‘Even if you do say so yourself,’ interrupted June smoothly, as muffled laughter ran round the room.
Sylvia looked a little puzzled at this, and while she was temporarily lost for words, Nora cried, ‘Let me show you all a dance I learned in the holidays. Turn the music up, Felicity.’
Felicity obeyed, and the others moved back to make room for Nora. Then they watched, entranced, as she danced for them, her movements very graceful and balletic. Nora was a complete scatterbrain, and a bit of a duffer at most of her lessons, so it was very nice to see her excel at something, thought Felicity.
As Nora curtseyed daintily, the fourth formers clapped and cheered. All except Olive, who sat with her arms folded, her mouth set in a thin line and an expression of scorn on her face.
Susan, who still felt angry with the girl because of her earlier outburst, nudged Olive rather sharply and said, ‘What’s the matter with you? You could at least join us in clapping Nora.’
‘Why should I?’ said Olive sullenly. ‘Nora is a show-off, and I don’t like show-offs!’
The others gasped and muttered angrily, Pam saying hotly, ‘How dare you, Olive! You take that back at once!’
‘I shan’t,’ said Olive obstinately. ‘She is a show-off, and so is Bonnie! Both of them have to be the centre of attention, all the time.’
Poor little Bonnie looked quite stunned, for she couldn’t think what she had done to make the new girl dislike her so. Why, she had barely exchanged more than a few words with her.
‘I see what it is!’ said Amy, suddenly. ‘You’re jealous. Bonnie and Nora are both pretty, and dainty, while as for you…’ The girl paused as she looked Olive up and down, rather scornfully. ‘Well, no one could call you pretty!’
Olive turned pale, and shrank back as though Amy had struck her. Everyone else was quiet, for—although Nora and Bonnie felt grateful to Amy for sticking up for them—most of the girls felt that she had gone a little too far. Olive was very plain, but it had been rather cruel to point it out in front of everyone like that.
‘That’s enough!’ said Felicity sharply. ‘There are only five minutes until bedtime, so let’s not waste them in arguing.’
‘Well done,’ said Susan, grinning at Felicity, as everyone dispersed. ‘Once a head-girl, always a head-girl!’
Felicity laughed and said, ‘Well, someone had to take charge, before things got out of hand. I must say, though, that I think we’ve been rather unlucky in our new girls this term.’
‘Haven’t we just!’ agreed Susan. ‘Olive is a real misery, and I’m afraid it looks as if she’s going to be rather spiteful, too. And Sylvia is simply too pushy for words! She’ll try and take over everything if we aren’t careful.’
Felicity nodded, and said, ‘I’ve a feeling that this is going to be quite a difficult term!’
3
Exciting news
After breakfast the following day, all of the new girls had to go and see Miss Grayling, the Head mistress. Fenella Thornton, the Head Girl, rounded them all up from the four towers and took them along to the Head’s study.
There were six girls altogether, from various forms, most of them looking a little nervous as Fenella lead them to Miss Grayling’s room. Olive, wearing her habitual sulky expression, walked a little way behind the rest, dragging her feet. She hadn’t wanted to come to this stupid school in the first place, and she couldn’t think that anything the Head mistress had to say would be of the slightest interest to her. Sylvia, on the other hand, was very eager to meet Miss Grayling, and felt quite certain that she would make a good impression on her.
She strode along confidently beside Fenella, and said brightly, ‘I’ve heard that Miss Grayling is a wonderful person.’
‘She is,’ said Fenella. ‘There is no one I would rather go to if I was in any kind of trouble, and—’
‘Our headmistress at St Hilda’s was just the same,’ cut in Sylvia. ‘So wise and kind.’ Fenella, who was not accustomed to being interrupted when she spoke to a lower-form girl, looked rather taken aback. A sharp retort sprang to her lips, then she reminded herself that Sylvia was new and rather over-enthusiastic, so she held her tongue.
But even Sylvia was silent in the presence of Miss Grayling. The Head was a calm, dignified woman, with a rather serious face, which could, at times, break into the most beautiful smile. She could also be very stern indeed, when the need arose, and although Miss Grayling looked perfectly serene now, each of the new girls hoped fervently that they would never be called before her for misbehaviour!
Fenella left the room, and the Head spoke to each girl individually, asking her name and form. Even Olive found that she did not dare address Miss Grayling in her usual, surly manner, and answered politely. But she still looked rather miserable, and the Head stared at her hard. She knew far more about Olive Witherspoon than that young lady realised! Sylvia, for once, was quite subdued, and confined herself to answering the questions that Miss Grayling asked her, rather than chattering endlessly about herself.
Then the Head addressed the group as a whole, saying gravely, ‘One day you will leave school, and go out into the world as young women. You should take with you a good understanding of many things, along with a willingness to accept responsibility and help others. I do not count as our successes those who have won scholarships and passed exams, though these are worthy achievements. I count as our successes those who learn to be good-hearted and kind, sensible and trustworthy—good, sound women the world can lean on.’
The six girls before Miss Grayling listened intently, her words making a great impression on them. Sylvia felt quite determined to become one of Malory Towers’ successes.
Olive was quite certain that she would not be one. But Miss Grayling’s words were so inspiring that, just for a moment, she wished that she could be.
By the time that the new girls joined the others, in the fourth-form class-room, all of the seats had been taken, apart from three, side-by-side, in the front row. Another new girl called Sarah, who was in East Tower, quickly slipped into the one nearest the window, leaving the two North Tower girls to take the others.
‘I think that Sylvia and Olive are going to be thrown together quite a lot,’ said Susan to Felicity, as the new girls slipped into the empty seats. ‘They are the only two who don’t have a special friend to pair up with.’
‘Well, perhaps they will be good for one another,’ said Felicity. ‘In spite of her faults, Sylvia seems jolly and good-hearted, so perhaps some of that will rub off on to Olive.’
‘Let’s hope so,’ said Susan. ‘And, with a bit of luck, Olive might quieten Sylvia down a little.’
‘Shh!’ hissed Freddie, who was standing by the door. ‘Miss Williams is coming!’
At once everyone stopped talking and stood up very straight, while Freddie politely held the door open for the fourth-form mistress.
Miss Williams thanked her, and walked to the big desk at the front of the class. She was a scholarly woman, with a rather prim appearance and a gentle manner. But she also had a quiet air of authority, and certainly knew how to keep her class in order.
‘Good morning, girls,’ she said, smiling round.
‘Good morning, Miss Williams,’ chorused the girls.
‘Please sit down. Now, before we get on with the business of making out timetables and handing out books, there are one or two things that I have to say to you.’
‘I bet that she’s going to announce who will be head of the form!’ whispered Nora to Pam.
‘Quiet please, Nora,’ said Miss Williams, without raising her voice.
Heavens, thought Felicity, she must have awfully sharp ears, for Nora sat near the back of the class.
‘First of all,’ began the mistress, ‘I am sure that you are all eager to know who is to be head-girl of the fourth form.’
Everyone sat up straight in their seats, and Miss Williams went on, ‘I consulted Miss Potts and Miss Peters before making a decision, and, in the end, we all
agreed that we would like to try Susan Blake.’
A cheer went up, and those nearest to Susan patted her on the back, while Felicity cried, ‘Well done, old girl! You’ll be first-rate, I just know it.’
Susan, who had turned quite pink with pleasure, could hardly speak for a moment, then, at last, she said, ‘Thank you, Miss Williams. You won’t regret your decision, I promise you. I shall do my very best.’
‘I am quite sure that you will,’ said the mistress, smiling at the girl. ‘And now, I have something else to tell you all. At the end of the term, the three top forms will be putting on a Christmas concert, which the parents will be coming to watch. The concert will last for approximately an hour and a half, so each form will have to fill half an hour. It is entirely up to you what you choose to do—sing carols, recite, or perform a short play. But I want every member of the form involved in some way, either as a performer, or behind the scenes.’
The fourth formers looked at one another, absolutely thrilled, as an excited murmur ran round the class. My word, what fun this was going to be! Each of the girls was absolutely determined that their contribution to the concert, whatever it was, would far outshine the fifth and sixth formers.
Miss Williams smiled at the girls’ enthusiasm and went on, ‘Susan, as head-girl, you will be in charge of the whole project, of course. And I am quite sure that you will have no shortage of willing helpers.’
There was no doubt about that! Half a dozen voices cried, ‘We’ll help you all right, Susan!’
Sylvia was just as excited and interested as the others. Why, at her old school she had produced a play and it had been a roaring success. If only Susan would hand over the reins and let her, Sylvia, produce the fourth’s contribution to the Christmas concert, she would really be able to show the others what she could do!
Miss Williams rapped on the desk with a ruler and said, ‘Well, I’m very pleased that you are all so eager. But we really must settle down and get on with more mundane matters. However, before we do so, I should just mention that we have a new English and Drama teacher this term. Her name is Miss Tallant, and she will be replacing Miss Hibbert for a little while. Miss Tallant will, of course, be happy to give you—and the other forms—any help that you require with your contribution to the concert.’
‘Thank you, Miss Williams,’ said Susan, whose head was in a perfect whirl. ‘It’s nice to know that there is someone we can call on if we need advice.’
The fourth formers crowded round Susan at break-time.
‘I say, what a marvellous term this is going to be!’
‘I simply can’t wait to get started on our piece for the concert.’
‘Yes, we’ll show the fifth and sixth formers how it should be done, all right!’
‘Well, we’d better have a meeting in the common-room, after prep this evening,’ said Susan. ‘Bring plenty of ideas with you, everyone, for we shall need them.’
‘We’d better find out what the fifth and sixth formers intend to do as well,’ said Felicity. ‘I mean to say, it will be no use if all three forms decide to sing carols, or something. That will be terribly boring for the audience.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ said Susan. ‘Well, I’ll have to have a word with Fenella, and Katie Ellis, who is head of the fifth, then we can all make sure that we are doing different things.’
So, when the fourth formers gathered for their meeting that evening, Susan was armed with the necessary information.
The girls sat on the chairs and sofas, while Susan perched on the edge of a table, a notebook and pen in her hand. There was a good deal of excited chatter going on, and Susan clapped her hands together for silence.
‘Well,’ she began. ‘I’ve found out that the fifth form are going to sing carols, and the sixth are planning to do a selection of Christmas readings.’
‘Sounds a bit dry,’ said Freddie, pulling a face.
‘That’s exactly what I thought,’ said Susan, with a grin. ‘Though, of course, I didn’t say that to Katie and Fenella!’
‘So, it looks as if it’s up to us fourth formers to add a little fun to the proceedings,’ said June, looking thoughtful.
‘I say!’ said Julie. ‘Remember that splendid pantomime that Darrell, Alicia and the others put on when they were in the fifth? Wouldn’t it be marvellous if we could do something like that?’
‘We could never squeeze a whole pantomime into half an hour,’ said Felicity.
‘No, it would be impossible,’ said Pam. ‘Besides, super though their pantomime was, I don’t think that any of us really want to copy Darrell and the others. It would be much better if we came up with a completely original idea.’
There were murmurs of agreement, and Nora piped up, ‘How about a display of dancing? We could all dress up as fairies, and angels, and what-not, and…’
‘And you could take centre-stage,’ said Olive, with a sneer.
Nora turned bright red, stung by the injustice of this. She had made the suggestion because of her love of dancing, but she certainly wasn’t the kind of person who wanted to steal the limelight all the time! Fortunately, the others knew her well enough to realise this, and Susan said coolly, ‘Do you have any ideas about what we could do as our contribution to the concert, Olive?’
‘No,’ muttered Olive, sulkily.
‘I thought as much. Well, if you don’t have anything useful to say, kindly keep quiet.’
Then Susan turned to Nora and said, ‘Thanks for the suggestion, but most of us can’t dance as well as you can, so I really don’t think it would work. We need something that we can all be involved in.’
‘What about putting on a short play?’ said Felicity. ‘There are lots of scripts for plays in the library, so we could try and find one with a Christmassy theme.’
This sounded more like it, and the girls looked at one another excitedly.
‘Marvellous idea!’ cried June. ‘And if we can find something that has a bit of humour in it, so much the better.’
Sylvia, who had been unusually silent, perked up at this and said, ‘That sounds super! We put a play on at St Hilda’s once, and it brought the house down. Of course, I produced it, and—’
‘And I expect you wrote it yourself, too, didn’t you?’ said Freddie.
‘Oh no, though I did add a few lines of my own,’ said Sylvia, looking pleased at Freddie’s apparent interest. ‘You see—’
‘I bet you designed all the costumes,’ put in Bonnie.
‘And painted the scenery yourself,’ said Lucy.
‘And probably took the leading role, too,’ said Nora.
‘Oh no, that would have been far too much work for just one person!’ said the thick-skinned Sylvia, still completely unaware that the others were making fun of her. ‘Naturally I supervised everything, for I think it’s so important to have someone in charge who can organise things, and see that they go smoothly. And everything really did go like clockwork, if I do say so myself.’
‘If she says that once more, I shall go mad,’ muttered Amy savagely, while Susan went on smoothly, ‘I do so agree with you, Sylvia. It’s very important to have someone who can organise things at the helm. And, as Miss Williams has put me in charge, I am that someone. But that doesn’t mean to say that I intend to go all bossy on you, and take over everything. This is going to be our play, and I will welcome any sensible suggestions, and listen to them.’
That was the right way to run things, thought Felicity. Susan was firm, yet not the slightest bit domineering, and she was determined that this was going to be a form effort.
‘We really need to decide on a play as quickly as possible,’ said Pam. ‘We can’t start casting parts, or deciding who is going to do what, until that has been sorted out.’
‘Right,’ said Susan. ‘So, what I suggest is that as many of us as possible go along to the library over the next few days, and read through some of the scripts that are stored there. If anyone finds anything that they think might be suitable, pleas
e bring it to me. Then we’ll hold another meeting in here on Saturday, and make a decision.’
‘Good show!’ someone called out, and Susan grinned.
‘That’s just what I hope it will be,’ she said. ‘A good show. The best show that Malory Towers has ever seen!’
4
The new mistress
Soon the old girls felt as if they had been back at school for weeks, not just days. Sylvia, too, settled down in her own way, though she often irritated the others with her never-ending chatter, and the way she always tried to take the lead.
This was particularly galling to Felicity, Susan and June, who had always been the leaders of their form, and the three of them often found it necessary to put Sylvia in her place.
‘I thought that June was going to explode yesterday, when Sylvia took it upon herself to show her the best way to hold her lacrosse stick,’ said Felicity, smiling, as she remembered.
Susan grinned too, and said, ‘She will explode, one day, if Sylvia keeps it up. And I can’t honestly say that I blame her! Sylvia is such an expert on everything—even things she’s not very good at, like lacrosse.’
‘It’s difficult to dislike her wholeheartedly, though,’ said Felicity, looking thoughtful. ‘She’s annoying, but she doesn’t have any mean, petty faults.’
‘Unlike dear Olive,’ said Susan, with a sigh. ‘Who has so many mean, petty faults that it is quite impossible to like her!’
‘I really don’t think I’ve ever met anyone so unfriendly in my life,’ Felicity said. ‘I tried to start a friendly conversation with her in the dorm yesterday morning, just to see if I could get through to her, and almost got my head bitten off!’
Felicity had seen the girl putting a photograph on her bedside cabinet, and went over to take a look. It was a picture of Olive, with a man and woman, whom Felicity took to be her parents. Her mother and father were smiling happily, but Olive’s mouth was set in its usual, sullen droop.
‘Are these your parents?’ asked Felicity, pleasantly.
‘That’s my father,’ Olive answered flatly. ‘And my stepmother.’