CHAPTER XI
Waterloo Day
The girls at Aireyholme were nothing if not patriotic. They followed thecourse of national events with keenest interest. In common with mostother schools they had sent their quota of knitted garments to thetroops, and they kept collecting-boxes for both Prince of Wales andBelgian Relief Funds. These enterprises were good as far as they went,but not nearly sufficient to satisfy their martial spirit.
"We're not making any sacrifices," declared Viola Webster impressively."We don't realize the war enough. We're letting our Allies outstrip us.If we were Serbian or Russian we should be doing far more."
"What sort of things?" queried Hilda Smart. Hilda was practical to afault, though Viola liked vaguely to generalize.
"Oh! patriotic things, you know." (Viola was rather cornered when itcame to matter-of-fact explanations.) "Tearing up our gymnastic costumesfor lint, and--and--helping to make bullets, and all the rest of it."
"I thought bullets were made by machinery at ordnance works? And itwould be rather silly to tear up our gym. clothes. They wouldn't makegood lint, either!"
"Well, if not exactly that, we ought to be doing something."
"We have drill, and flag-signalling."
"I'd have liked rifle practice. I don't see why girls shouldn't shoot!At my brothers' school they have a Cadet Corps."
"Mrs. Franklin would have a fit if she saw us handling rifles," laughedCoralie. "A Girls' Cadet Corps sounds Utopian, but we'd never get thepowers that be to allow it."
"All the same," interposed Diana, "I think Vi is right. We're not doingas much as we might. If we can't have a Cadet Corps, let us start aGirls' Patriotic League."
"Good! It would brace us all up. We'll plan it out. Have you a scrap ofpaper and a pencil? We'll call it 'The Aireyholme Patriotic League.Object--To render the utmost possible service to our country in her hourof need.' Let's make up a committee, and fix some rules."
"Best call a general meeting of the whole school," suggested DorrieVernon. "The kids will take to it far better if they have a hand in itfrom the beginning."
Dorrie was special monitress for the Fourth Form, and knew the mind ofthe juniors. She was always ready to take their part, and secure themtheir fair share in what was going on. Viola and Diana were inclined touse their prerogative almost to domineering point, but Dorrie stood asrepresentative of the rights of the bulk of the school. After a shortargument her counsel prevailed, and a general meeting was announced.The girls responded with enthusiasm. Everybody turned up, and all wereready to join the new society. Discussions were invited, and in the endthe following rules were drafted:--
1. That this Society be called The Aireyholme Girls' Patriotic League.
2. That its object is to render service to our country and her allies.
3. That members pledge themselves to devote not less than half an hour a day to some patriotic duty, either drilling, signalling, Red Cross work, sewing, or the making of articles to be sold for the benefit of our soldiers and sailors.
4. That members cultivate the qualities of courage, self-reliance, and patience.
5. That each member agree to sacrifice some small luxury, and devote the money thus saved to the good of the cause.
6. That a particular effort be made to raise funds by giving an entertainment.
The idea of making some special self-denial for the good of theircountry rather appealed to the girls. Each promised something definite.Those who took sugar in their tea bound themselves to give it up, andask Mrs. Franklin to place the money saved towards their fund; othersagreed to relinquish chocolates, the buying of foreign stamps (thepresent hobby amongst the juniors), or the indulgence in various otherlittle fads that involved the outlay of small sums. Further, it wasunanimously agreed that Mrs. Franklin should be asked to give no prizesat the end of the term, but devote the money to patriotic causes.
Viola, who loved dramatic scenes, made all, with uplifted hand, take asolemn pledge to keep the rules; she exhibited a specimen badge whichshe had designed--the initials A. G. P. L. worked in red, on a piece ofwhite ribbon--and urged each member to copy it as speedily as possible.Having thus discussed broad details, she went on to particulars.
"We must get up some kind of a bazaar or entertainment to make money,"she proposed. "Who can give suggestions? Oh, don't all speak at once,please! It's no use all jabbering together! Silence! Am I chairman ornot? Anybody with a genuine and helpful idea kindly hold up her hand.The rest keep quiet. Yes, Gwethyn Marsden, what have you to say? Standup, please!"
"I beg to suggest that 18th June is the centenary of the Battle ofWaterloo, and that we ought to give our entertainment on that day."
A thrill passed round the room. Gwethyn sat down, covered with glory.Everybody felt that her idea was most appropriate.
"It would be glorious," hesitated Viola, "but how about the matric.? Theexam. begins on 14th June, and lasts four days--14th, 15th, 16th,17th--why, we should just be free for the 18th! Of course it gives us avery short time to make arrangements, and Diana and Dorrie and I shallbe too busy to help with anything until our ordeal is over."
"Never mind, the others must do the work. Waterloo Day would be justprime!" declared Dorrie, hugely taken with the notion. "We'd write andget our home folks to send us things. We can have stalls and sell fancyarticles, and give entertainments as well. It will be ripping fun."
"We haven't asked Mother Franklin yet," objected Diana.
"Oh, she'll agree--don't you alarm yourself! She's as keen on thesoldiers and sailors as we are. It's her saving virtue. The mother ofthe Gracchi won't refuse, you bet!"
The Principal, when approached on the subject, gave a cordial assent,but only on the understanding that the new undertaking should notinterfere with the matriculation studies of the three monitresses. Theymight help when their examination was over, but not before. She approvedof the League and its objects, promised to devote both sugar money andprize money to the funds, and set apart Waterloo Day for a specialentertainment to which the neighbourhood should be invited. She moreovergraciously consented to act as President of the society, and accepted abadge in token of membership. The A. G. P. L.'s set to work with red-hotenthusiasm. Scarcely more than a fortnight was at their disposal forpreparations, so it behoved them to waste no time. Urgent letters weredispatched home, begging for suitable things to furnish the stalls, andto provide costumes for the entertainment, while all availablerecreation was spent in the fabrication of such articles as they couldmake at school. An extra spur was given to their patriotic ardour bystirring news which Mrs. Franklin, with shining eyes, announced onemorning. Her son at the front had performed a splendid and heroic deedin guarding an outpost against almost overwhelming odds. His braveaction was recorded in the newspapers, which also published his portraitand a brief account of his career. He was practically sure to receivethe Victoria Cross. Poor Mrs. Franklin could not restrain her pride inher first-born, though there was anxiety mixed with the triumph, for hewas lying wounded in a French hospital as the result of his gallantry.She cut the account from the newspaper, and pinned it on the schoolnotice board for the girls to read, and did not check them when theyraised noisy cheers on behalf of the hero.
"I wish we knew where Hereward is!" sighed Katrine to Gwethyn. "It'sfearfully tantalizing just to be told that his regiment is moved, andnot a hint allowed as to where it's going. I'm sure he'll win a VictoriaCross too, before the war is over. Wouldn't Mumsie be proud?"
"She'd be ready to worship him," agreed Gwethyn.
* * * * *
The Marsdens heard from their parents as frequently as circumstancesallowed. They looked forward immensely to mail days, and devoured thelong letters that arrived, full of descriptions of the doings of theConference at Sydney, where Professor Marsden was winning laurels by hislectures on Geology and Antediluvian Mammalia. "Mumsie" gave brightaccounts also of her adventures in Australian society, and
of variousexcursions to see the sights of the country. She spoke warmly of thehospitality that had been accorded them, and the agreeable impressionthey had formed of the colony. The girls in return had plenty of schooldoings to relate. Katrine waxed enthusiastic over her sketchingexperiences, and Gwethyn described her chums, and descanted on the funenjoyed by her form. Both acknowledged that they were happy atAireyholme, and that the term was passing very much faster and morepleasantly than they had anticipated.
It was, of course, impossible for the Marsdens to ask their mother tosend gifts for their Patriotic Bazaar; the whole affair would be overbefore the letter could reach Australia; but they wrote to various auntsand cousins, and pleaded their cause so well that they had quite a nicelittle collection of articles to offer as their contribution. Everybodyat school was working, as well as begging from friends and relations.All kinds of dainty trifles were fabricated by willing fingers, and theEntertainment Guild seemed to be practising incessantly. Miss Aubrey wasa great help in planning and arranging costumes, and Katrine even boldlytackled Mr. Freeman, and persuaded him to paint a scene background to beused for the tableaux. A few of the village youngsters wererequisitioned to take parts which needed child actors, for none of theAireyholme girls were under twelve, and even the youngest in the Fourthhad reached a leggy and lanky stage quite impossible for the infantineroles that were required. There was no lack of volunteers from theCouncil school; the picturesque little Gartleys were delighted to bechosen, and such keen rivalry was shown among the other cherubs tosecure the honour of helping in the entertainment, that Miss Aubreyfound it difficult not to include the whole of the Infant Standard.
Invitations were sent to everybody in the neighbourhood who was likelyto come; a poster was nailed up outside the market hall, and another bythe church, so that all the village might know what was happening. Theywere designed by Mr. Freeman and executed by Katrine, with a littleassistance from Nan and Gladwin, and very temptingly set forth theattractions of the Bazaar.
It was a great scramble to get everything finished in so short a time,and Miss Aubrey and the other mistresses bore the brunt of the burden ofthe arrangements. Thanks to their energy and clever management, therewere no hitches, and the goods for sale and the entertainments were inequal readiness when the great day came.
On the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Viola, Diana, andDorrie had attended the local centre at Carford to take theirmatriculation examination. Their ordeal being over, they were able withfree minds to devote their energies to the League.
Mrs. Franklin was not particularly fond of remitting classes, but shehad the wisdom to grant a whole holiday for the occasion. Perhaps sherealized that it would be futile to attempt to set her pupils to work inthe morning, when so much was to happen in the afternoon.
"I couldn't have tackled one single problem!" averred Rose Randall. "Itwould have been cruelty to animals to expect us to do maths. Besides,we've got to set out our stalls, and that's no end of a business. It'lltake hours. I'm glad we're French--I think our costumes are much theprettiest."
The stalls were to represent various nations; they were lavishlydecorated with flags, and upon them were displayed goods representativeof the countries of the Allies. The Sixth had chosen "The BritishEmpire", and had an assortment of all kinds of articles of a patrioticdescription. Photos of Lord Kitchener, General French, and AdmiralJellicoe were of course largely to the fore, and as memorials of theWaterloo centenary, portraits of Wellington and of Napoleon also figuredon the stalls, with picture post cards of the famous battle-field. Itwas astonishing how many purposes the Union Jack was made to serve. Itsfamiliar red, white, and blue stripes were reproduced on pin-cushions,Bradshaw covers, nightdress cases, blotters, work-bags, handkerchiefsachets, and toilet tidies. The shamrock also was a favourite design,and the Red Dragon of Wales and the Scotch Thistle had been attempted.Coralie's aunt had sent a few Indian contributions, bought from the"Eastern Department" at the Stores, and Ellaline Dickens had managed toprocure a number of post cards of Egypt, to help to represent theEmpire. Perhaps the most striking feature of the stall was an exhibitwhich was not for sale. Colonel Harvey, an elderly gentleman who livedwithin a few miles of Heathwell, had lent some swords and bullets takenfrom the Battle of Waterloo, where his great-grandfather had commanded aregiment. I am afraid the girls giggled a little as they arranged themon the stall, for it reminded them of Katrine's mock exhibition. These,however, were genuine and certified antiques, of whose authenticitythere could be no possibility of doubt.
The stallholders were dressed to represent various typical members ofthe Empire. Britannia, with helmet and trident, stood for England, andwas impersonated by Diana Bennett. Gladwin Riley made a sweet Irishcolleen, Tita Gray wore the Scotch plaid, and Nan Bethell the tall Welshhat. Viola Webster was a Hindu Zenana princess, and Coralie Nelson aCanadian squaw.
The French stall run by the Fifth was an equal success. The girls hadchosen to wear the picturesque Breton costume, and looked charming intheir velvet bodices, white sleeves, and quaint caps. It had been mostdifficult to provide articles that were specially French, so they hadfallen back mainly on refreshments, and sold numerous dainty cakes andsweetmeats, and cups of _cafe au lait_. Yvonne and Melanie de Broeck,the two little Belgian refugees who were being educated at Aireyholme,were naturally much in request on this occasion, and chattered French tothe guests very winningly.
But perhaps the prettiest of all was the Fourth Form stall, which wasintended to depict a scene in Old Japan. Coloured lanterns were hung up,and branches of fir and clumps of lovely iris were carefully arranged inartistic Japanese fashion. A number of cheap and tasteful articles hadbeen procured from the Stores--tiny cabinets, cups and saucers, teapots,vases, lacquered goods, paper kites, native dolls, and queer littlebooks, all of which found a ready sale. Six brunette members of the formwere attired in Geisha costumes, and made quite creditable littleOriental ladies, with their dark tresses twisted into smooth knots, andtheir eyebrows painted to give them the required slant. They sold fruitand flowers in addition to their other wares, and waxed so persuasivethat their stall began to be cleared the earliest of the three, ratherto the envy of France and the British Empire, who had not expected thejuniors to do so well.
In addition to providing a stall, each form gave a specialentertainment, for which a separate admission was charged.
The Sixth made great capital with patriotic songs: "Drake's Drum", "YourKing and Country Want You", "The Motherland's a-Calling", and "OEngland, Happy England!" were received with much applause, and all theaudience joined in the chorus to "Tipperary". A very pretty pictureaccompanied the song "In a Child's Small Hand". Wee Ruth and RoseGartley, dressed in the Greenaway costumes they had worn on May Day, andlooking sublimely cherubic, stood holding out their fat little fingerswhile Ellaline sang:
"In a child's small hand lies the fate of our land, It is hers to mar or save, For a sweet child, sure, grows a woman pure, To make men good and brave. We English ne'er shall kiss the rod, Come our foes on land or sea; If our children be true to themselves and to God, Oh, great shall our England be!"
Special emphasis was laid, in the entertainment, on the fact that it wasWaterloo Day. Hilda Smart, in a white dress of the fashion of 1815,recited Byron's famous lines: "There was a sound of revelry by night";and Nan Bethell gave "Napoleon at St. Helena", and "Nelson's Motto".Some pretty English, Scotch, Irish, and Welsh folk dances were highlyappreciated, together with national ballads. But the _piece deresistance_ of the Sixth was the Pageant of Empire at the end. Britanniaas the central figure grasped the Royal Standard, and was surrounded byrepresentatives of the Colonies, holding native products in their hands.Canada bore a sheaf of corn, Australia offered fruit, India showed silksand sandalwood, South Africa a bunch of ostrich feathers. Variousemblematical characters added to the effect, and little Hugh Gartley as"The Midshipmite" evoked special applause.
The Fifth Form was not to be outdone by th
e Sixth. Their French andBelgian entertainment had been prepared with equal care. They commencedappropriately by singing "The Marseillaise". Yvonne and Melanie wereplaced in prominent positions in the front, holding the Belgian flag,and followed with "La Brabanconne" in English, as a duet. It was ratheran affecting performance, as the two little refugees sang in theirpretty foreign accent:
"O'erpast the years of gloom and slavery, Now banished by Heav'n's decree. Belgium upraises by her bravery Her name, her rights, and banner free. Loyal voices proclaim far and loudly: We still are unconquered in fight. On our banner see emblazon'd proudly: 'For King, for Liberty, and Right!'"
Some spirited Breton peasant dances followed, and Jill Barton and IvyParkins recited a short piece entitled "Two Little Sabots", founded onan actual incident, and describing how an English officer, arriving onChristmas Eve at a half-shelled Belgian farm, still tenanted by itspeasant proprietors, found the wooden shoes of the children placedhopefully on the hearth, and acted Santa Claus by filling them with thebiscuits, raisins, and chocolate that he had in his pockets.
Beatrix Bates, the champion reciter of the form, gave an English versionof "Chantons, Belges, chantons!" Mr. Harper, the music master fromCarford, who had very kindly come to help with the entertainment,accompanied her by playing a piano setting of Elgar's famous "Carillon",based upon the poem. The chiming of bells and the rolling of drums werea fitting prelude and interlude to the inspiring words. Beatrix rose tothe occasion; her cheeks flamed and her eyes were flashing as shedeclaimed:
"Sing, Belgians, sing! Although our wounds may bleed, although our voices break, Louder than the storm, louder than the guns, Sing of the pride of our defeats 'Neath this bright autumn sun; And sing of the joy of honour, When cowardice might be so sweet!"
The Fourth Form entertainment was of a different type. A Japanesefestival was represented, and most pretty it proved to be. A number oftiny village children were dressed as Japanese dolls, and posed as in atoy shop; but to the great delight of the audience, the "dolls" suddenlycame to life, stood up, and played a Japanese game very charmingly."Tit-willow" and other appropriate songs were sung, and a patriotictouch was given to the affair by the inclusion of some Russian peasantdances and the Russian National Anthem:
"Lord God, protect the Tsar! Grant him Thy grace: In war, in peace, O, hide not Thou Thy face! Blessings his reign attend, Foes be scattered far, May God bless the Tsar, God save the Tsar!"
The afternoon was a huge success. The neighbouring gentry and thevillagers came in full force, and sixpences literally poured in. Thearticles for sale were all inexpensive, and the stalls were almostcleared.
"We've made twenty-four pounds, three and twopence!" chuckled Viola,when Mrs. Franklin and the monitresses had counted the proceeds. "We'dbetter decide to divide it between the Prince of Wales's Fund and theBelgian Relief Fund. I never expected we should do so well at a littleschool affair in a country place like this. We shan't forget WaterlooDay in a hurry. I think we may consider the A. G. P. L. has scored noend!"