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#1: Matron Author: BethC, Location: Worcester, UK

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:07 pm

“Excuse me, Matron, Miss Ferrars says is the jam is ready for the Sale yet?”
“Matron, I’ve cut my knee!”
“Miss Annersley says if you have time…”
“Please, Matron, have you seen my shoes?”
“Miss Dene says please may she have the Interlaken order?”
“Matron, Francie sent me to say that the bathroom door handle has jammed again.”
“Matron, Matron Henschell wants to know if she should call the first girls for unpacking yet.”
“Gwynneth, we’re holding a little party at Freudesheim tonight – would you be able to drop round?”
“Matron, this is Sarah Weber, a new girl. Which dormitory is she in?”
“But I’m sure I put it in!”
“Fräulein Lloyd, the boiler it has again broken. I am truly sorry but I cannot mend it until tomorrow.”
“Um, Matron, I’ve torn my frock and I haven’t got any left.”
“Matron, Miss Andrews sent me to report that Kitty won’t eat Frühstück again.”
“I’m very sorry to interrupt the ironing, Gwynneth, but there’s a phone call for you about that new child’s medical condition.”
“Miss Wilmot sent me to Isolation ‘cos I was being naughty.”
“Matron, Con’s been sleep-walking again – Len sent me to fetch you.”

Gwynneth Lloyd paused in her task of sorting out the expedition first-aid kits and pushed her cap back into place with a weary hand. It was all very well for the teaching staff: yes, they all worked hard preparing their lessons, of course, and then there was all that marking, and all the expeditions, extra games practices and so on, but they weren’t on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Of course, all this was part of her job, and she knew she wouldn’t be comfortable if she wasn’t called to any incidents, but just occasionally she did feel rather – well, taken for granted.
Sheer nonsense, she upbraided herself; others worked just as hard – Hilda was devoted to the School, and Nell too, although of course she never let them stay up too late with school business. What did it matter if she herself became a little tired occasionally? She would never dream of shirking her duty. Besides, the undoubted respect she commanded from the girls, as well as her reputation amongst the staff, was surely reward enough.
Yes, the Chalet School was her life, her security. Eric and the children had been good to her, but in many ways the School felt more like family now. There were so many memories, so many emotions – the upheavals each time the School moved, especially that dreadful time at the start of the war; Mlle Lepattre’s illness and death; girls going missing, sustaining terrible injuries, even running away… and of course Lilian’s death, when all the staff as well as Joey and Jack had rallied round to support her in their various ways.
How could she think of complaining when they had been through so much together? Tiredness, she thought as she stooped to pick up a bandage that had rolled on to the floor, was really a small price to pay for the only place she could now call home.

#2: Author: Róisín, Location: Galway, Eire

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:09 pm

Aw, poor Gwyneth sounds wrecked! But I always thought she sounded overworked in the books anyway. Maybe you could drabble her a treat? Wink

Thanks Beth, it's lovely.

#3: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:13 pm

Thats an interesting view of Gwynneth. So concerned about others, and yet not taking as much care of herself as she should.

Would be interested to see if there was anyway that the school could show her that they appreciate her.

Thanks Beth - tis Vair shiny Very Happy

#4: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 9:49 pm

Thanks Beth, nice to see such a sympathetic view of Matey - she needs to be careful - she's heading for a stress-related illness.

#5: Author: francesn, Location: away with the faeries

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:08 pm

wow that really shows everyhting that Matey had to deal with.

Thanks Beth, very thought provoking

#6: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:47 pm

Thanks, Beth, for providing us with this insight into Matey's thoughts.

#7: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:48 pm

Lovely Beth - thank you

I love the amazing variety of queries she has to deal with all at once. And how she feels the school is her home

Liz

#8: Author: joelle, Location: lancashire, england

Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 11:25 pm

poor matey-so much hassle. yet shes so good about it. bless. thanks for that pov

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

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 12:12 am

Lovely!! What would they do without her?

#10: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:44 am

Thank you, Beth. Very moving.

#11: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:49 am

Thank you Beth, that was such a lovely insight into Matey Very Happy

#12: Author: Helen P, Location: Crewe, Cheshire

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:18 am

Lovely, Beth, thank you.

I will remember this next time I read about Matey in the books! You've captured her beautifully.

#13: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:05 pm

That is lovely Beth, very evocotive of motherhood in many ways and beautifuly sympathetic.

#14: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 9:18 pm

Great insight Beth. I think I was well grown up before I realised that Matey seemed to deal with everything domestic as well as medical. We hardly ever see her off duty.

*whispers : Is there more?*

#15: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 11:52 pm

Lovely, Beth. What a gorgeous last line.

Thanks.

#16: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 7:57 am

That was excellent, thank you Beth.

#17: Author: RuthY, Location: Anyone's guess

Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:24 pm

Excellent, thanks Beth

#18: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 6:18 pm

I really liked this Beth!

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