The CBB :: View topic - Miss Annersley the Comforter

Miss Annersley the Comforter - Cringeworthy or not?

through

[^/[^Print]\]

The CBB -> Formal Discussions

#1: Miss Annersley the Comforter - Cringeworthy or not? Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:54 pm
—
Following an article in the latest FOCS magazine, in which the writer says that she finds the scenes depicting Hilda comforting girls make her cringe and that she feels Hilda swaps from being the disciplinarian to being the comforter too quickly, I thought it would be interesting to see what people think.

Myself, I think that that is the beauty of Hilda. She isn't just there to discipline and educate, she genuinely cares about the welfare and happiness of her pupils. She 'mothers' the girls where necessary. She doesn't offer it on a plate but she ensures the girls always know they can go to her with problems and is happy to provide a shoulder to cry on if needed. And I think her ability to understand girls means that she knows when a girl has reached the point where she's truly repentant and that to continue disciplining would do more harm than good.

Do you cringe when Hilda comforts a girl?

#2: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 8:02 pm
—
One of my favourite scenes is when Hilda is comforting Len as they walk Bruno in the snow and Len is worried about Margot and also about becoming a prefect. I think Miss Annersley really knew how to speak to young people. I don't remember any scenes off the top of my head where she is cringworthy. If there are one or two, they are definitely outweighed by the many other scenes where she is tact personified.

#3: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:13 pm
—
Personally, one of my favourite scenes in the later books is when Miss Annersley cuts Ted's hair. It's such a lovely human scene and is really very different from anything we've seen her do before!

#4: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:16 pm
—
I can't think of any cringeworthiness off the top of my head anyway. What examples does the FOCS article writer give?

#5: Author: Mel, Location: UP NORTH

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:08 pm
—
I think EBD was trying to portray the perfect Head in Hilda - good with Staff, parents and girls, an excellent teacher, administrator and disciplinarian as well as being kind and caring. IIRC Hilda doesn't actually cut Ted's hair, but 'plays hairdresser' and brushes it back with a ribbon.

#6: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 10:43 pm
—
I wish my old bat of a Headmistress'd been more like Hilda! Although our Deputy Head was lovely Very Happy

.

As Headmistress, Hilda had to be able to maintain discipline but, as Head of a school full of young girls a long way from home and family (and in many cases with only one parent living, or parents they didn't see often, or illness in the family) I think she had to some extent to be a mother figure as well, and I think she combines the two pretty well. She was bound to have had to swap from one role to the other quickly sometimes because girls who'd been playing up would often've got upset, or would've been playing up because they were upset, surely.

Even in a family situation, parents have to "discipline" (for lack of another word) kids who play up, as well as looking after them/caring for them.

#7: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 11:19 pm
—
The FOCS article particularly dislikes Hilda comforting Kat Gordon and kissing her tear-wet cheek. I have to say I'd forgotten that bit, but I love it. My major gripe is that Hilda is done out of a lot of the 'mothering' at the school because of Joey's role.

I feel that the (actually very occasional) scenes that show her displaying emotion are a totally necessary corrective to the very self-contained, almost impassive Head she is presented as so much of the time. Ditto for the scenes which show her being teased and affectionately bullied (usually by Nell). They, in fact, provide one of the 'gaps' in which so much fanfic operates, and several of us are obsessed with following up this more vulnerable side of Hilda.

It's true, too, that EBD was writing in a tradition of very maternal Headteachers. Even more interesting is the tradition of almost Godlike Heads (Hilda is the Abbess, after all). The combination of the autonomous woman, totally controlled and totally controlling, with the mother-figure gives fascinating insights into the nature of God and the nature of love itself.

Will climb off my soapbox now!

#8: Author: Imogen,

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 1:47 am
—
I don't think it's cringeworthy, I love it that Miss Annersley always knows just what to say and knows when to be headmistress and when someone needs mothering. But she crosses lines that maybe she couldn't cross now if you get what I mean, I don't think you could have the headmistress kissing even a female pupil now could you?

#9: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:25 am
—
I was intrigued by this as I wasn't sure why the writer found it cringeworthy, and it would be useful to know that.

For myself, I've always appreciated the idea that Hilda can not only provide discipline and exhortation when it's required, but can also be very sensitive to the emotional needs of the individual when that is what is needed. And I agree with Tara, that these interludes and the teasing with Nell do provide a balance to what could otherwise be perceived as a too controlling and too self-contained individual.

#10: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 5:37 am
—

Mel wrote:

IIRC Hilda doesn't actually cut Ted's hair, but 'plays hairdresser' and brushes it back with a ribbon.

Yes, you're right, she doesn't cut it. My bad. Embarassed

#11: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 3:53 pm
—
As anyone who has read New Dreams knows, Shocked

I certainly don't agree with this person and her finding Hilda cringworthy. Interesting irony, that that article should be in the same magazine as my story about Hilda! Presumably she won't be reading it! Laughing

Joey usurps Hilda's role far too often in this area, so it is good that EBD did allow Hilda a few episodes of consoling and comforting - and doing so with a loving and compassionate heart, with great sensitivity and perception. Look at how she calmed down Bride after her study was wrecked; look at how she broke Emerence's will and then put her back together again. Why on earth should the writer of this article find Joey's comforting okay and not Hilda's, for goodness sake? Shocked

#12: Author: Tan, Location: London via Newcastle Australia

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:06 pm
—
I find Hilda a wonderful character. It is the balance that she finds. Also, unlike Joey (who has a success rate of 100% with difficult characters) Hilda sometimes gets it wrong and is able to admit this (am thinking of Cornelia's reaction to the news about Mademoiselle).

#13: Author: catherine, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 8:35 pm
—

Tara wrote:

My major gripe is that Hilda is done out of a lot of the 'mothering' at the school because of Joey's role.

I agree. I always wanted to see Hilda doing the mothering instead of Joey and I was disappointed with the way Joey took charge of Jane Carew in 'Jane'.

I have to say that I didn't like or actually understand the spin the writer put on it all. At the start of her article she says she has no problem with tears or with sentimentality, yet one of her comments towards the end was that other people might disagree with her and "find scenes of girls snuggling up to a sympathetic Miss Annersley quite delightful.". The way she puts it there makes me cringe - I almost find it sordid.

#14: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:02 pm
—
I haven't read the article, as my FOCS mag hasn't arrived yet Sad

but I am now looking forward to it. I do feel that Joey does push her way in when it comes to "mothering" the girls that should be Miss A's charge, but I suspect that Miss A is grateful at times when she's got a lot on and doesn't feel very sympathetic Wink

However, such scenes don't make me cringe, in fact I've not really noticed them as anything out of the ordinary.

I may be able to comment more fully when I've read the actual article . Rolling Eyes

#15: Author: Elle, Location: Peterborough

Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 9:12 pm
—
I didn't think it was cringeworthy at all until I read this thread in conjunction with 'A Leader at the Chalet School'. During the scene where Hilda is comforting Margrat Twiss after her confessions, she uses the word 'dear' about five times. It was then this thread popped into my head and I found myself cringing. This is the only time though!

#16: Author: Ruth B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:02 am
—
I haven't read the FOCS article, and so can't comment on that; however, Hilda is one of the least cringeworthy characters in the whole series!!!!

She is the head of a boarding school full of vunerable young girls who are far away from their parents. As headmistress she does of course have to distribute justice, but she has to play the role of the parent as well, especially as the housemistresses in CS didn't seem to perform the role they do in modern boarding schools. I think every young girl needs a teacher/role model type who they can relate to if their parents are unable to fulfill that role for any reason. It is an admirable trait in Hilda's character that so many of the girls trust her to fulfill that role.

*takes a moment to remember that Hilda isn't in fact real and, sadly, wasn't a teacher at my school.*

#17: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:11 am
—
Hilda, not real?? Of course she is!

#18: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:24 am
—

Ruth B wrote:

She is the head of a boarding school full of vunerable young girls who are far away from their parents.

She also has a number of very young mistresses, many in their first jobs and away from their families. She has to act as a mentor to them as well as to the girls. I like the scene in New Mistress when Kathie is embarrassed and doubting herself because Inter V has played up. Hilda reassures her, boosts her confidence and gives her some good advice, all without making a big drama of it.

Jay B.

#19: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:27 am
—
The reason the author originally wrote that article though was part of a bigger plea on her behalf to have more CS-related content in the magazine, instead of just loosely related reminisinces (I can't spell this morning!). A very good point, I think she made.

#20: Author: RroseSelavy, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:38 pm
—

JayB wrote:

I like the scene in New Mistress when Kathie is embarrassed and doubting herself because Inter V has played up. Hilda reassures her, boosts her confidence and gives her some good advice, all without making a big drama of it.

I liked the way she reassured Kathie too. All in all, I find Hilda's "mothering" very natural and not at all cringeworthy. She is a little more subtle and relaxed about it than Joey too, which makes it seem more realistic. Joey can go over the top (personally I would have found instant demands to call her "Auntie" and tell her all my troubles rather overbearing, whatever help she might give later!) Plus Hilda, as an older woman in a position of authority, could have the capacity to appear much more dependable and able to take more leaning on than Joey. Not that Joey wasn't dependable, but she did like to appear 'down with the kids' which would affect how they saw her.

#21: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 12:46 pm
—

Róisín wrote:

The reason the author originally wrote that article though was part of a bigger plea on her behalf to have more CS-related content in the magazine, instead of just loosely related reminisinces (I can't spell this morning!). A very good point, I think she made.

I haven't read my FOCS mag yet - becuase it hasn't arrived, boo, hiss - but I would certainly second (or is it third?) this - the lack of directly CS related stuff in the FOCS mag has struck me recently, and I think the mags are the weaker for it. Of course, I should also put my money where my mouth is and write something....

Regarding Hilda, I wouldn't go as far as saying these scenes are cringeworthy, but I do find them rather unrealistic. She's an authority figure running a very large school, and however lovely a person she may be and however many admirable qualities she has, I can't imagine most of the girls knew her well enough to see her as a mother comforter figure (Bettany / Maynard / Russell clan members excepted, I guess). She's their Headmistress.

Joey gets away with being mother-to-all (a) because of her personality but mainly (b) because she has no authority over any of the girls. She's a trusted, impartial outsider who is able to win them over by being Entirely On Their Side. Hilda can never be that - she's The Head, and they all know it.

Caroline.

#22: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 5:18 pm
—
I don't think many of the girls WOULD expect Hilda to be on their side. They know she has to be on the side of what is best for everyone. But, conversely, they do know her as more than just as an Authority figure. She teaches many of the classes, both RE and Literature, so they see her more human side there, and she has the slot free for them every evening if they have problems and need to talk. I don't think she would continue to set that time aside if no one ever availed themselves of it.

Unlike Joey, she doesn't go seeking to comfort and console, she just does it when a situation arises, as Joey herself found out when she was so distraught over the Robin early on in the series. She was deeply appreciative of Hilda's quiet support. Bride and many another, and indeed Kathie Ferrars, discover her to be a prop and stay in a most unemotional and sensitive way. Even many of the wayward ones, such as Emerence and Diane Skelton and Joan Baker, find out the softer side once they have confessed their sins. I had a Headmistress who was very similar - more years ago than I care to think about! - so I certainly don't find these scenes unrealistic.

And, Tara and Roisin - of course she's real! Laughing

#23: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 9:58 pm
—
I'm interested in the idea of 'being on their side'. Like Mary, I had a similar Head when I was in Primary School and actually the last (male, and damn good) Head I worked under was in some ways out of the same mould. No sentimentality at all, and very much in charge, but at the same time totally 'on the side'of even the most recalcitrant kids. Being on their side doesn't necessarily mean kissing their tear-wet cheeks (yes, yuk, I agree, but of its time), it does mean listening, understanding, getting under their skin, standing with them against their own worst nature, making them do what they know they should be doing and what, underneath it all, they want to do 'cos they want boundaries, they despise the people who can't control them, letting them know you like them, even if you don't like their behaviour.

I don't feel the two functions are incompatible at all, in fact, if you are to be effective in a pastoral role, both are essential, and I think Hilda comes out pretty well when she's given the chance!

#24: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:06 pm
—
*agrees wholeheartedly with Tara*

I notice it a lot with my mum. She's not a head teacher, but is first year head and also is in charge of resource teaching in her school. While she is quite definitely "in charge" of all her classes and the students she is in contact with, they adore her. And some of the most troublesome students in the school hardly ever give her any grief, because they realise that she is on their side, so to speak. She takes an interest in their lives and tries to understand them. There is one boy in particular in the school who is repeatedly in trouble with the police - but will cry if he "breaks a promise" he made to her (ie not to get involved in fights etc). I'm trying to be like that, but it's much harder than it looks to strike that balance!

#25: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:37 pm
—
I agree that EBD's portrayal of Hilda is as a very realistic combination of stern figure of authority, respected Head and compassionate comforter/helper when needed. After all, that side of her was certainly in evidence when she tackled many of the school's most sinful pupils, wasn't it? Once she 'got through' to them, usually through tears, she was prepared to do all she could to see they 'reformed' - and on the whole, the sinners were prepared to do so.

Quite the contrast to the stern 1950s style head whom I recall - it was unfortunate, but I think she found it really difficult to deal with emotional needs of any description - she seemed to become completely tongue tied in such a situation. Luckily we had a most compassionate Senior Mistress - who combined discipline with empathy in equal measures.

#26: Author: Róisín, Location: Gaillimh

Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:42 pm
—
Here I've transcribed the article for those who don't get the mag (apologies in advance for typos etc I typed it up in a hurry)

Quote:

Cringing at the Chalet by Sheena Wilkinson

"Joey had turned away with a sob. The mistress pulled her in at the gate... Jo wept away the bitter grieving that had been welling up in her heart all the week. Miss Annersley left her to herself for a time, standing in the doorway to screen her from any passers-by." (CS and Jo, p. 132)

Why is it that I can never read the above without cringing? It's not the crying - I can take any amount of tears at the Chalet, even Simone's, and goodness knows we don't blame Jo for crying at the news that Robin doesn't have TB. As an Abbey fan, I have no inherent difficulty with sentimentality. Robin can sing The Red Sarafan to her heart's content, and I don't even mind her being described as an angle-child. Auntie's letter always has me in floods and I can think quiet thoughts about people falling asleep to wake with God with the very best of them. In short, I am not a hard-boiled type (though Grizel is my favourite character). However, the above passage and others like it make me feel what Nicola Marlow would call 'hot and shy'. Why?

Other passages which make me bite the insides of my cheeks and rush on to calmer emotional waters include Miss Annersley comforting Betsy Lucy 'in that beautiful voice of hers' (Bride); Miss Annersley comforting Bride herself later in the same book (what a busy term for the Abbess!); and worst of all, Miss Annersley comforting Katharine Gordon (Wrong); "The Head held her close. She drew Katharine to her and kissed the tear-wet face. The girl clung to her for a moment." Arrgh!

The discerning reader has of course worked it out. It's Hilda Annersley. She's an efficent and clearly much-loved Head, and I can take her when she is doling out punishments to middles or speaking in her beautiful voice at Prayers. But when she starts kissing and comforting, I can't bear it. I've thought about this irrational response of mine quite a bit and discussed it with my Chalet friend, Susanne, whose reaction is, if anything, even more violent than mine. Of course one could never stand the sort of soppy teacher who always wanted you to confide your problems - but he Abbes isn't one of those; she's quite astringent really, when she isn't patting shoulders and kissing tear-stained cheeks. Perhaps it's that she sems to switch too quickly from stern meter-out of justice to kissing, cuddling, shoulder patting comforter of sad girls? Again, this seems unfair; surely the ability to adjust in this way is one of the things which make her a good Head? And yet I loathe it!

Is it that EBD's presentation of Hilda becomes increasingly idealised? Characters presented without ambivalence are often irritation. The adult Jo is perhaps the epitome of this, and yet while I get a bit exasperated with Jo's infinite capacity for empathy, she doesn't embarrass me in the way Hilda does. Perhaps that is because the adolescent Jo is so very attractive that we are prepared to forgive her almost anything as a rather annoying adult?

I have no firm theories about why those passages make me cring so, but I would love to know waht other readers think - particularly if you disagree! I can imagine that for many readers, scenes of girls snuggling up to a sympathetic Miss Annersley arequite delightful. But the, if we all felt the same there would be nothing left to discuss!

#27: Author: Caroline, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:40 am
—

Tara wrote:

I'm interested in the idea of 'being on their side'. Like Mary, I had a similar Head when I was in Primary School and actually the last (male, and damn good) Head I worked under was in some ways out of the same mould. No sentimentality at all, and very much in charge, but at the same time totally 'on the side'of even the most recalcitrant kids. <snip>
I don't feel the two functions are incompatible at all, in fact, if you are to be effective in a pastoral role, both are essential, and I think Hilda comes out pretty well when she's given the chance!

Hmm. Maybe my POV just reflects the fact that I was never fortunate enough to have that kind of Head. The Heads of my grammar school were always the remote, authority types, and I can't imagine anyone I would be less likely to seek comfort from. I guess that's why the one particular aspect of Hilda still seems a tad unrealistic to me - her kind of Head is completely outside of my experience.

BTW, thanks for posting the article, Roisin. Very interesting to read that the author herself knows her cringeing is unfair and doesn't know why she does it. And she is so right - if we all agreed / saw things the same way, life (and the CBB) would be so dull.

Caroline.

#28: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2006 8:57 am
—
Thanks for posting that, Roísín

As I've already said, I don't think Hilda is "cringeworthy". However, I think that the author makes a good point about Hilda being idealised. I think EBD tried to idealise the adult Joey too, although it doesn't work for me! I do feel that Hilda was the perfect Head whom EBD, whose own school didn't last very long, would really have liked to've been.

#29: Author: Ruth, Location: Physically: Lincolnshire, England. Inwardly: The Isle of Skye

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:09 pm
—
I think Hilda is one of the best Heads - I wish she had been my Headmistress instead of the rather bovine article I had!!!!

#30: Author: wheelchairprincess, Location: Oxfordshire, UK

Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:59 pm
—
I never had a head like Hilda but could seriously have used one. I think the comforter is a part of her role because of pastoral responsibilities - the CS has no one in that clear role so it falls to her for even the Matrons aren't seen like that.

#31: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2006 10:34 pm
—
The pastoral role wouldn't be seen as appropriate for the Matrons (tho' obviously they did a lot of physical 'looking after'). The maternal role of the Head was a basic tenet in school stories, expressed very sentimentally in the earlier books. It conflates with the maternal role of the school itself, and this is as true for boys' schools as for girls' - it was male institutions that coined the phrase 'alma mater' to describe themselves, after all. The Head is the embodiment of this, but she also embodies absolute and ultimate authority and autonomy.
Which is why I think, to cross threads a bit, that it's not quite right to see Hilda as a Mary Sue. She is not an idealised version of the author inserted into the story (tho' I'm sure Patmac was right when she said some time ago that Hilda was the Head EBD could never be, and Nell was the friend she never had), there are inevitable elements of an archytype in her role, just because she's a leader. We tend to want our leaders (from Henry Vth to West Wing's President Bartlett and Terry Pratchett's Vetinari) to be intelligent, wise, preferably compassionate, at least just and fair, not to be without flaws, but to possess basic integrity. There are Headmistresses who are ineffective failures, but very few, and those that exist are deeply unsatisfying.

Sorry, I've gone on a bit, but I've found this and the Mary Sue thread fascinating. Embarassed

#32: Author: jennifer, Location: Taiwan

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:12 am
—

Tara wrote:

Which is why I think, to cross threads a bit, that it's not quite right to see Hilda as a Mary Sue. She is not an idealised version of the author inserted into the story (tho' I'm sure Patmac was right when she said some time ago that Hilda was the Head EBD could never be, and Nell was the friend she never had), there are inevitable elements of an archytype in her role, just because she's a leader.

I think that's a good point. Miss Annersley is more of an archetype of the perfect headmistress: calm, wise, self controlled, intelligent, physically attractive in an austere way, a firm disciplinarian without being cruel, sympathetic without being emotional. She is all knowing and compassionate, and always knows when to be firm and when to be kind. She interacts well with all the mistresses without being too familiar.

Possibly that's why I've never found her a particularly well rounded character. We see the perfect headmistresses, but rarely see beyond it. I find Miss Wilson a much more dynamic, interesting person, in the way she's portrayed.

#33: Author: JayB, Location: SE England

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:09 am
—

Quote:

Miss Annersley is more of an archetype of the perfect headmistress....
Possibly that's why I've never found her a particularly well rounded character. We see the perfect headmistresses, but rarely see beyond it. I find Miss Wilson a much more dynamic, interesting person, in the way she's portrayed.

I agree. I said something similar in the Mary Sue thread. Hilda never seems to be entirely off duty. We don't see her looking dirty and bedraggled, as Nell is after the flight from the Nazis, or relaxing in front of the fire as Nell is at the beginning of Lavender. EBD gave Hilda a set of attributes, but missed out a personality.

And I think Nell is wasted as head of St Mildred's.

Jay B.

#34: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:42 am
—
I absolutely agree that Nell is wasted at St Mildred's, I nearly wept when EBD shipped her off, and I also agree about her dynamism and sheer fun, and about the glimpses we fairly often have of her as a real person in all sorts of different contexts - she's a wonderful character.

Despite my comments about the archetypal elements almost indivisible from Hilda's role, however, I don't at all feel that she has no personality - I adore both her and Nell, and feel that, as a unit, they're unbeatable!

Hilda certainly has a very different personality from Nell, much quieter, more reflective, more contained, more remote (because of her position - she can't be involved in all the escapades as Nell can) BUT also more sensitive, more prone to worrying and to feeling overly responsible, more empathic, more able to get under the skin of her pupils and really understand them, possibly more willing to give of herself. She takes life rather too seriously sometimes, and needs Nell to tease and challenge her, but Nell willingly gives the final authority to her - and loves her.
They complement each other so well, neither would be the person she is without the other - imvho! Wink

#35: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:59 pm
—
And you know I agree with every word you write, Judith, where Hilda - and Nell - are concerned. Rolling Eyes

#36: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:22 pm
—
Me too....funny that! Laughing

#37: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:26 am
—

MaryR wrote:

I agree with every word you write

I know, Mary. Always. Every word. Rolling Eyes

#38: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 12:43 am
—
Hilda and Nell really *are* complementary to each other - I agree with Tara, Mary and Cath that they neither would be the people they are without the influence of the other. And it doesn't matter that for the last two-thirds, at least, of the series, they don't work under the same roof - however much Nell's work is with the older girls who make up St. Mildred's, she never loses her grasp of what works best in the Chalet School, and Hilda never ceases to value her objective advice on so many matters.

#39: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 2:26 pm
—

Tara wrote:

MaryR wrote:

I agree with every word you write

I know, Mary. Always. Every word. Rolling Eyes

Hmmm! Got me there, Tara! Laughing

I should hasten to add I was only referring to your words on here! Anywhere else.... open season, my dear! Wink

The CBB -> Formal Discussions

output generated using printer-friendly topic mod. All times are GMT

Page 1 of 1