Oh good, I loved the Augusta stories - the one where she catches a 'burglar' still makes me laugh out loud when re-reading it!
Thanks Abi
| The CBB http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/ | |
| Augusta and the Hidden Treasure http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4839 |
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| Author: | Abi [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
This has been hanging about for a couple of years, partially written, and I've finally decided to give Augusta another airing on the CBB. If you've never come across Augusta before, each of the stories is free-standing. It was a few years ago now that I was posting them, so probably most people won't have. And if you have... you know what to expect! For those who haven't, they're set post-Highland Twins in the era when Elizabeth Arnett is Head Girl. Augusta and the Hidden Treasure It was two weeks into Augusta's second at the Chalet School and Augusta was growing bored. A small, thin, twelve year old, she had been sent to boarding school because her parents hoped it would help her to become a useful citizen. So far no-one was entirely sure if the experiment had been a success. On the one hand, Augusta and all the members of the Chalet School were still alive; on the other, Augusta's first term had been fraught with incidents ranging from the merely irritating to the near-catastrophic and had culminated in the hideous debacle of the Christmas Play. The aftermath of this had been unpleasant enough for Augusta to wish to keep a low profile for the first part of the term. Now, however, the effect was wearing off, and Augusta began to feel a certain ennui which even the thrill of a small air-raid did not dispell. "Did you read," queried Mollie, one of Augusta's two great friends, "about that man who found a hidden treasure in the middle of a field? He was just ploughing it, and suddenly there was all this gold all over the place!" She paused to picture the scene in her mind's eye. Kathie Robertson (commonly known as "Mops") interposed, "I did. It was some old highwayman's secret hideaway and then he was hanged before he could go back and collect it." A beatific smile was spreading over Augusta's face. "What?" said Kathie suspiciously. "Well," said Augusta slowly. "Don't you think it would be a jolly good scheme if we could find some treasue ourselves?" There was a small pause. "I s'pose so," Kathie admitted cautiously. "But how do we know there is any anywhere?" "Oh there's treasure all over the place. People are always finding it," said Augusta carelessly. "You just have to look at an old map, and go wherever there's a cross, and dig, and there it is." Seeing their doubtful expressions she added, "If we found it, we could give it to the Spitfire Fund or something. I mean if we give it to the War Effort it'll really be Digging for Victory, won't it?" "Yes...," said Mollie. "Yes," she said more firmly. "I think it's a jolly good plan. Tell you what, I'll go and get a map, shall I, and we can see if it's got a cross on it." "Yes, but make sure it's a map of here," said Kathie. "We can't go haring off to Scotland or somewhere. We wouldn't be allowed." Mollie departed, grinning widely for no reason that Augusta or Kathie could discern. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:08 pm ] |
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Oh good, I loved the Augusta stories - the one where she catches a 'burglar' still makes me laugh out loud when re-reading it!
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Tara [ Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:55 pm ] |
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I LOVE Augusta! Wonderful to see her back. Love Kathie making sure the map will be local 
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| Author: | Catherine [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:53 am ] |
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Fantastic! Augusta is wonderful! Thanks for bringing her back, Abi! 
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| Author: | Cumbrian Rachel [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:54 am ] |
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I'm thrilled to see Augusta back! I'm already chuckling over this story so far... |
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| Author: | Fi [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:55 am ] |
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I'm really looking forward to more of this Abi. I read the other Augusta stories in the archives a while back and they nearly had me in hysterics. |
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:00 pm ] |
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Thanks, Abi. I'm new to the joys of Augusta and am really going to enjoy this .
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| Author: | snowmaiden [ Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:38 pm ] |
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Just read this and some of the earlier ones in the archive, nearly crying with laughter. Abi, you are a genius, thanks.
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| Author: | Abi [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 1:43 pm ] |
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Thanks for the comments Here is a wee bitty more...
Mollie returned at a run waving an old, battered map violently in the air like a conductor wielding his baton. "Here!" she panted. "Here it is, look!" The map, unfolded, looked even worse than it had on the outside - small tears, a few murky looking stains and innumerable creases were scattered about its surface. The red cross that adorned a field close to the School, however, was as bright and clean as though it had been placed there five minutes before. "Gosh!" exclaimed Augusta, highly gratified by this proof of her casually offered theory. "You see," she added, rallying quickly. "I told you, didn't I? There's treasure everywhere. This is probably the lair of an ancient pirate, stealing up here in the dark to hide his ill-gotten gains..." Her voice tailed off as hordes of villainous sailors floated through her mind, parrots on their shoulders, knives in their teeth and great, clinking sacks of gold slung on their backs. "We're nowhere near the sea, Gussie. Pirates hide their treasure in caves on beaches," pointed out Kathie rather tartly. "Oh, well, something like that, anyway," amended Augusta vaguely. She bent down to study the map more closely. "It's really quite close," she said. "Less than half an hour's walk, I should think. LIsten, it's Saturday tomorrow. Let's think about it in bed tonight and we'll make our plan tomorrow." |
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 2:35 pm ] |
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Can't wait to find out what happens! |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:22 pm ] |
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I'm just trying to think about OS maps - don't crosses mark churches?
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:18 pm ] |
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Abi wrote: The red cross that adorned a field close to the School, however, was as bright and clean as though it had been placed there five minutes before.
My italics - am I the only one to be a wee bitty suspicious here? 
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Aquabird [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:34 pm ] |
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Thanks, Abi, looking forward to more. I read the other stories in the archives and nearly blew a capillary laughing. I loved the description of her arrival at the school!
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:39 pm ] |
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Thanks Abi. It nice to read more about Augusta |
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| Author: | Catherine [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:12 am ] |
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abbeybufo wrote: Abi wrote: The red cross that adorned a field close to the School, however, was as bright and clean as though it had been placed there five minutes before. My italics - am I the only one to be a wee bitty suspicious here? I'm suspicious too ... especially given that Mollie was grinning widely when she ran off! |
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| Author: | JennieP [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 3:12 pm ] |
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A new Augusta story! *Jumps up and down shrieking excitedly* Thanks Abi! |
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| Author: | jilianb [ Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:26 pm ] |
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Thanks Abi. I'm new to the Augusta stories but after this I'll read all the archived ones too. |
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| Author: | Abi [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:29 pm ] |
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Glad you're all exercising your brains This bit doesn't really further the story, but hey!
Augusta was still distrait at Prayers next morning. She remained standing after the rest of the School had seated itself and had to be violently hauled down by Kathie, and embarked loudly and tunelessly on the fifth verse of the hymn two bars early. Miss Edwards, Augusta's long-suffering form mistress, noticed these signs with severe misgivings. She ran her errant pupil to earth some time after Prayers, walking backwards down the stairs. "What are you doing, Augusta?" she asked, with some justification. Augusta jumped violently and almost fell down the stairs. "Oh!" she exclaimed, grabbing the bannister and recovering herself. "I'm sorry Miss Edwards. I didn't see you." "I gather that, Augusta," said the mistress tartly. "What were you doing?" "Just coming down the stairs," said Augusta, looking faintly bewildered. "Backwards?" "Oh, well, you see I like to go downstairs like that because then if I've forgotten something it means I don't have to turn round and go all the way upstairs again, I just have to carry on walking, only the other way." Miss Edwards glared at Augusta for a moment, wondering if she was trying to be funny. Augusta decided that it would be prudent to explain further. "It works going up the stairs, too," she added, "only then, of course, you have to face down them." Miss Edwards abandoned the subject. "Now, Augusta," she said in firm tones. "I have noticed certain - er - signs that indicate to me that you might be planning something." "Planning?" Augusta's eyes widened innocently. Suspicion burgeoned in Miss Edwards' breast. "Something you shouldn't be planning," she elaborated. Augusta said nothing to this, but intensified the innocent expression until it began to appear slightly imbecilic. Miss Edwards began to wish she had not broached the subject. "Would you be planning anything like that?" she pressed. "Of course not, Miss Edwards," Augusta assured her. "I want to help. I'd thought of doing some digging... you know... digging for victory." "I see. Well, so long as you confine your activities to that, you can't go wrong. Just try to be sensible, please, Augusta." "Yes, Miss Edwards. I always am." Miss Edwards nodded, then retreated down the corridor, a slight frown creasing her forehead. She couldn't help feeling that the conversation had not gone precisely as planned. And she had forgotten to forbid Augusta to come down the stairs backwards. |
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| Author: | Ruth B [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:43 pm ] |
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Oh wonderful! So glad to see Augusta back! |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:51 pm ] |
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It's really funny that just a few minutes of talking to Augusta brings on a migraine and acute forgetfulness in any Mistress.
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Tara [ Tue Aug 05, 2008 11:23 pm ] |
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| Priceless!
I love the solemnity and complete rationality of Augusta's explanations. No wonder they leave the staff wondering which way up they are. Thanks, Abi. |
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| Author: | Catherine [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:37 am ] |
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Poor Miss Edwards ...  She really should know better though!
Thanks, Abi. |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:43 am ] |
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Digging for victory indeed . Poor Miss Edwards.
Thanks Abi, I enjoyed reading Augusta in the archives a while ago! |
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| Author: | Mrs Redboots [ Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:01 pm ] |
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This looks great, Abi! I haven't met Augusta before, but I think I will go and have a peek in the archives very shortly. |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:58 pm ] |
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Thanks
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 3:05 pm ] |
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Great .
Thanks! |
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| Author: | Aquabird [ Fri Aug 08, 2008 7:10 pm ] |
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Love Augusta's infuriating seriousness!
Thank you Abi, looking forward to more.
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| Author: | Mez [ Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:07 am ] |
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Thank you Abi. Just off to look in the archives...... |
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| Author: | Carolyn P [ Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:08 pm ] |
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AUGUSTA!!!!!!!!! Brilliant!.
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| Author: | Kathy_S [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:06 am ] |
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Digging for Victory, is it?
Glad to see more of Augusta! |
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| Author: | Abi [ Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:43 pm ] |
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Thanks for all the comments. Sorry there hasn't been any of this for a while - blame Lesley, I've been reading RCS 2 - 10
"Where've you been, Gussie?" demanded Mollie when five minutes later Augusta arrived in the common room. "I was talking to Miss Edwards." Augusta lowered her voice conspiratorially. "She was getting suspicious, but don't worry, I put her off the track all right." "Did you?" Kathie sounded sceptical. "Well, I'm not surprised she was suspicious after the way you were playing around at Prayers. I should think the whole School was suspicious." "It was a simple mistake," said Augusta with dignity, "that could have happened to anyone." Kathie snorted and Mollie changed the subject quickly. "Never mind that. Have you got a plan? Cos honestly, I don't see how we can get out to dig without anyone spotting we're gone." "That part's easy enough," said Augusta, sounding slightly surprised. "We just slip out at night after everyone's gone to bed. We'll pinch some spades from the gardening shed and dig up the treasure. The only problem -" "Oh, there's a problem, is there?" interjected Kathie with painful sarcasm. "Yes. You see, that's the field they keep the bull in." ****** It was night. The dead of night, to be precise. Three small figures scrambled through a ground floor window, collected spades from the shed which contained the School's gardening equipment and set out into the darkness. "Look, what about this bull?" queried one of them in a hoarse whisper. "Will you shut up about the bull?" demanded Augusta. "It'll be asleep. I've told you." "Hah," retorted Mollie. "Bet you anything bulls don't sleep." "Bet you they do. Bet you a million pounds." "Well, all right, maybe they do," Mollie conceded, prudently safeguarding her millions. "But what if we wake it up?" "Bulls don't attack people at night," asserted Augusta, "do they, Kathie?" "Well, I'm not sure -" "I've never heard of it happening anyway. Of course if you have, that's different." Kathie and Mollie remained silent. |
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| Author: | Anjali [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:40 am ] |
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This is priceless! Thanks Abi! I love the way Augusta gets over Kathie and Mollie's objections - and Kathie prudently safeguarding her millions is brilliant! |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 4:33 am ] |
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You just know it's all going to go wrong, don't you?
Thanks Abi - though I see I'm being blamed again! 
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:32 am ] |
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| I see the girls have just as much hope of arguing with her as the mistresses do
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| Author: | Ela [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:13 am ] |
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Really enjoying this, Abi - Augusta presents her explanations so rationally, no-one can point out the problem. Did like Mollie "prudently" safeguarding her millions Thank-you very much.
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| Author: | Chelsea [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:35 pm ] |
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I love the theory that if we've never heard about a bull attacking someone at night, it must never happen! I'm greatly enjoying this - thanks! |
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| Author: | Aquabird [ Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:02 pm ] |
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This is great Abi, thanks. |
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:26 pm ] |
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Thanks, Abi, I'm thoroughly enjoying this! |
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| Author: | Catherine [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:35 pm ] |
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Oh dear ...
I can't help but feel sorry for the bull!
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| Author: | macyrose [ Fri Aug 22, 2008 8:22 pm ] |
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I wonder if there'll be a sign on the gate saying "If you enter this field you must be able to cross it in nine seconds because the bull can cross it in ten!"
Enjoying this, Abi. |
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| Author: | Pado [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 12:32 am ] |
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Augusta is new to me, but I'm already a fan! Off to the archives... |
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| Author: | Pado [ Sun Aug 24, 2008 1:48 am ] |
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Back from the archives. Holding sides. I had no idea... |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Aug 30, 2008 10:36 am ] |
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Only a small bit this time, I'm afraid. That Sunday afternoon was not one that Augusta liked to remember. She and her comrades had had no time for private talk in the morning, since they had only been extracted from their beds in time to don a random selection of clothes before they were rushed downstairs to breakfast and thence to Church. Much to the irritation of those sitting within earshot of Mollie, she had sneezed her way through the service and continued to produce regular explosions throughout lunch, with the not unnatural result that Matron swooped down on her when the meal was over and immediately incarcerated her in the Sanatorium. After ten minutes of morose silence as they sat in the common room listening to the rain pounding against the windows Kathie finally spoke. "Well, I suppose there wasn't any treasure after all." Augusta, who had just been thinking the same thing, immediately changed her mind. "What?" "Didn't find it, did we?" "No, but just because we didn't find it does't mean it isn't there." "Yes," agreed Kathie, "but I don't see how we're to find it. You said yourself that outcrop of rocks was the most likely place and we dug all round it. For hours." "I know." Augusta was silent. Even she could not quite see how to organise excavations on such a large scale without anyone in authority noticing what they were doing. In fact, had it not been for a chance discovery in the library the next day, the whole affair might have died a natural death. |
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| Author: | Tara [ Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:03 pm ] |
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Aagh, I missed the updates! Augusta is the original irresistible force, isn't she - she's just marvellous. I loved the way she rode straight over Kathie and Mollie's objections with her usual irrefutable 'logic'. Waiting to see what happens next .
Thanks, Abi. |
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| Author: | Elle [ Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:10 pm ] |
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Right, am off to the archives! This is funny! Thanks. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:42 pm ] |
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Love the way Augusta immediately changed her mind about giving up!
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:37 pm ] |
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Kathie was in the common room writing a letter home when the door burst open to admit Augusta, who dashed across the room and skidded to halt beside her friend. "Look, Kathie, look - look -" "What at?" said Kathie, alarmed. "Hold it still and let me see." She grabbed the small volume from Augusta and scanned the page that was open to view. Her eyes came to rest on a small, innocuous-looking heading. 'Gunpowder'. "To blast that rock," whispered Augusta. "It'll be much quicker than digging." The common room swam before Kathie's eyes. She clutched at the table like a drowning man gripping a straw and made small squeaking noises. "Don't you think it's a good idea?" Augusta was enchanted by the simplicity of the plan. Nor, may it be said, was she averse to the idea of experimenting with explosives. "But Gussie!" wailed Kathie, the power of speech returning. "Think of the mess it'll make! D'you think a farmer won't notice if his field's all blown up?" But Augusta was not to be thwarted by so small an objection. "We'll be finding treasure there, don't forget. It's bound to be worth a colossal amount of money and we can pay for any damage we do out of it. There'll be plenty left over for the Spitfire Fund." "Well, I know, but still -" Kathie glanced down at the little book again in the hope of finding further grounds for objections within its pages. "But look, Gussie. Where are we going to get the ingredients? You can't make gunpowder if you don't have the things to make it with." "Don't worry. Bill's certain to have them all in that cupboard she keeps locked. I'll ask her next lesson." Kathie shut the book and stared down at its plain brown cover. Albert F. Cronshaw. 'Practical Hints and Trade Secrets'. She wished Albert F. Cronkshaw had jolly well kept his practical hints and trade secrets to himself. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:47 pm ] |
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Am very intrigued as to Nell Wilson's response!
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Rebecca [ Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:38 pm ] |
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I can't believe I missed the return of Augusta until now!! I dread to think what's going to happen with the gunpowder... Thanks, Abi! |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sun Aug 31, 2008 9:20 pm ] |
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Lesley wrote: Am very intrigued as to Nell Wilson's response!
My immediate thought, too
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | snowmaiden [ Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:55 am ] |
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Thanks Abi, this is so funny. Can't wait to hear what Miss Wilson says!
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:56 pm ] |
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Oh my, this is soooo funny! I just love Augusta. |
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| Author: | Billie [ Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:31 pm ] |
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Oh, I'm going to have to search out your other Augusta stories now. She's fantastic. |
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| Author: | Tara [ Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:04 pm ] |
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Quote: The common room swam before Kathie's eyes. She clutched at the table like a drowning man gripping a straw and made small squeaking noises ... Augusta was enchanted by the simplicity of the plan. Nor, may it be said, was she averse to the idea of experimenting with explosives. Oh, I ache I looove Augusta!
Another who can't wait for Bill's reaction. |
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| Author: | Billie [ Wed Sep 03, 2008 9:09 pm ] |
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Reading your first Augusta story and think it is the sort of thing to print out and keep with me for when I need cheering up. "Percy and the fork. It was marvellous."
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:49 am ] |
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Can't wait to see Nell's response when asked for ingredients to gunpowder or see Augusta ask her for it
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| Author: | Abi [ Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:04 pm ] |
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Thanks for the comments.
Augusta managed to linger behind the rest of the class after their next Biology lesson by the simple expedient of dropping her pencil box, the contents of which bounced and rolled into all corners of the lab., whence Augusta enthusiastically pursued them. "Sorry, Miss Wilson," she apologised brightly, picking up a well-chewed pencil which consisted of tip and very little else, causing the mistress to wonder how on earth Augusta wrote with it. That young lady crouched down to retrieve a small black object which, in a previous existence, had been an eraser. It had come to rest by the side of the cupboard which had been under discussion two days before. Augusta seized her opportunity. "Miss Wilson, what do you keep in this cupboard?" Miss Wilson raised her eyebrows. "Why do you ask?" she hedged. "Well, it's always locked, isn't it? I just wondered whether you kept something awfully exciting in there." The Science mistress was unable to help smiling, despite the alarm bells ringing in her mind which suggested that it would be unwise to allow Augusta to think there was anything of undue interest in the cupboard. She decided to put her foot firmly down on the idea. "Nothing at all exciting, I'm afraid," she said, and proceeded to reel off a list of long and complicated chemical names which left Augusta staring at her with glazed eyes and a slightly open mouth. Miss Wilson, alarmed by her sudden piscine appearance, hastily broke off. There was a short pause. "No, you're right," said Augusta. "None of those things sound very interesting." She replaced the last pencil in the box, then turned a radiant smile on the mistress. "Thank you very much, Miss Wilson," she said. Suddenly doubtful, Miss Wilson watched her out of the room. Then she shrugged her shoulders and turned to pick up her papers. She was too suspicious, that was the trouble. |
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| Author: | Ela [ Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:45 pm ] |
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Abi wrote: Suddenly doubtful, Miss Wilson watched her out of the room. Then she shrugged her shoulders and turned to pick up her papers. She was too suspicious, that was the trouble.
No, Miss Wilson, you are not being suspicious enough! Thanks, Abi
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| Author: | JS [ Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:39 pm ] |
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Thanks Abi - I fear for what will happen next |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:44 pm ] |
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Wake up Nell - she's up to something!!! Wonder if the list of chemicals included saltpetre, sulphur or even nitroglycerine??? 
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| Author: | Tara [ Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:23 pm ] |
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Love the chewed pencil and the black eraser . Nell, don't take your eyes off her for one minute; 'piscine appearance' or not, she's taking it all in!
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| Author: | Kathy_S [ Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:03 am ] |
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Keep a good eye on that key, Nell! Thank you, Abi. 
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ Sun Sep 14, 2008 10:12 pm ] |
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Nell will kick herself when she finds out why Augusta was so interested
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| Author: | Billie [ Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:01 pm ] |
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*chuckles* Nell, beware. |
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| Author: | jilianb [ Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:38 pm ] |
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Nell had better watch out, there's mischief comming. Brilliant, thanks Abi |
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| Author: | MHE [ Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:18 pm ] |
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She'll not blow up the whole school - will she Runs and hides
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| Author: | Abi [ Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:17 pm ] |
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Lesley wrote: Wonder if the list of chemicals included saltpetre, sulphur or even nitroglycerine???
In the book (it is a real book - has all sorts of bizarre things in it as well as the gunpowder recipe) the ingredient is saltpetre, but as I have no idea whether it would be likely to be in Miss Wilson's cupboard I decided to leave it ambiguous! I haven't written much as am on training - last week and this week coming - which is madly intensive and I have to get up at 5.30am to get to Guildford in time. So am spending most of the rest of the time sleeping! Anyway...
Augusta, in the meantime, sped towards the dormitory, where Kathie was awaiting her arrival in some trepidation. "She told me!" she hissed in a stage whisper. "She keeps it in the cupboard." "She told you?" Kathie echoed, appalled. "She actually told you?" "Yes. At least, it was about the third thing she said. Good thing it wasn't later really, or I'd probably have missed it. She keeps an awful lot of things in there." Kathie turned away and began to remove her frock. She was deeply disappointed in Miss Wilson. Mistresses ought to be more careful about what they said. Fancy telling someone like Augusta where you kept the main ingredient for gunpowder! Kathie decided that Miss Wilson was asking for any trouble she got. "Anyway," Augusta was continuing as she stripped off her own frock, "it means we can make the gunpowder now. She has the key in her drawer, and while I pinch it you can make a - a thingy. You know, where she's looking at you and not thinking about what I'm doing." "You mean a diversion, but -" "Yes, a diversion, that's it. And I'll -" "But Gussie, we can't -" "I'll tealeaf the stuff from the cupboard." "Yes, but look here, Gussie, we simply can't go round making gunpowder." "Of course we can. That's what I've been trying to tell you. Button me up, please, Kathie." When Augusta had performed the same office for her friend and they were walking sedately down the stairs, Kathie returned to the fray. "Gussie," she said, trying to sound as severe as possible. "I won't let you do this." "What?" "Make gunpowder, you clothhead." "I meant, why? It's not as though it can do any harm." "Yes it can. It'll make a beastly mess. You can't - you really can't go messing people's fields up without asking them." "Well, the farmer wouldn't let us do it if we did ask," Augusta pointed out reasonably. "There you are then." "Yes, but he doesn't know about the treasure. He'll be jolly pleased when he does. Specially if we give him some of it." "It isn't just the money, though. It's - it's not blowing up other people's things. Respect," said Kathie. "That's what it is. It's having respect." "I've got respect," said Augusta with dignity. "We're not going to make a big hole. We'll fill it all in, and plant some new grass. And we'll pay him for using his field. You can't say that's not respect." "No," agreed Kathie doubtfully. "I suppose you can't. All the same -" "And the Head can't say anything either, 'cos by that time we'll have found the treasure and given it to the War Effort, so she'll be being unpatriotic if she ticks us off. Honestly, Kathie, there's simply nothing can go wrong." Kathie stared at her. There was a vague uneasiness in her mind, but nothing she could really put her finger on. Gussie was quite right really. So long as they made it up with the farmer afterwards, there was no way such a plan could go astray. The only objection she could think of was a feeble one. "Are you sure the gunpowder'll work? I mean, you - we - don't know how much to use. Suppose it doesn't do anything?" Augusta considered. It was, of course, a point. "I know," she said. "I'll try it out in our next Chemistry lesson. Just a titchy bit, to see how strong it is." |
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:23 pm ] |
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Quote: "I know," she said. "I'll try it out in our next Chemistry lesson. Just a titchy bit, to see how strong it is."
Good grief!!!! Watch out Nell - you're about to lose your lab!
Oh and absolutely loved the bit about the Head being unpatriotic if she ticked them off!
Thanks Abi |
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| Author: | Tara [ Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:23 pm ] |
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| . Glorious!
Quote: There was a vague uneasiness in her mind, but nothing she could really put her finger on. That's just how she takes people .
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| Author: | Rebecca [ Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:48 pm ] |
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This just gets better and better! Gussie is absolutely fab!! |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:49 am ] |
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I think there's going to be a jolly exciting chemistry lesson coming up soon - watch out Miss Wilson !!
Thanks Abi. |
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| Author: | JS [ Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:12 pm ] |
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She makes it all sound so reasonable! Thanks Abi. |
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| Author: | Lisa_T [ Thu Oct 09, 2008 1:28 am ] |
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Ah, Augusta. I started inane cackling as soon as I saw the name, Abi, because of course I also remember the original outings. It's just dawned on me who she reminds me of. A very young Ramses Emerson in the Amelia Peabody books.... *off to erect an Augusta-proof shelter* |
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| Author: | Abi [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:19 pm ] |
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Sorry for my shoddy posting - I've just started working in the Post Office and there is a terrifying amount to learn. Have been feeling very stupid for the last three weeks. However, writing this has cheered me up! On Thursday morning Augusta's anxious enquiries elicited only the unsatisfactory information that Mollie's cold, while significantly better, was still considered to be infectious. After a serious conference Augusta and Kathie decided to continue with their experiment during that morning's Chemistry lesson, but to postpone the actual excavation until Mollie had returned. Kathie's suggestion of putting off the trial explosion had been overruled by her friend, who was simply unable to resist the lure of explosives any longer. Kathie found herself wondering at the unaccountable obtusiveness of mistresses. Surely, she felt, the unnaturally angelic expression of Augusta's countenance ought to be enough to send any reasonable human being running for shelter. Yet Miss Wilson was blithely roaming the classroom, helping here, chiding there, and taking no more notice of Augusta than she usually did. Unaware of the bitter thread running through her friend's thoughts, Augusta seized her opportunity while Miss Wilson was attending to Claire Danvers, who had found herself in difficulties over the day's experiment and had compounded the confusion by dropping a beaker on the floor and running a shard into her finger. By the time Miss Wilson had staunched the flow somewhat and dispatched the wounded finger to Matron, Augusta had stealthily transferred the required chemicals to her own desk and returned the key to its home. Beginning her progress around the room again, Miss Wilson passed August gazing solemnly at the contents of a small beaker which were gently fizzing. Satisfied, she turned to the next table. Augusta carefully measured out her ingredients and poured them into the biggest beaker she could find. "Are you sure that won't be too much?" whispered Kathie, hovering anxiously. "Course not," said Augusta. "People use barrels, normally. Why, they had to use a whole cellar full of it to blow up the Houses of Parliament." Kathie, nodded, reassured, and glanced round to check that they weren't being observed. Miss Wilson was wending her way slowly towards the opposite side of the laboratory. Augusta picked up her bunsen burner and lowered the flickering flame towards the beaker. |
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| Author: | Emma A [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:27 pm ] |
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Aaarrgh! Augusta will be lucky to come away from this experiment with her eyebrows intact! Thanks, Abi
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| Author: | Lesley [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:09 pm ] |
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******Duck!!!!****** Nell's going to kick herself when she finds out!
Love Augusta's logic. |
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 2:21 pm ] |
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Uh oh! Thanks, Abi! |
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| Author: | Aquabird [ Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:59 pm ] |
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Thanks Abi, this is brilliant! |
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| Author: | Kathy_S [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:47 am ] |
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Hope they're wearing goggles!
More, please? |
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| Author: | Tara [ Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:10 pm ] |
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And ..... ??????? I think that's called a cliff, Abi, and is a bad habit to get into .
Am longing to hear what happens! |
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| Author: | JennieP [ Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:36 am ] |
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Nooooo! Don't leave it there! I won't be able to sit still until I find out what happens! |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Oct 25, 2008 10:31 am ] |
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As the echoes of the explosion died away, Augusta realised that she was lying on the floor. For a moment she remained there, stunned, as shrill voices were raised all around her. Then she truggled into a sitting position and peered ineffectually into the foggy atmosphere. Miss Wilson's voice rose above the clamour. "Girls! Stand still and don't move!" They heard her groping her way towards the windows, but a moment later the crunch of glass beneath her feet warned her that she was treading on the scattered fragments that had once fulfilled that function. Indeed, vision was already clearing as the brisk January breeze swept through the room. "Stand still, everyone," she repeated in horror. "Wait until you can see properly, then make your way to the door. Carefully." Augusta rose gingerly to her feet and looked at her table, which was now in two pieces on the floor in front of her. Then she looked round to see Kathie, her face white and her eyes wide, staring at her. Neither of them spoke. As the debris from the explosion settled, it became apparent that not only were the windows in smithereens, but so were most of the other glass objects in the room. Bunsen Burners lay on their sides - some still burning. Even now, Miss Wilson was hurrying round the room turning off the gas taps as the girls picked their way out, wavering between hysterical terror and hysterical excitement. "Oh, my goodness, Miss Wilson," twittered someone. "What happened?" "I fell off my chair, Miss Wilson," wailed another voice. "I banged my head on the table," shrilled a third. "Was it a bomb? Was it Hitler?" came a quavering question. "Don't be silly, child," said Miss Wilson firmly. "Of course it wasn't a bomb." "Well, what was it, then?" "It was an explosion," said Miss Wilson, feeling that she was on fairly saf ground with this assertion. She changed the subject hastily. "Come along, girl. Kathie, Augusta, why are you dawdling?" They crept past her guiltily. It was some time before the mistress, together with assistants who had flocked from all corners of the building, was able to sort the injured from the unhurt. No-one was badly wounded, though Augusta had lost eyebrows and fringe, while the hand that had held the Bunsen Burner had come out of the struggle badly. By the next morning, however, most of the juniors could be heard informing enthralled audiences that the School building had been reduced to rubble and everyone in it blown to bits, undeterred by the fact that it still rose from its ground - a strange phantom building inhabited by ghostly schoolgirls. Unfortunately, Authority had not, as Augusta had fondly hoped, been so engrossed in repairing the damage brought about by the detonation that they forgot to enquire after its cause. Her explanations were involved and complex but did not ultimately save her from the unpleasantness that ensued when her involvement in the affair was revealed. As she said, however, "It was jolly well worth it. I should think if we used about twenty times what I used in the lab, it ought to do the trick quite well." Kathie was still protesting when they arrived in the common room to find Mollie awaiting them, fully recovered from her cold and no longer contagious. Between them, Kathie and Augusta gave a fairly accurate account of events since her retirement from public life. To their surprise and indignation, Mollie collapsed into a chair, laughing so hard that tears poured down her cheeks. "What's so funny?" said Augusta suspiciously. "We-ell..." gasped Mollie, apparently beyond coherent speech. "What?" demanded Augusta, stamping her foot. "N-nothing... Just the thought of you two d-digging for treasure, when... when..." she burst into fresh paroxysms of laughter. "When there isn't any t-treasure there at all!" "What?" repeated Augusta, fixing her with a basilisk glare. "Of course there is. It's on the map." Mollie sat up and mopped her eyes. Slowly, with the air of one who knows she is about to drop a bombshell, she said, "Oh, no, there isn't. And I'll tell you how I know. Because I put the cross on the map myself." finis |
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| Author: | abbeybufo [ Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:01 am ] |
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Thanks Abi
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| Author: | Lesley [ Sat Oct 25, 2008 11:18 am ] |
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Wonderful - though I would have liked to have heard Augusta's attempt at an explanation - and the Head's attempt at self-control!
Thanks Abi - long may Augusta continue. |
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| Author: | Catherine [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:54 am ] |
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Wonderful! Though I agree with Lesley - it would have been interesting to see Augusta's explanation! I hope there'll be more Augusta ... soon! |
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| Author: | leahbelle [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:50 pm ] |
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Absolutely fantastic!
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| Author: | Emma A [ Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:01 pm ] |
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Would love to have seen Augusta's face at that announcement! Thanks very much for the entertainment, Abi - Augusta is tremendous (it's a wonder the school is still standing after her adventures!). |
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| Author: | Cath V-P [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:39 am ] |
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I've just read all of this, and it's brilliant. Augusta's reasoning is completely and utterly fascinating - breathtakingly wrong but somehow unassailable. She reminds me very much of William Brown....come to think of it, she reminds me very much of Paddington Brown! Thank you Abi |
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| Author: | Elbee [ Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:32 am ] |
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Wonderful! I hope there will be some more tales of Augusta soon. Thanks, Abi. |
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| Author: | Lyanne [ Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:49 pm ] |
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Cath V-P wrote: I've just read all of this, and it's brilliant. Augusta's reasoning is completely and utterly fascinating - breathtakingly wrong but somehow unassailable. She reminds me very much of William Brown....come to think of it, she reminds me very much of Paddington Brown!
Thank you Abi Or Jennings. |
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| Author: | JS [ Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:01 pm ] |
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Oh dear, sorry it's over but thanks for that. |
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| Author: | Cat C [ Tue May 12, 2009 8:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
'Scuse my ignorance and everything. I've been reading this (and enjoying it!) as it's been nominated for an award... but it's in the best cross-over category, and I can't find anywhere it tells me what it's a cross-over with? |
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| Author: | Abi [ Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
Just to clarify, Augusta isn't a cross-over - sorry about any confusion! |
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| Author: | ChubbyMonkey [ Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
Just found this, and it was brilliant! Thankyou
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| Author: | Nicci [ Tue Feb 23, 2010 7:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
Just found this after searching for something else entirely. But how pleased am I to find it! What a wonderful boost on an otherwise crappy day. Thanks Abi. As ever, I am loving Augusta. |
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| Author: | marni [ Sun May 02, 2010 10:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Augusta and the Hidden Treasure |
As every time, I love Augusta. Really enjoyed this. Thanks Abi |
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