Monitress Merle

ool B

ble for those who had been born in India or other hot countries, and so many more boarders had been entered for this term that the school was practically doubled. Recognising the fact that this sudden enlargement in numbers ought also to mean a march forward in other ways, the sisters were wise enough to seize their golden opportunity and completely reorganise their methods. They were fortunate in being able to get hold of the house next to their own, and, turning that into a hostel for boarders, they devoted the whole of 'The Moo

the head of things, so long as Miss Pollard and M

! We couldn't do witho

y're not

es can't. I call them 'cultured,' that's the right name for them. They're such absolute and perfect ladies. It's a style you really don't meet every day. And they're so pretty with their pink cheeks and thei

fresh teacher will be a regular sport, and that she'll use slan

n blamed for regarding Tuesday morning as somewhat of an ordeal. If she was nervous, however, she man

s, had a fresh complexion, light brown hair, a brisk decisive manner, and a pleasant twinkle in her hazel eyes. She was evidently

les. Some of you have been at the school before and some have been at other schools, but I want you all to forget past traditions and unite together to make 'The Moorings' the biggest success that can possibly be. We're all going to love it and to be very loyal to it. We hope to do well with our work, and well with our games. I must explain to you later about al

nteen, and she did not consider any of them sufficiently advanced to be placed in so high a position. The Fifth was at present to be the top form, an

od, Nesta Pitman, Aubrey Simpson, Muriel Burnitt, and Edith Carey, and the remaining four consisted of Beata Castleton, Fay Macleod, and two strangers, Sybil Vernon a

iss Hopkins, Mademoiselle, and Miss Fanny Pollard. Lessons, on a first morning, are usually more or less haphazard, but at any rate a beginning was made, the pupils were entered on their clas

ay be elected by yourselves. We will have a ballot this afternoon. You may nominate any girls you like by writing their names upon slips of paper and handing them in to me before 2.30. All candi

lunch at Bridge House, discussed

s just exactly what's wanted. The monitresses will lead the games and all the various societies. Run the scho

rs that be!" mused Mavis. "That means Iva and Nesta, if I know anything of Miss P

Some one who's been accustomed to a big school and knows what ought to be done. Not girls who've spent all their lives in a tiny schoo

t's a mistake to put it to the vote. Probably somebody quite unsuitable will be elected. The juniors will plump f

ose 'the jackdaw'!"

over fifteen and perfectly eligible. Edit

y goose! G

rnitt at any rate. She's

rin

s better than Edith or Aubrey. I sha

riel, because, as you say, she's better th

. I'll nominate you i

f anybody else is going to give in our names. Perhaps Iva or Nesta

own her books with a slam. "Angel girls are all very well at home, but school is a scrimmage and it's those who fight who come up on top! Don't laugh! Oh, I enjoy fighting! I tell you I want mos

k sisters should nominate one another, returned early to school that afternoon

rred Iva. "We're beginning to wake up here, aren't we? I'm going to

n't you put

enthusiastic.) "I suppose it doesn't matter how m

r, and A1 at games. You

urn H

you I'll put her name on my list

ks ev

ng like anything downs

assing a

ast; rather enjoys it, in fact. She's sitting in the playroom, with Florrie Leach and Betty Marshall on her knee,

, looking flushed and excited, had burst sud

t to me! What for? I want to tear out and buy some sweets. Oh yes, I've time.

whirlwind, slamming

an expressive gr

. I think Edith Carey has a good chance myself. The kids are rather fond of her. Have you

walked in followed by a perfect comet's tail of juniors, some of whom were hanging on to her arms.

giggling loudly. "We're all of us

omola Castleton, Fay Macleod, and a number of other new girls whose acquaintance she had evidently just made. They were passing round chocolates, and seemingly enjoying themselves. Merle waved a h

n," said the mistress, as she closed the register

of on the matter in hand. Once she yawned openly, and drew down a reproof from Mademoiselle, whereupon she heaved a submissive sigh, controlled her boredom, and went on wearily transferring the flowery sentiments of Fénelon into the English tongue. At precisely five minutes to four the big bell clanged out a warning, dictionaries were shut, exercise-books handed in, pencil-boxes replaced in desks, and the class filed do

ese are Iva Westwood and Nesta Pitman, but the remaining two are to be balloted for from among the list of candidates. As perhaps some of you

el Bu

ey Si

th C

is R

le R

te, then fold your paper and hand it in. You must not add your own name to it, and you have no need to tell anybo

, folded their papers, and passed them along the benches to Ne

the mistress. "Those girls who wish to go home can do so

ames should be announced. The contingent from Chagmouth, whose car was stationed outside in the road, and whose driver was waxing impatient, were obliged to depart without the exciting n

attie. "We did our best for you and Mavis. I didn't know any of those others. Romola, have you got the books? That's all right. I w

g car, was joined by Aubrey Simpso

e new girls were to hav

a monitress when th

r humbug,

w me" per

vass them? O

urself. Muriel was canvassing among

the new boarders! Why didn't

ur own stupid fault! D

rl

d they didn't mean

that Miss Pollard would make them monitresses. It's e

avis c

of course, M

y n

hat a long time Miss Mitchell and Miss Fanny are over their

t much longer, h

e new mistress entered the hall a

s as follows,"

Burnitt

amsay .

amsay .

Carey

Simpson

ected, therefore, are M

ms

Mitchell, who seemed in a hurry, vanished back into the stud

as fallen on you. Muriel was pretty sure of a walk-over, but it was a toss-up who was to b

ed Nesta. "Some people can't keep their own secrets! All the same, I'm g

red down the short cut to the Vicarage. Mavis hardly dared to look at Merle. The latter kept her face turned away and blinked her eyes hard. She had enough self-restraint not to weep openly in the High Street. When they reached

know you'll be there-but you're so gentle you'll never stand up against them, and they'll have everything their own silly way. 'The Moorings' won't be very much changed if it's just to be run upon the same old lines. I shan't bother to try and help. I might have done so much if they'd elected me, but what's the use now? I'm frightfully and fran

ried desperately to make a little conversation, but it was impossible to maintain a monologue, and she soon dropped the futile attempt. Merle, after eating half a p

d she's terribly disap

sympath

she would have made a splendid monitress. It

ooking the river. She had placed a box here for a seat, and called it her hermitage. Even Merle had not so far discovered it. It was a retreat where she could withdraw from everybody, and be absolutely uninterrupted and by herself. There was something about which she wished to thin

ter monitress than I should. Ought

to her younger sister. It is only those who are accustomed to practise self- control who have the strength for an emergency. She lo

'll go down and see Miss Fanny about it at

walked back to 'The Moorings' and went to the hostel. Miss Fan

he monitress-ship? My dear child, Miss Mitchell will explain everything to you to-morr

k Merle ought to have been chosen instead of me. I was only one mark ahead of her. She'd m

geance. Miss Fanny knitted her eyebrows

rle to be elected," s

r, and she's good at games. She'd throw herself heart and soul into it, and work tremendously at all the new schemes. She'd st

f? Can't you do any of

s F

side of the question. I know Merle so well. If she's made monitress she'll be heart and soul for the school and an enormous hel

for placing her in a post of

she should be on the right side. I believe this would be the making of her. S

relieved to have a monitress who was capable of organising the juniors at games. She was wonderin

p her all I can i

must go, for I have a hundred things to do. Tell Merle to come five minutes earlier in the morning

an home to the old garden, found Merle among

sing the school. Won't I have the time of my life! Monitress Merle! It sounds nice, doesn't it? I must go and tell Jessop and Aunt Nellie! How astonished everybody will be in school to-morrow. Fay and Beata will be plea

at first, no doubt. You'll soon be up to your eyes in starting clubs and societies. Keep a corner for me on the school magazine if you found one. That's all I bargain for. I