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#1: Margot Expelled? Completed Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:09 am
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Miss Annersley finished what she had to say to Margot.
“Margot I think you need to spend some time alone. I will ask Matron to prepare a room for you in the San. I can’t trust you with the other girls.”
Margot stood speechless, tears streaming down her checks. She couldn’t believe how far she had fallen. How could she have treated Ted the way she had. Margot left wordlessly with Matron.
‘What am I going to do?’ thought Miss Annersley despairingly. ‘We can’t keep Margot here after what she has done. How am I going to tell Joey and Jack?’
She sighed and sat thinking for a moment. Joey wasn't well and Jack had made it very clear to everyone Joey wasn’t to be worried. If anything was going to worry Joey, then this certainly was. She sighed again and breathed a quick prayer for help and put the call through to the San.

Last edited by Fiona Mc on Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:01 pm; edited 3 times in total

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

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:17 am
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Interesting - I look forward to seeing how this one turns out Fiona.

#3: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:54 am
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She deserved expelling!

#4: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 1:00 pm
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She certainly did deserve to be expelled for what she did.

Thanks, Fiona.

#5: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:10 pm
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This looks like an interesting take on things! Thanks Fiona.

#6: Author: chrissy.davies, Location: St. Andrews, Scotland

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:59 pm
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It does look interesting (At a risk of sounding like a mimicing machine), it'll be nice to see how everyone reacts and what Margot does next and the like.

Thank you!

#7: Author: JustJen, Location: sitting on the steps

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:53 pm
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joins the chorus "This looks real good.!"

#8: Author: brie, Location: Glasgow

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:54 pm
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this looks good thank fiona

#9: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:43 pm
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Thanks, Fiona. I wonder what Jack will say.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:36 pm
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Hmmmm, hope that Hilda is not going to be persuaded not to do something because of how it will impact on Joey? After all, the only reason she is unwell is because she's just had Phil and Geoff - her 7th pregnancy BTW and so not really a major event for her!

Thanks Fiona.

#11: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:18 pm
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At the risk of sounding ignorant - please remind me what Margot did. I haven't read this book for ages.

#12: Author: dorian, Location: Dublin

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:45 pm
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Tried to force her sisters not to be friendly with Ted by telling them that Ted had been expelled from more than one previous school (information she gained by eavesdropping, incidentally), and threatening Ted that she'd tell this to the whole school if she wouldn't stop being friends with Con.

#13: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:10 pm
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[quote=Lesley]Hmmmm, hope that Hilda is not going to be persuaded not to do something because of how it will impact on Joey?[/quote]

I'll be staying fairly true to the book, with my own particular brand of logic applied on how Margot wasn't expelled.

“Jack is busy at the moment,” said his secretary, “and has requested not to be disturbed.”
“Please,” said Hilda, “please tell him Hilda Annersley from the Chalet School would like to talk to him as soon as possible. It’s imperative I speak to him soon.”
“I’ll let him know Miss Annersley.”
Jack rang back within the hour. “Hilda,” he said, “I got your message.”
“I need to speak to you Jack in person please. It’s to do with Margot.”
“Can it wait?” asked Jack his voice flat.
“No I’m sorry Jack but it’s urgent,” replied Hilda. “I’m sorry to do this to you.”
Jack sighed. “I’ll be there first thing in the morning Hilda,” he said.
“Thank you Jack,” said Hilda softly, “I’ll see you after breakfast.”

#14: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:20 pm
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Oh, dear!

Thanks, Fiona.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:37 pm
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Considering that Jack must be aware that Hilda is contacting him because she is Headmistress for four of his girls - you'd think he'd be a little more interested.

Thanks Fiona.

#16: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:09 pm
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Hilda hardly slept that night. By six o’clock she gave up sleeping and so got herself ready for the day. She sat thinking, staring into space. She sighed. It was useless sitting here like this she decided. She made a snap decision and asked Mademoiselle de Lechanais to join her for breakfast.
“So Jeanne, that’s the whole story and I don’t know whether I should expel Margot or not,” Hilda concluded.
Jeanne gazed at Hilda sympathetically, “I don’t think I have ever seen you indecisive before on how to administer justice,” she observed.
“I feel like I’m too close to the situation,” said Hilda with a sigh. “Joey is one of my closest friends. Whatever I decide will affect her. On top of that she isn’t well and I don’t know what to do.”
Jeanne sat back and looked thoughtfully at Hilda. Everything Hilda had said was true. Jeanne was fond of Joey. It wasn’t hard to be, she was very charming however, Jeanne and Joey had never been particularly close. She sat back in her chair and observed her friend. Hilda was an extraordinary Headmistress. She seemed to know instinctively when to administer justice and when to show mercy and the girls seemed to adore, admire and respect her.
“Hilda,” she said softly, “how about we think about it logically. Thekla was expelled for attempting to blackmail Joyce. She had already shown herself to be greedy, bad tempered and caused endless trouble for many other girls. And most importantly she showed no remorse for what she had done. Mademoiselle LePattre would have given her another chance had she been sorry for what she had done. Her expulsion, however, did cause her to change for the better.”
Hilda gave Jeanne a quick look. She could see where she was going with this.
“Joyce was nearly expelled the very same term,” continued Jeanne, “she was even warned that if her behaviour did not improve then she would be.”
“I had almost forgotten that,” mused Hilda. “She managed to turn herself around though.”
“She did,” agreed Jeanne looking at Hilda evenly, “but I know Therese LePattre never forgave herself that it became common knowledge and her Mother almost died because she believed Joyce had been expelled.”
Hilda started and stared at Jeanne. She had forgotten how close Jeanne was with their old Head. Aside from Madge Russell, Jeanne had been her closest friend and if she discussed how she felt about it it would have been with Jeanne or Madge.
“I never thought of how Therese would have felt about that,” she said almost inaudibly.
She sat lost in her thoughts of events that had occurred fifteen years ago.
“Betty Wynne Davies was a given; especially after what she had done,” said Hilda thinking aloud.
Jeanne nodded. “Do you ever wonder if it would have been better for her to have been expelled earlier?” She asked.
“I did think about it,” admitted Hilda, “but I never felt comfortable with it. She didn’t have a home to go to.”
“But when you did you found her Mother’s friend,” pointed out Jeanne smoothly. Hilda looked thoughtful. “Perhaps we should have done what we did earlier,” said Hilda. “It probably would have saved a lot of heartache.” She sighed.
“Diana wasn’t expelled when she blackmailed Marion into helping her destroy Bride Bettany’s study. But she was from Tanswick and you felt her old school was more to blame,” remembered Jeanne.
“I know and she did try to make good,” said Hilda. “In the little time she had left with us. I wonder how she turned out.”
“We will never know,” said Jeanne softly.
“Hilda,” she inquired suddenly. “Why didn’t you expel Emerence Hope after her toboggan accident?”
Hilda started. The question was so unexpected.
“But she was genuinely sorry for what she done!” exclaimed Hilda, “and she had never been taught to accept no for an answer.”
“So despite disobeying a strict rule,” said Jeanne calmly, “nearly killing Mary Lou, or at the very least potentially causing her brain damage or spinal damage so she may never walk again, you decide to keep her on.”
“I guess because it was an accident,” said Hilda trying to gather her thoughts.
“An accident, which would never have happened, had Emerence obeyed the rules. Surely the safety of the other girls should be more important?” asked Jeanne delicately.
Hilda sat stunned. “Maybe she should have been,” she said inaudibly. “However, expulsion always seems so final. And we are the only place that gives her the discipline she needs and she has tried to reform. She’s really pulled herself up.” Jeanne smile at Hilda. “Hilda,” she said softly, “I agreed with all the decision you have made. If we can help the girls to become better people then isn’t that for the good.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask what you think I should do about Margot,” said Hilda almost humorously.
“She’s really tried to reform after falling in Lac Lucerne,” said Jeanne thinking aloud, “the accident was caused by playing tag with Emmerence when she was on an expedition. It wasn’t what I would call nasty behaviour. Silly yes, nasty no. She is doing better with her school work and she really tried to stop Emmerence from going on her toboggan higher than she should have. She tends to be naughty at times but no worse than most girls and up until this term, I would not have thought Margot would have behaved the way she did towards Ted. I have never seen or heard her saying anything nasty towards any other girl. She has a temper, but before this term the only time I’ve seen her lose it for a long time was when she was starting scarlet fever.” Hilda smile relieved. “So you don’t think she should be expelled then?” she asked. Jeanne shook her head, “not when you forgave everyone else for the same sins,” she said softly. “And she has shown that when she does something wrong she does pull up afterwards.”
“Thanks Jeanne. That’s really helped,” said Hilda softly.
“How will you punish her?” questioned Jeanne curiously.
“She will need to be separated from the other girls at the very least,” said Hilda with a sigh, “and she should lose her privileges for the next few weeks. I’m seeing Jack later and I am not looking forward to the interview.”
“I am sure it will go well,” said Jeanne reassuringly, “Jack knows you will do your best by his daughters.”

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

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:13 pm
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A very interesting conversation. It is interesting how Jeanne was able to separate out the different aspects of Margot's behaviour and the parallel with other girls in similar situations.

I guess the question for Hilda is to decide whether Margot is truly penitent, and whether she is likely to continue to improve.

Very interesting.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:57 pm
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Most interesting - though I always felt that Hilda would have been fairly close to Mlle LePattre too - she was Senior Mistress to her for some years.

Thanks Fiona.

#19: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:03 pm
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I felt slightly sorry for Emerence over that - she behaved badly, but Mary Lou wasn't trying to keep out of the way even though she could see that they'd lost control of the toboggan.

#20: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:21 pm
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Thanks, Fiona. I'm sorry that Jack didn't make more of an effort to come sooner. It was interesting to read Jeanne and Hilda's conversation.

#21: Author: chrissy.davies, Location: St. Andrews, Scotland

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:28 pm
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I like this, it may be somewhat popular opinion of the readers that Margot deserved expulsion, but the school would have to explore all possible avenues.

Great!

#22: Author: JoS, Location: South Africa

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:38 pm
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Thanks Dorian for reminding me.

This is great - thanks Fiona.

#23: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:19 am
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Chair wrote:

Thanks, Fiona. I'm sorry that Jack didn't make more of an effort to come sooner.

A couple of people have commented on that. I had actually thought of Jack coming straight away, however the girls didn't leave Zermatt until after Mitagessen and am assuming it would have taken at least 2-3 hours to return, then there was the showdown with Mary Lou and then again with Miss Annersley and I have a feeling the showdown with Mary Lou didn't happen until after Abendessen (Rosamund was mentioned that she hid until bedtime, something she couldn't do if it was before Abendessen) so adding up the hours it would be latish to say the least. I thought unless someone was extremely ill then first thing the next day would be a reasonable time for Jack to come and Hilda didn't say that it was serious enough to come for a late night meeting. Anyway that was what I thought. Poor Jack seems to be blamed for not caring!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:47 am
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Hmm, interesting logic. However, surely the point about the other girls Jeanne mentioned is that there are outside circumstances that contributed to their behaviour. Margot has been brought up in the ethos of the school since she was a baby, so surely there was less excuse for her and more justification for expelling her?

#25: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 12:40 pm
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Lesley wrote:

Most interesting - though I always felt that Hilda would have been fairly close to Mlle LePattre too - she was Senior Mistress to her for some years.

I agree, Lesley. The Frenchwoman would surely have exposed her feelings to her Senior Mistress. And also, because she was older and more experienced when she came to the school, Hilda would have gravitated to her Head rather than the other mistresses, from the outset.

Thanks, Fiona, thoughtful ruminations about other trouble makers.

#26: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:00 pm
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MaryR wrote:

Lesley wrote:

Most interesting - though I always felt that Hilda would have been fairly close to Mlle LePattre too - she was Senior Mistress to her for some years.

In the book nothing seems to be mentioned about Hilda and Mademoiselle LePattre being close and yet there were a couple of mentions about Jeanne de Lachenais particularly the weekend she was sick and ended up on the Sonnalpe, it was Jeanne who was with her through that. Arguably Hilda had her reponsibilities being Senoir Mistress, but I thought it would be interesting to have Jeanne be a close friend of Therese LePattre and would therefore know her personal thoughts about Joyce not just her professional ones. I'm sure Hilda and she had a close work relationship, but Therese's personal thoughts would have been told more to a friend than a work colleague. I never thought Hilda was particularly close to anyone until during the War when she and Nell became close. Anyway that was my reasoning. I love reading other peoples thoughts on different things and why they think that. So these are mine. Very Happy

#27: Author: keren, Location: Israel

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:15 pm
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but I am sure having a common language would have made the 2 french ladies personal friends, and I think that maybe they spent time together when Mdle was ill that Miss A could not have because of her commitments to the schoool

#28: Author: Fiona Mc, Location: Bendigo, Australia

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:51 pm
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Rosalie Dene found Hilda hard at her correspondence when she arrived in her office. Rosalie, these all need to be sent off thanks and can you make sure I’m not disturbed when Jack arrives please.
“Certainly,” Rosalie said. “Would you like coffee?
“No thank you,” said Hilda softly. Jack arrived soon after that.
“Jack!” exclaimed, Hilda shaken out of her thoughts when Jack entered. “What’s wrong?”
Jack’s face looked ashen. He looked like he hadn’t slept for days. Jack looked at Hilda as though he wasn’t really seeing her.
“Joey is worse,” he said tonelessly. “She has developed pre-eclampsia. Her blood pressure has risen to the point that Frank Peters has her at the San. Hilda they don’t know if Joey is going to make it or even if she does that the babies will.”
“Oh Jack,” said Hilda with anguish. “How’s Joey with it all.”
“She’s devastated Hilda. She keeps insisting that we do what’s best for the babies not her. She refuses to have them delivered until its safe for them, regardless of what it might mean for her. Hilda I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to lose Joey. Anna is caring for Felix and Felicity and Cecil and thank God the others are all at school and Mike is with Winifred Embury. What was it you wanted to see me about?” He asked vacantly. Hilda made a split second decision and hoped it would be the right one.
“Jack I’m sorry to call you in,” said Hilda sincerely, “Margot was given this clock from Emmerence and I thought it was too expensive a gift not to ask you if she could accept it.”
Jack was robbed of his breath when he saw it. “What possessed Emmerence to give this?” he asked.
“She leaving at the end of the term,” explained Hilda.
Jack stared at Hilda intently. “Hilda,” he said at last, “that’s not the reason you bought me in like this or called me at the San last night. What else has Margot done?” Hilda returned stare for stare. “Emmerence gave this clock, is it alright for Margot to keep it,” repeated Hilda steadily.
“I would like to see Margot,” said Jack giving Hilda a hard stare. “I need to talk to her about why she accepted this clock.”
Hilda was in a quandary, she knew if Margot saw her father everything would come out, but what Jack was asking for was reasonable and she couldn’t think of any reason to say no.
Hilda breathed a prayer for help. If Margot told her father everything would it make things worse or was it better coming from herself? Hilda decided to tell Jack everything and slowly told the sorry tale: of Margot’s jealousy of her sister having friends aside from her, her blackmail of Ted and the argument the triplets had at Zermatt and the final showdown. Jack face grew blacker and blacker. Jack was furious to say the least.
“How are you planning to punish her?” he asked at last. He looked Hilda in the eye and Hilda could see Jack’s thoughts as clearly as though they were written on his face. Jack expected Margot to be expelled.
“I’m not going to expel her Jack,” said Hilda looking at Jack steadily.
"Is that because Joey is so ill?" asked Jack in a hard voice. "is that fair on anyone else?"
Hilda shook her head slowly, “Margot has shown us in the past that when she has done something wrong such as her fall in Lake Lucerne, she’s pulls up afterwards. Because of this we have decided to give her another chance. She is truly sorry for this.”
Jack took a deep breath, “Thanks Hilda,” he said in a strained voice. “May I see her please? I need to discuss this with her.”
Hilda nodded. She never forgot the conversation between Margot and her Father. She had never realized until then just how strong Jack’s temper was. Finally it started to abate and he said coldly, “Margot I am so disgusted in your behaviour, I don’t want anything to do with you. This clock is to go back to Emmerence now. You knew we would never allow you to accept such a present, and I cannot believe you would go behind our backs like this and if anything you don’t deserve a gift such as this.”
“Jack,” said Hilda interrupting, “I think Margot should keep this as reminder of how badly she has behaved. I doubt the clock will give her much joy.”
Jack allowed himself to be persuaded and left soon after, not even looking at his daughter.
“Margot,” said Hilda sternly, “You will spend the next two weeks in the San. I don’t want you associating with anyone else. You will do your lessons alone. After that you will return to the others but we cannot trust you. How can we when you treat the other girls as you have done?”
“Yes Miss Annersley,” gulped Margot, heartbroken over all her Father had said to her. She adored her father and his disgust in her went deep.

Hilda did her utmost to ensure that no else discovered what Margot had done with the exception of Mademoiselle de Lachenais, Kathie Ferrars, and Mary Lou. All of them along with Miss Annersley were aware of all that had gone on with Margot that term. Hilda Annersley was so successful in keeping it quiet, that very few people believed Margot had been punished for what she had done to Ted and although Joey guessed something was up, she never found out what it was.

#29: Author: Alison H, Location: Manchester

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:25 pm
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That makes a lot of sense and would explain Jack's behaviour. I can't remember exactly what it says in the book but it's just something like Joey "hadn't been failing awfully well lately" - but that would probably've been all they'd told the triplets.

#30: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:57 pm
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Thanks, Fiona. I'm glad that everything was sorted out in the end.

#31: Author: Fatima, Location: Sunny Qatar

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:59 am
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Yes, that does seem right. Thanks Fiona, this has been a most interesting take on things.

#32: Author: Loryat,

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 10:44 am
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Alison H wrote:

I felt slightly sorry for Emerence over that - she behaved badly, but Mary Lou wasn't trying to keep out of the way even though she could see that they'd lost control of the toboggan.

That's how I've always felt! Mary-Lou actually runs towards the toboggan! She shouldn't have been stupid enough to belive she could do that with impunity.

Nicely handled, Fiona. I particularly liked Mademoiselle's input. Cool

#33: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:56 am
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Thanks for an interesting drabble, Fiona.

#34: Author: leahbelle, Location: Kilmarnock

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 12:10 pm
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That was a really fascinating insight into this incident. Thanks, Fiona.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:42 pm
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I really enjoyed this deeper look at an incident I've never thought about too much.

Thanks, Fiona.

#36: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:20 am
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I'm quite relieved that she wasn't expelled, even though this is a St. Agnes drabble so I shouldn't have had to worry as much as I did. Jeanne did a particularly good job here, reminding Hilda of the CS ethos. Thank you, Fiona.

Loryat wrote:

Alison H wrote:

I felt slightly sorry for Emerence over that - she behaved badly, but Mary Lou wasn't trying to keep out of the way even though she could see that they'd lost control of the toboggan.

That's how I've always felt! Mary-Lou actually runs towards the toboggan! She shouldn't have been stupid enough to belive she could do that with impunity.

Mary-Lou shouldn't have been in any danger. She wasn't on the sled run at all, let alone in front of the sled, but racing along the sidelines, by the trees - whatever you call the part along the side of a run that you use for climbing back up.

Quote:

...the toboggan suddenly swung half round and, in that position, struck the snag. It had been coming full tilt down and the force of the blow flung Emerence off it clear across the narrow margin of the run, straight into the other girl. Mary-Lou took the full weight of her flying body in the chest and was flung in her turn, this time, against the trunk of a long pine tree.

In other words, it was a fluke accident.

For those of you who haven't done much sledding, walking/running on the sled run proper just isn't done, not only because it would be unsafe due to oncoming sleds, but because (A) it's way too slippery, and (B) you'd be ostracized forever for messing it up with footprints. I was amused to find even fictional Nazis recognizing this:

Quote:

"I turn my men aside." He [the German infantry captain] spoke in Norwegian. "It is not right that we spoil your sledding. When I was a boy I liked nothing better than sledding."

-Marie McSwigan, Snow Treasure. (Little did they know what was on those sleds.)

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

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 11:15 pm
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Very interesting and thoughtful, not to mention thought-provoking! Joey's illness made sense, and I liked the Mlle Lepattre/Jeanne friendship. I feel, like you, that 'I never thought Hilda was particularly close to anyone until during the War when she and Nell became close.'

Thanks, Fiona.

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