alison. It %as a standin$ 4o&e that Alison al%a!s loo&edinto an! mi##o# she assed+ o# e,en in the $lass o i)t"#es+ to see i he# hai# %asall #i$ht.

Bo**! and 5anet %e#e to sha#e a st"d!. Both %e#e tom*o!s+ %ith a lo,e o##a)ti)al 4o&es. What t#i)&s %o"ld *e hat)hed o"t+ in thei# st"d!

One odd ai# %as 3am Boa#dman+ the *#ain! one o the o#m+ and :o#is Ed%a#d+%ho %as al%a!s nea# the *ottom. Fo# all he# *#illian)e at mimi)#! and a)tin$+:o#is )o"ld not do o#dina#! lessons %ell+ and admi#ed 3am's *#ains dee l!. 3amhad t#ied to hel the *i$$e# $i#l at times+ and a %a#m #iendshi had s #"n$ "*et%een them+ %hi)h made :o#is s"$$est sha#in$ a st"d!. 3am had le t St.Cla#e's on)e+ *"t had missed it so m")h that he# a#ents had sent he# *a)& a$ain

some time late#+



The lonel! little 3am+ %ho had ne,e# had a #eal #iend+ at on)e %el)omed theidea o sha#in$ a st"d! %ith :o#is. :o#is made he# la"$h+ she teased he# and "ton he# *i$ $lasses and mimi)&ed he#. She %as $ood o# 3am.

' Whom is Ca#lotta $oin$ %ith 2' %onde#ed 3at. ' Hila#!+ e#ha s. The! li&e one

anothe# ,e#! m")h.'

B"t no0Hila#!+ as head9$i#l o the o#m+ had the hono"# o a st"d! all to he#sel .So Ca#lotta )o"ld not sha#e %ith he#. She )hose Cla"dine

Mat#on %as o enl! do"*t "l a*o"t this.

' 6o"'ll ha,e a mi$ht! *ad e/e)t on ea)h othe#+' she said. ' 6o"'#e *oth as )hee&!and don't9)a#ish as )an *e. What !o"'ll *e li&e i !o" sha#e a st"d!+ I )an't thin&.B"t mind0an! *#o&en "#nit"#e o# #e o#ts o

#o%diness+ and !o"'ll $o do%n to the )ommon #oom o the o"#th o#me#s.'

' Oh+ Mat#on9ho% )an !o" thin& that %e sho"ld *e #o%d! 2' said Cla"dine+ "ttin$on he# most inno)ent loo&. ' I shall &ee o"# st"d! *ea"ti "ll!+ so *ea"ti "ll!. :id Inot in the holida!s em*#oide# t%o ta*le9)loths+ and th#ee )"shion9)o,e#s o# o"#st"d! 2 '

Anne9Ma#ie and Feli)it! %e#e to sha#e a st"d!+ altho"$h Feli)it! had not *een t%ote#ms in the th o#m+ and Anne9Ma#ie %as ne%. Mat#on did not %ant them to *ethe onl! t%o %itho"t a st"d!.

' T%o $eni"ses to$ethe#+' said Bo**!+ %ith a la"$h. ' The! o"$ht to "se " themidni$ht oil all #i$ht+ %#itin$ oems and t"nes '

No one had as&ed 3a"line to sha#e a st"d! %ith them+ and she had no #iend toas&. She %as not a $i#l that an! one li&ed m")h+ o# she %as en,io"s+ and had*een ,e#! *oast "l till the othe#s had o"nd o"t that all he# %onde# "l tales %e#emade " . She had $one into he# shell+ and no one &ne% -"ite %hat the #eal3a"line %as li&e.

' 6o" had *ette# sha#e %ith Alma 3"dden+' said Mat#on+ ti)&in$ them o/ on thelist. ' 6o"'#e the onl! t%o le t.'

' Oh+' said 3a"line+ dismall!. She didn't li&e Alma ,e#! m")h. No*od! did. She %asso at and "n%ield! and *ad9tem e#ed. B"t the#e %as no one else to sha#e %ith+so that %as that.

' Well9that's the lot o !o"+' said Mat#on+ sh"ttin$ he# *oo&. ' 6o" all &no% thest"d!9#"les+ don't !o" 2 6o" )an ha,e !o"# teas the#e *! !o"#sel,es+ i !o" don't%ant to $o to the dinin$9#oom. 6o" )an $et in some one #om the #st o# se)ond

o#m to do an! little 4o* !o" %ant done. 6o" )an do !o"# #e . the#e in thee,enin$s+ and !o" )an $o " to *ed %hen !o" %ant to+ #o,idin$ it is not a te#ten o')lo)&.'



The $i#ls elt #ee and inde endent+ ha,in$ little #ooms o thei# o%n. The st"dies%e#e )os! )o#ne#s+ dens+ *its o home9the! )o"ld *e a##an$ed ho% the $i#ls li&ed+and the tin! #e9 la)es )o"ld *"#n )os! #es to sit *!.

An$ela+ o )o"#se+ "#nished he#s li&e a miniat"#e ala)e. She *"ndled o"t e,e#!

*it o the s)hool "#nit"#e the#e+ and $ot he# mothe# to send do%n thin$s #omhe# o%n *ed#oom. She %ent do%n to the to%n %ith Alison+ and the t%o had a%onde# "l time )hoosin$ )"#tain mate#ial+ )"shion9)o,e#s and #"$s.

The! )ost a lot o mone!. Alison hadn't ,e#! m")h+ *"t An$ela had hadma$ni )ent ti s #om %ealth! "n)les and a"nts in the holida!s+ and had sa,edthem " o# he# st"d!. She s ent la,ishl!+ and %o"ld let no one into thei# #oomtill it %as nished.

Then she and Alison $a,e a ' ho"se9%a#min$' as the! )alled it. The! had o#de#edin )a&es and sand%i)hes #om the lo)al *a&e#+ and had *o"$ht lemonade and$in$e#9*ee#. The ta*le %as loaded %ith eata*les+ and a *#i$ht #e *"#nt in the$#ate+ tho"$h the da! %as a# too hot.

The $i#ls )#o%ded in )"#io"sl!. The! $as ed at the olished "#nit"#e+ *ea"ti "lmi##o#s and i)t"#es+ the t%o a#m9)hai#s+ and the lo,el! #"$s. The! n$e#ed thesil& )"#tains and loo&ed at the *#illiant )h#!santhem"ms in the ,ases.

' Well ' said Bo**!+ ' 4"st %ait till Mat#on sees all this She'll tell Miss Theo*ald!o" ha,e too m")h mone! to s end+ An$ela '

' I don't see that it's an!thin$ to do %ith Mat#on+' said An$ela+ sti@!. ' Alison and I

don't )onside# the#e is eno"$h *ea"t! o# )om o#t at St. Cla#e's0not as m")h as%e a#e "sed to at home+ an!%a!0and no% that %e ha,e a st"d! o o"# o%n+ %edon't see %h! %e )an't ll it %ith o"# o%n ideas. :on't !o" li&e it+ Bo**! 2'

' Well0it's a *it too sho%! o# me+' said Bo**!. ' 6o" &no% m! sim le tastes B"t!o" )e#tainl! ha,e made a ma#,ello"s 4o* o it+ An$ela0and this tea is s" e# '

The othe# $i#ls added %hat the! %anted to thei# st"dies. Cla"dine "t o"t he#em*#oide#ed ta*le9)loths and )"shion9)o,e#s. Ca#lotta added a e% thin$s shehad *#o"$ht #om S ain+ one thin$ es e)iall! $i,in$ the little

st"d! )olo"# and )ha#a)te#0a dee #ed em*#oide#ed sha%l #om Se,ille.

The onl! eo le %hose st"d! %as -"ite lain and %itho"t )ha#a)te# %as the onesha#ed *! 3a"line and Alma. Neithe# o them had an! taste o# m")h mone!+ ande()e t o# a *l"e ,ase )ont#i*"ted *! 3a"line and a tea9)os! as l"m as Almahe#sel $i,en *! Alma+ the little st"d! %as as *a#e as in the holida!s.

Alma 3"dden had a most "n o#t"nate name. It %o"ld not ha,e matte#ed a *it ishe hadn't *een so li&e a s"et "ddin$ to loo& at+ *"t she %as. He# s)hool t"ni)al%a!s loo&ed li&e a sa)& tied #o"nd in the middle. He# e!es %e#e almost hiddenin he# #o"nd+ ast! a)e.



It %as the th o#me#s %ho ni)&named he# 3"ddin$+ and she hated it+ %hi)h %asnot to *e %onde#ed at. I she had la"$hed+ and said ' 6es+ I am #athe# "ddin$!0*"t I shall thin o"t soon ' the othe#s %o"ld #o*a*l! ha,e li&ed he#+ and )alledhe# 3"ddin$ mo#e in a/e)tion than in de#ision. B"t Alma <e% into one o he# *ad#a$es %hen she %as teased.

She had -"ee# tem e#s0not hot ones+ -"i)&l! <a#in$ " and do%n+ li&eCa#lotta's o# 5anet's0*"t )old+ s ite "l #a$es. T#! as the! %o"ld the othe#s )o"ldnot li&e an!thin$ a*o"t oo# Alma.

3oo# 3a"line o"nd sha#in$ a st"d! %ith Alma ,e#! d"ll indeed. Alma seldom hadan! intelli$ent #ema#& to ma&e+ and tho"$h she o#ed o,e# he# #e . she #a#el!$ot $ood ma#&s. She %as sel sh too+ and al%a!s too& the mo#e )om o#ta*le)hai#+ and hel ed he#sel to mo#e )a&es than 3a"line.

Feli)it! and Anne9Ma#ie o"nd it #athe# t#!in$ to li,e to$ethe# in the same st"d!.Feli)it! tho"$ht the#e %as nothin$ in the %o#ld *"t m"si)+ and she %as al%a!ssin$in$ o# t#!in$ o"t t"nes on he# ,iolin+ %hen Anne9Ma#ie %anted to %o#& o# to%#ite.

' Feli)it! M"st !o" la! that a% "l+ $loom! t"ne a$ain 2' Anne9Ma#ie %o"ld sa!. 'I'm t#!in$ to $et the last ,e#se o this oem #i$ht.'

' What oem 2 Is it the one !o" %e#e doin$ last %ee& 2 ' Feli)it! %o"ld sa!. ' Well+it's a d#ead "l oem 0all %o#ds and no meanin$. 6o" a#e no oet+ Anne9Ma#ie.Wh! sho"ld I sto m! m"si) in o#de# that !o" sho"ld %#ite thi#d9#ate oet#! 2'

Feli)it! did not mean to *e #"de o# e,en h"#t "l. She %as+ as Bo**! said+ -"ite'*att!' a*o"t he# m"si). She %as %o#&in$ o# a sti/ e(am.+ the L.R.A.M. and %as,e#! !o"n$ indeed to ta&e it. Miss Theo*ald+ the Head Mist#ess+ did not %ant he#to %o#& o# it+ and had al#ead! told Feli)it!'s eo le that the $i#l m"st li,e ano#dina#! li e+ and ta&e mo#e inte#est in o#dina#! thin$s.

' She is $#o%in$ one9sided+' Miss Theo*ald e( lained to Feli)it!'s a#ents+ %ho)ame to see he# one da!. ' Sometimes I thin& she doesn't li,e in this %o#ld at all

That is *ad o# a !o"n$ $i#l. She is al#ead! a# too old o# the o"#th o#m+ and !etis not t to do the %o#& o the th. B"t I thin& I had *ette# "t he# " into the

th+ %he#e the $i#ls the#e o he# o%n a$e %ill %a&e he# " a *it. I %ish !o" %o"ldsa! that Feli)it! m"st "t o/ %o#&in$ o# this di?)"lt m"si) e(am. o# a !ea# o#t%o. She has lent! o time *e o#e he# '

B"t Feli)it!'s eo le %e#e too #o"d o thei# *#illiant da"$hte# to "t o/ an!e(am. It %o"ld *e %onde# "l to ha,e a $i#l %ho %as the !o"n$est to ass s")h ane(am.

' 3"t he# " in the th o#m i !o" %ish+ Miss Theo*ald+' said Feli)it!'s athe#. 'B"t don't let he# sla)&en in an! %a! in he# m"si) st"dies. We ha,e *een told sheis a $eni"s+ and a $eni"s m"st *e hel ed and en)o"#a$ed in e,e#! %a!.'



' O )o"#se+' said the Head Mist#ess+ ' *"t %e m"st *e s"#e that o"# %a!s oen)o"#a$ement a#e the #i$ht ones+ s"#el!. I don't li&e all this ha#d+ m"si)al %o#&

o# so !o"n$ a $i#l+ %hen it means that othe#+ -"ite ne)essa#! %o#& has to *es)am ed.'

B"t it %as no "se tal&in$ li&e that to Feli)it!'s a#ents. Thei# $i#l %as *#illiant+ andshe m"st $o on *ein$ e,en mo#e *#illiant i And so it %as that Feli)it! %as "t "

into the th o#m+ to *e %ith $i#ls o he# o%n a$e e,en tho"$h he# %o#& %as a#*elo% the o#m's standa#d0and !et had to %o#& e,en ha#de# at he# m"si) than*e o#e.

She did not li&e o# disli&e Anne9Ma#ie. She %as the#e and had to *e "t " %ith+*"t so lon$ as she did not inte# e#e too m")h %ith he# m"si)+ Feli)it! did not#eall! noti)e he# st"d! )om anion.

B"t Anne9Ma#ie %as 4ealo"s o Feli)it! and he# "ndo"*ted $eni"s. Anne9Ma#ie%as )on,in)ed that she too %as a $eni"s. He# eo le %e#e s"#e she %as+ as %ell.

The! had he# *est oems #amed+ the! #e)ited them to ,isito#s+ %ho %e#e tooolite to sa! %hat the! #eall! tho"$ht+ and the! t#ied to $et "*lishe#s to #int

them

It %as most anno!in$ that the $i#ls at St. Cla#e's didn't seem to thin& an!thin$ ohe# lo,eliest oems. The#e %as that one *e$innin$

:o%n the lon$ lanes o the F"t"#e M! tea#9*edimmed e!es a#e ee#in$+

Onl! An$ela and Alma had *een im #essed %ith it. Neithe# o them had eno"$h*#ains to &no% a $ood oem #om a *ad one+ and the! )o"ld not see the %o"ld9*e )le,e#ness and insin)e#it! o the lon$ and ostentatio"s oem.

' What's it mean 2' said Ca#lotta. ' I ma! *e ,e#! st" id+ *"t I don't "nde#stand a%o#d o it. Wh! a#e !o"# e!es tea#9*edimmed+ Anne9Ma#ie 2 A#e !o" so a #aid o!o"# "t"#e 2 Well+ I'm not s"# #ised+ i that's the %a! !o"'#e $oin$ to ea#n !o"#li,in$ 6o" %on't $et m")h mone!.'

'It's tosh+' said Bo**!. '6o" %#ite somethin$ !o" #eall! eel+ Anne9Ma#ie+ andma!*e !o"'ll $et somethin$ $ood o"t o !o"# mind. This is all #eten)e04"st

t#!in$ to *e a% "ll! $#o%n9" %hen !o"'#e not.'

So Anne9Ma#ie %as *itte#l! disa ointed that he# $eni"s %as not #e)o$ni;ed+%hilst e,e#! one a a#entl! a$#eed that Feli)it! #eall! %as $i ted.

Still+ on the %hole+ the st"d! )om anions $ot on ai#l!

%ell+ some o them m")h *ette# than othe#s+ o )o"#se. The t%ins #a#el!-"a##elled+ and had so m")h the same tastes and li&in$s that sha#in$ a st"d!%as+ o# them+ a thin$ o deli$ht. Bo**! and 5anet too %e#e ,e#! ha ! to$ethe#+and so %e#e Mi#a*el and 8lad!s.



It %as -"ee# at #st to $et "sed to sendin$ o# the !o"n$e# ones to do odd 4o*s.B"t on the %hole that %as -"ite a $ood idea too. Man! o the #st o#me#s+ o#instan)e+ had *een head9$i#ls+ o# at least in the to o#ms o thei# #e . s)hools+and it did them $ood to *e at the *ottom o anothe# s)hool+ ha,in$+ at times+ to#"sh o/ to do the *iddin$ o the olde# $i#ls. The t%ins #emem*e#ed ho% the! hadhated it at #st.

' We tho"$ht it %as *eneath o"# di$nit! to li$ht someone's #e+ do !o" #emem*e#2' said 3at to Isa*el+ as she o&ed " the #e that a #st o#me# had 4"st *een into li$ht o# he#. ' It %as 4oll! $ood o# "s. We %e#e so st")& " 0tho"$ht s")h a loto o"#sel,es too We $ot o"# )o#ne#s #"**ed o/ all #i$ht.'

' We $et to &no% the !o"n$e# ones too+' said Isa*el. ' The! )hatte# a%a! to "s%hen the! )ome to do thei# 4o*s. I'm $ettin$ to li&e some o the little #st o#me#s,e#! m")h. One o# t%o o them %ill *e ,e#! $ood at $ames0the! a#e a% "ll!&een.'

'An$ela sends o# the !o"n$ ones a# too m")h+ tho"$h+' said 3at+ #o%nin$. ' Sheand Alison ma&e them do too man! 4o*s. The!',e $ot a *it o o%e#+ and the! a#e"sin$ it *adl!.'

' Bette# $et Hila#! to ti)& them o/+' said Iso*el+ !a%nin$. ' 8oll!+ it's ,e to ten.Come on+ %e'd *ette# a)& " and $o to *ed. Isn't it #an to $o %hen %e li&e 2 '

' So lon$ as it's not a te# ten o')lo)& ' said 3at+ imitatin$ Mat#on's )#is ,oi)e.'H"##!0o# it %ill *e a te# ten '

THE NEW EN8LISH TEACHER

THAT te#m the#e %e#e a $#eat man! mo#e $i#ls at St. Cla#e's in the !o"n$e#o#ms+ and Miss Theo*ald de)ided to en$a$e an e(t#a mist#ess+ to ta&e some o

the %o#& o/ the sho"lde#s o the )lass9mist#esses.

So+ to the inte#est o all the $i#ls+ Miss Will)o( a ea#ed. She %as #esent atAssem*l! the se)ond da! and loo&ed #o"nd %ith ,a$"e+ #athe# so"l "l e!es.

' He# name's Miss Will)o(+' the $i#ls %his e#ed to one anothe#. 'She's a% "ll!)le,e#. She's $oin$ to ta&e En$lish. She %#ites She has had a *oo& o oet#!

"*lished.'

The $i#ls all $a;ed at Miss Will)o( %ith a%e. The! tho"$ht that an! one m"stindeed *e )le,e# to ha,e %#itten a *oo&. Miss Will)o( $a;ed *a)& at the $i#ls+ he#e!es d#eam! and a# a%a!. What )o"ld she *e thin&in$ o 2 Anothe# *oo&+

e#ha s 2



It %as al%a!s e()itin$ to ha,e a ne% tea)he#. What %o"ld she *e li&e in )lass 2St#i)t 2 H"mo#o"s 2 Lenient 2 :"ll 2 Wo"ld she *e a $ood one to la! a e% t#i)&son 2

' I thin& she loo&s most inte#estin$+' said Alison. ' I do #eall!. I thin& she loo&s as i

all &inds o *ea"ti "l tho"$hts a#e assin$ th#o"$h he# mind.'

'She's #o*a*l! %onde#in$ %hat the#e %ill *e o# l"n)h+' said Bo**!. ' I al%a!ss"s e)t those eo le that loo& d#eamil! into the distan)e. Anne9Ma#ie does itsometimes+ and I &no% 4oll! %ell that hal the time she's %onde#in$ i Feli)it! has#emem*e#ed to $et the )a&es o# tea+ o# somethin$ li&e that+ and the othe# halshe's thin&in$ o nothin$ at all.'

Anne9Ma#ie %ished she )o"ld thin& o somethin$ sma#t to sa! *a)&+ *"t shene,e# )o"ld. Well0 oets %e#e al%a!s mis"nde#stood+ she &ne% that. 3eo lela"$hed

at them+ and 4ee#ed at thei# %o#&0*"t then+ !ea#s a te# the! %e#e dead+ eo lesaid ho% %onde# "l the! %e#e.

'3e#ha s Miss Will)o( %ill &no% that I am a #eal oet+' she tho"$ht. ' It %o"ld *eni)e to ha,e some one on m! side. I da#esa! i Miss Will)o( #eads m! oems andli&es them she %ill ma&e the othe#s )han$e thei# minds. I'll %o#& a% "ll! ha#d inhe# )lasses+ and $et on he# $ood side.'

Miss Will)o('s lessons %e#e )e#tainl! inte#estin$. The! %e#e lled %ith la!s andoet#!+ and the $i#ls %e#e allo%ed to de*ate an!thin$ the! li&ed+ so lon$ as it

had to do %ith lite#at"#e.

The#e %as no do"*t that Miss Will)o( '&ne% he# st"/' as Bo**! "t it. She %as,e#! %idel! #ead+ had an e()ellent memo#!+ and #eall! did &no% ho% to i)& o"tthin$s that %o"ld inte#est the $i#ls+ and ma&e them thin&.

She %as a st#an$e %oman to loo& at+ tho"$h0"ntid!+ ,a$"e and $i,en to ' *itsand ie)es' as 5anet said. A s)a# %o"nd #o"nd he# ne)&+ a *#illiant *elt+ a ,e#!st#i&in$ hand&e#)hie . She %o#e $old9headed ins in he# *la)& hai#+ and he#d#esses all had a d#a ! loo& a*o"t them. The! did not #eall! t he#.

She had an a/e)ted ,oi)e %hi)h #athe# s oilt he# #eadin$ o oet#!+ o# sheit)hed it dee and lo%+ %hen #eall! it sho"ld ha,e *een -"ite o#dina#!. She had

$#a)e "l+ d#amati) $est"#es+ %hi)h lled Alison's #omanti) so"l %ith deli$ht.

Alison )o ied one o# t%o o the $est"#es. She <"n$ o"t he# hand d#amati)all!%hen she %as tellin$ 3at and Isa*el somethin$+ and hit Bo**! %ith the *a)& ohe# n$e#s.

' He! ' said Bo**!. ' O"# eathe#9head is )o !in$ Miss Will)o( Alison+ !o"'#e not$oin$ to lose !o"# hea#t to he#+ a#e !o" 2 '



Alison %ent #ed. She al%a!s *l"shed ,e#! easil!+ %hi)h anno!ed he#. ' I don't&no% %hat !o" mean+' she said. ' I admi#e Miss Will)o(+ I m"st sa!. He#&no%led$e o En$lish lite#at"#e is ma#,ello"s.'

' Oh+ Alison ' $#oaned Bo**!. ' :on't sa! !o"'#e $oin$ to %o#shi Miss Will)o(.

Ha,en't !o" $ot o,e#

that sill! ha*it !et 2 6o" ne,e# )hoose the #i$ht eo le

to %o#shi + eithe# '

' Wh! isn't Miss Will)o( the #i$ht e#son 2 ' said Alison t#!in$ to s ea& )oldl!+tho"$h she elt ,e#! hot and )#oss.

' She's )le,e#0she's %#itten a *oo& o most ma#,ello"s oet#!0she's $ot alo,el! dee ,oi)e+ and I thin& she's most i)t"#es-"e9loo&in$.'

' >ntid! and mess!+ !o" mean+' said Bo**!+ in dis$"st. ' 3i)t"#es-"e9loo&in$+indeed What an idiot !o" a#e+

Alison. I thin& Miss Will)o( %ants sma#tenin$ " and ma&in$ tid!. 8old9to edins in he# hai#0$osh+ it nea#l! made me si)& to see them.' Bo**! %as $oin$ to

e(t#emes and did not mean all she said. She %as s")h a do%n#i$ht+ *o!ishe#son+ she so m")h hated nonsense and sho%+ that eo le li&e Miss Will)o(

made he# ' $o o/ the dee end' and sa! mo#e

than she meant. 'Oh+ Miss Will)o( is not so *ad as !o" ma&e o"t+ Bo**!+' said3at+ seein$ that Alison loo&ed as i she %as a*o"t to *"#st into tea#s. 'And she'snot so %onde# "l as !o" ma&e o"t+ eithe#+ Alison. An!%a!0 o# $oodness' sa&edon't "t on a %o#shi in$ a)t this te#m. 6o"',e *een ai#l! sensi*le the last t%ote#ms o# so.'

Alison t"#ned a%a!. ' Remem*e# Miss "entin+' said Bo**!+ %a#nin$l!. ':on'tma&e the same mista&e a$ain '

Miss "entin had *een %o#shi ed *! Alison %hen she %as in a lo%e# o#m+ andAlison had *een *itte#l! h"#t *! he#+ *e)a"se she had o"nd o"t that the mist#ess%as la"$hin$ at he# *ehind he# *a)&. She had lea#nt a ha#d lesson then and had

*een mo#e )a#e "l %hom she $a,e he# hea#t to. B"t no% it loo&ed as i she %as$oin$ to sta#t all o,e# a$ain

' It's no $ood t#!in$ to sto he#+' said 3at+ %at)hin$ he# )o"sin as she le t the#oom+ he# head hi$h in the ai#+

and he# )hee&s *"#nin$. '6o" onl! ma&e he# %o#se+ Bo**!. She $oes all lo!al andintense.'

' Well+ I',e said m! sa!+' said Bo**!. ' It %o"ldn't matte# a *it i onl! Alison %o"ld)hoose some*od! de)ent+ *"t she ne,e# does.'



' I Miss Will)o( %as sensi*le she'd ni Alison in the *"d+' said 3at. ' MissCo#n%allis soon ni s an! silliness in the *"d So do the othe# mist#esses. I )ansee that Miss Will)o( is $oin$ to en)o"#a$e that a% "l Anne9Ma#ie too.'

'Well0let he# ' said Bo**!. 'I she %ants the Alisons and Anne9Ma#ies o the %o#ld

sittin$ at he# eet+ she's %el)ome to them. Come on0let's $o and see i the )o"#tis ha#d eno"$h o# tennis.'

The! assed Alma 3"dden on the %a! o"t. The $i#l loo&ed #athe# d"ll andmise#a*le. 3at elt so##! o# he#.

' Come and ha,e a $ame ' she )alled. ' Ma&e " a o"#.'

' I )an't #"n+' said Alma+ in he# "s"al d"ll ,oi)e. ' I'm too at.'

' Well+ it %ill $et !o"# at do%n a *it+' said Isa*el. ' Come on '

B"t no0Alma %as almost as o*stinate at #e "sin$ an! e(e#)ise as Cla"dine %as.Cla"dine $ot o"t o all $ames i she )o"ld+ and e,en o"t o the nat"#e %al&s. At

#st she had a##an$ed matte#s so that Mat#on iled mendin$ on he#+ %hi)h hadto *e done in $ames time0*"t Mat#on had $ot %ise to this little t#i)& a te# atime+ and Cla"dine s"ddenl! o"nd that she had not eno"$h mendin$ to ma&e ane()"se o# missin$ o"t9doo# li e.

B"t Cla"dine %as not to *e de eated in an!thin$. I she did ha,e to "t on $ames)lothes and shoes+ and a ea# on the eld o# )o"#t+ she %o"ld *e ta&en %ith,iolent )#am s+ o# %o"ld eel si)&+ and ha,e to $o o/. It %as sim l! ama;in$ ho%

she mana$ed to slide o"t o the thin$s she disli&ed.She and Ca#lotta %e#e a #eal ai# in thei# st"d!. Ca#lotta %o"ld not do thin$s shedisli&ed eithe#+ i she )o"ld

$et o"t o them *"t she "sed o en and di#e)t methods+ %he#eas Cla"dine #eall!en4o!ed $ettin$ he# %a! se)#etl!+ "ttin$ on an inno)ent a)e all the time.

The! *oth made %a# a$ainst Mi#a*el+ %ho+ to he# intense deli$ht+ had *een mades o#ts )a tain o# the s)hool that te#m+ as she had ho ed. 8lad!s had *eenmade ,i)e9)a tain+ and this leased them *oth. 8lad!s %as small+ *"t ,e#! -"i)&

and de t on the la!in$9 eld o# tennis )o"#t+ and a ne little s%imme#. Also+ she%as ,e#! $ood at dealin$ %ith some o the sh!+ !o"n$e# $i#ls+ %ho %e#e a *ita #aid o Mi#a*el's hea#tiness and d#i,e.

Mi#a*el %as a t! i)al s o#ts )a tain+ lo"d9,oi)ed+ hea#t! in manne#+ st#a in$ in$"#e+ and not ,e#! sensiti,e to the eelin$s o othe#s. She %as al%a!s t#!in$ to

ma&e Alison+ Cla"dine+ An$ela and Ca#lotta ta&e mo#e inte#est in the $ames+ andthe! %e#e 4"st as dete#mined not to. It anno!ed he# intensel! %hen the! %o"ldnot t"#n " at #a)ti)es she had a##an$ed+ o# $ot *o#ed on the eld and tal&ed.

' This Mi#a*el+ she is a est+' )om lained Cla"dine to he# a"nt+ Mam';elle. '

Al%a!s she %ants me to $o to the eld and ma&e m!sel hot and di#t! and "ntid!.Can !o" not tell he# m! hea#t is %ea&+ ma tante 2 '



' Cla"dine Ha,e !o" a %ea& hea#t+ m! )hild 2 This !o" ha,e ne,e# told me*e o#e ' )#ied Mam';elle+ in ala#m. 7 Ha,e !o" a ain 2 6o" m"st $o to Mat#on.'

This %as the last thin$ that Cla"dine %anted to do. Mat#on %as the one e#son%ho )onsistentl! dis*elie,ed all that Cla"dine said.

' No+ I ha,e no ain+' said Cla"dine+ dem"#el!. ' Onl! 4"st a little <"tte# he#e0no%and a$ain %hen I #"n o# $o " the stai#s.'

Mam';elle loo&ed at Cla"dine ha#d. She lo,ed he# dea#l!+ *"t it did sometimes)#oss he# mind that he# nie)e mi$ht de)ei,e he# in o#de# to $ain he# o%n ends.Cla"dine had #essed he# hand o,e# the la)e %he#e she tho"$ht he# hea#t %as+to sho% %he#e the <"tte# )ame0*"t "n o#t"natel! she %asn't indi)atin$ the#i$ht la)e.

'Tiens ' said Mam';elle+ hal 9ala#med still *"t a little an$#!. ' That is not !o"#

hea#t. That is !o"# stoma)h. Ma!*e !o" need a dose o $ood medi)ine.'

Cla"dine disa ea#ed at on)e. She %as not $oin$ to ha,e an! o Mat#on's $oodmedi)ine. She made " he# mind to nd o"t e(a)tl! %he#e he# hea#t %as+ so thatanothe# time she %o"ld not ma&e a mista&e.

A te# a e% da!s the th o#m settled do%n into thei# "s"al amilia# #o"tine. The!ta)&led thei# ne% %o#&+ $#"m*led and $#o"sed+ la"$hed and tal&ed+ la!ed$ames and %ent to *ed ti#ed o"t. It %as a $ood li e+ an inte#estin$+ "ll and

#iendl! one. Sometimes the th o#me#s elt a little sad %hen the! tho"$ht thatthe! had onl! one mo#e o#m to $o into0and then St. Cla#e's %o"ld *e le t

*ehind o# e,e#.

The#e %as to *e a sti/ e(am. hal 9%a! th#o"$h the te#m+ %hi)h e,e#! one %as tota&e+ e,en :o#is and Alma and Feli)it!+ %ho elt a*sol"tel! )e#tain the! %o"ld not*e a*le to ass it.

' B"t it %on't do !o" an! ha#m to %o#& o# it+' said Miss Co#n%allis+ in he# )#is,oi)e. ' I !o" )o"ld 4"st $et a 3ass I sho"ld eel !o" had a)hie,ed somethin$ Ishall allo% !o" to #ela(+ all o !o"+ a te# the e(am. is o,e#+ *"t I m"st insist that!o" do !o"# ,e#! *est o# the #st hal o the te#m+ and #eall! st"d! ha#d.'

So the#e %as some ,e#! ha#d %o#& done in the little st"dies that te#m. Ca#lotta$#oaned o,e# he# maths and Cla"dine ";;led o,e# $#amma#. Feli)it! t#ied tolea#n he# En$lish lite#at"#e and to %#ite essa!s %hi)h "s"all! ended a*#" tl!*e)a"se she had s"ddenl! tho"$ht o a ne% t"ne. Anne9Ma#ie #"shed th#o"$h allhe# #e . e()e t the En$lish and then s ent la*o#io"s ho"#s o,e# that+ ho in$ to%in a #o,al #om Miss Will)o(.

E,en :o#is and An$ela %o#&ed+ tho"$h neithe# o them li&ed it. S)hool %as "n0*"t it %as ha#d %o#& too



D AN8ELA LOSES HER TEM3ER

THE little #st o#me#s )ame and %ent at the *iddin$ o the th. The! #ane##ands+ the! made toast o# tea and the! )hatte#ed a*o"t thei# a/ai#s to an!one %ho %o"ld listen.

Mi#a*el %as al%a!s &indest to those %ho %e#e $ood at $ames. She en)o"#a$edthem to #a)tise %ell at )at)hin$ and #"nnin$ o# la)#osse+ she made " theteams o# the s)hool+ and )oa)hed them %ell in he# s a#e time. The !o"n$e# $i#lstho"$ht she %as %onde# "l. '6o" &no%+ that little Moll! Williams is a% "ll! $ood+'said Mi#a*el to 8lad!s+ %hen she %as ma&in$ " the teams one da!. ' I',e a $oodmind to let he# la! in the thi#d team+ 8lad!s. And 5ane Teal is $ood too+ i she%o"ld #a)tise #"nnin$ a *it mo#e. She )o"ld *e -"ite

ast.'

'Little Antoinette is 4"st as *ad as Cla"dine+' said

8lad!s. ' I )an't $et he# to #a)tise at all+ o# to ta&e an!

inte#est in $ames. Cla"dine doesn't *a)& as " the#e+

eithe#. She is al%a!s tellin$ Antoinette $ood e()"ses to

ma&e.'

'I'm ti#ed o Cla"dine and he# sill! %a!s+' said Mi#a*el+

im atientl!. ' She's )"nnin$. She'll $et he#sel e( elled

one da! '

' Oh+ no0she isn't as *ad as that+' said 8lad!s+ -"ite sho)&ed. ' She's 4"stdi/e#ent #om "s+ that's all. She's *ette# than she %as.'

' I sho"ld ho e so+ a te# all these te#ms at St. Cla#e's+' said Mi#a*el+ %#itin$ thelist o $i#ls o# the thi#d team. ' Well0I',e "t Moll! Williams do%n0she'll *eth#illed.'

' It's a it! An$ela and Alison o#de# the !o"n$ ones a*o"t so m")h+' said 8lad!s. ' The! ha,e al%a!s $ot one o# othe# o them in thei# st"d!+ doin$ somethin$ o#

them. An$ela e,en $ot 5ane Teal in to do some mendin$ o# he#+ and that's notallo%ed.'

' I'll s ea& to 5ane a*o"t it+' said Mi#a*el+ in he# di#e)t %a!. ' I'll tell he# she's nots" osed to do An$ela's mendin$+ and she m"st "se that time to $et o"t on the

#a)ti)e eld.'



'Well0%o"ldn't it *e *ette# to tell An$ela that+ not 5ane 2' said 8lad!s. ' It %o"ld)ome *ette# #om An$ela+ i she told 5ane to sto doin$ he# mendin$+ than it%o"ld #om !o".'

' I'll deal %ith 5ane m!sel +' said Mi#a*el+ ,e#! m")h the s o#ts )a tain+ #athe#

o,e#9*ea#in$ and a##o$ant that mo#nin$.

' 5ane's ond o An$ela+' said 8lad!s+ as Mi#a*el %ent o"t o the #oon. Mi#a*elsno#ted.

' She loo&s " to me no end+' she said. ' I'm #ett! )e#tain she'll do %hat I %ant+and not %hat An$ela sa!s. 6o" #eall! )an lea,e these thin$s to me+ 8lad!s.'

Mi#a*el o"nd 5ane Teal and )alled to he#. ' Hie 5ane Come he#e a min"te '

The o"#teen9!ea#9old 5ane+ small+ sli$ht and -"i)&+ %ent to Mi#a*el+ he# a)e<"shin$. She %onde#ed i Mi#a*el %as $oin$ to tell he# she %as to la! in thethi#d team %ith Moll!. What a th#ill that %o"ld *e

' 5ane+' said Mi#a*el+ in he# di#e)t %a!+ ' I %ant !o" to do a *it mo#e #a)tisin$ inthe eld the ne(t e% %ee&s. 6o"'ll *e $ood i !o" #eall! do #a)ti)e. 6o" o"$ht toha,e *een o"t this %ee&. I hea# !o"',e *een doin$ An$ela's mendin$ instead+and !o" &no% !o" don't need to do that.'

' I li&e to+' said 5ane+ <"shin$ a$ain. ' I'm $ood at se%in$ and An$ela isn't. I li&edoin$ thin$s o# he#.'

' Well+ !o" $i,e that " and a! mo#e attention to $ames+' said Mi#a*el. 'I'm in)ha#$e o $ames and I %ant the $ood la!e#s doin$ thei# *est.'

' I %ill do m! *est+' said 5ane+ #o"d to hea# the $#eat Mi#a*el sa! that she %asone o the $ood la!e#s. 'B"t I did #omise An$ela to do all he# mendin$ thiste#m0at least I o/e#ed to+ Mi#a*el.'

'Well+ !o" m"st tell he# !o" )an't+' said Mi#a*el+ %ho -"ite ailed to see thatan!thin$ matte#ed e()e t %hat she %anted he#sel .

'B"t 0 she'll *e ,e#! )#oss and " set0 and I do li&e doin$ thin$s o# he#+' said 5ane+ hal 9 #i$htened+ *"t o*stinate. 'I 0 I thin& she's *ea"ti "l+ Mi#a*el. :on't!o"2'

'I don't see %hat that's $ot to do %ith it+' said Mi#a*el+ im atientl!. 'An!%a!+ I'm!o"# s o#ts )a tain and !o"',e $ot to do as !o"'#e told. I !o" don't+ I shan't let!o" la! in e,en the o"#th team+ let alone the thi#d.' Mi#a*el's tone %as sha# .She t"#ned on he# heel and %ent o/. 5ane loo&ed a te# he#+ and tea#s sma#ted in

he# e!es. She admi#ed Mi#a*el so m")h0and she did li&e

An$ela so m")h too. An$ela had s")h a lo,el! smile and she said s")h ni)ethin$s. The othe# $i#l she sha#ed he#



st"d! %ith %as ni)e too0Alison. 5ane %ent to nd he# #iend+ Sall!. She told he#all that Mi#a*el had said and Sall! listened. 'Well+' said Sall!+' !o"'ll ha,e to do%hat Mi#a*el tells !o" i !o" %ant to la! in the thi#d team and ha,e some $oodmat)hes. Wh! don't !o" $o to An$ela and tell he# %hat Mi#a*el has said 2 6o"&no% -"ite %ell that i she

is as s%eet and &ind as !o" sa! she is+ she'll sa! at on)e that o )o"#se !o"m"stn't do he# mendin$ an! mo#e.' 'Oh0that's a $ood idea+' said 5ane+ loo&in$ha ie#. 'I )o"ldn't *ea# to " set An$ela+ Sall!. I do #eall! thin& she's %onde# "l. Isho"ld *e mise#a*le i she %as an$#! %ith me.'

'Tell he# %hen !o" $o and ma&e toast o# he# tea toda!+' said Sall!. So thata te#noon+ #athe# t#em*lin$l!+ 5ane *e$an to tell An$ela %hat Mi#a*el had said. 'An$ela+' she *e$an+ "ttin$ a ie)e o *#ead on to the toastin$9 o#&+ 'An$ela+ I',e*#o"$ht !o"# mendin$ *a)&. I',e done e,e#!thin$+ e,en that sto)&in$ that had aladde# all the %a! do%n the *a)& o the le$.'

'Than&s+ 5ane+' said An$ela and $a,e 5ane a smile that th#illed he#.

'B"t0I don't *elie,e I'll *e a*le to do it m")h mo#e+' %ent on 5ane.

' Wh! e,e# not 2 ' demanded An$ela. ' 6o" #omised !o" %o"ld. I hate eo le%ho *a)& o"t o thin$s %hen the! ha,e #omised to do them.'

' Well+ !o" see0Mi#a*el s o&e to me a*o"t it toda!+' said 5ane+ #athe#des e#atel!. ' She said0she said00'

' Oh+ I )an $"ess %hat she said+' said An$ela snee#in$l!. ' She said !o" %e#e a%onde# "l la!e#0and !o" m"st #a)tise mo#e0and !o" m"stn't do odd 4o*s o#that ho##id An$ela. And !o" mee&l! said !o" %o"ldn't. Little t"#n9)oat.'

' Oh An$ela+ don't tal& li&e that+' said oo# 5ane+ ' It's not ai#. O )o"#se Mi#a*eldidn't s ea& a$ainst !o". B"t I ha,e to do %hat she sa!s+ don't I 2 She's s o#ts)a tain.'

' I don't see %h! an! one has to do %hat dea#+ hea#t!+ lo"d9,oi)ed Mi#a*el sa!s 'said An$ela. ' I don't see %h! *e)a"se she's mad on somethin$ she sho"lde( e)t e,e#! one else to *e mad on it too. This assion o# $ames+ $ames+

$ames I a$#ee %ith Cla"dine that it's sill!.'

' Oh+ *"t An$ela+' said 5ane+ sho)&ed+ ' $ames a#e lo,el!. And the! ma&e !o" $etthe team9s i#it too+ and la! o# !o"# side instead o !o"#sel 0and00'

':on't #ea)h at me+' said An$ela+ an$#il!. ' 6o"'#e onl! a hal 9*a&ed #st o#me#. Idon't )a#e %hat !o" do+ an!%a!. 8o and #a)tise #"nnin$ and )at)hin$ mo#nin$+noon+ and ni$ht i !o" %ant to. I shall )e#tainl! not allo% !o" to do an!thin$ o#me in "t"#e. I don't li&e t"#n9)oats. Lea,e that toast and $o and nd iolet Hilland send he# to me. She )an do m! 4o*s instead o !o".'

5ane %as ho##i ed at this o"t*"#st. She had $i,en he# hea#t to the *ea"ti "l+#adiant An$ela+ and no% it %as t#eated as #"**ish An$ela didn't %ant he# an!



mo#e. She %o"ld ha,e that sill! iolet Hill+ %ho ado#ed An$ela #om a a# and%o"ld do an!thin$ o# a smile #om he#.

5ane $a,e a so* and #"shed o"t o the #oom. In a e% min"tes iolet Hill )ame in+th#illed to *e sent o#. An$ela $a,e he# o#de#s in a la;! ,oi)e+ am"sed to see ho%

the little #st o#me# almost t#em*led %ith e()itement as

she tidied " the #oom+ and h"n$ on An$ela's li$htest

%o#d.

Alison )ame in a te# a %hile and loo&ed s"# #ised to see iolet the#e instead o 5ane. ' Whe#e's o"# de,oted 5ane 2 ' she as&ed.

An$ela told he# in a e% %o#ds %hat had ha ened. iolet Hill listened ea$e#l!.She %as $lad that 5ane %as in dis$#a)e. She %o"ld sho% An$ela ho% m")h ni)e#she+ iolet+ %as

When iolet %ent o"t Alison s o&e #athe# sho#tl! to An$ela. ' 6o" sho"ldn't ha,esaid all that in #ont o iolet. 6o" &no% ho% &een 5ane %as on !o"0she'll ha,e a

t i she &no%s all this %ill *e assed #o"nd he# o#m.'

' Se#,es he# #i$ht+' said An$ela+ ,i)io"sl!. ' An$ela+ !o" ma&e these &ids a% "ll!sill!+' said Alison+ a te# a a"se. ' I don't #eall! thin& !o" t#eat them #o e#l!. 6o"o"$htn't to let them thin& !o"'#e so %onde# "l. I *et oo# 5ane is )#!in$ he# e!eso"t. 6o" &no% Miss Theo*ald disli&es that &ind o thin$.'

An$ela %ent ale %ith #a$e. She al%a!s hated *ein$ o"nd a"lt %ith. She $la#edat Alison and t#ied to thin& o somethin$ #eall! )"ttin$. She o"nd %hat she%anted at last.

' Reall!+ Alison+' she said+ in he# li$htest+ most 4ee#in$ ,oi)e+ ' #eall!+ Alison0%hoa#e !o" to tal& o thin&in$ eo le %onde# "l 6o"'#e a e# e)t ninn! o,e# that%onde# "l Miss Will)o( o !o"#s+ a#en't !o"2 Wh!+ !o"'#e e,en t#!in$ to )o ! thatdee ,oi)e o he#s. It 4"st ma&es me la"$h.'

Alison %as dee l! h"#t. When she %as ond o an! one she )o"ld not *ea# to hea#a sin$le %o#d said a$ainst

them. ' Miss Will)o( is an a*sol"tel! sin)e#e e#son+' she said+

%ith di$nit!. ' That's %h! I li&e he#. 6o"',e no inte#est in En$lish lite#at"#e+ o#an!thin$ at all #eall!+ e()e t !o"#sel + An$ela0so !o" )an't "nde#stand m!admi#in$ an! one %ith s")h an inte#estin$ )ha#a)te# as Miss Will)o(.'

'Tosh+' said An$ela+ #"del!.

The t%o $i#ls said no mo#e to ea)h othe# that e,enin$. An$ela "med in silen)eand Alison %#ote a lon$ and+ as she ondl! ho ed+ intelli$ent essa! o# MissWill)o(. It %as not a ,e#! ha ! e,enin$.



An$ela had he# &ni e into Mi#a*el a te# that. She did not da#e to $o and ta)&leMi#a*el o enl! a*o"t 5ane+ *e)a"se she %as a #aid o Mi#a*el's #"deness. Mi#a*el%as tastin$ o%e# o# the #st time as s o#ts )a tain+ and she %as #athe#a##o$ant and *l"nt in he# s ee)h. Also she %as ,e#! thi)&9s&inned and An$elades ai#ed o *ein$ a*le to sa! an!thin$ that %o"ld h"#t he#.

So she had to )ontent he#sel %ith loo&in$ at he# snee#in$l!+ and sa!in$ mo)&in$thin$s *ehind he# *a)&. B"t as snee#in$ $lan)es and %o#ds %e#e t! i)al oAn$ela %hen she %as " set a*o"t somethin$+ no one too& m")h noti)e+ Mi#a*elleast o all.

An$ela made thin$s " %ith Alison+ not so m")h *e)a"se she %anted to+ *"t*e)a"se she sim l! had to ha,e some one to tal& to and ai# he# ,ie%s to. Also+Alison $en"inel! admi#ed he# loo&s and he# )lothes+ and it %as al%a!s leasantto *as& in admi#ation o that so#t.

Alison %as not oolish %ith An$ela as she had *een %hen she #st )ame. She nolon$e# s oilt he# and #aised he# and a$#eed %ith e,e#!thin$. B"t she )o"ld nothide he# #eal admi#ation o the lo,el! $i#l %ith he# shinin$ $olden hai#+ and*#illiant *l"e e!es.

She %as $lad to ma&e " the -"a##el %ith An$ela+ o# she %anted to tal& a*o"tMiss Will)o(0ho% %onde# "l she %as in )lass+ %hat *ea"ti "l oet#! she %#ote+ho% %ell she #e)ited in that so"l "l ,oi)e o he#s.

So+ in #et"#n o# admi#ation+ An$ela listened+ #athe#

into

*o#ed+ to all that Alison %anted to sa!. The! %e#e #iends a$ain0*"t it %o"ldnot ta&e m")h to t"#n them into enemies on)e mo#e

HAR: WORK0AN: A LITTLE F>N

THE th o#m %e#e )e#tainl! %o#&in$ ,e#! ha#d. Miss Co#n%allis &e t thei# nosesto the $#indstone+ as 3at said+ and iled #e . on to them. Miss Will)o( e( e)teda $#eat deal o them too. Miss Theo*ald+ the Head+ too& the o#m o# one o# t%olessons and altho"$h she did not $i,e them a $#eat deal o #e . the $i#ls eltthat %hat she did $i,e them m"st *e s e)iall! %ell done.

When Mam';elle iled #e . on them too+ the $i#ls $#e% indi$nant. ' 8#a)io"s What %ith all that maths. to do+ and that ma to d#a%+ and those F#en)h oemsto memo#i;e+ and that essa! o# Miss Will)o(+ %e'll all ha,e ne#,o"s

*#ea&do%ns ' $#oaned Bo**! Onl! 3am Boa#dman did not seem to mind. She



had an ama;in$ memo#!+ and had onl! to loo& at a a$e on)e to &no% it *!hea#t. :o#is en,ied he# this $i t #om the *ottom o he# hea#t.

' I',e no memo#! at all o# lessons+' she si$hed. ' What I lea#n in the mo#nin$ I',eo#$otten in the e,enin$.'

' Well+ i !o"'#e $oin$ to *e an a)t#ess+ !o"'ll ha,e a#ts to lea#n+ %on't !o" 2 'said 3am.

' The "nn! thin$ is+ %hen I a)t a a#t and sa! the %o#ds o"t lo"d+ I )an#emem*e# them -"ite easil!+' said :o#is. ' I ne,e# o#$et them then. It's sittin$h"n)hed " o,e# a *oo&+ #eadin$ and #e9#eadin$ the %o#ds that $ets me do%n.'

' Well+ :o#is+ stand " and #e)ite the %o#ds o"t lo"d+ and a)t them i !o" %antto+' said 3am+ a $leam o "n

)omin$ into he# solemn e!es. 'He#e99ta&e this F#en)h oem99it's all a*o"t the so9*ea"ti "l )o"nt#!9side+ as Mam';elle %o"ld sa!. Re)ite it o"t lo"d+ a)t the )o%sand the shee + #is& %hen !o" )ome to the a#t %he#e the little lam*s la!+ and%addle li&e a d")& %hen !o" $et to them. 6o"'ll soon lea#n it.'

So+ to the ama;ement o 3at and Isa*el+ %ho loo&ed in at 3am's st"d! to *o##o% a*oo&+ :o#is th#e% he#sel hea#t+ so"l and *od! into the F#en)h asto#al oem.

She de)laimed the oem lo"dl!+ %ith $est"#es o all &inds. She #is&ed li&e alam*+ she )he%ed )"d li&e a )o%+ she %addled li&e a d")&. It %as e# e)t.

The $i#ls sh#ie&ed %ith la"$hte#. :ons had t"#ned the solemn and #athe# hea,!F#en)h oem into a #eal )omed!.

' No% 0 do !o" &no% it 2 ' said 3am+ %hen :o#is nished+ and sat do%n antin$in a )hai#.

:o#is s)#e%ed " he# nose and tho"$ht ha#d. ' Let me see+' she said+ ' it *e$insli&e this . . .'

B"t "ntil she $ot " and a)ted the oem as she had done *e o#e+ she )o"ld not#emem*e# a %o#d. It %as e,identl! the a)tin$ that *#o"$ht the %o#ds to he#mind.

' Well 0 !o" do &no% the oem+' said 3am+ leased. '6o" %on't o#$et it no%.Mam';elle %ill *e leased %ith he# )he#e :o#is tomo##o% '

:o#is+ ho%e,e#+ %as not in Mam';elle's $ood *oo&s the ne(t da!. He# F#en)he(e#)ise %as nothin$ *"t mista&es and %as slashed #i$ht a)#oss %ith Mam';elle'sthi)& *l"e en)il. Mam';elle ne,e# s a#ed he# *l"e en)il %hen she %as anno!ed+and a a$e disa #o,ed o *! he# %as al%a!s a te##i*le si$ht.

' Ah+ !o" :o#is ' *e$an Mam';elle+ %hen she %as $oin$ th#o"$h the %o#& %ithhe# )lass. ' 6o" Ha,e I had !o" on m! th"m* . . .'



' >nde# m! th"m*+' said Bo**!+ %ith a $#in. Mam';elle $la#ed at he# and#es"med+

' Ha,e I had !o" on m! th"m* o# all these te#ms and

still !o" do not &no% that a ta*le is she not he. Wh! a#e !o" not in the&inde#$a#ten 2 Wh! )an !o" still not #ono"n)e the F#en)h R 2 All the othe#s )an.

6o" a#e a $#eat *i$ st" id $i#l.'

' 6es+ Mam';elle+' said oo# :o#is+ mee&l!. When Mam';elle <e% into a #a$e+ it%as *est to *e mee&. B"t o# some #eason :o#is's mee&ness i##itated Mam';ellee,en mo#e.

'Ah0!o" mo)& at me no% 7 6es+ Mam';elle 7 !o" sa!+ %ith !o"# ton$"e in !o"#mo"th and *"tte# meltin$ in !o"# )hee& ' )#ied Mam';elle+ $ettin$ thin$s mi(ed"

as "s"al.

The $i#ls $i$$led. '6o" mean+ %ith !o"# ton$"e in !o"# )hee&+ and *"tte# that%on't melt in !o"# mo"th+' s"$$ested Bo**! a$ain.

' :o not tell me %hat I mean+ Bo**ee+' said Mam';elle+ e(as e#ated. ' Al%a!s !o"inte##" t. :o#is+ stand " .'

:o#is stood " + he# h"mo#o"s mo"th t%it)hin$. She %o"ld a)t this s)enea te#%a#ds o# the *ene t o the $i#ls. Ho% the! %o"ld la"$h I

' 6o"# %#itten %o#& is ,e#! *ad. No% let me hea# !o"# o#al %o#&+' demandedMam';elle. ' 6o" ha,e lea#nt the F#en)h oem 2 6es0then let me hea# it. Be$in '

:o#is )o"ldn't thin& o a sin$le %o#d. She sta#ed into the distan)e+ #a)&in$ he#*#ains. She &ne% the#e %e#e all &inds o animals in it0*"t ho% did the %o#ds$o 2

'She did lea#n it+ Mam';elle+' said 3am's ,oi)e+ ea#nestl!. 'I hea#d he# sa! it allth#o"$h %itho"t loo&in$ at the *oo& on)e.'

' Then I too %ill hea# it no%+' said Mam';elle. ' Be$in+ :o#is.'

3am sat 4"st *ehind :o#is. She %his e#ed the #st line to he#. :o#is *e$an0andthen she s"ddenl! &ne% that i onl! she )o"ld a)t the oem+ she )o"ld sa! e,e#!%o#d0*"t not one line %o"ld )ome "nless she a)ted it Oh dea#0she )o"ldn't

ossi*l! a)t it in #ont o Mam';elle+ %ho lo,ed F#en)h oet#!+ and %o"ld thin&she %as ma&in$ "n o it.

' Well+ :o#is+ I %ait. I %ait atientl!+' said Mam';elle+ %ho %as an!thin$ *"tatient at that moment. ' Can !o" o# )an !o" not sa! the oem to me 2'

' 6es. I )an+' said :o#is. ' B"t0*"t onl! i I a)t

it.'



' Then a)t it+' said Mam';elle+ losin$ the last o he# atien)e. ' B"t i !o" a#e nottellin$ me the t#"th+ ma )he#e :o#is+ I )om lain to Miss Theo*ald. A)t it0*"t sa!the oem th#o"$h %itho"t mista&e.'

So+ in des ai#+ :o#is a)ted the F#en)h oem in he# "s"al e(a$$e#ated+ #idi)"lo"s

manne#+ %a$$lin$ he#sel + )he%in$ the )"d+ %addlin$+ #is&in$0and+ o )o"#se+as soon as she a)ted the oem+ she &ne% it all the %a! th#o"$h %itho"t a sin$lemista&e. She )e#tainl! had a -"ee#

memo#!.

The $i#ls %e#e th#illed and am"sed at :o#is's #ende#in$ o the solemn oem+ *"tthe! elt )e#tain that Mam';elle %o"ld *e e()eedin$l! an$#!. It %as Cla"dine thatsa,ed the sit"ation.

She )la ed he# hands in deli$ht. She th#e% *a)& he# head and la"$hed he#

in e)tio"s la"$h. She held he# sides and almost do"*led he#sel " .

' Oh ma tante+ ma tante ' she )#ied to he# a"nt. ' The )le,e# :o#is+ thema#,ello"s :o#is S")h a oem she ma&es o it0and not one sin$le mista&e. Ah+ne,e# ne,e# shall I o#$et this oem no% '

Mam';elle "shed he# $lasses on to he# nose mo#e #ml!. He# a)e )han$ed. Shelet o"t a #oa# o deli$hted la"$hte#+ and the )lass *#eathed lo"dl! in #elie . Solon$ as Mam';elle sa% the 4o&e it %as all #i$ht.

Mam';elle too& o/ he# $lasses and %i ed he# st#eamin$ e!es. ' It is )le,e#+ ,e#!

)le,e#+ :o#is+' she said. ' It is not the #i$ht %a! to #e)ite s")h a oem+ no. B"t it is,e#! )le,e# and ,e#! am"sin$. I %ill o#$i,e !o" this time o# !o"# *ad %o#&. It ist#"e that !o" &no% the oem+ and !o" ha,e made it ,e#! "nn!. Is it not so+

Cla"dine 2' Cla"dine a$#eed. 'We too %ill sa! the oem li&e

that+' she s"$$ested+ he# e!es $leamin$ %ith "n. B"t Mam';elle %as not $oin$so a# as that.

' Ah non ' she said. ' :o#is has a $i t that %a!. One $i#l is "nn!+ *"t o"#teen+teen $i#ls %o"ld not *e "nn!. Tiens Loo& at the )lo)&. We ha,e %asted hal the

lesson on this *ad+ )le,e# :o#is. 8et o"t !o"# *oo&s+ lease.':o#is o"nd that she )o"ld lea#n an!thin$ i onl! she said it o"t lo"d and "t#idi)"lo"s a)tions to the %o#ds. B"t so o ten she )o"ld not #e eat %hat she hadlea#nt "nless she a))om anied it %ith the a*s"#d a)tions. Miss Will)o( did notthin& this %as "nn!. She )alled it ' la!in$ the ool' and said it %as ,e#! *adtaste.

As o# doin$ s")h a thin$ in Miss Co#n%allis's )lass o# Miss Theo*ald's+ it %as-"ite "nthin&a*le. Ho%e,e# m")h the $i#ls *e$$ed :o#is to #e)ite the latestmaths. #"les %ith a #o #iate0o# ina #o #iate0a)tions she %o"ld not.



' I'm not $oin$ to $et e( elled 4"st to ma&e !o" la"$h+' she said. ' I m"st $o onloddin$ a%a!+ and $et 3am's hel as m")h as I )an. I'll ne,e# *e an! $ood at

lessons.' ' B"t !o"'ll al%a!s *e a*le to ma&e eo le la"$h ' said Isa*el. ' I'dalmost #athe# do that than an!thin$+ *"t I'm not m")h $ood at it.'

' I'd #athe# %#ite a *oo& o# aint a *ea"ti "l i)t"#e+' said Alison.

'So %o"ld I+' said Anne9Ma#ie. 'M")h #athe#. To lea,e somethin$ o onesel*ehind+ somethin$ one has made o# )#eated0no% that's #eall! %o#th9%hile.' ':ei#d#e ans ' said Ca#lotta+ mo)&in$l!. Alison had o"nd o"t that Miss Will)o('s

#st Initial %as :. and had as&ed he# %hat it stood o#.

' :ei#d#e+' said Miss Will)o(+ and Alison had tho"$ht it a most *ea"ti "l name+almost i)t"#es-"e eno"$h o# he# da#lin$ Miss Will)o(. :ei#d#e Will)o(0a lo,el!name o# a oet

She had told An$ela and An$ela had told e,e#! one else. Both Anne9Ma#ie andAlison %e#e al%a!s #o"nd

Miss Will)o(+ and the $i#ls no% )alled them ':ei#d#e ans'. It anno!ed them ,e#!m")h. Alison %as so##! no% that she had told an! one Miss Will)o('s name0she%o"ld ha,e li&ed to *e the onl! one that &ne% it.

She and Anne9Ma#ie *oth ,ied %ith ea)h othe# o# Miss Will)o('s attentions.Alison %as 4ealo"s o Anne9Ma#ie *e)a"se she )o"ld %#ite oet#!+ and MissWill)o( en)o"#a$ed he# to *#in$ he# he# oems. Anne9Ma#ie %as 4ealo"s o Alison*e)a"se she elt s"#e that Miss Will)o( li&ed Alison the *ette# o the t%o+ %hi)h

%as -"ite t#"e. A little o Anne9Ma#ie and he# intenseness %ent a ,e#!

lon$ %a!.

' 6o"'#e *oth sill!+' said Bo**!+ %ho ne,e# )o"ld "nde#stand %hat she )alled'slo iness'. ' Can't !o" see that an! one %ho en)o"#a$es a )o" le o idiots li&e!o" )an't *e %o#th s")&in$ " to 2'

B"t this &ind o #ema#& onl! made Alison and Anne9Ma#ie mo#e de,oted. It e,en*#o"$ht them to$ethe# a little in thei# )ommon indi$nation+ %hi)h am"sed the$i#ls ,e#! m")h. The ' :ei#d#e ans' %e#e the )a"se o a lot o "n that hal 9te#m

G AN8ELA AN: THE 6O>N8ER 8IRLS

LITTLE 5ane Teal t"#ned " on the la)#osse eld and #a)tised ;ealo"sl!+ m")h toMi#a*el's satis a)tion.

'The#e !o" a#e+' she said to 8lad!s+ t#i"m hantl!. ' 6o" see+ a little lain tal&in$has done 5ane Teal a lot o $ood. I shall ma&e he# a ,e#! $ood la!e# in no



time.

8lad!s had noti)ed that 5ane had done e(a)tl! %hat Mi#a*el had told he#+ *"t shehad also noti)ed too that 5ane loo&ed #athe# mise#a*le.

'She doesn't seem ,e#! ha ! a*o"t it+' she said. ' And it doesn't seem to methat she "ts m")h hea#t into all he# #a)tisin$. I *et An$ela made thin$s ,e#!"n leasant o# he# %hen she told he# she )o"ldn't do he# mendin$ an! mo#e.'

' Oh+ %ell9it's a $ood thin$ i 5ane $ets that so#t o nonsense &no)&ed o"t o he#+'said Mi#a*el. ' I )an't *ea# these &ids that $o #o"nd %o#shi in$ eo le.'

' Well+ a lot o them thin& no end o !o"+' said 8lad!s+ ' and !o" li&e them to.'

'That's di/e#ent+' said Mi#a*el at on)e. 'The! loo& " to me *e)a"se I'm s o#ts)a tain+ *e)a"se I ma&e them %o#& ha#d+ and *e)a"se I don't stand an!nonsense. I sho"ld ti)& them o/ i the! $ot slo ! o,e# me.'

' Well9all the same I thin& little 5ane loo&s mise#a*le+' said 8lad!s. ':on't #o%nli&e that at me+ Mi#a*el. A te# all+ I'm !o"# ,i)e9)a tain+ and I ha,e a #i$ht to sa!%hat I thin& to !o".'

Mi#a*el loo&ed in s"# #ise at 8lad!s+ %ho %as o ten )alled the Mo"se+ *e)a"seshe said so little and %as so -"iet. Mi#a*el %as ond o 8lad!s9in a)t she %as theonl! $i#l in the s)hool that she had an! #eal a/e)tion o# at all. All the same+ shedidn't thin& she )o"ld allo% 8lad!s to nd a"lt %ith he# de)isions9%hat %as thesense o *ein$ )a tain i !o" didn't ma&e !o"# o%n de)isions and sti)& to them 2

A little o%e# had $one to Mi#a*el's head ' 6o" )an sa! %hat !o" li&e to me+ o )o"#se+' said Mi#a*el+ sti@!+ '*"t thatdoesn't mean I shall a! attention to !o"# s"$$estions+ I'm a #aid+ 8lad!s. I shalllisten to them+ o )o"#se9*"t I am the one to de)ide e,e#!thin$.'

8lad!s said no mo#e. Mi#a*el %as not $oin$ to *e a ,e#! eas! e#son to li,e %iththat te#m 8lad!s %ished she %as *old li&e Ca#lotta+ o# do%n#i$ht li&e Bo**!+ o# ast#on$ )ha#a)te# li&e Hila#!9the! al%a!s seemed a*le to )o e %ith othe#s in the#i$ht %a!+ *"t 8lad!s %as a #aid o h"#tin$ them+ o# o ma&in$ them an$#!.

An$ela made a "ss o iolet Hill+ in o#de# to "nish oo# 5ane. She $a,e he# oneo he# *est hai#9slides and a *oo&+ %hi)h sent the oolish iolet into t#ans o#ts odeli$ht. iolet sho%ed them to 5ane and Sall!.

' Loo&+' she said+ ' isn't An$ela a dea# 2 She's so $ene#o"s. I thin& she's%onde# "l. I do thin& !o" %e#e sill! to -"a##el %ith he#+ 5ane. I thin& An$ela is%o#th th#ee o Mi#a*el '

5ane loo&ed mise#a*l! at the *oo& and the hai#9slide. An$ela had ne,e# $i,en he#a #esent. She %ished she )o"ld disli&e An$ela+ *"t she )o"ldn't. E,e#! time shesa% the $olden9hai#ed $i#l+ %ith he# sta##! e!es set in he# o,al a)e+ she tho"$ht

ho% %onde# "l she %as.



Sall! %as so##! o# 5ane. 'Chee# " +' she said. ' An$ela isn't %o#th %o##!in$ a*o"t.I *elie,e she's onl! ma&in$ " to iolet 4"st to ma&e !o" 4ealo"s. I thin& she's*ein$ *eastl!.'

B"t 5ane %o"ld not hea# a %o#d a$ainst An$ela+ ho%e,e# m")h she had *een

h"#t *! he#. iolet too %as )#oss at Sall!'s #ema#&s.

' As i An$ela %o"ld $i,e me #esents 4"st to ma&e 5ane 4ealo"s ' she said+sha# l!. ' I !o" as& me+ I thin& she $a,e me them *e)a"se I mended he# *l"e

4"m e# so neatl!. It too& me ho"#s.'

' :o !o" do he# mendin$ then 2 ' said 5ane+ 4ealo"sl!.

' O )o"#se+' said iolet. 'I don't )a#e %hat Mi#a*el sa!s to me0i I #e e# to dothin$s o# An$ela+ I shall do them.'

iolet told An$ela ho% " set 5ane %as+ and An$ela %as $lad. She )o"ld *e ,e#!s ite "l %hen an!thin$ " set he#. She %as es e)iall! s%eet to iolet and to theothe# #st o#me# %ho )ame %hen iolet )o"ld not )ome. The t%o o themtho"$ht she %as the ni)est $i#l in the %hole s)hool.

Antoinette+ Cla"dine's little siste#+ also at times had to do 4o*s o# the th andsi(th o#me#s. She did not li&e An$ela+ and al%a!s o"nd e()"ses not to $o to he#st"d!+ e,en %hen an "#$ent messa$e %as sent.

'That !o"n$ siste# o !o"#s is a e# e)t n"isan)e+' An$ela )om lained to Cla"dine.' Can't !o" &no)& some sense into he#+ Cla"dine 2 When I sent o# he# !este#da!+

she sent *a)& to sa! that she %as doin$ he# #a)tisin$9and no% I hea# that shedoesn't e,en lea#n m"si) '

' She mi$ht ha,e *een #a)tisin$ somethin$ else+' s"$$ested Cla"dine+ olitel!. 'Ma!*e la)#osse.'

An$ela sno#ted. ' :on't *e sill! Antoinette $ets o"t o $ames 4"st li&e !o" do9the,e#! idea o thin&in$ she mi$ht "t in a *it o #a)ti)e is a*s"#d. I *elie,e !o"en)o"#a$e he# in these *ad %a!s9sli in$ o"t o an!thin$ she doesn't li&e.'

Cla"dine loo&ed sho)&ed. 'Ah+ *"t s"#el! the little Antoinette lo,es e,e#!thin$ at

this so9En$lish s)hool 2 '' :on't #etend to me+' said An$ela+ e(as e#ated. ' I sho"ld ha,e tho"$ht that inall the te#ms !o" ha,e *een he#e+ Cla"dine+ !o" %o"ld ha,e $ot mo#e En$lish9!o"'#e 4"st as F#en)h as e,e# !o" %e#e '

Cla"dine %o"ld not lose he# tem e# at this "n$#a)io"s s ee)h. ' It is $ood to *eF#en)h+' she said+ in he# li$ht+ amia*le ,oi)e. ' I I %e#e En$lish I mi$ht ha,e *een!o"+ An$ela9and that I )o"ld not ha,e *o#ne. Bette# a h"nd#ed times to *e aF#en)h Cla"dine than an En$lish

An$ela '



An$ela )o"ld not thin& o an! #eall! $ood #eto#t to this+ and *! the time she hado"nd he# ton$"e Cla"dine had $one o,e# to s ea& to Mam';elle. An$ela &ne%

she had $one to Mam';elle on "# ose9no one %o"ld da#e to atta)& Cla"dine %ithMam';elle standin$ *! Mam';elle %as intensel! lo!al to he# t%o nie)es.

' All #i$ht+' tho"$ht An$ela+ s ite "ll!. ' I'll 4"st $et that sli e#! siste# o he#s andma&e he# do all &inds o thin$s o# me I'll s ea& to Hila#! a*o"t it+ and she'll tellAntoinette she's 4oll! %ell $ot to )ome %hen I o# Alison send o# he#.'

Hila#! &ne% that Antoinette %as *ein$ ,e#! na"$ht! a*o"t )omin$ %hen she %assent o#9*"t she &ne% too

that An$ela "sed the !o"n$e# $i#ls a# too m")h. She "sed he# #ettiness and)ha#m to ma&e them into little sla,es. So she %as not ,e#! hel "l to An$ela%hen the $i#l told he# a*o"t Antoinette.

' I'll tell he# she m"st o*e! the th and si(th o#me#s+' she said. ' B"t An$ela+don't $o too a#+ lease. Most o "s &no% that !o" a#e "sin$ !o"# o%e# too m")hin that di#e)tion.'

' What a*o"t Mi#a*el 2' said An$ela+ at on)e. ' :oesn't she th#o% he# %ei$hta*o"t too m")h 2 She's "n*ea#a*le this te#m+ 4"st *e)a"se she's s o#ts )a tain '

' The#e's no need to dis)"ss Mi#a*el+' said Hila#!. ' What %e',e all $ot to #eali;ethis te#m+ the te#m *e o#e %e $o " into the si(th+ is that this is the o#m %he#e%e #st sho"lde# #es onsi*ilities+ and #st ha,e a little o%e# o,e# othe#s. 6o"'#enot $i,en o%e# to la! a*o"t %ith and $et leas"#e #om+ An$ela+ as !o" seem

to thin&. 6o"'#e $i,en it to "se in the #i$ht %a!.'

' :on't *e so #ea)h!+' said An$ela. ' Reall!+ a#e %e ne,e# $oin$ to ha,e an! "no# $ood times a$ain at St. Cla#e's 2 E,e#! one loo&s so se#io"s and solemnno%ada!s. Bo**! and 5anet ne,e# la! t#i)&s in )lass. We ne,e# ha,e a midni$ht

east. We ne,e# . . .'

' Remem*e# that %e a#e all %o#&in$ 4oll! ha#d+' said Hila#!+ %al&in$ o/. ' 6o" )an't%o#& ha#d and la! the ool too. Wait till the e(am. is o,e# and then ma!*e %e)an ha,e a *it o "n.'

Hila#! s o&e to Antoinette and the small+ da#&9e!ed F#en)h $i#l listened %ith the"tmost oliteness.

' 6es+ Hila#!+ I %ill $o to An$ela %hen she sends o# me+' said Antoinette. ' B"tal%a!s she sends o# me at so0*"s! a time '

' Well+ ma&e !o"# e()"ses to me+ not to An$ela+' said Hila#!+ #ml!. Antoinetteloo&ed at Hila#! and si$hed. She &ne% that Hila#! %o"ld not *elie,e in he#e()"ses+ and %o"ld insist+ in that #m+ olite %a! o he#s+ that Antoinette sho"lddo as she %as told.

An$ela sa% Hila#! s ea&in$ to Antoinette and %as



leased. She de)ided to $i,e Antoinette a *ad time9 she %o"ld tea)h he# to ' toethe ma#&' #o e#l!.

' iolet+ I shan't %ant !o" o# a e% da!s+' she told the ado#in$ iolet. ' Send meAntoinette instead.'

' Oh+ *"t An$ela9don't I do !o"# 4o*s %ell eno"$h o# !o" 2 ' said iolet in disma!.' Antoinette is s")h a m"tt 9she )an't do a thin$ Reall! she )an't. Let me doe,e#!thin$.'

' Antoinette )an se% and da#n *ea"ti "ll!+' said An$ela+ ta&in$ leas"#e in h"#tin$iolet+ %ho had *een ,e#! sill! that %ee&. ' 6o" made an a% "l da#n in one o m!

tennis so)&s.'

iolet's e!es lled %ith tea#s and she %ent o"t o the #oom. Alison loo&ed " #omhe# %o#&.

' An$ela+ sto it+' she said. ' I thin& !o"'#e *eastl!9 ma&in$ the &ids ado#e !o" andthen *ein$ "n&ind to them. An!%a!9!o"'ll ha,e a ha#d n"t to )#a)& inAntoinette She %on't ado#e !o". She's $ot he# head s)#e%ed on

all #i$ht.'

' She %o"ld ado#e me i I %anted he# to+' *oasted An$ela+ %ho &ne% the o%e# o he# #ettiness and smiles+ and %ho )o"ld t"#n on )ha#m li&e %ate# o"t o a ta .

'She %o"ldn't+' said Alison. 'She's li&e Cla"dine9 sees th#o"$h e,e#! one at on)e+and si;es them " and then $oes he# o%n %a! enti#el!+ li&in$ o# disli&in$ 4"st asshe leases.'

' I *et I'll ma&e Antoinette li&e me as m")h as an! o those sill! &ids+' saidAn$ela. ' 6o" %at)h and see. 6o"'ll *e s"# #ised+ Alison.'

' I'll %at)h9*"t I shan't *e s"# #ised+' said Alison. ' I &no% little Antoinette *ette#than !o" do '

ANTOINETTE :EFEATS AN8ELA

THE ne(t time she %as sent o#+ Antoinette a##i,ed #om tl!+ all smiles. She %as 4"st as neat and )hi) as Cla"dine+ -"i)&9%itted and most inno)ent9loo&in$. Miss 5en&s+ the se)ond o#m mist#ess+ had al#ead! lea#nt that Antoinette's inno)entloo& %as not to *e t#"sted. The mo#e inno)ent she loo&ed+ the mo#e li&el! it %asthat she had mis*eha,ed o# %as $oin$ to mis*eha,e

' 6o" sent o# me+ An$ela 2 ' said Antoinette.



'6es+' said An$ela+ "ttin$ on one o he# <ashin$ smiles. ' I did. Antoinette+ %ill!o" )lean those *#o%n shoes o,e# the#e+ lease 2 I'm s"#e !o"'ll do it *ea"ti "ll!.'

Antoinette sta#ed at An$ela's *eamin$ smile and smiled *a)&. An$ela elt s"#eshe )o"ld see intense admi#ation in he# e!es.

' The olish+ lease 2 ' said Antoinette+ olitel!.

' 6o"'ll nd it in the )" *oa#d+ to shel +' said An$ela. ' Ho% )hi) and sma#t !o"al%a!s loo&+ Antoinette04"st li&e Cla"dine.'

' Ah+ Cla"dine+ is she not %onde# "l 2 ' said Antoinette. 'An$ela+ I ha,e ,esiste#s+ and I li&e them all+ *"t Cla"dine is m! a,o"#ite. Ah+ Cla"dine0I )o"ld tell!o" thin$s a*o"t Cla"dine that %o"ld ma&e !o" ma#,el+ that %o"ld ma&e !o"%ish that !o" too had s")h a siste#+ and . . .'

B"t An$ela %as not in the least inte#ested to hea# %hat a %onde# "l siste#Cla"dine %as+ and she %as )e#tain she %o"ld ne,e# %ish she had one li&e he#.An$ela #e e##ed *ein$ a s oilt onl! )hild. 6o" had to sha#e thin$s %ith siste#s

' E#0the olish is in the )" *oa#d+ to shel +' she said+ he# *#i$ht smile adin$ alittle.

' The olish0ah !es+' said Antoinette+ ta&in$ a ste

to%a#ds the )" *oa#d+ *"t onl! a ste + ' No%+ Cla"dine is not the onl! %onde# "lsiste# I ha,e9the#e is Lo"ise. Ah+ I %ish I )o"ld tell !o" %hat Lo"ise is li&e. Lo"ise)an do e,e#! em*#oide#! stit)h the#e is+ and %hen she %as nine+ she %on . . .'

' Bette# $et on %ith m! shoes+ Antoinette+' said An$ela+ *e$innin$ to loseatien)e. A h"#t loo& )ame into Antoinette's e!es+ and An$ela made haste to

*esto% he# *#illiant smile on he# a$ain. Antoinette at on)e )hee#ed " and too&anothe# ste to%a#ds the )" *oa#d.

She o ened he# mo"th+ lainl! to $o on %ith he# #aise o Lo"ise o# some othe#siste#+ *"t An$ela i)&ed " a *oo& and #etended to *e a*so#*ed in it.

' :on't tal& o# a *it+' she said to Antoinette. ' I',e $ot to lea#n somethin$.'

Antoinette %ent to the )" *oa#d. She too& a )hai# and stood on it to $et theolish. Then she ste ed do%n %ith a small ot in he# hand+ and a little se)#et

smile on he# mo"th99the &ind o smile that Cla"dine sometimes %o#e. An$ela didnot see it.

Antoinette o"nd a *#"sh and d"ste# and set he#sel to he# tas&. She s-"ee;ed)#eam on to the shoes and smea#ed it on %ell. Then she *#"shed it in and then#"**ed ha#d %ith the so t d"ste#. She held the ai# o shoes a%a! #om he# andloo&ed at them %ith #ide.

' :one 2' said An$ela+ still not loo&in$ " in )ase Antoinette *e$an tal&in$ a$ain.



' The! a#e nished+' said Antoinette. ' Shall I )lean !et anothe# ai#+ An$ela 2 It isa leas"#e to %o#& o#

!o".'

An$ela %as deli$hted to hea# this. Aha9Alison %o"ld soon see that she )o"ld %inthe hea#t o Antoinette as easil! as an! one else's.

' 6es+ Antoinette9)lean all the shoes !o" li&e+' she said+ smilin$ s%eetl!. ' Ho%*ea"ti "l that ai# loo& '

' :o the! not 2' said Antoinette. ' S")h *ea"ti "l shoes the! a#e too Ah+ no $i#l inthe s)hool %ea#s s")h ne )lothes as !o"+ An$ela9so *ea"ti "ll! made+ so )a#e9

"ll! nished. 6o" ha,e mo#e )hi) than an! En$lish $i#l0!o" mi$ht *e a 3a#isian '

' I',e *een to 3a#is and *o"$ht )lothes the#e t%o o# th#ee times+' said An$ela+ and%as 4"st a*o"t to des)#i*e all the )lothes %hen Antoinette sta#ted o/ a$ain.

' Ah+ )lothes0no% !o" sho"ld see m! siste# 5eanne S")h ma#,ello"s )lothes shehas+ li&e those in the sho s at 3a#is0*"t all o them she ma&es he#sel %ith he#)le,e# n$e#s. S")h st!le+ s")h )hi)+ s")h . . .'

7 6o" seem to ha,e $ot a %hole lot o ,e#! )le,e# siste#s+' said An$ela+sa#)asti)all!+ *"t Antoinette did not seem to #eali;e that An$ela %as *ein$)"ttin$.

' It is t#"e+' she said. ' I ha,e not !et told !o" a*o"t Ma#ie. No% Ma#ie . . .'

' Antoinette+ nish the shoes and let me $et on %ith m! %o#&+' said An$ela+ %hoelt that she )o"ld not *ea# to hea# a*o"t anothe# siste# o Antoinette's. ' The#e's

a $ood $i#l '

She "sed he# most )ha#min$ tone+ and Antoinette *eamed. ' 6es+ An$ela+ !es. Iam too m")h o a )hatte#9tin+ am I not 2 '

' Bo(+ not tin+' said An$ela. ' No%+ do $et on+ Antoinette. It's lo,el! to hea# !o"#)hatte#+ *"t I #eall! ha,e $ot %o#& to do.'

Antoinette said no mo#e *"t *"sied he#sel %ith th#ee mo#e ai#s o shoes. Shestood them in the )o#ne# and "t the em t! ot o )#eam into the %aste9 a e#*as&et. ' I ha,e nished+ An$ela+' she said. ' I $o no%. Tomo##o% !o" %ill %ant me+is it not so 2 '

' 6es+ )ome tomo##o% at the same time+' said An$ela+ s%it)hin$ on a )ha#min$smile a$ain and sha&in$ *a)& he# $leamin$ hai#+ ' 6o"',e done m! shoes*ea"ti "ll!. Than& !o".'

Antoinette sli ed o"t o the #oom li&e a mo"se. She met Cla"dine at the end othe assa$e and he# siste# #aised he# e!e*#o%s. ' Whe#e ha,e !o" *een+

Antoinette 2 6o" a#e not s" osed to *e in the th o#m st"dies "nless !o" ha,e*een sent o#.'



' I ha,e *een )leanin$ all An$ela's shoes+' said Antoinette+ dem"#el!. Then she$lan)ed s%i tl! " and do%n the )o##ido# to see that no one else %as in si$ht+and shot o"t a e% senten)es in #a id F#en)h. Cla"dine la"$hed he# in e)tio"sla"$h+ and #etended to *o( he# siste#'s ea#s.

'Tiens "elle me)hante lle What %ill An$ela sa!2'

Antoinette sh#"$$ed he# sho"lde#s+ $#inned and disa ea#ed. Cla"dine %ent onhe# %a!+ and a"sed o"tside An$ela's st"d!. She hea#d ,oi)es. Alison %as the#eno% too. Cla"dine o ened the doo#.

' Hallo+' said Alison. ' Come o# that *oo& I #omised !o" 2 Wait a min"te0I',e "tit o"t o# !o" some%he#e.'

She )a"$ht si$ht o all An$ela's shoes standin$ $leamin$ in a )ome#. ' I sa! :id!o"n$ iolet )lean them li&e that o# !o" 2 She doesn't "s"all! $et s")h a olish

on '

' No0Antoinette did them+' said An$ela. ' She %as tellin$ me all a*o"t !o"#siste#s and he#s+ Cla"dine.'

' Ah !es+' said Cla"dine+' the#e is m! siste# Lo"ise+ and m! siste# Ma#ie and m!siste# . . .'

' Oh+ don't !o" sta#t on them+ o# $oodness' sa&e+' said An$ela. 'What's thematte#+ Alison+ %hat a#e !o" sta#in$ at 2'

' Ha,e !o" "sed " all that lo,el! a)e9)#eam al#ead! 2' said Alison+ in as"# #ised ,oi)e+ and she i)&ed an em t! ot o"t o the %aste9 a e# *as&et. 'An$ela+ ho% e(t#a,a$ant o !o" Wh!+ the#e %as ha#dl! an! o"t o it !este#da!0and no% it's all $one. What ha,e !o" done %ith it 2'

' Nothin$+' said An$ela+ sta#tled. ' I ha#dl! e,e# "se that+ it's so te##i*l! e( ensi,eand di?)"lt to $et. I &ee it o# ,e#! s e)ial o))asions. Whate,e# )an ha,eha ened to it 2 It #eall! is em t! '

The t%o $i#ls sta#ed at ea)h othe#+ ";;led. Cla"dine sat on the side o the ta*le+s%in$in$ he# oot+ he# a)e -"ite im assi,e. Then An$ela sla ed the ta*le ha#d

and e()laimed in an$e#.' It's that ool o an Antoinette She's )leaned m! shoes %ith m! *est a)e9)#eamOh+ the idiot All that lo,el! )#eam $one0$one on m! shoes too '

' B"t !o"# shoes+ the! loo& so *ea"ti "l ' #ema#&ed Cla"dine. ' Ma!*e the littleAntoinette tho"$ht that o#dina#! shoe9 olish %as not $ood eno"$h o# s")h neshoes.'

' She's an idiot+' said An$ela. ' I %on't ha,e he# do an! 4o*s a$ain.'

' 3e#ha s that's %h! she did this+' said Alison+ d#!l!. ' It's the &ind o thin$ o"#dea# Cla"dine %o"ld do+ o# the same &ind o #eason+ isn't it+ Cla"dine 2 '



' Shall I tell Antoinette !o" %ill not need he# a$ain *e)a"se !o" a#e ,e#! an$#! athe# oolishness 2' said Cla"dine. ' Ah+ she %ill *e so sad+ the oo# )hild '

An$ela de*ated. She elt s"#e that Antoinette had made a #eal mista&e. She %as)e#tain the $i#l li&ed he# too m")h to la! s")h a t#i)& on he#. Ho% th#illed

Antoinette had seemed %hen she had smiled at he# No 0the $i#l had made a$en"ine mista&e. An$ela %o"ld $i,e he# anothe# )han)e.

' I'll t#! he# a$ain+' she said. ' I'll o#$i,e he# this time. We all ma&e mista&essometimes.'

' Ho% t#"e ' said Cla"dine. ' No%+ m! siste# Ma#ie+ ha#dl! e,e# does she ma&e amista&e+ *"t on)e . . .'

' Oh+ $et o"t+' said An$ela+ #"del!. ' It's *ad eno"$h to ha,e !o" and Antoinettehe#e %itho"t ha,in$ to hea# a*o"t !o"# do;ens o siste#s '

Cla"dine #emo,ed he#sel $#a)e "ll! and %ent to nd Antoinette to #e o#t thes"))ess o he# t#i)&. Antoinette $#inned. ' C'est *ien+' she said. ' e#! $oodAnothe# time I %ill a$ain *e oolish+ oh so oolish '

An$ela sent o# he# a$ain the ne(t da!. Antoinette ente#ed %ith d#oo in$ headand do%n)ast e!es.

' Oh+ An$ela+' she said+ in a lo%+ mee& ,oi)e+ 'm! siste# Cla"dine has told me%hat a te##i*le mista&e I made !este#da!. Ho% )o"ld I ha,e *een so oolish 2 I

#a! !o" to o#$i,e me.'

'All #i$ht+' said An$ela. ':on't loo& so mise#a*le. Antoinette. B! the %a!+ I thin& I'll)all !o" Toni9it's so m")h #iendlie# than Antoinette+ isn't it 2 '

Antoinette a ea#ed to $#eet this idea %ith #a t"#e. An$ela *eamed. Ho% eas! it%as to $et #o"nd these !o"n$ ones Well9she %o"ld $et all the %o#& she )o"ldo"t o this sill! F#en)h $i#l+ she %o"ld %ind he# #o"nd he# little n$e#9and thenshe %o"ld send he# a)&in$ and tea)h he# a $ood sha# lesson

' What %o"ld !o" ha,e me do toda! 2 ' Antoinette as&ed+ in he# mee& ,oi)e. 'Mo#e shoes 2'

' No+' said An$ela. ' No mo#e shoes. Ma&e me some an)ho,! toast+ Toni.'

' 3lease 2' said Antoinette+ not "nde#standin$. ' Oh+ dea#9don't !o" &no% %hatan)ho,! toast is 2 ' si$hed An$ela. ' Well+ !o" ma&e o#dina#! *"tte#ed toast 9and

o# $oodness' sa&e toast the *#ead *e o#e !o" "t the *"tte# on9then !o" s #eadit %ith an)ho,! aste. 6o"'ll nd it in the )" *oa#d. Ma&e eno"$h o# th#ee

eo le. Anne9Ma#ie is )omin$ to tea+ to #ead "s he# ne%

oem.'

' Ah+ the %onde# "l Anne9Ma#ie ' said Antoinette+ $ettin$ o"t the *#ead. ' No%one o m! siste#s+ the one )alled Lo"ise+ on)e she %#ote a oem and ...'



' Toni+ I',e $ot to $o and see some one+' said An$ela+ $ettin$ " h"##iedl!. ' 8eton %ith the toast+ and do it #eall! )a#e "ll!+ to ma&e " o# !o"# sill! mista&e

!este#da!.'

' An$ela+ *elie,e me+ !o"# little Toni %ill $i,e !o" s")h toast as ne,e# !o" ha,ehad *e o#e ' said Antoinette %ith e#,o"#. She held a ie)e o *#ead to the #e.

An$ela %ent o"t+ dete#mined not to )ome *a)& till Antoinette had made the toastand %as sa el! o"t o the %a!. Tal& a*o"t a )hatte#*o( She seemed to ha,e ane,e#9endin$ <o% o )on,e#sation a*o"t he# amil!. She mi$ht sta#t on he#*#othe#s ne(t9i she had an!

As soon as An$ela had $one o"t o the #oom+ Antoinette "t aside he# a#tless%a!s and )on)ent#ated on he# 4o*.

She made si( ie)es o toast ,e#! #a idl! and s #ead them %ith *"tte#. Then she$ot a ot do%n #om the )" *oa#d shel 0*"t it %as not an)ho,!. It %as the ot o *#o%n shoe olish that she sho"ld ha,e "sed the da! *e o#e

It loo&ed e(a)tl! li&e an)ho,! as she s #ead it on the toast. Ca#e "ll! the littlemon&e! s #ead the *#o%n aste+ iled the sli)es on a late and set them *esidethe #e to &ee %a#m. Then she sli ed o"t o the #oom and made he# %a! to thenois! )ommon #oom o he# o%n o#m.

Soon Alison )ame in and sat do%n *! the #e. Then An$ela o ed he# head#o"nd the doo# and sa% to he# #elie that Antoinette %as $one.

' I sim l! )o"ldn't sta! in the #oom %ith that a% "l )hatte#*o(+ d#i,ellin$ on a*o"the# siste#s+' said An$ela. ' Ah+ she's made a ni)e lot o toast+ hasn't she 2 Hallo0he#e's Anne9Ma#ie.'

Anne9Ma#ie )ame in+ he# *i$ e!es da#& in he# ale a)e. '6o" loo& ti#ed+' saidAn$ela. 'Been *"#nin$ the midni$ht oil2 I %ish I )o"ld %#ite oems li&e !o"+ Anne9Ma#ie.'

' I %o#&ed on a oem till ast t%el,e+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ in he# intense ,oi)e. ' It'sa $ood thin$ no one sa% the li$ht in m! st"d!. Ah0tea's #ead!+ ho% lo,el! Let's

t")& in+ and then I'll #ead m! latest oem.'

THREE :IS8>STE: 8IRLS

AN8ELA li ted the toast on to the ta*le. ' I $ot Antoinette to ma&e an)ho,! toasto# "s+' she said. ' It loo&s $ood+ doesn't it 2 Ta&e a sli)e+ Anne9Ma#ie.' Anne9

Ma#ie too& the to sli)e. It seemed to ha,e



#athe# a e)"lia# smell. Anne9Ma#ie loo&ed #athe# do"*t "ll! at it..

' It's all #i$ht+' said Alison+ seein$ he# loo&. An)ho,! al%a!s smells a *it "nn!+ Ithin&.'

She and Anne9Ma#ie too& a $ood *ite o"t o thei# toast at the same se)ond. Theshoe9)#eam tasted a*omina*le. Anne9Ma#ie s at he# mo"th "l o"t at on)e+ allo,e# the ta*le. Alison+ %ith *ette# manne#s+ s at he#s into he# hand&e#)hie .An$ela too& a *ite *e o#e she #eali;ed %hat the othe#s %e#e doin$.

Then she too s at o"t at on)e+ and )l"t)hed he# mo"th %ith he# hands. ' Oh Oh What is it 2 I'm oisoned '

She #"shed to the nea#est *ath#oom and the othe#s ollo%ed+ thei# ton$"eshan$in$ o"t. Anne9Ma#ie %as #om tl! si)& %hen she #ea)hed the *ath#oom.

Tea#s o"#ed #om he# e!es and she had to sit do%n.

' An$ela What lth! aste Ho% )o"ld !o" *"! s")h st"/2' she said.

' Ho##i*le ' said Alison+ #insin$ he# mo"th o"t o,e# and o,e# a$ain. ' All that toast%asted too. It's %i)&ed. An$ela+ %hate,e# ossessed !o" to $et aste li&e that 2I',e ne,e# tasted an)ho,! li&e that *e o#e+ and I ho e I ne,e# shall a$ain. >$h '

An$ela %as eelin$ ill and ,e#! an$#!. What in the %o#ld had that idiot Antoinettedone 2 The! %ent *a)& to the st"d! and An$ela o ened the doo# o the little)" *oa#d. She too& do%n the ot o an)ho,!. It %as "nto")hed. So Antoinette)o"ldn't ha,e "sed it. Then %hat had she "sed 2 The#e %as onl! 4am *esides the

aste.Alison i)&ed " the ot o *#o%n shoe9)#eam and o ened that. It %as #a)ti)all!em t!. 'Loo&+' said Alison+ an$#il!. ' She "sed the shoe9)#eam9 laste#ed all thetoast %ith it She dese#,es a $ood s an&in$.'

An$ela %as %hite %ith an$e#. She "t he# head o"t

o the doo# and sa% a #st o#me# assin$. ' He!+ Moll!+' she )alled+' $o and ndAntoinette and tell he# to )ome he#e at on)e.'

'6es+ An$ela+' said Moll!+ and %ent o/. e#! soon Antoinette a ea#ed+ he# da#&e!es %ide %ith ala#m+ and he# li s t#em*lin$ as i %ith emotion.

' Antoinette Ho% da#e !o" "t shoe9)#eam on o"# toast 2' almost s)#eamedAn$ela. ' 6o" mi$ht ha,e oisoned "s all. Can't !o" tell the di/e#en)e *et%eenan)ho,! aste and shoe9 olish+ !o" a*sol"te idiot 2 6o"',e made "s all ill. Mat#on%ill #o*a*l! hea# a*o"t it. 6o" o"$ht to *e #e o#ted to Miss 5en&s+ !o" o"$ht

to ...'

' Ah+ ah+ do not s)old !o"# little Toni so+' said Antoinette. ' 6o" ha,e *een so &indto me+ An$ela+ !o" ha,e smiled+ !o" ha,e )alled me Toni :o not s)old me so I%ill $i,e " m! tea9time+ I %ill ma&e !o" mo#e toast+ and this time I %ill s #ead it%ith the an)ho,!+ the#e shall *e no mista&e this time.'



' I !o" thin& I'm e,e# $oin$ to t#"st !o" to do a sin$le thin$ o# me a$ain+ !o"'#emista&en+' said An$ela+ still tastin$ the a% "l taste o shoe9)#eam in he# mo"th. 'I mi$ht ha,e &no%n a F#en)h $i#l %o"ld la! the ool li&e this. I tell !o"+ !o"',emade "s all ill. Anne9Ma#ie %as

si)&+7

' I am desolated+' %ailed Antoinette. ' Ah+ An$ela+ I #a!+!o" to let me )omea$ain tomo##o%. Tomo##o% I %ill *e $ood+ so $ood. Tomo##o% !o" %ill )all me Toniand smile at me a$ain+ tomo##o% . . '

' Tomo##o% I'll $et iolet Hill+' said An$ela. ' Clea# o"t+ Antoinette+ !o"'#e a e# e)tmena)e.'

Antoinette )lea#ed o"t and the#e %as ea)e. ' Well+' said An$ela+' she'll %ishshe'd *een mo#e sensi*le tomo##o%. Se#,es he# #i$ht I %as ni)e to he#+ and she

tho"$ht the %o#ld o me9*"t I )an't "t " %ith idiots. She'll *e 4oll! so##! %henshe sees I don't mean to $i,e he# anothe# )han)e '

' I don't eel li&e an! tea no%+' said Alison+ loo&in$ at the #emains o the toast%ith disli&e. ' :o !o"+ Anne9Ma#ie 2'

'No+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ and sh"dde#ed. 'I still eel

si)&. I don't e,en &no% i I )an #ead m! oem. It doesn't $o ,e#! %ell %ith shoe9olish.'

' Oh+ do #ead it+ Anne9Ma#ie+' *e$$ed An$ela+ %ho #eall! did admi#e he# oems. 'What's it a*o"t 2'

' It's all a*o"t the sadness o s #in$+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ #ea)hin$ o# he# oem. 'It's a ,e#! sad oem+ #eall!.'

' All !o"# oems a#e sad+' said Alison. ' Wh! a#e the!+ Anne9Ma#ie 2 I li&e oemsthat ma&e me eel ha !.'

' I am not a ,e#! ha ! e#son+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ ,e#! solemnl!+ and loo&edintense. ' 3oets a#en't+ !o" &no%.'

' B"t some m"st ha,e *een+' o*4e)ted Alison. ' I &no% lots o ,e#! )hee# "loems.'

'Sh"t " + Alison+' said An$ela. 'Read !o"# oem+ Anne9Ma#ie.'

Anne9Ma#ie *e$an he# oem. It %as ,e#! dole "l+ "ll o im #essi,e %o#ds+ and#athe# d"ll. Neithe# Alison no# An$ela li&ed it ,e#! m")h+ *"t the! )o"ldn't hel

eelin$ im #essed. Ho%e,e# )o"ld Anne9Ma#ie %#ite li&e that 2 She m"st indeed*e a $eni"s

' It m"st *e ni)e o# !o"+ sha#in$ a st"d! %ith Feli)it!+ %ho thin&s as m")h o

m"si) as !o" do o oet#!+' said Alison. ' 6o" o"$ht to $et Feli)it! to set some o!o"# oems to m"si). That %o"ld *e %onde# "l.'



' I',e as&ed he#. She %on't+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ sho#tl!. The t#"th %as that Feli)it!%o"ld not admit that Anne9Ma#ie's oems %e#e %o#th t" en)e. It %as ,e#!h"miliatin$ to Anne9Ma#ie.

' W#ite somethin$ #eal+ and I'll "t a t"ne to it+' Feli)it! had said. ' I'm not $oin$ to

%aste m! m"si) on se)ond9#ate st"/.'

The doo# o ened s"ddenl! and Mat#on loo&ed in. ' I hea# !on oo# $i#ls ha,e hada nast! dose o shoe9 olish+' she said. ' I ho e it %asn't an!thin$ ,e#! se#io"s.'

An$ela tho"$ht she %o"ld ta&e the )han)e o $ettin$ Antoinette into t#o"*le+ soshe e(a$$e#ated at on)e.

' Oh+ Mat#on+ it. %as a% "l We had o"# mo"ths a*sol"tel! "ll o the *eastl! st"/.Anne9Ma#ie m"st

ha,e s%allo%ed a lot+ *e)a"se she %as si)&. I sho"ldn't *e s"# #ised i %e a#eill+ se#io"sl! ill toni$ht+' said An$ela.

' I'm s"#e I s%allo%ed some+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ loo&in$ solemn. ' I e( e)t %e alldid.'

' Then !o" m"st )ome and ha,e a dose at on)e+' said Mat#on. ' That shoe9)#eam)ontains a oisono"s in$#edient %hi)h ma! i##itate !o"# insides o# a %ee& o#mo#e+ "nless I $i,e !o" a dose to $et #id o it. Come alon$ %ith me st#ai$ht9a%a!.'

The th#ee $i#ls sta#ed at he# in ala#m. The! sim l! )o"ld not *ea# Mat#on'smedi)ines. The! %e#e #eall! so ,e#! nast! An$ela %ished e#,entl! that she hadnot e(a$$e#ated so m")h.

She t#ied to ta&e *a)& %hat she had said. ' Oh %ell+ Mat#on+' she said+ %ith a littlela"$h+ 'it %asn't as *ad as all that+ !o" &no%. We s at o"t #a)ti)all! all o it9 and%e #insed o"# mo"ths o"t at on)e. We'#e e# e)tl! all #i$ht no%.'

' I da#e sa!+' said Mat#on. ' B"t I'd #athe# *e on the sa e side+ I don't %ant !o" in*ed o# a %ee& %ith a t"mm! " set o some so#t. Come alon$. I',e $ot somethin$that %ill sto an! t#o"*le immediatel!.'

'B"t Mat#on+' *e$an Alison.

It %as no $ood. No*od! )o"ld #eason %ith Mat#on on)e she had #eall! de)ided to$i,e an! one a dose. The th#ee $i#ls had to $et " and ollo% he#. The! loo&ed,e#! *l"e+ and elt most h"miliated. As a #"le Mat#on le t the th and si(th

o#me#s to loo& a te# themsel,es+ and seldom )ame a te# them+ s"$$estin$medi)ine. The! elt li&e #st o# se)ond o#me#s+ t#oo in$ a te# he# o# a dose.

Mat#on too& them to he# #oom+ and meas"#ed o"t the medi)ine into ta*le9s oons+ one o# ea)h o them. It tasted almost as nast! as the shoe9 olish toast

' 3ooh ' said Alison+ t#!in$ to $et the taste o"t o he# mo"th. 'Wh! don't !o" $etsome ni)e9tastin$ medi)ines+ Mat#on 2 I',e ne,e# tasted an! so *eastl! as !o"#s.'



' Well+ I',e $ot a m")h %o#se one he#e+' said Mat#on. ' Wo"ld !o" 4"st li&e to t#!it 2 '

' O )o"#se not ' said Alison. Then a tho"$ht st#")& he#. ' Mat#on0ho% did !o"&no% %e'd had shoe9 olish on o"# toast toda!2 We hadn't told a so"l. Who told

!o"2'

' Wh!+ the oo# little Antoinette told me+' said Mat#on+ )o#&in$ " the *ottle. '3oo# )hild+ she )ame to me in a te##i*le state+ sa!in$ she had oisoned !o" all *!mista&e+ and %hat %as she to do i !o" died in the ni$ht+ and )o"ldn't I dosomethin$ a*o"t it 2 '

The th#ee $i#ls listened to this %ith mi(ed eelin$s. So it %as Antoinette %ho notonl! #o,ided them %ith shoe9 olish toast+ *"t also %ith medi)ine #om Mat#on

The little ho##o#

' 6o"',e no idea ho% " set she %as+' %ent on Mat#on+ *#is&l!. ' 3oo# little so"l+ Ielt #eall! so##! o# he#. An En$lish $i#l mi$ht ha,e *een am"sed at the mista&e

she had made+ *"t Antoinette %as so " set I had to )om o#t he# and $i,e he#some )ho)olate. It's %onde# "l %hat )ho)olate %ill do to soothe the ne#,es o a

#st o# se)ond o#me# Nothin$ *"t *a*ies+ #eall!.'

The tho"$ht o Antoinette eatin$ Mat#on's )ho)olate %as too m")h o# An$ela+Alison and Anne9Ma#ie. The! elt that the! sim l! m"st $et hold o Antoinetteand tell he# %hat the! tho"$ht o he#.

' Whe#e is Antoinette+ do !o" &no%+ Mat#on 2' as&ed An$ela+ %ishin$ she )o"ld

$et the )om*ined tastes o shoe9 olish and medi)ine o"t o he# mo"th.

' I sent he# to he# a"nt+ Mam';elle+' said Mat#on. ' I'm s"#e she %o"ld )hee# he#" and ma&e he# thin& she hadn't done s")h a d#ead "l thin$ a te# all Fan)!thin&in$ she #eall! had oisoned !o" '

The th#ee th9 o#me#s %ent *a)& to the st"d!. It %o"ldn't *e a *it o $ood $oin$to et)h Antoinette no%. She %o"ld #o*a*l! *e ha,in$ a ni)e )os! tea %ithMam';elle+ %ho %o"ld *e "ssin$ he# " and tellin$ he# e,e#!thin$ %as all #i$ht+a mista&e %as a mista&e+ and not to %o##!+ a",#e etite Antoinette

' I'll send o# he# tomo##o% and 4oll! %ell &ee he# nose to the $#indstone+' saidAn$ela+ an$#il!. ' I told he# she needn't do an!thin$ mo#e o# me0*"t I'll ma&ehe# no%. I'll ma&e he# so##! she e,e# la!ed those t#i)&s. Cle,e# little *east0$oin$ o/ to Mat#on and la!9a)tin$ li&e that. She's %o#se than Cla"dine '

Alison %as ala#med to hea# that An$ela %as $oin$ to ma&e Antoinette do somemo#e 4o*s o# them.

' Fo# $oodness' sa&e+ don't *e sill! ' she said to An$ela. 'Antoinette is a# too)le,e# o# "s to $et e,en %ith. She'll onl! do somethin$ e,en %o#se than she hasal#ead! done. I told !o" she %o"ldn't *e li&e the othe#s+ sill! and %o#shi in$. Itold !o" she %o"ld si;e !o" " I told !o". . . .'



' Sh"t " + Alison+' said An$ela. ' I hate eo le %ho sa! 7 I told !o"+ I told !o" 7 I%on't ha,e Antoinette i !o" thin& she'll la! %o#se t#i)&s. She'd end in oisonin$"s+ I sho"ld thin&. I %ish I )o"ld a! he# o"t+ tho"$h.'

' It's a#tl! !o"# o%n a"lt+ all this+' said Alison. ' I onl! !o"'d t#eat the !o"n$e#

ones li&e the othe#s do+ sensi*l! and #o e#l!+ %e sho"ldn't ha,e all these" sets.'

Anne9Ma#ie tho"$ht it %as time to $o. She al%a!s said that -"a##els " set he#oeti) eelin$s. So she %ent+ ta&in$ he# mo"#n "l oem %ith he#.

' We'd *ette# not sa! a %o#d a*o"t this to an! one+' said An$ela. ' Else the %holes)hool %ill *e la"$hin$ at "s. We %on't let it $o an! "#the#.'

B"t alas o# thei# lans0Antoinette told the sto#! to e,e#!one+ and soon the%hole s)hool %as en4o!in$ the 4o&e. It made An$ela "#io"s+ o# she hated *ein$

la"$hed at+ it h"miliated Alison too+ o# e,en Miss Will)o( $ot to hea# o it andteased he# and Anne9Ma#ie.

' What a*o"t a little essa! on 7 An)ho,! Sa")e 7+' she said. ' 3oo# Alison+ oo#Anne9Ma#ie+ %hat a shame '

J MISS WILLCO IS IN A BA: TEM3ER

MISS WILLCO %as in a *ad tem e#. She had 4"st had *a)& #om he# "*lishe#she# se)ond *oo& o oems+ %ith a olite note to sa! that the! %e#e not as $oodas the #st ones+ and the! #e$#etted the! did not see thei# %a! to "t them into*oo&9 o#m.

Miss Will)o( had an e()ellent o inion o he# o%n %#itin$s+ 4"st as Anne9Ma#ie hado he#s. Also she had *oasted in ad,an)e o he# se)ond *oo& o oems9and no%it %o"ld not *e "*lished. She %as disa ointed+ and+ li&e man! #athe# %ea&)ha#a)te#s+ he# disa ointment t"#ned to #esentment instead o to adete#mination to $o on and do *ette#.

So she %ent to he# En$lish )lass loo&in$ #athe# $#im+ and eelin$ that she )o"ldnot stand an! nonsense o# *ad %o#& that mo#nin$.

As a %hole+ the )lass had *een %o#&in$ #eall! ,e#! %ell+ o# Miss Will)o('s lessons%e#e inte#estin$. Alma 3"dden had not *een a*le to &ee " %ith the )lass ,e#!%ell+ and :o#is )o"ld not lea#n *! hea#t %ith an! s"))ess "nless she %as allo%edto a)t %hat she said. Feli)it! too %as onl! #eall! inte#ested i the oems o# la!sa#o"sed he# sense o #h!thm and m"si).

The $i#ls %e#e #athe# ti#ed that mo#nin$. The! had had a st#en"o"s hal 9ho"# %iththe $!m.9mist#ess+ %ho+ eelin$ #athe# *#is&+ had "t them th#o"$h a $#eat man!



,i$o#o"s e(e#)ises. Then had )ome a ,e#! ha#d th#ee9-"a#te#s o an ho"# o,e#maths. and then the En$lish lesson. The $i#ls %e#e eelin$ that the! %anted to#ela( a little9*"t he#e %as Miss Will)o( demandin$ intense )on)ent#ation andattention.

Ca#lotta let o"t an eno#mo"s !a%n %hi)h d#e% Miss Will)o('s %#ath " on he#. Then Cla"dine said she elt si)& and lease )o"ld she $o o"t o the #oom 2

' It is astonishin$ ho% man! times !o" mana$e to eel si)& %hen !o" %ant tomiss some a#t o a lesson+' said Miss Will)o(+ i##itated. ' 8o st#ai$ht to Mat#on+

lease+ and tell he#.'

' I %o"ld #athe# not+' said Cla"dine+ olitel!. ' I do not eel si)& eno"$h o# that. I)an *e si)& in he#e i !o" %o"ld #athe# I sta!ed o# the lesson.'

It loo&ed as i Miss Will)o( %as $oin$ to o,e#%helm Cla"dine %ith he# %#ath+

%hen Feli)it! made them all 4"m . She *e$an to tattoo on he# des&+ s%a!in$ toand #o in e)stas!.

' La9di9la9di9la ' she san$+ ' oh+ la9la9la9di9la '

' Feli)it! What in the %o#ld a#e !o" doin$ 2 ' )#ied Miss Will)o(+ in)ensed %ith#a$e. Feli)it! too& not the sli$htest noti)e. With e!es still )losed+ she )ontin"edhe# s%a!in$+ and he# sin$in$+ at times th"m in$ the des& to a))ent the #h!thm.

' Feli)it! ' almost sho"ted Miss Will)o(+ one o he# $old9to ed ins allin$ o"t ohe# hai# on to the des&. She didn't noti)e it. ' :o !o" hea# %hat I sa! 2 What has

)ome o,e# this )lass this mo#nin$ 2 'Bo**! $a,e Feli)it! a *an$ on the sho"lde#. Feli)it! o ened he# e!es %ith a sta#t+and $a;ed #o"nd the #oom. She did not in the least seem to ta&e in the a)t thatshe %as in )lass and that Miss Will)o( %as "#io"s %ith he#. She sh"t he# e!esa$ain and *e$an s%a!in$.

' She's m"si)9mad+' said Bo**!. ' She's in a &ind o m"si)9d#eam+ Miss Will)o(. Idon't *elie,e she )an hel it. Hie+ Feli)it! '

' She $oes li&e this in o"# st"d! at ni$ht+ ,e#! o ten+' said Anne9Ma#ie. ' I o ten

thin& she does it on "# ose. She al%a!s does it %hen I %ant to #ead one o m!oems o"t lo"d.'

' 5oll! sensi*le o he#+' #ema#&ed 3at.

' La9di9la9di9la ' h"mmed Feli)it!. Miss Will)o( sta#ed at he# ,e#! ha#d. She sim l!)o"ld not ma&e o"t i the $i#l's a)tions %e#e $en"ine o# "t on.

' Boom9di9*oom+ di9*oom+' nished Feli)it! and *an$ed the des& ha#d. ' Ah+ I',e$ot it at last '

The $i#ls la"$hed. A)tin$ o# not+ it %as ,e#! "nn!. Feli)it! *eamed #o"nd. ' I ha,eit ' she said. ' The melod! I',e had in m! mind o# the last t%o %ee&s. It $oes li&ethis9la9di9la9di9la . . .'



The $i#ls $#e% ne#,o"s. 3a"line d#o ed he# *oo&s on the <oo# and made MissWill)o( 4"m . She $ot a e% sha# %o#ds that made he# s-"i#m and loo& at themist#ess %ith #esentment. Bo**! de*ated %hethe# o# not to )hee# thin$s " *!ma&in$ Miss Will)o( and the )lass la"$h *"t de)ided that nothin$ on ea#th %o"ld$et a smile o"t o the mist#ess that mo#nin$. Whate,e# )o"ld *e %#on$ %ith he# 2She %as not "s"all! li&e this.

Onl! Alison and Anne9Ma#ie $a;ed at he# %ith admi#ation that mo#nin$. The!*oth tho"$ht that thei# *elo,ed Miss Will)o( loo&ed lo,el! %ith he# da#& so"l "le!es <ashin$. A *it o Miss Will)o('s hai# )ame do%n and h"n$ *! he# ea#. Alisonsa% he# eelin$ a*o"t o# the in that "s"all! &e t it " + and %al&ed #om he#seat. She i)&ed " the in that had d#o ed and "t it on Miss Will)o('s des&%ith one o he# #athe# s%eet smiles. Someho% the a)tion and the smile soothedMiss Will)o(. ' Than& !o"+ Alison+' she said+ "sin$ the dee ,oi)e that al%a!sth#illed Anne9Ma#ie and Alison. ' 6o" a#e al%a!s on hand to hel '

Anne9Ma#ie elt 4ealo"s. She ne,e# li&ed it %hen Miss Will)o( #aised Alison in an!%a!. She sat loo&in$ $loom!. The )lass %as am"sed to see this little *! la!.

A te# the #eadin$ o the la! %as nished+ the#e %e#e ,e min"tes le t. ' Has an!one o"nd an!thin$ inte#estin$ to #ead 2' as&ed Miss Will)o(+ %ho al%a!sen)o"#a$ed the )lass to *#in$ an! oem the! li&ed o# to -"ote an! #ose linesthe! )ame a)#oss+ %hi)h leased them.

A a#entl! no one had. ' We',e *een %o#&in$ too ha#d this %ee& to #ead m")h+'said Hila#!. ' We ha,en't time o# an!thin$ till this a% "l e(am. is o,e#.'

'Miss Will)o(+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ ne#,o"sl! smilin$. ' Co"ld I #ead the )lass a oemo mine+ lease 2 I %o"ld so li&e to &no% i !o" li&e it.'

Miss Will)o( %as not #eall! in the mood to hea# oems *! an! one+ sin)e he# o%nhad *een sent *a)&. B"t the )lass+ thin&in$ that the! )o"ld sit *a)& and ha,e alittle #est o# ,e min"tes+ a la"ded Anne9Ma#ie's s"$$estion lo"dl!. Anne9Ma#ie<"shed %ith leas"#e. She tho"$ht the! %e#e %el)omin$ he# oem. It didn'tente# he# sill! little head that the $i#ls %anted a #est+ and %o"ldn't listen to a%o#d o it.

' Well+' said Miss Will)o(+ #athe# "n$#a)io"sl!+ ' !o" )an #ead it i !o" li&e+ Anne9Ma#ie.'

Anne9Ma#ie $ot a ie)e o a e# o"t o he# des&+ )o,e#ed %ith he# s #a%lin$hand9%#itin$+ %hi)h %as al%a!s a# too *i$. She )lea#ed he# th#oat+ and *e$an+

"ttin$ on a dee ,oi)e that %as s" osed to *e a <atte#in$ imitation o MissWill)o('s o%n st!le.

'THE LONEL6 MILL



Lost in the %#eathin$ mists o time+

Silent as !ea#s that a#e lost+

B#oodin$ . . .'

No*od! *"t An$ela listened. The %hole )lass %as *o#ed to tea#s *! Anne9Ma#ie's#etentio"s+ solemn and

insin)e#e oet#!. Anne9Ma#ie let he#sel $o+ and he# ,oi)e #an$ -"ite sono#o"sl!th#o"$h the )lass#oom.

B"t she %as not allo%ed to nish it. Miss Will)o( had listened in a state oi##itation+ and sto ed he# hal 9%a! th#o"$h. The oem %as lainl! an imitationo one o he# o%n oems+ in the *oo& she had had "*lished+ and o %hi)h theado#in$ Anne9Ma#ie had *o"$ht a )o !.

He# oem %as )alled ' The :ese#ted Fa#m'+ and the %hole lan o it %as m")hthe same as Anne9Ma#ie's+ e,en to the ideas in the di/e#ent ,e#ses. As animitation it %as ,e#! )le,e#9*"t Anne9Ma#ie had not meant it to *e an imitation.She had tho"$ht she %as %#itin$ a most o#i$inal oem+ and had not e,en#eali;ed that she had d#a%n on he# memo#ies o Miss Will)o('s o%n oem.

'Sto +' said the mist#ess+ and Anne9Ma#ie sto ed+ ";;led. She $lan)ed at MissWill)o(+ %ho %as #o%nin$.

' When !o" %#ite somethin$ #eall! o#i$inal+ somethin$ o"t o !o"# o%n mind+somethin$ %hi)h isn't )o ied #om m! %o#& o# an! one else's+ I'll listen to it+Anne9Ma#ie+' said Miss Will)o(+ "ttin$ on he# dee + d#a%lin$ ,oi)e a$ain.

' B"t Miss Will)o(9I didn't )o ! it #om an!%he#e+' stamme#ed Anne9Ma#ie+ho##i ed. 'I9I onl! t#ied to model it on !o"# o%n st!le+ %hi)h I admi#e ,e#! m")h.

E,en i Anne9Ma#ie's oem had *een as $ood as one *! Sha&es ea#e+ MissWill)o( %o"ld not ha,e admi#ed it that mo#nin$+ %hen she %as still sma#tin$ #omthe sendin$ *a)& o he# o%n #e)io"s )olle)tion o oems.

' :on't ma&e e()"ses+' she said )oldl!. ' I I %e#e !o" I sho"ld tea# the oem " .No%9the#e's the *ell. 3"t !o"# *oo&s to$ethe# and $o o"t o# B#ea&. Alison+ !o")an sta! and hel me o# a e% moments. I %ant these a e#s "t in o#de#.'

In tea#s oo# Anne9Ma#ie %ent o"t o the #oom9and %ith smiles Alison hel edMiss Will)o(. The othe# $i#ls h"##ied o"t than& "ll!9%hat a ne#,e9#a)&in$ En$lishlesson it had *een

1 ABO>T 8ENI>SES+ S3ORT+ AN: MEN:IN8



'6O> %e#en't si)& a te# all+ Cla"dine+' said An$ela+ #athe# mali)io"sl!+ as the!%ent o"t.

' It assed+' said Cla"dine+ ai#il!. ' Ha il! Feli)it! too& Miss Will)o('s attention+ o#I mi$ht ha,e had to $o to Mat#on.'

' We'd *ette# $o and $et Feli)it! o"t o he# st"d!+' said Isa*el to 3at. ' I %onde# ishe's %#itten o"t the a)t o that la!. It's an a% "ll! lon$ one.'

The! %ent to Feli)it!'s st"d!. Anne9Ma#ie %as the#e+ )#!in$. She s)o%led at theothe#s %hen the! )ame in.

' Chee# " + sill!+' said 3at. ' What does it matte# %hat dea# :ei#d#e sa!s a*o"t!o"# oem 2 I *et she's 4ealo"s+ that's all '

' 6o" don't &no% an!thin$ a*o"t oet#!+' sni@ed Anne9Ma#ie. ' I don't *elie,e !o"hea#d a %o#d o m! oem+ an!%a!.'

' "ite #i$ht+ I didn't+' said 3at. ' I'd listen i I "nde#stood %hat !o" %e#e t#!in$ tosa! in !o"# oems+ Anne9Ma#ie+ *"t it al%a!s seems to me as i !o" ha,en't $otan!thin$ to sa!.'

' 6o"'#e all "n&ind to me+7 so**ed Anne9Ma#ie+ tho#o"$hl! " set *! t%o thin$s0the a)t that he# #e)io"s oem had *een s)o/ed at+ and that he# ado#ed MissWill)o( had sn"**ed he#.

' Oh+ don't *e s")h a *a*!+' said 3at+ and t"#ned to loo& at Feli)it!+ %ho %as%#itin$ e,e#ishl! in a )o#ne#+ )o !in$ o"t the la! in a ne#,o"s+ ,e#! smallhand%#itin$.

' Bad l")&+ Feli)it!+' said 3at. ' Come on o"t no%+ tho"$h. :o !o" $ood to $et a*lo% in the ai# this mo#nin$. 6o" loo& a% "l.'

' I don't &no% %hat ha ened to me in )lass toda!+' said Feli)it!+ #aisin$ he# heado# a min"te. ' 6o"

see+ I',e *een %o#&in$ so ha#d on m! m"si)+ and the t"ne I',e *een $#o in$ o#

s"ddenl! )ame to me9and m! mind 4"st %ent a te# it+ and I o#$ot e,e#!thin$else.'

' It's *e)a"se !o"'#e a $eni"s+' said 3at+ &indl!+ o# she li&ed Feli)it!+ %ho "t onno ai#s at all+ and %as not in the least )on)eited. ' 8eni"ses al%a!s do "nn!"n"s"al thin$s+ !o" &no%. The! )an't hel it. The! li&e %o#&in$ in the middle othe ni$ht+ the! $o %itho"t ood o# da!s sometimes+ the! %al& in thei# slee + the!a#e a*sent9minded9oh+ the!'#e not li&e o#dina#! eo le at all. So )hee# " 9!o")an't hel *ein$ a $eni"s. 3e#sonall!+ I thin& !o"'#e %o#&in$ too ha#d.'

Anne9Ma#ie listened to this s!m atheti) s ee)h %ith sni@es and a dis)ontentedloo&. She tho"$ht he#sel 4"st as m")h a $eni"s as Feli)it!9*"t no*od! e,e#tal&ed to he# li&e that No*od! e,e# )alled he# a $eni"s+ e()e t An$ela9and



An$ela #eall! didn't &no% the di/e#en)e *et%een a n"#se#! #h!me and a $#eatoem Li e seemed ,e#! ha#d to oo# Anne9Ma#ie 4"st then.

' 3e#ha s+' tho"$ht Anne9Ma#ie+ s"ddenl!+ ' e#ha s i I do some -"ee# thin$s+li&e Feli)it! does+ the $i#ls %ill #eali;e I'm a $eni"s too. It's %o#th t#!in$+ an!%a!9

so lon$ as I don't $et m!sel into a #o%. It's no $ood doin$ an!thin$ in MissWill)o('s )lass9a te# Feli)it!'s e# o#man)e it %o"ld *e sill!.'

She )hee#ed " a little and %ent o"t o# B#ea&. Feli)it! %o"ld not $o o"t. She %asintent on nishin$ the %#itin$ o"t o the la!+ so that she )o"ld on)e mo#e $i,ehe# mind #eel! to the m"si) that seemed al%a!s all a#o"nd he#. Feli)it! %as

ndin$ thin$s ,e#! ha#d that te#m. The %o#& in the th o#m %as mo#e di?)"ltthan in the o"#th+ and the#e %as the st#ain o the e(am. to a)e. She %as also%o#&in$ e,en ha#de# at he# m"si)+ and ,e#! o ten )o"ld not slee at ni$ht.

Mi#a*el also %as %o#&in$ ,e#! ha#d at the s o#ts standa#d o the %hole s)hool.She %anted to #aise the standa#d o the la)#osse so that e,en the o"#th andthi#d

teams %o"ld %in all thei# mat)hes. What a eathe# it %o"ld *e in he# )a + i shedid

8lad!s did not a #o,e o all this intense d#i,e o# hi$h e?)ien)! in $ames and$!m. and #"nnin$ #a)ti)e. ' 6o"'#e t#!in$ to do too m")h too -"i)&l!+' she said toMi#a*el. ' 6o"'ll $et m")h *ette# #es"lts i !o" $o mo#e slo%l!+ Mi#a*el. Loo& atthis #a)ti)e list o !o"#s o# the #st o#m. 6o"'ll ma&e them all ed " %ith$ames i !o" insist on so m")h time *ein$ $i,en to them.'

':o them $ood+' said Mi#a*el+ intent on the se)ond o#m list. ' These &ids o"$ht to*e ,e#! $#ate "l o# the inte#est I ta&e in them. That 5ane Teal o# instan)e0 sheis ten times *ette# sin)e she did %hat I told he# and "t in mo#e #a)ti)e. She'sthe *est )at)he# in the #st o#m.'

' Well+ !o" )an d#i,e eo le li&e 5ane Teal+ %ho al%a!s %ant to do the *est the!)an o# an! one the! li&e+' said 8lad!s+ ' *"t !o" )an't d#i,e e,e#! one. Some 4"st$et o*stinate. I thin& !o"'#e not at all sensi*le %ith some o the o"#th o#me#s0and !o" #eall! o"$ht to &no% *ette# than to $o a te# eo le li&e Ca#lotta and

An$ela and Cla"dine.'' I %ish !o" %o"ldn't al%a!s nd a"lt %ith me+ 8lad!s+' said Mi#a*el+ im atientl!.' 6o"'#e -"ite di/e#ent #om %hat !o" "sed to *e. 6o" "sed to li&e *ein$ $"ided*! me+ !o" said I %as the st#on$ one+ and !o" -"ite loo&ed " to me.'

' I &no%+' said 8lad!s+ ' and I do no%. I onl! %ish I had hal !o"# st#en$th o %illand "# ose+ Mi#a*el. B"t as I a))e ted the ost o ,i)e9)a tain+ %hi)h does*#in$ %ith it the #es onsi*ilit! o sha#in$ %ith !o" most o !o"# de)isions+ I )an'tsit *a)& and not sa! thin$s I o"$ht to sa!. I don't %ant to sa! them0I &no% !o"%on't li&e some o them0*"t I'd *e a ,e#! oo# thin$ i I didn't sa! them.'



Mi#a*el #eall! %as s"# #ised at 8lad!s. Al%a!s she had *een the leade# o thet%o and 8lad!s had ollo%ed mee&l! and %illin$l!. It %as somethin$ ne% o#Mi#a*el

to nd 8lad!s sti)&in$ " o# he# o%n ideas+ and a)t"all! $oin$ a$ainst he#

sometimes I Mi#a*el sho"ld ha,e admi#ed he# -"iet #iend o# this+ *"t instead+$lo#!in$ in he# osition o s o#ts )a tain+ she onl! elt #esent "l.

' I mean to ma&e St. Cla#e's the *est s o#ts s)hool in the )o"nt#!+' she saido*stinatel!. 'I shan't listen to an! e()"ses o o,e#9%o#& o# ti#edness #om an! one.

The!'ll 4"st ha,e to "t as m")h into thei# $ames as the! do into thei# s)hool9%o#&.'

' E,e#! one is not as *i$ and st#on$ as !o" a#e+' said 8lad!s+ loo&in$ at the h"$e+st#a in$ $i#l. 'I don't %onde# !o" a#e $oin$ to t#ain as a $ames9mist#ess. 6o"'#e

4"st )"t o"t o# it 6o" )o"ld ta&e $!m. and $ames the %hole da! lon$ and then$o o# a ten9mile %al& in the e,enin$ B"t do+ do #emem*e#+ Mi#a*el+ old thin$+that !o"n$ste#s li&e 5ane Teal #eall! ha,en't the st#en$th to do all !o" do '

5ane Teal had most )ons)ientio"sl! done all that Mi#a*el had as&ed he#+ o# she%as a lo!al and ha#d%o#&in$ $i#l. She elt #o"d %hen Mi#a*el told he# that she%as no% the *est at *all9)at)hin$ in la)#osse in the %hole o he# *i$ o#m.

B"t she had ne,e# sto ed %o##!in$ a*o"t An$ela+ and she lon$ed to ma&e "the -"a##el %ith he#+ and do thin$s o# he# a$ain. She sat in #e . and de*atedthin$s in he# mind. Ho% )o"ld she *e)ome #iends %ith An$ela a$ain 2 Ho% )o"ldshe do he# 4o*s instead o iolet+ %ho+ a te# the " set %ith Antoinette+ had *eenta&en *a)& into a,o"# a$ain. She )o"ld not o# the li e o he# thin& ho% to $et*a)& into An$ela's $ood *oo&s.

'6o" seem to *e lost in d#eams+ 5ane+' said Miss Ro*e#ta's ,oi)e. 'I )an't thin& !o"a#e doin$ !o"# maths.+ %ith that a#a%a! e( #ession on !o"# a)e.'

'I0I %as 4"st thin&in$ o somethin$+' said 5ane+ em*a##assed+ and *ent he# headto he# %o#&.

The ne(t da! iolet %ent do%n %ith a ,e#! *ad )old+ and %as ta&en o/ to thesan. *! Mat#on+ sni@in$ and

eelin$ ,e#! so##! o# he#sel . She )alled to 5ane as she %ent.

' Find that s)hool9sto#! o# me+ and m! ne% 4i$9sa% ";;le and *#in$ them insometime to me+' she said+ and 5ane #omised she %o"ld. A))o#din$l! she %entto iolet's lo)&e# a te# mo#nin$ s)hool+ and loo&ed o# the thin$s she %anted.

She o"nd them0and she also o"nd t%o ai#s o An$ela's sto)&in$s+ and t%o,ests+ all %antin$ -"ite a lot o mendin$. She sta#ed at them.

iolet %o"ld *e a%a! #om s)hool o# th#ee o# o"# da!s. Sho"ld she+ 5ane+ do the

mendin$+ and ta&e it *a)& to An$ela+ and as& i she mi$ht ta&e iolet's la)e tillshe )ame *a)& It %o"ld *e lo,el! to $o to he# st"d! a$ain+ and tid! " the



*ea"ti "l la)e+ loo& at the i)t"#es on the %all+ ll the ,ases %ith %ate#0do allthe thin$s she lo,ed doin$. An$ela %o"ld smile at he# a$ain+ and e,e#!thin$%o"ld *e all #i$ht.

5ane mended e,e#!thin$ *ea"ti "ll!+ s endin$ all he# #ee time on the sto)&in$s

and the ,ests. Some o he# #ee time sho"ld ha,e *een s ent in lea#nin$ a a#t ina la! the #st o#m %e#e doin$. Ho% )o"ld she lea#n it+ %hen she had to $o to*ed ea#l!+ li&e all the othe# #st o#me#s 2

' I'll ta&e m! to#)h to *ed %ith me+ and %hen the othe#s a#e aslee + I'll s%it)h iton "nde# the *ed9)lothes and lea#n m! a#t then+' tho"$ht 5ane. She %as leasedat ha,in$ tho"$ht o s")h a $ood %a! o"t. No one %o"ld &no%. She did not thin&o ho% ti#ed she %o"ld eel the ne(t da!

She too& the thin$s to An$ela that a te#noon %hen An$ela sent o# iolet. She%ent in timidl!+ he# hea#t *eatin$ ast+ o# she %as a #aid o An$ela's snee#s andsn"*s.

Alison %as the#e alone. She %as s"# #ised to see 5ane. ' Hallo+ &id+' she said. 'Whe#e's iolet 2'

' In the san. %ith a )old+' said 5ane. ' I mended An$ela's thin$s instead. Whe#e isshe+ Alison 2 '

'Ha,in$ a tal& %ith Mi#a*el+' said Alison. Mi#a*el had *een ha,in$ se#io"s tal&s%ith all the th o#m that da!+ as&in$ them to hel he# in ma&in$ the s o#tsstanda#d o# St. Cla#e's m")h hi$he#. She %o"ld )e#tainl! not ha,e m")h s"))ess

%ith An$ela+ %ho detested $ettin$ hot and "ntid!

'Oh+' said 5ane+ disa ointed+ and "t the mended sto)&in$s and ,ests do%n. Then he# a)e *#i$htened+ o# An$ela )ame into the #oom and sh"t the doo#,iolentl!. She loo&ed )#oss.

' That idiot o a Mi#a*el ' she said to Alison+ not seein$ 5ane at #st. ' She %antsto t"#n "s all into tom*o!s li&e he#sel + $#eat st#a in$ )#eat"#es+ st#idin$ alon$instead o %al&in$+ sho"tin$ instead o s ea&in$+ la!in$

' 5ane is he#e+' said Alison+ %a#nin$l!. An$ela t"#ned and sa% he#. She still loo&ed

)#oss+ and 5ane hastened to e( lain %h! she %as the#e.

' iolet's ill+ lease An$ela+' she said. ' So I ha,e done !o"# mendin$ m!sel . Iho e !o" don't mind. I9I9 %o"ld li&e to do it o# !o" a$ain+ i !o"'ll let me.'

An$ela sta#ed at 5ane "nsmilin$l!. ' B"t %hat a*o"t dea# Mi#a*el+ and he# an(iet!to ma&e !o" into a %onde# "l little s o#ts%oman 2 ' she said in a mo)&in$ ,oi)e.

' I )an do *oth+' said 5ane+ an(io"sl!. ' I )an ma&e time o# m! %o#&+ and m!$ames and o# an!thin$ !o"'d li&e me to do too.'



An$ela &ne% it %o"ld anno! Mi#a*el i she hea#d that she %as ma&in$ 5ane s endhe# time on all &inds o 4o*s o# he#. So she nodded he# head and $a,e the $i#l asli$ht smile+ %hi)h %as hea,en to 5ane.

' All #i$ht+' she said. ' I'll ha,e !o" a$ain. I'm ti#ed o that sill! iolet an!%a!+ %ith

he# *i$ )o%'s9e!es. 6o" )an )ome instead.'

Filled %ith deli$ht 5ane s ed o/. E,e#!thin$ %as all #i$ht a$ain The %onde# "lAn$ela had smiled at he# She didn't mind i she had to %o#& in *ed e,e#! ni$htso lon$ as An$ela %ent on *ein$ ni)e to he#.

11 MIRABEL MAKES HERSELF A N>ISANCE

MIRABEL %as #eall! ma&in$ he#sel a n"isan)e 4"st then+ es e)iall! %ith the tho#m+ %ho %e#e %o#&in$ ,e#! ha#d indeed o# the e(am She %as t#!in$ to $et

them inte#ested in the !o"n$e# ones+ to ma&e them $o and ta&e #a)ti)e $ames%ith them. The! o*4e)ted to this ,e#! m")h.

' It's a sill! idea+' said 3at. ' Those *a*ies m")h #e e# to #a)tise on thei# o%n. The! don't li&e *ein$ )hi,,ied a*o"t *! "s *i$ ones.'

' Besides+ %e',e $ot to %o#&+' said Hila#!+ e(as e#ated. 'I )an't ima$ine %hen !o"

do an! e(t#a %o#& o# the e(am.+ Mi#a*el9I'm s"#e !o" s end all !o"# e,enin$s in!o"# st"d!+ #e a#in$ !o"# s o#ts lists and list o# mat)hes+ and $oodness &no%s%hat.'

It %as t#"e that Mi#a*el %as doin$ ,e#! little e(t#a %o#&. She %as t#"stin$ tos)#a e th#o"$h the e(am.+ *"t she did not )a#e %hethe# she $ot $ood ma#&s o#not. He# %hole so"l %as in the #"nnin$ o the s)hool $ames+ and she o tenanno!ed the $ames9mist#ess intensel!. B"t Mi#a*el's thi)& s&in made he# -"itein,"lne#a*le to )"ttin$ #ema#&s o# sn"*s.

' She 4"st d#i,es on li&e a tan&+' said Bo**!. ' No*od! )an sto he#. She'll ha,e "sall t#ailin$ a te# he# hel in$ he# in he# s o#ts ideas 4"st *e)a"se %e'#e so ti#ed oa#$"in$ %ith he#.'

' 6o" )an't a#$"e %ith Mi#a*el+' said :o#is. ' She ne,e# listens to a %o#d an! onesa!s. I do"*t i she e,en listens to 8lad!s no%. It's a it! 8lad!s isn't a st#on$e#)ha#a)te#. She mi$ht ha,e some in<"en)e o,e# o"# head9st#on$ Mi#a*el '

'8lad!s "sed to ha,e in<"en)e o,e# he#+' said 3at. ' :o !o" #emem*e# %henMi#a*el #st )ame to St. Cla#e's

and %as #"de and de ant+ and said she %o"ldn't sta! lon$e# than hal 9te#m+%hate,e# ha ened 2 '



' 6es+' said Isa*el+ #emem*e#in$. ' She %as sim l! "n*ea#a*le9-"ite"n#easona*le. And it %as the little Mo"se 8lad!s+ %ho $ot he# #o"nd+ and madehe# sta! on+ and *e)ome -"ite a de)ent mem*e# o St. Cla#e's.'

' B"t Mi#a*el has $ot s%elled9head no% she's s o#ts )a tain+' said Bo**!. ' 8lad!s

)an't do an!thin$ %ith he#. I hea#d he# a#$"in$ %ith Mi#a*el the othe# da!+ and allthat ha ened %as that Mi#a*el $ot an$#! and sh"t he# " .'

' I ha,e ne,e# li&ed this Mi#a*el o !o"#s+' #ema#&ed Cla"dine+ %ho had)onsistentl! $ot o"t o $ames and $!m. %hene,e# she )o"ld+ all the time she had*een at St. Cla#e's. ' She is al%a!s h"ntin$ me he#e+ the#e and e,e#!%he#e+)allin$ " on me to do this and that.'

The $i#ls smiled. Cla"dine "s"all! o"nd it -"ite eas! to e,ade eo le %ho%anted he# to do somethin$ she disli&ed+ *"t e% eo le %e#e so e#sistent asMi#a*el. No matte# %he#e Cla"dine hid he#sel Mi#a*el %o"ld #"n he# to ea#th+

#od")e a list o $ames and t#! to in Cla"dine do%n to a #a)ti)e.

' 6este#da!+ in m! $#eat des ai#+ I %ent to s ea& to Miss Theo*ald+' said Cla"dine+#aisin$ he# e!e*#o%s and he# sho"lde#s in an am"sin$ %a!. ' The#e %as Mi#a*el)lose *ehind me+ %a,in$ a $#eat list+ and the#e %as I+ ta&in$ to m! toes.'

'Heels+' said Bo**!+ la"$hin$.

' I #"n ast+' said Cla"dine+ ' and I nd m!sel o"tside Miss Theo*ald's doo#. Whatshall I do to $et a%a! #om this d#ead "l Mi#a*el 2 I &no)& at the doo#. I $o in '

The $i#ls %e#e am"sed and %onde#ed %hat Cla"dine )o"ld ha,e o"nd sos"ddenl! to sa! to Miss Theo*ald.

' What e()"se did !o" ma&e 2 ' as&ed 5anet.

' I held a lon$ )on,e#sation %ith Miss Theo*ald+' said Cla"dine+ solemnl!. 'Ah+ %etal&ed+ and %e tal&ed+ %hilst the oo# Mi#a*el+ she %aited atientl! o"tside thedoo# '

' What on ea#th did !o" tal& a*o"t 2' said Bo**!+ )"#io"sl!.

Cla"dine loo&ed mis)hie,o"s. 'The#e %as no Miss Theo*ald the#e ' she said. ' Ital&ed to m!sel + and then I tal&ed a$ain as i I %as ans%e#in$. The doo# %assh"t. Ho% )o"ld the $ood+ atient Mi#a*el &no% that onl! I+ Cla"dine+ %as in the#oom 2'

' Was Mi#a*el o"tside the doo# %hen !o" %ent o"t 2 ' said Bo**!.

' Alas9Miss Theo*ald he#sel )ame to the doo# %hen Mi#a*el %as still standin$the#e+' said Cla"dine. ' The oo# Mi#a*el She m"st ha,e *een so s"# #ised tosee Miss Theo*ald+ as s"# #ised as I %as s"ddenl! to hea# he# ,oi)e o"tside thedoo#. Me+ I did not sta! in the #oom an! lon$e#. I 4"m ed o"t o the %indo%. The

$a#dene# %as the#e+ and he too 4"m ed9ho% do !o" sa! it9he 4"m ed o"t o hiss&in.'



The $i#ls !elled at the tho"$ht o Cla"dine 4"m in$ oat o Miss Theo*ald's%indo%+ in o#de# to a,oid *oth Mi#a*el and Miss Theo*ald. None o the othe#s+e()e t e#ha s Ca#lotta+ %o"ld ha,e tho"$ht o doin$ s")h a thin$.

' 6o" #eall! a#e the limit+' said Bo**!.

' What is this 7 limit7 that !o" a#e al%a!s tal&in$ o 2 ' in-"i#ed Cla"dine.

' Ne,e# mind. What ha ened ne(t 2 ' said Hila#!+ %ho al%a!s en4o!ed Cla"dine's#an&s.

' Ah+ %ell9I %ent in at the side9doo#+' said Cla"dine+ ' and I hea#d Miss Theo*aldand Mi#a*el *ein$ most s"# #ised at ea)h othe#. Miss Theo*ald said 7 M! dea#Mi#a*el+ ho% )an Cla"dine *e tal&in$ to me in the d#a%in$9#oom i I am he#e+o"tside the doo# 2 :o not *e oolish 7.'

The $i#ls $i$$led. ':idn't Miss Theo*ald o en the doo# 2 ' as&ed 5anet.

' 6es+' said Cla"dine+ ' and the#e %as no one in the #oom. Ah+ it %as $ood to seeoo# Mi#a*el's a)e then So s"# #ised it %as+ so ";;led. And Miss Theo*ald+ she

%as -"ite )#oss.'

' :id Mi#a*el as& !o" %hat had ha ened 2 ' said 3at+ $#innin$.

' Ah !es9she as&s me so man! times+' said Cla"dine. And I sa!+' I do not"nde#stand+ Mi#a*el. S ea& to me in F#en)h. B"t the oo# Mi#a*el+ he# F#en)h isso *ad I do not "nde#stand that eithe# '

' Sh9he#e is Mi#a*el+' said 3a"line+ as the s o#ts )a tain )ame into the #oom. 6o"al%a!s &ne% %hen Mi#a*el %as )omin$9she %al&ed hea,il!+ she <"n$ doo#so en+ and he# ,oi)e %as lo"d and )on dent. She )ame to%a#ds the $i#ls.

' I sa!+' she said+ ' I',e 4"st $ot Miss Theo*ald's e#mission to )all a *i$ s o#tsmeetin$ tomo##o% ni$ht in the assem*l! hall. Se,en o')lo)&. It's to dis)"ss all themat)hes this te#m9and the#e a#e some 4oll! im o#tant ones. Se,en o')lo)&+ don't

o#$et. And I shall e( e)t e,e#! mem*e# o the th o#m to *e the#e. The!o"n$e# $i#ls a#e all )omin$+ o )o"#se+ and it %o"ldn't do to let them see an! o"s sla)&in$ o# not attendin$ the meetin$.

' 6es+ *"t Mi#a*el9it's Sat"#da! ni$ht+ and !o" &no% %e %e#e $oin$ to ha,e adan)e+' #otested An$ela. ' 6o" &no% that. It %as all a##an$ed. The thi#d and

o"#th o#m %e#e )omin$ too. It %as to *e #eal "n.'

' Well+ I "t the meetin$ tomo##o% ni$ht *e)a"se the dan)e isn't a *it im o#tantand the meetin$ is+' said Mi#a*el. 'We )an ha,e a dan)e an! othe# Sat"#da!. B"tI',e $ot -"ite a lot o ne% ideas to "t *e o#e the s)hool. I',e *een %o#&in$ themall o"t.'

' 6o" mi$ht as& "s i %e %o"ld a$#ee to e()han$in$ a dan)e e#,o"# sill!

meetin$+' said Alison. ' 6o"'#e so 4oll! hi$h9handed I shan't )ome to the meetin$.I',e $ot *ette# thin$s to do.'



Mi#a*el loo&ed sho)&ed. Ho% )o"ld the#e *e *ette# thin$s to do than attend as o#ts meetin$+ and dis)"ss the ins and )"ts o mat)hes 2 She sta#ed at Alisonand #o%ned.

' 6o"',e $ot to )ome+' she said. ' Miss Theo*ald said

Cla"dine 4"m ed o"t o the %indo%

I )o"ld a##an$e the meetin$+ and tell e,e#! one to attend. It %on't ta&e lon$.'

' 6o" al%a!s sa! that9*"t !o"# meetin$s ta&e ho"#s+' said Ca#lotta. ' 6o" stand "and tal& and tal& and tal&. I shan't )ome.'

'I shall #e o#t an! one %ho doesn't+' said Mi#a*el+ *e$innin$ to loo& an$#!.

' Mi#a*el9 "t the meetin$ anothe# time+' said Hila#!. ' 6o"'#e onl! $ettin$ e,e#!one's *a)& " . 6o" #eall! a#e. We %ant a little "n tomo##o% ni$ht. We',e a>%o#&ed ha#d this %ee&.'

' I'm so##!+' said Mi#a*el+ sti@!. ' The meetin$ %ill *e held tomo##o% ni$ht+ andnothin$+ %ill #e,ent it+ not e,en !o"# %ish+ m! dea# Hila#!. 6o" ma! *e head othe o#m+ *"t I am head o the %hole s)hool o# s o#ts.'

She %ent o"t and sh"t the doo# lo"dl!. She &ne% the $i#ls %o"ld sa! ha#d thin$sa*o"t he#+ *"t she didn't )a#e. She meant to ha,e he# %a!. The $i#ls %o"ld than&he# all #i$ht %hen e,e#! sin$le mat)h a$ainst othe# s)hools %as %on She %o"ld

"t St. Cla#e's at the to .

' She has a %as in he# hat+ that $i#l+' said Cla"dine+ dis$"sted.

' A *ee in he# *onnet+ !o" mean+' said 3at. ' Ho% !on do $et thin$s mi(ed " +Cla"dine 6es+ old Mi#a*el )e#tainl! has $ot a *ee in he# *onnet9its9s o#ts+ s o#ts+s o#ts %ith he# all the time+ and e,e#! one else has $ot to *e d#a$$ed into it too.I lo,e $ames9*"t honestl!+ I nd m!sel not %antin$ to t"#n o"t on the eld no%+sim l! *e)a"se I &no% Mi#a*el %ill *e the#e+ #ead! to )he)& a> shi#&e#s and late9)ome#s '

' Shall %e ha,e to $o to this *eastl! *o#in$ meetin$ 2 ' said Feli)it!. ' I %anted to%o#& at m! m"si).'

' And I %anted to nish m! ne% oem+' said Anne9Ma#ie at on)e.

' We'll ha,e to $o+ i Miss Theo*ald has a$#eed to let Mi#a*el )all the meetin$+'said Hila#!+ #el")tantl!. ' I s" ose she told Miss Theo*ald that %e %e#e all &eenon

the meetin$. It's a n"isan)e9*"t %e'll ha,e to t"#n " .'

' Ma!*e the meetin$ %ill not *e held a te# all.' said Cla"dine.



' Not a ho e+' said Bo**!. ' I &no% Mi#a*el. On)e she ma&es " he# mind a*o"tsomethin$+ that somethin$ ha ens. She's a *o#n di)tato#. She'll *e a allin$ inthe si(th o#m '

' I thin& ma!*e the meetin$ %ill not ha en a te# all+' said Cla"dine+ loo&in$

d#eamil! into s a)e.

' What do !o" mean 2 ' said Bo**!.

' I ha,e a eelin$ he#e+' said Cla"dine+ #essin$ a hand to he# t"mm!. ' It tells me+this eelin$+ that somethin$ %ill sto the meetin$ tomo##o% ni$ht. What )an it*e2'

Hila#! loo&ed s"s i)io"sl! at Cla"dine+ %ho %as %ea#in$ one o he# mostinno)ent and an$eli) e( #essions. Cla"dine #et"#ned he# loo& %ith )andid %ide9o en e!es.

' A#e !o" lannin$ an!thin$ 2 ' said Hila#!. ' Be)a"se i so+ don't. 6o" )an't meddle%ith thin$s li&e s)hool meetin$s+ on)e !o"'#e a th o#me#.'

' Ho% t#"e t' said Cla"dine+ %ith a si$h+ and %ent o/ to he# st"d! %ith Ca#lotta.

That ni$ht+ %hen e,e#! one in Cla"dine's #oom %as aslee the little F#en)h $i#lsli ed o"t o *ed and %ent alon$ the )o##ido#. She %ent do%n the stai#s andsoon #et"#ned %ith somethin$ that shone *#i$htl! ea)h time she assed "nde# adimmed li$ht. She de osited it in an "n"sed )hest o"tside the do#mito#! doo#+)o,e#ed it %ith an old #"$+ and then sli ed alon$ anothe# )o##ido# to the

do#mito#! in %hi)h he# siste# Antoinette sle t.She a%o&e Antoinette *! a li$ht to")h+ and &nelt *! he# siste#'s *ed to %his e#.

' O"t+ o"t+' %his e#ed *a)& Antoinette+ ' !es 6es+ Cla"dine+ I %ill do as !o" sa!.:o not ea#. It %ill *e done '

Cla"dine sli ed *a)& to *ed li&e a little %hite $host. She )lim*ed *et%een thesheets+ $#innin$ to he#sel .

:ea# Mi#a*el+ it %ill *e di?)"lt o# !o" to hold !o"# meetin$ tomo##o%+ oo#Mi#a*el+ !o" %ill *e disa ointed+ oolish Mi#a*el+ !o" )annot $et the *ette# othe little F#en)h Cla"dine With these leasant tho"$hts Cla"dine ell ast aslee .

1= THE MEETIN8 IS S3OILT

THE thi#d+ o"#th+ and th o#ms %e#e ,e#! m")h anno!ed and " set *!

Mi#a*el's )ommand to attend the s o#ts meetin$ on Sat"#da! ni$ht. The! hadloo&ed o#%a#d to the dan)e so m")h9it %as 4"st li&e Mi#a*el to s oil e,e#!thin$



' She %al&s a*o"t %ith those lon$ st#ides o he#s as i she o%ns the %holes)hool+' said Belinda o the o"#th o#m.

' I "sed to li&e $ames *"t no% I'm $ettin$ ed " %ith them+' )om lained Rita othe thi#d o#m. ' Mi#a*el ti)&s me o/ in "*li) on the eld as i I %e#e one o the

#st o#m. I %on't stand it '

B"t she did stand it *e)a"se Mi#a*el %as a ,e#! st#on$ e#sonalit! dete#mined to$et he# o%n %a!. She %as "sin$ he# o%e# to the "tmost and *e!ond.

The th o#me#s all "t a%a! thei# ,a#io"s o))" ations that Sat"#da! ni$ht asse,en o')lo)& d#e% nea#. The! $#"m*led.as the! sh"t thei# *oo&s+ #olled " thei#&nittin$+ "t a%a! thei# lette#s. B"t not one o them #e "sed to $o %hen the time)ame+ o# the! &ne% that+ as th o#me#s+ the! m"st t"#n " e,en i onl! as a$ood e(am le to the !o"n$e# ones.

Mi#a*el %as standin$ on the lat o#m o the assem*l! hall+ #"nnin$ th#o"$h thelist o thin$s she meant to sa!. She $lan)ed " as the $i#ls )ame lin$ in+ he#-"i)& e!es

%at)hin$ to see that e,e#! one t"#ned " . Woe *etide an! "nl")&! #st o# se)ondo#me# %ho did not a##i,e Mi#a*el %o"ld *e a te# them the ne(t da!

Antoinette )ame " to Mi#a*el. The s o#ts )a tain $lan)ed " im atientl!. ' Whatis it+ Antoinette 2 '

' 3lease+ Mi#a*el+ ma! the se)ond o#m ha,e a ne% *all to #a)tise %ith 2 ' said

Antoinette. ' It seems that %e ha,e lost the one %e had+ and %e a#e oh+ so &een+to #a)tise ha#d o# !o".'

' Hm+' said Mi#a*el+ #athe# dis*elie,in$l!+ o# Antoinette )o"ld not *! an! meansha,e *een )alled &een on $ames. ' Wh! didn't iolet )ome to me a*o"t it 2 '

' iolet is in the san.+' said Antoinette.

' Well+ )ome to me on Monda! a*o"t the *all. I )an't ossi*l! deal %ith matte#sli&e that no%+' said Mi#a*el. ' 6o" o"$ht to &no% *ette# than to )ome 4"st *e o#ean im o#tant meetin$ li&e this.'

' 6es+ Mi#a*el+' said Antoinette+ and sidled a%a!. Mi#a*el tho"$ht o he# %ithe(as e#ation. She %as a sla)&e#+ 4"st li&e Cla"dine9*"t she %o"ld in he# do%nand ma&e he# la! $ames #o e#l! i it too& he# th#ee te#ms to do it

The $i#ls all led in. Mi#a*el )a"$ht si$ht o 5ane Teal in the #st9 o#m *en)hes+loo&in$ #athe# ale. 5ane %as $a;in$ at An$ela+ %ho %as loo&in$ ,e#! *ea"ti "lthat e,enin$. She had had he# hai# %ashed+ and it $listened li&e nest $old.Mi#a*el #o%ned. She %ished that 5ane and the othe# #st o#me#s %o"ld sto#a,in$ a*o"t that oolish An$ela

She #an he# e!es o,e# the th o#m. The! all seemed to *e the#e9*"t %ait amin"te+ %he#e %as Feli)it! 2



Mi#a*el s o&e to Anne9Ma#ie+ %ho %as assin$ *! the lat o#m at that moment. 'Whe#e's Feli)it! 2'

' She's )omin$+ Mi#a*el+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ sho#tl!+ o# she+ li&e e,e#! one else+#esented $i,in$ " a 4oll! dan)e o# a d"ll meetin$. ' She had some m"si) to

nish )o !in$ o"t. She said she %as 4"st )omin$.'

' Well+ I shall *e$in %itho"t he#.' said Mi#a*el. ' She's

al%a!s "n "n)t"al. S")h a *ad e(am le o# the !o"n$e# ones It's a min"te astse,en al#ead!.'

E,e#! one %as no% in thei# seats. The#e %as a $#eat sh"@in$ o eet+ and ano"t*#ea& o )o"$hin$ #om the se)ond o#m+ %ho %e#e a ,e#! li,el! lot this te#m.

Mi#a*el %ent to the #ont o the lat o#m. She loo&ed eno#mo"s the#e. She *e$an,e#! sel 9)on dentl!+ o# she %as seldom at a loss o# %o#ds+ %hen he# *elo,ed$ames %e#e the s"*4e)t.

' 8ood e,enin$+ $i#ls+' she *e$an+ in he# lo"d+ dete#mined ,oi)e. ' I ha,e )alledthis im o#tant meetin$ he#e to9ni$ht o# a ,e#! s e)ial #eason. I %ant to ma&e St.Cla#e's the head o all the s)hools in the &in$dom in thei# #o )ien)! at $ames o all &inds. I %ant "s to ha,e ho)&e! as %ell+ I %ant "s to . . .'

The#e )ame an inte##" tion. A #st9 o#m $i#l stood " and sto ed Mi#a*el.

' 5ane isn't %ell. She sa!s she %on't lea,e the meetin$+ *"t she m"st+ m"stn't she2 '

It %as Sall!+ 5ane Teal's #iend. E,e#! one t"#ned to loo& at oo# 5ane+ %ho+ %hitein the a)e+ elt -"ite aint %ith em*a##assment.

' Ta&e he# o"t+ Sall!+' said Mi#a*el+ #athe# im atientl!. She did not li&e *ein$inte##" ted in he# o enin$ s ee)h. Sall! hel ed 5ane o"t. ' A#e !o" $oin$ to *esi)& 2 ' she as&ed in a lo"d %his e#+ %hi)h em*a##assed oo# 5ane e,en mo#e.She %as te##i*l! " set at holdin$ " Mi#a*el's meetin$+ *"t she #eall! did eel-"ee#.

The t%o %ent o"t+ and Mi#a*el #es"med he# s ee)h+ %hi)h %ent on o# th#ee o#o"# min"tes. ' I %ant "s to %in all o"# la)#osse mat)hes+ I %ant "s to o#m a

ho)&e! team that is "n*eata*le+ I %ant "s to . . .'

B"t %hat else Mi#a*el %anted no*od! e,e# &ne%. The#e )ame a s"dden and"n"s"al noise that made e,e#! one 4"m ,iolentl!. It %as the lo"d' )lan$in$ othe s)hool #e9*ell

Clan$ Clan$ Clan$ Clan$

Mi#a*el sto ed and listened+ sta#tled. Fi#e This



%as not 4"st a #a)ti)e ala#m she %as so#e9Miss Theo*ald %o"ld ne,e# )hoose atime li&e this o# an "ne( e)ted #e9 #a)ti)e she &ne% the#e %as an im o#tantmeetin$ *ein$ held.

The #st and se)ond o#me#s loo&ed "neasil! at one anothe#+ and then loo&ed o#

a lead #om the olde# ones. The#e %e#e no mist#esses #esent.

Hila#! stood " + he# a)e -"ite )alm. ' Hel me to $et the #st and se)onds o"t-"ietl!+' she said to the t%ins and to 5anet and Bo**!. ' We'll ma#)h them into the$#o"nds+ o"t *! the side doo#.'

Mi#a*el also too& -"i)& )ommand. He# st#on$ ,oi)e #an$ o"t #eass"#in$l!.

' That's the s)hool #e9*ell. 6o" all &no% %hat to do. Stand+ lease.'

The $i#ls stood+ $lad to ha,e a leade#. Mi#a*el sa% that Hila#!+ the t%ins+ Bo**!and 5anet had mo,ed a)#oss to the !o"n$e# $i#ls+ and she sa% that she )o"lde( e)t the "tmost hel #om them. Some o the #st o#me#s loo&ed athe#s)a#ed.

' Ri$ht t"#n ' #oa#ed Mi#a*el ' Follo% Hila#! Went9%o#th. Ma#)h '

In e# e)t o#de#+ %itho"t an! ani) at all+ the #st and se)ond o#ms ma#)hed o"t+led *! Hila#!+ %ho "ndid the $a#den doo# and %ent into the $#o"nds. It %as ada#& ni$ht+ *"t the $i#ls &ne% the $#o"nds %ell.

3at and Isa*el too& o"t the se)ond o#m. Bo**! and 5anet+ and the head9$i#l othe thi#d o#m then ma#)hed o/ %ith that o#m. The o"#th o#me#s ollo%ed %iththe th+ sni?n$ the ai# ea$e#l! to see i the! )o"ld smell smo&e.

' Whe#e's the #e 2 ' )#ied Belinda. ' I )an't see a si$n an!%he#e '

Mi#a*el %ent o"t o the hall last+ leased to nd that he )o"ld handle aneme#$en)! so e?)ientl!. He# lo"d )on dent ,oi)e had at on)e instilled t#"st intoe,e#! $i#l. She %onde#ed %he#e the #e %as.

The #st o the mist#esses to a##i,e on the s)ene %as

Mam';e<e. Miss Theo*ald %as o"t+ and the F#en)h Mist#ess had *een le t in

)ha#$e o# that e,enin$. The lo"d+ dist#essed ,oi)e o Mam';dle %as hea#d lon$*e o#e she a ea#ed in the doo#%a!.

' Ah Whe#e a#e the $i#ls 2 6es+ !es9in the assem*l! hall. To thin& that a #esho"ld )ome %hen Miss Theo*ald is o"t 8i#ls+ %he#e a#e !o"+ Cla"dine+Antoinette+ sho% !o"#sel,es to me+ I #a! !o" A#e !o" sa e2'

' "ite sa e ' )ame Cla"dine's am"sed ,oi)e+ and then Antoinette le t theda#&ness o the $#o"nds and %ent to %he#e Mam';elle stood in the doo#%a!. ' Itoo an sa e+' she said in he# dem"#e ,oi)e.



Mam';elle th#e% he# a#ms #o"nd Antoinette as i she had #es)"ed he# #om<ames. ' Ah+ m! little Antoinette :o not *e a #aid. I am he#e+ !o"# st#on$ A"ntMathilde '

' Whe#e's the #e+ Mam';elle 2 ' )alled a ,oi)e.

' Ah+ the #e Whe#e is it 2 ' #e eated Mam';elle+ still eelin$ #athe# da;ed.

Then Mat#on a ea#ed on the s)ene+ and too& )ommand at on)e. She had s ed#o"nd the s)hool immediatel! she had hea#d the #e9*ell+ to see %he#e the #e)o"ld *e. She had *een to the la)e %he#e the #e9*ell %as &e t to see %ho %as#in$in$ it9*"t the #e9*ell %as standin$ in its la)e+ and no one %as nea# it

She %as ";;led+ *"t as he# nose+ e!es and ea#s told he# that )e#tainl! the#e %asno #e #a$in$ an!%he#e nea# she elt s"#e that some one had *een la!in$ a

4o&e. Mat#on had *een lon$ eno"$h at St. Cla#e's to smell a 4o&e a mile a%a! *!7

no%.

' 8i#ls+ )ome in at on)e ' she said+ in he# )#is + )ool ,oi)e. ' The#e is no #e. B"t Im"st )on$#at"late !o" on #es ondin$ to the *ell so -"i)&l! and -"ietl!+ and$oin$ o"t o doo#s in this sensi*le %a!.'

' Well+ %e %e#e all at a meetin$+' said Hila#!+ %ho %as nea# the doo#. ' It %as eas!.We 4"st ma#)hed o"t. B"t Mat#on9%ho #an$ the *dl then 2 '

' We shall no do"*t nd that o"t late#+' said Mat#on+ d#!l!. ' In the meantime+lease ma#)h indoo#s a$ain.'

The $i#ls all ma#)hed in. Some o them %e#e shi,e#in$+ o# it %as a )old ni$ht.Mat#on sa% this and ho ed the san. %o"ld not *e in"ndated %ith eo le ha,in$)olds the ollo%in$ %ee&

She loo&ed at he# %at)h and made " he# mind -"i)&l!. ' 6o" %ill all $o to !o"#)ommon #ooms and !o"# st"dies at on)e+' she said. ' Head9$i#ls+ ma&e " the

#es in the )ommon #ooms+ lease+ and see that the #ooms a#e %a#m. In tenmin"tes' time )ome to the &it)hen+ t%o $i#ls #om ea)h o#m+ and the#e %ill *e

4"$s o hot )o)oa #ead!+ %hi)h I %ant !o" all to d#in& as soon as ossi*le.'

This %as leasant ne%s. The $i#ls h"##ied in+ $lad to thin& o %a#m #es and hot)o)oa. B"t Mi#a*el %as anno!ed. She s o&e to Mat#on.

' Mat#on+ I'm so##!+ *"t I'm a #aid the $i#ls m"st $o *a)& to the hall. We %e#e 4"st*e$innin$ a most im o#tant meetin$. Shall I tell them o# %ill !o" 2 '

Mat#on loo&ed ha#d at the sel 9)on dent Mi#a*el. ' We shall neithe# o "s tellthem+' she said. ' 6o" hea#d %hat I said to them. The!',e had a s ell o"t the#e inthe )old and I don't %ant them to $et )hills. The#e %ill *e no meetin$ toni$ht.'

' H"##ah ' said one o# t%o lo% ,oi)es+ as the $i#ls h"##!in$ in hea#d this %el)ome

ne%s. ' 8ood old Mat#on.'



Mi#a*el o"$ht to ha,e &no%n that one e#son she )o"ld ne,e# <o"t %as Mat#on.She *e$an to a#$"e. ' B"t Mat#on9this is a most im o#tant meetin$. I shall ha,eto $o to Miss Theo*ald+ I'm a #aid+ and as& he# o# he# a"tho#it! to )ontin"e m!meetin$+ i !o" %on't $i,e the $i#ls e#mission.'

' e#! %ell. 8o and as& he#+' said Mat#on+ %ho &ne% -"ite %ell that Miss Theo*ald%as o"t. So o/ %ent Mi#a*el+ an$#! and dete#mined+ *itte#l! disa ointed thathe# %onde# "l meetin$ %as s oilt.

B"t Miss Theo*ald %as not in he# d#a%in$9#oom. It

%as most anno!in$. Mi#a*el ha#dl! da#ed to $o *a)& and ta&e " the matte# %ithMat#on a$ain. She had not at all li&ed the tone o Mat#on's ,oi)e. He# s i#its san&and she elt #athe# mise#a*le.

Then he# a)e $#e% $#im. ' Well+ I shall nd o"t %ho #an$ that *ell and s oilt m!

meetin$+ an!%a! And %on't I $i,e them a d#essin$9do%n9in #ont o the %holes)hool+ too '

1 WHO RAN8 THE FIRE9BELL2

MIRABEL %ent sto#min$ to he# st"d!. 8lad!s %as the#e+ %a#min$ he#sel in #ont

o a )hee# "l little #e.

' 3it! the meetin$ %as s oilt+' she said+ thin&in$ that Mi#a*el %o"ld *e in need oa little )om o#t a*o"t it. ' 6o" %e#e ma&in$ a ,e#! $ood s ee)h+ Mi#a*el.'

' 8lad!s+ %ho do !o" thin& #an$ that #e9*ell 2 ' said Mi#a*el+ $#iml!. ' Is that)o)oa in the 4"$ 2 I'll ha,e a )" . Not that I'm )old+ *"t I do eel a *it " set atha,in$ the meetin$ )om letel! s oilt *! some sill! idiot %ho thin&s it )le,e# to

la! a #a)ti)al 4o&e li&e that.'

8lad!s said nothin$. She had no idea at all %ho the )"l #it )o"ld *e. Mi#a*el

sti##ed he# )o)oa ,iolentl!+ and %ent on tal&in$.

' Who %asn't the#e 2 Well+ Feli)it! %asn't+ o )o"#se 8lad!s+ )o"ld it ha,e *eenFeli)it! 2'

' O )o"#se not+' said 8lad!s. ' I don't s" ose Feli)it! e,en &no%s the#e is a #e9*ell+ let alone %he#e it is '

' Well9I shall )e#tainl! nd o"t %he#e she %as all the time+' said Mi#a*el. ' This is#eall! the so#t o idioti) 4o&e Cla"dine %o"ld la!9*"t she %as the#e all the time. Isa% he# m!sel 9and Antoinette %as the#e too+ *e)a"se

she )ame " and s o&e to me at the *e$innin$ o the meetin$.'



' And she %as o"t in the $#o"nds %ith the othe#s+' said 8lad!s+ #emem*e#in$. ':idn't !o" see he# $o " to Ma#a';elle and s ea& to he# %hen Mam';elle !elledo"t o# Cla"dine and Antoinette 2 '

' 6es+' said Mi#a*el+ #o%nin$. ' Well+ %ho else %asn't the#e 2 iolet is in the san.

E,e#! one else %as the#e as a# as I )an #emem*e#. I ti)&ed eo le o/ as the!)ame in+ *e)a"se I %asn't $oin$ to let an! one $et o"t o the meetin$ i I )o"ldhel it.'

8lad!s o/e#ed no s"$$estion. Mi#a*el s"ddenl! sla ed the ta*le ha#d and made8lad!s 4"m . ' :on't+ Mi#a*el+' she said. ' :on't *e so ,iolent.'

Mi#a*el too& no noti)e. ' O )o"#se95ane Teal %ent o"t+ didn't she9and Sall!. :o!o" thin& eithe# o them %o"ld ha,e done it 2 '

'I sho"ldn't thin& so o# a moment+' said 8lad!s. 'Wh!+ 5ane is ,e#! ond o !o"+

and Sall! is a# too sensi*le to do a thin$ li&e that.'

' I shall nd o"t+' said Mi#a*el+ he# a)e ha#d. 8lad!s loo&ed #athe# dist#essed.

' :on't $o a*o"t it too an$#il!+' she said. ' 6o"'ll onl! "t eo le's *a)&s " .'

' I don't )a#e i I do+' said Mi#a*el+ and she didn't. 8lad!s si$hed. I onl! Mi#a*eldid )a#e a little mo#a a*o"t othe# eo le's eelin$s+ she %o"ld #ind them easie# tota)&le. She %as al%a!s )om lainin$ that eo le %o"ld not )o9o e#ate %ith he# o#hel he#.

Mi#a*el $"l ed do%n he# )o)oa. 'I'm $oin$ o/ to Feli)it!'s st"d! #st+' she said. 'See !o" late#.'

She %ent o"t o the #oom. 8lad!s too& " some &nittin$. She %as ma&in$ a 4"m e# o# he# mothe#+ and she had ,e#! little s a#e9time o# it+ %ith all he#e(am+ %o#&+ s o#ts %o#&+ and Mi#a*el's in)essant demands to )o e %ith. She)o"ldn't hel eelin$ #athe# $lad that she had an "ne( e)ted ho"# to $et on %ithhe# &nittin$

Mi#a*el %ent into Feli)it!'s st"d!. Feli)it! %as the#e+ t#!in$ he# ,iolin so tl!+ %hilstAnne9Ma#ie sat o,e# the #e+ a en)il and note*oo& on he# &nee+ t#!in$ to

)om ose a %onde# "l ne% oem. She &e t #o%nin$ at Feli)it!'s so t la!in$+ *"tFeli)it! %as -"ite "na%a#e o Anne9Ma#ie's #o%ns o# e,en o Anne9Ma#ie he#sel .She 4"m ed ,iolentl! %hen Mi#a*el )ame into the #oom.

Then+ thin&in$ she had )ome to see Anne9Ma#ie+ she %ent on %ith he# so tla!in$. Mi#a*el s o&e to he# #o"$hl!.

' Feh')it!+ %h! %e#en't !o" at the s o#ts meetin$ this e,enin$ 2 '

Feli)it! loo&ed sta#tled. ' Oh+ Mi#a*el9I'm so so##!. I #eall! did mean to )ome+ and Io#$ot all a*o"t it I %as la!in$ m! ,iolin+ and someho% o#$ot I had said I %o"ld

$o Ho% a% "l o me '' Whe#e %e#e !o" %hen the #e9*ell %ent 2 ' said Mi#a*el.



' Fi#e9*ell 2 ' said Feli)it!+ loo&in$ astonished. ' What #e9*ell 2 '

' She ne,e# hea#s an!thin$ *"t he# m"si) %hen she's #eall! %#a ed " in it+'said Anne9Ma#ie. ' 6o" &no% ho% she *eha,ed in )lass the othe# da!+ Mi#a*el. Idon't e( e)t she hea#d the *ell at all.'

' I didn't+' said Feli)it!+ loo&in$ #eall! *e%ilde#ed no%. ' :id it #in$ 2 Was the#e a#e 2 What ha ened 2 '

' Oh+ !o"'#e ho eless+' said Mi#a*el+ and %ent o"t o the st"d!. Feli)it! sta#ed atAnne9Ma#ie+ %ho made an im atient noise+ st"/ed he# n$e#s in he# ea#s+ andt#ied to $o on %ith he# oem.

Mi#a*el %ent to nd 5ane Teal and Sall!. The! %e#e in the #st9 o#m )ommon#oom+ 5ane still loo&in$ #athe# ale+ *"t *ette#. She <"shed %hen Mi#a*el )ame in+-"ite thin&in$ that the s o#ts )a tain had )ome to see ho% she %as.

B"t Mi#a*el hadn't. She )ame st#ai$ht to the oint. ' 5ane and Sall!9did eithe# o!o" #in$ the #e9*ell %hen !o" le t the meetin$ 2 '

The $i#ls sta#ed at he# in s"# #ise. It %o"ld not ha,e o))"##ed to eithe# o them tos oil s")h an im o#tant meetin$ 5ane elt ,e#! h"#t to thin& that Mi#a*el sho"ldima$ine he# to *e )a a*le o s")h a thin$.

' Well9ha,en't eithe# o !o" ton$"es 2 ' said Mi#a*el. The %hole o the #st o#mhad no% $athe#ed #o"nd the th#ee+ and %e#e listenin$ %ith the $#eatest inte#est.

' O )o"#se %e didn't+' said Sall!+ indi$nantl!. ' As i %e'd do a thin$ li&e that An!%a!+ oo# 5ane %as eelin$ a% "ll! ill. She had a te##i*le heada)he. She'sal%a!s ha,in$ heada)hes.'

' Sh"t " + Sall!+' said 5ane+ %ho &ne% that Mi#a*el did not loo& ,e#! &indl! ons")h tilin$s as heada)hes.

' :id !o" lea,e 5ane alone at all 2' said Mi#a*el to Sall!. ' 6es9!on )ame *a)& tothe meetin$ %itho"t he#+ didn't !o" 2 Then she )o"ld easil! ha,e sli ed o"t o!o"# )ommon #oom and #"n$ the *ell+ )o"ldn't she 2'

'O& ' said Sall!+ #eall! indi$nant. 'as i 5ane %o"ld do a mean thin$ li&e that 6es+I did lea,e he# he#e as she seemed a *it *ette# and I %ent *a)& to the meetin$9and as soon as I sat do%n+ the *ell #an$. B"t it %asn't 5ane #in$in$ it.'

5ane %as te##i*l! " set to thin& that Mi#a*el sho"ld e,en thin& she )o"ld s oil ameetin$ o he#s. He# li s t#em*led+ and she )o"ld not t#"st he#sel to s ea&.

' No% don't *"#st into tea#s li&e a *a*!+' said Mi#a*el to 5ane. ' I'm not sa!in$ !o"did do it9I'm onl! sa!in$ that !o" had the )han)e to do it. It 4"st ";;les me to&no% %ho )o"ld ha,e done it+ *e)a"se e,e#!*od! %as at the meetin$+ e()e t!o" and Feli)it!9and I'm #ett! )e#tain that Feli)it! didn't e,en &no% St. Cla#e's

ossessed s")h a thin$ as a #e9*ell '



' Well+ it loo&s as i I m"st ha,e done the deed then+' said 5ane+ *itte#l!+ t#!in$ to&ee the tea#s o"t o he# e!es. ' Thin& it %as me+ i !o" li&e. I don't )a#e t'

' No% that's not the %a! to tal& to !o"# s o#ts )a tain+' said Mi#a*el. ' I'ms"# #ised at !o"+ 5ane. Well+ I s" ose I shall nd o"t one da! %ho #an$ that *ell.'

She %ent o"t o the #oom and sh"t the doo# "nne)essa#il! lo"dl!. The #sto#me#s loo&ed at one anothe#.

' Beast+' said Sall!. ' I shan't do one sin$le min"te's mo#e la)#osse #a)ti)e than I)an hel '

'No# shall I+' said Hilda+ and the othe#s all a$#eed+ 5ane mo ed he# e!es+ and theothe#s )om o#ted he#.

' Ne,e# mind+ 5ane. :on't !o" %o##! a*o"t it. We all &no% !o" didn't do it '

' I %ish I &ne% %ho had done it+' said Sall!+ he# e!es s a#&lin$. ' I'd $o and athe# on the *a)& and sa! 7 5oll! $ood sho% 7 '

The othe#s la"$hed and a$#eed. It %as -"ee# ho% in a e% sho#t %ee&s Mi#a*elhad )han$ed #om an o*4e)t o $#eat admi#ation into one o detestation.

Miss Theo*ald had to *e told a*o"t the st#an$e #in$in$ o the #e9*ell+ a a#entl!done *! no*od! at all. She %as #athe# in)lined to ta&e a se#io"s ,ie% o it andMi#a*el %as leased.

' I am $lad !o" too thin& it is a se#io"s matte# to ha,e an im o#tant+ #e9a##an$ed

meetin$ )om letel! s oilt *! some*od!'s st" id #a$$in$+' said Mi#a*el.

' Oh+ dea# me+ I %as not thin&in$ o !o"# meetin$+' %as Miss Theo*ald's #athe#dam in$ #e l!. ' I %as thin&in$ that I )annot ha,e the #e9*ell #"n$ %itho"t

#o e# )a"se. I it is+ then the $i#ls %ill not ta&e %a#nin$ %hen the *ell is #"n$ o#a #eal #e. That is a ,e#! se#io"s matte#9not the inte##" tion o !o"# meetin$.'

' Oh+' said Mi#a*el+ #athe# )#est9 allen. ' Well+ )o"ld I ha,e the meetin$ ne(tSat"#da! ni$ht instead+ Miss Theo*ald2 '

' I'm a #aid not+' said the Head Mist#ess. ' The heads o the thi#d+ o"#th and th

o#ms ha,e al#ead! *een to me to as& me i the! ma! ha,e the ost oned dan)ethen+ Mi#a*el. I don't thin& %e )an ossi*l! e( e)t them to ost one it a$ain.

These o#ms a#e %o#&in$ ,e#! ha#d this te#m+ and ,e#! %ell. I %ant them to #ela(%hen the! )an.'

Mi#a*el le t Miss Theo*ald+ an$#! and de #essed. She %ent into he# st"d! and satdo%n at the ta*le to do some %o#&. ' What's the matte# 2' said 8lad!s.

' Hila#! and the head9$i#ls o the thi#d and o"#th ha,e *een to Miss Theo*ald*ehind m! *a)& and $ot he# to sa! the! )o"ld ha,e thei# dan)e this )omin$Sat"#da!+' said Mi#a*el+ $loomil!. ' It's a*sol"tel! the onl! )han)e I ha,e o$ettin$ the %hole s)hool to$ethe# on Sat"#da! e,enin$s+ and the! &no% it.:e)eit "l *easts '



' :on't *e sill!+' said 8lad!s+ eelin$ a %a,e o an$e#. ' The! #o*a*l! ne,e# e,enima$ined !o"'d a)t"all! %ant them to $i,e " anothe# Sat"#da! e,enin$. :o *esensi*le+ Mi#a*el. And loo& he#e9%h! ha,e !o" le t little 5ane Teal o"t o ne(t%ee&'s mat)hes 2 She's ,e#! $ood and !o" &no% it. It %ill *#ea& he# hea#t to *ele t o"t+ %hen !o"',e as $ood as told he# she mi$ht la!.'

' I'm not satis ed that she didn't ha,e somethin$ to do %ith the #in$in$ o that*ell+' said Mi#a*el.

' Well ' said 8lad!s+ e(as e#ated+ ' !o" mi$ht at least %ait till !o" a#e s"#e+*e o#e !o" "nish he# li&e this. I thin& she's a ,e#! de)ent little &id+ I m"st sa!+and I'm dead )e#tain she %o"ldn't do a thin$ li&e that.'

' Loo& he#e+ I'm )a tain+ not !o" ' said Mi#a*el+ losin$ he# tem e#. 'I &ee onha,in$ to #emind !o" o that. I %on't ha,e !o" #ea)hin$ at me and inte# e#in$.'

8lad!s %ent #athe# %hite. She hated #o%s o an! so#t+ and al%a!s o"nd itdi?)"lt to stand " to Mi#a*el o# an! len$th o time. She too& " a *oo& andsaid no mo#e. Mi#a*el too& " a *oo& too+ and loo&ed at it #o%nin$. B"t she didnot see a %o#d that %as #inted the#e. She %as t"#nin$ o,e# and o,e# in he# mindthe same -"estion9WHO #an$ that #e9*ell 2

She %o"ld ha,e *een inte#ested in a little )on,e#sation *et%een Cla"dine andAntoinette i she )o"ld ha,e hea#d it.

' e#! $ood+ ma etite+' Cla"dine #ema#&ed to Antoinette. ' It %as $ood to sho%!o"#sel so %ell to Mi#a*el at the *e$innin$ o the meetin$+ and to a ea# o"t in

the

$#o"nds %hen Tante Mathilde )alled "s. The#e is no one %ho thin&s o !o"+ noone at all.'

' Clan$+ )lan$+ )lan$ ' said Antoinette+ he# da#& e!es $leamin$ %ith mis)hie . ' Ielt li&e the old to%n )#ie# at home. Clan$+ )lan$+ )lan$+ the meetin$ %ill not *e

held+ )lan$+ )lan$+ )lan$ Ah+ it is a $ood *ell to #in$ '

' Sh. He#e )ome the othe#s+' said Cla"dine. ' Sli a%a!+ Antoinette. Be s"#e I %illhel !o" i !o" %ant me to+ sin)e !o" ha,e done this thin$ o# me.'

Some o the th o#me#s )ame " . ' What mis)hie a#e !o" thin&in$ o 2 ' saidBo**! to Cla"dine. ' 6o" loo& leased.'

' I %as #emem*e#in$ ho% I said 7 I eel as i the#e %ill *e no s o#ts meetin$7+' saidCla"dine. ' And I %as #i$ht+ %as I not+ Bo**ee 2'

1D THE TERM 8OES ON



THE $i#ls soon o#$ot a*o"t the st#an$e #in$in$ o the #e9*ell9all e()e t Mi#a*el+%ho elt s"#e 5ane m"st ha,e done it. In a)t+ she %ent e,en "#the# in he#tho"$hts and s"s e)ted An$ela o ha,in$ "t 5ane " to doin$ it She too& nonoti)e at all o oo# 5ane+ le t he# o"t o the mat)hes+ and alto$ethe# made he#li e mise#a*le.

An$ela t#ied to ma&e thin$s " to 5ane+ deli$hted at the )han)e o ma&in$ a "sso some*od! ne$le)ted *! Mi#a*el. 3oo# 5ane %as in a $#eat state o mind+ " set*e)a"se Mi#a*el %as "n&ind to he#+ th#illed *e)a"se An$ela %as s%eet to he#+and o,e#9ti#ed %ith all he# lea#nin$ in *ed at ni$ht %ith the li$ht o he# to#)h.

She had heada)hes+ elt te##i*l! slee ! all the da!+ and )o"ld not see #o e#l!+o# she %as s oilin$ he# e!e9si$ht *! #eadin$ in *ed *! the dim li$ht o the to#)h.

She %as not the onl! one %ith heada)hes 4"st then. Feli)it!+ al%a!s mo#e o# lessa@i)ted %ith them+ %as ha,in$ them almost )ontin"o"sl!. Also+ to Anne9Ma#ie'sala#m+ Feli)it! had *e$"n to %al& in he# slee at ni$ht

This %as somethin$ that Feli)it! had done as a )hild+ %hen he# mind %as o,e#9ta(ed+ and no% she had *e$"n to do it a$ain. Anne9Ma#ie sle t in the *ed ne(t toFeli)it!'s+ and %as a%a&ened one ni$ht to see a dim %hite $"#e stealin$ o"t othe doo#. She sat " and s%it)hed on he# to#)h. Feli)it!'s *ed %as em t!

' Has she $one to the st"d! to do some mo#e %o#& 2 ' tho"$ht Anne9Ma#ie. ' Whatan idiot she is I'd *ette# $o and $et he#. She'll $et into an a% "l #o% i MissCo#n%allis nds o"t.'

Anne9Mane <"n$ he# d#essin$9$o%n #o"nd he# sho"lde#s and %ent a te# Feli)it!. To he# s"# #ise Feli)it! did hot $o in the di#e)tion o thei# st"d!. Instead she %entdo%n the stai#s and into the assem*l! #oom. She )lim*ed " the lat o#m ste s+and stood in the middle o the lat o#m.

' Feli)it! ' %his e#ed Anne9Ma#ie+ astonished. ' What a#e !o" doin$ 2 Feli)it! 5'

Feli)it! too& a*sol"tel! no noti)e at all. She *o%ed $#a)e "ll!+ too& a ste*a)&%a#ds and then #aised he# a#ms as i she %as la!in$ a ,iolin. It %as -"ee#to see he# in the li$ht o the moon that shone th#o"$h a nea#*! %indo%.

> and do%n %ent Feli)it!'s #i$ht a#m+ as the $i#l la!ed an ima$ina#! t"ne on anima$ina#! ,iolin. He# e!es %e#e %ide o en+ (ed and sta#in$. Anne9Ma#ieshi,e#ed to see them.

She %ent " the ste s and to")hed Feli)it! on the a#m. The $i#l made no#es onse. She %ent on %ith he# t"neless la!in$+ and then *o%ed as i she had

nished. Anne9Ma#ie too& he# *! the a#m. To he# s"# #ise Feli)it! )ame -"ite#eadil! %ith he#.

' A#e !o" a%a&e o# aslee + Feli)it! 2 ' said Anne9Ma#ie+ ea# "ll!+ as the! %ent "the stai#s. The#e %as no

#e l!. Feli)it! %as ast aslee + tho"$h he# e!es %e#e %ide o en.



Anne9Ma#ie too& he# sa el! to he# *ed and $ot he# in. Feli)it! )"ddled do%n+ sh"the# e!es and *#eathed dee l!. Anne9Ma#ie $ot into *ed too+ *"t la! a%a&e a lon$time ";;lin$ o,e# Feli)it!'s slee 9%al&in$.

' It m"st *e *e)a"se she's a $eni"s+' tho"$ht the 4ealo"s Anne9Ma#ie. ' She does

-"ee# thin$s+ as all $eni"ses seem to do. Slee 9%al&in$ m"st *e a si$n o $eni"s+I s" ose. I %ish I did "n"s"al thin$s too. Then ma!*e e,e#! one %o"ld thin& I%as a $eni"s9as I am S" ose I sta#t a little slee 9%al&in$ o m! o%n 2 I onl!the $i#ls %o"ld %a&e " and see it+ it %o"ld *e a $ood %a! o sho%in$ them I'm a$eni"s too. B"t the! all slee so so"ndl! '

Still+ it %as an idea+ and Anne9Ma#ie onde#ed o,e# it a $ood deal+ ma&in$ " he#mind that %hen a s"ita*le )han)e )ame she too %o"ld slee 9%al&

Feli)it! did not #emem*e# an!thin$ a*o"t he# slee %al&in$ the ne(t da! and %ashal 9in)lined to dis*elie,e Anne9Ma#ie's a))o"nt o it. She sh#"$$ed he#sho"lde#s+ and %ent o/ to he# m"si)9lesson. She )o"ld not nd inte#est inan!thin$ *"t he# *elo,ed m"si) these da!s.

Anne9Ma#ie %as still t#!in$ he# *est to %in *a)& Miss Will)o('s smiles9*"t as theonl! %a! she &ne% %as *! este#in$ he# to #ead he# oems+ she %as not ,e#!s"))ess "l. She so *adl! %anted #aise and admi#ation o# he# talents+ that shedid not see that Miss Will)o( onl! had time o# those %ho $a,e #aise andadmi#ation to he# Miss Will)o( %as in man! %a!s a $#o%n9" Anne9Ma#ie+

osin$ and ost"#in$+ soa&in$ " ad"lation and <atte#! #om an!9one %ho %o"ld$i,e it to he#. She had no time o# eo le li&e Anne9Ma#ie+ %ho also demanded it.

Fo# this #eason Alison %as ,e#! m")h he# a,o"#ite. Alison had a #eal $i t o#ma&in$ he#sel a %illin$ sla,e to eo le o Miss Will)o('s t! e. Li&e 5ane o#An$ela+ Alison %as leased to do all &inds o 4o*s at all &inds o ho"#s+ i she)o"ld lease he# idol. Miss Will)o( too& ad,anta$e o this+ and &e t the de,otedAlison -"ite *"s!.

Feli)it! #aised he# a#ms as i la!in$ the ,iolin

' It's a it!+' said he# )o"sins. ' She's e,en *e$innin$ to d#ess li&e Miss Will)o(9#athe# "ntid! and *itt! '

So she %as. She %o"ld a ea# in )lass %ith a sta#tlin$ *elt #o"nd he# slim %aist+o# a s)a# #o"nd he# ne)&+ and had e,en mana$ed to $et some ins #athe# li&eMiss Will)o( %o#e in he# hai#9onl! Alison's %e#e $ilt9to ed+ not $old

' :ea# little :ei#d#e an ' said Bo**!+ mo)&in$l!+ %hen she sa% the ins holdin$*a)& Alison's #ett!+ )"#l! hai#. ' 8oll!+ !o" and Anne9Ma#ie #eall! a#e a ai# Loo& at Anne9Ma#ie+ she's $ot on a *#oo)h 4"st li&e the *i$ ones o"# :ei#d#e%ea#s '

It %as #eall! "nn! to see the %a! the t%o $i#ls ,ied %ith ea)h othe# to imitate

Miss Will)o(. B"t Miss Co#n9%allis %as not leased. She e!ed the t%o $i#ls ea)h



da!+ and said nothin$ at #st+ o# the th o#me#s %e#e allo%ed mo#e #eedom%ith thei# )lothes than the o#ms *elo%.

B"t+ %hen Alison a ea#ed %ith t%o s)a#,es o di/e#ent )olo"#s t%ined #o"nd he#ne)&+ and Anne9Ma#ie )ame %ith an o"t9si;e e%te# *#oo)h that had a *#illiant

o#an$e stone in the middle+ Miss Co#n%allis )o"ld *ea# it no lon$e#.

' Ha,e !o" a so#e th#oat+ Alison 2' she in-"i#ed 4( litel!. Alison loo&ed s"# #ised.

' No+ Miss Co#n%allis+' she said.

' Then %h! t%o s)a#,es+ Alison 2' said Miss Co#n%allis+ still in a tone o $#eatoliteness+ %hi)h #an$ a %a#nin$ in the ea#s o the )lass. Ho% %ell the! &ne%

that e(t#a9 olite tone It al%a!s s elt :an$e#

' I9I tho"$ht the! loo&ed ni)e+' stamme#ed Alison+ also hea#in$ the %a#nin$ in that)old+ olite ,oi)e.

' Well+ Alison+ I had tho"$ht till this te#m that !o" had $ood taste+' said MissCo#n%allis. ' 6o" al%a!s loo&ed tid! and neat and daint!9%ell9t"#ned o"t+ in a)t.B"t this te#m !o" loo& li&e a thi#d9#ate imitation o some little sho 9$i#l %hothin&s the mo#e )olo"#s and s)a#,es and ins and *#oo)hes she %ea#s+ the *ette#she loo&s.'

' Oh+' said oo# Alison+ s)a#let in the a)e.

' And Anne9Ma#ie seems to *e $oin$ the same %a!+'

said Miss Co#n%allis+ loo&in$ at the %o"ld9*e oet in a %a! that made he# s-"i#mand lon$ to ta&e o/ the eno#mo"s *#oo)h. ' What is that dinne#9 late !o" a#e%ea#in$+ Anne9Ma#ie 2 :o !o" #eall! thin& it *e)omes !o" 2 '

Anne9Ma#ie #emo,ed the *#oo)h %ith t#em*lin$ n$e#s She )o"ld not *ea# toha,e an! a"lts ointed o"t in "*li).

' That's *ette#+' said Miss Co#n%allis. ' I don't &no% i !o" a#e imitatin$ an! one+eithe# o !o"9*"t let me tell !o" this9imitation is not al%a!s the sin)e#est o#m o<atte#! %hen !o" ma&e !o"#sel,es loo& s")h sill! little si$hts '

' 3oo# little :ei#d#e ans ' %his e#ed Bo**! to 5anet. ' That %as a )#a)& at dea#Miss Will)o( I *et Co#n! &no%s all a*o"t %hat sillies the! a#e o,e# he# '

That %as the end o Alison and Anne9Ma#ie t#!in$ to d#ess li&e Miss Will)o(9*"tthe! still %ent on t#!in$ to imitate he# dee + d#a%lin$ ,oi)e+ he# $#a)e "l$est"#es+ and he# #athe# #o"nd9sho"lde#ed %al&. The $i#ls $ot ,e#! ti#ed o it+ andt#ied to tease them o"t o it.

B"t Alison+ th#illed *e)a"se he# dea# :ei#d#e %as ma&in$ s")h a #iend o he#+%as not in a state to listen to an!thin$ the othe#s said+ and Anne9Ma#ie %as tooo*stinate. I Alison )o"ld imitate Miss Will)o( and lease he# *! doin$ so+ thenAnne9Ma#ie meant to as %ell



Tem e#s *e$an to *e #athe# sho#t as the e(am+ d#e% nea#. Ha#d %o#& and%o##!in$ a*o"t the e(am+ made most o the th o#m eel ha#assed and %o#n.Onl! Bo**! &e t )hee# "l+ and Cla"dine+ o )o"#se+ did not t"#n a hai#. E,enCa#lotta %o##ied a little+ o# she %anted to lease he# athe#+ %ho had said he%o"ld *e #o"d i she assed this #athe# sti/ e(am. %ell.

3a"line %o##ied a lot too. She %as not *#ainless and )o"ld do -"ite %ell i shet#ied+ *"t she did not li&e he# st"d!9)om anion+ Alma.

' She's -"ee#+' she told Alison. ' She doesn't seem to %o#& at all+ 4"st sits andsta#es at he# *oo& and eats and eats+ li&e a )o% )he%in$ )"d. She's al%a!s$#"m*lin$

too9sa!s the ood isn't eno"$h he#e+ and she %ants mo#e s%eets and isn'tallo%ed them. It's a% "l to s%ot o,e# !o"# %o#& %hen a e#son li&e that sitso osite+ $lo%e#in$ and $#"m*lin$ and )he%in$ '

' 3oo# old 3"ddin$ ' said Alison+ thin&in$ o the at+ d"ll Alma+ %ho %as al%a!s atthe *ottom o the o#m. The mist#esses did not seem to *e "nd"l! " set atAlma's osition. In a)t+ the! #athe# seemed to ta&e it o# $#anted+ %hi)h %as-"ee#. Miss Co#n%allis al%a!s had a e% sha# %o#ds to sa! to an! o the othe#s%ho sta!ed too lon$ at the *ottom o the o#m B"t she #a#el! s o&esa#)asti)all! to Alma a*o"t he# %o#&.

' It's a% "l to li,e %ith some*od! li&e Alma all the time+' si$hed oo# 3a"line.Ca#lotta hea#d he# and made a s"$$estion.

' Come in and sha#e o"# st"d! %ith me and Cla"dine %hen !o" $et too ed " +'she said+ $ene#o"sl!+ o# she did not #eall! li&e 3a"line ,e#! m")h. ' It's a *it*i$$e# than most eo le's+ so the#e'll *e a )o#ne# o# !o" i !o" li&e. B"t don't doit too o ten o# !o"'ll $et Alma's *a)& " .'

' Oh+ than& !o"+' said 3a"line+ $#ate "ll!. ' It %ill ma&e s")h a di/e#en)e i I )ansometimes o in ne(t doo# to !o"# st"d!+ Ca#lotta. 6o" %ill *e )hee# "l )om an!a te# Alma. She #eall! is a "ddin$ '

Ca#lotta and Cla"dine $ot on ,e#! %ell to$ethe#. The !o"n$e# $i#ls %ho )ame todo 4o*s o# them li&ed them ,e#! m")h. Antoinette o ten )ame+ and st#an$el!eno"$h+ ne,e# made the &ind o e(t#ao#dina#! mista&es she had made inAn$ela's st"d!

One da! Antoinette o"nd he# siste# alone and s o&e to he# %ith dan)in$ e!es.

' Cla"dine O"# o#m is to ha,e a midni$ht east :o !o" #emem*e# tellin$ me o the ne east !o" had %hen !o" %e#e in the o"#th o#m9!o" had a midni$ht

i)ni) *! the s%immin$9 ool.'

' 6es+ I #emem*e#+' said Cla"dine+ and she si$hed. ' It is a it! to *e in the tho#m. We a#e so $ood



no%. We do not ha,e midni$ht easts+ %e do not la! t#i)&s. 6o" %ill en4o! !o"#east+ m! little Antoinette.'

' Cla"dine+ )o"ld !o" tell "s a $ood la)e to &ee o"# )a&es and tins and $in$e#9*ee# in 2 ' as&ed Antoinette. ' We )an't &ee them in the )ommon #oom+ and %e

da#en't hide them in o"# do#mito#!. Tell me %he#e %e )an &ee them in sa et!.'

Cla"dine tho"$ht ha#d. ' The#e is a *i$ )" *oa#d 4"st o"tside m! st"d!+' she saidat last. ' It has a &e!. 6o" shall "t !o"# thin$s the#e+ Antoinette+ and I %ill ta&ethe &e! Then e,e#!thin$ %ill *e sa e and I )an $i,e !o" the &e! %hen !o" %ish

o# it. 6o" ha,e onl! to "t !o"# head into m! st"d! and %in& at me9and I %ill)ome o"t %ith the &e! '

' Oh+ than& !o"+ a million times ' said Antoinette. ' The se)ond o#m %ill *e soleased. What a ne siste# !o" a#e '

She disa ea#ed+ and in d"e time the )" *oa#d %as iled "ll o eata*les andd#in&s. Cla"dine #emo,ed the &e!. ' No% no one %ill nd them+' she said+ andh"n$ the &e! on a nail in he# st"d!.

B"t some*od! did nd them+ %hi)h %as ,e#! "n o#t"nate

1 ALMA AN: THE STORE C>3BOAR:

ALMA did not at all li&e the %a! 3a"line dese#ted the st"d! the! *oth sha#ed inthe e,enin$s. 3a"line %o"ld sit o# a little %hile+ t#!in$ to st"d!+ then+e(as e#ated *! Alma's )ontin"all! )he%in$ o )ho)olate+ $"m o# to/ee+ she%o"ld $athe# " he# *oo&s and disa ea#.

' Whe#e a#e !o" $oin$ 2' Alma %o"ld )all a te# he#. B"t 3a"line did not *othe# to#e l!.

So Alma de)ided to see %he#e 3a"line %ent to. She o ed he# head o"t o he#

st"d! doo# in time to see 3a"line $o into the ne(t st"d!+ %hi)h %as Cla"dine'sand Ca#lotta's. She stood and #o%ned.

3a"line %as not #eall! #iendl! %ith eithe# o them9so %h!+ tho"$ht Alma+ sho"ldshe &ee o in$ into thei# st"d! 2 She sat and *#ooded o,e# the matte#. Thene(t time that 3a"line disa ea#ed she made " he# mind to ollo% he# into thene(t st"d!+ a te# a %hile+ and see e(a)tl! %hat she %as doin$ the#e.

It so ha ened that Ca#lotta had had a *i$ *o( o s"$a#ed )andies sent to he# *!he# $#andmothe#+ and+ in he# "s"al $ene#o"s %a!+ she o ened it and laid it onthe ta*le in #ont o Cla"dine and 3a"line.



' Hel !o"#sel,es %hilst !o" %o#&+' she said. Cla"dine loo&ed lon$in$l! at thedeli)io"s )andied s%eets. The#e %e#e *its o lemon and o#an$e and n"t+ all)andied #o"nd *ea"ti "ll!. Cla"dine+ ho%e,e#+ tho"$ht a $#eat deal o he#)om le(ion+ %hi)h %as ,e#! $ood+ and she too& onl! one s%eet+ meanin$ toma&e it last all the e,enin$. B"t 3a"line hel ed he#sel li*e#all!. She had ,e#!little o)&et9mone! to *"! he#sel l"("#ies+ and s%eets o this &ind did not o ten)ome he# %a!.

5"st as she %as )hoosin$ he# o"#th s%eet+ the doo# o ened and Alma )ame in. 'Co"ld !o" lend me a maths+ *oo& 2 ' she as&ed+ #athe# sel 9)ons)io"sl!. ' Oh+!o"'#e he#e+ 3a"line I sa!+ %hat $o#$eo"s s%eets 6o" ne,e# told me !o" had alo,el! *o( li&e that+ 3a"line.'

She tho"$ht it %as 3a"line's *o( *e)a"se the $i#l %as hel in$ he#sel to them.Ca#lotta $a,e 3a"line no time to #e l!+ no# did Cla"dine. The! *oth disli&ed Alma+and %e#e a #aid that+ seein$ 3a"line the#e+ she mi$ht sit do%n and sta! o# the%hole e,enin$. Then the#e %o"ld *e no s%eets le t

' He#e's the maths+ *oo&+ Alma+' said Ca#lotta+ and th#e% he# one.

' Sh"t the doo# a te# !o"+' added Cla"dine.

Alma $la#ed. She tho"$ht them ,e#! #"de+ as indeed

the! %e#e. B"t %ho )o"ld *ea# to ha,e Alma sittin$ the#e all the e,enin$ 23a"line loo&ed "n)om o#ta*le as Alma %ent o"t and *an$ed the doo# a te# he#+almost sha&in$ the i)t"#es #om the %all.

' She'll *e sim l! *eastl! to me no%+' she said. ' I s" ose she s ied a te# me andsa% %he#e I %ent. What's the matte# %ith he# 2 She's so te##i*l! at and ast!9loo&in$.'

' 5"st o,e#9eatin$+ I sho"ld thin&+' said Ca#lotta+ *e$innin$ to' %#ite an essa!. 'No% sh"t " o# a *it+ *oth o !o". I %ant to thin&.'

Alma %as ,e#! an$#! that the th#ee $i#ls in the st"d! had not as&ed he# to ha,ee,en one s%eet. She did no %o#& at all that e,enin$. She sat and *#ooded o,e#that eno#mo"s *o( o s%eets. Alma had a )#a,in$ o# that &ind o thin$.

' The!'#e mean i$s+' she tho"$ht. ' Reall! mean. I shall $et e,en %ith them+tho"$h. I'll %ait till Ca#lotta and Cla"dine a#e o"t+ and I'll sli in and hel m!selto a e% s%eets. I s" ose the!'#e 3a"line's+ and she too& them in the#e to sha#e%ith the othe#s+ instead o sha#in$ them %ith me.'

So Alma &e t a %at)h to see %hen Ca#lotta and Cla"dine %ent o"t. The#e %as alittle al)o,e some %a! " the assa$e+ o,e# %hi)h a )"#tain h"n$. I she stoodthe#e -"ite -"ietl! she )o"ld see %hen the t%o $i#ls le t thei# st"d!.

T%o e,enin$s late# he# atien)e %as #e%a#ded. 3a"line had $one to a de*ate.

Alma sli ed into the al)o,e and %aited to see i Ca#lotta and Cla"dine %o"ld $oto it at hal 9time+ as she had hea#d them sa! the! %o"ld.



S"#e eno"$h+ in a sho#t %hile+ the st"d! doo# o ened+ and Ca#lotta and Cla"dine)ame o"t. The! %ent do%n the )o##ido#+ tal&in$. Alma %aited till thei# ootste shad died a%a!. She %as 4"st $oin$ to sli o"t o the al)o,e and into the st"d!+%hen she hea#d ootste s #et"#nin$. She ee ed o"t to see %ho it %as.

It %as Cla"dine h"##!in$ *a)&. She had 4"st met

Antoinette+ %ho had $i,en he# a tin o s"$a# *is)"its to hide in the )" *oa#d %iththe othe# thin$s. Cla"dine #an into he# st"d!+ too& do%n the &e! o the )" *oa#d+%ent o"tside and "nlo)&ed it+ "shed in the tin+ then lo)&ed the doo# a$ain andh"n$ the &e! on its nail. Alma %at)hed in the $#eatest ama;ement.

Cla"dine h"##ied o/ to 4oin the de*ate do%nstai#s. Alma ste ed o"t o theal)o,e+ he# little e!es $leamin$. So that %as %he#e the th o#m &e t thei#sto#es. The! m"st *e $oin$ to ha,e a a#t! o some &ind+ and the! hadn't toldhe# a %o#d a*o"t it Alma %as t#em*lin$ %ith #a$e.

Ho% mean e,e#! one %as It had *een *ad eno"$h in the sta#)h! si(th o#m thelast te#m+ *"t #eall!+ the th o#m %e#e e,en %o#se+ the %a! the! le t he# o"t othin$s. Alma %al&ed into he# o%n st"d! and sat do%n hea,il!. She loo&ed a)#ossat the )" *oa#d the#e. The#e %as a*sol"tel! nothin$ to eat+ nothin$9and it %asa$es till s" e#9time9and e,en then the#e %o"ldn't *e m")h to eat.

She %onde#ed %he#e Cla"dine &e t the &e! o that sto#e )" *oa#d. It %o"ld *e"n 4"st to ha,e a ee inside and see %hat %as the#e9not to eat an! o it+ o

)o"#se9oh no+ tho"$ht Alma+ she %o"ldn't do that+ mean tho"$h the othe#s had*een not to as& he# to sha#e. B"t she %o"ld dea#l! li&e to loo&.

The#e %as no one a*o"t at all. She ti toed to Cla"dine's st"d! and "shed o enthe doo#. She loo&ed #o"nd o# the &e!. Co"ld that *e the one+ han$in$ on the nail*! the #e9 la)e 2 She too& it o/ and %ent to the )" *oa#d in the assa$eo"tside.

With t#em*lin$ n$e#s she sli ed the &e! into the lo)&. It t"#ned easil! It %asthe &e!. Alma o ened the )" *oa#d and loo&ed inside.

The thin$s that %e#e the#e It seemed as i e,e#! sin$le thin$ she li&ed %asthe#e9sa#dines and tinned mil&+ st#a%*e##! 4am and inea le in tins+ $in$e#9*ee#and a *o( o s%eets+ *is)"its and )ho)olate.

It %as -"ite im ossi*le o# Alma to #esist the tem tation to il e# the )" *oa#d. 5"st one o those )ho)olates 94"st a *is)"it to $o %ith it94"st a s%eet o# t%ot8"iltil! the $i#l hel ed he#sel + then+ hea#in$ ootste s+ h"##iedl! sh"t the doo#+t"#ned the &e!+ and sli ed *a)& into he# o%n st"d!.

She %aited till the ootste s had $one *!+ then #an into Cla"dine's st"d! ne(tdoo#+ and #et"#ned the &e! to its nail.

Fo# -"ite a lon$ time Alma sat and *#ooded o,e# he# dis)o,e#!. She elt )e#tainthat the th o#m %e#e $oin$ to ha,e a a#t!. She hadn't hea#d a %o#d a*o"t it9*"t then+ no*od! e,e# told he# an!thin$



She $la#ed at Alison. ' :id !o" $et the &e! #om m! st"d! 2 Well+ #eall!+ Alison+ Idid not thin& it o !o" What *"siness is it o !o"#s 2 '

Alison %as ";;led. ' F#om !o"# st"d! 2 ' she said. ' O )o"#se not Some onem"st ha,e *een at the )" *oa#d and o ened it %hen I )ame alon$+ *e)a"se I

hea#d ootste s s)"##!in$ a%a!+ and then hea#d the &e! all

o"t o the lo)&. I "t it *a)&+ the doo# s%"n$ o en9 and I sa% the thin$s. I don't%ant to &no% an!thin$ at all a*o"t the ood+ Cla"dine+ and I )e#tainl! shan't tellan! one9*"t it's o*,io"s that some*od! &no%s a*o"t the )" *oa#d+ isn't it '

Cla"dine *elie,ed Alison at on)e. Alison mi$ht *e %ea& and sill! in man! %a!s+*"t she %as honest and t#"th "l. Cla"dine s%"n$ the doo# o en and loo&ed intothe )" *oa#d ,e#! tho"$ht "ll!. So some one &ne% o the sto#es9some one &ne%%he#e the &e! %as &e t9 some one &ne% the se)#et

It %asn't lon$ *e o#e Cla"dine dis)o,e#ed that the someone had also ta&en,a#io"s thin$s #om the sto#es. She sh"t the doo# and lo)&ed it+ an$#! and

";;led.

' Some one's *een at the thin$s+' she said to Alison. ' *"t as a# as I &no% onl! Iand m! little siste# Antoinette &ne% the hidin$9 la)e. The se)ond o#m a#e toha,e a midni$ht east+ and I ha,e &e t thei# ood "nde# lo)& and &e! o# them.Who )o"ld ha,e o"nd o"t the hidin$9 la)e 9and %ho )o"ld *e dishonest eno"$hto steal the thin$s 2 '

' I )an't ima$ine+' said Alison+ ama;ed. ' It is s")h a mean+ lo%9do%n thin$ to do.

Who e,e# did it is a*sol"tel! des i)a*le. It's "n*elie,a*le An!%a!+ Cla"dine+ i I%e#e !o" I'd &ee the &e! some%he#e a*o"t !o"# e#son. Then the thie +%hoe,e# it is+ %on't *e a*le to $et it '

1G ALMA9ALISON9AN: ANNE9MARIE

ALMA hea#d all this )on,e#sation -"ite )lea#l!. She elt a %a,e o an$e# a$ainstAlison. Inte# e#in$ little *"s!*od! No% she. Alma+ %o"ld not *e a*le to easthe#sel on the hidden $oodies an! mo#e. She sat e#9

e)tl! still+ ho in$ that neithe# o the $i#ls %o"ld )ome into he# st"d! and see he#the#e. She elt $"ilt!+ and %as s"#e he# $"ilt %o"ld sho% in he# a)e.

B"t the! did not )ome. It did not o))"# to eithe# o them that the thie %o"ld *ean!%he#e nea#. The! elt s"#e she had #"n a%a!. Ma!*e it %as a se)ond o#me#9*"t ho% dis$"stin$+ %hoe,e# it %as

The ne(t time Alma had a )han)e o ti 9toein$ into the st"d! ne(t to he#s+ the&e! %as missin$. She had ea#ed it %o"ld *e. She s" osed that Cla"dine had it



' 6o" don't mean9Anne9Ma#ie 2 ' said Alison+ still mo#e sho)&ed. 'Oh An$ela9s"#el!she %o"ldn't do mean thin$s li&e this :o !o" thin& that she's *een ta&in$ allthose thin$s o mine that disa ea#ed too2 Oh no9she )o"ldn't *e as lo% do%n asthat.'

' 3eo le sa! that %hen an! one is 4ealo"s the! don't mind %hat the! do+' saidAn$ela. 'And !o" &no% Anne9Ma#ie is a% "ll! 4ealo"s *e)a"se !o" a#e so %ell in%ith !o"# dea# :ei#d#e+ and at the moment she isn't in :ei#d#e's $ood *oo&s.Wh! she )an't see that he# dea# idol is *o#ed sti/ %ith he# oems I #eall! don't&no% '

' She's a *east i she is #eall! ta&in$ m! thin$s+ and s oilin$ m! &nittin$+' saidAlison+ almost in tea#s. The $i#l al%a!s lo,ed to *e li&ed *! e,e#! one+ and it h"#the# ,e#! m")h to thin& that one o he# o%n o#m )o"ld *e so "n&ind. ' I shan'tlisten to a sin$le one o he# sill! oems no%.'

So+ m")h to Anne9Ma#ie's s"# #ise+ neithe# An$ela no# Alison e,in)ed thesli$htest inte#est in a lon$ ne% oem+ )alled ' The Wea#! Hea#t'+ %hi)h she %entalon$ to thei# st"d! to #ead o"t lo"d that e,enin$.

'We'#e *"s!+' said Alison+ sho#tl!.

'And !o" o"$ht to *e+ too+' said An$ela+ ,i#t"o"sl!. 'The e(am+ is )omin$ 4oll!nea#.'

' It %on't ta&e lon$ to #ead m! oem to !o"+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ )#est9 allen. ' Thisis ho% it *e$ins . . .'

' :o $et o"t+' said An$ela. ' I'm doin$ maths+ and the! don't $o %ith oet#!+ e,eni the oem is )alled 7 The Wea#! Hea#t7+ %hi)h is ,e#! des)#i ti,e o mine at themoment.'

' Wh! don't !o" %#ite a oem )alled 7 The Missin$ Knittin$9Needles 2 7+ saidAlison+ "ne( e)tedl!. Anne9Ma#ie sta#ed at he# ";;led.

' Wh! &nittin$9needles 2' she in-"i#ed at last.

' Well+ !o" o"$ht to &no%+ o"$htn't !o" 2 ' said Alison. B"t Anne9Ma#ie didn't.

Thin&in$ that Alison and An$ela %e#e #"de and "n&ind+ and a little mad+ she %enta%a!+ )a##!in$ he# #e)io"s oem %ith he#. She *"m ed into Miss Will)o( on he#%a!+ and $a,e a $as .

' Oh9Miss Will)o(9 lease %o"ld !o" #ead this 2 I s ent ho"#s o,e# it last ni$ht.'

Miss Will)o( too& the oem and $lan)ed at it. It %as the same &ind as "s"al+#etentio"s+ "ll o lon$ %o#ds+ solemn+ sad and a# too lon$. Miss Will)o( elt

im atient. She dete#mined to *e )andid %ith Anne9Ma#ie+ no% that she had he#alone.

' Loo& he#e+ Anne9Ma#ie+' she said+ in he# dee ,oi)e. ' I %ant to $i,e !o" a littlead,i)e9and I %ant !o" to listen to it )a#e "ll!+ and ollo% it.'



' Oh !es+ Miss Will)o(+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ e#,entl!. ' I %ill+ indeed I %ill.'

' Well+' said Miss Will)o(+ ' !o" )an't %#ite oet#!+ and !o" ma! as %ell &no% it. 6o" )an #h!me and $et the met#e #i$ht9*"t !o"# ideas a#e #"**ish. Real oet#!has ideas in it+ *ea"ti "l i)t"#es+ $#eat eelin$s. Tea# " all !o"# oems+ Anne9

Ma#ie+ and set !o"# mind on the )omin$ e(am. That is m! ad,i)e to !o". 6o"thin& !o"'#e a $eni"s. Well+ !o"'#e not 6o" a#e 4"st an o#dina#! little s)hool9$i#l%ho has $ot s%elled head+ and

thin&s she )an %#ite. It is m! o inion that "nless !o"# )ha#a)te# )han$es)onside#a*l!+ !o" ne,e# %ill %#ite a #eall! $ood oem '

Miss Will)o( s%e t o/+ $lad to ha,e #elie,ed he# mind o the i##itation that Anne9Ma#ie and he# ne,e#9endin$ oems al%a!s a#o"sed in he#. Anne9Ma#ie+ st#")&a*sol"tel! d"m*+ $a;ed a te# he#+ too h"#t e,en o# tea#s.

He# &nees elt #athe# %ea&. She %ent to he# st"d! and sat do%n. Feli)it! %asthe#e+ )onnin$ o,e# some m"si) theo#!+ h"mmin$ so tl! to he#sel . She did note,en see Anne9Ma#ie )ome in.

It too& a little time o# all that Miss Will)o( had said to sin& in. 3oo# Anne9Ma#iehad had the $#eatest sho)& o he# li e. All he# $#eat ideas a*o"t he#sel *e$an tototte# and %a,e#. Wasn't she a $eni"s 2 Co"ldn't she %#ite ma#,ello"sl! 2 She*e$an to eel as i she %asn't Anne9Ma#ie an! mo#e9she %as no*od!+ no*od! atall. She $a,e a s"dden lo"d so* that ente#ed e,en Feli)it!'s ea#s.

' What's " 2' said Feli)it!+ loo&in$ #o"nd.

' Oh+ !o" %o"ldn't "nde#stand ' said Anne9Ma#ie+ *itte#l!. ' 6o"'#e a $eni"s+ !o"don't seem to li,e in this %o#ld+ !o" don't noti)e an!thin$ that $oes on at all. 6o"don't e,en &no% I'm he#e hal the time. Well+ %hat does it matte# 2 I'm no*od!+not e,en Anne9Ma#ie. I',e had e,e#!thin$ st#i ed a%a! #om me+ e,e#!thin$ I)a#ed a*o"t.'

' :on't e(a$$e#ate so+' said Feli)it!+ mildl! s"# #ised at this )"#io"s o"t9*"#st. 'Can't !o" nd the #i$ht #h!me o# one o !o"# oems 2 Is that %hat has " set !o"2 '

' Oh+ !o"'#e im ossi*le ' said Anne9Ma#ie+ and th#e% a *oo& at Feli)it!+ %hi)hs"# #ised he# e,en mo#e. Anne9Ma#ie %ent o"t o the #oom. Feli)it! %as at on)ea*so#*ed in he# %o#& a$ain+ little )#eases *et%een he# e!es+ he# heada)he*othe#in$ he# as "s"al.

Anne9Ma#ie %as h"#t+ sho)&ed and #esent "l. She %onde#ed i Miss Will)o( )o"ldossi*l! *e #i$ht. A te# all+ she &ne% a*o"t oet#!+ so she o"$ht to &no% i Anne9

Ma#ie's %as $ood o# *ad. Anne9Ma#ie tho"$ht a $#eat deal a*o"t Miss Will)o(that e,enin$+ and %hat she had said.

He# #esentment made he# *e$in to see the En$lish mist#ess #athe# mo#e dea#l!than "s"al. She #emem*e#ed ho% the $i#ls la"$hed at he# osin$ and #eten)e+



he# ,a$"e %a!s and so"l "l loo&s. Almost in a <ash he# ado#ation t"#ned todetestation. 3oo# Anne9Ma#ie9 all the thin$s she )a#ed o# had indeed *een #e t

#om he# s"ddenl!. He# #ide in he#sel and in he# $eni"s %as $one+ he# ho es o#the "t"#e+ he# )on den)e that Miss Will)o( li&ed and admi#ed he#+ e,en he#

oems no%seemed %o#thless.

She hal tho"$ht she %o"ld do as Miss Will)o( had so )oldl! ad,ised he#+ andtea# them " . B"t a do"*t still e#sisted in he# mind a*o"t the tea)he#'s a*ilit! to&no%+ #eall! &no% %hethe# he#+ Anne9Ma#ie's+ oems %e#e $ood. S" ose sheto#e them " + and %#ote no mo#e9 and s" ose a te# all Miss Will)o( %as %#on$+and he# oems %e#e $ood9%hat a loss to the %o#ld the! mi$ht *e

' I onl! I )o"ld nd o"t %hethe# o# not Miss Will)o( is as $ood a 4"d$e as sheal%a!s sets o"t to *e ' tho"$ht Anne9Ma#ie+ -"ite o*sessed *! the s"*4e)t. ' B"tho% )o"ld I 2 I don't see ho% I )o"ld.'

Then a %a! )ame to he#+ and she tho"$ht so dee l! a*o"t it that she didn't e,enhea# Alison s ea&in$ to he# as she assed. ' I'll do it ' tho"$ht Anne9Ma#ie+e("ltantl!. ' I'll do it I'll nd some little9&no%n oem o one o the ,e#! $#eat

oets9Matthe% A#nold e#ha s+ o# B#o%sin$9and I'll %#ite it o"t in m! o%nhand%#itin$9and ne(t time %e ha,e to %#ite a oem o# Miss Will)o(+ I'll send in+not a oem o m! o%n+ *"t a )lassi) '

She $ot " to $o to the s)hool li*#a#! to loo& th#o"$h the *oo&s o oets the#e.

' I Miss Will)o( #aises the oem+ I shall &no% she $en"inel! a #e)iates $oodoet#!9i she snee#s at it.

thin&in$ it is mine+ I shall &no% she doesn't Ah+ Miss Will)o(+ %e shall see '

Anne9Ma#ie %as soon *"s! t"#nin$ o,e# the a$es o Matthe% A#nold+ Tenn!son+and B#o%nin$. She elt as i he# %hole ha iness+ he# %hole "t"#e de ended onthis. She m"st *e )a#e "l not to )hoose a oem at all %ell9&no%n+ o# )e#tainl!Miss Will)o( %o"ld #e)o$ni;e it. She m"st )hoose one as li&e he# o%n st!le as

ossi*le 9somethin$ !ea#nin$ and so"l "l and #athe# hi$h9*#o%. Ah+ Anne9Ma#iemeant to test Miss Will)o(+ no matte# %hethe# she )heated o# not in doin$ so

No% that he# li&in$ o# Miss Will)o( had so s"ddenl! ,anished+ Anne9Ma#ie's 4ealo"sl! o Alison disa ea#ed too. Sill! little Alison+ she tho"$ht+ it!in$l!+ asshe sh"t one *oo& o oems and o ened anothe#.

B"t Alison+ not &no%in$ an!thin$ a*o"t Miss Will)o('s "n&indness to Anne9Ma#ie+and its #es"lt+ still tho"$ht that the othe# $i#l %as 4ealo"s o he#+ and "t do%nthe anno!in$ disa ea#an)es o he# thin$s to s ite on Anne9Ma#ie's a#t.

Alma &ne% this and #e4oi)ed. It made thin$s m")h easie# o# he#+ i Alison so)lea#l! s"s e)ted some one else She too& a e% mo#e thin$s+ en4o!in$ oo#Alison's e(as e#ation and anno!an)e. To Alma the loss o the hidden ood in the

)" *oa#d %as as $#eat a *lo% as Miss Will)o('s %o#ds had *een to Anne9Ma#ie



1 MIRABEL IS ER6 HI8H9HAN:E:

THE se)ond o#me#s de)ided to ha,e thei# east in thei# o%n do#mito#!+ %hi)h%as )on,enientl! a# #om an! mist#ess's -"a#te#s. The! as&ed the #st o#m to

4oin them and the#e %as $#eat #e4oi)in$ amon$ the !o"n$e# ones at this.

' 5oll! de)ent o them' said Sall!. ' I ,ote %e $et in a s ot o ood o"#sel,es. :on't!o" thin& so+ 5ane 2 '

5ane %as not as th#illed as the othe#s. She had *een ,e#! -"iet and s"*d"edlatel!+ h"#t at Mi#a*el's ne$le)t o he#+ and at he# "n4"st s"s i)ion #e$a#din$ the#in$in$ o the #e9*ell+ %hi)h m!ste#! still had not *een )lea#ed " . She %o#&edha#d o# An$ela+ ndin$ )om o#t in the olde# $i#l's li&in$ and #aise+ and still did a$ood deal o he# %o#& at ni$ht "nde# the sheets.

' Chee# " + 5ane ' Sall! &e t sa!in$. ' 6o" loo& li&e a hen )a"$ht in the #ain. :o)hee# " '

5ane t#ied to smile. She had *een ,e#! a #aid o s"ddenl! *"#stin$ into tea#slatel!+ a most "n"s"al thin$ o# he# to do. ' It %ill *e "n ha,in$ a midni$ht east+'she said+ t#!in$ to thin& it %o"ld *e "n. B"t someho% nothin$ seemed "n latel!.It %as so a% "l to *e le t o"t o mat)hes+ %hen she &ne% she %as *ette# than theothe#s. What %as the "se o #a)tisin$ ha#d e,e#! s a#e min"te she had+ %hen

Mi#a*el &e t t#eatin$ he# li&e this 2 It %asn't ai#+ tho"$ht 5ane+ #esent "ll!. It#eall! %asn't.

Cla"dine had told Antoinette o the il e#in$ o the )" *oa#d+ and the se)ondo#me#s %e#e anno!ed and ";;led+ o# Antoinette had told no one o the hidin$9la)e. Still the#e %as lent! o ood le t+ so ne,e# mind

Antoinette %ent to Cla"dine. ' Cla"dine+ %e a#e to ha,e o"# east tomo##o% ni$ht.Can I ha,e the &e! o the )" *oa#d lease 2 I and one o the othe#s %ill )ome "he#e ,e#! -"ietl! 4"st *e o#e midni$ht+ and $et the thin$s.'

' He#e is the &e!+' said Cla"dine+ ta&in$ it o/ a thin st#in$ she %o#e #o"nd he#ne)&. ' No% don't ma&e a noise tomo##o% ni$ht+ %hate,e# !o" do. Ha,e a $oodtime I %ish I %as )omin$ too '

Antoinette $#inned. She %as en4o!in$ this #st te#m at St. Cla#e's. Li&e Cla"dine+she had sli ed o"t o thin$s she did not li&e+ had la!ed man! "ndete)ted

#an&s+ and had en4o!ed the "n and the 4oll! )om anion9

shi . She too& the &e! and %ent o/. She hadn't $one a# *e o#e she #et#a)ed he#ootste s.

Ho% man! *ottles o $in$e#9*ee# %e#e the#e 2 Wo"ld the#e *e eno"$h+ no% thatthe #st o#m %as )omin$ 2 She sli ed the &e! in the lo)& and t"#ned it.



Alma+ in he# st"d!+ hea#d the )li)& o the lo)&. Ho% %ell she &ne% it She ee edo"t o the doo#. Wh!+ it %as Antoinette at the )" *oa#d+ not Cla"dine. She %ento"t o the doo#. Antoinette 4"m ed ,iolentl! and sh"t the doo#.

' What ha,e !o" $ot in that )" *oa#d 2 ' said Alma+ in a smooth ,oi)e. ' Let me

see.'

Be o#e Antoinette )o"ld o*4e)t she $#a**ed the &e! #om he# and o ened the)" *oa#d. Then she #etended to *e ,e#! s"# #ised at the )ontents. ' 8ood$#a)io"s What is all this 2 :oes it *elon$ to !o"+ Antoinette 2 '

Antoinette hesitated. She disli&ed Alma and did not t#"st he#. B"t %hat )o"ld shedo 2 I she %as #"de+ Alma mi$ht *e most "n leasant.

' I see it is a se)#et+' said Alma+ lon$in$ to ta&e one o the tins o ine9a le. '8i,e me one o those tins. Antoinette+ and I %ill not tell an! one o this at all. I

s" ose !o" a#e $oin$ to ha,e a midni$ht east 2'

' 6es+ tomo##o%+' said Antoinette+ disli&in$ Alma e,en mo#e. ' I'm so##! I )an't $i,e!o" a tin+ Alma. I sho"ld ha,e to as& the othe#s #st. It is not a ni)e thin$ o# !o"to as&+ an!%a!9I do not li&e a *a#$ain o this so#t '

Antoinette sh"t the doo# #ml! and lo)&ed it a$ain+ *e o#e Alma had made " he#mind %hat to do. She too& the &e! #om the lo)& and st"/ed it into he# o)&et+e!ein$ Alma de antl!. ' I %ill as& the othe#s i !o" ma! ha,e a tin o ine9a le+ i !o" %ish me to+ Alma+' she said. ' B"t9s"#el! !o" do not %ish me to 2'

Alma s)o%led. O )o"#se she )o"ld not ha,e Antoinette tellin$ the se)ond o#mthat she %anted a tin o inea le. She t#ied to la"$h it o/.

' :on't *e sill! I didn't #eall! mean it. I don't li&e ine9a le. Well9I ho e !o"en4o! !o"# east '

' 6o" %on't tell tales o "s+ %ill !o" 2 ' said Antoinette+ dist#"stin$ Alma mo#e andmo#e. ' 6o" #omise that+ %on't !o" 2 The se)ond o#m %o"ld thin& !o" %e#ete##i*le to tell s")h a tale+ Alma. 6o" ha,e the En$lish sense o hono"#+ ha,e !o"not+ this hono"# that al%a!s !o" En$lish $i#ls a#e tal&in$ o 2'

' O )o"#se+' said Alma+ %al&in$ o/ %ith %hat di$nit! she )o"ld m"ste#. She %entinto he# st"d!. She tho"$ht o the ood in that )" *oa#d. She tho"$ht oAntoinette's hal 9,eiled insolen)e. 3#o*a*l! she %o"ld tell the se)ond o#me#sa*o"t the tin o ine9a le she had as&ed o#9 and the! %o"ld n"d$e ea)h othe#%hen she assed+ and $i$$le.

Alma %ished she )o"ld tell tales+ and $et the east sto ed B"t %ho %o"ld listento he# 2 She %o"ld not da#e to )a##! tales to Miss Theo*ald o# Miss Co#o9%allis+no# %as she )e#tain that Hila#!+ the head9$i#l o the o#m+ %o"ld e,en listen tohe#

Then a tho"$ht st#")& he#. What a*o"t Mi#a*el 2 Mi#a*el %as so &een on s o#ts9and the#e %as a mat)h the da! a te# ne(t She %o"ld not *e at all leased i she



&ne% that the #st and se)ond o#m %e#e $oin$ to ha,e a midni$ht east 4"st*e o#e the mat)h. Mi#a*el sho"ld *e told a*o"t it+ and ma!*e+ in he# *l"nt+o,e#*ea#in$ %a!+ she %o"ld sto it. That %o"ld "nish Antoinette all #i$ht

Alma did not da#e to $o to Mi#a*el di#e)t. She #inted a note+ so that he#

hand%#itin$ %o"ld not *e #e)o$ni;ed+ and did not si$n he# name at the end.

' :O NOT E 3ECT THE THIR: TEAM TO WIN ITS MATCH ON FRI:A6+' said the note.'THE6 WILL ALL BE >3 AT MI:NI8HT '

Mi#a*el o"nd the note on he# ta*le in the st"d! that e,enin$. She i)&ed it " in)"#iosit! and #ead it.

' 8lad!s ' she said+ tossin$ the note o,e# to he#+' %hat in the %o#ld does thismean 2 '

8lad!s #ead it distaste "ll!. ' It's a %#et)hed anon!mo"s lette#+' she said+ ' sent *!some one %ho %ants to

tell tales and doesn't da#e to do it o enl!. Beastl!. Tea# it " and "t it in the%aste9 a e# *as&et. :on't ta&e an! noti)e o it. That's the %a! to t#eat lette#s othat so#t.'

' 6es+ *"t 8lad!s9the thi#d la)#osse team %on't %in thei# mat)h i the! a#e " atmidni$ht+' a#$"ed Mi#a*el. ' And I do %ant them to. I',e set m! hea#t on it. Is" ose the!'#e $oin$ to ha,e a midni$ht east o# somethin$+ sill! &ids. The!'ll*e ti#ed o"t ne(t da!.'

'Well+ didn't !o" en4o! midni$ht easts %hen !on %e#e in the lo%e# o#ms 2 ' said8lad!s. ' Ha,e !o" o#$otten %hat "n the! %e#e 2 '

' We didn't ha,e them 4"st *e o#e an im o#tant mat)h+' said Mi#a*el. ' We didn't+8lad!s.'

' Fo# $oodness' sa&e don't thin& o sto in$ the east+ o# %hate,e# it is+' said8lad!s+ ala#med. ' 6o" )an't inte# e#e li&e that+ Mi#a*el+ and *e s")h a s oil9s o#t.'

Mi#a*el tho"$ht o# a e% moments. ' I &no% %hat to do. I'll send a note to Katie+%ho's head o the se)ond o#m+ and in o#m he# that I ha,e hea#d the#e is to *esomethin$ $oin$ on at midni$ht tomo##o%+ and I %o"ld li&e he# to see that it is

"t o/ till a te# the mat)h. The! %ill #es e)t m! %ishes I am s"#e9then the! )anla! the mat)h #o e#l! %itho"t *ein$ ti#ed+ and ha,e thei# east a te#%a#ds.'

' Well+ I sho"ldn't e,en do that+' said 8lad!s. ' I don't thin& the east %ill #eall!ma&e m")h di/e#en)e to the mat)h9and an!%a!+ onl! a*o"t a -"a#te# o the $i#lsa#e la!in$ in it9ha#dl! that '

' 6o" ne,e# *a)& me " in an!thin$ no%+' said Mi#a*el+ #o%nin$. She said no

mo#e+ *"t *"sied he#sel in %#itin$ a sho#t note to the head9$i#l o the se)ondo#m.



Katie $ot it that da! and #ead it in s"# #ise. She sho%ed it to Antoinette.'Ho%e,e# did Mi#a*el $et %ind o o"# lans 2 ' she said. ' Ha,e !o" told an! one+Antoinette 2'

' Well9onl! Alma+' said the F#en)h $i#l+ and she told Katie %hat had ha ened at

the sto#e )" *oa#d.

' Ho% a% "l ' said Katie+ sho)&ed at the tale and at Alma's *eha,io"#. ' I sa!9I%onde# i she %as the one %ho il e#ed o"# sto#es '

' 3e#ha s+' said Antoinette. ' She is not a ni)e $i#l+ that one.'

Katie )alled a meetin$ o the se)ond o#me#s in the )ommon #oom and #ead themMi#a*el's note. It %as+ as mi$ht *e e( e)ted+ #athe# a##o$ant and e#em to#!.E,identl! Mi#a*el e( e)ted to *e o*e!ed+ and that %as that.

' I ,ote %e ha,e the east tomo##o% ni$ht as lanned+' said 6olande. ' Mi#a*el has*een th#o%in$ he# %ei$ht a*o"t too m")h latel!. I )all that a most "n)i,il note.An!%a!+ %hat *"siness is it o he#s 2 She's al%a!s inte# e#in$ no%.'

E,e#! one ollo%ed 6olande's lead. It %as )"#io"s ho% "n o "la# Mi#a*el had*e)ome. She had t#ied to d#i,e e,e#! one too ast+ and no% the! %e#e di$$in$thei# toes in and #e "sin$ to *"d$e

' I'd *ette# not ans%e# this note o Mi#a*el's to9da!+ had I 2 ' said Katie. ' I'llans%e# it a te# %e',e had the east+ then she )an't sto it '

Mi#a*el %as s"# #ised to ha,e no ans%e# #om Katie+ $i,in$ an "nde#ta&in$ toost one the east till a te# the mat)h+ *"t it did not o))"# to he# at all that the#st and se)ond o#me#s %o"ld da#e to de ! he#. She elt ";;led and tho"$ht

that Katie %as not ,e#! manne#l! 9s"#el! she &ne% that an ans%e# sho"ld al%a!s*e sent at on)e to an! #e-"est #om one o the to o#m $i#ls 2

The #st and se)ond o#m %e#e $ettin$ e()ited. It %as the #st time the! had hada east at ni$ht+ and to them it seemed a te##i*l! e()itin$ thin$. E,e#! sin$le $i#l%as $oin$. iolet %as *a)& #om the san. no% a te# a *o"t o <"+ and %as loo&in$

o#%a#d to it too.

5ane t#ied to loo& o#%a#d to it+ *"t she %as eelin$ ,e#! "nha !. Then a d#ead "l-"a##el *le% " *et%een he# and iolet+ and 5ane elt as i she )o"ldn't *ea#thin$s an! mo#e

iolet had )ome *a)& #om the san. e( e)tin$ to do An$ela's 4o*s as "s"al. Shehad *een disa ointed *e)a"se An$ela had not e,en sent a &indl! messa$e tohe# %hen she %as ill. Ne,e# mind9An$ela %o"ld *e ,e#! $lad to see he# *a)&+doin$ he# )leanin$ and mendin$ as *e o#e+ tho"$ht iolet.

B"t An$ela didn't %ant iolet moonin$ #o"nd a$ain. She had $ot "sed to the-"iet and e?)ient little 5ane+ %ho+ so lon$ as she $ot a smile and a %o#d o

#aise no% and a$ain+ seemed to *e -"ite )ontent. iolet %as too tal&ati,e+ and



al%a!s li&ed to #e)o"nt all he# tho"$hts and doin$s+ %hi)h %as ,e#! *o#in$ to thesel 9)ent#ed An$ela.

So+ to iolet's eno#mo"s disma!+ An$ela did not $#eet he# %a#ml!+ and me#el!in o#med he# that e#ha s she %o"ld li&e to $o and see to 3a"line's 4o*s+ as 5ane

%as doin$ e,e#!thin$ ne)essa#!. iolet did not da#e to a#$"e %ith An$ela# *"t#"shed o/ to 5ane at on)e.

' 6o" "nde#hand thin$ ' she said+ he# e!es s a#&lin$ %ith an$e#. ' 6o" $o *ehindm! *a)& %hen I'm ill9 and %o#m !o"#sel into An$ela's $ood $#a)es a$ain9and doall the thin$s she %as lettin$ me do. 5ane Teal+ I shall ne,e# s ea& to !o" a$ain+and neithe# %ill hal the #st o#m '

5ane t#ied to de end he#sel + *"t iolet had a #ead! ton$"e+ and )o"ld sa! some*itte#+ )"ttin$ thin$s. 5ane %as ti#ed o"t and "nha !+ and she *"#st into tea#s.

' 5"st li&e !o" ' said iolet+ s)o#n "ll!. ' 6o" thin& !o"'ll $et s!m ath! 4"st*e)a"se !o" )#!. Well9!o" 4"st *"#st into tea#s %ith An$ela+ and see %hat shesa!s She )an't stand an!thin$ o that so#t '

5ane )o"ld not hel eelin$ that e#ha s she had done a mean t#i)& to iolet. Sheha#dl! sle t at all that ni$ht+ and in the mo#nin$ she a%o&e %ith a so#e th#oatand a heada)he+ %hi)h made he# eel mo#e mise#a*le than e,e#. 'It's a $oodthin$ I'm not la!in$ in the mat)h tomo##o% ' she tho"$ht and %onde#ed iMi#a*el %o"ld e,e# "t he# name do%n o# a mat)h a$ain.

5ane elt #athe# -"ee# that da!. She had a hi$h tem e#at"#e and didn't &no% it.

She did *adl! on the la)#osse eld and Mi#a*el ti)&ed he# o/. She )o"ld not)on)ent#ate in )lass and Miss Ro*e#ts %as not leased. iolet a,oided he# andsome o the othe# #st o#me#s+ %ho %e#e #iends o iolet's+ did not s ea& to he#eithe#.

' I %ish I %as at home+' tho"$ht 5ane+ lon$in$l!. ' I I )o"ld 4"st tell Mothe# alla*o"t it I'd eel *ette#. I )an't %#ite it in a lette#. I %ish I )o"ld $o home.'

The idea $#e% and $#e% in he# %o##ied mind and at last 5ane made a lan she%o"ld ne,e# ha,e made i she had *een -"ite %ell. Instead o $oin$ to the eastshe %o"ld $o home L")&il! o# he#+ he# home %as a)t"all! in the ne(t ,illa$e+

o"# miles a%a!. 5ane elt s"#e she )o"ld easil! %al& the#e in the middle o theni$ht Then she %o"ld see he# mothe#+ tell he# e,e#!thin$+ and thin$s %o"ld *eall #i$ht a$ain.

She did not &no% she %as *e$innin$ to ha,e <" and had a tem e#at"#e+ she hadno idea she %as not no#mal 4"st then. Sall! )o"ld not $et a %o#d o"t o he# and%as %o##ied. 3oo# 5ane9she %as not ha,in$ an eas! time 4"st then. B"t ne,e#mind+ she tho"$ht+ I'll *e home toni$ht



1 A S>R3RISIN8 NI8HT

THAT F#ida! ni$ht %as to *e a most astonishin$ one o# Mam';elle+ tho"$h

she did not &no% it. She ne,e# o#$ot it+ and+ %hene,e# she too& a holida! in he#*elo,ed F#an)e+ she %o"ld o ten #e)o"nt the ha enin$s o that ni$ht+ to sho%he# en#a t"#ed listene#s ho% -"ee# %e#e the En$lish $i#ls It %as the ni$ht o theFeast+ and the #st and se)ond

o#me#s %e#e to ha,e it at t%el,e o')lo)& sha# in one o thei# do#mito#ies.Antoinette had al#ead! se)#eted some o the thin$s on the to o a hi$h)" *oa#d in he# do#mito#!+ and meant to et)h the #est 4"st *e o#e midni$ht.

Mi#a*el+ "n o#t"natel!+ had seen Antoinette h"##!in$ alon$ the )o##ido# o"tsidehe# st"d!+ )a##!in$ ,a#io"s s"s i)io"s a#)els. She had )alled alte# Antoinette+*"t Antoinette had tho"$ht it ad,isa*le not to hea#+ and had s)"##ied ast #o"ndthe )o#ne#+ almost &no)&in$ o,e# Miss Will)o(.

Mi#a*el sta#ed a te# the disa ea#in$ Antoinette in e(as e#ation. Reall!+ these&ids %e#e $ettin$ too "n)i,il o# %o#ds. She %ent *a)& into he# o%n st"d! and

#o%ned. Co"ld those &ids *e $oin$ to ha,e thei# east that ni$ht a te# all9%henshe had as&ed them not to 2 Co"ld the! <o"t he# #e-"est in that %a!9s"#el! not

All the same a do"*t e#sisted in Mi#a*el's mind+ and she )o"ld not $et #id o it.She said nothin$ to 8lad!s+ *"t she made " he# mind to &ee a%a&e that ni$ht+

and to $o alon$ to the #st o# se)ond o#m do#mito#ies a*o"t midni$ht+ to see ian!thin$ %as ha enin$.

' And i the#e is9%on't I $i,e them a tal&in$ to ' tho"$ht Mi#a*el+ $#iml!. ' I'll#e o#t them too. I'll ma&e them see the! )an't dis#e$a#d m! o#de#s '

No% Anne9Ma#ie had lanned to sta$e a slee 9%al&in$ a)t that ni$ht. She hadtho"$ht o -"ite a lot o thin$s to do %hi)h %e#e e(t#ao#dina#!+ and mi$ht ma&e

eo le sa! ' Ah+ she does those *e)a"se she's a $eni"s+' as so o ten %as said othe a*sent9minded Feli)it!. B"t she #athe# do"*ted he# a*ilit! to )a##! them o/ in

#ont o the sha# 9e!ed+ -"i)&9minded mem*e#s o the th o#m.

It %o"ld ne,e# do to "t on some so#t o $eni"s a)t+ and ha,e the othe#s #oa#%ith la"$hte#+ dis*elie,e in it+ and tell he# it %as all "t on. It %as $ettin$ to *e-"ite im e#ati,e to Anne9Ma#ie to *e tho"$ht #eall! )le,e#. She had to dosomethin$ to )an)el o"t the dam in$ e/e)t o Miss Will)o('s %o#ds.

Who %o"ld *e ta&en in most easil!2 She tho"$ht o# a %hile+ and then de)ided onMam';elle. She had hea#d o the man! t#i)&s the $i#ls had la!ed on the F#en)hMist#ess th#o"$h the !ea#s+ and she elt s"#e she %o"ld ta&e in Mam';elle.Mam';elle %o"ld e()laim+ and %a$$le he# hands+ and tell e,e#! one. She %o"ldsa! ' Ah+ la etite Anne9Ma#ie+ she %al&s in he# slee + she #e)ites oet#! as she%al&s+ she is a $eni"s We m"st *e )a#e "l o he#+ %e m"st )he#ish this talented$i#l One da! she %ill *e amo"s '



6es+ )e#tainl! Mam';elle %o"ld *e the *est one to im #ess. The middle o theni$ht %o"ld *e the *est time. She %o"ld nd some means o %a&in$ Mam';elle+and *#in$ he# o"t in the assa$e+ and then she %o"ld let he# see he#+ a a#entl!%al&in$ in he# slee + #e)itin$ lines and lines o oet#!. Mam';elle %o"ld *e mostim #essed+ and e#ha s e,en Miss Theo*ald %o"ld thin& that Anne9Ma#ie %as a$eni"s+ and as& to see some o he# oems.

Anne9Ma#ie %as #eall! ,e#! leased %ith he# idea. She -"ite loo&ed o#%a#d to"ttin$ it into #a)ti)e that ni$ht. ' A*o"t hal 9 ast t%el,e o# so+' she tho"$ht. '

That %o"ld *e the *est time. E,e#! one %ill *e aslee *! then.'

She had+ o )o"#se+ )hosen a most "n o#t"nate ni$ht o# he# slee 9%al&in$+ o#-"ite a n"m*e# o eo le %e#e $oin$ to *e %ide9a%a&e All the #st and se)ond

o#me#s %o"ld *e #e,ellin$ in thei# east. 5ane Teal %o"ld *e stealin$ th#o"$h thes)hool+ meanin$ to #"n o/ home. Mi#a*el %o"ld *e on the #o%l to nd o"t i the!o"n$e# $i#ls %e#e #eall! ha,in$ thei# east. Alma %o"ld *e snoo in$ a*o"t tosee i the#e %as li&el! to *e an! ood le t in the )" *oa#d. Antoinette and one o#t%o othe#s %o"ld *e et)hin$ the #est o the ood.

And Feli)it! %as to )hoose that ni$ht o# slee 9%al&in$ too9*"t $en"ine slee 9%al&in$+ in he# )ase. So the#e %o"ld *e -"ite a n"m*e# o eo le %ande#in$a*o"t+ tho"$h Anne9Ma#ie hadn't the #emotest idea o this.

All the $i#ls %ent o/ to *ed as "s"al at thei# o#dina#!

times. The #st and se)ond o#me#s %ent #st+ $i$$lin$ %ith e()itement+ ,o%in$that the! %o"ldn't slee a %in& till midni$ht. Antoinette and Sall! %e#e to *e#es onsi*le o# #o"sin$ an! one %ho did $o to slee . It %as th#illin$ to loo&

o#%a#d to s")h an es)a ade.

The thi#d and o"#th o#me#s %ent o/ to *ed late#.

The th and si(th )o"ld sta! " till ten o')lo)&+ and "s"all! did. The! all #eti#edas "s"al+ e,en Feli)it!+ %ho o ten did not $o till m")h late#+ lost as "s"al in he#m"si). It %as astonishin$ that no mist#ess had dis)o,e#ed he# li$ht *"#nin$ solate in he# st"d!+ *"t so a# no one had.

Then the mist#esses %ent to *ed+ !a%nin$+ ha,in$ a last %o#d to$ethe# *e o#ethe! a#ted. Mam';elle %as the last to $o. She had a ile o F#en)h essa!s #omthe si(th o#m to $o th#o"$h+ and had le t them #athe# late.

' I %ill )o##e)t these+ and then $o+' she tho"$ht+ $lan)in$ at the )lo)&. ' Hal 9 astele,en al#ead! Ho% slo% I ha,e *een toni$ht '

At 4"st a*o"t ,e min"tes to t%el,e Mam';elle %ent into he# *ed#oom. At t%el,eo')lo)& she %as $ettin$ into *ed+ and the *ed %as a*o"t to )#ea& "nde# he##athe# hea,! %ei$ht+ %hen some so"nd )a"$ht he# ea#s.

It so"nded as i somethin$ ha#d had *een d#o ed on the <oo# immediatel!a*o,e he# head. Mam';elle sat on the side o the *ed and onde#ed o,e# the,a#io"s ossi*le )a"ses o the noise.



It %as not the )at. It %as not the "ne( e)ted $#oan o# )#ea& that "#nit"#esometimes $a,e at ni$ht. It %as not an! mist#ess on the #o%l+ *e)a"se all had$one to *ed. Then %hat )o"ld it *e 2 Mam';elle tho"$ht ha#d. She &ne% that the

th o#m st"dies %e#e a*o,e he# *ed#oom+ st#et)hin$ in a lon$ )o" le o #o%sdo%n and a#o"nd t%o )o##ido#s. S"#el! no one )o"ld ossi*l! *e " still 2 The

th o#m m"st all *e in *ed

Anothe# small so"nd de)ided Mam';elle. She had *ette# $o and in,esti$ate. Itmi$ht *e a *"#$la#. Mam';elle had a ho##o# o *"#$la#s+ *"t she elt it he# d"t!

to nd o"t %hethe# the#e %as one in the s)hool o# not. Feelin$ e(t#emel! *#a,e+and a#min$ he#sel %ith a hai#*#"sh+ she "t on he# d#essin$9$o%n and sli e#s+tied the $i#dle ti$htl! #o"nd he# l"m %aist+ and o ened he# *ed#oom doo#.

All the assa$es and )o##ido#s o St. Cla#e's %e#e li$hted th#o"$ho"t the ni$ht+*"t %ith s e)iall! dimmed li$hts. It %as ossi*le to see a $"#e+ *"t not to ma&eo"t %ho it %as. The )o##ido#s loo&ed #athe# ee#ie to Mam';elle as she set o"t onhe# 4o"#ne! o in,esti$ation.

The #st thin$ that Mam';elle did %as to all o,e# the s)hool )at+ %ho %as aneno#mo"s *la)& ello%+ m")h $i,en to %ande#in$ a#o"nd at ni$ht. Seein$Mam';elle e# e)tl! )lea#l!+ tho"$h she )o"ld not see him at all+ he ad,an)ed" on he#+ and t#ied to #"* a$ainst he# an&les+ deli$hted to see a ello%9%ande#e#in the ni$ht.

Mam';elle $a,e a m"@ed sh#ie&+ and almost o,e#*alan)ed. One o he# *i$ eet)a"$ht the )at on its side+ and it $a,e one o its !o%ls. Mam';elle #e)o$ni;ed the)at's ,oi)e+ and %as #elie,ed to nd that it %as not a *"#$la# l!in$ on the <oo# to)at)h he# oot+ *"t onl! the )at.

' Sssst ' she said+ in a ie#)in$+ si*ilant %his e#+ and the )at <ed+ $#ie,ed atMam';elle's la)& o #iendliness.

Mam';elle %ent " the stai#s to the ne(t <oo#+ %he#e she had hea#d the noise.Antoinette %as " the#e+ on he# thi#d 4o"#ne! to )olle)t the eata*les %ith Sall!. Tohe# ho##o# she s"ddenl! hea#d Mam';elle's ie#)in$ ' Ssssst ' noise #om the <oo#*elo%. She )l"t)hed Sall!.

' Some*od!'s a*o"t :id !o" hea# that 2 Oh+ ho% ti#esome+ Sall! What shall %edo 2 '

' The#e's an al)o,e nea# he#e+' %his e#ed Sall!. ' Loo& 9%he#e that )"#tain is. We'll$et *ehind the#e %ith o"# tins and *ottles. "i)& Ma!*e %hoe,e# it is %ill ass*!. :on't snee;e o# an!thin$ '

The t%o $i#ls #essed themsel,es *ehind the )"#tain+ thei# hea#ts *eatin$ ast. The! hea#d Mam';elle's oot9

ste s )oinin$ alon$+ ma&in$ a so t s%ishin$ noise in he# *i$ *ed#oom sli e#s. The! stood -"ite still.



Mam';e>e )ame to the al)o,e. She tho"$ht the )"#tain *"l$ed s"s i)io"sl!+ andshe "t o"t a t#em*lin$ hand. She distin)tl! elt some so t *od! *ehind it She$a,e a $as . Antoinette and Sall! de)ided to ma&e a *olt o# it+ and s"ddenl!shot o"t #om the al)o,e+ d#o in$ a $in$e#9*ee# *ottle on oo# Mam';elle's toes.She $a,e an an$"ished $#oan+ li ted he# oot+ and did a e% hea,! ho s o,e# tothe o osite %all+ "ttin$ o"t a hand to stead! he#sel %hen she $ot the#e.

She )a"$ht si$ht o t%o $"#es #a)in$ do%n the dim assa$e+ and #o"nd the)o#ne#. She had no idea %hethe# the! %e#e *"#$la#s o# $i#ls. As she elt he# )o#nstende#l!+ %#ath s%e t o,e# he#. Ho% da#ed eo le d#o thin$s on he# eet in themiddle o the ni$ht+ and then #"n a%a! %itho"t a olo$i;in$ 2 Mam';elledete#mined to )hase the s)am s+ %hoe,e# the! %e#e+ and #"n them to ea#th.

She did not see the $in$e#9*ee# *ottle l!in$ at he# eet+ and she ell o,e# it as she%ent s%i tl! do%n the assa$e+ st"**in$ he# othe# oot this time. The *ottle %ent#ollin$ o/ and hit the %all. Mam';e>e sto ed a$ain and $#oaned.

She #an do%n the assa$e and )ame to the )o#ne#. The#e %as no one to *e seenthe#e. The assa$e %ent )om letel! #o"nd the thi#d <oo# o the *"ildin$+ and)ame *a)& a$ain %he#e it *e$an+ and Mam';elle tho"$ht it %o"ld *e a $ood ideato $o the %hole %a! and see i an! one %as a*o"t on that <oo#. So o/ she set+dete#mined to #"n to ea#th %hoe,e# %as " so late at ni$ht.

3ad9 ad9 ad+ %ent he# eet+ and e,e#! no% and a$ain Mam';elle set he# in)e9ne; #ml! on he# nose+ o# the! had an i##itatin$ %a! o 4"m in$ o/ %hen she#an. 3ad9 ad9 ad9the )hase %as onl

1J MAM' ELLE ON THE WAR93ATH

ALMA %as the ne(t one to *e diml! seen *! Mam';elle. She had t een )e#tainthat Antoinette %o"ld $o to the sto#e )" *oa#d that ni$ht+ and %o"ld #o*a*l!ma&e t%o o# th#ee ,isits. 3#o*a*l! in *et%een she %o"ld lea,e the doo# o en.

Then+ tho"$ht $#eed! Alma+ she mi$ht *e a*le to o in and ta&e somethin$ o#he#sel . A tin o ine9a le o# instan)e. She seemed to )#a,e o# a tin o ine9a le

So+ ma&in$ s"#e that the #est o he# do#mito#! %e#e aslee + Alma #ose -"ietl!#om he# *ed+ and %ent " the stai#s to the thi#d <oo#. She made he# %a! to the

)" *oa#d 4"st at the same moment as Mam';elle+ antin$+ )ame #o"nd the last o the o"# )ome#s o the )o##ido#+ *a)& a$ain to %he#e the al)o,e %as. The sto#e)" *oa#d %as -"ite nea#.

Mam';elle sa% a $"#e in the assa$e. Ah9the#e %as one o the midni$ht%ande#e#s+ at least Mam';elle %o"ld tea)h them to d#o thin$s on he# oo# toes



She )#e t " *ehind the "ns"s e)tin$ Alma+ %ho %as hal in the )" *oa#d+$#o in$ a*o"t o# a tin o some &ind.

Alma had the sho)& o he# li e %hen she elt a hand on he# sho"lde#. She l"n$edo"t in #i$ht and st#")& oo# Mam';elle s-"a#e in the middle. Mam';elle do"*led

" at on)e+ and $a,e s")h a dee $#oan that Alma %as ho##i ed. She )o"ld notmo,e an in)h+ *"t stood the#e+ t#em*lin$7.

Mam';elle #e)o,e#ed #a idl!. She elt )e#tain that this m"st *e a *"#$la# #i<in$)" *oa#ds. He %as dan$e#o"s He had $i,en he# a te##i*le *lo%+ the *i$ )o%a#d Mam';elle %as not $oin$ to )ome to $#i s %ith him. 8i,in$ Alma a s"dden "sh+%hi)h landed he# amon$ the tins+ *ottles and old #"$s+ she sh"t the doo# #ml!+lo)&ed it+ and too& the &e!.

' Ha ' said Mam';elle+ add#essin$ the ala#med Alma in the )" *oa#d. ' No% Iha,e !o" "nde# &e! and lo)& I $o o# the oli)e '

With this te##i !in$ th#eat she added o to tele hone to the oli)e. She %entdo%nstai#s+ )on$#at"latin$ he#sel hea#til! on he# sma#tness and *#a,e#!+ and

eelin$ he# middle tende#l! to see i she %as *#"ised.

As soon as she $ot do%nstai#s she sa% 5ane Teal+ %ho had )hosen that momentto )#ee a%a! #om the othe#s+ "t on he# hat and )oat and $o to nd a side9doo#she )o"ld o en -"ietl!. B"t oo# little 5ane %as no% eelin$ ,e#! ill. The <" %assendin$ he# tem e#at"#e hi$h+ and she elt as i she %as in a d#eam. All she%anted %as to $et to he# mothe#+ and to do that she &ne% she m"st $et o"t oSt. Cla#e's and %al& and %al&.

So+ ha#dl! &no%in$ %hat she %as doin$+ she elt %ith a e,e#ish hand alon$ the%all to nd the side9doo#. She m"tte#ed to he#sel as she %ent. ' I m"st nd thedoo#. That's the #st thin$. I m"st nd the doo#.'

Mam';elle hea#d the m"tte#in$ and sto ed in ama;ement and ala#m. Co"ld this*e !et anothe# *"#$la# 2 Who %as this e#son $#o in$ alon$ the %all9%ith a haton too Mam';elle )o"ld not see in the dim li$ht %hat &ind o a e#son it %as+ *"tha,in$ $ot the idea o *"#$la#s #ml! in he# mind+ she elt )e#tain this m"st *eanothe#9 #o*a*l! the se)ond o the t%o she had #st seen #a)in$ do%n the

" stai#s assa$e. She *e$an to ti toe )a"tio"sl! a te# 5ane. 5ane elt alon$ the %all till she )ame to a doo#. ' He#e is a doo#+' she m"tte#ed. ' Im"st o en it and $o o"t. I',e o"nd a doo#.'

B"t it %as not the side9doo#+ leadin$ into the $a#den. It %as the doo# o these)ond o#m $ames )" *oa#d+ "ll o la)#osse sti)&s+ old $oal9nets+ a e%dis)a#ded #ain9)oats and s")h thin$s as this. 5ane o ened the doo# and %ent intothe )" *oa#d. Mam';elle+ t#i"m hant+ sa% a )han)e o #e eatin$ he# #e)ent*#illian)e+ and o lo)&in$ this se)ond *"#$la# into a )" *oa#d too.

She da#ted o#%a#d+ sh"t the doo# and lo)&ed it+ lea,in$ oo# 5ane in theda#&ness amon$ thin$s that elt most e(t#ao#dina#! to he# hot little n$e#s.



' I %ant to $o home+' said 5ane and s"ddenl! san& do%n on to a ile o sti)&s andnets+ o# he# le$s elt as i the! %o"ld no lon$e# )an! he#. She la! the#e+ e,e#ishand hal 9d#eamin$+ not &no%in$ o# )a#in$ in the least %he#e she %as.

Mam';elle )o"ld not hel eelin$ ,e#! #o"d o he#sel . What othe# mist#ess at St.

Cla#e's )o"ld )at)h and im #ison t%o *"#$la#s in one ni$ht li&e this 2 Mam';elle*e$an to thin& she %as %asted as a F#en)h mist#ess. She sho"ld ha,e *een inthe oli)e o#)e.

' No% I $o to the tele hone+' she said to he#sel + thin&in$ %ith deli$ht o theastonishment o the oli)e %hen the! hea#d he# ne%s. B"t she %as not !et to*#oad)ast he# ne%s+ o#+ e,en as she %ent into the hall+ she sa% some*od! else

This time it %as Feli)it!+ %al&in$ in he# slee + t#!in$ to nd the assem*l! #oom+so that she mi$ht on)e a$ain mo"nt the lat o#m+ and la! he# ima$ina#! ,iolin.She %al&ed solemnl!+ he# e!es %ide o en+ h"mmin$ a melod! in a lo%+ so t,oi)e. She had on he# %hite ni$ht9$o%n+ and Mam';elle %as a*sol"tel! et#i edto see this $"#e %al&in$ to%a#ds he#+ ma&in$ a -"ee# lo% h"mmin$.

' Tiens ' said Mam';elle+ and too& a ste *a)&%a#ds. Fo# the #st time she *e$anto %onde# %hethe# the ni$ht's ha enin$s %e#e #eal o# %hethe# she mi$ht *ed#eamin$. It seemed astonishin$ that so man! eo le %e#e a*o"t+ in the middleo the ni$ht.

This )o"ld not *e a *"#$la#. It loo&ed li&e somethin$ "nea#thl!9a s i#it %ande#in$a*o"t+ lost and lone Mam';elle shi,e#ed. B"#$la#s she had *een a*le to deal%ith9*"t s i#its %e#e di/e#ent. The! aded a%a!+ the! disa ea#ed into thin ai#+ i the! %e#e to")hed+ and Mam';elle did not li&e thin$s o that so#t.

She de)ided not to $o to the tele hone 4"st then+ as she %o"ld ha,e to meet this%ande#in$ s i#it a)e to a)e.

She %o"ld #eti#e to he# *ed#oom o# a little %hile till the s i#it had #et"#ned to%he#e,e# it had )ome #om. So Mam';elle t"#ned tail and <ed.

B"t o# some #eason Feli)it!+ ast aslee as she %as+ seemed to e#)ei,eMam';elle as she disa ea#ed to%a#ds the stai#s. Into he# d#eamin$ mind )amethe idea that this e#son mi$ht ta&e he# to the lat o#m+ so that she mi$ht la!he# %onde# "l )om ositions+ and she ollo%ed Mam';elle " the stai#s+ he# e!es$lass! and %ide o en+ he# hands o"tst#et)hed.

Mam';elle $lan)ed *ehind and %as most ala#med to nd the %hite s i#it ollo%in$he#. She had not *a#$ained o# this at all. She almost #an to $et to he# *ed#oomon the se)ond <oo#.

Feli)it! ollo%ed+ seemin$ almost to <oat " the stai#s+ o# she %as tall and thin+and m")h too li$ht o# he# a$e. Mam';elle *olted into he# *ed#oom and sat do%non he# *ed+ o"t o *#eath.



The doo# o ened and Feli)it! )ame in+ he# e!es still %ide o en. As Mam';elle hadhe# li$ht on+ she sa% at on)e that %hat she had tho"$ht %as a #i$htenin$a a#ition %as onl! Feli)it!.

' Tims ' said Mam';elle+ "ttin$ he# hand " to he# o#ehead. ' Tiens What &ind

o a ni$ht is this+ %hen *"#$la#s and )hild#en %al& a#o"nd. Feli)it!+ m! )hild+ a#e!o" a%a&e 2 '

The#e %as somethin$ #athe# te##i !in$ a*o"t Feli)it!'s %hite+ "na%a&ened a)e.Mam';elle sa% that she %as so"nd aslee + and %as a #aid to %a&e he#. She %asmo#e lPan #elie,ed %hen Feli)it!+ eelin$ the *ed+ d#e% *a)& the )o,e#s+ $ot intoit and sh"t he# e!es. In a min"te o# t%o she %as a a#entl! slee in$ -"ite

ea)e "ll!.

Mam';elle sta#ed do%n at the ale a)e on he# illo%. To ha,e t%o *"#$la#s sh"tinto t%o se a#ate )" *oa#ds and a slee 9%al&in$ $i#l in he# *ed %as #athe#*e%ilde#in$. She )o"ld not ma&e " he# mind %hethe# to tele hone to the oli)eo# to $o and )all Miss Theo*ald and sho% he# Feli)it!. Mam';elle had had eno"$he( e#ien)e o $i#ls

to &no% that slee 9%al&in$ %as not a $ood thin$9somethin$ had ha ened toma&e Feli)it! a)t in this %a!+ and that somethin$ m"st *e in,esti$ated.

The#e %as a noise " stai#s a$ain. Antoinette and Sall! had #et"#ned to the)" *oa#d o# eata*les+ and had o"nd the doo# lo)&ed+ the &e! $one+ and a

#isone# in the )" *oa#d In ama;ement and ea# the! <ed *a)& to thei#do#mito#! to tell the othe#s. Mam';elle+ dist"#*ed *! the noise the! made+ %ento"t o he# *ed#oom+ and+ as an a te#tho"$ht+ t"#ned the &e! in the lo)&+ in )aseFeli)it! sho"ld t#! a little mo#e slee 9%al&in$.

She %as 4"st in time to see Antoinette and Sall!+ t%o ,a$"e $"#es in thedistan)e+ #"nnin$ *a)& to thei# do#mito#!.

' Tiens ' said Mam';elle a$ain+ th"nde#st#")& to nd !et mo#e eo le a*#oad thatni$ht. ' :o I slee o# %a&e 2 E,e#!%he#e I $o I see eo le <eein$ in the ni$ht '

The ne(t e#son Mam';elle sa% %as Mi#a*el+ %ho %as )#ee in$ do%n the stai#sto see i the se)ond o#me#s %e#e holdin$ thei# east a te# all. Mam';elle )o"ldnot *elie,e he# e!es. Was the %hole s)hool %ande#in$ a*o"t that ni$ht9o# %asthis !et anothe# *"#$la# 2

Mi#a*el %as a tall+ st#a in$ $i#l+ and she %o#e !4amas. In the dim assa$e sheloo&ed as *i$ as a man+ and Mam';elle elt )e#tain this m"st *e anothe# o the$an$ o *"#$la#s that a ea#ed to *e in estin$ St. Cla#e's that ni$ht. She ollo%edhe#+ t#!in$ to ma&e no noise at all. It %as *e)omin$ -"ite a )ommon9 la)e o#Mam';elle to lo)& eo le " that ni$ht+ and she ondl! ima$ined she )o"ldsomeho% im #ison this *"#$la# also.

Mi#a*el %ent to%a#ds the se)ond o#m do#mito#ies. Mam';elle+ a #aid that the*"#$la# mi$ht s)a#e the $i#ls the#e+ h"med he# ste s. The s)hool )at #ea ea#ed



Anne9Ma#ie+ still a)tin$+ %ande#ed into the se)ond o#m do#mito#!+ meanin$ to%al& to the end and *a)&9*"t she ell o,e# an em t! *ottle+ and $a,e ane()lamation. Mam';elle ollo%ed he# into the #oom and s%it)hed on the li$ht.

Anne9Ma#ie+ da;ed *! the s"dden li$ht+ *lin&ed in )on "sion+ %at)hed in

ama;ement *! $i#ls in *ed. Then+ #emem*e#in$ he# slee 9%al&in$ a)t+ she on)ea$ain *e)ame $lass!9e!ed and $lided *et%een the *eds.

The $i#ls sat " + $i$$lin$. ' She's #etendin$ ' )alled Antoinette.

' Ah+ no+ she %al&s in he# slee + the oo#+ oo# )hild+' said Mam';elle. ' What )an%e do o# he# 2 '

' I %ill )"#e he#+ ma tante' said the i##e #essi*le Antoinette+ and lea t o"t o *ed.She too& a 4"$ o )old %ate# and th#e% it all o,e# oo# Anne9Ma#ie+ %ho+ an$#!and %et+ t"#ned and $a,e Antoinette s")h a ti)&in$ o/ that all the $i#ls &ne% at

on)e that she )e#tainl! had not *een slee 9%al&in$ *e o#e+ *"t onl! la!9a)tin$.Mam';elle #eali;ed it too+ and t#ied to ha"l Anne9Ma#ie o"t o the #oom+ s)oldin$he# ,i$o#o"sl!+ and tellin$ he# to $o and )han$e he# %et thin$s at on)e. Soen$#ossed %as she that she enti#el! ailed to see an! si$ns o the midni$ht east+no# did she noti)e an! o the $i#ls s-"ashed into the %a#d#o*es o# "nde# the*eds.

Antoinette th#e% the 4"$ o )old %ate# at Anne9Ma#ie

' 8oll! ' said Sall!+ as soon as Mam';elle had $one o< %ith Anne9Ma#ie+ ' I don't*elie,e she e,en sa% the si$ns o o"# east+ not e,en that *ottle that #olled o"t

#om "nde# a *ed '

' Bit o l")& o# "s+' said iolet. ' Come on+ let's nish e,e#!thin$ " -"i)&l!+ andhide the thin$s and $et to *ed *e o#e Mam';elle thin&s o )omin$ *a)& '

The $i#ls $i$$led. Mi#a*el+ sh"t in the *ath#oom 4"st o osite+ hea#d them+ and&ne% the! %e#e still en4o!in$ thei# east. She $#e% ,e#! an$#! indeed. She elt)e#tain one o the se)ond o#me#s had lo)&ed he# in+ and she %as dete#mined to#e o#t the %hole lot o them and ha,e them %ell "nished.

Mam';elle too& Anne9Ma#ie to Mat#on's #oom+ and %o&e Mat#on " + e( lainin$

,ol"*l! a*o"t Anne9Ma#ie and %h! she %as %et. Anne9Ma#ie+ he# slee 9%al&in$a)t -"ite #"ined+ %e t )o io"sl!+ ea#in$ that she %o"ld *e tiie la"$hin$ sto)& othe s)hool ne(t da!.

'No% sto that sill! )#!in$+' said Mat#on+ *#is&l! $i,in$ Anne9Ma#ie a ,i$o#o"s #"*9do%n %ith a ,e#! #o"$h to%el. She had lon$ a$o si;ed " Anne9Ma#ie as a sill!+s%ollen9headed $i#l+ 4"st the &ind to a)t a*o"t li&e this+

' I m"st $o+' said Mam';elle+ #emem*e#in$ the ,a#io"s eo le she had lo)&ed "that ni$ht. ' I ha,e *"#$la#s to see to.'

Mat#on sta#ed. ' What did !o" sa! 2 ' she in-"i#ed.



' I said+ I ha,e *"#$la#s to see to+' said Mam';elle+ %ith di$nit!. ' I ha,e s ent theni$ht )hasin$ eo le #o"nd the )o##ido#s+ and lo)&in$ them " . I $o to Miss

Theo*ald no%+ and she %ill tele hone to the oli)e. Ah+ the eo le I ha,e )hasedtoni$ht. 6o" %o"ld not *elie,e it+ Mat#on '

Mat#on didn't. She tho"$ht Mam';elle m"st *e d#eam9in$. ' Well+ !o" $o and $etMiss Theo*ald and the oli)e and %hate,e# else !o" li&e+' she said+ #"**in$Anne9Ma#ie so ha#d that she $#oaned. ' B"t don't *#in$ me an! mo#e %et $i#ls tod#! in the middle o the ni$ht. I don't a #o,e o them.'

Mam';elle %ent o/. She )ame to Miss Theo*ald's *ed#oom and &no)&ed on thedoo#. A s"# #ised ,oi)e )ame #om inside.

' 6es 2 Who is it 2 '

' It is + Mam';elle+' said Mam';elle+ and o ened the doo#. ' 3a#don me o# )oinin$

at this time o the ni$ht. Miss Theo*ald9*"t I ha,e *"#$la#s 9lo)&ed " in)" *oa#ds and a slee 9%al&e# in m! *ed#oom.'

= A LITTLE >NLOCKIN8

MISS THEOBAL: listened to Mam';elle's tale in the "tmost astonishment. It

seemed to he# as i all the )o##ido#s o St. Cla#e's m"st ha,e *een eo led %ith*"#$la#s+ #o**e#s+ thie,es+ and othe#s the %hole o the ni$ht9*"t %hat %as e,enmo#e astonishin$ %as the tho"$ht o Mam';elle+ %ho %as te##i ed e,en o mi)eand *eetles+ ,aliantl! )hasin$ the *"#$la#s and+ mo#e #ema#&a*le still+ lo)&in$them " %holesale

She )o"ld ha#dl! *elie,e it. She loo&ed )losel! at Mam';elle+ and %onde#ed i theF#en)h mist#ess )o"ld ossi*l! ha,e d#eamt it all. She $ot o"t o *ed and "t onhe# d#essin$9$o%n.

' I thin&+ *e o#e I tele hone the oli)e+ !o" had *ette# sho% me %he#e !o" lo)&edthese men " +' she said.

Mam';elle t#otted he# o/ to the )" *oa#d %he#e she had lo)&ed in little 5ane Teal. The#e %as no so"nd #om the#e at all. Miss Theo*ald %as ";;led. She #a ed onthe doo#. Still no so"nd. 5ane had allen into a e,e#ish do;e. Miss Theo*alds"ddenl! hea#d the so"nd o o,e#lo"d *#eathin$+ -"i)& and hoa#se.

She elt s"#e it %as no *"#$la# the#e. She "nlo)&ed

the doo#+ to Mam';elle's disma!+ and s%it)hed on the li$ht inside the *i$)" *oa#d9and the#e+ *e o#e oo# Mam';elle's sta#tled e!es+ la! little 5ane Teal+o*,io"sl! ill+ "ll!9d#essed+ e,en to he# hat.



' This )hild's ill.' said the Head Mist#ess+ eelin$ 5ane's *"#nin$ hot hand. ' 'Fl"+ Isho"ld thin&+ and a ,e#! hi$h tem e#at"#e %ith it. What on ea#th is she doin$d#essed " li&e this+ %ith hat and )oat on 2 Was she $oin$ o"t 2'

Mam';elle %as d"m* o"nded. She )o"ld not thin& o a %o#d to sa!. Miss Theo*ald

$entl! a%o&e 5ane+ and hel ed he# to he# eet. She )o"ld ha#dl! stand. Bet%eenthem the t%o mist#esses too& he# to Mat#on's #oom+ %ho+ at one $lan)e sa% that

5ane %as se#io"sl! ill.

' I'll )a##! he# to the san.+' she said. ' I'll slee the#e %ith he# m!sel toni$ht.'

Mat#on's )a a*le+ st#on$ a#ms li ted the hal 9"n)ons)io"s 5ane easil!+ and *o#ehe# a%a! to the -"iet and )om o#ta*le san. %he#e all the ill $i#ls %e#e n"#sed.

The#e %as no one the#e at the moment. Mat#on soon had 5ane "nd#essed and in*ed %ith a hot %ate# *ottle.

' Well+' said Miss Theo*ald+ than& "l to ha,e o"nd oo# 5ane *e o#e %o#se *e ellhe#+ '%hat a*o"t !o"# ne(t *"#$la#+ Mam';elle 2 '

Mam';elle e#,entl! ho ed that the ne(t #isone# %o"ld #o,e to *e a *"#$la#+e,en i he lea t o"t at them and es)a ed She led the %a! to the *ath#oomo osite the se)ond o#m do#mito#!.

The se)ond o#me#s %e#e still a%a&e and hea#d the ootste s and ,oi)es in%onde#. As the ootste s assed thei# doo#+ the! sat " and %his e#ed. ' Who isit 2 What's " 2'

Antoinette lea t o"t o *ed and added to the doo#. She ee ed o"t )a"tio"sl!. To he# eno#mo"s astonishment she sa% the Head Mist#ess standin$ *! the*ath#oom doo#+ %ith Mam';elle+ he# a"nt Antoinette $a ed as she sa% Miss

Theo*ald #a -"ietl! on the doo# and sa!+ ' Who's in he#e 2 '

A ,oi)e ans%e#ed somethin$+ an an$#! ,oi)e. Miss Theo*ald hea#d that it %as a$i#l's ,oi)e and not a man's+ and she "nlo)&ed the doo#. O"t shot Mi#a*el+e( e)tin$ to see a $#o" o $#innin$ se)ond o#me#s9and sto ed sho#t inama;ement %hen she sa% Mam';elle and the Head Mist#ess.

Mam';elle's e!es almost d#o ed o"t o he# head. She had sh"t he# *i$$est

*"#$la#9o# so she tho"$ht9into the *ath#oom9and no% it %as onl! Mi#a*el+ that *i$detesta*le+ lo"d9,oi)ed Mi#a*el+ %hose tal& %as all o $ames+ $ames+ and !etmo#e $ames. Mam';elle sno#ted in dis$"st.

' I %ant to )om lain+' said Mi#a*el+ in a lo"d ,oi)e+ s"# #ised *"t "na*ashed *!the si$ht o the Head. .' I )ame to see i the se)ond o#me#s %e#e ha,in$ amidni$ht east+ %hi)h I had o#*idden9and one o them lo)&ed me in this *eastl!)old *ath#oom. I %ant to #e o#t them. Miss Theo*ald. I &no% the! held a east+and the#e's a most im o#tant mat)h tomo##o%. And I demand that the $i#l %holo)&ed me in shall *e "nished.'



' It %as Mam';elle %ho lo)&ed !o" in+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' 6o" had no #i$ht to *e%ande#in$ a*o"t at ni$ht li&e this. Mam';elle tho"$ht !o" %e#e a *"#$la# andlo)&ed !o" in.'

Antoinette sti@ed a $i$$le and #"shed *a)& into the do#mito#!. She #elated in

%his e#s %hat she had hea#d. The $i#ls %e#e hal 9am"sed and hal 9an$#!9am"sedto thin& that Mi#a*el had *een lo)&ed " + and an$#! to thin& she had *eensnea&in$ #o"nd+ and had #e o#ted them.

Then Mam';elle's lo"d ,oi)e enet#ated into the listenin$ do#mito#!. ' What is this"nt#"th "l thin$ !o" sa!. Mi#a*el 2 The se)ond o#me#s had no east toni$ht :idnot I $o the#e to )hase Anne9Ma#ie+ a te# I had lo)&ed !o" in+ and the $ood $i#ls%e#e all in *ed and aslee Not a thin$ to *e seen+ not a tin+ not a *ottle 6o" a#ea *ad "nt#"th "l $i#l+ t#!in$ to $et othe#s into t#o"*le to #ote)t !o"#sel #om*lame '

Mi#a*el %as s ee)hless. She $la#ed at Mam';elle+ and Miss Theo*ald hastened tointe#,ene.

' Well+ i Mam';elle %as in the se)ond o#m do#mito#!+ and the $i#ls %e#e in *edand aslee + it seems to me that !o" m"st *e mista&en+ Mi#a*el.'

' I'm not+' said Mi#a*el+ #"del!. ' Mam';elle isn't s ea&in$ the t#"th. 8o into these)ond o#m do#mito#! and as& the $i#ls i I o# Mam';elle a#e #i$ht. Miss Theo*ald.

Then !o" %ill see.7

' I shall do nothin$ o the so#t+' said the Head Mist#ess+ )oldl!. ' Be mo#e olite+

Mi#a*el. 6o" o#$et !o"#sel .'

Mi#a*el+ simme#in$ %ith #a$e+ da#ed sa! no mo#e. ' 8o *a)& to *ed+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' I %ill settle this tomo##o%. I do not eel ,e#! leased %ith !o"+Mi#a*el.'

Mi#a*el %ent *a)& to *ed %ith an an$#! hea#t. She &ne% she %as #i$ht. Thosese)ond o#me#s had had a east+ and Mam';elle m"st *e shieldin$ them9*e)a"seo Antoinette+ she s" osed. Well+ she %o"ld $et e,en %ith the little *easts. She%o"ld )an)el the mat)h ne(t da! No one sho"ld la!. She %o"ld sho% those!o"n$ste#s she %as s o#ts )a tain+ and ma&e them toe the line t

' Well+' said Miss Theo*ald+ loo&in$ at Mam';elle+ as Mi#a*el #et#eated+ ' %hata*o"t !o"# ne(t *"#$la#+ Mam';elle 2 '

Mam';elle too& the Head " to the )o##ido# that #an #o"nd the th o#m st"dies.She %as eelin$ #athe# ne#,o"s no% that he# *"#$la#s %e#e all t"#nin$ into $i#ls. It%as #eall! most e(t#ao#dina#!.

Miss Theo*ald #a ed on the )" *oa#d in %hi)h Alma %as im #isoned. Alma's,oi)e %as hea#d.

' Let me o"t It's a% "l in he#e '



The Head "nlo)&ed the doo#+ and Alma sta$$e#ed o"t+ sti/ and )old. Miss Theo*ald loo&ed at he# in s"# #ise. ' Wh! %e#e !o" %ande#in$ a*o"t at ni$ht 2 'she said+ sha# l!.

'I9e#9I hea#d a noise+' said Alma+ stamme#in$l! o# she %as a #aid o the Head. '

And some one lo)&ed me in that )" *oa#d.'

Miss Theo*ald s%it)hed he# to#)h on and li$hted " the inside o the )" *oa#d.She sa% at a $lan)e that it had *een "sed as a sto#in$9 la)e o# ood.

' 6o" %ent to ta&e ood #om he#e+ I s" ose. Alma 2 ' she said. ' Was it !o"# o%nood 2 '

'I %asn't ta&in$ an!+' said Alma. 'I %as9%ell+ I %as 4"st loo&in$.'

' This $i#l is al%a!s eatin$+' said Mam';elle in dis$"st. 'Al%a!s she )he%ssomethin$+ al%a!s she s")&s.'

' 8o *a)& to *ed+ Alma+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' I %ill see !o" in the mo#nin$.'

Alma s)"ttled o/ than& "ll!. Miss Theo*ald t"#ned #athe# )oldl! to Mam';elle. 'An! mo#e *"#$la#s 2 ' she as&ed.

' Oh+ Miss Theo*ald+ t#"l! I am so##! to ha,e made so man! mista&es ' saidMam';elle+ assin$ he# hand th#o"$h he# hai# in *e%ilde#ment. ' I #a! !o" to

o#$i,e me+ to . . .'

' :on't %o##! a*o"t it+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' It is e#ha s a $ood thin$ that all

this has ha ened. It seems that a $#eat deal is $oin$ on this te#m at St. Cla#e'sthat I m"st in-"i#e into. No%9%ho is this $i#l !o" had in !o"# *ed#oom9the one!o" o"nd slee 9%al&in$ 2 '

'Feli)it!+' said Mam';elle+ e#,entl! ho in$ that Feli)it! %o"ld still *e the#e. Sheh"##ied do%n the stai#s to he# #oom+ and "nlo)&ed the doo#.

Feli)it! %as still the#e+ l!in$ aslee in *ed. She loo&ed ,e#! !o"n$ and thin and+e,en in he# slee + he# a)e %o#e a ha#assed+ %o##ied loo&. Miss Theo*ald loo&edat he# o# some time.

'This $i#l is o*,io"sl! o,e#9%o#&in$+' she said+ and si$hed. ' He# m"si) is too m")ho# he#+ *"t he# a#ents insisted on he# ta&in$ he# e(ams. I thin&+ Mam';elle+ i

!o" don't mind+ %e'll lea,e he# in. !o"# *ed. 6o" had *ette# slee in the *ed inMiss Ha##!'s #oom9she is a%a!

o# a e% da!s. I s" ose !o" ha,e no mo#e lo)&ed9" $i#ls to sho% me toni$ht 2 '

' No+' said Mam';elle+ loo&in$ so )#est allen that the Head smiled. She attedMam';elle's l"m a#m.

' 6o" meant %ell+' she said. ' I the! had all *een *"#$la#s+ as !o" tho"$ht+ !o"

%o"ld ha,e done a $ood ni$ht's %o#&. An!%a!+ it is a $ood thin$ that so man!thin$s ha,e )ome to li$ht. 8ood ni$ht.'



Miss Theo*ald %ent *a)& to *ed+ %o##!in$ a*o"t little 5ane Teal+ Alma+ Mi#a*eland Feli)it!. It loo&ed as i 5ane had *een t#!in$ to #"n a%a!. She m"st nd o"ta*o"t that.

Mam';elle $ot into a st#an$e *ed+ )old and ";;led. Wh! had so man! $i#ls *een

%ande#in$ a*o"t that ni$ht 2 Ah+ that detesta*le Mi#a*el+ ho% da#e she sa! thatshe+ Mam';elle+ %as tellin$ an "nt#"th that ni$ht 2 And that d#ead "l Alma 2 :idshe $o snoo in$ #o"nd e,e#! ni$ht to steal ood #om )" *oa#ds 2 The#e %assomethin$ %#on$ %ith he#+ that $i#l

' Tomo##o% I %ill tal& %ith Cla"dine and Antoinette+' tho"$ht Mam';elle+ s)#e%in$" he# e!es+ t#!in$ to $o to slee . ' The! ha,e $ood sense+ the! %ill tell mee,e#!thin$. It is a it! that En$lish $i#ls ha,e not the $ood sense o F#en)h $i#ls.It %ill *e a leas"#e to tal& to m! $ood little Cla"dine and Antoinette9the! do not%ande# #o"nd at ni$ht o# me to lo)& " . Alas+ to thin& that I made so man!

#isone#s+ and no% not one #emains '

=1 A FEW >3SETS

THE ne(t da! the %hole s)hool &ne% the sto#! o the ni$ht es)a ades+ and ho%Mam';elle had lo)&ed " so man! $i#ls. The#e %as a $#eat deal o $i$$lin$ and

)hatte#in$+ and Anne9Ma#ie had he# le$ "lled a*o"t he# slee 9%al&in$.

' Ho% )an I hel slee 9%al&in$ 2' she as&ed+ t#!in$ to ass"me a di$nit! she didnot eel. ' Feli)it! slee %al&s too+ doesn't she 2 And !o" don't la"$h at he#.'

Miss Will)o( hea#d a*o"t Anne9Ma#ie's slee 9%al&in$ a)t and la"$hed too. Shee,en teased he# a*o"t it in )lass+ %hi)h h"#t Anne9Ma#ie mo#e than an!thin$+and made he# -"ite dete#mined to $et e,en %ith Miss Will)o( i she )o"ld.

Feli)it! did not a ea# in )lass that da!. It %as #e o#ted that she had $one to thesan. o# a #est and %o"ld not *e ta&in$ the e(am+ %hi)h %as the ne(t %ee&. 5ane

Teal %as ,e#! ill indeed. Sall! had *een allo%ed to see he# and had )ome *a)&#athe# s)a#ed.

' Mat#on's %o##ied a*o"t he# and so is the do)to#+' said Sall!. ' He# mothe# is the#ein the san.+ too. I'm not allo%ed in an! mo#e. Mat#on shooed me o"t. I hea#dMat#on sa! that 5ane's %o##ied a*o"t somethin$ and she )an't $et o"t o he#%hat it is. B"t I &no% It's all this *"siness %ith Mi#a*el and An$ela+ and I &no%

5ane #eads in *ed late at ni$ht %ith a to#)h. She lea#ns he# En$lish and Latin that%a!. She told me so.'

' Well9hadn't !o" *ette# $o and tell Mat#on %hat !o" &no%+' said Katie. ' Shemi$ht "t thin$s #i$ht o# 5ane then.'



' She )an't+ sill!+' said Sall!. ' 6o" &no% %hat %o##ies 5ane mo#e than an!thin$9ihe's " set *e)a"se Mi#a*el *elie,es she #an$ that #e9*ell to sto he# meetin$+and that's %h! Mi#a*el is so *eastl! to he#. I onl! %e )o"ld nd o"t %ho did #in$that *ell+ and ma&e them o%n " + it %o"ld ta&e a $#eat load o/ oo# 5ane'smind '

iolet Hill %as eelin$ "n)om o#ta*le that mo#nin$+ %hen she hea#d ho% ill 5ane%as. She #emem*e#ed he# -"a##el %ith 5ane+ and the "n&ind thin$s she had said.She %ished she hadn't no%.

' It %ill *e a $ood thin$ to la! in the mat)h this a te#9

noon+' said Sall!. 'Ta&e o"# minds o/ e,e#!thin$ We'll eel *ette# o"t on theeld+ la!in$ o# %at)hin$.'

B"t Mi#a*el th#e% a *om*9shell that mo#nin$. She "t a noti)e on the *oa#d+ and

soon e,e#! one %as #o"nd it+ astonished and an$#!.

' The mat)h toda! is )an)elled+ o%in$ to the *eha,io"# o the team mem*e#s+'said the noti)e+ and it %as si$ned *! Mi#a*el.

'Well ' said Sall!. 'Wo"ld !o" *elie,e it Ho% has she $ot the ne#,e to sti)& " anoti)e li&e that 2 And %hat #i$ht has she to )an)el o"# mat)h 2 '

' She's $ot the #i$ht *e)a"se she's s o#ts )a tain+' said iolet. ' Beast I ,ote %esend he# to Co,ent#! and don't s ea& a %o#d to he#+ o# smile at he#+ o# t"#n " atan! #a)ti)es at all '

E,e#! one a$#eed. It %as an "nhea#d o thin$ o# the lo%e# o#ms to t#eat an" e# o#m $i#l in this %a!+ *"t the! elt so indi$nant that not one mem*e# o the

#st o# se)ond o#m *a)&ed o"t o the a$#eement. 5"st *e)a"se the! had da#ed toha,e a east in s ite o Mi#a*el+ she %as t#eatin$ them a*omina*l!+ and "ttin$" a noti)e in "*li) to ma&e them loo& small

8lad!s sa% the noti)e and %as sho)&ed. She %ent st#ai$ht to Mi#a*el.

' Mi#a*el i Ho% )o"ld !o" "t " that noti)e 2 Whate,e# %e#e !o" thin&in$ o 2 6o" )an't )an)el the mat)h '

' I )an and I ha,e+' said Mi#a*el $#iml!. ' I',e sent a tele$#am to the s)hool %e%e#e la!in$. The! %on't *e )omin$. We shall ha,e a #a)ti)e mat)h+ instead. Iha,e 4"st %#itten o"t anothe# noti)e a*o"t that9the #a)ti)e is to *e at th#eeo')lo)&+ and e,e#! $i#l m"st attend #om the t%o lo%est o#ms.'

' Mi#a*el+ !o" m"st *e mad+' said 8lad!s+ -"ite ala#med at he# #iend's $#im a)e.' 6o" )an't "t all the $i#ls a$ainst !o" li&e this+ !o" #eall! )an't. 6o"'ll onl! $etthe %o#st o"t o them instead o the *est.'

' I',e told !o" *e o#e that I %on't ha,e !o" inte# e#in$ %ith m! de)isions+' said

Mi#a*el.



' Then %hat is the "se o m! *ein$ ,i)e9)a tain 2' said 8lad!s. 'Not a *it o "se I)an't hel !o"+ *e)a"se !o" %on't let me '

'Well+ !o"'#e not m")h "se+ i !o" #eall! %ant to &no%+' said Mi#a*el+ )oldl!+ and%ent o"t o the #oom to in the la)#osse #a)ti)e noti)e on the *oa#d.

The $i#ls held an in o#mal meetin$ a*o"t the #a)ti)e+ and one and alldete#mined not to t"#n " . It %as Sat"#da!+ and+ i the! %ished+ the! )o"ld $o o#nat"#e9#am*les. All the #st and se)ond o#ms de)ided to do this+ e,enAntoinette+ %ho detested %al&in$.

So+ to the astonishment o Miss Ro*e#ts and Miss 5en&s+ the %hole o the t%olo%est o#ms %ent o/ in the s"nshine to$ethe#+ ta&in$ %ith them nat"#enote*oo&s and )olle)tin$ tins and 4a#s+ )hatte#in$ lo"dl! as the! assed *! the%indo%s o the mist#esses' )ommon #oom.

' Well ' said Miss Ro*e#ts+ loo&in$ a te# the la"$hin$ $i#ls+ '%hat's )ome o,e#them2 Wh! this s"dden+ ,iolent and %holesale inte#est in nat"#e 2 I tho"$ht the#e%as to *e a mat)h o# la)#osse #a)ti)e o# somethin$.'

Mi#a*el t"#ned " on the la!in$ elds at ,e to th#ee+ $#im9 a)ed anddete#mined. B"t no*od! else a##i,ed. Mi#a*el %aited till ten ast th#ee+ and then+#athe# %hite+ %ent *a)& to the s)hool. One o the thi#d o#me#s+ ha#dl! a*le tohide he# smiles+ told he# olitel! that the #st and se)ond o#me#s had all $oneo"t o# a nat"#e %al&.

Then Mi#a*el &ne% that she had lost. It had *een he# %ill a$ainst the %ills o the

#st and se)ond o#m+ and the! had %on. The! had i$no#ed he# o#de#s. The! hadsho%n he# %hat the! tho"$ht o he# and he# a"tho#it!. She sat do%n in he# st"d!+

eelin$ disma!ed.

She sa% a note on the ta*le add#essed to he# and o ened it. It %as a o#mal#esi$nation #om 8lad!s.

I %ish to #esi$n m! ost as ,i)e9)a tain as I eel I )annot *e o an! "se to !o".

8LA:6S

Mi#a*el th#e% the note on to the <oo#. She elt "n9ha ! and *itte#. She had *een so leased to *e s o#ts )a tain. She had %o#&edso ha#d o# that osition. She had had s")h hi$h ho es o "ttin$ St. Cla#e's atthe ,e#! to o the la)#osse and tennis s)hools. No% the $i#ls had de ed he#+ ande,en he# *est #iend had dese#ted he#. It %as a *itte# ho"# o# Mi#a*el.

The $i#ls )ame *a)& #om thei# %al&+ #os!9)hee&ed and me##!. The! hea#d #omthe thi#d o#m ho% Mi#a*el had $one o"t alone to the la!in$ eld+ and had%aited the#e in ,ain. The! also hea#d that 8lad!s had #esi$ned as ,i)e9)a tainand the! %e#e leased.



' 8ood old 8lad!s+' the! said. ' We al%a!s tho"$ht it %as "nn! she sho"ld *a)&Mi#a*el " in he# "n leasant %a!s '

When Mi#a*el a ea#ed in "*li) at all that %ee&9end the $i#ls )a#e "ll! t"#neda%a! #om he#. ' Almost as i I %as in -"a#antine o# somethin$ *eastl! ' tho"$ht

Mi#a*el+ *itte#l!. The $i#l %as ,e#! %o##ied and "nha !+ *"t a# too #o"d toa eal e,en to 8lad!s o# )om o#t. 8lad!s %as mise#a*le too+ and %o"ld ha,emade thin$s " %ith Mi#a*el at on)e i he# #iend had t"#ned to he#+ o# hadadmitted that she had *een too hi$h9handed %ith the !o"n$e# ones. B"t Mi#a*el%as )old and stando?sh+ and $a,e 8lad!s no )han)e to *e #iendl!.

The e(am+ %as to *e held the ne(t %ee&+ and most o the $i#ls %e#e eelin$ thest#ain. Onl! a e%+ li&e )le,e# 3am+ o# the la)id Hila#!+ did not seem to %o##!.Feli)it! %as not to ta&e the e(am.

A s e)ialist had )ome #om London to see he#. He s o&e to Miss Theo*ald ,e#!se#io"sl!.

' This $i#l is on the ,e#$e o a ne#,o"s *#ea&do%n+' he said. ' He# mind seems "llo m"si) and nothin$ *"t m"si). See ho% she la!s an ima$ina#! ,iolin+ andst#ains to hea# the t"ne. She m"st do no mo#e %o#& in m"si) o# a !ea#.'

Miss Theo*ald nodded. Ho% she %ished Feli)it!'s #o"d a#ents had not insistedon thei# $i ted $i#l %o#&in$ o# that di?)"lt m"si) e(am. Ho% m")h *ette# it

%o"ld ha,e *een o# he# to ha,e d#o ed he# m"si) o# a %hile+ and to ha,eente#ed into the o#dina#!+ no#mal li e o the othe# th o#me#s+ instead o losin$

he#sel ni$ht and da! in he# *elo,ed m"si). No% he# m"si) mi$ht s"/e# *e)a"seFeli)it!'s *#ain had *een %o#&ed too ha#d.

' 3a#ents' a"lt+ I s" ose 2 ' said the s e)ialist+ %#itin$ a e% notes in his )ase9*oo&. ' Wh! %ill a#ents o $i ted )hild#en al%a!s "sh them so ha#d 2 '

'5"st sel shness+' said Miss Theo*ald. 'Well9!o" thin& %e m"st &ee Feli)it! in *edo# a time9then let he# $et " and %ande# #o"nd a *it+ %itho"t an! lessons9and

then $#ad"all! 4oin in %ith the othe#s+ %itho"t doin$ an! m"si) at all 2 '

' She )an la! at he# m"si)+ *"t not %o#& at it+' said the s e)ialist. 'Let he# en4o!

it %itho"t %o##!in$ a*o"t it. She %ill #o*a*l! do that an!ho% %hen she &no%sshe is not to %o#& o# the m"si) e(am+ o# at least anothe# t%o !ea#s.'

Feli)it!'s a#ents )ame to see he#+ %o##ied and disma!ed. The! #emem*e#ed ho%Miss Theo*ald had leaded %ith them not to "sh Feli)it! on so -"i)&l!. The!%e#e #i$htened %hen the! sa% he# %hite a)e and eno#mo"s+ da#&9#immed e!es.

' :on't %o##! too m")h+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' We ha,e sto ed he# in time. He#slee 9%al&in$ $a,e "s %a#nin$. Mam';elle dis)o,e#ed that+ and so %e ha,e *eena*le to deal %ith Feli)it! -"i)&l!. Soon she %ill *e a nonnal+ ha ! $i#l a$ain+ and%hen she &no%s she need not %o#& ni$ht and da! o# he# m"si) e(am.+ a $#eat%ei$ht %ill *e o/ he# mind+ and she %ill la"$h and )hatte# and *e as )hee# "l asthe othe#s.'



It %as a #athe# s"*d"ed athe# and mothe# that %ent home that da!. ' Miss Theo*ald mi$ht ha,e said+ 7 I told !o" so+7 to "s+' said Feli)it!'s mothe#. ' B"t shedidn't. 3oo# Feli)it!9I eel %e a#e ,e#! m")h to *lame o# all this.'

The othe# slee 9%al&e#+ Anne9Ma#ie+ %as not ha,in$

a ,e#! $ood time. Whene,e# the #st o# se)ond o#me#s sa% he# )omin$+ the!immediatel! "t on $lass! sta#es+ and %ith o"t9st#et)hed hands+ *e$an to $lidehe#e and the#e. Anne9Ma#ie hated this teasin$+ and %hen it s #ead to the th

o#m too+ and $lass! e!es a ea#ed the#e also+ Anne9Ma#ie %as ,e#! nea# tea#s.

' It's *eastl! o !o"+' she said to Alison and An$ela+ %ho la"$hed at he#. ' I &no% Ishan't ass the e(am+ i !o" all 4ee# at me li&e this. It's mean o !o".'

' Well+ !o"'#e #ett! mean !o"#sel +' said Alison. ' 6o" &ee on doin$ *eastl!thin$s to me+ don't !o" 2 Whe#e ha,e !o" "t m! $eomet#! set !o" hid last %ee&

2 '

Anne9Ma#ie sta#ed in s"# #ise. She hadn't the least idea %hat Alison %as tal&in$a*o"t.

' Oh+ don't "t on that %ide9e!ed inno)ent loo&+' said Alison+ im atientl!. 'We all&no% !o" )an a)t+ *"t don't t#! to ta&e "s in *! it I &no% 4oll! %ell !o"'#e 4ealo"so me *e)a"se Miss Will)o( li&es me *ette# than she li&es !o"+ and !o"'#e t#!in$to $et *a)& at me *! hidin$ m! thin$s and ma&in$ sill! *its o t#o"*le o# me '

' I'm not+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ he# ,oi)e t#em*lin$ %ith indi$nation. ' I %o"ldn't

d#eam o doin$ s")h a thin$.I ha,en't to")hed !o"# thin$s And as o# *ein$ 4ealo"s o !o"+ !o" needn't%o##! I',e no time o# Miss Will)o( no% I'm s"#e she's not as )le,e# as !o"thin&. And %hat's mo#e I'll sho% !o" she isn't.'

' :on't *e sill!+' said Alison. ' And don't tal& a*o"t Miss Will)o( li&e that. 6o"'#e 4"st lain 4ealo"s and !o"'#e ta&in$ m! thin$s and *ein$ *eastl! 4"st to $et e,en%ith me.'

' I tell !o" I'm not la!in$ t#i)&s on !o"+ and I'm not 4ealo"s+' )#ied Anne9Ma#ie+ '

6o" )an &ee Miss Will)o( all to !o"#sel I don't e,e# %ant to see he# a$ain :ei#d#e Will)o( indeed He# name is :o#is+ 4"st lain :o#is9I sa% it %#itten in oneo he# *oo&s. I *et she )alls he#sel :ei#d#e 4"st *e)a"se she thin&s :o#is is tooo#dina#!. She's a9a9sill! #etende# '

Anne9Ma#ie <"n$ he#sel o"t o the #oom+ and Alison sta#ed a te# he# in #a$e.An$ela la"$hed.

' 6o" t%o am"se me+' she said. ' I'm $lad I don't $o o/ the dee end a*o"t an!one li&e !o" do Sill!+ I )all it '

' Oh+ do !o" ' said Alison+ in a )"ttin$ ,oi)e. ' Well+ let me tell !o"+ !o"'#e 4"st as*ad in anothe# %a!9!o" smile s%eetl! at the lo%e# o#m &ids and $et them all



#o"nd !o" to %ait on !o"9then %hen !o"'#e ti#ed o them+ !o" 4"st ti)& them o/9and the!'#e as mise#a*le as )an *e. I *et !o"'#e a#tl! #es onsi*le o# 5ane Tealt#!in$ to #"n a%a! '

An$ela o ened he# mo"th to ans%e# heatedl!+ *"t 4"st then the doo# o ened and

Anne9Ma#ie o ed he# head in a$ain.

' I'll sho% Miss :o#is Will)o( " tomo##o%+ in #ont o the %hole )lass ' she said. ' 6o" see i I don't Then !o"'ll ha,e to sa! I'm #i$ht+ and !o"'ll *e 4oll! si)& !o"didn't see th#o"$h he#. So the#e '

The doo# *an$ed and Anne9Ma#ie disa ea#ed. ' I'm ti#ed o Anne9Ma#ie and he#sill! %a!s+' said Alison+ %ho still tho"$ht that it %as she %ho %as la!in$ t#i)&son he#+ and had no idea it had *een Alma. ' Let he# do %hat she li&es. I shallal%a!s li&e Miss Will)o( '

== ANNE9MARIE TRA3S MISS WILLCO

ANNE9MARIE had #e a#ed he# little t#a o# Miss Will)o(+ and She had #e a#edit ,e#! )a#e "ll!. E,e#! %ee& Miss Will)o( set the $i#ls some &ind o )om ositionto do+ and the! sent in thei# ent#ies+ %hi)h %e#e )a#e "ll! $one th#o"$h *! he#and ma#&ed. This %ee& the s"*4e)t set %as a oem. It had to * t

onl! ei$ht lines lon$ the #st and thi#d lines had to #h!me+ and the se)ond ando"#th+ the th and se,enth and the si(th and ei$hth. The s"*4e)t has to *e

'Tho"$hts.'

The th o#m $#"m*led. The! didn't li&e %#itin$ oet#!+ the! )o"ldn't %#iteoet#!+ it %as a sill! %aste o time o# them in e(am. %ee&. It %as 4"st li&e Miss

Will)o( to set a oem o# them to do So the! $#"m*led and $#oaned+ *"t all thesame the! mana$ed to #od")e somethin$ that )o"ld *e )alled a oem.

Anne9Ma#ie had h"nted th#o"$h the oets o# a lesse#9&no%n oem that %o"lds"it he# "# ose. I onl! she )o"ld nd one that %o"ld 4"st do And *! $#eat$ood o#t"ne she s"ddenl! o"nd e(a)tl! %hat she %anted. It %as a little ei$ht9line oem *! Matthe% A#nold+ )alled :es onden)!+ %hi)h seemed to Anne9Ma#ieto *e 4"st %hat she %anted.

She )o ied it o"t in he# *i$+ #athe# s #a%l! hand9%#itin$. Reall! it seemed as i it%as he# o%n oem+ it %as 4"st as sad as the ones she li&ed to %#ite

Anne9Ma#ie sent the oem in %ith those o the othe#s o he# o#m. She si$ned he#name at the *ottom. No%+ Miss :o#is Will)o(+ %e %ill see i !o" &no% $ood oet#!

%hen !on see it



The En$lish lesson d"l! a##i,ed+ and Alison $lan)ed )"#io"sl! at Anne9Ma#ie+ %hoseemed e()ited. Was she #eall! $oin$ to )an! o"t he# sill! th#eat and dosomethin$ to Miss Will)o( 2 Alison elt a little dist"#*ed. O"$ht she to %a#n:ei#d#e 2

Miss Will)o( a##i,ed+ )a##!in$ the shea o oems in he# hand. She loo&ed asso"l "l as e,e#+ and %o#e a t#ailin$ )#imson s)a# #o"nd he# s%an9li&e ne)&.

The #st a#t o the lesson %as $i,en to the #eadin$ o a la!. Then )ame thetime set a a#t o# the )ommentin$ on the $i#ls'o%n %o#&. Miss Will)o( "lled theshea o oems to%a#ds he#.

' Not a ,e#! $ood set+' she #ema#&ed+ sli in$ the elasti) *and o/ the a e#s. ' Is" ose the e(am+ has had an e/e)t on !o"# )#eati,e o%e#s. 3ain's is the *est9-"ite

a #aise%o#th! little e/o#t+ sim le and honest. Cla"dine+ I )an't ass !o"#s. 6o"ma! ha,e meant it to *e "nn!+ *"t it isn't.'

Cla"dine made a a)e+ %hi)h o#t"natel! o# he# Miss Will)o( did not see. MissWill)o( dealt %ith e,e#! one's oems #a idl!+ -"otin$ #om one o# t%o+ #aisin$he#e and the#e+ and )ondemnin$ the e/o#ts o :o#is+ An$ela and Ca#lotta.

Then she )ame to the last one+ %hi)h %as Anne9Ma#ie's. She loo&ed #o"nd the)lass+ a #athe# s ite "l loo& in he# la#$e e!es.

' And no% at last %e )ome to the oet o the )lass+ Anne9Ma#ie. A sad+ hea#t9

#endin$ oem as "s"al. Listen to the %ailin$s o o"# oet.

'THO>8HTS

The tho"$hts that #ain thei# stead! $lo%+

Li&e sta#s on li e's )old sea+

Whi)h othe#s &no%+ o# sa! the! &no%9 The! ne,e# shone o# me.

Tho"$hts li$ht+ li&e $leams+ m! s i#it's s&!+

B"t the! %ill not #emain.

The! li$ht me on)e+ the! h"##! *!+

And ne,e# )ome a$ain.'



Miss Will)o( #ead these lines o"t in a mo)&9he#oi) %a!+ e(a$$e#atin$ the eelin$in them+ ma&in$ "n o the %hole oem. She "t do%n the a e#.

' Anne9Ma#ie+ %h! m"st !o" %#ite li&e this 2 It is all so sill! and insin)e#e and-"ite meanin$less. What o# instan)e )an !o" ossi*l! mean *! 7 Sta#s on li e's

)old sea 2 7 What is li e's )old sea 2 5"st %o#ds that )ame into !o"# head and !o""t them do%n *e)a"se the! so"nded $#and. Li e's )old sea Ridi)"lo"s '

Anne9Ma#ie sta#ed at Miss Will)o( steadil!. She elt ,e#! t#i"m hant. That %asn'the# oem It %as %#itten *! a $#eat oet+ not *! Anne9Ma#ie at all That 4"stsho%ed that Miss Will)o( didn't &no% a thin$ and %asn't an! 4"d$e o $ood

oet#!

Miss Will)o( didn't li&e the stead!+ -"ee#l! t#i"m hant loo& on Anne9Ma#ie's a)e.She elt a %a,e o an$e# a$ainst he#.

' 6on ha,e the s)ansion and the #h!min$ -"ite )o##e)t ' she said s)o#n "ll! toAnne9Ma#ie+ ' *"t all the same I )onside# !o"# oem the %o#st o the o#m.'

' Miss Will)o(+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ s"ddenl!+ in a hi$h+ dea# ,oi)e+' I'm so so##!9Ithin& I m"st ha,e made a mista&e in sendin$ in that oem I don't *elie,e it ismine a te# all '

The )lass t"#ned to loo& at Anne9Ma#ie. She sat tensel!+ still %ith that t#i"m hantloo& on he# a)e.

' What do !o" mean 2 ' said Miss Will)o(+ im atientl!. ' Not !o"# oem 2 Then

%hose is it 2 I m"st sa! it to"nds e(a)tl! li&e !o"#s '' It's9it's ,e#! &ind o !o" to sa! that+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ '*e)a"se !o" see9that

oem is *! Matthe% A#nold+ not *! me at all. I'm $lad !on thin& his oet#! is li&emine. I eel hono"#ed. Tho"$h I don't s" ose+ i he %e#e ali,e+ he %o"ld *e at all

leased to hea# the thin$s !o" ha,e 4"st said a*o"t *is little oem9it's -"ee# tothin& !o" )onside# Ms oem the %o#st in the o#m '

The#e %as dead silen)e. Alison t"#ned s)a#let+ seein$ the t#a Anne9Ma#ie hadset o# Miss Will)o(+ and the #om t %a! in %hi)h she had allen headlon$ into it.Anne9Ma#ie "lled a ,ol"me o Matthe% A#nold's oems #om he# des& and

o ened it at a )e#tain a$e. ' He#e's the oem+' she said+ $ettin$ " #om he#des&. ' It's )alled 7 :es onden)! 7 not 7 Tho"$hts 7. I'll sho% it to !o". MissWill)o(.'

Miss Will)o( had $one %hite. She &ne% it had *een a t#a no%9Anne9Ma#ie's#e,en$e o# the )#"el %o#ds she had s o&en to he# some da!s *a)&. She hadsho%n he# " in #ont o the %hole )lass. Oh %h!+ %h! had she said that the

oem %as the %o#st in the o#m 2 Wh! had she said s")h s ite "l thin$s 2 Onl! toh"#t Anne9Ma#ie+ and *e)a"se she tho"$ht she %anted ta&in$ do%n t%o o# th#ee

e$s.

Alison %as te##i*l! dist#essed. She hated to see Miss Will)o( t#a ed li&e that9andshe also hated to thin& that the tea)he# had allo%ed he#sel to *e t#a ed



*e)a"se o he# o%n ett! s ite. She loo&ed %ith disli&e at the t#i"m hant Anne9Ma#ie.

' 6o" ha,e )heated+ Anne9Ma#ie+' said Miss Will)o(+ t#!in$ to #e$ain he# di$nit!. ' Ishall ha,e to #e o#t !o" to Miss Theo*ald o# a $#a,e a)t o de)eit.'

' 6es+ Miss Will)o(+' said Anne9Ma#ie mali)io"sl!+ and the En$lish mist#ess &ne%that it %o"ld *e no $ood #e o#tin$ Anne9Ma#ie9 o# Anne9Ma#ie %o"ld also #e o#the# o%n side o the matte#+ and Miss Theo*ald %o"ld not thin& ,e#! m")h o atea)he# %ho )ondemned lines *! a $#eat oet 4"st *e)a"se she tho"$ht the!%e#e %#itten *! a s)hool9$i#l she disli&ed.

The *ell #an$+ and ne,e# did Miss Will)o( eel so #elie,ed to hea# it. She $athe#ed" he# *oo&s and sailed o"t. The $i#ls #o"nded on Anne9Ma#ie.

7 That %as a *eastl! thin$ to do ' said Hila#!.

' I tho"$ht it %as "nn!+' said Cla"dine.

' 6o" %o"ld ' said 3at. ' It %as )e#tainl! )le,e#+ *"t it %asn't a de)ent thin$ to do+'

' I &no% it %asn't+' said Anne9Ma#ie+ de antl!. 'B"t I %anted to $et m! o%n *a)&.And I did.'

'Well+ I ho e !o"'#e ha ! a*o"t it+' said Alison+ *itte#l!. ' T#!in$ to h"miliate a$ood tea)he# in #ont o the %hole )lass.'

' :id she eel so##! o# oo# little :o#is9:ei#d#e then 2 ' *e$an Anne9Ma#ie+ *"t

Hila#! %as not $oin$ to allo% an! s ite o that so#t.

' Sh"t " + *oth o !o"+' she said. ' Ma!*e !o" %on't *e s")h an ass o,e# MissWill)o( no%+ Alison9and e#ha s+ no% !o"',e ta&en !o"# #e,en$e+ Anne9Ma#ie+!o"'ll )ool o/ and t#! to *eha,e de)entl! o# the #est o the te#m. Alison has)om lained to me a*o"t !o"# *eha,io"# to he#+ and it's $ot to sto .'

' I don't &no% %hat !o" mean *! m! 7 *eha,io"# to Alison 7+' said Anne9Ma#ie+";;led. ' She )om lains thai

I ta&e he# thin$s+ and la! t#i)&s on he#+ *"t I don't. Wh! sho"ld I 2 I'm not

4ealo"s o he# o# an!thin$. She )an &ee Miss Wi<)o( all to he#sel i she %ants to I don't mind '

Most o the )lass+ altho"$h the! tho"$ht it %as not a ni)e thin$ to h"miliate amist#ess "*li)l!+ had se)#etl! en4o!ed the e()itement. Alma )e#tainl! had+ o#she had o ten *een held " to #idi)"le *! Miss Will)o( o# he# )om lete ina*ilit!to a #e)iate an! ne lite#at"#e at all. She %as $lad to see he# de eated *! Anne9Ma#ie9and she %as $lad too %hen she hea#d Alison o enl! a))"sin$ Anne9Ma#ieo the t#i)&s she+ Alma+ had *een la!in$ on the "ns"s e)tin$ Alison

' I'll la! 4"st one mo#e and that shall *e the last+' she tho"$ht. ' I &no% she had a*o( o s%eets sent to he# toda!. I'll sli in and ta&e those %hen 'she isn't the#e+and shell *lame Anne9Ma#ie a$ain '



B"t Alma t#ied he# t#i)&s on)e too o ten. When she sli ed into Alison's st"d!+ it%as em t!+ and she i)&ed " the *o( o s%eets -"i)&l!. She h"##ied to he# o%nst"d! and #an in.

To he# disma! *oth Alison and An$ela %e#e the#e+ %aitin$ to as& 3a"line

somethin$ Alison immediatel! sa% the *o( o s%eets in Alma's hand.

' Those a#e m! s%eets ' she said. ' 6on *east+ !on too& them o"t o m! st"d! Alma+ !o"'#e a thie I'm s"#e !o" %e#e a thie *e o#e too9!o" il e#ed the)" *oa#d o"tside+ %hen the se)ond o#me#s hid thei# st"/ the#e. An$ela+ isn'tshe a*sol"tel! a% "l 2

Alma stood the#e st"**o#nl!+ t#!in$ to thin& o some %a! o"t. '' I %asn't $oin$ toeat them+' she said at last. 'I %as onl! la!in$ a t#i)& on !o" *e)a"se I don't li&e!o".'

' 6o" %e#e stealin$+' said Alison+ "#io"sl!. '6o" &no% !o" meant to eat them This%ill ha,e to *e told to Hila#!. It's sim l! a% "l o# a th o#me# to *e )a"$htstealin$.'

Alma sat do%n s"ddenl!+ eelin$ #i$htened. She had

had a solemn and ,e#! se#io"s tal&in$ to *! Miss Theo*ald a*o"t *ein$ o"nd inthe )" *oa#d the othe# ni$ht+ and it had *een im ossi*le to )on,in)e the HeadMist#ess that she had not *een doin$ an!thin$ %#on$. I this $ot to he# ea#s+matte#s %o"ld *e e,en mo#e se#io"s.

' I didn't steal them+ Alison+' she said+ des e#atel!. ' I tell !o"+ I %as 4"st a!in$!o" o"t *e)a"se !o" sto ed me $oin$ to the )" *oa#d %he#e the se)ondo#me#s "t thei# ood9tho"$h !o" didn't &no% it. I too& !o"# &nittin$9needles9and

!o"# $eomet#! set9and othe# thin$s. Onl! to s ite !o"+ tho"$h+ not to steal them. The!'#e all he#e+ loo& '

She "nlo)&ed he# des& in the )o#ne# and *e o#e Alison's astonished e!es la! allthe thin$s she had missed d"#in$ the last %ee& o# t%o

' B#in$ them into m! st"d!+' said Alison+ )om letel! at a loss to &no% %hat to doo# sa!. ' I'll ha,e to thin& a*o"t this. What a *east !o" a#e+ Alma9es e)iall! as

!o" &ne% I %as *lamin$ Anne9Ma#ie all the time.'

Alma too& e,e#!thin$ *a)&+ %ee in$. Alison too& one loo& at the "/!+ ast!a)e and t"#ned a%a! in disli&e. Ho% )o"ld a $i#l %ho had *een in the to o#m

do thin$s li&e this 2 3e#ha s that %as %h! she had *een d#o ed *a)& into theth9ma!*e *e)a"se o some dis$#a)e o# othe#

= A FEW THIN8S ARE CLEARE: >3



' WAIT till the e(ams+ a#e o,e# *e o#e !o" ma&e an! "ss a*o"t Alma+' saidAn$ela to Alison. ' Oh dea#9no %onde# Anne9Ma#ie didn't &no% %hat %e %e#etal&in$ a*o"t %hen %e &e t a))"sin$ he# o ta&in$ !o"# thin$s ' ' I shall ha,e toa olo$i;e to he#.' said Alison+ $loomil!.

'Blo% Alma9%hat a #st9)lass idiot she is+ #eall! Isn't she -"ee# 2 I don't"nde#stand he# at all. Sometimes I thin& she's da t.'

The e(ams+ %e#e no% #essin$ on the $i#ls+ and the! %e#e %o#&in$ e,e#ishl!.Onl! 3am a ea#ed to nd them eas!. Hila#! %o#&ed th#o"$h he# a e#smethodi)all!+ and so did 3at and Isa*el+ Bo**! and 5anet+ *"t Ca#lotta+ Cla"dineand An$ela $ot ,e#! hot and *othe#ed. So+ -"ee#l! eno"$h+ did Mi#a*el+ %hi)h%as "n"s"al o# he#+ *"t she had $i,en so m")h o he# time to the o#$ani;in$ othe s)hool $ames that she had not %o#&ed as %ell at he# e(am+ tas&s as theothe#s had.

' These a% "l -"estions ' she said+ as she #ead one a te# anothe#. ' I )an't seemto ans%e# an! o them t'

At last the e(ams+ %e#e o,e# and the %hole o#m hea,ed a si$h o #elie . What a%ee& it had *een The $i#ls %anted to !ell and la"$h and stam and #"sh a*o"t.

The! *e)ame ,e#! *oiste#o"s+ e,en the -"iet 3am. B"t the tea)he#s t"#ned a*lind e!e and a dea ea# on the !ellin$ $i#ls+ and did not e,en a ea# to seeCa#lotta doin$ )a#t9%heels all #o"nd the $!m.

' Than& $oodness %e ha,en't $ot to %ait lon$ o# the #es"lts+' said :o#is. ' I hateha,in$ to %ait %ee&s. Miss Co#n%allis sa!s %e shall &no% in a e% da!s.'

' Ho%'s little 5ane Teal 2 ' said 3at+ #emem*e#in$ the #st o#me# o# the #st timeo# a e% da!s. ' Is she *ette# 2 '

' She's o,e# the <"+' said Isa*el+' *"t Mat#on sa!s she's still %o##ied in he# mind.When she %as so ill+ she &e t #a,in$ a*o"t the #e9*ell+ and Mi#a*el and An$ela. I#athe# thin& the#e's $oin$ to *e a e% in-"i#ies made a*o"t )e#tain mem*e#s oo"# o#m soon 3oo# 5ane9 it's #otten to thin& no one e,e# o%ned " a*o"t that*ell+ *"t let 5ane ta&e the *lame. It made Mi#a*el sim l! *eastl! to he#. She is theonl! e#son that hasn't *een to see 5ane in the san. :id !o" &no% 2 '

' 5"st li&e he#+' said 3at.

The e(am+ #es"lts )ame oat and %e#e osted " on the

*oa#d. 3am and Hila#! %e#e to %ith hono"#s. The othe#s )ame in t"#n do%n thelist. Ca#lotta %as $lad to see she had assed. :o#is 4"st s)#a ed th#o"$h too+ andso did Cla"dine and Alison.

Th#ee $i#ls ailed. The! %e#e An$ela+ Alma9and+ most s"# #isin$l!+ Mi#a*el

Alma had not e( e)ted to ass. An$ela %as ama;ed that she hadn't I As o#

Mi#a*el+ she %as h"miliated *e!ond %o#ds. To thin& that she+ s o#ts )a tain o



St. Cla#e's+ sho"ld ha,e ailed. She #"shed o/ to he# st"d!+ lled %ith shame andho##o#. Ho% e,e#! one %o"ld snee#

8lad!s+ %ho had ha#dl! s o&en %ith Mi#a*el sin)e she had #esi$ned as ,i)e9)a tain+ sta#ed in ama;ement at the e(am+ #es"lts. Mi#a*el ailed She )o"ld

ha#dl! *elie,e he# e!es. With he# hea#t "ll o s!m ath! and %a#mth she h"##iedo/ to nd he# one9time #iend.

Mi#a*el %as sittin$ *! the %indo%+ he# h"miliation almost mo#e than she )o"ld*ea#. 8lad!s %ent to he#+ and too& he# hand.

' Bad l")&+ old thin$+' she said. ' I'm a% "ll! so##!. 6o" %o#&ed too ha#d at themat)hes and thin$s+ that's all. :on't %o##! too m")h a*o"t it. T%o othe#s ha,e

ailed as %ell'

Mi#a*el %as to")hed *! 8lad!s's %a#m s!m ath!. She had elt lonel! and

dese#ted. With tea#s in he# e!es she $a;ed at 8lad!s+ and t#ied to s ea&.

' I )an't *ea# it+' she said at last. ' The!'ll all la"$h at me. Me+ the s o#ts )a tain The!'ll *e $lad to la"$h too. The! hate me. E,e#! one hates me. Whe#e ha,e I$one %#on$ 2 I meant to do so %ell.'

' Let's *e #iends a$ain+ Mi#a*el+' said 8lad!s. ' 6o" need me+ don't !o" 2 6o"%o"ldn't let me hel !o" at all this te#m9*"t let me hel !o" no%. The $i#ls don't#eall! hate !o"9the! admi#ed !o" a% "ll! at the *e$innin$ o the te#m+ andthe#e's no #eason %h! the! sho"ldn't a$ain.'

3oo# Mi#a*el9and oo# An$ela Both li&ed to shine+and *oth had ailed. What %as the "se o *ein$ s o#ts )a tain+ %hat %as the "seo *ein$ the most *ea"ti "l $i#l in the s)hool+ i !o"# *#ains %e#e so oo# !o")o"ldn't e,en $et as $ood ma#&s as :o#is o# Alisont

Cla"dine had *een #athe# -"iet o# a da! o# t%o. She had *een to see 5ane Tealand ta&en he# a lo,el! little hand&e#)hie she had em*#oide#ed o# he#. Then sheso"$ht o"t Antoinette and made a #o osal to he# that s"# #ised that se)ond

o#me# ,e#! m")h.

'What Tell Miss Theo*ald that I #an$ the #e9*ell ' said Antoinette+ in s"# #iseand dis$"st. ' A#e !o" mad+ Cla"dine 2'

' 6es+ e#ha s+' said Cla"dine+ tho"$ht "ll!. ' I am a #aid I ha,e )a"$ht a little othis En$lish sense o hono"#+ alas I ed "n)om o#ta*le he#e %hen I thin& o 5ane

Teal %o##!in$ a*o"t the #e9*ell+ and o Mi#a*el thin&in$ it is 5ane. It is a $#eatit!+ *"t I ea# I ha,e )a"$ht this sense o hono"#+ Antoinette.'

' Oh+ is it )at)hin$ 2 ' said Antoinette+ in ala#m. ' I do not %ant to $et it+ it is an"n)om o#ta*le thin$ to ha,e. See ho% it ma&es !o" *eha,e+ Cla"dine.'



' I %ill $o to Miss Theo*ald and tell he# it %as all m! a"lt+' said Cla"dine+ at last. ' 6o" do not need to )ome into it+ Antoinette. A te# all+ it %as m! idea+ and !o"onl! )a##ied it o"t. I %ill $o and )on ess.'

She $a,e a h"$e si$h and %ent o/. Miss Theo*ald %as sta#tled and am"sed to

see Cla"dine a##i,in$ %ith a saintl! and dete#mined e( #ession on he# a)e.

' Miss Theo*ald+ I ha,e )a"$ht the sense o hono"# #om some*od! at St. Cla#e's+'anno"n)ed Cla"dine. ' I ha,e )ome to ma&e a )on ession. I told m! little siste# to#in$ the #e9*ell+ %hen Mi#a*el %as a*o"t to hold he# st" id meetin$. I did notmean to o%n " + *"t no% I eel "n)om o#ta*le he#e a*o"t it.'

Cla"dine #essed he# t"mm!+ and Miss Theo*ald listened $#a,el!. ' I am $lad !o"ha,e o%ned " + Cla"dine+' she said. ' It %as a sill! thin$ to do+ *"t it *e)ame ase#io"s thin$ %hen some one else %as s"s e)ted o it.

3lease tell Hila#!. I shall not "nish Antoinette+ *"t she too m"st o%n " to 5ane Teal+ and "t he# mind at #est.'

Clandine %ent o"t+ &no%in$ that he# #eal "nishment %as to *e o%nin$ " to these#io"s head9$i#l o the o#m. Hila#! did not a,o"# mis*eha,io"# o this &ind no%that the! %e#e to 9 o#me#s+ and she had a %a! o tal&in$ that at times madeCla"dine eel ,e#! small. She made he# eel small no%.

' 6o" don't #eali;e that ne(t te#m %e shall all *e in the to o#m+' she said toCla"dine. ' F#om the#e %e $o o"t into the %o#ld. We )an't *eha,e li&e na"$ht!)hild#e#i in the #st o#m no%. We ha,e to set an e(am le to the !o"n$e# ones+

%e ha,e to lea#n %hat #es onsi*ilit! means '

'6on sho"ld *e a #ea)he#. Hila#!+' said Cla"dine+ 4o&in$l!.

B"t Hila#! %as not in a mood to *e 4o&ed %ith. She too& he# osition as head9$i#l,e#! se#io"sl!+ all the mo#e so *e)a"se she &ne% she %o"ld not *e head9$i#l othe si(th. She %as onl! sta!in$ one te#m mo#e+ and the head9$i#l m"st *e someone sta!in$ o# th#ee te#ms. E,e#! one %as %onde#in$ %ho %o"ld *e )hosen.

Cla"dine %ent o/. a*ashed+ and o"nd Antoinette+ %ho %as hi$hl! indi$nant at*ein$ sent o/ to 5ane Teal to )on ess. B"t %hen she sa% 5ane's a)e+ she %as not

so##! she had $one.

' Oh.' said 5ane+ ' %as it #eall! !o"+ Antoinette 2 Oh+ I'm $lad !o" told me. 6o"&no%. I #eall! *e$an to eel it mi$ht ha,e *een me+ I %as so %o##ied a*o"t it.Whate,e# %ill Mi#a*el sa! 2 '

Mi#a*el soon hea#d a*o"t it. 8lad!s told he#. She <"shed "n)om o#ta*l!+ thin&in$o the ha#d time she had $i,en oo# 5ane *e)a"se o he# "n4"st s"s i)ions. Shetho"$ht o# a %hile and then %ent st#ai$ht o/ to the san.+ %he#e 5ane still %as.

' 5ane+ I',e hea#d %ho #an$ the #e9*ell+' said Mi#a*el+ ha#dl! li&in$ to meet 5ane's

e!es. ' It %asn't !o"+ and



I %as s"#e it %as. I %as *eastl! to !o"9le t !o" o"t o mat)hes "n ai#l!9and thin$sli&e that. I'm9I'm so##! a*o"t it. I . . .'

' It's all #i$ht+ Mi#a*el+' said 5ane+ ea$e#l!. ' I don't mind no%. Not a *it. All I %antis to $et " 'and #a)tise ha#d o# !o" a$ain+ and e#ha s la! in a mat)h *e o#e

the te#m ends.'

5ane's %a#m #es onse and lo!alt! %e#e ,e#! leasant to Mi#a*el+ %ho had *een,e#! mise#a*le. She smiled at the #st o#me#+ le t he# some *a#le! s"$a#+ and%ent *a)& to he# st"d!+ thin&in$ ho% ni)e it %as to ha,e some one loo& at he#%ith li&in$ on)e a$ain.

Mi#a*el's ,isit to 5ane made a $#eat im #ession on the lo%e# o#ms. 5ane soons #ead it a*#oad+ and s o&e so $lo%in$l! o Mi#a*el's &ind %o#ds to he#+ that the!o"n$e# ones *e$an to $et o,e# thei# disli&e and de an)e. The! had dese#tedthe #a)ti)e eld+ and had sho%n little o# no inte#est in $ames sin)e Mi#a*el had)an)elled thei# mat)h9*"t no% the! $#ad"all! d#i ted *a)&+ and Mi#a*el o"nd+ tohe# deli$ht+ that the! seemed as &een as e,e#.

8lad!s too& *a)& he# #esi$nation+ and Mi#a*el set to %o#& h"m*l! and ha il! toma&e o"t $ames lists a$ain and to a##an$e mat)hes9*"t she let 8lad!s do atleast hal o it+ and %as )a#e "l to listen to he# and to ta&e he# ad,i)e %hen she$a,e it. The t%o %e#e m")h ha ie# than the! had e,e# *een *e o#e and 8lad!s%as $lad to see he# #iend lea#nin$ #om the *ad mista&es she had made.

' Loo&s as i Mi#a*el %ill *e a $ood )a tain a te# all+' said Bo**! in s"# #ise. ' Well+%ell9%e'#e all t"#nin$ o,e# a Ae% lea The#e's Feli)it! *a)& a$ain+ not )a#in$ t%ohoots a*o"t he# m"si) o# a *it+ and *ein$ -"ite one o "s9and the#e's Anne9Ma#ie$one all #iendl! and 4oll! sin)e Alison a olo$i;ed to he# o# s"s e)tin$ he#%#on$l!9 and the#e's Alison *eha,in$ sensi*l! too+ no% that she sees th#o"$hdea# :ei#d#e9and An$ela isn't *ein$ s")h an idiot %ith the !o"n$e# ones sin)eshe ailed in he# e(am.'

' No9that %as a sho)& that "lled he# to$ethe# a *it+'

said 3at. 'She's %o#&in$ ha#d no%. :id !o" &no% that Hila#! $a,e he# a mosta% "l tal&in$9to. She %e t *")&ets o tea#s+ and %as "#io"s %ith Hila#!9*"t she

)e#tainl! has *een *ette# sin)e.'' It's onl! Alma that's still a ain in the ne)&+' said Isa*el. ' I hate s ea&in$ to he#e,en. I &no% Hila#!'s $one to tell Miss Theo*ald a*o"t he# ta&in$ those thin$s oAlison's. I *et shell *e e( elled o# somethin$ i she isn't )a#e "l.'

B"t Alma %as not e( elled. Instead Hila#! e( lained somethin$ to the $i#ls thatmade them eel #athe# "n)om o#ta*le.

'I told Miss Theo*ald all a*o"t o"# t#o"*le %ith Alma+' said Hila#!+ ' and she toldme %e m"st *e atient %ith he# and "t " %ith he#+ *e)a"se she )an't hel it

4"st no%. The#e's somethin$ %#on$ %ith he# $lands+ that )an't *e "t #i$ht o#a*o"t si( months. That's %h! she's so at+ and al%a!s h"n$#!+ and loo&s so ast!



and "nn!. She %as sent o/ #om he# last s)hool in dis$#a)e9 *"t Miss Theo*ald%ants to &ee hei he#e and hel he#+ till she )an ha,e some so#t o ma#,ello"so e#ation done that )an "t he# #i$ht.'

' 3oo# old 3"ddin$+' said :o#is. ' She's he# o%n enem!+ I s" ose9o# he# $lands

a#e+ %hate,e# the! ma! *e I Well9I s" ose %e m"st "t " %ith o"# Alma+ and$#in and *ea# it %hen she )he%s and s")&s and $o**les+' :o#is *e$an to imitateAlma at a meal+ and the $i#ls s)#eamed %ith la"$hte#.

B"t the#e %as no #eal "n&indness in the la"$hte#. One and all %e#e #ead! to "t" %ith Alma no% and9hel he#+ e,en sel sh little An$ela+ and %ild Ca#lotta. The!%e#e $#o%in$ " + the! %e#e th o#me#s+ the! )o"ld *eha,e de)entl!. St. Cla#e's

"t its ma#& on !o" *! the time !o" %e#e in the th o#m

=D WHO SHALL BE HEA: OF THE SCHOOL2

AFTER the e(am+ the $i#ls #ela(ed %ith leas"#e and #elie . The tea)he#s $a,ethem less #e + to do+ and the th o#me#s s ent leasant e,enin$s in thei# o%nst"dies o# ea)h othe#s'+ tal&in$ and la"$hin$.

' Ch#istmas %ill soon *e " on "s+' said 3at. ' The #est o this te#m %ill <! Ial%a!s li&e the Ch#istmas te#m9 it *e$ins in s"mme#9time+ %hen the Se tem*e#s"n is still hot+ and it o ten ends in sno%+ %ith Ch#istmas *e)&onin$ #o"nd the)o#ne#.'

' 6o" so"nd -"ite oeti)+' said :o#is. ' Anne9Ma#ie "sed to sa! thin$s li&e that '

Anne9Ma#ie la"$hed. She had not %#itten an! oems o# some time+ o#+ a te# thes"))ess o he# t#i)& on Miss Will)o(+ she had elt #athe# ashamed o he#sel . A te#all+ she had #etended too+ 4"st li&e Miss Will)o(+ she had t#ied to %#ite oemsthat so"nded ,e#! $#and+ *"t %e#e -"ite %o#thless #eall!. No% Anne9Ma#ie %asdete#mined to %ait till she had somethin$ to sa!+ *e o#e she %#ote oet#! a$ain.

She had had a tal& %ith Miss Theo*ald+ %ho had hea#d o Anne9Ma#ie's ')heatin$'as Miss Will)o( )alled it. The Head Mist#ess hadn't m")h time o# the En$lishtea)he# he#sel + sensin$ that she %as insin)e#e and #athe# )on)eited9*"t she)o"ld not allo% an! o the $i#ls to <o"t a"tho#it!+ o# *e insolent+ %itho"t#e #imandin$ them se,e#el!.

So Anne9Ma#ie had had a *ad t%ent! min"tes+ and had )ome a%a! a sadde# and%ise# th o#me#+ dete#mined that she %o"ld %#ite no mo#e ' %onde# "l' oet#!"ntil+ as Miss Theo*ald said+ she had somethin$ #eal and honest and sin)e#e inhe# hea#t to "t into he# %#itin$ and ma&e it %o#th %hile.

Mi#a*el had $ot o,e# the sho)& o ailin$ in the e(am..



and %as t#!in$ to ma&e the lo%e# o#ms o#$et he# st" id a##o$an)e andha#shness. He# ,oi)e %as still lo"d and )lea#+ *"t not ha"$ht! o# di)tato#ial+ andshe no lon$e# %al&ed as i the %hole ea#th *elon$ed to he#. She %as a %ise#

e#son alto$ethe#+ and the $i#ls #es e)ted he# o# *ein$ a*le to )han$e he#sel so)om letel!.

5ane Teal %as on)e a$ain %o#&in$ ha#d o# Mi#a*el+ e("ltin$ in he# #et"#nedhealth and st#en$th+ a $#eat %ei$ht o/ he# mind. An$ela no lon$e# $a,e the!o"n$e# ones so man! 4o*s to do+ and she and Alison did thei# mendin$ to$ethe#.Hila#! had made a $#eat im #ession on An$ela %hen she had ti)&ed he# o/+ andhad #eall! #i$htened he#.

' 6o"'#e a oo#+ oo# thin$+ An$ela+' she had told he#. '6o" "se !o"# #ett! a)eand smile to sa,e !o"#sel t#o"*le+ and !o" a#e $ettin$ a la;! mind and a la;!*od!+ lettin$ othe# eo le do the thin$s !o" o"$ht to do. No %onde# !o" ailed inthe e(am.9and ailed mise#a*l! too I !o"'#e not )a#e "l !o"'ll $o on *ein$ a

ail"#e in all &inds o %a!s+ and eo le %ill la"$h at !o" instead o admi#in$ and#es e)tin$ !o". What do !o" s" ose 5ane and Sall! and iolet and the #est o!o"# lo%e# o#m sla,es thin& o thei# da#lin$ *ea"ti "l An$ela no%+ %hen the! seethat she and Alma tied o# *ottom la)e in the e(am. 3"ll !o"#sel to$ethe# a*it+ o# $oodness' sa&e.'

Ea)h te#m *#o"$ht di/e#ent thin$s to lea#n+ *esides lessons. Those $i#ls %hoa)ed thei# di?)"lties+ sa% and "nde#stood thei# a"lts+ )on-"e#ed thei# ailin$s+

and *e)ame st#on$ )ha#a)te#s and leade#s %o"ld ma&e the nest %i,es andmothe#s o the "t"#e. Miss Theo*ald %at)hed the th o#me#s )a#e "ll!+ and %as

#o"d o man! o them.

She #emem*e#ed them as sill! little #st o#me#s+ and a little less9sill! se)ondo#me#s. She #emem*e#ed 3at and Isa*el O'S"lli,an+ the ' st")&9" t%ins' as the!

had *een )alled+ %hen the! #st )ame. She #emem*e#ed ho% Mi#a*el had ,o%ednot to sta! lon$e# than hal a te#m+

and had mis*eha,ed he#sel d#ead "ll! in he# #st te#m. She #emem*e#ed the%ildness o Ca#lotta+ %ho had )ome to St. Cla#e's #om )i#)"s9li e+ "ntamed andheadst#on$.

She #emem*e#ed Bo**!+ %hose *#illiant *#ains %e#e on)e onl! "sed in mad and)le,e# t#i)&s9and Cla"dine+ "nt#"th "l+ de)eit "l and "ns)#" "lo"s+ %ho %as atlast ndin$ #es onsi*ilit! and a sense o hono"#. He#e %e#e all these $i#ls no%+de enda*le+ honest9minded+ ha#d%o#&in$+ and #es onsi*le. T#"l! St. da#e's %as as)hool to *e #o"d o .

Be o#e the end o the te#m )ame the Head Mist#ess m"st )hoose the head9$i#l o#the %hole s)hool. All the si(th %e#e lea,in$+ and the th %e#e to $o " + %ith oneo# t%o ne% $i#ls. Hila#! %as the onl! one o the th %ho %as not sta!in$ on o#one mo#e %hole !ea#. She %as onl! to sta! one te#m mo#e+ and then she %as to$o to India to *e %ith he# a#ents the#e.



Othe#%ise Hila#! %o"ld ha,e *een head o the si(th+ and a $ood #es onsi*lehead she %o"ld ha,e made. B"t no% some one else m"st *e )hosen. The $i#ls%onde#ed %ho it %o"ld *e. It %as a t#emendo"s hono"#+ o# the head9$i#l o thesi(th %o"ld *e the head9$i#l o the %hole s)hool+ a e#son o $#eat in<"en)e.

' It %on't *e me+ an!%a!+' said :o#is+ )om o#ta*l!. ' I'm too st" id.'

' And it %on't *e me+' said Ca#lotta. ' I'm still too %ild.'

' No# me+' said Bo**!+ $#innin$. ' I'm still too m")h $i,en to la!in$ t#i)&s. :idn'tMam';elle 4"m %hen she d#an& he# $lass o mil& this mo#nin$ and o"nd a *la)&*eetle at the *ottom 2 '

The $i#ls $i$$led. It %as a sill! t#i)&+ *"t had )a"sed a lot o "n. Bo**! hado ed a little tin *la)& *eetle into Mam';elle's $lass o mid9mo#nin$ mil&+ and

he# ho##o# %hen she had d#"n& all the m>& and then had s"ddenl! seen the

*eetle at the *ottom had *een most am"sin$ to %at)h.

'Tiens ' she had )#ied. ' What is this *la)& animal I ha,e almost d#"n& 2 Oh la+ la+that it sho"ld )hoose m! $lass and no one else's '

The $i#ls #e)alled all the t#i)&s Bo**! and 5anet had la!ed on oo# Mam';elle9the %a! the! had made the lates dan)e9the d#ead "l stin&9*alls9and man!othe#s. The! had all *een $ood "n+ and Mam';elle had al%a!s 4oined in thela"$hte# a te#%a#ds.

' We *#ea& " in th#ee da!s' time+' said Bo**!. ' Then he!ho o# the holida!s9and

%hen %e )ome *a)&+ %e shall all *e si(th o#me#s+ $#a,e and se#io"s andsolemn No t#i)&s then9no $i$$les9no messin$ a*o"t '

' Oh #"**ish ' said Ca#lotta. ' We shan't s"ddenl! alte# 4"st *e)a"se %e'#e si(tho#me#s. We shall *e 4"st the same. I do %onde# %ho %ill *e head9$i#t 3e#ha s

one o the t%ins %ill.'

' I ho e not+' said 3at+ at on)e. ' I'd hate to *e somethin$ Isa*el %asn't+ and she%o"ld hate it too. Othe#%ise %e'd eithe# o "s lo,e it. It's the thin$ I'd li&e *est inthe %o#ld at the moment. I lo,e St. Cla#e's+ and I'm #o"d o *elon$in$ to it. I I)o"ld do somethin$ o# it I %o"ld9*"t I don't %ant to do somethin$ that I )an't

sha#e %ith Isa*el.'

' I eel the same a*o"t that+' said Isa*el. ' B"t i %e did ha,e the hono"# o *ein$as&ed+ eithe# o "s+ to *e head9$i#l+ %e'd sa! no. An!%a!+ the#e a#e lent! oothe#s %ho %o"ld ma&e *ette# head9$i#ls than %e sho"ld.'

At that ,e#! moment the matte# %as *ein$ de)ided *! Miss Theo*ald+ MissCo#n%allis and Mam';elle. The! %e#e sittin$ to$ethe# in the Head's d#a%in$9#oom+ dis)"ssin$ the ,e#! %ei$ht! and im o#tant -"estion o %ho sho"ld *e thene(t head9$i#l. It %as im o#tant *e)a"se the head9$i#l had a o%e# "l in<"en)eon the %hole s)hool+ and %as+ in a)t+ t! i)al o the s i#it o St. Cla#e's.



The! %e#e $oin$ do%n the list o $i#ls. ' Hila#! )an't *e+ o )o"#se+' said MissCo#n%allis. ' A it!+ *e)a"se she has had $#eat e( e#ien)e o *ein$ head9$i#l inth#ee

o# o"# o#ms. Still+ e#ha s it is time some one else had a )han)e o sho%in$

leade#shi .'

' 5anet 2 ' said Miss Theo*ald.

The othe#s shoo& thei# heads. 5anet )o"ld still *e hot9tem e#ed and %il "l attimes. She had not !et lea#nt to $"a#d he# sha# ton$"e )om letel!. A head9$i#lhad to ha,e )om lete )ont#ol o he#sel .

' Not Bo**!+ o )o"#se+' said Miss Co#n%allis. ' B#illiant+ t#"sta*le+ *"t still a little"nstead!. What a*o"t 8lad!s 2'

' Too $entle9not eno"$h o a leade#+' said Miss Theo*ald+ %ho &ne% the)ha#a)te#s o e,e#! $i#l in a most #ema#&a*le %a!. 'And Cla"dine I am a #aid %em"st also )#oss o"t+ Mam';elle.'

Mam';elle si$hed. It had *een a se)#et %ish %ith he# o# t%o o# th#ee te#ms thatCla"dine+ he# little Cla"dine+ mi$ht *e head o St. Cla#e's+ the s)hool in %hi)hMam';elle had ta"$ht o# so man! man! !ea#s. B"t e,en Mam';elle+ *iassed asshe %as+ &ne% that Cla"dine %as not t to lead othe#s.

' I she had *een at St. Cla#e's %hen she %as thi#teen no%+' said Mam';elle+ ' ah+then m! little Cla"dine mi$ht ha,e had time to lea#n eno"$h to *e)ome head9

$i#l 'Both Miss Theo*ald and Miss Co#n%allis had thei# do"*ts a*o"t this. In a)t+ MissCo#n%allis tho"$ht that i Cla"dine had *een at St. Cla#e's e,e# sin)e she %as a*a*!+ she %o"ld still not ha,e *een s"ita*le o# a head9$i#l. B"t neithe# %antedto " set Mam';elle+ %ho ado#ed he# t%o nie)es+ so the! said nothin$.

' Alma+ )e#tainl! not+ oo# $i#l+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' She is a most "n o#t"nate)hild. 3e#ha s %hen she is in #eall! $ood health+ she %ill im #o,e. Ca#lotta no%9no+ I thin& not. Still #athe# "na))o"nta*le and "n)ont#olled in he# tem e#. Ial%a!s eel she is still )a a*le o sla in$ eo le i she doesn't a #o,e o them.'

Mam';elle #emem*e#ed ,a#io"s sla in$ e isodes in Ca#lotta's s)hool9li e andsmiled. ' Ah+ she %o"ld sla

the #st o#me#s ha#d i the! did not *eha,e ' she said. ' She %o"ld *e anam"sin$ head9$i#l+ *"t e#ha s not a ,e#! $ood one.'

' Feli)it!+ no+' said Miss Co#n%allis. ' She %ill al%a!s *e a t to o#$et e,e#!thin$%hen he# m"si) lls he# mind. She %ill e#ha s someda! *e one o the o#emostm"si)ians o# )om ose#s+ *"t onl! in he# a#t %ill she *e t to lead othe#s.'

' An$ela and Alison9neithe# o them leade#s in an!%a!+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' Ho%$ood it %o"ld *e o# *oth o them to *e head9$i#ls+ and eel the %ei$ht o



leade#shi and #es onsi*ilit! on thei# sho"lde#s9*"t ho% *ad o# the s)hool Alison is still s")h a eathe#9head+ and An$ela has a lot to lea#n !et. Th#ee mo#ete#ms to lea#n it in9%ell+ ma!*e it %ill *e eno"$h.'

' Anne9Ma#ie %o"ld *e ho eless+' said Mam';elle+ ' so %o"ld 3a"line.'

7That lea,es :o#is+ 3am and the t%ins+' said Miss Theo*ald+ loo&in$ at he# list.

' :o#is is too st" id+' said Mam';elle. ' Still she )annot #oll he# 7 R's 7 o# me in theF#en)h %a!. Ah+ she %ill *e a $#eat s"))ess on the sta$e+ that $i#l+ she is so)le,e# a mimi). B"t she is st" id in all othe# %a!s+ tho"$h a ni)e+ ni)e $i#l.'

The othe#s a$#eed. ' 3am %o"ld ma&e an ideal head9$i#l+' said Miss Theo*ald.' *"tshe is too !o"n$. Almost t%o !ea#s !o"n$e# than the oldest in the th. She issta!in$ on t%o !ea#s+ so e#ha s she %ill *e head9$i#l in the "t"#e. A ni)e+ ha#d9%o#&in$+ -"iet and de enda*le )hild.'

'That onl! lea,es the O'S"lli,an t%ins+' said Miss Co#n%allis+ ' and I am s"#e that%e )annot )hoose one %itho"t the othe#. The! a#e inse a#a*le and al%a!s ha,e*een. The othe# t%in %o"ld eel ,e#! m")h le t o"t i %e )hose one o them.'

' Ah9I ha,e it ' said Mam';elle+ s"ddenl!+ *an$in$ the ta*le and ma&in$ the9othe# mist#esses 4"m . ' I ha,e it 6es. %e %ill ha,e t%o head9$i#ls Wh! not 2 Is

not St. :a#e's *i$$e# than e,e# it %as 2 Has not the head9$i#l mo#e than eno"$hto do 2 Then %e %ill ha,e t%o head9$i#ls+ $i#ls %ho %ill %o#& to$ethe# as one9so%h! not the O'S"lli,an t%ins 2 '

Miss Theo*ald and Miss Co#n%allis loo&ed at ea)h othe#. It %as a $ood idea. T%ohead9$i#ls %ho %e#e t%ins %o"ld )e#tainl! %o#& ,e#! %ell to$ethe#+ and )o"ldsha#e the #es onsi*ilit! %ell. 3at and Isa*el had )onsistentl! done $ood %o#&+and had $#o%n into s lendid+ t#"st%o#th! and sensi*le $i#ls.

' 6es+' said Miss Theo*ald+ at last. ' It's a ,e#! $ood idea indeed. The t%ins %illma&e ne head9$i#ls. It %ill do them a %o#ld o $ood+ o# the! ha,e ne,e# "nde#9ta&en an! &ind o leade#shi he#e so a#. The! shall *e 4oint head9$i#ls. I %ill ma&ethe anno"n)ement tomo##o%.'

So+ %hen the %hole s)hool %as )alled to$ethe# o# the head to anno"n)e the)han$es in the )omin$ te#m+ the names o the t%o ne% head9$i#ls %e#e $i,en.

' We ha,e )a#e "ll! st"died the -"estion o %ho shall *e head9$i#l o the s)hoolo# the )omin$ !ea#+' said Miss Theo*ald. ' And I thin& the#e is no do"*t that o"#

)hoi)e is %ise and %ill *e ,e#! o "la#. St. Cla#e's is $#o%in$ ast+ and the head9$i#l has a $#eat deal to do sometimes too m")h. So %e ha,e de)ided to ha,et%o head9$i#ls %o#&in$ to$ethe#+ and %e ha,e )hosen a ai# %ho ha,e *een %ith"s #om the #st o#m+ and ha,e made thei# %a! " the s)hool steadil! and %ell+%innin$ e,e#! one's #es e)t and admi#ation. Ne(t te#m the O'S"lli,an t%ins %ill*e o"# head9$i#ls '



The#e %as a te##i ) o"t9*"#st o )hee#in$+ )la in$ and stam in$ at these %o#ds.E,e#!one &ne% the li&e9as9 ea t%ins+ e,e#!one li&ed them and t#"sted them.No% the! %e#e to *e head9$i#ls to$ethe#9s lendid

The t%ins %e#e o,e#%helmed. The! *l"shed s)a#let+ and %hen the! hea#d the

o"t*"#st o )hee#in$+ the! elt s"dden tea#s #i)&in$ thei# e!e9lids. It %as a%onde# "l moment o# them. To *e )hosen to head the s)hool+ to

lead it. to hold the *i$$est hono"# St. Cla#e's had to o/e# 9that %as somethin$%o#th %hile.

' Than& !o"+' said 3at. standin$ " %ith Isa*el+ %hen the )hee#in$ had lessened.'We'll9%e'll do o"# ,e#! *est '

So the! %ill9and thei# *est %ill *e ,e#! $ood indeed. And the#e %e m"st lea,ethem+ a*o"t to ha,e thei# dea#est %ish+ head9$i#ls o St. Cla#e's+ the nest s)hool

the! &no%.

fifth formers at st clare's.docx

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