CHAPTER IX
The Tennis Championship
The girls at Aireyholme did not go in for cricket, but concentrated thewhole of their summer energies upon tennis. They practised constantly,and prided themselves upon their play. Dorrie Vernon was Gamessecretary, and calculated that she knew the exact capabilities of everygirl in the school. Tournaments were the order of the term,sometimes--with handicaps--between different forms, sometimes "Schoolversus Mistresses", for Miss Spencer and Miss Andrews were good players;and occasionally, when Mrs. Franklin entertained friends, a match wasarranged for "Visitors versus Aireyholme". There were few schools in theneighbourhood against whom they could try their skill, but they hadreceived an invitation to take part in a tournament at Carford Girls'College, and with Mrs. Franklin's sanction proposed to send tworepresentatives. The choice of these champions was a subject of the verydeepest importance. Dorrie went about the matter in a thoroughlybusiness-like manner. She kept a tennis notebook, and carefully enteredevery girl's score, day by day, balancing the totals weekly. The resultswere discussed at the monitresses' meeting.
"Gladwin's play is fearfully off, this term," announced Dorrie. "Nan's aregular slacker, Tita is unequal--you never know whether she'll bebrilliant or a dead failure. Coralie and Ellaline keep fairly well up tothe mark; Hilda has improved simply immensely; our own record issatisfactory."
"May I see the notebook? Who has scored highest altogether?" askedDiana.
"Well--Katrine Marsden, by absolute points," admitted Dorrie, ratherunwillingly.
The three monitresses scanned the book, and looked somewhat blank. Itwas an unpalatable truth that the new-comer had beaten the record.Katrine's swift serves were baffling; there was no doubt that she was anexcellent player.
"It puts us in rather an awkward position," faltered Dorrie, wrinklingher brows.
"Not at all!" snapped Viola. "Katrine Marsden's out of the running for achampionship."
"Well, I don't know----"
"But I do know! She doesn't consider herself an ordinary pupil here,only what she chooses to call a 'parlour boarder'. Therefore shecertainly can't represent the school--that's flat!"
"She played for Aireyholme against Visitors, though," objected Diana.
"Oh, well! That was different, of course. Miss Andrews played forAireyholme too, but we couldn't choose her for a champion."
This was rather a convincing argument. Diana's face cleared. She wasalways ready to follow Viola's lead.
"We don't want Katrine, if we can help it," she agreed obediently.
"And yet we want to be sporting," vacillated Dorrie, who prided herselfon strictest impartiality and fair dealing.
"Every committee has to have its rules. The school ought to berepresented by its pupils."
"And that's the point. Is Katrine a pupil, or is she not?"
"Katrine says 'no'."
"But Mrs. Franklin says decidedly 'yes'."
"I think it's beyond argument," frowned Viola, "and, after all, I'mCaptain, and final referee."
"Oh! if you put it that way, of course----"
"I do put it that way. I consider it's only justice. If Katrine Marsdenwon't acknowledge herself on the same level with everyone else, shedoesn't deserve to have our privileges. It can't be all take and no giveon her part. There's no need for us to be so very tender about herfeelings, I'm sure."
"Not the slightest need," echoed Diana. "It won't do her any harm to bepassed over--good for her, in fact."
"We may as well pose as philanthropists while we're about it," twinkledViola, suddenly seeing the humour of the situation. The three girlslaughed.
"All the same, you're only looking at the matter from one side,"contended Dorrie. "We've got the credit of the school to think about.The question is, who's likely to score highest for Aireyholme at theTournament? We mayn't call Katrine an ideal champion, but we mustn't letourselves be biased by private prejudice."
"I hope I'm above such a low motive as that," Viola answered stiffly."No one could have the interests of the school more thoroughly at heartthan I. For this very reason it seems to me folly to trust thechampionship to a girl who really hasn't much concern whether Aireyholmewins or not."
"Oh, surely she'd play up?"
"I don't know about that. If she were in one of her dreamy moods,perhaps she wouldn't. Better not risk it."
"Hadn't we better put the matter to the vote?" suggested Diana.
"By all means. I propose that Katrine Marsden is not eligible for thechampionship." Viola's tone was decisive, even slightly aggressive.
"I make a counter-proposition, to place her at least on the list ofeligibles," returned Dorrie, stolidly keeping her temper.
Diana had the casting vote. She promptly plumped for Viola, partly fromreal conviction, and partly because she was chums with the Captain.
"So be it!" said Dorrie, shrugging her shoulders. She could not agreewith the decision, but she did not take the matter much to heart. "Youtwo will have to brace up, and practise for all you're worth. We mustn'tlet Carford beat us."
When the result of the monitresses' meeting became known, the schooltook it in various ways. Some girls sympathized with Viola, others hotlyespoused Katrine's cause. The affair was very much discussed, and therewere many lively arguments over the justice of the pronouncement.Katrine herself accepted it callously.
"I'm sure I don't want to be champion, thanks!" she responded to hersympathizers. "It would be an awful bore to go and play Carford. I'drather stop in the studio and paint."
In spite of her assumed indifference, Katrine was rather piqued. Sheknew her play was good, and that it was mainly jealousy on Viola's partwhich caused her to be thus set aside. Although she had adopted asuperior attitude, Katrine nevertheless rather liked to shine in theschool. She had played tennis in a dilettante fashion before, just toamuse herself; now, in a spirit of opposition, she began to train. Foronce she would let these girls see what she was capable of. There wereonly five days before the tournament; she would devote them to tennis.Having arrived at this decision, she temporarily threw art to the winds.The studio knew her presence no more out of class hours: the whole ofher spare time was given up to the courts. She had an immense advantageover the monitresses, for they were studying hard for theirmatriculation, and had very little recreation, while she had a doubleportion of leisure. Her play, good as it was before, improved by leapsand bounds. Soon not a girl in the school could compete with her uponequal terms, and win. Her handicaps were raised continually. There was agrowing feeling that it was both unwise and unfair to exclude her.
"Someone ought to speak to the monitresses about it," said Jill Barton.
"It would be precious little use," returned Rose Randall. "Viola is sopigheaded, if once she says a thing, she'll stick to it."
"But is it fair that she should settle everything?"
"Well, she's Captain, and Dorrie's Games secretary; they have theauthority between them."
"Dorrie has been overruled by Viola."
"No doubt; but I don't see what we can do, except call a mass meeting,and appeal."
"Um--that's rather a desperate measure. I hate upsets in a school. Weought all to pull together harmoniously if we can. Let us try and putthe screw on privately, but don't have open ructions. Viola is a decentsort. We don't want to quarrel with her for Katrine's sake."
Most of the girls shared Jill's opinion. They might not agree with theirCaptain's views, but they liked her too well to proceed to extremities.After all, Katrine was a new-comer, and Viola was the bulwark ofAireyholme traditions. They tried to manage the matter by finesse. Theyunderstood their leader well enough to know that any alteration must beproposed by herself. She was not fond of entertaining other people'ssuggestions. So they forbore to revolt openly, and confined themselvesto desperate hints and innuendoes. Viola was perfectly well aware ofwhat was going on, and she ignored the hints. The situation amounted toa duel between herself and Katrine, and she trusted to her influence asCaptain to come
off conqueror. It was impossible not to acknowledge thesuperiority of Katrine's play, and Viola really stuck to her guns out ofsheer obstinacy. Everybody wondered what was going to happen, andwhether the difficulty could be solved without a quarrel. The time waspainfully short.
It was now the very day before the tournament. The question must besettled that evening. The results of the scoring-notes were posted up byDorrie on the notice board: Katrine headed the list by an overwhelmingmajority; Viola followed; Dorrie was only a few points behind, and Dianaand Hilda, bracketed equal, came next. If Katrine were ruled out ofcompetition, then the championship must fall to Viola and Dorrie. Thestrain waxed acute. Little groups of girls stood about in the hall andpassages, discussing the pros and cons. It was evident that somethingmust be done; the ferment of feeling was almost at effervescing point.
At this crisis Miss Spencer issued from the head mistress's study. Shewalked to the notice board, pinned up a paper, and marched away withouta word. Everyone crowded round to read the notice. It was brief, but tothe point, and in the Principal's own handwriting.
"In view of the forthcoming tournament, Mrs. Franklin requests that theGames Committee choose as champions girls who are not entered for thematriculation. No examination candidate will be allowed leave of absenceto-morrow."
This was indeed a cutting of the Gordian knot. Viola, Dorrie, and Dianawere absolutely disqualified. It was a totally unexpected _denouement_,and for the moment they were utterly taken aback. As befittedmonitresses, however, they pulled themselves together, and bore theirdisappointment with Spartan heroism. Perhaps they realized thecleverness of Mrs. Franklin's generalship. It was certainly a safe wayout of an awkward predicament. Viola was an intelligent girl, and hadthe sense to climb down gracefully.
"Diana and Dorrie and I are out of it," she at once announced, "so Isuggest Katrine and Hilda as champions. There has been some littledoubt as to whether Katrine is eligible to represent the school, but Ibeg to propose that any disqualifying clause should be set aside in thisemergency, and that she be requested to play for Aireyholme to-morrow.I'm sure she'll do us credit. All in favour of this proposition pleasesay 'Aye'."
Such a universal chorus of assent rose from the assembled girls thatKatrine, who had been inclined to refuse the proffered honour, wasobliged to accede. Both she and Viola had saved their dignity, and inconsequence each felt a more friendly disposition towards the other.They discussed the coming tournament quite amicably; and Viola evenoffered to lend her racket, which was superior to Katrine's own. Hildawas all smiles. With such a partner she hoped to do great things.
"Mrs. Franklin is a modern Solomon!" whispered Nan to Gladwin.
Katrine was secretly much gratified at being chosen champion after all,though she was far too proud to show it. Her affected carelessness,however, deceived nobody.
"She's as pleased as Punch!" was the unanimous verdict of the school.
Everybody sympathized, for each one would have been only too delightedif the happy lot had been hers. The two champions were the centres ofcongratulation. The various points of their play were eagerly discussed;they were the one topic of conversation.
In addition to the pair who were to take part in the tournament, twelvegirls had been invited to Carford College as spectators. Those whosescores came next on the tennis list were chosen, and Gwethyn and RoseRandall were among the lucky number. They were to be escorted by MissAndrews, whose athletic tendencies made her as keen as anybody on theevent. Fourteen smiling girls stood ready on the following morning, allin immaculate white silk blouses, with their school ties and hats.Katrine and Hilda wore rosettes of pink, brown, and green--theAireyholme colours--to distinguish them as champions, and most of theothers sported patriotic badges. The school assembled on the drive tosee them off, and they departed amid a chorus of good wishes. Some ofthe juniors even began to shout hoorays, but Mrs. Franklin suppressedthem.
"It will be time enough to cheer if we win the tournament," she remindedthem. "Remember that other schools are competing, whose play may bebetter than ours."
"Which is a polite way of saying, 'Don't crow till you're out of thewood!'" laughed Dorrie to Diana. "All the same, I'd back Katrine againstanyone I know!"
* * * * *
Carford College was a big day-school, situated about a mile out of thetown. The Aireyholme contingent was received by the head mistress, andat once handed on to stewards, who took Katrine and Hilda to thechampions' tent, and the rest to the seats which had been reserved forthem. The College prided itself on its Games activities; its courts werein excellent condition, and there was every facility for the comfort ofspectators. Six other schools besides Aireyholme had been invited tocompete, and bring twelve representatives each to witness the combat,so that, with the pupils of the College, there was a crowd of more thantwo hundred to watch the trial of skill.
Katrine and Hilda, inside the tent, were having a good time. They wereregaled with lemonade, and introduced to the other champions. It wasinteresting to compare notes on sports and schools; if any of thestrangers were inclined to be shy, the ice was soon broken, and all werechatting like old friends by the time the tournament began. The CollegeGames Captain, a particularly jolly girl, made an admirable hostess, andput all her guests at their ease; she had herself been entertained insimilar circumstances, so she had experience to guide her. As the trainservice from Heathwell to Carford was not very convenient, theAireyholme party had come early; two of the other schools were in likecase, and the rest turned up by degrees.
At last all the competitors had arrived, and the drawing took place.Aireyholme was not in the first set, rather to Katrine's relief.
"I hate to have to begin," she remarked to Hilda. "It's much morehelpful if one can watch other people's play for a while."
The competitors who opened the tournament were fairly evenly matched.Oakfield House perhaps excelled in serving, but Summerlea possessed achampion who seemed able to take every ball, in whatsoever awkward spotit alighted; she was a short, freckled, ungainly girl (Katrine hadmentally noted her plainness when they met in the tent), but herspread-eagle method of play was highly successful, and her side scoredheavily.
"We shall have our work cut out for us if we're put against her,"grunted Hilda. "Oakfield didn't do badly either, in the beginning, butthey couldn't stand against this Doris What's-her-name!"
Pinecroft versus Arden Grange came next on the list, resulting in anarrow victory for the former.
Carford College had an exciting tussle with Windleness. Everybody,except of course the Windleness girls, wanted the College to win. It wasfelt that it would be too bad if the hostesses of the occasion were outof the finals. By almost superhuman effort Carford managed to score, butWindleness was accorded full honours of war by the spectators.
At last it was the turn of Katrine and Hilda. Aireyholme had been drawnto play Ashley Hall, a school, so it was rumoured, with a reputation.
"I'm horribly nervous! I know we'll never beat them!" whispered Hilda,with scarlet cheeks.
"Now don't work yourself up into a state! For goodness' sake, keepcool!" Katrine besought her. "If you let yourself worry, you'll playbadly. Our salvation is to keep our heads. If you get excited, you'redone for. Brace up, can't you!"
"I'll do my best," murmured Hilda, setting her teeth.
The Aireyholme girls had sometimes been inclined to sneer at Katrine'scalm, imperturbable composure, but to-day it stood the school in goodstead. In tournaments the level-headed, cool, self-controlled competitorgenerally has an advantage over an excitable, impulsive or nervousrival. The Ashley Hall champions were splendid players, but they weremore brilliant than steady; one or two little things put them out; theylost their nerve and made a few bad strokes. Katrine, on the contrary,kept absolute self-possession; she calculated balls to a nicety, and itwas chiefly owing to her all-round preparedness that the set was won.She and Hilda retired with sighs of relief.
"The foe was worthy of their steel
--or rather, rackets," said Gwethyn toRose Randall. "I'm glad I wasn't chosen champion; I never can keep coollike Kattie. She's always the same--never the least excited, while I'mgyrating all over the place like a lunatic!"
There was now a midday interval for lunch, and the crowd dispersed. Mostof the College girls went home for their meal, but the visitors from theother schools were entertained in the big hall with coffee, plates ofham or tongue, buns, and fruit. At half-past one the finals were tobegin. It was not desirable to waste too much time, as several of theschools must catch certain return trains.
"You played splendidly, Katrine, and Hilda backed you up no end!"declared the Aireyholme girls, anxious to congratulate their champions."Go on in that style, and you'll do."
"Don't expect too much. The College will probably win a love set when weplay them," returned Katrine. "You'd better be bracing your nerves."
"Oh, we're sporting enough to take our luck as it comes, but we pin ourfaith to you this afternoon!"
If the first sets had been exciting, the finals were doubly so.Summerlea, after a Homeric contest, vanquished Pinecroft, and was placedagainst Aireyholme. Katrine had anticipated a tussle with DorisKendrick, their spread-eagle champion, and she had calculated correctly.Doris's play was magnificent, and Aireyholme only won by the skin of itsteeth.
"We must tackle Carford too," whispered Katrine to Hilda. "Don't give innow."
The excitement among the spectators was intense. General sympathy was,perhaps, on the side of the College, but everyone admired Aireyholme'splucky play.
"Katrine is A1!" commented Rose. "Just look at that stroke! I neverthought she'd take that ball! Forty-thirty. I believe we'll do it yet.Well done, Hilda! Good old girl! Keep it up! Keep it up! Oh! I say, it'sours! What a frolicsome joke!"
The College girls were disappointed at the failure of their champions,but they were magnanimous enough to start the cheer for Aireyholme.Katrine and Hilda were called up by the Principal to receive theirprizes--two pretty bangles--and congratulations poured in from allsides. There was not time for much more than to express their thanks,for Miss Andrews was consulting her watch, and announcing that they mustrush to the station if they wished to catch their train; so with hastygood-byes to their hostesses they made their exit. Their arrival atAireyholme was a scene of triumph. Mrs. Franklin was immensely gratifiedat the good news, and the girls cheered till they were hoarse.
"We'll put it down in the school minutes under the heading of'Victories'," purred Dorrie. "I'd have given up the matric. to be there.Anybody taken snapshots? You, Rose? Good! We'll develop them to-night,and if they come out decently, we'll paste them in the school album. Inever thought we should really beat Carford College. It breaks therecord. This is a ripping term for Aireyholme!"
"Kattie's scored in more senses than one to-day," whispered Gwethyn toher chum Rose Randall.