The CBB :: View topic - Letters and diaries

#1: Letters and diaries Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 11:30 pm

I don't know how far this will go, but the bunny bit when I started re-reading Princess this afternoon (and Triplets is going nowhere, so I'm hoping a break will start the creativity going on that one again! Apologies in advance for any errors, either factual or grammatical.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you in the hope that your agency will be able to help me. I am the headmistress of an English boarding school in the Tyrol, and I find I am in urgent need of a new Matron. The last lady employed in the position has had to leave us at short notice, and I have no time to travel to England to engage a new Matron myself. I would therefore like to leave the matter in your capable hands.

The school consists of around fifty girls, of which number, forty are boarders. There are six members of the teaching staff, including myself and my partner Mademoiselle LePattre. Any Matron employed by the Chalet School would be expected to deal with the housekeeping of the school, supervising pupil bedtime and taking care of the dormitories. She would also be the first contact if a pupil felt ill. As we are a school with a great mix of nationalities, based in a German speaking country, an ability to speak German and French would be a definite advantage. The new term will begin on 1st May, although I would expect Matron to arrive at least a week prior to this, in order to help prepare the school for the arrival of the pupils.

I trust you will be able to help in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Miss Margaret Bettany
(Headmistress, The Chalet School)

Dear Miss Bettany,

I am very pleased to be able to write to you to tell you we have been successful in engaging the services of a Miss Webb as Matron of The Chalet School. She comes highly recommended, and I enclose her letters of credit for yourself and your partner to read. Unfortunately, Miss Webb will not be able to arrive in Austria until 26th April. I hope this is acceptable, as she was by far the best candidate for the position. If you could wire your acceptance of this candidate to my office as soon as possible, I will see to it that Miss Webb can begin her preparations to leave.

Thank you for choosing our agency to resolve this matter for your school, and I look forward to hearing from you with regard to Miss Webb.

Yours sincerely

Mr. S. Shaw

Last edited by Donna on Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:07 pm; edited 3 times in total

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

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 12:52 am

Interesting!!! So are we going to see the downfall of Matron Webb through the increasingly annoyed letters from Madge?

Thanks Donna - glad the bunny bit.

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total

#3: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:53 am

this looks good

#4: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 11:47 am

Ooooh!!

Thanks Donna!

#5: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 1:43 pm

*joins the 'ooooh'ers* Good for you, Donna!

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

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 3:07 pm

Good start Donna!

#7: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 3:23 pm

A wonderfully interesting start. Can't wait to see where it is going. Cool

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

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 3:23 pm

Interesting beginning Donna, this looks very intriguing Very Happy

#9: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:07 pm

This looks good ,please continue, I'm intrigued(sp?)

#10: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 6:52 pm

Oooh, interesting. I really like reading character's letters too. Hope there will be more.

#11: Author: claire, Location: South Wales

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:48 pm

Enjoying this, I take it Madge will be writing to Dick telling him how big a mistake this Matron was

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

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:51 pm

An interesting start, look forward to seeing more of this.

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

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:07 pm

I'm looking forward to more too - what a good idea!

#14: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 12:35 pm

This looks interesting - especially if we see Matron Webb's view of things.

Star Wars

#15: Author: Vikki, Location: Sitting on an iceberg, freezing to death!!!

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 1:19 pm

Wonderful!
I was once inspired to go through my CS books (pbs at that time), and copy out all the letters. I got as far as going through them and turning down all the pages to mark where they were, and copied a couple of letters out, but that was as far as I got.... Embarassed

#16: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 2:58 pm

I really like the premise of this Donna (and having been away from the CBB for a few days am doing a lot of catching up, not spreeing, ppl) - and I agree with Amanda - especially if we see Matron Webb's POV!

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

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:34 pm

Ooooh - this looks good Donna - looking forward to more

Liz

#18: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 4:34 pm

lovely Donna - what a great idea:)

#19: Author: Cath, Location: Coventry

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:38 pm

Ooh, I love drabbles like this. Smile

Looks good so far, thanks Donna - am looking forward to more!

#20: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:41 pm

What a great idea Donna, looking forward to more.

ETA - before I read this I thought it was a 'Princess Diaries' crossover!

#21: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 4:00 am

Alice wrote:

What a great idea Donna, looking forward to more.

ETA - before I read this I thought it was a 'Princess Diaries' crossover!

What Alice said (yes, both of her comments...)

#22: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 6:59 pm

Thanks for your comments - like I said, I don't know where this is going (I got a shock when I continued reading Princess and realised Matron Webb was only there for 2 weeks! Smile

) but we should be seeing the situation through the eyes of various people there. And yes Claire, that letter from Madge to Dick was one of the first I planned!

Dear Elizabeth,

It is with great pleasure that I write to tell you of the offer of the matron’s post I mentioned in my last letter. I have accepted of course – the school sounds just right for me; it is a good size, but not too large, and then of course there is the location. I am also coming to accept that there are not many jobs available for a woman of my age, so it seemed the most sensible course as I am not yet ready, or able, to retire.

I did however take your advice and engaged in some research about the school. It is still quite new – only just two years old, but it has become well-established, even in that short space of time, and has a wonderful reputation. I must say that I do not agree with some of the headmistress’ policies, but she is young and I hope to be able to use my experience and help her see the best way through.

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I do miss my niece and nephews sometimes, and I find it unfortunate that I have not seen my new great-niece. I will not have many chances to visit once I take up my post, and I cannot see any time available before I leave. I should mention that I am unlikely to be back in England much, if at all – it is simply too expensive to travel back and forth from the Tyrol. I hope I shall see you during the summer vacation though.

Please continue to write, and photographs of the family would always be welcome. I know we shall not be communicating as often as we are used to and I shall miss our weekly letters, but please do write as often as possible. I shall write as soon as I arrive at the school.

God’s blessings on you all,

Your loving sister,

Millicent

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

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:03 pm

Interesting that, even before she got there, Matron Webb thought she could change Madge's ways!

Thanks Donna.

#24: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:39 pm

I feel sorry for her nieces and nephews!! Laughing

Thanks Donna!

#25: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 7:40 pm

Donna wrote:

I must say that I do not agree with some of the headmistress’ policies, but she is young and I hope to be able to use my experience and help her see the best way through.

Interesting!

#26: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 9:00 pm

Interesting seeing Millicent's point of view. I know she still behaves abominably but I can see her as a person now.

#27: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:25 pm

My dearest Millie,

I hope this letter reaches you before you leave. As your elder sister, I feel I should give you some advice. Please do not go into this position thinking you will be able to change established policies. I know you were able to do so at your last school, but I am sure you remember my views on the headmistress there. Your new employer sounds like a very capable young woman. I know you think your age and experience qualifies you to look after the younger generation – this is an admirable quality, and one that serves you well in your capacity as matron – but I do not think it will work at this school with the staff. The headmistress must be an extremely strong woman to have started a new enterprise in an entirely different country, and make a success of it so quickly. If you begin determined to influence her mind, I think it will go very badly for you, and I should hate to see that happen.

Please take this advice in the spirit in which it is meant. I wish you every success in your new post, and you know you will always be welcome in our home here. I am looking forward to hearing everything about your new school.

Your loving sister

Eliza

#28: Author: Miss Di, Location: Newcastle, NSW

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 2:44 am

REALLY only two weeks there? Wow.

Am enjoying this Donna, it is fascinating to see all the different perspectives.

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

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 4:04 am

Interesting - she obviously took no notice of her sister then! Laughing

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

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:25 am

Thanks Donna, I cant believe it was only two weeks as well!!

#31: Author: aitchemelle, Location: West Sussex

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:17 am

thanks donna Very Happy

#32: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:24 am

Interesting how her sister can see what problems there might be. Thanks Donna.

Star Wars

#33: Author: Sophoife, Location: down under Down Under

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:32 am

Wow! Two weeks?!

Thanks Donna

#34: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:41 pm

Was it really only two weeks?

Thanks Donna, this is great Very Happy

#35: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 1:58 pm

Echos all the other comments - only two weeks? Gosh!

Noting how Matron Webb calls herself 'Millicent' and her sister 'Elizabeth', while her sister goes for the lass formal but more affectionate 'Millie' and 'Eliza'...

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

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:32 pm

Thanks Donna

This has got me wondering - we know about the housekeeping duties, but did Matron had to deal with any girls being ill in the time she was at the school, and what would she have been like in that situation.

Hopefully you're going to tell us Laughing

Liz

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

Posted: Thu Mar 31, 2005 8:34 pm

Thankyou Donna, this is really interesting.

How very sensible Eliza sounds! Despite the fact that she was obviously totally ignored... Rolling Eyes

Looking forward to the next bit!

#38: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 12:39 am

Thanks Donna. It felt like a lot longer than two weeks in the book!

#39: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:45 pm

*Pokes Millicent for being stoopid*

Ta Donna!

#40: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:38 pm

I love the way you all immediately assumed Matron Webb ignored her sister - despite the huge (well I thought it was anyway!) clue in the first sentence as to what actually happened! Smile

But anyway - the first diary entry - and before you ask, yes the previous matron was called Miss Wilson - she only gets mentioned once by name, and I personally think it was a massive case of EBD forgetting who her characters were (the actual mention is '...young head wishing devoutly that Miss Wilson's sister-in-law had not died when she did' so I'm fairly certain she is referring to the last matron as we've already been told why she left).

Dear Diary,

The new matron arrived today and she’s so – different to Miss Wilson. I know it is unfair to judge people immediately, but she doesn’t seem as if she will fit in terribly well here. The children have been helping round the house as they usually do before term starts, and I am sure I have heard her scolding them already. If she did, maybe they deserved it – but I can’t imagine that of the Robin, although I know what a scaramouche Joey can be when she chooses. Maybe I just misheard. Oh, I wish there was someone I could talk to, but Elise won’t arrive until tomorrow, and Mollie is still so young – I think I sometimes forget that because she is so capable (although I suppose I should remember that I'm not exactly ancient myself - even if I do feel it sometimes!). And Jem is away, so I can’t ask his advice. I suppose I can do nothing but wait and see. I shall speak to Elise tomorrow and ask her opinion – but I do hope I haven’t made a terrible mistake!

M

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

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:45 pm

What, you mean EBD made a mistake with names? Surely not! Shocked

Thanks Donna! Love that Madge thinks she's so much older than Mollie - I think Mollie was only a year younger! Laughing

#42: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 10:59 pm

Lesley wrote:

I think Mollie was only a year younger! Laughing

Actually - in Head Girl (guess which book I moved onto?! ;)) 'Maynie' is described as a 'tall, graceful girl of twenty-two or three' and is therefore three or four years younger - whether that changes later, or was different in the first two books I don't know (don't you just love EBD?!). It's still not a big difference, but to a betrothed 26 year old at that time, it probably felt a lot greater than it was. Isn't it just amazing what you find out when you have read books in more detail than you normally do! Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2005 11:05 pm

Ah, was going by Jack Maynard's age - thought he was 10 or 12 years older than Joey and as he's Mollie's twin...

EBD - gotta love her! Laughing

#44: Author: Alice, Location: London, England

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:10 am

Aahh, so maybe it's an alternative. It will be interesting to see if Millicent takes her sister's advice.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 9:42 am

Thanks Donna - interesting to see how quickly Madge has decided Miss Webb may not fit in. Maybe Miss Webb picked up on that and it gave her less of a chance to settle and made her try to "prove herself".

Liz

#46: Author: Helen C, Location: Sheffield/Luton

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 11:25 am

Thanks Donna really enjoying this.

#47: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 4:09 pm

Ta Donna!

#48: Author: claire, Location: South Wales

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 6:56 pm

In the early books' Jack is down as Mollie's older brother, it's later on they become twins

#49: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 7:17 pm

claire wrote:

In the early books' Jack is down as Mollie's older brother, it's later on they become twins

Imagine if you could do that in real life.
Get a twin when you get older.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 8:10 pm

I never noticed that about Jack starting off as Mollie's older brother - I clearly don't read the books anywhere near as closely as I should!

I went back and read the first sentence of Eliza's letter again - and I get it now! Embarassed

So the letter was written but not received in time!

Even so, I can imagine from what we already know of Matron Webb, she would probably have ignored it anyway! Smile

I'm thoroughly enjoying this, Donna!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 12:19 pm

keren wrote:

claire wrote:

In the early books' Jack is down as Mollie's older brother, it's later on they become twins

Imagine if you could do that in real life.
Get a twin when you get older.

Especially if you're the one who becomes younger - beats Oil of Ulay!!

Liz

#52: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 9:54 pm

NOT an update - I'm a bit stuck on what to write next, so does anyone have any requests as to whose point of view they'd like to see, and in what form? I should also mention that the holidays end today, so drabbling time will be drastically reduced - but I hope I'll get this finished soon-ish (unlike most other drabbles I've ever written! Smile

)

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

Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 10:35 pm

I'd quite like to keep seeing Matron Webb's point of view - and maybe something of Elisaveta's if the bunny takes you that way

Liz

#54: Author: Donna, Location: Liverpool

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:06 pm

Your wish is my command Liz! Smile

(btw, I'm now three books on from Princess in my re-read, and I haven't had time to go back and re-check that book before this post, so i apologise for any silly(or otherwise!) mistakes.

Dear Elizabeth,

I have arrived at the school, and found things as I expected them to be. The headmistress is a mere chit of a girl and she seems to have little control over the children who are here already. Of course, they are family – there is her sister - a most impudent child named Josephine, a much younger girl whom they foolishly call the Robin (what is wrong with her given name may I ask?) and who seems to have been left almost permanently in the charge of Miss Bettany, and finally for the moment there is Juliet, who will be Head Girl this year. She is obviously around eighteen herself, and yet she is a ward of Miss Bettany, who cannot be much older. There is also another member of staff here already – she is Miss Maynard, and is younger still than Miss Bettany. The children make utter nuisances of themselves as I attempt to prepare the houses, and yet it is I who get in trouble for not indulging them! I see no reason to indulge children needlessly – they must do as they are told, and do so immediately.

The school itself is in a nice area, although it is very quiet. There is a large lake very near, and the mountains provide a lovely backdrop, and help keep the area secluded. However, I was shocked to hear that the school permits the pupils to make expeditions up the mountainside, and that the girls often go out around the lakeside with the minimum of supervision. This cannot be healthy, and I am sure it will cause the girls problems later in life. Once I have settled myself in my post, I mean to see what I am able to do about this.

I am afraid I must close here Elizabeth. I have a minimum of free time to myself so my letters will, of necessity, be short. I hope this finds you and your family well, and I look forward to hearing your news.

Millicent

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

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 9:16 pm

Oh dear - she obviously didn't even start well! I wonder, would she have come up against Nell Wilson? I know Bill had started there - could we perhaps see the start of her famed sarcasm?? Laughing

Thanks Donna.

#56: Author: Lyanne, Location: Ipswich, England

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:04 pm

I went back and read your first sentenceDonna. Well, we shall see what happens then.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:39 pm

ooooh - new drabble for me to read!

already very interested....

#58: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:39 pm

*chuckles*

Can't wait for her to come across Nell!!

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

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:37 am

Donna wrote:

Your wish is my command Liz! Smile

Oh the power! Laughing

Thanks Donna

Liz

#60: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 10:17 am

Donna wrote:

)

How about a bit from robin, showing she is not as young as expected, and a bit from Mdlle

#61: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 11:00 am

Thanks for writing more of this Donna. It's interesting to see how rigid Matron's ideas were, and how she thought she could just simply impose them on the school.

Star Wars

#62: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:10 pm

You can just see her laying the foundations for her downfall!

Thanks Donna. Like the idea of a Robin one. Any chance of one from Miss Maynard?

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

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:31 pm

Would love to see not only Matey coming up against Bill, but see it from Bill's viewpoint.

#64: Author: Sugarplum, Location: second star to the right!

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 8:45 pm

I love the idea of this Donna - hope we see lots more opinions from different characters.

#65: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 10:36 am

Donna this is really interesting, sorry it has taken me so long to read it. Hope the bunny bites again soon.

Would love a diary entry from Matron after she tells Jo and Robin off for talking in bed.

The CBB -> St Agnes's House

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

Page 1 of 1