Madge reflects
The CBB -> St Agnes's House

#1: Madge reflects Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:23 pm


Madge wandered listlessly around the chalet. There were no pupils to disturb her – they had all been sent home after the tragedy, staying only long enough to attend the funeral. She looked at the large room in which she was standing, remembering the fun she and Joey had had trying to decide where to put which piece of furniture, and a tear fell from her eye.

It had been three weeks since Maureen Donovan and her friends had made their ill-fated skating excursion and Joey had rushed to the rescue, and just over two weeks since the final result of that folly had made itself known. She had thought the funeral would have been the hardest part to bear, but she had looked around the small chapel and been proud to see how many lives her small sister had touched. There was not enough space for everyone who wished to attend, and it had only been the appalling weather that had stopped their local friends from standing outside to pay their respects. Instead, a memorial service had been held at the Kron Prinze Karl, which Herr Braun had opened specially, and everyone who was able had attended. Madge’s heart had nearly burst with pride when she saw that even the large ballroom at the hotel had been filled.

There had been only one person missing from both the funeral and memorial service. The Robin was inconsolable, and had cried herself into an illness, and it was now with her that everyone’s concern lay. In one sobbing fit, she had cried out her fear that she was to blame for Joey’s death – that Joey hadn’t liked her song and it had driven her away. The adults had tried to dispel any such fears, but Madge knew that underneath, the Robin still believed she was to blame.

Madge herself was not free from guilt. She knew that the type of person Joey had been would not have stood by when others were in danger – she had proved that many times, chasing after Grizel, Elisaveta, the Robin and Cornelia to save them from terrible fates. But Madge knew that Joey was that way because of the way she had been raised – the way Madge had raised her. She knew it was silly to think such things, she would have hated if Joey had grown into a selfish person who cared only for herself, but it was difficult not to blame herself. Maybe if she’d taken better care of Joey when she was younger then her sister would not have suffered the illnesses which had weakened her. Maybe…

Madge was startled from her introspection by the sound of footsteps behind her. She turned to see her husband, carrying their small son. The thought that he would not remember his Aunt Joey nearly broke her, but she remained upright and steadied herself to break her news to Jem. As she did so she held out her arms for her son, her mothering instinct over-riding everything else.

“This little chap needed his mother, so I told Rosa I would bring him to you. Are you alright darling?”

“What do you think Jem?” her tone was harsh, and she instantly regretted it. “I’m sorry. It’s just being here, remembering how we started – Joey was such an important part of that I can’t carry it on without her.” Jem sensed there was important news coming and wisely stayed silent. “So I have been speaking to Elise, and we have come to the decision to close the school. If I cannot guarantee the safety of my own sister, how can I take responsibility for other children? Elise agrees with me totally, and I know the parents and girls will understand.”

“I understand too, and if you are sure you are making the right decision…”

“I am Jem. I know that with as much certainty as I knew it was right to start the school here in the first place. I cannot stay here, not here at the Tiernsee, or at the Sonnalpe. There’s too much of Joey around. I know it will make things awkward for us – you can’t leave the San – but we’ll make it work somehow – won’t we?” Jem sighed at the look of desperation in his wife’s face, and wondered to himself what he had done to make Madge think the San was more important to him than she was.

“I would rather be with you than the San my darling. I had suspected you would feel this way, and I have already been making enquiries. If it is what you want, I have buyers interested and we could leave almost immediately – go anywhere you want.” Jem was looking at his wife with such love in his eyes that Madge was almost overcome – to the extent that she almost missed his next, softly spoken words.

“I loved her too. Once we were married, she was my sister as well. I understand why you don’t want to stay here – I will always understand.” Jem began to move towards the door, and as he spoke again, his tone changed. “Now, I think the Robin will need you up at the Sonnalpe – she had taken some food when I was up there, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she asks for her Tante Guito!”

“Jem! Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Madge stared indignantly at her husband’s retreating back, then reflected admiringly on his distraction technique. It was exactly what was required – a reminder that there were others who still needed her. She made her way out of the room, still carrying baby David, and paused by the doorway.

“Goodbye Joey,” she said, before leaving the Chalet for the last time.


Last edited by Donna on Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:04 pm; edited 1 time in total

 


#2:  Author: VikkiLocation: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!! PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:30 pm


*sob*


Donna, that was beautifully written, but very very sad!!!!

 


#3:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:30 pm


Oh, how sad! And it could, so easily have been. Crying or Very sad

Beautiful piece Donna, thank you.

 


#4:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:38 pm


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Thanks Donna - that was so sad

Liz

 


#5:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:38 pm


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

That was incredibly beautiful Donna Crying or Very sad Poor Madge Sad

And Robin - I hope she gets better? Won't you write a bit more please?

Pretty please?

 


#6:  Author: LadyGuinevereLocation: Leicester PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:41 pm


That brought a lump into my throat. It was beautiful.

Pretty please a little more?

 


#7:  Author: DawnLocation: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:43 pm


That was so sad and so beautiful Donna thankyou

 


#8:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:27 pm


As everyone has already said, that was beautifully written Donna. Had a definite lump in my throat there

 


#9:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 11:54 pm


Oh Donna, that was beautiful. So poignant and it could so easily have happened.
Thank you

 


#10:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 1:17 am


Shocked Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

That was wonderful, Donna, and so sad.

 


#11:  Author: JustJenLocation: waiting for a bus PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 3:31 am


sniff, sniff so sad....wipes away tears

 


#12:  Author: LianeLocation: Manchester England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:44 am


That was so beautiful. I cried from start to finish! Crying or Very sad

 


#13:  Author: AliceLocation: London, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:46 am


That was so sad Donna, thank you.

 


#14:  Author: AnnLocation: Newcastle upon Tyne, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 8:24 am


Crying or Very sad

Thank you Donna, that was beautifully written.

 


#15:  Author: JoeyLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:11 am


That's so sad and so beautiful, Donna. And it could so easily have happened! Thank you.

 


#16:  Author: DonnaLocation: Liverpool PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 6:01 pm


Whoever fed the bunny should own up now - I was up til 1.30 last night writing this! This really is it though - there will be no more. Thank you for all your lovely comments though!

The two figures turned away from the gates of the now empty Chalet School with an air of sadness surrounding them. They were obviously father and daughter – there was enough of a resemblance between them to prove that, although it was somewhat over-powered by the child’s beauty. To anyone who knew her, it was no surprise that she was often described as Die Engelkind. However, there was something new in her face now. She had lost her childish chubbiness in her last illness, but it wasn’t just that. It was the fact that it seemed to take her a great effort to smile, as if something had stolen all the joy from her world.

Captain Humphries looked down at his daughter wistfully. He missed the cheeriness and joie de vivre the Robin had been known for, but the death of her beloved Joey six months earlier seemed to have forever taken that away.

“Papa, why did Tante Guito and Oncle Jem leave us?” The voice was quiet and contained a small note of despair. “Don’t they love us any more?”

“Of course they do darling! But staying here was making Tante Marguerite ill, so they decided to go back to England for now.”
“Can we go too – and live with them again? Then it will be as it used to, only without…without Joey.” This last was said with a catch in her voice, as she once again remembered that nothing could be as it was.

“No, sweetheart. You know you don’t like England’s weather. It is not good for you there and you must stay here until you are completely better – and that will be a while yet. You are only just getting your strength back, and we don’t want to tire you, do we? We will visit them soon though.” The Robin seemed to be content with that and Captain Humphries picked her up in preparation for the walk back up to the Sonnalpe.

This had been the small girl’s first trip down to the lake since her illness, an illness which they had all feared would lead to TB. While that fear had receded for now, it was clear that the Robin had been weakened by the long illness, and it had made her more susceptible to the terrible disease in the future. Therefore she was being carefully watched, and was never allowed to over-exert herself.

Captain Humphries had been reflecting on the past few months as he walked and so was startled by a sudden movement of the Robin. When he looked down he realised she had hidden her face.

“What’s wrong sweetheart?” he asked. In reply, the Robin pointed at a group of girls in the distance, surprising her father. “But they’re just girls Robin – they can’t harm you!”

“They are from that school and I don’t want to have to look at them! I hate them – hate them!” The Captain was shocked by the vehemence with which his daughter spoke. It was so unlike the Robin, and he wondered why he had not seen these feelings sooner.

“It is their fault that Joey has gone to God! Their fault that Tante Marguerite and Oncle Jem left me! I wish they had never come here!” She broke off with a violent coughing fit and her father hastily placed her on the ground, although he wisely made sure the St Scholastika girls were out of sight. He took a water bottle out of the knapsack he carried on his back, and held it to the Robin’s mouth. The water helped her, and soon she sat there calmly, though exhausted.

“You mustn’t let yourself get worked up so, mein blumchen. You know it makes you cough, and then I worry.” The Robin looked guilty as he finished.

“I am sorry Papa. I forgot. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

“I know darling, but you must be more careful. No harm done this time though.” He sat back on his heels and regarded his daughter thoughtfully. He had no desire to prompt another coughing fit, but at the same time he didn’t feel he should let her outburst pass without comment.

“Sweetheart, I want you to think about something for me. When you say your prayers, do you mean everything you say?” As his daughter nodded, Captain Humphries continued. “Even the Lord’s Prayer?” The Robin nodded again. “Well, Robinette, I don’t think you do. If you did, you wouldn’t have spoken in that way about those girls.” He paused to let this sink in. “Every night you ask God to forgive your sins, as you forgive others’ – but if you can’t hold up your side of the bargain and find it in your heart to forgive, why should God forgive you?” He moved closer to his daughter as he continued.

“One of their girls made a mistake Robin, and it had tragic consequences. I know they look happy, but they’re not. Miss Browne has told me that many of her girls weep when they’re in bed, because they blame themselves. They don’t need you to blame them too. She also told me that she is closing the school at the end of this term. Wouldn’t you rather they went with your forgiveness?”

“But if Maureen hadn’t gone skating…”

“No! Joey made her own decision. Do you think she could have stood by and watched Maureen drown?” He paused again as he considered his next words. “Now, I want you to think about this. If Grizel had died when the stone hit her last year, would you have forgiven Deira?”

“That’s different Papa! That was an accident!”

“So was this. Darling, think how Maureen must be feeling. She knows it was her fault. She is suffering on two counts now – she is in pain in her body, through her illness, but she is also in pain in her soul – she knows she caused the death of another. She needs your forgiveness.

“We will say no more about it for now. Are you ready to go on? Right then, up you come!” With this, Captain Humphries strode off up the mountain path with a very thoughtful little girl in his arms.

 


#17:  Author: LizBLocation: Oxon, England PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 7:52 pm


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

Thanks Donna

Liz

 


#18:  Author: SophoifeLocation: down under Down Under PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 9:33 pm


Donna!!! How do you do it???

Twasn't me who fed your bunny, but I might do it now - for more!!

 


#19:  Author: KateLocation: Ireland PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2005 10:55 pm


Shocked Crying or Very sad

Donna, you made me cry again! Sad

But thank you, that was beautiful.

 


#20:  Author: SarahLocation: Ormskirk, Lancashire PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:10 am


Wow! That was beautiful! Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 


#21:  Author: AllyLocation: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!! PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 7:25 am


That was beautiful thank you Donna, poor Madge and Robin Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 


#22:  Author: JosieLocation: London PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:14 pm


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

That was so emotive, Donna. Just wonderfully done.

Thank you.

 


#23:  Author: KatLocation: Swansea PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 3:33 pm


Please write more Donna!

You can't leave it there Crying or Very sad

 


#24:  Author: JoeyLocation: Cambridge PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 4:44 pm


I agree with Kat.

This is amazing writing, Donna. I'd love to see some more when you have time.

 


#25:  Author: Amanda MLocation: Wakefield PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 5:39 pm


I agree with everyone else - this is beautifully written Donna. You've captured the characters perfectly.

Thank you.

 


#26:  Author: aitchemelleLocation: West Sussex PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:07 pm


That was beautiful Donna thank you! Please write more Very Happy

 


#27:  Author: pimLocation: the Derbyshire wilderness PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:30 pm


Wow. Thank you Donna, I've gone all goosebumpy now. That was amazing.

 


#28:  Author: MarianneLocation: Lancaster PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 6:36 pm


awwwww, so much sad stuff Sad

 


#29:  Author: LesleyLocation: Allhallows, Kent PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:37 pm


Poor little Robin. Thanks Donna. Crying or Very sad

 


#30:  Author: francesnLocation: away with the faeries PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:53 pm


Thank you, Donna

*sniffles*

And I found this just after I finished Rivals - perfect timing!

 


#31:  Author: PadoLocation: Connecticut, USA PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:30 am


Catching my breath. Wonderful!

 


#32:  Author: Carolyn PLocation: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2005 9:30 pm


That was beautiful Donna, but so sad.

Crying or Very sad

 


#33:  Author: SusanLocation: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2005 11:00 am


Thank you Donna that was so moving and so nearly might have happened.

 


#34:  Author: Guest PostPosted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:00 pm


Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 


#35:  Author: CathLocation: Cornwall PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2005 9:47 pm


Just found this... Sad that was beautiful Donna, thank you.

 




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