02 Second Form at Malory Tower[1] (1)

8/20/2019 02 Second Form at Malory Tower[1] (1)

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Malory2 – Second Form at Malory Towers – Blyton, Enid.Back to Malory Towers Again.I’ve simly loved t!e !ols," said #arrell, as s!e got into !er $at!er%s car, ready to set o$$ to sc!oolonce more. "B&t I%m glad it%s time $or sc!ool again. I%ve 'een eig!t weeks away $rom it()"*ell, well, !ow simly terri'le(" said !er $at!er. Is yo&r mot!er ready, or m&st I !oot+ It%s anetraordinary t!ing t!at Fm always t!e $irst one ready. A!, !ere comes Mot!er()Mrs. -ivers !&rried down t!e stes. "! dear, !ave I ket yo& waiting+" s!e said. "T!e tele!onewent at t!e last min&te. It was Sally /oe%s mot!er, #arrell, asking w!at time we s!all 'e along toick & Sally and take !er wit! &s."Sally /oe was #arrell’s 'est $riend. Mr. -ivers, #arrell%s $at!er, was motoring t!em 'ot! down toMalory Towers, t!eir sc!ool in 0ornwall T!ey were setting o$$ very early so t!at t!ey wo&ld 'et!ere 'e$ore dark, and Sally was going wit! t!em."I !ate leaving !ome '&t I 1&st can%t !el 'eing ecited at going 'ack again," said #arrell. T!is will'e my $i$t! term at Malory Towers, Mot!erand I%m to 'e in t!e Second Form. I s!all $eel grand(""*ell, yo&%re t!irteen now. so it%s time yo& went &," said !er mot!er, settling down in t!e car. %3o&will 4&ite look down on t!e $irst $orm, won%t yo&+t!ink t!ey are mere 'a'ies()"I s&ose I s!all," said #arrell wit! a la&g!. "*ell, t!e t!ird $orm look down on &sso we%re allket in o&r laces(""T!ere%s yo&r little sister waving to yo&," said !er $at!er, as t!e car slid down t!e drive. "S!e will miss yo&, #arrell."

#arrell waved $rantically. "5ood6'ye. Felicity() s!e yelled. "3o&%ll 'e coming to Malory Towerssome6time, t!en well go toget!er("T!e car &rred o&t o$ t!e drive into t!e road. #arrell took a last look 'ack at !er !ome. S!e wo&ldnot see it again $or t!ree mont!s. S!e $elt a little sad'&t t!en, 'eing a sensi'le girl, s!e c!eered& at once and set !er t!o&g!ts on Malory Towers. S!e !ad grown to love !er sc!ool very m&c!in t!e last year, and s!e was ro&d t!at s!e 'elonged to it. Fo&r terms in t!e $irst $orm wit! Miss7otts lay 'e!ind !ernow s!e !ad a year in t!e second $orm to look $orward to.T!ey arrived at Sally /oe%s !o&se in an !o&r%s time. Sally was ready $or t!em, !er sc!ool tr&nkand !er nig!t6case standing 'eside !er on t!e stes. *it! !er was !er mot!er, and 'y t!em stooda toddler o$ a'o&t eig!teen mont!s, cl&tc!ing at Sally%s !and."/allo, Sally( /allo, #a$$y(" s!o&ted #arrell in ecitement. "5ood, yo&%re ready("T!e tr&nk was &t in t!e 'oot at t!e 'ack o$ t!e car wit! #arrell’s. T!e nig!t6case was straedon t!e grid. Sally%s lacrosse stick was s!oved in wit! t!e odds and ends, and t!en s!e got in

!ersel$."*ant to come too(" called #a$$y, !er eyes $&ll o$ tears as s!e saw !er 'eloved Sally going away."5ood6'ye. Mot!er dear( I’ll write as soon as I can(" called Sally. "5ood6'ye. #a$$y darling."T!e car slid o$$ again, and #a$$y 'egan to !owl. Sally looked a little &set "I !ate leaving Mot!er."s!e said, "and now I !ate leaving #a$$y, too. S!e%s lovely nows!e can r&n everyw!ere, and s!etalks aw$&lly well.""#o yo& remem'er !ow yon !ated !er w!en s!e was a 'a'y+" said #arrell. "8ow I 'et yo&wo&ldn%t'e wit!o&t !er. It%s $&n to !ave a sister.""3es, I was !orrid to !er." said Sally, remem'ering. T!at was an aw$&l $irst term I !ad at MaloryTowersI was so misera'le. t!inking I’d 'een sent away $rom !ome to make room $or #a$$y, t!enew 'a'y. I !ated yo& too, #arrellisn%t it 4&eer to t!ink o$+""And now we%re 'est $riends," said #arrell wit! a la&g!. I sayw!o do yo& t!ink win 'e !ead o$

t!e second $orm t!is term, Sally+ 9at!erine%s in t!e t!ird $orm now, so s!e won%t 'e. It%ll 'esome'ody else.""Alicia er!as." said Sally. "S!e%s a'o&t t!e oldest"I know'&t do yo& t!ink s!e wo&ld make a good !ead+" said #arrell, do&'t$&lly. "I know s!e%saw$&lly clever, and gets to marks in anyt!ing'&t don%t yo& t!ink s!e%s too $ond o$ laying t!e$ool+""S!e mig!t sto t!at i$ s!e was !ead o$ t!e $orm," said Sally. "*!at Alicia wants is a 'it o$resonsi'ility, I t!ink. S!e 1&st won%t take any. 3o& know s!e was asked to r&n t!e 8at&re *alkslast term, and s!e wo&ldn%t. B&t I can t!ink o$ anot!er reason w!y s!e wo&ldn%t make a good!ead girl."



"*!at+" asked #arrell, en1oying t!is gossi a'o&t !er sc!ool $ellows."*ell, s!e%s rat!er !ard," said Sally. "S!e wo&ldn%t 'ot!er to !el eole i$ t!ey were in tro&'le,s!e wo&ldn%t 'ot!er !ersel$ to 'e kind, s!e%d 1&st 'e !ead6o$6t!e6$orm and give orders, and seet!at t!ey were ket, and not!ing elseand yo& do want somet!ing else in a !ead6girl, don%t yo&t!ink so+""*ell, w!o do yo& t!ink is $it to 'e !ead o$ t!e $orm+" demanded #arrell. "*!at a'o&t yo&(3o&si:e eole & aw$&lly well, and yo&%re $ine w!en any'ody%s &set or in tro&'le. And yo&%re sowell, so steady, some!ow. 3o& don%t $ly o$$ t!e !andle likeI do, or get all worked & a'o&t t!ings. I’d love yo& to 'e !ead.""I wo&ldn%t want to 'e," said Sally, "and any way, t!ere%s no c!ance o$ it. I t!ink yo& wo&ld 'e $ineas !ead o$ t!e $orm, #arrellyo& really wo&ld. Everyone likes yo& and tr&sts yo&.)For a wild moment #arrell wondered i$ it was ossi'le t!at s!e mig!t 'e c!osen( It was tr&e t!atall t!e girls, ecet one or two, really liked and tr&sted !er."B&t t!ere%s my temer, still," s!e said, regret$&lly. Took !ow I $lared & last term w!en Marigoldticked me o$$ at tennis, t!inking I was some'ody else. I didn%t know s!e%d made a mistake, o$co&rse'&t 1&st t!ink !ow I yelled at !er and $l&ng my racket down and stamed o$$. I can%t t!inkw!at came over me.""!, t!e s&n was too m&c! $or yo& and lots o$ &s t!at day," said Sally, com$ortingly. "3o& don%t&s&ally lose yo&r temer $or silly t!ings like t!at 3o& are learning to kee it $or t!ings it%s &se$&l$ort ;ike going $or t!at ass o$ a 5wendoline Mary, $or instance()

#arrell la&g!ed. "3es, s!e really is an idiot isn%t s!e+ #o yo& remem'er !ow silly s!e was overMiss Terry, t!at singing mistress we !ad last termt!e one t!at took Mr. 3o&ng%s lace $or twomont!s+ I t!o&g!t Miss Terry was st&id to &t & wit! it""!, 5wendoline will always 'e silly over some6'ody," said Sally. "S!e%s t!at kind. I eect s!e%llick on some'ody t!is term too, to wors!i and $ollow ro&nd. *ell, t!ank goodness it%s not likelyto 'e me(""I !oe t!ere%ll 'e some new girls," said #arell. "It%s $&n si:ing t!em &, isn%t it+and seeing w!att!ey%re like.""T!ere are s&re to 'e some," said Sally. "I say 6wo&ldn%t it 'e $&nny i$ Mary6;o& was told to 'e!ead6girl(" Bot! girls la&g!ed. Mary6;o& was devoted to 'ot!Sally and #arrell, t!o&g! #arrell was !er !eroine 6and t!e girls liked little Mary6;o& very m&c!.B&t s!e was s&c! a timid little t!ing, s!rinking away $rom all idea o$ resonsi'ility, t!at it was 4&ite$&nny to ict&re !er $ace i$ s!e was ever told s!e was to 'e !ead o$ t!e $orm.

"S!e%d !ave a 'l&e $it and go & in smoke." said #arrell. "B&t s!e%s m&c! 'etter now, Sally. #oyo& remem'er !ow s!e &sed to s!ake at t!e knees w!en s!e was scared+ S!e !ardly ever doest!at now. *e%ve all 'een decent to !er and not scared !er, and we%ve made !er 'elieve in !ersel$ so s!e%s di$$erent S!e%ll never 'e so 'ad again."It was a long, long drive to 0ornwall. T!e 1o&rney was 'roken 'y icnic meals, taken 'y t!ewayside, sitting on !eat!er or grass. Mrs. -ivers took t!e w!eel o$ t!e car once to relieve !er!&s'and. T!e girls sat at t!e 'ack and talked or drowsed, as t!e 1o&rney lengt!ened o&t."8ot very $ar now," said Mr. -ivers, w!o was 'ack at t!e w!eel. "*e may see some ot!er cars ont!eir way to t!e sc!ool, too. ;ook o&t $or t!em."T!ey soon saw onea low red car 'elonging to Irene%s eole. Irene was at t!e 'ack and wavedviolently, almost knocking o$$ !er $at!er%s glasses, as !e sat at t!e w!eel. T!e car swerved."Isn%t t!at 1&st like Irene," said Sally, wit! a grin. "/ey. Irene( /ad good !ols. +"T!e two cars ket more or less toget!er, and t!e girls looked 'ack at Irene%s merry $ace. T!ey

liked !er. S!e was a clever girl esecially at m&sic, '&t a real scatter6'rain ot!erwise, always$orgetting t!ings and losing t!em. B&t s!e was so good6!&mo&red t!at no'ody co&ld 'e crosswit! !er $or long."T!ere%s anot!er car( *!ose is it+" said Sally, as a t!ird one came in $rom a side6road, comletewit!sc!ool tr&nk at t!e 'ack. It sw&ng away a!ead o$ t!em."ne o$ t!e 'igger girls," said #arrell. ";ooks like 5eorgina T!omas. I wonder w!o will 'e !ead o$ t!e w!ole sc!ool t!is year. 7amela%s gone now. I !oe 5eorgina won%t. S!e%s too 'ossy $oranyt!ing."8ow t!ey were very near t!e sc!ool and it s&ddenly came into sig!t ro&nd a comer. T!e girls



looked at it in silence. T!ey 'ot! liked t!eir sc!ool immensely and were very ro&d o$ it. T!ey sawt!e great grey '&ilding, wit! a ro&nded tower at eac! end8ort! Tower. So&t! Tower, East and*est. A creeer, now t&rning red, clim'ed almost & to t!e roo$."&r castle() said #arrell, ro&dly. "Malory Towers. Best sc!ool in t!e world.)Soon t!e car sw&ng & to t!e 'ig $ lig!t o$ stes leading to t!e great $ront door. t!er cars were int!e drive, and gro&s o$ c!attering girls stood a'o&t. 5ay voices called across t!e drive."/allo. ;&cy( ;ook, t!ere%s Freda( Isn%t s!e 'rown+ /ad good !ols., Freda+ 3o& look as i$ yo&%dlived in t!e water, yo&%re so 'rown.""/allo, <enny( #id yo& get my letters+ 3o& never answered one, yo& ig. /ey, Tessie. ;ook o&t $or my nig!t6case. Take yo&r great $eet o$$ it(="5ood6'ye. Mot!er( 5ood6'ye. #addy( Ill write as soon as I%ve settled in. #on%t $orget to $eed myet mice, will yo&+""5et o&t o$ t!e way t!ere( 3o&%ll 'e r&n over 'y t!at car( !, it%s Betty /ill. Betty, Betty( /ave yo&'ro&g!t any tricks or 1okes 'ack wit! yo&+"

A air o$ wicked eyes looked o&t o$ t!e window o$ t!e car, and a t&$t o$ !air $ell over a 'rown$ore!ead. "I may !ave(" said Betty, steing o&t. "3o& never know( Anyone seen Alicia+ r !asn%ts!e come yet+"T!e train6girls !aven%t arrived( T!e train is late, as &s&al(""#arrell( #arrell -ivers( /allo, t!ere( And Sally. I say, let%s go in and $ind o&r dormy. 0ome on("*!at a noise( *!at a t&m&lt( #arrell co&ldn%t !el $eeling t!rilled. It was good to 'e 'ack at sc!ool

again'ack at Malory Towers.T!ree 8ew 5irls.#arrell said good6'ye to !er arents and t!ey &rred o$$ in t!e car. #arrell was always glad t!at!er $at!er and mot!er were sensi'le w!en t!ey said good6'ye. T!ey didn%t '&rst into tears as5wendoline%s mot!er always did. T!ey didn%t eect !er to stay close 'eside t!em and lookmo&rn$&l. T!ey la&g!ed and talked 1&st as &s&al, romised to come down at !al$6term, t!enkissed !er good6'ye, and went, waving c!eer$&lly.Soon s!e and Sally were carrying t!eir nig!t6cases & t!e stes into t!e 'ig !all. T!ey !ad t!eirlacrosse sticks too, w!ic! got entangled wit! eole%s legs as t!e ot!er girls s&rged aro&nd anda'o&tMiss 7otts was in t!e !all. S!e !ad 'een t!eir $orm6mistress w!en t!ey !ad 'een in t!e $irst $orm,and was still t!eir !o&se6mistress, $or s!e was in c!arge o$ 8ort! Tower, in w!ic! t!ey slet. Allt!e girls% 'edrooms or dormitories were in t!e $o&r towers, and t!ere was a !o&se6mistress in

c!arge o$ eac! one, and also a matron.Miss 7otts saw Sally and #arrell and called t!em. "Sally( #arrell( Take c!arge o$ t!is new girl $orme, will yo&+ S!e will 'e in t!e second $orm wit! yo&, and will 'e in yo&r dormy. Take !er & toMatron."#arrell saw a tall, t!in girl standing 'y Miss 7otts.looking nervo&s and scared. #arrell remem'ered !ow lost s!e !ad $elt w!en s!e !ad $irst cometo Malory Towers, and s!e $elt sorry $or t!e girl S!e went & to !er, Sally 'e!ind !er."/allo( 0ome along wit! &s and well look a$ter yo&. *!at%s yo&r name+""Ellen *ilson." said t!e girl. S!e !ad a very ate $ace and looked tired o&t In t!e middle o$ !er$ore!ead was a dee line, c&tting down 'etween !er eye'rows, making !er look as i$ s!e wascontin&ally $rowning. #arrell didn%t m&c! like t!e look o$ !er. '&t s!e smiled at Ellen kindly.> eect yo& $eel retty m&ddled wit! all t!is row going on." s!e said. "I $elt t!e same last yearw!en I came. My name%s #arrell -ivers. And t!is is my $riend, Sally /oe."

T!e girl gave olite little smiles and t!en $ollowed silently 'e!ind t!em. T!ey all made t!eir wayt!ro&g! t!e ecited t!rong o$ girls.T!ere%s Mary6;o&(" said #arrell. "/allo. Mary6;o&( 3o&%ve grown(";ittle Mary6;o& smiled. "I !oe sol" s!e said. I’m tired o$ 'eing t!e smallest in t!e $orm. *!o%st!is+""Ellen *ilson. 8ew girl. Second $orm," said #arrell."In o&r dormy," added Sally. "*e%re taking !er to Matron. /allo, !ere%s Irene. Irene, we saw yo&nearly knock o$$ yo&r $at!er%s glasses in t!e car, w!en yo& waved to &s."Irene grinned. "3es, t!at was t!e t!ird time I%d done it. /e was 1&st getting annoyed wit! me. Areyo& going to Matron+ I’ll come along too."



"5ot yo&r !ealt! certi$icate+" asked Sally, slyly. It was a standing 1oke wit! t!e girls t!at Irenealways arrived wit!o&t it, no matter !ow sa$ely !er mot!er !ad acked it in !er nig!t6case, or given it in an enveloe to Irene to &t in !er ocket."5ot yo&rs+) said #arrell to Ellen *ilson. "*e !ave to !and t!em over at once. And woe 'etideyo& i$ yo& go down wit! measles or c!icken o or somet!ing i$ yo&%ve 1&st !anded in a certi$icatesaying yo& !aven%t 'een near anyone ill( 5olly. Irene, yo& don%t really mean to say yo& !aven%t gotyo&rs again+"Irene was $eeling in all !er ockets, wit! a !&moro&s look o$ dismay on !er $ace. "0an%t $ind it att!e moment," s!e said. "M&st 'e in my nig!t6case. B&t noMot!er said s!e wasn%t going to &t itin t!ere any more 'eca&se it always disaeared. Blow()"Matron said s!e%d isolate yo& net time yo& came wit!o&t a !ealt! certi$icate." said Sally. "3o&’ll!ave to 'e in t!e San. $or two days till yo&r mot!er sends anot!er one. 3o& really are an idiot.Irene."Feeling $rantically in all !er ockets, Irene $ollowed Sally. #arrell and Ellen to 8ort! Tower, andwent in wit! t!em. T!e second6$orm dormy was not $ar $rom t!e $irst6$orm dormy, w!ere #arrell!ad slet $or t!e last $o&r terms. It was on t!e second $loor and was a lovely 'ig room wit! tenw!ite 'eds in it, eac! covered wit! a retty eiderdown.T!e girls d&med t!eir nig!t6cases down in t!e dormy and went to look $or Matron. A!, t!ere s!ewas, s!e!erding anot!er new girl & to t!e dormy. #arrell looked at t!e girl. S!e was a'o&t t!esame age as #arrell, and. like #arrell. !ad 'lack c&rly !air, '&t c&t m&c! s!orter, more like a 'oy.

S!e looked rat!er dirty and &ntidy, '&t s!e !ad a very attractive grin, and !er eyes twinkled ass!e looked at t!e ot!er girls. S!e did not look nearly so lost or $orlorn as Ellen."A!. Sally#arrell!ere%s anot!er new girl,) said Matron, 'riskly. "Take c!arge o$ !er. will yo&+/er name is Belinda Morris. 8ow!ave yo& all gotyo&r nig!t6cases+ And w!at a'o&t yo&r !ealt! certi$icates+""&r nig!t6cases are t!ere," said #arrell, ointing to w!ere t!ey !ad d&med t!em on t!e $loor."And !ere%s my !ealt! certi$icate. Matron." "*!ere%s my nig!t6case+" said Belinda, s&ddenly."S&rely yo& !ad it wit! yo& a min&te ago+" said Matron, looking all ro&nd. "*ell, give me yo&rcerti$icate and t!en go and look $or yo&r case.""B&t it%s in t!e case," said Belinda, and looked vag&ely ro&nd."3o& ro'a'ly le$t it down in t!e !all $or everyone to $all over." said Matron. "3o& girls I T!ank yo&.#arrell. Is t!is yo&r certi$icate. Sally+and yo&rs. Mary6;o&and yo&rs, F.Ikn. *!at a'o&t yo&rs.Irene+"

"It%s a most ec&liar t!ing. Matron." 'egan Irene. !&nting in all !er ockets again. "3o& know. I!ad it w!en I started o$$ t!is morning. I remem'er Mot!er saying..."Matron stared at Irene, really easerated. "Irene( #on%t dare to tell me yo&%ve not 'ro&g!t itagain. 3o& know w!at I told yo& last term. T!ere is a r&le !ere t!at girls w!o $orget t!eir !ealt!certi$icates s!all 'e isolated &ntil one is rod&ced. I%ve never !ad to en$orce t!at r&le yet'&t inyo&r case I really t!ink..." "!, Matron, don%t isolate me(" 'egged Irene, taking !er nig!t6case,oening it and emtying all t!e contents !iggledy6iggledy on t!e $loor. "I’ll $ind it, I will("T!e girls stood 'y, la&g!ing. -eally, Irene was very $&nny w!en s!e !ad lost somet!ing. Matronlooked on grimly. Irene 'ent low over t!e case, !&nting !ardand s&ddenly s!e gave a cry and&t !er !and to !er c!est."oo!( Somet!ing%s ricking me( *!atever can it 'e+ 5racio&s, somet!ing%s r&n a s!ar ointrig!t into me()S!e stood &, r&''ing !er c!est. T!en s!e oened t!e $ront o$ !er coatand t!e girls gave a

scream o$ la&g!ter."Irene( 3o& donkey( 3o&’ve got yo&r !ealt! certi$icate inned on to yo&r $ront I 3o& co&ldn%t lose iti$ yo& wanted to."Irene looked down, leased. "$ co&rse() s!e said, &ninning it I remem'er now. I knew I s!o&ldlose it &nless I really did !ang on to it some!owso I inned it tig!tly to my $ront. /ere it is.Matron. 3o& won%t !ave to isolate me a$ter all()Matron took it, and &t it wit! t!e ot!ers s!e !ad. "A narrow s4&eak $or yo&, Irene(" s!e said, and!er l&m $ace 'roke into a smile. "3o& &t a grey !air into my !ead at t!e 'eginning o$ everyterm( 8ow. yo& girls&nack yo&r nig!t6cases and &t o&t yo&r t!ings. T!e tr&nks won%t 'e&nacked till tomorrowand t!en eac! o$ yo& will !ave to c!eck t!e clot!es% list yo& 'ro&g!t wit!



yo&."S!e dearted, r&stling sti$$ly in !er starc!ed aron, looking o&t $or more ret&rning girls, collectinglists and names and certi$icates, 'ringing order o&t o$ con$&sion, and welcoming 'ack all t!e sityor so girls ret&rning to 8ort! Tower. In t!e ot!er towers, t!ree more matrons were doing t!e samet!ing. It was a real task to welcome 'ack a'o&t two !&ndred and $ i$ty girls, wit! t!eir tr&nks, nig!t6cases and odds6and6ends(Belinda !ad wandered o$$ to look $or !er nig!t6case. *!ilst t!e ot!ers were still &tting o&t t!eirt!ings, s!e sa&ntered 'ack, a 'rown s&it6case in !er !and. S!e oened it and s!ook o&t a air o$y1amas. S!e stared at t!em in s&rrise. "5olly( I didn%t know I 'ad y1amas like t!is,"s!e said. "And w!at os! 'edroom sliers Mot!er !as &t in $or me. For a s&rrise, I s&ose("#arrell looked over !er s!o&lder. T!en s!e grinned. "3o&%ll get into tro&'le i$ yo& &nack anymore o$ t!ose t!ings." s!e said. "T!ey 'elong to 5eorgina T!omas( S!ell 'e 1olly wild i$ s!e $indso&t yo&%ve got !er nig!t6case( S!e%s ro'a'ly !&nting all over t!e lace $or it now. 0an%t yo& read,Belinda+"#arrell ointed to t!e name marked on t!e collar o$ t!e y1amas. "5eorgina T!omas.""5oodness, w!at an ass I am(" said Belinda, and st&$$ed all t!e t!ings 'ack &ntidily into t!e case."I t!o&g!t it was my case("S!e went o&t o$ t!e room again, res&ma'ly to !&nt once more $or !er lost case. #arrell grinnedat Irene. "I don%t know w!at we%re going to do i$ we !ave two eole like yo&, Irene() s!e said."ne%s 'ad eno&g!'&t two( 3o&%ll drive Mam%:elle cracked 'etween yo&. And as $or Miss

7arker, o&r $orm6mistresswell, yo& know w!at s!e is( S!e can%t stand anyt!ing vag&e orcareless. *e s!all !ave some $&n t!is term wit! yo& and Belinda in t!e class toget!er(" Irenedidn%t in t!e least mind 'eing teased. S!e was a clever, good6!&mo&red girl, 'rilliant at m&sic, '&tvery t!o&g!tless and vag&e over t!e ordinary little everyday t!ings. I$ anyone lost a grammar'ook it was Irene. I$ anyone $orgot to t&rn & at a secial lesson. it was Irene. And now !ere wasanot!er girl. Belinda, w!o seemed to 'e 1&st as 'ad. Irene very m&c! liked t!e look o$ !er, and!ad already made & !er mind to 'e $riends.Belinda soon came 'ack again, t!is time, $ort&nately, wit! !er own case. S!e tied everyt!ingo&t, and t!en roceeded to &t !er t!ings in lace, 1&st as t!e ot!ers didy1amas &nder t!eillowtoot!'r&s!, $ace6$lannel, toot!6aste and songe on a glassledge at one end o$ t!e dormy w!ere t!e was!6'asins were. Br&s! and com' in t!eir 'ag insidet!e to drawer o$ t!e dressing6ta'le. T!en t!e emty nig!t6case was at wit! t!e ile o&tside int!e corridor, waiting to 'e taken to t!e 'o6room.

T!ere came a great clatter o t!e stairs and t!e girls in t!e dormy raised t!eir !eads. T!e train6girls( T!ey%ve come at last. Arent t!ey late()More girls clattered into t!e dormy. Alicia <o!ns came in !er eyes 'rig!t. Be!ind !er came <ean,t!e straig!t$orward, sensi'le Scots girl. T!en came Emily, a 4&iet girl w!ose only real interest wassewing, and t!e most ela'orate em'roidery."ne, two, t!ree, $o&r, $ive, si, seven, eig!t o$ &s." said #arrell. co&nting. "Two more to come.*!o are t!ey+""5wendoline Mary $or one. I s&ose." said Irene, wit! a grimace. "#ear 5wendoline Mary( Ieect !er mot!er is still so''ing over letting !er darling lam' go away $rom !er I *!o%s t!etent!+""/ere comes 5wendoline," said #arrell, and t!e girls !eard t!at $amiliar, rat!er w!ining voice.5wendoline was a soilt c!ild, and alt!o&g! Malory Towers !ad done !er a lot o$ good, t!e!olidays always seemed to make !er worse again.

S!e came inand wit! !er was t!e tent! girl 5wendoline Mary introd&ced !er. "/allo, everyone(T!is is #a!ne Millicent T&rner, a new girl. S!e%s in o&r $orm and in o&r dormy. S!e travelleddown in my carriage and I%m s&re s!e%s going to 'e a $avo&rite wit! all o$ &s in no time()First #ay o$ Term.T!is, o$ co&rse, was a silly way to introd&ce any new girl, esecially as every listening girlimmediately $elt t!at anyone likely to 'e 5wendoline%s $avo&rite was not at all likely to 'e t!eirs(T!ey smiled olitely at die new gilt taking !er in $rom to to 'ottom.S!e was very retty. /er golden !air c&rled a'o&t !er $ore!ead, and !er 'l&e eyes were m&c!'l&er t!an 5wendoline%s large ale ones, '&t t!ey were set nearer toget!er t!an 5wendoline%s,giving !er rat!er a sly look. S!e !ad 'ea&ti$&l w!ite teet!, and a very c!arm6tag smile.



S!e &sed it now. %Tm so leased to come to Malory Towers," s!e said. I%ve never 'een to a sc!ool'e$ore."T!at%s one t!ing we !ad in common(" said 5wendoline, in a leased voice. "I didn%t go to sc!ool'e$ore I came !ere eit!er.""It wo&ld !ave 'een 'etter $or yo& i$ yo& !ad," said Alicia. "3o& wanted a lot o$ licking into s!ae.5wendoline. I s&ose, as &s&al, yo& were waited on !and and $oot at !ome t!ese !ols., wit!yo&r old governess and yo&r mot!er telling yo& t!at yo& were t!e most wonder$&l girl in t!eworld()5wendoline looked annoyed. "3o& don%t need to 'e r&de immediately yo& see me, Alicia." s!esaid. "0ome along, #a!ne, I’ll s!ow yo& w!at to do. 3o& are in o&r dormy. w!ic! will 'e verynice. I can s!ow yo& ro&nd 4&ite a lot. I know !ow I $elt w!en I $irst got !ere and didn%t knowanyone." #a!ne seemed very grate$&l. S!e !ad very goodmanners, and t!anked everyone nicely w!enever t!ey s!owed !er or told !er anyt!ing. S!ecertainly was very retty and grace$&l It was dear t!at $or some reason 5wendoline !ad 4&itemade & !er mind to 'e !er $riend and !eler."I told yo& s!e%d !ave to 'e silly a'o&t some'ody." said Sally to #arrell, as t!ey went downstairsto t!eir saer. "*ell, s!e%s welcome to #a!ne. S!e%s got too many airs and graces $or me()"5wendoline says t!at #a!ne%s $at!er is ractically a millionaire," said #arrell. "S!e !ad a n&rse,a governess and !er own maid 'e$ore s!e came !ere.""!so t!at%s w!y dear 5wendoline is s&cking & to !er(" said Sally. I t!o&g!t t!ere m&st 'e

somet!ing. /ey, Ireneyo&%ve still got yo&r !at on( #o yo& artic&larly want to wear it at s&er+""!, gos!(" said Irene, &tting !er !and & to !er !ead. "/ave I $orgotten to take it o$$+ Belinda,yo& mig!t !ave told me("Belinda grinned. I don%t know t!at I noticed !," s!e said. "So many t!ings strike me as odd !ere,at t!e moment. *earing a !at to s&er didn%t seem to 'e anyt!ing o&t o$ t!e ordinary.""*!at a air yo&%ll make(" said Sally. "0ome on. #arrell, come on, Mary6;o&. *e s!an%t get anys&er i$ we don%t !&rry."

All t!e girls were tired t!at nig!t, and t!e second6$ormers were very glad to t&m'le into 'ed.5wendoline 'ad c!osen t!e 'ed net to #a!ne. "I$ yo& $eel !omesick, 1&st tell me," s!e said to#a!ne, w!o looked really c!arming in 'l&e y1amas, !er c&rly !air all a'o&t !er s!o&lders in agolden mass. 5wendoline%s !air. too. was golden, '&t it was straig!t S!e envied #a!ne !erc&rls."I eect I s!all $eel rat!er 4&eer." said #a!ne, getting into 'ed. "3o& see, I%m so &sed to lots o$

eole ro&nd meM&mmy coming to kiss me good nig!tand my governess oing in to see i$ I%m all rig!tand my maid $olding all my t!ings. I s!all..." "8o more talking." said Sally, s&ddenly.5wendoline sat &. "3o&%re not !ead o$ $orm or dormy. Sally," s!e said. "#on%t give orders, t!en(""I%m not." said Sally. "3o& know t!e roles, 5wendoline. I%m 1&st reminding yo& o$ t!em, t!at%s all."5wendoline lay down. 7resently t!e w!isering 'egan again. Sally got cross."S!&t &, 5wendoline. It%s long ast time to sto talking. *e all want to go to slee.""*ait till yo&%re !ead and I%ll o'ey yo&, '&t not till t!en(" said 5wendoline, rat!er anio&s to s!owo$$ in $ront o$ !er grand new $riend. "*ell know tomorrow w!o%s !ead.""*ell, it won%t 'e yo&" said Alicia%s malicio&s voice $rom down t!e room."S!!!!t" said #arrell, !earing a $ootste. It was Matron. S!e came in 4&ietly, saw t!e wake$&lgirls, and soke kindly to t!em. "8ot aslee yet+ /&rry &( 8o more talking now, o$ co&rse. 5oodnig!t."S!e went o&t. 5wendoline de'ated w!et!er or not to 'egin w!isering to #a!ne again. B&t a

tiny snore $rom #a!ne s!owed t!at s!e was aslee. So it wo&ldn%t 'e any good to de$y Sally#a!ne wo&ldn%t 'e a'le to w!iser 'ack(Soon all t!e girls were $ast aslee. T!ey didn%t 'ear Miss 7otts ee into t!e room and s!&t t!edoor 4&ietly. T!ey didn%t even !ear t!e sit!6$ormers trooing &stairs later on. T!ey were all tiredo&t.T!e dressing6'ell awoke everyone wit! a 1&m.Sally sat straig!t &, startled. "!it%s only t!esc!ool 'ell," s!e said, and la&g!ed. "I co&ldn%t t!inkw!at it was $or a moment."T!e $irst day was always $&n. 8o real lessons were



done, t!o&g! classes were !eld Tests were given to see w!at t!e new girls knew. 8ew 'ooks.%encils and so on were given o&t. A list o$ vario&s d&ties was com? iled, eac! girl taking !er tornat t!em, week 'y week.T!e new girls all !ad to go to see Miss 5rayling, t!e 4&iet, low6voiced /ead Mistress. S!e toldt!e girls eactly t!e same as s!e !ad told #arrell t!e year 'e$ore. "3o& will all get a lot o&t o$ yo&r years at Malory Towers. See t!at yo& give a lot 'ack( Be 1&st and resonsi'le, kind and!ardworking. I co&nt as o&r s&ccesses t!ose w!o leave !ere as yo&ng women good? !earted andkind, sensi'le and tr&sta'le, good so&nd eole t!at t!e world can lean on. &r $ail&res are t!osew!o do not leant t!ese t!ings in t!e years t!ey are !ere."#a!ne, Ellen, Belinda and all t!e ot!er new girls in vario&s $orms, !eard t!ese words t!atmorning. All o$ t!em listened, imressed. Some remem'ered t!e words and never $orgot t!em.T!ey wo&ld 'e t!e s&ccesses. All t!ree new girls in t!e second $orm seemed to 'e listeningearnestly and sincerely, esecially #a!ne. Miss 5rayling glanced at !er, looking at !er closelywit!o&t aearing to. S!e knew 4&ite a lot a'o&t #a!ne Millicent T&rner.#a!ne looked 'ack, &tting all !er so&l into !er eyes. S!e wanted 'adly to make a goodimression on Miss 5rayling. S!e smiled !er c!arming smile, '&t t!e /ead Mistress did notret&rn it. S!e soke a $ew more serio&s words and t!en dismissed t!e girls. T!ey went silently o&to$ t!e room."Isn%t s!e wonder$&l+" said #a!ne, $ervently. "5wendoline said s!e%d make a real imression onme. and s!e !as."

8o'ody aeared to care w!et!er any imression !ad 'een made on #a!ne or not. T!eysearated and went t!eir di$$erent ways.T!is term #arrell and Salty made t!eir way to t!e second6$orm room. T!ey assed t!e door o$ t!etirst6$ormers, t!e room w!ere t!ey t!emselves !ad sat $or many terms. T!e door was oen. Atangled crowd o$ small girls were c!oosing desks and 'agging seats."Ba'ies() said #arrell. lo$tily. "<&st inky6$ingered kids w!o ro'a'ly don%t know t!eir twelve6timesta'le yet."Two old second6$ormers, now t!ird6$ormers, assed t!em in t!e assage. "/allo, kids(" said oneo$ t!e t!ird6$ormers, condescendingly. ";ook o&t $or old 8osey( S!e%s !ard on eole w!o maketoo many selling mistakes("8osey was t!e o&lar name $or Miss 7arker, t!e second6$orm mistress. S!e !ad rat!er a largenose, w!ic!, so t!e girls said, s!e ket &tting into t!ings t!at was no concern o$ !ers. 0ertainlys!e was a most in4&isitive erson w!en s!e s&sected any misc!ie$ was going on. and did not

rest till s!e !ad got to t!e 'ottom o$ it.S!e was strict '&t sometimes s!e !ad dreamy $its w!en s!e seemed to $orget t!e class and sitga:ing into t!e distance. T!e class lived $or t!ese rare moments and t!en made t!e most o$t!em. #arrell was s&re s!e wo&ld not like Miss 7arker nearly as m&c! as s!e !ad liked 7otty, t!emistress w!o !ad ta&g!t !er in t!e $irst $orm.Belinda and Ellen seemed to 'e very keen to know all t!e details a'o&t t!e vario&s teac!ers.#arrell and Sally were leased to s&ly t!em. #a!ne, o$ co&rse, went to 5wendoline $orin$ormation."3o&%ve got to 'e care$&l o$ 'ot! Mam%:elles." said #arrell. "B&t most o$ all o$ Mam%:elle -o&gier,t!e tall t!in one. T!ey%ve 'ot! got temers'&t Mam%:elle #&ont%s temer is 1&st a s!ort, !otone, and Mam%:elle -o&gier%s is a real 'ad one()"And look oat $or Miss 0arton, t!e !istory mistress, 'eca&se, i$ yo& don%t like !istory, s!ells!aren !er tong&e on yo&(" said Alicia. I do like it, so I%m all rig!t. B&t i$ yo& don%t, took o&t()

T!e $irst day assed leasantly and interestingly. T!e new girls were taken to see t!e vario&sarts o$ t!e 'ig sc!ool '&ildings, t!e tennis co&rts, and t!e gardens. T!ey marvelled at t!e greatswimming6ool !ollowed o&t $rom t!e rocks contin&ally $illed wit! $res! water eac! tide."I s&ose yo& can swim very well." said #a!ne to 5wendoline. 5wendoline !esitated andlooked ro&nd. S!e !ad 'een 'oasting 4&ite a lot to #a!ne, '&t not in t!e !earing o$ t!e ot!ers.8ow #arrell was too near $or !er to make any &ntr&t!$&l statement a'o&t !er swimming."*ellnot so well as t!e ot!ers," s!e said. "I 'et yo& swim t!e 'est," said #a!ne, warmly."3o&%re too modest()#arrell giggled. 8o one co&ld call 5wendoline modest, s&rely( S!e was t!e worst 'oaster in t!esc!ool, and sometimes co&ld not draw t!e line 'etween st&id 'oasting and real &ntr&t!.



Ellen said s!e co&ld not swim. )I’ve never !ad m&c! time $or games.) s!e said. "B&t I%d like tolay t!em well. I’ve !ad to work so !ard always.""3o& m&st 'e 1olly clever." said Mary6;o&, "3o& won t!e only sc!olars!i o$$ered t!at wo&ld takeyo& to Malory Towers, didn%t yo&+""3es. B&t I don%t 'elieve I’m really clever," said Ellen, t!e little line deeening on !er $ore!ead andgiving !er a worried look. "I meanI can work and work and work, and remem'er t!ings all rig!t'&t Fm not 'rilliant like some girls. Some don%t need to work !ard at allt!ey%re to 'eca&set!ey%re so clever, and t!ey can’t !el it. I !ave !ad to work $or everyt!ing. StillI 'adly wanted tocome to Malory Towers, and !ere I am. so t!e !ard work was wort! it(""*ell, yo& try 'eing good at games as well as at work," said Sally, w!o was very keen on allgames !ersel$. "3o& know w!at t!ey say %All work and no lay...%""Makes <ack a d&ll 'oyand Ellen a d&ll girl(" said Ellen, wit! a small la&g!. "I%m a$raid t!at%sw!at I am, tood&ll("Belinda loved everyt!ing a'o&t Malory Towers. Irene, w!o seemed to !ave taken !er as m&c! intow as 5wendoline !ad taken #a!ne, was delig!ted wit! Belinda%s rat&ro&s admiration o$everyt!ing."!, t!e views(" cried Belinda. ";ook at t!at sea( ;ook at t!e colo&rs in t!at swimming6ool(*!ere’s my aint6'o, 4&ick("It was men t!at $or t!e $irst time t!e girls discovered Belinda%s talent. S!e co&ld draw and aintmarvello&sly well. Best o$ all, or so t!e girls t!o&g!t, s!e co&ld caricat&re anyone in a 'old encil

or c!arcoal drawing, rod&cing a comic eaggerated likeness t!at sent everyone into eals o$la&g!ter."*ell !ave some $&n wit! yo&, Belinda(" said Irene. "3o& can draw 8osey 7arkerand Mam%:elle'ot! Mam%:elles, in $actand Matronand everyone. I%m glad yo& came. *ell certainly !avesome $&n wit! yo&("Settling Inn t!e $irst day o$ t!e term Miss 7arker anno&nced w!o t!e !ead6girl o$ t!e $orm was to 'e. T!eclass were all agog to !ear !er, and sat like mice w!ilst s!er&stled !er aers and looked $or !er encil."I am s&re yo& all want to know w!o !as 'een c!osen $or !ead6girl t!is term," s!e said. "*ell, Iwill not kee yo& in s&sense long. A$ter a s!ort disc&ssion at t!e sta$$ meeting we decided onSally /oe."T!e girls claed and Sally 'l&s!ed red. S!e was very leased indeed. Miss 7arker went on,

glancing at !er notes as s!e soke."3o& may er!as like to know w!at girls were in t!e r&nning $or t!e osition. #arrell -ivers was,<ean Mac#onald was anot!er. *innie Toms was a t!ird."Everyone eected to !ear Alicia%s name mentioned, or Irene%s. B&t Miss 7arker did not give anymore names at all. Irene didn%t mind. S!e knew s!e was a scatter6'rain and s!e didn%t in t!e leastwant to 'e !ead o$ t!e $orm. So long as s!e !ad !er m&sic s!e was !ay. Being !ead o$ t!e$orm mig!t ro' !er o$ some o$ !er ractice time tB&t Alicia did mind. S!e !ad 'een to o$ t!e $orm last term. S!e !ad a $ine 'rain and an ecellentmemory, and alt!o&g! s!e never needed to work !ard 'eca&se s!e !ad t!ese to !el !er, stills!e certainly !ad done well last term.

And yet s!e wasn%t even in t!e r&nning $or t!e osition o$ !ead6girl( S!e 'it !er lis and wis!eds!e co&ld sto !ersel$ going red.T!ere%s too m&c! $avo&ritism(" s!e told !ersel$, $iercely. "<&st 'eca&se I lay t!e $ool sometimes

and &set t!e mistresses, t!ey won’t even consider me as !ead("B&t Alicia was not altoget!er rig!t. It was not laying t!e $ool t!at made t!e sta$$ ass over !ername, '&t somet!ing else. It was Alicia%s !ardness to t!ose s!e didn%t like, !er sneers at t!oseless clever t!an !ersel$, w!o needed !el, not ta&nts. $ten t!e sta$$ la&g!ed rivately over Alicia%s ridic&lo&s tricks, and en1oyed t!em'&t no'ody liked !er wild and&nr&ly tong&e, and t!e s!ar t!ings it co&ld say."S!e%ll get a lot o$ admiration and envy '&t s!e won%t get m&c! love or real $riends!i $romot!ers," Miss 5rayling !ad said at t!e sta$$ meeting. "As $or Betty, !er $riend, s!e is clever too, '&ta little emty6!ead, comared wit! Alicia, w!o really !as it in !er to make good i$ s!e tried. It isn%t

Alicia%s 'rain t!at is at $a&lt, it%s !er !eart("



And so t!e c!oice !ad 'een madeSally /oe, t!e steady, loyal, kindly, sensi'le Sally. #arrell%s'est $riend. Sally mig!t not 'e to o$ t!e $orm, '&t s!e wo&ld always listen to anyone in di$$ic&lty.Sally wo&ld not do 'rilliantly in eams, as Alicia wo&ld'&t s!e wo&ld always !el a yo&nger girlat games or lessons. S!e wo&ld 'e comletely $air and 1&st as !ead6girl o$ t!e $orm, and s!ewo&ldn%t stand any nonsense.Everyone in t!e $orm knew t!at a good c!oice !ad 'een made, alt!o&g! some o$ t!em wo&ld!ave welcomed a 'ad c!oice, $or t!ey didn%t like Sally( 5wendoline was $&rio&s. So was Betty,w!o !ad !oed t!at Alicia wo&ld !ave 'een c!osen. So were one or two o$ Betty%s $riends, not inSally%s dormy.#arrell s4&ee:ed Sally%s arm. "<olly good(" s!e said. "I%m glad. *on%t yo&r mot!er 'e leased+3o&%ll 'e !ead o$ o&r dormy too, Sally. S&cks $or 5wendoline("It certainly was most annoying $or 5wendoline t!at nig!t in 'ed, w!en Sally took command. Sallydid not mean to &se !er new ower too m&c! or too soon, '&t s!e knew t!at i$ 5wendoline 'eganto 'e silly again, s!e wo&ld !ave to make a stand at once. 5wendoline didn%t &nderstandleniency, '&t took advantage o$ itSo, as soon as t!e w!isering 'egan again, a$ter lig!ts o&t, Sally soke &."S!&t &, 5wendoline. I told yo& t!at last nig!t I wasn%t !ead o$ dormy t!en. B&t I am now. Sos!&t & w!en I tell yo&.""7oor #a!ne%s !omesick," 'egan 5wendoline. "It won%t make !er any 'etter i$ yo& w!iser st&$$and nonsense into !er ear." said Sally.

T!ere was a s!ort silence. T!en Belinda%s voice c&t t!ro&g! t!e darkness, asking a 4&estion."Sally( *!at !aens i$ we diso'ey and go on w!isering w!en t!e !ead6girl !as said we%re notto+" "8o'ody ever does," said Sally, grimly. "B&t I 'elieve t!ere is an &nwritten law at MaloryTowers t!at i$ anyone makes !ersel$ a n&isance at nig!t a nice 'ig !air6'r&s! is c!osen and a $ewslas given.""!(" said Belinda, and sn&ggled down in 'ed, grinning to t!ink o$ w!at 5wendoline wo&ld $eelnow. *o&ld s!e w!iser again or not+5wendoline !ad oened !er mo&t! to contin&e.!er conversation wit! #a!ne, '&t w!en s!e!eard Belinda%s 4&estion and its answer, s!e s!&t it again, s!ocked. /ow dare Sally !int s&c! at!ing to a second6$ormer( S!e de'ated w!et!er or not Sally was 1&st saying it to scare !er. B&t.remem'ering Sally%s grim voice, s!e decided s!e wo&ldn%t risk it. It wo&ld 'e too !&miliating i$Sally really did carry o&t !er t!reat. #a!ne wo&ld never resect !er again tSo t!ere was eace in t!e dormy, and w!en Matron came silently to t!e door, t!ere was only t!e

reg&lar 'reat!ing o$ ten girls to 'e !eard. Eig!t were $ast aslee. B&t two were awake.T!ey were 5wendoline and Ellen. 5wendoline was cross, and t!at always made !er wake$&l.Ellen was t!inking a'o&t !er work. S!e !ad done $airly well in t!e test6aers t!at morning, '&tnot 'rilliantly. *as s!e really & to t!e second6$orm work !ere+ ! yes, s!e !ad won t!atsc!olars!i, '&t it wasn%t 'rains t!at!ad done it, only !ard, !ard work. *as it going to 'e terri'ly !ard work !ere to kee & wit! t!eot!ers+ /er 'rain didn%t seem to work so easily as it &sed to. Ellen was worried, and did not $allaslee till long a$ter 5wendoline.It took t!e new girls a $ew days to get into t!e way o$ t!ings. Ellen and #a!ne learnt t!eir waya'o&t more 4&ickly t!an Belinda, w!o ket t&rning & in t!e wrong classroom contin&ally. S!ewo&ld go into t!e $irst6$orm classroom instead o$ in t!e second $orm, and Miss 7otts got 4&iteannoyed wit! !er."Belinda( #on%t ten me yo&%re !ere again(" s!e wo&ld say. "#o yo& artic&larly want to work wit!

t!e $irst $orm+ $ co&rse, i$ yo& really $eel t!at t!e work o$ t!e second $orm is..."B&t 'y t!at time Belinda !ad $led, m&ttering !&rried aologies. S!e wo&ld aear in !er own $orm6room a min&te or two late, giggling."I%m so sorry, I got lost. Miss 7arker," s!e wo&ld say. and s&'side into !er seat."Ill look a$ter !er a 'it. Miss 7arker," said Irene. B&t Miss 7arker $or'ade t!at immediately."T!at wo&ld mean t!e two o$ yo& getting lost," s!e said. "3o&%d ro'a'ly 'e down in t!eswimming6ool waiting $or a diving lesson w!ilst we were all & !ere doing mat!s. It%s timeBelinda learnt to look a$ter !ersel$. A$ter all, s!e%s 'een !ere t!ree days now(""3es, Miss 7arker," said Belinda, meekly, and 'egan to make a little sketc! o$ t!e teac!er on !er'lotting6ad. S!e was always drawing, w!erever s!e was. S!e ket a little sketc! 'ook in !er



ocket and $illed it wit! odd drawings o$ t!e girls, t!e $lowers on t!e windowsill, t!e view $rom t!ewindow, anyt!ing t!at ca&g!t !er o'servant eye.Mam%:elle #&ont, l&m, s!ort and 'eady6eyed, !olding !er lorgnettes close to !er eyes, was aso&rceo$ delig!t to Belinda, $or s!e was so easy to draw. 8eatly every girl in t!e class now !ad a neatlittle sketc! o$ Mam’:elle marking !er lace in !er Frenc! grammar. It was t!e am'ition o$ t!eclass to !ave, as a marker, caricat&res o$ all t!e mistresses taking t!eir di$$erent classesMiss0arton $or t!eir !istory 'ooks. Miss 5rayling $or t!e scrit&re eercise 'ooks, Mr. 3o&ng $or t!esc!ool song 'ook and so on.Belinda !ad romised to do one $or eac! girl as a marker, roviding t!at t!ey wo&ld tidy !erdrawers $or !er. kee !er desk sick and san, and generally see t!at w!atever s!e $orgot, wasdone 'e$ore s!e got into tro&'le.> simly can%t !el $orgetting t!ings," s!e elained. %Tin even worse t!an Irene. I$ I get into toomany rows I get &set and cant draw. T!at%s aw$&l." "#on%t worry( *ell r&n ro&nd yo& all rig!t("said Alicia. looking in delig!t at t!e sly drawing Belinda !ad done o$ Mr. 3o&ng t!e singing6master.T!ere !e was, wit! !is $&nny little mo&stac!e twisted & at t!e ends, !is 'ald !ead wit! t!e t!reeor $o&r !airs lastered down t!e middle, !is too6!ig! collar, and !is eyes large 'e!ind t!eirglasses."3o& really are a marvel. Belinda," said Betty, looking over Alicia%s s!o&lder at t!e drawing. "*!atwill yo& draw $or me i$ I romise to take over yo&r week o$ classroom d&ties w!en yo&r t&rn

comes+"T!&s Belinda made !er 'argains, and got o&t o$ all t!e 1o's s!e didn%t want to dot Miss 7arkerwas ama:ed to $ind t!e girls doing so m&c! $or Belinda. Belinda easerated !er wit! !erirresonsi'le ways, and s!e co&ldn%t t!ink w!y t!e girls ran ro&nd !er so m&c!."It%s 4&eer." s!e said to Mam%:elle. "T!ey never do mat $or Irene, w!o is almost as 'ad. #o t!eylike Belinda so m&c! t!en+ I can%t see w!at t!ere is in t!atsilly c!ild to make t!em $&ss ro&nd !er so m&c!( *!y. I even saw 5wendoline tidying o&t !erdesk $or !er t!is morning, instead o$ going o$$ at Break()"A!, Belinda !as t!e artistic temerament(" said Mam%:elle. "S!e !as no time $or s&c! t!ings astidying desks and making 'eds. I mysel$ !ave an artistic temerament, '&t in t!is so6Englis!sc!ool, it gets no symat!y. 3o& Englis!, yo& do not like s&c! t!ings.""8o. we don%t.) said Miss 7arker, w!o !ad !eard a good many times 'e$ore a'o&t Mam%:elle#&ont%s artistic temerament. It &s&ally took t!e $orm o$ groaning over s&c! la'orio&s 1o's as

marking aers, making o&t long lists and so on. Mam%:elle%s artistic temerament was always atwar wit! s&c! tasks, and s!e tried in vain to !and t!em over to more ractical eole, s&c! asMiss 7otts or Miss 7arker."*e m&st 'e atient wit! s&c! as Belinda,) went on Mam%:elle. "/ow I !ave s&$$ered 'eca&seeole...""*ell, 'elieve me, Belinda will s&$$er too, i$ s!e doesn%t get rid o$ some o$ !er ways," said Miss7arker, grimly. "I know w!at Miss 7otts !ad to &t & wit!, in Irene, t!e last year. S!e &t a 'it o$sense into !er. t!ank goodness, and I can deal wit! !er. Belinda%s got to toe t!e line too. It%s a ityall t!e girls seem 'ent on doing so m&c! $or !er."8o'ody told Miss 7arker t!e real, reason, and alt!o&g! s!e tiled !ard to $ind o&t, s!e co&ldn%t.8o'ody s!owed Miss 7arker any o$ t!e drawings eit!er. Belinda !ad a malicio&s encilsometimes, and 1&st !it o$$ t!e weak oints in !er s&'1ects. Miss 7arker%s 'ig nose alwaysaeared in !er drawings 1&st a little 'it 'igger t!an li$e. Mam%:elle -o&gier was always 'onier

t!an s!e really was. Mam%:elle #&ont was ro&nder and $atter. 8o. t!e girls certainly didn%t wantto s!ow t!ose clever caricat&res to t!eir teac!ers( T!e only teac!er w!o was really delig!ted wit!Belinda was Miss ;innie, t!e art mistress. S!e was yo&ng and lig!t6!earted wit! a great sense o$$&n. S!e soon $o&nd o&t Belinda%s gi$t $or art. and enco&raged !er all s!e co&ld.%Tm going to en1oy mysel$ !ere(" said Belinda to Irene. "Miss ;innie%s t!rilled wit! me and is!eling me no end. And I%ve got o&t o$ all t!e silly 1o's I !ate. Emily%s even going to darn mystockings $or me(""3o&%re l&cky,) said Irene, envio&sly. "I wo&ldn%t mind swoing some o$ my m&sic comositions i$some'ody wo&ld do 1o's $or me'&t no'ody wants t!e m&sic I write( B&t t!ey all want yo&r$&nny drawings, Belinda("



Sorting T!emselves &t.T!e $irst week went slowly 'y. It always did go slowly, and t!en a$ter t!at t!e weeks went $asterand $aster. All t!e girls !ad now settled in well, and were en1oying t!emselves.T!e weat!er ket $ine and warm and t!ere was still 'at!ing to 'e !ad $or t!ose w!o wanted it T!etennis co&rts were still in &se too, alt!o&g! t!e winter game o$ lacrosse was now 'eing layed.So t!ere was lenty to do in sare time.5wendoline and #a!ne !ad 'ecome $irm $riends. 5wendoline !ad not !ad a roer $riendd&ring t!e $o&r terms s!e !ad 'een at Malory Towers and s!e was t!rilled to !ave #a!ne. S!eadmired t!e girl%s rettiness and !er c!arming ways, and loved to !ear t!e stories o$ !er wealt!y!ome.T!e two girls !ad m&c! in common. 8eit!er o$ t!em liked t!e water and not!ing wo&ld ers&adet!em to take a di in t!e 7ool."*e !ave to do eno&g! o$ t!at eac! s&mmer." o'1ected 5wendoline, one !ot day, w!en !er $ormtried to get !er to come along and 'at!e, "*e don%t !ave to swim t!is term, so Fm 1olly well notgoing to. Anyway, yo& don%t really want me to comeall yo& want me $or is to cree 'e!ind meand &s! me in()"8owe want Belinda to see yo& s!ivering in yo&r 'at!ing s&it, &tting one toe gingerly into t!ewater() said Alicia. "It wo&ld make s&c! a comical ict&re $or o&r classroom wall. 5wendoline(="Beast() said 5wendoline, w!o !ated to 'e made $&n o$. S!e walked o$$ wit! #a!ne. "<&st'eca&se t!ey live, violent t!ings like swimming and tennis and ro&g! games, t!ey t!ink everyone

o&g!t to," s!e said to #a!ne. "A$ter alt yo& and I !ave never 'een to sc!ool 'e$ore we came!ere, and well never get &sed to all t!eir st&id ideas. I wis! I !ad 'een 'orn Frenc!. T!en Is!o&ldn%t !ave !ad to swim i$ I didn%t want to. or tire mysel$ o&t trying to !it a silly 'all over a net""*e !ave t!ree co&rts at !ome." said #a!ne. Two are !ard and one is so$t. 3o& see. Mot!er is amarvello&s !ostess, and s!e likes to give tennis arties as well as ot!er kinds. B&t, o$ co&rse, t!eones eole really love are t!e ones s!e gives on 'oard #addy%s yac!t.)5wendoline !adn%t !eard a'o&t t!e yac!t 'e$ore. S!e ga:ed envio&sly at !er $riend. 7er!as#a!ne wo&ld invite !er to stay one s&mmer !oliday and t!en s!e too co&ld go on t!is wonder$&lyac!t. /ow leased !er mot!er wo&ld 'e to know s!e !ad made s&c! a $ine $riend at last("3o& m&st !ave !ated coming away to sc!ool. #a!ne," s!e said. ";eaving all yo&r l&&ry, and!aving to ig it !ere. I don%t eect yo& ever made yo&r 'ed in yo&r li$e 'e$ore yo& came !ere.""$ co&rse I didn%t," said #a!ne, s!aking 'ack !er retty !air. "And I 'et yo& didn%t eit!er()"8o. I didn%t," said 5wendoline. "My governess Miss *inter always did t!ings like t!at $or me. S!e

still does in t!e !olidays. S!e%s a st&id old t!ing '&t s!e%s &se$&l in t!ose ways. S!e wasn%t m&c!good at teac!ing me, t!o&g!, I was aw$&lly 'ackward w!en I $irst came !ere."5wendoline still was( Instead o$ getting down to t!ings and trying to work really !ard all t!e termto catc! & wit! t!e ot!ers, s!e made a great s!ow and did very little. /er arents were almostresigned to t!e $act t!at !er reorts always contained t!e words "Fair. 0o&ld work !arder.) "*eak.#oes not &se !er 'rains eno&g!." "7oor!as not tried !er 'est"/er $at!er made lenty o$ c&tting remarks a'o&t !er reorts, '&t as !er mot!er alwayssymat!i:ed wit! 5wendoline, and soilt !er. !is remarks did no good at all, ecet to make5wendoline cross. T!en s!e wo&ld '&rst into tears and it wo&ld 'e all t!at Miss *inter and !ermot!er co&ld do to com$ort !er. 5wendoline knew !ow to t&rn on !er tears all rig!t

And #a!ne knew !ow to t&rn on !er c!arming smile( It got !er o&t o$ a good deal o$ tro&'le,esecially wit! Mam’:elle #&ont Miss ;innie t!e art mistress, and Mr. 3o&ng t!e singing master.Mam%:elle co&ld not resist t!at smile. #a!ne co&ld make it sweet, at!etic, 'rave, a$$ectionate

it was etraordinary w!at a smile co&ld 'e(*!en #a!ne resented a 'adly written Frenc! eercise to Mam%:elle, s!e wo&ld t&rn on !ersmile, and Mam%:elle wo&ld ga:e warmly at !er. A!, t!e retty c!ild("I%ve done my 'est, Mam%:elle," #a!ne wo&ld say, still keeing on !er smile. "B&t I%m a$raid it%snot verygood yet. 3o& seeit%s so di$$ic&lt my not !aving 'een to sc!ool 'e$ore.)T!en t!e smile wo&ld 'ecome rat!er at!etic, and Mam%:elle, 4&ite overcome, wo&ld at#a!ne%s arm."3o& do yo&r 'est, mes en$ant( 3o& cannot do more( See, I will !el yo& i$ yo& like to come to mein t!e evenings $or etra work("



Mam%:elle wo&ld make t!is genero&s o$$er, 'eaming all over !er $ace. B&t #a!ne was 4&ickeno&g! to deal wit! it at once. S!e wo&ld s!ake !er !ead regret$&lly and say !ow sorry s!e was,'&t already s!e !ad etra work wit! anot!er mistress.T!en on wo&ld come t!at smile again, and t!e 'l&e eyes wo&ld look 'eseec!ingly at Mam%:elle."#o not make me do all t!is Frenc! work again, lease. Mam%:elle,) s!e wo&ld say. I !ave som&c! to do. to catc! & wit! t!e ot!ers my $irst term.)

And. no matter w!o !ad t!eir Frenc! eercises to do all over again. #a!ne never did. S!e co&lddo anyt!ing wit! Mam%:elle, i$ only s!e eerted !er c!arm and &t on t!at ravis!ing smile(@n$ort&nately it worked t!e ot!er way wit! Miss 7arker. Miss 7otts and Mam%:elle -o&g1eresecially wit! Mam%:elle -o&gier, w!o, as a r&le, made it a !a'it to dislike t!ose girls t!at t!eot!er Mam%:elle liked, and to tike t!ose s!e didn%tS!e was !ard on #a!ne, and soon it 'ecame imossi'le $or t!e girl even to try to smile at !er.T!ey 'ot! disliked one anot!er intensely. I$ it !ad not 'een $or t!e &neected !el o$ some'odyelse in t!e class, #a!ne wo&ld !ave !ad a very 'ad time, and !ave 'ad all !er work ret&rned$rom Mam%:elle -o&gier.T!at some'ody was. s&rrisingly eno&g!. Mary6;o&t Mary6;o& !ad 'ecome eceedingly good atFrenc!, $or !er mot!er !ad !ad a Frenc! girl to look a$ter !er in t!e !olidays $or t!e ast year,and Mary6;o& co&ld c!atter almost as well in Frenc! now, as s!e co&ld in Englis!, leasing 'ot!Mam%:elles immensely.Mary6;oo t!o&g!t #a!ne was lovely. S!e co&ldn’t !el ga:ing and ga:ing at !er. S!e wo&ld

never, never like !er as m&c! as s!e liked #arrell and Sally, o$ co&rse, '&t s!e co&ldn%t !elwarming to !er rettiness and nice manners.ne day s!e saw #a!ne almost in tears over some ret&rned work $rom Mam%:elle -o&gier. w!o!ad told #a!ne t!at s!e wo&ld ret&rn it yet again i$ it was not given in er$ect t!is time. Mary6;o&went to !er."0an%t 5wendoline !el yo&+" s!e asked timidly. "S!e%s not doing anyt!ing in artic&lar. S!all Iask !er to come and !el yo&+)#a!ne da''ed !er eyes and t&rned a watery '&t still c!arming smile on Mary6;o&. "8o, it%s nogood asking 5wen. S!e%d !el i$ s!e co&ld. B&t s!e%s not m&c! 'etter t!an I am at Frenc!()"*ellI s&ose yo& wo&ldn’t like me to !el yo&, wo&ld yo&+" asked Mary6;o&, eagerly. "I%d liketo.)"!, t!anks aw$&lly." said #a!ne, t!rilled, "3o&%re $rig!t$&lly good at it, I know. Simly wi:ard.;ook, w!at !ave I done wrong !ere+"

Mary6;o& slied !aily into a seat 'eside #a!ne and 'egan to elain a $ew t!ings to !er.*it!o&t reali:ing it s!e !ad soon done t!e w!ole o$ t!e work, and #a!ne smiled to !ersel$, andt!anked Mary6;o& warmly."T!at%s all rig!t," said Mary6;o&, s!yly. S!e ga:ed at #a!ne%s c&rling golden !air. "3o&%ve got'ea&ti$&l !air," s!e said.#a!ne was like 5wen. S!e loved eole to admire!er and say nice t!ings. S!e looked at little Mary6;o& and 4&ite liked !er. Also s!e t!o&g!t itwo&ld 'e etremely &se$&l i$ Mary6;o& wo&ld always !el !er wit! !er Frenc!."I s&ose yo& wo&ldn%t give me a !and wit! my Frenc! sometimes, wo&ld yo&+" s!e asked. Idon%t want any etra coac!ing $rom eit!er o$ t!e Mam%:elles, '&t I%d love to let yo& elain t!ingsto me. 3o& elain very well.)8o'ody !ad ever asked Mary6;o& $or !el 'e$ore in t!at way. S!e went 'rilliant red, andswallowed !ard.

I%d love to." s!e said at last. "Fancy me !eling yo&( I%m t!e one t!at%s &s&ally always r&s!ingro&nd $or !el. I%d love to, #a!ne."So, to t!e astonis!ment o$ t!e second6$ormers, t!ey saw t!e c&rio&s sig!t o$ little Mary6;o& sitting'y #a!ne in t!e evenings at t!e end o$ t!e common6room, care$&lly elaining t!e mistakesmade in t!e Frenc! eercise o$ t!e day 'e$ore("And doing all t!e net day%s work $or !er too() said #arrell in disg&st S!e didn%t like to see t!e$ait!$&l Mary6;o& sitting so long wit! some'ody else. *!y, Mary6;o& !ad tagged along 'e!ind#arrell and Sally $or terms and terms( S&rely s!e wasn%t going to make mat aw$&l #a!ne !er$riend.";et !er 'e," said t!e sensi'le Sally. "I$ s!e wants to !el !er, w!y not+ #a!ne is aw$&l at



Frenc!, '&t I don%t 'lame !er $or not taking etra coac!ing $rom t!e Mam%:elles. 3o& know 'owirrita'le Mam%:elle -o&gier gets in t!e evening, and yo& know !ow long Mam%:elle #&ont keesyo& i$ yo& do go $or etra work. 3o&%re s&osed to go $or !al$ an !o&r and s!e kees yo& two!o&rs()"I !oe #a!ne won%t &t any o$ !er silly ideas into Mary6;o&%s !ead,) said #arrell."May'e Mary6;o& will &t a $ew sensi'le ideas into #a!ne%s !ead," said Sally. I know yo&%relonging to inter$ere, #arrell, don%t("T!e gills soon sorted t!emselves o&t in t!e $orm, making t!eir own $riends, c!oosing eole to sitnet to and go walks wit!. It was nice to !ave a artic&lar $riend, and to !ave someone to con$idein.Sally !ad #arrell and #arrell !ad Sally. Irene !ad Belinda. T!e two 'ecame 4&ite inseara'le,and did one anot!er no good. *!at one $orgot t!e ot!er certainly didn%t remem'er( T!ey seemedto make one anot!er worse.

Alicia, o$ co&rse, !ad Betty. Alicia was not as good6temered as &s&al. S!e still smarted 'eca&ses!e !ad not 'een made !ead6girl, and s!e was not at all nice to Sally nor as loyal to !er as s!es!o&ld !ave 'een. Sally took no notice, '&t s!e was not very !ay a'o&t it5wen !ad #a!ne, o$ co&rseand now Mary6;o& seemed to want #a!ne too( /ow was 5wengoing to $eel a'o&t t!at+"3o& needn%t worry,) said #a!ne to 5wen. "I%m only &sing !er. silly little t!ing( I%ll let !er come o&twit! me sometimes, w!en yo&%re '&sy, 'eca&se I don%t want !er to mink I only want !er !el $or

my Frenc!. 3o& can &se !er too, 5wen. 0oy my work w!en I%ve done it("So 5wendoline &t & wit! Mary6;o&%s comany at times, and even said not!ing w!en s!e wento$$ alone wit! #a!ne. *!at did it matter+ #a!ne was only &sing !er(B&t all t!e same #a!ne co&ldn%t !el liking little Mary6;o&and it was certainly a c!ange $romt!e silly 5wen to !ave good6!earted Mary6;o& trotting 'y !er side once or twice a week(T!e Invisi'le 0!alk.

A$ter a $ew weeks Alicia got restless. It%s time we livened t!ings & a 'it(" s!e said to Betty. I knowwe%re second6$ormers now and all t!at'&t t!ere%s no reason w!y we s!o&ldn%t !ave a 'it o$ $&n.Sally%s s&c! a 'ore6never a 1oke, never a trick()"*!at s!all we do+" said Betty, !er wicked dark eyes gleaming. I’ve got some invisi'le c!alk./ave yo& got anyt!ing+""Invisi'le c!alk( 3on never told met" said Alicia, !er $ace 'rig!tening. "*!at is it+ S!ow me()I’ve got it in my locker, in a 'o," said Betty. "T!e common6room will 'e emty now. 0ome along

and m s!ow yo&. It’s 4&eer st&$$.)T!e two girls went to t!eir common6room. Betty oened !er locker and took o&t a tin 'o. Inside,wraed care$&lly in aer, was a t!ick sla' o$ c&rio&s ink c!alk."It doesn%t look invisi'le(" said Alicia. "*!at does it do+""*ell, i$ yo& r&' it on to a c!air, it can%t ossi'ly 'e seen." said Betty. "And w!oever sits down on itmakes it warm and it leaves a 'rig!t ink atc! on a dress or skirt.""I see," said Alicia. "5ollywe co&ld r&' it on t!e mistress%s c!air in o&r $orm6roomw!enMam%:elle -o&gier is coming er!as."> know( ;et’s r&' it on to Mr. 3o&ng%s c!air, w!en !e comes to take singing(" said Betty. "n !isiano stool( T!en !e’ll sit down !ard on it w!en !e laysaccomaniment $or o&r songsand w!en !e gets& and t&rns ro&nd to write on t!e 'lack'oardgolly, w!at a scream()

Alicia la&g!ed lo&dly. "It wo&ld 'e 'etter to lay it on Mr. 3o&ng t!an on 8osey or Mam%:elle!e

won%t s&sect a t!ingand t!e $irst $orm will !ave a s!are in t!e 1oke too, 'eca&se t!ey takesinging wit! &s(" Alicia c!eered & considera'ly a$ter t!is. S!e and Betty tried o&t t!e invisi'le c!alk very care$&lly,and it was a great s&ccess.Betty took a wooden6'ottomed c!air and r&''ed t!e c&rio&s ink c!alk all over it. ";ook,) s!esaid, "it doesn%t s!ow at all, Alicia. 0an yo& see anyt!ing o$ it+) Alicia looked care$&lly at t!e c!air,tiing it t!is way and t!at "It%s er$ect,) s!e said. "8ot a t!ing to 'e seen( F&nny !ow yo& can r&'it on and it seems to disaear, Betty. It really is invisi'le. 8ow. yo& sit down on it and let me seew!at !aens."Betty sat down, and remained t!ere $or a min&te or two. T!e c!alk wo&ld not work &nless it was



slig!tly warmed. As Betty was sitting solemnly t!ere wit! Alicia watc!ing !er. 5wendoline oed!er !ead in to look $or #a!ne. S!e was astonis!ed to see Betty sitting solemnly 'y !ersel$ on ac!air, wit! Alicia a little way o$$."*!at are yo& doing+) s!e asked c&rio&sly. "*!at%s !aening+)"8ot!ing," said Alicia. "B&:: o$$( #a!ne%s not !ere.""B&t w!at are yo& doing+" ersisted 5wendoline, s&secting somet!ing, t!o&g! s!e didn%t knoww!at "*!y is Betty sitting on t!at &ncom$orta'le c!air in t!e middle o$ t!e room like t!at+""Alicia( 8osey wants yo&() s&ddenly cried a voice, and <ean%s !ead came ro&nd t!e door. "/&rry(S!e%s in a stew a'o&t somet!ing. 3o&r mat!s aer, I s!o&ld t!ink.""Blow(" said Alicia, and s!ot o$$. "Be 'ack in a min&te, Betty," s!e said, and ran down t!eassage. <ean looked wit! interest at Betty sitting all alone in t!e middle o$ t!e common6room.=Tired+" s!e asked. Betty scowled. S!e $elt $oolis!. S!e wanted to !&rl a 'ook at 5wendoline%ssilly golden !ead, '&t s!e didn’t dare to get & in case s!e !ad a nice c!alky attern on !er 'ack.S!e didn%t want to let anyone else into t!e trick at t!e moment."7aralysed or somet!ing, oor t!ing," said 5wendoline. "0an%t get &. r er!as it%sr!e&matism("To Betty%s great relie$ 5wendoline 'ecame tired o$ teasing !er and went o&t to $ind #a!ne. <eangave a grin and le$t too. Betty got & and looked ro&nd at !ersel$. S!e gave a c!&ckle o$ delig!t.S!e !ad a 'rilliant ink attern on t!e skirt o$ !er t&nic. /ow etraordinary t!at t!e invisi'le c!alks!o&ld act like t!at w!en it was warmed &(

Alicia came $lying in. "#oes it work+" s!e cried, and giggled w!en Betty sw&ng ro&nd and s!owed!er t!e 'rig!t ink marks. "5olly, it%s $ine I *ell try it on old Mr. 3o&ng tomorrow(""S!all we tell anyone+" asked Betty."8ot a so&l," said Alicia. "Someone%s s&re to give it away 'y giggling i$ we do. 8owe%ll let dearMr. 3o&ng sring t!is s&rrise !imsel$ on an astonis!ed a&dience("8eit!er Betty nor Alicia did m&c! re t!at nig!t 7otty, w!o was taking re, looked wit!s&sicion at t!e two lotters and wondered w!at was &. It was o'vio&s t!at t!eir t!o&g!ts wereleasantly and !&moro&sly engaged $ar elsew!ere.7otty knew t!e signs. S!e warned Miss 7arker. "T!ose two in yo&r $orm, Alicia and Betty, are &to somet!ing. Miss 7arker. ;ook o&t tomorrow. 3o&’ll!ave an &nacco&nta'le smell, or a c&rio&s noise, or an orgy o$ 'ook6droing or somet!ing.""T!anks." said Miss 7arker grimly. I’ll watc! o&t."B&t s!e co&ld see not!ing o&t o$ t!e way in !er $irst lesson, or in !er second one eit!er. T!e girls

worked m&c! as &s&al. nly Alicia and Betty seemed restless. B&t t!en t!ey o$ten were,esecially Alicia, w!ose 4&ick mind o$ten c!a$ed at t!e slower rate o$ t!e ot!ers.T!e lesson 'e$ore Break was singing. <&st 'e$ore t!e second lesson was $inis!ed Betty &t &!er !and, "7lease, Miss 7arker, it%s my t&rn to get t!ings ready $or Mr. 3o&ng in t!e singing6room.May I go+"Miss 7arker glanced at t!e clock. "3es. 3o& !ave a'o&t $o&r min&tes."Betty $las!ed a 4&ick grin at Alicia and went dem&rely to t!e door. nce o&tside s!e raced downt!e corridor and made !er way to t!e singing6room. 8o one was t!ere. Mr. 3o&ng was always amin&te or two late, t!ank goodness(Betty $lew to t!e iano stool. It was t!e ro&nd leat!er6toed kind, t!at co&ld 'e screwed ro&ndand ro&nd. Betty took o&t !er iece o$ ink c!alk and r&''ed it vigoro&sly all over t!e to o$ t!ero&nd stool.S!e was s&re t!ere was not a single sot &nc!alked, t!o&g!, o$ co&rse, s!e co&ld not see

anyt!ing o$ w!at s!e !ad done at all. It certainly was invisi'le c!alk(T!en s!e 4&ickly sent t!e stool sinning ro&nd till% it was too low $or Mr. 3o&ng. I$ ever it was toolow or too !ig! !e !ad a little !a'it o$ sitting on t!e stool and going ro&nd and ro&nd wit! it till it!ad reac!ed t!e !eig!t !e liked. I$ only !e did t!at today it wo&ld give t!e c!alk a wonder$&lc!ance o$ getting roerly on to !im(Betty stacked t!e m&sic ready and cleaned t!e 'lack'oard. T!en t!ere came t!e so&nd o$ $eetand t!e $irst$orm marc!ed into t!e room &nder t!e s!ar eye o$ Miss 7otts.T!en came t!e second $orm. Alicia%s eyes were 'rig!t. Betty grinned at !er and winked. T!en s!ewent to !old t!e door $or t!e two mistresses to go o&t and $or Mr. 3o&ng to come in.



In !e trotted, a daer little man in a well6'r&s!ed 'lack s&it and a too6!ig! collar. /e smoot!ed!is ointed mo&stac!e and 'owed olitely to t!e girls."5ood morning, yo&ng ladies.""5ood morning, Mr. 3o&ng," t!ey c!or&sed, and r&stled t!eir song6s!eets. T!e lesson 'egan. Mr.3o&ng took some 'lack'oard drill $or $ive min&tes, elaining vario&s notes and signs. T!en !ewent to t!e iano.Betty n&dged Alicia and !eld !er 'reat!. B&t, most annoyingly, Mr. 3o&ng did not sit down. /estr&ck a $ew notes wit! one !and, standing $acing t!e girls as !e did so, !is 'aton raised."Eercises, lease," !e said. "I wis! to see yo&r mo&t!s well oen, and to !ear t!e so&nd coming$rom t!e Back o$ t!e T!roat."Mr. 3o&ng set great store on t!e "Back o$ t!e T!roat". It was always coming into everyt!ing,eercises, songs and sig!t6reading. "Back o$ t!e T!roat" was !is one &n$ailing motto.8ow !e stood, instead o$ sitting, and cond&cted t!e eercises. Alicia was in agonies o$disaointment. S&ose !e didn%t sit down at all+ 7ro'a'ly t!e net erson t!en, to sit downwo&ld 'e t!e accomanist o$ t!e mistress w!o ta&g!t dancingand s!e always wore a 'rig!tlycolo&red $rock so t!at t!e c!alk wo&ldn%t s!ow at all. *!at a waste(B&t Mr. 3o&ng did sit down event&ally, o$ co&rse. /e !ad a new song to teac! to t!e girls, and, asalways, !e wanted to lay t!e w!ole t!ing t!ro&g! two or t!ree"T!e c!alk o&g!t to 'e working now("times 'e$ore !e ta&g!t it, so t!at t!e girls co&ld catc! t!e !it and swing and t&ne o$ it

So down !e sat. A!a( T!at stool was once more too low( Mr. 3o&ng twirled !imsel$ vigoro&slyro&nd on it till it was t!e rig!t !eig!t. T!e girls giggled. Mr. 3o&ng co&ld never reali:e !ow $&nny!e was, twirling ro&nd lig!tly on t!at little stool."8ow I will lay yo& yo&r new song," said Mr. 3o&ng. "3o& may sit to listen to it. 3o& will !earw!en t!e c!or&s comes, $or I will sing it to yo&."$$ !e started, t&mty6t&m6ti6tam, !is !ands $lying & and down, and t!en !is voice 'ooming o&t att!e c!or&s. Alicia and Betty winked at one anot!er. T!e c!alk o&g!t to 'e working now tT!ree times Mr. 3o&ng layed t!e song and t!en !e got &. "#id yo& like it+" !e asked, and t!egirls c!or&sed lo&dly. "!, yes, Mr. 3o&ng()Mr. 3o&ng t&rned towards t!e 'lack'oard and icked & a iece o$ w!ite c!alk. At once t!e girlssaw t!at !e was smeared wit! t!e 'rig!test ink at t!e 'ack( T!ey stared in delig!t.";ook at Mr. 3o&ng( *!at%s !e r&''ed against+ !, do look("Soon t!e class was in a state o$ giggle and Mr. 3o&ng glared ro&nd.

"Silence, lease( *!at 'e!avio&r is t!is today+" T!ere was a momentary silence, '&t as soon ast!e &n$ort&nate singing6master t&rned 'ack to t!e 'oard again more giggles 'roke o&t T!en Irenegave one o$ !er terri$ic elosions.Mr. 3o&ng $l&ng t!e c!alk down on t!e $loor. /e looked as i$ !e was a'o&t to stam on it andro'a'ly !e wo&ld !ave done so i$ t!e door !adn%t s&ddenly oened, and Miss 5raylingaeared. S!e !ad someone wit! !er."!, ec&se me $or interr&ting yo&r class, Mr. 3o&ng," s!e said. "B&t co&ld yo& 1&st !ave a wordwit! Mr. ;emming a'o&t t!e iano !ere+"Mr. 3o&ng !ad to swallow !is annoyance and elain w!at was wrong wit! t!e iano. In doing so!e t&rned !is 'ack to Miss 5rayling w!o eyed t!is atc! o$ 'rilliant ink wit! t!e &tmostastonis!ment. T!e girls were as 4&iet as mice now, and Alicia and Betty $elt distinctly anio&s.Miss 5rayling t&rned to Sally, t!e !ead o$ t!e second $orm. "*ill yo& go to t!e !all and $etc! t!eclot!es 'r&s! t!ere+" s!e said. "7oor Mr. 3o&ng !as 'r&s!ed against somet!ing."

Sally $lew o$$ and $etc!ed t!e 'r&s!. Mr. 3o&ng was s&rrised to !ear Miss 5rayling%s remark. /elooked over !is s!o&lder trying to see !imsel$."Is it aint+" !e asked in alarm. "I do !oe not( !only c!alk( /ow in t!e world did it get t!ere+""y("Soon t!e o$$ending ink c!alk !ad 'een vigoro&sly 'r&s!ed away 'y Mr. ;emming, w!o t!enroceeded to sit down on t!e iano stool !imsel$ to try o&t some o$ t!e 'ass notes, w!ic! !adgone wrong. Alicia and Betty watc!ed 'reat!lessly. Most o$ t!e girls, g&essing t!at some trick was'eing layed, watc!ed eagerly too.T!ey were well rewarded w!en Mr. ;emming rose $rom t!e stool. /e was wearing a long 'lackovercoat and on it was a wonder$&l attern o$ 'rig!t ink. Mr. 3o&ng stared at it in ama:ement



"A!, yo& !ave it tool" !e cried. "See, Miss 5rayling. Mr. ;emming !as 'r&s!ed & againstsomet!ing also. I will soon &t !im rig!t."In site o$ 'eing &nder Miss 5rayling%s eye t!e girls 'egan to giggle. Miss 5rayling looked very&::led."3o&r coat was 4&ite all rig!t w!en we came along !ere," s!e said to Mr. ;emming. I am s&re Is!o&ld !ave noticed it i$ yo& !ad 'r&s!ed against anyt!ing so violently ink as t!is. In any caset!ere is no wall as ink as t!is c!alk( *!atever can !ave !aened+"S!e walked to t!e stool and looked at it very closely. Alicia and Betty !ardly dared to 'reat!e. B&tt!e invisi'le c!alk lived & to its name and Miss 5rayling did not see a sign o$ it. It did not occ&rto !er to sit down and see i$ t!e same t!ing !aened to !er. Still $eeling &::led s!e took Mr.;emming o&t o$ t!e room, and t!e lesson roceeded again.8ot &ntil t!e end o$ it did oor Mr. 3o&ng sit down on t!at stool again. *!en !e got &, 'e!old( /ewas as retty a sig!t as 'e$ore, and t!e girls st&$$ed t!eir !ankies into t!eir mo&t!s trying not toelode wit! mirt!. Mr. 3o&ng noticed not!ing t!is time. /e walked omo&sly to t!e door andgave t!e girls t!e 4&ick little 'ow !e always ket $or t!em."5ood morning, yo&ng ladies(" And o&t !e went, s!owing !is atc! o$ 'rilliant colo&r. As !e wentt!e 'ell $or Break rang, and t!e girls tore into t!e 0o&rt, longing to give way to t!eir ent6&la&g!ter."Alicia( 3o& !ad somet!ing to do wit! it( *!at was it+""!, it was marvello&s( *!en 'e t&rned ro&nd to t!e 'lack'oard I t!o&g!t I s!o&ld die()

"Betty( #arell( *as it yo&r trick+ /ow did yo& do it+ I looked at t!e stool and t!ere wasn%t a t!ingto 'e seen(""T!at reminds me,) said Betty to Alicia wit! a grin. "I m&st get a wet clot! and r&' it over t!e stool"S!e disaeared, and t!e girls s&rged ro&nd Alicia, 'egging !er to tell t!em t!e secretMeanw!ile Mr. 3o&ng was walking down one o$ die long corridors, 4&ite &naware o$ !is 'ea&ti$&ldecoration. Mam%:elle #ooot !aened to come o&t o$ a room 1&st 'e!ind !im, and stareddis'elievingly at t!e etraordinary sig!t. S!e raced a$ter !im."Monsie&r 3o&ng( /a, Monsie&r 3o&ng("Mr. 3o&ng was scared o$ 'ot! Mam%:elles. /e !astened !is stes. Mam%:elle ran more 4&ickly."Monsie&r, Monsie&r, attende:, 1e vo&s rie( *ait, wait. 3o& cannot go o&t like t!at( It is terri'le()Mr. 3o&ng sw&ng ro&nd, annoyed. "*!at is it+ *!at%s terri'le+""T!is( t!is(" said Mam%:elle. and taed !im smartly on t!e c!alk, A clo&d o$ it $lew o$$ at once. Mr.3o&ng was !orri$ied at 'eing taed so $amiliarly 'y Mam%:elle and ama:ed at t!e clo&d o$ c!alk

t!at Sew $rom !is erson. /e wriggled !imsel$ ro&nd to try and see it, remem'ering w!at Mr.;emming%s coat !ad 'een like."I will attend to yo&," said Mam%:elle, o&t o$ t!e kindness o$ !er !eart,, and ca&g!t !old o$ !is arm.S!e !&rried !im to a !all6stand, took & a 'r&s! t!ere, and wit! etremely vigoro&s strokes s!eremoved t!e c!alk $rom !is clot!es./e was angry and not at all grate$&l. %Twice it !as !aened t!is morning," !e said angrily toMam%:elle and act&ally s!ook !is $ ist in !er $ace as i$ s!e was t!e c&lrit. S!e 'acked away,alarmed. Mr. 3o&ng snatc!ed & !is !at and went o$$. m&ttering to !imsel$."/e is not olite, t!at man," said Mam%:elle to !ersel$. "I do !im a kindness, and !e &ts !is $istinto my $ace. I will never seak to !im again."T!e only girl w!o !ad seen t!is eisode in t!e !all was #arrell, and s!e !&rried to t!e ot!ers wit!t!e tit'it "I was going ast t!e end o$ t!e !all and I saw Mam%:elle 'anging at Mr. 3o&ng $or all s!ewas wort!

wit! t!e clot!es 'r&s!," s!e anted "/e was so angry( !, do let’s do it again. Alicia. It%s agorgeo&s trick("It is always a mistake to lay t!e same trick twice r&nning, and Alicia knew it B&t s!e co&ld notresist t!e temtation to try it on Mam%:elle #&ont"S!all we+" s!e asked Betty, and Betty nodded in glee. T!e girls crowded ro&nd to see t!e 4&eerinvisi'le c!alk. T!ey c!&ckled and la&g!ed w!en t!ey t!o&g!t o$ t!e singing6lesson, and t!ey lett!e $irst6$ormers into t!e secret too.

Altoget!er t!e trick c!eered & everyone considera'ly, and t!e t!o&g!t mat t!ey wo&ld lay itonce more gave t!em somet!ing to look $orward to."*!o can r&' it on t!e mistress%s c!air 'e$ore t!e Frenc! lesson t!is a$ternoon+) demanded



Betty. "Alicia and I can%t. *e%ve no c!ance o$ 'eing in t!e room. *!o is room monitor+""I am." said #arrell. I’ll do it( 5ive me t!e c!alk( *!at do yo& do+ <&st r&' it over t!e c!air+"Ten min&tes 'e$ore a$ternoon sc!ool #arrell slied into t!e second6$orm classroom. It was !er

1o' t!at week to tidy t!e 'ooks!elves, clean t!e 'lack'oard and see t!at t!e c!alk was !andy andt!e d&ster t!ere.It took !er only a min&te to do t!ese t!ings. T!en s!e went to t!e c!air t!at stood 'e!ind t!e deskand took t!e c!alk $rom !er ocket. S!e was a'o&t to r&' it over t!e seat o$ t!e c!air w!en amisc!ievo&s idea str&ck !er.0o&ldn%t s!e write somet!ing s!ort so t!at a word wo&ld aear on Mam%:elle%s skirt and sendeveryone into $its+ It wo&ld !ave to 'e a s!ort word."Ill write %3’ " said #arrell to !ersel$, in glee. "I’ll !ave to write it 'ackwards, so t!at it will come o$$ on Mam%:elle t!e rig!t way ro&nd."So, very ainstakingly s!e r&''ed t!e c!alk on t!e seat o$ t!e c!air in t!e $orm o$ t!e two letters and 3. y( Fancy going a'o&t wit! t!at written on yo&( /ow all t!e girls wo&ld yell(T!e 'ell went $or lessons. #arrell slied t!e c!alk into !er ocket and went to !er lace. S!egiggled w!en t!e rest o$ t!e $orm came in."#id yo& do it+ #id yo& !ave time+" w!isered t!e girls. #arrell nodded. T!en in came Mam%:elle,aearing to 'e in 4&ite a good temer, and t!e door was s!&t.Mam%:elle sat down at once. S!e !ad very tiny $eet and did not like standing. T!e girls watc!edeagerly. *!en wo&ld s!e stand &+ #arrell co&ld !ardly wait $or !er to t&rn !er 'ack to t!e class.

*!at wo&ld t!ey say w!en t!ey saw w!at s!e !ad written on t!e c!air(<ean was called to t!e 'lack'oard to write somet!ing. "#o it all wrong(" !issed #arrell. T!enMam%:elle will get & to correct it."So, m&c! to Mam%:elle%s s&rrise, die &s&ally care$&l <ean made ridic&lo&s mistakes in t!eFrenc! words s!e wrote down, and aeared to 'e 4&ite &na'le to &t t!em rig!t, desiteMam%:elle%s easerated instr&ctions. At last t!oro&g!ly annoyed, s!e dismissed <ean to !erseat, and got & to &t t!e mistakes rig!t !ersel$.T!e class saw !er 'ack view at once, and gased. *ritten across !er tig!t6$itting skirt in 'rig!tink letters was t!e word "3(" Even #arrell was s&rrised to see it so clearly, and s&ddenly $eltvery &ncom$orta'le. It was one t!ing to make a atc! o$ ink aear on some'ody%s clot!esitco&ld easily 'e elained away'&t !ow co&ld t!e word "3" 'e elained+ It was 4&iteimossi'le.T!e class gaed at Mam%:elle%s 'ack view. T!ey were a'sol&tely taken a'ack. T!ey didn%t know

w!et!er to giggle or to 'e alarmed"#arrell( 3o& idiot( I S&ose s!e goes walking & t!e corridor in $ront o$ all t!e ot!er mistresseswit! t!at written on !er skirt(" !issed Alicia. "-eally, yo& mig!t !ave more sense.)T!e t!o&g!t o$ me ot!er mistresses seeing Mam’:elle%s "3(" really alarmed t!e $orm. Miss7arker wo&ld certainly not arove. S!e wo&ld consider it most disresect$&l.B&t !ow to get it o$$+ T!at dread$&l ink "3) $las!ed 'ack and $ort! as Mam%:elle wrote on t!e'oard, t&rned to t!e class to elain, and wrote again.I’ll tell Mam%:elle s!e%s got some d&st or somet!ing on !er skirt and I’ll 'r&s! it o$$.) romised#arrell, in a w!iser. "At t!e end o$ t!e lesson."B&t s!e !ad no c!ance to, $or Mam%:elle walked o$$ in a !&rry, remem'ering t!at s!e was late $ort!e $irst $orm, net door. And t!e $irst6$ormers !ad t!e s&rrise o$ t!eir lives w!en t!ey sawMam’:elle%s ink "3" $las!ing at mem every ot!er min&te(T!ey co&ldn%t kee 'ack t!eir giggles and Mam%:elle grew more and more $&rio&s. "*!at is t!ere

so $&nny a'o&t me t!is a$ternoon+%% s!e demanded. "Is my !air &ntidy+ Is my $ace 'lack+ Are mys!oes not a air+""8o, Mam%:elle," said t!e $irst $orm, almost !elless wit! trying to sto t!eir la&g!ter."I am not $&nny and I do not $eel $&my," said Mam%:elle, severely. "B&t I s!all soon do some $&nnyt!ings. A!, yes( I s!all soon say %ne !&ndred lines o$ Frenc! oetry $rom yo&, lease, and $romyo& and yo&( A!a( I s!all soon 'e very $&nny(*it! t!at s!e sw&ng ro&nd to t!e 'lack'oard and t!e =3(" $las!ed again. T!e $irst $orm cl&tc!edone anot!er in agonies o$ s&ressed la&g!ter.B&t all t!e same t!ey !ad t!e sense to gra' Mam%:elle 'e$ore s!e went o&t o$ die room. "*ell!ave to get t!at o$$ !er 'e$ore s!e goes," said /ilda. "r else t!e second6$ormers will get into



aw$&l tro&'le. I eect t!ey meant to 'r&s! it o$$ some!ow and didn%t !ave t!e c!ance.)So, 'e$ore Mam’:elle le$t t!e $irst6$orm room, /ilda olitely o$$ered to 'r&s! down !er skirt, as itwas all d&sty wit! c!alk."Tiens(" said Mam%:elle, looking down at it T!is 'lack'oard c!alk( It is not good $or dresses.T!ank yo&, /ilda, vo&s ties gentile( 3o& are kind. S!e stood like a lam' w!ilst /ilda assid&o&sly'r&s!ed !er skirt 'ack and $ront, and got rid o$ t!e ink "3" T!en s!e walked o&t o$ t!e room.T!e second6$ormers, w!o !ad $inis!ed t!eir lesson, were watc!ing $or !er, !oing to 'r&s! !erdown t!emselves 'e$ore s!e went o$$ to t!e little room s!e s!ared wit! Miss 7otts.*it! great relie$ t!ey saw t!at Mam%:elle%s skirt was now sotless. T!ey went 'ack into t!eir $orm6room and sank down into t!eir c!airs.T!ank goodness(" said Alicia. "*e mig!t !ave got into a $irst6class row over mat 7otty or 8oseywo&ld certainly !ave reorted it i$ t!ey%d seen t!at %3’ 3o& know !ow annoyed t!e mistresses geti$ t!ey t!ink we%ve 'een really disresect$&l, #arrell. 3o& were an idiot( I s&ose Salty &t yo& &to it. Fine !ead o$ $orm s!e is(""S!&t &(" said #arrell, annoyed wit! !ersel$ and everyone else too. "Sally !ad not!ing to do wit!it. I 1&st didn%t t!ink, t!at%s all.)T!e Term 5oes n.T!e a$$air o$ t!e invisi'le c!alk was talked a'o&t $or days a$terwards. Some o$ t!e &er sc!oolgot to !ear a'o&t it, and secretly wis!ed t!ey too co&ld !ave seen Mam’:elle%s "3" T!ose in t!eknow grinned at #arrell w!en t!ey met !er. and w!isered "3" into !er ear(

It seemed as i$ everyone t!o&g!t t!at t!e w!ole idea was #arrell’s, and Alicia and Betty wereannoyed a'o&t it *!y s!o&ld #arrell get all t!e credit, w!en all s!e !ad done was to make t!atword aear on Mam%:elle%s skirt, and risk getting t!e w!ole o$ t!e $orm into very serio&s tro&'le+T!e two o$ t!em cold6s!o&ldered #arrell, and #arrell retaliated 'y ignoring t!em as m&c! as s!eco&ld. S!e knew t!at Alicia was still sore a'o&t not 'eing !ead6girl, and was not 'eing nice toSally. #arrell was loyal, and s!e was not going to !ave t!at i$ s!e co&ld !el it(

Alicia%s tong&e grew wild and s!ar again. #arrell, knowing t!at Alicia was trying to make !er lose!er temer, grew red wit! s&ressed rage, '&t said not!ing. S!e m&stn%t lose !er temer, s!em&stn%t I I$ s!e did s!e wo&ld 'egin to s!o&t, s!e mig!t even t!row somet!ing at Aliciaand t!ens!e wo&ld &t !ersel$ in t!e wrong immediately. So s!e looked as i$ s!e was going to '&rst, '&tdidn%t.

And it was very 'ad $or !er. Sally tried to calm !er down, '&t t!at made #arrell worse."#on%t yo& see t!at it%s 'eca&se yo&%re my $riend t!at I get so wild wit! Alicia+" #arrell wo&ld say.

"S!e co&ld say all s!e liked a'o&t me, I wo&ldn%t care'&tit%s 'ard to sit and listen to t!ings a'o&t yo&. Sally. All 'eca&se s!e%s 1ealo&s. S!e 1&st says t!em'eca&se s!e knows I%ve got a temer and want to stick & $or yo&.""*ell, $or goodness? sake don%t go and $all into !er tra." said t!e sensi'le Sally. T!at wo&ld 'eidiotic. S!e and Betty wo&ld !ave t!e la&g! over yo& easily." So oor #arrell !ad to grit !er teet!and say not!ing w!en Alicia and Betty !ad one o$ t!eir cross6talk conversations to 'ait !er."#ear Sally() Alicia wo&ld say. "Always so goodand yet so d&ll. T!e 7er$ect /ead65irl. #on%tyo& t!ink so, Betty+""!, I do so agree wit! yo&,) Betty wo&ld say, wit! a smile t!at in$&riated #arrell. "T!ink w!at agood eamle s!e is to &s alldear, conscientio&s Sally. -eally, I $eel overcome wit! s!ame atmy $a&lts w!en I see Sally sitting so rim and good in class. 8ot a 1oke, not a smile. S&c! a model$or all o$ &s I ="*!at s!o&ld we do wit!o&t !er+" Alicia wo&ld go on, glancing slyly at #arrell to see i$ s!e was at

'&rsting6oint yet. I$ #arrell got & and went away, t!e two co&nted it as a victory $or t!em'&toor #arrell knew 4&ite well t!at i$ s!e stayed m&c! longer. !er mo&t! wo&ld oen and s!e wo&ldsay t!ings s!e wo&ld regret 'itterly a$terwards.So #arrell%s temer was not too good t!ose days. And t!ere was someone else w!ose temerwas not good eit!er. And t!at was Ellen%s.S!e !ad 'een 4&ite even6temered, t!o&g! rat!er worried6looking $or t!e $irst $ew weeks. Andt!en s&ddenly s!e 'ecame really irrita'le. S!e snaed at t!e girls, and t!e little de$t in !er$ore!ead deeened &ntil it seemed as i$ s!e was always $rowning.<ean tried to $ind o&t i$ anyt!ing was t!e matter. Sally !ad tried, '&t Ellen seemed to t!ink t!atSally



was 1&st 'eing a good !ead6girl, saying to set !er rig!t and sto !er 'eing so irrita'le. So s!esnaed at Sally, and t!e !ead6girl, s&rrised and !&rt, said no more."F&nny girl(" s!e said to #arrell. "I don%t &nderstand !er. S!e%s won a sc!olars!i to MaloryTowers w!ic! m&st mean s!e%s terri'ly cleverand s!e works as !ard or !arder t!an any o$ &sdoand yet s!e%s never to, or even in t!e $irst t!ree or $o&r( I s&ose s!e%s cross a'o&t t!atand gets 'ad6temered. I don%t like !er.""8eit!er do I." said #arrell. "S!e%s not wort! 'ot!ering a'o&t, Sally. ;eave !er alone.""!, I t!ink s!e%s wort! 'ot!ering a'o&t," said Sally. "Every'ody is. I’ll ask <ean to !ave a wordwit! !er. S!e sits net to !er in class."<ean was a very $ort!rig!t girl, wit! little imagination, and &s&ally went at t!ings in t!e way a tankmig!t, cr&s!ing all resistance, insisting on knowing w!at s!e wanted to know. B&t $or somereason s!e did not tackle Ellen 4&ite in t!is way. S!e sat net to !er in class and s!e slet net to!er in t!e dormyso s!e !ad !ad lenty o$ oort&nity o$ !earing Ellen%s &nconscio&s sig!s andlittle groans w!en s!e was !ard at workor w!en s!e was trying to go to slee IS!e knew t!at Ellen o$ten lay awake at nig!t, and s!e g&essed t!at Ellen was worrying a'o&tsomet!ing. It co&ldn%t 'e !er work, s&relyno sc!olars!i girl needed to worry a'o&t work( As $aras s!e !ad seen, all sc!olars!i girls $o&nd work very easy indeed.<ean was a kindly girl, t!o&g! sometimes m&c! too 'l&nt in !er seec! and ways. S!e tried tot!ink 'ow to get at Ellen. T!ere didn%t seem any way ecet 'y asking !er straig!t o&t w!at wast!e matter, and co&ldn%t it 'e &t rig!t+

B&t t!at 1&st wo&ldn%t do. Ellen wo&ld sna at once, as s!e did to Sally. So, $or once, <ean gavet!e matter some t!o&g!t, and did not act as cl&msily as s!e &s&ally did.Ellen !ad no $riend. S!e did not enco&rage anyone at an. not even t!e 4&iet Emily. <ean set!ersel$ o&t to 'e $riendly in &no'tr&sive ways. S!e wo&ld never 'e a'le to $orce oat o$ Ellen w!atwas t!e matter'&t er!as s!e co&ld ers&ade t!e girl to tr&st !er eno&g! to want to tell !er(T!is was really a very raisewort!y idea on <ean%s art, $or it was seldom t!at t!e 'l&nt Scots girl'ot!ered !ersel$ to go to a lot o$ tro&'le in !er dealings wit! eole.B&t s!e was rat!er ro&d t!at Sally !ad asked !er to try !er !and at Ellen, as s!e !ersel$ !ad$ailed. So, alt!o&g! Ellen did not reali:e it at t!e time, <ean set !ersel$ o&t to 'e kind and !el$&lin all kinds o$ little ways.S!e !eled Ellen to !&nt $or ages $or !er gym s!oes w!ic! were lost. S!e symat!i:ed w!en t!e!otogra! o$ Ellen%s arents got 'roken, and o$$ered to get some glass cat $or t!e $rame, w!en

net s!e went to t!e s!os. S!e !eled !er to dry !er !air w!en s!e was!ed it <&st little t!ingst!at no'ody, not even Ellen at $irst, noticed very m&c!.B&t grad&ally Ellen grew to tr&st t!is s!rewd Scots girl S!e told !er w!en s!e !ad a very 'ad!eadac!e, alt!o&g! s!e re$&sed to go to Matron and ten !er too. S!e stoed snaing at <ean,t!o&g! s!e still snaed at everyone elseecet Mary6;o&. It wo&ld need a very !ard6!earted,'ad6temered erson to sna at little Mary6;o&(T!ere were some evenings w!en Ellen was 4&ite &n'eara'le. "-eally, anyone wo&ld t!ink s!es&$$ered $rom w!at my mot!er calls "8erves)." said Alicia, one evening. "<&ms at any little t!ing,takes t!ings t!e wrong way, snas like a 'ad doglook at !er now, scowling at !er work6'asketas i$ it !ad 'itten !er("I$ anyone assed too close to Ellen and knocked !er el'ow, s!e wo&ld 1&m and sna ";ook o&t(0ant yo& see w!ere yo&%re going+)I$ anyone interr&ted !er reading, s!e wo&ld slam !er 'ook down on t!e ta'le and glare at t!e

o$$ender. "0an%t yo& see I’m reading+ T!ere isn%t a 4&iet lace in t!e w!ole o$ t!is 'eastly !o&se()"3o&%re not reading," #arrell wo&ld say. "3o& !aven%t t&rned a age since yo& took & yo&r 'ook(""!so yo&%ve 'een watc!ing me. !ave yo&+" Ellen wo&ld say, and !er eyes wo&ld s&ddenly $illwit! tears. T!en s!e wo&ld go o&t o$ t!e room and slam t!e door."Isn%t s!e aw$&l( Scratc!es like a cat""I wis! s!e%d won a sc!olars!i to somew!ere else(""Always retending to read and st&dy and yet s!e slides down lower every week( /yocrite, I call!er()"c!, s!e%s not a !ay girl( May'e s!e !asn%t settled down !ere yet(" T!at was <ean, o$ co&rse,and Sally wo&ld $las! !er a glance o$ aroval. <ean certainly 'ad an &!ill task wit! Ellen, '&t



s!e was ersevering wit! it(T!e weat!er was 'ad 1&st t!en, and t!ere was no lacrosse, and not even a walk, $or t!e co&ntryro&nd a'o&t was dee in m&d. T!e girls grew restless, enned & indoors, and t!e teac!ersdecided t!at, 'ad weat!er or not, t!ere !ad 'etter 'e a Sc!ool *alk t!e net day.Everyone groaned. T!e rain o&red down. T!e sky was 'lack and lowering. T!e lacrosse $ieldswere !al$ &nder water. *!atever wo&ld t!e co&ntry lanes 'e like+ T!e sea was an angry grey6green, and t!e wind was so !ig! on t!e cli$$ t!at no girl was allowed & t!ere in case s!e was'lown over.5wendoline and #a!ne gr&m'led t!e lo&dest o$ all 5wendoline develoed a ersistent sni$$ inclass, !oingt!at Miss 7arker wo&ld t!ink s!e !ad a cold and let !er o$$ t!e walk. B&t Miss 7arker !ad 'eenwarned 'y 7otty o$ 5wendoline%s sni$$s, and was not symat!etic. "I$ yo& sni$$ any more, yo& cango and do it o&tside t!e door," s!e said. "I$ t!ere%s one t!ing I cannot 'ear, it%s some'ody sni$$ing.It%s disg&sting, it%s &nnecessary, and in yo&r case, it is ro'a'ly &t on, 5wendoline.)?5wendoline glared. *!y were t!ere no sc!ool teac!ers like !er old governess at !ome. Miss*inter+ S!e always r&s!ed $or a t!ermometer at once, i$ 5wendoline so m&c! as cleared !ert!roat, and wo&ld never, never dream o$ making !er go o&t $or a walk in s&c! terri'le weat!er IS!e did not dare to sni$$ again, and was annoyed at #arrell’s grins. #a!ne looked at !ersymat!etically. 8ot t!at s!e cared w!et!er 5wendoline !ad a cold or not, '&t it was t!e t!ing todo5wendoline simly laed & symat!y.

#a!ne !ersel$ tried ot!er tactics to get o&t o$ t!e walk. S!e !ad no intention at all o$ wadingt!ro&g! miles o$ m&d. S!e went to Mam%:elle #&ont wit! !er eercise 'ook t!at evening. S!e&t on !er sweetest smile and knocked at t!e door o$ t!e little room w!ic! Miss 7otts s!ared wit!Mam%:elle. S!e !oed $ervently t!at 7otts wasn%t t!ere. 7otty always seemed to 'e irritated 'y#a!ne%s resence.Fort&nately 7otty wasn%t t!ere. "A!, it is yo&. ma etite #a!ne(" cried Mam%:elle, welcoming !er$avo&rite wit! a smile almost as c!arming as #a!ne%s. "3o& !ave somet!ing to say to me+ 3o&do not &nderstand somet!ing, is it not+""!. Mam%:elle, Fm in s&c! a m&ddle over t!ese tenses," said #a!ne. "I really do $eel t!at Io&g!t to !ave a little coac!ing in t!em, i$ yo& co&ld ossi'lysare t!e time. I do so 'adly want to get my Frenc! 'etter.""B&t it !as 'een m&c! 'etter lately, my dear c!ild(" cried Mam%:elle, 'eaming, not knowing t!atlittle Mary6;o& !ad 'een doing most o$ #a!ne%s Frenc! $or !er. "I am leased wit! yo&."

#a!ne t&rned on !er smile again and Mam%:elle%s !eart melted still $&rt!er. A!. t!is retty#a!ne( S!e &t !er arm aro&nd !er. "3es, yes, o$ co&rse I will give yo& a little etra coac!ing."s!e said. "*e s!all soon &t t!ese tenses rig!t. 3o& can stay now, ma etite(""8o, not now, Mam%:elle." said #a!ne. "B&t I co&ld give & t!at lovely co&ntry walk tomorrow, i$yo& wo&ld 'e good eno&g! to take me t!en. It%s t!e only sare time I !ave.""T!e good c!ildto give & t!e walk t!at yo& Englis! girls so dearly love(" cried Mam%:elle, w!ot!o&g!t t!at all walks were an etremely silly invention. "3es. I can take yo& t!en. I will tell Miss7arker. 3o& are a good girl. #a!ne. I am leased wit! yo&(""T!ank yo&, Mam%:elle." said #a!ne, delig!ted, and gave Mam%:elle a ravis!ing smile as s!ewent tri&m!antly o&t o$ t!e room.#a!ne is Annoyed.Miss 7arker was s&rrised and annoyed w!en s!e !eard t!at #a!ne was not to go wit! t!eclass on t!eir long walk. S!e looked crossly at Mam%:elle.

"B&t w!y t!is s&dden desire $or Frenc! on #a!ne%s act+" s!e said. "S!e%s 1&st t!e tye o$ girlt!at needs a 1olly good long walkyes, and a m&ddy one too. S!akesome o$ !er airs and graces o$$ !er( 5ive !er t!e etra lesson anot!er time. Mam’:elle."B&t Mam’:elle was o'stinate. S!e did not like Miss 7arker, wit! !er 'ig nose. S!e &rsed & !ersmall mo&t! and s!ook !er !ead. "I cannot take #a!ne any ot!er time. It is good o$ t!e girl togive & a nice walk to imrove !er Frenc!."Miss 7arker made a dis'elieving noise t!at irritated Mam’:elle at once. "S!e wants to get o&t o$t!e walk, yo& know mat er$ectly well, Mam’:elle. It%s $oolis! to give !er !er way like t!at #a!negets !er way too easily, and I don%t like some o$ !er met!ods. Too &nder!and $or me()Mam’:elle stood & $or !er $avo&rite, and 'egan to eaggerate. "Miss 7arker( I$ yo& knew !ow



m&c! t!at girl wanted to go $or !er walk( A!, to slas! t!ro&g! t!e a&t&mn lanes( A!, to sni$$ t!esea air a$ter 'eing cooed & so long( #a!ne !as sacri$iced !er leas&re, and s!e s!o&ld 'eraised $or t!at, not 'lamed. S!e will 'e !ard at work wit! me w!ilst yo& are all en1oyingyo&rselves o&t in t!e lovely air.""*ell, s!e wo&ldn%t take Mam%:elle -o&gier in 4&ite so easily as s!e takes yo&," said Miss 7arker,'eginning to lose !er temer. S!e sees t!ro&g! !er all rig!t("Mam’:elle 'egan to 'ristle. "I will !ave a word wit! Mam’:elle -o&gier," s!e 'egan. I will !avetwo, t!ree, $o&r words. S!e s!all not say t!ings a'o&t #a!ne, w!o is getting so m&c! 'etter atFrenc!()";et%s dro t!e s&'1ect," said Miss 7arker, $eeling !eartily tired o$ #a!ne. "5o and !ave it o&twit! Mam’:elle -o&gier i$ yo& like. I don%t care( Ecet t!at I $eel #a!ne !as got t!e 'etter o$ &s.I%m glad not to !ave !er wit! &s on t!e walk, moaning and groaning, dragging !er $eet along("#a!ne co&ld not resist telling everyone o$ t!e way s!e !ad managed to get o&t o$ t!e walk.5wendolinewis!ed s!e !ad 'een s!ar eno&g! to do t!e same. T!e ot!ers were $rankly disg&sted wit! t!e!yocritical little trick."Fancy doing all t!at 1&st to get o&t o$ going $or a walk(" said #arrell. "It%ll 'e $&n. slas!ingt!ro&g! t!e &ddles in o&r *ellingtons. *elli$ yo& want to send t!e a$ternoon doing Frenc!ver's, good l&ck to yo&( T!at%s 1&st like yo&, some!ow, #a!ne."B&t, t!e walk didn%t come o$$ a$ter all( T!e wind 'lew itsel$ into a gale, and Miss 7arker decided

t!at it m&st 'e &t o$$. T!e girls were 1&st &tting on t!eir macs and *ellingtons w!en s!e cameto t!e cloakroom to tell t!em. #a!ne !ad already taken !er Frenc! 'ook to Mam%:elle."5irls( I’m sorry( B&t t!e wind !as 'ecome a er$ect gale(" said Miss 7arker, aearing s&ddenlyin t!e cloakroom. "T!e walk is o$$. B&t to make &. well all go into t!e gym and !ave an a$ternoono$ rioto&s games, s!all we+ And I’ll get Matron to let &s !ave a icnic tea in mere, to make ac!ange, i$ some o$ yo& will carry t!e st&$$."T!e girls c!eered. An a$ternoon o$ 1olly games 6racing ro&nd, cometing wit! one anot!er,la&g!ing, yellingand ending & wit! a icnic tea on t!e $ loor. T!at certainly wo&ld 'e a c!ange IMatron came & to scratc! toos!e rovided $o&r s&er c!ocolate cakes $or a treat, as well astwo ots o$ golden !oney. T!e girls were t!rilled."*!at a'o&t #a!ne. Miss 7arker+%% said Mary6;o&, remem'ering t!at #a!ne was wit!Mam%:elle. "S!all I go and $etc! !er+""Idiot(" said Alicia, &nder !er 'reat!. "Fancy reminding Miss 7arker a'o&t #a!ne( Serve !er rig!t

to miss all t!is( I’ll tell Mary6;o& w!at I t!ink o$ !er in a. min&te("Miss 7arker looked down at Mary6;o&%s anio&s$ace, and wondered $or t!e twentiet! time w!y Mary6;o& 'ot!ered a'o&t #a!ne w!en s!e !ad#arrell and Sally $or $riends."!. Mary6;o&, no, yo& m&stn%t dist&r' #a!ne(" said Miss 7arker, clearly, so t!at all t!e listeninggirls !eard 4&ite well. "S!e 'adly wanted to !ave t!is etra coac!ing, Mam%:elle tells me, and was4&ite willing to $orgo t!e walk. S!e wo&ld 'e willing to $orgo t!e games and icnic too. I am s&re.*e m&stn%t dist&r' !er. *!en a girl s!ows !ersel$ to 'e as st&dio&s as t!at it wo&ld 'e a ity tosoil it all."Mary6;o& was t!e only one w!o did not see t!e sly !&mo&r o$ Miss 7arker%s words. T!e ot!ersdid immediately, and a roar o$ la&g!ter 'roke o&t Miss 7arker smiled too."S&cks $or #a!ne() said Alicia. "Serves !er 1olly well rig!t()T!ey !ad a gay and rioto&s a$ternoon, and got t!oro&g!ly tired and d&sty. T!en t!ey sat down to

an enormo&s tea. demolis!ing 'read and '&tter and !oney and t!e $o&r c!ocolate cakes in notime.#a!ne aeared 1&st as t!e last iece o$ cake was eaten. S!e !ad !ad an etremely 'oringa$ternoon, $or Mam%:elle #&ont !ad taken !er at !er word and !ad given !er some very, veryt!oro&g! coac!ing in t!e Frenc! ver's. S!e !ad made oor #a!ne reeat t!em a$ter !er scoreso$ times, s!e !ad corrected !er ron&nciation conscientio&sly, s!e !ad even made !er write t!emo&t#a!ne wis!ed !eartily s!e !ad never s&ggested s&c! a t!ing. S!e !ad t!o&g!t t!at s!e wo&ld!ave !ad a nice cosy time wit! Mam%:elle. talking a'o&t !ersel$. B&t alt!o&g! Mam%:elle was $ondo$ #a!ne and 4&ite taken in 'y !er. s!e was determined to do !er d&ty as regards coac!ing t!e



girl. So s!e ket oor #a!ne%s nose to t!e grindstone, and w!en #a!ne $aintly rotested,saying t!at s!e t!o&g!t s!e !ad 'ot!ered Mam%:elle eno&g! and t!e girls wo&ld 'e 'ack $romt!eir walk now. s&rely, Mam%:elle oo!6oo!ed t!e idea at once."*e s!all !ear t!e girls come 'ack," s!e said, not knowing t!at t!ey !ad never gone o&t "As soonas we !ear t!em, yo& s!all go down and 1oin t!em, ma etite, and yo& will en1oy yo&r tea, I ams&re. A good conscience makes &s en1oy o&r $ood well."*!en Mam%:elle, &::led 'y t!e non6aearance o$ t!e girls 'ack $rom t!eir walk, sent #a!nedown to see w!at !ad !aened, t!e girl co&ld !ave '&rst into tears w!en s!e saw t!e emtylates, t!e cake all gone, and t!e !ay $aces o$ t!e second6$ormers in t!e gym."3o& mean igs() s!e cried. "3o& didn%t go o&t a$ter all I And yo&%ve !ad tea wit!o&t me(""*e co&ldn%t dist&r' yo& at yo&r etra Frenc! lesson," grinned Alicia. "#ear Miss 7arker 4&iteagreed it wo&ld 'e a ity to soil it $or yo&, as yo& were so anio&s to !ave it"#a!ne glared at 5wendoline. "3o& mig!t !ave come $or me," s!e said. "3o& co&ld easily !aveslied o$$ and $etc!ed me()"T!e only erson w!o tried to get yo& was Mary6;o&." said Sally. "S!e act&ally went & to Miss7arker and s&ggested t!at s!e s!o&ld go and get yo&. Mary6;o& doesn%t t!ink t!at etra Frenc! isre$era'le to walks or games."#a!ne looked at Mary6;o& and $elt warm towards !er. 8ot even 5wendoline, !er $riend, 'adtried to get !er o&t o$ t!at aw$&l Frenc! lesson to 1oin t!e games. B&t Mary6;o& !ad. Mary6;o&!ad t!o&g!t loyally o$ !er.

"T!anks, Mary6;o&." said #a!ne, and t&rned a rat!er watery smile on !er. "I won%t $orget t!at.T!at was decent o$ yo&."From t!at time t!e sel$is!, 'oast$&l, &ntr&stwort!y #a!ne was nice to Mary6;o&, not only'eca&se t!e smaller girl !eled !er so m&c! wit! !er Frenc! '&t 'eca&se s!e really liked !er andadmired !er. 7er!as never 'e$ore !ad #a!ne really liked anyone $or t!emselves.Mary6;o&. o$ co&rse, was delig!ted. S!e !ad 4&ite $allen &nder #a!ne%s sell, and was toosimle to see t!e $a&lts in t!e girl%s c!aracter. S!e was very !ay to 'e wit! !er, and delig!ted to!el !er w!enever s!e co&ld. S!e did not even see t!at t!e !el s!e gave almost amo&nted tomaking #a!ne c!eat, $or many an evening s!e did ractically t!e w!ole o$ #a!ne%s re $or!er.5wendoline 'egan to 'e 1ealo&s o$ Mary6;o&, $or s!e sensed t!at #a!ne was really 'eginning tolike !er very m&c!. B&t #a!ne always la&g!ed w!en 5wendoline soke to !er a'o&t it."3o& know I%m only &sing !er(" s!e said. "#on%t 'e a m&tt, 5wen. 3o&%re my $riend and I don%t want

any'ody else. I%ve not!ing w!atever in common wit! Mary6;o&S!e%s a silly little simleton, ast&id little mo&se("It was a good t!ing t!at Mary6;o& did not !ear t!ese remarks, $or s!e wo&ld !ave 'een s!ockedand !&rt. S!e was very glad to $eel t!at #a!ne really did like !er. S!e o$ten lay in 'ed t!inking o$ t!e girl%s 'ea&ti$&l !air and lovely smile. S!e wis!ed s!e was as c!arming as t!at. B&t s!e wasn%t,and never wo&ld 'e.#a!ne did not $orgive t!e ot!ers $or 'eing mean eno&g! not to warn !er, w!en t!ey knew t!ewalk was o$$. S!e was even a little cold to 5wendoline a'o&t it, and 5wendoline, $ear$&l o$ losing!er grand $riend%s liking, made !aste to lick !er 'oots again, listening to all #a!ne%s tales wit!most satis$actory attention. Sally !eard #a!ne one evening. S!e was sitting near t!e c&rtain in t!e common6room and t!e two girls, 5wen and #a!ne, did not see !er."#idn%t I ever tell yo& a'o&t t!e time my mot!er gave a arty on 'oard o&r yac!t, and I sat net tot!e 7rince at s&er+) 'egan #a!ne.

"*ere yo& allowed to sit & to s&er+" said 5wendoline. "And w!atever did yo& $ind to say to arince+?"!, well'e seemed to admire my !air and talked to me aw$&lly nicely." said #a!ne, 'eginningto em'roider !er tale as &s&al. MI stayed & till one o%clock t!at nig!t. T!e yac!t was lovely. It !adlittle lig!ts all over it, and eole on land said it looked 'ea&ti$&llike a s!i in a $airy6tale.""*!at were yo& dressed in+" asked 5wendoline."!a $rilly $rock wit! little earls all over it and my earl necklace. It%s wort! !&ndreds o$o&nds." said #a!ne.5wendoline gased. "*!ere is it+" s!e said."!, I%m not allowed to 'ring anyt!ing like t!at to sc!ool," said #a!ne. "Mot!er%s very strict a'o&t



t!ings o$ t!at sort, yo& know. I !aven%t any 1ewellerC !ereor grand dressesor anyt!ing yo&!aven%t got.)"8o. I%ve noticed t!atI t!ink it%s very sensi'le o$ yo&r mot!er," said 5wendoline.Sally !ad got tired o$ all t!is grand talk. S!e slied o$$ t!e window6sill. "It%s a ity yo&r mot!erdidn%t s&ly yo& wit! yo&r own lacrosse stick, and anot!er air o$ s!oes, and lenty o$ writing6aer," s!e remarked. "T!en yo& wo&ldn%t !ave to kee 'orrowing $rom everyone else( A little lessyac!t, and $ewer carsand more enveloes and a 'ook o$ stams wo&ld 'e 'etter $or yo&.#a!ne()#a!ne looked !a&g!tily at Sally. "Mind yo&r own '&siness(" s!e said. "I was talking to 5wen.""It is my '&siness(" ersisted Sally. "3o& are always 'orrowing $rom one or ot!er o$ &sand yo&never ay 'ackl As yo&%re so ric!, yo& o&g!t to &se some o$ yo&r lenti$&l ocket6money to '&y t!et!ings yo& lack(""Beast(" said #a!ne, as Sally went o&t o$ t!e room. "S!e%s 1ealo&s o$ me. I s&ose1&st'eca&se !er eole aren%t as well6o$$ as mine("T!e Two Mam%:elles./al$6term came and went Sally and #arrell went o&t toget!er wit! #arrell%s arents and !ad alovely t&ne. To 5wendoline%s disaointment #a!ne%s arents did not visit !er, so t!ere was noc!ance o$ 'eing asked o&t to meals wit! #a!ne, or going o$$ in a magni$icent car."I wanted to see yo&r mot!er," said 5wendoline. "S!e looks so lovely in !er !oto.)

n #a!ne%s dressing6ta'le stood a !otogra! o$ a very 'ea&ti$&l woman, in a $lowing eveninggown, wit! gleaming 1ewels ro&nd !er lovely neck. Everyone !ad admired it."3ea aren%t m&c! like yo&r mot!er, all t!e same," said #arrell, critically, to #a!ne. "S!e%s gotwide6set eyesand yo&rs are rat!er near toget!er. And yo&r nose isn%t t!e same.""Every'ody isn%t always like t!eir mot!er,) said #a!ne. "I take a$ter my $at!er%s $amily, I s&ose.I !ave an a&nt w!o is very, very 'ea&ti$&l.""And I s&ose yo& are considered to resem'le !er. #a!ne+" said <ean, in !er 4&iet, am&sedvoice. "*!at it is to !ave 'ea&ti$&l and disting&is!ed relatives( I !ave a lain mot!er, w!o%s t!ekindest darling on eart!and 4&ite an &gly $at!erand all my a&ntsare as lain as I am. B&t I don%t care a 'it T!ey%re 1olly good $&n, and I like t!e w!ole lot."5wendoline asked #a!ne i$ s!e wo&ld like to go o&t wit! !er at !al$6term, and #a!ne accetedgracio&sly. Mrs. ;acey, 5wendoline%s mot!er, was very str&ck wit! t!e 'ea&ti$&l girl and !erc!arming smile. As $or Miss *inter, t!e governess, w!o always most $ait!$&lly came to see !er

darling 5wen every !al$6term, s!e co&ld !ardly take !er eyes o$$ !er, w!ic! annoyed 5wendolinevery m&c!."S&c! a nice $riend $or yo&, dear," said Mrs. ;acey to 5wendoline. "S&c! 'ea&ti$&l manners( And!ow ric! !er eole m&st 'e to own a yac!t and all t!ose cars. *o&ldn%t it 'e nice i$ yo& co&ld goand stay wit! t!em+""Ss!, Mot!er," said 5wendoline, a$raid t!at #a!ne wo&ld !ear. B&t #a!ne was $ar too '&syc!arming oor Miss *inter. S!e layed & to 5wendoline very well too, remarking on !er $riend%s'rilliance, !er clever comments in class, and w!at a $avo&rite s!e was wit! t!e teac!ers.Mrs. ;acey listened wit! ride and leas&re. "*ell, yo& never told me t!ese t!ings in yo&r letters,5wen darling," s!e said, $ondly. "3o&%re too modest("5wendoline $elt a little em'arrassed and 'egan to !oe t!at #a!ne wo&ldn%t lay it on too t!icklyi$ s!e did, !er mot!er wo&ld eect a wonder$&l reort, and 5wendoline knew er$ectly wellt!ere was no !oe o$ t!at.

Belinda and Irene went o&t toget!er, 'ot! $orgetting t!eir !ats, and 'ot! ret&rning wit!o&t t!eirgloves. T!ey went wit! Belinda%s arents, w!o aeared to 'e as 'ad as Belinda !ersel$, $or t!eylost t!e way w!en 'ringing t!e girls 'ack to Malory Towers, and t&rned & over an !o&r late,m&c! to Miss Barker%s annoyance. S!e co&ld not 'ear t!e time6ta'le to 'e layed a'o&twit!. B&t neit!er Belinda nor Irene noticed !er cold manner as t!ey went noisily into t!e room toreort t!eir ret&rn to !er.

Alicia and Betty !ad gone o&t toget!er, o$ co&rse, and !ad come 'ack $&n o$ giggles. Aarentlyone o$ Alicia%s 'rot!ers !ad 'een in t!e arty, and !ad related wit! m&c! g&sto all t!e tricks t!at!e and !is class !ad 'een & to t!at term.To everyone%s s&rrise <ean !ad asked t!e 'ad6temered, irrita'le Ellen to come o&t wit! !er I



Ellen !ad re$&sed at $ irst, rat!er &ngracio&slyand t!en !ad &neectedly said s!e wo&ld. B&t it!ad not 'een a very leasant o&ting, $or Ellen !ad 'een rat!er silent and !ad not tried in any wayto 'e leasant to !er !osts. S!e seemed s&nk into !ersel$, and <ean was sorry s!e !ad asked!er."3o& mig!t !ave 'een a 'it more c!eer$&l, Ellen." s!e said, as t!ey came into t!e sc!ool again."3o& !ardly soke and yo& didn%t la&g! once even w!en my $at!er made some 4&ite good 1okes()"*ell, don%t ask me o&t again t!en," said Ellen, snaily, and t&rned away. <ean ca&g!t t!e gleamo$ tears in !er eyes. F&nny girl( So to&c!y t!at no'ody co&ld say a word to !er wit!o&t gettingt!eir !ead 'itten o$$( <ean was 'eginning to 'e tired o$ !er e$$orts to 'e nice to Ellen."8ow we can look $orward to 0!ristmas() said #arrell. wit! satis$action. "/al$6term%s over.""*e%ve got t!ose aw$&l Frenc! lays to m&g & now." groaned Alicia. "*!atever ossessed t!etwo Mam%:elles to t!ink & s&c! a !orri'le t!ing $or t!e second $orm to do+ *!o wants to see &ser$orm Frenc! lays+"Eac! $orm !ad to rod&ce some sort o$ entertainment at t!e end o$ t!e term. It was t!e lot o$ t!esecond $orm to learn two Frenc! lays, one c!osen 'yMam%:elle #&ont, t!e ot!er 'y Mam%:elle -o&gier.It was over t!e c!oosing o$ t!e girls to lay t!e di$$erent c!aracters in t!ese lays t!at t!e twoMam%:elles almost came to 'lows.In one lay t!ere was a 7rincesst!e 7rincess Tr&e6/eart. In t!e ot!er t!ere was an angelt!e

Angel o$ 5oodness. Mam%:elle #&ont wanted !er $avo&rite. #a!ne, to lay 'ot! arts. S!e

ict&red t!e retty, golden6!aired girl as t!e 7rincessa!, !ow wonder$&l s!e wo&ld look( And asan angel( Tr&ly #a!ne was made $or t!e art o$ an angel(B&t Mam%:elle -o&gier &n$ort&nately !ad 4&ite di$$erent ideas. "*!at( 3o& wo&ld c!oose t!atim'ecile o$ a #a!ne to lay two good arts like t!at(" sco$$ed Mam%:elle -o&gier. "S!e co&ldnever learn !al$ t!e wordsand !er ron&nciation is ABMI86AB;E( 3o& know it I will not!ave t!at girl in a good art.""A!, '&t s!e will look t!e art to er$ection,) cried Mam%:elle #&ont, sweeing !er arms wideaart to em!asi:e !er words. "S!e looks a real 7rincessand w!en s!e smiles, it is tr&ly t!esmile o$ an angel.)"Ba!(" said Mam%:elle -o&gier, r&dely. "S!e is one o$ yo&r $avo&rites, yo&r little ets. 8ow Sallywo&ld do well in one o$ t!ose artss!e wo&ld learn well and !er ron&nciation is good. r#arrell. r even Mary6;o& wo&ld 'e 'etter t!an #a!ne, $or s!e at least seaks Frenc! as its!o&ld 'e soken.)

"3o& are mad(" cried Mam%:elle #&ont. "As i$ any o$ t!ose girls co&ld lay s&c! arts as t!ese. Iinsist on #a!ne laying t!e arts.)T!en I s!all not !ave anyt!ing to do wit! t!e lays,) said Mam%:elle -o&gier sti$$ly. "It is always amistake to do as yo& do. Mam%:elle #&ont, and !ave $avo&ritesand w!en it comes to $orcingt!em on me, it is $inis!ed()"I do not !ave $avo&rites(" said Mam%:elle #&ont, &ntr&t!$&lly, taing !er $oot on t!e gro&nd. "Ilike all t!e girls 1&st t!e same."Mam%:elle -o&gier snorted dis'elievingly. "T!en yo& are t!e only one w!o t!inks so," s!e said."5ood day, Mam%:elle. I cannot stand arg&ing !ere, talking nonsense a'o&t s&c! girls as#a!ne."S!e sw&ng ro&nd and walked o$$ sti$$ly, !olding !er t!in 'ony 'ody like a stick. Fl&m littleMam%:elle #&ont stared a$ter !er angrily. Favo&rites, indeed I /ow dared Mam%:elle say t!ingslike t!at to !er+ 8ever wo&ld s!e seak to Mam%:elle -o&gier again. 8ever, never, never( S!e

wo&ld leave Malory Towers. S!e wo&ld go 'ack to !er 'eloved France. S!e wo&ld write to t!enewsaers a'o&t it. Mam%:elle #&ont made a noise nice t!e growling o$ a dog and startledMiss 7otts considera'ly as s!e came in at t!e door."#on%t yo& $eel well, Mam%:elle+" s!e said, rat!er alarmed at Mam%:elle%s red $ace and glaringeyes."I do not $eel at all well. I !ave 'een ins&lted," said Mam%:elle #&ont. "I am not to 'e allowed toc!oose t!e girls in my own lays. Mam%:elle -o&gier o'1ects to my c!oosing t!e retty, c!arming#a!ne $or t!e 7rincess. S!e will not even allow meme, Mam%:elle #&ontto give !er t!eart o$ t!e Angel o$ 5ood6ness()"*ell. I m&st say I agree wit! !er," said Miss 7otts, sitting down and arranging !er aers.



"#a!ne always seems a do&'le6$aced little creat&re to me.""3o& too are in t!e lot against me(" said Mam%:elle. going all dramatic, and working !ersel$ &into a tear$&l rage. "3o& too( A!, t!ese cold Englis! eole( A!, t!ese..."Miss 7otts was very glad indeed to !ear a knock, at t!e door at t!at moment. S!e didn%t likedealing wit! Mam%:elle in t!ese moods. Matron came in, smiling."0an I !ave a word wit! yo&, Mam’:elle+" s!e asked."8o. yo& cannot," said Mam%:elle, $iercely. "I am &set. My !eart it 'eats soand soand so. B&tI tell yo& t!iswill c!oose w!at girl I wis! $or my lays. A!6!6!6!("

And, making a noise like a dog again, Mam%:elle walked angrily $rom t!e room, leaving Matron4&ite st&e$ied. "*!atever is s!e talking a'o&t+" s!e asked Miss 7otts."!, s!e%s !ad some sort o$ &set wit! t!e ot!er Mam%:elle," said Miss 7otts, 'eginning to add &marks. "T!ey get across one anot!er at times, yo& know. B&t t!is aears to 'e more serio&st!an &s&al. *ell, t!ey%ll !ave to sort o&t t!eir own tangles()Mam%:elle #&ont and Mam’:elle -o&g!er took it In t&rns to train t!e girls in t!e two Frenc!lays. Mam%:elle #&ont &t #a!ne into t!e two rincial arts eac! time s!e took t!e lay,m&c! to t!e girl%s grati$ication. B&t, e4&ally romtly, Mam%:elle -o&gier relegated !er to a minorart t!e net day and &t Sally and #arrell into t!e rincial ones. It was most m&ddling.8eit!er Mam%:elle wo&ld give way. T!e 4&arrel aeared to 'e deadly and serio&s. T!ey lookedt!e ot!er way w!en t!ey met. T!ey never soke to one anot!er. T!e girls t!o&g!t it was a great

1oke, '&t on t!e w!ole t!ey took Mam%:elle #&ont%s art, $or t!ey liked !er m&c! t!e 'etter o$ t!e

two. T!ey did not arove o$ !er c!oice o$ #a!ne $or t!e rincial arts, '&t t!at co&ldn%t 'e!eled.Belinda, intrig&ed 'y t!e 4&arrel, did a masterly set o$ caricat&res o$ Mam%:elle -o&gier, taller and'onier t!an ever. S!e drew !er wit! a dagger in !er !and, stalking oor Mam%:elle #&ont S!edrew !er !iding'e!ind a 'os! wit! a g&n. S!e drew !er o&ring oison into a tea6c& to resent to !er enemy.T!e girls giggled over t!e ict&res. Alicia was very str&ck 'y t!em. A wicked idea came into !er!ead."Belinda( Mam%:elle #&ont wo&ld adore t!ese ict&res( 3o& know w!at a sense o$ !&mo&r s!e!as. S!e o&g!t to see t!em. 7&t t!em on !er desk tomorrow a$ternoon, 1&st 'e$ore s!e takesFrenc! translation 6and watc! !er $ace w!en s!e oens t!e 'ook( =%> 'et we s!an%t !ave any Frenc! translation tomorrow a$ternoon once s!e sees t!e ict&res("giggled Betty, and t!e ot!ers agreed

Belinda 'o&nd t!e ict&res neatly into a 'ook. S!e !ad &t no name to t!em, '&t t!ey were socleverly drawn t!at anyone co&ld see at once t!at t!ey were meant to reresent t!e twoMam%:elles. "Ill o it on t!e desk 1&st 'e$ore t!e a$ternoon class," s!e said. "And yo& can 1ollywell an o$ yo& do my re $or me tonig!t, to reay me $or getting yo& o$$ yo&r Frenc! translationtomorrow("

Alicia w!isered somet!ing to Betty. Betty looked startled and t!en grinned 'roadly. Alicia !ad 1&st told !er somet!ing interesting. It isn%t Mam%:elle #&ont w!o%s taking &s tomorrow. It%sMam%:elle ko&gier( *atc! o&t $or $ireworks("

A S!ock $or t!e Second FormT!e 'ook o$ drawings was laced on t!e classroom desk in good time. T!e girls stood in t!eirlaces, ecited, waiting $or Mam%:elle to come. /ow s!e wo&ld roar at t!e ict&res( /ow s!ewo&ld en1oy t!e 1oke against !er enemy. Mam%:elle -o&gier(

Alicia was !olding t!e door. It !ad 'een 4&ite 'y c!ance t!at s!e !ad !eard t!at t!e lesson was

to 'e taken 'y Mam’:elle -o&gier instead o$ Mam%:elle #&ont. S!e !&gged !ersel$ secretlyw!en s!e t!o&g!t o$ t!e 'om's!ell s!e !ad reared. It wo&ld ay 'ack Mam%:elle -o&gier $ormany a s!ar word s!e !ad given Alicia(D&ick $ootstes came down t!e assage. T!e girls sti$$ened. Some'ody came in at t!e door andwent to t!e desk'&t it wasn%t t!e Mam%:elle t!ey 'ad 'een eecting. It was, o$ co&rse, t!eot!er one. Mam%:elle -o&gier seated !ersel$ and addressed t!e class."Asseye: vo&s, s%il vo&s lait("Some o$ t!e girls $orgot to sit down, so overcome wit! !orror were t!ey to t!ink t!at Mam%:elle-o&gier was sitting t!ere wit! t!at 'ook o$ caricat&res rig!t &nder !er nose. Mam%:elle raed on!er desk.



"Are yo& dea$+ Sit("T!ey sat. Belinda stared 'eseec!ingly ro&nd. S!e ca&g!t Alicia%s satis$ied grin and $elt angry. So

Alicia !ad known t!at Mam%:elle -o&gier was coming instead o$ Mam%:elle #&ontand !ad&sed !er as a cat%s aw to lay a very dangero&s trick. Everyone knew w!at Mam%:elle -o&gier%stemer was like. S!e wo&ld ro'a'ly go straig!t to t!e !ead(Belinda didn%t know w!at to do. #arrell saw !ow alarmed s!e was, and did a 'old t!ing. S!e got& and walked to Mam%:elle%s desk, and &t !er !and on t!e 'ook.Tm sorry t!is was le$t !ere 'y mistake. Mam%:elle,) s!e said, olitely. S!e almost got away wit! itB&t not 4&ite. T!e girls stared 'reat!lessly."*ait a min&te,%% said Mam%:elle -o&gier. "Books le$t on t!e desk m&st not 'e removed wit!o&termission. *!at is t!is 'ook+""!only aa sketc! 'ook." said #arrell. deserately. Mam%:elle glanced ro&nd t!e silent class.*!y were t!ey all looking and listening so intently+ T!ere was somet!ing c&rio&s !ere.S!e took & t!e 'ook and oened it. /er glance $ell on t!e ict&re o$ !ersel$ stalking Mam%:elle#&ont wit! a dagger. S!e stared at it incred&lo&sly. T!ere s!e was in t!e ict&re, tall, t!in, 'onyositively evil6lookingand wit! a dagger too(S!e t&rned over a age. *!at( /ere s!e was againwit! a g&n. A!, no. t!is was too m&c!( S!et&rned anot!er age and anot!er. Always s!e saw !ersel$ t!ere, &nkindly caricat&red, &rs&ingoor Mam%:elle #&ont. w!o !ad 'een given a most amia'le look, and was o'vio&sly t!e !eroine,w!ilst s!e, Mam%:elle -o&gier, was t!e villain(

"T!is is &n'elieva'le() said Mam%:elle, &nder !er 'reat!, almost $orgetting #arrell, w!o stoodetri$ied near'y, and all t!e ot!er waiting girls. Belinda was very ale. *!at 'ad l&ck( *!ateverwo&ld !aen now+ !. w!y !ad s!e 'een s&c! an idiot as to let Alicia lead !er into t!is silly tra1&st to make Alicia and Betty en1oy seeing !er well ticked o$$.Mam%:elle 'ecame aware o$ t!e girls again. S!e snaed at #arrell and made !er 1&m. "5o'ack to yo&r lace."#arrell $led t!ank$&lly. Mam%:elle looked ro&nd t!e class, raking t!em wit! cold, angry eyes."*!o !as done t!is+ *!o !as committed t!e ins&lt o$ lacing t!is 'ook 'eneat! my eyes+"Sally soke & at once. "*e%re all in it, Mam%:elle. B&t we didn%t mean yo& to see t!e 'ook. *emeant it $or Mam%:elle #&ont *e didn%t know yo& !ad c!anged over lessons today.)T!is was &n$ort&nately t!e worst ossi'le t!ing t!at Sally co&ld !ave said. Mam%:elle s!ot to !er$eet at once, !er eyes stony."*!at( 3o& meant to give t!is to Mam%:elle #&ont( 3o& meant !er to la&g! at me wit! yo&( Is

t!at w!at s!e does 'e!ind my 'ack+ A!, !ow glad I am to know !ow s!e 'e!aves, t!is s!ame$&lFrenc!woman( S!e s!all know o$ t!is( I go to Miss 5rayling at once6t!is very min&te()T!e class sat in !orri$ied silence. It !ad not occ&rred to t!em t!at it mig!t 'e ins&lting toMam’:elle -o&gier to s!ow t!e 'ook o$ comical drawing to Mam’:elle #&ont. Belinda $elt $aint"Mam%:elle( #on%t go to Miss 5rayling. I..."B&t t!e class were not going to let Belinda take t!e 'lame. Even Alicia looked scared now. Manyo$ t!e girls soke at once, drowning oor Belinda%s $aint voice."Mam%:elle, we%re sorry. #on%t reort &s( "B&t Mam%:elle. swet 'y a cold $&ry, was already dearting o&t o$ t!e door. T!e girls looked atone anot!er in real !orror."Aliciayo& knew Mam%:elle -o&gier was coming t!is a$ternoon instead o$ Mam%:elle #&ont,"said Belinda. "I saw yo& wink at Betty. 3o& knew( And yo& &sed me to lay one o$ yo&r nastytricks( I%d never !ave s!own t!ose ict&res to Mam%:elle -o&gier, and yo& know it."

Alicia was tr&t!$&l, w!atever !er $a&lts were. S!e did not deny it. "I didn%t know s!e%d make s&c! a$&ss," s!e said, rat!er $ee'ly."Alicia, yo&%re a 'east(" said #arrell, $eeling a !ot $lame working & inside !er. "3o& mig!t !avet!o&g!t w!at serio&s tro&'le yo&%d get Belinda into. 3o&, yo&..."";eave me to deal wit! t!is," said Sally%s 4&iet voice 'e!ind !er. "#on%t get all worked &, #arrell.I’ll deal wit! Alicia.""!. will yo&+" said Alicia, site$&lly. "*ell, yo& won%t. I$ yo& t!ink yo&%re going to tick me o$$,yo&%re not, Miss /ead6o$6t!e6Form, 5ood65irl6o$6t!e6Sc!ool. Sally /oe.""#on%t 'e silly," said Salty, in disg&st I can’t t!ink w!at%s come over yo& lately, Alicia. 3o& arealways trying to make t!ings di$$ic&lt $or me. Fm going down to t!e /ead mysel$, t!is very min&te



and yo&%re to come too. Belinda. *e%ll try to get t!ings &t straig!t 'e$ore t!ey go too $ar.""3o&%ll &t t!e w!ole 'lame on to me, o$ co&rse(" said Alicia, scorn$&lly. "I know yo&( 5et Belindao&t o$ tro&'le and me into it(""I s!an%t say anyt!ing a'o&t yo&," said Sally. =I’m not a sneak. B&t I%d t!ink a lot 'etter o$ yo& i$yo& came along wit! &s, and elained yo&r art in t!e a$$air(""I don’t care w!at yo& t!ink o$ me," said Alicia, getting angry. "I%m not going to tag along at yo&r!eels and say %7lease. I did it(% 3o&%re not going to make me do anyt!ing I don%t want to do(""I%m not going to try," said Sally. "0ome on, Belinda, let%s go 'e$ore it%s too late.)7oor Belinda, looking $rig!tened o&t o$ !er li$e, went along t!e assage and down t!e stairs ando&t into t!e 0o&rt. T!ey made t!eir way to t!e /ead Mistress%s room."!. Sallyit%s aw$&l(" said Belinda, all !er !ig! sirits and tig!t6!eartedness gone. "Mam%:ellewas so $ierce. And t!ose ict&res were rat!er 'eastly, some o$ t!em."*!en t!e girls knocked on t!e door o$ t!e /ead Mistress%s drawing6room, t!ey !eard voicesinside. Miss 5rayling was t!ere, and Mam%:elle -o&gierand Miss ;innie t!e art mistress. S!e!ad 'een called in to seei$ s!e co&ld tell t!em w!o !ad done t!e clever and malicio&s drawings."Belinda Morris, o$ co&rse() s!e said, a$ter a glance. T!ere%s no girl in t!e sc!ool as clever as s!eis at sketc!ing. S!e%ll 'e a $irst6class artist one o$ t!ese days. My wordt!ese are clever()"0lever(" snorted Mam%:elle. "T!ey are wicked, t!ey are disresect$&l, t!ey are 'ad, 'ad, 'ad( Idemand t!at yo& &nis! t!is girl. Miss 5rayling. I demand t!at t!e w!ole class s!all 'e severely

&nis!ed too."<&st at mat moment Salty knocked at t!e door. "0ome in() said Miss 5rayling, and t!e two girlsentered."*ell+" said Miss 5rayling. Sally swallowed !ard. It was all very di$$ic&ltesecially as Mam%:ellewas glaring at !er so $iercely."Miss 5rayling." s!e 'egan, "we%re very, very sorry a'o&t t!is.""*!at is t!is to do wit! yo&+" asked Miss 5rayling. "I t!o&g!t Belinda did t!e ict&res+""3es. I did," said Belinda, in a low voice."B&t it was t!e w!ole class w!o wanted to &t t!em on t!e deskand let Mam%:elle #&ont seet!em," said Sally. "B&tMam%:elle -o&gier came instead, and s!e saw t!em. Fm very sorrya'o&t it""B&t w!y s!o&ld yo& ict&re Mam%:elle -o&gier &rs&ing !er $riend in s&c! a m&rdero&smanner+" asked t!e /ead, looking t!ro&g! t!e 'ook. I don’t see w!y mat s!o&ld interest or

am&se Mam%:elle #&ont"T!ere was a silence. T!en Mam%:elle -o&gier soke sti$$ly. "*e are not $riends, Mam%:elle#&ont and I."

And 'e$ore Miss 5rayling co&ld sto !er, Mam%:elle !ad o&red o&t !er grievance over t!e lays.Miss 5rayling listened gravely. T!en s!e t&rned to t!e girls."T!en do I &nderstand t!at one day t!e c!ie$ c!aracters are layed 'y Sally and #arrell, and t!enet day 'y #a!ne+" s!e asked.Sally said yes, t!at was w!at !ad !aened. Mam%:elle -o&gier s&ddenly looked rat!eras!amed. It occ&rred to !er t!at s!e and Mam%:elle #&ont !ad 'een very silly, and !ad allowedt!eir rivate 4&arrel to m&ddle & t!e lay and make t!ings awkward $or t!e girls.S!e wis!ed s!e !ad t!o&g!t twice a'o&t taking t!e 'ook down to t!e /ead 8o wonder t!e girls!ad &t t!e 4&arrel into t!ose st&id drawings'&t w!y did t!ey make !er t!e villain andMam%:elle #&ont t!e !eroine+ A!, t!at was not nice(

"3o& didn%t know, t!en, t!at Mam%:elle -o&gier was going to take t!e class instead o$ Mam%:elle#&ont+" said t!e /ead, s&ddenly. Sally !esitated a $raction o$ a second. Alicia !ad knownandBetty too. B&t s!e, Sally, !adn%t known, nor !ad any o$ t!e ot!ers."I didn%t know t!at, o$ co&rse. Miss 5rayling,%% s!e said."#id anyone know+" ersisted t!e /ead. Sally did not know !ow to answer. S!e did not want totell tales, '&t s!e co&ld not very well say not!ing. Belinda 'roke in."3es, someone knewand t!at someone &sed me $or a cat%s aw. I%d never, never !ave s!ownt!ose drawings to Mam%:elle -o&gier. I won%t tell w!o it was'&t do 'elieve me w!en I say Iwo&ldn%t !ave !&rt Mam%:elle -o&gier%s $eelings $or anyt!ing. It was 1&st a 1oke.)"3es, I see t!at," said Miss 5rayling. "An &n$ort&nate 1oke, o$ co&rse, '&t still a 1oke. A 1oke t!at



was layed on t!e wrong erson and ca&sed anger and distress. As I see it, 4&ite a lot o$ eoleare to 'lame int!is." S!e glanced at Mam%:elle -o&gier, w!o grew rat!er red. T!ere was a 4&arrel, it seems, tostart wit!. *it!o&t t!at, ossi'ly all t!is wo&ld not !ave occ&rred. 3o& two girls may go now. I willdisc&ss wit! Mam%:elle w!at &nis!ment is $itting $or yo& all."In silence Belinda and Sally went o&t o$ t!e door. Miss ;innie came wit! t!em. Mam%:elle -o&gierwas le$t 'e!ind, as Miss 5rayling !ad made !er a sign to sto."Belinda, yo&%re an idiot.) said Miss ;innie."I%ll never draw anyone again() said Belinda, dismally."!, yes yo& win.) said Miss ;innie. "B&t yo&’ll ro'a'ly draw kinder ict&res in $&t&re. #on%t 'etoo clever, Belindait always lands yo& into tro&'le sooner or later()Mam%:elle #&ont 7&ts T!ings -ig!t.@stairs somet!ing was !aening. Mam%:elle #&ont !ad come ast t!e door o$ t!e second$orm, and !ad $o&nd it oen. n looking in. s!e !ad $o&nd, to !er s&rrise, t!at Mam%:elle -o&gier !ad aarently deserted !er $orm and le$t t!e girls alone. More s&rrising still, t!e girls weresitting as 4&iet as miceand w!at long $aces("*!at is t!e matter, mes etites(" cried Mam%:elle, !er little 'eady eyes ranging over t!e silentclass. "*!at !as !aened+)Mary6;o&, t!oro&g!ly &set 'y everyt!ing, gave an &neected so'. Mam%:elle t&rned to !er.Mary6;o& was one o$ !er ets, $or Mary6;o& co&ld c!atter Frenc! er$ectly.

"*!at is wrong, t!en+ Tell me I Am I not yo&r $riend( *!at is t!is t!at !as !aened+""!, Mam%:ellean aw$&l t!ing !as !aened(" '&rst o&t Mary6;o&. "Belinda did some ict&reso$ yo& and Mam’:elle -o&gier. 8ice ones o$ yo& '&t aw$&l ones o$ Mam’:elle -o&gierand wedidn%t know Mam’:elle was coming instead o$ yo& t!is a$ternoon 6and we &t t!e 'ook on t!e desk$or yo& to see, and ... and...""A!( Mam’:elle -o&gier, s!e saw t!em instead, and s!e !as gone 'l&e in t!e $ace, and s!e !astaken Belinda and oor Sally to Miss 5rayling() cried Mam’:elle. "A!, t!is 'ad6temered woman(S!e cannot see a 1oke. I, I mysel$ will go to see Miss 5rayling. I will tell !er one, two. t!ree t!ingsa'o&t Mam’:elle -o&gier( A!6!6!("

And o$$ went Mam’:elle #&ont, sc&ttling along on !er !ig! !eels like a !arassed ra''it. T!e girlslooked at one anot!er. *!at an a$ternoon(Mam’:elle did not meet Belinda and Sally, $or t!ey went di$$erent ways. <&st at t!e moment t!ats!e knocked at Miss 5rayling%s door, Sally and Belinda walked into t!e classroom, looking rat!er

gloomy. T!ey reorted w!at !ad !aened."So yo& did slit on me a$ter all." said Alicia. in disg&st."*e didn%t even mention yo&r name." said Belinda, "So yo& needn%t 'e a$raid. Alicia.""I%m not a$raid(" said Alicia. B&t s!e was. S!e !adn%t 'een in Miss 5rayling%s good 'ooks latelyand s!e knew it. S!e didn%t want to 'e !a&led over t!e coals $or t!is now. B&t s!e didn%t like t!egirls% scorn$&l glances."Mam’:elle #&ont%s gone o$$ to 1oin t!e merry $amily now." said #arrell. "I wonder w!at is!aening."Mam%:elle #&ont !ad swet into t!e /ead%s drawing6room, startling 'ot! Miss 5rayling andMam%:elle -o&gier. Miss 5rayling was 1&st getting an acco&nt o$ t!e 4&arrel 'etween t!e twoFrenc! mistresses $rom a rat!er s!ame$aced Mam%:elle -o&gier, w!en t!e ot!er Mam%:elle swetin.S!e saw t!e 'ook o$ drawings at once and icked t!em &. S!e eamined t!em. "A!, !a, !a(

T!is Belinda is a geni&s( /a !a(look at me !ere. Miss 5raylingdid yo& ever see s&c! a l&mra''it as I look+ And o!, Mam%:elle -o&gier. w!at are yo& doing wit! t!at dagger+ It ismarvello&s, wonder$&l I B&t see !ere( I am to 'e oisoned("Mam%:elle #&ont went o$$ into eals o$ la&g!ter. S!e wied t!e tears $rom !er eyes. "3o& do nott!ink it is $&nny+" s!e said in astonis!ment to t!e ot!er mistresses. "B&t looklook!ere I am to'e s!ot wit! t!is g&n. As i$ my good $riend Mam%:elle -o&gier wo&ld do s&c! a t!ing to me( A!,we 4&arrel sometimes, s!e and I. '&t it matters not!ing( *e are two Frenc!women toget!er, n%estce as, Mam%:elle -o&gier, and we !ave m&c! to &t & wit! $rom t!ese 'ad Englis! girls()Mam%:elle -o&gier 'egan to look a little less $rigid. Miss 5rayling looked at one or two o$ t!eict&res and allowed !ersel$ to smile. "T!is one is really very $&nny, Mam%:elle #&ont," s!e said



"And t!is one, too. $ co&rse, t!e w!ole t!ing is most disresect$&l, and I want yo& 'ot! to sayw!at &nis!ment we m&st give t!e classand esecially, o$ co&rse, Belinda."T!ere was a silence. "I $eel," 'egan Mam%:elle -o&gier, at last, "I $eel. Miss 5rayling, t!at er!asMam%:elle #&ont and I are a little to 'lame $or an t!iso&r st&id 4&arrel, yo& knownat&rally itintrig&es t!e girlsand .. .)"A!, yes, yo& are rig!t(" cried Mam%:elle #&ont,$ervently. "3o& arc 4&ite, 4&ite rig!t, my $riend. It is we w!o are to 'lame. Miss 5raylingwedemand no &nis!ment $or t!e 'ad, 'ad girls( *e will $orgive t!em."Mam%:elle -o&gier looked a little taken a'ack. *!y s!o&ld Mam%:elle #&ont $orgive t!em+ T!ey!adn’t drawn !er &nkindly( B&t Mam%:elle #&ont was r&s!ing on in !er !eadlong way."T!ese ict&res, t!ey are more $&nny t!an 'ad( It is a tease, a 1oke, is it not+ *e do not mind( Itwas o&r st&id 4&arrel t!at started it. B&t now, now we are $riends, are we not, Mam%:elle-o&gier+"Mam%:elle -o&gier co&ld not say no to t!at. Swet away in site o$ !ersel$, s!e nodded.Mam%:elle #&ont gave !er two s&dden and e&'erant kisses, one on eac! c!eek. Miss 5raylingwas m&c! am&sed.T!at Belinda(" said Mam%:elle #&ont, looking at t!e drawings again. "A!, w!at a clever c!ild.ne day, may'e, Miss 5rayling, we s!all 'e ro&d o$ t!ese drawings( *!en Belinda is $amo&s,Mam%:elle -o&gier and I. we s!all look toget!er wit! ride on t!ese ict&res, and we s!all say,%A!, t!e little Belinda did t!ese $or &s w!en s!e was in o&r class(%"

Mam%:elle -o&gier said not!ing to t!is. S!e was $eeling t!at s!e !ad 'een made to do all kinds o$ t!ings s!e !adn%t meant to do. B&t s!e co&ldn%t go 'ack on w!at s!e 'ad said now. T!at wascertain."*ell, er!as yo& wo&ld go 'ack to yo&r classes now," s&ggested Miss 5rayling. "And yo& wintell t!e girls, and set t!eir minds at rest+ Belinda m&st aologi:e, o$ co&rse. B&t I t!ink yo&%ll $inds!e will do t!at wit!o&t any romting."T!e two Mam%:elles dearted arm6in6arm. T!e girls t!ey met stared at t!em in s&rrise, $oreveryone knew t!at t!e two !ad 'een 'itter enemies $or t!e last week or so. T!ey went & to t!esecond $orm, w!o stood insilence, glad to see Mam’:elle looking so c!eer$&l, and t!e ot!er Mam’:elle not 4&ite so so&r as&s&al.Mam’:elle #&ont set t!eir minds at rest. "3o& !ave 'een 'ad girls. ery 'ad girls. Belinda, yo&let yo&r encil r&n away wit! yo&. I am s!ocked("

S!e didn%t look s!ocked. /er 'eady 'lack eyes twinkled. Belinda stood &."I want to aologi:e," s!e said, rat!er s!akily, "to 'ot! o$ yo&."Mam’:elle -o&gier didn%t see any necessity $or Belinda to aologi:e to Mam%:elle #&ont, '&t s!edidn%t say so. S!e acceted t!e aology as gracio&sly as s!e co&ld."And now $or &nis!ment," said Mam%:elle #&ont, in a stem voice, '&t still wit! twinkling eyes,"$or &nis!ment yo& will ay 'etter attention to yo&r Frenc! lessons t!an yo& !ave ever done'e$ore. 3o& will learn well, yo& will translate marvello&sly, yo& will 'e my 'est &ils. Is t!at notso+""!, yes, Mam%:elle," romised t!e girls $ervently, and, $or t!e time 'eing at any rate, even5wendoline and #a!ne meant it( Mam’:elle -o&gier went. Mam’:elle #&ont took over $or t!e$ive remaining min&tes o$ t!e lesson."7lease." said #arrell, at t!e end, "Mam%:elle, will yo& tell &s w!o is to take t!e c!ie$ arts in t!eFrenc! lays we%re doing+ It%s so m&ddling not knowing. 7er!as yo& and Mam%:elle -o&gier

!ave settled itnow.""*e !ave not," said Mam%:elle #&ont, "'&t I, I am genero&s today. I will let t!e oor Mam%:elle-o&gier !ave !er way, to make & to !er $or t!e s!ock yo& !ave given !er t!is morning. I will nottake #a!ne $or t!e c!ie$ arts. 3o&, #arrell, and Sally, s!all !ave t!em. T!at will leaseMam%:elle -o&gier and &t !er into s&c! a good mood t!at s!e will smile on yo& all()#a!ne was not too leased a'o&t t!is. S!e looked at Mam%:elle, rat!er !&rt. All t!e same, it wasa good t!ing, s!e t!o&g!t, 'eca&se !ow s!e was EE- going to learn all t!at Frenc! talk in t!elay s!e really didn%t know+ 7er!as it wo&ld 'e 1&st as well i$ s!e didn%t !ave t!e c!ie$ arts,a$ter all. S!e wo&ld look !&rt, '&t 'e very sweet and genero&s a'o&t it(



So, looking rat!er stricken, s!e soke to Mam%:elle. "It%s 1&st as yo& like, Mam%:elle. I !ad 'eenlooking $orward to swotting & my arts $or yo&'&t I !oe I%m genero&s eno&g! to give t!em &to ot!ers wit!o&t a $&ss()T!e kind girl(" said Mam%:elle, 'eaming. "I will make it & to yo&. #a!ne. 3o& s!all come to meand we will read toget!er a Frenc! 'ook I loved w!en I was a girl A!, t!at will 'e a treat $or 'ot!o$ &s("T!e class wanted to la&g! w!en t!ey saw #a!ne%s !orri$ied $ace. -ead a Frenc! 'ook wit!Mam%:elle( /ow dread$&l. S!e wo&ld !ave to get o&t o$ t!at some!ow.T!e a$$air o$ t!e drawings !ad t!ree res&lts. Alicia was s&lky, 'eca&se s!e $elt s!e 'ad come o&tvery 'adly in t!e matter, and s!e knew t!at Sally and #arrell and some o$ t!e ot!ers didn%t t!inkvery m&c! o$ !er 'eca&se o$ it T!e two Mam%:elles were $irm $riends now, instead o$ enemies.

And #a!ne was now given a very minor art indeed in t!e lays, w!ere s!e wo&ld not aearas someone 'ea&ti$&l, '&t only as an old man in a !ood. S!e was very m&c! disg&sted."Esecially as I%ve written and told my eole all a'o&t my $ine arts," s!e comlained. It%s as!ame.)"3es, it is," said 5wendoline. "8ever mind, #a!neyo& won%t !ave to do all t!at swotting now(=<ean came & wit! a 'o at t!at moment S!e 1ingled it &nder t!eir noses. "/ave yo& got yo&rgames s&'., yo& two+ *e%re collecting it today. Five 'o' eac!.)"/ere%s mine," said 5wendoline, getting o&t !er &rse."3o&rs, lease. #a!ne," said <ean. #a!ne took o&t !er &rse. "Blow(" s!e said. "I t!o&g!t I !ad

ten s!illings, '&t t!ere%s only a sience. !, yesI !ad to '&y a 'irt!day resent $or mygoverness last week. 5wen, lend me t!e money till I get some $rom !ome, will yo&+""S!e lent yo& two 'o' last week," said <ean, 1ingling t!e 'o again. "I 'et yo& didn%t ay !er 'ack(

And yo& 'orrowed sience o$$ me $or c!&rc! collection, let me tell yo&. *!y don%t yo& kee alittle 'ook s!owing yo&r de'ts+""*!at do little s&ms like t!at matter+" said #a!ne, annoyed. "I’ll 'e getting o&nds and o&ndson my 'irt!day soon. Anyway, I can ay 'ack t!is week. My &ncle is sending me t!irty s!illings.""*ell, I’ll, I’ll lend yo& $ive 'o' till t!en," said 5wendoline, and &t a ten6s!illing note into t!e 'o.<ean t&rned to #arrell and collected !er money. S!e went to Ellen and 1ingled t!e 'o &nder !ernose."Five 'o', lease. Ellen.""#on%t do t!at &nder my nose(" said Ellen, 1&ming. "*!at is it yo& want+ Five s!illings+ *ell, I!aven%t got it on me 1&st now. I’ll give it to yo& later."

"3o& said t!at last time," said <ean, w!o was a most ersistent erson w!en it came to collectingmoney. "5o onget it, Ellen, and t!en t!e collection will 'e $inis!ed."I’m working,) said Ellen, annoyed. "Take t!e t!ing away. I’ll give yo& t!e $ive s!illings soon."<ean went o$$, also annoyed. #a!ne soke in a low voice to 5wendoline. "I 'et s!e !asn%t gott!e $ive 'o' to give( S!e won a sc!olars!i !ere, '&t I don%t 'elieve !er eole can really a$$ord tokee !er at a sc!ool like t!is("Ellen didn%t 4&ite !ear w!at was said '&t s!e knew it was somet!ing nasty, 'y #a!ne%s sneeringtone. S!e $l&ng down !er 'ook. "0an%t any'ody work in t!is lace(" s!e said. "Sto yo&rw!isering. #a!ne, and take t!at smile o$$ yo&r silly $ace()7oor Ellen("-eally(" said #a!ne, as Ellen walked o&t o$ t!e room and 'anged t!e door. "*!at aw$&lmanners t!at girl%s got( *!at%s t!e matter wit! !er+"8o'ody knew. 8o'ody g&essed t!at Ellen was getting more and more worried a'o&t !er work.

S!e knew t!at t!e end o$ term tests were coming along, and s!e wanted to come o&t well int!em. S!e m&st( So s!e was working !ard every min&te, and s!e !ad 'eg&n to $eel at last t!ats!e wo&ld 'e a'le to $ace t!e tests and do well.B&t t!at evening s!e did not $eel very well. /er t!roat !&rt !er. /er eyes !&rt !er, esecially w!ens!e moved t!em a'o&t. S!e co&g!ed.S&rely s!e wasn%t going to 'e ill( T!at wo&ld &t !er terri'ly 'e!ind in !er work. It wo&ld never do.So Ellen dosed !ersel$ wit! co&g! lo:enges, and gargled secretly in t!e 'at!room, !oing t!atMatron wo&ld not notice anyt!ing wrong./er eyes were too 'rig!t t!at evening. /er &s&ally ale c!eeks were red. S!e co&g!ed in re.Miss 7otts, w!o was taking re, looked at !er.



"#o yo& $eel all rig!t, Ellen+" s!e asked."!, 4&ite all rig!t, Miss 7otts," said Ellen, &ntr&t!$&lly, and 'ent !er !ead over !er 'ook. S!eco&g!ed again.> don%t like t!at co&g!,) said Miss 7otts. I t!ink er!as yo& !ad 'etter go to.. .)"!, Miss 7otts, it%s only a tickle in my t!roat,?% said Ellen, deserately. "7er!as I’d 'etter get adrink o$ water.""*ell go t!en," said Miss 7otts, still not 4&ite satis$ied. So Ellen went S!e leaned !er !ot !eadagainst t!e cool wall o$ t!e cloakroom and wis!ed misera'ly t!at s!e !ad someone s!e co&ldcon$ide in. B&t !er snainess and irrita'ility !ad &t everyone against !ereven <ean. <ean !adtried to 'e niceand Ellen !adn%t even 'ot!ered to go and get t!e games s&'scrition $or !er."I don%t know w!at’s come over me lately," t!o&g!t t!e girl. "I &sed not to 'e like t!is, s&rely. I !adlenty o$ $riends at my ot!er sc!ool I wis! I%d never le$t t!ere. I wis! I’d never won a sc!olars!i()S!e m&st go 'ack. /er t!roat still !&rt !er and s!e slied a lo:enge into !er mo&t!. T!en s!ewent 'ack to t!e classroom, trying to walk $irmly, t!o&g! !er legs $elt rat!er wo''ly.S!e !ad a !ig! temerat&re and s!o&ld !ave 'een t&cked & in 'ed. B&t s!e wasn%t going to givein. S!e m&st do !er work. S!e m&stn%t get 'e!ind. S!e m&st do well in t!e tests, w!atever!aened.S!e tried to learn some Frenc! oetry, '&t it '&::ed ro&nd and ro&nd in !er !ead. S!e 'egan toco&g! again."!, s!&t &," said Alicia, in a w!iser. "3o&%re &tting it on to get 7otty%s symat!y.)

T!at was so like Alicia( S!e didn%t like eole w!o co&g!ed or sni$$ed or groaned. S!e !ad nosymat!y to sare $or t!ose w!o needed it. S!e was a !ealt!y, strong, clever girl, w!o !ad never'een ill in !er li$e, and s!e scorned st&id eole, or t!ose w!o were delicate and ailing, or intro&'le. S!e was !ard, and it didn%tseem as i$ s!e was getting any kinder. #arrell o$ten wondered !ow s!e co&ld so 'adly !avewanted Alicia to 'e !er $riend w!en s!e !ad $irst come to Malory Towers(Ellen looked at Alicia wit! dislike. I can%t !el it," s!e said, %Tm not &tting it on." S!e snee:ed and

Alicia gave an eclamation o$ disg&st. "#on%t( 5o to 'ed i$ yo&%re as 'ad as all t!at(" "Silence("said Miss 7otts, annoyed. Alicia said no more. Ellen sig!ed and tried to concentrate on !er 'ookagain. B&t s!e co&ldn%t. S!e was glad w!en t!e 'ell went and s!e co&ld get & and go o&t intot!e cooler air. S!e was !ot and yet s!e s!ivered. !, 'low, s!e certainly was in $or a cold.7er!as it wo&ld 'e 'etter tomorrow.S!e tried to st&$$ some $ood down !er t!roat at s&er6time, in case Miss 7arker noticed s!e

wasn%t eating anyt!ing. Miss 7arker did not o$ten take any notice o$ Ellen. S!e was &s&ally a 4&ietgirl, wit! a name $or 'ad temer, and Miss 7arker was not at all interested in !er, t!o&g!sometimes s&rrised t!at !er work was not 'etter.It was Sally w!o noticed t!at Ellen seemed i/ t!at nig!t S!e !eard !er 4&ick, rat!er !oarse'reat!ing and looked at !er in concern. S!e remem'ered !ow Ellen !ad co&g!ed in re. 7oorEllenwas s!e $eeling simly aw$&l, and not wanting to make a $&ss+Sally was 'ot! sensi'le and kind. S!e went to Ellen and took !er !ot !ands. "Ellen( 3o&%re notwell( ;et me go wit! yo& to Matron, silly()T!e little act o$ kindness made t!e tears start to Ellen%s eyes. B&t s!e s!ook !er !ead imatiently."I%m all rig!t. ;eave me alone( <&st got a !eadac!e, t!at%s all.""7oor old Ellen," said Sally. "3o&%ve got more t!an a !eadac!e. 0ome along to Matron. 3o& o&g!t to 'e in 'ed("B&t Ellen wo&ldn%t go. It was not &ntil <ean came & and symat!i:ed wit! !er t!at s!e 'roke

down and con$essed t!at yes. s!e really did $eel aw$&l, '&t s!e co&ldn%t ossi'ly go to 'ed wit! allt!at work to do 'e$ore t!e tests( "I m&st do well, yo& see." s!e ket saying. "I m&st) T!e tears randown !er c!eeks as s!e soke, and s!e s&ddenly s!ivered."3o& won%t do any good 'y keeing & w!en yo& s!o&ld 'e in 'ed," said <ean. "0ome along. Illkee yo& well osted in w!at we do in lessons, I romise yo&( in make notes $or yo& andeveryt!ing(" I "!, will yo&+" said oor Ellen, co&g!ing. "A/ rig!t t!en. I$ yo&%ll !el me to catc!&, I’ll go and see Matron now. 7er!as 1&st one day in 'ed will &t me rig!t"B&t one day was certainly not going to &t Ellen rig!t( S!e was very ill and Matron &t !er to 'edin t!e San. at once. Ellen was so t!ank$&l to 'e t!ere t!at s!e co&ldn%t !el crying. S!e wasas!amed o$ !ersel$, '&t s!e co&ldn%t sto t!e tears.



"8ow don%t yo& worry," said Matron, kindly. "3o& s!o&ld !ave 'een in 'ed days ago 'y t!e look o$yo&( Silly c!ild( 8ow yo& 1&st lie still and en1oy a week in 'ed."

A week( Ellen started & in !orror. S!e co&ldn%t ossi'ly miss a week%s work. S!e stared atMatron in dismay. Matron &s!ed !er 'ack."#on%t look so !orri$ied. 3o&%ll en1oy it. And as soon as yo& $eel like it, and yo&r cold is notin$ectio&s, yo& can c!oose a visitor.""7oor Ellen%s really ill," said <ean, as s!e went 'ack to t!e ot!ers. "I don%t know w!at !ertemerat&re is, '&t I saw Matron%s $ace w!en s!e took it, and it m&st 'e retty !ig!.)"S!e co&g!ed like anyt!ing in re tonig!t," said Sally. "I $elt sorry $or !er.""*ell. Alicia didn%t," said 5wen. malicio&sly. "S!e told !er to s!&t &( #ear, kind Alicia()

Alicia glared. S!e was always making s!ar remarks a'o&t 5wen'&t t!is time 5wen !ad got5BD 'ack at !erand Alicia didn%t m&c! like it"n, we all know t!at Alicia can%t 'ear to give a little symat!y o&t,) said #arrell, &na'le to sto!ersel$. S!e !ad $elt annoyed wit! Alicia lately, 'eca&se s!e !ad 'een so o$$!and wit! Sally. Alsos!e !ad t!o&g!t t!at Alicia s!o&ld certainly !ave owned & t!at it was s!e w!o !ad knownMam%:elle -o&gier was going to take t!e lesson instead o$ Mam%:elle #&ont S!e !ad madeBelinda get into a row, w!en s!e co&ld !ave revented it.

Alicia, too, was as!amed o$ t!is cow. B&t it was too late to do anyt!ing a'o&t it. T!ere was nooint in owning & now t!at t!e matter was closed. B&t s!e ket kicking !ersel$ $or not doing so att!e rig!t t&ne. S!e !ad 'een too o'stinate.

S!e was sorry too t!at s!e !ad 'een 'ard on Ellen t!at evening'&t !ow co&ld s!e know s!ewas really ill+ S!e !adn%t any time $or t!at silly Ellen, always snaing and snarling at everyone(;et !er 'e ill( A good t!ing i$ s!e was away $rom t!e class $or a w!ile. S!e wo&ldn%t miss !er(Ellen $elt very ill $or $o&r days, t!en s!e $elt a little 'etter. /er temerat&re went down, and s!e'egan to take a little more interest in t!ings. B&t alas( !er old worry came 'ack immediately s!ewas well eno&g! to t!ink clearly(T!ose tests( S!e knew t!at on t!e res&lt o$ t!e tests deended !er lace in $orm. And it was veryimortant t!at s!e s!o&ld 'e to or nearly to. /er $at!er and mot!er were so very ro&d t!at s!e'ad won t!esc!olars!i to s&c! a $ine sc!ool. T!ey were not well6o$$, '&t t!ey !ad told Ellen t!ey wo&ld doanyt!ing t!ey co&ld to kee !er at Malory Towers, now t!at s!e !ad won t!e rig!t to 'e t!ere 'y!er own !ard work.T!e &ni$orm !ad 'een so eensive. Even t!e train $are was eensive. It was a good t!ing s!e

!ad 'een a'le to get a li$t down in some'ody%s car. Mot!er !ad 'o&g!t !er a new tr&nk and a news&it6case. More eense. !. dearwas it really a good t!ing to win a sc!olars!i to a sc!oollike Malory Towers i$ yo& !ad to co&nt yo&r ennies+ 7er!as it wasn’t.T!en anot!er t!o&g!t str&ck !er. S!e !ad !ad to !ave t!e doctor. T!at wo&ld 'e anot!er eenseon t!e 'ill. And all t!e time s!e was losing !er sc!ool work, and wo&ld do 'adly !er $irst term. /er arents wo&ld 'e 'itterly disaointed.So Ellen worried and worried. T!e Matron and t!e 8&rse co&ldn%t t!ink w!y s!e did not t!row o$$!er illness as 4&ickly as s!e s!o&ld. Every day s!e 'egged to 'e allowed to get &, '&t Matrons!ook !er !ead. "8o, yo& can%t, dear. 3o&%re not 4&ite rig!t yet B&t wo&ld yo& like a visitor now+3o& can !ave one i$ yo& like.""!. yes. I’d like <ean, lease," said Ellen at once. <ean 'ad romised to take notes $or !er. <eanwo&ld tell !er all a'o&t t!e lessons s!e !ad missed. <ean was deenda'le and relia'le.So <ean came to see !er, 'ringing a ot o$ !oney. B&t it was not !oney t!at Ellen wanted. S!e

!ardly even glanced at it"#id yo& 'ring t!e notes yo& said yo& wo&ld make $or me+" s!e asked, eagerly. "!. <eandidn%tyo&+""5ood gracio&s mew!at do yo& want notes o$ lessons $or already+" demanded <ean, inastonis!ment "3o&%re not even &(""!. I do. I do." said Ellen. "3o& romised, <ean.*ell, 'ring t!em net time. 3o& tell me all t!e lessons yo&%ve !ad now."<ean screwed & !er eyes and tried to remem'er. S!e t!o&g!t Ellen 4&eer to want to talk a'o&tlessons instead o$ games or $&n. S!e 'egan to tell Ellen."*ell, in mat!s, we did t!ose new s&ms again. I can 'ring yo& some to s!ow yo&. And in Frenc!



we learnt t!at long iece o$ oetry on age sity6$o&r. I can recite some o$ it i$ yo& like. And $orgeogra!y we learnt..."Matron '&stled &. "<ean( Ellen m&stn%t !ear a word a'o&t lessons yet I S!e m&stn%t startworrying !er !ead a'o&t work. S!e co&ldn%t !el missing it, and Miss 7arker and Mam’:elle will4&ite &nderstand t!at s!e will 'e a 'it 'e!ind w!en s!e comes 'ack."Ellen stared at !er in consternation. "B&t, Matron( I m&st know it all. I m&st( !, do let <ean tellme. And s!e%s going to 'ring me some lesson notes s!e%s made $or me too.""*ell, s!e certainly m&stn%t. I $or'id it," said Matron. So t!at was t!at. Ellen took no more interestin <ean%s conversation. S!e lay 'ack, deserate. S!e%d 'e near t!e 'ottom now I /ow &nl&ckys!e was(Ellen /as a Bad Idea.8o'ody missed Ellen very m&c!. S!e !adn%t any o$ #arrell’s !ig! sirits or $riendliness, none o$

Alicia%s misc!ie$ or $&n, s!e !adn%t even t!e s!yness and timidity o$ Mary6;o&, t!at made !ermissed w!en s!e wasn%t t!ere."3o& don%t m&c! notice Mary6;o& w!en s!e%s t!ere &nder yo&r nose'&t yo& do miss !er w!ens!e%s not," said #arrell once. And t!at was tr&e.#arrell was missing Mary6;o& 4&ite a lot t!ese days, $or Mary6;o& was attac!ing !ersel$ $ irmly to#a!ne. 8o'ody co&ld 4&ite &nderstand it 8o'ody 'elieved t!at #a!ne wanted Mary6;o&%s$riends!is!e only wanted !er !el in Frenc!. Even w!en #arrell ointed o&t t!at it was almostc!eating $or Mary6;o& to do s&c! a lot $or !er, s!e wo&ld !ardly listen.

"I can%t do m&c! to !el any'ody." said Mary6;o&. "It%s only in Frenc! t!at I%m really goodand it%sso nice to !el some'ody w!o wants it And 'esides#a!ne does really like me, #arrell(""*ell, so do I like yo&, and so does Sally," said #arrell, really easerated to t!ink t!at Mary6;o&s!o&ld attac! !ersel$ to s&c! a do&'le6$aced erson as #a!ne.=3es, I know. B&t yo& only &t & wit! me o&t o$ t!e kindness o$ yo&r !eart(" said Mary6;o&."3o&%ve got Sally. 3o& let me tag along 'e!ind yo& like a nice &y'&t yo& don%t really wantme, and I co&ldn%t ossi'ly !el yo& in any way. B&t I can !el #a!neand t!o&g! I know yo&t!ink s!e%s only &sing me $or !er Frenc!, s!e%s not"#arrell was certain t!at #a!ne only &t & wit! Mary6;o& 'eca&se o$ t!e Frenc!'&t s!ewasn%t 4&ite rig!t. #a!ne was very $ond o$ Mary6;o& now. S!e co&ldn%t 4&ite t!ink w!y, 'eca&seit wasn%t like !er to 'e $ond o$ anyone'&t Mary6;o& was so &no'tr&sive, so s!y, so willing to!el in any way. "S!e%s like a et mo&se, t!at yo& want to rotect and take care o$(" t!o&g!t#a!ne. "3o& can%t !el liking a

mo&se."S!e o&red o&t !er tales o$ wealt! to Mary6;o&, and Mary6;o& listened in t!e most grati$yingmanner. T!e yo&nger girl was ro&d t!at someone as grand as #a!ne s!o&ld 'ot!er to notice!er and talk to !er and tell !er t!ings.Ellen was away $rom sc!ool eleven days and 'ad worried terri'ly t!e last si or seven 'eca&se<ean !ad not 'een allowed to 'ring !er lesson6notes or to tell !er a'o&t t!e lessons. 8ow s!ecame 'ade, ale, a little t!inner, wit! an o'stinate look in !er eyes. S!e was going to catc! &some!ow I I$ s!e !ad to get & at si in t!e morning, and learn !er lessons &nder t!e s!eets 'ymeans o$ a $las!lig!t, s!e wo&ld(S!e asked Miss 7arker i$ s!e wo&ld 'e kind eno&g! to give !er etra coac!ing in w!at s!e !admissed. Miss 7arker re$&sed in a kindly manner."8o, Ellen. 3o&%re not & even to yo&r ordinary work at t!e moment, let alone taking etracoac!ing. I s!an%t eect m&c! $rom yo&, nor will anyone else. So don%t worry. "

Ellen went to Mam%:elle #&ont and even to Mam’:elle -o&gier. "I do so want to know w!at I%vemissed so t!at I can make it &," s!e said. "0o&ld yo& give a little etra coac!ing+"B&t neit!er o$ t!e Mam%:elles wo&ld. "3o& are not yet 4&ite strong, man en$ant I) said Mam%:elle#&ont, kindly. "8o one will eect yo& to do 'rilliantly now t!is term. Take t!ings more easily.)So oor Ellen was 4&ite in desair. 8o'ody wo&ld !el !er( T!ey all seemed to 'e in leag&eagainst !erMatron, #octor, Miss 7arker, t!e two Mam%:elles.

And in ten days% time t!e tests 'egan( Ellen &s&ally liked eams, '&t s!e was dreading t!ese. S!eco&ldn%t t!ink !ow it was t!at t!e girls 1oked a'o&t t!em so lig!t6!eartedly.T!en an idea came to !era 'ad idea, t!at at $irst s!e &t away $rom !er mind at once. B&t itcame 'ack again and again, w!isering itsel$ into !er mind so t!at s!e !ad to listen to it.



"I$ yo& co&ld er!as see t!e test6aers 'e$ore t!ey Gwere given o&t( I$ yo& co&ld read t!e 4&estions and know w!at yo& were going to 'e asked(Ellen !ad never c!eated in !er li$e. S!e !ad never needed to $or s!e !ad good 'rains and s!eknew !ow to work !ard. 7eole didn%t c!eat i$ t!ey co&ld do as well or 'etter wit!o&t c!eating( A!,'&t w!en yo& co&ldn%t, w!en somet!ing !ad gone wrong, and yo& didn%t know yo&r workwo&ldyo& c!eat t!en i$ it was t!e only way to gain a good lace +It is not o$ten t!at a test like t!at conies to a erson wit! good 'rains, w!o !as always scornedc!eating 6'&t now it came to Ellen. It is easy not to c!eat i$ yo& don%t need to. It is easy not toc!eat i$ yo& do need to+ *!en t!at test comes, yo& will know yo&r c!aracter $or w!at it is, weakor strong, crooked or &rig!t.Ellen co&ld no longer &s! t!e t!o&g!t o&t o$ !er mind. It was always t!ere. T!en one day s!ewas in Miss Barker%s room and saw w!at s!e t!o&g!t was a test6aer on !er desk. Miss 7arkerwas not in t!e room. It needed only a moment to sli ro&nd and look at t!e aer.Ellen read swi$tly down t!e 4&estions. /ow easy t!ey were( T!en, wit! a s!ock s!e saw t!at t!eywere 4&estions set $or t!e $irst $orm, not t!e second. /er !eart sank.Be$ore s!e co&ld look $or t!e second6$orm 4&estions and see i$ t!ey were t!ere s!e !eard Miss7arker%s $ootstes and slied ro&nd to t!e ot!er side o$ t!e desk. S!e m&st never let anyoneg&ess t!at s!e was t!inking o$ doing s&c! a dread$&l t!ing.Ellen was always sliing into Miss 7arker%s room, or Miss 7otts% room a$ter t!at. S!e c!osetimes w!en s!e knew t!ey wo&ld not 'e t!ere. S!e even went t!ro&g! Miss 7arker%s desk in t!e

second6$orm roomEllen was r&mmaging t!ro&g! Miss 7orker%s desk.one morning a$ter sc!ool !oing to $ind somet!ing t!ere in t!e way o$ test 4&estions.

Alicia $o&nd !er t!ere and looked s&rrised. "*!at are yo& doing+" s!e said. "3o& know we%re nots&osed to go to t!at desk. -eally, Ellen()I’ve lost my $o&ntain en." m&m'led Ellen. "I wondered i$ er!as Miss 7arker !ad...""*ell, even i$ s!e !ad got it, yo& s!o&ldn%t go sneaking in !er desk." said Alicia, scorn$&lly.T!en anot!er time #arrell $o&nd !er in Miss 7otts% room, standing at Mam%:elle%s emty desk,r&nning !er $ingers t!ro&g! t!e aers t!ere. S!e stared in s&rrise."!erMam%:elle sent me !ere to $ind a 'ook $or !er." said Ellen, and was s!ocked at !ersel$.S!e !ad always !eard t!at one sin leads to anot!er, and s!e was $inding o&t t!at t!is was tr&e.S!e was trying to c!eatand t!at made !er tell &ntr&t!s. *!at net wo&ld it 'e+"*ell. I m&st say Ellen isn’t m&c! imroved 'y 'eing away $or nearly a $ortnig!t," said Betty, one

evening in t!e common6room, w!en Ellen !ad snaed someone%s !ead o$$, and gone o&t s&lkily."S!e%s 1&st as snay as everand s!e doesn%t look a 'it well yet""Bad temer%s !er tro&'le." said Alicia. I%m $ed & wit! !er. Always $rowning and sig!ing andlooking misera'le("5wendoline came in, looking 'ot!ered. "Anyone seen my &rse+ I%m s&re I &t it into my desk,and now it%s gone. And I &t a ten6s!illing note in it only t!is morning, 'eca&se I wanted to go o&tand '&y somet!ing $ 8ow I can%t(""I’ll !el yo& to look $or it," said #a!ne o'ligingly, and got &. "I 'et it%s still in yo&r desksomew!ere("B&t it wasn%t. It was most annoying. 5wendoline screwed & !er $ore!ead and tried in vain tot!ink i$ s!e !ad &t it anyw!ere else.I’m s&re I didn%t," s!e said at last "!, !ow sickening it is. 0an yo& lend me some money,#a!ne+"

"3es. I%ve got my &rse in my ocket," said #a!ne. "Anyway I owe yon some. I meant to !aveaid yo& 'e$ore. I got some money yesterday $rom my &ncle."S!e $elt in !er ocket and men looked &. a dismayed eression on !er $ace. It%s gone( T!ere%sa !ole in my ocket( Blow( *!erever can I !ave droed it+""*ell, I m&st say yo&%re a retty air(" said Alicia. "Bot! o$ yo& losing yo&r &rses1&st w!en t!eyare $&ll o$ money too( 3o&%re as 'ad as Irene or Belinda("Belinda !ad lost a !al$6crown only t!e day 'e$ore, and !ad crawled all over t!e $orm6$loor looking$or it, m&c! to Mam%:elle%s ama:ement. S!e !adn%t $o&nd it and !ad demanded !er gamess&'scrition 'ack $rom <ean. S!e !adn%t got it. !owever, $or <ean maintained t!at once t!e money!ad gone into !er 'o, it was no longer t!e giver%sit 'elonged to t!e 5ames% secretary, or t!e



sc!ool, or w!atever $&nd it was meant $or.T!e two &rses didn%t t&rn &. It was annoying and rat!er mysterio&s. Two &rses$&ll o$ money.5wendoline looked at #a!ne and lowered !er voice. "3o& don%t t!ink some'ody%s taken t!em,do yo&+ S&rely t!ere co&ldn%t 'e anyone in o&r $orm t!at wo&ld do a t!ing like t!at()

Alicia was very c&rio&s a'o&t t!e &rses. Into !er mind slid t!e memory o$ Ellen going t!ro&g!t!e mistress%s desk in t!e second6$orm room. *!y s!o&ld s!e do t!at+ S!e !ad said s!e !ad lost!er $o&ntain en'&t s!e !adn%t, 'eca&se Alicia 'ad seen !er &sing it at t!e very net lesson.*ell, t!en...

Alicia determined to kee an eye on Ellen. I$ s!e was doing anyt!ing dis!onest or &nder!and ito&g!t to 'e reorted to Sally. It was tiresome to t!ink t!at Sally wo&ld !ave t!e rig!t to !ear a'o&tit and settle w!et!er or not it s!o&ld go 'e$ore Miss 7arker. Alicia $elt t!e &s&al sta' o$ 1ealo&sy w!en s!e t!o&g!t o$Sally as !ead6g&tEllen didn%t know t!at Alicia was keeing an eye on !er, '&t s!e did know t!at s!e was s&ddenly$inding it very di$$ic&lt to 'e alone, or to go into eit!er Miss 7orker%s room, or Miss 7otts% room, oreven t!e $orm6room w!en no'ody else was t!ere. Alicia always seemed to o & and sayH"/allo. Ellen( ;ooking $or some'ody+ 0an I !el yo&+"#a!ne 'orrowed as &s&al $rom some'ody, '&t 5wendoline didn%t. 5wendoline !ad 'een ta&g!tnot to 'orrow, and s!e !ad written to ask !er eole to send !er some more money to get onwit!. #a!ne 'orrowed some $rom Mary6;o& and t!en o$$ered !al$ o$ it to 5wendoline.

"! no," said 5wendoline, a little s!ocked. "3o& can%t lend ot!er eole%s money to me. #a!ne( Iknow yo& 'orrowed t!at $rom Mary6;o&. *!y don%t yo& do as I%m doing and wait till yo& get somemore $rom yo&r eole+ T!at%s t!e worst o$ 'eing as ric! as yo& areI s&ose yo& 1&st simlydon%t &nderstand t!e val&e o$ money("#a!ne looked a little s&rrised, $or t!is was t!e $irst time s!e !ad ever !ad any kind o$ criticism,even slig!t, $rom !er $ait!$&l 5wendoline. T!en s!e slied !er arm t!ro&g! !er $riend%s."I eect yo&%re rig!t() s!e said. I’ve always !ad as m&c! money as I wanteddon%t really knowt!e val&e o$ it It%s t!e way I%ve 'een 'ro&g!t &. #on%t 'e cross, wen.)"I don%t know w!at wo&ld !aen to yo& i$ yo& were ever in real need o$ money(" said5wendoline. "3o& wo&ld 'e misera'le wit!o&t yo&r yac!t and yo&r cars and yo&r servants and yo&r 'ea&ti$&l !o&se( /ow I wis! I co&ld see t!em all("B&t #a!ne did not say, as 5wen always !oed s!e wo&ld, "*ell, come and stay wit! me $or t!e!olidays(" It rat!er looked as i$ 5wendoline wo&ld not 'e seeing !er grand $riend d&ring t!e

0!ristmas !olidays, or attending arties and antomimes wit! !er. It rat!er looked as i$ s!e wo&ld!ave to &t & wit! !er own !ome and adoring mot!er and wors!iing governess(

A #read$&l EveningIt was t!e day 'e$ore t!e tests were to 'egin. Some o$ t!e girls were swotting & !ard, $eelingrat!er girllty 'eca&se t!ey !adn%t aid as m&c! attention to t!eir work as t!ey o&g!t to !ave done.Betty /ill was oring over !er 'ooks. So was 5wendoline. And, as &s&al, oor Ellen !ad !er nose'etween t!e ages o$ a 'ook, trying to cram into a s!ort time w!at co&ld only 'e learnt slowly andin eace.Miss 7arker was 4&ite worried a'o&t Ellen. T!e girl gave !er a strained attention in class, and yet!er work was only $air. It wasn%t $or lack o$ trying. Miss 7arker knew. S!e s&osed it m&st 'e t!atEllen was not very $it a$ter !er illness.Ellen knew t!at t!e test6aers were ready. S!e !ad !eard Miss 7arker talking a'o&t t!em. As $or Mam%:elle, in !er &s&al tantali:ing manner s!e !ad s!aken !er test6aer in $ront o$ t!e class,

and cried, =A!, yo& wo&ld like to know w!at I !ave set yo&, wo&ld yo& not( 3o& wo&ld like to knoww!at are t!ese di$$ic&lt 4&estions( 8ow t!e $irst one is.. .)B&t s!e never did say w!at t!e $irst one was, andt!e class la&g!ed. Anyway, Mam%:elle #&ont was never so strict over tests as Mam’:elle-o&gier, w!o set t!e most di$$ic&lt 4&estions and eected t!em to 'e answered er$ectlyandt!en groaned and gr&m'led 'eca&se nearly all t!e girls $ailed to get !ig! marks(It was Ellen%s last c!ance t!at day to try to see t!e aers. I$ only t!at irritating Alicia wo&ldn%talways kee !anging aro&nd( T!e t!o&g!t occ&rred to Ellen t!at Alicia mig!t 'e sying on !er'&t s!e dismissed it at once. *!y s!o&ld s!e+ 8o'ody in t!e world save Ellen !ersel$ knew t!ats!e wanted to see t!e test6aers.



S!e !&ng a'o&t in t!e assage o&tside Miss 7arker) room $or a long time t!at evening. B&t t!erewas never any c!ance o$ going in wit!o&t 'eing seen. Some'ody always seemed to 'e going 'y.It was astonis!ing !ow many girls went t!is way and t!at way ast Miss 7arker%s door.T!en, most annoyingly, t!e only time t!at t!e assage was really emty was w!en Miss 7arker!ersel$ was in t!e room. S!e was mete wit! Miss 7otts. Ellen co&ld 4&ite well !ear w!at t!eywere saying.S!e 'ent down 'y t!e door as i$ s!e was re6tying !er s!oe6lace."T!e second $orm !aven%t done too 'adly t!is term," s!e !eard Miss 7arker say to Miss 7otts."T!ey seem to !ave 'ene$ited 'y t!e year t!ey sent wit! yo&( Most o$ t!em can &se t!eir 'rains,w!ic! is somet!ing(" "*ell. I !oe t!ey do well in t!e tests." said Miss 7otts. "I always take aninterest in t!eir $irst tests w!en t!ey go & to t!e second $orm $or t!e $irst time. /aving 'ad t!egirls $or t!ree or $o&r terms I can%t lose my interest in t!em 4&ickly. I s&ose Alicia or Irene or#arrell will 'e to. T!ey%ve all got good 'rains." "/ave a look at t!e 4&estions," said Miss 7arker,and Ellen act&ally !eard t!e r&stling o$ t!e test6aers 'eing !anded over to Miss 7otts. /ow s!elonged to see t!em(T!ere was a silence as Miss 7otts read t!em. "3es. A 'it sti$$, one or two o$ t!em'&t i$ t!e girls!ave aid attention, t!ey o&g!t to do t!em all 4&ite well *!at a'o&t t!e Frenc! aers+""Mam%:elle%s got t!em in !er room," said Miss 7arker. "Ill take t!ese along to !er and give t!em to!er. S!e takes t!e second $orm $irst t!ing tomorrow and can take t!e aers wit! !er.)Ellen%s !eart leat. 8ow s!e knew w!ere t!e aers wo&ld 'e t!at nig!t( In Mam%:elle%s room.

And t!at was not very tar $rom t!e dormy. 0o&ld s!edare s!eget & in t!e nig!t and go andee at t!em+

A girl came ro&nd t!e corner and almost knocked Ellen over. It was Alicia."5racio&s, it%s yo&. Ellen( 3o& were lo&nging a'o&t !ere w!en I came &and now I come downand yo&%re still !ere( *!at on eart! are yo& doing+""It%s no '&siness o$ yo&rs(" said Ellen, and walked o$$. S!e went to t!e common6room and satdown. S!e !ad to work t!ings o&t. #are s!e cree o&t in t!e middle o$ t!e nig!t and !&nt $or t!eaers+ It was a very, very wrong t!ing to do. B&t o!, i$ only s!e !ad 'een well all t!e term, and!ad 'een a'le to work and &se !er 'rains roerly, s!e co&ld easily !ave 'een to or near t!eto. It wasn%t !er $a&lt t!at s!e wo&ld 'e near t!e 'ottom.So s!e sat and reasoned wit! !ersel$, trying to ers&ade !ersel$ t!at w!at s!e was doing wasn%treally so 'ad as it looked. S!e was doing it to save !er arents $rom 'eing so disaointed. S!eco&ldn%t let t!em down. 7oor Ellen( S!e didn%t sto to t!ink t!at !er arents wo&ld m&c! rat!er

see !er !onestly at t!e 'ottom, t!an dis!onestly at t!e to( Alicia was growing 4&ite certain t!at it was Ellen w!o !ad taken t!e money. I$ not. w!y in t!eworld was s!e always sneaking a'o&t 'y !ersel$, listening o&tside doors, and doing s&c! ec&liar t!ings+ 8eit!er o$ t!e &rses !ad t&rned &. 8or !ad Belinda%s !al$6crown. Anot!er &rse andmore missing money !ad not 'een traced eit!er, and Emily !ad reorted t!at !er gold 'ar 'rooc!,w!ic! !er god6mot!er !ad given !er t!e term 'e$ore, !ad also gone.Emily was very tidy and care$&l and never lost t!ings like Belinda or Irene. *!en Alicia !eard !ertalking a'o&t !er lost 'rooc! in t!e common6room, s!e made & !er mind to tell t!e ot!ers w!ats!e t!o&g!t. Ellen, as &s&al, was not t!ere. "&t sneaking ro&nd some'ody%s door, I eect()t!o&g!t Alicia."I say," s!e said, raising !er voice a little. "Sally( I’ve got somet!ing to say a'o&t all t!esemysterio&s disaearances. I don%t eactly want to acc&se anyone6 '&t Fve 'een watc!ing some'ody lately, and t!ey%ve 'een doing rat!er ec&liar t!ings."

Everyone looked & in s&rrise. Sally looked ro&nd t!e common6room. "Are we all !ere+" s!esaid. "3es6 wait t!o&g!Ellen isn%t. *ell get !er.""8o. don%t," said Alicia. "It wo&ld 'e as well not to.""*!at do yo& mean+" said Sally, &::led. T!en !er eyes widened. "!yo& don%t meanno,

Alicia, yo& don%t mean t!at it%s Ellen yo&%ve 'een watc!ing( *!at !as s!e 'een doing t!at%s soec&liar+"

Alicia told !ow s!e !ad watc!ed Ellen and seen !er sneaking a'o&t in t!e assages, aarentlywaiting $or a room to 'e emty. S!e related !ow s!e !ad $o&nd !er going t!ro&g! Miss Barker%sdesk. Everyone listened, ama:ed.



"I wo&ldn%t !ave t!o&g!t it o$ !er(" said #a!ne, in a disg&sted voice. "*!at a t!ing to do( I neverdidlike !er. T!ere%s no do&'t s!e took my &rse and 5wen%sand Emily%s 'rooc!,, and goodnessknows !ow many t!ings 'esides.""3o&%re not to say t!at till we%ve roved somet!ing." said Sally, s!arly. "*e%ve no de$inite roo$yetand only Alicia, aarently, !as seen Ellen sneaking a'o&t."%*ell,%> said #arrell, rel&ctantly, "Sally, I noticed somet!ing once too. I $o&nd Ellen in Miss 7otts%room, going t!ro&g! some t!ings on !er desk.""/ow dread$&l(" said #a!ne, and 5wen ec!oed !er. <ean said not!ing. S!e !ad 'een more$riendly wit! Ellen t!an anyone else, t!o&g! s!e !ad never 'een a'le to like !er very m&c!'&tit seemed to !er t!at Ellen was not 4&its t!e tye o$ girl to 'ecome a t!ie$. A t!ie$( /ow terri'le itso&nded, <ean $rowned. S&rely Ellen co&ldn%t 'e t!at("I don%t t!ink I 'elieve it," s!e said, slowly, in !er clear Scots voice. "S!e%s a 4&eer girl'&t I don%tt!ink s!e%s 4&eer in t!at way.""*ell, I 'et s!e never gave yo& !er games s&'scrition(" said Alicia, remem'ering !ow Ellen !adre$&sed to go and get it"S!e did. t!e net time I asked !er," said <ean."3esand I 'et it was a$ter one o$ t!e arses !ad disaeared(" eclaimed Betty, <ean wassilent. 3es, mat was tr&e. Ellen !ad not given & !er s&'scrition &ntil t!e &rses !ad gone.T!ings looked very 'lack $or Ellen.

"*!at are we to do+" said #arrell, !ellessly. "Sally, yo&%re !ead6girl. *!at are yo& going to do+""Ill !ave to t!ink a'o&t it." said Sally. "I can%t decide t!is very min&te.""T!ere%s not!ing to decide() said Alicia, wit! scorn in !er voice. "S!e%s a t!ie$. *ell, tackle !er wit!it and make !er con$ess( I$ yo& don%t, I s!all()"8o, yo& m&stn%t," said Sally at once. "I tell yo&, we%ve none o$ &s got real roo$and it%s a 'ad,wicked t!ing to do to acc&se some'ody wit!o&t de$inite roo$. 3o& are not to say a word, Alicia.

As !ead6girl I $or'id yo&." Alicia%s eyes sarkled wickedly. "*e’ll see(" s!e said, and at t!at very moment w!o s!o&ld comeinto t!e room '&t Ellen( S!e sensed !ostility as soon as s!e came in and looked ro&nd, !al$6scared.T!e girls stared at !er silently, rat!er taken6a'ack at !er s&dden aearance. T!en Sally 'eganto talk to #arrell and <ean t&rned to Emily. B&t Alicia was not going to c!ange t!e s&'1ect, or too'ey Sally eit!er(

"Ellen," s!e said, in a lo&d clear voice, "*!at do yo& $ind w!en yo& go sneaking a'o&t in emtyrooms and looking t!ro&g! desks+"Ellen went ale. S!e stood er$ectly still, !er eyes gl&ed on Alicia. "*!atw!at do yo& mean+"s!e stammered at last. S&rely, s&rely no'ody !ad g&essed t!at s!e was looking $or t!e eamaers("S!&t &, Alicia(" said Sally, eremtorily. "3o& know w!at I said."

Alicia took no notice. "3o& know 1olly well w!at I mean, don%t yo&+" s!e said to Ellen, in a !ardvoice. "3o& know w!at yo& take w!en yo& cree into an emty room or go t!ro&g! some'ody%sdesk or locker or drawer( #on%t yo&+""I%ve never taken anyt!ing(" cried Ellen, a !&nted look on !er $ace. "*!at s!o&ld I take+""!er!as &rses wit! money inor a gold 'rooc! or two," drawled Alicia. "0ome onown&, Ellen, 3o& look as g&ilty as can 'e, so w!y deny it+"Ellen stared as i$ s!e co&ld not 'elieve !er eyes. S!e looked ro&nd at t!e 4&iet girls. Some o$

t!em co&ld not look at !er. Mary6;oa was crying, $or s!e !ated scenes o$ t!is kind. Salty lookedangrily and !oelessly at Alicia. It was no good stoing t!ings now. T!ey !ad gone too $ar. /owdared Alicia de$y !er like t!is(#arrell was angry, too, '&t !er anger was artly directed at Ellen, w!om s!e too t!o&g!t lookedeceedingly g&ilty. S!e was angry mat Alicia !ad de$ied Sally, t!e !ead6girl'&t a$ter alli$ Ellenwas g&ilty, it was s&rely 'etter t!at it s!o&ld all 'e cleared & immediately+"#o yo& mean t!att!at yo& t!ink I%ve 'een stealing yo&r t!ings+) asked Ellen at last, wit! agreat e$$ort. "3o& can%t mean t!at()"*e do,) said Alicia, grimly. "*!y else s!o&ld yo& snoo ro&nd as yo& do+ And w!y go t!ro&g!Miss Barker%s desk+ 0an yo& give &s a good elanation o$ t!at+"



8o. Ellen co&ldn%t. /ow co&ld s!e say mat s!e was !&nting $or t!e eam aers 'eca&se s!ewanted to c!eat !, i$ once yo& started doing somet!ing wrong t!ere was no end to it( S!e &t!er !ands & to !er $ace.> cant tell yo& anyt!ing,) s!e said, and tears made !er $ingers wet "B&t I didn%t take yo&r t!ings. Ididn%t"3o& did" said Alicia. "3o&%re a coward as well as a t!ie$. 3o& can%t even own & and give t!et!ings 'ack("Ellen st&m'led o&t o$ t!e room. T!e door s!&t 'e!ind !er. Mary6;o& gave an &n!ay so'. I’m sosorry $or !er(" s!e said. "I can%t !el it( I am("In t!e Middle o$ t!e 8ig!tT!ere was a silence, only 'roken 'y Mary6;o&%s sni$$s. Most o$ t!e girls were &set and !orri$ied.

Alicia looked rat!er leased wit! !ersel$. Sally was tig!t6lied and angry. Alicia looked at !er andsmiled malicio&sly."Sorry i$ I%ve &set yo&. Sally," s!e said, "'&t it was time we !ad it o&t wit! Ellen. As !ead6girl yo&s!o&ld !ave done it yo&rsel$. As it was, yo& le$t it to me(""I did not(" said Sally. "I $or'ade yo& to say anyt!ing. *e s!o&ldn%t !ave acc&sed EllenI knowit%s not rig!t till we%ve got roo$. And I wanted to t!ink o$ t!e 'est way o$ doing itnot in $ront o$everyone, t!at%s certain()#arrell $elt &ncom$orta'ly t!at Sally was rig!t It wo&ld !ave 'een 'est to wait a little, and t!inka'o&t it and t!en er!as $or Sally to !ave soken wit! Ellen alone. 8ow t!e $at was in t!e $ire(

Everyone knew. *!atever wo&ld Ellen do("*ell, all I can say is I%m grate$&l to Alicia $or 'ringing t!e matter to a !ead," said #a!ne, s!aking'ack !er s!ining c&rls $rom !er $ore!ead. "7er!as o&r 'elongings will 'e sa$e now.""3o& o&g!t to 'e loyal to Sally, not to Alicia," $lared & #arrell."#on%t let%s arg&e any more," said Sally. T!e t!ing%s done now, more%s t!e ity. T!ere%s t!e s&er6'ell. For goodness% sake, let%s go."T!ey went so'erly down to t!e s&er6ta'le. Ellen was not t!ere. <ean asked a'o&t !er."S!all I go and $etc! Ellen. Miss 7arker+" s!e said."8o. S!e%s got one o$ !er !eadac!es and !as goneearly to 'ed." said Miss 7arker. T!e girls ec!anged looks. So Ellen co&ldn%t even $ace t!emagain t!at evening."5&ilty conscience,) said Alicia to Betty, in a voice lo&d eno&g! to reac! #arrell and Sally.Ellen was in 'ed w!en t!e $orm went & at t!eir 'ed6time. S!e lay on !er side, !er $ace in t!e

illow, er$ectly still. "7retending to 'e aslee,) said Alicia."S!&t &.) said <ean, &neectedly, in a low voice. "3o&%ve done yo&r 'it already, Alicia <o!ns(*ell !ave no more 1eering tonig!t. /old yo&r tong&e.)

Alicia was taken6a'ack and glared at <ean. <ean glared 'ack. Alicia said no more. Soon t!e girlswere in 'ed and t!e lig!ts were &t o&t. T!ey stoed talking at once. Sally !ad insisted t!at t!er&les were to 'e ket, and t!e girls resected !er and ket t!em.ne 'y one t!ey $ell aslee. #a!ne was one o$ t!e last to slee, '&t long a$ter s!e was asleetoo. some6'ody else was wide awake. T!at was Ellen, o$ co&rse.S!e 'ad gone to 'ed early $or t!ree reasons. ne was mat s!e really !ad got "one o$ !er!eadac!es). Anot!er was t!at s!e didn%t want to $ace t!e girls a$ter t!eir acc&sing $aces. And t!et!ird was t!at s!e wanted to t!ink.S!e !ad !ardly 'een a'le to 'elieve !er ears w!en t!e girls !ad acc&sed !er so &n1&stly. Ellen!ad not taken anyt!ing. S!e was comletely !onest in t!at way. !owever m&c! s!e mig!t !ave

made & !er mind to c!eat over t!e eam. A t!ie$( Alicia !ad called !er t!at in $ront o$ everyone. Itwasn%t $air. It was most cr&el and &n1&st(B&t was it altoget!er &n1&st+ A$ter all, t!e girls, two o$ t!em at least, !ad seen !er snooing ro&ndand !ad seen !er going t!ro&g! Miss 7arker%s desk and looking t!ro&g! t!ings on Miss 7otts?desk too. It m&st seem to t!em as i$ s&c! 'e!avio&r meant dis!onestyandit did mean dis!onesty, t!o&g! not t!e land t!ey acc&sed !er o$."*!at am I doing( /ow can I c!eat like t!is( /ow can I 'e s&c! a sneak and do s&c! dread$&lt!ings() Ellen s&ddenly cried in !er mind. "*!at wo&ld Mot!er t!ink o$ me( B&t o!. Mot!er, it%s all'eca&se o$ yo& and #addy t!at I want to do well. 8ot $or mysel$. S&rely it isn%t so wrong i$ I c!eatto lease my arents, and not to lease mysel$+"



"It is wrong," said !er conscience. "3o& know it is( See w!at yo&r $oolis!ness !as led yo& into(3o& !ave 'een acc&sed o$ somet!ing terri'leall 'eca&se yo& were trying to do somet!ingwrong, and !adn%t even done it()"I s!an%t c!eat. I won%t t!ink o$ it any more,) Ellen decided s&ddenly. "Ill do 'adly in t!e aers andelain w!y to Mot!er. I will. I will("T!en t!e girls came & and s!e !eard Alicia%s site$&l remark. "7retending to 'e aslee." In a$las! s!e remem'ered !er &nkind acc&sations, !er sneering words, and s!e remem'ered too!ow all t!e girls seemed to 'e against !er and to 'elieve s!e was wicked and 'ad.

Anger cret t!ro&g! !er. /ow dared t!ey acc&se !er wrongly, wit!o&t any real roo$ at all+ T!eyall t!o&g!t !er 'ad, and not!ing wo&ld convince t!em t!at s!e wasn%t, s!e was s&re. ery well,t!en, s!e wo&ld 'e 'ad( S!e wo&ld c!eat( S!e%d get & in t!e middle o$ t!e nig!t and go and $indt!ose aers. S!e knew w!ere t!ey werein Mam%:elle%s room.Ellen lay t!ere in t!e darkness, !er mind going over everyt!ing again and again. S!e $elt de$iantand o'stinate now. S!e was la'elled "Bad" 'y t!e girls. T!en s!e wo&ld 'e 'ad. S!e%d en1oy itnow( S!e wo&ld read t!ose eam aers, and t!en s!e wo&ld look & all t!e answers, and s!ewo&ld s&rrise everyone 'y comingoat to wit! ractically er$ect marks I T!at wo&ld make t!em all sit &(S!e !ad no di$$ic&lty at all in lying awake &ntil s!e was s&re t!at t!e sta$$ !ad gone to 'ed. /ereyes looked straig!t & into t!e darkness, and !er !ead $elt !ot S!e clenc!ed !er $ists w!en s!et!o&g!t o$ Alicia%s scorn$&l $ace.

At last s!e t!o&g!t it wo&ld 'e sa$e to get &. S!e sat & in 'ed and looked ro&nd. T!e moon was& and a ray ierced t!e darkness o$ t!e room. T!ere was no movement anyw!ere, and all s!eco&ld !ear was t!e reg&lar 'reat!ing o$ t!e ot!er girls. S!e slid o&t o$ 'ed. S!e &t !er $eet into!er 'edroom sliers and &lled !er dressing6gown ro&nd !er. /er !eart was 'eating ain$&lly.S!e cret o&t o$ t!e room. S!e knocked against one o$ t!e 'eds on t!e way and !eld !er 'reat!in case s!e awoke t!e girl aslee t!ere. B&t t!ere was no movementS!e made !er way down t!e moonlit assage, and down t!e stairs to Mam%:elle%s room, t!e ones!e s!ared wit! Miss 7otts. It was in darkness. Mam%:elle !ad gene to 'ed long ago.Ellen went to t!e window to make s&re t!at t!e c&rtains were tig!tly drawn. S!e did not wantanyone to see even a crack o$ lig!t t!ere at t!at time o$ nig!t T!ey were t!ick c&rtains and s!&to&t t!e moonlig!t T!en s!e s!&t t!e door and switc!ed on t!e electric lig!tS!e went to t!e desk. It was &ntidy as &s&al $or Mam%:elle #&ont &nlike Mam%:elle -o&gier.co&ld never kee !er 'ooks and aers in neat order. Ellen 'egan to go t!ro&g! t!e aers on

to o$ t!e desk.S!e went t!ro&g! t!em twice. T!e eam aers were not t!erel /er !eart stood still. S&rely t!eym&st 'e t!ere. 7er!as t!ey were in t!e desk. S!e !oed it wasnot locked S!e !ad seen Mam%:elle lock it sometimes.S!e tried it 3esit was locked. *!at a 'low( Mam%:elle m&st !ave locked t!e test6aers &(Ellen sat down, !er knees s!aking wit! t!e s&sense. T!en !er eyes ca&g!t sig!t o$ a key lyingin t!e en6tray. S!e snatc!ed it &. S!e $itted it into t!e deskand it oened( /ow like Mam%:elleto lock t!e desk care$&lly and leave t!e key in t!e en6tray(*it! trem'ling !ands Ellen looked t!ro&g! t!e vast collection o$ aers t!ere. In a corner, neatly'anded toget!er 'y Miss 7arker, were t!e second6$orm test? aers(*it! a t!ank$&l sig! Ellen took t!em &. S!e was 1&st a'o&t to look care$&lly t!ro&g! t!em w!ens!e !eard a so&nd. /er !eart almost stoed( In a trice s!e slied to t!e door and switc!ed o$$t!e lig!t T!en s!e s!&t t!e desk 4&ietly and went over to t!e door to listen.

T!e so&nd came again. *!at was it+ *as it some'ody walking a'o&t+ S!e wo&ld !ave to 'every care$&l i$ so. S!e st&$$ed t!e aers into t!e 'ig ocket o$ !er dressing6gown and !eld t!emt!ere. S!e !ad 'etter get o&t o$ Mam%:elle%s room i$ s!e co&ld, 'eca&se i$ anyone $o&nd !er t!eres!e wo&ld get into very serio&s tro&'le.@stairs, in t!e dormy, 1&st a$ter Ellen !ad cret o&t, #arrell awoke. It was !er 'ed t!at Ellen !ad'&med into, and s!e !ad not awakened immediately. B&t s!e sat & !a!? a min&te a$ter Ellen!ad gone o&t o$ t!e room, wondering w!at !ad awakened !er.S!e was 1&st a'o&t to settle down again w!en s!e noticed Ellen%s emty 'ed. T!e moon wassending a 'rig!t ray down on itand t!ere was no l&m t!ere to s!ow t!at Ellen was lyingaslee. It was $lat and emty(



#arrell stared at t!e emty 'ed. *!ere was Ellen+*as s!e ill again+ r6was s!e doing a 'it more snooing to see i$ s!e co&ld $ind anyt!ingval&a'le+#arrell looked across at Sally. S!e o&g!t to tell Sally and let !er deal wit! it Alicia !ad alreadyinter$ered eno&g!, and s!e, #arrell, o&g!t to let Sally say w!at was to 'e done a'o&t t!e emty'ed, i$ Ellen didn%t come 'ack very 4&ickly.Ellen didn%t come 'ack. #arrell waited imatiently $or some min&tes and t!en decided to try to $ind!er. S!e wo&ldn%t wake Sally. S!e was $&ll o$ c&riosity and wanted to $ollow Ellen !ersel$. Itseemed an eciting t!ing to do in t!e middle o$ t!e nig!t IS!e &t on !er sliers and dressing6gown. S!e went o&t o$ t!e room, treading 4&ietly in !er so$tsliers. S!e stood in t!e assage and listened. S!e co&ld !ear not!ing.S!e added down t!e assage and came to t!e stairs. 7er!as Ellen was going t!ro&g! t!edesks in t!e second6$orm roomor even in t!e $irst $orm( S!e went 4&ietly down t!e stairs. S!ecame to t!e $ irst6$orm room, w!ic! !ad its door s!&t. #arrell oened it. T!e room was in darknessand s!e s!&t t!e door again. It made a little click.S!e went to t!e second6$orm room and oened t!e door t!ere. S!e t!o&g!t s!e !eard somet!ingand switc!ed on t!e lig!t 4&ickly. S!e co&ld see no one t!ere. S!e switc!ed o$$ t!e lig!t againand was a'o&t to s!&t t!e door w!en s!e t!o&g!t s!e !eard a so&nd. S!e 4&ickly switc!ed t!elig!t on againand t!en, over 'y t!e c&'oard s!e saw a movement I <&st as i$ someone !ad&lled t!e door to very 4&ickly.

#arrell’s !eart 'eat. *as it Ellen in t!ere+ r some'ody else+ S!e wo&ldn%t like it at all i$ it was a'&rglar. B&t it m&st 'e Ellen. S!e !ad gone $rom !er 'ed and was now!ere to 'e seen. S!e m&st'e t!ere, in t!e c&'oard, !iding.0ro&c!ing in t!e c&'oard was Ellen#arrell went swi$tly to t!e c&'oard and gave t!e door a s!ar t&g. It came oenand t!ere,cro&c!ing in t!e c&'oard, scared and trem'ling, was Ellen( S!e !ad slied o&t o$ Mam%:elle%sroom and gone into t!e second6$orm room w!en s!e !ad !eard #arrell coming. S!e !ad !iddenin t!e c&'oard, as still as a mo&se.#arrell looked in ama:ement at !er. "0ome o&t(" s!e said. "3o& 'ad girl. Ellen( /ave yo& 'eenstealing somet!ing again+""8o." said Ellen, and came o&t S!e !eld on to t!e test6aers in !er ocket, and #arrell noticedt!e action."*!at !ave yo& got t!ere+" s!e demanded. "S!ow me( D&ick( 3o&%re !iding somet!ing."

"I%m not( I’m not(" cried Ellen, $orgetting all a'o&t 'eing 4&iet #arrell tried to snatc! Ellen%s !andaway $rom !er ocket, and Ellen, a$raid, las!ed o&t at #arrell wit! !er ot!er !and. It ca&g!t !er ont!e $ace.T!en #arrell lost !er temer( S!e $lew at Ellen, s!ook !er $iercely, and slaed !er !ard on t!ec!eek( Ellen $ell over t!e legs o$ a desk and dragged #arrell down wit! !er. S!e str&ggled and#arrell &mmelled !er well. "3o& wicked girl(" s!o&ted #arrell. "0oming o&t and stealing t!ings(3o& give me w!at yo&%ve taken("Ellen s&ddenly went lim. S!e co&ld not str&ggle any longer. #arrell was a'le to drag !er & andmake !er take !er !and away $rom !er ocket. S!e &lled o&t t!e acket o$ aers ro&g!ly. T!e'and 'roke and t!ey scattered all over t!e $loor. Ellen covered !er $ace and 'egan to so' lo&dly.#arrell stared at t!e aers and icked one or two &. "So yo& c!eat too. do yo&+" s!e said, in ascorn$&l voice. "Tomorrow%s eam aers( Ellen *ilson, w!at sort o$ a girl are yo&+ A t!ie$ and ac!eat( /ow dare yo& come !ere to Malory Towers+)

"!, &t t!e aers 'ack and don%t let anyone know(" so''ed Ellen. "!, don%t tell anyone(""I’ll certainly &t t!e aers 'ack," said #arrell, grimly. "B&t as $or not telling anyone, t!at%sa's&rd("S!e dragged Ellen to t!e door. "*!ere did yo& $ind t!e aers+ In Mam%:elle%s desk. *ell &tt!em 'ack t!ere t!en."S!e &t t!em 'ack, and t!en, wit! trem'ling $ingers, Ellen locked t!e desk again. T!ey went & tot!e dormy. All t!e girls were still aslee.Tomorrow," said #arrell, "I s!all tell Sally, Ellen. And s!e will decide w!at is to 'e done a'o&t yo&.I eect yo&%ll 'e eelled. 8ow get into 'ed and try to go to slee("-&mo&rs and Tales.



8o'ody !eard t!e two girls coming 'ack. 8o one g&essed t!at #arrell and Ellen !ad 'een o&t o$t!eir 'eds and 'ack again. #arrell, $&rio&s and ecited, lay awake $or some time, de'atingw!et!er or not to wake Sally t!ere and t!en and tell !er w!at !ad !aened."8o, I won%t," s!e decided, rel&ctantly. "It wo&ld only wake all t!e ot!ers, and I m&st get Sallyalone and tell !er."S!e s&ddenly $ell aslee, and, tired o&t wit! ecitement, slet very so&ndly indeed. B&t Ellenco&ld not slee at all. T!is was not!ing new $or !er. Most nig!ts s!e did not slee &ntil t!e early!o&rs o$ t!e morning. 8ow s!e lay on !er 'ack in 'ed, 4&ite st&nned 'y all t!e nig!t%s!aenings. B&t grad&ally s!e ceased to worry a'o&t t!em $or a 'igger tro&'le came &on !er./er !eadac!e grew so 'ad t!at s!e t!o&g!t !er !eadm&st s&rely '&rst( -ed !ot !ammers seemed at work inside it and at last t!e girl grew really$rig!tened.*!at was !aening to !er+ *as s!e going mad+ *as t!is w!at it $elt like+ S!e lay er$ectly stillwit! !er eyes closed, !oing t!at t!e ain wo&ld die down. B&t it didn%t. It got worse.

At last it was so 'ad t!at s!e 'egan to moan so$tly. T!e t!o&g!t o$ kind, com$orting Matron cameto !er. Matron( Matron !ad 'een kind to !er in t!e San. S!e wo&ld 'e kind now. Ellen $elt t!at i$s!e co&ld only !ave one small 'it o$ kindness $rom someone s!e wo&ld $eel 'etter.S!e sat & ain$&lly, !er !ead sinning ro&nd. T!e moon was now s!ining $&lly into t!e dormy.S!e co&ld see all t!e w!ite 'eds wit! t!eir eiderdowns sliing o$$, or neatly &lled &. T!e girlslay in vario&s ositions, $ast aslee.

Ellen got o&t o$ 'ed slowly, 'eca&se any 4&ick movement made !er !ead !&rt &n'eara'ly. S!e$orgot a'o&t !er dressing6gown, s!e $orgot a'o&t !er sliers. S!e made !er way slowly to t!edoor as i$ s!e was walking in !er slee. S!e assed o&t o$ it like a little g!ost in y1amas./ow s!e $o&nd !er way to Matron%s room s!e never remem'ered. B&t Matron s&ddenly awoke$rom slee to !ear a so$t knocking at !er door t!at went on and on."0ome in(" s!e cried. "*!o is it+" S!e switc!ed on t!e lig!t. B&t no'ody came in. T!e so$tknocking went on and on. Matron was &::led and a little alarmed."0ome in(" s!e called again. B&t no'ody came. Matron leat o&t o$ 'ed and went to t!e door, ast&rdy $ig&re in a vol&mino&s nig!tdress. S!e $l&ng t!e door oenand t!ere stood oor Ellen,drooing like a weeing willow tree, !er !and & as i$ s!e was still knocking at die door."Ellen+ *!at%s t!e matter, c!ild+ Are yo& ill+" cried Matron and &lled !er gently into !er room."My !ead," said Ellen, in a tired w!iser. "It%s '&rsting. Matron."It didn%t take Matron long to deal wit! Ellen. Seeing t!at t!e girl was in great ain, and t!at s!e

co&ld !ardly even oen !er eyes, Matron soon !ad !er in a warm and com$orta'le 'ed in a littleroom oening o$$ !er own. S!e gave !er medicine and a !ot drink. S!e &t a com$orting !ot6water 'ottle in 'eside !er. S!e was kind and gentle and soke in a very low voice so as not to 1arEllen%s ac!ing !ead."8ow yo& go to slee," s!e said. "3o&’ll $eel 'etter in t!e morning."Ellen did $all aslee. Matron stood 'y t!e 'ed and looked down at !er. S!e was &::led. T!erewas somet!ing wrong wit! t!is girl. S!e was worrying secretly a'o&t somet!ing, and s!e !ad'een worrying 'e$ore, w!en s!e was in t!e San. 7er!as it wo&ld 'e 'etter $or !er to go !ome $or a w!ile.In t!e morning #arrell woke & wit! t!e ot!ers w!en t!e dressing6'ell went. S!e sat &,remem'ering all t!e ecitement o$ t!e nig!t S!e glanced at Sally. S!e m&st some!ow get !eralone.T!en Sally gave an eclamation. "*!ere%s Ellen+ /er 'ed%s emty("

Everyone looked at Ellen%s emty 'ed. "7er!as s!e got & early," s&ggested Emily. "*e%ll see!er at 'reak$ast6time."#arrell $elt a little 'it worried. /ad Ellen got & early+ *!ere was s!e+Ellen was not at 'reak$ast, o$ co&rse. T!e girls looked at t!e emty lace, and #arrell $eltdistinctly &ncom$orta'le. S&relys&rely Ellen !adn%t r&n away in t!e nig!t and not come 'ack IMam%:elle was taking 'reak$ast t!at day and #arrell soke to !er."*!ere%s Ellen, Mam%:elle+) "S!e is not coming to 'reak$ast," said Mam%:elle, w!o knew not!ingmore t!an t!at. Miss 7arker !ad told !er !&rriedly as s!e assed !er in t!e corridor. =I do notknow w!y. 7er!as s!e is ill.)8ow Alicia 'egan to $eel &ncom$orta'le too. S!e remem'ered !ow s!e !ad acc&sed Ellen so



'itterly t!e day 'e$ore. *!ere war Ellen+ S!e too 'egan to wonder i$ t!e girl !ad r&n away !ome.S!e ate !er orridge rat!er silently.T!e net iece o$ news came $rom a $irst6$ormer, 9atie. S!e !ad !eard Miss 7arker talking toMiss 7otts, and !ad ca&g!t a $ew words."I say( *!at%s & wit! Ellen *ilson+" s!e demanded. "I !eard 8osey tell 7otty t!at s!e was goingto 'e sent !ome( *!at%s s!e done+"Sent !ome( T!e second6$ormers looked at one anot!er. #id t!at mean t!at t!e sta$$ !ad $o&nd o&ta'o&t Ellen!ad er!as discovered s!e !ad 'een stealing+ And s!e was to 'e eelled( 5oodgracio&s("S!e%s eit!er 'een $o&nd o&t 'y one o$ t!e mistresses, or else s!e%s gone and con$essed,?% said

Alicia, at last. "*e%d 'etter not say too m&c! a'o&t w!at we know. It%s not m&c! to t!e credit o$t!e sc!ool. I eect it will 'e all !&s!ed &.)"#o yo& mean t!at yo& really t!ink Ellen is 'eing sent awayeelled $rom t!e sc!ool'eca&ses!e stole t!ose t!ings+" said #a!ne, looking s&ddenly w!ite. "S&rely s!e won%t(""S!e 1olly well will." said Betty, and t!ere was s&c! scorn in !er voice t!at #a!ne looked 4&itestartled. "And a good t!ing too( Fancy !aving t!at kind o$ girl at Malory Towers("#arrell was 'ewildered 'y t!e t&rn t!ings !ad taken. 8ow s!e didn%t know w!et!er to reort t!e!aenings o$ last nig!t or not. I$ Ellen was to 'e sent !ome$or stealing, t!en t!ere didn%t seem m&c! oint in telling anyone t!at s!e, #arrell, !ad ca&g!t !erc!eatingtaking t!e test6aers to look at 'e$ore t!e test. Beca&se certainly Ellen wo&ldn%t take

t!e tests now, and w!y 'lacken !er name even more, now t!at s!e was aarently 'eing sent o$$in disgrace+#arrell was a genero&s girl, even to t!ose s!e considered !er enemies. S!e t!o&g!t over t!enig!t 'e$ore. S!e !ad certainly given Ellen a good deal o$ &nis!ment $or c!eating( S!e $elt rat!er !ot w!en s!e remem'ered !ow s!e !ad slaed Ellen%s $ace, &mmelled !er and knocked !erdown. T!at was !er temer again, o$ co&rse. Sally wo&ldn%t !ave done a t!ing like t!at. Sallywo&ld !ave dealt wit! t!e w!ole t!ing in a digni$ied, calm way, and wo&ld !ave made Ellen s!ow!er t!e test6aers wit!o&t a lot o$ &ndigni$ied ro&g! 'e!avio&r t!at ended in 'ot! girls rolling ont!e $loor("I don%t manage t!ings very well, some!ow," t!o&g!t #arrell, r&''ing !er nose wit! !er !and. "I

1&st go o$$ t!e dee end wit! a slas!( I $ly o$$ t!e !andle, I go & in smoke I *ell, w!at am I goingto do+ Tell Sally or not+"S!e decided not to. T!ere didn%t seem any oint at all in comlaining a'o&t Ellen, and making !er

c!aracter still worse i$ s!e was really going to 'e sent !ome. So #arrell !eld !er tong&e, a t!ingt!at not many o$ t!e second $orm wo&ld !ave done is t!e circ&mstances,, $or most o$ t!em dearlyloved a. gossi.Still, t!ere was lenty o$ gossi in t!e second $orm a'o&t Ellen. Everyone seemed to take it $orgranted t!at some!ow or ot!er it !ad 'een $o&nd o&t 'y t!e sta$$ t!at Ellen 'ad taken t!e &rses,money and 'rooc! and ossi'ly ot!er t!ings as well, and was 'eing eelled $or t!at.0&rio&sly eno&g!, one o$ t!e girls w!o seemed mostdistressed a'o&t t!is was #a!ne. "B&t s&rely t!ey wont eel !er wit!o&t some roo$+) s!e ketsaying. "Sally. #arrell. yo& said to Alicia yesterday t!at t!ere was no real roo$ t!at Ellen !adstolen anyt!ing. *!at will !aen to Ellen+ *ill anot!er sc!ool take !er+"I don%t know. I s!o&ldn%t t!ink so," said Alicia. "S!e%s $inis!ed( Serve !er rig!t(""#on%t 'e so !ard," said <ean. "#on%t t!ink I%m standing & $or !erI%m not B&t yo& always so&ndso !ard and &nmerci$&l, Alicia."

"*ell, I was rig!t yesterday w!en I acc&sed Ellen, wasn%t I+" demanded Alicia. "3o& were all soso$t yo& didn%t want to !ave it o&t wit! !er( 5ood t!ing I did." T!e second $orm decided to saynot!ing a'o&t Ellen to t!e sta$$. I$ Miss 5rayling was going to eel t!e girl, s!e wo&ld want tokee it 4&iet So t!e less said t!e 'etter.So, rat!er to Miss 7orker%s s&rrise, no'ody asked a'o&t Ellen at all. "0&rio&s, t!is lack o$interest," s!e t!o&g!t, and s!e said not!ing eit!er. T!e girls !ad no idea at all w!en or i$ Ellen!ad gone !ome, t!o&g! some'ody assed ro&nd a r&mo&r t!at a car !ad 'een seen in t!e drivet!at morning. 7er!as it !ad come to $etc! Ellen(It !adn%t. It was t!e doctor%s car. /e !ad 'een called in to eamine t!e girl, and !e !ad sokengravely to Matron and Miss 5rayling. "T!ere%s somet!ing !ere I don%t &nderstand. Is t!e c!ild



worried a'o&t anyt!ing+ Is t!ere anyt!ing wrong at !er !ome+ /as anyt!ing &set !er atsc!ool+"8eit!er Matron nor t!e /ead Mistress co&ld give t!e doctor any in$ormation. As $ar as t!ey knewt!ere was not!ing wrong at Ellen%s !ome, and t!ere !ad 'een no &set in !er $orm. Miss 7arkerwas called in and s!e too said t!at as $ar as s!e knew Ellen !ad not 'een inany tro&'le in any class, ecet $or mild tickings6o$$ $or not doing work & to standard."*e t!ink, Ellen." said Miss 5rayling gently, w!en t!e doctor !ad gone, "we t!ink yo& s!o&ld go!ome w!en yo& $eel well eno&g!. T!at wo&ld 'e t!e 'est lace $or yo& now."S!e was startled 'y Ellen%s resonse to t!is s&ggestion. T!e girl sat & and &s!ed 'ack !er !airin a desairing way. "!, no. Miss 5rayling( #on%t eel me I 7lease don%t()"Eel yo&(" said t!e /ead, in ama:ement. "*!at do yo& mean+"Ellen !ad 'roken into so's and Matron came !&rrying & at once, making signs to Miss 5raylingto go. "S!e m&stn%t 'e ecited in any way," s!e w!isered. "So sorry, Miss 5rayling, '&t I t!inkyo&%d 'etter go. I’ll deal wit! !er now."Miss 5rayling, very &::led indeed, went 4&ietly o&t o$ t!e room. *!y s!o&ld Ellen t!ink s!e wasgoing to 'e eelled+ T!ere was somet!ing !ere t!at needed looking into.It took Ellen a long time to calm down. S!e really t!o&g!t t!at Miss 5rayling%s s&ggestion o$ going!ome meant t!at s!e was telling !er s!e was to 'e sent away $rom Malory Towerseelled indisgrace. 7er!as #arrell !ad 'een to !er and told !er a'o&t t!e c!eating+ r er!as Alicia !adtold !er t!at t!ey all 'elieved s!e !ad 'een stealing, and Miss 5rayling !ad decided to eel !er

'eca&se o$ t!at. Ellen didn%t know. S!e 'egan to worry all over again and Matron was alarmed att!e 4&ick rise in !er temerat&re.Some o$ t!e second6$ormers were &set at t!e t!o&g!t t!at Ellen mig!t !ave 'een alreadyeelled, and !ad 'een sent !ome wit!o&t even saving good6'ye. Mary6;o& esecially was&set. S!e !adn%t liked Ellen verym&c!, '&t s!e was very sorry $or !er. S!e soke to #a!ne a'o&t it at Break."#a!ne, isn’t it aw$&l+ *!at will oor Ellen say to !er arents w!en s!e gets !ome+ #o yo&t!ink s!e win !ave to tell t!em !ersel$ t!at s!e%s 'een sent away $or stealing+""#on%t(" said #a!ne. "#on%t let%s talk a'o&t it. Mary6;o&. ;ook, we%ve got a'o&t ten min&tes,!aven%t we+ I%ve got a most imortant arcel to send o$$ t!is morning, and I cant $ind any stringanyw!ere. Be a dear and get me some. I%ve got t!e 'rown aer."Mary6;o& sed o$$. wondering w!at t!e imortant arcel was. S!e co&ldn%t seem to $ind any stringat all. It was astonis!ing, t!e total lack o$ any string t!at morning( *!en at last s!e got 'ack to

#a!ne, t!e 'ell went $or t!e net lesson."/aven%t yo& got any string+" said #a!ne, disaointed. "!, 'low( *ell, I’ll see i$ I can $indsome a$ter t!e morning lessons, and t!en I’ll sli down to t!e ost wit! t!e arcel t!is a$ternoon.I%ve got !al$ an !o&r in 'etween two lessons, 'eca&se my m&sic mistress isn%t !ere today.""Is it so very imortant+?% asked Mary6;o&. "I co&ld r&n wit! it $or yo&, i$ yo& like.""8o. 3o&%d never get t!ere and 'ack in time," said #a!ne. "It%s a long way 'y t!e inland road.3o& co&ld manage it 'y t!e coast road, '&t t!ere%s s&c! a gale again today yo&%d 'e 'lown overt!e to. I’ll go in 'etween lessons t!is a$ternoon,"B&t s!e co&ldn%t go a$ter all, wit! !er "imortant arcel", w!atever it was, $or t!e m&sic mistresst&rned &, and #a!ne was called away to !er lesson. S!e le$t t!e arcel in !er desk."!, dear() s!e said at teatime, to 5wen and Mary6;o&. "I did so 'adly want to take my arcel tot!e ostand I !ad to !ave my m&sic6lesson a$ter alland

now I%ve got to go to Miss 7arker a$ter tea $or a ret&rned lesson, and a$ter t!at t!ere%s a re!earsal$or t!at silly Frenc! lay.""*!at%s so &rgent a'o&t t!e arcel+" asked 5wen. "Some'ody%s 'irt!day+"#a!ne !esitated. "3es," s!e said. "T!at%s it. I$ it doesn’t go today it won%t get t!ere in time(""*ell, yo&%ll !ave to ost it tomorrow," said 5wen. Mary6;o& looked at #a!ne%s worried $ace.*!at a ity s!e, Mary6;o&, co&ldn%t take it $or !er. S!e always liked doing t!ings $or #a!ne, andgetting t!at c!arm6ing smile in ret&rn.S!e 'egan to t!ink !ow s!e mig!t do it %Tm $ree at seven, a$ter re," s!e t!o&g!t ">>> !ave !al$an !o&r 'e$ore s&er. I co&ld never get to t!e ost6o$$ice and 'ack i$ I take t!e inland road'&t Ico&ld i$ I took t!e coast road. *o&ld I dare toin t!e dark and rain+"



S!e t!o&g!t a'o&t it as s!e sat in a$ternoon sc!ool "7eole don%t mind w!at t!ey do $or t!eir$riends," s!e t!o&g!t. "T!ey dare anyt!ing. #a!ne wo&ld 'e so t!rilled i$ I went to t!e ost andgot !er 'irt!day arcel o$$ $or !er. /ow kind s!e is to want it to get t!ere on t!e day. <&st like !er.*elli$ it isn%t too dark and !orri'le, I mig!t r&n along tonig!t $or !er. I m&stn%t tell anyone t!o&g!,'eca&se it%s against t!e r&les. I$ Sally got to know, s!e%d $or'id me()So timid little Mary6;o& lanned to do somet!ing t!at even not one o$ t!e seniors wo&ld do on adark, windy nig!ttake t!e coast road on t!e cli$$, w!ilst a gale 'lew wildly ro&nd Mary6;o&

A$ter re t!at nig!t Mary6;o& sc&ttled 'ade to t!e second6$orm room, w!ic! was now emtyecet $or 5wendoline, w!o was tidying &.Mary6;o& went to #a!ne%s desk. 5wendoline looked at !er 1ealo&sly. "*!at do yo& want in#a!ne%s desk+ I can take !er anyt!ing s!e%s $orgotten. I wis! yo& wo&ldn%t s&ck & to !er som&c!. Mary6;o&."=I don%t,) said Mary6;o&. S!e oened t!e desk6lid and $is!ed $or t!e 'rown6aer arcel, nowneatly tied & wit! string. "I%m going to t!e ost wit! t!is $or #a!ne. B&t don%t go and slit on me,5wen. I know it%s against t!e r&les."5wendoline stared at Mary6;o& in s&rrise. "3o& 'reaking t!e r&les() s!e said. "I don%t 'elieveyo& ever did t!at 'e$ore. 3o&%re mad to t!ink yo& can get to t!e ost and 'ack in time.""I s!all. I%m taking t!e coast road," said Mary6;o&, valiantly, t!o&g! !er !eart $ailed !er w!en s!esaid it "It%s only ten min&tes t!ere and 'ack 'y t!at road.""Mary6;o&( 3o& m&st 'e da$t(" said 5wendoline. "T!ere%s a gale 'lowing and it%s dark as itc!.

3o&%ll 'e 'lown over t!e cli$$ as s&re as anyt!ing.""I s!an%t," said Mary6;o& sto&tly, t!o&g! again !er !eart sank inside !er. "And. anyway, it%s only asmall t!ing to do $or a $riend. I know #a!ne artic&larly wants t!is arcel to go today.""#a!ne isn%t yo&r $riend." said 5wendoline, a $lare o$ 1ealo&sy coming & in !er again."S!e is," said Mary6;o&, wit! s&c! certainty t!at 5wendoline was annoyed."Ba'y(" said 5wendoline, scorn$&lly. "3o&%re too silly even to see t!at #a!ne only &ses yo&'eca&se yo& can !el !er wit! !er Frenc!. T!at%s t!e only reason s!e &ts & wit! yo& !angingro&nd !er. S!e%s told meso."Mary6;o& stood looking at 5wendoline, t!e arcel in !er !and. S!e $elt s&ddenly very misera'le."It%s not tr&e," s!e said. "3o&%re making it &.""It is tr&e(" said 5wendoline, site$&lly. "I ten yo& #a!ne !as said so !ersel$ to me !eas o$times. *!at wo&ld a girl like #a!ne want wit! a mo&se like yo&( 3o&%re 1&st &se$&l to !er, t!at%s

all, and i$ yo& weren%t so 1olly conceited yo&%d know it wit!o&t 'eing told()Mary6;o& $elt as i$ it m&st 'e tr&e. 5wendoline wo&ld never say s&c! a t!ing so em!atically i$ itwasn%t. S!e icked & t!e arcel, !er mo&t! 4&ivering, and t&rned to go."Mary6;o&( 3o& don%t mean to say yo&%re going to 'ot!er wit! t!at arcel a$ter w!at I’ve 1&st toldyo&(" called 5wendoline, in s&rrise. "#on%t 'e an idiot.""I%m taking it $or #a!ne 'eca&se I%m !er $riend(" answered Mary6;o&, in a s!aky voice. "S!e maynot 'e mine, '&t i$ I%m !ers in still 'e willing to do t!ings $or !er.""St&id little donkey(" said 5wendoline to !ersel$, and 'egan to slam 'ooks 'ack on to s!elvesand to make a terri$ic clo&d o$ d&st wit! t!e 'lack'oard d&ster.S!e didn%t tell #a!ne t!at Mary6;o& !ad gone o$$ into t!e darkness wit! !er arcel S!e was$eeling rat!er as!amed o$ !aving 'een so o&tsoken. #a!ne mig!t not like it. B&t a$ter all it wasnearly t!e end o$ t!e term, and t!ere wo&ld 'e now no need $or Mary6;o& to !el #a!ne. S!ewo&ld ro'a'ly 'e glad to 'e rid o$ Mary6;o& w!en s!e no longer needed !er !el wit! !er

Frenc!./al$6ast seven came and t!e s&er6'ell rang. 5irls o&red o&t o$ t!e di$$erent rooms and wentclattering down to t!e dining6room. "oo!( 0o$$ee tonig!t $or a c!ange( And 1ammy '&ns and rollsand otted meat("T!ey all sat down and !eled t!emselves, w!ilst Miss 7arker o&red o&t 'ig c&s o$ co$$ee. S!eglanced ro&nd t!e ta'le. "Two emty c!airs I *!o%s missing+ !, Ellen, o$ co&rse. *!o%s t!eot!er+""Mary6;o&," said Sally. "I saw !er 1&st a$ter re. S!e%ll 'e along in a min&te. Miss 7arker."B&t $ive min&tes, ten min&tes went 'y and t!ere was no sign o$ Mary6;o&. Miss 7arker $rowned."S&rely s!e m&st !ave !eard t!e 'ell. See i$ yo& can $ind !er. Sally."



Sally sed o$$ and came 'ack to reort t!at Mary6;o& was now!ere to 'e $o&nd. By t!is time5wendoline was in a great dilemma. S!e and s!e only knew w!ere Mary6;o& was. I$ s!e told,s!e wo&ld get Mary6;o& into tro&'le. S&rely s!e wo&ld 'e 'ack soon+ May'e s!e !ad !ad to waitat t!e ost6o$$ice IT!en s!e s&ddenly remem'ered somet!ing. T!e ost6o$$ice s!&t at seven( It wo&ldn%t 'e any &seMary6;o& trying to ost a arcel t!ere, 'eca&se it wo&ld 'e s!&t. *!y !adn%t s!e t!o&g!t o$ t!at'e$ore+ T!en w!at !ad !aened to Mary ;o&+

A cold !and seemed to cree ro&nd 5wendoline%s !eart and almost sto !er 'reat!ing. S&oses&ose t!at t!e wind !ad 'lown little Mary6;o& over t!e c&$$+ S&ose t!at even now s!e waslying on t!e rocks, dead or 'adly !&rt( T!e t!o&g!t was so terri'le t!at 5wendoline co&ldn%tswallow !er morsel o$ '&n and !al$6c!oked.#a!ne t!&med !er on t!e 'ack. 5wendoline soke to !er in a low, &rgent voice."#a!ne( I m&st tell yo& somet!ing as soon a$ter s&er as ossi'le. 0ome into one o$ t!eractice6rooms w!ere we s!all 'e alone."#a!ne looked alarmed. S!e nodded. *!en s&er was $inis!ed s!e led t!e way to one o$ t!edeserted ractice6rooms and switc!ed on t!e lig!t. "*!at%s t!e matter+" s!e asked 5wendoline."3o& look like a"It%s Mary6;o&. I know w!ere s!e went," said 5wendoline."*ell, w!y on eart! didn%t yo& tell Miss 7arker t!en+" asked #a!ne, crossly. "*!at Is t!e matter.wen+"

"#a!ne, s!e took yo&r recio&s arcel to t!e ost 1&st a$ter seven o%clock," said 5wendoline."S!e took t!e coast road. #o yo& t!ink anyt!ing%s !aened to !er+"#a!ne took t!is in slowly. Took my arcel to t!e ost+ *!atever $ort At t!is time o$ nig!t, too.""S!e went an soy and said t!at alt!o&g! it meant !er going o&t in t!e dark and t!e wind, s!e%ddo it 'eca&se yo& were !er $riend," said 5wendoline."*!y didn%t yo& sto !er. yo& idiot+" demanded #a!ne."I did try," said 5wendoline. "I even told !er t!at yo& were not !er $riendyo& only $o&nd !er&se$&l $or !eling yo& wit! yo&r Frenc!, as yo&%ve o$ten and o$ten told me. #a!neand yo&%dt!ink t!at wo&ld sto anyone $rom going o$$ into t!e dark on a windy nig!t, wo&ldn%t yo&, to ost asilly arcel+""And didn%t it sto !er+" said #a!ne, in a 4&eer sort o$ voice."8o. S!e 1&st said t!at s!e wo&ld take it $or yo& 'eca&se s!e was yo&r $riend," said 5wendoline,rat!er scorn$&lly. "S!e said yo& mig!t not 'e !er $riend, '&t

s!e was yo&rs, and s!e%d still 'e willing to do t!ings $or yo&."5wendoline was ama:ed to see tears s&ddenly glisten in #a!ne%s eyes. #a!ne never cried I"*!at%s &+" said 5wendoline in s&rrise."8ot!ing t!at yo&%d &nderstand," said #a!ne, 'linking t!e tears away savagely. "5ood !eavens(Fancy going o&t on a nig!t like t!is and taking t!e coast road1&st 'eca&se s!e wanted to taket!at arcel $or me. And t!e ost6o$$ice wo&ld 'e s!&t too( 7oor little Mary6;o&( *!at can !ave!aened to !er+""/as s!e $allen over t!e cli$$, do yo& t!ink+" asked 5wendoline.#a!ne went very w!ite. "8ono, don%t say t!at(" s!e said. "3o& can%t t!ink !ow aw$&l t!at wo&ld'e. I%d never, never $orgive mysel$(""It wo&ldn%t 'e yo&r $a&lt i$ s!e did," said 5wendoline, s&rrised at t!is o&t'&rst"It wo&ld, it wo&ld( 3o& don’t &nderstand(" cried #a!ne. "!, oor kind little Mary6;o&( And yo&sent !er o&t t!inking I didn%t like !ert!at I only 1&st &sed !er( I do like !er. I like !er ten t&nes

'etter t!an I like yo&( S!e%s kind and genero&s and &nsel$is!. I know I did &se !er at $irst, andwelcomed !er 1&st 'eca&se s!e co&ld !el me'&t I co&ldn%t !el getting $ond o$ !er. S!e 1&stgives everyt!ing and asks not!ing(""B&tyo& told me !eas o$ times yo& only &t & wit! !er 'eca&se s!e was &se$&l," stammered5wendoline, comletely taken a'ack 'y all t!is, and looking very crest$allen indeed."I know I did( I was 'eastly. It was t!e easiest t!ing to do, to kee yo& $rom 'ot!ering me andnagging me a'o&t Mary6;o&. !, I s!all never, never get over it i$ anyt!ing !as !aened( I%mgoing a$ter !er. I’m going to see i$ I can $ind !er(""3o& can%t() cried 5wendoline, in !orror. "/ark at t!e wind( It%s worse t!an ever()"I$ Mary6;o& can go o&t into t!at wind to ost a st&id arcel $or me, s&rely I can go o&t into it to



$ind !er() said #a!ne, and a look came into !er retty, ale $ace t!at 5wendoline !ad neverseen 'e$orea st&rdy, determined look t!at gave !er $ace &neected c!aracter."B&t, #a!ne," rotested 5wendoline, $ee'ly, and t!en stoed. #a!ne !ad gone o&t o$ t!e littlem&sic6room like a w!irlwind. S!e ran & to t!e dormy and got !er mackintos! and so&6wester.S!e tore down to t!e cloak6room and &t on !er *ellingtons. 8o'ody saw !er. T!en o&t s!e wentinto t!e nig!t, $las!ing on !er torc! to see !er way.It was a wild nig!t, and t!e wind !owled ro&nd $iercely. It took #a!ne%s 'reat! away as s!emade !er way to t!e coast road & on t!e cli$$. *!atever wo&ld it 'e like t!ere( S!e wo&ld 'ealmost 'lown away.S!e $las!ed !er torc! !ere and t!ere. T!ere was not!ing to 'e seen '&t a $ew 'ent '&s!es,driing wit! rain.S!e went a little $&rt!er and 'egan to call lo&dly and deserately."Mary6;o&( Mary6;@( *!ere are yo&+"T!e wind tore !er words o&t o$ !er mo&t! and $l&ng t!em over t!e cli$$. S!e called again, &tting!er !ands & to !er mo&t!H "Mary6;o&( MA-36;@ I MA-36;@("

And s&rely t!at was a $aint call in answer. "/ere( /ere( /el me(" A /eroine(#a!ne stood 4&ite still and listened. T!e cry came again on t!e wind, very $aint. "/ere( /ere()It seemed to come $rom somew!ere in $ront. #a!ne str&ggled on against t!e wind, and t!encame to a lace w!ere t!e cli$$ edge sw&ng inwards. S!e $ollowed t!e edge ro&nd ca&tio&sly, not

daring to go too near, $or t!e wind was so strong. Still, it seemed to 'e dying down a little now.S!e s&ddenly !eard Mary6;o&%s voice m&c! nearer. "/el( /el("#a!ne was a$raid o$ 'eing 'lown over t!e cli$$ i$ s!e went too near t!e edge. B&t t!e voiceseemed to come $rom t!e edge somew!ere. #a!ne sat down on t!e wet gro&nd, $eeling t!at t!ewind wo&ld not t!en !ave so m&c! ower over !er and 'egan to edge !ersel$ $orward, !olding ont!e t&$ts o$ grass w!en s!e co&ld.S!e came to w!ere t!e cli$$ !ad cr&m'led away a little, and made a series o$ ledges, goingsteely down to t!e sea. S!e crawled to t!is lace, lay $lat down and s!one !er lig!t over t!e'roken cli$$.

And t!ere, a $ew $eet 'elow, was oor Mary6;o&, clinging $or dear li$e to a ledge, !er w!ite $ace&? t&rned to t!e glare o$ t!e torc!."/el(" s!e called again, $ee'ly, seeing t!e torc!. "!. !el me( I can%t !old on m&c! longer I =#a!ne was !orri$ied. S!e co&ld see t!at i$ Mary6;o& did leave go. s!e wo&ld !&rtle down to t!e

rocks a long way 'elow. /er !eart went cold at t!e t!o&g!t *!at co&ld s!e do+Tm !ere, Mary6;o&t) s!e called. "/old on. I’ll $etc! !el.""!#a!ne( Is it yo&( #on%t go away, #a!ne, I s!all $all in a min&te. 0an%t yo& do somet!ing+"#a!ne looked down at Mary6;o&. S!e $elt t!at it wo&ld not 'e t!e slig!test &se leaving !er andgoing $or !el $or it was clear t!at Mary6;o& mig!t leave go at any moment. 8o. s!e m&st t!ink o$somet!ing else and do it at once.S!e t!o&g!t o$ !er mackintos! 'elt, and !er t&nic 'elt. I$ s!e tied t!ose 'ot! toget!er and lett!em down, Mary6;o& mig!t !old t!em and drag !ersel$ &. B&t wo&ld t!ey reac!+S!e &ndid !er mackintos! 'elt and took o$$ !er t&nic 'elt wit! $ingers t!at $&m'led easeratingly.

All t!e time s!e ket & a com$orting $low o$ words to Mary6;o&."Ill save yo&, don%t yo& worry( Ill soon !ave yo& & !ere I I%m making a roe wit! my 'elts and I%lllet it down. /old on, Mary6;o&, !old on, and I’ll soon save yo&("Mary6;o& was com$orted and !eld on. S!e !ad 'een so $rig!tened w!en t!e gale took !er and

rolled !er over and over to t!e edge o$ t!e cli$$. /ow s!e !ad managed to !old on to t!e t&$ts o$grass s!e didn%t know. It !ad seemed ages and ages till s!e !eard #a!ne%s voice. 8ow #a!newas !ere and wo&ld resc&e !er. *!atever 5wendoline !ad said, #a!ne was !er $riend(#a!ne lay down $lat again. S!e $o&nd a sto&t gorse '&s! 'e!ind !er and s!e &s!ed !er legs&nder it till !er $eet $o&nd t!e st&rdy root6stem growing o&t o$ t!e gro&nd. /eedless o$ scratc!esand ricks, s!e wo&nd !er two $eet $irmly ro&nd t!e stem, so t!at s!e 'ad a good !old wit! !erlegs and wo&ld not 'e likely to 'e &lled over t!e cli$$ 'y Mary6;o&.

A $rantic voice s&ddenly came & to !er. "#a!ne( T!is t&$t o$ grass is giving way( I s!all $all(D&ick, 4&ick()#a!ne !&rriedly let down t!e ro&g! roe, made o$ !er two 'elts. Mary6;o& ca&g!t at it and



looed t!e end $irmly ro&nd !er wrists. #a!ne $elt t!e &ll at once."Are yo& all rig!t+" s!e called, anio&sly. "3o& won%t $all now, will yo& + ="8o. I don%t t!ink so. My $eet !ave got 4&ite a $irm !old," called 'ack Mary6;o&, m&c! reass&red'y t!e 'elt ro&nd !er wrists. "I s!an%t &ll yo& over, s!all I, #a!ne+""8o. B&t I don%t t!ink I’m strong eno&g! to &ll yo& &(" said #a!ne, in desair. "And t!e 'eltsmig!t 'reak and let yo& $all. I don%t see t!at we can do anyt!ing '&t 1&st !ang on to eac! ot!er tillsome'ody $inds &s.""!, oor #a!ne( T!is is aw$&l $or yo&," came 'ack Mary6;o&%s voice. "I wis! I%d never t!o&g!to$ taking t!at arcel.""It was kind o$ yo&,) said #a!ne, not knowing !ow to get t!e words o&t. "B&t yo&%re always kind,Mary6;o&. And Mary6;o&, I%m yo&r $riend. 3o& know t!at, don%t yo&+ 5wen told me t!e 'eastlyt!ings s!e said. T!ey%re not tr&e. I t!ink t!e world o$ yo&, I do really. I%ve never 'een $ond o$anyone 'e$ore.""!, I knew 5wen told me &ntr&t!s, as soon as I !eard yo&r voice and knew yo&%d come to look$or me," said Mary6;o&. o&t o$ t!e darkness. "I t!ink yo&%re a !eroine. #a!ne.""I%m not," said #a!ne. "I%m a 'eastly erson. 3o& simly don%t know !ow 'eastly.""T!is is a $&nny conversation to 'e !aving on a cli$$6side in a stormy nig!t, isn%t it+" said Mary6;o&,trying to so&nd c!eer$&l. "! dearI am so sorry to !aveca&sed all t!is tro&'le. #a!ne, w!en will eole come to look $or &s+""*ell, only 5wen knows I%ve come o&t," said #a!ne. "I$ I don%t come 'ack soon, s&rely s!e will

tell 8osey 7arker, and t!ey%ll send o&t to look $or &s. I do !oe s!e%ll !ave t!e sense to tellsomeone."5wendoline !ad. S!e !ad $elt very worried indeed a'o&t $irst Mary6;o& and now #a!ne. *!en#a!ne !ad not come 'ack a$ter !al$ an !o&r, 5wendoline !ad gone to Miss 7arker. S!e told !erw!ere Mary6;o& !ad gone and t!at #a!ne !ad gone to look $or !er."*!at( &t on t!e coast road at nig!t( In t!is weat!er( *!at madness(" cried Miss 7arker, andr&s!ed o$$ to Miss 5rayling at once.In two or t!ree min&tes a searc!6arty was o&t wit! lanterns, roes and $lasks o$ !ot cocoa. It wasnot long 'e$ore t!e two girls were $o&nd. Miss 5rayling gave an agoni:ed eclamation as s!e sawt!em. "T!ey mig!t 'ot! !ave 'een killed()#a!ne%s arms were almost n&m' wit! strain w!en t!e searc!6arty came &. T!ey saw !er lying$lat on t!e gro&nd, !er legs c&rled tig!tly ro&nd t!e stem o$ t!e rickly '&s!, !olding t!e two 'eltsdown t!e cli$$6sideand t!ere, at t!e ot!er end, !olding on $or dear li$e, was Mary6;o&, t!e sea

o&nding away $ar 'elow !er. A roe was let down to Mary6;o&, slied rig!t over !er !ead, and tig!tened over arms ands!o&lders. Anot!er one looed tig!tly ro&nd !er waist. #a!ne got & t!ank$&lly, !er legs almostaslee, and Miss 7arker ca&g!t !old o$ !er. "Steady now( /old on to me("Mary6;o& was &lled & sa$ely 'y a !e$ty gardener. S!e lay on t!e gro&nd, crying wit! relie$. T!egardener &ndid t!e roes and li$ted !er &. "I’ll carry !er," !e said. "5ive !er a drink. Mam, s!e%s$ree:ing()Bot! girls $elt glad o$ t!e !ot cocoa. T!en, !olding on to Miss 7arker, #a!ne staggered 'ack tosc!ool, $ollowed 'y t!e gardener carrying Mary6;o&, and t!en 'y t!e rest o$ t!e arty."7&t 'ot! girls to 'ed," Miss 5rayling said to Matron. "T!ey%ve !ad a terri'le eerience. I only!oe t!ey don%t get ne&monia now I #a!ne, yo& saved little Mary6;o&%s li$e, t!ere%s no do&'ta'o&t t!at. I am very ro&d o$ yo&("#a!ne said not!ing at all, '&t, to Miss 5rayling%s s&rrise, !&ng !er !ead and t&rned away. S!e

!ad no time to &::le over t!is, '&t !eled Matron to get Mary6;o& &ndressed and into 'ed. Bot!girls were soon in warm 'eds, wit! !ot $ood and drink inside t!em. T!ey eac! $elt etremelysleey, and went o$$ to slee 4&ite s&ddenly.T!e second6$ormers were in 'ed, worried and sleeless. 5wen !ad told t!em a'o&t Mary6;o&going o$$, and #a!ne $ollowing !er to see i$ s!e co&ld $ind !er. T!ey knew t!at a searc!6arty!ad gone o&t. All kinds o$ !orri'le ict&res came into t!eir minds as t!ey lay in 'ed and listened tot!e wind.T!ey talked long a$ter lig!ts o&t. Sally did not $or'id t!em. T!is was not a &s&al nig!tit was anig!t o$ aniety, and talking !eled.T!en, a$ter a long time, t!ey !eard Miss 7arker%s 4&ick $ootstes coming along t!e corridor.



8ews( T!ey all sat & at once.S!e switc!ed on t!e lig!t and looked ro&nd at t!e seven waiting girls. T!en s!e told t!em t!estory o$ !ow Mary6;o& and #a!ne !ad 'een $o&nd, and !ow #a!ne, 'y !er ingenio&s idea,!ad saved Mary6;o&. S!e descri'ed !ow s!e !ad laid !ersel$ down on t!e wet gro&nd, !er $eetc&rled ro&nd t!e gorse '&s! stem, and !ad !eld t!e 'elts down to Mary6;o& &ntil !el came."#a!ne%s a !eroine() cried #arrell. "I never liked !er'&t, Miss 7arker, s!e%s 'een marvello&s,!asn%t s!e( S!e%s a real !eroine(""I t!ink s!e is," said Miss 7arker. "I did not g&ess t!at s!e !ad it in !er. S!e%s in 'ed now, in t!eSan., '&t I t!ink s!e%ll soon 'e all rig!t again. *ell give !er t!ree c!eers and a cla w!en s!ecomes 'ack to class."S!e switc!ed o$$ t!e lig!t and said good nig!t. T!e girls talked ecitedly $or a $ew min&tes more,t!ank$&l t!at t!ey knew w!at !ad !aened. Fancy #a!ne t&rning o&t like t!at( And doing it $orMary6;o&( *!y, 5wen !ad always said t!at #a!ne only &t & wit! Mary6;o& 'eca&se s!e!eled !er wit! !er Frenc!."#a!ne m&st 'e $ond o$ Mary6;o&," said #arrell. voicing w!at everyone t!o&g!t. "I%m glad. Ialways t!o&g!t it was mean to &se Mary6;o& and not really like !er.""I wonder w!at 'ecame o$ t!e arcel," said Belinda. "Mary6;o& can%t !ave osted it, 'eca&se t!eost6o$$ice was s!&t. I 'et no'ody t!o&g!t o$ t!e recio&s arcel.""*ell go and !&nt $or it tomorrow.?% said Sally. "I sayw!at a small dormy we are tonig!tonlyseven o$ &s. Ellen goneand #a!ne and Mary6;o& in t!e San. *ell,% t!ank goodness t!ey%re

t!ere and not o&t on t!e cli$$."T!e wind rose to a gale again and !owled ro&nd 8ort! Tower. T!e girls sn&ggled down closer intot!e 'eds. "I do t!ink #a!ne was 'rave," said #arrell. "and I can%t imagine !ow timid little Mary6;o& co&ld ossi'ly !ave dared to go o&t in t!is gale. Mary6;o& o$ all eole.""7eole are 4&eer." said Irene. "3o& simly never can tell w!at a erson will do $rom one day tot!e net.""3o& never said a tr&er word(" c!&ckled #arrell. Today yo& &t yo&r Frenc! grammar away in t!egames c&'oard and tried to &t yo&r lacrosse stick into yo&r deskand goodness knows w!atyo&%ll do tomorrow."

An Astonis!ing 7arcelIt was di$$ic&lt to do tests in t!e midst o$ so m&c! ecitement. T!e story o$ Mary6;o& and #a!neran t!ro&g! t!e sc!ool and everyone talked a'o&t it. T!e two girls did not aear in sc!ool t!atday, 'eca&se Matron was keeing t!em 4&iet. T!ey neit!er o$ t!em seemed any t!e worse $or

t!eir advent&re.Be$ore a$ternoon sc!ool #arrell. Sally, Irene and Belinda set o$$ & t!e cli$$6at! to look $or t!earcel. T!e wind !ad comletely died down and it was a lovely day, one o$ 0ornwall%s 'est T!esky was as 'l&e as a corn$lower, and t!e sea icked & t!e colo&r and made t!e view a really'ea&ti$&l one, as t!e girls walked & t!e coast6at!.";ookt!at m&st 'e w!ere Mary6;o& was 'lown over," said #arrell, ointing to w!ere t!e cli$$ !adcr&m'led. "And sees&rely t!at%s t!e gorse '&s! #a!ne wo&nd !er legs ro&nd. 5olly, s!e m&st!ave 'een scratc!ed("T!e girls stood and looked at t!e lace w!ere Mary6;o& and #a!ne !ad !ad t!eir $rig!teningadvent&re. Sally s!ivered, t!inking o$ w!at it m&st !ave 'een like in t!e dark nig!t, wit! t!e wind!owling ro&nd and t!e sea o&nding on t!e rocks 'elow."It%s !orrid to t!ink o$," s!e said. "0ome onlet%s !&nt a'o&t $or t!e arcel. Mary6;o& m&st !avedroed it somew!ere near !ere. I s!o&ld t!ink."

T!ey looked at t!e contents in 'ewildermentT!ey 'egan to look. It was #arrell w!o $o&nd t!e arcel, lying wet and torn in t!e grass some littleway o$$.?I’ve got it(" s!e s!o&ted, and ran to ick it &. "!, it%s all coming to ieces. T!e aer is &ly,and t!e contents are coming o&t()"Better take o$$ t!e aer and carry t!e t!ings inside !ome in o&r !ands," said Sally. So #arrellstried o$$ t!e wet, &ly aer and s!ook o&t t!e contents. T!ey $ell on t!e grass.T!ey were rat!er 4&eer. T!e girls looked at t!em, lying t!ere. T!ere were $o&r &rses o$ di$$erentsi:es and s!aes. T!ere were t!ree 'oes, t!e kind t!at 'rooc!es or lockets are sold in 'y

1ewellerslittle leat!er 'oes wit! a catc! yo& !ad to ress to oen t!em.



#arrell icked one & and ressed it. It s!ot oen 6and a little gold 'ar 'rooc! gleamed inside.S!e looked at it, 'ewildered, t!en assed it to Sally."Isn%t t!at Emily%s 'rooc!t!e one s!e lost+""It%s got !er name 'e!ind it i$ it is," said Sally, in a so'er voice. S!e took o&t t!e 'rooc! andlooked at t!e 'ack o$ t!e little gold 'ar."3esit%s Emily%s," s!e said. "/er name is t!ere."Sally oened anot!er o$ Ate 'oes. It contained a little gold necklace, lain and simle."9atie%s(" said Irene at once. "I%ve seen !er wearing it( 5ood gracio&s!ow did t!ese come to 'ein t!e arcel+ Is it t!e rig!t arcel we%ve $o&nd+"Sally icked everyt!ing & $rom t!e grass. /er $ace looked very serio&s. "It%s t!e rig!t arcel," s!esaid. ";ookt!ese &rses 'elong to eole we know. T!at%s 5wen%s. And t!at%s Mary6;o&%s. Andt!at%s s&rely Betty%s."T!e $o&r girls looked at one anot!er in 'ewilderment. "I$ t!is was t!e arcel t!at Mary6;o& wasosting$or #a!ne, !ow was it #a!ne &t all t!ese t!ings into it+" said Sally, voicing w!at everyone wast!inking."0o&ld s!e !ave got t!em $rom Ellen+" said #arrell, &::led. "*e all know Ellen m&st !ave takent!em. *!erever did s!e get t!em $rom+ Is s!e doing it to s!ield Ellen, or somet!ing+""*e’ll !ave to $ind o&t," said Irene. "Sally, we%d 'etter take t!e arcel to Miss 5rayling. *e can%tkee t!is to o&rselves."

"8o, we can%t," said Sally. "*ell go 'ack at once." T!ey went 'ack, saying very little, &::led andsolemn. /ere were t!e stolen t!ings, t!e t!ings t!ey !ad acc&sed Ellen o$ taking#a!ne !adsome!ow got !old o$ t!em and $or some etraordinary reason was sending t!em awayandMary6;o& !ad almost lost !er li$e in trying to ost t!em, and !ad 'een resc&ed 'y #a!ne( It wasall most comlicated.=I t!ink it%s all very mysterio&s," said Belinda. "I can%t make !ead or tail o$ it It%s a ity Ellen%s 'eeneelled, or we mig!t go to !er and s!ow !er w!at we%ve $o&nd."T!e girls !ad no idea t!at Ellen was still at Malory Towers. *!at wit! one r&mo&r and anot!ert!ey were all $irmly convinced s!e !ad 'een sent !ome(T!e 'ell was ringing $or a$ternoon sc!ool as t!ey got in. T!ey ca&g!t Miss 7arker as s!e wasgoing to t!e second $orm and asked !er $or ermission to go and see Miss 5rayling."*e%ve $o&nd t!e arcel t!at Mary6;o& went to ost and we t!ink we o&g!t to !and it over to Miss5rayling," elained Sally.

"ery well. #on%t 'e too long," said Miss 7arker, and went on !er way. T!e $o&r girls went to Miss5rayling%s art o$ t!e '&ildings and knocked at !er door."0ome in(" said !er low voice, and t!ey oened(t!e door and went in. S!e was alone. S!e looked & in s&rrise w!en s!e saw t!e $o&r girls.T!en s!e smiled, $or s!e liked all o$ t!em, even !ar&m6scar&m Belinda. "7lease, Miss 5rayling,we $o&nd t!e arcel t!at Mary6;o& went to ost $or #a!ne," said Sally, coming $orward. "And!ere are t!e t!ings t!at were inside it T!e aer was so wet t!at we !ad to take it o$$."S!e laced t!e &rses and t!e 'oes down on t!e /ead Mistress%s desk. Miss 5rayling looked att!em in s&rrise. "*ere t!ese inside(" s!e said. "Are t!ey all #a!ne%s t!en+ I &nderstand t!at itwas #a!ne%s arcel."T!ere was an awkward a&se. "*ell, Miss 5rayling, t!ey are t!ings 'elonging to &s girls," saidSally, at last. "*e missed t!em at vario&s times. Some o$ t!e &rses !ad money in w!en t!eywere taken. T!ey are emty now."

Miss 5rayling s&ddenly looked 4&ite di$$erent. A stem eression came into !er eyes, and s!e sat& straig!t."3o& will !ave to elain a little 'etter, Sally." s!e said. "Am I to &nderstand t!at t!ese were stolenat some time $rom one or ot!er o$ yo& t!is term+""3es, Miss 5rayling," said Sally, and t!e ot!ers nodded."3o& t!ink #a!ne took t!em+" said Miss 5rayling, a$ter a a&se. T!e girls looked at one anot!er."*ell," said Sally at last, "we did t!ink Ellen !ad taken t!em, Miss 5rayling. *e knew s!e !ad'een eelled, yo& seeand we t!o&g!t...""*ait(" said Miss 5rayling, in s&c! a s!ar tone t!at t!e $o&r girls 1&med. "Ellen eelled(*!atever do yo& mean+ S!e is in t!e San. &nder Matron%s eye. S!e went to !er two nig!ts ago



wit! a 'linding !eadac!e, and we are keeing !er &nder o'servation to try to $ind o&t w!at t!ematter is."T!e girls were a'sol&tely taken a'ack. Sally went 'rilliant red. S!e o&g!tn%t to !ave 'elievedt!ose r&mo&rs( Bat die !ad wanted to 'elieve t!em, 'eca&se s!e didn%t like Ellen. T!e girlsco&ldn%t $ind a word to say.Miss 5rayling eyed t!em s!arly. "T!is is most etraordinary(" s!e said at last. "> simly cannot&nderstand it. *!at made yo& t!ink Ellen s!o&ld 'e eelled+ And w!y did yo& t!ink s!e !adtaken t!ese t!ings+ S!e is s&rely not t!at tye o$ girl at all. As yo& know, s!e won a sc!olars!i!ere 'y means o$ very !ard work and s!e came wit! a most ecellent reort as regards c!aracter $rom !er last !ead mistress.""*ewe t!o&g!t s!e !ad token t!em." 'egan Sally. "At least, I said we o&g!t not to acc&se !ertill we !ad de$inite roo$'&t, '&t.. .""I see. 3o& act&ally acc&sed t!e &n$ort&nate girl to !er $ace, I s&ose+ *!en was t!is+""T!e evening 'e$ore last. Miss 5rayling," said Sally, trying to avoid t!e /ead Mistress%s eyes,w!ic! !ad s&ddenly 'ecame gimlets, and were 'oring into !er."T!e evening 'e$ore last," said Miss 5rayling. "A!, t!at elains matters. It m&st !ave 'een'eca&se o$ t!at t!at Ellen got so &set, and was overcome 'y t!at $ear$&l !eadac!e and went toMatron. And some!ow yo& t!o&g!t s!e !ad 'een eelledgoodness knows w!ysome sillyr&mo&r, I s&ose, $ostered 'y yo& 'eca&se yo& wanted to 'elieve it( 3o& may !ave done serio&sdamage to an innocent girl."

#arrell swallowed once or twice. S!e was remem'ering !ow s!e !ad attacked Ellen t!at nig!t int!e second6$orm room. 0ertainly Ellen !ad 'een c!eating '&t #arrell !ad called !er a t!ie$ andsaid &n$orgiva'le t!ings to !er. S!e looked at Miss 5rayling and knew t!at s!e m&st tell !er w!at!ad !aened 'etween Ellen and !ersel$. It was 'eca&se o$ t!at, s!e $elt s&re,t!at Ellen !ad 'een ill t!at nig!t. ! dear!ow t!ings did 'egin to go wrong once yo& were sillyyo&rsel$("0an I say a word to yo& alone, lease, Miss 5rayling," said #arrell, deserately. "It%s somet!ingt!e ot!ers don%t know a'o&t, '&t I t!ink I%d 'etter tell yo&.""*ait o&tside t!e door $or a min&te or two," ordered Miss 5rayling, nodding at Sally, Belinda andIrene. "I !aven%t $inis!ed wit! yo& yet."T!ey went o&tside and s!&t t!e door, $eeling s&rrised. *!atever !ad #arrell got to tell Miss5rayling+ S!e mig!t at least !ave told t!em too(#arrell o&red o&t t!e story o$ !ow s!e !ad $ollowed Ellen t!at nig!t and ca&g!t !er in t!e

second6$orm room c&'oard, cl&tc!ing t!e test6aers in !er !and, "And I called !er a c!eat,w!ic! s!e was," said #arrell, "and I called !er a t!ie$, too. and told !er I%d tell Sally in t!e morningand it wo&ld 'e reorted and s!e wo&ld 'e eelled. And I s&ose it worried !er so m&c! t!ats!e got t!at aw$&l !eadac!e and went to Matron. And I never knew, and we all t!o&g!t t!atsome!ow yo& m&st !ave $o&nd o&t s!e was a t!ie$ and !ad eelled !er 4&ietly, wit!o&t makinga $&ss."=*ell, really(" said Miss 5rayling, w!en t!is o&to&ring !ad come to an end. %T!e t!ings t!at goon in t!is sc!ool t!at no'ody knows a'o&t( It%s incredi'le. #o yo& act&ally mean to tell me, #arrell,t!at yo& and Ellen were $ig!ting toget!er on t!e $loor o$ t!e second6$orm room in t!e middle o$ t!enig!t+ T!at is not at all a t!ing to 'e ro&d o$.""I know," said #arrell. "I%m aw$&lly sorry a'o&t it now. B&t I 1&st saw red. Miss 5raylingand lostmy temer. I can%t 'ear c!eats.""It%s very strange," said Miss 5rayling, t!o&g!t$&lly. "Ellen is a sc!olars!i girl, and I !ave never

known s&c! a girl !ave any need to c!eat I can%t 'elievet!at Ellen was c!eating. I$ s!e was t!ere is some reason $or it t!at m&st 'e $o&nd o&t. #on%t anyo$ yo& like Ellen, #arrell+"#arrell !esitated. "*ells!e%s so nervy and snay and irrita'le. Miss 5rayling. S!e snas i$ we

1erk die ta'le, s!e s!o&ts at &s i$ we interr&t !er reading. S!e%s terri'ly 'ad6temered. I t!ink<ean likes !er more t!an any o$ &s do. S!e%s 'een aw$&lly atient wit! !er.""I wis! I%d known all t!is 'e$ore." said Miss 5rayling. "8ow I know w!y Ellen was so &set w!en Is&ggested sending !er !ome. I t!o&g!t ossi'ly s!e mig!t $eel 'etter and !aier at !omeands!e m&st !ave t!o&g!t I was really meaning to eel !er, 'eca&se some'ody !ad come to meand told me s!e was stealing or c!eating. 7oor Ellen. I t!ink s!e !as over6taed t!at 'rain o$ !ers



and t!is is t!e res&lt"#arrell stood silent. S!e $elt t!at Miss 5rayling was not very leased wit! !er. I’m sorry $or w!at Idid," s!e said, trying to 'link 'ack t!e tears. "I know I kee on and on saying I’ll never lose mytemer again or lose control o$ mysel$. 3o& won%t 'elieve me any more."> s!all go on 'elieving yo& and tr&sting yo& every single t&ne," said Miss 5rayling, t&rning !erdee6'l&e eyes on #arrell and smiling. "And one day yo&%ll 'e strong eno&g! to kee yo&rromise. 7ro'a'ly w!en yo& arc in t!e sit! $orm I 8ow tell t!e ot!ers to come in again."T!ey came in. Miss 5rayling addressed t!em gravely. "*!at #arrell told me I t!ink it is 'etter notto reeat to yo& $or my own good reasons. I t!ink s!e s!o&ld not reeat it to yo& eit!er. I will 1&stsay t!is 6Ellen is not t!e t!ie$, yo& may 'e a'sol&tely certain o$ t!at""8ot t!e t!ie$() said Sally. "B&twe all t!o&g!t s!e wasand Alicia acc&sed !er to !er $ace...and..."Sally !ad let Alicia%s name sli wit!o&t t!inking. Miss 5rayling dr&mmed on !er desk wit! a encil."!so Alicia did t!e acc&sing, did s!e+" s!e said. T!en s!e !as somet!ing to $eel very g&iltya'o&t. I t!ink t!at t!at &'lic acc&sation 'ro&g!t Ellen%s tro&'le to a !ead. Sally, yo& are !ead6girlo$ t!e $orm. I leave it to yo& to s!ow Alicia t!at a little more kindness and a little less !ardnesswo&ld 'e very m&c! more admired 'y me, 'y yo& and everyone else.""3es, Miss 5rayling," said Sally, $eeling etremely g&ilty !ersel$. "B&t Miss 5raylingw!o was t!et!ie$+""It co&ldn%t ossi'ly !ave 'een #a!ne," said Irene. "8o'ody w!o did w!at #a!ne did last nig!t

co&ld ossi'ly 'e so mean. *!y, #a!ne%s a !eroine( Everyone says so(""And yo& t!ink t!at i$ someone does a 'rave deed 4&ite s&ddenly, t!en !e or s!e co&ld never doa mean one+" asked Miss 5rayling. "3o& are wrong, Irene. *e all !ave good and 'ad in &s, andwe !ave to strive all t!e time to make t!e good cancel o&t t!e 'ad. *e can never 'e er$ectweall o$ &s do mean or wrong t!ings at times'&t we can at least make amends 'y trying to cancelo&t t!e wrong 'y doing somet!ing wort!y later on. #a!ne !as done 4&ite a 'it o$ cancelling, It!ink'&t !er !eroic deed doesn%t mean t!at s!e can never do a small, mean one.""Is s!e t!e t!ie$ t!en+" asked Sally, incred&lo&sly."T!at is w!at I mean to $ind o&t," said Miss 5rayling. "I$ s!e is, s!e s!all tell yo& !ersel$, and yo&s!all 1&dge !er. 8ow go 'ack to yo&r classroom. I am going to see #a!ne in t!e San. And 'y t!eway. Ellen co&ld see someone today. *!at a'o&t <ean+ 3o& said s!e liked Ellen more t!an anyo$ yo& did. Tell !er to go and see Ellen a$ter tea and 'e nice to !er.""0an s!e tell !er we know s!e%s not t!e t!ie$+" asked #arrell, anio&sly. "And o!, Miss 5rayling

6co&ld I see !er $or a $ew min&tes too. 'y mysel$+""3es," said Miss 5rayling. "B&t no more $ig!ting, #arrell, or Matron will deal very romtly wit!yo& indeed("#a!ne, Ellenand Miss 5raylingMiss 5rayling made !er way to t!e San. S!e soke to Matron, w!o nodded. "3es, #a!ne is4&ite all rig!t now. S!e !as 1&st got &."T!e /ead Mistress told Matron to take #a!ne into t!e net room, w!ere t!ey wo&ld 'e alone.#a!ne went, !eled along 'y Matron, and sat down in an armc!air, wondering rat!er $ear$&llyw!at t!e visit was a'o&t Miss 5rayling looked so serio&s."#a!ne." said t!e /ead, "t!ese t!ings were $o&nd in t!e arcel mat Mary6;o& went to ost $oryo&. 3o& !ad acked t!em & yo&rsel$. *!ere did yo& get t!em+ And w!y did yo& want to sendt!em away+"S!e s&ddenly tied t!e &rses and t!e little 'oes on to #a!ne%s knee. T!e girl stared at t!em

in a'sol&te !orror. S!e went very ale and oened !er mo&t! to seak. B&t no words came."S!an I tell yo& w!ere yo& got t!em $rom+" said Miss 5rayling. "3o& took t!em o&t o$ desks andlockers and drawers. 3o& sent t!e money, #a!ne. 3o& did, in $act, eactly w!at yo& !ave donein two ot!er sc!ools, w!ic! !ad 4&ietly intimated to yo&r arents t!at t!ey wo&ld rat!er !ave yo&removed. B&t t!ey did not tell yo&r arents w!y.""/ow did yo& know+" w!isered #a!ne, !er once retty $ace w!ite and !aggard.It is t!e c&stom at Malory Towers to get a con$idential reort o$ any new girl%s c!aracter $rom !errevio&s !ead mistress," said Miss 5rayling. "*e do not, i$ we can !el it, take girls o$ 'adc!aracter, #a!ne.""*!y did yo& take me t!en+" asked #a!ne, not daring to meet t!e /ead%s eyes.



"Beca&se, #a!ne, yo&r last !ead mistress said t!at yo& were not dl 'ad," said Miss 5rayling."S!e said t!at er!as a $res! start in a $ine sc!ool like t!is, wit! its traditions o$ service $orot!ers, $or 1&stice, kindliness and tr&t!$&lness, mig!t !el yo& to cancel o&t t!e 'ad and develot!e good. And I like to give eole a c!ance.""I see," said #a!ne. "B&t I’m worse t!an yo& t!ink. Miss 5rayling. I !aven%t only stolenI%ve toldlies. I said I%d never 'een to anot!er sc!ool 'e$ore, 'eca&se I was a$raid t!e girls mig!t get toknow I%d 'een sent !ome twice $rom sc!ools. I retended my eole were very ric!. I 6> !ad a!oto on my dressing6ta'le t!at wasn%t my mot!er at allit was a very grand ict&re o$ a 'ea&ti$&lwoman...""I know," said Miss 5rayling. "T!e sta$$ were warned a'o&t yo&, '&t not t!e girls, I !ave !eardmany t!ings t!at made me sad, #a!ne, made me t!ink t!at yo& did not deserve t!e c!ance yo&!ad 'een given. 3o&r greatest draw'ack is yo&r rettinessyo& want to make eole admireyo&, yo& want to make t!em t!ink yo& come o$ !andsome, disting&is!ed arents, $rom a wealt!y!omeyo& !ave to !ave envy and admiration, don%t yo&+ And 'eca&se yo&r arents are not asgrand as yo& $eel t!ey o&g!t to 'e, wit! yo& $or a da&g!ter, and cannot a$$ord to give yo& asm&c! ocket6money and retty t!ings as t!e ot!ers, yo& take w!at yo& wantyo& steal."Tm no good,) said #a!ne, and s!e looked down at !er !ands. "I know t!at. I%m 1&st no good.""And yet yo& !ave done a very 'rave t!ing.) said Miss 5rayling. ";ook at me, lease. #a!ne.T!e girls admire yo& todayt!ey call yo& a !eroine. T!ey want to c!eer yo& and cla yo&. 3o&!ave lenty o$ good in yo&("

#a!ne !ad raised !er !ead and was looking at Miss 5rayling. S!e $l&s!ed. "I%m to 'lame $orw!at !aened to Mary6;o&," s!e said. "*!en I !eard t!at Ellen !ad 'een eelled $or stealingt!e t!ings I !ad really stolen mysel$, I was a$raid. I was too m&c! o$ a coward to own &'&t It!o&g!t i$ t!e emty &rses and t!e 'oes were $o&nd, my $inger6rints wo&ld 'e on t!em and I%d'e $o&nd o&t So I t!o&g!t I%d send t!em away 'y ost, to a made6& address. And Mary6;o&knew I was anio&s to get t!e arcel o$$ and t!at%s !ow s!e met !er accident""I see," said Miss 5rayling. "I wondered w!y yo& sent away t!e t!ings. #a!ne. It is a greatmercy t!at yo& $o&nd Mary6;o& w!en yo& did. t!erwise yo&r $oolis!ness and wrong6doing mig!t!ave ca&sed a great tragedy."> s&ose yo& will 'e sending me !ome, Miss 5rayling," said #a!ne, a$ter a a&se. "My arentswill !ave to know w!y. T!ey will g&ess t!ere is some serio&s reason. T!ey don%t ay my $ees yo&know, t!ey co&ldn%t a$$ord to. My godmot!er does. I$ s!e knows a'o&t t!is, s!e will sto aying $or my ed&cation I s!all !ave soilt ray w!ole li$e. Am I to 'e sent away, Miss 5rayling+"

"I am going to let t!e girls decide mat" said Miss 5rayling, gravely. "T!at is, i$ yo& are 'raveeno&g! to let t!em, #a!ne. I want yo& to go to t!e second $orm and tell t!em t!e w!ole story.0on$ess everyt!ing to t!em and see w!at t!ey say.""!, I can%t," said #a!ne, and covered !er $ace wit! !er !ands. "A$ter all I%ve saidand 'oasted(I can%t(""*ell, yo& !ave t!e c!oice," said Miss 5rayling getting &. "Eit!er I send yo& !ome wit!o&t anymore adoor yo& &t yo&rsel$ in t!e !ands o$ yo&r sc!ool $ellows. It is a !ard t!ing to do, '&t i$yo& really want to make amends, yo& will do it. 3o& !ave some good in yo&. 8ow is yo&r c!anceto s!ow it, even i$ it means 'eing 'raver t!an yo& were last nig!t("S!e le$t #a!ne and went in to see Ellen. S!e sat down 'y !er 'ed. "Ellen.) s!e said, "#a!ne isin great tro&'le. T!e ot!ers will know soon and I !ave come to tell yo& mysel$. It !as 'eendiscovered t!at it was s!e w!o took all t!at money and t!e 1ewellery t!at was missing."It took a moment $or t!is to sink into Ellen%s mind. T!en s!e sat &. "#a!ne( B&t t!e girls t!o&g!t

it was I w!o took t!em( T!ey acc&sed me. T!ey%ll never 'elieve it was #a!ne.""T!ey will," said Miss 5rayling, "'eca&se I rat!er t!ink #a!ne !ersel$ is going to tell t!em( Andnow, Ellen, tell mew!at made yo& take t!ose test6aers t!e ot!er nig!t+ 3o& are a sc!olars!igirl wit! 'rainsyo& did not need to c!eat."Ellen lay down again s&ddenly. S!e was overcome wit! s!ame. /ow did Miss 5rayling know+/ad #arrell told everyone t!en+ $ co&rse s!e !ad."8o'ody knows ecet #arrell and mysel$," said Miss 5rayling. "#arrell told me, '&t told no oneelse. So yo& need not worry. B&t I want to know w!y yo& did it. T!ere is somet!ing yo& areworrying a'o&t, Ellen, and t!ese !eadac!es o$ yo&rs won%t go &ntil yo& are at eace wit! yo&rsel$and !ave lost w!atever worry it is yo& !ave." "I did need to c!eat," said Ellen, in a small voice.



=My 'rains wo&ldn%t work any more. And I got t!ese !eadac!es. I knew I wo&ldn%t even ass t!etestsand t!e girls t!at nig!t acc&sed me o$ 'eing a t!ie$, w!ic! I wasn%tand I got all !oelessand t!o&g!t t!at I mig!t as well 'e a c!eat i$ t!ey all t!o&g!t I was a t!ie$(""I see," said Miss 5rayling. "B&t w!y wo&ldn%t yo&r 'rain work any more+""I don%t know," said Ellen. "Beca&se I%d worked it a 'it too !ard, I eect, w!en I went in $or t!eSc!olars!i. 3o& see, Miss 5rayling, I%m not really 'rilliant I get good res&lts 'eca&se I slog soIgo on and on. working and st&dying, w!ere er!as a real Sc!olars!i girl can get 'etter res&ltswit! !al$ t!e work. I worked all t!ro&g! t!e !ols. too. I was tired w!en I got !ere'&t I did so'adly want to do well mv $irst term.""#id it matter so m&c!+" asked Miss 5rayling, gently."3es," said Ellen. "I didn%t want to let my eole down. T!ey%ve !ad to ay o&t more t!an t!ey cana$$ord really $or my &ni$orm and t!ings. T!ey%re so ro&d o$ me. I m&st do well And now I%ve r&inedeveryt!ing.""8ot 4&ite(" said Miss 5rayling, $eeling very m&c! relieved to $ind t!at simle overwork was at t!eroot o$ Ellen%s tro&'le, and worry a'o&t w!at !er $amily wo&ld t!ink. "I s!all write yo&r arents aletter to tell t!em t!at yo& !ave worked !ard and done well, '&t t!at yo& are over6strained andm&st !ave a real !oliday w!en it comes. By net term yo& will 'e 4&ite $res! again and yo& will!ave $orgotten all t!is and 'e ready to r&s! & to t!e to o$ t!e $orm("Ellen smiled at t!e /ead, and t!e little worried cle$t in !er $ore!ead disaeared like magic.T!ank yo&," s!e said grate$&lly. "I%d like to say a lot more, '&t I can%t."

Miss 5rayling oed in to !ave a word wit! Mary6;o&, and t!en went 'ade to !er own 4&arters.So many girlsso many ro'lemsso m&c! resonsi'ility in &tting t!ings rig!t, and getting t!e'est oat o$ every girl( 8o wonder Miss 5rayling !ad more grey !airs t!an s!e s!o&ld !ave !ad.#a!ne wns @Immediately a$ter tea t!at day t!e second $orm were told 'y Miss 7arker t!at t!ey were to go tot!eir common6room and wait t!ere."*!y+" asked Belinda, in s&rrise."3o&%ll see," said Miss 7arker. "5o along now. Someone is waiting t!ere $or yo&."T!ey all went, and r&s!ed ell6mell into t!e common6room, wondering w!at t!e mystery was.Mary6;o& was t!ere, looking a little scared, wraed in !er dressing6gown. Matron !ad carried!er down.

And #a!ne was t!ere, $&lly dressed( T!e girls r&s!ed at !er. "#a!ne I 3o&%re a !eroine(#a!ne( *ell done( 3o& saved Mary6;o&%s li$e("

#a!ne did not answer. S!e sat t!ere and looked at t!em, rat!er w!ite in t!e $ace, and did noteven smile."*!at%s t!e matter+" asked 5wendoline."Sit down, all o$ yo&," said #a!ne. ?I’ve got somet!ing to say. T!en I s!all go away and yo&won%t see me again.""5ood gracio&s( *!y all t!is melodrama+" asked <ean, dis4&ieted 'y #a!ne%s tragic voice.";isten," said #a!ne. "3o&%ve got to listen. I%m t!e t!ie$. I took t!ose t!ings. I%ve 'een sent away$rom two sc!ools already $or m&c! t!e same t!ing. Miss5rayling knew t!at '&t s!e wanted to give me anot!er c!ance. So I came !ere. I told yo& liesesecially 5wen. *e !aven%t a yac!t. *e !aven%t t!ree or $o&r cars. I told yo& I%d never 'een tosc!ool 'e$ore 'eca&se I didn%t want anyone to $ind o&t I%d 'een eelled. I !adn%t eno&g! moneyto ay $or some o$ t!e s&'s. <ean wanted, and !ow co&ld I say t!at, w!en yo& all t!o&g!t my$at!er was a millionaire+ So I took money and &rses. And I took 1ewellery too, 'eca&se I Eke

retty t!ings and !aven%t nearly eno&g! mysel$."S!e a&sed. T!e $aces ro&nd !er were s!ocked and !orri$ied. 5wendoline looked as i$ s!e wasa'o&t to $aint. /er grand $riend wit! !er millionaire $at!er( 8o wonder #a!ne !ad never asked!er to stay $or t!e !olidays. It was all lies."3o& all look s!ocked. I knew yo& wo&ld 'e. Miss 5rayling said I was to come and con$ess to yo&mysel$, and yo& wo&ld 1&dge me. I can see yo& 1&dging me now. I don%t 'lame yo&. I%ve 1&dgedmysel$, too, and I !ate mysel$( I let yo& acc&se Ellen wrongly. I let yo&...""And I $ell into t!e tra and acc&sed Ellen(" said Alicia, in a s!amed voice. "3o& are a 'east,#a!ne. 3o& co&ld !ave stoed me. I s!all never $orgive mysel$ $or doing t!at to oor old Ellen."T!ere was a long a&se. T!en Sally soke. Is t!at all, #a!ne+"



"Isn%t it eno&g!+" said #a!ne, 'itterly. "7er!as yo& want to know w!y I got t!e wind & and sentaway t!ose t!ings in a arcel, w!ic! oor Mary6;o& took $or me. *ell, w!en t!e r&mo&r wentro&nd t!at Ellen was eelled $or t!ieving, I was scared t!ose &rses and t!ings mig!t 'ediscovered, wit! my $inger6rints on. I know t!e olice always look $or rints. So I t!o&g!t I%d'etter ack t!em &, &t a $alse address on and send t!em away t!ro&g! t!e ost. T!en no'odywo&ld trace t!em to me. And 'eca&se o$ t!at idiotic idea, Mary6;o& nearly got killed.""3esand 'eca&se o$ t!at yo& came o&t a$ter me, and risked yo&r own li$e $or me(" said Mary6;o&%s so$t voice. S!e got & and went to #a!ne. "I don%t care w!at t!e ot!ers say. I’ll stick 'yyo&. #a!ne. I don%t want yo& to go. 3o& won%t ever take t!ings again !ere now, I know. T!ere%smore good in yo& t!an 'ad.""*ell, I%m s&re I don%t want to !ave anyt!ing more to do wit! !er." said 5wendoline, in a disg&stedvoice. "I$ my mot!er knew...""S!&t &. 5wendoline," said #arrell. "I%m sticking 'y #a!ne too. I%ve done some retty aw$&lt!ings t!is week mysel$, t!o&g! I can%t tell yo& w!at. And I t!ink t!isw!atever wrong #a!ne!as done t!is term is cancelled o&t comletely 'y !er co&rage last nig!t( *e t!o&g!t !er deedwas 'rave and no'le t!enand w!at s!e !as 1&st told &s now doesn%t make it any less 'rave orno'le.""I agree wit! yo&," said Sally. "S!e%s cancelled o&t !er wrong wit! a rig!t, as $ar as I%m concerned.

And w!at%s more, it wanted co&rage to come and $ace &s all like t!is. 3o&%ve got lenty o$ t!at,#a!ne. I$ we stick 'y yo& and !el yo&, will it make any di$$erence to yo&+ I meanwill yo& sto

any &nder!and ways and mean tricks+""#o yo& mean t!at+" said #a!ne, a s&dden !oe making !er $ace s!ine. "*!at a'o&t t!eot!ers+""I%m wit! Sally and #arrell," said <ean."So am I," said Belinda, and Irene nodded too. Emily t!o&g!t $or a moment and added !er wordas well."3es, I’ll agree," s!e said. "I t!ink yo&%ve 'e!aved terri'ly 'adly, #a!neand terri'ly well too. Atany rate yo& o&g!t to !ave a c!ance to make good.""3o& Alicia+" said Sally. Alicia !ad 'een very silent$or t!e last $ew min&tes. S!e was overcome wit! remorse a'o&t Ellen. S!e raised !er eyes."It seems to me mat I need to !ave a c!ance given to me to make good, as m&c! as #a!ne."s!e said, s!ame$acedly. "I%ve 'een worse t!an any o$ yo&.""3o& !ave 'een very !ard and merciless, Alicia," said Sally. "3o& 1eer at me $or wanting to get

roo$ 'e$ore we acc&se eole, and $or wanting to 'e $air and kind'&t it%s 'etter in t!e end.""I know," said Alicia. "I do know t!at. Fm sorry. I%ve disliked yo& 'eca&se yo& were !ead6girlinstead o$ me t!is term, Sally. I%ve 'een a er$ect idiot. Fm not t!e one to 1&dge #a!ne. Ill $ollowyo&r lead, yo& may 'e s&re.""*ell, it seems as i$ it%s only 5wendoline w!o is standing o&t," said Sally, t&rning to t!e s&lky6looking girl. "7oor 5wendoline( S!e%s lost !er grand $riend and can%t get over it. *ell, well go andtell Miss 5rayling t!at we are all agreed on t!e matter ecet 5wendoline. *e want to give#a!ne anot!er c!ance, and we don%t want !er to go.""8o, don%t do t!at," said 5wendoline, alarmed at t!e t!o&g!t o$ aearing small and mean to Miss5rayling. "I agree too.""And yo& agree, #a!ne+" said Sally, looking at t!e 4&iet girl in t!e c!air."T!ank yo&, Sally. *it! all my !eart," said #a!ne, and t&rned !er !ead away. It was a greatmoment in !er li$et!e $orking o$ me ways. It was & to !er to take t!e rig!t way and s!e knew it

I$ only s!e was strong eno&g! to( A timid !and to&c!ed !er arm. It was Mary6;o&."0ome 'ack to Matron now," s!e said. "S!e told &swe were to, as soon as t!e meeting was over. I’ll !el yo&& t!e stairs."#a!ne smiled $or t!e $irst time, and t!is time it wasa real smile, a sincere one, not t&rned on $or t!e sake o$ 'eing c!arming. "3o&%re t!e one t!atneeds !eling &(" s!e said. "0ome on, or Matron will 'e !o&nding &s o&t o$ !ere."<ean went to see Ellena very di$$erent Ellen. T!ings seemed to 'e clearing & magically. "I $eelmiles 'etter now," said Ellen. "I%m not doing any more real lessons t!is term, <ean, and no work at



all in t!e !ols. I s!an%t sna and snarl any more eit!er. I%ve lost t!at aw$&l !eadac!e t!at made me 1&my. It s&ddenly went a$ter I%d !ad a talk wit! Miss 5rayling. It was most etraordinary.)"3o&%re l&cky to 'e in 'ed 1&st now," said <ean. T!e tests are simly aw$&l. 3o& s!o&ld !ave seent!e mat!s one, Ellen. /onestly I co&ld only do !al$ t!e s&ms. B&t t!e Frenc! one, set 'yMam%:elle #&ont, was wi:ard."*!at wit! one t!ing and anot!er, t!e week o$ tests assed very 4&ickly and t!en it was t!e lastweek o$ all. Mistresses 'egan to look !arassed as t!e task o$ adding & marks, correcting aers,making o&t reorts, grew !eavier and !eavier. Mam%:elle #&ont worked !ersel$ & into a $ren:y'eca&se s!e !ad lost !er 'ea&ti$&lly added6& marks list, and 'egged Miss 7arker to do it $or !eragain.Miss 7arker wo&ldn%t "I%ve eno&g! worries o$ my own," s!e said. "3o&%re as 'ad as Belinda,Mam%:elle. S!e managed to answer a !istory test w!en all t!e rest o$ me class were doing ageogra!y aer. #on%t ask me !ow. T!at girl is t!e worst scatter6'rain I ever saw in my li$e. /ows!e got !old o$ a !istory aer w!en I !ad given o&t geogra!y tests...""B&t w!y didn’t s!e oint o&t t!e mistake to yo&+" asked Mam%:elle, astonis!ed."S!e said s!e didn%t even notice t!at t!e 4&estions were !istory ones." groaned Miss 7arker.T!ese girls(T!ey will 'e t!e deat! o$ me. T!ank goodness t!ere are only two more days till t!e end o$ term("nly two more days. B&t w!at !ectic ones( 7acking t!ings, looking $or t!ings, losing t!ings,ec!anging addresses, tidying c&'oards, stacking 'ooks, cleaning aint6ots... all t!e t!rilling

little t!ings t!at come at t!e end o$ term, and add to t!e ecitement o$ going !ome."It%s 'een a 4&eer sort o$ term." said #arrell to Sally. "#on%t yo& t!ink so, Sally+ I%m not veryleased wit! some o$ t!e t!ings I%ve done. 3o&’ve 'een $ine, t!o&g!. 3o& always are.""-&''is!(" said Sally. "3o& don%t know !ow many times I%ve !ated Alicia $or de$ying me. 3o& don%tknow lots o$ t!ings a'o&t me(""I%ve en1oyed t!is term t!o&g!," said #arrell, remem'ering everyt!ing. "It%s 'een interesting. Ellenand !er snainessand t!e way we all t!o&g!t wrong t!ings a'o&t !erand now it%s all comerig!t and s!e%s 4&ite di$$erent and s!e and <ean are as t!ick as t!ieves toget!er()"And t!en #a!ne," said Sally, t!e word "t!ieves" 'ringing !er to mind. "T!at was anetraordinary a$$air, wasn%t it #arrell+ I%m glad we gave !er a c!ance. Isn%t it $&nny t!e way s!e%sdroed t!at silly 5wendoline Mary and taken Mary6;o& $or !er $riend+)"<olly good t!ing," said #arrell. "Mary6;o& may 'e a timid little t!ing'&t s!e%s so&nd at !eart.

And it%s m&c! 'etter $or !er to !ave a $riend o$ !er own t!an go tagging a$ter &s all t!e time. B&t I

s!all always like little Mary6;o&.""5wendoline looks so&r t!ese days," said Sally, n&dging !er $riend as 5wendoline went 'y alone."8o'ody%s darling now()"*on%t do !er any !arm," said #arrell, !ard !eartedly. "S!e%ll soon 'e Mot!er%s darling and Miss*inter%s darling, and !ave !er 'ed made $or !er and everyt!ing done( #ear darling 5wendolineMary. S!e didn%t come very well o&t o$ t!e #a!ne a$$air, did s!e+""8o. s!e didn%t. 7er!as s!e%ll 'e 'etter net term,) said Sally, do&'t$&lly. "', my goodness, w!atis Belinda doing+"Belinda s!ot 'y wit! a work6'asket in !er arms, $rom w!ic! trailed yards and yards o$ wool andcotton. It wo&nd itsel$ ro&nd eole%s ankles and legs and at last $orced !er to sto."5et o$$ my cottons(" s!e yelled indignantly. "3o&%re !olding me &()"!, Belindayo&%ll always 'e an idiot(" cried #arrell, &nwinding some red wool $rom !er rig!tankle. "5o away( I%m getting a $orest o$ cotton ro&nd me. Belinda, don%t $orget to 'ring 'ack a

w!ole lot o$ $&nny sketc!es a$ter t!e !ols.""I will(" said Belinda, wit! a grin. "And w!at a'o&t Alicia t!inking & a new trick $or net term. /ie, Alicia, we%ve t!o&g!t o$ some !oliday re $or yo&( Make & some s&er tricks $or net term,see+""-ig!t(" called Alicia. "I will. 3o& can 'ank on t!at( Better t!an t!e "y(% on Mam%:elle%s 'ack.#arrell(""y( *!at is an y+" demanded Mam%:elle #&ont, '&stling &. "An =3) on my 'ack+ *!at ist!is yo& !ave done to me now+ "S!e screwed !ersel$ ro&nd, trying to see w!at an oy was, and t!e girls screamed wit! la&g!ter."It%s all rig!t, Mam%:elle. It%s not t!ere now." "B&t w!at is an oy+" demanded Mam%:elle. %> s!all



ask Miss 7arker."B&t Miss 7arker was not interested in Mam%:elle%s "oys". S!e was only interested in getting t!egirlssa$ely away on !oliday. T!en s!e co&ld sit down and 'reat!e in eace.

And at last t!ey were really o$$. 0ars sw&ng into t!e drive. T!e train6girls went o$$ singing. Belindar&s!ed $rantically 'ack $or !er s&it6case, w!ic! s!e !ad as &s&al $orgotten."5ood6'ye. Malory Towers(" yelled t!e girls. ""5ood6'ye, 7otty( 5ood6'ye, 8osey( 5ood6'ye,Mam%:elle y(T!ey%re gone," said Mam%:elle. "A!, t!e dear, dear girls, !ow I love to see t!em comeand !ow Ilove to see t!em go( Miss 7arker, yo& m&st tell me, lease. *!at is t!is "y"+ I !ave never !eardo$ it."";ook it & in t!e dictionary," said Miss 7arker, as i$ s!e was seaking to !er class. "Fo&r weekso$ eace, 'lessed eace. I can%t 'elieve it(""T!ey will soon 'e 'ack, t!ese 'ad girls," said Mam%:elle. And s!e was rig!t. T!ey will(

02 Second Form at Malory Tower[1] (1)

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