The CBB :: View topic - The Chalet School and Bridget O'Ryan

#1: The Chalet School and Bridget O'Ryan Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 9:55 pm

The Chalet School and Bridget O’Ryan

Biddy O’Ryan stood in front of the mirror and nervously made sure that she was tidy. She had recently become the ward of the Guide Companies of two schools in Austria Tyrol, and this was to be her first day of school.

True she would not be attending school with the young ladies of the Guide Companies. Some of them belonged to St. Scholastika’s at the other end of the lake, and the rest to the Chalet School, where she lived. Either way, those were private schools, meant for the wealthy people that could pay. They weren’t for her. Instead she would be attending the small village school with the rest of the children in the area. Although her German was a little shaky she knew enough to get by, and was in fact quite eager to begin learning again.

Biddy took a final glance in the mirror and then walked quickly down the back staircase the majority of the girls in the school used and made her way to the kitchen. The head of the school Mademoiselle Lapatre and well as the owner of the school Madge Russell, once Madge Bettany had decided that because her hours would necessarily be different than those of the girls who attended the school Biddy should eat her breakfast in the kitchen and collect a lunch pail to take to school with her, joining the school proper only for supper, prep and the free time in the evening.

In the kitchen Biddy collected a plate of rolls and honey along with a large bowl of milky coffee. She said grace and quickly disposed of this, then hurried to collect her lunch, coat and books made her way to school accompanied by Miss Wilson, the member of the staff that was free at the moment, and who as captain of the Chalet School Guides Company was one of her legal guardians.

It did not take them long to reach the Volksschule that served the villages that surrounded the beautiful Tiernsee. There were a number of children playing in the yard in front of the small school and the majority of them stopped what they were doing as Biddy followed Miss Wilson forward. Miss Wilson took little notice of the children in the yard, although she made a mental note to discuss how exposure to such rude behaviour might affect the already slightly wild Bridget O’Ryan.

As they entered the classroom Biddy began to look curiously at her surrounding. After all, she would be spending the majority of her time there. The large front door led into a small vestibule whose walls were hung with pegs for hanging hats and coats. Along the floor ran a bench on which lunch pails could be placed. The classroom itself was a large room, crowded with battered wooden desks. They looked big enough to hold two or even three students. Two of the walls were held large widows placed high up in the walls so that the students wouldn’t waste their time staring out them. The front held a blackboard, a small dais, and the teacher’s desk.

Sitting at the desk was a youngish looking lady, preparing lessons. She looked up as Biddy and Miss Wilson entered.
'Grus Gott' she said smiling. Miss Wilson replied in kind and then introduced Biddy her new teacher, who apparently went by the name Fraulien Schmitt. Caught up in these musings Biddy jumped slightly when the teacher addressed her. Biddy replied to her kind questions somewhat haltingly, her German made worse by her nervousness. Biddy and Fraulein Schmitt finished their conversation and Miss Wilson left her with an admonition to be good and to come straight back to the Chalet when the school day was over.

All in all the school day went quite well. The other children were inclined to make fun of her accent, but the teacher quickly put a stop to it. At lunch Biddy joined the other children in eating the lunch in their pails and then joining the many games. Afternoon lessons went quickly and before Biddy knew it, it was time to go back to the Chalet.

Biddy walked back to the Chalet mindful of Miss Wilson’s orders to be quick. Although Biddy had plenty of spirit, she was also a bright child, and she had no intention of getting into trouble so early into things. She know that the Chalet School people had shown her a great kindness in taking her in, and she didn’t want to be sent to the Cecilia home after all.

Arriving at the Chalet Biddy went inside, reported to Mademoiselle LaPatre that she was home, and politely answered her question before heading off to put her school books in her locker and go off to the kitchen for her Kaffe Und Kuchen, otherwise known as tea.

The Chalet School staff had found deciding on Biddy’s living arrangements to be quite difficult. They had decided that since she was a Guide matter, and not a school one, she would attend the village school. Although the companies did have a good deal in the way of dues, it was not enough to pay the tuition fees that the Chalet School charged. In addition, since it was assumed that Biddy would learn a trade when she was done with her basic schooling it was decided the village school would prepare her for that more adequately.

The question then became what her living arrangements would be, another difficult question. Should she live in the dormitories with other girls? Her school schedule would not be the same as theirs, but they did not want to isolate her completely. The Chalet School authorities were also in no mind to let the other students pick up Biddy’s thick accent but at the same time they might help her English, and they would give her some companionship. In the end, the current arrangement was decided on. It was decided in the end that it would be best if Biddy occupied a small room of her own. She was still prone to nightmares related to her mother and father’s deaths, and had to rise earlier than the others in order to be at school on time. She breakfasted in the kitchen and took her lunch to school because the walk was long, but spent the late afternoon and evening with the Chalet girls.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:04 pm

Oooh, this looks interesting. Look forward to seeing how it develops.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:10 pm

Good start Shander! Please post some more as soon as you are able!

#4: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:20 pm

I'm glad you've posted this Shander! Hope we get to see lots more of it soon Smile

#5: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:24 pm

Yay! Great, Shander! I have a great affinity for these 'Charity cases' whose feelings were not explored by EBD. Looking forward to more of this. I think Biddy's story is the most poignant of the lot!!

#6: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:24 pm

Great start Shander. Looking forward to more Smile

#7: Author: JustJen, Location: Dorval, Quebec

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:27 pm

I've always wondered about Biddy's early schooling and how she ended up at the Chalet schoo since the Guides couldn't afford the fees. Please update soonl

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

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:52 pm

This looks really good Shander. Looking forward to the next part Smile

#9: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 10:53 pm

I love Biddy! Set in Tyrol as well! Fantastic! Nikkie

#10: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 11:38 pm

This looks like it's going to be really interesting Shander. I'm looking forward to reading some more - I've always had a soft spot for Biddy Smile

#11: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:17 am

This is lovely Shander, I'd wondered about this so often. Interesting that she is given more freedom than the other CS girls, in that she is walking back (and presumambly after the first day to as well) the school, when I suspect that CS girls wouldn't be allowed out on their own. I hope we see her get some "mothering" - I always felt that we saw her regularly getting into trouble, but apart from Matey tucking her up with a kiss when she was first discovered, not getting any proper mothering.

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 9:47 am

This is a great beginning, I have always liked Biddy too, so am looking forward to some more.

#13: Author: Mihiri, Location: surrey england

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:07 am

This is great Shander, thank you

#14: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:18 pm

Like the look fo this one! Thanks Shander. Looking forward to the next installment... Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 5:56 pm

I like the look of this....is it too soon to start a chant for more?!

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

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 8:50 pm

francesn wrote:

I like the look of this....is it too soon to start a chant for more?!

It's never too early to start a chant! Laughing

provides music Trumpet

#17: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:27 pm

*Joins in the chant* *Adds to the music* piano

(multitasking) Rolling Eyes

#18: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:45 am

*Has no need to chant, I've read the next bit!* *Smug grin* :angel:

#19: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:52 pm

Kat wrote:

*Has no need to chant, I've read the next bit!* *Smug grin* :angel:

UTO UTO UTO mutters about Uto's who don't do their job properly and let Kat get away with things like this

#20: Author: Kat, Location: Swansea

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 6:55 pm

:angel: I've already been Uto'd though! And it really is very good, pitty Shander is enjoying winding you all up so much so that you can't enjoy it like I am.... Twisted Evil

#21: Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:32 pm

Hello folks, Sorry for the delay, although I'm not winding you up. It simply had to be written and Beta'd. As for you Kat, I can only say "Et tu Brute?"

A note on spelling. Unless you are Canadian my spelling will seem to have gone haywire, but that is not in fact the case. Being Canadian, I use Canadian spelling which is half American and half British, which makes it looks to both groups that I'm only spelling half my words right. However, as it is the only spelling I know, I'm afraid you'll have to get used to it. I thought a heads up might help. Also hard to say when the next bit will come as school has started again, and things will rapidly get crazy. But I'll do my best. Now on with the drabble.

It was a week later and Biddy was walking home from school feeling unaccountably nervous. She had continued to enjoy school, finding her teacher to be a good one, strict but fair, and the children to be very agreeable. Although her English had a heavy Irish accent, she had learned German from the two years she had lived in Austria and her mother and stepfather, a man named Luigi Donati had been quite strict about pronunciation, so that she didn’t sound too much out of place. Also, she was accepted as simply another one of the children in the area. Although she lived at the famous Chalet School, and was occasionally peppered with questions about it, she was obviously not one of the young ladies and the made it easier for the children to accept her as one of themselves, despite her Irish origins.

She was certainly most capable of defending herself against any playground teasing. The particular day however the Chalet School girls were to arrive and while Biddy had no concerns about her ability to hold her own with your average everyday children, she was unsure about how she should act around young ladies of such wealth and background, nor how they would react to her.

She worried about this as she walked. She knew she had to behave properly holding closely to the manners that her Ma had learned from Miss Honora and had passed on. But at the same time she was in no mind to be treated like a charity case, and she would not stand for being looked down on.

As Biddy approached the school however, a memory of her mother came to her. It was one of the last conversations they had had. Biddy had been worried about some people who had been teasing her about her family’s lack of wealth and her mother had said,
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of in being an O’Ryan. We’ve always been honest, hardworking people, and that ‘s a proud heritage. Besides, you’re God’s daughter same as any other Christian, and loved by Him just the same.” She smiled into her small daughter’s eyes. “Just you remember that, my Biddy, God and the Blessed Mother love you more than a thousand diamonds, and so do I.”
With this memory Biddy’s head came up proudly. The memory of her dead mother was still very dear to her, and her words had great influence. She marched bravely towards the Chalet, determined not to let her mother down.

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

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:39 pm

awwwwww lovely post so moving to see biddy wanting to make her mother proud of her and being so brave

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

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:42 pm

That was beautiful.

#24: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 9:57 pm

That was lovely Shander - and I can't spell at all so I never worry about other peoples spelling Very Happy

#25: Author: JustJen, Location: Dorval, Quebec

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:37 pm

Waves to Shander and currently freezing in MontrealAnother good chapter. Please update soon1

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

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:47 pm

Good for Biddy. Thanks Shander. Laughing

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

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:07 pm

Thankyou Shander, that was fab. That's interesting about Canadian spelling being half American and half English - I never knew that before.

#28: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 11:22 pm

awwww - that was lovely! Thanks Shander. Very Happy

#29: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:57 am

Lovely drabble Shander so nice to see another glossed over part of the series.

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

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 9:45 pm

Thank you Shander!!! This is wonderful!

#31: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2005 10:42 pm

That was lovely Shander. Thank you. Star Wars

#32: Author: Emma A, Location: The Soke of Peterborough

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 6:32 pm

This is great - many thanks, Shander (and don't worry about the spelling!).

#33: Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:09 am

Next bit. My apoliges to anyone Irish for any errors made in the person of Biddy O'Ryan. I'm trying to keep her close to EBD's character while making her a little less of a stereotype. I've done my best. Hope everyone enjoys.

The best term to describe the goings on inside Le Petite Chalet, where Biddy was to live now that the term had started, would have to be organized chaos. There were six brand new student, eight or nine years old, who had to be shown around, settled in, and comforted as they were all feeling quite homesick. The two mistresses in charge of the children, Miss Edwards and Miss Norman doing an admirable job of keeping things running smoothly, especially given that they were both new to the schools.

It was into this atmosphere that Biddy entered. Several of the young folk frankly stared at her, who was obviously at home there, and yet equally clearly not one of them. Biddy however ignored all of the looks and went to report to one of the mistresses that she was home, before going upstairs to change out of here school frock and into the brown velveteen that majority of the Chalet girls wore in the evenings, adding a white pinafore over it to keep the frock tidy while she did her prep.

Washing her hands and face, she then went down the stairs to the common room, to wait for Kaffee und Kuchen. In the common room she was met with several stares. All of the girls there were in their tunics and blouses, not changing into frocks until later in the evening. To preserve Biddy’s school clothes however, it was proclaimed that she should change into another frock as soon as she came home. It was important for her to save her clothing as far as possible, as there was simply not the money to replace them often.

Biddy’s resolution to be brave and honour her mother was momentarily shaken by the numerous pairs of eyes staring at her. She stood at the common room door feeling awkward for several moments, and was only just getting up the courage to introduce herself when Anna Helgerson, a young person of aproximatley Biddy’s age, who Biddy had become friends with the previous terms. Anna exclaimed
“Biddy! How was you’re holiday? Have you begun school already then? Everyone, this is Biddy O’Ryan. She lives with us and goes to the village school at St. Scholastika’s.”

Biddy smiled and greeted those around her, pausing to be introduced before turning to answer Anna’s question.
“As for you Anna, I’ll have you know that I’ve been going to school this past week and have prep to do this very night.” At this point one of the newcomer’s piped up, asking
“Why don’t you go to school with us if you live here?” Biddy turned slightly red at this, unsure of how to answer. Although she had determined not to be ashamed of her background, this was easier said than done, and she did not want to announce to the entire form that the dues that they paid as Brownies went to her upkeep.

She assumed that she did not go to the Chalet School because they were young ladies and she wasn’t, but she wasn’t about to advertise that either. Not wanting to lie she was in something of a bind. Fate was kind to her though, and just as she began to stammer out a response the bell rang for Kaffee and all chatter had to be left where it was. As Biddy spent the rest of the evening in prep, and Abendessen was taken over at the main school followed immediately by bed, there was little time for more chatter, and the question was forgotten for the time being.

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

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:46 am

I'm sure EBD didn't even consider just how Biddy would feel when she proposed that she attend the village school rather than the CS. Thank you Shander, you've explained her dilemma so well.

#35: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:29 am

I vaguely realised when I first read EBDs version that it would be awkward for Biddy and that it was a bit weird that they could not just educate her with the rest of the girls but I was only a child and I never thought of the details. Poor Biddy. To our ears it all sounds so class ridden but it was probably very progressive of the CS to take her on at all and for EBD to even let her marry a Doctor eventually. Thanks for this. It's a story I shall follow with interest.

#36: Author: Katie, Location: A Yorkshire lass in London

Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:58 pm

For all her faults, EBD was really quite progressive, wasn't she? Not just with Biddy, but with the whole religion thing, plus her Germans v Nazis stance. This is great, Shander. I remember wondering how Biddy got on at the village school when I was reading those books.

#37: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 5:57 am

Thanks, Shander! I’ve always known Biddy’s position would have been horribly awkward at first, when suspended between two worlds and with the Guides’ “charity” hanging over her head, but couldn’t really envision the details.

Katie wrote:

For all her faults, EBD was really quite progressive, wasn't she?

I’ll have to agree with this one, after failing to find the “wild Irish girls” I was hunting for Lisa_T’s stereotype study. The few Irish girls I came across would have been fired if they’d shown any wildness, as they were pretty much relegated to jobs as maids, etc

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

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 8:08 am

Quote:

She assumed that she did not go to the Chalet School because they were young ladies and she wasn’t, but she wasn’t about to advertise that either.

WEll yes, partly true, but also because it's too expensive - I wish Biddy knew that - it would help her feelings about these young ladies if she knew the main difference between them was financial.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:34 am

Thanks Shander - it's great to see things from Biddy's point of view. Looking forward to more. Liz

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

Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:21 pm

awww poor biddy but i'm glad she has a friend in anna

#41: Author: Pado, Location: Connecticut, USA

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 12:02 am

I've wondered about Biddy's early days at the Chalet - this is great!

#42: Author: Josie, Location: London

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 1:08 am

Thanks Shander. Poor old Biddy - it must have been so odd for her, living in one school and attending another.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:42 pm

Thank you Shander! This is lovely!

#44: Author: Joan the Dwarf, Location: Er, where am I?

Posted: Mon Jan 10, 2005 3:00 pm

This is really good, Shander - thankyou!Having only read the pb's of those terms, does anyone know if more is said about when Biddy finally goes to the CS? It's only one line in the pb, which leads me to think maybe EBD realised that the situation was unworkable and rather embarrasedly rectified it... I do think, though, that it's all rather progressive for its time - I'm sure that most other writers would have Biddy living with the servants rather than in Le Petit Chalet. That alone shows a lot about how she's considered.

#45: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Jan 11, 2005 11:56 pm

Thank you Shander. Poor Biddy it must have been horrible for her.

#46: Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol

Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:29 pm

I hope you post more of this soon Shander Very Happy

#47: Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2005 12:57 am

Hi all, sorry for the long delay. I'm trying, but the plot bunny has gone into hibernation and I'm having a horrible time waking her up. I'll do my best though, and hopefully there will be more in the next couple of days.

#48: Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 1:56 am

Here I am back again. Only small but I hope you enjoy.

Later that evening, when all of their charges had gone to bed Miss Edwards and Miss Norman were relaxing in their small staff room enjoying the chance to talk freely about their day, out of the presence of the more seasoned veterans of the school, happily munching on biscuits and drinking tea.
“I have a feeling that the rest of the staff thought it odd that we were going to spend the evening here, but really, with six brand new little ones prone to homesickness and one prone to nightmares, what did they expect?” this said by Ivy Norman as the talk turned to their new colleagues.
“Oh they’re just trying to be friendly” responded Miss Edwards from her corner. “I’m sure they want to know all about our first day!” This said with a chuckle. Miss Norman grinned at this.
“I have no doubt, but that can wait for another day. Speaking of nightmares, what do you think of Biddy O’Ryan? I’m not sure what to make of her yet.” Miss Edwards nodded.
“Or what to do with her. She’s seems to be a good child but her position in the school is a little odd. I do wish she was one thing or the other, but she’s half pupil and half not.”

Ivy Norman considered this for a moment before speaking.
“Really all we can do is stick with the arrangements that have already been made. Madame and Mademoiselle seem to think that this will be the best plan. Whether matters stay this way is another matter. That’ll depend largely how the girls take it, and Biddy herself.” There was silence for a moment and just as Miss Edwards was about to turn the conversation onto other matters they were disturbed by a loud wailing coming from the floor above them. They looked at each other and jumped to their feet.
“That will be Biddy. I’ll go to her if you’ll check the others Ivy.” This said to Miss Norman as they both hurried out the door and up the stairs. Ivy Norman only nodded and followed her colleague up the stairs.

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 9:08 am

Lovely to see this again, Shander.Poor Biddy, why is she having nightmares? Is it to do with her family?

#50: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:53 am

Really pleased to find more of this Shander Poor Biddy - I'm not surprised she had nightmares

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 2:12 pm

Nice to see the staff appreciate the difficult position Biddy is in. Thanks Shander Liz

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

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:33 pm

good to see this back! so why is biddy wailing?? *subtle hinting for more*

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:32 am

Didn't Biddy tell stories about the bean sidhe (which I can't spell properly)? - banshee? The wailing could be her impersonating one, or one of the other little dears scared by it?

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:23 pm

Lovely to see this back again, Shander!I hope the wailing is Biddy impersonating a banshee, and not having a nightmare.

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

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:28 pm

I think I hope she is having nightmares as I don't want her getting into trouble so early on. Confused

#56: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:24 pm

Poor little Biddy no wonder she is having nightmares.

#57: Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:24 pm

Hello,
If I could be moved to St. Agnes's House please.
Thank you.

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

Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 11:27 pm

Your wish is my command! Very Happy

#59: Author: Mollio, Location: Ireland

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 2:04 am

This is lovely. Makes me think about how my Mother felt when she was young. She was sent to boarding school at the age of 9 by her parents [mainly to escape from some cousins who were always telling tales on her]. She was sent out to the local National School for 4 years until she was able to join her own age group in 1st year at the boarding school. I think the older girls treated her as a sort of school pet.

#60: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:30 pm

Strange that I've only just read this, but it's a really interesting look at Biddy's early life.
To be honest, I rather felt that she was sent to the village school because of her background, the CS didn't expect much from her, and they didn't want the proper pupils exposed to her accent etc. When she spent the holidays at Die Rosen she didn't seem to mix with the other girls either, yet she was the right age to be a companion to Robin.
I'm looking forward to seeing how Biddy copes with her unusual circumstances, and how she hets to become a real CS girl.

#61: Actually a new post Author: Shander, Location: Halifax

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:10 am

The two mistresses raced up the stairs, one to calm the starttled juniors and the other to follw the sound of crying Biddy O'Ryan's small room.
Miss Edwards entered the room to find the girl in the throes of a nightmare, arms stretched out as if to try to reach the mother that was no longer there to comfort her.
The mistress shook the child gently and gathered her into her arms.
"Wake up, Biddy, child. It's just a nightmare."
Biddy opened her ayes and look up at the mistress, still shaking with sobs.
"I was dreaming of me Ma and Luigi," she said, "They were there but they didn't know me. They just stared at me and then walked away. And then there were all of these people, and they kep telling me that I didn't belong to anyone, and that I should just go away."
With these last words Biddy buried her head in the mistresses chest and began to cry all the harder.
MIss Edwards rocked her for a moment.
"Biddy, you must remember that belong to us now and we won't send you away. We undertook to look after you and we will. Don't fear that you'll be left all alone. We won't let that happen.
"And I want you to know that you Mother and Luigi won't forget you. They're watching over you from heaven, and they love you very much."
Biddy shivered in the mistresses arms for a moment and then said brokenly,
"But they left me. And nobody wanted me."
"Oh Biddy" the mistress cried softly, "They didn't want to leave you. I'm sure that it made them very sad to go and leave you behind. But God called then and they had to go. But I know they love you very much and that they are up in heaven watching over you. You're safe with us. Remember that." this last said with a tender to in the mistresses voiece.
Biddy tooked up at the mistress hopefully.
"Really?"
"Really." Miss Edwards said firmly.
They sat in silence for a time and when the little girl began to seem drowsy Miss Edwards moved to put her into her bed.
"Now, I'll tuck you up and fetch you some warm milk to help you sleep. We don't want you to be to tired for school tomorrow."
BIddy nodded was was brought her milk, tucked up in bed, and left to sleep with a gentle kiss from mistress and the comment,
"Don't worry Biddy. It will be all right."
The she left, closing the door softly behind her before leaning wearily against it for a moment and then going off to find her colleague.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 4:04 am

Excellent to see more of this, Shander, and Miss Edwards was just lovely.

Poor little Biddy. Crying or Very sad

#63: Author: Nell, Location: London, England

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:56 am

Thank you Shander. Miss Edwards was lovely, poor Biddy.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:38 am

Thanks Shander, its great to see more of this Very Happy

*hugs Biddy tightly*

#65: Author: Joey, Location: Cambridge

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:41 am

Hurrah, it's back!

Thank you, Shander, that was a lovely scene.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:18 pm

*hugs Biddy*

Thank you Shander!

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:46 pm

Thank you Shander!!

((((Biddy))))

#68: Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:31 pm

Lovely to see this back Shander

Poor Biddy she must have been worried that the school would abandon her too

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

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2005 9:45 pm

good to see this back shander, any chance of some more? Very Happy

#70: Author: JoW, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 6:56 pm

Oh, great to see this back. I love Biddy and I'm so glad you're telling her story.

#71: Author: Amanda M, Location: Wakefield

Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 11:01 am

Also glad to see this back. Thanks Shander.

Star Wars

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

Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 7:55 pm

Glad to see this back Shander

Poor Biddy Sad

Liz

#73: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 9:26 pm

Poor little Biddy! thank you Shander

#74: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 1:27 pm

Poor little soul. Thanks Shander.

The CBB -> St Agnes's House

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