47483321-The-School-at-the-Chalet.pdf

8/10/2019 47483321-The-School-at-the-Chalet.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/47483321-the-school-at-the-chaletpdf 1/106

School at the Chalet

The School at the Châlet

Elinor Brent-Dyer

1




Chapter 1.Madge Decides.

‘IF only I kne hat to do ith yo! girls"# said Dick in orried tones.‘$h% yo! needn#t orry a&o!t !s"# replied Madge.‘Talk sense" I#' the only 'an there is in the (a'ily)e*cept +reat-,ncle illia' and

he#s not '!ch !se"#‘/olly ell he isn#t" 0oor dear" e#s all go!t and cr!tches.# 2nd Madge thre &ack her

head ith a 'erry la!gh.‘ell then" I ask yo!"#She got !p (ro' her seat on the Chester(ield% and alked across the roo' to her

&rother. ‘Dear old Dick" 3o! really '!stn#t orry a&o!t /oey and 'e. e shall &e allright"#

e li(ted his (air &oyish head to look at her. 4ot pretty in the strict sense o( the ord%yet Madge Bettany as good to look at. She as slight to the 5erge o( thinness% ith aell-poised head co5ered &y a 'op o( c!rly dark-&ron hair. er eyes ere dark &rontoo)the colo!r o( old &ron sherry)and ere shaded &y long% !pc!rling% &lack lashes.Dark eyes and hair pres!pposed an oli5e co'ple*ion% &!t there% Madge had deserted

the tradition o( the Bettany o'en% and her skin shoed the onder(!l Sa*on (airnesso( her 'other#s (a'ily. er 'o!th as ide% &!t ith ell-c!t lips% and her slender(ig!re as as erect as a yo!ng poplar. There as eno!gh likeness &eteen her andDick% despite the disparity o( colo!ring% to proclai' the' !n'istaka&ly &rother andsister. 4o she slipped a hand thro!gh his ar' as she anno!nced% ‘I#5e got a plan allready (or !s.#

‘6et#s hear it%# he co''anded.‘ell% the &est thing is to go o5er all the possi&ilities.#‘$h% (or ea5en#s sake% don#t 'ake a long story o( it"# he i'plored.‘2ll right. B!t I ant yo! to see 'y point% so))#‘That 'eans it#s so'ething yo! think I sha#n#t appro5e o(%# he said shredly. ‘ell%

get on and let#s hear the orst.#

‘3o! see%# &egan his sister% &alancing hersel( on her toes% ‘hate5er happens% /oeyand I '!st keep together. e are all agreed on that point. B!t)there#s no 'oney or% atany rate% 5ery little. 3o! can#t keep !s on yo!r pay that#s 7!ite o!t o( the 7!estion" Solast night% I tho!ght and tho!ght a(ter I had gone to &ed and% honestly% I think 'y plan#sthe only one possi&le.#

‘$h% (or ea5en#s sake% c!t all that"# groaned her &rother. ‘hat do yo! ant to do8#‘Start a school%# as the s!((iciently startling reply.‘Start a school"# e stared at her. ‘My good girl% that sort o( thing re7!ires capital)

hich e ha5en#t got.#‘3es% I kno that as ell as yo! do"# retorted his sister. ‘2t least% it does in England.

B!t I asn#t thinking o( England.#‘Then here ere yo! thinking o(8# he de'anded% not !nreasona&ly. ‘Ireland8

Sho!ldn#t ad5ise that" 3o! 'ight ake !p one 'orning to (ind yo!rsel( &!rnt o!t"#‘$( co!rse not" I#5e got so'e sense" 2nd I do ish yo!#d try to &e a little 'ore

sy'pathetic"# she ret!rned rather heatedly.‘B!t% 'y dear girl% it#s an a(!l !ndertaking to r!n a school. 2nd yo! look s!ch a kid"

ho on earth o!ld ha5e yo! as ead8 2nd anyay% yo! ha5en#t told 'e yet hereyo! ant yo!r &lessed school"# he protested. ‘3o! don#t s!ggest co'ing o!t ith 'e toIndia and starting there% do yo!8#

‘4o% o( co!rse not. Tho!gh% i( there hadn#t &een /o to consider% I 'ight ha5e done it.B!t e co!ldn#t keep her there and I on#t lea5e her in England. So hat I#5e tho!ghto( is this. D#yo! re'e'&er that little lake in the 2!strian Tyrol here e spent thes!''er (i5e years ago)Tiern See8#

2




‘9ather" Topping little place% right !p in the 'o!ntains% ‘&o!t an ho!r#s train r!n (ro'Inns&r!ck% asn#t it8 3o! ent !p in a 'o!ntain railay (ro' so'e r!''y little ton orother)I (orget its na'e"#

‘Sp:rt;%# s!pplied his sister. ‘3es% that#s the place. It as gorgeo!s air !p there andyo! co!ld li5e (or ne*t to nothing.#

‘Is that here yo! 'ean to ha5e yo!r school8#She nodded. ‘3es. There as a &ig Châlet there hich o!ld &e topping. It as not

too (ar (ro' the lake (airly near the stea'er% and yet it as aay (ro' the paths. Isho!ldn#t ant a large n!'&er% not at (irst at any rate)a&o!t tel5e at 'ost% andco!nting /oey. I sho!ld ant girls (ro' tel5e to (o!rteen or (i(teen. I o!ld teachEnglish s!&<ects Made'oiselle 6a 0âttre o!ld co'e ith !s% and she o!ld take theFrench and +er'an)and the seing too. M!sic e co!ld get in Inns&r=ck.#

She stopped and looked at Dick so'ehat do!&t(!lly at this <!nct!re. 2 (ron asro&&ing his (ace o( hal( its &oyishness. e kne 5ery ell that Madge had set her hearton this pro<ect% and that he had neither the strength o( ill nor the a!thority to t!rn her(ro' her p!rpose. They ere tins% and all their li5es long she had &een the one to plan(or the' &oth. I( she had deter'ined to start this school% nothing he co!ld say or doco!ld pre5ent her. Their only relati5es &esides +reat-,ncle illia'% &e(ore 'entioned%

ere to a!nts% &oth 'arried% and &oth ith large (a'ilies and s'all 'eans. Madgeas not partic!larly likely to listen to anything they 'ight say. She read his tho!ghts inhis (ace.

‘It#s no !se appealing to the a!nts%# she said. ‘They#ll ha5e (its% o( co!rse &!t it can#t&e helped. /!st consider ho e are sit!ated. e are orphans% ith a sister tel5e yearsyo!nger than o!rsel5es to &e responsi&le (or. $!r g!ardian got his a((airs into a (rantic'!ddle% and then con5eniently)(or hi'")died% lea5ing !s to (ace the '!sic. 3o!#re inthe Forests% and yo!r (!rlo!gh is !p in three eeks# ti'e /oey is delicate and sho!ldn#tli5e in a et cli'ate and &eteen !s e see' to ha5e so'e (airly decent (!rnit!re% thisho!se% and three tho!sand po!nds in East India Stock at (o!r per cent.)or so'ethingo5er a h!ndred po!nds a year.#

‘Tenty o5er%# inter<ected Dick.

‘e can#t li5e on that in England%# she ent on% !nheeding the interr!ption. ‘E5en i( Idid get a post in a school% it o!ld 'ean school-(ees (or /o. B!t e co!ld 'anage in2!stria. It#s healthy)Tiern See% and it#s a ne idea. I kno o( one child I co!ld ha5e (orthe asking)+ri;el Cochrane and e#d ha5e to ad5ertise (or the others. I don#t see hye sho!ldn#t 'ake it pay in ti'e.#

‘hat a&o!t apparat!s8# s!ggested Dick% ‘3o!#d ant desks% and &ooks% and so on% Is!ppose8#

‘+et the' in Inns&r=ck . My s!ggestion is that e sell 'ost o( the things here%keeping only hat e a&sol!tely need% and &!y o!t there. I ent o5er the Châlet hilee ere there% Dick. 2 (ortnight ago I rote to Fra! 0(ei(en. er anser ca'e this'orning. I anted to kno i( the Châlet as 5acant% and% i( it as not% i( there as anyother place she co!ld reco''end. It is 5acant% and she thinks the oner-'anager o(the >ron 0rin; >arl)that &ig hotel not (ar (ro' the &oat-landing)o!ld let 'e ha5e itall right.#

‘I( only I hadn#t to go so soon%# '!ttered Dick% as he rapidly scanned the letter shehad gi5en hi'.

‘I kno" I ish yo! hadn#t &!t e shall ha5e Made'oiselle.#‘I o!ldn#t ha5e agreed to the idea i( yo! had cons!lted 'e%# he replied. ‘ 2s it is% I

s!ppose I '!st say ?yes.? 3o!#ll do as yo! like% hether I agree or not. I kno that" B!tyo!#5e got to pro'ise 'e one thing.#

‘I#ll see%# ret!rned his sister ca!tio!sly. hat is it8#‘That yo!#ll ca&le 'e at once i( anything goes rong% and that yo!#ll rite at least

once a eek)o(tener i( yo! can.#

3




‘2ll right. I agree to that. 4o ill yo! go and (etch /oey% and e#ll tell her. I knoshe#s a &it an*io!s a&o!t hat#s going to happen% &!t I co!ldn#t say anything till I#ddisc!ssed it ith yo! (irst o( all. She#s !pstairs reading.#

‘/o reads entirely too '!ch%# he gr!'&led as he ent to the door. ‘That#s one thing Ihope yo!#ll alter a little.#

‘She#ll ha5e plenty to take her o!t o( doors%# replied his sister serenely. ‘She reallyneeds other co'panions. Call her% old thing.#

is yell o( ‘/oey"# reso!nded thro!gh the ho!se a second later% and as ansered &ya shriek o( ‘Co'ing"# There as the so!nd o( (lying (ootsteps% a th!d in the hall% andthen /oey% or% to gi5e her her proper na'e% /osephine% (ell rather than ran into the roo'.

2nything less like Madge and Dick it o!ld ha5e &een hard to i'agine. er cropped&lack hair as so straight as al'ost to &e descri&ed as lank% her &ig &lack eyes 'adethe intense hiteness o( her (ace e5en 'ore startling than it need ha5e &een% and hercheeks and te'ples ere hollo ith contin!al ill-health. 6ike her &rother and sister%she had &een &orn in India &!t% !nlike the'% had co'e ho'e at the early age o( se5en'onths. The (rail &a&y ho had ne5er knon her 'other or (ather had thri5en in theso(t Cornish air o( their ho'e till she as (o!r years old. Then a neglected cold had&ro!ght on an attack o( ple!ro-pne!'onia% (ro' hich she had &arely str!ggled &ack to

li(e. Since then% her health had &een a constant orry to those ho had charge o( her.hat 'ade things still 'ore di((ic!lt as the (act that Miss /oey possessed at least (i5eti'es as '!ch spirit as strength% and (retted contin!ally at the restrictions they ereo&liged to en(orce. The e*ertion o( her (light donstairs &ro!ght on a &ad (it o(co!ghing% and !ntil it as o5er% and she as lying &ack on the Chester(ield% hiter thane5er ith e*ha!stion% there as no tho!ght o( telling her the nes. Madge (l!ng anagonised look at Dick% e5en as she ga5e the child a glass o( ater. e strolled acrossthe roo' to the'% his hands in his pockets.

‘I say% old lady%# he &egan% ‘yo! '!stn#t sprint a&o!t like that"# /o li(ted her eyes to his. ‘I#' sick o( ?don#t"?‘ she re'arked. ‘hy did yo! call 'e%

Dick8 2nything settled a&o!t !s yet8#‘I s!ppose so%# he groled. ‘B!t <!st listen to 'e (or a 'in!te. I#' sorry yo!#re sick o(

?don#t%? &!t I think yo! 'ight ha5e a little 'ore consideration (or Madge. 3o! kno hoshe orries hen yo! co!gh.#

‘Sorry% old thing"# /o sent !p a little s'ile at her sister. ‘I as so an*io!s to hear% I(orgot a&o!t not dashing ro!nd. hat are e going to do8 I can see it#s all (i*ed.#

‘3es% it#s (i*ed%# replied Madge% as she perched hersel( on one ar' o( the co!ch. ‘It#s'y on idea% and I hope yo!#ll like it%#

‘ell% hat is it8#‘Madge is going to r!n a school.#‘Madge r!n a school"# /o sat &olt !pright. ‘4o" She#s '!ch too yo!ng" hy% i( her hair

asn#t !p she#d look like a kid"#‘I#' tenty-(o!r)# &egan Madge heatedly% hen Dick interr!pted her.‘3o! listen to 'e% 'y kid. 9e'e'&er Tiern See8#‘9ather"#‘ell% yo!#re going there. Madge ill open the school in that &ig Châlet not (ar (ro'

the lake. Made'oiselle 6a 0âttre ill co'e ith yo! to look a(ter yo! &oth% and helpith the school.#

‘hat a si'ply ripping idea" hen are e going8 Be(ore yo! do% Dick8 ho are thep!pils8#

‘Don#t &e silly" $( co!rse yo! can#t go yet" There#s this ho!se and (!rnit!re to seea&o!t% and Madge ill ha5e to &!y her paraphernalia in Inns&r=ck ))#

‘Dear little Inns&r=ck "# /o interr!pted hi'. ‘Shall e &e there (irst% Madge8 o long8$h% it ill &e lo5ely to see Tiern See again" hen do e lea5e here8#

‘Don#t 7!ite kno%# replied Madge. ‘Dick% I don#t think there#ll &e '!ch tro!&le a&o!t

selling the ho!se. 3o! kno% the Corah Mine people ant a place (or their 'anagers to

4




li5e in% and it#s ithin 7!ite decent distance o( the 'ine. Don#t yo! think they 'ight &!yit8#

‘+ood idea" 3es% I sho!ld think they 'ight. It#s the sort o( place they ant% o( co!rse.I#ll take a stroll !p to old E5erson and get hi' to see it thro!gh. Since e#re all going%the sooner e get the &!siness o5er and 7!it the &etter.#

‘I#ll go and see the Cochranes%# decided Madge. ‘I kno they#ll &e thank(!l to get rido( poor little +ri;el. hat (ees shall I ask% Dick8 D#yo! think @1A a year o!ld &e too'!ch8#

‘So!nds rather a lot%# said Dick d!&io!sly.‘It#s only hat 'ost decent schools charge. I#5e got so'e prospect!ses to see.

Besides% the Cochranes can a((ord it and I &elie5e they#d pay e5en 'ore to get rid o(+ri;el.#

‘Mrs Cochrane o!ld% anyho"# chi'ed in /o.‘hat I can#t !nderstand%# said Dick tho!ght(!lly% ‘is hy she e5er 'arried hi' i( she

didn#t ant a stepda!ghter.#‘She kne nothing a&o!t it till she got here%# e*plained Madge. ‘She nearly e*pired

hen she sa the poor kiddy" $h% they#ll let 'e ha5e her all right. 2nd it#ll &e the'aking o( +ri;el. 3o!#ll ha5e to reco''end 'e to yo!r 2nglo-Indian (riends% Dick"#

‘2ren#t any here I a')not ith kids o( school-age% anyho" ell% I#ll get along andsee old E5erson hile yo! inter5ie the Cochranes. hat are yo! going to do% /oey8 It#stoo et (or yo! to go o!t.#

‘I#' going &ack to (inish !entin D!rard%# ret!rned /o (ir'ly. ‘3o!#ll take all o!r&ooks% on#t yo!% Madge8#

‘Most o( the'% anyay. B!t yo! needn#t start to pack the' yet. This is only March%and e sha#n#t &e going till ne*t 'onth at earliest.#

/o took little notice o( this% &!t got o(( the Chester(ield% and ret!rned to her little&edroo'% here a &la;ing (ire relie5ed the gloo' o( the rainy day% and her ell-&elo5ed&ooks aaited her.

‘Best thing in the orld (or her%# o&ser5ed Dick hen she had gone. ‘ell% I#' o(( tosettle old E5erson. e#ll (!ss% I s!ppose &!t% a(ter all% there#s no one ho can really

inter(ere no o!r poor old +!ardian#s gone% and as long as e agree% it#ll &e all right.#‘$h% rather"# Madge as str!ggling ith her sto!t% laced-!p &oots. ‘Insist on his doing

things at once% Dick. I ant to get o(( and &e settled &e(ore the s!''er 5isitors arri5e at Tiern See. e#ll ant !s to play ro!nd till Septe'&er i( I kno anything a&o!t layers%and it 'akes no di((erence really% &eca!se I#5e 'ade !p 'y 'ind to go. Made'oiselleill &e thank(!l to get aay (ro' England too.#

‘3o!#re s!re it#s all right a&o!t her co'ing8#‘3es. I spoke to her a eek ago% and she said i( yo! consented% she o!ld co'e.

She#s not too happy at the ithers#% and she#s not really tied to the' at all% She lo5es !s)has done e5er since I sat on /ean ithers (or &eing r!de to her")and she adores /o.I#' not 'ad keen on 'aking a (ort!ne. So long as e can keep o!rsel5es% and sa5e alittle (or the chicken in case o( accidents% I shall &e 7!ite happy.#

‘9ighto" ell% so-long" ope yo! get the +ri;el kid"# 2nd ith this% Dick t!rned andle(t the roo'% hile Madge ran !pstairs to get her raincoat and cap% &e(ore she% too%5ent!red o!t into the h!rricane o( ind and rain ith hich March had arri5ed that year%to seek her (irst p!pil (or the Châlet School.

5




Chapter A.+ri;el.

Seated at the old schoolroo' piano% +ri;el Cochrane as diligently practising scalesand e*ercises. She had no real lo5e o( '!sic% &!t her (ather insisted that she '!stlearn and since she '!st learn% then% also% she '!st practise. er step'other% ho'+ri;el hated ith all the intensity o( her childish so!l% had decreed that% altho!gh thisas her last day at ho'e% the dreary ho!r o( scales and e*ercises '!st &e done as!s!al. er '!sic all lay at the &otto' o( her tr!nk% so anything else as i'possi&le% (orhich she as de5o!tly grate(!l.

‘Thank goodness% I shall &e aay (ro' all this a(ter to-'orro%# she tho!ght as shepo!nded (iercely aay at C sharp 'a<or. ‘I lo5e Miss Bettany% and /o is a dear. I#' s!rethey on#t 'ake 'e practise three ho!rs a day there. C sharp 'a<or% relati5e 'inor 2sharp.# 2!to'atically her (ingers changed on to the relati5e har'onic 'inor as she enton ith her tho!ghts. ‘I#' glad I#' going aay (ro' England)glad I#' lea5ing the'"

They don#t ant 'e% and I can#t end!re the'"# Tears pricked at the &ack o( her eyes atthis tho!ght% &!t she resol!tely dro5e the' &ack% and attacked the 'elodic 'inor. 2t(o!rteen and a hal( +ri;el Cochrane had realised that she as decidedly an !nanted

'e'&er o( the Cochrane (a'ily. er 'other had died hen she as (i5e. +ri;el co!ld <!st re'e'&er her as a (ragile% co'plaining &eing% ho lay on a co!ch all day% and said‘!sh"# in (ret(!l tones hene5er her little da!ghter 5ent!red to raise her 5oice. 2(terher death% Mr Cochrane had sent the child to his 'other#s% and led a &achelor li(e (or thene*t (i5e years. $n +ri;el#s tenth &irthday he had 'arried again% 'ost !nacco!nta&ly%itho!t in(or'ing his second i(e o( the (act that he had a da!ghter. That shedisco5ered hen they reached ho'e a(ter the honey'oon% to (ind +ri;el aaiting the'on the steps. To say that the second Mrs Cochrane as indignant is to descri&e thestate o( a((airs '!ch too 'ildly. 2t (irst% she insisted that the child '!st go to &oarding-school. er h!s&and cal'ly replied that one reason (or his second 'arriage as that heanted +ri;el !nder his on roo(. e also pointed o!t that i( she ere sent aay atonce people o!ld talk. Mrs Cochrane desired that less than anything% so she ga5e ay.

+ri;el ent daily to a &ig high school in the neigh&o!rhood% and% no'inally at any rate%recei5ed the sa'e care and attention as any o( her (riends. B!t li(e at hergrand'other#s had spoilt her in 'any ays% and &e(ore long she and her step'otherere at daggers dran ith each other. Mr Cochrane% ne5er a partic!larly lo5ing parent%re(!sed to inter(ere. Mrs Cochrane as ne5er acti5ely !nkind% &!t she possessed asharp tong!e% and she had ne5er (orgi5en her h!s&and (or not telling her o( +ri;el#se*istence. By slo degrees the il(!l% high-spirited child grad!ally &eca'e a (rightened%ner5o!s creat!re% ho did as she as &idden ith a pain(!l readiness.

6ater% she &eca'e the e*c!se (or 'any ‘scenes%# and on the day hen MadgeBettany set o(( in the ind and rain to sec!re her (or the Châlet School% Mr Cochranehad at last gi5en ay% and agreed to send her aay. Then the great 7!estion had &een‘here8# To the'% considering the point% had co'e Madge% and ith her a co'pletesol!tion o( the pro&le'. It as satis(actory (ro' all points o( 5ie. +ri;el#s (atherrealised that i( she ere sent aay ith s!ch an old (riend as Madge Bettany% it o!ldgi5e rise to no gossip in the little ton% hich as &eginning to con<ect!re at the ca!ses(or her loss o( spirit. Mrs Cochrane re<oiced in the (act that it o!ld &e sheer a&s!rdity(or her to 'ake the long <o!rney (ro' Inns&r=ck to Cornall (or any holidays &!t thes!''er holidays. +ri;el hersel( only anted to get right aay (ro' her presents!rro!ndings% and Madge ent ho'e thrilling to the (act that she had gained her (irstp!pil.

For the ne*t (ortnight or so e5eryone had &een kept &!sy. +ri;el (o!nd hersel(conde'ned to sitting and seing na'e-tapes on to ne stockings and glo5es andhandkerchie(s% as ell as ha5ing to end!re 5ario!s ‘tryings-on.# 2t any other ti'e she

o!ld ha5e resented all this intensely. 4o it as% (or her% <!st part o( the <oy o( goingaay. Madge had &een !na&le to say% at (irst% hen they o!ld go &!t Dick% ha5ing

6




applied (or and recei5ed a 'onth#s longer (!rlo!gh% &!stled their old solicitor to s!ch ane*tent% that the 'iddle o( 2pril (o!nd the' ith ho!se and (!rnit!re sold% &o*es packed%and e5erything ready. hat as 'ore% the Châlet School had to other p!pils inprospect. Made'oiselle as &ringing a little co!sin% Si'one 6eco!tier% (ro' 0aris% and a&!siness (riend o( Mr Cochrane#s% an 2'erican% had &een (ired ith enth!sias' o5er theschool% and had ritten asking Miss Bettany i( she co!ld (ind roo' (or his tel5e-year-old E5adne ne*t ter'.

+ri;el as '!sing o5er all this as her (ingers 'o5ed !p and don the keys ithacc!racy and precision. It see'ed al'ost i'possi&le that it co!ld &e she ho% on the'orro% o!ld &e taken !p to 6ondon &y her (ather% !n!s!ally ind!lgent% and theregi5en o5er to Miss Bettany#s charge. Madge and /o had le(t their old ho'e early in thepre5io!s eek% in order to pay (areell 5isits to s!ch relati5es as re'ained to the'.

It#s too good to &e tr!e"# tho!ght +ri;el ecstatically ‘and that#s ten o#clock% thankgoodness"#

She (inished o(( the scale o( 2 (lat 'elodic 'inor in grand style% and then sh!t donthe lid o( the piano ith a &ang. She had heard her step'other go o!t a (e 'in!tespre5io!sly% so she ran don to the kitchen% here the cook% ho adored her% and spoilther hen it as possi&le% elco'ed her ith a ide s'ile% and 'ade haste to pro((er a

rock &!n.‘/!st hot o!t o( the o5en% Miss +ri;el% lo5e%# she said.+ri;el accepted it% and% sitting on the ta&le% '!nched it ith good appetite.‘This ti'e to-'orro I sha#n#t &e here%# she said% hen it as disposed o(.‘4o% lo5ey. It#ll &e the train this ti'e to-'orro%# replied the good o'an in her so(t%

sing-song 5oice.‘2nd then 0aris ne*t day)and then Inns&r=ck ne*t eek"# +ri;el spoke e*!ltingly

‘$h% Cookie" I#' so thrilled% I#' so thrilled% I can#t keep still"#‘Eh% it#s a lot yo!#ll &e seeing% Miss +ri;el. 2nd yo!#ll rite to Cookie and tell her all

a&o!t the grand sights in the' (!rrin cities% on#t yo!8#‘$( co!rse I ill% Cookie dear" I#ll rite to yo! as o(ten as I can.# 2nd +ri;el <!'ped

don (ro' her perch and% (linging her ar's ro!nd Cook#s neck% ga5e her a hearty h!g.

‘I#ll rite to yo! e5ery eek i( I can.#‘There#s a lo5e" 2nd)Miss +ri;el% dearie% I as o5er to Bod'in last night% and I got

this (or yo! to re'e'&er yo!r Cookie &y.#‘$h% Cookie" o dear and kind o( yo!" hate5er can it &e8#+ri;el took the narro parcel% (eeling its shape ith childish c!riosity &e(ore she

opened it. 2 little screa' o( ecstasy &roke (ro' her as she realised hat it as)a&ea!ti(!l ater'an (o!ntain pen.

‘$h% Cook" 2nd I#5e alays anted one e5er so"# The tears stood in her grey eyes as she care(!lly e*a'ined it. Cook% looking don at

the s'all (l!shed (ace% (elt ell rearded (or her long tra'p o( the night &e(ore% and (orthe sacri(ice o( a ne spring hat% hich had &een necessary to &!y the pen.

‘I#5e nothing to gi5e yo!%# said +ri;el% s!dden sadness in her tones.‘3o!#ll &e gi5ing 'e yo!r nes% lo5ey) 'ay&e a pict!re-postcard or to" That#s all I#ll

&e anting (ro' yo!. 4o yo!#d &etter go% Miss +ri;el. The 'istress only ent don tothe &!tcher#s% and she on#t like it i( she (inds yo! here.#

+ri;el nodded. Too ell she kne the scolding that o!ld &e the portion o( &oth o(the' i( her step'other ca!ght her in the kitchen. ith a (inal h!g and a kiss% she t!rnedand ran !pstairs to her on little roo'% c!ddling her ne possession. So'e paper lay onthe little dressing-ta&le% and she ‘tried# the pen on it. Cook had had it (illed ready% and itas a &ea!ty)neither too (ine nor too &road. She rote her na'e ith a (lo!rishse5eral ti'es% and then% hearing Mrs Cochrane#s step on the stairs% t!cked it aay intoher attach case% and screed !p the &its o( paper% thr!sting the' into her pocket <!stin ti'e. hen her step'other entered the roo' she as standing ga;ing o!t o( the

indo% and histling so(tly. Mrs Cochrane (roned at her.

7




‘+ri;el" I ha5e told yo! &e(ore that I ill not allo histling" >indly o&ey 'e" 2s longas yo! are !nder this roo( yo! ill do as I tell yo!"#

+ri;el o&eyed. The disciplining o( the past three years had ta!ght her the 5al!e o(!n7!estioning o&edience% i( it had ta!ght her nothing else.

‘3o! had &etter p!t on yo!r o!tdoor things and co'e ith 'e%# ent on herstep'other. ‘3o! o!ght to say good-&ye to the 9ector and Miss Fareha' and I ha5e togo to the 9ectory. !rry !p no% and &r!sh yo!r hair% and &e donstairs in ten 'in!tes#ti'e.#

She le(t the roo'% and +ri;el did as she as &idden &!t all the ti'e that she asp!tting on the ne &l!e tra5elling coat% and changing into her o!tdoor shoes% andriggling her &ron head into her scarlet ta''y% she as '!r'!ring so(tly to hersel(%‘$nly to-day le(t" $nly <!st to-day" To-'orro ill soon &e here no.#

She ent on repeating it as she alked sloly donstairs. Mrs Cochrane ca!ght thelo '!r'!r% and looked sharply at her.

‘hy are yo! talking to yo!rsel(% +ri;el8 0lease don#t &e so a&s!rd.#+ri;el colo!red !p (!rio!sly% &!t she said nothing. alking de'!rely at her

step'other#s side% she ent don the garden-path% hich as already &ordered ithall(loers and t!lips% gaily a-nod in the spring &ree;e% and o!t into the street% here

they 'et to o( the girls (ro' her old school.‘3o! ill ant to say ?good-&ye? to yo!r (riends%# said Mrs Cochrane gracio!sly)sheas alays gracio!s in p!&lic. ‘I ill ait (or yo! at the 9ectory &!t don#t &e long% asthere are still one or to things I ant to do.#

She passed on% and +ri;el as le(t ith the'.‘It#s to-'orro yo! go% +ri;el% isn#t it8# said the elder o( the to% a pretty (air child o(

(o!rteen% 9osalie Dene &y na'e. ‘2ren#t yo! sorry to lea5e ho'e8#itherto +ri;el#s pride had kept her (ro' 'aking any re5elations a&o!t ho'e

'atters. 4o% so'eho% it didn#t see' to 'atter. She o!ld not co'e ho'e (or 'orethan a year% (or she as to stay ith the Bettanys all the s!''er.

‘Sorry8# she said (er5ently. ‘I#' not sorry I#' glad)glad% I tell yo!"#‘+ri;el"# gasped 9osalie. ‘+lad to lea5e ho'e and go right aay"#

‘ #Tisn#t like yo!r ho'e%# replied +ri;el so'&rely. ‘3o!#5e a 'other"#‘ell% &!t yo! ha5e Mrs Cochrane% and I#' s!re she#s a(!lly seet to yo!.#‘3es% hen there#s anyone there to see it%# replied +ri;el recklessly.

The to schoolgirls stood in horri(ied silence. They did not kno hat to say.+ri;el &roke the spell. She held o!t her hand.‘I '!st &e going%# she said &rie(ly. ‘+ood&ye. rite to 'e so'eti'es.#‘+ood-&ye%# said 9osalie (latly. ‘$( co!rse I#ll rite i( yo! ill.#‘I#ll send yo! so'e postcards%# responded +ri;el. ‘+ood-&ye% Mary"#Mary% the other child% '!'&led so'ething in (areell% and then +ri;el ran o((% lea5ing

the' still staring a(ter her.‘ell"# e<ac!lated 9osalie at last. ‘Did yo! e5er8#‘4e5er" ‘replied Mary ith (inality. ‘I didn#t think +ri;el Cochrane as like that"#‘I onder hat 'other ill say%# said 9osalie tho!ght(!lly.hat Mrs Dene act!ally said hen she heard her da!ghter#s story as% ‘0oor little

dear" I hope she ill &e happy in 2!stria% then.#Meanhile% +ri;el h!rried to the 9ectory% here her step'other as aiting (or her%

and took lea5e o( the 9ector and his sister% &oth o( ho' ere (ond o( her. They had(areell gi(ts (or her too% in the shape o( a ne >ipling and a &ig &o* o( chocolates% andshe said ‘good-&ye# to the' ith real regret. They had alays &een kind to her.

2(ter the 9ectory 5isit% Mrs Cochrane took her into the ton to do so'e shopping%and it see'ed to the little girl that ne5er &e(ore had they 'et so 'any ac7!aintances inone 'orning. E5eryone as 5ery kind% and ished her good l!ck and a pleasant

<o!rney. $ne or to told her that they en5ied her her 5isit to (oreign co!ntries% and 'ost

people &egged (or postcards. +ri;el pro'ised the' to all and s!ndry% and all the ti'eher heart as &eating 'adly ith delight to think that this as the last ti'e (or 'any a

8




long 'onth that she o!ld &e here. Then they ent ho'e to l!nch% and a(ter it aso5er% her step'other dis'issed her to the 'oors% here she ran a&o!t like a ild thingtill the little sil5er atch on her rist arned her that it as nearly tea-ti'e% and shehad &etter &e t!rning ho'eards. er (ather ca'e in (or tea% and &ro!ght ith hi' a(olding Bronie kodak in a neat leather case ith a strap to sling across her sho!lders.

The general at'osphere o( kindness see'ed to ha5e in(ected e5en Mrs Cochrane% andso that last e5ening passed o(( ell. The ne*t day Mr Cochrane took her !p to ton% andga5e her into Madge Bettany#s charge at ictoria.

Chapter . The /oys o( 0aris

‘9ien G declarer8#‘9ien G declarer"# replied Madge (ir'ly% ith one eye on her to charges. For all her

sel(-con(idence% she s!ddenly (elt 5ery yo!ng to &e sole g!ardian o( to girls o( tel5eand (o!rteen. The c!sto'-ho!se o((icial gr!nted as he chalked the 'ark on the threes!it-cases% hich as all the l!ggage they had ith the'% Made'oiselle 6a 0âttre and

Dick ha5ing gone o!t to Tiern See early in the pre5io!s eek ith the tr!nks and caseso( &ooks% orna'ents and pict!res% hich ere all they ere taking ith the' (ro'England. E*perienced /oey pro'ptly helped to (asten the cases again% hile +ri;el%(l!shed and e*cited% ga;ed ro!nd her% onder in her &ig grey eyes. She had ne5er &eeno!t o( England in her li(e &e(ore% so e5en the dra!ghty% prosaic do!ane o( Bo!logne%here e5eryone had to go in 7!e!e ith their cases% as in5ested ith a certainpleas!re gla'o!r (or her. The hoarse 5oices o( the do!aniers% the cla'o!r o( their(ello-passengers% the !n!s!al trains ith their (!nny% high engines% and little steps !pinto the carriages% ere all (resh and ne to her. Madge cast an a'!sed glance at hera&sor&ed (ace as they settled don in their second-class carriage. The only otherocc!pant as a little (at 'an in a lo!d check s!it. e as 'opping his (ace ith a hitehandkerchie( adorned ith scarlet spots.

‘Eh% it#s #ot%# he said% his accent at once &etraying hi' (or a 3orkshire 'an. ‘#$t (orthis ti'e o# t# year it is.#

3ears ago% Miss Madge#s n!rse had acc!sed her o( &eing ‘as (riendly as a 'ongrelp!ppy.# She had kept this 7!ality thro!gho!t her li(e. She as alays interested inpeople% and% ha5ing 'et nothing &!t (riendliness in all her tenty-(o!r years% she hadthe sa'e (earless% so'ehat con(iding 'anner ith strangers as the p!p to hichn!rse had likened her. So% instead o( sn!&&ing the good-hearted little 'an#s ad5ancesith (rosty good &reeding% she ansered hi' pleasantly. e had had little ed!cation% asas e5ident% &!t he (elt a kindly% i( c!rio!s% interest in the trio in his carriage% and hen%a little later% they prod!ced sandiches and 'ilk% he 5anished% to ret!rn ith so'e'agni(icent goose&erries% hich he &egged the' to share ith hi'. 2gain% +ri;ellooked (or the icily polite sn!& her step'other o!ld ha5e gi5en hi'. Madge onlythanked hi' (or his kindness ith the direct si'plicity hich as so '!ch a part o( herchar'% and o((ered hi' sandiches in ret!rn.

$5er their 'eal they &eca'e 7!ite (riendly% and% &e(ore they reached 0aris% he had(o!nd o!t that she proposed r!nning a school in the Tyrol. e co''ended the sche'e%and o((ered to try to (ind her p!pils a'ong his c!sto'ers)he as a ool 'an!(act!rer(ro' Brad(ord% as it t!rned o!t. They ere 7!ite sorry to say ‘good-&ye# to hi' henthey reached 0aris &!t he as going on to 6yons that night% and they ere to spend thene*t to or three days in the gayest city in the orld. It as (i5e o#clock)or se5enteen%i( yo! cared to take French ti'e)&y the ti'e they had arri5ed% and &oth /o and +ri;elere tired% so Madge 'ade no atte'pt to do anything that night. They ent to theirhotel% a 7!iet one% not (ar (ro' the Madeleine% and a(ter ha5ing arranged (or the

re'ainder o( the eek% they ere shon to their roo's% here th G l#2nglais as sent!p. Then they all three &athed and changed% and /o as packed o(( to &ed% hither

9




+ri;el speedily (olloed her. By nine o#clock they ere &oth (ast asleep% and Madge%since there as nothing else to do% (olloed their e*a'ple.

They all oke early% and a(ter petit d<e!ner o( co((ee and rolls% prepared to go o!t.4at!rally% since they ere so near% the Madeleine as their (irst o&<ecti5e. /o had

seen it &e(ore% &!t she as per(ectly illing to 5isit the great ch!rch hich 4apoleonhad &eg!n as a ‘Te'ple o( +lory%# and hich he as destined ne5er to (inish. +ri;ellooked at it ith onder in her (ace.

‘So'eho% I didn#t think 4apoleon as a religio!s 'an%# she o&ser5ed tho!ght(!lly.‘hate5er 'ade hi' ant to &!ild a ch!rch8#

‘e asn#t and he didn#t%# e*plained Madge. ‘I (orget hat his idea as% &!t itcertainly asn#t the idea o( the a5erage 'an. B!t then he asn#t an a5erage 'an% o(co!rse" 2nyay% it#s rather a onder(!l thing% isn#t it8 4ot to &e co'pared ith 4otreDa'e% o( co!rse"#

‘Is he &!ried here8# asked +ri;el.‘4o% in the In5alides%# replied /o% ho as an enth!siastic ad'irer o( the great

E'peror. ‘e#ll go and see his to'&. B!t I '!st get so'e (loers. I alays p!t the'there to sho that so'eone re'e'&ers hi'.#

‘2 good 'any people re'e'&er hi' &esides yo!%# said her sister drily. ‘ e#s not

e*actly in danger o( &eing (orgotten. 2nd (or goodness# sake% /o% don#t 'ake the sceneyo! 'ade last ti'e"#‘I only thre the (loers o5er the railings%# protested /o.‘I kno hat yo! did all right" I( only yo! hadn#t &een standing at the corner% and i(

only yo! co!ld thro straight% it o!ldn#t ha5e 'attered" 2s it as% yo! nearly let !s in(or i'prison'ent !nder the i'pression that yo! ere (linging &o'&s a&o!t"#

‘I( the idiot g!ide had d!cked it o!ld ha5e &een all right"# retorted /oey.‘o as he to kno yo! ere going to thro (loers a&o!t in that ay8 $( co!rse% i(

he#d realised% I dare say he o!ld ha5e d!cked% and then +!ardian o!ld ha5e &eensa5ed an e*pensi5e po!r-&oire" I( yo! ant to p!t (loers on 4apoleon#s to'& to-day%yo! '!st &e content ith p!shing the' thro!gh the railings as (ar as yo! can. ell% Ithink e#5e seen e5erything here% so e 'ay as ell go to the Cha'ps-Elyses. e#ll

take a &!s there. Then e#ll go !p it a little ay% and get another &!s to the 0ont2le*andre. Fro' there% it#s easy to get to the In5alides. hen yo!#5e done orship atthe shrine% yo! to% e#ll ha5e d<e!ner% and a(ter that% e go to the 6o!5re &y theMtro.#

‘2nd the opera to-night%# s!pple'ented /oey. ‘ $h% topping"#Madge nodded. Mr Cochrane had gi5en her an additional che7!e% ith the re7!est

that she o!ld take +ri;el a&o!t as '!ch as possi&le. e as not a de5oted (ather% &!tso'e strange (eeling o( regret that he 'eant so little to his only child had pro'pted hi'to do this. The 'oney as a'ple% and he had &idden her take her yo!nger sister asell.

‘Children alays en<oy that sort o( thing &etter hen so'eone o( their on age isith the'%# he had said. ‘0lease incl!de Miss /oey in the party.#

‘2re e really going to the opera8# asked +ri;el incred!lo!sly.‘3es. It#s 6a BohH'e to-night. I don#t kno ho '!ch o( it yo!#ll !nderstand% &!t the

'!sic is lo5ely%# replied Madge% as they &oarded a &!s. ‘ 6ook o!t o( the indo% +ri;el.e#re co'ing to the 0lace de la Concorde% here the g!illotine stood d!ring the 9eigno( Terror.#

/oey% the insatia&le reader% '!r'!red so(tly% ‘Sydney Carton"# B!t +ri;el#s knoledgeo( the French 9e5ol!tion as con(ined to that gained (ro' the Scarlet 0i'pernel stories%and hen% as they reached the (a'o!s space% the yo!nger girl so(tly 7!oted the closingsentences (ro' 2 Tale o( To Cities% she paid no heed. The Cha'ps-Elyses pleased her(ar 'ore ith their &!stle and li(e. Madge ch!ckled so(tly to hersel( as she alked&eteen the'. The o!tlook o( the to children as so totally di((erent. /oey alays sa

0aris thro!gh a rose-'ist o( history and legend +ri;el% no that her (irst onder aso5er% so o&5io!sly took all that side o( it (or granted% and de5oted hersel( to its li(e and

10




people. 2t the ch!rch o( the In5alides she did ro!se to enth!sias' o5er 4apoleon &!t itas only te'porary% and she stared at /oey hen that (aith(!l de5otee p!shed a (esprays o( lilies o( the 5alley &eteen the railings that s!rro!nd the (a'o!s E'peror#sto'&.

2(ter 6es In5alides% they had d<e!ner at one o( the 'any resta!rants% and then tookthe Mtro to the 6o!5re% hich &ored that little 0hilistine% +ri;el% al'ost to tears. Theopera% hoe5er%% as an entire s!ccess% Tr!e% neither o( the children !nderstood '!cho( the story% &!t the e*7!isite '!sic appealed to &oth% and e5en 'atter-o(-(act +ri;el(elt a l!'p co'e into her throat hen Mi'i died. The ne*t day as de5oted to a trip !pthe ri5er to St Clo!d and S5res% hich pleased Miss Cochrane (ar 'ore than the6o!5re.

‘I like to see things done%# she e*plained to /oey. ‘$( co!rse% pict!res and stat!es areall right% &!t they#re not hal( so interesting as seeing people do things no. 2nd I thinkSt Clo!d is a(!lly <olly" I ish e#d &een a&le to go !p the Ei((el Toer% tho!gh.#

‘3o!#5e done 7!ite eno!gh (or to-day%# declared Madge% ith an an*io!s eye on /oey#shite (ace. ‘To-'orro e#ll go o!t to ersailles% and then on Monday e '!st &egetting on. I#' going to send yo! to &ed hen e get &ack% /oey. 3o! look done"#

‘I#' all right%# replied /o. 4othing o!ld ha5e ind!ced her to on that her &ack and

head ere aching% and that &ed as the one thing (or hich she as longing. oe5er%her sister had not knon her (or tel5e years itho!t learning so'ething a&o!t her%and to &ed she ent as soon as they reached their hotel.

$n the ne*t day they ent to ersailles% and spent long% happy ho!rs anderinga&o!t that 'agni(icent e*tra5agance o( 6o!is JI. The gardens (illed the' ithad'iration% and +ri;el thrilled at seeing the all o( Mirrors% here the 0eace Treaty hadended the +reat ar. Fro' there% they ent on to the Trianons% ith their daintyarti(iciality% here poor Marie 2ntoinette and her co!rt ladies had played at &eing'ilk'aids and shepherdesses clad in (loered silks% hile% less than tenty 'iles aay%the 0aris 'o& as &eginning to cry alo!d (or &read. The hole place as peopled ithgay% e*7!isite ghosts (or &oth Madge and /o% and e5en +ri;el &eca'e in(ected &y the'%and hal( e*pected to see so'e hooped and podered lady% ith raised (an and &rilliant

eyes% &eckon to her (ro' &ehind one o( the stat!es. Madge as ise eno!gh to takethe' &ack early% a(ter they had seen the (a'o!s (o!ntains playing% and the ne*t dayas spent in 5isiting 4otre Da'e and looking at the shops.

+ri;el as an*io!s to &!y nearly e5erything she sa% &!t Madge kept a tight rein onher. She o!ld only allo her to change a little o( her 'oney into (rancs% and then sheinsisted that choice '!st &e care(!lly 'ade. Finally% at the 6o!5re a lace collar aschosen (or Cook se5eral postcards ere &o!ght and sent o(( then% at /o#s s!ggestion%they ent to the 6!*e'&o!rg +ardens% hich lay &athed in 2pril s!nshine. +ri;el asdeeply interested in the French children ho ro'ped a&o!t there% care(!lly atched &y'others and n!rses. The carro!sel% ith its lions and elephants% and gay little h!rdy-g!rdy% took her (ancy co'pletely% and she insisted on ha5ing se5eral ‘goes%# rather tothe a'!se'ent o( /o% ho strayed o(( to the (o!ntain% here &are-legged and crop-haired s'all &oys ere sailing their &oats to a general chor!s o(% ‘!el est &ea!"# ‘2h%'on Die!"# ‘C#est &ien 7!e possi&le"# ‘ole!r" C#est le 'ien"# 2nd% 'ore than once%‘Fer'es le &ec% toi"#

ere Madge and +ri;el (o!nd her hen they ca'e a little later% harang!ing to s'all%&eildered-looking &oys in a polyglot 'i*t!re o( French and English.

‘hat on earth are yo! doing8# de'anded her sister.‘Telling the' to (ight (air%# responded /o cal'ly. ‘ Their &oats got 'i*ed !p% and they

ent (or each other. That one%# coolly pointing% ‘tried to scratch the other% and he kickedhi'. I p!lled the' apart% and as <!st telling the' not to scrap like girls% hen yo!ca'e"#

The to little &oys had &een staring at her ith horrid (ascination. 4o% as she

reached the end o( her e*planation% they s!ddenly gra&&ed each other#s hands and%taking to their heels% (led.

11




‘3o!#5e scared the'"# la!ghed +ri;el. ‘$h% /oey% I think it#s lo5ely" I ca!ght the ring(i5e ti'es% and the 'an said it as s!per&"#

‘ell% no let#s ha5e d<e!ner# s!ggested Madge. ‘ I#' h!ngry% i( yo! aren#t.#D<e!ner o5er% they strolled along to the Cha'ps-Elyses% and <oined in the 'erry

throng ro!nd ‘+!ignol%# hich is a French 5ersion o( 0!nch and /!dy. 2(ter that% they'et the old o'an ho sells toy &alloons and ;eppelins% and nothing o!ld do &!t thatthey '!st each ha5e one. Tea they had at a pâtisserie% here +ri;el re<oiced once 'orein the delight(!l c!sto' hich ordains that each c!sto'er shall take a plate and (ork tothe co!nter and help hi'sel( to delicio!s sandiches and cakes &e(ore settling don.

‘So '!ch 'ore sensi&le than English shops%# she said.# They alays &ring the thingsyo! don#t ant))#

‘6ike horrid spongy cakes ith &!tter-icing"# chi'ed in /o. ‘I loathe the'" 4o clairs%I co!ld go on eating (or e5er"#

‘2nd &ea!ti(!lly sick yo! o!ld &e%# said Madge (ir'ly. ‘4o% yo! don#t% /oey% 'y child"9e'e'&er% o!r train lea5es at nine. Finished8 6e co'ptoir% s#il 5o!s plaKt.# This last tothe pretty aitress ho stood near. 2(ter that% they ret!rned to their hotel to pack !pand ha5e dinner% and hal(-past eight sa the' at the +are de l#Est% cli'&ing into the0aris-ien train e*press.

‘ere start o!r 2!strian ad5ent!res%# o&ser5ed /o% as she c!rled hersel( !pco'(orta&ly in a corner. ‘3o! can#t co!nt 0aris"#‘Can#t yo!8 I do"# replied +ri;el. ‘It#s all &een a&sol!tely thrilling% so (ar"#‘+o to sleep and don#t talk%# ordered Miss Bettany. ‘e shall &e in Sit;erland% I hope%

hen yo! ake to-'orro.#‘Sit;erland8# +ri;el sat &olt !pright in her e*cite'ent.‘3es e reach Basle a&o!t si* in the 'orning. 4o% &e 7!iet"#2nd she re(!sed to say another ord or to let the' talk% so they s!&sided% and &e(ore

long all three ere (ast asleep% hile the great train h!rled onards thro!gh thedarkness.

Chapter L.2!stria at 6ast"

IT as hal(-past se5en on the ednesday e5ening hen the ienna e*pressslackened speed &e(ore entering the Inns&r=ck Station. By this ti'e +ri;el as eary o(the train% hile /o#s tong!e had long ceased agging% and she lay in her corner o( thecarriage ga;ing drea'ily o!t at the darkening landscape.

‘e#re only an ho!r late%# o&ser5ed Madge% as she collected their &elongingstogether. ‘e#5e 'issed the last train o( the 'o!ntain railay% so e#ll ha5e to go to anhotel so'ehere (or the night.#

‘I shan#t &e sorry%# replied +ri;el decidedly. ‘ill Mr Bettany 'eet !s% or shall e ha5eto (ish (or o!rsel5es8#

‘Dick ill 'eet !s all right%# said /o% ro!sing hersel( !p to anser this 7!estion. ‘hereshall e p!t !p% Madge)at the E!rope8#

‘I s!ppose so%# replied her sister. ‘$r there#s the >reide% only it#s (arther aay.#‘I hope it#s so'ehere near%# ret!rned /o earily% ‘I sho!ld like to ha5e a &ath and go

to &ed" ello% e#re slackening"#‘There#s Dick"# e*clai'ed Madge% as she h!ng o!t o( the indo. B!t Dick had seen

her% and as already r!nning along &y the side o( the carriage% sho!ting a cheerygreeting to the'.

‘Sho5e the cases thro!gh the indo"# he called% as the train stopped. ‘B!stle thekids o!t" I#5e got a porter here" 9oo's &ooked at the E!rope"#

,nder the in(l!ence o( his s!ggestions Madge &!ndled o!t their &elongings% and (i5e

'in!tes later they ere all on the plat(or' 'aking (or the e*it% hile a short% good-nat!red-looking Tyrolean (olloed the' ith the s!it-cases and r!gs. Dick as an

12




e*perienced tra5eller% and &oth he and Madge spoke +er'an (l!ently% so they eresoon past the &arrier and o!t into the &ig s7!are% here carriages intended (or tohorses% &!t dran &y one only% ere aiting (or hire% hile the coach'en% pict!res7!eeno!gh (ig!res in their short open <ackets% (!ll skirts% and little green Tyrolese hats iththe ine5ita&le (eather at the &ack% leaned !p against the heels% sho!ting cha(( to eachother% or s'oking their long china-&oled pipes. Beyond% they co!ld see the great sno-capped 'o!ntains toering !p on all sides% hile ro!nd the' thronged to-headed%grey-eyed children% &egging (or >rnen ith a persistence hich s!ddenly died aay asDick addressed the' ith a ready (lo o( lang!age.

‘2(!l little &eggars"# he said as they dispersed. ‘They#re nearly as &ad as the nati5esat 0ort Said. Tired% +ri;el8 ere#s o!r hotel nice and handy (or the station% yo! see" 3o!kids had &etter ha5e so'ething to eat% and then hop it to &ed. 0lenty o( ti'e to seethings in the 'orning.#

‘Is e5erything all right at the Châlet8# asked Madge% as they entered the &ig hotel.‘as Made'oiselle#s co!sin arri5ed8 I#5e got another p!pil)an 2'erican called E5adne6annis. She#s co'ing in Septe'&er.#

‘+ood (or yo!%# replied her &rother. ‘3es% e5erything#s all right% and the kid)Si'one%her na'e is)arri5ed Friday o( last eek. Made'oiselle stayed don here till to-day%

and sent !p the things &y rail. I got the place scr!&&ed o!t% and dear old Fra! 0(ei(enca'e along% and her eldest girl% and e#5e got it 7!ite shipshape. There#s a &ig roo'they had &!ilt on (or a Speisesaal% and e#5e t!rned that into a classroo'. I knocked !pso'e shel5es% and e#5e got the &ooks !p. To little roo's e#5e gi5en to yo! andMade'oiselle% and a h!ge lo(t a((air e#5e p!t the kids# &eds in. It holds eight easily% soyo!#d &etter &!ck !p and get (o!r 'ore. There#s a landing-stage <!st opposite% and theater#s 7!ite shallo. $ld Bra!n at the >ron 0rin; >arl says yo! can &athe (ro' there inthe s!''er. 4o I#ll get yo!r keys% and then yo! can go and &ea!ti(y yo!rsel5es hile Iorder so'e (ood (or yo!. Co'e don to the Speisesaal hen yo! are ready.#

‘hat#s a Speisesaal8# asked +ri;el% as they ent !p in the li(t.‘It#s +er'an (or dining-roo'%# e*plained Madge. ‘ere e are" 4o &!ck !p% yo! to%

and 'ake yo!rsel5es tidy% and then co'e and tap at 'y door.#

They hastened <oyo!sly% and in a 'ar5ello!sly short ti'e they ere ready. Then they ent don to the Speisesaal% here they (o!nd Dick and a delight(!l 'eal

aaiting the'% together ith a 'ost o&se7!io!s aiter.‘4othing really e*citing%# said Dick. ‘$nly >al&s&raten)all right% +ri;el" That#s +er'an

(or roast 5eal")and >arto((eln% otherise sp!ds% and 2p(elntorte% hich isn#t apple-tart%altho!gh it so!nds like it.#

‘hat is it% then8# +ri;el anted to kno.‘Sort o( cake ith cooked apples on it%# said /o si(tly. ‘$h% it is nice to ha5e the (!nny

things again" I think (oreign (ood is '!ch 'ore interesting than. English" M!st e reallygo to &ed a(ter s!pper8 I don#t ant to in the least.#

‘It#ll &e nine o#clock &e(ore yo!#re settled%# retorted her &rother. ‘3o! can trot ro!ndInns&r=ck to-'orro i( yo!#re so keen" It on#t r!n aay in the night% yo! kno.#

‘hen do e go !p to Tiern See8# asked +ri;el.‘4ot till the hal(-past se5en train to-'orro e5ening%# replied Madge. ‘There are one

or to things I ant to get% and yo! really '!st see a little o( Inns&r=ck hile yo! arehere. e ill go to the Ferdinande!' M!se!' and the o( >irche% and yo! '!st seethe old ho!se ith the golden roo(.#

‘Is it really gold8 ‘ asked +ri;el in aestr!ck tones.‘$h dear no" 2nd it is really <!st the roo( o( the &alcony to a indo. B!t it#s 5ery

(a'o!s% and yo! o!ght to see it.#‘Then there#s the Mariatheresien Strasse ith its sagger shops%# chi'ed in Dick%

‘and the great Tri!'phal 2rch. 2nd yo! '!st go don and ha5e a look at the Inn. 3o!#llha5e plenty to do to-'orro% I can ass!re yo!. I#ll go !p d!ring the 'orning% Madge%

and take the cases% then yo! and the kids can co'e on later.#

13




E5eryone agreed to this progra''e% and /o and +ri;el ent o(( to &ed 7!ite happily%hile their elders took a stroll !p to the little station% here the electric railay% hich isknon as the St!&ai Bahn% &egins.

‘3o! o!ght to take the kids !p here so'e day%# o&ser5ed Dick.‘So'e day%# agreed Madge ‘&!t do re'e'&er that I#' here to start a school in the

(irst place"#‘+eography%# he said shortly% ith a tinkle in his eye. ‘ 3o! 'ight 'ake a eek-end

e*pedition o( it in the s!''er and take the' to the edges o( the St!&ai +lacier% 3o!co!ld get roo's in F!lp'es% and the St!&ai 5alley is lo5ely.#

‘I kno%# said Madge% sighing. ‘It all is" B!t oh% Dick" S!pposing it isn#t a s!ccess"S!pposing I (ail"#

‘Tosh"# he said easily. ‘3o! on#t (ail" 3o!#5e too '!ch grit (or that. $ther people.'ight &!t yo!#ll go on" B!ck !p% old thing"#

‘B!t I#' so yo!ng%# she said) ‘only tenty-(o!r% Dick"#e ga5e her ar' a reass!ring s7!ee;e.‘3o!#ll p!ll thro!gh all right" >eep yo!r hair on% old girl" e#d &etter &e getting &ack

no. 3o!#re tired% and o!ght to &e in &ed.#‘3es% I a'%# acknoledged Madge. ‘$h% Dick% I shall &e so thank(!l to get to o!r on

ho!se" I '!st say it so!nds attracti5e. hat is little Si'one like8#‘Didn#t see '!ch o( her%# he replied. ‘She str!ck 'e as <olly 7!iet. ery dark% o(co!rse not a &it pretty like that +ri;el kid.#

‘3es% +ri;el ill &e lo5ely hen she#s gron-!p%# said his sister. ‘ I sho!ld think she#scle5er% too. $h% Dick% she and /o ere too (!nny (or anything in 0aris" /oey as drea'ingit all into history% and +ri;el is so a&sol!tely 'atter o( (act. She si'ply co!ldn#t!nderstand /oey and her drea'-pict!res.#

‘/olly good <o&%# said Dick a!sterely. ‘/o drea's (ar too '!ch%#‘ell% she hasn#t had '!ch chance to do anything else%# replied Madge. ‘0erhaps

+ri;el and Si'one% and E5adne hen she co'es% ill 'ake her di((erent.#‘$h% she#ll &e &etter in the 'o!ntains%# as his anser. ‘al( the tro!&le has &een her

health. She#s &etter already% I think% e5en tho!gh she#s tired.#

‘It can rain at Tiern See%# Madge re'inded hi'.‘I kno that. B!t she#ll ha5e co'panions o( her on age. 2nd don#t yo! orry% 'y

chicken" E5erything#s going grandly"#ith this ass!rance the s!&<ect as dropped% and presently they reached the hotel%

and Madge retired to &ed. The ne*t day as spent in shopping and sight-seeing. Dick le(t the' early in the day%

and ent !p to Tiern See ith the cases and the r!gs% hile the three girls e*plored thecity to their hearts# content. +ri;el% 7!ick to learn% as already picking !p phrases in+er'an% and she took the greatest delight in practising the'. /o% hose +er'an had&een (l!ent in the past% (o!nd it co'ing &ack to her% e5en as her French had &eg!n todo in 0aris. She instr!cted her (riend as they ent a&o!t% and e5ent!ally po!red so'!ch in(or'ation into her% that it as s'all onder that +ri;el &eca'e '!ddled. Theres!lt as a 'istake that the Bettanys re'e'&ered against her (or long eno!gh.

Madge had decided to take &oth children to ha5e their hair sha'pooed &e(ore going!p to the lake. She re'e'&ered% (ro' their last so<o!rn in the Tyrol% a 5ery goodhairdresser#s shop in the M!se!' Strasse% and thither she took the'. The hairdresserhad a little English% &!t not '!ch. hen the sha'pooing as o5er% he asked the'hether the (inal rinsing sho!ld &e o( hot or cold ater. The +er'an (or ‘ hot ater# is‘heisses asser.# /o ca'e thro!gh the ordeal all right% de'anding a l!kear' rinsing(or the last. 4ot so +ri;el. She (orgot hat the +er'an (or ‘cold# as% &!t re'e'&ered%as she i'agined% the ord (or ‘ hot.# The te'ptation to e*hi&it her knoledge o( hislang!age as too great to &e resisted% and she red!ced the 'an to horri(ied silence%and the Bettany girls to helpless la!ghter% &y &oldly de'anding ‘heiliges asser.# #

It as the e*pression o( o!trage on err 2lphen#s (ace as '!ch as anything thatrendered it i'possi&le (or Madge to do anything &!t choke ildly hile he hi'sel(% a

14




'ost de5o!t Catholic% decided that this as only one 'ore e*a'ple o( the 'adness o(the English. It str!ck hi' as pro(ane in the e*tre'e that anyone sho!ld de'and to ha5eher hair rinsed ith holy ater. Still% do!&tless these poor creat!res kne no &etter.ith a resigned e*pression and o!tspread hands% he care(!lly e*plained that it asi'possi&le to gi5e her hat she asked. e ass!red her. hoe5er% that he o!ld p!tso'e o( his 5ery &est toilet preparations into hat as !sed i( she o!ld only sayhether she o!ld ha5e it hot or cold% or% like the other Fr:!lein% l!kear'.

$( all this harang!e% hich as po!red (orth at top speed% +ri;el !nderstood not oneord. Finally Madge% choking &ack her la!ghter ith great di((ic!lty% ca'e to the resc!e%and the sha'poo as (inished.

‘B!t I don#t see hat there as to giggle at%# o&ser5ed +ri;el to /oey hen they had(inally le(t the shop. ‘2nd hy did that 'an get so (!ssy hen I asked (or hot rinsingater8 Did he think I sho!ld catch cold a(ter it8 I anted a cold rinse% as a 'atter o((act% &!t I co!ldn#t re'e'&er the ord (or it% so I asked (or hot.#

‘That#s <!st hat yo! didn#t do%# /oey in(or'ed her sole'nly. ‘3o!#5e shocked poorerr 2lphen 'ost horri&ly% and I#' not s!rprised" I only onder he (inished yo! at all"#

‘B!t hy8 hat did I do8 ‘ de'anded the &eildered +ri;el.‘$h% yo! only asked (or a (inal rinsing o( holy ater" 2nd he a Catholic)at least I

s!ppose so"#‘B!t I only said hat yo! told 'e%# protested +ri;el.‘They#re rather alike in so!nd%# ad'itted /oey. ‘ The &eginnings are the sa'e anyho.

I onder i( he#s got o5er it yet8#2t (irst% +ri;el as inclined to acc!se her (riend o( ‘p!lling her leg%# &!t hen she

(inally realised that the 'istake as her on% she cheer(!lly <oined in the la!gh againsthersel(.

‘ell% anyho% that#s one thing I sha#n#t (orget%# she said% as they 'ade their ay tothe station. ‘ I co!ldn#t i( I tried a(ter that"#

‘I don#t &elie5e yo! co!ld%# agreed /o-Madge as &!ying their tickets to Sp:rt;. ‘I(yo!#d insisted% I onder i( he o!ld ha5e tried to get so'e (or yo!" They#re a(!llyo&liging here% yo! kno. !llo% Madge" +ot the' all right8 Doesn#t it (eel grand to co!nt

in h!ndreds and tho!sands8#‘4o% rather a n!isance%# replied her sister. ‘4o co'e along. $!r train is o5er here.

a5e yo! got those &ooks sa(e% /oey8# The <o!rney (ro' Inns&r=ck to Sp:rt; is o( no partic!lar interest% ith the one

e*ception o( the old-orld ton o( all% (a'o!s (or its salt 'ines no% tho!gh in oldendays it had a great rep!tation as the centre o( plots and ars. B!t the little 'o!ntainrailay% hich carries yo! !p to a height o( three tho!sand (eet and 'ore a&o5e thesea-le5el% is so'ething to re'e'&er. igher and higher they cli'&ed% no and thenstopping at a tiny ayside station% till at last they reached the great 2lp% or rather 2l'%as they are called in the Tyrol% and there &e(ore the'% dark% &ea!ti(!l% and clear as a'irror% spread the Tiern See% ith its three tiny ha'lets and to little 5illages ro!nd itsshores% and toering ro!nd on all sides the 'ighty li'estone crags and peaks o( the'o!ntains.

The railay ter'in!s is knon as Seespit;% and here the stea'er as aiting (or thepassengers. Dick as there too% ready to help ith the parcels.

‘It#s a <olly alk ro!nd the lake%# he said% ‘&!t to-night I think e#ll take the stea'er.It#s a&o!t a 7!arter o( a 'ile nearer (ro' the Briesa! landing-stage than it is (ro' here%and I kno yo!#re all tired.#

The little stea'er aited ten 'in!tes% then her histle &le% and o(( she ent) (irstto B!cha! at the opposite side o( the lake% and then to Briesa!% here they ereelco'ed &y good Fra! 0(ei(en% ho al'ost ept (or <oy at &eholding Madge and /oeyonce 'ore. Fro' the landing-stage to the Châlet as a good ten 'in!tes# alk% andthen they sa the elco'ing lights% and heard Made'oiselle#s ar' French greeting.

They ere at the Châlet School at last.

15




Chapter N. The Châlet School $pens.

By degrees they settled don in the Châlet. The end o( 2pril (o!nd the' ready to&egin ork. The h!ge roo'% hich had &een &!ilt to acco''odate eighty people at'eals% had &een partitioned o(( into to good - si;ed classroo's. 2 third ne*t to the'had &een 'ade o( a s'all roo' hich had &een !sed as a lo!nge)the (or'er oner o(the Châlet had tried to r!n it as a se'i-resta!rant. 2nother one% on the opposite side o(the door% had &een t!rned into a sitting-roo'% sacred to Madge and Made'oiselle.

There ere no carpets on the (loors% &!t they ere &ro!ght to a (ine polish ith&eesa* and hard r!&&ing. The (!rnit!re% ith the e*ception o( the schoolroo'appoint'ents% as all old. There as &!t little as yet Miss Bettany intended &!yinghere and there% and ha5ing it as good as 'ight &e. In the long kitchen at the &ack o( theho!se Marie 0(ei(en reigned% ith a yo!nger sister and a co!sin to help her% hileBrother ans cleaned shoes and kni5es% and attended to the h!ge porcelain sto5eshich ar'ed the place thro!gho!t. Dick Bettany#s (!rlo!gh as !p on AOth 2pril% andhe had to say ‘good-&ye# to the'% &e(ore getting the 0aris e*press% since he intended

<oining the &oat at Marseilles. 2ct!al schoolork o!ld start on the (olloing Monday%and Madge as 5ery thrilled o5er that% (or% in addition to /oey% +ri;el% and Si'one% shehad (o!r day-p!pils hose parents li5ed ro!nd a&o!t% &eca!se li5ing as cheaper in the'o!ntains than in the ton. itherto the girls had gone into Inns&r=ck &!t no that theChâlet School as starting at Briesa!% it as &oth easier and less e*pensi5e to sendthe' there. So they o!ld &egin ith a 5ery (air n!'&er.

‘2nd o( co!rse there are heaps o( s!''er 5isitors%# said Miss Bettany hen she asdisc!ssing it ith Made'oiselle. ‘hen they see ho ell o!r school is r!n% I#' in hopesthat they ill send their girls to !s.#

/oey and +ri;el ere <!st as thrilled as she as. Si'one% tho!gh 7!ite nice% as 5eryshy and 7!iet% and% since she had &een &ro!ght !p 5ery properly% as apt to &e shockedat the to'&oyishness o( her co'panions.

‘Besides%# as /oey p!t it% ‘i( there are 'ore o( !s% e shall &e a&le to ha5e 'orega'es.#

So% hen Monday ca'e% they ere all agog to 'eet the strangers.School &egan at nine-thirty% hen a little &ody o( schoolgirls ere to &e seen co'ing

along the lake road% carrying &ooks and chattering.‘There they are" ‘cried /oey (ro' her 5antage-point at the indo. Then a 'in!te

later% in a'a;ed tones% she added% ‘ I tho!ght Madge)'y sister% I 'ean)said thereere only (o!r"#

‘So she did%# replied +ri;el% <oining her.‘ell% there#s si* there anyho% and one#s 7!ite a tiny one"#‘6et#s go don and 'eet the'%# s!ggested +ri;el.‘+ood sche'e" Co'e along% Si'one"#Si'one (olloed the' sloly as they clattered gaily don the ooden stairs and o!t

on to the path. /oey% ho did not kno hat shyness 'eant% danced gaily along in (ront.2lready the p!re 'o!ntain air as ha5ing its e((ect on her% and a (aint colo!r tinged herhite cheeks. She ran !p to the neco'ers% holding o!t her hand in eager elco'e.

‘ello"# she said. ‘I#' /o Bettany% and I kno yo! are co'ing to the Châlet School. Dotell 'e yo!r na'es% on#t yo!8 2nd hy% there#s si* o( yo!% hen e only e*pected(o!r.#

The girls th!s addressed pa!sed and looked at each other. Then one% ho aso&5io!sly the eldest% ca'e (orard and took /o#s hand.

‘o do yo! do8# she said in care(!l English. ‘3o! are Fr:!lein Bettany#s sister% areyo! not8 I a' +isela Marani% and these are +ertr!d Stein&r=cke% Bernhilda and Frieda

Mensch% Bette 9incini% and 'y yo!nger sister Maria.#

16




‘These are +ri;el Cochrane and Si'one 6eco!tier%# said /oey% a5ing her hand in theirdirection% hile she looked eagerly at the'.

The to Maranis and Bette 9incini ere slight% grace(!l girls +isela and Maria 5erydark Bette% &ron% ith a5y &ron hair% &ron eyes% and a ar' &ron skin. +ertr!das &ron-haired% grey-eyed% and 5ery pretty% and the to Mensches ere o( the (air+er'an type. They ere all &eteen the ages o( tel5e and si*teen% ith the e*ceptiono( Maria% ho as o&5io!sly not 'ore than nine. Seeing /o#s eyes (asten on her s'allsister% +isela apologetically e*plained her presence a'ongst the'% and also +ertr!d#s.

‘Ma''a tho!ght that perhaps Fr:!lein) ah% &!t yo! say ?Mees%? do yo! not8)Bettany o!ld &e so kind as to per'it Maria to co'e also. She is yo!nger than e are%&!t it o!ld &e d!ll (or her at ho'e% and she is cle5er. 2nd Fra! Stein&r=cke has longanted to send +ertr!d to an English school% so she is ith !s% and her 'other illco'e hersel( to e*plain.#

‘ell% co'e in and take yo!r things o((%# said /oey% ondering to hersel( ho Madgeo!ld take it. ‘This ay in. This is o!r cloakroo'. a5e yo! &ro!ght slippers to change89ighto" e sha#n#t do '!ch in the ay o( lessons to-day% yo! kno" /!st get to knohat e kno% and a&o!t &ooks% and so on. 3o!#re the oldest% aren#t yo!% +isela8#

‘3es% I ha5e si*teen years%# replied +isela% ‘and Bernhilda is ne*t.#

Bernhilda s'iled at /oey% &!t she as o&5io!sly too shy to say anything <!st atpresent. She and Frieda rather re'inded /oey o( to dolls ith their (air hair% &l!e eyes%and rosy (aces. She kne% &eca!se Madge had told her% that Bernhilda as (i(teen andFrieda tel5e. Bette looked a&o!t (o!rteen and a hal(% and +ertr!d as e5idently '!chthe sa'e age. hen they had all changed% she led the' into the (irst o( the &igschoolroo's% hither +ri;el and Si'one had already gone.

‘4o e#re all here%# she said. ‘ Shall e sit don8 I e*pect 'y sister andMade'oiselle ill &e here presently.#

They sorted the'sel5es o!t% +isela% +ertr!d% and Bernhilda taking three desks at the&ack% hile Bette% +ri;el% and hersel( sat in the ne*t ro% and Frieda% Si'one% and littleMaria occ!pied the (ront ro. There as a 'in!te#s silence. Then ca'e the so!nd o(light% si(t (ootsteps% and a 'o'ent later Madge entered the roo'% head ell !p%

altho!gh her heart as &eating rather 7!ickly. She elco'ed the' all ith a pretty% shydignity% listened to +isela#s e*planation o( +ertr!d and Maria% and ass!red her she as5ery pleased to ha5e the'% and then t!rned her attention to the &!siness o( the day.0rayers ere so'ething o( a di((ic!lty% since all the Tyrolese girls% and also Si'one%ere 9o'an Catholics% hile she and /oey and +ri;el ere Ch!rch o( England. For thepresent% she sol5ed it &y a short reading (ro' Tho'as G >e'pis% and the 6ord#s 0rayersaid in 6atin. ‘B!t I '!st h!rry !p and decide hat e are going to do a&o!t it%# shetho!ght. ‘I '!st disc!ss it ith Made'oiselle.#

0rayers ere (olloed &y the orking o( so'e e*a'% 7!estions &y all the girls% sothat she 'ight ha5e so'e idea as to ho to arrange the'. 2s all lessons% sa5e Frenchand +er'an% ere to &e taken in English% she (o!nd the (oreign girls ork rather 'oresloly than o!ld otherise ha5e &een the case% and little Maria did nothing at all. Thearith'etic as not done in the ays to hich she as acc!sto'ed% and there ere'any 7!aint t!rns o( speech in the short English co'positions &!t% on the other hand%&oth /oey and +ri;el rather ca'e to grie( o5er the French% hile Si'one#s +er'an asdread(!l% and +ri;el#s orse. Finally% a(ter '!ch consideration% she decided to ork allo( the'% sa5e Si'one% Maria% and Frieda% together in English s!&<ects. Maria% /oey%+ri;el% and Bette o!ld (or' one French class% hile the others o!ld 'ake anotherand (or +er'an% +ri;el and Si'one o!ld ha5e to &e specially coached. It as alsoo&5io!s that she '!st get another assistant as soon as possi&le. ‘e are groing7!ickly%# she '!sed. ‘I only hope it contin!es.#

2t tel5e o#clock she (inished ork (or the 'orning% and &idding the Tyroleans to&ring so'e seing (or the a(ternoon% dis'issed the' (or to ho!rs% d!ring hich she

sa that the children had their dinner% insisted on /o#s practising (or an ho!r% and%(inally% entertained Fra! Stein&r=cke% a sto!t% cheery lady% ho in(or'ed her that all

17




Tiern See as talking a&o!t her% and ho prophesied that% in the s!''er at least% sheo!ld ha5e 7!ite a large n!'&er o( p!pils.

2t hal(-past to p!nct!ally all the girls ere settled in their places again% each ithso'e seing% and Made'oiselle took charge. ere% &oth /o and +ri;el ca'e o(( &adly%since &oth hated their needles% and e5en little Maria as 'ore e*pert than they ere%hile +isela as doing so'e onder(!l e'&roidery destined (or her on !nderclothes.She sat ith +ri;el% and a(ter atching that yo!ng lady#s antics (or a (e 'in!tes% p!tdon her on ork% and took the '!ch-a&!sed pocket-handkerchie( the English girlas s!pposed to &e he''ing.

‘B!t yo! sho!ld hold it so%# she said in her care(!l English. ‘2nd yo!r needle)it sticks.ere is another no e ill try once 'ore% please"#

Th!s enco!raged% +ri;el &egan again% ith slightly &etter res!lts.‘I hate seing%# she said con(identially to her g!ide% ho had taken !p her on ork

again. ‘I don#t see hy e sho!ld ha5e to (ag like this hen there are seing-'achinesthat do the ork tice as 7!ickly"#

‘B!t yo! o!ld ish to kno ho to 'ake the stitches8# replied +isela.+ri;el tossed her hair ith an i'pish grin. ‘4o (ear%# she said. Then% ith a s!dden

change o( s!&<ect% she ent onP ‘I onder ho ill &e appointed ead +irl8)the (irst

ead +irl o( the Châlet School"#‘2h% yes I ha5e read o( the ead +irl in yo!r English school-stories%# replied +iselapleasantly. ‘2nd also 0re(ects.#

‘3es. I kno Miss Bettany 'eans to ha5e this e*actly like an English school% so Ie*pect e shall ha5e the' too.# Then she &egan to giggle. ‘9ather eird to ha5e0re(ects hen there are only nine o( !s"#

‘B!t soon there ill &e 'ore%# o&ser5ed Bette 9incini% ho !p till then had orked insilence on +isela#s other side. ‘Ma''a said at Mittagessen))#

‘? Dinner%? # corrected +isela.‘2h% yes% dinner)that already 'any o( o!r (riends are talking a&o!t !s% and she

'akes no do!&t that 'any 'ore girls ill co'e.#‘o <olly"# co''ented +ri;el. ‘I like a &ig school. Do yo! ha5e &ig schools in

Inns&r=ck8#‘B!t yes. The p!&lic schools are 5ery large. I did not go to the' +isela and Maria and

I had a Ma'sell. B!t o!r Ma'sell has gone aay to &e 'arried% so Ma''a is 5erypleased (or 'e to co'e here.#

‘Bernhilda and Frieda ent to the p!&lic school%# o&ser5ed +isela% ‘&!t they% too% arepleased to lea5e it. My (ather says that the English schools are de(icient in ed!cation%&!t they gi5e girls a 'ore healthy li(e% and err Mensch agrees ith hi'. There areothers% too% ho think the sa'e% so% as Bette has said% e shall% itho!t do!&t% soon&eco'e a large school.#

‘B!t o!r schools aren#t de(icient in ed!cation" ‘ said +ri;el% (iring !p. ‘3o! get a <ollygood ed!cation at the igh Schools"#

‘B!t yo! ha5e s!ch a short period in school%# ret!rned Bette. ‘3o! ork (or no 'orethan (i5e or si* ho!rs. 4o e &egin at eight o#clock in the 'orning and ork till tel5e.

Then e &egin again at thirteen and go on (or another (o!r ho!rs.#‘o ghastly"# said +ri;el sincerely. ‘2l'ost as &ad as +er'any"#‘B!t in +er'any% so 'y co!sin 2'alie has told 'e% they ork e5en harder than that.

2nd they ha5e no ga'es as yo! ha5e.#‘ell% e certainly sha#n#t ork like that%# replied +ri;el decidedly. ‘I#' s!re Miss

Bettany o!ld ne5er hear o( it"#‘4o she is English%# agreed +isela.2t (o!r o#clock the co''and ca'e to (old !p the ork% and then the si* day-girls got

ready (or their alk ho'e. The Maranis and +ertr!d li5ed at Tortesald% a s'all 5illagea&o!t tenty 'in!tes# alk (ro' Seespit;% and the Mensches ere at Seespit; +astha!s

(or the s!''er% hile Bette had to go all the ay to B!cha!. 2s it as a (ine day% she'eant to alk instead o( taking the stea'er% and +ri;el and /o 5ol!nteered to

18




acco'pany the' to the Seespit; landing)Si'one had disappeared as soon as theyere dis'issed% and they co!ld not (ind her% tho!gh /oey ran% calling% thro!gh theho!se.

It as a delight(!l alk% and they (o!nd each other 5ery (riendly% altho!gh shy Friedaonly s'iled and scarcely spoke at all. +isela% Bette% and +ertr!d ere an*io!s to (indo!t all they co!ld a&o!t English schools% and they asked 'any 7!estions. The toEnglish girls (o!nd that they had read 7!ite a n!'&er o( school-stories% and ere 5eryready to take in all they co!ld on the s!&<ect o( 0re(ects% and ead +irls% and ga'es.

‘Then I !nderstand that tho!gh 'ost o( yo! are 5ery hono!ra&le% it is not alays so%#said +ertr!d (inally.

‘hat do yo! 'ean8 English girls alays play the ga'e" ‘ cried /o sharply.‘B!t so'e cheat% and look at e*a'ination papers &e(orehand% and take hat is not

their on%# ret!rned +ertr!d.‘Tosh" I#5e ne5er 'et any"# declared /o.‘B!t it says so in the &ooks I ha5e read%# persisted the elder girl.‘B!t that#s only to 'ake the story%# e*plained /o. ‘e don#t really do s!ch things )

honest In<!n% +ertr!d"‘I sho!ld hope not"# ca'e (ro' +ri;el% ho as alking a little in (ront ith +isela and

Bernhilda.+ertr!d#s (ace cleared. ‘2h% I see. I a' glad% (or I sho!ld like to think that all Englishgirls are hono!ra&le. e are grate(!l to yo!% yo! kno% (or 'y (ather says that it is thegreat loans England has 'ade to 2!stria that are 'aking it possi&le (or !s to &eco'e anation once 'ore.#

/o and +ri;el neither kne nor cared a&o!t the loans to 2!stria% &!t they realised thatthe others anted to &e (riendly% and they ere ready to 'eet the' hal(-ay. Theychattered on a&o!t school topics till they reached the Seespit; +astha!s% hereBernhilda and Frieda said ‘good-&ye# to the'.

‘ill yo!% perhaps% co'e and eat an English tea ith !s on Sat!rday8# askedBernhilda% <!st &e(ore they parted. ‘Ma''a o!ld &e so pleased i( yo! o!ld co'e andSi'one also.#

‘Thank yo!% e#d lo5e it%# replied /oey.‘$!r (irst in5ite%# she said glee(!lly to +ri;el as they trotted &ack to the Châlet. ‘ell%

hat do yo! think o( the' all8#‘I like the'%# ret!rned +ri;el ith (er5o!r. ‘+isela#s a dear% isn#t she8 Do yo! think

Miss Bettany ill 'ake her ead +irl8#‘$h% I e*pect so she#s the eldest. I say% i( e#re going to go on groing like they say%

Madge#ll ha5e to take another place% on#t she8# said /oey ith considera&le lack o(good gra''ar. ‘2nd get so'e 'ore 'istresses too" There#s Si'one" !llo% Si'one"hy didn#t yo! co'e ith !s8#

‘I ent (or a little pro'enade%# replied Si'one.‘ell% hy didn#t yo! pro'enade ith !s8# de'anded +ri;el. ‘There#s no need (or yo!

to go o(( &y yo!rsel( like that"#‘3o! had eno!gh%# ret!rned Si'one.‘$h% tosh"# declared /oey in (riendly (ashion. ‘3o! '!stn#t go raking o(( &y yo!rsel(.

There#s only !s three &oarders at present% and e '!st stick together"#Si'one looked ist(!lly at the'% &!t 'ade no re'ark% and as they had reached the

Châlet% the con5ersation dropped.

Chapter Q. /oey +i5es 2 0ro'ise.

By Sat!rday it as 7!ite o&5io!s that the Châlet School o!ld ha5e to enlarge &oth

its pre'ises and its sta((. It had started act!al ork ith nine p!pils. In (i5e days# ti'ethese had selled to se5enteen% to o( the' &eing English girls hose parents anted

19




to go to 4oray% and ere not an*io!s to take their children on s!ch a tireso'e <o!rney. So% as /oey said% there ere to 'ore &oarders straight o((.

2'y and Margia Ste5ens ere nice little people o( eight and ele5en% ho had spent'ost o( their short li5es in tra5elling% since their (ather as Foreign Correspondent toone o( the great 6ondon dailies. Margia% the elder child% as a 'otherly person% hoadored her s'all sister 2'y as a dainty% (airylike little creat!re% ho tho!ght Margiaas all that as onder(!l.

‘It really is ti'e they 'i*ed ith other children%# said Mrs Ste5ens% as she sat talkingto Madge and Made'oiselle ‘&!t !ntil this year% 2'y has &een so delicate% I did not liketo lea5e her anyhere% and it as o!t o( the 7!estion (or Margia to go alone. e '!stgo to Bergen% &!t I did not ant to send the' to a con5ent school. hen e heard o(yo!% it see'ed 7!ite pro5idential.#

Bette 9incini#s co!sins ca'e (ro' Inns&r=ck to li5e at B!cha! ith their !ncle anda!nt (or the s!''er 'onths% and it as taken 7!ite as a 'atter o( co!rse that theysho!ld co'e ith her. Then to sisters ca'e (ro' Scholastika at the other end o( thelake% and to s'all children ca'e (ro' the >ron 0rin; >arl% here they ere stayingith their parents.

‘It is a(!lly thrilling"# said /oey to Madge on the Sat!rday 'orning as she sat c!rled

!p on her sister#s &ed. ‘I didn#t think schools gre as 7!ickly"#‘They don#t generally%# replied Madge% ho as &r!shing o!t her c!rly locks. ‘It <!sthappens that e#5e 'ade a l!cky pitch.#

She laid her &r!sh don% and &egan to tist !p her hair. S!ddenly she t!rned (ro'the 'irror and (aced her sister.

‘/oey% is Si'one 6eco!tier happy8 She#s s!ch a 7!iet little thing% and those eyes o(hers look nat!rally tragic. 2re yo! and +ri;el kind to her8 I hope yo! don#t go o((together and lea5e her alone8#

‘Do yo! really think e#d &e so 'ean8# de'anded /oey% righteo!sly indignant. ‘hy%e ha!l her along here5er e go hen e can (ind her" B!t she#s so eird" Soon ase5er lessons are o5er% she slides o(( &y hersel(% and here she gets to is 'ore than I cansay.#

It as on the tip o( Madge#s tong!e to in7!ire% ‘2re the others decent to her8# &!t shere'e'&ered in ti'e that no head'istress can e*pect to &e respected i( she starts7!estioning her p!pils a&o!t each other so she let the s!&<ect drop% and s!ggestedinstead that /oey had &etter go to her on 7!arters.

‘I see so little o( yo! no%# gr!'&led the yo!nger girl as she riggled o(( the &ed.‘Early 'orning is the only chance I get noadays.#

Madge la!ghed. ‘Sorry% /oey% &!t I#' a(raid yo!#ll ha5e to p!t !p ith that d!ringter'-ti'e. I#ll 'ake it !p to yo! in the holidays. 9!n along no. The &reak(ast-&ell ill&e going in a 'in!te.#

/oey le(t the roo' and ent donstairs to the &ig dining-roo'% here Marie as <!stp!tting a &ig dish o( honey on the ta&le. Si'one as there already% looking% as she!s!ally did% al'ost pain(!lly tidy in her &l!e and hite checked (rock and long &lackpigtails. The Châlet School !ni(or' as to &e a short &ron t!nic ith t!ssore top% &!tso (ar% /oey and +ri;el ere its only 'e'&ers to ha5e the'% altho!gh the others eregetting the' 'ade% and Si'one#s% at any rate% o!ld &e ready &y Monday.

er sister#s 7!estion had aro!sed (resh interest in the little French girl in /oey% andshe regarded the yo!nger child gra5ely as she sal!ted her ith the pretty Tyroleangreeting% +r=ss +ott"#

‘Bon <o!r%# said Si'one so&erly. She as rather hite% and her eyes looked as tho!ghshe had &een crying.

‘hy don#t yo! gi5e 'e ?+od#s greeting?8# asked /oey la!ghingly. ‘I think it#s s!ch anice thing to say to anyone.# She ca'e closer. ‘Si'one% hy ha5e yo! &een holing82ren#t yo! happy8#

‘I a' 5er# ‘appee% ;ank yo!%# replied Si'one ith dignity.

20




‘Then yo! don#t look it%# retorted /o% in her 'ost donright 'anner. ‘I( yo!#re happy%hy don#t yo! chirk !p a &it8#

Si'one li(ted tragic dark eyes to her (ace% &!t anything she 'ight ha5e said as lost%(or +ri;el ca'e r!nning in at that 'o'ent% (olloed in 'ore stately (ashion &yMade'oiselle% and Si'one pro'ptly &eca'e '!ter than any oyster.

2s a 'atter o( (act% all that as rong ith her as that she as dread(!llyho'esick. She had ne5er &een aay (ro' her 'other &e(ore in her li(e% and anted her&adly. She said nothing% &eca!se her people ere poor% and had <!'ped at this chanceo( getting her ed!cated so cheaply (or Made'oiselle insisted that the only ret!rn thatshe desired (or her ser5ices as her s'all co!sin#s ed!cation. To little Si'one% it o!ldha5e &een terri&le ingratit!de (or all Co!sine Elise#s kindness i( she had let her see thatshe as not 7!ite happy. Then again% neither +ri;el nor /o anted to lea5e her o!t o(things% &!t they had a trick o( re(erring to their past good ti'es together hich had thee((ect o( 'aking the little French girl (eel that she as not anted. 0erhaps +ri;el asthe orst o((ender in this ay. It as the nat!ral reaction (ro' the e((ects o( her ho'e-li(e. The pity as that Si'one sho!ld &e the s!((erer. $n this 'orning she slipped o((again as soon as &reak(ast as o5er% hile the other to ere concl!ding an a'ica&lerangle as to hich o( the' sho!ld practise on the sitting-roo' piano. /o 'issed her

presently as she ent o((% 7!ite cheer(!lly% to hat as% (or the 'o'ent% knon as the /!nior (or'-roo'.‘Slipped o(( again"# she tho!ght. ‘ell% 'y practice '!st <!st ait)tho!gh it#s a

sha'e to &e indoors on s!ch a gorgeo!s day" B!t I '!st (ind her (irst. Si'one" Si)'o)one"# She raised her 5oice in a long 'elodio!s call% &!t no Si'one ansered it. ‘Si)i)i)'o)one" here are yo!8 Si'one"#

4o response ca'e% so she dropped her '!sic on to the nearest chair% and dashed!pstairs)in co'plete de(iance to r!les)to see i( the s'all girl had taken re(!ge in thedor'itory. B!t hen she p!lled aside the pale yello c!&icle c!rtains% she (o!nd thec!&icle 7!ite e'pty. 2 sca'per donstairs% and a hasty r!sh thro!gh all the li5ing-roo's% helped her no (!rther% (or Si'one as not there. Marie% hen 7!estioned%declared she had not seen the yo!ng lady since &reak(ast% and she as s!re she as

ith neither Made'oiselle nor Fr:!lein Bettany% (or they had gone o(( to Sp:rt; hal( anho!r &e(ore. So that acco!nted (or the (act that no one had ished to kno hy sheas r!nning a&o!t the ho!se instead o( practising% tho!ght /o% as she andered o!t intothe ar' s!nshine% and t!rned to ga;e at the B:renkop(% a 'o!ntain hich greatly tookher (ancy% altho!gh they had not cli'&ed it yet% since it as considered dangero!s% atany rate (or a'ate!rs.

‘I#ll ha5e a shot at that so'e day%# she tho!ght% as she looked at the &old% r!ggedo!tlines. Then she ga5e an e*cla'ation% (or a'ong the trees hich cl!stered at the (ooto( the slope o( the B:ren&ad% another 'o!ntain% she had ca!ght a (lash o( the &l!e andhite (rock hich Si'one ore.

‘So that#s here she goes"# she tho!ght% as% practice no co'pletely (orgotten% sheraced across the (loer-&esprinkled grass hich lay &eteen her and the oods. Shesoon reached the'% &!t &y that ti'e Si'one had disappeared% and altho!gh /oeysho!ted again and again% there as no anser. Finally% <!st as she had decided to gi5e!p the h!nt and ret!rn ho'e% she st!'&led o5er the root o( a large tree% and entheadlong on to a nest o( old lea5es% and there as Si'one% so&&ing as i( her hearto!ld &reak. /oey had a horror o( tears% and ne5er 7!ite kne hat to do ith peopleho cried. Still% it as o&5io!s that she co!ld not lea5e the little French girl like that% soshe riggled o5er to her and &egan to pat her sho!lder.

‘Si'one" hat#s !p8 Don#t cry like that% old thing" 2ren#t yo! ell8#2t the (irst so!nd o( her 5oice Si'one had hal( spr!ng !p% then she collapsed again

into the little h!ddle she had &een hen /o (o!nd her.‘Is anything !p8# asked the latter again% as she 'ade a 5aliant e((ort to p!ll the other

child into her ar's. ‘Tell 'e% Si'one% old thing"#

21




‘I ant 'y 'other"# so&&ed Si'one in French% so that it as all /oey co!ld do to 'akeit o!t. I ant 'y 'other and 'y ho'e"#

‘3o! poor kid"# Si'one as e*actly ten eeks yo!nger than /oey% &!t (or the presentthe English girl (elt 5ery 'aternal toards her. ‘3o! poor kid" There% don#t cry% old dear"

3o!#ll &e all right soon"#Si'one stretched o!t a hot% sticky hand and gra&&ed /oey#s.‘I a' so lonelee"# she so&&ed. ‘3o! and +ri;el are s!ch (riends"#‘I say% e didn#t 'ean to 'ake yo! (eel o!t o( it%# replied /oey% hose conscience as

5ery &!sily at ork. ‘ono!r &right% e didn#t"#‘3o! are o( the sa'e nationality%# ent on Si'one% ho% once she had started to

'ake con(idences% e5idently 'eant to go on. ‘3o! li5e in the sa'e ton% and kno eachother ell% and 'e% I a' only one. 2nd no there ill &e to 'ore% and I shall still &eonly one.#

ere her so&s choked her% and she as !na&le to go on (or a (e 'in!tes. /oey satstroking her head in silence% the hile she as rapidly t!rning things o5er in her 'ind.Finally she decided.

‘Si'one%# she said alo!d% ‘I#' a(!lly sorry +ri;el and I ha5e &een s!ch &easts. I 7!itesee e ha5e &een &easts% e5en tho!gh e didn#t 'ean it" 4o I ant yo! to 'op !p)

here#s a hankie")and co'e &ack ith 'e% and e#ll start again. I#' s!re +ri;el ill seeit% and e#ll all &e pally together.#B!t this as not hat Si'one anted. Tr!th to tell% she had concei5ed a 5iolent

a((ection (or /o% and +ri;el% ith her 5i5id prettiness and 'ore o&5io!s 7!alities% repelledher. So she so&&ed on% hile /oey sat% nearly distracted% and not knoing hat to do.

‘Si'one% I do ish yo!#d stop"# she said (inally. ‘Do stop crying% old thing" I#ll doanything I can (or yo! honest% I ill"#

Si'one 'ade a &ig e((ort. ‘ill yo! &e) 'y (riend8 ‘ she choked o!t.‘$( co!rse I ill" I a'" e &oth are"#‘4o I 'ean)'y a'ie inti'e" $h% /o% i( yo! only o!ld% I think I sho!ld &e happier"

+ri;el 'akes (riends ith e5eryone. +isela Marani lo5es her% and so does Bette 9incini" Idon#t ant her I ant only yo!" I lo5e yo! so"#

2nyone less senti'ental than /oey Bettany it o!ld ha5e &een hard to (ind and noshe sat rigid ith horror hile Si'one 'ade this little speech. er (irst i'p!lse as tosay% ‘Don#t &e so idiotic"# &!t yo! can#t do that hen a person has li(ted a patheticallytear-stained (ace to yo!% and is looking at yo! ith eyes (!ll o( a doglike a((ection. 2tleast yo! can#t i( yo! are like so(t-hearted /o% ho pro'ptly h!gged the yo!nger girl%saying% ‘9ighto" e#ll &e pals. 2nd no% do 'op !p% there#s a ge'"#

‘3o! ill &e 'y a'ie inti'e8# persisted Si'one% e5en as she scr!&&ed her eyes hardith /oey#s handkerchie(. ‘3o! ill relate to 'e all yo!r secrets% and alk ith 'e% andlo5e 'e8#

‘3es% as long as it doesn#t inter(ere ith other people%# responded /oey. ‘I can#t tellyo! other people#s a((airs% Si'one" 2nd look here% yo! '!stn#t co'e r!shing o(( &yyo!rsel(. It 'ight co'e on a th!nderstor' or anything% and e sho!ldn#t kno hereyo! ere. 2t least% I sho!ld no% &!t the others o!ldn#t% and it 'ight orry the'.#

‘I ill p)ro'ise to do it no 'ore%# replied Si'one so&erly. ‘2nd no% /oey% please kiss'e. 3o! ha5e ne5er kissed 'e yet.#

/oey hastily &r!shed Si'one#s cheek ith her lips% then she said% ‘I don#t kiss anyone5ery '!ch. 3o! '!stn#t go (eeling h!rt #cos I don#t kiss yo! e5ery day. e don#t inEngland.#

‘I think England '!st &e 5ery cold and hard%# sighed Si'one% as she accepted thehand /oey stretched o!t to her% and got on to her (eet. ‘B!t I ill re'e'&er% /oey% that itis not &eca!se yo! do not lo5e 'e that yo! do not kiss 'e% &!t that it is yo!r c!sto'.#

‘3o!#re all lea5es yo!#d &etter let 'e &r!sh yo! don"# said /o% changing the s!&<ecth!rriedly. She had had 7!ite eno!gh o( it. ‘3o!#ll ha5e to change &e(ore e go o5er to

the Mensches this a(ternoon yo! can#t go in that (rock no" It looks as tho!gh yo!#dslept in it"#

22




They ent sloly don the slope% and crossed the grass to the Châlet% here theyere 'et at the door &y +ri;el% ho had <!st (inished her practice.

‘ello" ‘ she said. ‘I#5e <!st (inished. hat shall e do8#‘I#' going to practise%# replied /o. ‘I ha5en#t to!ched the keys yet"#‘4ot practised8 B!t yo! ent hen I did"#‘ell% I changed 'y 'ind. I#5e &een o!t ith Si'one% so I#5e got to do it no instead

and she#s got to change her (rock. Co'e on% Si'one"# 2nd /oey 5anished into the ho!se%lea5ing +ri;el looking a(ter her in startled (ashion.

Si'one (olloed her% and +ri;el as le(t alone to onder% (irst% hat on earth theFrench child had &een crying a&o!t second% hy /oey had le(t her practice till this ho!r.She co!ld co'e to no satis(actory concl!sion% so she ga5e it !p% and andered o(( to thelanding-stage to see i( any 5isitors ere co'ing% as the stea'er as <!st crossing (ro'B!cha!. She as rearded (or her interest &y seeing a party% !n'istaka&ly English%lea5e the &oat% and% gi5ing their l!ggage in charge o( the porter% 'ake (or the Tyrolero(% one o( the largest hotels in Briesa!. hat interested her 'ost as the (act that%&esides a lady and gentle'an ho looked 5ery &ored% there as also a girl o( a&o!t heron age.

‘I onder i( they are staying long8# she tho!ght to hersel(% as she t!rned and ent

&ack to the Châlet to see i( the other to ere ready to co'e o!t. ‘0#r#aps it#ll &eanother p!pil (or the Châlet School. $h% I do hope so"#

Chapter R. The Tiern<och.

So'e ne people ca'e this 'orning%# said +ri;el. They ere all (i5e)/oey% Si'one% Bernhilda% Frieda% and hersel()gathering (loers in

the stretch o( 'eado that lies &eteen Seespit; and Tortesald. The (loers in the Tyrol are onder(!l% and no% in 'id-May% the place as a 5erita&le (airyland. E5en+ri;el and /oey% (resh (ro' Cornall% here the ealth o( &loo' is al'ost as rich as it isin De5on% ere thrilled ith the riches at their (eet% and gathered ar'(!ls o( gentian%ane'one% hepatic% heartsease% narcissi% and daisies% hich they o!ld later arrange in

the &ols and <ars at the Châlet. There had &een a good deal o( chatter a&o!t school a((airs)or rather% /oey and +ri;el

had done the chattering% and the others had p!t in an occasional ord. 4o +ri;elchanged the con5ersation.

‘So'e ne people ca'e this 'orning.#‘o interesting"# said Bernhilda politely. ‘ere they English8#‘They looked like it%# replied +ri;el. ‘There ere three o( the')(ather% 'other% and a

girl a&o!t (o!rteen% I sho!ld think.#‘0erhaps another p!pil (or the Châlet School%# s!ggested the elder girl% glancing at

her atch as she spoke. ‘I think% i( yo! do not 'ind% that e had &etter ret!rn no% ase shall ha5e tea at))#

‘Fo!r o#clock"# p!t in /oey. ‘3o! told !s the ti'e &e(ore% Bernhilda% and it is so'!ddling hen yo! talk o( si*teen o#clock.#

Bernhilda la!ghed. She as a rather sedate% ell-'annered girl% and Miss Bettanyhad already decided to appoint her as Second 0re(ect. +isela as to &e ead +irl% andBette and +ertr!d o!ld &e s!&s. Madge o!ld ha5e pre(erred an English girl as head%&!t +ri;el as too irresponsi&le% and /oey too childish (or her to drea' o( it.

Bernhilda no led the ay to the +astha!s% her ar' slipped thro!gh +ri;el#s% hilethe other three (olloed% /oey keeping !p a li5ely (lo o( con5ersation% to hich shyFrieda only responded &y s'iles. Si'one had re'ained gl!ed to her side the holea(ternoon% and it as &eginning to dan on /oey that she 'ight ha5e !ndertaken a(riendship hich as to pro5e rather tireso'e on occasion.

In this order they reached the hotel% here kindly Fra! Mensch as aaiting the'

ith tea% acco'panied &y great plate(!ls o( delicio!s-looking little cakes hich% /oeykne% '!st ha5e co'e (ro' Inns&r=ck % since s!ch things ere !nproc!ra&le in the lake

23




5illages. She elco'ed the' cheerily% and soon they ere all sitting ro!nd the ta&le%hile their hostess in7!ired% ‘Thee 'it Citron oder 'it 9h!'8#

ith a s!dden shock /oey realised that she as &eing asked hether she o!ld ha5etea ith le'on in it or r!'. She hated the one% and had no idea o( taking the other% soshe as not 5ery s!re hat to do. 6!ckily% Bernhilda ca'e to the resc!e.

‘$h% Ma''a%# she said% ‘I think /oey and +ri;el pre(er Thee 'it Milch)do yo! not8#t!rning to the'.

‘3es% i( yo! please%# replied /oey pro'ptly.Fra! Mensch s'iled kindly. ‘$( co!rse% i( that is hat yo! desire% 'y children.

>ellnerin%# she called to the aitress% ‘&itte% Milch"# The 'ilk as &ro!ght and the tea as 'ade% the Mensches taking it in the sa'e ay%

tho!gh Frieda e5idently disliked it. Toards the end o( the 'eal err Mensch appeared.e as a &ig% <olly 'an% ith (air hair and grey eyes% and% since he as in one o( the &ig&anks in Inns&r=ck % his English as '!ch 'ore (l!ent than his i(e#s. is childreno&5io!sly adored hi'% and he sat don% p!lling Frieda on to his knee ith a lo!d andhearty kiss.

‘hat hast tho! done to-day% M:dchen8#‘I ha5e st!died 'y lessons (or Monday%# replied Frieda serio!sly% ‘and I ha5e helped

o!r g!ests to gather (loers.#‘S!ch glorio!s (loers"# p!t in /oey eagerly. ‘ I do think Tiern See is lo5ely"#‘Tho! lo5est it already% Fr:!lein8# e looked pleased. ‘It is 'y ho'e)here I as

&orn. I (ished yonder#)he pointed at the &l!e lake aters)‘'any a day ere I as thineage. I cli'&ed the Tiern<och hen I as &!t ele5en% and &ro!ght 'y 'other ho'e so'eedeleiss. Ei" B!t 'y (ather as angry" I had gone in diso&edience% yo! !nderstand%and his stick as ready (or 'e &!t 'y 'other &egged 'e o((% and there as nop!nish'ent that ti'e.# e &roke into a great roar o( la!ghter% and the girls <oined ithhi'.

‘hy sho!ld yo! &e p!nished (or cli'&ing the Tiern<och8# asked +ri;el c!rio!sly.‘hich is it% err Mensch8#

‘The Tiern<och is dangero!s (or all &!t the 'ost e*perienced cli'&ers%# he replied%

‘and the edeleiss gros only in one part% hich is the 'ost dangero!s o( all. Tho! dostnot kno it% 'ein >ind8 Co'e then% and I ill sho it to thee. e ill alk to B!cha!)canst tho! alk so (ar8 2nd Fr:!lein /oey% and the little one8)then e ill go toB!cha!% and (ro' there I ill na'e yo! the 'o!ntains% and all three shall see the'.Ma''a#)he t!rned to his i(e) ‘yo! ill co'e too8#

Fra! Mensch declined% hoe5er% saying la!ghingly that she as too old and (at (orthe alk there and &ack% and there o!ld &e no stea'er (or so'e ti'e. So the othersset o(( thro!gh the thick grass% listening eagerly hile err Mensch told the' a&o!t theti'e hen he as a &oy here% 'ore than thirty years &e(ore% and the little lake had hadno &ig hotels% &!t one si'ple +astha!s to each little 5illage% here the inha&itants o(the Tyrolese tons !sed to p!t !p (or a night or to in the s!''er hen they took theirann!al holiday% spent% (or the 'ost part% in cli'&ing.

‘e did not then think o( the h!ndreds o( to!rists (ro' all co!ntries ho o!ld co'eand 5isit o!r little lake%# he said. ‘2nd no e ha5e e5en a school"#

‘0apa% +ri;el sa so'e English people co'e to-day%# said Bernhilda. ‘They are at the Tyroler o(% and there is a girl o( o!r age. 0erhaps she 'ay co'e to the Châlet School.#

‘That o!ld &e 5ery pleasant)another co'patriot%# he replied serio!sly. ‘B!t it isearly yet (or English 5isitors. They do not generally co'e till /!ne is here. 4o see% 'ychildren% there is the Tiern<och% that large one ho li(ts his head into the clo!ds. In (ronto( hi' stands the Bern<och% and that one% to the side% is the Mittel&erge)all 5erydi((ic!lt to cli'&. That one that see's to atch o5er Briesa!)see ho he &endsprotectingly")is the Mondscheinspit;e% 7!ite easy to cli'&% and there is a h!t on the2i' here one can o&tain 'ilk and &!tter and cheese. e ill cli'& there so'e day i(

Fr:!lein Bettany ill per'it it. It is a alk !p the 5alley% and then it is 5ery pleasant on

24




the 'o!ntain% ith (loers groing% and &!tter(lies so ta'e% they ill not (l!tter henone approaches.#

‘o topping"# said /oey. ‘I sho!ld lo5e that"#‘I ant to cli'& the Tiern<och%# said +ri;el s!ddenly. ‘I like di((ic!lt things"#

The kindly giant)he really as al'ost a giant")looked don at her ith a s'ile. ‘4a-na% 'ein >ind" 2 good M:dchen ill ait till there is ti'e (or a hole day and a g!ide.

That cannot &e !ntil the s!''er. Then% perhaps% it 'ay &e possi&le. B!t the littlee*pedition !p the Mondscheinspit;e can &e 'ade on a Sat!rday% and e ill take theherds'en so'e to&acco% and drink o( their 'ilk% hich is 5ery rich ith crea'% and soco'e &ack. To cli'& the Tiern<och one '!st start 5ery early in the 'orning &e(ore thes!n has risen% and cli'& (or si*)eight ho!rs &e(ore one reaches the s!''it. B!t theMondscheinspit;e% that is a nice little cli'&.#

+ri;el said nothing (!rther% &!t her lips set in o&stinate lines% and /oey% looking at her%(elt ass!red that it o!ld take 'ore than err Mensch#s speech to 'ake her change her'ind.

‘I ish e hadn#t said anything a&o!t it%# she tho!ght to hersel(. ‘ I kno +ri;el illthink o( nothing else no% and I shall ha5e to spend hal( 'y ti'e trying to pers!ade hernot to"#

o heartily she as to ish this thing &e(ore the s!''er as o5er /oey did not thenkno)hich as% perhaps% <!st as ell. 4o she t!rned her attention to err Mensch%ho as pointing o!t the 'o!ntains &ehind the'% and na'ing the'P ‘Sonnenschein-spit;e% 2lpengl=ck<och% Maria-Theresienspit;e% ol(kop(% Schneekoppen. B!t these arenot s!ch 'o!ntains%# he ent on%# as the Dolo'ites. So'e day yo! ill do!&tless seethose too.#

‘0apa took !s there to years ago%# o&ser5ed Bernhilda. ‘e stayed in the +astha!sat 0ri'iero% and o!r co!sins ca'e too. It as 5ery pleasant there% and they ha5e 'anylo5ely (loers. 3o! o!ld like those% +ri;el.#

‘Did yo! cli'& any o( the'8# asked /oey.‘$h% no" The Dolo'ites are 5ery di((ic!lt to cli'&%# e*plained her yo!ng hostess. ‘B!t

0apa and $nkel 0a!l !sed to go (or days. $nce or tice they took 'y &rother ith the'

))#‘Brother" I didn#t kno yo! had a &rother"# interr!pted +ri;el% so'ehat r!dely% it

'!st &e ad'itted.‘$h% yes 'y &rother is eighteen% nearly nineteen. e is at the ,ni5ersity o( Bonn%#

replied Bernhilda. ‘e ill &e a doctor so'e day% and perhaps I shall &e his a!s(ra! tillhe 'arries.#

‘0erhaps he on#t%# s!ggested /oey. ‘I %kno Dick% 'y &rother% says he on#t. e saysthe Deccan is no place (or o'en% and he lo5es his ork too ell to gi5e it !p.#

‘$h% I hope +ott(ried ill 'arry so'e day"# said his sister earnestly.‘e all hope that%# said her (ather. ‘2nd no e '!st &e ret!rning% (or there is 7!ite a

long alk% and the little one looks eary.#e reached o!t a &ig hand and pinched Si'one#s cheek as he spoke.She &l!shed% and edged nearer to /oey% ho (elt s!ddenly cross ith her. I( Si'one

as going to &e so idiotically shy% and stick to her like gl!e all day% /oey (elt things eregoing to &e tireso'e. 2nd hy% oh% hy didn#t she talk instead o( standing there deathlysilent8

‘It#s &een a(!lly <olly o( yo! to sho !s all these things% err Mensch%# she said% itha s!rreptitio!s poke at Si'one. ‘It 'akes it see' tice as nice to kno the na'es o( allthe places doesn#t it% Si'one8#

‘3es%# replied Si'one (aintly.‘e are going to go !p the B:ren&ad 2lpe so'e Sat!rday soon and ha5e crea'%#

ent on /oey. ‘Marie)Marie 0(ei(en% ho does the ork (or !s% says that it is a(!llynice crea' and it#s an easy cli'&% so e shall all &e a&le to go% e5en the ne little

&oarders. Did yo! kno e ere to ha5e to ne &oarders on Monday% Bernhilda8#‘4o% I had not heard o( it%# responded Bernhilda.

25




‘ell% e are)Margia and 2'y Ste5ens. Margia is ele5en% and 2'y is a&o!t thesa'e age as Maria Marani. That 'akes (i5e o( !s &oarders% and p#r#aps e shall getso'e 'ore.#

S!ddenly +ri;el ca!ght her ar'. ‘6ook"# she cried. ‘There are those people I told yo!a&o!t this 'orning that I sa going to the Tyroler o(" See)co'ing this ay"#

They all looked ith interest at the trio ho ere alking in their direction)a tall%&ron;ed 'an% ith erect% soldierly &earing a s'all% slight o'an% sallo o( skin and(ashiona&le o( dress and a schoolgirl o( (i(teen or therea&o!ts% hose 'ost noticea&le(eat!res ere a pair o( enor'o!s dark eyes% and a long% (air pigtail singing to heraist. She as alking slightly &ehind the others% and there as a s!llen% !nhappy lookin her (ace. /!st as the to parties 'et% the o'an t!rned to her% saying sharply% ‘/!liet"old yo!rsel( !p" +ood gracio!s 'e% child% yo! look positi5ely de(or'ed" 0!t yo!rsho!lders &ack at once"#

The sharp% scolding tones &ro!ght &ack her step'other to +ri;el% and in5ol!ntarilyshe shi5ered. /oey% noticing% slipped an ar' thro!gh hers ith a little s7!ee;e. The girl

/!liet looked at the' c!rio!sly as she passed the'. She had 'ade no e((ort tostraighten hersel(% and Bernhilda co''ented on this hen they ere o!t o( hearing.

‘B!t ho diso&edient"# she re'arked.

‘I can tell yo! their na'e%# said her (ather. ‘e is a err Captain o( the Indian ar'y)Captain Carrick. e ca'e into the &ank this 'orning to change so'e 'oney.#‘I don#t think he looks kind%# said /oey. ‘hat a pretty na'e the girl has)/!liet" Don#t

yo! think so% +ri;el8#‘I tho!ght she looked dread(!lly !nhappy%# replied +ri;el. ‘2nd ho (!nny to ha5e (air

hair ith those dark eyes"#‘Do yo! think so8# asked Bernhilda. ‘There are a great n!'&er o( people li5ing in

ien ho are like that. B!t as (or !nhappy% she did not do as she as told.#err Mensch appro5ed o( this. ‘The yo!ng sho!ld alays o&ey%# he said. ‘Is it not so%

'y little Frieda8#Frieda% ho o!ld as soon ha5e tho!ght o( (lying as o( diso&eying her parents% said in

her shy% so(t 5oice% ‘3es% 0apa"#

+ri;el 'ade a little i'patient 'o5e'ent% &!t /oey#s hand on her ar' checked anyre'arks she 'ight ha5e 'ade% and they ent on to the +astha!s% talking a&o!t the'o!ntains. The girls ent in% and the three &oarders got their (loers and said ‘good-&ye# to Fra! Mensch% ho as sitting placidly knitting so'e stockings (or Frieda. Shekissed the' all% and told the' to co'e &ack hene5er they liked. Then% acco'panied&y Bernhilda and Frieda% they ent o!t% to (ind err Mensch aiting (or the' at the&oat-ho!se.

‘Co'e"# he said. ‘It is a long alk% and die >leine looks tired" I ill ro yo! across toyo!r on landing-stage. Bernhilda and Frieda% yo! 'ay co'e too. 9!n% Frieda% and tellMa''a"#

Frieda ran 7!ickly &ack% and presently ret!rned% and they p!shed o((.It as glorio!s on the lake. The day had &een 5ery ar' (or 'id-May% &!t no% ith

the e5ening% had co'e a little cool &ree;e that r!((led the s!r(ace o( the ater into tinyripples% and set the c!rly ends ro!nd +ri;el#s (ace dancing gaily.

They roed o!t into the centre% and then err Mensch rested on his oars% and noddedtoards the 'o!ntain he had na'ed (or the' )2lpengl=ck<och.

‘6ook" ‘ he said. ‘2lpengl=ck to-night"# They t!rned and looked. 2s they did so% they sa the grey li'estone crags (l!sh into

rosy li(e ith the re(lected light (ro' the setting s!n. 2ll along the estard side o( the Tiern See the peaks ca!ght the glory. It re(lected on the sil5er thread o( a 'o!ntaincataract high !p in the Sonnenscheinspit;e% and e5en cast a (aint glo o5er the lake.For (i5e 'in!tes the onder lasted% then it &egan to (ade% and err Mensch took !p hisoars again and roed the' in leis!rely (ashion to the Châlet landing-stage.

26




‘It is &ea!ti(!l"# said /oey in lo tones. er i'aginati5e te'pera'ent had &een (ired&y the lo5eliness o( hat she had <!st seen. ‘I ha5e seen it once or tice (ro' theindos% &!t ne5er (ro' the ater &e(ore.#

‘3es% it is a glory%# replied err Mensch ‘&!t it alays &rings &ad eather ith it. eshall ha5e rain to-'orro.#

e &ro!ght the &oat !p to the landing-stage as he spoke% and helped the' o!t.Madge had seen the' co'ing% and ca'e r!nning don the path to 'eet the'. henthe Mensches had gone and ere &eyond calling range% she t!rned to the three.

‘+irls%# she said% ‘I ha5e nes (or yo!" e ha5e another day-girl. She is an English girl%hose people are 2nglo-Indians. They ha5e <!st co'e to Tiern See. hen they heard o(!s% they ca'e at once% and she starts on Monday. She is (i(teen and a hal(% and has only&een to school in the ills. er people are ar'y people% and her na'e is))#

‘/!liet Carrick"# &!rst o!t +ri;el i'patiently. ‘$h% Miss Bettany% is it)is it8 Do say it is"#Madge looked at her in a'a;e'ent. ‘3es% it is%# she ansered ‘&!t ho do yo!

kno8# They e*plained to her a&o!t the 'eeting near B!cha!% and +ri;el enlarged on the

ay Mrs Carrick had spoken to the girl.‘I &elie5e she#s her step'other"# she concl!ded.

‘4o%# said Madge% ‘she isn#t. Don#t get ild ideas into yo!r head% +ri;el. I( they onlyca'e to Tiern See to-day% I e*pect they are tired% and that is hy Mrs Carrick scolded.#+ri;el said nothing (!rther% and Madge tho!ght no 'ore o( it. B!t hen err Mensch

heard% he looked tho!ght(!l.‘I hope things ill go ell ith Fr:!lein Bettany%# he said to his i(e. ‘I did not like that

'an)I do not tr!st hi'.#2nd he resol5ed to ad5ise Madge to rite to her &rother at the earliest opport!nity%

and see i( any in(or'ation co!ld &e gathered a&o!t these people ho had co'e sos!ddenly.

oe5er% hen he spoke a&o!t it so'e days later% he (o!nd that she had done that5ery thing already.

‘I kno it see's 'ad to take anyone so a&r!ptly%# she said% ‘&!t they ere so

an*io!s% and)ell)so'eho he pers!aded 'e. 2nd they ha5e paid a ter'#s (ees% o(co!rse% and i( I (ind (ro' 'y &rother that she is not a desira&le p!pil% I can get rid o( her7!ite easily &y saying that e are (!ll !p. 2nyho% it is pro&a&ly (or this ter' only% asthey e*pect to go to England in Septe'&er &!t they had heard o( Tiern See% andtho!ght they o!ld like to see it% so they &roke their <o!rney ho'e.#

2nd a(ter that the good-nat!red 2!strian (elt he had nothing le(t to say (or thepresent.

Chapter .2 First 0re(ects# Meeting.

‘+isela"#‘3es8 Do yo! ant 'e% +ertr!d8#‘I sho!ld &e glad i( yo! o!ld s!''on a 0re(ects# 'eeting.#+isela p!t don her pen% hich all this ti'e she had &een holding% and li(ted a

s!rprised and in7!iring (ace to her (riend.‘2 'eeting% +ertr!d8 $h% &!t hy8 4othing has gone rong8#‘4o%# agreed +ertr!d% ‘&!t I a' a(raid so'ething ill go rong 5ery soon.#In her earnestness% she (orgot the school r!le hich said that% d!ring school-ho!rs%

and sa5e in French and +er'an lessons% nothing &!t English as to &e !sed% anddropped into her nati5e tong!e.

‘$h% +ertr!d" 3o! ha5e (orgotten%# said +isela reproach(!lly.

‘I a' sorry% +isela" I as thinking a&o!t the 'eeting%# apologised +ertr!d. ‘Shall Ienter 'y na'e in the $rder Book8#

27




‘4o%# said the ead +irl (ir'ly. ‘It is not good (or the /!niors that they see a 0re(ect#sna'e there. 3o! had &etter report yo!rsel( to Miss Maynard. 2nd no% tell 'e% hy doyo! ish this 'eeting8#

‘There is 'ischie( going on in the school%# ret!rned +ertr!d% perching hersel( on her(riend#s desk. ‘It is partly that ne girl% /!liet Carrick% &!t I think +ri;el Cochrane is'aking it also.#

‘o tireso'e"# +isela knitted her &lack &ros at this in(or'ation.D!ring the se5en eeks that she had &een ead +irl% there had &een no real

di((ic!lty to 'eet. This as partly &eca!se o( the no5elty o( things to all the girls &!talso her on personal character had a great deal to do ith it. Miss Bettany had chosenisely in choosing her as ead o( the girls. Bernhilda 'ade a 5ery good second% andBette and +ertr!d ere rapidly learning their d!ties as S!&s% &!t the 'ost relia&leperson as +isela. She no collected her papers together% and hastily st!((ed the' intoher locker% hile +ertr!d stood% looking o!t o( the indo at the 'eado-land% herehal( a do;en o( the /!niors ere playing cross-tag% ith /oey Bettany as instr!ctress.

‘9eady8# she said presently% t!rning her head. ‘Then shall e call the others8 Theyare &y the landing-stage.#

‘3es. o!ld yo! ask the' to co'e to o!r roo'% +ertr!d8# said +isela. ‘I ill aait yo!

there.# Three eeks pre5io!sly% Madge Bettany% a(ter a long disc!ssion ith Made'oiselleand Miss Maynard% ho had &een added to the sta(( as 'athe'atics 'istress% had gi5eno5er to the 0re(ects a s'all roo' on the (irst (loor (or their on.

‘E5en i( they ha5e <!st (o!r chairs in it% it ill gi5e the' a (eeling o( &eing a littledi((erent (ro' the rest o( the school%# she said.

Miss Maynard% hersel( a igh School girl% had agreed% and the (o!r delighted girls had%accordingly% that possession o( hich they had read so '!ch in their English school-stories)a 0re(ects# roo'.

Miss Bettany had e*plained to the' that% &eyond chairs and a s'all ta&le% she co!ldgi5e the' no (!rnit!re yet &!t they had pro'ptly <oined (orces. hile +isela &ro!ghtso'e pict!res and a co!ple o( &ols (or (loers% +ertr!d prod!ced a set o( &ookshel5es

hich she had ind!ced her &rother to 'ake Bernhilda contri&!ted a pretty &l!e andhite ta&lecloth and a (ancy inkstand% and Bette presented a little clock and a &racketon hich to place it. 2'ong the'% they had 'ade a dainty little sanct!'% and +iselaalays (elt a thrill o( pleas!re hen she as in it. They ere 5ery an*io!s to ha5e thingsas like an English school as possi&le% and 'any had &een the cons!ltations o5er the7!estion. In one &ook +ertr!d had read o( the ‘ 0re(ects# # notice &oard. Care(!l7!estioning had soon dran (ro' /oey all there as to kno a&o!t this% and no asi'ilar &oard h!ng o5er the &ookshel5es% ith notices o( 5ario!s kinds on it% all rittenin +isela#s pointed Italian handriting% hich% &y the ay% as '!ch less clear than ithad &een hen she (irst ca'e% the reason &eing that she as trying to copy herhead'istress#s pretty igh School script. The to &ig &ols ere (!ll o( 2lpen roses% andon this s!nny a(ternoon% it as as char'ing a girls# roo' as co!ld &e ished. The ead+irl p!lled !p the (o!r chairs ro!nd the ta&le% and seated hersel( at the head% paper andpencil &e(ore her. 0resently there ca'e the so!nd o( (ootsteps on the stairs% and thenthe other three entered. ery s'art and &!sinesslike they looked in their school!ni(or'% hich e5ery girl no ore as a 'atter o( co!rse. +isela looked at the' ithappro5al. The 'ost English o( English 0re(ects co!ld not ha5e looked 'ore or so% shetho!ght.

U+ertr!d tells 'e yo! ish a 0re(ects# 'eeting%# &egan Bernhilda% as she took herseat on +isela#s right hand. ‘hat is it that yo! ish to disc!ss ith !s8#

‘It is +ertr!d#s idea%# replied the head +irl. ‘She thinks that things are going rather)#‘onky%# s!pple'ented Bette% as +isela pa!sed to search (or the right ord. It as a

'ystery to the' all ho Bette contri5ed to pick !p so '!ch slang and to !se it so

correctly. 2ll the (oreign girls ere (ar 7!icker at English than either +ri;el% /!liet% or theto little Ste5ens had shon the'sel5es at French or +er'an. /oey ha5ing 'erely to

28




rene her ac7!aintance ith these to lang!ages% already spoke (l!ently and e5encollo7!ially" Bette#s accent% too% as% sa5e (or a slight trill to her ‘r#s# and a trick o(gi5ing each ord it#s (!ll 5al!e% al'ost per(ect. The other girls spoke ith a (air (l!ency%&!t e5en +isela as so'eti'es at a loss (or a ord Bette% ne5er.

The ead +irl 'o 'ade a little &o to her S!&% and contin!edP‘2pparently +ertr!d (ears that +ri;el Cochrane and /!liet Carrick are a&o!t to ca!se

tro!&le. Mysel(% I ha5e noticed nothing.#UB!t I ha5e% said Bette co'posedly. ‘I 7!ite agree ith +ertr!d% and I think /!liet

Carrick is at the &otto' o( it.#Uhy sho!ld yo! think that8# de'anded +isela.‘Beca!se% !ntil she ca'e% +ri;el Cochrane ne5er re&elled against o!r a!thority. B!t

no she is tireso'e%# replied Bette. ‘She is e5en r!de.#‘o so8 She had not &een r!de to 'e as yet. o has she &een r!de to yo!8#‘I told her to go and p!t her shoes aay%# said Bette% ‘and she said it as sickening

ha5ing (!ssy (oreigners alays at yo!.#‘That as 5ery r!de%# said +isela sloly. ‘hat did yo! do8#‘I said I as sorry she looked at it in that ay%# ret!rned Bette% ‘&!t as I as a S!&-

0re(ect and one o( 'y d!ties as to see that the cloakroo' as kept tidy% I as going

to see that it as kept tidy.#‘hat did she say then8# 7!eried Bernhilda ith interest.‘Said I tho!ght 'ysel( e5ery&ody%# replied Bette. ‘I told her not to &e i'pertinent% and

sa that she p!t the shoes aay% and that as all.#‘I think it as s!((icient%# said +isela 7!ietly. ‘2nd yo!% +ertr!d8#‘Talking a(ter the silence-&ell had &een r!ng%# said +ertr!d. ‘I told her to &e 7!iet% and

she looked at /!liet and la!ghed.#‘hat did /!liet do8 6a!gh too8#‘3es% and shr!gged her sho!lders. It is not good (or the /!niors to see that in a girl as

old as +ri;el or /!liet.#‘I don#t think yo! need orry a&o!t the /!niors%# said Bette. ‘2'y and Margia o!ld

ne5er &eha5e like that% and Maria is too (ond o( yo!% +isela% to orry yo! that ay. 4or

o!ld S!;anne and 35ette. +io5anna ill &e good% &eca!se she doesn#t ant a (!ss ith'e% and I co!ldn#t i'agine either Frieda or Si'one doing anything &!t keeping ther!les. /oey% o( co!rse% ill do as she#s told too. It really is only +ri;el% and she o!ldn#t i(

/!liet didn#t enco!rage her"#‘ell% I '!st 'ake a p!nish'ent%# said +isela. ‘I a' sorry% &!t +ri;el '!st not &e

r!de to the 0re(ects.# She tho!ght deeply (or a 'in!te. ‘I shall send (or her and 'akeher apologise to yo!% Bette% and yo!% +ertr!d. Then I shall say she is to learn so'e+er'an poetry in her play-ho!rs. 3es% that is hat I shall do" ill yo! (etch her% Bette8#

Bette got !p and le(t the roo'% to ret!rn ten 'in!tes later &y hersel(.‘She re(!ses to co'e%# she said &rie(ly.‘9e(!ses to co'e8# There as consternation in +isela#s 5oice. ‘B!t did yo! tell her

that the 0re(ects anted her8#‘3es%# said Bette. ‘She <!st la!ghed% and said i( e anted her e co!ld go to her she

asn#t co'ing to !s"# There as a silence. 4o one had (oreseen that +ri;el o!ld go to 7!ite s!ch lengths

as this% and they ere !ncertain ho to deal ith it. It as% had they &!t knon it% thetesting-point o( the 0re(ect syste' in the Châlet School. ad they gi5en ay% or takenno notice o( the English girl#s de(iance% it o!ld ha5e &een ‘good-&ye# to all hope o( sel(-go5ern'ent. 6!ckily (or the school% +isela Marani as 'ade o( too (ine st!(( to thro !pthe ga'e eakly. To her 'ind there as only one co!rse to (ollo% and she (olloed it.

‘I '!st report the 'atter to Miss Bettany%# she said 7!ietly. ‘Bette% ill yo! co'e ith'e8 She ill ant to hear hat yo! ha5e to say.#

‘Shall e ait till yo! co'e &ack8# asked +ertr!d.

‘3es% I think it o!ld &e &etter% i( yo! do not 'ind. e ill 'ake haste.# The to girls le(t the roo'% and ent don-Stairs to the sitting-roo'.

29




Madge Bettany% en<oying a '!ch-deser5ed rest% looked !p ith s!rprise hen% inanser to her ‘Co'e in"# they entered% closing the door.

‘ell%# she said ith a s'ile% ‘hat is it that yo! ant8 2nything rong% +isela8#‘I ha5e co'e to 'ake a report to yo!%# replied +isela steadily.Madge#s (ace so&ered. ‘To report a &reach o( r!les8 M!st yo!% +isela8#2ll indecision had 5anished (ro' +isela#s 'ind no.‘3es% I '!st%# she ansered (ir'ly.‘ell% hat is it then% dear8 Sit don% &oth o( yo!% and tell 'e.#

They sat don% and then +isela !n(olded her story% looking e5ery no and then toBette (or corro&oration. Miss Bettany gre 'ore and 'ore serio!s as they progressed%and hen% (inally% they had (inished% she sat (or a 'in!te or to itho!t speaking. 2s a'atter o( (act% she had hersel( noticed a change in +ri;el#s 'anner o( late. She realised%o( co!rse% that a(ter (o!r years o( s!ch rigoro!s training as the child had had% reaction'!st (ollo ith the greater (reedo' &!t she had not e*pected anything 7!ite so &adas this. She had no desire to p!nish +ri;el% &!t this sort o( thing co!ld not &e alloed. 2s(or /!liet% she sincerely hoped that Septe'&er o!ld see her (ar eno!gh aay (ro' the

Tiern See.‘I ill send (or her%# she said at length%

‘here are yo!8 In the 0re(ects# roo'8 ery ell% then" I ill co'e &ack ith yo!%and she shall co'e and apologise (or her r!deness to yo!. I a' sorry this has occ!rred%+isela.#

‘I% too% a' sorry%# replied +isela. ‘I ish it had not &een necessary to tro!&le yo! ithit% Mada'e.#

‘3o! ere 7!ite right to report it%# ret!rned her head'istress. ‘e cannot ha5e thissort o( thing occ!rring. ill yo! (ind a /!nior% Bette% and send her (or +ri;el8 Then I ill(ollo yo! !pstairs.#

Th!s dis'issed% they le(t the roo'. In the passage they 'et 2'y Ste5ens.‘0lease tell +ri;el Cochrane that Miss Bettany ants her in the 0re(ects# roo' at

once%# said Bette% hile +isela passed on in silence.‘3es% Bette%# said little 2'y. ‘In the 0re(ects# roo'8 2ll right.#

She ran o((% and Bette (olloed +isela !pstairs. They ere greeted &y a d!el o( ‘ell8#as they entered the roo'.

‘Miss Bettany has sent (or +ri;el% and she is co'ing here hersel(%# replied +isela.2 'in!te later the head'istress appeared% looking sterner than they had e5er seen

her &e(ore. She had <!st taken her seat% hen there as a tap at the door% and +ri;elentered ith an air o( so'ehat (orced de(iance.

6e(t to hersel(% she o!ld ne5er ha5e &eha5ed as she had done. B!t there as acertain eakness in +ri;el#s character% and she as easily led. /!liet Carrick as <!st thetype o( girl to e*ercise a good deal o( in(l!ence o5er +ri;el. In the (irst place% the child#sgenero!s pity had &een aro!sed &y hat she had seen and heard o( /!liet#s (a'ily li(e.

There as no do!&t that Captain and Mrs Carrick (o!nd their da!ghter a good deal o( an!isance% and the girl had a 'ost !nhappy ti'e. Then again% /!liet had gron !p in theclass o( 2nglo-Indian society that considers the English the only nation orth'entioning% and her training in a ill school% here nine-tenths o( the girls ereE!rasians ho looked don on their nati5e co!sins ith a &itter conte'pt% had helpedto (oster this (eeling. She had sneered at ‘(oreigner 0re(ects%# asserting that they co!ldnot possi&ly act ade7!ately. +ri;el as (eeling sore at hat she considered /oey#se*traordinary (ancy (or Si'one 6eco!tier)and all the ti'e poor /oey o!ld ha5e gi5en'!ch to &e rid o( this (riendship")and she there(ore (olloed /!liet#s lead% ithdisastro!s res!lts to hersel(% and to others later on.

Madge asted (e ords on her hen she appeared.‘3o! ha5e &een r!de to the 0re(ects% +ri;el8# she asked.2 '!'&le as the only reply. Madge took it as 'eaning ‘yes.#

‘3o! ill apologise at once%# she said coldly. ‘ I ill allo no r!deness (ro' yo!yo!nger children to 'y 0re(ects. 3o! had &etter !nderstand that at once. 2sk their

30




pardon% and then do hate5er they gi5e yo! (or p!nish'ent.# There as a silence.‘Co'e% +ri;el"#

There as that in the head'istress#s 5oice hich co'pelled +ri;el to o&edience.itho!t raising her eyes% she '!ttered% ‘I#' sorry"#Miss Bettany as ise eno!gh to realise that it o!ld &e ell to accept this. She

aited till +isela had accepted the apology% and had set the c!lprit a short +er'anpoe' to learn. Then she said% ‘3o! 'ay go% +ri;el"# 2nd hen the child had dashedaay% she le(t the roo'.

2s (or +ri;el% she had r!shed o(( to the pine-oods% here she 5oed% a'idst hertears o( sha'e and anger% that she o!ld pay the' all o!t (or treating her in this ay.

Chapter O.Si'one#s E*ploit.

I( any o( the girls had &een inclined to de(y the 0re(ects% Miss Bettany#s pro'pt actiono5er +ri;el Cochrane#s &eha5io!r had p!t an end to any s!ch ideas. The school asrapidly settling don% and the tenty girls ho 'ade it !p already (elt a great pride in

it. 2ll the day-girls stayed (or dinner no% arri5ing at the Châlet &y hal(-past eight in the'orning and staying till si* o#clock in the e5ening. 6essons &egan at nine and ent ontill tel5e% hen there as a &reak (or the 'idday 'eal. 2t to o#clock they startedork again% and ent on till (o!r. Tea as at ten past (o!r% and then% (ro' (i5e to si*%the Seniors did preparation and the /!niors practised. Tice a eek err 2nserl ca'e !p(ro' Sp:rt; and ga5e '!sic lessons to the 'ore ad5anced p!pils% hile the otherslearned ith Made'oiselle. Miss Maynard ta!ght 'athe'atics and geography thro!ghthe school% and Miss Bettany hersel( !ndertook the English s!&<ects. French% +er'an%and seing ere Made'oiselle#s depart'ent% and she as (or' 'istress o( the /!nior(or'. 2t present they had only the three (or's) Senior% Middle% and /!nior &!t alreadyMadge as looking <oy(!lly (orard to the ti'e hen she o!ld &e a&le to ha5e at least(i5e (or's.

To days a(ter the 0re(ects# 'eeting% a long letter ca'e (ro' England (ro' MrsDene. Mr Dene had &een the senior c!rate o( the 0arish Ch!rch at ho'e% &!t he hadaccepted a chaplaincy in the est Indies% and they ere not an*io!s to take 9osaliethere. Then Mrs Dene had tho!ght o( the Châlet School at Tiern See% and she rote toask i( 9osalie 'ight <oin the' in Septe'&er. I( so% o!ld Miss Bettany also ha5e roo'(or 9osalie#s co!sin% Mary B!rnett8

Miss Bettany rote &ack saying that she o!ld &e pleased to ha5e the' &oth. The sa'e day% an Italian lady hose ac7!aintance she had 'ade ca'e to 'ake

in7!iries ith regard to her little da!ghter. Signora di 9icci as a char'ing person% andshe as o&5io!sly 5ery an*io!s that anna sho!ld co'e. Madge kne anna% and likedher so% ith E5adne 6annis% there ere (o!r 'ore p!pils (or the Châlet School.

Sitting on her desk in the Middle schoolroo'% /oey Bettany proclai'ed the nes o(the co'ing o( to 'ore English girls in the a!t!'n.

‘It#s topping to think 9osalie and Mary are co'ing" ‘ she said enth!siastically.‘o old are they8# asked Margia Ste5ens.‘9osalie#s a&o!t (o!rteen and Mary#s tel5e%# replied /oey.‘$h" $ne (or the Seniors and one (or !s%# o&ser5ed Frieda Mensch% ho as &eginning

to get o5er her shyness. ‘That ill &e <olly"#‘Tophole"# agreed /oey. ‘e are spreading% aren#t e8 3o!#ll lo5e Mary% Frieda. She#s

s!ch a dear% steady old thing" I#' glad she#s co'ing"#Si'one% ho as% as !s!al% gl!ed to her side% changed colo!r at this% &!t (or once

/oey took no notice. Tr!th to tell% she as getting thoro!ghly tired o( Si'one#s <ealo!syand all-in-all (riendship% and there had already &een 'ore than one scene% hen Si'one

had acc!sed /o o( h!rting her on p!rpose% and not liking her any 'ore. The last ti'e%!nsenti'ental /o had 5ery nearly declared that she didn#t that she as (ed-!p ith all

31




these (!sses" B!t Si'one had 'elted into tears at the least harshness% and cried sopiteo!sly% that /oey hadn#t the heart to do it. 4o% !nheeding o( the little French girl ather side% she ent on enth!siasticallyP ‘Mary as a (or' &elo 'e at the igh School%&!t they li5ed near !s% and e !sed to play together. e ere in the sa'e net-&alltea' too.#

‘2nd the other girl)9osalie is she% too% pleasant8 ‘ asked Frieda.‘$h% yes% 7!ite <olly"# replied /oey. ‘She#s a(!lly pretty too% and <olly cle5er as ell"

$h% &other" There#s the (i5e-to-nine &ell% and I ha5en#t got 'y &ooks o!t" Mind% Si'one"#She &r!shed past Si'one as she <!'ped don% and dashed to her locker to collect

her possessions. The French child looked at her ith &ig% 'o!rn(!l eyes% &!t /oey tookno notice. She as intent on (inding her history% hich see'ed to ha5e 5anished. /!st inti'e it t!rned !p% and then they all had to go in to prayers and call-o5er.

2t lessons that 'orning Si'one see'ed !n!s!ally st!pid. 2ll her arith'etic asrongly orked her dictation as (!ll o( 'istakes and she kne no one ord a&o!thistory% altho!gh% as /oey ell kne% she had thoro!ghly prepared it on the pre5io!se5ening. The lesson as an easy one too) the story o( the Bartholo'e Massacre. 2s7!estion a(ter 7!estion passed the little girl% and she either did not anser at all% or elsetalked !tter r!&&ish% Miss Bettany#s &ro gre &lacker and &lacker. She had <!st le(t the

Seniors a(ter a t!ssle ith +ri;el% ho see'ed to ha5e taken lea5e o( her senses lately%and she ondered hether that yo!ng lady#s spirit o( lalessness ere in(ectingSi'one. Finally% she closed her &ook ith an angry snap.

‘Si'one" hy ha5e yo! not prepared yo!r ork8 It is si'ply disgrace(!l that yo!sho!ld kno so little o( yo!r on co!ntry#s history" I a' s!rprised at yo!" 3o! '!st dothis lesson o5er again at hal(-past (o!r% and please ne5er gi5e 'e s!ch disgrace(!l orkagain"#

Si'one said nothing. She (elt !tterly 'isera&le and !nhappy% and only longed to (lyaay so'ehere here she co!ld cry her heart o!t. The others ere looking at her ithstartled (aces. It as so !nlike Si'one to ha5e to &e spoken to like this. Meanhile the&ell rang% and% !nder their ead#s atch(!l eyes% they ere (orced to (ile o!t o( the roo'in proper order. 4or ere they a&le to speak !ntil they had escaped ith their glasses o(

le'onade into the open air. Then Si'one as disco5ered to ha5e disappeared.‘hat on earth can &e the 'atter ith her8# de'anded /oey o( a select gro!p%

co'posed o( hersel(% Margia Ste5ens% Frieda Mensch% and S!;anne Mercier. ‘D# yo!think she#s ill or anything8#

‘She as all right at (irst%# replied Margia. ‘She as talking like anything at &reak(ast%and she ate heaps"#

‘B!t look here" She kne that history last night)I kno she did" 2nd she ne5er getsret!rned ork" hy% she#s top o( the (or' e5ery ti'e"# protested /oey% hose on orkhad% at any rate% the 'erit o( not &eing 'onotono!s% since it as either 5ery good% orelse so &ad as to &e &eneath conte'pt.

‘She 'ay ha5e a headache%# s!ggested S!;anne% as she ni&&led daintily at her&isc!it. ‘So'eti'es they &egin s!ddenly.#

‘I#5e ne5er heard o( Si'one ha5ing headaches%# said /oey do!&t(!lly.‘6et#s try and (ind her%# proposed Margia. ‘I( she isn#t ell% Miss Bettany o!ght to

kno. She 'ight &e going to ha5e 'easles or anything.#2t that 'o'ent the &ell (or the end o( &reak ent% so they had to ret!rn to their

(or'-roo' and French co'position. Si'one did not p!t in an appearance &!t then% as /oey said a(terards% they all tho!ght that she '!st &e poorly and ha5e gone to tell theead% ho had sent her to &ed. Made'oiselle hersel( did not 'iss the child. Si'one asalays so 5ery 7!iet and inconspic!o!s% and nat!rally% she did not re7!ire nearly as'!ch attention as the others. The last lesson as geo'etry ith Miss Maynard% and asthe little French girl#s arith'etic as appallingly &ackard% it had &een decided that% (or

the present% she sho!ld concentrate on that. hen% hoe5er% she did not p!t in anappearance at Mittagessen% Miss Bettany pro'ptly in7!ired here she as.

32




‘In &ed% I think%# replied /oey ith e7!al pro'ptness. The ead#s &lack &ros ere dran together in a (ron o( perple*ity.‘Bed8 B!t hy8 ho sent her8 Isn#t she ell8 Made'oiselle))#‘I kno nothing%# replied Made'oiselle. ‘I ha5e not seen her since this 'orning.#‘4or I%# replied Miss Maynard. ‘She ca'e to 'y arith'etic lesson% o( co!rse% &!t she

doesn#t take geo'etry% and I ha5en#t seen her since &e(ore recreation.#Miss Bettany got !p% looking dist!r&ed. ‘/oey% hy do yo! think she has gone to &ed8

Did she tell yo! she (elt poorly8#‘$h% no%# replied /oey. ‘$nly% she got all her ork rong% and it isn#t like her% so e

tho!ght she '!st &e ill.#‘9!n !pstairs and see i( she is there.# /oey 5anished% to co'e &ack a (e 'in!tes

later looking (l!shed and startled.‘She isn#t there% Madge%# she said% !sing the (or&idden Christian na'e in her

earnestness. ‘There#s no one there. B!t in her c!&icle I (o!nd)this" ‘2nd she held !p along% thick plait o( &lack hair.

2 gasp so!nded thro!gh the roo'. Madge% Made'oiselle% and Miss Maynard stood asi( they ere trans(i*ed to the spot% hile /oey Bettany stood holding that a(!l relic o(Si'one &e(ore their eyes.

2'y Ste5ens &roke the silence &y a hi'per. ‘$h% is Si'one killed dead8 asso'eone chopped o(( her head8# she ailed. 2s i( so'eone had released a spring hichas holding her% Made'oiselle leaped (orard and snatched the plait (ro' thetre'&ling /oey.

‘2nd here% then% is Si'one8# she shrieked in her nati5e tong!e. ‘hat has &eco'eo( her8#

‘4othing 5ery terri&le can ha5e happened% Made'oiselle%# said Madge% co'ing(orard hastily. ‘She '!st ha5e done it (or a <oke or (or 'ischie(% and no is pro&a&lyasha'ed to sho hersel("# She t!rned to the girls ith anger in her (ace. ‘+irls% do anyo( yo! kno anything a&o!t this8# She as looking hard at +ri;el and /!liet as shespoke% &!t it as 7!ite o&5io!s that they kne no 'ore a&o!t it than anyone else. Theyall looked d!'&(o!nded.

Made'oiselle t!rned on /oey. ‘/osephine% yo! are the (riend o( Si'one" hy has shedone this thing8#

/oey shook her head helplessly. ‘I don#t kno% Made'oiselle)honest In<!n% I don#t" I#dha5e stopped her i( I#d knon.#

Things certainly see'ed at a deadlock. 2'y had stopped crying% 'ainly &eca!se noone as taking any notice o( her% and the rest <!st sat in stricken silence.

‘ell%# said Miss Bettany at length% ‘e had &etter try to (ind her. Miss Maynard% illyo! take the ta&le hile Made'oiselle and I go to search8 3es% /oey% hat is it8#

‘$h% please% 'ay I co'e too8# asked /oey &reathlessly. ‘I#5e <!st re'e'&ered hereshe 'ight &e)in the pines. I can (ind it in a second.#

‘ery ell%# said her sister. ‘Made'oiselle and I ill go thro!gh the ho!se% and yo!can try this hidey-hole yo! say she has in the pine-oods. 0!t yo!r hat on% tho!gh)thes!n is 5ery hot to-day.#

/oey only aited long eno!gh to snatch her hat (ro' its peg in the cloakroo' &e(oredashing o(( to the pine-co5ered slopes at (!ll speed. 2s she ran% her &rain &!sied itsel(ith the 7!estion o( hy Si'one sho!ld ha5e c!t her hair% o( hich% as a 'atter o( plain(act% she had &een rather 5ain. 4o good reason ca'e to her as she cla'&ered o5er theroots o( the pine trees% occasionally sliding a little on the slippery earth. It as 5ery stillin the oods% (or there as no &ree;e to stir thro!gh the pine-needles% and the 5ery&irds see'ed to ha5e h!shed their hy'ns o( praise.

$5erhead% thro!gh the dark &ranches% she got gli'pses o( a sky% &l!e as lapis la;!li%!n(lecked &y a single clo!d. B!t altho!gh she orshipped &ea!ty% /oey had no ti'e tospare (or the onder(!l tran7!illity o( this s!''er noon. She as intent on (inding her

(riend. She reached the hollo &eteen the &ig roots% here she had (o!nd Si'one&e(ore% &!t it as e'pty. There as no sign at all o( the little French girl% and /oey#s

33




heart stood still (or a 'o'ent. She had &een so s!re she o!ld (ind Si'one there. 2sshe stood% ondering hate5er she sho!ld do no% a little so& ca!ght her ear. 2t onceshe s!ng ro!nd% and scra'&led o5er the sticks and dead pine-needles in its direction.

There% in a little heap% lay Si'one% crying as e5en /oey had ne5er seen her cry &e(ore. The ends o( her hair here she had san o(( her plait stood !p like little drakes# tails% ane((ect hich o!ld ha5e 'ade her (riend giggle helplessly at any other ti'e. 4o%hoe5er% she only t!'&led don &eside her% (linging an ar' ro!nd her% and ha!ling her!p on to her knee. ‘ Si'one" $h% Si'one" hat is the 'atter ith yo!8#

‘+o aay"# so&&ed Si'one% in her on lang!age. ‘+o aay% /oey"#‘4o (ear"# replied /oey. ‘I#' not going till yo!#re ready to co'e ith 'e. 2nd anyho% I

ant to kno hy yo!#5e chopped yo!r ig like that. 3o! once told 'e yo! o!ldn#tha5e yo!r hair &o&&ed (or anything. hy on earth did yo! do it8#

‘I)I tho!ght yo! o!ld like it"# Si'one choked o!t. ‘3o! ha5e o(ten la!ghed at 'e&eca!se 'y hair as long% and I tho!ght i( I c!t it short yo! o!ld lo5e 'e% and notlea5e 'e hen those ne English girls co'e ne*t ter'"#

‘ell"# /oey sat &ack and gasped. ‘$( all the 'ad ideas"# she said% hen she had gother &reath &ack. ‘I don#t care hether yo! ear yo!r hair cropped like a con5ict ortrailing ro!nd yo!r (eet like 6ady +odi5a" 9eally% Si'one% yo! are a per(ect idiot" 2nd

hy did yo! r!sh o(( here like that8 I nearly had a (it hen I ent to (ind yo! in yo!rc!&icle and (o!nd only yo!r pigtail"#‘I look so terri&le"# so&&ed Si'one. ‘2nd then I tho!ght o( hat Co!sine Elise o!ld

say% and ho Miss Bettany o!ld &e angry% and yo! and all the other girls o!ld la!gh%and so I ran aay.#

‘ell% no yo!#re co'ing &ack%# said /oey (ir'ly. ‘I don#t kno hat Madge ill say toyo!% or Made'oiselle" B!t yo! can#t stay here (or e5er% and I ant 'y dinner)I ca'eo!t in the 'iddle o( it" 2s (or la!ghing at yo!% I sha#n#t and I don#t '!ch s!ppose theothers ill either. 4o do stop holing and co'e on"#

2t (irst Si'one re(!sed to &!dge% &!t (inally /oey s!cceeded in getting her to co'e&ack ith her% and they reached the Châlet% &oth o( the' (eeling hot and tired. 2(terone glance at the French child#s (ace% Miss Bettany packed her o(( to &ed itho!t one

ord o( scolding and hen she had (inally dragged the hole ridic!lo!s story o!t o( hersister% she sent that yo!ng lady !p to her c!&icle ith strict in<!nctions to go to sleep.

Then she &etook hersel( to Made'oiselle and !n(olded the tale to her.‘In a ay% it#s <!st as ell%# she said% ‘(or all that 'ass o( hair as (ar too '!ch (or her

in hot eather &!t o( co!rse she had no &!siness to c!t it hersel( like that. 3o! had&etter take her o5er to the >ron 0rin; to-'orro and let the hairdresser there tri' it.4o I '!st go to 'y class.#

The ne*t day Si'one as taken to ha5e her hair properly c!t% and% '!ch to her relie(%the other girls said 5ery little a&o!t the hole a((air% altho!gh her co!sin scolded herro!ndly. Besides that% she had to rite a letter ho'e to tell the' hat she had done%and Ma'an#s grie5ed reply as 5ery hard to &ear. 2ltogether% Si'one deeply regrettedthe (act that she had e5er to!ched her hair)the 'ore so% since /oey Bettany% instead o(&eing i'pressed &y hat she had done% characterised the hole thing as ‘idioticnonsense"#

Chapter 1. The Cine'a 2ctresses.

It as a 'ercy% as Madge Bettany said% that (or the ne*t eek or to e5erything ent7!ite ordinarily. +ri;el and /!liet ga5e the 0re(ects no (!rther tro!&le Si'one ceased%(or the 'o'ent% to &eha5e in a senti'ental ay 2'y Ste5ens ga5e !p crying on thes'allest pro5ocation and there as peace in the Châlet School. The only e5ent o( any

note as an accident Bernhilda had ith the red ink.

34




2ll the stationery as in one c!p&oard% the key o( hich Miss Maynard kept.Bernhilda had &een appointed Stationery 0re(ect% and she ent e5ery Friday and ga5eo!t the ne stationery as it as re7!ired. It as not a 5ery hea5y task as yet% sincee5eryone had started ith ne &ooks at the &eginning o( the ter'. Scri&&lers and littlenote&ooks and pen-ni&s ere hat ere 'ainly re7!ired% ith a 5ery occasionale*ercise-&ook% and +ri;el Cochrane% in her capacity as ink 'onitress% ca'e on Mondays(or the eek#s s!pply.

$n the Monday (olloing Si'one#s e*ploit% +ri;el ca'e as !s!al ith her ink-can. She(o!nd Bernhilda% ho took her d!ties 5ery serio!sly% engaged in tidying the top shel( o(the c!p&oard. The 0re(ect% sitting on the top o( the step-ladder% looked don at her

/!nior.‘$h% +ri;el% ill yo! please take the ink8# she said. ‘I ant to (inish this &e(ore the &ell

rings" It is in the &ig <ar at the &otto'.#‘2ll right% Bernhilda" Don#t yo! orry I#ll get it all right%# replied +ri;el cheer(!lly. /!liet

had &een a&sent on the Th!rsday and Friday o( the pre5io!s eek% and had not yett!rned !p% so +ri;el as a '!ch nicer child in conse7!ence.

a5ing directed the /!nior#s attention to the &ig ink-<ar% Bernhilda ret!rned to hertask% hile +ri;el% p!shing &ack the long% thick c!rls hich% despite the ri&&on that tied

the' &ack% o!ld get in her ay% !ncorked the <ar% and% care(!lly tilting it on one side%&egan to (ill her can. Both ere a&sor&ed in their ork. +ri;el had 5ery nearly (inished%hen Bernhilda ga5e a s!dden shriek% and di5ed (orard% nearly collapsing on to +ri;el%ho echoed her shriek. 2t the sa'e ti'e there as a crash as the large pint &ottle o(red ink (ell hea5ily against the step-ladder% and s'ashed% sending a (o!ntain o( red inkin e5ery direction. Bernhilda#s t!nic s!((ered% &!t the one ho ca'e o(( orst as+ri;el% ho as al'ost directly !nderneath. In her di5e (orard% the 0re(ect 'anaged tocatch the &otto' portion o( the &ottle% and the rest (ell clear o( the /!nior &!t the inkdel!ged her)hair% (rock% hands% e5en her legs ere dripping ith it. 2s Madge saida(terards% a 'ore gory-looking spectacle it o!ld ha5e &een hard to (ind anyhere.

The co'&ined shrieks o( the to dre the sta(( hastily to the spot. Made'oiselle%!nder the i'pression that there had &een a (ear(!l accident% r!shed (orard ith a cry

o( ‘here% then% is the in<!ry8#Miss Maynard and the head'istress% ho had &oth realised al'ost at once hat had

occ!rred% ere hard p!t to it to keep (ro' la!ghing% altho!gh the latter pro'ptlyprod!ced a handkerchie(% and set to ork to try to ipe o(( so'e o( the ink. By this ti'eBernhilda had reached the gro!nd% and as gi5ing a so'ehat incoherent acco!nt o(hat had occ!rred.

2ccording to her story% she had t!rned so'e &ooks ro!nd sharply% and had ca!ghtthe ink-&ottle ith a corner. She had tried to catch it% &!t had not &een in ti'e topre5ent its &reaking. The rest they co!ld see (or the'sel5es. +ri;el% ho had not &eenact!ally h!rt% as (!rio!s.

‘I#' all ink% and 'y gy''er is r!ined" ‘ she said in choked accents.‘4o% I don#t think so%# replied Miss Bettany gra5ely. ‘3o! '!st get o!t o( it at once% o(

co!rse% and Marie '!st ash it i''ediately. Then I think it ill &e all right. 6!ckily it#syo!r cotton t!nic. 2nd yo! '!st go and get a &ath. I#ll co'e and ash yo!r hair% andthen yo!#ll &e all right &y recreation. Don#t look so distressed% Bernhilda. It as anaccident% and yo! co!ldn#t help it. B!t I ad5ise yo!% (or the (!t!re% to p!t all li7!ids onthe (loor o( the c!p&oard.#

2ccordingly% +ri;el as 'arched o(( to s!ndry a&l!tions% and Bernhilda asre7!ested to gi5e !p her t!nic so that it% too% co!ld &e ashed. hile it as drying% shep!t on a skirt o( Miss Maynard#s.

hen recreation ca'e% a 5ery clean and e*ceedingly indignant +ri;el <oined theothers% secretly e*pecting to &e ell teased a&o!t her !ne*pected &ath. 6!ckily (or her%hoe5er% she (o!nd e5eryone &!;;ing ith e*cite'ent o5er so'e nes /!liet Carrick

had &ro!ght that 'orning.

35




It appeared that a certain ell-knon (ir' o( (il' prod!cers had decided to !se the Tiern See as part o( the setting (or a (il' hich sho!ld gi5e 6i(e in the 2!strian Tyrol. Itas one o( a series o( ed!cational (il's that they ere doing and since it as not% o(co!rse% alays possi&le to get the nati5es o( the co!ntry to pose (or the'% they hadsent the ‘principals# o5er (ro' 2'erica. These si* i'portant people% together ith thedirector% the ca'era 'an% and a &!siness 'anager% ere 'aking the Tyroler o( theirhead7!arters (or the ti'e &eing. They ere going to !se all the 5illages and ha'letsro!nd the lake as settings% and also so'e o( the 2l's% here the coherds li5ed d!ringthe s!''er in ooden h!ts% hile the cos &rosed contentedly on the seet% shortgrass o( the !pland past!res. They intended to go &eyond the lake and% (olloing theco!rse o( the little Tiern% take so'e o( the ha'lets and 5illages on its &anks. /!st hythey sho!ld ha5e hit on the Tiern See as hard to say. /!liet as not occ!pied ith that7!estion. It as the hole idea hich appealed to her% and she as (!ll o( it.

‘They are going to the Viller Thal a(ter this%# she chattered eagerly% ‘and >!(stein asell% &e(ore they go so!th to the Dolo'ites. They#5e done Inns&r=ck and the St!&ai Thaiand ro!nd a&o!t there% and Mr Eades)that#s the ca'era 'an)said they had so'eglorio!s close-!ps o( all and Sp:rt;. e as a(!lly interested in !s% and I think they'ean to ask Miss Bettany to let the' take !s. Isn#t it thrilling8#

Miss Bettany% hoe5er% hen approached on the s!&<ect &y the said Mr Eades and aMr Sindon% the &!siness 'anager% re(!sed to hear o( it. She as icily co!rteo!s anda&sol!tely decided. 4othing o!ld ind!ce her to reconsider the 'atter% and the togentle'en le(t the Châlet% realising that% as one o( the' later e*pressed it to /!liet%# Itas a&so. 4.+. 4i* on the ‘'o5ies# st!nt"#

Most o( the girls cared 5ery little either one ay or the other% &!t /!liet hersel(% +ri;el%and one or to o( the 'ore tho!ghtless ones ere &itterly disappointed. They hadalready% in i'agination% seen the'sel5es on the screen. 0eople all o5er E!rope and theBritish Isles% at any rate% o!ld kno the'% and no it as all spoilt &y Miss Bettany#sre(!sal.

‘It#s a sha'e"# cried /!liet% to a select gathering on the a(ternoon o( the day on hichshe learned o( her head'istress#s decision. ‘hy co!ldn#t e &e (il'ed8 Big schools like

Eton and inchester are" B!t Miss Bettany alays does that sort o( thing" She#sthoro!ghly narro-'inded"#

‘4o% she isn#t"# ret!rned +ri;el% ho had 'o'ents hen she realised that her present&eha5io!r as anything &!t hat Madge had the right to e*pect o( her. ‘It#s di((erentphotographing &oys at sports% and doing !s here &y the lake. $h% I can#t tell yo! ho%&!t it is"# 2nd (ro' this position she re(!sed to &!dge.

/!liet ga5e it !p% (or she as cle5er eno!gh to realise that once +ri;el had 'ade !pher 'ind to a thing% ild horses o!ldn#t 'o5e her. oe5er% 2nita 9incini% Sophiea'el% and S!;anne Mercier ere 'ore easily sayed% and ere soon pers!aded intothinking that they had a grie5ance against Miss Bettany. The 'anager o( the ‘'o5ies#also (elt he had a grie5ance. e had (oreseen a glorio!s ad5ertise'ent in the school. Itas% so (ar as he kne% an entirely (resh idea% and the girls looked so (resh and dainty intheir !ni(or'% and the hole thing o!ld ha5e 'ade an e*cellent (oil to his continentalscenes.

‘I( only I co!ld get <!st one or to o( yo!r kids"# he said to /!liet. ‘It o!ld &e an easy'atter to rig !p a schoolroo' scenario. 2nd e co!ld take yo! sc!lling% and si''ing%and so on.#

These ords ga5e /!liet an idea. ‘Co!ld yo! really do it8 ‘ she asked. ‘ I( I got so'e o(the girls together in o!r !ni(or'% co!ld yo! really 'anage8#

‘$( co!rse I co!ld"# he said i'patiently. ‘Co'e to that% I s!ppose I co!ld rig !pso'ething in the States hen e get &ack.#

‘B!t it o!ldn#t &e the sa'e scenery%# said /!liet earnestly.‘e co!ld (ake it near eno!gh (or the p!&lic%# he replied.

‘B!t it o!ld &e &etter ith the sa'e &ackgro!nds% o!ldn#t it8 ‘ she asked.

36




‘$( co!rse it o!ld" B!t that school-'a#a' o( yo!rs on#t e5en listen to the idea% sohere#s the good o( talking a&o!t it8# he ret!rned irrita&ly.

‘S!pposing I ere to get to or three o( the others to co'e% co!ldn#t yo! take !s8 ‘7!eried /!liet.

Mr Sindon#s (ace lit !p at the idea. e as not so thick-skinned that he co!ld not (eelthe disdain in Miss Bettany#s icy 5oice hen she had re(!sed his s!ggestion% and itsee'ed to hi' that here as a chance to get e5en ith her.

‘I co!ld 'anage it% o( co!rse%# he said sloly. ‘hen co!ld yo! arrange (or it8Beca!se e are o(( ne*t Friday% so it o!ld ha5e to &e &e(ore then.#

‘o!ld Sat!rday do8#‘3es% that o!ld do 5ery ell. Sat!rday% then% at ten o#clock in the 'orning. Bring

yo!r si''ing s!its% and e#ll get yo! in the ater.# /!liet tackled her (o!r satellites% and &y dint o( (lattery% coa*ing% and% in the case o(

Sophie a'el% (rank &!llying% got the' to agree to <oin her. 2s she had e*pected% +ri;elas the hardest o( the' to capt!re. I( it had not &een (or the (act that she had &eenca!ght talking in the dor'itory the pre5io!s night a(ter ‘lights o!t%# and had &eenro!ndly scolded &y the ead that 'orning% she o!ld pro&a&ly ne5er ha5e done it. 2s itas% she ga5e in hen /!liet had alternately scolded and pleaded ith her (or nearly

hal( an ho!r% and agreed to &e at +eisal'% a little ha'let a 'ile and a hal( !p the lakeshore% on Sat!rday 'orning. It o!ld &e an easy 'atter (or her to &e there (or% onSat!rdays% they ere le(t 5ery '!ch to the'sel5es% Madge Bettany ha5ing a theory thatit as &etter to tr!st girls than to atch the' contin!ally. They ere not alloed to&athe or go &oating !nless a 'istress as there &!t otherise no one inter(ered iththe'% and so (ar there had &een no necessity (or inter(erence. There(ore% ten o#clock onSat!rday 'orning (o!nd +ri;el% in co'pany ith /!liet% scra'&ling along the narrorocky path that leads (ro' Briesa! to +eisal'.

‘2ren#t yo! thrilled8# de'anded /!liet% as they stopped to rest on the great ‘(an# o(all!5ial rock hich 'arks the hal(-ay &eteen the to places. ‘ I a'" I#5e ne5er acted(or ? 'o5ies ? &e(ore.#

+ri;el did not s!ppose /!liet had% and her conscience as &eginning to ake !p 5ery

thoro!ghly% hich 'ay ha5e acco!nted (or the 5ehe'ence ith hich she said% ‘$h%rather" 2(!lly"#

/!liet shot a 7!ick glance at her (ro' her 7!eer% dark eyes% &!t she said nothing&eyond% ‘ell% e#d &etter &e getting on"#

They ent on their ay)sloly and care(!lly% (or at this part the path as not 5eryide% and ent al'ost sheer don to the ater% hose 5i5id &l!eness told ho deep itas. 2t any other ti'e +ri;el o!ld ha5e en<oyed that scra'&le o5er the rocks% and therapid r!n past the place here the 'o!ntain ater dripped (ro' a crag that o5erh!ngthe path. She had en<oyed this 5ery alk a score o( ti'es. B!t no she (elt hal( angryand holly !nhappy% and I think that i( it had not &een (or her (ear o( /!liet#s 'ockingtong!e% she o!ld ha5e t!rned &ack e5en then. So a&sor&ed as she in her !neasiness%that she ne5er noticed a &road-&otto'ed roing-&oat ith (o!r people in it heading (orScholastika.

/!liet% ho% at the 'o'ent it passed% as gathering a &!nch o( p!rple sca&io!s andhite 'oon-daisies% did not notice it either.

The occ!pants o( the &oat glanced !p% attracted &y the splash o( &ron against thegreen o( the 2l' hich they had reached. /!liet they passed o5er% &!t as /oey Bettany#seyes lingered on the other gy'-(rocked (ig!re% she ga5e a gasp.

‘err Mensch"# she cried. ‘That#s +ri;el" hate5er is she doing here8#err Mensch t!rned a placid (ace toards the place% &!t the to girls had 5anished

&ehind the cl!'p o( trees hich protects the (ootpath (ro' the lake at this point.‘So8# he said politely. ‘Then that is hy e co!ld not (ind her hen e ca'e to (etch

yo!8 B!t is it rong (or her to &e here8#

‘I#' s!re 'y sister doesn#t kno a&o!t it%# declared /oey. ‘She tho!ght +ri;el '!stha5e gone to &!y apples (ro' the old o'an at Seespit;% ‘cos she said so"#

37




err Mensch#s (air% +er'an-looking (ace &eca'e tro!&led.‘That is 5ery rong o( das M:dchen%# he said gra5ely. ‘o!ld yo! like !s to land at

+eisal' and take her into the &oat8# /oey tho!ght rapidly (or a 'o'ent. They had ne5er &een told that they ere not to

go to +eisal' &y the'sel5es% &!t she kne that Madge as alays a little ner5o!sa&o!t that path% especially the narro &it o( it. She also kne that +ri;el o!ld &e(!rio!s at &eing inter(ered ith)and she had &een (!rio!s so o(ten lately" B!t /oeyBettany as not the kind to shirk doing hat she o!ght to do <!st &eca!se other peopleo!ld &e (!rio!s ith her% so she nodded her head.

‘3es% please" I think it o!ld &e &etter% i( yo! don#t 'ind"#itho!t a ord% the good-nat!red 2!strian t!rned the &oat toards the little green

triangle ith its &ig hite +astha!s% hich (or's +eisal'. 2 gro!p o( people erestanding there talking together. /oey recognised the cine'a (olk% &!t still she didn#tg!ess hat as !p !ntil Bernhilda cried% ‘hy% there are Sophie and 2nita. o strange(or so 'any o( the Châlet girls to 'eet here to-day"#

Then /oey !nderstood.‘$h"# she said% and her (ace% pale no longer% &!t tanned &y the hot s!nshine% (la'ed

ith s!dden anger. ‘$h" o can she% hen Madge said not"#

‘o can she do hat8# asked Bernhilda% ho as slo at grasping things. ‘2nd o(ho' are yo! speaking% /oey8#‘It#s +ri;el" /!liet#s done it% o( co!rse" She#s 'ad on the'"# replied /oey incoherently.

‘$h% err Mensch" 0lease stop the'" Madge ill &e so angry% and it isn#t (air hen shesaid she o!ldn#t"#

err Mensch as 7!icker than his da!ghter. ith a (inal p!ll he &ro!ght the &oatneatly to the landing-stage and sprang o!t.

‘Stay here"# he said c!rtly to the three girls ith hi'% and then he strode o(( to thegro!p &y the +astha!s.

Mr Sindon as considera&ly s!rprised hen he (o!nd hi'sel( con(ronted &y an angrygiant o( a 'an% ho re7!ested to kno% in 5ery good English% i( he intended takingphotos that day. So'ething in the angry giant#s 5oice arned hi' that he had &etter

gi5e an anser at once% and to the point% so he replied that he as. It as at this'o'ent that +ri;el and /!liet ca'e !pon the'. err Mensch took not the slightestnotice o( the elder girl% &!t he t!rned to +ri;el and% in tones hich literally scared her%told her to go to the &oat at once. ith her he sent 2nita and Sophie. Then he spoke tothe paralysed Mr Sindon.

‘I a' sorry% 'ein err% i( in taking these yo!ng ladies aay I a' ca!sing yo! anyincon5enience% &!t they are here itho!t the knoledge or per'ission o( their parentsand g!ardians. I ish yo! good-day"# 2nd ith this he t!rned and strode &ack to the&oat% here 2nita 9incini% ho happened to &e the da!ghter o( his on great (riend% haddissol5ed into tears. Sophie looked scared% and +ri;el as &eginning to reco5ers!((iciently to (eel (!rio!sly angry at ha5ing &een treated in this s!''ary (ashion. B!terr Mensch took no notice o( her at all.

‘o did yo! get here8# he asked the other to in their on lang!age.Sophie pointed to the light roing-&oat 'oored to the landing-stage. ‘e roed

across (ro' Scholastika%# she e*plained.‘I see%# he said. ‘ell no% yo! ill ro &ack ith 'e.# Then he t!rned his attention to

the English girl. ‘3o! ill co'e ith !s%# he said. ‘+et into the &oat.#+ri;el ga5e hi' one look)and o&eyed. Sophie and 2nita had already started. In a

gri' silence they p!lled !p the lake to Scholastika. Bernhilda and Frieda ere too '!cha(raid o( their (ather#s anger to speak% and /oey as &!sily engaged in trying not to sayhat she tho!ght)yet.

2t Scholastika% err Mensch gri'ly 'arched the' &e(ore hi'% (irst to the 9incinis#5illa% and then to the hotel here the a'els ere staying. hile there% he rang !p the

Châlet% and told Madge that% as they had 'et +ri;el% he as taking her ith the othersto Maria >irche to see the (a'o!s ch!rch there% and they o!ld all ret!rn in the

38




a(ternoon. Then he ent &ack to the girls% and sending Bernhilda and /oey on in (ront%took each a hand o( Frieda and +ri;el.

It as not a pleasant e*pedition. 2nd hen they ret!rned in the a(ternoon% errMensch had a long con5ersation ith Miss Bettany% hich ended in a 'ore serio!sscolding (or +ri;el than she had e5er knon since she had le(t England. hat h!rt her'ore than anything as the knoledge that she as not to &e tr!sted &y hersel()atany rate (or the present. 2s (or /!liet% Captain Carrick had 'ade arrange'ents only that'orning (or her to &e a &oarder (or the re'ainder o( the ter'% as he and his i(e eregoing to M!nich to 5isit so'e (riends% and did not ant to take her ith the'. MissBettany resol5ed to keep a atch(!l eye on the ne &oarder.

C20TE9 11. The ead#s Birthday-0arty.

‘/oey" 2re yo! &!sy% or 'ay I co'e and talk to yo!8# /oey Bettany raised her head ith a start at the so!nd o( the 5oice. 6ooking don

(ro' her perch on the (ence hich sh!t o(( the 2l' o( Briesa! (ro' the +eisal' path%

she sa +isela Marani standing &eside her% &ook in hand% a 5ery serio!s e*pression onher char'ing (ace.‘!llo% +isela" hat#s the tro!&le8# she said cheer(!lly% as she closed /ohn ali(a*%

+entle'an% hich she as reading (or the third ti'e in s!ccession.‘It is this &ook%# e*plained +isela% tapping it. ‘ill yo! co'e ith 'e to the seat &y the

&oat-landing8 I ish to disc!ss it ith yo!.#‘9ather"# /oey slid don (ro' her seat ith great goodill% and% slipping her ar'

thro!gh +isela#s% strolled along &y her side.‘6ook"# she said s!ddenly. ‘There#s so'e ne people (ro' the >ron 0rin; >arl. They

ca'e last night. Father and 'other% and to girls and to &oys% and a gron-!p girl.Don#t they look <olly8#

+isela glanced idly in the direction in hich /oey% in co'plete de(iance to good

'anners% as pointing. Then her (ace s!ddenly changed% and her lips c!r5ed !p in as'ile o( s!rprise and pleas!re.

‘anda"# she cried. The elder girl% a sli'% (air person o( a&o!t (i(teen% t!rned ro!nd at the so!nd o( her

5oice. Then she !ttered a little cry and ran toards the'.‘+isela"# she e*clai'ed.

The yo!nger girl and a s'all &oy o( a&o!t se5en looked !p too% and in a 'in!te theyalso ere racing !p to the little gro!p.

+isela e'&raced the' all% hile /oey stood on one side% (eeling rather in the ay. B!tthe 2!strian had no idea o( lea5ing her o!t.

‘anda ) Marie ) ol(ra' ) this is 'y English (riend% /oey Bettany. I a' no at hersister#s school in the large Châlet o5er there. /oey% these are anda and Marie 5onEschena!% and their &rother ol(ra'. I as at school in ienna ith anda and Mariehen e li5ed there.#

/oey had ne5er &een a shy person she had tra5elled a&o!t too '!ch (or that. So noshe ca'e (orard and shook hands easily.

‘!llo"# she said. ‘ 2re these yo!r holidays8# The elder girl% ho' +isela had sal!ted as anda% s'iled.‘B!t no not holidays%# she said% and her care(!l speech re'inded /oey o( the (irst (e

eeks o( the Châlet School. ‘e ha5e le(t o!r lyce in ien#)hich is hat the2!strians call ienna) ‘and e are resting here !ntil Ma''a (inds !s one here ecan &e alays)ah" yo! call it ?&oarding-school%? I re'e'&er.#

‘$h% anda" ‘ cried +isela. ‘3o! '!st co'e to the Châlet School"#

39




‘That o!ld &e 5ery pleasant%# said anda politely. ‘6isten" I hear Ma''a calling.Co'e% Marie" ol(ra'" e shall hope to see yo! again% +isela I '!st tell Ma''a yo!are here. 2!( iedersehen" +ood-&ye% Fr:!lein /oey.#

2nd she h!rried o((% (olloed &y the other to% ho had looked at the to Châlet girlsin deathly silence all the ti'e.

‘hat pretties% +isela"# said /oey enth!siastically% as she and +isela 'ade their ayto the little hite-painted stand near the landing-stage% here people liked to sit andatch the passengers getting on and o(( the &oats. ‘hat did yo! say their na'e as8#

‘on Eschena!%# replied +isela. ‘Their papa is err 9itt'eister 5on Eschena! o( theI'perial +!ards. It o!ld &e 5ery <olly i( anda and Marie ca'e to the Châlet School%(or they are nice girls and i( Miss Bettany co!ld say she had the da!ghters o( a err9itt'eister at her school% then she o!ld get 'any 'ore p!pils.#

‘o!ld she8# /oey had the 5ag!est ideas a&o!t the 2!strian class-(eelings. 2lso% sheas not s!re <!st hat a err 9itt'eister 'ight &e. +isela did not enlighten her% either.She as% at the 'o'ent% '!ch 'ore engrossed in the &ook hich she had &eenreading than in the arri5al o( her old (riends% and as soon as they ere co'(orta&lyesta&lished on one o( the hite seats% she &egan her disc!ssion at once.

‘0apa &ro!ght 'e this &ook to days ago%# she said% e*hi&iting to /oey#s interested

eyes a girl#s school-story ith a gay paper <acket.‘Denise o( the Fo!rth%# read the English girl. ‘ho#s it &y8 M!riel Bernardine Brone84e5er heard o( her" hat#s it like8#

‘I (ind it interesting)in parts%# replied +isela% ‘tho!gh so'e o( it see's to 'ei'possi&le. B!t there are descriptions o( to things hich interest 'e 5ery '!ch% and Ias ondering i( e also co!ld not ha5e the'.#

‘Don#t say ?e also? like that"# corrected /oey% ho occasionally (o!nd the English o(her continental (riends rather &oring. ‘ It isn#t a &it English" 2nd hat are the tothings8#

‘Thank yo!% /oey% I ill try to re'e'&er%# said +isela% re(erring to /oey#s correction o(her English. ‘2nd the to things are a 'aga;ine% (irst. In the school o( this story% thegirls had a 'ost interesting 'aga;ine. It gi5es e*a'ples (ro' it. See"# 2nd she rapidly

(o!nd the place% and ga5e it to /oey% ho ski''ed thro!gh the chapter ith a ideninggrin on her (ace.

‘It is a'!sing8# 7!eried the ead +irl. ‘3o! (ind it (!nny8#‘It#s a shriek%# prono!nced the critic. ‘Fancy anyone riting senti'ental tosh like that

s!nset" o old is Denise% anyho8#‘She is (o!rteen%# replied +isela. ‘3o! call it senti'ental8#‘2nd tosh" hy% <!st listen to this"# 2nd /oey read alo!dP ‘ ? The glory o( the s!n

lingered long o#er tree and (loer his 'olten rays kissed the sil5ery ri5er as it slidsilently past% crooning a tender l!lla&y to the (ragile (loers hich &ent to kiss theirre(lections on its s!r(ace. In the pale lilac skies% one sil5ery star)the per(ect star o( e5e)shi''ered and gloed))? Is there a lot o( kissing in the &ook8#

‘They do kiss each other 5ery o(ten%# ret!rned +isela.‘I tho!ght so" 2nd that isn#t e5en good English" She#s !sed ? sil5ery ? and ? kiss ?

tice in a&o!t (i5e lines" B!t it#s rather an idea. e o!ght to ha5e a 'aga;ine. The onlytrial is% it ill &e so (right(!lly di((ic!lt to decide hat lang!age it ill &e in.#

‘B!t o( co!rse it ill &e in English%# said +isela. ‘e are an English school.#‘It o!ld &e rather (!n%# '!sed /oey. ‘ho#d &e editor8 3o!% I s!ppose8#+isela shook her head. ‘$h% no%# she said earnestly. ‘I do not kno eno!gh a&o!t it.

0erhaps Miss Maynard o!ld do it.#‘She 'ight &!t it o!ght really to &e a girl. ell% go on" hat#s the other sche'e yo!

liked so a(!lly8#‘The ead#s &irthday%# replied +isela% t!rning o5er 'ore pages. ‘See% /oey" In this they

had a dance% and they ga5e the ead &ea!ti(!l presents% and had a splendid ti'e" ere

is the pict!re.#

40




/oey looked tho!ght(!lly at the colo!red ill!stration hich depicted a hite-hairedhead'istress recei5ing a 'agni(icent chain and pendant (ro' a ead +irl o( (a&!lo!s&ea!ty hile a s'all child near&y looked al'ost sa'ped &y a h!ge &o!7!et o( liliesand roses.

‘e ha5en#t anyone as gorgeo!s as that%# o&ser5ed the English girl tho!ght(!lly.‘E5en that (riend o( yo!rs% anda hat#s-her-na'e% isn#t as lo5ely as that% and she#sthe 5ery prettiest girl I#5e e5er seen" Besides% it#s idiotic% o( co!rse" ead +irls don#t goro!nd ith their hair all o5er the place like that they o!ldn#t &e alloed to)not in adecent school anyay" 2nd I#5e ne5er heard o( a school here the girls ga5e the ead aslender gold chain on hich as s!ng an e*7!isite pendant st!dded ith dia'onds"

The 'ost e e5er rose to at the igh as a really decent reading-la'p. B!t the holidayst!nt is all right% and so is the dance. Madge#s &irthday does co'e this ter'% as ithappens. I 5ote e ask her (or the holiday% anyho.#

‘B!t she '!st also ha5e a gi(t%# protested +isela. ‘2nd (loers as ell. hat day is it% /oey8 Soon8#

‘It#s /!ly the (o!rth%# replied /oey) ‘ne*t Th!rsday. It o!ld &e a ripping sche'e to go(or an e*pedition so'ehere% o!ldn#t it8 Tell yo! hat" e 'ight go !p theMondscheinspit;e and ha5e a picnic there% and then co'e don and ha5e the dance in

the e5ening" $h% gorgeo!s"#‘2nd the gi(t8# persisted the ead +irl. ‘e all ad'ire and lo5e Miss Bettany so '!ch%e o!ld ish to gi5e her so'ething.#

‘$h% ell% that#s (or yo! to decide"# ret!rned /oey% riggling !nco'(orta&ly.‘B!t o( co!rse e ill" 3o! ill ant to gi5e yo!r on so!5enir e on#t ask yo! to

<oin !nless yo! ish it. B!t I kno the others ill. hat o!ld Miss Bettany like8#‘$h% any old thing" She#d like hate5er yo! gi5e her"#‘The (loers ill &e easy%# p!rs!ed +isela tho!ght(!lly. ‘ e ha5e a garden% Bette has

a garden% 2nita and +io5anna ha5e a garden% and so has +ertr!d. e shall ha5e roses%lilies% and 'arg!erites.#

‘It#s a tophole sche'e. 6et#s go and ask the others%# proposed /oey. ‘ It#s nearly ti'e(or prep% anyho. 3o!#ll ha5e to ask 'y sister (or the holiday% yo! kno% and yo!#ll ha5e

to gi5e hate5er yo! do gi5e her.#+isela colo!red (aintly. She as rather inclined to &e shy.‘In Denise o( the Fo!rth% Mer5yn% that#s the ead +irl% asks the' to cheer the

head'istress%# she said. ‘ I sho!ld ha5e to do that too8#‘$( co!rse" hat do yo! think8 ere#s +ertr!d and +ri;el co'ing. 6et#s tell the' no%

shall e8#‘Don#t yo! think it o!ld &e &etter it e aited till e5eryone as together8#

s!ggested +isela di((idently. ‘2nd sho!ld I not ask the 0re(ects (irst8#‘3e)yes% I s!ppose yo! sho!ld%# conceded /oey rel!ctantly. ‘ 2ll right" 3o! go and call

a 0re(ects# 'eeting% and I#ll go and see hat Si'one is !p to. I ha5en#t seen her sinceMittagessen.#

/oey skipped o((% lea5ing +isela to (ollo at a 'ore stately rate% as &e(itted a ead+irl ho is eighed don ith responsi&ilities.

Si'one greeted her (riend ith 'o!rn(!l eyes.‘I looked (or yo! e5eryhere% /oey%# she said reproach(!lly.‘ell% I as reading on the (ence%# responded /oey &riskly. ‘Then +isela ca'e to talk

to 'e a&o!t a ne &ook she as reading. $h% Si'one% do yo! re'e'&er those peopleho ca'e to the >ron 0rin; >arl last night &y the last &oat8 e#5e <!st 'et the'they#re (riends o( +isela#s)co'e (ro' ienna% and they#re here (or a hile. 3o!re'e'&er the to pretty girls like (airy princesses8 Their na'es are anda and Marie%and they ent to a lyce in ien")It alays see's a 'ad idea to 'e to chop the endo( ienna and spell it ith a ??")+isela ants the' to co'e to the Châlet School. Shesays it o!ld &e topping (or 'y sister i( they did% &eca!se their (ather#s a err

9itt'eister% and)) hat#s the 'atter8# staring in !ndisg!ised a'a;e'ent at Si'one%ho looked as i( she ere a&o!t to &!rst into tears. ‘2ren#t yo! ell8#

41




‘$h% /oey%# said Si'one pathetically% dropping into her on lang!age in her agitation) ‘oh% /oey% don#t ha5e any 'ore (riends" 0lease% /oey% don#t" 3o!#5e got +ri;el% and+isela and Bette lo5e yo!% and I#5e only got yo!" 2nd no yo! ant those to ne girlsthat yo! don#t kno at all" $h% /oey% don#t &e so sel(ish"#

/oey stood stockstill in her a'a;e'ent. ‘Sel(ish" ‘ she repeated. ‘Sel(ish" It#s yo! hoare sel(ish" I#5e told yo! o5er and o5er again that I#' going to ha5e all the (riends Iant% and it doesn#t 'ake one scrap o( di((erence to 'y &eing pally ith yo!" I don#t'ind yo!r ha5ing other (riends)I don#t see hy yo! don#t" Margia o!ld ch!' ith yo!i( yo! ga5e her hal( a chance% and she#s a <olly nice kid" It#s no !se looking like that%Si'one" It doesn#t 'ake one scrap o( di((erence" I( I like anda and Marie% I#' going tolike the'. I( they do co'e to the Châlet and e ant to &e pally% I shall &e"# Then sherelented so'ehat at the look o( 'isery in Si'one#s great dark eyes% and slipped anar' ro!nd her sho!lders% gi5ing her a gentle little shake. ‘Do &!ck !p% Si'one% and &e)&e a 'an" 3o!#d &e tice as <olly i( yo! only o!ld" 6ook here" There#s (i5e 'in!tes&e(ore the &ell goes)I (orgot 'y atch is (ast)and there#s <!st ti'e to tell yo! hat+isela as talking to 'e a&o!t. Co'e along and let#s go and sit &y the &oat-slip and I#lltell yo! a&o!t it. It#s a(!lly thrilling"#

B!t altho!gh Si'one alloed hersel( to &e dran toards the little ooden landing-

stage &eside the Châlet% the d!'& retchedness o( her e*pression did not rela*% and allthe ti'e that /oey as enlarging on +isela#s ‘topping# idea% she sat itho!t 'aking theslightest e((ort at cheering !p. Finally% e5en happy-go-l!cky /o Bettany ga5e it !p indespair. hat co!ld yo! do ith a girl ho re(!sed to &e interested in &irthday-partiesand sat looking like a ch!nk o( solid 'isery8

/oey as thank(!l hen the &ell ent% and she as a&le to go o(( to her on (or'-roo'% here there ere plenty o( people interested in all she had to say a&o!t theneco'ers at the >ron 0rin; >arl.

‘It o!ld &e splendid (or the school i( they did co'e%# said 2nita 9incini. ‘ I ha5e heard0apa talk o( err 5on Eschena! They are 5ery ell &orn.#

‘hat a silly reason"# said +ri;el cr!shingly. ‘The real 7!estion is% ill they &e all rightin school8 2re they good at ga'es% (or instance8#

‘They ill not kno cricket%# la!ghed Sophie a'el% co'ing to the resc!e% (or 2nitaas too '!ch s7!ashed &y +ri;el#s re'ark to say anything. ‘3o! ill ha5e to teachthe' that% +ri;el. To 'ore% perhaps% (or yo!r tea'.# For +ri;el% ho as keen oncricket% and had &een a shining light o( the /!nior Ele5en at her last school% had &eenappointed cricket captain% and as pro5ing a 5ery capa&le coach. 0erhaps one reason(or her s!ccess as that the other girls ere all so keen on &eing an ‘English# school%that they took her criticis's and sarcas's in good part% and really tried to learn thega'e. 2s (or the /!niors% they spent 'ost o( their (ree ti'e in (ielding practice. Thega'es 'istress at the igh had &een 5ery insistent on the necessity (or s'art (ielding%and +ri;el% 7!ite a good% steady &at% had ne5ertheless e*celled in &oling% hichnat!rally 'ade her 'ore deter'ined to ha5e good (ielding than i( it had &een the otheray ro!nd.

They had tennis% too% (or 'ost o( the girls played it 7!ite ell% and +isela Marani and+ertr!d Stein&r=cke ere e*ceptionally good. The co!rts ere not all that co!ld &edesired% since they had% !ntil to 'onths ago% &een ordinary 'eado-land. B!t errBra!n o( the >ron 0rin; >arl had lent the' his roller% and e5en sent one o( his 'en o5erat odd ti'es% (irst to c!t the grass% and then to roll it% and% as Miss Bettany hadre'arked a day or so pre5io!sly% it really o!ld &e 7!ite good in another year#s ti'e.oe5er% there co!ld &e no do!&t a&o!t it% cricket as the 'ore pop!lar ga'e.

4o% in anser to Sophie#s re'ark% +ri;el spoke 7!ite gracio!sly.‘e sha#n#t &e playing cricket ne*t ter'. I don#t 7!ite kno hat e shall play do

yo!% /oey8#‘4ot an earthly"# ret!rned /oey pro'ptly. ‘ I sho!ld think it#ll &e hockey% tho!gh. My

sister as a(!lly good at it hen she as at school. B!t isn#t there heaps o( sno herein the inter8#

42




‘$h% yes%# said 2nita readily. ‘The lake is (ro;en% too% and there is '!ch skating.#‘+irls" hy are yo! talking8# said +ertr!d#s 5oice at that 'o'ent. ‘3o! o!ght to &e

orking" Sit don% please"# They ent to their seats% hile +ertr!d% ho had co'e to take preparation% arranged

her &ooks to her liking on the 'istress#s ta&le. Then there as silence hile they got onith their preparation in the cool% 7!iet roo'.

2s soon as the &ell (or tea ent% /oey literally pitched her &ooks into her locker% and(led along the passage to (ind +isela. She anted to kno hat Madge had said a&o!tthe &irthday-party. oe5er% she had to possess her so!l in patience% (or the ead +irlas in the 0re(ects# roo'.

6!ckily% those great people had decided to 'ake all arrange'ents as soon aspossi&le% and hen their on tea% hich they ere alloed to ha5e &y the'sel5es% aso5er% they ca'e don to the Speisesaal% here the others ere% and +isela% &l!shing(!rio!sly% '!r'!red a re7!est to Miss Maynard% ho as taking tea. Miss Maynardnodded% and got !p at once.

‘3es% certainly% +isela" e ha5e <!st (inished% so I ill say ?+race? and then lea5ethe' to yo!.#

She said ‘+race%# and then ent o!t o( the roo'.

‘ill yo! all please to sit don%# said +isela% hen the door as sh!t. They all sat don% /oey s7!ee;ing her hands together in her e*cite'ent (or% o(co!rse% this '!st 'ean that Madge had agreed% and they o!ld &e a&le to go !p theMondscheinspit;e% hich she had &een longing to do e5er since err Mensch had toldthe' a&o!t it.

+isela as 7!ite &rie(. She e*plained to the' a&o!t the English c!sto' o( cele&ratingthe ead#s &irthday% and told the' that she and the 0re(ects had tho!ght it o!ld &e agood plan to cele&rate Miss Bettany#s. Miss Bettany had no o&<ection to their ha5ing theholiday% and% s!&<ect to the eather &eing (ine% had agreed to their 'aking ane*pedition !p the Mondscheinspit;e. I( it as et% they ere to ha5e a party in theChâlet.

‘Miss Bettany has &een 5ery good to !s%# ent on +isela% ‘ and I think yo! o!ld all

like to <oin to gi5e her so'e so!5enir o( the (irst ter' o( the Châlet School o!ld yo!not8 So any ho ish it 'ay &ring contri&!tions to Bette 9incini or 'ysel( to-'orro%and on the Sat!rday e ill go into Inns&r=ck and p!rchase so'ething. 2nd on

Th!rsday% ill those o( yo! ho can% please &ring (loers% and co'e early% so that e'ay also gi5e her a &o!7!et.#

Then she ceased speaking% and aited. B!t the &!rst o( enth!sias' hich anseredher told her that the idea as 'ost pop!lar% and% as /oey said later on% ‘ That as that"#

Chapter 1A.Shopping)2nd 2 Meeting

Sat!rday pro5ed to &e a glorio!sly (ine day. The s!n shone &rilliantly (ro' a &l!e%clo!dless sky% and e5erything gloed in the 'ello ar'th. 2 (resh little &ree;e rippledthe s!r(ace o( the lake% lying like a piece o( lapis-la;!li in the heart o( the greatli'estone 'o!ntains that ha5e kept atch o5er it (or cent!ries. /oey and +ri;el in theirshort hite tennis (rocks% ith &are &ron legs% looked delight(!lly cool% and the othersin their &ron gy' t!nics regarded the' en5io!sly.

‘3o! look so nice and (resh"# said Margia Ste5ens. ‘I ish I as going into Inns&r=ckto-day"#

‘3o! needn#t%# la!ghed Madge (ro' the (oot o( the ta&le% here she as &!ttering2'y#s roll (or her. ‘It ill &e steing hot in Inns&r=ck to-day. 9e'e'&er e#re threetho!sand (eet a&o5e sea-le5el as it is% and there#s a delight(!l &ree;e (ro' the lake &!t

there on#t &e a &reath o( air don in the 5alley. hat it ill &e like &y noon I can#tthink. 6!ckily% +isela and Bette ha5e eno!gh co''on sense to 'ake yo! keep 7!iet

43




then% or I o!ldn#t let yo! go. Finished8 ery ell. 3o!#d &etter r!n along or yo!#ll 'issthe train% and 'ake the others 'iss it too. 3o!r &iggest hats% girls and ha5e yo! gotplenty o( 'oney8#

‘eaps"# declared /oey. ‘Co'e on% +ri;el% &!ck !p" +ood-&ye% e5ery&ody. E*pect !shen yo! see !s"#

ith this she danced o!t o( the roo'% (olloed 'ore sloly &y +ri;el% and soon theyere h!rrying along &y the lake-path toards Seespit; and the 'o!ntain railay% here+isela and Bette aaited the' i'patiently% hile Fr:!lein el(er% the 9incinis# Ma'sell)or 'other#s help% as e sho!ld call her in England)as already sitting in the train.

‘Co'e" 3o! are 5ery late" cried the ead +irl. ‘I had (ear that e '!st aait the ne*ttrain% and 0apa says that it ill &e so hot in Inns&r=ck later on.#

‘2(!lly sorry%# ret!rned /oey in !nr!((led tones. ‘I think o!r clocks '!st &e rong%&eca!se e tho!ght e had oceans o( ti'e. +ood-'orning% Fr:!lein el(er. ope eha5en#t gi5en yo! spas's" Isn#t it a glorio!s day8#

Fr:!lein el(er% ho !nderstood a&o!t hal( o( this speech% &oed and s'iledner5o!sly% as /oey% still chattering% cla'&ered !p &eside her% (olloed &y the others.

‘/oey% ha5e yo! yet learned hat it is Mada'e desires8# in7!ired +isela presently% asthe train p!((ed its ay i'portantly don the 'o!ntain-side.

/oey shook her &lack head 5igoro!sly. ‘4ot an idea. I think it#ll &e &est i( yo! <!st gethat yo! think. hate5er it is% she#ll &e s!re to like it% &eca!se yo!#5e gi5en it. !llo"So'e people at achen" I say% hat a crod"#

‘S!''er 5isitors%# said Bette. ‘+er'ans% 'ost o( the'. That o'an in the tartandress co'es (ro' Berlin)I heard her say.#

‘hat a si;e she is" ‘ co''ented +ri;el% as the lady in 7!estion l!'&ered into thecar. ‘ I sho!ldn#t think one seat o!ld do her" 2re there 'any +er'ans here in thes!''er% +isela8#

‘2 great n!'&er generally%# replied +isela. ‘e like the Ba5arians)they are polite%and like o!rsel5es in 'any ays &!t the 4orth +er'an people% and especially theBerliners% are not.#

‘0apa says that it as they ho ca!sed the ar%# Bette chi'ed in.

‘$h% ell% e5ery&ody knos that"# said /oey easily. ‘hat a tre'endo!s ay !p eare" hat o!ld happen i( anything &roke% +isela8#

‘I do not think it co!ld happen%# replied +isela serio!sly. ‘I ha5e ne5er heard o( it. B!ti( it did% e sho!ld pl!nge o5er the side and on to the path to Sp:rt;% hich lies donthere.#

‘o!ldn#t it &e a(!l i( the lake ere s!ddenly to o5er(lo8 It o!ld co'e don herelike a 'ill-race% o!ldn#t it8#

‘/oey" hat horrid things yo! i'agine"# protested +ri;el. /oey la!ghed% and stopped her i'agining to ga;e at the lady (ro' Berlin. She

certainly as enor'o!s)(ar (atter than Fra! Mensch. She looked !nco'(orta&ly hot%too% in a dress o( scarlet% green% and yello tartan% ith a little stra hat adorned ithscarlet and green &os perched on the top o( her head. er yello hair as scraped&ack o(( her ide (ace% 'aking it see' larger than e5er% and she stared in (ront o( herith eyes like grey glass. S!ddenly% as i( attracted &y /oey#s interested regard% sheglared at the s'all girl.

‘Engl:nderin"# she snorted in g!tt!ral tones.‘9ather"# responded the irrepressi&le one. ‘2nd pro!d o( it too"#‘/oey" Be 7!iet"# said +isela (ir'ly.‘hy sho!ld I8 She spoke (irst"#‘It 'akes no 'atter. She is '!ch% '!ch older than yo!"#+isela had not intended her re'arks to &e o5erheard% &!t her 5oice as o( the clear%

carrying order% and the lady (ro' Berlin not only heard% &!t !nderstood.‘Scheine"# she said% and then hea5ed her &!lk ro!nd% nearly !psetting her opposite

neigh&o!r% an ino((ensi5e little Tyrolean ho as going to 'arket in Sp:rt;.

44




‘Isn#t she r!de8# o&ser5ed /oey. ‘2ll right% +isela" I#' not going to say anything 'ore.Did yo! say yo!r (ather as going to 'eet !s at Inns&r=ck8#

‘3es. Fr:!lein el(er ishes to 5isit her parents% and 0apa is going to &e o!r escort.e ill see !s at the station% and ill take !s to the shops. Then e are going to ha5el!nch at the Mariatheresien 9esta!rant% and a(terards e shall go (or a dri5e along theBrenner 9oad% and go &ack &y the last train. There is a +astha!s !p the Brenner heree can ha5e co((ee% and e ill take cakes ith !s. Do yo! like it8#

‘Topping" Isn#t it% +ri;el8#‘9ather"# said +ri;el. ‘It#s tophole o( err Marani to do it"#‘I a' so glad yo! are pleased"# said +isela co!rteo!sly. ‘2h% e ha5e arri5ed at

Sp:rt;% and there is o!r train to Inns&r=ck on the other side o( the plat(or'" Co'e" e'!st h!rry"#

B!t it as easier to say that than to do it. Fra! Berlin% as +ri;el had christened her%took her on ti'e a&o!t getting o!t% and as she &locked the dooray% the girls had%per(orce% to ait !ntil she as ell on to the plat(or'.

‘I#5e a good 'ind to cli'& o!t o( the indo"# said +ri;el as they atched her.‘o!ld there &e a (!ss8#

‘$( co!rse there o!ld"# ret!rned Bette pro'ptly. ‘e sho!ld pro&a&ly all &e

detained at the police co!rt.#‘2 case o( ?'ore haste% less speed%? in (act%# grinned /oey. ‘Thank goodness% the old(reak#s o!t at last" Co'e on" e shall 'iss the train i( e don t &!ck !p"#

They nearly did 'iss it% (or Ma'sell as not acc!sto'ed to dashing (ro' one tra' toanother% and had it not &een (or +ri;el and +isela% ho ha!led her !p the steps and intothe carriage ith little cere'ony% she o!ld ha5e &een le(t on the plat(or'. 2s it as%she as gasping and scared.

‘B!t ne5er 'ind that e#5e ca!ght the train"# said /o practically.It as (!ll% as it as the ien-0aris train% so they had to content the'sel5es in the

corridor hoe5er% it as only (or a short ti'e% and then they reached the o!tskirts o(the capital o( the Tyrol% here tall% (lat ho!ses (aced the'% ith pl!'ea!* hanging o!tto air (ro' the open indos% hile the hot 5alley air r!shed to 'eet the' as they

hirled past.‘ere e are"# e*clai'ed +ri;el% as the train dre !p &eside the &!sy plat(or'. ‘2nd

there#s yo!r (ather% +isela. 6et#s get o!t" There#s no horrid (at Fra! Berlin to stop !s thisti'e" ‘2s she spoke% she s!ng hersel( don on the plat(or'% &!'ping into so'eoneho as going hea5ily past. The so'eone t!rned and glared at her. orrors" It as Fra!Berlin hersel(" hat o!ld ha5e happened it is hard to tell% (or she had o&5io!sly heardand !nderstood +ri;el#s indiscreet re'arks. 6!ckily% at that 'o'ent err Marani ca'e!p% and 7!ickly grasping hat had occ!rred% he raised his hat% apologising co!rteo!slyto the (!rio!s lady (or the English child#s cl!'siness. Fra! Berlin as not to &e placated%&!t she rolled onards% a(ter directing a 5eno'o!s glare at the i'penitent +ri;el.

‘3o! '!st &e 'ore care(!l% 'y child%# said err Marani% a(ter he had assisted theothers o!t o( the carriage and thro!gh the &arrier. ‘ 3o! 'ight ha5e h!rt that lady 5ery'!ch indeed.#

‘I#' sorry%# '!r'!red +ri;el !ntr!th(!lly hile +isela added% ‘Indeed% 0apa% she as5ery r!de as e ca'e don% and called !s Scheine.#

‘!sh% 'ein 6ie&ling" I do not like to hear s!ch ords (ro' thy lips%# said her (ather%as they crossed the station s7!are% hich lay hite and hot in the &rilliant s!nshine. ‘6et!s talk o( o!r errands instead. e need not think o( an ill-&red Berliner% &!t only o( hatis pleasant to !s all.#

‘There is a shop in the M!se!' Strasse here one can &!y &ea!ti(!l china%# saidBette% as +isela see'ed to &e red!ced to silence &y her (ather#s gentle re&!ke. ‘e hadtho!ght i( e ga5e Mada'e a little co((ee-ser5ice. e ha5e collected eno!gh 'oney (ora s'all one. o!ld she like it% /oey8 $r e can get her a necklace o( car5ed i5ory

&eads.#

45




‘It#s topping o( yo!"# said /oey cordially. ‘She#d rather ha5e the china% I &elie5e. Shedoesn#t care a great deal (or <eellery.#

‘The co((ee-ser5ice then% &y all 'eans%# agreed err Marani. ‘I '!st go in here (or tolittle 'o'ents to &!y so'e cigars. Then e ill go to the china shop and p!rchase theco((ee-ser5ice.#

‘o shall e carry it ho'e8 ‘ asked +ri;el practically% as they aited (or err Maranio!tside the shop. ‘$h% look at those pl!'s" $nly si* h!ndred >rnen the kilo" I '!st &!yso'e"#

‘B!t there is no need%# o&<ected Bette. ‘e are going to ha5e Mittagessen hen eha5e &o!ght the present. I( yo! eat pl!'s no yo! on#t &e h!ngry (or it.#

‘B!t e 'ight take so'e ho'e%# s!ggested /oey. ‘e can get the' hen e co'e&ack. Don#t &!y any no% +ri;el. They#d only &e an a(!l n!isance to cart a&o!t. +isela%is there anyhere here I can &!y a pict!re o( the Tiern See8 I think M)'y sister o!ldlike that &est.#

‘3es% o( co!rse" There is a 5ery good shop in the Mariatheresien Strasse here theyha5e pict!res and photographs too. e can go there as e go to the resta!rant.#

‘ere is $nkel Florian%# o&ser5ed Bette at this <!nct!re.err Marani ca'e o!t o( the shop at that 'o'ent% and taking /oey#s hand% and ith

Bette on his other ar'% said% ‘2nd no e are all ready (or the i'portant part o( o!rholiday. 6et !s go to the shop.# e t!rned o(( as he spoke don one o( the side-streetsthat lead (ro' the 6andha!s Strasse to the M!se!' Strasse.

There is '!ch 'ore ca'araderie &eteen 2!strians and their children than &eteen+er'ans and theirs% and the Tyrolese 'iddle class and !pper 'iddle class treat their&oys and girls ith a (reedo' nearly con(or'ing to English ideas. err Marani% a tall%Italian-looking 'an% as de5oted to his to da!ghters and his pretty niece% and /oeyand +ri;el (elt no shyness ith hi'% so that all their tong!es ere soon going at (!llspeed. e good-nat!redly pa!sed to let the' look at the shops% and ansered their7!estions as ell as he as a&le% pro'ising the' a 5isit to the Ferdinande!' M!se!'in the a!t!'n% and also one to the theatre hen there sho!ld &e a good play.

‘B!t not no%# he said. ‘ 4o the s!n shines% and it is ell to &e o!t in the (resh air.

hen the inter cold co'es e ill ha5e o!r inside a'!se'ents. 4o this is the shophere the china is sold. 6et !s go in and choose.#

It as all 5ery ell to say it% &!t it as dread(!lly di((ic!lt to decide a'ong so '!ch. There as one co((ee-ser5ice &espattered ith pink roses on a &lack gro!nd% andanother ith a p!rple cle'atis pattern all o5er it% and they pa!sed a long ti'e &e(oreone in gold and &lack. oe5er% they (inally agreed on one ith a &l!e and yellodesign on a hite gro!nd% hich had a 7!aintly (oreign air to &oth /oey and +ri;el% anderr Marani told the o'an in charge to pack it !p and ha5e it ready (or the' to taketo the station hen they sho!ld ret!rn (ro' the Brenner dri5e. Then they le(t the shop%and t!rned o!t o( the M!se!' Strasse into the Mariatheresien Strasse% hich is a (ine%ide street ith 5ery good 'odern shops. hether yo! look don or !p it% yo! see the'o!ntains ith hich Inns&r=ck is ringed ro!nd. 2t the so!th end stands the tri!'phalarch and gate% and &eyond the'% the er;og Friedrich Strasse% ith its croning gloryo( the +oldenes Dachl or ‘ +olden 9oo(.#

+ri;el lo5ed the great ide seep o( the 'ore 'odern street /oey pre(erred thehistory-steeped narroness o( the E'peror Frederick#s day)and there yo! ha5e thedi((erence &eteen the to girls. err Marani had disco5ered it long since% &!t ita'!sed hi' to see it once again in their arg!'ents a&o!t the to 'ost (a'o!sthoro!gh(ares o( his &elo5ed nati5e city. oe5er% ti'e as getting on% so he h!shedtheir arg!'ents% and led the' across the road to the shop on the opposite side o( thestreet% here /oey soon s!cceeded in choosing a char'ing pict!re o( the Tiern See (orher sister. Then they crossed once 'ore% and entered the Mariatheresien 9esta!rant.

They did not pa!se in the croded roo' hich (aces on to the street% &!t ent right

thro!gh to the +arden 9oo'% here pal's% a (o!ntain% and creeper-h!ng trellises ga5ean open-air at'osphere hich as 5ery delight(!l. Electric (ans hirling ro!nd kept the

46




air (resh and cool% and they all sat don ith sighs o( relie(. It really as &oiling in thestreets"

hen she as co'(orta&ly settled% /oey looked ro!nd% and ga5e a little s7!eal.‘+isela" 6ook" There#s that horrid (at o'an"#+isela% ho as opposite her% pro'ptly t!rned ro!nd% nearly o5ert!rning her chair as

she did so% and sa% sitting a (e yards aay% their late ene'y o( the train. She had notseen the'% (or she as &!ried in a c!rrent n!'&er o( the Fliegende Bl:tter% hich is the+er'an 0!nch% and she looked hotter than e5er.

‘orrid old (reak"# '!r'!red +ri;el. ‘Doesn#t she look a(!l8#‘6ike a scarlet hippopota'!s"# s!ggested /oey. ‘I( I ere as (at as that I sho!ld go and

dron 'ysel(.#err Marani% ho had &een disc!ssing the 'en! ith the aiter% t!rned at this

'o'ent% and ca!ght the last speech o( his yo!ngest g!est.‘/osephine" ‘ he e*clai'ed in horror.

/oey had the grace to &l!sh. ‘I kno it#s r!de o( 'e%# she '!'&led% ‘&!t)she is (at%isn#t she% err Marani8#

‘!sh% 'y child%# he replied. ‘It is rong to say s!ch things o( one so '!ch older. Sheis not% perhaps% so char'ing as one o!ld ish% &!t e '!st (orget that. 4o let !s

disc!ss o!r dri5e !p the Brenner 9oad. I propose that e go to the 2lte 0ost% here ecan get co((ee and rolls and &!tter. 0erhaps e 'ay &e a&le to (ind a ;ither-player% andthen yo! shall hear so'e o( o!r 'o!ntain songs a'idst the grandest scenery on earth.

Then% hen e ha5e had co((ee% and yo! ha5e gathered yo!r (loers% e ill co'edon% and stop at the shops (or o!r parcels% and then e '!st catch the train. 3o! likethat8 3es8#

‘$h% rather"# said /oey enth!siastically. ‘It#s <olly good o( yo! to gi5e !s s!ch a rippingtreat% err Marani.#

e la!ghed. ‘I% too% like a little holiday. ere co'es the so!p.# /oey#s eyes idened at the tho!ght o( so!p on so hot a day% &!t hen it ca'e% she

disco5ered that it as iced% and 5ery delicio!s. Fro' her seat she co!ld see Fra! Berlingo&&ling !p so!p also% ith s'all regard (or good 'anners. oe5er% err Marani kept

her attention occ!pied% and she soon (orgot the (at lady. Fra! Berlin% on the other hand%had <!st seen the'% and she looked (!rio!s. In her indignation she alloed her te'perto o5erco'e her discretion% and she spat 5ehe'ently in their direction% <!st as the headaiter passed &eteen the'.

There as an instant !proar (or he% in the shock o( the 'o'ent% stepped hea5ily&ackards% al'ost !psetting +isela% hose plate o( so!p ent (lying. err Maranisprang to his (eet% and a co!ple o( Italians ho ere l!nching near <oined in at once%po!ring (orth a (lood o( 7!estions and e*cla'ations% and% hen the angry 'anagerappeared on the scene% e*planations o( the hole a((air. Se5eral people ho eresitting near stood !p to see &etter hat as happening. The a!thor o( all thedist!r&ance snorted o!t so'ething a&o!t erda''te Engl:nderinen% and de'andedher &ill. Ten 'in!tes later she had gone% e5eryone had sat don% the head aiter#s(eelings had &een soothed &y a gi(t o( Trinkgeld (ro' err Marani% and the 'anager had5anished% ith only a 5ery ha;y idea o( hat had occ!rred% &!t con5inced &y e5eryonethat the (a!lt lay ith Fra! Berlin. ‘I hope that is the last ti'e e shall see her%# said+isela.

‘She has &een horrid all ro!nd"# declared +ri;el ith con5iction. ‘B!t it as rather (!n%asn#t it8#

‘3es% it as%# agreed Bette ‘&!t% like +isela% I hope e shall see her no 'ore.#oe5er% they ere destined to 'eet her again% tho!gh this they co!ld not possi&ly

kno <!st then. They (inished their 'eal itho!t (!rther dist!r&ance% and then err Marani took the'

&ack to the Station S7!are% here they got into one o( the 7!aint open carriages hich

alays a'!sed the English girls so% and set o(( (or their dri5e into the 'o!ntains.

47




Chapter 1.2t The 2lte 0ost.

‘$h" Isn#t this gorgeo!s8# /oey Bettany dre a long &reath as she ga;ed ro!nd her atthe 'o!ntains hich rose on e5ery side in 'a<estic splendo!r% hile &elo% the pine(orests sept don to the 5alley% here the Inn ent &raling past% h!rrying don to

<oin Father Dan!&e. 2t (irst they had passed ho!ses and Châlets% and people leadinghea5ily-laden '!les had stopped to look a(ter the' &!t (or the last hal(-ho!r they had'et no one. err Marani s'iled kindly don at the little girl. er enth!sias' pleasedhi'% (or% like all Tyroleans% he lo5ed his co!ntry de5otedly.

‘It is (iner (arther !p%# he said. ‘2s e get higher and higher% e see the peaks at theother side and i( e go high eno!gh% e can see the St!&ai +lacier. e '!st take yo!there so'e day.#

‘I( it#s (ine% e#re going !p the Mondscheinspit;e on Madge#s &irthday% yo! kno%#said /oey eagerly.

‘So8 That is a pleasant little cli'&.#‘I ant to cli'& the Tiern<och%# p!t in +ri;el. ‘I 'ean to so'e day% too"#

4o +ri;el had said nothing a&o!t cli'&ing the Tiern<och lately% so /oey had i'aginedshe had (orgotten a&o!t her desire to 'ake its ascent% and she as thoro!ghlydis'ayed at +ri;el#s re'ark.

‘I ish err Mensch had ne5er said anything a&o!t it"# she tho!ght.err Marani raised his eye&ros at +ri;el#s ords. ‘The Tiern<och8 It is not a girl#s

cli'&. Best lea5e it alone)(or the present at any rate%# he said decisi5ely.‘I 'ean to go%# said +ri;el st!&&ornly. ‘2nd I#' not a &a&y% err Marani.#‘B!t ill Mada'e per'it it8# p!t in +isela so'ehat tactlessly. ‘It is% as 0apa says% a

5ery di((ic!lt cli'&)I ha5e not done it yet" It o!ld tire yo!% +ri;el.#+ri;el 'ade no anser% &!t her 'o!th took its old o&stinate lines% and /oey 'ade

haste to change the con5ersation.‘$h% err Marani" 6ook at that little &oy crossing his (ingers at !s" hy e5er does he

do that8#‘e is 'aking ?the horns%? # la!ghed err Marani ‘<!st in case any o( !s ha5e the e5il

eye. That ill dri5e aay the danger.#‘hat cheek" 2s i( e co!ld" I ne5er heard s!ch nonsense"#+isela la!ghed at /oey#s 5ehe'ence. ‘e are strangers% and those li5ing in the

'o!ntains are 5ery s!perstitio!s% nat!rally. So'e o( the children see no one &!t theiron relati5es all the year ro!nd. B!t all the sa'e% they '!st see people go past ina!to'o&iles%# she added% ‘(or this is the high road into Italy.#

‘It#s the road 4apoleon ca'e &y% I kno% said /oey. ‘I#' a(!lly glad to see it on thatacco!nt.#

‘3o! ad'ire hi'8 B!t he alloed his soldiers to &e terri&ly cr!el"# cried Bette. ‘Thinko( hat they did to 2ndreas o(er hen they took hi' prisoner"#

‘3es% e o( the Tyrol (ind it hard to (orgi5e the treat'ent 'eted o!t &y the French too!r great patriot%# said err Marani. ‘e are pro!d o( hi'% (or he died (or (reedo'.#

‘B!t 4apoleon co!ldn#t kno hat a great 'an he as%# pleaded /oey. ‘e didn#tkno ho the soldiers ere treating hi' till it as too late"#

‘e need not ha5e ordered his death%# replied Bette.‘B!t they ere at ar% and 2ndreas o(er as the leader.#‘3o! '!st agree to di((er%# said err Marani% seeing that the to ere &eco'ing 5ery

heated.‘2nd anyay% they#5e &oth &een dead ages%# +ri;el chi'ed in. ‘I ne5er can see hy

yo! 'ake s!ch a (!ss a&o!t people ho are past and done ith% /oey. They can#tpossi&ly 'ake any di((erence to yo! one ay or the other no.#

Their kindly host &!rst o!t la!ghing at this e*tre'ely 'atter-o(-(act 5ie o( things%and then pointed o!t to the' a h!ge% hite% &arn-like &!ilding !p the 'o!ntain-side.

48




‘That is the 2lte 0ost%# he said. ‘e shall &e there in hal( an ho!r no% and then eill ha5e o!r co((ee))#

‘0apa"# +isela interr!pted hi' ith a cry o( dis'ay. ‘The cakes" e ha5e (orgottenthe cakes" 4o e shall only ha5e rolls and &!tter.#

‘+ott in i''el" B!t ho tho!ghtless"# err Marani looked as pert!r&ed as hisda!ghter.

‘0erhaps they ill ha5e >!chen at the inn%# s!ggested Bette% not 5ery hope(!lly.‘2nd anyay% it doesn#t 'atter%# added /oey. ‘e can get cakes any day hen e#re

in the ton.# The &ig 2!strian#s (ace cleared at that. ‘ That is tr!e% B=&chen. 3o! shall ha5e cakes

(or Fr:!lein Bettany#s &irthday to 'ake !p (or yo!r disappoint'ent to-day. My 'other'akes delicio!s honey and n!t cakes% and I ill ask her to 'ake so'e (or yo!.#

‘$h% that o!ld &e ripping o( yo! i( yo! ill%# said /oey (er5ently.‘Topping"# agreed +ri;el.‘+rand'a''a 'akes onder(!l cakes%# said +isela. ‘e all lo5e the'.#‘Madge ill &e &!cked"# '!r'!red Madge#s s'all sister. ‘She is going to ha5e a <olly

&irthday"#‘It on#t &e a &it like English &irthdays%# o&ser5ed +ri;el. ‘E*cept the presents% o(

co!rse% and the (loers"#‘2nd the &irthday cake%# added /oey. ‘She and Made'oiselle ha5e 'ade a h!ge one%all rich and pl!''y% ith a threepenny and a &!tton and a ring in.#

‘B!t hy8# de'anded +isela. ‘I do not !nderstand.#‘Don#t yo!8 hy% hoe5er gets the threepenny ill &e rich% and the ring 'eans

'arriage% and the &!tton an old 'aid%# e*plained /oey. ‘e alays did it at ho'e andcandles ro!nd the cake too)as 'any candles as yo! are years old.#

‘Is Miss Bettany going to ha5e candles8# 7!eried +ri;el ith interest.‘I don#t kno she didn#t say. I e*pect she ill% tho!gh. $h% err Marani" /!st look at

those (loers" Can#t e get o!t and gather so'e8#‘Best to ait till e ret!rn%# he ad5ised. ‘Then yo!r (loers ill &e (resh to take ho'e.

e are al'ost there no. /!st one 'ore t!rn and e reach it.#

‘I say" o!ldn#t it &e a(!l i( Fra! Berlin ere to &e there8#2ll the others t!rned to +ri;el% ho had 'ade this char'ing s!ggestion.‘+oodness" I hope not"# This 5igoro!sly (ro' /oey.‘hat a dread(!l idea% +ri;el"# Th!s +isela.hile err Marani said decidedly% ‘$h% I sho!ld not e*pect it"#‘Still she 'ight &e%# persisted +ri;el. ‘e#5e 'et her once already.#‘Then% i( she sho!ld indeed &e there% I shall tr!st yo! to say nothing% do nothing that

'ay !pset her%# said the 2!strian gra5ely.‘S!pposing she spits at !s again8 ‘ s!ggested /oey. ‘She 'ight"#‘Then yo! ill re'e'&er that yo! are English% and an Englisho'an is not

re5enge(!l. +isela and Bette% yo! '!st &e care(!l o( hat yo! say. I do not ish adist!r&ance hich 'ight 'ean that e co!ld not ha5e o!r co((ee at the +astha!s.#

‘2nd here e are"# e*clai'ed Bette. ‘e ill re'e'&er% $nkel.# They <!'ped don as the carriage dre !p &e(ore the inn% and /oey at once ga5e

eager attention to the scrolls hich ere painted a&o5e the dooray in green and goldhile err Marani ga5e orders a&o!t the co((ee to a pretty dark-eyed girl ho had co'eo!t on hearing the noise o( the heels.

‘Co((ee8 ‘ she said% in the lo-+er'an patois o( the co!ntry. ‘3es% I can gi5e yo!co((ee% 5ery good% and &read-and-&!tter too.#

‘a5e yo! any cakes8# asked err Marani.She shook her head. ‘4a >!chen% nein" 2&er Mar'elade%# she added good-nat!redly%

seeing the disappoint'ent on the (o!r girlish (aces. ‘Mar'elade ist sehr g!t.#‘e ill ha5e that% then%# decided err Marani.

She nodded. ‘I' Speisesaal)(=n( 'in!ten.#

49




She held !p the (i5e (ingers o( her le(t hand to e'phasise her re'ark% and then rano((.

‘I alays think it#s so (!nny to call <a' ?'ar'alade%? # o&ser5ed +ri;el idly. ‘hat apretty girl% err Marani" B!t she looks 7!ite Italian. 6ook" There are so'e 'ore" hatheaps o( children"# as (o!r or (i5e to-headed !rchins ca'e shyly ro!nd the corner o(the ho!se to stare ide-eyed at the 5isitors.

‘2ll pro&a&ly grandchildren o( the innkeeper%# said +isela. ‘So'eti'es three or (o!r(a'ilies ill li5e together in a place like this. 0apa% see" o near the 'o!ntains see'"#

‘It is only see'ing%# said her (ather. ‘6ook% /osephine" That is the ay yo! ca'e toInns&r=ck . There is the line% o5er there% across the ri5er. 2nd no% o!r (i5e 'in!tes are!p. 6et !s go and see i( o!r co((ee is ready.#

Bette and +ri;el ran on in (ront% &!rsting into the Speisesaal% only to dra !p ina'a;ed silence. There &e(ore the' sat Fra! Berlin% drinking co((ee and eating &read atone o( the ta&les"

She looked !p as they entered% and her already p!rple (ace deepened in colo!r asshe glared at the'.

‘My only a!nt"# gasped +ri;el% (inding her 5oice at last.err Marani as e7!ally th!nderstr!ck &!t &e(ore anything else co!ld &e said% Fra!

Berlin hea5ed hersel( to her (eet.‘I ill 'it English pig-dogs not eat"# she anno!nced in th!ndero!s tones.‘ell% e don#t ant to eat ith yo!"# retorted +ri;el &e(ore +isela co!ld stop her.

The o'an glared at her in st!pe(ied silence. err Marani p!t o!t a hand% anddragged the English child &ack ith s'all cere'ony.

‘Be silent"# he said sternly. ‘+o o!tside% all (o!r o( yo!"#oe5er ind!lgent he 'ight &e in so'e ays% +isela kne that her (ather insisted on

o&edience% so she ha!led +ri;el o!t into the open air% (olloed &y Bette and /oey% hoere hal( scared% hal( inclined to giggle.

‘+ri;el"# e*clai'ed the ead +irl hen they ere o!tside. ‘o co!ld yo! speak sor!dely" She has right to &e annoyed no"#

‘I#' not going to &e called ‘pig-dog? &y any 'easly old +er'an"# retorted +ri;el.

+isela thre o!t her hands ith a little gest!re o( helplessness.‘3o! are an idiot% +ri;el"# re'arked /oey cas!ally. ‘3o!#re spoiling o!r (!n &y &eing so

st!pid" I( yo!#d le(t it alone% she#d ha5e &een in the rong no it#s !s"#‘ell% yo! can let that (at old pig call yo! na'es i( yo! like%# (lashed +ri;el% ‘&!t I

on#t" 3o! aren#t a &it patriotic"#‘o dare yo! say that"# /oey as &eco'ing heated no. ‘I#' as patriotic as yo!% &!t

I#5e a little 'ore co''on sense" I( yo!#d held yo!r tong!e% she o!ld ha5e &een in therong. B!t no yo!#5e &een a&o'ina&ly r!de and let !s don" 0atriotic" !h" I( that#syo!r patriotis'% I#' glad I don#t possess any o( it" 2 nice na'e she#ll gi5e all Englishgirls no% thanks to yo! &eing ?patriotic?"# She stopped (or sheer lack o( &reath% and+isela pro'ptly inter(ered.

‘It is o( no !se to 7!arrel no. It is done% and it is a great pity% &!t it cannot &e helped. /oey% ill yo! co'e ith 'e to gather so'e o( those (loers8 2nd Bette% perhaps yo!and +ri;el ill go the other ay and see hat yo! can (ind.#

‘Certainly%# said Bette pro'ptly. ‘Co'e along% +ri;el"#+ri;el#s 7!ick passion had died &y this ti'e% and she as (eeling rather asha'ed o(

hersel(% so she 'eekly (olloed Bette hile +isela% taking no notice o( /oey#s loeringe*pression% alked !p the road% chatting easily a&o!t the (loers hich gre in glorio!ssplendo!r e5eryhere. By the ti'e they ret!rned to the +astha!s in anser to errMarani#s call% the stor' had &lon o5er% and they ere a&le to en<oy the e*cellentco((ee% B!tter&rod% and 0(la!'e Mar'elade% hich the pretty girl o( the inn laid &e(orethe' on a ta&le o!tside. She also prod!ced so'e apples% and they 'ade an e*cellenttea. err Marani as% apparently% 7!ite !ndist!r&ed &y his enco!nter ith Fra! Berlin%

ho' they co!ld see in the Speisesaal th!ndero!sly drinking her co((ee% ith herenor'o!s &ack ostentatio!sly t!rned toards the'. oe5er% +ri;el as not to get o((

50




7!ite so lightly% (or hen the 'eal as o5er% and they ere gathering (loers to take&ack to Tiern See% their host called her to hi'.

‘Mein >indchen%# he said gently% ‘another ti'e% please do not &e so 5iolent in yo!rpatriotis'. There is no real har' done this ti'e% &!t it has not 'ade o!r littlee*pedition the pleasanter% and I do not think Miss Bettany o!ld like it.#

‘4o%# agreed +ri;el 'eekly. ‘I#' sorry I as so r!de% err Marani.#‘Then e ill (orget%# he said cheer(!lly. ‘Co'e% I ill get yo! so'e o( those (erns (or

yo!r &o!7!et% and then e '!st ret!rn% or e shall &e too late to catch o!r train% and Ia' s!re yo! do not ant to alk !p the 'o!ntain-road (ro' Sp:rt;.#

‘Don#t (orget e '!st call (or the pict!re and the china% 0apa%# said +isela% as theyere once 'ore seated in the carriage% rattling don the 'o!ntain-side. ‘The others illish to see hat e ha5e chosen.#

‘$( co!rse%# he said. ‘I can !nderstand that.#‘It#s getting hotter% isn#t it8 ‘ re'arked /oey. ‘There as a lo5ely (resh &ree;e !p &y

the 2lte 0ost% &!t don here it#s 7!ite hot.#‘That is &eca!se e are loer don%# la!ghed Bette. ‘$nkel% did yo! see err

9itt'eister 5on Eschena! yesterday8 e had &o!ght anda and Marie si* &ooks o(English school-stories% all ne. anda said she o!ld lend the' to !s.#

‘2h% that re'inds 'e%# said her !ncle. ‘/osephine% Fra! 5on Eschena! has told 'e thatshe ishes to send anda and Marie to the Châlet School. Do yo! think yo!r sister ill&e a&le to ha5e the' (or &oarders8#

/oey#s (ace (l!shed as she said <oy(!lly% ‘$h% ho gorgeo!s" I like anda and Marie so'!ch don#t yo!% +ri;el8 3es% I#' s!re she can ha5e the'. $h% hat splendacio!s nes"#

‘e are groing" e#ll &e a &ig school soon%# said +ri;el. ‘There are (o!r 'ore girlsco'ing ne*t ter'% and ith anda and Marie% that ill 'ake !s tenty-to% and there'ay &e 'ore yet"#

‘2re e going to li5e at Tiern See all the inter% 0apa8# asked +isela.‘3es% I think so%# he replied. ‘I shall spend the eek ith +ross'!tter in ton% and

co'e (or the S!nday. err Mensch is going to do the sa'e and Bette% I think yo! are toli5e ith !s.#

Bette clapped her hands. ‘o delight(!l" $h% $nkel Florian% I a' so glad" It o!ldha5e &een so lonely in Inns&r=ck itho!t yo! all"#

‘asn#t this &een a day o( happenings8 ‘ said /oey presently as they reached theton. ‘here do e go8 Don here8 $h% I do lo5e Inns&r=ck" It is s!ch a dear ton"#

They retrie5ed their p!rchases and 'ade (or the station% here err Marani le(t the'(or a 'o'ent in order to &!y a paper. 2s they stood in a little gro!p aiting (or hi'%+ri;el s!ddenly !ttered an e*cla'ation. ‘$h% see" /oey" 6ook" There is Captain Carricko5er there"#

er clear accents carried high a&o5e the other noises% and the 'an at ho' she aspointing% in de(iance o( good 'anners% heard her% and t!rned. It as% indeed% CaptainCarrick. 9aising his so(t hat% he ca'e o5er to the'.

‘ell% girls" Fancy seeing yo! here" I (o!nd I had to r!n into Inns&r=ck to go to the&ank. I ha5e le(t Mrs Carrick aiting (or 'e in M!nich. o is /!liet8 She is not ith yo!%I see.#

‘4o e ca'e in to &!y a &irthday present (or Miss Bettany%# e*plained +ri;el. ‘e aregoing &ack no.#

‘2nd so a' I)going &ack to M!nich. B!t yo!r 'ention o( Miss Bettany re'inds 'ethat I ha5e a note (or her (ro' 'y i(e) so'ething a&o!t her s!''er (rocks% I think. Ionder% Miss /oey% i( yo! o!ld 'ind taking it (or 'e. I (orgot to post it% and she ill getit all the sooner.#

‘$h% rather"# /oey took the note% and then the Captain &ade the' ‘good-&ye# andstrolled aay.

‘/oey% yo! look p!;;led%# said Bette. ‘hat is it8#

‘4othing%# said /oey &rie(ly. ‘ere#s err Marani.#

51




They acco'plished the rest o( the <o!rney itho!t any (!rther happening% and ere'et at Seespit; &y Madge% Miss Maynard% Si'one% /!liet% and the Ste5ens.

‘e tho!ght e#d stroll ro!nd to 'eet yo!%# e*plained Madge. ‘hat lo5ely (loers"For 'e8 $h% thank yo!% girls"#

‘Madge% this is (or yo!"# said /oey% prod!cing the note. ‘It#s (ro' Captain Carrick. I sahi' in Inns&r=ck % and he ga5e it to 'e to gi5e to yo!% &eca!se he had (orgotten to postit. e ca'e in to go to the &ank% and as going &ack to M!nich to-night% he said.#

Madge#s &lack &ros had &een dran together in a 7!ick (ron at the so!nd o( the(or&idden Christian na'e% &!t so'ething in /oey#s tone checked her. She glancedirresol!tely at the note.

‘9ead it"# !rged /oey. ‘ 9ead it no% Madge"#‘$h% yes% Miss Bettany% please read it" ‘ echoed /!liet% ho had gone s!ddenly hite

on hearing /oey#s nes. ‘3es% read it"#ith a '!r'!red ord o( e*c!se% Madge opened the en5elope% and &egan to read% a

little p!;;led (ron on her (ace. S!ddenly she ga5e 5ent to an e*cla'ation.‘$h% ho dread(!l" hat a' I to do8#

Chapter 1L. /!liet% The Inc!&!s.

2t once they all closed ro!nd her)all% that is% sa5e /!liet. She stood on the o!tside o(the little circle% ith hite (ace and eyes (!ll o( dread. 4one o( the' noticed her theyere too '!ch interested in Madge and the letter.

‘hat is it8# de'anded /oey. ‘hat#s the letter say8#Madge% reading the closely ritten ords on the sheet o( thin% (oreign paper% did not

anser her% so /oey shook her ar' slightly.‘Madge% hat is it8#ith an e((ort the elder girl p!lled hersel( together% and realised the startled little

crod o( children ro!nd her.

‘4e5er 'ind% /oey%# she said sharply. ‘Miss Maynard% ill yo! take the girls ho'e%please8 Tell Made'oiselle I shall &e &ack presently. err Marani% I '!st ha5e a 'an#sad5ice.#

‘Certainly% Fr:!lein. I shall &e pleased to do anything (or yo! that I can. ill yo! notco'e &ack ith !s8 It is di((ic!lt to talk &!siness here. +isela% yo! 'ay go to B!cha!ith Bette% &!t 'ake haste to ret!rn.#

The 5ario!s parties set o((% Miss Maynard taking the Châlet girls &y the lake-road toBriesa!% hile Bette and +isela str!ck o(( across the ater-'eados in the direction o(B!cha!% on the opposite side o( the lake% and Miss Bettany and err Marani t!rnedtoards Tortesald. 4o one e5en noticed that /!liet stayed here she had dropped inthe long grass in a little heap% shaking ith silent so&s.

err Marani le(t the s!&<ect o( the letter se5erely alone !ntil they reached the illa!&ert!s% a pretty ooden ho!se <!st o!tside Tortesald. 2rri5ed there% he p!t Madgein a chair on the 5erandah% and disappeared indoors% to ret!rn presently ith a c!p o(co((ee% hich he insisted on her drinking &e(ore they disc!ssed any &!sinesshatsoe5er.

‘3o! ha5e had a shock%# he said. ‘Drink the co((ee% Fr:!lein.#Miss Bettany drank it% and (elt &etter. e took the e'pty c!p (ro' her% placing it to

one side% and then sat don &eside her.‘2nd no% Fr:!lein% tell 'e hat has tro!&led yo! in this letter.#For anser% Madge held it o!t to hi'. ‘ill yo! read it8# she said.e took it (ro' her% and read it sloly thro!gh.‘Dear Miss Bettany%# Captain Carrick had ritten%)‘0erhaps yo! ill &e s!rprised at

hat I a' going to say. 0ossi&ly yo! ill think and say 5ery hard things a&o!t 'e. Thatis 'y 'is(ort!ne. oe5er% let 'e &reak to yo! at once the nes that I a' presenting

52




yo! ith 'y da!ghter /!liet. Circ!'stances o5er hich I ha5e no control (orce 'e tolea5e E!rope at once ith 'y i(e. 2 s!lky schoolgirl ill only &e an enc!'&rance to !s%added to hich I ha5e 5ery little 'oney. 2t least yo! ha5e &een paid a ter'#s (ees% andI dare say yo! can 'ake the girl !se(!l to yo!% and repay yo!rsel( (or her (ood andclothes in that ay.

‘I(% in the (!t!re% I (ind 'ysel( a&le to a((ord to keep her again% I ill send (or her. ,ntilyo! hear (ro' 'e to this e((ect% she is in yo!r hands and at yo!r 'ercy.

‘I regret that I a' (orced to these 'eas!res% &!t I see nothing else (or it. $( co!rse% i(yo! like% yo! can send her to the nearest orphan asyl!' &!t I ha5e 'ore (aith in yo!rgoodness o( heart. For yo!r on con5enience% I 'ay as ell tell yo! that neither 'yi(e nor I ha5e any relati5es% so search (or the' ill &e as !seless as search (or !s.

/!liet can tell yo! that '!ch hersel(.)2! re5oir"‘6indley F. C. Carrick.#

err Marani sore deeply in +er'an hen he had (inished reading this heartlessletter. Then% realising that Madge co!ld !nderstand hi'% he apologised hastily.

‘I cra5e yo!r pardon% Fr:!lein. It is the callo!s i'p!dence o( this 'an" e is notorthy o( the na'e o( either ?'an? or ?(ather"? That poor child% to &e a&andoned th!s"#

2t these ords% a slight (ig!re rose o!t o( the &!shes hich ca'e !p to the edge o(the 5erandah% and a so&&ing 5oice said% ‘Miss Bettany" $h% ha5e they le(t 'e again8#‘/!liet"# cried her head'istress. ‘o did yo! co'e here8#err Marani 'ade three strides% and as o(( the 5erandah and &eside the child in a

'o'ent. e gripped her &y the ar' and dre her in to Miss Bettany% ho looked at thered-ri''ed eyes in the hite (ace ith a so(tening glance.

‘hat did yo! 'ean &y ?again?8# de'anded the 2!strian. /!liet (l!ng hersel( don on her knees &y Madge#s side.‘$h% I as so a(raid hen they 'ade 'e a &oarder"# she so&&ed. ‘They did it once

&e(ore in the ills &!t that ti'e the ead (o!nd the' and 'ade the' take 'e &ack. Then e ca'e here% and e5er since he told 'e I as to &e a &oarder% I ha5e &een a(raidthey 'eant to lea5e 'e. In one ay% I#d rather &e ith yo!% &eca!se yo! are kind to 'e.

B!t oh% it is so dread(!l to &e thron on people#s charity"# she (inished ith a little dryso&.

Madge slipped an ar' ro!nd her. ‘3o! poor kid"#It as s!ch a piti(!l e*istence the child had shon her in that little gasping% so&&ed-

o!t speech" She as (!rio!s at the letter% &!t she co!ld not 5ent her anger on the girlkneeling &eside her.

‘Don#t cry% /!liet. e#ll (i* things !p so'eho. It#s 5ery hard l!ck on yo!.#ith these (e ords she had on /!liet#s passionate allegiance% tho!gh she as not

to (ind that o!t till a(terards. 4o she t!rned to her host.‘err Marani% I '!st think hat to do. 0erhaps yo! can help 'e. Meanhile% /!liet

o!ght to &e at ho'e)it#s getting late. ere is +isela co'ing. I <!st ant to kno i( yo!can tell 'e hether it o!ld &e possi&le to get on to Captain Carrick#s tracks. Co!ld eire the' at M!nich Station8#

err Marani shook his head. ‘I do not think he ill ha5e gone &ack to M!nich. e is'!ch 'ore likely to ha5e gone east to ien% or else straight thro!gh to 0aris. e cantry% &!t I do not think it o!ld &e orth it. Take /!liet ho'e no% and I ill think hat is&est to do. 3es% that is the &est plan.#

Madge% seeing that it certainly as% got !p% p!lling /!liet on to her (eet too.‘Thank yo!% err Marani. e ill do as yo! say. Co'e% /!liet% it is s!pper-ti'e no.

Stop crying% child% and co'e along.#‘3o! ill per'it 'e to ro yo! across the lake8 ‘ said their host. ‘It is groing late%

and the last stea'er has gone.#Madge thanked hi' ith her prettiest s'ile. She as% as a 'atter o( (act% thank(!l to

ha5e hi' ith the'% (or he as right in saying that it as groing late. The alk alongthe lakeside road o!ld &e dark &y no% and tho!gh% as a r!le% the Tiernseer ere a

53




peacea&le (olk% little gi5en to late nights or dist!r&ances% still% there ere 'any 5isitorsno% and all o( the' did not &ear the 7!iet character o( the Tyroleans a'ong ho' sheas li5ing. The <o!rney across the 7!iet lake to their on little landing-stage asdistinctly pre(era&le 'ore so% since she had &een o!t all day% and as (eeling tired o!tith e*ertion and the shock Captain Carrick#s letter had gi5en her. So she (ell in readilyith the kind 2!strian#s s!ggestion% and e5en 'eekly accepted the loan o( a h!ge shal&elonging to his i(e hen he &ro!ght it to her ith the re'ark that her gon as thinand that% on the lake at any rate% it o!ld &e rather chilly no. /!liet as '!((led !p in asi'ilar rap% and then they set o(( don the 7!iet road o5er hich the occasionalChâlets cast dark% gloo'y shados in the &right 'oonlight. Feeling the child &eside herstill 7!i5ering ith an occasional so&% Madge slipped one hand (ro' !nder her shal%and clasped the thin (ingers in a reass!ring grip.

‘It is 5ery good o( yo!% err Marani%# she said% addressing her host% ‘Indeed% I thinke5eryone is kind in 2!stria.#

‘$h% &itte sehr%# he said% glancing don at her ith a s'ile. ‘e sho!ld &e a r!depeople indeed i( e ere not grate(!l to the lady ho is doing so '!ch (or o!r girls. 2nde are not 0r!ssians% yo! kno"#

‘It#s (!nny%# said Madge sloly% ‘&!t the only disco!rtesies I ha5e 'et ith ha5e &een

(ro' 0r!ssians. The Ba5arians I kno are all delight(!l% and as (or the Tyrolese% I cannotsay ho '!ch I like the'. B!t the 0r!ssians see' to &e (illed ith a hatred as &itter and5eno'o!s as 5itriol.#

err Marani la!ghed. ‘e had a good e*a'ple o( that to-day. The little +ri;el 'akesa orthy opponent.#

‘2n opponent8 hy% hat do yo! 'ean8 hat on earth has +ri;el &een doing8#de'anded Madge ith a (eeling o( dis'ay.

‘$h% she as not really to &la'e%# he replied. ‘It as a Fra! Berliner ho created 'osto( the dist!r&ance% and das M:dchen is patriotic)and hot-headed. ere is the &oat%'ein Fr:!lein. ill yo! sit in the &os% please% and steer8#

e helped the' in% and p!shed o(( (ro' the land. hen they ere ell aay% he toldthe' o( +ri;el#s enco!nter ith the (at lady o( Berlin% descri&ing it ith a good deal o(

h!'o!r% and glossing o5er +ri;el#s &eha5io!r as '!ch as 'ight &e.‘$h% dear" I#' a(raid +ri;el has &een dread(!lly r!de%# sighed the yo!ng head'istress.

Then% ith a s!dden change% she &egan to la!gh. ‘I sho!ld like to ha5e seen it% all thesa'e" I can <!st i'agine it" She is a thoro!gh little /ohn B!ll)the res!lt% I s!ppose% o(ne5er ha5ing le(t her on co!ntry &e(ore. /oey% 'y little sister% is '!ch 'ore o( acos'opolitan. B!t then% she has tra5elled (airly idely.#

‘It as 5ery (!nny%# agreed err Marani ith a re'iniscent ch!ckle% as he dre !p &ythe Châlet &oat-landing. ‘4o% thank yo!% Fr:!lein%# as Madge in5ited hi' to co'e in (orco((ee. ‘I '!st ret!rn. My i(e is aay% and the children ill &e e*pecting 'e. 2!(iedersehen"#

‘2!( iedersehen%# called Madge so(tly% as the &oat shot o!t into the 'oonlight once'ore. Then she t!rned to /!liet. ‘Co'e% /!liet" It#s appallingly late% and yo! o!ght toha5e &een in &ed an ho!r ago.#

/!liet cl!ng to her ar' a 'o'ent% her (ace glea'ing hite in the d!sk.‘Miss Bettany% yo!#5e &een a(!lly good to 'e" I#' so sorry I as e5er horrid to yo!"

I( yo!#ll keep 'e% I#ll do 'y le5el &est to help yo! and)and not &e a n!isance" I pro'iseyo! I ill"#

Madge looked don at her ith a little s'ile. ‘I sho!ldn#t t!rn yo! o!t e5en i( e erein England% /!liet. Certainly not in a (oreign land. 3o!r (ather g!essed rightly hen heg!essed that"#

/!liet looked at her ith an e*pression in her eyes hich 'ade the elder girl e*clai'sharply% ‘/!liet" hat are yo! thinking8#

‘I as thinking)oh% Miss Bettany% do yo! think they are really 'y (ather and 'other8

Do yo! think perhaps I a' a (o!ndling% and that#s hy8#

54




‘4onsense%# replied her head'istress (ir'ly. ‘That#s all r!&&ish% 'y dear child. $(co!rse they are yo!r (ather and 'other" 4o co'e along in% and then yo! '!st ha5eso'e hot 'ilk and go to &ed and to sleep. Co'e"#

She t!rned toards the ho!se as she spoke% and /!liet% her 'ind set at rest on thispoint hich had tro!&led her (or long% (olloed o&ediently. 2t the door they ere 'et &yMade'oiselle% ho as looking an*io!s.

‘I had &eg!n to ha5e (ears (or yo!% 'a chrie%# said the little Frencho'an as theyentered. ‘It is so late% and /!liet ill &e so eary. +o straight !pstairs to &ed% 'a petite%and I ill &ring thee a c!p o( ar' 'ilk. +o 7!ietly% (or all are no asleep.#

‘3es% /!liet% go%# said Madge. ‘+oodnight% child" Sleep ell% and don#t orry"#‘+ood-night% Miss Bettany%# replied /!liet. ‘2nd)and thank yo!.# She t!rned and

5anished !p the stairs% hile Madge and Made'oiselle ent on to their sitting-roo'.‘There is a ca&legra'% Marg!rite%# said Made'oiselle% as the English girl dropped

li'ply into the nearest chair. ‘ Drink this co((ee% 'a 'ignonne. Tho! art eary.#‘I#' co'pletely done%# replied Madge candidly% as she opened the ca&legra'.She read it alo!d. ‘ ? a5e nothing to do ith Carrick% riting.)Dick.? $h% ell% it#s

done no" 9ead this% Elise% and see hat yo! think o( it.#She tossed Captain Carrick#s letter across to her (riend% and then t!rned her attention

to the co((ee% eggs% and rolls Made'oiselle had pro5ided (or her.Meanhile% the Frencho'an read the re'arka&le co''!nication ith 'anye<ac!lations% &!t o( horror and s!rprise. hen she had (inished it% she t!rned &ack tothe &eginning and read it o5er again.

‘B!t% 'a 'ie%# she cried in her on lang!age% ‘it is 5illainy% this"#‘illainy p!re and si'ple%# agreed Madge. ‘2s (or that poor child /!liet% hat do yo!

think she had got into her head8 That she as a (o!ndling% and that as hy they haddone it. 2pparently it isn#t the (irst ti'e either. They did it once &e(ore in India% shesays.# 2nd she repeated /!liet#s piti(!l story% hile Made'oiselle !ttered little cries o(sy'pathy.

‘$( co!rse he is 7!ite right%# (inished the girl so&erly. ‘I shall 'ost certainly keep her"B!t i'agine the poor child#s (eelings" $( co!rse it#s a silly% 'or&id idea% and there is no

(o!ndation (or it e*cept this a&o'ina&ly callo!s treat'ent o( her still% that#s hat sheas thinking.#

‘$h% there can &e no tr!th there%# agreed Made'oiselle. ‘There is a 'ost clearlikeness to &oth parents. B!t% 'y Marg!erite% ha5e yo! tho!ght that there ill &e noanother 'o!th to (ill and another &ody to clothe8 Soon it ill &e inter)already itgros colder at nights)and she has no inter gar'ents at all.#

‘ell% hat do yo! propose I sho!ld do8# de'anded Madge. ‘Follo the delight(!ls!ggestion he o((ers as an alternati5e to keeping her% and place her in an instit!tion8

3o! kno yo! o!ldn#t hear o( it" 4o% I shall keep her. 4e*t ter' I shall let her help iththe little ones% so that she need not (eel !nder too great an o&ligation to !s. She can do7!ite a lot itho!t inter(ering ith her on ork% and as she ill &e the oldest o( o!r&oarders% it need s!rprise no&ody. 4o I 5ote that e go to &ed. It#s ele5en o#clock% andI#' dead tired. hat a &lessing to-'orro is S!nday and e can take things easily"6ight the candles and co'e along. I#ll p!t o!t the la'p.#

2t the head o( the stairs she t!rned &e(ore going to her on roo'.‘Don#t let the others kno a&o!t this%# she said earnestly. ‘It o!ld 'ake it so

dread(!lly !nco'(orta&le (or /!liet. I ill go and see her to-'orro early% and arn herto say nothing. Bonne n!it% Elise.#

‘Bonne n!it% 'a 'ie. 6e &on Die! te garde%# responded Made'oiselle. Then they ent to their on roo's% and presently darkness and silence reigned o5er

the Châlet.

Chapter 1N.

55




S!nday. The &oarders o( the Châlet School alays declared that S!nday as 7!ite one o( the

&est days o( the eek. To &egin ith% they co!ld stay in &ed !ntil nine o#clock i( theyere so 'inded. Then% a(ter their &reak(ast o( co((ee% rolls% and honey% they allasse'&led in the 'eado hich ran !p (ro' the lake edge to the pine ood% andMadge read alo!d to the' (or an ho!r. The Catholics generally attended igh Mass%hen it as cele&rated% in the little hiteashed chapel hich stood near the >ron 0rin;>arl &!t as the priest had also to 'inister to Tortesald and B!cha!% the ser5ice asheld only once in three eeks. 2(ter the reading% they ere alloed to ander a&o!t asthey liked% so long as they kept ithin call% and they ere s!''oned to dinner attel5e o#clock. In the a(ternoon% they generally took &ooks and lay o!tside% reading% ortalking 7!ietly% or sleeping and in the e5ening% Madge took the English Ch!rch girls%and Made'oiselle the Catholics% and they had 7!iet talks hich ne5er lasted 'ore thanan ho!r. Then they ere once 'ore (ree to do as they pleased !ntil Marie#s &ell calledthe' to s!pper and &ed.

‘e ha5e s!ch gentle S!ndays%# Margia Ste5ens had once ritten in a letter to her'other% and the 7!aint epithet e*actly e*pressed the (eeling all the girls had (or it.

$n this partic!lar S!nday% the (irst person to aaken as /o Bettany. She had a (!nny

trick o( opening her eyes to their idest e*tent and then sitting &olt !pright% ide aakein an instant. This 'orning% as she sat !p in her little ooden &ed% ga;ing straight o!t o(the indo% she s!ddenly re'e'&ered Madge#s e*pression as she had read CaptainCarrick#s letter the night &e(ore% and her hands clenched.

‘I( he#s orried Madge% I)I#ll take it o!t on /!liet"# she tho!ght. ‘I hate hi') horrid'an" 0oor old Madge" I onder i( I co!ld ake her8 hat ti'e is it8 ‘ She &!rroed!nder the pillo and (o!nd her atch. Se5en o#clock% and '!ch too early to dist!r&anyone on a S!nday" /oey t!cked it &ack and t!rned her attention to the &ook at the&edside. It happened to &e 6ockhart#s 6i(e o( 4apoleon% ith hich Dick had presentedher <!st &e(ore he had departed (or India. The little girl as reading it sloly% a chapterat a ti'e in order to 'ake it spin o!t. ,s!ally she &eca'e &!ried in it at once% &!t this'orning she co!ld not (i* her attention on the oes o( the great E'peror. The sight o(

the green co5ers o( the &ook recalled her &rother#s ca&legra' to her 'e'ory% and she&egan to onder hat nes it had contained. $&5io!sly it had &een nothing serio!s% orher sister o!ld ha5e let her kno &e(ore this. 0erhaps the English 'ails had &een late%and Dick had &eg!n to orry a&o!t the'. That had happened once &e(ore% and he hadca&led the' to kno i( they ere all right.

‘I don#t e*pect e can ca&le (ro' here%# '!sed the little sister. ‘So'eone ill ha5e togo into Inns&r=ck% I sho!ld think. err Marani or err Mensch o!ld perhaps take it (or!s on Monday% &!t that o!ld 'ake it a long ti'e (or Dick to ait.#

2t this point the so!nd o( a light (ootstep aro!sed her% and% t!rning her head% she saMadge co'e in% 'o5ing ca!tio!sly as she skirted the other &eds. er (ace lighted !p asshe 'et /oey#s ga;e.

‘So yo! are aake"# she said in lo tones. ‘I tho!ght yo! 'ight &e. Fetch yo!r thingsalong to 'y roo'% and e#ll dress and go o!t. I ant to talk to yo!.#

4oiseless as any ghost% /oey slipped o!t o( &ed% cl!tched at her gar'ents% and thentiptoed along to her sister#s roo'. Miss Bettany as standing in (ront o( the 'irror&r!shing o!t her long c!rls. She t!rned ro!nd as her s'all sister entered% and s'iledin5ol!ntarily at the (!nny little (ig!re in the yello dressing-gon. /oey#s hair% r!'pledith sleep% stood &olt !pright% and her clothes ere cr!'pled !p anyho in her ar's.er ide% dark eyes intensi(ied the startled air this ga5e her% and so did her parted lips.

‘3o! do look a (right% /o"# she said in tr!e sisterly (ashion. ‘4o h!rry !p and getdressed. I had 'y t!& &e(ore I ca'e to (etch yo!% and I#5e (illed it !p again (or yo!.!rry" It#s all ready% and i( yo!#re 7!ick% e#ll ha5e a <olly ti'e together.#

/oey deposited her clothes on the &ed and departed% to ret!rn in (i5e 'in!tes (resh

and gloing (ro' the sting o( the icy 'o!ntain ater. Madge as al'ost ready &y thatti'e% (resh and dainty in her plain hite (rock. She ga5e her little sister#s ild locks a

56




thoro!gh &r!shing% and then le(t her to 'ake a raid on the larder. hen she ca'e &ack%&earing to large ch!nks o( c!rrant cake% /o as ready% and her &ed had &een strippedand the pl!'ea!* h!ng o5er the &alcony. The Bettanys ere not de'onstrati5e as ar!le% pre(erring to sho their a((ection &y deeds rather than ords% so Madge!nderstood hat that act as intended to con5ey% tho!gh all she said as% ‘ere% catch"

That#s all I co!ld (ind. There isn#t any 'ilk either% so i( yo!#re thirsty% yo!#ll ha5e to drinkater.#

‘Thanks a(!lly%# said /o% ith her 'o!th (!ll. ‘9ipping cake Marie 'akes% doesn#tshe8 2re e going (or a trot8#

‘/!st a short one. It#s a glorio!s 'orning )going to &e &oiling later.#‘I#' glad. I lo5e hot eather%# replied /oey% as she crept donstairs a(ter her sister.‘Cold eather 'akes 'e c!rl !p like a dead lea( &!t this is gorgeo!s. The hotter the

&etter% say I" 2nd thi'#s 'y senti'ents"#‘Be 7!iet" 3o!#ll ake the hole ho!se i( yo! yell like that"# ret!rned Madge% the

head'istress co'pletely 'erged in the elder sister. /oey ga5e a s!&d!ed giggle% &!t 'oderated her tones at once. Madge% glancing at

her% (elt a thro& o( <oy. The three 'onths in a dry cli'ate had already 'ade a greatdi((erence to her. The co!gh had 5anished% and the ar' s!n and clear 'o!ntain air

had iped o!t the !nnat!ral pallor hich her constant illnesses in England hadprod!ced. She as getting pl!'per% too% and her eyes ere &right. 0retty she o!ldne5er &e% not e5en ith the el!si5e prettiness o( her elder sister% &!t she had lost hergo&lin-like appearance.

‘3o! look po!nds &etter%# decided Miss Bettany. ‘Tiern See s!its yo!.#‘9ather"# agreed /o. ‘S!its yo! too% old thing" 3o!#re a &it 'ore (reckly% o( co!rse% &!t

I#' not s!re it isn#t an i'pro5e'ent.#‘Freckly" 3o! little horror"# e*clai'ed her sister. ‘It#s a 'ercy the girls don#t hear yo!"

2nd that re'inds 'e% /oey% yo! really '!st try to re'e'&er not to !se 'y Christianna'e &e(ore the'. 3o! did it again last night. 3es% I kno it as &eca!se yo! eree*cited &!t yo! '!stn#t do it% e5en i( yo! are thrilled a&o!t so'ething.#

‘2(!lly sorry%# '!r'!red /oey. Then she slipped her hand thro!gh Madge#s ar'.

‘Madge% hat as in the ca&legra' (ro' India8#‘B!siness%# replied Madge &rie(ly. She t!rned and looked at her s'all sister

tho!ght(!lly. She asn#t 5ery s!re ho '!ch to tell /oey. She kne 7!ite ell thatso'ething% at any rate% '!st &e told. The (a'ily &a&y had <oined in all their co!ncilse5er since she co!ld !nderstand hat they ere talking a&o!t% and she kne /oey elleno!gh to &e s!re that she o!ld &e intensely h!rt i( she ere le(t o!t no. /o as 5eryclannish in (eeling. hat in<!red her &rother or sister in<!red her. She o!ld &eondering hat had &een in Captain Carrick#s letter% and the chances ere that i( sheere not told she o!ld g!ess. Madge decided that it as &etter to tell her the holetr!th rather than lea5e things to her 5i5id i'agination. /o#s (ancies so'eti'es tookrather startling t!rns.

‘/o%# she said a&r!ptly% ‘I#' going to tr!st yo!. I don#t ant any o( the others to kno%&!t yo!#5e alays shared ith !s% and I#' not going to lea5e yo! o!t no. That letter(ro' Captain Carrick told 'e that he as lea5ing /!liet on o!r hands. e can#t a((ord tokeep her% so he says% so he#s dropped her on to !s. It#s 5ery hard l!ck on her% poorkiddy% &eca!se she has no one (or the present &!t !s. e did s!ggest that e 'ightsend her to an instit!tion i( e didn#t ant to keep her. B!t that#s i'possi&le% o( co!rse.#

‘$h% o( co!rse"# agreed /oey% her i'pressiona&le little heart (illing ith pity (or the girlho as looked on as a n!isance &y her on parents. ‘$h% Madge" 0oor /!liet" I#ll &e asdecent to her as I can"#

‘Don#t let her kno yo! kno%# arned the elder girl. ‘She o!ld hate that. /!st &enice to her as yo! are to +ri;el% or +isela% or Bernhilda. 9e'e'&er% /o% I#5e tr!sted yo!.Dick#s ca&le as arning 'e a&o!t the Carricks% &!t it#s too late no. The only thing e

can do is to &e as kind as e can to /!liet% and 'ake the &est o( it.#‘9ather"# B!t /oey#s &right little (ace looked p!;;led.

57




‘ell" hat no8# de'anded Madge. ‘hat are yo! thinking% /o8#‘I as thinking% it see's s!ch a horrid thing to do% to desert yo!r on child" Mother

and (ather o!ldn#t ha5e done it.#‘I sho!ld think not"# Madge#s tho!ghts ent &ack to the long-dead (ather and 'other

ho had lo5ed their children so tenderly. ‘I#5e ne5er heard o( any other parents doing iteither. Don#t think a&o!t it 'ore than yo! can help% /oey-Ba&a. 4o tell 'e a&o!tyesterday.#

‘e#d a lo5ely ti'e%# responded /oey eagerly. ‘3o!#d ha5e lo5ed it at the 2lte 0ost.2nd oh% the 'o!ntains" Madge% I lo5e 'o!ntains"#

‘ell% yo!#5e certainly got plenty o( the' here%# said her sister. ‘+o on. Tell 'e hatyo! did. $h% and a&o!t that Berlin o'an" hat did +ri;el say8 I i'agine she as(right(!lly r!de% tho!gh err Marani didn#t act!ally say so. B!t I kno hat she is &y thisti'e. Tell 'e all a&o!t it% /oey.#

Th!s enco!raged% /o ga5e a (airly acc!rate acco!nt o( their 5ario!s enco!nters ithFra! Berlin% lea5ing Madge di5ided &eteen la!ghter at the h!'o!r o( it all% and horrorat +ri;el#s &eha5io!r.

‘+ri;el really is dread(!l%# she said at last. ‘I do hope yo! didn#t <oin in% /oey8#‘Madge" Is it likely8 I#5e got a little co''on sense" cried /oey% distinctly o!traged.

‘I sho!ld hope so%# ret!rned her sister ‘&!t one ne5er knos. 4o don#t get e*cited. Ididn#t really s!ppose yo! did. ell% it#s ti'e to go &ack no% so e#d &etter t!rn. a5eyo! got any ideas (or Th!rsday &esides the Mondscheinspit;e e*pedition8 I#5e askedFra! 0(ei(en to 'ake so'e o( the cakes (or !s% and I tho!ght e#d get so'e to&acco.err Bra!n says the herds'en alays appreciate it% &eca!se% o( co!rse% they can#t get it!p there.#

‘$h% that re'inds 'e% err Marani is going to ask his 'other to 'ake so'e cakes (or!s%# said /o. ‘+isela says she 'akes gorgeo!s cakes)all honey and n!ts" The kind that'elt in yo!r 'o!th. $h% and% Madge% I nearly (orgot" e told 'e to tell yo! that Fra! 5onEschena! is co'ing to see yo!. e thinks she ants anda and Marie to &e &oarders.on#t it &e topping i( she does8#

‘4o% really8# said Madge ith 7!ick interest. ‘2re yo! s!re% /oey8#

‘ell% that#s hat he said%# replied /o. ‘I say% aren#t e groing8#Madge la!ghed. ‘e are indeed" I( e get any 'ore &oarders% I shall ha5e to take

another Châlet (or !s to li5e in% or ha5e school in% or so'ething. ere e are" 4o% /oey%re'e'&er" 4ot a ord o( hat I ha5e told yo! to anyone else.#

‘9ather not" I say% Madge" 3o! are a sport all right"#‘0ooh" 4onsense" I co!ldn#t t!rn her o!t" 4o r!n along and strip yo!r &ed hile I go

and see a&o!t &reak(ast.# /oey trotted o((% and Madge t!rned into the dining-roo'% here &askets piled high

ith &ron rolls and glass dishes (!ll o( a'&er honey ga5e colo!r to the clothless ta&le. The &ig% hand-'ade c!ps and plates% ith their cheer(!l decoration o( !nknon (loerspainted in 5i5id colo!rs% hich stood at each place had co'e (ro' Tiern >irche. Theta&le looked !n-English in the e*tre'e% &!t 5ery pleasant and in5iting. 0resently Marieca'e in &earing a h!ge earthenare <!g in hich stea'ed delicio!s co((ee s!ch as onerarely gets in England. She (illed the c!ps &y the si'ple 'ethod o( dipping a '!g intothe &oiling li7!id and po!ring its contents into each c!p% hile Madge arranged plates o(the s!gar o&longs% hich ere the <oy o( /oey% at con5enient inter5als don the longta&le. er task co'pleted% Marie carried the <!g &ack to the kitchen% and then rang the&ell hich &ro!ght the' all% (resh and s!''ery in their hite (rocks% to the ta&le.

Break(ast on S!nday as alays a gay 'eal% (or r!les ere then rela*ed% ande5eryone chattered in her nati5e lang!age. Made'oiselle% Si'one% and /oey erecarrying on an ani'ated con5ersation in French% hile +ri;el and Margia Ste5ensarg!ed a'ia&ly in English a&o!t the pro&a&le ending o( so'e &ook they ere &othreading% and Miss Maynard and /!liet ere descri&ing to the others the alk they had

taken on the pre5io!s day. /!liet% it is tr!e% had little to say% &!t Madge noted thank(!llythat she looked 'ore nat!ral than she had done last night. $n the hole% the elder girl

58




(elt glad that she had taken her little sister into her con(idence. It o!ld 'ake thingseasier% (or she hated ha5ing any secrets (ro' /o. Besides% i( anyone sho!ld &e s!rprisedhen the ne*t ter' (o!nd /!liet helping% Madge (elt certain that her sister o!ld p!t astop to that &y her on attit!de in the 'atter.

2(ter &reak(ast% the girls (led !pstairs to 'ake their &eds% and the sta(( (oregatheredin the little sitting-roo'% here Madge told Miss Maynard that /!liet Carrick as to &e akind o( st!dent-teacher ne*t ter'% as her people had lost 'oney% and had le(t her at theChâlet School (or the present. Miss Maynard as interested% &!t shoed no c!riosity.She as a nice &!t !ni'aginati5e girl% and she as 7!ite acc!sto'ed to st!dent-teachers% and tho!ght nothing o( the arrange'ent. hen Miss Bettany s!ggested thatperhaps she 'ight like to go and rite her letters% she ent o(( cheer(!lly% p!tting /!lietand her a((airs co'pletely o!t o( her 'ind.

Madge t!rned to Made'oiselle ith a sigh o( relie(.‘Thank goodness" I asn#t s!re hether she o!ld ant to ask 7!estions% and it

o!ld ha5e &een akard i( she had. I#5e told /o a&o!t it% Elise. I( I hadn#t% she 'ightha5e i'agined things as &eing orse than they are. 2nd it#s 7!ite sa(e ith her sheon#t talk.#

‘4o% that is tr!e%# agreed Made'oiselle. ‘a5e yo! seen /!liette yet8#

‘4o I#' going to see her presently and tell her hat I#5e decided. 4o I '!st h!nt !p'y &ook# She t!rned to the &ookshel5es as she spoke% h!nting (or The 6ittle Floers o(St. Francis% hich she as reading to the girls. Made'oiselle atched her ith asy'pathetic s'ile.

‘3o! are 5ery tender o( /!liette#s (eelings% chrie. I can &!t tr!st that she ill repay allyo!r kindness to her" She has not pro5ed an attracti5e 'e'&er o( the school so (ar.a5e yo! (orgotten the a((air o( the cine'a proprietors8#

Madge shook her head. ‘4o% I ha5en#t (orgotten. B!t I#' s!re /!liet ill do her &estno% poor child. 2h% here it is" 2(ter all% Elise% I#' not so s!re that I &la'e her as '!chas I did. She has led s!ch an i'possi&le sort o( li(e% yo! kno.#

There as a 'o'ent#s silence% then Made'oiselle t!rned to the door ith a littlenod. ‘0erhaps yo! are right e shall see" 3o! are not anting 'e this 'orning8 Then I

ill ask err Bra!n to ro 'e across to B!cha! (or igh Mass.#‘3es% do%# replied her (riend a&sently. ‘Elise% hy are those children so e*cited8 6ook

at the'"#Made'oiselle looked o!t o( the open indo% to &ehold Margia% 2'y% and Si'one

racing across the grass ith eager (aces. 2t the sa'e 'o'ent '!sic as a(ted tothe' on the ar' s!''er air.

‘2 &and" 2 &and"# cried Margia% ho had shot ahead o( the others. ‘$h% Mada'e% a&and)all 5iolins and (l!tes and things"#

‘ell% &!t hy get e*cited a&o!t that8 ‘ asked Madge. ‘e#5e had &ands here &e(ore)there as one last S!nday.#

‘$h% &!t not like this" Big% 5ery dark 'en% ith (lashing eyes"#‘They ear hankies ro!nd their heads%# p!t in 2'y% ho had co'e !p% panting%

together ith Si'one. ‘ery &right hankies )all &l!e% and red% and yello% and green"2nd h!ge sil5er rings in their ears"#

‘The T;igane"# e*clai'ed Madge% her eyes &rightening. ‘hy% hat (!n" I ondered i(there o!ld &e any o( the' ro!nd here this year. They#re gipsies% children% and their'!sic is o(ten 5ery onder(!l. e '!st go and listen to the' this a(ternoon. I onderhere they ill &e playing8#

‘+ipsies8 The people ho 'ake gipsy t!nes like in 6is;t#s !ngarian 9hapsodies8#7!eried Margia% ho as intensely '!sical% and 'eant to &e a pianiste so'e day.

‘3es% <!st e*actly those t!nes. 3o!#ll lo5e the'% Margia. They aren#t a &it like other'!sic% &!t so'ething ild and !nta'ed like the gipsies the'sel5es. I do hope they#5e agood &and" I( so% e shall ha5e a treat this a(ternoon.#

2t this point the others ca'e to <oin the'% ready (or the reading% and as they 'adetheir ay sloly thro!gh the (loer-sprinkled grass to the shade o( the pines% Madge

59




told the' ho%% in !ngary% the gipsy &ands ent a&o!t playing at the di((erent inns inthe 5illages% spending to or e5en three nights in the sa'e place% &!t ne5er longer. Shetold the'% too% o( the old s!perstition that the gipsies ere c!rsed ith andering&eca!se one o( their race had once denied rest and shelter to o!r 6ord. The girls eredelighted% and seeing this% she repeated the old legend o( the atte'pt to steal the nailshich pierced Christ#s hands. ‘It as a gipsy ho did it)or tried to do it%# she said.‘0artly% he anted the iron &!t partly% also% he had pity on Christ. For that pity so thegipsies say% thie5ing is not co!nted &y +od as a sin in the'% and they think nothing o( it.

They are a strange people. They are to &e (o!nd in 'ost parts o( the orld% and the9o'any tong!e is practically the sa'e the hole orld o5er. 2 gipsy (ro' India o!ldtalk ith a gipsy (ro' o!r 4e Forest% and each o!ld &e a&le to !nderstand hat theother said. 2 tr!e gipsy can ne5er &e happy ithin (o!r alls. It is 'isery to the' to &ei'prisoned in any ay. They are 5ery re5enge(!l% too% and ne5er (orget a rong. B!tthen% it is said% they ne5er (orget a kindness either.#

By this ti'e they had reached their (a5o!rite spot% so they settled don% and% p!ttingthe T;igane o!t o( her 'ind (or the ti'e &eing% Madge read alo!d to the' a&o!t thegentle ‘Brother to all things.#

hen the reading as o5er she got !p% closed the &ook% and strolled aay% lea5ing

the girls to chatter eagerly a&o!t the 5isitors. E5ery no and then &!rsts o( '!sic%so'eti'es gay and singing% so'eti'es sad and ist(!l% &!t alays ith a pec!liarha!nting ildness in it% ca'e across the 'eado to the' as they sat talking together%or andered a&o!t a'ong the dark pine trees at the edge o( the (orest. /oey% ho hadread The 9o'any 9ye and 6a5engro% told the' all she kne% and the (ascinating s!&<ecthad still not &een e*ha!sted hen the ‘tinkle-tinkle# o( Marie#s &ell s!''oned the'&ack to dinner. hen the 'eal as o5er% they ere ildly an*io!s to go to the >ron0rin; >arl at once% &!t Madge insisted on an ho!r#s rest (irst.

‘2nd no talking%# she added. ‘9!n along% all o( yo!% at once.#hen they had gone% she t!rned to the other to 'istresses ith a s'ile.‘Don#t they think 'e !nkind"# she said gaily.‘It#s e*traordinary% tho!gh%# replied Miss Maynard. ‘+ipsies see' to ha5e a (ascination

(or nearly e5eryone. 2s yo! kno% e li5e near the 4e Forest% and hen I as a littlechild e ere alays 'eeting the' or co'ing on their enca'p'ents. I !sed to kno alittle o( their lang!age% (or e alays 'ade (riends ith the'% 'y &rothers and I. It is sopretty to hear as so'e o( the' say it it r!ns along like a p!rling &rook.#

‘I onder yo!r people eren#t a(raid yo! o!ld &e stolen"# said her head'istress.‘$h% no" 4othing o!ld ha5e &een 'ore !nlikely. Besides% the gipsies all kne !s%

and 'y (ather as alays 5ery good to the'.#‘I see. ell% I don#t kno hat yo! to people are going to do% &!t I#' going to rite

letters. Be ready in a&o!t three-7!arters o( an ho!r% i( yo! ant to co'e.#2nd Madge t!rned to her desk% hile the other to% taking the hint% 5anished to their

on roo's till it as ti'e to alk to the >ron 0rin; >arl to hear the T;igane '!sic.6e(t to hersel(% Madge sat don and scri&&led a long letter to Dick% telling hi' the (!ll

story o( the Carricks and the decision she had 'ade a&o!t /!liet. The ho!r as <!stended as she signed it% so she got !p and ent o!t to the 'eado to s!''on her girls.

They had gone% protesting that they co!ldn#t settle don to anything there(ore%great as her a'!se'ent to (ind that% itho!t e*ception% they ere (ast asleep% their&ooks and <igsa p!;;les lying !nheeded &eside the'% (lapping her hands% she cried%‘ake !p% sleepy heads" Don#t yo! ant to co'e to hear the T;igane '!sic8#

They all sprang !p% and s!rro!nded her at once.‘2re e going no8#‘$h% topping"#‘Shall e r!n and change8#‘ell% yo! can#t go in yo!r school-(rocks%# ret!rned their head'istress% ‘so yo! had

&etter h!rry !p and change into yo!r hite ones again.#

60




They collected their possessions in great haste% and tore o(( to get into the hite(rocks they had discarded &e(ore lying don. 0resently they ere all ready% and set o((along the lake-shore road% 5ery (resh and cool ith their &ig hats. Marie (olloed the'&ehind% (or Miss Bettany had decided that they sho!ld ha5e their tea at the >ron 0rin;>arl% so had gi5en her a holiday.

+ood err Bra!n% the proprietor o( the hotel% 'et the' ith a &ea'ing (ace% andescorted the' to three o( the ta&les ith their h!ge scarlet !'&rellas nearest the

T;igane. o they all en<oyed that a(ternoon)e5en /!liet% and Si'one% ho ass!((ering (ro' pangs o( <ealo!sy &eca!se /oey and +ri;el had (oregathered at anotherta&le" Many o( their (riends ere there)err Marani% ho &ro!ght o5er Fra! 5onEschena! (or a chat ith Madge the Mensches% ho had a ta&le near&y Monsie!r andMada'e Mercier ith S!;anne and 35ette and 'any others.

2s +ri;el said a(terards% it as so !nlike England. There ere the gaily dressed T;igane playing as tho!gh they ere '!sic-possessed the 'erry cos'opolitan crodseated at the !'&rella-shaded ta&les the 5i5id &l!e lake-aters &e(ore the' and%s!rro!nding all% the great 'o!ntains% &ea!ti(!l in the &right /!ly s!nshine.

They stayed a co!ple o( ho!rs% and then andered &ack (or their 7!iet talk% hichas ne5er o'itted.

2s they ere going to &ed that night% +ri;el spoke hat as in the 'inds o( all o(the'.‘I think this has &een a &ea!ti(!l S!nday%# she said. ‘I( things ere alays like this it

o!ldn#t &e hal( so hard to keep r!les.#‘I s#pose it o!ldn#t really do i( things ere <olly alays%# said /o. ‘It#s &eca!se they#re

!n<olly so'eti'es that e (ind other things topping% I think. It o!ld &e a(!lly d!ll i(things ere alays the sa'e.#

‘3es% &!t so'e e*cite'ents are horrid% and e co!ld do itho!t the' easily%# replied+ri;el.

In hich she spoke 'ore tr!ly than she then realised.

Chapter 1Q. The Mondscheinspit;e.

It 'ight ha5e &een e*pected that% a(ter the delight(!l S!nday descri&ed in the(oregoing chapter% things o!ld take a contrary t!rn% and that there o!ld &e dire(!lhappenings. B!t (or once Fate pro5ed kind% and the eek progressed 7!ietly% s!ch s'alle5ents as S!;anne Mercier po!ring ink o5er hersel(% and +ri;el and /oey ha5ing hatnearly a'o!nted to a stand-!p (ight o5er Si'one 6eco!tier% not co!nting at all. The'orning o( the ead#s &irthday daned in a kind o( pande'oni!'% hoe5er. MargiaSte5ens had% the night &e(ore% hit on the original idea o( serenading Miss Bettany !nderher indo. The idea appealed greatly to the' all% and% a(ter a good deal o( arg!'entand s7!a&&ling% they had decided on ‘ ho is Syl5ia8#

‘$( co!rse% the na'e is rong%# said Margia% ‘&!t she#ll kno ho it#s 'eant (or.#‘I s#pose her second na'e isn#t ?Syl5ia%? is it% /oey8# asked +ri;el.‘ell% i( ?Syl5ia? &egan ith an ??) hich it doesn#t")it 'ight &e%# ret!rned /oey

sarcastically. She had had ords o5er the song ith +ri;el% since her (ancy had &een‘+olden Sl!'&ers#)a s!ggestion on hich +ri;el po!red scorn% and she as (eelingr!((led.

‘I( yo!#re still (eeling 'ad a&o!t that idiotic old ?+olden Sl!'&ers%? I#d say so"#ad5ised +ri;el% s'arting !nder the sn!&. ‘I( e intended serenading her at 'idnight ito!ld &e all right% &!t ho ants golden sl!'&ers to kiss their eyes at hal(-past si* inthe 'orning hen they#5e got to get !p in hal( an ho!r8 It#s si'ply st!pid"#

‘St!pid yo!rsel("# retorted /oey% and 'arched o((% (olloed &y Si'one% the e5er-

(aith(!l. oe5er% the 7!arrel as 'ade !p &e(ore &edti'e% and si* o#clock the ne*t

61




'orning sa the long dor'itory in the throes o( getting !p. Fro' &ehind the yelloc!rtain hich di5ided o(( the c!&icles ca'e s!&d!ed giggles and hispered re'arks.

‘/oey% is it (ine8 hat#s it like o5er the 'o!ntains8#‘+lorio!s%# ret!rned /oey% ho had stripped her &ed and as no sitting on it% aiting

(or her t!rn to go to the &athroo'. ‘ It#s going to &e a ripping day.#‘Be 7!iet"# hissed /!liet. ‘3o!#ll aken Miss Maynard i( yo! shriek so.#‘She#s pro&#ly aake already%# ret!rned /oey% not a hit dist!r&ed. ‘Thank goodness"

ere#s +ri;el at last" I tho!ght yo!#d droned yo!rsel("#‘9ot" I#5e only &een si* 'in!tes"# protested +ri;el. ‘B!ck !p yo!rsel(" Margia and

Si'one ha5e to co'e a(ter yo!.#‘hat a&o!t 'y &ath8 ‘ asked a little 5oice (ro' the other corner o( the roo' here

2'y Ste5ens slept. It#s all cold still% isn#t it8#‘$h% &other" I 7!ite (orgot yo! hadn#t to ha5e cold &aths"# +ri;el pa!sed in the act o(

p!tting on one o( her stockings. ‘/!liet% hat shall e do8#‘Marie ill &e !p. Shall I go don and ask her (or a kettle(!l o( hot ater8 I#' <!st

ready%# s!ggested /!liet.‘ill yo!8 That#d &e topping o( yo!. 3es% do go"# !rged +ri;el. ‘!llo% /oey% old thing"

3o! can#t ha5e had '!ch o( a &ath" 3o! ha5en#t &een a 'in!te"#

‘a5e% tho!gh" Tootle on% Margia" 3o!#re ne*t% aren#t yo!8#Margia and /!liet 5anished together% and presently /!liet ca'e &ack ith a &ig <!g o(ar' ater s!pplied &y good-nat!red Marie.

‘Co'e along% 2'y%# she said cheer(!lly. ‘I#ll t!& yo! this 'orning. e can#t ait tillMade'oiselle co'es.#

‘$h% thank yo!% /!liet%# replied 2'y shyly hile +ri;el stopped in the act o( &r!shingo!t her c!rly 'op to gape open-'o!thed at her c!rtains. hen had /!liet e5er o((eredto help anyone like that &e(ore8

2'y hersel( as 5ery startled. She had ne5er liked /!liet% &!t as too shy to re(!sethe older girl#s help% so s!&'itted in silence to &eing &athed ith '!ch 5igo!r andgoodill% i( ith so'e cl!'siness. /!liet#s hole-hearted r!&&ing ith the toel &ro!ghtan in5ol!ntary ‘$"# (ro' her% &!t hen the Senior% conscience-stricken% asked% ‘Did I

h!rt yo!8# she replied hastily% ‘4o% oh% no% /!liet" 2nd it#s 5ery kind o( yo! to &ath 'e. Thank yo! so '!ch.#

‘Call 'e i( yo! ant anything tied or &!ttoned%# said /!liet% as she ret!rned to her onc!&icle. ‘Margia ill ha5e to dress hersel(% and I#' practically ready% so I can help yo!easily.#

+ri;el restrained an e*cla'ation o( s!rprise in ti'e. She stripped her &ed in anaestr!ck silence hich lasted !ntil they ere all ready to lea5e the roo'. Then /oeyro!sed her. ‘2ren#t yo! (eeling ell8# she de'anded &l!ntly.

‘3es% 7!ite ell" hy8# 7!eried +ri;el so'ehat inca!tio!sly.‘3o!#re so silent" 3o!#5e scarcely spoken at all"# grinned /o. ‘I tho!ght so'ething

'!st &e the 'atter"#‘So it is% /oey" /!liet did practically e5erything (or 2'y" Did yo! e5er8#‘ell% that#s nothing to &e ondered at"# ret!rned /oey s'artly. ‘She#s the oldest o(

!s% and so'eone had to help 2'y or she#d ne5er ha5e &een ready" 3o! kno hat aper(ect &a&y she is.#

‘$h% yes% o( co!rse"# said +ri;el !ncertainly. ‘I e*pect yo!#re right% /oey"#‘Co!rse I a'" 4o co'e on% and don#t stand po-oing any 'ore"#

They all slipped don the stairs and o!t into the glorio!s s!nlight% collecting in a gaylittle gro!p !nder Miss Bettany#s ide-open indos.

‘6et#s start ith ?+ood >ing enceslas%? # giggled /oey.‘3es I (eel rather like Christ'as carols too%# agreed +ri;el.‘Stop ragging% yo! to" e#re aiting (or yo!" This is the note.# 2nd Margia sang

‘6oo"# in a 5ery tr!e little tre&le. ‘4o" $ne% to"#

They all started o((% and Madge% ho had &een sleeping the sleep o( the <!stly eary%as ro!sed &y the notes o( ‘ho is Syl5ia8# s!ng (ortissi'o &y the hole &and.

62




She 7!ickly g!essed the 'eaning o( the serenade% and sat !p in &ed ith a ch!ckle.2s they (inished% she got into her ki'ono% and ran across to the indo.

‘!llo% e5ery&ody"# she called. ‘hat a <olly aakening"#‘It#s to ish yo! 'any happy ret!rns% Miss Bettany%# called !p +ri;el. ‘It as Margia#s

idea% really. Did yo! like it8#‘3es it as delight(!l. Thank yo! all 5ery '!ch" 4o I#' going to dress.# She

ithdre her head <!st as a tap at the door heralded /oey#s ad5ent.‘!llo" Many happy ret!rns o( yo!r &irthday%# she said. ‘I#5e &ro!ght yo! this.# She

presented her parcel% and Madge opened it ith delight.‘2 pict!re o( the Tiern See" /oey" 3o! ge'" It#s <!st hat I#5e anted%# she cried. ‘3o!

co!ldn#t ha5e gi5en 'e anything &etter"#‘+lad yo! like it%# ret!rned /o% as she t!rned her cheek (or her sister#s kiss. ‘err

Marani helped 'e to choose it last Sat!rday. I say% can I help yo! to dress8 I#ll strip yo!r&ed shall I8#

She s!ited the action to the ord% and presently Madge sa!ntered donstairs% ready(or the day% in her pale green (rock and sensi&le knitted stockings. Marie as sc!rryingro!nd getting &reak(ast ready. She stopped to o((er her good ishes together ith a&o!7!et o( 2lpen roses% hich she had gathered the e5ening &e(ore.

‘F=r Mada'e%# she said shyly.‘$h% Marie" o good o( yo!" 2nd I lo5e 2lpen roses so '!ch"#Marie nodded and s'iled as she replied in her on lang!age% ‘Mada'e is so good" I

hope it ill &e a pleasant day (or Mada'e#s (east-day.# Then she ent on ith her task%hile Madge per(or'ed her !s!al little d!ties. Break(ast as a hilario!s 'eal% (olloed&y a gay r!sh to p!t in &ed'aking and practice. 4ine o#clock &ro!ght all the &oarders%(loer-laden and &ea'ing. +isela and Bette carried the &asket containing the precio!schina &eteen the'% and Maria had another% (!ll o( +ross'!tter#s delicio!s cakes.

‘!rry !p" !rry !p"# e*clai'ed /oey% dancing ith i'patience. ‘I#5e got the tray (ro'Marie% and Made'oiselle is keeping Mada'e talking in the dining-roo' till e#re ready"ere yo! are" 4o &!ck !p"#

In the &ig schoolroo' they arranged the dainty co((ee-ser5ice on the &ig &lack tray

/oey had prod!ced. Then they (or'ed !p in their !s!al lines% and 2'y as sent to ringthe &ell. She ca'e sca'pering &ack% proclai'ing in a stage hisper% ‘She#s co'ing"#

The so!nd o( light% rapid (ootsteps (olloed% and then Miss Bettany ca'e in and tookher place on the dais. 2s she did so% a chor!s o( &irthday greetings in +er'an% French%and English ca'e (ro' the eighteen girls asse'&led &elo her. 2s they spoke% they allraised their &o!7!ets)the day-girls had &ro!ght (loers (or the &oarders)and the&ea!ty o( the (loers% the goodill and a((ection in the girlish (aces &e(ore her% &ro!ghta little thrill to the yo!ng head'istress% and to!ched her char'ing (ace ith rather'ore colo!r than !s!al. Then +isela and +ertr!d ca'e (orard% carrying &eteen the'the tray ith its dainty &!rden o( china.

The ead +irl looked rather (l!shed and ner5o!s ith her responsi&ilities% &!t sherose to the occasion &ra5ely% and said in her clear% carrying 5oice% ‘Mada'e% &e pleasedto accept (ro' !s all this so s'all token o( o!r (eelings (or yo! on this yo!r (east-day.#

‘Thank yo!% girls%# said Madge% a little shyly. ‘It is 5ery good o( yo! indeed% and Icannot tell yo! ho '!ch I appreciate yo!r kindness to 'e. I( anything co!ld ha5e'ade it a happier &irthday (or 'e)the (irst &irthday I ha5e spent in the Tyrol)yo!rtho!ght co!ld.#

Then ca'e the &!siness o( presenting the &o!7!ets% and soon the ta&le on the daisas heaped ith lilies% roses% 'arg!erites% gentians% single dahlias% 2lpen roses% andpeonies% !ntil that end o( the roo' as gloing ith their colo!r and &ea!ty. hen%(inally% little +io5anna 9incini had trotted !p ith her ar'(!l o( lilies and dahlias% +iselacalled (or three cheers (or ‘$!r dear Mada'e"# hich ere gi5en heartily% and then theserio!s &!siness o( the day as o5er.

‘In hal( an ho!r e shall start%# said Madge% s'iling at the' o5er the great heap o((loers. ‘First% I '!st place these in ater and p!t the' in a cool place. Then e '!st

63




collect !p all o!r possessions% and then e can set o((" /oey% please go and (etch 'eso'e &ig &ols and +ri;el and /!liet% I ant so'e ater. Take the' into the dining-roo' that is the coolest place% I think. Miss Maynard% i( yo! ill look a(ter the yo!ngergirls% Made'oiselle ill see to the (ood% and the 0re(ects ill help 'e to arrange the(loers.#

They all (le o(( to do her &idding% and &y ten o#clock a long string o( girls as to &eseen setting o(( !p the path hich led to the 6a!ter&ach alley% thro!gh hich theyo!ld ha5e to alk in order to reach the 'o!ntain-path that led !p theMondscheinspit;e. The 5isitors ho' they 'et looked at the' ith interest. 2ll hadheard the story o( the English school hich as prospering so (inely in the Châlet at thelake-side. The (resh% dainty !ni(or'% so di((erent (ro' the !ni(or' o( 'ost (oreignschools% attracted notice too% and so did the happy (aces o( the hole party.

2s long as they kept to the &eaten track) that is% !ntil they reached the hiteooden railings that (enced o(( Briesa! (ro' the 6a!ter&ach alley)they alked in‘croc%# &!t as soon as the gate had s!ng &ehind the'% they &roke (ile% and anderedhappily along in little gro!ps% chattering gaily a'ong the'sel5es. +isela% +ertr!d% Bette%and Bernhilda attached the'sel5es to Miss Bettany% and ere soon eagerly co'paringthe di((erences o( Cornish picnics and Tyrolean ones. Miss Maynard and Made'oiselle

ere disc!ssing 0aris% hich the (or'er kne 5ery ell% since she had &een at schoolthere. The little ones% needless to state% chased &!tter(lies and gathered (loers hile /oey% +ri;el% and Si'one% (or once in co'plete accord% strolled along a'ia&ly talkinga&o!t their cli'&. 0resently they ca'e ithin sight o( the Tiern<och% e5en in this day o(glorio!s s!nshine dark and gloo'y% ith a hint o( 'enace in its toering crags. +ri;elstopped and tilted &ack her head% looking at it ith a deter'ined glea' in her eyes.

‘I#ll go !p there so'e day%# she said alo!d. /oey (olloed her eyes. ‘The Tiern<och8 $h% +ri;el% I ish yo! o!ldn#t"#‘Don#t &e silly" It#s only a little cli'&" ‘Tisn#t e5en as i( there ere any glacier to

cross"# retorted +ri;el. ‘hy% there#s no sno or anything"#‘It#s s!ch a cr!el-looking 'o!ntain"# said /o ith a little shi5er. ‘It looks as i( it didn#t

care ho 'any people ere killed on it"#

‘/oey" Tosh" That#s only yo!r silly i'aginings"# &egan +ri;el. Then the s!ddenhiteness o( her (riend#s (ace 'ade her sorry she had 'entioned it% so she added%‘2nyay% I#' not going to-day)or this eek either% so keep yo!r hair on"#

‘I think yo! are !nkind% +ri;el"# &roke in Si'one !ne*pectedly. ‘2lays yo! tease%tease /oey" 2nd she hates the Tiern<och"#

‘Tisn#t yo!r &!siness" ‘ +ri;el as &eginning heatedly% hen /oey stopped her.‘$h% sh!t !p 7!arrelling% yo! to" 2n# i( yo! 'ention that &eastly Tiern<och again%

+ri;el Cochrane% I#ll go aay% an# yo! can alk ith so'eone else" So there"# 2nd she'arched ahead% lea5ing +ri;el and Si'one to (ollo 'eekly a(ter her.

6!ckily% at that 'o'ent% lo!d screa's (ro' 2'y Ste5ens distracted e5eryone#sattention to her% as she ca'e (lying don the slope% yelling at the (!ll pitch o( her l!ngs%‘$oh" $oh" 2 snake" 2 snake"#

‘hat"# e*clai'ed Madge. She started (orard% catching !p the (rightened child.‘2'y" 2re yo! h!rt8 Stop crying% dear% and tell 'e"#

‘4o% she isn#t"# Margia s!pplied the in(or'ation disg!stedly. ‘She sa a little greenysnake c!rled !p asleep &y that stone% and so she holed" It ne5er ca'e near her"#

‘Thank ea5en"# Madge set the child on her (eet again ith a sigh o( relie(. Thereere 5ery (e snakes (o!nd ro!nd the Tiern See% and% so (ar as she kne% the only5eno'o!s ones ere 5ipers% hich ere e5en 'ore rarely seen than the har'lessgreen 5ariety &!t 2'y#s shrieks had scared her (or the 'o'ent. ‘There#s nothing to crya&o!t% 2'y%# she added. ‘I( yo! screa' hen yo! only see a snake% yo! aren#t a 5erypl!cky person% are yo!8 4o dry yo!r eyes and stop crying. 2nd% girls% don#t go into thelong grass% please.#

‘It ill &e all right% Mada'e%# said +isela serio!sly. ‘Snakes pre(er the s!n% and thatgrass is in the shado% and is cold.#

64




‘4e5ertheless% I shall (eel sa(er i( yo! keep 'ore to the path%# ret!rned herhead'istress decidedly. ‘Frieda% I#' s!re yo!#5e carried that &asket long eno!gh. +i5eit to /oey. 2nd +ri;el% take /!liet#s (or a hile.#

They ent on again% Madge keeping a rather ner5o!s eye on the /!niors. oe5er%they soon had to lea5e the track% and strike across the 5alley to get to the 'o!ntain-path.

‘Do e cross here8# de'anded Miss Bettany% eyeing hat looked like the stony &edo( a dried-!p ri5er so'ehat do!&t(!lly. ‘Isn#t there a &ridge8#

‘$nly a log (!rther don%# said Bernhilda. ‘3o! see% Mada'e% hen the stor's o(a!t!'n co'e% this is a torrent% and already three &ridges ha5e &een sept aay. Theater co'es s!ddenly% and there is nothing to &reak its strength. It is easy to reach%tho!gh. See don here.# 2nd she pointed to so'e ro!gh% nat!ral steps hich led donto the stony &ed.

2lready 'ore than hal( the girls ere str!ggling across% the !n(ort!nate &earers o(&askets !ttering ild shrieks as the stones slipped !nder their (eet% and they 'ore thanonce nearly ent headlong. 2t length they ere all sa(ely at the other side% and once'ore on the &eaten path hich led thro!gh grass and ild (loers to the (oot o( the'o!ntain% here they all pa!sed (or a rest.

‘$!(" Isn#t it hot"# panted Margia% as she 'opped her cri'son (ace.‘I#' <!st co'(orta&le%# said /oey ith an e*asperatingly s!perior air% ‘&!t I#' a(!llyh!ngry" hat#s the ti'e% anyone8#

‘It is hal( a(ter ele5en%# said +isela% glancing at her pretty little atch.‘3o! '!st &e slo% +isela%# la!ghed /!liet% shoing hers. ‘ I 'ake it ten past tel5e.#‘So do I.# said Madge% ‘and 'ine as right this 'orning. Miss Maynard% hat does

yo!rs say8#‘4early 7!arter past%# replied Miss Maynard% ‘ &!t I 'ay &e a little (ast.#‘ell% anyho% it#s ti'e (or l!nch%# said /oey. ‘Do let#s ha5e it here"#‘$h% yes" ‘ agreed se5eral 5oices at once. ‘I a' h!ngry"#Madge la!ghed and ga5e ay. ‘ery ell. I#' rather h!ngry 'ysel( and it o!ld

certainly lighten the &askets"#

2ccordingly they all sat don% and in a 5ery (e 'in!tes the &askets ereconsidera&ly lighter than they had &een.

‘It#s (!nny ho '!ch h!ngrier one is o!t o( doors than in%# said +ri;el presently% asshe tackled her si*th sandich.

‘It is"# agreed /oey. ‘B!t I#' not so h!ngry as I as%# she added pensi5ely.‘2(ter ha5ing only (i5e sandiches and si* &isc!its and to apples"# <eered +ri;el.

‘There '!st &e so'ething !p ith yo!% /oey% old thing"#‘3o! can#t talk"# said /oey contentedly. ‘3o!#5e had <!st as '!ch. I say%# she added in

rather changed tones% ‘here#s the le'onade8#‘Bette has it%# said +isela.‘I ha5en#t%# replied Bette. ‘I tho!ght yo! had it"#‘4o I as carrying the apples. I as certain yo! had it"#‘$h% no" I ne5er had it"#Madge &egan to g!rgle ith la!ghter. It as only too plain hat had occ!rred to that

le'onade.‘Sitting in the passage at ho'e%# she choked.‘$h" 2nd I#' dying o( thirst"#‘2nd I"# ‘2nd I"# rose on all sides. ‘hat are e to do8#‘ait !ntil e reach the 2lpe. e can get plenty o( 'ilk (ro' the herds'en%# said

Miss Bettany so'ehat !n(eelingly. ‘I#' sorry% &!t it#s yo!r on (a!lts.#‘Then%# said /o% scra'&ling to her (eet% ‘there#s only one thing to &e done)get !p to

the 2lpe as soon as e can. Co'e on"# There as co''on sense in her state'ent% so ith lo!d groans the girls repacked

the &askets and set o((.

65




The cli'& !p the Mondscheinspit;e is re'arka&ly easy. There is a ell-de(ined path%hich inds in and o!t a'ong the dark pine trees% e5ery no and then co'ing o!t intonarro)5ery narro)grassy ledges. 0resently% hoe5er% it le(t the oods% and theycli'&ed !p the &are li'estone (ace o( the 'o!ntain &eneath the glare o( the /!ly s!n.

T!(ts o( grass% ith ild sca&io!s and hite 'arg!erites% p!nct!ated the ay% andgorgeo!s &!tter(lies% &ron and orange and scarlet and yello% (l!ttered ro!nd the'% solittle a(raid% that o(ten they settled on hat or (rock% and little 2'y Ste5ens cried o!t indelight hen one &alanced itsel( on her o!tstretched (ingers% resting there (or a'o'ent &e(ore it (l!ttered o((.

Madge as thank(!l (or the distraction the dainty creat!res a((orded the girlsotherise% the /!niors at any rate o!ld ha5e (o!nd the path 'ore di((ic!lt than theydid. 2s it as% she as 5ery thank(!l hen a tri!'phant cry (ro' /oey% Si'one% andFrieda Mensch% ho had raced on% anno!nced that they had reached the 2lpe.

‘Isn#t it a gorgeo!s 5ie8# de'anded /o% hen they ere all standing on the short%seet grass. ‘ /!st look"#

They looked. 2t their (eet lay the 5alley they had crossed that 'orning% cool andgreen% ith the e'pty ri5er-&ed stretching like a hite ri&&on don its length. In thedistance they co!ld see Briesa!% lying like a toy 5illage so'e giant child had set o!t

and &eyond it% &l!e)&l!e)&l!e% the Tiern See% a li5ing-sapphire% glea'ed &eneath thes!n.‘$h% onder(!l"# &reathed Madge so(tly.

They did not ga;e long% hoe5er they ere all too thirsty. ith one accord%presently% they t!rned% and 'ade (or the herds'en#s h!t)and 'ilk.

Chapter 1R.$n The 2lpe.

2ltho!gh &oth /oey and +ri;el had &een !p the B:ren&ad 2lpe 'any ti'es since theirarri5al at Briesa!% and had partaken% in the Châlet% o( hipped crea'% ild stra&erries%and &read-and-&!tter% they had ne5er &een inside a herds'an#s h!t% and great as

their interest in it. The sa'e applied to Si'one and the to little Ste5ens% &!t they ereyo!nger and less c!rio!s a&o!t the ay the herds'en li5ed than the other to.

$nly one 'an as there hen they reached the place)a tall% lanky yo!ng (ello% ineather-stained green &reeches and ragged shirt% open at the throat. is-&lack hair asro!gh and long% and his (ace &!rnt &ron ith the eather. e ore the little green

Tyrolese hat ith its cock-(eather% and as sitting contentedly s'oking a long china-&oled pipe% s!ch as 'ost 'en s'oke in the Tyrol. $n seeing the' co'ing% he rose tohis (eet ith a s'ile o( elco'e and a hoarse-5oiced ‘ +r=ss# +ott"#

‘+r=ss# +ott"# replied Madge &riskly. ‘Can yo! sell !s so'e 'ilk and cheese8#‘3es% gracio!s lady. ill the gracio!s lady and the yo!ng ladies co'e in8#$nly the English girls a5ailed the'sel5es o( this o((er% so that they 'ight look ro!nd

at the little &are roo'% ith its h!ge ell in one corner% here a ood (ire as &!rningaltho!gh the day as so hot. 2 &road shel( ran ro!nd the roo'% ell a&o5e their heads%and on this stood enor'o!s earthenare pans (or the 'ilk and &ig crea'-colo!redcheeses. The one indo as a&o!t to (eet s7!are% and set high !p in the all a longooden &ench stood at one side% and ne*t to it a h!ge cheese press a door opened intoanother roo' &eyond% here tr!sses o( hay ere to &e seen. The at'osphere o( theplace as indescri&a&le)a 'i*t!re o( cheese% garlic% to&acco% and &!rning ood. The5isitors soon le(t the h!t (or the seeter at'osphere o( the 2lpe% here the others eregra5ely taking it in t!rn to drink o!t o( an enor'o!s &ol% (!ll o( rich% crea'y 'ilk% hiletheir host stood near&y% still s'oking% and ga;ing 5acantly across to the 'ighty peakson the other side o( the lake.

hen Miss Bettany presently &ro!ght &ack the e'pty &ol% together ith the

to&acco she had &ro!ght% and so'e >rner notes to pay (or the 'ilk% he s'iled again%and ansered her 7!estions in his c!rio!sly hoarse tones.

66




3es% he and (o!r others ere there (or the s!''er. They had co'e !p early in May%and o!ld stay there till the end o( Septe'&er i( the eather as good. Then the cattle'!st &e &ro!ght don to the 5alley &e(ore the a!t!'n stor's &egan.

‘B!t aren#t yo! e5er lonely8# 7!eried /oey% ho had acco'panied her sister to theh!t. ‘Don#t yo! e5er ant to go don to Briesa!8#

e t!rned indi((erent dark eyes on her. ‘4o% gn:dige Fr:!lein. There are the cos andthe 'o!ntains. e are (i5e% and I ha5e 'y pipe.#

‘hat do the cos do in the inter8# asked Madge% a (ine instinct pre5enting her (ro'asking hat he did% tho!gh she (elt c!rio!s a&o!t it.

‘They li5e in the sheds in the inter%# he replied% ‘ and I go to 'y ho'e in Scholastika. They do not need !s in the inter% so e all go to o!r ho'es% and pray to der lie&er +ottand the &lessed Saints (or an early spring. 6ast inter it did not co'e% and so'e o( !sent h!ngry (or a ti'e.#

‘o dread(!l"# said /oey ith holehearted sy'pathy. ‘I hope it#s a good a!t!'n.#‘It ill &e as der lie&er +ott ills%# he replied% ith the c!rio!s (atalis' o( his race.‘Is it 5ery terri&le !p here in the inter8 ‘asked Madge.‘I do not kno. I ha5e ne5er &een%# he replied.Seeing that his interest in the con5ersation see'ed to &e dying% Madge 'ade

arrange'ents (or 'ilk and cheese (or the tea% and then ent &ack to her (lock% She(o!nd the' all lying a&o!t in e*ha!sted attit!des% and pro'ptly proposed that theysho!ld ha5e a rest &e(ore e*ploring the 2lpe any (!rther.

‘It ill &e easier going don than co'ing !p%# she said. ‘e cli'&ed in the noon-dayheat% &!t &y then it ill &e cool% so e shall go tice as 7!ickly. 6ie don% e5eryone% (orhal( an ho!r or so% and then e shall all &e (resh% and ready (or anything.#

‘+ood sche'e"# said /oey appro5ingly. ‘I#' a(!lly sleepy)I s#pose it#s the heat. ai-yah"# She ended ith a yan.

‘It#s &eing !p so early% too%# said /!liet.‘3es% that too%# agreed her head'istress. ‘al( an ho!r% or e5en an ho!r#s sleep on#t

do any o( yo! any har'. I#5e got a &ook in 'y pocket% so I#ll read and keep an eye onthe ti'e.#

They pro'ptly c!rled !p in 5ario!s attit!des% Made'oiselle and Miss Maynard a'ongthe'. 2t (irst there ere s!ndry '!r'!rs% &!t &y degrees they all dropped o((% andMadge as soon the only one aake. She glanced at her atch ith a s'ile.

‘2 7!arter past three%# she tho!ght. ‘I#ll let the' sleep (or another hal(-ho!r% and thene '!st ha5e tea.#

She t!rned &ack to her &ook. It as terri&ly hot)al'ost oppressi5ely so% altho!gh thes!n as not shining so &rilliantly as it had done earlier in the day. The +er'an printlooked all (!nny and <!'&led !p the page asn#t there any 'ore. Madge as asleep.

The lonely herd ca'e past the' later on% on his ay to the spring hich &!&&led !po!t o( the earth at the other side o( the 2lpe. e looked at the' c!rio!sly% &!t it as no&!siness o( his% so he le(t the'. Meanhile% the s!nlight (aded aay% hidden &y theh!ge &lack clo!ds that &egan to 'arshal the'sel5es in terri(ying s7!adrons in thenorthest. E5en the (aint &ree;e hich had stirred the 2lpine (loers in the short grasshad died aay. There as a aiting stillness% &roken only &y the occasional cry o( a ild&ird% (rightened at hat it (elt as co'ing.

/oey as the (irst to (eel it. She oke !p ith a sensation that so'ething as rong. The ne*t 'in!te she kne hat it as. The electricity in the air as tingling thro!ghand thro!gh her. She sprang to her (eet ith a little cry% ga;ing ildly ro!nd her. Thes!nshine as gone the hole place as rapped in gloo'. 2t the other side o( the5alley the 'o!ntains reared ghastly hite heads against the &lackness o( the sky% ande5ery no and then the lightning (lashed across the a(!l inkiness% see'ing to rip itopen (or a 'o'ent. There as no th!nder yet% hich 'ade it all the 'ore terri(ying. Fora 'o'ent /oey nearly lost her head. Dashing to her sister#s side% she shook her

5igoro!sly.

67




‘Madge" Madge" ake !p" ake !p" Madge" I#' (rightened"# In a 'o'ent Madge sat!p and regarded the aeso'e scene ith horror in her eyes. The ne*t instant she ason her (eet.

‘Th!nder" hat a (ool I as not to think o( it" /oey% &e a 'an" 3o! '!st" e '!st getdon at once" +irls" ake !p"#

They oke !p at her !rgent cries% and Si'one and 2'y pro'ptly &!rst into tears. The Tyroleans ere too acc!sto'ed to the terri&le th!nderstor's hich co'e !p iths!ch terri(ying s!ddenness to &e scared% altho!gh the elder girls looked serio!s. Theykne hat th!nder (ro' the north-est 'eant.

Meanhile% the three elders ere taking rapid co!nsel% hile /!liet and +isela tried toconsole the to eepers. /oey as atching her sister#s (ace an*io!sly% and +ri;el astoo e*cited to (eel a(raid.

Then% e5en as Miss Bettany t!rned to &id the girls h!rry to the 'o!ntain-path% thereas a 5i5id glare% that see'ed to rend the 5ery clo!ds as!nder% (olloed &y a terri(iccrash% hich scared hat (e its Si'one had le(t co'pletely (ro' her. She cl!ng toMade'oiselle% screa'ing hysterically% and Madge realised that i( they ere to get herdon the path at all they o!ld ha5e to carry her.

2 s!dden sho!t co'ing o!t o( the gloo' hich had descended so rapidly 'ade her

t!rn% and there as the herds'an r!nning toards the'% &eckoning to the' as he didso. In a (lash she realised that he 'eant the' to co'e to the h!t. The ne*t 'o'ent thedarkness descended co'pletely% and o5erhead the lightning (lickered and the th!ndercrashed al'ost incessantly. There as no 7!estion o( going don yet. E5en i( Si'onehad kept her head it o!ld ha5e &een i'possi&le. The path as easy eno!gh indaylight% &!t there ere great tree roots spraling across it at inter5als% as ell asoccasional &o!lders hich had orked loose and rolled into it. 2ny atte'pt to descend itno as 'ore than likely to end in sprained ankles% i( nothing orse. She 'ade a si(tdecision. E5en as the panting herd reached the'% she spoke.

‘Co'e" e '!st go to the h!t" It is the only thing to do% and e can stay there till itis o5er))#

The rest o( her sentence as droned in a 'ighty peal o( th!nder. The girls% l!ckily%

ere trained to an instant o&edience. +isela% Bette% and Bernhilda had already collectedthe &askets together% and no they all t!rned and (olloed the 'an% ho had picked !pSi'one ith as '!ch cere'ony as i( she ere a &!ndle o( hay% and as no leadingthe' across the little platea! to the h!t.

It as really 7!ite a short distance% &!t to Madge it see'ed ne5er-ending% thatstrange alk)hal( alk% hal( r!n)in al'ost pitchy &lackness% lightened only &y the(ear(!l glare o( the lightning% hile all ro!nd the' the th!nder roared (righteningly.6ittle 2'y Ste5ens as &eteen her and Miss Maynard% hile the elder girls looked a(terthe other /!niors% and Made'oiselle h!rried gaspingly a(ter the'% ith an ar' ro!ndMargia Ste5ens. 2t last they reached the h!t% and oh% hat a ha5en o( re(!ge it see'edto the'% ith the cheer(!l glo o( the ood (ire lessening the gloo' a little"

$nce they ere all sa(ely inside% the herd sh!t the door and set Si'one don on the&ench. She had stopped screa'ing no% &!t little heart-rending 'oans ca'e (ro' herlips e5ery no and then. 6ea5ing 2'y to Miss Maynard#s care% Madge ent o5er to her.

‘Si'one%# she said sternly% ‘yo! '!st stop crying at once)at once" Do yo! hear8#‘I)I ha5e s!ch (ear"# so&&ed Si'one in her on lang!age.‘So ha5e the others%# replied her head'istress% ‘&!t yo! are the only one ho is

&eha5ing like a &a&y. Co'e" 3o! '!st stop at once or I shall slap yo!"#She nearly &!rst o!t la!ghing hen she (inished% (or% as she glanced !p% she had

happened to catch sight o( /oey#s (ace% ith eyes and 'o!th ro!nd $#s o( onder.oe5er% her dra'atic speech had its e((ect on Si'one% ho grad!ally &egan to reco5erher sel(-control% and presently as a&le to sit !p and drink the 'ilk +isela &ro!ght her.

Meanhile% the herds'an had dran the yo!ng head'istress aside.

68




‘The gracio!s lady '!st stay here to-night%# he said. ‘ There is hay% and e can gi5e&read and 'ilk and cheese. To go don the path o!ld &e dangero!s hile the stor'rages.#

‘B!t s!rely it cannot go on long8# said Madge in startled tones. ‘ It is too hea5y tolast.#

‘It is (ro' the north-est%# he replied. ‘It ill last 'any ho!rs yet)(o!r% or perhaps(i5e and then it ill &e night.#

‘+ood hea5ens" o a(!l"# She stood silent (or a (e 'o'ents% going o5er the stateo( a((airs in her 'ind. Then she t!rned to the Seniors. ‘+isela" Bette" Is this tr!e8 2re estor'-stayed here (or the night8#

‘I a' a(raid so%# replied +isela. ‘hen a stor' co'es (ro' the north-est it does notdie 7!ickly.#

‘B!t ho appalling" hat ill yo!r parents think8#‘They ill kno e took re(!ge here%# said Bette. ‘E5eryone at Tiern See knos o( the

h!t% and they ill kno that e sho!ld stay here. These stor's co'e so 7!ickly o(tenthere is no ti'e to do anything. Don#t orry% Mada'e. They ill &e s!re e shall &ehere% and 7!ite sa(e.#

‘I ish I co!ld think so"# '!r'!red her head'istress. ‘ell% I s!ppose there is nothing

else (or it.#‘Do yo! 'ean e#re going to stay here all night8# gasped +ri;el% ho had &eenstanding near. ‘ o si'ply thrilling"#

‘I#' glad yo! think so"# ret!rned Madge dryly. ‘I#d &e thank(!l to kno e ere allsa(e in o!r &eds.#

‘It#s an ad5ent!re% tho!gh%# said /oey% ho had 7!ite reco5ered her sel(-control%altho!gh her <a!nty air as rather o5erdone. She did not like th!nderstor's% and thisone as really alar'ing. ‘It#ll &e so'ething to tell Dick hen e rite ne*t.#

Madge la!ghed rather r!e(!lly% and 'o5ed aay. She (elt tired% (or it as no <oketalking against the th!nder. 3o! had to shriek to 'ake yo!rsel( heard% and e5en then itso'eti'es 'eant repeating hat yo! said.

The herds'an% ha5ing gi5en his opinion% as no &!sily engaged in carrying in great

ar'(!ls o( (resh% seet hay (ro' a little shed hich stood near&y. The rain had not yetco'e% and he had e5idently 'ade !p his 'ind to prepare (or the night &e(ore it did.

+ri;el sprang (orard. ‘6et 'e help"# she said in her pretty &roken +er'an. ‘3es% do"I#d like it"#

‘$h% so o!ld I"# e*clai'ed Margia. ‘I#ll co'e too"# The 'an 'ade no atte'pt to stop the'% so they (olloed hi' o!t and 5ery soon one

end o( the roo' as thickly littered ith the hay% hich the elder girls shook !p andco5ered ith their raincoats. hen that as done% he sh!t the door once 'ore% cast aco!ple o( logs on the (ire% and then sat don on the &ench and lighted his pipe. e haddone all he co!ld% and no he as prepared to sit and s'oke contentedly !ntil he assleepy% hen he o!ld go to &ed in the ne*t roo'.

2 little silence (ell on the' all% hich as s!ddenly &roken &y a ‘sish-sish"# and therain had co'e. S!ch rain" /oey% opening the door to see% had to sh!t it again in a h!rryor they o!ld ha5e &een (looded o!t.

‘+racio!s 0eter"# she re'arked% as she ca'e &ack to the others. ‘It#s like the Flood" This is Mo!nt 2rarat% I sho!ldn#t onder"#

‘Tosh"# retorted +ri;el. ‘Mo!nt 2rarat has sno on it)I think"#She (inished rather do!&t(!lly.‘ell% this has in inter%# arg!ed /o a'ia&ly. ‘2nyho% it#s so'e rain"#‘4ot !nlike the rainy season in India%# la!ghed Madge)the th!nder had died aay (or

the 'o'ent. ‘Do yo! re'e'&er ho I told yo! a&o!t the ti'e hen e ere (loodedo!t the year &e(ore e ca'e ho'e8#

‘9ather" Tell the others no"# said /oey. ‘It#s like a story in a &ook"#

69




‘It ill take too long%# replied her sister. ‘2sk 'e a&o!t it so'e ti'e hen there isn#t ath!nderstor' going on. /!st listen to it"# as a (resh r!'&le (orced her to shriek the lastords.

‘It o(ten does that%# said +isela. ‘It tra5els ro!nd and ro!nd the lake till it dies aay. Itill co'e &ack again and again &e(ore it is o5er to-night.#

‘o dread(!l"# sh!ddered Si'one.‘I call it <olly thrilling"# la!ghed +ri;el. ‘I#5e ne5er &een in s!ch a stor' in 'y li(e

&e(ore"#‘here are e going to sleep8# asked 2'y ith interest. ‘2nd oh% Miss Bettany% hat

is that (!nny thing on the all8#She pointed as she spoke to a ;ither hich as h!ng !p &y a loop o( soiled ri&&ons.

The herds'an% seeing her point to it% got !p (ro' his seat and% taking it don% prod!ceda little tist o( ire attached to a sil5er ring hich he (itted on his th!'&% and then ranit across the string% prod!cing a shoer o( sil5ery so!nds.

‘2 ;ither"# cried Miss Maynard. ‘2nd I ne5er noticed it"#‘+n:diges Fr:!lein plays the ;ither8# 7!eried the 'an% holding it to her.‘3es &!t yo! play (irst%# she said% s'iling at hi'.e &oed so'ehat cl!'sily% and then played the' a si'ple little air% hose notes

rippled thro!gh the h!t like &ird-notes. hen he had (inished% he handed it to MissMaynard% and she played a song hich% she told the'% she had learnt (ro' the 4eForest gipsies. E5ery no and then the th!nder roared a&o5e the tinkling '!sic% and'ade the ner5o!s people start. The (irst a(!l gloo' as earing o((% &!t the lightning(lashes ere as 5i5id as e5er% and the rain still po!red don ceaselessly.

0resently the herd prod!ced a h!ge pot% hich he sl!ng on a hook h!ng o5er the (ire&y an iron chain. Into this he po!red a pan(!l o( 'ilk% and% hen it as heated% hein5ited the' to dip &ig earthenare '!gs% hich he had &ro!ght (ro' the inner roo'%into it% and drink. It pro5ed 5ery good i( it did ha5e a s'oky (la5o!r. Certainly% dr!nk inthat roo' as an acco'pani'ent to &lack &read and 'ilk-cheese% it had a taste all itson.

hen they had (inished it% there as silence (or a little. The close at'osphere and

the ar'th ere doing their ork. It as &arely se5en o#clock% &!t 'ost o( the /!niorsere already nodding sleepily% and presently 2'y t!rned to Miss Bettany ith a re7!est(or &ed. ‘0lease 'ay I go to &ed8 I#' so sleepy"# she pleaded.

‘I think 'ost o( yo! o!ld &e &etter in &ed%# said the yo!ng head'istress. ‘Co'ealong% yo! people" 3o! can slip o(( yo!r (rocks and lie don in the hay% and then e#llco5er yo! !p.#

‘In the hay8# 2'y asn#t s!re hether to la!gh or cry.6!ckily% Maria Marani settled it (or her. ‘It is topping"# she said cheer(!lly.‘/!st like ca'ping o!t"# added +ri;el appro5ingly. ‘$h% this is so'ething like an

ad5ent!re"# The herds'an% seeing that &ed see'ed to &e the order o( the day% got !p% lit to

lanterns% hanging one on a nail near the door% and% taking the other% slo!ched into theinner roo' ith a '!ttered ‘+!te 4acht"#

‘2nd that#s that"# o&ser5ed /oey% riggling o!t o( her (rock. ‘I say% s!pposing theothers co'e &ack% hat a shock they ill get i( they alk in and see !s lying ro!nd"#

‘I hadn#t tho!ght o( that"# Madge looked dist!r&ed.‘I do not think they ill co'e%# said +isela consolingly. ‘See% the door is &arred. I think

there is another h!t at the other side% and they ill spend the night there.#‘Do yo!8 Sh!nt along% +ri;el" 3o!#5e got three ti'es yo!r share o( the hay)I 'ean

&ed" 9ighto% Si'one" 3o! can co'e ne*t 'e)i( yo! can keep yo!r ar's to yo!rsel(%that is"#

Th!s /oey% as she slipped o(( her shoes and c!rled hersel( !p. She s!ddenly sat !pagain to ask% ‘I say% does anyone snore8#

‘4ot !nless it#s yo!rsel("# retorted +ri;el pro'ptly.

70




‘+irls" +irls" Be 7!iet"# p!t in Madge% la!ghing. ‘3o! really '!st settle don and getto sleep" e shall ha5e to &e !p at si*% to get don &e(ore Briesa! is aake to see hatscarecros e are"#

/oey lay don% and presently they ere all settled. Madge p!t o!t the lantern and laydon in her on place. It took her a little ti'e to drop o((% tho!gh e5eryone else 7!ickly(ell asleep)or so it see'ed. B!t <!st as she as getting drosy% a lo 5oice said%‘Madge"#

‘ell8# she asked sleepily.‘e#ll ha5e a holiday to-'orro a(ter this sha#n#t e8#Madge sat !p% (!lly aake.‘/oey Bettany% lie don at once and go to sleep% and don#t let 'e hear yo! again till

the 'orning"# she said se5erely. There as a r!stle in the hay and a little ch!ckle. Then silence.

Chapter 1. The Châlet Maga;ine.

$h% it as priceless"# +ri;el ga5e a little ch!ckle. ‘There e ere% all gr!&&y and

!ntidy% and o!r hair (!ll o( hayseed% and all that alk to take" 3o!#d ha5e screa'ed i(yo! had seen !s"#She la!ghed again at the 'e'ory% and anda 5on Eschena! <oined her.

2rrange'ents had &een 'ade (or the ne*t ter'% and anda and Marie ere to <oin theChâlet School as &oarders. In the 'eanti'e% they ere to &e ith the girls as '!ch aspossi&le% partly ith a 5ie to learning English% so that they sho!ld &e a&le to (ollo thelessons easily. anda already spoke (airly ell% &!t Marie 'ade (!nny 'istakes atti'es. She and /oey and Si'one ere sitting in the grass so'e little distance aay%re5elling in the ar'th o( the s!n% hile anda and +ri;el ere perched on the railingshich c!t o(( the path to +eisal'. Farther along% /!liet as lying on the &ank reading%hile Margia% 2'y% and the to little Merciers ere 'aking reaths o( the &ig hite'arg!erites hich gre e5eryhere.

It as a Sat!rday 'orning practice as (inished% and the &oarders ere (ree toa'!se the'sel5es. +ri;el as telling anda a&o!t the &irthday e*pedition ith its!ne*pected ending. The yo!ng iennese% ho led the sheltered li(e o( 'ost girls o( herclass% as deeply thrilled% (or +ri;el told the tale ell.

‘It '!st ha5e &een (!ll o( terror !p there on the 2lpe%# she said in her slo% care(!lEnglish. ‘The stor' as terri&le% e5en here"# ‘It as ghastly%# agreed +ri;el. ‘Si'oneshrieked like 'ad and 2'y cried% and I#' s!re I don#t onder" It '!st &e a(!l i( yo!are a(raid o( th!nder" I#' not" B!t then% I#' not a(raid o( anything '!ch"#

‘3o! '!st &e 5ery co!rageo!s%# replied anda si'ply.+ri;el colo!red to the roots o( her hair. She had not 'eant to &oast% &!t she had to

ad'it that her last speech so!nded !nco''only like &oasting.‘Sorry" I#' a(raid that as sank%# she said.‘Sank8 as ist denn ?sank?8# 7!eried anda.‘$h% &!cking)er)&oasting%# ret!rned +ri;el hastily. ‘Er)I o!ldn#t !se it i( I ere

yo!% anda. It isn#t good English)not proper% yo! kno.#‘hat yo! call ?slang.? I see%# replied the other girl. ‘B!t go on% +ri;el. Did yo! 'eet

ith any&ody8#‘$nly coherds%# said +ri;el. ‘$h% &!t it as lo5ely% so early in the 'orning"

E5erything looked so ne and ell-ashed a(ter the rain")e*cept !s% o( co!rse" I don#tkno a&o!t the others% &!t all !s &oarders had a hot &ath and ashed o!r hair. e hadto% to get the hay-seed o!t" Then e all ent to &ed and to sleep. I ne5er kne &edco!ld &e so nice &e(ore%# she added 'editati5ely. ‘Sleeping on hay is (!n all right% &!tyo! don#t get '!ch sleep" First o( all% a &eetle alked across /oey#s (ace% and she yelled

and h!ng on to 'y hair)s!ppose it as the handiest thing there as to hang on to" Then% hen e had got o5er that e*cite'ent% 2'y &egan to cry &eca!se the hay-seed

71




had gone don her neck and as tickling her. Then% <!st &e(ore dan% an ol o( sortsstarted to screech% and so did so'e o( the little ones"#

‘B!t ho co!ld yo! en<oy s!ch happenings8 ‘asked anda% ide-eyed. ‘$h% I don#t kno" 3o! do% yo! kno" It#s so'ething (resh)I s#pose that#s it.#‘0erhaps%# said anda do!&t(!lly. ‘B!t I sho!ld not like it.#‘$h% yo! ill hen yo!#5e &een ith !s a hile%# said +ri;el con(idently. ‘$nly% o(

co!rse% there on#t &e any 'o!ntain e*peditions ne*t ter'.#‘4o% not ith the sno here%# agreed the yo!ng 2!strian. ‘o shall e a'!se

o!rsel5es then% 'y +ri;el8#‘$h% I don#t kno" Dancing and ga'es% I s!ppose. 0#r#aps e shall get !p a play. /!st

the !s!al things one does do in the inter. I#' tired o( these old railings no)they#reso <olly hard" 6et#s alk along to the other end. +isela 'ay &e co'ing. She o(ten doeson Sat!rdays% and so do Bernhilda and Frieda Mensch. It 'akes it <ollier (or /!liet and'e. Most o( the others are rather &a&ies% yo! see. Co'ing% /!liet8#

/!liet raised her head. ‘here to8 $h% the other gate8 4o% thanks% +ri;el. I ant to geton ith 'y &ook and anyay% it#s too hot to 'o5e.#

‘6a;y old o&<ect"# la!ghed +ri;el. ‘2ll right" Co'e on% anda" 6et#s lea5e her to it"# They ent o((% la!ghing and talking gaily% hile /!liet% !nc!rling hersel( (ro' the little

heap in hich she had &een lying% ga;ed a(ter the' tho!ght(!lly.She as not <ealo!s% altho!gh +ri;el had 5ery little to say to her noadays. In +ri;el#seyes% /!liet had &eco'e s!ddenly and tireso'ely ‘good# anda as (resh% and theEnglish girl as rather gi5en to r!nning a(ter (resh things. $ne thing% tho!ght /!liet% asshe sat h!gging her knees in a &ron st!dy% +ri;el co!ld co'e to no har' ith anda%ho had &een trained on the 'ost con5entional lines% and as o(ten horri(ied at herne (riend#s to'&oyish ays. It as rather a relie( to the elder girl to kno this% (or sheco!ld not (orget +ri;el#s declaration o( a (ortnight or so ago that she o!ld &e o(( !p the

Tiern<och the (irst chance she got% and she didn#t care ho said hat" City-&red andaas 'ost !nlikely to atte'pt s!ch an e*pedition. The B:ren&ad 2lpe as as '!ch asshe co!ld 'anage% tho!gh Marie and ol(ra' ere ready (or anything% and >!rt% theelder &oy% ent on cli'&ing and h!nting e*peditions ith his (ather e5ery day.

Satis(ied that +ri;el as sa(e at present% /!liet ret!rned to her &ook% and as soonlost to the orld.

Meanhile% the yo!nger children had gron tired o( their reaths% and ere 'akingtheir ay sloly toards the &oat-landing to atch the stea'er co'e in. 2s they ent%Marie raised a t!ne(!l little 5oice in ‘9slein a!( der eider%# in hich the others <oined%(or they all kne it. 2s they strolled along% they sa a co!ple o( &ig &oys co'e racingdon the path toards the'% (olloed &y a little girl o( a&o!t nine. Instincti5ely thechildren 'o5ed to one side% and the to lads tore past the' itho!t gi5ing the' aglance. The little girl t!rned and looked at the'% hoe5er% ith a look o( (riendlyc!riosity% &e(ore she galloped a(ter the others.

‘onder ho they are8# co''ented /o in +er'an% hich lang!age she no spoke as(l!ently as she did English. ‘They looked rather <olly% didn#t they8#

‘I think they are English%# said Si'one gra5ely.‘Das M:dchen as not%# corrected Marie. ‘She hadn#t the English 5ie.#‘2ppearance% yo! 'ean%# o&ser5ed Margia.U2'y% co'e &ack" 3o!#ll (all in.#‘It o!ldn#t 'atter i( I did)#cept (or ha5ing to change%# replied 2'y.‘ell% that o!ld &e &other eno!gh%# said Margia% as she ha!led her little sister &ack

into sa(ety.‘It o!ldn#t &e yo!rs anyho"# snapped 2'y.Margia released her little sister in sheer a'a;e'ent. It as the (irst ti'e that 2'y

had e5er atte'pted to ha5e an opinion apart (ro' her% and she gasped ith onder. /oey la!ghed at her startled (ace. ‘Margia% i( yo! open yo!r 'o!th like that the

'os7!itoes ill dash in to their doo'. ?Be alays kind to ani'als% here5er yo! 'ay&e.? I( a 'os7!ito is an ani'al"#

72






‘I#' not"# retorted /oey. ‘2nd anyho%# as an !nholy 'e'ory ca'e to her% ‘anyho% Ididn#t ask to ha5e 'y hair rinsed in holy ater"#

‘/oey" hat do yo! 'ean8# cried anda% asto!nded.‘2sk +ri;el" She knos"# said /oey ith so'ehat 'alicio!s delight.+ri;el% cri'son and (!rio!s% glared at her tor'entor. ‘3o! little pig% /oey"#‘ell% yo! did)didn#t yo!8# Then /oey#s 'alice 5anished in a ch!ckle. ‘ I say" Do yo!

re'e'&er the 'an#s (ace hen he heard yo!8 $h% asn#t it (!nny8#‘It as only a 'istake%# said +ri;el ith an !nilling la!gh.‘B!t hat as it8# asked +isela% &eildered. 0lease tell !s% +ri;el.#‘$h% it as only that I 'i*ed !p heisses and heiliges%# e*plained +ri;el. ‘/o#s a horror

to drag it !p like that" hat a&o!t the ti'e yo! thre (loers at a g!ide8#‘That as years ago%# ret!rned /o% not one hit a&ashed. ‘e looked a&o!t as horri(ied

as err 2lphen did hen yo! asked (or a rinse o( holy ater.#‘B!t I still do not !nderstand%# said +isela. ‘6et !s sit don% and yo! ill tell !s.#So they sat don &eside 2'y#s ‘little ri5er%# and &eteen the'% /oey and +ri;el

e*plained hat they 'eant. +isela and anda rocked ith la!ghter at the stories%especially the holy-ater one.

‘B!t it '!st ha5e &een 5ery (!nny"# la!ghed +isela.

‘$h% it as"# /oey ch!ckled ecstatically. ‘I( yo!#d seen the 'an#s (ace"#‘$h% ell% let it alone no% and let#s get on to the 'aga;ine%# s!ggested +ri;el.‘It is an English instit!tion%# o&ser5ed anda. ‘I ha5e read o( it in 'y story-&ooks.

0apa has gi5en 'e se5eral% yo! kno% as he ished Marie and I sho!ld kno so'ethinga&o!t li(e in the English schools.#

‘B!t yo! can#t alays go &y stories%# said /oey. ‘So'e o( the' are a(!l tosh)likethat Denise o( the Fo!rth one yo! shoed 'e% +isela.#

‘There is one a&o!t a girl ho as a +!ide%# &egan +isela do!&t(!lly% ‘&!t I did not7!ite !nderstand it. It is not the kind o( g!ide e kno here.#

‘+irl +!ides% as it8# asked /oey ith interest. ‘I alays anted to &e one% &!t 'ysister o!ld ne5er let 'e% &eca!se in England I ca!ght cold o5er e5erything. I#' heaps&etter no% tho!gh.#

‘It as a +irl +!ide%# said anda. ‘er na'e as the sa'e as yo!rs% +isela% &!t theycalled her ?+illy.? I liked the &ook 5ery good.#

‘3o! sho!ld say ?5ery '!ch%? # +ri;el corrected her. ‘ell% e can#t do anything a&o!tthe +!ides <!st no% tho!gh it#s <olly ell orth thinking a&o!t. 6et#s get on to the'aga;ine. 2nd this a(ternoon% I 5ote e play cricket. anda is keen to learn aren#t yo!%old thing8#

‘I sho!ld lo5e it%# said anda% ‘&!t it so!nds to 'e a pain(!l ga'e.# The English girls ent o(( into (its o( la!ghter o5er this and e5en +isela s'iled. B!t

Si'one nodded sy'pathetically. She had &een &adly &r!ised only three days &e(ore &ya &all (l!ng in carelessly &y Bette hen (ielding% and she '!ch pre(erred tennis. /oeyplayed cricket% hoe5er% so Si'one '!st too.

‘It is a tophole ga'e%# said +ri;el. ‘3o!#ll soon learn it. 4o% a&o!t the 'aga;ine.#‘I ha5e ne5er seen an English school 'aga;ine%# &egan +isela% ‘&!t I ha5e read o(

the'. e '!st ha5e (or editor one ho can rite the)the)editorial% and also arrange. Then e '!st ha5e articles !pon o!r ga'es and the happenings o( this ter'. Theresho!ld &e stories and poetry% and a letter (ro' o!r ead. There are only eighteen o( !s%&!t I think e 'ight do it. It is an English c!sto'% as anda says% and e are an Englishschool% and I sho!ld like to do it. Bette and +ertr!d and Bernhilda ish it too. hat doyo! think% /oey8 o!ld Mada'e allo it8#

‘9ather" ‘ said /oey enth!siastically. ‘She#d &e a(!lly keen% I kno.#‘Then hat do yo! say8 Shall e see hat e can do a&o!t it8#‘3es% let#s"#‘It#s a ripping sche'e% +isela"#

‘B!t e)e% too% +isela" e shall &e 'e'&ers o( the school soon. May e not rite(or it8#

74




‘ell% I)I)I#ll let yo! ha5e so'e poetry"# This last as 2'y% o( co!rse. The Seniorslooked at her ith '!ch the sa'e s!rprise as the others had done.

‘0oetry% 2'y8 hy% yo! don#t e5en kno hat poetry is% do yo!8# teased +ri;el.‘3es% I do" It#s lines that rhy'e" So there% +ri;el Cochrane"# (lashed 2'y% her (air little

(ace &!rning ith a 'i*t!re o( shyness and indignation.‘$h 'y hat" There is a cat" $n the 'at"# 'ocked +ri;el. ‘3o!r poetry anything like

that% 2'y8#‘It#s a <olly sight &etter than anything yo! co!ld do% anyay"# declared Margia%

co'ing 5aliantly to 2'y#s assistance. She 'ight sit on her little sister (or her on good%&!t she asn#t going to ha5e +ri;el Cochrane doing it i( she co!ld help it.

+ri;el tilted &ack her pretty head and la!ghed aggra5atingly. B!t /oey no took !pthe c!dgels.

‘3o!#re horrid <!st no% +ri;el" I don#t kno hat#s the 'atter ith yo!"# she said ith'ore 5ehe'ence than politeness.

‘Don#t get e*cited% &a&ies))#‘+ri;el"#2t the so!nd o( their head'istress#s 5oice they all t!rned ro!nd.‘hat is the 'atter ith yo!% girls8# asked Miss Bettany% as they (aced her.

+isela r!shed into the &reach. ‘Mada'e% it as <!st a little arg!'ent. 2nd please 'aye ha5e a 'aga;ine (or the school8#‘2 school 'aga;ine8# She looked at the' ith tinkling eyes. ‘3es% i( yo! ill pro'ise

not to 7!arrel o5er it% and not to lea5e all the ork to one person% I think yo! 'ay.#2nd so as the idea o( The Châletian &ook.

Chapter 1OSo'e 0ranks

$nly three eeks till the end o( ter'" 4othing '!ch can happen in three eeks"# Th!s Madge Bettany% as she sat in her &edroo'% talking things o5er ith Made'oiselle6a 0âttre. ‘$!r (irst ter'%# she ent on drea'ily. ‘ell% it hasn#t &een a &it hat I

tho!ght it o!ld. For one thing% I ne5er e*pected e sho!ld get s!ch a large schooltogether so 7!ickly. Eight or ten as the 'ost I had hoped (or. B!t here e are itheighteen% and at least se5en 'ore (or ne*t ter'" It isn#t &ad% is it8#

Made'oiselle nodded her head sloly. ‘It has gone ell% 'a chrie%# she said gra5ely.‘The girls are so keen on &eing really English%# ent on the yo!ng head'istress.

‘E5en the /!niors are in(ected ith the desire. The other day I heard S!;anne Mercierand Berta a'el disc!ssing so'e prank or other% and S!;anne asked 5ery serio!sly%?2re yo! s!re it#s English8? Berta asn#t certain% so they ent o(( to disc!ss it ith /oey.#

‘as it occ!rred yet8# asked Made'oiselle ith a s'ile.‘I ha5en#t heard anything% so I don#t s!ppose it has.#‘I onder hat it is8# r!'inated the elder o'an. ‘They think o( things so e*tra-

ordinary% these little ones. I a' s!re Si'one o!ld ne5er ha5e tho!ght o( c!tting o(( herhair a year ago.#

‘It#s (ar &etter (or her%# said Madge decidedly. ‘She really had too '!ch. She#s '!ch&etter in e5ery ay% I think and she#s losing that tragic look she !sed to ha5e% and shedoes things)ell)o(( her on &at"#

‘My dear"# Made'oiselle as gen!inely horri(ied at the slang% &!t Madge onlyla!ghed.

‘2(!l% isn#t it8# she said gaily. ‘Merci(!lly none o( the girls heard 'e. Do re'e'&er%Elise% that I#5e not &een a ead (or three 'onths yet" 3o! '!st allo 'e a little slang

<!st 5ery occasionally.#Made'oiselle <oined in her la!ghter% hich as c!t short &y a piercing shriek.‘Mercy"# gasped Madge. ‘hat on earth has happened8#

75




She (led to the door% tore it open% and ran don the stairs% to 'eet a scared andhorri(ied Bette and Bernhilda% ho &oth e*clai'ed% ‘$h% Mada'e" Co'e 7!ickly" Co'eat once"#

‘hat is it8 2n accident8# she gasped ith hitening (ace.‘4o)no" It is '!ch orse" It is itchcra(t"# ailed Bette.‘itchcra(t" 4onsense" There is no s!ch thing as itchcra(t"# she said sharply%

ne5ertheless (olloing the' along the narro passage to the little &oarded-o((co'part'ent here the ‘splasheries# ere. 2rri5ed there% she gasped at hat she sa.

Then% realising hat had happened% she &!rst into la!ghter. Each o( the to &asins as(!ll to the &ri' o( sparkling% si;;ling &!&&les" E5en as they looked% the (oa'ing &egan tos!&side% and in another 'in!te or to the &ols held only ordinary ater)or hatlooked like ordinary ater.

‘$h% Mada'e% hat is it8# so&&ed Bette in +er'an. ‘I did nothing" I only po!red in theater% and Bernhilda also% and it (oa'ed !p at once" $h% is it itchcra(t8#

2 s!dden g!rgle o!tside the indo% (olloed &y a ‘!sh"# dre the ead#s attention(or a second% &!t she took no (!rther notice.

‘$h% Bette" 3o! silly child"# she said rather i'patiently. ‘$( co!rse it isn#t" a5en#t Itold yo! there is no s!ch thing as itchcra(t8 2ll that has happened is that those yo!ng

'onkeys ha5e podered the &ols ith sher&et or salts or so'e (i;;y st!((" $( co!rse it&!&&led !p hen yo! po!red the ater in" B!t that#s all it is"#ad she &een a&le to see thro!gh the &!shes hich gre against the side o( the

ho!se% she o!ld ha5e seen (o!r (aces gro rather &lank at her o'niscience.‘I say"# '!r'!red /oey. ‘I (orgot they o!ld pro&a&ly (etch 'y sister% and it#s a trick

'y &rother told !s o(. e did it at his school.#‘ill she &e angry8# asked Berta% a tri(le apprehensi5ely.

/oey considered% her head on one side. ‘Sho!ldn#t think so%# she said (inally. ‘There#snothing rong in it)it#s only a lark% and it doesn#t h!rt anyone. That idiot% Bette" Fancy&elie5ing in itchcra(t at her age"#

‘B!t lots o( the' do%# arg!ed Si'one% ith so'ehat inca!tio!s lo!dness. ‘3o!re'e'&er% /oey% yo! told !s o( the little &oy ho 'ade the ?horns? at yo!"#

‘Sh!t !p% idiot"# hissed /oey. ‘D#yo! ant the' to co'e and catch !s8 Co'e along"e#d &etter clear o!t no"# 2nd they pro'ptly 5acated their position and deca'ped tothe (erry-landing.

Meanhile% Madge as &!sy soothing the in<!red (eelings o( the Seniors. Bette as(!rio!sly angry at ha5ing &een so taken in% and e5en Bernhilda the gentle as inclinedto &e indignant.

‘It is an i'pertinence%# she said in her so(t% care(!l English. ‘Is it not% Mada'e8#Madge nodded. ‘$h% yes" B!t it is the kind o( thing that o(ten happens ith /!niors%

and I ad5ise yo! to take no notice this ti'e. I( they do it again% o( co!rse% the 0re(ectssho!ld take it !p. It#s not &ad 'ischie(. 3o! people '!st learn to disting!ish &eteen&ad 'ischie( and nonsense like this.#

ith this she le(t the'% to go and relate the occ!rrence to their co'peers% hile shehersel( ch!ckled o5er it ith Made'oiselle and Miss Maynard% ho had <!st co'e in.

‘It#s healthy 'ischie( anyho%# she said% ‘so I sha#n#t inter(ere. There#s Mittagessen.#2t Mittagessen the (o!r /!niors kept giggling together% and 'any ere the 'eaning

glances shot at Bette% ho held her head 5ery high% and as re'arka&ly chilly in her&eha5io!r to the'. Bernhilda had cooled don% and as a&le to la!gh at the a((air% &!tBette as hal( Italian% and her indignation still ran hot. +isela and the others haden<oyed the <oke% e5en hile they ad'itted that it as ‘an i'pertinence%# and% as theead +irl said% it as &etter than the de(iance o( +ri;el and /!liet o( the pre5io!s eek.

For the rest o( the day% hoe5er% she kept a sharp look-o!t on the' &!t theircond!ct as 'ost e*e'plary% and the daygirls ent o((% satis(ied that it as only as!dden sp!rt and there o!ld &e no 'ore o( it.

There ere three &edti'es d!ring the eek at the Châlet. 2'y and Margia Ste5ens%and the to little Merciers% ho ere &oarders till the end o( ter'% as their parents had

76




&een o&liged to go to 0aris oing to the s!dden illness o( Mada'e Mercier#s 'other%ent at se5en% /oey and Si'one at eight% and /!liet and +ri;el at nine. $n Sat!rdays andS!ndays they all ent at the sa'e ti'e)hal(-past eight on Sat!rdays and eight onS!ndays. hen se5en o#clock ca'e that e5ening% the (o!r /!niors trotted o(( 7!itehappily. Miss Maynard ent !p to &r!sh hair at hal(-past se5en% and see that they ereall sa(ely in &ed. She (o!nd the'% as she a(terards said% ‘rather giggleso'e%# &!t asthe story o( the podered &asins)they had !sed sher&et% as Madge had s!r'ised)hadgone ro!nd the school &y that ti'e% she set it don to that. 2t eight o#clock p!nct!ally

/oey and Si'one said good-night and retired in their t!rn. It as Made'oiselle#s d!ty togo !p hal( an ho!r later to see that .they ere all right. /!liet and +ri;el ere consideredold eno!gh to &e responsi&le (or the'sel5es.

hen hal(-past eight ca'e% Made'oiselle as in the 'iddle o( riting a letter% soMiss Maynard good-nat!redly o((ered to r!n !p (or her. The Frencho'an accepted theo((er% and the 'athe'atics 'istress ascended the stairs lightly. She e*pected to (indthe to in &ed% ready to &id her ‘good-night%# so she as considera&ly startled to (ind

/oey in her dressing-gon% gri'ly !npicking the top o( her py<a'a legs% hile Si'oneas restling ith a slee5e o( her nightdress.

‘+irls"# e*clai'ed the 'istress. ‘hat is the 'eaning o( this8#

‘2ll o!r night gar'ents are sen !p%# said Si'one 'o!rn(!lly.‘So'e <oke"# re'arked /oey. ‘6ook% Miss Maynard" Stitched top and &otto' o( legsand slee5es% and the top o( 'y tro!sers too"#

Miss Maynard#s eyes tinkled% and she &it her lips. ‘#'" So the &iters ere &itten%#she said so(tly. ‘ell% I ill gi5e yo! (i5e 'in!tes longer. Be 7!ick"#

She kne &etter than to look thro!gh the other c!rtains to see i( the /!niors ereasleep. Certain little r!stles and snorts 'ade it 7!ite e5ident that they ere not. Shetook no notice o( the s!spicio!s so!nds% &!t si'ply aited &y the indo !ntil the otherto ere sa(ely in &ed% and then ithdre% re'arking that she hoped they o!ld all)ith an e'phasis on the ‘all#)get o(( to sleep 7!ickly.

‘0igs"# re'arked /oey% as soon as she as ell o!t o( the ay. ‘6ittle horrors"#Fo!r separate giggles ansered her% &!t no one spoke. She ga5e a snort and t!rned

o5er% &!rying hersel( &eneath the sheets. Si'one had done the sa'e.‘2n# the orst o( it is that it co'pletely p!t the lid on o!r st!nt"# she groaned ne*t

'orning hen she and Si'one had (inished telling the other (o!r hat they tho!ght o(the'. ‘e#d intended ragging the Senior c!&icles% &!t I tho!ght e#d &etter get ready(or &ed (irst% and then e (o!nd hat yo!#d done" 2n# Maynie ca'e !p &e(ore e erehal( ready.#

‘ell% hy didn#t yo! tell !s8# de'anded Margia. ‘Then e#d ha5e helped% and le(tyo! till to-night"#

‘ell" $( all the cool cheek"# gasped /oey. ‘Margia% yo!#re the li'it"#‘It#s yo!r on (a!lt"# retorted Margia. ‘3o! said e hadn#t had any rags yet% and it

o!ld &e a pity to (inish the ter' itho!t.#‘3es &!t I ne5er 'eant yo! to rag !s" 2n# that re'inds 'e. Is the piano done8#‘,h-h!h" 2'y did it hen she had (inished her practice.#‘+ood eno!ghsky" 4o one sa yo!% did they% 2'y8#6ittle 2'y shook her head till all her c!rls danced. ‘4o one" It ill &e (!n"#‘ell% it#s +ri;el#s practice (irst" on#t she &e 'ad8#‘opping 'ad%# agreed Margia. ‘ There#s the &ell" Co'e on"#

The conspirators sc!rried in to lessons% and only sa5ed the'sel5es (ro' co'pletedisgrace &y the 'ost 5aliant e((orts. 2'y% her 'ind andering to the latest <oke% henasked to e*plain hat a delta as% said drea'ily% ‘It#s another na'e (or the key&oard o(the piano) the hite keys"#

Miss Bettany dropped the &lack&oard chalk in her s!rprise. ‘2'y"#‘I &eg yo!r pardon% Mada'e%# she (altered. ‘I)I))# She stopped% !na&le to go on.

‘I see%# said Madge dryly. ‘ill yo! kindly pay attention to the lesson8 hat is adelta8#

77




2'y 'anaged to st!'&le thro!gh a (airly acc!rate i( so'ehat lengthy e*planation.‘It#s all the st!(( &ro!ght don &y the ri5er and le(t in a heap at the &otto')I 'ean theend)in a (!nny shape% sort o( three-cornered% yo! kno.#

/oey and Si'one% doing alge&ra% ca'e o(( little &etter. /oey#s si'ple e7!ations ere ahopeless '!ddle% hile Si'one#s had neither &eginning nor ending.

Frieda% 2nita% and Sophie stared at the' in a'a;e'ent% hile Miss Maynard scoldedthe' sharply (or carelessness and inattention.

M!ch they cared% hoe5er" They ere only longing (or to o#clock and the &eginningo( practice-ti'e. They had not dared to 'eddle ith the '!sic-roo' piano% (or this asone o( the days on hich err 2nserl ca'e !p (ro' Sp:rt; to gi5e '!sic lessons. eas a 'agni(icent teacher% and a '!sician to his (inger-tips% &!t he as terri&ly short-te'pered% and any pranks o!ld ha5e sent hi' stor'ing o(( to Miss Bettany. is p!pilsall regarded his lessons ith a 'i*t!re o( terror and a'!se'ent. e told +ri;el that shehad the (ingers o( a 'achine% and the so!l o( one too% hich o((ended her dread(!lly%&!t she dared not sho it. /oey he ra5ed at (or her lack o( a sense o( ti'e% hile /!liet#sst!'&ling per(or'ances &ro!ght +er'an phrases and epithets r!'&ling (ro' his 5ery&oots. $n the other hand% he had once told Margia Ste5ens that i( she orked hard andthoro!ghly (or the ne*t si* years% she 'ight 'ake a per(or'er ho o!ld not disgrace

hi'. Margia as the only one o( the yo!nger girls to go to hi'% the others &eing taken&y Made'oiselle.Si'one learnt the 5iolin% and so did +isela Marani and +ertr!d Stein&r=cke% so they

three ent don to Sp:rt; on one a(ternoon in the eek (or their lesson.2(ter Mittagessen% they ere alloed to do as they liked !ntil to o#clock% hen

preparation and practice ere the order o( the a(ternoon. The schoolroo' piano stoodin the Senior classroo'% and hile the /!niors did prep% !nder Miss Maynard% the Seniorshad an English literat!re lesson ith Miss Bettany% and +ri;el practised !nderMade'oiselle#s eye% so that she sho!ld ork as acc!rately as possi&le. The partition&eteen the preparation-roo' and the Senior roo' as o( light 'atch&oarding onlythe indos ere ide open% and it as possi&le to hear e5erything that ent on in thene*t roo'. The /!niors listened eagerly. They heard +ri;el settle hersel( don and to!ch

the notes tentati5ely &e(ore she &egan. Then /oey stood !p.‘0lease% Miss Maynard% 'ay I take 'y French to Made'oiselle8# she said. ‘I don#t

7!ite !nderstand her corrections.#‘3es% /oey% i( yo! '!st%# said Miss Maynard% glancing !p (ro' her ork.

/oey escaped% and hastened into the other roo'. It as no part o( their plan to letMade'oiselle (ind o!t hat they had done. She o!ld pro&a&ly &e angry% and reportthe' to the ead% and they did not ant that.

‘Eh &ien% /oey% hat is it8# asked Made'oiselle% as she 'ade her appearance.‘It#s this e*ercise% Made'oiselle%# replied /oey 'eekly. ‘I don#t 7!ite see here I#5e

gone rong. Sho!ld I ha5e !sed the s!&<!ncti5e 'ood8#,ns!spectingly% Made'oiselle took the &ook (ro' her and looked it o5er.‘3es% 'y child% it is here%# she said. ‘I( yo! !se ?est-ce 7!e%? yo! '!st (ollo it ith

the s!&<oncti(% hich yo! ha5e not done. +ri;el" hat% then% are yo! doing8#She 'ight ell ask" +ri;el as s!pposed to &e practising 'od!latory e*ercises% &!t

e5en they ere no e*c!se (or the hideo!s noise she as prod!cing.‘I)it#s the keys% Made'oiselle%# said +ri;el. ‘They are so slippery.#‘Slippery8 Bah" It is yo!r on a&o'ina&le carelessness" Begin again% and ith 'ore

care% I pray yo!"#!nching her sho!lders and co'pressing her lips% +ri;el started again% ith '!ch the

sa'e res!lts. For once% it as a cool day% and chilly (ingers co'&ined ith slippery keyspro5ed too '!ch (or her. S!ddenly it daned on her to look at her (inger-tips. Theyere podered ith hite" In a (lash she realised hat had happened P the /!niors hadco5ered the keys ith French chalk" 4early choking ith anger% +ri;el took o!t her

handkerchie( and d!sted the key&oard as !no&tr!si5ely as she co!ld. F!rio!s tho!gh

78




she as% she co!ld not gi5e the' aay to Made'oiselle% ho as &!sy instr!cting ane*traordinarily st!pid /o.

2s (or /o hersel(% it as all she co!ld do to keep a straight (ace. She as !na&le to see+ri;el#s e*pression% &!t a &ack can &e 5ery e*pressi5e at ti'es% and +ri;el#s looked as i(she had salloed a poker hole. hen% presently% she had apparently listened to allMade'oiselle#s e*planations% and as dis'issed% the Middle girl literally (led o!t o( theroo'% and% collapsing at the (oot o( the stairs% rocked &ackards and (orards ithla!ghter. The so!nd o( (ootsteps o5erhead 'ade her p!ll hersel( together ith a 'ightye((ort% and getting !p% she ent &ack to the prep.-roo'% here% (or all the a'o!nt o(ork she did% she 'ight <!st as ell not ha5e &een.

4e5er had the a(ternoon see'ed so long to the /!niors. hen at length Miss Maynardsaid% ‘Fi5e 'in!tes to (o!r" 0ack !p yo!r &ooks and get ready (or tea"# they all sigheda!di&ly ith relie(% '!ch to her astonish'ent. She had &arely taken her depart!re&e(ore a righteo!sly indignant +ri;el dashed in.

‘here#s /oey Bettany8# she cried. ‘/o% yo! little horror% ho dared yo! 'ess !p thekeys like that8#

‘I didn#t"#‘She didn#t"# ‘It asn#t /o"# e*clai'ed se5eral 5oices at once.

‘B!t she kne all a&o!t it" I kno that"#‘/olly ell I did" B!t I didn#t do it%# ret!rned /o sto!tly.‘Then ho did8 I ne5er heard o( s!ch ner5e in 'y li(e" ho did it8#‘Me%# said a s'all 5oice% and +ri;el t!rned to stare incred!lo!sly at the &a&y o( the

school.‘2'y" 3o!"#2'y raised angelic &l!e eyes to the startled (ace a&o5e her. ‘3es. It as a <oke"#‘ell" I)I#')I#' <iggered"# declared +ri;el (latly.She ent sloly o!t o( the roo' to her on 7!arters% here all the coa*ing and

teasing o( the other Seniors co!ld not get o!t o( her hat as rong ith her% and itas only a(ter +isela and Bette had heard (ro' the delighted /!niors hat had occ!rredthat they !nderstood. Then they ere al'ost as startled as +ri;el hersel(. 2'y as the

last person they o!ld ha5e s!spected o( s!ch a trick. Margia% /oey% Maria% e5enS!;anne 'ight ha5e done it. B!t 2'y" The Seniors ere co'pletely (la&&ergasted.

2s (or 2'y hersel(% she as in high glee o5er it% and c!t capers to s!ch an e*tent thatshe called don !pon hersel( a sharp repri'and (ro' Miss Maynard% ho coached the'(or tennis% and ho% o( co!rse% had no idea hy 2'y Ste5ens as &eha5ing ith s!chs!dden ildness.

$n their ay ho'e a(ter tennis in the e5ening% +isela s!''ed !p the state o( a((airsrather neatly to Bette.

‘2'y is &eco'ing a schoolgirl and ceasing to &e a &a&y%# she said. ‘B!t one doesn#te*pect it so s!ddenly.#

‘4o%# agreed Bette)they ere talking in their on lang!age)‘&!t I think yo! areright.#

‘I kno I a'%# said the ead +irl ith (inality.

Chapter A.2nd Still More"

The /!niors% ha5ing &eg!n to play pranks)all% it '!st &e ad'itted% o( (airly har'lesscharacter)(o!nd it too pleasant a pasti'e to gi5e !p. The night a(ter the a((air o( theFrench-chalked piano-keys% /!liet% on going to &ed% &arely s!ppressed a ild yell henshe entered her c!&icle% (or there% sitting !p in her &ed% as a (ig!re that lookedc!rio!sly li(elike in the hal( light. 2 closer inspection in(or'ed her that the creat!re as'ade o( her on pillo% decked in her on py<a'a <acket% ith a &o!doir cap% hastily

'an!(act!red o!t o( to handkerchie(s% st!ck on top% hile &eneath this an a'ia&ly

79




s'iling (ace dran in colo!red chalks on a sheet o( hite paper 'ade the thing nat!raleno!gh to ha5e scared her &adly (or the 'o'ent.

+rasping the ridic!lo!s o&<ect% she 'arched into the c!&icle here /oey Bettany% hohad ca!ght the e*traordinary so!nd she had 'ade% as choking her la!ghter ith thesheet.

‘/oey"# said /!liet indignantly% ‘did yo! do this8#‘I)I))# /oey as incapa&le o( !ttering 'ore at the 'o'ent. The sight o( the eird

o&<ect co'pletely !pset her.Dropping it% /!liet took her &y the sho!lders and shook her. ‘/oey" Stop giggling% and

tell 'e i( yo! ere so st!pid"#‘ell% stop shaking 'e then"# retorted /oey% as ell as she co!ld (or lack o( &reath.‘3o! deser5e 'ore than shaking% yo! little horror"# declared /!liet% releasing her as

she spoke.‘I( anyone hears yo!% there#ll &e a ro%# said /oey cal'ly. ‘It#s ?lights-o!t? (or 'e% and

yo!#re not s!pposed to talk to 'e no.# /!liet as rendered speechless &y her 5irt!o!s air% &!t she soon reco5ered hersel(.‘ell% !pon 'y ord"# she said. ‘For cool check% that &eats e5erything" It o!ld ser5e

yo! right i( I took this thing to Mada'e"#

‘3o! on#t% tho!gh%# ret!rned /oey ith con(idence. She as leaning &ack against herpillo% s'iling !p at the older girl as she spoke. /!liet s!ddenly la!ghed &ack at her. ‘4o yo!#re 7!ite right)I on#t" B!t &e care(!l%

'y child" I#ll ha5e 'y r)r)re5enge% so don#t (orget"#‘I on#t%# replied /o cheer(!lly. ‘hat" M!st yo! go8 So sorry" +ood-night"#She t!rned o5er on her side and sn!ggled don% and /!liet% ith rather a gri' s'ile%

le(t her. 2ll the ti'e she as preparing (or &ed she as t!rning ideas o5er in her 'ind. /!st as she as kneeling don to say her prayers% a s'othered shriek (ro' +ri;el&ro!ght her to her (eet ith a &o!nd.

‘+ri;el" hat on earth#s the 'atter8 2re yo! h!rt8 $h))#‘Those little &easts" ‘ spl!ttered +ri;el% as she dre her c!rtain &ack. ‘ 6ook at that"

To &r!shes in 'y &ed" ‘ She held the' o!t as she spoke.

‘6ittle horrors" ‘ la!ghed /!liet. ‘ I had an e((igy in 'ine"#‘They '!st ha5e gone 'ad"# declared +ri;el. ‘It#s all /oey% o( co!rse" She thinks o( the

things% e5en i( she doesn#t do the'.#‘She does not"# said a third 5oice indignantly. ‘ #Tas 'e did that"#‘+irls" hat are yo! thinking o(8 /!liet" +ri;el" hy are yo! not in &ed8#

They all <!'ped% as the o!ter c!rtains parted to sho Miss Bettany.‘hy are yo! not in &ed8# she repeated. ‘2nd hy ha5e yo! dran &ack the c!rtains

&eteen yo!r c!&icle and /!liet#s% +ri;el8 3o! kno it is against the r!les8#Silence ansered her. $n hearing her 5oice% +ri;el had dropped the &r!shes% so she

did not see the'. 2s no one see'ed to ha5e an anser ready% she &ade the to Seniorsh!rry into &ed.

‘I ill see yo! in the 'orning%# she said coldly. ‘I a' 5ery disappointed in &oth o( yo!.I tho!ght yo! co!ld &e tr!sted to keep r!les"#

ith this she le(t the roo'% hile to !nhappy people stared at each other. Then+ri;el dre the c!rtain again and retired to her &ed% a(ter she had p!shed the &r!shes!nderneath it. /!liet (olloed s!it% and a deadly silence (illed the roo'. It contin!ed ne*t'orning% and% hen +ri;el 'et Si'one on the stairs% she dre to one side. Si'one li(tedher dark eyes to the Senior#s (ace ith the gli''er o( a s'ile% &!t +ri;el tilted her headand stalked donstairs ith an o((ended dignity% that as rather 'arred &y her 'issingthe last step and staggering so'ehat igno'inio!sly across the hall.

‘+ri;el is (!rio!s"# reported Si'one to the others. ‘She o!ld not regard 'e.#‘I( yo! 'ean ?look at%? I#d say so%# '!r'!red /oey. ‘hen are yo! going to 'y sister

to say it#s yo!r (a!lt8#

Si'one#s eyes (ell% and she &egan to play ner5o!sly ith the end o( her girdle. ‘I)Idon#t kno%# she sta''ered.

80




‘hy not8 I sho!ld go a(ter &reak(ast an# get it o5er.#‘3e)yes"#

/oey t!rned and looked at her incred!lo!sly. ‘3o! s!rely don#t 'ean yo!#re goin# to(!nk it8# she de'anded.

‘4)no" 4o" $( co!rse I ill go" ill )ill Mada'e &e 5ery angry8#‘Co!ldn#t say" Sho!ldn#t think so%# as the laconic response.‘$h% /oey% do not &e angry ith 'e"# pleaded Si'one% hal( crying. ‘I ill go certainly%

and say it as 'y (a!lt.#‘9ighto"# said /oey. ‘Co'e on to &reak(ast)there#s the &ell"#Si'one o!ld ha5e 'ade only a poor &reak(ast had /oey not kept a atch(!l eye on

her. 2s it as% she as pers!aded to eat her !s!al 'eal. 2nd then /oey ent ith her as(ar as the st!dy door.

‘B!ck !p% old thing"# she said cheer(!lly. ‘She can#t eat yo!% an# I#ll ait (or yo! here.# Th!s ad<!red% Si'one ent in a(ter tapping at the door. Miss Bettany looked !p in

s!rprise hen she sa her she had &een e*pecting +ri;el and /!liet.‘ell% Si'one%# she said%# hat is it% dear8#‘0lease% Mada'e% I a' co'e to say that it as 'y (a!lt%# said Si'one.‘3o!r (a!lt8 hat is yo!r (a!lt8 I don#t !nderstand.#

Si'one took hold o( her rapidly departing co!rage ith &oth hands and said% ‘The)the dist!r&ance last night)I did it"#‘3o! did it8 B!t it had nothing to do ith yo!"#‘3es% Mada'e. I had p!t to &r!shes in +ri;el#s &ed.#For a 'o'ent Madge#s lips titched. Si'one#s e*pression as so serio!s. Then she

p!lled hersel( together. ‘That as 5ery silly%# she said gra5ely.‘3es% Mada'e. I kno it as%# agreed Si'one. ‘B!t yo! ill (orgi5e the'% since the

(a!lt is to 'e8#‘?The (a!lt is 'ine%?# corrected her head'istress. ‘I ill see +ri;el and /!liet% Si'one.

2nd please don#t do s!ch a silly thing again. 9!n aay% no.#+reatly relie5ed% Si'one trotted o((% a(ter 'aking her little reg!lation c!rtsy% and a

'in!te or so later +ri;el and /!liet presented the'sel5es% inardly 7!aking a little. They

'et ith an agreea&le s!rprise.‘Si'one has &een to 'e%# said Miss Bettany so&erly% ‘and she tells 'e that it as her

(a!lt that there as a dist!r&ance in the dor'itory last night% so e ill say no 'orea&o!t it. B!t re'e'&er that (or the (!t!re e5en &r!shes in yo!r &ed ill not &eaccepted as an e*c!se (or &reaking r!les. 3o! 'ay go no.#

They &o&&ed their c!rtsies and ent. $!tside% they t!rned and looked at each other.‘/olly good (or Si'one%# said +ri;el. ‘I didn#t think she had it in her.#‘/oey o!ld 'ake her%# responded /!liet. ‘B!t it as pl!cky (or her.#‘9ather" /oey#s a sporting kid all ro!nd she#s a(!lly good (or the others.#‘3es she <!st sees the straight thing to do% and does it. !llo" There#s anda" 6et#s

trot o!t and talk to her"# The ne*t <oke as a har'less one% that no&ody 'inded e*cept the perpetrators% &!t

hich had (ar-reaching conse7!ences. To days a(ter Si'one#s con(ession% /oey and+ri;el ca'e !p to +isela and sole'nly in(or'ed her that on the (i(teenth o( /!ly% hichas St Sithin#s Day% it as the c!sto' in all good English schools to sip a c!p o( ater%hich as passed ro!nd% and ish as one did so.

‘B!t (irst yo! '!st take it to any (oreign 'istress in the school%# said +ri;eli'pressi5ely% 'eaning% o( co!rse% that the ater sho!ld &e o((ered to Made'oiselle.

2s the to practical <okers had already played tricks o( a si'ilar nat!re on her% +iselalooked at the' sharply. 4either had the ghost o( a s'ile on her (ace% and /oey#se*pression as s!per-angelic)a &ad sign% hich her sister o!ld ha5e recognised atonce. +isela% hoe5er% as not so e*perienced% and she as co'pletely taken in.

‘The (i(teenth)that is to-'orro%# she said serio!sly. ‘ I ill re'e'&er"#

‘hat a lark" Didn#t think she#d &e had so easily"# ch!ckled /oey.‘4either did I%# replied +ri;el. ‘Sha#n#t e cro o5er the' to-'orro"#

81




,n(ort!nately% +isela had 'isinterpreted one part o( +ri;el#s speech. In her eyes% o(co!rse% all three 'istresses ere (oreigners% and &oth /oey and +ri;el ereth!nderstr!ck hen% <!st &e(ore prayers% the ead +irl ad5anced to the little dais herethe sta(( as% and o((ering the c!p o( ater% '!r'!red in her pretty English% ‘The c!p o(ater (or a ish% as is the c!sto' in all English schools on St Sithin#s Day.#

There as a 'o'ent#s silence. Miss Bettany looked p!;;led% Miss Maynard chokeda!di&ly% and Made'oiselle ore an o!traged e*pression. Then the head'istress% ithone rapid glance ro!nd the roo'% took in the a((air at once. !ietly she accepted thec!p% and drank (ro' it.

‘Thank yo!% +isela%# she said% as she ret!rned it. ‘2nd no e ill ha5e prayers.# The ens!ing e5ents ere lost on /oey and +ri;el% ho ere al'ost petri(ied ith

horror. They ere 'ore horri(ied hen% a(ter she had gi5en o!t the notices (or the day%Miss Bettany added% ‘I sho!ld like to see /osephine and +ri;el in 'y st!dy no% &e(orelessons.# Then she dis'issed the school and ent to her on roo'.

The c!lprits presently appeared. She aited till they had sh!t the door.‘4o%# she said%# I ant to kno hat +isela 'eant.#‘It)it as only a lark%# '!'&led /oey at last.‘0lease speak correct English% /osephine. 9epeat yo!r sentence.#

‘It)it as only a <oke%# repeated her s'all sister rather (aintly.Miss Bettany#s eye&ros ent !p at the state'ent.‘2 <oke8 I#' a(raid yo!r sense o( (!n is too ele'ental to appeal to 'e. I see nothing

h!'oro!s in a silly trick like that. ho s!ggested it8# /oey ent scarlet +ri;el h!ng her head and said nothing. Tr!th to tell% she as rather

scared. She had ne5er enco!ntered her head'istress in this 'ood.‘ho s!ggested it8# repeated Miss Bettany% in a 5oice that inti'ated that she 'eant

to kno sooner or later.‘It as 'e%# said +ri;el at last% as s!lkily as she dared.‘Indeed8 3o!r gra''ar see's to stand in as '!ch need o( correction as yo!r idea o(

h!'o!r. ell% I a' going to send (or +isela% and yo! ill &oth apologise to her &e(ore'e (or yo!r silly i'pertinence toards her.# She rang her little &ell as she spoke% and

presently Marie appeared and as dispatched (or +isela. The to sinners% 'eanhile% ere le(t to their on tho!ghts% as Miss Bettany

occ!pied hersel( ith her letters. 0resently +isela appeared% earing a rather startlede*pression. ‘ 3o! ha5e sent (or 'e% Mada'e8# she said.

‘3es% +isela. /osephine and +ri;el ish to e*press their regret (or &eing i'pertinenteno!gh to play a silly trick on yo! a&o!t St Sithin#s Day o&ser5ances.#

+isela#s (ace cleared at that. ‘B!t it is all right%# she said. ‘I kne hen I had o((eredyo! the ater that it as a)a take-in"#

‘4e5ertheless% it as 5ery i'pertinent o( the'%# replied Miss Bettany. ‘+irls"#‘I#' sorry%# said /oey. ‘I s!ppose it as cheek% +isela% &!t I didn#t think o( it honest

In<!n"#‘It is all right%# repeated +isela% &ending and kissing her% '!ch to /o#s disco'(ort.‘4o% +ri;el%# said the head'istress.‘I#' sorry%# '!'&led +ri;el% and she d!cked to a5oid the kiss.Miss Bettany as ise eno!gh not to insist on anything 'ore. 2(ter dis'issing the

ead +irl% she said a (e 'ore ords on practical <oking% and then sent the' to their(or'roo's% here /o% at any rate% as soon i''ersed in her history. 4ot so +ri;el. Sheas intensely pro!d% and hated apologising to anyone. Besides this% her head'istress#sstrict!res on her sense o( h!'o!r had o((ended her dread(!lly. She s!lked till hal(-aythro!gh the 'orning% then the s!dden 'e'ory o( a <oke she had once heard o( as &eingplayed on a 'aster at her co!sin#s school ca'e to her.

‘I#ll do that"# she tho!ght. ‘0erhaps that 'ay not see' kiddish" 2t any rate it#ll &eso'ething to rag 'e (or" That idiot o( a +isela"#

The <oke in 7!estion re7!ired care(!l preparation% and +ri;el as rather do!&t(!l as tohether she co!ld get the 'aterials she re7!ired. Fort!ne% hoe5er% (a5o!red her. $n

82




the landing near the &ig dor'itory stood an old ar'oire in hich Made'oiselle kepts!ch si'ple 'edicines as they ere likely to need. 2s a r!le it as kept locked% &!t 2'yhad (allen don and &!'ped her head% so Made'oiselle ent to (etch so'e cold crea'(or the l!'p. She le(t the c!p&oard open% and +ri;el% passing at the ti'e% sa herchance)and took it. 2(ter tea that day she 5anished% and none o( the' co!ld (ind her.

‘4e5er 'ind%# said /oey% ho had 7!ite reco5ered her !s!al spirits. ‘She#s only s!lkingo5er this 'orning#s ro)silly ass" Co'e on to cricket" She#ll t!rn !p hen she (eels likeit. Bags 'e (irst innings% e5eryone"#

They settled don to their cricket practice% and no one noticed that she ne5er ca'enear the' till the &ell called the' all in to s!pper. Then she as already at the ta&le% ina clean (rock% looking al'ost aggressi5ely tidy.

The (!n started ne*t 'orning hen Made'oiselle ca'e to gi5e B di5ision their+er'an lessons. Both +ri;el and /o ca'e (or this. /o#s +er'an as (l!ent eno!gh% &!ther ritten co'position as eak% so Madge had ordained that she '!st attend thelessons o( B di5ision as ell as those o( 2. appy-go-l!cky /o accepted her lot 7!itecal'ly% and re<oiced in the (act that% at any rate% she as 'issing hated geo'etry% and'ight ha5e &een '!ch orse o((.

The (irst hal( o( the lesson as de5oted to the correction o( a pre5io!s co'position

then Made'oiselle t!rned to the &lack&oard.‘e ill no do so'e oral co'position%# she said in +er'an. ‘ I ill rite the title onthe &oard% and then e ill all 'ake sentences. e ill% to-day% talk o( the 'o!ntains.Margia% gi5e 'e the +er'an (or ?the 'o!ntains.? #

‘+e&irge%# said Margia pro'ptly.‘The article8# said Made'oiselle% aiting% chalk in hand.‘$h)?die%? I think%# said Margia% so'ehat do!&t(!lly this ti'e.Made'oiselle &ea'ed appro5al on her% and t!rned to rite it !p. In 5ain she

str!ggled ith the chalk. 4ot one 'ark co!ld she 'ake.‘I do not !nderstand%# she said% lapsing into her on lang!age in the stress o( the

'o'ent.‘0#r#aps the chalk is et%# s!ggested /oey. ‘ I( it is% it doesn#t rite% I kno.#

‘0erhaps that is the reason%# agreed Made'oiselle% looking at the chalk d!&io!sly. ‘Margia% 'y child% go to the stationery c!p&oard and (etch 'e a (resh piece% i( yo!please. There is no 'ore in the desk.#

Margia darted aay% and presently ret!rned ith a ne stick. B!t (or all thei'pression it 'ade% she 'ight <!st as ell ne5er ha5e (etched it.

‘B!t this is an e*traordinary occ!rrence%# Made'oiselle as &eginning% hen the dooropened and the head'istress entered% hite ith anger.

2t the sight o( her% s!ndry people hastily searched their 'e'ories (or past sins% &!t'ost o( the' co!ld recall nothing that o!ld 'ake Miss Bettany look like that.Made'oiselle as too (!ll o( the !n!s!al &eha5io!r o( the chalk to notice anythingrong.

‘Mada'e%# she &egan eagerly% ‘ the chalk ill not rite"#‘I kno%# said her ead in lo tones. She ad5anced to the &oard and dre her hand

don it in one seep. Then she looked at her pal'. ‘ 2s I tho!ght%# she said. ‘ hich o(yo! has 5aselined all the &lack&oards8#

There as a deathly silence% &roken s!ddenly &y 2'y Ste5ens.‘0lease% it asn#t 'e"# she ailed% &!rsting into tears. ‘2nd)and I#5e 1Wlost 'y

hanky"#4o one took any notice o( her. E5eryone as staring ith (ascinated eyes at the

head'istress% ho' they see'ed to &e seeing (or the (irst ti'e. Miss Bettany s!ddenlystr!ck the desk ith her hand. E5eryone <!'ped.

‘ho did it8# she de'anded. ‘Is there a coard in the school8#$n the ord% +ri;el sprang to her (eet% head !p% eyes &la;ing de(iance.

‘I did it"# she said% as insolently as she dared. ‘I))#

83




‘!sh"# There as that in the one ord hich checked the r!sh o( speech to her lips.‘3o! say yo! did it% +ri;el Cochrane8#

‘3es.#‘+o to yo!r roo'%# said Miss Bettany 7!ietly% ‘and ait there till I co'e to yo!. I a'

asha'ed to think a girl I had co!nted as a Senior sho!ld ca!se so '!ch tro!&le &y herchildishness and i'pertinence. +o at once"#

+ri;el ent.

Chapter A1.0lans

/!dg'ent had gone (orth. +ri;el as to &e le(t se5erely alone &y the rest o( theschool. 4o one as to speak to her% and she as to speak to no&ody. She as to sit &yhersel( in classes% and her 'eals o!ld &e &ro!ght to her in the schoolroo'. hen theothers ere at ga'es% she as to go (or a alk ith hiche5er 'e'&er o( the sta((co!ld take her. This as to last (or to days% and it as the se5erest p!nish'ent thathad e5er &een gi5en at the Châlet School.

In 5ain did /oey plead that the (a!lt as largely hers% since it as she ho had

s!ggested that it o!ld &e a pity to let the ter' go &y itho!t so'e practical <okes. In5ain did Made'oiselle% ho as (ond o( the tro!&leso'e child% appeal against thesentence. 4ot e5en co!ld +isela% speaking (or the school% a5ail anything. Miss Bettanyhad 'ade !p her 'ind that p!nished +ri;el as going to &e% and nothing o!ld sa5eher.

In the inter5ie she had had ith the girl% +ri;el had pro5ed hersel( de(iant in thee*tre'e. She possessed a te'per hich% once aro!sed% took so'e ti'e to cool o((. Shehad hated ha5ing to apologise to +isela the day &e(ore% and the to a((airs together hadro!sed all the orst in her. Finally% Miss Bettany had gi5en !p trying to 'ake her seereason% had na'ed her p!nish'ent% and le(t her to hersel(% hoping that a little solit!deo!ld &ring her to her senses.

By this ti'e the &oards had &een cleaned and school as in (!ll sing &!t there as

an at'osphere entirely strange to it. The girls orked ith a ill on 'ost occasions% &!tto-day no&ody atte'pted to drea'% '!ch less play. They ere all (ar too s!&d!ed &ye5ents to do anything &!t ork.

‘$h dear"# sighed /oey in the dinner-ho!r% hen they ere all andering a&o!t doingnothing in partic!lar. ‘I ish I#d ne5er heard o( the ord ? <oke ?"#

‘Is Mada'e 5ery angry8# asked +isela% slipping an ar' thro!gh hers.‘She#s rather 'ad%# acknoledged /oey. ‘I think +ri;el cheeked her.#She thre a ist(!l glance at the indo o( the little roo' here +ri;el as%

pres!'a&ly% con(ined. Then% t!rning to the elder girl% she ent onP ‘+ri;el#s got s!ch a&east o( a te'per. hen she gets her 'onkey !p% she doesn#t '!ch care hat shedoes.#

‘?+ets her 'onkey !p?8# repeated +isela ith a p!;;led (ron. ‘ I do not !nderstand.#‘Sorry" That#s slang% I#' #(raid%# apologised /oey. ‘6oses her te'per% yo! kno.#‘3o!r English slang is so'eti'es so inco'prehensi&le%# co'plained the ead +irl.‘3es% I s#pose it is. B!t it#s <olly e*pressi5e. !llo" ere#s the post'an" e is late to-

day. +r=ss# +ott% err Sneider"# The post'an ret!rned her greeting a'ia&ly% handed her the letters% and departed.‘$ne (ro' Dick)that#s 'y &rother)(or Mada'e%# co''ented /oey% ‘to (or Maynie%

and one (or Margia and 2'y. 4one (or 'e. hat a si;;"#‘There is the &ell (or Mittagessen%## said +isela. ‘Co'e" 6et !s go in"#

They ent in% /oey lea5ing the Tyrolean in order to take the letters to her sister.Madge as standing &y the indo% her lips set and her eyes tho!ght(!l.

‘!llo%# she said% hen she sa her s'all sister% ‘hat is it8 $h% letters"#

‘6etter (ro' Dick%# said /oey% ‘and it#s Mittagessen no"#

84




Madge#s (ace rela*ed as she took the letters. ‘2ll right. 3o! can co'e here a(ter% ande#ll read it together. Take the others to their oners% ill yo!8#

Mittagessen see'ed ne5er-ending to /oey. She &olted her on (ood% and henSi'one accepted a second helping o( 0(la!'ek!chen% cast a look o( deep reproach ather.

oe5er% e5erything co'es to an end sooner or later% and at last they all rose% andgrace as said. To Madge% to 'in!tes later% appeared a (l!shed and e*cited /oey% hoco!ld scarcely &e ind!ced to sit don.

‘Then yo! can ait till tea-ti'e%# re'arked her sister concl!si5ely. The recalcitrant s!&sided at that on to a little stool &y her sister#s side% and% planting

her el&os on that yo!ng lady#s knee% proclai'ed hersel( ready.‘B!ck !p and get on" Do"# she !rged. ‘I#' dying to hear hat Dick says.#Madge la!ghed. ‘ ere goes% then" ‘ she said% as she s'oothed o!t the thin (oreign

paper.‘Dear >ids%# Dick had ritten%) ‘Thanks a(!lly (or yo!r last letters% tho!gh it took 'e

all 'y ti'e to read /oey#s. hat on earth she rote ith I s!ppose she knos" So'e o(the ords looked as tho!gh a good-si;ed &lack &eetle had (allen into the inkpot andthen staggered a&o!t on the paper. They don#t see' to teach the yo!ng to rite

noadays.#‘Cheek"# inter<ected /oey si(tly. ‘e needn#t talk his on (ist#s &ad eno!gh (oranything"#

‘I#' glad the school#s going so ell &!t% 'y dear kid% ha5e nothing to do ith Carrick.e#s an a(!lly &ad hat. They do say that he as practically kicked o!t o( here)had'ade the place too hot to hold hi'. B!t it#s only gossip so (ar% and there 'ay &e no(o!ndation (or it. 2ll the sa'e% a chap (ro' the ills told 'e that they#d sent that!n(ort!nate kid o( theirs to so'e school !p there% and then tried to clear o!t and lea5eher on the ead#s hands. 6!ckily% the old lady contri5ed to track the'% and they ereo&liged to st!'p !p hat they oed and take the girl ith the'. $ne#s a(!lly sorry (orher. She see's to ha5e a rotten ti'e (ro' all I can gather. Mrs C. has a 5ile te'per%they say% and he isn#t '!ch &etter. It#s an a(!l li(e (or a girl to go dragging a&o!t like

that" I( Carrick ants yo! to ha5e /!liet)isn#t that her na'e8)as a &oarder% don#t yo!do it" I ish to goodness yo! had so'eone 'ore relia&le to look a(ter yo! than Mlle 6a0âttre. I kno she#s a <olly good sort% &!t o'en are so helpless" They o!ght to ha5e a'an to look a(ter the'.

‘I#' a(!lly glad to hear that the piccaninny is going strong and getting (at. 2!striasee's to s!it her. That cine'a st!nt as rather cheek% I tho!ght. I#' thank(!l it got no(!rther. I certainly don#t ant 'y sisters st!ck !p in e5ery cine'a (or any idiot to see"

‘There#s precio!s little nes to tell yo!. e are &!sy ith so'e e*peri'ents atpresent. The +o&&ler XDick#s s!periorY has so'e ild notion o( groing E!ropean (r!it-trees here% so e#re '!cking a&o!t in a (air-si;ed clearing groing good old pl!' andapple. This% o( co!rse% is in addition to o!r ordinary ork. I &lessed hi' the other day% Ican tell yo!. e had !s pr!ning and planting the hole day% and the 'erc!ry doing thehigh <!'p (or all it as orth.

‘The rains are going ell% and there#s a chor!s o( (rogs o!tside 'y &!ngalo at the'o'ent. This is &eastly eather. The one consolation is% that anyho the snakes arelying pretty lo. My &earer ca!ght a hacker the other night)a king co&ra)so he#sintrod!ced a 'ongoose to the ho!sehold in case the 'ate is anyhere ro!nd. e#5ecalled the little lad ?Bin<a'in%? a(ter ?Stalky#s? Bin<a'in. 9e'e'&er8 ell% there#snothing 'ore to tell yo!% and I#' dead tired% and <!st going to t!rn in hen I#5e (inishedthis screel. 9e'e'&er hat I say% and lea5e Carrick alone. Salaa's.)Dick.#

There as a little silence hen Madge had (inished. Then /oey &roke it.‘Dick#s too late%# she said. ‘e#5e &een and gone and done it" 0oor /!liet"#‘0oor /!liet indeed"# sighed Madge. ‘$h% /oey Bettany% yo!#5e a lot to &e thank(!l (or%

let 'e tell yo!"#‘I kno%# said /oey so&erly.# 3o!#re a sport to 'e% Madge" 2nd Dick#s another"#

85




‘e#re all yo!#5e got%# said Madge &rie(ly.‘So'e people ha5en#t as '!ch%# replied /oey% leaning her head against her sister.

‘6ook at /!liet" 2nd then +ri;el hasn#t anyone '!ch. 3o! can#t say her (ather#s !p to'!ch% can yo!8 0oor old +ri;el"#

Madge slipped an ar' ro!nd her little sister. ‘3o!#re right there% old lady. B!t +ri;el'!st co'e into line ith the rest o( yo!. 3o!#re !p to 'onkey tricks as ell% I kno% &!tyo! ha5en#t &een i'pertinent too. I kno yo! think I#' &eing a per(ect &east to her% &!tshe can#t &e le(t to go on like that% can she8#

/oey acknoledged the tr!th o( this. ‘4o I see yo!r point. B!t% Madge% old thing% I dothink she#s sorry &y this ti'e" Can#t yo! go and see8#

Madge shook her head. ‘4o% /oey" She on#t &e sorry yet. 4o it#s ti'e (or prep.% andyo! '!st toddle o((. Co'e along early to-'orro 'orning and e#ll ha5e a pala5er. It#sonly a (ortnight to the holidays no% and then e#ll ha5e a good ti'e together.# Shega5e her sister a little s7!ee;e and then sent her o(( to her preparation.

6e(t to hersel(% she (aced the +ri;el pro&le' once 'ore. She kne that it o!ld takea lot to 'ake that yo!ng lady say she as sorry% and yet she had deter'ined thatapologise +ri;el '!st and sho!ld. The point as% ho as she to &e &ro!ght to it8 Sherecognised the tr!th o( /oey#s state'ent that +ri;el hadn#t ‘anyone '!ch.# In so'e

ays she as 'ore to &e pitied than /!liet. Fro' all acco!nts% the latter had &eenacc!sto'ed to little di((erent treat'ent (ro' hat she had recei5ed &!t +ri;el (or (i5eyears o( her li(e had &een the spoilt darling o( her grand'other% the ne*t (e years had&een a hard discipline (or a il(!l% petted child and apparently too '!ch (reedo' (ro's!ch discipline had gone to +ri;el#s head. 4othing else co!ld e*plain her presentde(iance.

‘$h dear"# tho!ght Miss Bettany. ‘9!nning a school isn#t the easiest thing in the orld)especially hen there are to s!ch girls as +ri;el and /!liet in it" I ish I kne hat todo"#

6ater in the day she ent to see +ri;el again% &!t (o!nd her stonily silent anda&sol!tely !nrepentant. The inter5ie did no good% and she le(t the girl ith a hopeless(eeling that so'ething as all rong here. +ri;el hersel( as still too 'isera&ly angry to

care hat happened.‘I hate her)I hate the' all"# she tho!ght to hersel(. ‘I#d r!n aay i( I#d anyhere to

r!n to" $h% I ish I as dead% I do"#She leant her (orehead against the edge o( the indo-(ra'e% staring 'isera&ly o!t

at the dark pineoods and the slopes o( the B:ren&ad 2lpe. 0resently she shi(ted herposition% so that she co!ld look !p the long 5alley toards the Mondscheinspit;e% iththe B:renkop( in the distance% and% toering o5er all% the Tiern<och% ith its sinistershados. E5en on a s!''er#s day% hen the other peaks glea'ed hite in the glory o(the a(ternoon s!n% it looked dark and loering. er 'ind ent &ack to the stories errMensch had told the' a&o!t it. o% one inter% si*ty years ago% there had &een a(ear(!l a5alanche don its slopes% hich had partly &!ried a little ha'let that stood atthe (oot o( it% and ho% hen spring had &ro!ght the tha and the sno had 'elted% theho!ses ere so &!ried in rocks and earth that it had &een ell-nigh i'possi&le to digthe' o!t. There ere other gr!eso'e stories% too% o( tra5ellers ho had &een ca!ght inthe treachero!s 'ist on its slopes and had ne5er &een seen again)or else had &een(o!nd% a little heap o( &roken &ones% at the &otto' o( the ra5ine hich 'ade one o( itschie( dangers. 2s she stood looking drea'ily into the distance% she heard (ootsteps!nder the indo% and then anda#s precise English.

‘here is +ri;el% Margia8 I sho!ld like ith her to speak.#‘+ri;el#s in a ro%# replied Margia#s 5oice. ‘She 5aselined the &lack&oards% and as

a(!lly r!de to Mada'e a&o!t it. So she#s not to &e ith any o( !s till she says she#ssorry.#

‘$h% I a' so sorry"# said anda. ‘0oor +ri;el" o !nhappy she '!st (eel at ha5ing

&een r!de" B!t ho did she dare8#

86




‘+oodness knos" She dares anything" She#s going to cli'& that old Tiern<och so'eday% she says%# (loated !p Margia#s clear notes.

‘$h% &!t I do not think she can 'ean that"# replied the yo!ng iennese. ‘That is onlytalking% as /oey says.#

They 'o5ed on then% &!t the 'ischie( had &een done. ,pstairs% in d!rance 5ile% theea5esdropper clenched her hands. So that as hat they tho!ght% as it8 That it as alltalk on her part8 ell% she o!ld <olly ell sho the'" She o!ld sho the' that 5eryday" 4o% the ne*t day" She o!ld get !p early% and hen they ca'e to (ind her sheo!ld &e gone" She#d sho the' all hat she dared to do and hat she daren#t" She#d'ake the' sorry they#d treated her like this"

Miss Maynard entered at that 'o'ent to tell her to get ready (or a alk% and she hadto change her shoes and (ind her hat. Thro!gho!t the ho!r and a hal(% d!ring hich theyent ro!nd the loer end o( the lake to B!cha!% here they ca!ght the stea'er &ack toBriesa!% she re'ained o&stinately d!'&. Miss Maynard 'ade one or to re'arks% then%(inding her e((orts 5ain% lapsed into tho!ght(!lness on her on part% lea5ing +ri;el tohersel(.

hen they ret!rned% the yo!ng lady as taken &ack to her roo'% and Miss Maynard&ro!ght her a co!ple o( &ooks and her e'&roidery &e(ore she ithdre% closing the

door 7!ietly &ehind her. There as no 7!estion o( locking her in the door as 'erelysh!t. 4a!ghty as she had &een% it ne5er daned on Miss Bettany to think that the childo!ld a&!se the tr!st reposed in her and in her nor'al (ra'e o( 'ind% +ri;el o!ld assoon ha5e tho!ght o( trying to (ly as o( &etraying that tr!st. B!t she as not nor'al atpresent. The one idea o( ‘shoing the'# (illed her 'ind to the e*cl!sion o( e5erythingelse% and as she sat ith enry Es'ond open &e(ore her% +ri;el as &!sily 'aking plans(or the 'orro.

It o!ld &e an easy 'atter to get aay. She '!st ake early)&y (o!r o#clock atlatest. That o!ld gi5e her a start o( (o!r ho!rs% since no&ody as likely to co'e nearher '!ch &e(ore eight. By that ti'e she hoped to &e ell on her ay to the little 2lpe or2i' hal(-ay !p the 'o!ntain% here herds'en attended to the cattle ho ere gra;edthere in the s!''er. The 7!estion o( (ood as rather a di((ic!lty% (or the one little shop

the place &oasted o!ld not &e open at that ho!r% and +ri;el kne that &read andcheese as all she as likely to get (ro' the herds'en and the &read o!ld 'ostlikely &e reeking o( garlic% hich she detested. Finally% she decided that she '!st sa5eall she co!ld (ro' her s!pper. She hoped they o!ld &ring her plenty.

6ea5ing enry Es'ond on the ta&le% she strayed o5er to the indo% and stood ithher head thron &ack ga;ing at the great gloo'y 'o!ntain. /oey Bettany% passing&eneath ith Si'one on her ay to tennis% glanced !p and sa her% tho!gh she did notsee /oey. er 'ind as (!ll o( her ad5ent!re to co'e)(or that it o!ld &e an ad5ent!reshe (elt s!re.

al(-past se5en &ro!ght Marie and her s!pper. +ri;el#s spirits ent !p ith a &o!ndas she took in the &ol o( so!p% the rolls and &!tter% the large slice o( k!chen% and theglass o( ne 'ilk. The so!p and the 'ilk o!ld do (or the s!pper% and the rest she '!stp!t aay (or the 'orning. 0erhaps there o!ld &e so'e apples in the kitchen. Thingsere going ell (or her.

6ater% she heard the others co'ing &ack (ro' cricket and tennis. /oey as talking.‘6ook" 2lpengl=ck"# she said% her ords carrying easily on the still air.

‘Bother" ‘ /!liet chi'ed in. ‘4o ga'es to-'orro% then% and it#s Sat!rday"#She heard no 'ore% (or <!st then the ead ca'e in to say ‘good-night%# and see that

e5erything she needed as there.Miss Bettany had 'eant to say so'ething to her% &!t the hard% de(iant look +ri;el

t!rned on her (or&ade anything o( the kind. She realised that% in the girl#s present 'ood%disc!ssion o!ld &e orse than !seless.

‘+ood-night% +ri;el%# she said 7!ietly.

‘+ood-night%# '!'&led +ri;el. Then the door closed and she as alone.

87




Chapter AA.+ri;el 9!ns 2ay

‘Sat!rday 'orning" Thank goodness% no lessons"# 2nd Margia hea5ed a sigh o( relie(.‘6a;y &ones"# <eered /!liet (ro' her c!&icle% here she had &een reading (or the last

hal(-ho!r.‘The hols% ill &e here soon anyho%# said /oey Bettany. ‘6et#s hope it#s decenter

eather than this" 2 horrid grey day" I do hate the' so"#‘There#s 'ist on the 'o!ntains"# Margia had cli'&ed o!t o( &ed% and as

conte'plating the B:ren&ad% the B:renkop(% and their (ellos ith pensi5e eyes. ‘Can#tsee the top o( old Mondy% and the Tiern<och is lost"#

‘It#ll rain later%# o&ser5ed /!liet% sh!tting her &ook ith a sigh (or her dist!r&ed peace.‘e sha#n#t e5en get a decent alk.#

‘Fra! Mensch asked Si'one and +ri;el and 'e to tea to-day%# o&ser5ed /oey in rather'!((led tones% since she as &!ried &eneath her pl!'ea!. ‘ I s!ppose e#ll go% &!t it#srotten (or +ri;el. I ish she hadn#t cheeked 'y sister"#

‘It is 7!iet itho!t +ri;el%# o&ser5ed Si'one% ho as sitting !p in &ed h!gging her

knees. ‘2nd it ill &e not nice)I 'ean horreed"# as a groan (ro' /oey reached her)‘toha5e to say +ri;el is &eing p!nished.#‘Don#t yo! orry" They#ll kno all a&o!t it"# /oey ass!red her. ‘I sa Frieda#s eyes

nearly <!'ping o!t o( her head yesterday hen she ansered Mad)'y sister" here#s'y dressing-gon8#

She scra'&led o!t o( &ed% riggled into her dressing-gon and &edroo' slippers%and 5anished in the direction o( her sister#s roo'.

‘It#s rotten (or /oey%# said Margia% ho had gone &ack to &ed again. ‘Mada'e is hersister and +ri;el is her ch!'. hiche5er she sides ith% it looks 'ean (or the other" I dothink +ri;el is an ass"#

‘I think so also%# re'arked Si'one% hose English as &eco'ing '!ch 'ore (l!ent.‘2nd +ri;el is not /oey#s only ch!'% Margia.#

‘That#s got nothing to do ith it%# replied Margia. ‘3o!#re si'ply silly a&o!t /o Bettany%Si'one"#

‘She is good to 'e"# Si'one as '!ch 'ore sel(-controlled than she had &een% &!ther 5oice so!nded tear(!l no.

/!liet noticed it% and interposed tact(!lly. ‘/o Bettany is a splendid kid" I ish e hadheaps 'ore like her"#

‘So do I%# said 2'y% <oining in the con5ersation (or the (irst ti'e. ‘She tells the 'ostgorgeo!sest stories I e5er heard"#

‘hose t!rn is it to go (irst to the &athroo' to-day8 ‘ in7!ired /!liet% <!st (orestallingMargia#s re'ark that ‘no&ody e5er says ?gorgeo!sest ? &!t &a&ies.#

‘It is 'e"# said S!;anne Mercier in her shy so(t 5oice.Both S!;anne and 35ette had 5ery little to say at any ti'e% and their 5oices ere so

seldo' heard% that% as +ri;el had once re'arked% they 'ight <!st as ell ne5er &e there'ore than hal( the ti'e. 4o% /!liet nearly <!'ped.

‘I alays (orget yo! to are there%# she said. ‘I( yo!#re going% S!;anne% yo!#d &ettertoddle along. I can hear Marie co'ing ith 2'y#s ater.#

She got !p as she spoke% and (ished o!t her &edroo' slippers and rolled !p herslee5es% preparatory to gi5ing 2'y her &ath. That she sho!ld do it had &eco'e 7!ite arecognised thing &y no% and to /!liet it as a great thing that she co!ld help e5en in solittle% as so'e ret!rn (or her ead#s goodness to her. She co!ld ne5er help contrastingMiss Bettany#s 7!iet acceptance o( the state o( things ith the &eha5io!r o( her 2nglo-Indian head'istress !nder si'ilar circ!'stances. That lady had &een 'ainly concerneda&o!t the loss o( her (ees. $( /!liet#s (eelings she had tho!ght not one <ot. /!liet had not

s!ddenly &eco'e an angel as a res!lt o( her present ead#s treat'ent o( her. She asa 5ery h!'an girl &!t she as deeply grate(!l% and since she as thoro!gh in hate5er

88




she did% she as 'aking 5aliant e((orts to &eco'e the sa'e sporting type o( girl as thatto hich her head'istress &elonged. This &athing o( 2'y% hich had &een a sel(-i'posed task% so'eti'es &ored her 5ery '!ch% &!t Miss Bettany#s thanks had (illed herith a deter'ination to go on% and% as a res!lt% she as learning that a d!ty !ndertaken(or lo5e o( a person isn#t hal( so tireso'e as one hich is thr!st on one.

2s (or 2'y% she had 7!ite o5erco'e her (ear o( /!liet% and chatted gaily as the eldergirl sponged her don and then r!&&ed her dry.

‘There yo! are"# said /!liet (inally% as she (inished drying &eteen the little pink toes.‘4o &!ck !p and get into yo!r clothes" ho#s in the &athroo' no8# she ent on%raising her 5oice slightly.

‘Si'one%# replied /oey% ho had co'e &ack (ro' her sister. ‘I#' ne*t% an# then yo!.$h% an# Mada'e says go past +ri;el#s door 7!ietly% as she ants her to get a good sleep‘cos she see'ed so tired last night.#

‘2ll right%# said /!liet &rie(ly. ‘Stripped yo!r &ed% /oey8 I say% I don#t think e#d &etterp!t the pl!'ea!* o5er the &alcony to-day. It looks as tho!gh there as going to &e asplash"#

‘ #Ton#t co'e yet%# said /oey the eather-ise. ‘0ro&#ly not till this a(ternoon. It#sgoing to &e a &eastly day%# she added% shaking her pillo 5indicti5ely. ‘I <olly ell ish it

as o5er"#‘/oey% I a' ret!rned" 3o! had &etter &!ck !p"# said Si'one#s 5oice at this <!nct!re%and /oey had% per(orce% to sei;e her toels and h!rry o((.

4o&ody see'ed in a partic!larly happy 'ood this 'orning. The girls ere s!&d!ed!nder the conscio!sness o( +ri;el#s disgrace. The sta(( as orried (or the sa'e reason.In the kitchen% Marie as acc!sing her s'all &rother Eigen% ho ca'e to help ith odd

<o&s% o( ha5ing helped hi'sel( to the apples she had le(t in a &ig dish o5ernight.‘Si*teen apples I lea5e%# she scolded% ‘and no there are &!t ten" here are the

others% rascal8 Tho! hast eaten the'" Tho! hast stolen"#Eigen% a stolid person o( ele5en% looked at his sister sole'nly. ‘4ein% Marie%# as all he

said in anser to her acc!sations.‘B!t I say tho! hast" ho o!ld take the' i( tho! didst not% <!nge Ta!genichts8#

‘4ein% Marie%# said Eigen serenely. 2ll he kne as that he hadn#t to!ched the apples%hate5er his sister 'ight say% and he cared (or nothing else.

Madge% hearing the dist!r&ance in the kitchen% ent to disco5er hat it as all a&o!t.‘hy dost tho! scold% Marie8# she in7!ired in (l!ent +er'an.‘This rascal% Mada'e% he has stolen si* apples)si*.#‘+ood gracio!s"# o&ser5ed /o% ho had (olloed her sister. ‘e#ll &e ill"#‘4ein% Marie%# o&ser5ed Eigen% still as placidly as e5er.Marie t!rned to her 'istress ith o!t(l!ng hands o( helplessness. ‘3o! hear hi'%

Mada'e" That is all that he says" e ho has stolen"#‘4ein% Marie"# as the parrot-like response o( the acc!sed yo!th.‘ait% Marie%# said Miss Bettany% checking the (lood o( e*cla'ations hich she co!ld

see to &e on Marie#s tong!e. ‘e is a good &oy. I( he says he did not to!ch the apples%then I do not think he did. Eigen% hast tho! seen the apples o( hich Marie speaks8#

Eigen looked at her hope(!lly. e had 7!ite gi5en !p e*pecting any sense (ro' hissister. She had 'ade !p her 'ind that he had taken the (r!it% and no a'o!nt o(arg!'ent o!ld pers!ade her di((erently. B!t das Fr:!lein ith the kind eyes and thepretty hair as another 'atter. She had o(ten shon hersel( to &e 5ery !nderstanding.So he said% ‘4ein% gn:diges Fr:!lein.#

‘ery ell"# Miss Bettany t!rned to Marie. ‘I a' s!re he speaks the tr!th% Marie% andone o( the yo!ng ladies 'ay ha5e (elt h!ngry d!ring the night and taken the'. I illin7!ire% and% 'eanti'e% say no 'ore a&o!t it.#

‘Bitte% 'ein Fr:!lein)# &egan Marie% &!t Miss Bettany#s !praised hand stopped her%and she t!rned to go don to the cellar to (etch 'ore apples% gr!'&ling !nder her

&reath hile her yo!ng 'istress le(t the kitchen% (olloed &y /o% ho as onderingrather 'isera&ly ho things o!ld go that day.

89




‘It#s going to &e si'ply horrid"# she decided% as she attacked her roll and honey ithconsidera&ly less appetite than !s!al. ‘$h% I ish it as o5er"#

In7!iries a&o!t the apples did not sol5e the 'ystery. 4o one had to!ched the'% and /!liet% ho as a light sleeper% and ho had% in any case% aakened early% as positi5ethat no one had le(t the dor'itory till the rising-&ell had r!ng. ‘E*cept /oey%# she added.

‘/oey ca'e to see 'e%# said Miss Bettany% ‘so that#s all right. ell% I#' s!re that i(Eigen says he hasn#t to!ched the (r!it% he hasn#t. I i'agine Marie didn#t co!nt 5erycare(!lly hen she p!t the' o!t. That#s 'ore likely than that Eigen sho!ld ha5e takenthe' hen he says he didn#t. 4o% go and 'ake yo!r &eds and then get ready (or agood alk. It#s going to rain later on% so yo! on#t get ga'es this a(ternoon% I#' a(raid.

/o% yo! and Si'one are going to Seespit; to the Mensches% so yo!#d &etter not go iththe others. +et yo!r practising and 'ending done this 'orning instead o( going (or thealk% and change &e(ore Mittagessen. err Mensch rang 'e !p last night to say he asgoing to take yo! all (or a 'otor ride !p the Tiern alley% and o!ld &e at the (ence gate(or yo! at to o#clock% so yo! '!st &e ready. hat he ill do i( it rains I can#t tell yo!"#)th!s (orestalling the 7!estion on /oey#s lips. ‘4o r!n along% all o( yo!% and get on.0lease go 7!ietly.#

She had said grace pre5io!sly% so they all got !p and ent !pstairs in s!&d!ed

'anner. 2s she passed the door o( +ri;el#s prison ith Si'one close &eside her% /oeyhea5ed a little sigh.‘hat is it then% /oey8 ‘ de'anded Si'one.‘I don#t kno. I (eel as tho!gh so'ething horrid as going to happen%# ret!rned her

(riend. ‘Sort o( (oretelling% yo! kno" Spooky and a(!l" ‘ she added incoherently.‘I do not !nderstand%# said Si'one% ho 'ight ell &e (orgi5en (or not !nderstanding.‘$h% ell% I can#t e*plain"# replied /o i'patiently. ‘Co'e and 'ake yo!r &ed"#

They ere hal(-ay thro!gh% hen the chink o( china on a tray and the so!nd o(care(!l (ootsteps told the' that &reak(ast as going to +ri;el.

‘It#s a(!lly <olly to ha5e yo!r &reak(ast in &ed%# gr!'&led Margia. ‘I ish I had" orth&eing na!ghty (or" I say" hat#s that8# as a startled cry reached her ears.

Be(ore anyone co!ld anser her% there ca'e the so!nd o( h!rrying (eet% and Miss

Bettany (l!ng open the door o( the dor'itory.‘+irls" hich o( yo! has seen +ri;el Cochrane this 'orning8#2 startled silence (olloed her 7!estion. Finally /!liet ansered.‘I don#t think any o( !s ha5e% Mada'e. Isn#t she in her roo'8#‘4o. The indos are ide open and her clothes are gone" 2re yo! s!re yo! ha5en#t

seen her8# 3o! co!ld ha5e heard a pin drop as they digested this in(or'ation.‘D# yo! 'ean yo! think she#s)r!n aay8# 5ent!red Margia at last.‘$( co!rse she hasn#t"# e*ploded /oey. ‘She#s &roken &o!nds% that#s all" 2n# I think

she#s a &east"#‘!sh% /oey"# said Miss Bettany. ‘$( co!rse she hasn#t r!n aay% Margia" For one

thing% she has no 'oney% and (or another% she hasn#t anyhere to r!n to. B!t it#s 5erytrying" I did think I co!ld tr!st yo! girls"#

She t!rned and le(t the roo' as she spoke% lea5ing a startled gro!p &ehind her. Theydid not 7!ite kno hat to think. ,p till this 'o'ent they had (elt a good deal o(sy'pathy (or +ri;el and her &rilliant idea o( 5aselining the &lack&oards had rathercapti5ated the'. B!t this as 7!ite another thing. It as !ntr!storthy% and% as Margiasaid later% ‘not cricket.# ith all her il(!l-ness% +ri;el had ne5er yet (ailed to play thega'e% and the shock o( disco5ering that she co!ld (ail rather st!nned the'. 0resently

/!liet ent &ack to her task o( &ed-'aking% and they all (olloed her e*a'ple in adeathly silence that said (ar 'ore a&o!t their (eelings than any a'o!nt o( speech co!ldha5e done.

hen they had (inished% /oey and Si'one ent to their practice% hile the others got

ready (or their alk ith Miss Maynard. 0resently they set o((% passing Madge andMade'oiselle on the ay% the one going o5er to B!cha! to 'ake in7!iries as to hether

90




+ri;el had &een seen a&o!t there% hile the other as going don to Sp:rt; &y the'o!ntain-path on the sa'e 7!est.

For so'e (orty 'in!tes /oey orked aay steadily at her scales% her 'ind anyhere&!t on hat she as doing. S!ddenly she <!'ped !p.

‘The Tiern<och" ‘ she gasped. ‘That#s here she#s gone" ,p the Tiern<och" $h% she aslooking at it last night" That#s hat she as thinking o(" I '!st go and (etch her &ack"#

ith /o the i'p!lsi5e% to think as to act. She dashed along to the cloakroo'% tore'adly into her 'ac. and ta''y% dashed into Si'one% ho as str!ggling ith one o(+!rlitt#s >inderscenen% and gasped% ‘Si'one% +ri;el#s gone !p the Tiern<och" I#' o(( to(etch her &ack" 3o! '!st stay and tell Madge hen she co'es" +ood-&ye"#

Be(ore the asto!nded Si'one had taken in hal( the sense o( hat she said% she hadgone. Th!s it happened that a distracted and orn-o!t Madge as 'et so'e ho!r and ahal( later &y a tear(!l Si'one% ho so&&ed o!t that /oey had gone !p the icked

Tiern<och to (ind +ri;el.

Chapter A.$n The Tiern<och

To go &ack a (e ho!rs to the ti'e hen +ri;el aoke in the early greyness o( the'orning is no necessary. hen she had got into &ed% she had &anged her head on herpillo (o!r ti'es% saying sole'nly ‘Fo!r o#clock"# as she did so. This is the &est recipe Ikno (or early aking% and +ri;el kne it too. She oke !p <!st as the old grand(atherclock &elo chi'ed (o!r ti'es. For a 'in!te she listened (or the &reathing o( the others%then she re'e'&ered. She as &y hersel( as a p!nish'ent% and she as going to cli'&the Tiern<och that day. ‘2t last"# she tho!ght% as she cli'&ed ca!tio!sly o!t o( &ed% and%stealing across the roo' on tiptoe% opened the <alo!sies care(!lly. 6!ckily% e5ery hingein the ho!se as kept ell oiled% and they 'ade no so!nd as she s!ng the' sloly&ack. The dan ind &le in chilly% and% i( she had only realised it% &ringing ith it a(oretaste o( the 'o!ntain 'ists. In the sky a star or to still lingered% &!t soon theyo!ld ha5e 5anished% (or the light as &rightening ith e5ery 'in!te. Shi5ering a little

ith cold and e*cite'ent% +ri;el &egan to dress in the hal( light. She as soon ready%and then% picking !p her electric torch% she stole donstairs in her stockinged (eet tothe kitchen to see i( Marie had% &y chance% le(t any (ood a&o!t. She (o!nd the apples onthe kitchen ta&le and a&stracted si*% dropping (i5e o( the' into her knapsack and&eginning on the other. There as nothing else% hoe5er% and she dared not riskopening the c!p&oards in case any o( the doors sho!ld creak. Still% si* apples% to rollso( &read% and a slice o( Marie#s k!chen ere not so &ad% and she had a (e h!ndred->rner notes% so she o!ld &e a&le to get cheese and 'ilk (ro' the herds'en. Shecrept &ack !pstairs% t!cked the rest o( her pro5ender into her knapsack% and sl!ng itacross her sho!lders.

The ne*t thing as to get o!t. It o!ld &e 'adness to atte'pt to open the doors.hat she decided on as al'ost as 'ad. The indo o( the roo' opened on to the&alcony that ran all ro!nd the ho!se. +ri;el cla'&ered o5er the railings% h!ng (or a'o'ent (ro' the ledge o( it% and then dropped. Merci(!lly% it as only ten (eet a&o5ethe gro!nd% and she had learned ho to (all easily% so &eyond a &!'ped el&o sheca'e to no har'. She picked hersel( !p ith a r!e(!l (ace% and then proceeded to p!ton her shoes. To 'in!tes later she as (lying !p the path toards the 5alley at a ratethat o!ld ha5e ca!sed an e*perienced 'o!ntaineer to e*clai' ith horror.

hen she reached the (ence% the cos that ere past!red in the 5alley ere co'ingalong% led &y the &ig crea'-colo!red &!ll ho as lord o( the herd. +ri;el sat on the(ence% the (resh 'orning air r!((ling her c!rls% her (ace gloing ith pleas!re at the'!sic 'ade &y the <ingling &ells. The &oy ho as herding the' looked c!rio!sly ather% &!t 'ade no co''ent. 0ro&a&ly he tho!ght that she as aiting (or the rest o( a

party. hen they had passed% +ri;el set o(( again% this ti'e at a reasona&le <og-trotpace% hich she kne she co!ld keep !p (or so'e ti'e. By this ti'e the stars had

91




(aded% and the light as rapidly streaking the sky. hen she had reached the tinyha'let o( 6a!ter&ach% the last re'nants o( the darkness had gone and it as &roaddaylight.

2 'an as chopping ood (or the (ires o!tside one Châlet% and he as histling agay t!ne as he orked. To or three goats% tethered near&y% &leated at the so!nd o(her (ootsteps% and a &a&y kid ca'e skipping alongside o( her% its head cockedin7!iringly on one side% its yello eyes (!ll o( innocent in7!iry hich on her heartinstantly.

‘$h% yo! darling"# she cried% trying to catch hi' in her ar's. B!t Master Billy as asshy as he as c!rio!s. ith a terri(ied ‘Ma-a-a"# he 'ade a side-dash aay (ro' her%and raced (or ho'e and 'other.

+ri;el thre &ack her head% la!ghing gaily at the sight. The peasant looked at her%and gr!nted ‘+r=ss# +ott"# She ansered hi'% and then ent on. 2ll re'e'&rance o(the (act that she as in disgrace and had no &!siness to &e there had (aded (ro' her'ind in her en<oy'ent o( the 'orning. E5en the act!al ascent o( the great 'o!ntainthat h!ng so threateningly o5er the !pper end o( the 5alley as (orgotten.

6ike a good 'any !ni'aginati5e people% +ri;el possessed the gi(t o( li5ing in thei''ediate present. here /oey and Madge o!ld ha5e &een drea'ing o( the 'o!ntain

s!''its and the <oy o( the hard cli'&% she as si'ply ild ith delight in her presents!rro!ndings. 2s she s!ng along% she &egan to sing one o( the (olk-songs she hadlearnt in her English school% and the ords o( ‘ igh +er'any ‘ rang thro!gh the 7!iet5alley P

‘$h% 0olly lo5e% oh% 0olly% the ro!t is no &eg!n%2nd e '!st &e a-'arching at the &eating o( the dr!'.+o% dress yo!rsel( all in yo!r &est% and co'e along ith 'e I#ll take yo! to the cr!el ars in igh +er'any"#‘$h% arry lo5e% oh% arry% yo! hearken hat I say%My (eet are all too tender I cannot 'arch aay.Besides% 'y dearest arry% tho!gh 'an and i(e e &e%o a' I (it (or cr!el ars in igh +er'any8#

$h% c!rsd are the cr!el ars that e5er they sho!ld rise%2nd o!t o( Merrie England press 'any a lad likeise%

They pressed 'y arry (ro' 'e% as all 'y &rothers three%2nd sent the' to the cr!el ars in igh +er'any.She (inished !p ith a ild no!rish o( her stick% and disco5ered hersel( at the (oot o( a

narro path that o!nd !p and !p &eteen &!shes and rocks. 2 tiny strea' trickleddon (ar a&o5e her% looking like a sil5er thread in the cold light.

+ri;el stopped and de&ated ith hersel(. Sho!ld she eat her &reak(ast here sheas% or sho!ld she go on till she reached the 2l' here she o!ld &!y her 'ilk8

‘I#ll eat an apple%# she decided% ‘then I#ll go on. Coo" hat a scra'&le"#She sat don on a con5enient rock and &it (ir'ly into an apple. The sight o( so'e

&erries near at hand sent her (lying across to see i( they ere (it to eat. They ere &l!e-&erries% &!t as yet they ere 'ore green than &l!e% so she rel!ctantly le(t the' aloneand ret!rned to her stone and her apple.

‘/olly it is% early in the 'orning"# she tho!ght% as she (l!ng the core into near&y&!shes. ‘ell% I '!st p!ll !p 'y socks and get on ith it"#

2ccordingly% she sho!ldered her knapsack once 'ore% picked !p her stick% and set o((gaily !p the narro path% histling cheerily as she ent. 0resently% hoe5er% the trackle(t the &!shes% and tisted a&o!t ro!nd &o!lders and o5er heaps o( &roken stoneshich she (o!nd tricky to negotiate. She had &een right. It as a scra'&le" ,p and !pshe cla'&ered% !nheeding o( her legs and sho!lders% hich ere &eginning to ache iththe !nacc!sto'ed e*ercise.

‘The Sonnenscheinspit;e as a circ!'stance to this%# she tho!ght% as she toiled

onards% ‘and as (or the Mondscheinspit;e% it as a &a&y#s cral" I hope it gets &etter(arther on"#

92




Far (ro' getting &etter% hoe5er% it got orse% and +ri;el as (orced to stop 'orethan once to rest. ‘$o(" This is so'e cli'&"# she sighed% as she sat don (or the thirdti'e to 'op her strea'ing (ace. ‘oe5er they get the cos !p here is &eyond 'e"#

2s a 'atter o( (act% the cos reached the 2l' &y a path hich ca'e o5er thesho!lder o( the 'o!ntain% and as '!ch easier &!t +ri;el co!ld not kno that.0resently she set o(( again% and this ti'e she s!cceeded in reaching the 2l'. She nearlyca'e to grie( o5er the last (e steps. The 2l' itsel( o5erh!ng the path% and% in order toget on to it% she had to catch at a tree root and ha!l hersel( !p. She as al'ost therehen her hand slipped and she nearly (ell. I( she had gone% it o!ld ha5e 'eant a (all o(tenty (eet or 'ore% (or <!st here the rock had &roken aay. 6!ckily% she 'anaged toscra'&le to sa(ety so'eho% and reached the short% seet t!r(% here she lay ith&eating heart (or the ne*t (e 'in!tes.

0resently she got to her (eet. ith all her (a!lts% +ri;el as no coard. 2 eakercharacter 'ight ha5e gi5en in at this point% &!t she si'ply set her teeth and ent on.

The 2l' is a long one here% and the herds'en#s h!t is &!ilt in a cre5ice in the rock% so itas a good ten 'in!tes &e(ore she reached it. The 'en had long since gone to theirday#s ork% and there as only a lad o( si*teen or se5enteen in the h!t. e stared ather% &!t 'ade no co''ent. hen she asked (or 'ilk in her &est +er'an% he &ro!ght it

to her in a &ig earthenare '!g% and stood atching her hile she drank it. 4e5er hadanything tasted so delicio!s to her as that dra!ght o( seet 'ilk% rich ith yellocrea'. hen she had (inished% the &oy took the '!g% saying in c!rio!sly hoarse% thicktones so'ething o( hich she ca!ght only the last ords ein 4e&elstrei(. +ri;el did not!nderstand% &!t she as not going to let hi' kno that i( she co!ld help it so shelooked as intelligent as she kne ho% nodded her head% and said% ‘$h% <a-<a"#

2gain the &oy spoke% this ti'e saying so'ething a&o!t keine 2!ssicht. This% +ri;elkne% 'eant ‘no 5ie%# so she shook her head this ti'e% saying% ‘4ein% nein" keine2!ssicht 1# hich see'ed to satis(y hi'% (or%

ith the !s!al ‘ +r=ss# +ott" ‘ he t!rned and ent &ack into the h!t.+ri;el looked a(ter hi' do!&t(!lly &e(ore she t!rned and ent on her ay. alking

o5er the short% springy grass as a treat a(ter the hard% toilso'e scra'&le o5er the

rocks and shale. She had got her second ind% and ent on <oyo!sly% '!nching anapple as she ent. It str!ck her that it as getting rather 'isty% &!t she had no 'eanso( knoing the ti'e% as she as not earing her atch% and she s!pposed it to &e the'orning 'ists% hich o!ld soon disappear. It as then a&o!t ele5en o#clock% as a'atter o( (act and at the (oot o( the 'o!ntain /oey Bettany as eyeing the path !phich her (riend had co'e ith d!&io!s eyes. Ten 'in!tes took +ri;el to the (ar edge o(the 2l'% and once 'ore the path &egan to ind !pards. It as easy going at (irst% &!tsoon &eca'e 'ore di((ic!lt. The 'ist-clo!ds closed in ro!nd her% and presently she(o!nd hersel( str!ggling !pards% s!rro!nded &y hite alls o( 'o!ntain (og% hich hidthe path (ro' her and deadened all so!nds sa5e those o( her on (ootsteps. She aspl!cky eno!gh% &!t the deadly silence and the eeriness &egan to (righten her. So'e o(the terri&le stories err Mensch and err Marani told the' ca'e &ack to tor'ent herno. She as orn o!t% and the cli'& as &eco'ing 'ore and 'ore di((ic!lt. $5er ando5er again she as o&liged to sit don and rest% and a(ter each halt she (elt hersel(&eco'ing sti((er and sti((er. Then s!ddenly her (oot str!ck a loosened stone and set itrolling. She heard it go a little ay% then there as an a(!l silence% and at the sa'e'o'ent the clo!ds li(ted <!st s!((iciently to sho her that she as standing on the edgeo( a precipice"

2s the realisation o( the (act ca'e to her% +ri;el (elt the last re'nant o( her co!rageoo;ing aay% and cl!tched at it desperately. I( she had (olloed the inclination o( the'o'ent% she o!ld ha5e (l!ng hersel( don on the gro!nd and screa'ed. 6!ckily% shedid nothing o( the kind. More% she e5en tried to take a step or to (orard. Then% as the'ists ca'e sirling &ack once 'ore% she ga5e it !p. She kne here she as% (or err

Mensch had descri&ed the ascent to her 'ore than once. She had reached the orst &ito( all. ere% (or one h!ndred and (i(ty yards% the path% &arely three (eet ide in 'ost

93




places% and e5en less in so'e% craled along the edge o( a precipice hich ent sheerdon to the 5alley &elo. $n the other side a all o( stark rock rose% also sheerly% gi5ingno hold o( any kind. This as the part here anyone in the least degree ner5o!s asroped% and it as here the orst accidents alays occ!rred. hat 'ade things orseas the (act that she had no idea ho (ar along she had co'e. ith a piti(!l atte'pt atsel(-control% she sat don% sloly and care(!lly% c!rling hersel( !p against the rock-all.6ittle shi5ers% partly o( cold% partly o( terror% ran !p and don her. 6ying there% ith onlya narro shel( o( rock &eteen her and instant death% +ri;el prayed as she had ne5erprayed &e(ore. 2t (irst the ords o!ld not co'e. Then grad!ally the old (a'iliar ‘$!rFather# rose to her lips. That co'(orted her. ‘$!r Father% hich art in hea5en%# sheprayed alo!d% the so!nd o( her on 5oice helping to steady her. ‘$!r Father% oh% sendso'eone" 0lease send so'eone 7!ickly. $!r Father)#

‘+ri;el" +ri;el"# The cry ca'e (aintly thro!gh the 'ist.She sat !p. /oey" It as /oey#s 5oice" ‘$!r Father%# she so&&ed. Then% ‘/oey" /oey"#‘old on a tick" I#' co'ing" here are yo!8#+ri;el p!lled hersel( together. ‘/oey" I#' on the precipice" I#' lying don" 6ook o!t"#2l'ost at once a (ig!re loo'ed !p o!t o( the 'ist% and then /oey% (eeling her ay

care(!lly% as &eside her. She as sitting don% p!lling her into her ar's% holding her

tightly% saying% ‘+ri;el" +ri;el"#‘$!r Father%# &egan +ri;el d!lly. ‘$h% /oey% e sent yo! at last"# Then darkness sept o5er her% and% to /oey#s !tter dis'ay% she (ainted. It as only (or

a (e 'o'ents% hoe5er. She str!ggled &ack to conscio!sness% and ith conscio!snessca'e terror% co'plete and o5erhel'ing. She cl!ng to the yo!nger girl% shaking (ro'head to (oot% hile /oey% ith ide% straining eyes trying to see thro!gh the 'ists% heldher tightly% '!r'!ring ords o( co'(ort to her.

‘+ri;el" Darling" Don#t cry" It#s all right" onest In<!n% it is" There" Don#t cry% +ri;el" /oey#s here" /oey#s got yo! sa(ely" It#s all right"# $5er and o5er again she repeated it% till(inally the 'eaning o( her ords reached +ri;el#s &rain% and she &egan to p!ll hersel(together.

‘/oey"# she said presently. ‘$h% /oey" o did yo! kno8#

‘here to co'e% d#yo! 'ean8 I g!essed" +ri;el% are yo! &etter8 Don#t yo! think i( eent on hands and knees yo! co!ld get &ack to the rocks8 e aren#t a(!lly (ar along% Ikno. To 'in!tes o!ld do it. Can#t yo! try% +ri;el8#

B!t +ri;el dared not. The 5ery s!ggestion set her hi'pering piteo!sly. ‘/oey% Idaren#t" $h% /oey% I kno I sho!ld slip and (all" I daren#t 'o5e" Don#t yo! 'o5e either%

/oey" I( yo! do% e shall go o5er" Don#t 'o5e% /oey" 0lease don#t"#‘B!t% +ri;el% old thing% it#s so a(!lly cold% and yo!#re et thro!gh" Do let#s ha5e a

shot at it" onest In<!n% it o!ldn#t take a 'in!te"#B!t +ri;el#s ner5e as gone. She co!ld only cl!tch her (riend% crying piteo!sly% and%

'erci(!lly (or &oth o( the'% she 'ade no atte'pt to 'o5e. ad she done so in herpresent state o( 'ind% there is little do!&t &!t that &oth o( the' '!st ha5e gone o5erthe edge. Finally% /oey ga5e !p her coa*ing% and settled hersel( as co'(orta&ly as sheco!ld to aait the resc!e she (elt s!re o!ld co'e soon. +ri;el% lying closely againsther% had ceased to cry. 4o she see'ed drosy and d!ll. ith a s!dden thro& o( (ear%

/oey Bettany (aced a ne danger. She had read o( the death sleep hich contin!ed cold&rings on% and she realised that already +ri;el as only se'i-conscio!s. 2t all costs she'!st ro!se her.

‘+ri;el"# she said i'perati5ely. ‘+ri;el" ake !p" 3o! can#t go to sleep"#+ri;el '!ttered so'ething drosily% &!t 'ade no 'o5e'ent. /oey slapped her (ace

s'artly% and nearly &ro!ght disaster on the' &oth as the elder girl stirred.‘+ri;el" +ri;el"#

The (ear in her tones reached +ri;el#s dr!gged &rain% and she hal( ro!sed.‘3es% /oey" I#' here"#

‘B!t yo! '!st stay here"# so&&ed poor /oey. ‘$h% +ri;el% don#t go to sleep"#‘I#' not &!t I a' so tired%# '!r'!red +ri;el.

94




‘I kno% &!t oh% yo! '!stn#t" $h% I can#t &ear it"#er tears (ell on +ri;el#s (ace% and did 'ore to ake her than anything else o!ld

ha5e done. /oey crying as a onder not to &e !nderstood.‘Don#t cry% /oey" It#s all 'y (a!lt% and I#' sorry no" $h% i( e &oth die it ill &e 'y

(a!lt% and Miss Bettany ill ne5er (orgi5e 'e or look at 'e again"# /oey &egan to g!rgle hysterically at that. ‘Don#t &e s)silly" I( e &oth die e shall &e

d) hat#s that8#She sat ith head !preared% listening (or the so!nd her 7!ick ears had ca!ght. It

ca'e again)the long% 'elodio!s call o( the 'o!ntaineer.‘+ri;el"# she cried. ‘e#re (o!nd"#‘ Then% ith all her strength% she cooeed.

The yodel ca'e again% nearer this ti'e% and% as she ansered it% /oey noticed that% atlong last% the 'ists ere thinning. Then ca'e the so!nd o( care(!l (ootsteps% and%(inally% the dear (a'iliar (ig!re o( err Mensch% looking 'ore like a &ene5olent giantthan e5er. Behind hi' ca'e the slighter (or' o( err Marani% and &ehind hi' again too( the herds'en% ho had &een pressed into ser5ice. To a skilled 'o!ntaineer like errMensch the narro path presented no di((ic!lties. ith one &ig stride he had steppedacross the to girls% then% t!rning ro!nd% he &ent don and picked !p +ri;el% hile errMarani helped /oey to her (eet. The ne*t (e 'in!tes ere dangero!s eno!gh% (or /oey#s

cra'ped '!scles o!ld not ork% and she nearly (ell. 6!ckily% err Marani had her(ir'ly% and tenty 'in!tes later they ere on the 2l'% here Madge aaited the' ithhite (ace and eyes dark ith the agony she had !ndergone. I( err Marani o!ld ha5ealloed her% she o!ld ha5e carried /oey hersel( to the herds'en#s h!t% here a potentdrink o( hot 'ilk% 'i*ed ith &randy (ro' err Mensch#s (lask% as gi5en to the' &e(orethey 'ade the (inal descent to the 5alley.

To ho!rs later the s!n appeared in (!ll glory% gilding all the peaks and dri5ing aaythe last rags o( 'ist (ro' the sinister 'o!ntain hich had so nearly added to 'ore tothe toll o( its 5icti's. Madge% sitting &y the little &ed in her on roo' here they hadplaced /oey% ca!ght the rays.

‘3o! ha5e co'e late%# she said% and t!rned &ack once 'ore to her atching.

Chapter AL.Conse7!ences.

Mada'e" o is /oey8# Si'one li(ted tear-drenched eyes to Miss Bettany#s (ace. Itas the day a(ter +ri;el#s grand escapade% hich had so nearly ended in terri&ledisaster% and it as a day hich none o( the girls e5er (orgot. The s!n shone glorio!slythe hole ti'e% as i( to 'ake !p (or his &eha5io!r o( yesterday. The T;igane &and hadco'e !p the lake again% and as 'aking '!sic o!tside the >ron 0rin; >arl. 2t this 5ery'o'ent they ere playing the air o( a pop!lar song 'any o( the yo!nger people hokne it had <oined in the chor!s% and the gay 5oices (loated !p to the Châlet thro!ghthe clear s!''er air. B!t all this 'eant nothing to the school% (or +ri;el as ill ith&ronchitis% and /oey Bettany had ne5er co'e o!t o( the sleep into hich she had (allena(ter they had laid her in err Mensch#s car% hich had &een aaiting the' at the (ooto( the 'o!ntain.

err Marani had gone hot(oot to Inns&r=ck to (etch the doctor% and he had said thatthe a(!l ner5e strain thro!gh hich the i'aginati5e% highly str!ng child had gone'ight res!lt in &rain (e5er. That co!ld only &e decided hen she ca'e o!t o( the hea5yst!por in hich she lay% and hich 'ight last (or to or three days yet. +ri;el#s caseas (ar si'pler. It as a straight(orard attack o( &ronchitis% the nat!ral res!lt o( ha5ing&een (or ho!rs in the clinging 'ists. It as% o( co!rse% 'ade orse &y the (act that shehad gone all to pieces hen she (o!nd hersel( in her on &ed &!t ith care(!l n!rsing)and they co!ld &e s!re o( that)she o!ld soon &e all right again. /oey#s case as (ar'ore do!&t(!l. Then he le(t the'% pro'ising to ret!rn the ne*t day. Fra! Mensch had

appeared in the 'orning and carried o(( 2'y and Margia% and Fra! 9incini had sentBette o5er to (etch the little Merciers. She had o((ered to ha5e Si'one as ell% &!t

95




Si'one had &egged to stay% and /!liet had o((ered to look a(ter her% so they had gi5enthe child her ay.

Midday had &ro!ght Fra! Marani ith an o((er to n!rse +ri;el% and Madge hersel( hadne5er le(t /oey (or a 'in!te !ntil the doctor had arri5ed% and ith one glance at herhite (ace had sternly ordered her o!t.

‘It ill 'ake things orse i( yo! are ill%# he told her. ‘+o and ha5e so'e (ood% andthen a little alk. To-night yo! '!st sleep% hile the yo!ng lady)ah% Fr:!lein Maynard")atches. 4othing ill occ!r (or so'e ho!rs yet.# Then the ang!ish in her eyes to!chedhis co'passion% and he added% ‘She looks &etter)see's 'ore nat!ral. 4o go andrest.#

Madge did as he told her as (ar as going o!t as concerned. She had gone to thepine-ood% and as andering !p and don% hen Si'one had ca!ght sight o( her%and% &reaking aay (ro' /!liet% had r!shed across the 'eado and ca!ght her ar' ithhot little hands. 4o% as she sa the child#s (ace% all p!((ed and sollen ith crying%Miss Bettany (elt s!ddenly that she had &een neglecting her d!ty. She slipped an ar'ro!nd Si'one% ho pro'ptly &egan to sni(( again.

‘They can#t say yet% dear. The doctor says nothing ill happen (or so'e ho!rs yet%&!t he thinks she looks 'ore nat!ral. Don#t cry% Si'one.#

Si'one 'ade a 5aliant atte'pt to check her tears% and s!cceeded. ‘I do lo5e /oey so'!ch"# she said 7!a5eringly. ‘$h% Mada'e% i( there is one little thing I can do yo! illtell 'e8#

‘3es%# said Madge. ‘I can tell yo! o( one little thing no. 3o! can stop crying and try to&e &ra5e. To-'orro there ill &e school as !s!al. /oey is (ar a&o5e the schoolroo's%and I kno yo! ill all &e 7!iet. e shall &reak !p on T!esday or ednesday% instead o(a eek later as I had intended. I ant yo! to &e 5ery &ra5e% and ork as steadily as yo!can (or the to days. I( the others see yo! and /!liet#)she s'iled at the other girl% hohad no co'e !p ith the')‘trying to go on as !s!al% they ill try too% and that ill'ake things easier (or !s all.#

‘I ill try%# said Si'one 5ery so&erly. ‘I ill try 5er# hard.#‘I#ll do 'y le5el &est%# /!liet pro'ised% ‘and I ill look a(ter Si'one% Mada'e.#

‘Thank yo!% &oth o( yo!%# said Madge. ‘4o I '!st go &ack% as I 'ay &e needed. /!liet% take Si'one to ash her (ace and hands% and &oth o( yo! change yo!r (rocks.+ood-&ye.#

She t!rned and ent &ack to the Châlet% (eeling (resher (or her little rest% and 'orea&le to cope ith things. She (o!nd /oey lying as she had le(t her% ith the doctor sitting&y her side. e looked !p as the girl entered% &!t 'ade no other 'o5e'ent. Madge&ent o5er the &ed% looking at the dear% (!nny little (ace ith a orld o( lo5e in her eyes.as it her i'agination% or did /oey really look 'ore like hersel(. She glanced !p at thedoctor in7!iringly% and he nodded his head.

‘3es% it is really so. I &egin to ha5e hopes o( her. e cannot yet say de(initely% &!t thep!lse is stronger% and the te'perat!re has risen no (!rther. 4o go and change yo!rclothes% and ha5e a &ath and ash yo!r hair"#

Madge 7!ite literally gaped at hi'% ondering i( she had heard aright.‘3es% I 'ean that%# he said% nodding his head again. ‘+o to the hotel ith this note and

ha5e yo!r hair sha'pooed. There is 'ore than ti'e (or it% and it is a &etter tonic thanany I can 'i* (or yo! in 'y dispensary.#

Sheer astonish'ent rendered her d!'& and o&edient. She had tho!ght as she'o!nted the stairs that she co!ld only lea5e the &edroo' again hen she kne that

/oey as sa(e. 4o% cl!tching his note% she 'ade her ay to the >ron 0rin; >arl% herethe T;igane ere playing a plainti5e% ha!nting alt;% to hich people ere dancing onthe grass at the side.

The on Eschena!s ere sitting at one o( the little ta&les% and hen Fra! 5onEschena! sa her% she ca'e 7!ickly o5er% taking her ar'.

‘Mein Fr:!lein% e are so grie5ed)Marie has cried hersel( sick (or grie(" Tell !s% hois das M:dchen% and i( there is anything e can do8#

96




‘Thank yo!%# said Madge. ‘There is really nothing. /oey is '!ch the sa'e% and I#5eco'e to get 'y hair sha'pooed)the doctor sent 'e.#

Fra! 5on Eschena! stared. ‘To get yo!r hair sha'pooed8# she repeated do!&t(!lly.‘3es. I ha5e a note (or err Bra!n.#‘Then co'e this ay% and e ill (ind hi'. Do!&tless he ill &e in the Speisesaal.#

The good-nat!red iennese led her into the &ig dining-roo'% here err Bra!n asengaged in directing the laying o( the ta&les (or dinner. hen he sa the'% he h!rried(orard% e*clai'ing. Madge ga5e hi' the doctor#s note% and he read it thro!gh ithonder'ent in his eyes. Then he nodded his head isely.

‘It is ell% gn:diges Fr:!lein. I( das Fr:!lein ill co'e thro!gh here% it shall &e done.#e led her into the hairdressing-roo'% and (orty 'in!tes later Madge as going &ack

to the Châlet (eeling re(reshed and ready (or anything. E5erything as as she had le(t it%sa5e that /!liet and Si'one ere in (resh (rocks. She peeped into +ri;el#s roo'% heregood Fra! Mensch sat knitting% one atch(!l eye on the &ronchitis kettle. +ri;el assleeping% propped !p ith pillos to relie5e the &reathing. She looked (l!shed% &!t thereas nothing alar'ing. The illness o!ld take its nat!ral co!rse% and the doctor as notalar'ed a&o!t her. So '!ch Fra! Mensch told the yo!ng head'istress% her &!sy (ingersne5er ceasing their ork.

‘e ill stay here (or to-night%# she contin!ed in her lo% '!r'!ro!s 5oice that 'adethe g!tt!ral +er'an so!nd so(t and '!sical. ‘I think he e*pects that little /o ill co'e tohersel( &e(ore the 'orning. Made'oiselle has co'e in% &!t she knos nothing a&o!tsick-n!rsing and o!ld &e !seless. Fra! Marani ill co'e to-night and atch &y dasM:dchen% (or Fr:!lein Maynard '!st sleep% and yo! ill &e ith the little sister. 4a%'ein 6ie&ling%# as Madge tried to thank her% ‘it is nothing)e are glad to do hat ecan. 3o! and she are 5ery dear to !s all% and e o( the Tyrol do not sho ingratit!de.See" das M:dchen is aking )she opens her eyes.#

‘hat is it% dear8 ‘ said Madge. ‘Do yo! ant to kno a&o!t /oey8 She is still asleep. The doctor is staying here (or a hile.#

‘ill)she)&e)5ery)ill8# The ords ca'e sloly.‘She is 5ery tired%# said Madge e5asi5ely% ‘&!t she hasn#t got &ronchitis like yo!. 4o

yo! '!st rest% yo! na!ghty child. e ant yo! to get ell again as 7!ickly as possi&le. The holidays are 5ery near% yo! kno.# She &ent to kiss the child% and +ri;el rela*ed.

‘I#' glad%# she said. ‘It o!ldn#t ha5e &een)(air i( /oey)had to &e ill)(or 'e.#Madge le(t her a(ter that% and ent &ack to the other sick-roo'. The doctor looked at

her keenly% &!t% &eyond a gr!nt% he said nothing. Thro!gho!t the long night he satthere% atching the little hite (ace on the pillo% Madge atching ith hi'. $nce onlyhe le(t her% to go and see +ri;el% and ca'e &ack ith the nes that she as decidedlystronger. 2t ten o#clock Fra! Marani appeared% and Fra! Mensch ent &ack to the hotelat Seespit;. Fi5e o#clock in the 'orning &ro!ght Miss Maynard to insist that Madgesho!ld lie don on the co!ch and rest (or a co!ple o( ho!rs% hile she atched in hert!rn. 2t se5en the doctor ent to ring !p his partner in Inns&r=ck and arn hi' that hesho!ld stay here he as (or that day. 6ater% Marie ca'e ith hot co((ee% rolls% and&!tter% o( hich the doctor insisted Madge sho!ld partake% and at (i5e to nine she entdonstairs to see to ork (or the day.

The girls ca'e ith gra5e (aces% and kind 'essages and o((ers o( help (ro' theirparents. The hole lake-side kne o( poor +ri;el#s escapade% and a good 'any peoplehad since learned o( the dread(!l possi&le res!lt (or /oey% so there ere 'any in7!iries.

2'y Ste5ens# (irst care as to gra& /!liet and de'and in an aestr!ck hisper% ‘ois /oey8 as she co'e aake yet8#

‘4ot yet%# said /!liet% ho looked hite and hea5y-eyed. ‘Don#t ask Mada'e any7!estions% 2'y% ill yo!8 She#s so (ear(!lly orried.#

‘Co!rse I sha#n#t"# ret!rned 2'y indignantly. ‘I say% isn#t the &ell late8#‘There on#t &e any &ell at all to-day%# e*plained /!liet. ‘/!st go straight in to prayers.#

‘/!liet% ill yo! co'e here one 'in!te8# said +isela. ‘e ant to kno a&o!t /oey and+ri;el too. o are they &oth8#

97




+ri;el is getting on (airly ell%# replied /!liet. ‘/oey hasn#t ro!sed !p yet. They can#tsay till she does hat ill happen. The doctor e*pects it ill &e to-day% and he isstaying. e as here all last night too.#

‘I lo5e the err Doktor%# said +isela. ‘e is a great (riend o( 0apa#s% and a 5ery cle5erdoctor. That is hy 0apa &ro!ght hi'.#

0rayers ere 5ery sole'n that 'orning% and hen they ere o5er% there as a littlestir a'ong the girls. Madge looked at the'.

‘/oey is '!ch the sa'e%# she said. ‘There is no change)yet.#She le(t the act!al schoolork to Made'oiselle and Miss Maynard% (litting in and o!t

at inter5als. The eary day ore on% and still there as no nes (ro' the roo' at the top o( the

ho!se. The girls &eha5ed like angels% as Miss Maynard said a(terards. There co!ld &eno '!sic lessons% o( co!rse% and Made'oiselle had r!ng !p err 2nserl to tell hi'. Thenes &ro!ght hi' post-haste to the Châlet. /oey#s '!sical gi(ts ere negligi&le% &!t shehad on his heart &y her deep interest in his &ook on The 6i5es o( Fa'o!s 2!strianM!sicians% hich she had declared to &e ‘<olly decent"#

e ent aay only a(ter he had e*tracted a pro'ise (ro' Made'oiselle that sheo!ld ring hi' !p the instant there as any nes% and then ent ho'e% here he

proceeded to 'ake his ho!sekeeper#s li(e a &!rden &y andering a&o!t the roo's andt!rning !p in all sorts o( places here he as not anted. The one &right spot d!ring the day as the (act that +ri;el% reass!red &y their

repeated state'ents that /oey as asleep% and also &y Madge#s o&5io!s (orgi5eness%as i'pro5ing rapidly% te'perat!re going don% &reathing easier.

2t a&o!t three o#clock% as Madge as earily trying to help 2'y Ste5ens disentanglea glorio!s '!ddle o( ri5ers and lakes in her 'ap o( 2sia% ord ca'e don that thedoctor o!ld like to see her (or a 'o'ent. 6iterally (linging the 'ap at the astonished2'y% she (led !p the stairs to her &edroo'. The doctor as standing &y the &edside%one hand on /oey#s rist. e looked !p as her sister entered.

‘2h% 'ein Fr:!lein% I ha5e sent (or yo!% (or I think she is &eginning to aro!se. 0leasestand <!st there% here she can see yo!.#

Madge took !p the position he pointed o!t% and stood% her eyes (i*ed on /oey#s (ace. There as no do!&t that she as co'ing o!t o( the st!por. er lashes (lickered 'orethan once% her lips ere parted. The only 7!estion as% o!ld she ake !p the old /oey%or o!ld it &e to the &a&&ling deliri!' o( (e5er8

There as a silence in the roo' that co!ld &e (elt. The only so!nd to &e heard asthe &reathing o( the (o!r people)Fra! Mensch as &y the indo)and the ticking o(the doctor#s atch. Then% sloly% sloly% the long &lack lashes li(ted% and /oey looked (!llat her sister.

‘!llo"# she '!r'!red. ‘I#' a(!lly tired" ai-yah"# She (inished ith a little yan%t!rned slightly% sn!ggling don into the pillo% and (ell asleep.

‘+ott sei dankt"# said the doctor 7!ietly. ‘She ill do no there is no (!rther danger.!sh% 'ein >ind%# (or Madge had &eg!n to cry. ‘It is ell no"#

‘I kno%# so&&ed Madge. ‘B!t oh% err Doktor% the relie("#e signed to Fra! Mensch% ho led her don to the st!dy% and let her cry aay the

last o( the a(!l eight that had &een hanging o5er her. hen% (inally% the tears ere alldried% she (o!nd a dainty 'eal o( so!p% roll% and grapes aaiting her% and hen she had(inished% Fra! Mensch s!ggested &ed.

‘I '!st tell the girls (irst%# said Madge. ‘I ill 'ake 'ysel( tidy% and go and tell the'.# Ten 'in!tes later Miss Bettany% ho looked like hersel( once 'ore% entered the roo'

here they ere all an*io!sly aaiting her nes. She looked at the'% &!t no ordso!ld co'e to her lips. It as Bernhilda the 7!iet ho helped her o!t.

‘2h% Mada'e%# she said% ‘there is no need to say anything. /oey ill get ell.#Madge (o!nd her 5oice. ‘3es%# she said. ‘She is sleeping no% and all is sa(e once

'ore.#2nd there ere re<oicings in the Châlet School that a(ternoon.

98




Chapter AN.Fra! Berlin 2gain.

$h% I say" Isn#t this per(ectly golloptio!s"#‘/oey" hat an appalling e*pression" here on earth did yo! get it8#‘hat8 ?+olloptio!s?8 I heard those school&oys e ran into at Tiern See !se it.#‘ell% I ish yo! o!ldn#t. It#s all 5ery ell (or school&oys% &!t it isn#t pretty (or

schoolgirls% so c!t it o!t"# /oey cocked her &lack head on one side consideringly. ‘+etting a &it old-'aidish%

aren#t yo!% old thing8# she said. ‘Don#t do it% Madgie Machree"#‘/oey% yo! little &r!te" I on#t &e called s!ch a(!l na'es" 2nd yo! 'ight sho a little

'ore respect (or yo!r head'istress. 3o! get orse and orse e5ery day"#‘0oor old darling" 4e5er 'ind" ait till e get &ack to school again% and then yo! can

&e as cr!shing as yo! like. This is holiday-ti'e% and there#s no one to hear !s (or once. Ithink it as topping o( the Maranis to take +ri;el and /!liet aay (or the eek and let !s&e on o!r on (or a &it. 2nd this really is a gorgeo!s place" I ne5er i'agined anything

like it"#Madge nodded as she glanced !p at the great peaks o( the 9osengarten +e&irgehich toered a&o5e the'. Their on li'estone crags in the 4orth Tyrol ere'agni(icent% &!t they ere not to &e co'pared ith these. 2s (ar as they co!ld see%lo(ty pinnacles o( rose-h!ed rock li(ted 'agni(icent heads to the s!''er skies. To theeyes o( the to standing on the &alcony looking at the'% it see'ed as i( so'e 'ightysc!lptor had &een at ork% and had hen o!t o( the li5ing rock eird and a(!l shapes.ere% an ogre#s castle (roned don at the' there% so'e terri&le &east o( prehistoricages cro!ched% ready to spring there% again% the h!ge t!rrets o( a king#s palace% &!ilt inthe 'orning o( the orld% still kept atch and ard o5er the (loer-stren 5alley&eneath it. E5ery here and there% cataracts (l!ng the'sel5es donards in sil5erri&&ons hich leaped (ro' rock to rock% all h!rrying to <oin the ri5er hich dashed past%

'aking th!ndero!s '!sic as it ent% (or the to pre5io!s days had &een 5ery et% andall the springs and 'o!ntain strea's ere (looded.

4either Madge nor /o had &een in the So!th Tyrol &e(ore% tho!gh &oth kne the 4orth Tyrol 5ery ell% and hen Fra! Marani had co'e ith the s!ggestion that +ri;el and /!liet sho!ld go to ienna ith the' (or a eek hile the to sisters had a little holidayto the'sel5es% it had &een /oey#s idea that they sho!ld co'e here.

‘e can#t go too (ar%# she arg!ed. ‘For one thing% e can#t a((ord it. e#5e ne5er seenMeran% or Bot;en% or 0ri'eiro% or any o( those other places% and the Mensches say theDolo'ites are <!st gorgeo!s. It#s ar' there% so it#ll s!it !s &oth% and it#s &een ratherchilly here lately. So let#s go there shall !s8#

Madge had la!ghed and agreed. There as nothing to keep the' at Tiern See. MissMaynard as spending the holiday ith her (a'ily in the high 2lps% and Made'oisellehad gone ho'e to her &elo5ed 0aris% taking Si'one and the to little Ste5ens ith her.

The Maranis# kind in5itation had settled /!liet and +ri;el% and so% se5en days pre5io!sly%the to Bettanys had le(t Inns&r=ck % en ro!te (or Bot;en% &y ay o( the 'agni(icent>!nterseg +orge. Bot;en they had lo5ed% and Meran as a drea' o( delight. They hadle(t the little 9o'an ton only that 'orning to esta&lish the'sel5es in the tiny 5illage o(0aneiri'o% in the 9osengarten alley and here% on the 'orro% the other to girlso!ld <oin the'. /oey no t!rned and slipped an ar' thro!gh her sister#s. ‘It#s &een <ollyon o!r on" Madge% hen shall e &e on o!r on again8#

Madge s'iled don into her serio!s (ace. ‘Christ'as%# she replied. ‘Miss Maynard isgoing to take the others to M!nich (or Christ'as% and yo! and I ill &e &y o!rsel5es.#

‘Topping" I lo5e school all right% &!t it#s rather a &ore so'eti'es to ha5e to

re'e'&er yo!#re ead% and I#5e got to &e proper to yo!. E5en to-'orro I shall ha5e to&e care(!l"#

99




‘hich re'inds 'e%# interr!pted Madge% ‘I told the' at the Châlet to (orard lettershere. 3o! 'ight r!n and see i( there are any% /o. I (orgot to ask.#

‘9ighto"# 2nd /oey dashed o((% to ret!rn in a 5ery (e 'in!tes a5ing a hole &!dget.‘ere yo! are" Do;ens o( the'" 2t least there are ten)eight (or yo! and to (or 'e.

This is (ro' Si'one% and this looks like Marie 5on Eschena!. Madge" 3o! aren#t payingany attention" hat on earth#s the 'atter8 ho#s yo!r letter (ro'8 Is there anythingrong8 hat is it8#

Madge p!lled hersel( together ith an e((ort and t!rned to her little sister. ‘It#s ratherdread(!l nes in one ay% /oey. There has &een a terri&le 'otor accident in 9o'e% andCaptain and Mrs Carrick ere in it.#

‘I say" That#s rather rotten"# /oey looked serio!s. ‘2re they a(!lly h!rt8#‘Mrs Carrick as killed at once%# said Madge% ‘and Captain Carrick died to days ago.

e has le(t 'e /!liet to &ring !p% as they ha5e no relations.#‘I say" 0oor old /!" hat &eastly l!ck (or her" 2nd yet% I don#t kno"#‘9ead yo!r on letters% /oey% and don#t say anything a&o!t it yet. I#' going to o!r

&edroo'% so I#ll &e there hen yo! ant 'e"# 2nd Madge gathered !p her letters and5anished.

/oey sat looking a(ter her. ‘Coo"# B!t it#s a horrid thing to ha5e happened" I#'

(rantically sorry (or /!liet"# She as silent (or a 'in!te% then she t!rned to her onletters. ‘6et#s see hat Si'one#s got to say"# and she as soon &!ried (atho's deep inSi'one#s epistle.

Meanhile% Madge Bettany sat in their &edroo' re-reading the letter ritten &y adoctor o( the hospital here Captain Carrick had died. 2(ter descri&ing generally hisin<!ries% the riter had contin!edP ‘Captain Carrick told 'e that his da!ghter as ithyo!% and that yo! o!ld &e her g!ardian. e 'ade a ill &e(ore he died% lea5ing all hepossessed% incl!ding so'e 5ery 5al!a&le <eellery &elonging to his i(e and a s!' o(one h!ndred tho!sand lire% in tr!st to yo! (or the girl. e asked 'e to say he hoped yo!had (orgi5en the trick he played on yo!% and o!ld !ndertake the tr!st. The 'oney% Igathered% he had on at the ta&les at Monte Carlo. e died three ho!rs a(ter he had'ade the ill.#

The letter concl!ded ith a re7!est to kno ho the <eels and 'oney ere to &esent% and a s!ggestion that Madge sho!ld co'e to 9o'e to (etch the'% hen ‘'y i(eill &e delighted to elco'e yo! to o!r ho'e as o!r g!est.#

hen she had (inished re-reading this startling co''!nication% Madge sat thinkinghard. In one ay% this e5ent settled the /!liet di((ic!lty% &!t it &y no 'eans co'pletelysol5ed it. She had not '!ch knoledge o( hat the lira as doing at the 'o'ent% &!tshe decided that the h!ndred tho!sand o!ld pro&a&ly resol5e itsel( into a&o!t atho!sand po!nds in English c!rrency. ‘2nd that%# she tho!ght% ‘on#t &e 5ery '!ch (orher. $( co!rse there#s the <eellery.# 0ondering o5er the pro&le' see'ed to &ring herno nearer its sol!tion% so she shel5ed the 'atter (or the 'o'ent and t!rned herattention to her other letters. $ne as (ro' Mrs Dene% ho had ritten to 'ake (inalarrange'ents (or 9osalie% ho as co'ing to the Châlet School ne*t ter'. 2notherca'e (ro' Mrs Ste5ens% thanking her (or her care o( Margia and 2'y% and enclosing a5ery elco'e che7!e (or the ne*t ter'#s (ees. The third she took !p as on 5erye*pensi5e paper% in a 'ost illiterate hand% and &ore the post'ark o( Brad(ord% hichp!;;led her e*tre'ely.

‘Brad(ord"# she said alo!d. ‘ho on earth do I kno in Brad(ord8#‘$pen the letter% old thing% then yo!#ll (ind o!t"# o&ser5ed /oey#s 5oice (ro' the

dooray.Madge literally <!'ped. /oey happened to &e earing pli'solls% and her steps had

&een 7!ite noiseless.‘Sorry"# she o&ser5ed% as she dropped don &eside her sister. ‘I didn#t 'ean to startle

yo!. I#d (inished 'y letters% so I tho!ght I#d co'e to see hat yo! ere doing. I say" I(

Captain Carrick has le(t /!liet to yo!% ho does he i'agine yo!#re going to 'anage (or'oney8#

100




‘There#s 'oney (or her%# ret!rned Madge. ‘3o! needn#t orry% /oey. B!t I#' rathera(raid e shall ha5e to go &ack to Tiern See to-'orro. They ant 'e to go to 9o'e tosee a&o!t /!liet#s a((airs.#

‘9o'e8 $h% Madge% take 'e" Do" I#5e ne5er seen 9o'e yet"#‘Don#t &e silly% /oey" here do yo! think the 'oney is co'ing (ro' (or the (ares8#‘$h% goodness" I ne5er tho!ght o( that" /o looked conscience-stricken (or a 'o'ent.

Then she t!rned the s!&<ect. ‘6et#s see ho yo!r Brad(ord pal is.#Madge opened the letter and glanced at the &eginning. ‘ono!red and respected

Mada'.# ‘+ood hea5ens" ho on earth can it &e (ro'8# She t!rned to the end% &!t(o!nd no enlighten'ent there. The signat!re% (inished o(( ith a (lo!rish% as ‘/a'es .>ettleell.##

‘/a'es . >ettleell" 4e5er heard o( hi'"# &egan /oey.‘4o and yet it#s 5ag!ely (a'iliar.# Madge tho!ght hard (or a 'in!te. ‘/oey" I#5e got it"

Do yo! re'e'&er the 'an in the 0aris train ho ga5e !s goose&erries8 is na'e as>ettleell% and he told !s he li5ed at Brad(ord"#

‘So he did" hate5er can he &e riting a&o!t8 B!ck !p and see"#‘e said he#d try to get 'e so'e p!pils. It#s pro&a&ly that%# said her sister.‘Can I look o5er8#

‘3es% i( yo! ant to. $r I#ll read it alo!d shall I8 3o! read (ar 'ore 7!ickly than I do.#‘9ighto" Fire ahead" I#' all ears"#‘2he'" ?ono!red and respected Mada'%? # &egan Madge% ‘ ?I take 'y pen in hand

to inscri&e this present epistle to yo!.? #‘Coo" hat elegant English"# co''ented /oey.‘Be 7!iet" I( yo! interr!pt% I on#t read it to yo! at all"#‘Sorry" I#ll &e good" Do get on" I#' dying to kno hat it#s a&o!t"#‘here as I8 $h% yes" ?It is ith the greatest di((idence that I 5ent!re to approach

yo! on s!ch a s!&<ect% knoing% as I do% the delicacy ith hich it sho!ld &e treated%especially to a high-!p lady like yo!)? hat on earth) Is the 'an 'ad8#

‘$h% get on"# i'plored /oey i'patiently. ‘Don#t &e so aggra5ating"#‘2ll right" It#s 'y letter% re'e'&er" 6et#s see)?lady like yo!. Belie5e 'e% hono!red

Mada'% I sho!ld not ha5e the)the)oh)the te'erity to approach yo! th!s ere it notthat I (eel))? # er 5oice died aay as her eyes andered don the page. Then shes!ddenly sat &olt !pright ith horror. ‘/oey" It#s a 5ery pri5ate letter"

‘I s#pose yo! 'ean it#s a proposal"# /oey interr!pted her. ‘$h% I kne hat as co'inga(ter the 5ery (irst sentence" $h% I say"# 2nd she ent o(( into (its o( la!ghter.

Madge shook her slightly. ‘/oey% &eha5e yo!rsel(" It#s not a thing to la!gh at" I( I#dknon% I#d ne5er ha5e read it to yo!. I tho!ght it as <!st an ordinary letter. 3o! '!stgi5e 'e yo!r ord o( hono!r ne5er to 'ention it to a so!l"#

‘hat do yo! take 'e (or8# /oey as righteo!sly indignant. ‘$( co!rse I sha#n#t.#‘$h dear" This is dread(!l"# Madge had t!rned o5er the page and as reading on.‘B!t o( all the eird things to happen"# /oey got !p and strolled o5er to the indo. ‘I

scarcely e5er tho!ght o( hi' again. e as a(!lly seet and kind% o( co!rse &!t I'!st say it see's a 'ad thing to do hen he#d only seen yo! once. hy% he co!ldn#tkno i( yo! ere good-te'pered% or a decent ho!sekeeper% or)or tr!th(!l% oranything"#

‘$h% /oey% &e 7!iet"# e*clai'ed the e*asperated Madge. ‘3o!#d talk the hind-leg o(( adonkey" $h dear" hy does e5erything co'e at once8#

‘It#s rotten l!ck% old thing"# /oey#s teasing 'ood had s!ddenly 5anished. ‘3o! ha5ehad a ti'e o( it since e ca'e to 2!stria" 6et#s hope ne*t ter' is 7!ieter than this has&een" $ne thing% +ri;el can#t go o(( cli'&ing 'o!ntains"#

Madge got !p% (olding her letter and p!tting it &ack into its en5elope.‘/oey% I don#t ant yo! to think I#' alays saying ?don#t%? &!t I#d rather not talk a&o!t

that a((air <!st yet. It#s too soon a(ter"#

101




‘0oor old thing" 3o! had the orst o( it% #cos yo! had all the a(!l aiting" It as hardl!ck on yo!" ‘ replied /oey% r!&&ing her head against her sister#s sho!lder rather like a&ig dog.

Madge cast a tho!ght to those dread(!l ho!rs hen it had &een do!&t(!l hat asgoing to happen to the speaker% and s!ddenly h!gged her. ‘It as all 5ery horri&le. eon#t talk a&o!t it at all% /oey. 6et#s see hat the other letters are.#

There as nothing e*citing in the'. To o( the' ere (ro' the a!nts in England%one (ro' an old school-(riend o( Madge#s% and the last asked (or a prospect!s o( theschool.

‘hich I ha5en#t got none"# said its head'istress% relapsing into schoolgirl lang!age.‘e#d &etter dra one !p so'e ti'e and no% let#s go (or a sa!nter &y the ri5er.#

They sallied o!t% and strolled along &y the &anks o( the r!shing strea'.‘It#s &een a eird a((air all ro!nd"# said /o presently% as she stood throing in pe&&les%

trying to 'ake the' ski' the s!r(ace o( the ater.‘hat has8# de'anded her sister% t!rning (ro' a drea'y conte'plation o( the

&astions and &attle'ents o( the great 'o!ntain all.‘hy% all this)co'ing to 2!stria% and ha5ing the school% and /!liet% and)and /a'es

. >ettleell#s letter% and e5erything"#

‘3es &!t I don#t see hy yo! call it a eird a((air"# Madge as deeply interested. /o#si'agination o(ten helped to thro ne light on 'atters% and she ondered hat nelight as going to &e thron on the Châlet School.

‘hy% it#s this ay. e co'e o!t to Tiern See &eca!se e#re (rantically poor. 3o!decide to start a school% and it goes like) like (!n. e do heaps o( things in one ter'%and e gro (ro' three to eighteen. Then% hen the school is <!st going like e5erything%yo! get a chance to ch!ck it i( yo! ant to% and get 'arried. e#re <olly l!cky% I think"#

Madge nodded. ‘3es% that#s 7!ite tr!e. B!t oh% i( e#re going to ha5e the sa'e sort o(e*cite'ents each ter' that e#5e had this% I shall ant to gi5e it !p"#

‘Still% they ha5en#t &een &ad e*cite'ents% #cept the last)not really &ad" Madge" Didyo! e5er" There#s Fra! Berlin"#

‘Fra! Berlin8 here8 /oey% don#t point" It#s (right(!lly r!de"#

‘There" By that ho!se" ell% I &e g!'si;;led"#‘/oey"#‘ell% &!t did yo! e5er" +lory" She#s co'ing along" onder i( she#ll kno 'e8#B!t she passed the' itho!t a look% hile /oey ga;ed at her ith ide-open eyes.‘She#ll recognise +ri;el%# she said% hen the tartan-clad lady had (inally addled o!t

o( hearing. ‘$h% Madge% i( she does"#‘I#' not going to risk any 'ore (!sses%# said Madge ith deter'ination. ‘I( there#s the

slightest chance o( that% &ack e go to'orro.#‘0#r#aps it o!ld &e &est. I say% I#' a(!lly h!ngry" 6et#s go &ack an# see i( e can get

anything to eat. It '!st &e nearly dinner-ti'e.#2s Madge as h!ngry too% she agreed% and presently they ere en<oying a

s!&stantial 'eal. /!st as they had reached the dessert stage the door opened% and inrolled Fra! Berlin"

‘That settles it"# '!r'!red Miss Bettany. ‘3o! 'ay pack !p to-night% (or as soon as+ri;el and /!liet arri5e e go &ack to Tiern See. I think I '!st go to 9o'e a(ter all% sothat ill &e all right. It ill <!st (it in nicely.#

2s soon as they co!ld% they le(t the Speisesaal and retired to their roo'.‘That#s the (inish"# said /o% as she (inally rolled into &ed at a&o!t hal(-past nine. ‘There

can#t &e anything 'ore a(ter this.#oe5er% Miss /osephine Bettany as no prophetess% and the 'orro as to &ring

the' <!st one s!rprise 'ore.

Chapter AQ.

2 +rand ind-,p.

102




‘hat do yo! think8 2n old pal o( yo!rs is here% +ri;el)a 5ery dear (riend"#+ri;el% th!s greeted &y a ildly e*cited /oey on her arri5al at 0aneiri'o% looked at her

s!spicio!sly. ‘Is it a plant8# she de'anded.‘9ather not" It#s an honest (act" e 'et her yesterday% and she#s staying in the

hotel.#‘ho on earth is it8#‘+!ess"#‘Can#t" Can#t think o( a so!l likely to &e in 2!stria" ho is it% /oey8#‘Think% +riselda" Think o( so'eone yo! 'et a short hile ago"#‘B!t I ha5en#t 'et anyone e*cept people yo! ha5e too. hy is it a pal o( 'ine8#+ri;el as so thoro!ghly p!;;led and &eildered that she passed the hated 5ersion

o( her na'e.‘So'eone yo! had a (ear(!l ro ith%# /oey pro'pted her% <!'ping tantalisingly !p

and don.‘I can#t think)/oey" 3o! don#t 'ean Fra! Berlin8 $h% it is)it is"#‘ell done yo!" 3es% it is. ell% hat do yo! think o( it8#‘My dear" It#s a(!l" as she seen yo! yet8 Does she kno% d# yo! think8#

/oey shook her head till it rese'&led an $-Cedar 'op. ‘Don#t think so" 2nyay% e#re

not staying. Madge on#t risk it. 3o! kno% yo! ere a(!lly r!de% +ri;el.#‘I s#pose I as. ell% I co!ldn#t help it) she as s!ch a pig" B!t hat d#yo! 'ean &ynot staying8 here are e going8#

‘o'e" $h% yo! don#t kno yet% o( co!rse# /oey cast a ary eye at Madge and /!liet%ho ere alking ahead. ‘Co'e on don to the ri5er. e aren#t going till the a(ternoontrain% and e#re to spend the night at Inns&r=ck. It#s rather a(!l in so'e ays% &!t% onthe hole% I think it 'ight &e orse. My sister had a letter (ro' 9o'e yesterday% and

/!liet#s (ather and 'other are dead.#+ri;el gasped. ‘/oey" $h% ho dread(!l" 0oor /!liet" hat ill she do8#‘er (ather#s asked Madge to look a(ter her% and he#s le(t her so'e 'oney to do it

ith%# said /oey. ‘That#s one reason hy e#re going ho'e. Madge has to go to 9o'e toget it. e#re going &ack to Briesa!% and Miss Maynard is co'ing to look a(ter !s. She

as co'ing anyho% so that#s all right. hat sort o( a ti'e did yo! ha5e in ienna8#‘Tophole"# 2nd +ri;el pl!nged straightay into an acco!nt o( her ad5ent!res.hen% (inally% they t!rned their steps toards the hotel% they sa Madge co'ing to

'eet the'. She as &y hersel(% and as alking rather sloly.‘a5e yo! told /!liet8# said /oey in h!shed tones as she reached the'.‘3es I ant yo! to to &e 5ery kind to /!liet. She#s &een thro!gh a good deal lately%

and% nat!rally% she is 5ery '!ch !pset. I needn#t tell yo! not to hang ro!nd her or doanything silly like that% &!t <!st &e as nice as yo! can to her. e are going &ack toInns&r=ck this a(ternoon% and then to'orro e shall go !p to Tiern See% and I shallha5e to lea5e yo! there% as I '!st go to 9o'e to settle !p a((airs (or her. Miss Maynardill &e ith yo!% and I ant yo! to gi5e her as little tro!&le as possi&le. I#' sorry I can#tsend (or her to co'e here% &!t% !nder the circ!'stances% I#' a(raid it#s ratheri'possi&le.#

+ri;el colo!red (!rio!sly% altho!gh her head'istress had not atte'pted to 'ake thelast re'ark specially pointed. She kne ell eno!gh% hoe5er% that her &eha5io!r atthe 2lte 0ost as 'ainly the ca!se o( their lea5ing 0aneiri'o that a(ternoon. She saidnothing% &!t (olloed /oey into the hotel ith !nacc!sto'ed 'eekness. Madge% hersel(%had said nothing a&o!t hat had occ!rred on that Sat!rday hen +ri;el had (olloedher on il(!l ay and tried to cli'& the Tiern<och &!t Fra! Marani had had noscr!ples% and she had told the child 5ery plainly o( hat they had (eared (or /oey d!ringthe to long days hich had (olloed. +ri;el had had a dread(!l shock% and she asne5er again so tho!ghtless% e5en tho!gh the orst o( the s!&d!edness ore o(( a(ter ati'e.

‘here is /!liet8# asked /oey% as they reached the (oot o( the stairs.

103




‘,pstairs in o!r roo'%# replied Madge. ‘3es% go to her% yo! to. Take the' &oth o!tand sho the' the place% /oey. There are one or to odds and ends o( packing I ant to(inish !p% and I#d rather not risk a (!ss ith that Fra! Berlin% as yo! call her. So keep o!to( the ay till l!ncheon. $!r train goes at three% so yo! on#t ha5e '!ch ti'e here.Make the 'ost o( it.#

,pstairs in the &ig airy roo' ith its tin &eds they (o!nd /!liet standing at theindo staring listlessly o!t at the 'o!ntains. She as not crying% as /oey had hal((eared% &!t she had a hite% orn look% as tho!gh she had &een ill% and her eyes erehea5y and eary.

‘Co'e an# see the 'o!ntains% old /!"# said /oey% slipping her hand into the elder girl#s.‘They#re topping% tho!gh not a &it like o!rs at ho'e% o( co!rse"#

‘3es% do co'e"# !rged +ri;el. ‘2nd oh% /!liet% that a(!l old o'an#s here"#‘hich one8# asked /!liet% tho!gh ith a co'plete lack o( interest in her 5oice.‘Fra! Berlin ) the one ho as s!ch a pig the day e ent to Inns&r=ck to get

Mada'e#s &irthday gi(t. Don#t yo! re'e'&er8#‘$h% yes% I re'e'&er. 2ll right% /oey% I#ll co'e.#B!t tho!gh she let the' p!ll her donstairs and o!t into the s!nshine% it see'ed as

tho!gh she didn#t really care '!ch hat she did. The shock o( hearing hat Madge had

told her% e5en tho!gh the nes had &een &roken to her ith great gentleness% hadda;ed her (or the ti'e &eing. Thro!gh all the chatter o( the other to she as conscio!so( <!st one tho!ght) ‘I( only I co!ld ha5e (elt they lo5ed 'e"#

oe5er% the (resh air and s!nshine did her good% and hen% (inally% Miss Bettanyca'e to s!''on the' to l!nch% she looked &etter than she had done.

4o contrete'ps occ!rred ith Fra! Berlin% (or she did not appear. 4e5ertheless%Madge (elt 5ery thank(!l hen she (o!nd hersel( sa(ely in the Inns&r=ck train itho!tha5ing had a scene. /!liet settled hersel( in a corner ith a &ook% &!t she did not appearto read '!ch. Most o( the ti'e she as ga;ing !nseeingly o!t o( the indo. The otherto had retired to the (ar end o( the co'part'ent% hich they had to the'sel5es% andat /oey#s &right s!ggestion e'&arked on a ga'e o( 9oadside Cri&&age. Madge% sittingith one eye on the silent girl opposite her and the other on the ien Veit!ng%

occasionally heard e*cla'ations o( ‘Three goats)thirty"# ‘ater(all)(i5e"# ‘M!le)oh%&!st it" Back to the &eginning"# &!t paid no attention. She as not desperatelyinterested in her paper either. For the 'ost part% her tho!ghts ere ith the co'ingter'. She o!ld ha5e tenty-si* girls this ti'e% and o( these% tel5e o!ld &e &oarders.I( the school ent on groing% she kne that she '!st either &!ild on to the presentChâlet% or else take another so'ehere near. She as not 7!ite certain hat to do.err Marani and err Mensch ere 5ery good (riends to her% &!t she ished heartilythat Dick ere at hand to ad5ise her.

2s she as thinking o( this% she s!ddenly &eca'e aare that the train as slackeningspeed% and e5en as she looked !p to see here they ere% it &egan to rock 5iolently&ackards and (orards ith a sickening 'otion. She had &arely ti'e to leap to her(eet &e(ore% ith a 'ighty crash% the carriage ga5e a (inal l!rch and collapsed on itsside. 2&o5e the noise she heard the screa's o( the three girls% 'ingling ith shrieks(ro' the other passengers. Merci(!lly% /oey had (l!ng hersel( on the (loor% dragging+ri;el ith her and% &y a positi5e 'iracle% neither Madge nor /!liet had &een &adly h!rt%tho!gh the (or'er as% like e5eryone else% slightly st!nned% and /!liet% as they (o!ndo!t a(ter% as &adly &r!ised. 2lso% &eing thoro!ghly English% they had had the indoide open% and so had a 'eans o( e*it. The door% hen Miss Bettany tried it% as

<a''ed.‘It#s a good thing none o( !s are (at%# she said ith a shaky la!gh. ‘ Co'e along% yo!

three I#' going to p!sh yo! thro!gh the indo. +ri;el (irst.#+ri;el had the sense to 'ake no protests &esides% she as still rather da;ed% so she

alloed her head'istress to p!sh and t!g till she as thro!gh% and then% as the (resh

air &egan to clear her st!pe(ied &rain% she reached don and helped to p!ll /!liet !p. /oey as an easy 'atter% and she as soon standing on a heap o( stones% looking 5ery

104




hite and scared% hile the to &ig girls dragged her sister o!t. They had <!st p!lled herclear hen% (ro' the (ront o( the train% ca'e the dreaded cry o( ‘ Fire"#

‘Das Fe!er" Das Fe!er"# shrieked a (at o'an% ho as &adly <a''ed in the indo-(ra'e o( the ne*t co'part'ent.

I( there had not &een s!ch appalling possi&ilities at hand% Madge co!ld ha5e &!rst o!tla!ghing. 2s it as% she (l!ng a hasty ‘Stay here yo! are" Don#t dare to 'o5e"# at theterri(ied girls and dashed to the resc!e. The scene as &eco'ing ghastly. The &igengine and three o( the long carriages lay on their sides in a narro gorge-like ay. The(ore'ost carriage as already rapped in (la'es% and their roaring rose a&o5e thescrea's and cries o( the people still i'prisoned in the other carriages. The threere'aining on their heels had disgorged all their passengers% and already 'en eretearing along% orking 'adly to sa5e those in s!ch deadly peril. Madge Bettanycontri5ed to take in all these things as she 'ade that (rantic scra'&le on to the side o(the carriage% here a terri(ied (at o'an% ith grey hair strea'ing ildly ro!nd her%as str!ggling 'adly to get (ree o( the indo-(ra'e% hich held her gripped as in a5ice.

Thro!gh all the horror o( it the English girl contri5ed to keep her head.‘Steady"# she said% as she took the gripping hands% and tho!gh the lang!age as a

(oreign one and a hated one% her 5oice &ro!ght sel(-control to the 'addened o'an.‘I cannot get (ree%# she panted in +er'an. ‘Fr:!lein))#‘>eep still a 'o'ent" 4o" 9eady" Then% as hard as yo! can"#Certainly Madge#s slight (or' ga5e no e5idence o( great strength. She said

a(terards that she as possessed at the 'o'ent. oe5er that 'ay &e% there as astr!ggle% a so!nd o( rending and tearing% a s!dden gasp% and then the other o'ans!ddenly shot o!t o5er the heels and on to the heap o( stones% her clothes in shreds%&!t otherise sa(e. Madge sprang don &eside her% and then she (elt the orld t!rning&lack% and she (ainted. hen she ca'e to hersel( she as lying on a coat in a (ield. /oeyas kneeling &eside her% crying 5ehe'ently% and a &ig (air 'an ho' she did not knoas holding so'ething to her lips. ith an e((ort she p!lled hersel( together and p!shedit aay.

‘4o% no%# she said.‘$h% Madge"# so&&ed /oey. ‘$)ooh" I tho!ght yo!)yo! )ere dead"# ‘!sh"# said the 'an. ‘She#ll &e all right in a 'in!te% kiddy. It#s only hisky-and-

ater I#' gi5ing yo!% Mada'. Better take a little to &!ck yo! !p"#‘4o I#' all right"# ith an e((ort she sat !p% p!shing the hair o(( her (ace. /oey

pro'ptly (l!ng her ar's ro!nd her% h!gging her tightly. /!liet and +ri;el see'ed to ha5e5anished.

‘$h% Madge darling" $h% I had s!ch a (right" $h% Madge"#‘There" That#ll do%# said their &ene(actor. ‘3o!#re not helping her% kid. 6et her alone (or

a 'in!te or to to co'e ro!nd. It#s 7!ite all right)the other kids are sa(e eno!gh% and)oh% yo! pl!cky girl" It as one o( the &ra5est things I#5e e5er seen"#

‘It as nothing%# ret!rned Madge% ho as rapidly co'ing to hersel(. ‘/oey" Don#tstrangle 'e% child" 6et 'e get !p"#

She contri5ed to get on to her (eet% &!t as glad eno!gh o( the ar' the stranger(l!ng ro!nd her as she sayed (or a 'o'ent.

‘There"# he said rather ro!ghly. ‘Co'e o5er here and sit don a 'in!te" 3o! can#t doe5erything at once" I#ll send the other kids along% and yo!#ll &e all right in a 'in!te.

4o% there#s nothing yo! can do. E5eryone got clear &!t the dri5er. e (ell on his head%poor chap" E5en yo!r (at resc!e is reco5ered eno!gh to (!ss a&o!t ha5ing no skirt on))#

‘3es and oh% Madge% ho do yo! think it is8# interr!pted /oey% ith considera&le lacko( &oth 'anners and gra''ar. ‘It#s Fra! Berlin"#

‘$h% goodness"# 2nd Madge &egan to la!gh eakly.

‘Isn#t it r!'8 2nd e le(t 0aneiri'o &eca!se o( her and +ri;el% and then yo! sa5e herli(e" 3es% yo! did. The carriage got on (ire <!st as yo! slithered don. I( it hadn#t &een (or

105




yo!% she#d ha5e &een &!rnt to death" She as only &!'ped a &it% and she anted tokiss yo!% only that 'an ca'e and hiked yo! o(( into this (ield% and she s!ddenly (o!ndher clothes ere all torn% so she o!ldn#t (ollo !s" +ri;el and /!liet are o5er there.

They aren#t h!rt% and nor a' I. Do &!ck !p% Madge"# Th!s /oey% in a &reathless% h!rrying t!'!lt o( ords.‘That 'an# stood to one side% s'iling% as the elder girl 'anaged to take it all in. Then

+ri;el and /!liet appeared% and all the e*cite'ent &egan o5er again. 2t length heinter(ered.

‘4o then% yo! kids% let#s go and see hat e can do a&o!t getting on. I kno thisplace% and e#re a&o!t ten 'iles (ro' anyhere% Besides% Miss))8#

‘Bettany%# s!pplied Madge. ‘These are 'y sister /oey% and to o( 'y p!pils)+ri;elCochrane and /!liet Carrick.#

‘2h% thank yo!%# he replied. ‘My na'e#s 9!ssell)/a'es 9!ssell% at yo!r ser5ice. ell%as I as going to say% Miss Bettany% yo! had &etter get so'ehere here yo! can liedon (or a &it. There#s a 'ain road goes past here so'ehere% and% ith l!ck% e o!ghtto get a li(t in so'ething. I( yo! ill take 'y ar'% I think e can get there all right% ande can#t do anything here.#

There as co''on sense in hat he said% so they set o((% Madge &eginning to realise

ho 5ery shaky she still (elt. The girls ere !pset too% and it took the' so'e ti'e to'ake the high-road. 6!ckily% <!st as they reached it% a peasant ca'e past ith an e'ptyhay-cart. Mr 9!ssell 7!ickly ca'e to an arrange'ent ith hi'% and a co!ple o( ho!rslater they ere sa(ely in the +astha!s o( a tiny 5illage% Madge &eginning to realise thatthe headache she as end!ring as ell on its ay to &eating anything o( the kind shehad e5er s!((ered% hile the three girls ere sti(( and aching. They stayed there allnight% their ne (riend going on to Inns&r=ck a(ter lea5ing his card ith /oey and gettingthe Châlet address% so that he co!ld ire to Miss Maynard not to e*pect the' (oranother day. The 'orning (o!nd the' all 5ery tired and orn o!t% &!t Madge anted toget &ack to Tiern See and ho'e% so they set o((% and (inally arri5ed at the Châlet% herethey ere rapt!ro!sly elco'ed &y an an*io!s Miss Maynard% ho had &een (eeling5ery orried. Mr /a'es 9!ssell had &een &etter than his ord% (or he had gone !p to

Tiern See and gi5en her a (!ll description o( hat had occ!rred.‘I#' thank(!l yo!#5e all arri5ed sa(ely%# said the yo!ng 'athe'atics 'istress. ‘I

co!ldn#t (eel s!re yo! o!ldn#t ha5e another a(!l ad5ent!re.#‘I think I#d rather keep o!t o( ad5ent!res (or so'e ti'e to co'e%# la!ghed Madge

rather shakily. ‘Teaching and school generally ill &e eno!gh (or 'e (or the ne*t threeor (o!r years% I can ass!re yo!.#

‘$h% I e*pect e#ll ha5e so'e 'ore ad5ent!res presently%# said /oey.2nd so they did. B!t that% as Mr >ipling says% is another story.

The End.

Date post:	02-Jun-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	poppy-white
View:	217 times
Download:	0 times

47483321-The-School-at-the-Chalet.pdf

Documents