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Matron of the Chalet School http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6134

Author:	mohini [ 01 Jun 2009, 08:05 ]
Post subject:	Matron of the Chalet School
Here is a drabble within a drabble on matron. I hope the CBBers do not mind if I use their names and comments ******************************************************* Matron was sitting in her room resting her tired feet. It had been a hard day. She had arrived in the morning and was thankful to see that Joey was there to receive her on the Bahnhof. Joey had then taken her to her home and given her lunch before depositing her at school next door. The triplets had not recognized her at first as she was not in uniform. She gave a sigh as she recalled the events of the day. She had rung the bell and the door was opened by Lisa who welcomed her with a smile. Matron inquired about Lisa’s husband and then had hauled her bags to her room. Putting on her uniform she had then assumed her duties. She started from the bottom of the building. Accompanied by the maids she went from room to room removing the dust covers put by her before the school closed for the term. She would do the rooms first. Tomorrow the rest of the matrons would arrive and they would take charge of particular areas. She had to prepare the duty lists. The staff rooms, she did it herself. Taking a bunch of keys from her room, she went to the staff quarters and started opening the rooms and airing them. They were pretty rooms, reflecting the personalities of their occupants. She had always liked Kathy’s room. To her eyes it was the prettiest. The view was also breathtaking. On sudden impulse she sat on the bed and then lied down trying to see how it felt to sleep in a beautiful room. A sudden noise on the steps warned her in time and by the time Gertleib entered the room with fresh sheets, Matey was standing by the window looking out. Kaffe and Kuchen was served in the Speisesaal. Matron was willing to sit and eat with the staff in the kitchen but Keren would never allow that. So Matron had to have her meals alone for one day. They all worked steadily till Abendessen which was served early and Matron went to her room solely tired. As she sat down, she looked around her room. White walls, sensible windows, 2 cupboards : (she must check her medicine store tomorrow) and a shelf in the wall. It looked so bare. No color anywhere. No one thought of painting her room in color. Hospitals walls were white and as her part of the chalet was considered as san, it was not very pretty. Even her personal belongings were not much. She had uniforms but rarely got a chance to wear frocks or skirts. She could not even arrange her hair in different styles. It was always under the cap. She recalled the greetings in the mistress’s rooms given to them by their students when they left the class. No one gave her greeting or even flowers or even said thank you. No one even hugged her after returning to school. No one asked her how she spent her holidays. “Gwenneth. Stop being a spineless jelly. No need to pity yourself “she scolded herself “You knew this would happen when you joined the school again” How could she forget what Madge had said long ago in Tirol. The school was in its infancy when she had joined the school and uniform was not compulsory. In normal clothes she looked very small besides the girls. Madge had told her to wear Nurse’s uniform to look authoritative. She had also started the practice of wearing gowns while teaching. Madge had also told her to be very stern with the girls and always be on her dignity. ”Don’t coddle them. We want to make them brave and able to face any problem” she had said Matron who loved children did not agree but had to obey. She agreed that coddling girls would never do but she should be allowed to cuddle them. Sometimes they needed cuddling specially when ill and away from mothers. And there were so many cuddly girls in school. Her stern behavior and curt sentences made all girls shy away from her. Only Joey knew about her kind nature and would always be ready with a hug in spite of her (matron’s ) protest. Joey knew they were all false. And that is why Joey was always her pet. She again looked around her room. It was so drab and bare. She could not keep flowers as the nurse was allergic to pollen. Because the trolleys had wheels there was no carpet. She started to feel depressed. She would have to do something. Life was so tedious .She sighed and started making plans for tomorrow. Mohini paused and read what she had written. It was not bad. Now to think of a title for this drabble. She wanted something which was spicy , apt, attractive and make people read it. Yoiks!!!! “Matron at chalet school” Wonderful.!! It was snappy, short and appropriate. She patted herself. Move over Joey, Mohini has arrived.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 01 Jun 2009, 09:29 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
I can't wait to see the rest of this - just what will Matey do? decides to copy Tom and lock Joey in a cupboard We have mohini now! Thankyou!

Author:	mohini [ 01 Jun 2009, 10:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini paused and read what she had written. It was not bad. Now to think of a title for this drabble. She wanted something which was spicy , apt, attractive and make people read it. Yoiks!!!! “Matron at chalet school” Wonderful.!! It was snappy, short and appropriate. She patted herself. Move over Joey, Mohini has arrived. Mohini opened the CBB site eagerly. She wanted to see what comments the others had written about her story. She stared at the comments shocked. MM worte Thankks Mohini lol. Annabelle wrote Just what the doctor advised. Missy wrote Very funny. Giggles GEM wrote Loved the comment of Con. She scratched her head. It was strange. Her story was not funny. It was supposed to be a tear jerker or may be the readers would be bored to tears.How could GEM love the comment of Con. She had not written anything about Con. Had she opened the wrong drabble? No. Wait! Wait! The title was different. It was now “Carry on Matron”. She scrolled upwards and started reading her drabble. As she started reading she clutched the table with both hands. This was not what she had written.!!! She got up from the chair and started to walk around. She needed something strong to drink. She fortified herself with a glass of water and sat down to read. A trim and slim women got down on the station. Her grey hair was neatly tied and her grey eyes sparkled as she looked eagerly around to see who had come to receive her. No one looking at her could have guessed her profession. She looked competent. But she could have been a tourist or a high born lady or even a film actress. She carried herself well. ”Matey!!” she heard someone call her and a tall thin lady with black hair tied in earphone around her head flung herself on her and hugged her. Yes it was Matron Llyod who had arrived for a new term in Chalet school. Small she may be but she ruled the girls with iron hand. No one but no one dared to disobey her. Such was her reputation that even Joey (the object who had flung herself on Matron) who knew she was Matron’s pet stood straight and patted her head to see if her hair was in place and looked down to see if her dress was alright. Three pretty girls who slowly came saw the meeting .”I wonder who that is. She looks familiar.”, remarked Margot to her sisters. ”I do not know.” said Len. “Girls come here. Look who is here .Don’t you recognize Matey?” said their mother in her golden voice. The triplets had come to spend a day in the village .Con had been writing a drama and her sisters thought she needed fresh air. Con was still in a dreamy mood and on her mother’s query she replied without thinking “Oh we did not recognize her as she is wearing clothes.” “Of course Matey quelled her with a look. And my poor Con turned all colours in a pint box. Luckily a group of tourists came and the girls got separated and made their escape after a hasty apology. But Madge It is so sad. I cannot tell this to anyone” wailed Joey on phone to Madge later that day. But that came later. Now matron decided to ignore the comment and silently entered the car. She was hurt. After working for so many years, the girls did not recognize her if she was not wearing a uniform. That was not fair. She resolved to make changes this year. Joey saw she was hurt and kept quiet for which Matron was thankful. She wanted to think. Revenge Revenge. She will take revenge. How dare Madame make her wear uniform. Of course they all were jealous. She remembered the Doctor who had danced with her at a Christmas party long back. Madame must have wanted to lay her claws on him. Because it was after that Matey had to wear uniform. It did not show her shape and hid her lovely hair. Nobody in the school really care about her. They did not even listen to what she said. It was true. The year when Carola had stormed the Chalet school , she had said that she was staying in school for half term as her sister’s grand children were ill. This year she had talked about going and taking care of her sister’s children and no one pointed out the error. This proved what she was thinking was right. All were selfish and self centered. They all lived in nice colorful rooms and had off days and even off times during a day. She had to be on alert all the time and go on prying .Was it fun looking in the drawers and lockers of the girls. It was invasion of privacy. But Madame had insisted. This time she was planning to go through the rooms of the staff. She giggled. She would be alone in the school for one whole day. The other matrons were coming the next day. This was her chance Today she would sleep in Kathy’s room She always envied Kathy for the lovely room. Tomorrow she and the other matrons would …”Here we are Matey. Are you sure you do not want to come to my home for Mitagessen?” “No. “ Mitagessen, she thought. Can’t they say lunch? No but she should not alienate Joey. Joey was her secret weapon. Joey told her all secrets. Mohini could not read further. This was horrible. Who could have written such nasty things. This was not her story. She looked in the mirror to see if she had changed. She who never wrote bad words , how could she write such such such tripe, nonsense garbage. What would the CBBers think about her.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 01 Jun 2009, 10:11 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
This CBBer is muchly amused, especially at the Con part. But, oh, how different from what Mohini intended to write :lol: What's happened to the drabble? Thanks, I can't wait for more!

Author:	PaulineS [ 01 Jun 2009, 12:03 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Good two drabbles for the price of one. I wonder which came first?

Author:	mohini [ 01 Jun 2009, 12:25 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Is the drabble in the correct forum or should it be shifted to one which contains crossover?

Author:	keren [ 01 Jun 2009, 14:18 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Nice drabbles, we want to hear about matron, which ever one it is!

Author:	Liane [ 01 Jun 2009, 20:35 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Feel so sorry for Matey (both of them) hope she gets her revenge. Thanks mohini

Author:	Chelsea [ 01 Jun 2009, 20:54 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Giggling...a lot!

Author:	abbeybufo [ 01 Jun 2009, 20:56 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
mohini wrote: Is the drabble in the correct forum or should it be shifted to one which contains crossover? Not really a crossover - if this is continuing in style of EBD it's certainly OK here, if it's getting a bit further away, maybe St Therese, or in St Scholastika as a 'random' story - and of course if it's going off the wall, it should probably be in St Clare

Author:	mohini [ 02 Jun 2009, 06:09 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini decided to apologize to the CBBers and start again. There would be no mystery, no humor ,no sadness. Just a chronicle of Matron’s life. She decided not to use German words as she was getting confused about the spelling. She also decided not to include many names or refer to any old incidences to avoid fox paw: no what was that French word false pause No. That was not correct .Oh well! Let it go. So she started to type. Matron woke up early. Today the other matrons would arrive. She must be ready. She made a list of things to be done. After breakfast she went for a brisk walk. She returned invigorated. This would be the last walk she would have without tension. The girls kept her on her toes. She always had to be alert. Even at night she slept with one ear open. (She had watched her sister’s dog for days to see how he slept with one ear open.) Today the list of dormitories had to be typed and pasted with pasting of names on pegs and lockers. She had to see to the linen and bed sheets and mattresses. Tomorrow the Head would arrive and on next day the rest of the teaching staff. They would look after the arrangement of forms. The other matrons would have to see to the work in their own houses. All in all it was to be a busy week before the school arrived. Once the other matrons arrived, she would turn her attention to the medicine cupboard. Mohini finished typing and submitted it. Next day she eagerly opened the site to see for the comments. Annabelle wrote Fell off my chair. Luckily on the carpet . MM worte Wow Mohini! You sure know how to tickle the funny bone.. Missy wrote Laughed so loudly that my SLOC asked if I had become mad GEM wrote Too good. Lol Either she was getting mad or the world was getting mad. She had not written anything so funny. The faux pals was not so funny. These CBBers seemed strange. She had hoped that they would be impressed by her deep insight into Matron’s mind and maybe compare her with OAOOML but they all were laughing. Well maybe she must have sounded funny so she decided to read what she has submitted and then stared open mouthed at what she saw on the computer screen. Matron woke up early. Today the other matrons would arrive. She must be ready. She made a list of things to be done. After breakfast she went for a brisk walk. She returned invigorated. This would be the last walk she would have without tension. And now for the work. She first went to Barbara Henschell’s room and prepared an apple pie in her bed. She then went to Matron Bellenger’s room and made a neat arrangement with combs and brushes and soap so that it would fall on the matron as soon as she opened the door. The tricks taught by her nephew came useful now. Grinning evilly she went to Matron Wood’s room and look around to see what she could do. Her eyes lighted up as she thought of an idea. Mohini could not read further. It seems as if the character had taken over her writing. In case of Joey it had meant that she was a good writer .But here it was not working properly. With a sudden thought, she looked at the time when the drabble was posted. Ah! Ha! Just as she had thought , it was posted at the time she was fast asleep. So that mystery was solved. But who would be doing this? She decided to keep a watch. At midnight, the computer was turned on and a grey smoke could be seen hovering over the chair .Though the smoke was small, she could feel the shivering in her feet and understood how the girls must have felt when confronted by Matron. For this was the spirit of matron. ”Yes I am the spirit of matron. I live in that spirit bottle” “But why are you ruining my drabble?” Mohini queried. “Because it is not correct. You have made me sound very dull and dreary. There is more to me then medicines and linen.” ‘I know. I know.” “You have not given me any spirit and made me a colorless character.” “But what can I do? There is very little information about you. Even EDB did not write much about you. And she made EDBism” “And what is that, if I may ask?” “In Carola storms the Chalet school she wrote that Matron’s sister’s grandchildren were ill and in one of the Swiss books she wrote that Matron had to take care of her sister’s children.” “You silly girl.! That was a different matron” “Oh!” “So are you going to take steps?” “Oh yes.” “Hey! Hey what are you doing?” cried matron’s spirit.” I am opening the spirit bottle so that all the spirit will evaporate and there will be no spirit. He! He! He! It helps to know Science.” So Mohini finally got rid of matron’s spirit and sat down to write about matron.

Author:	Nightwing [ 02 Jun 2009, 06:34 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
How frustrating, having all your work undone by a spirit! Thanks, mohini!

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 02 Jun 2009, 07:10 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Poor you! I would have been terrified to see a spirit. I'm just trying to picture Jack's face if Joey started screaming about having seen the spirit of Matey in that bottle she took as a keepsake from her room Thanks, really enjoying this.

Author:	shazwales [ 02 Jun 2009, 07:17 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
This is wicked and wonderful,looking forward to reading the next instalment??

Author:	abbeybufo [ 02 Jun 2009, 08:58 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Love it! Thanks Mohini

Author:	blue1 [ 02 Jun 2009, 19:42 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Brilliant.

Author:	mohini [ 03 Jun 2009, 10:41 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini started typing A small, spare, wiry woman with grey hair and grey eyes got down at the station. She looked energetic and in spite of being small looked capable. She had to be. For she was Matron Lloyd, the chief matron of Chalet school. Her name was Gwenneth, but nobody called her by that name. She was Matey to all. But one could not get matey with her. Except for Mrs. Maynard or Joey as she was known to all. Joey was Matron’s favorite and she had come to the station to pick Matron. The new term was to begin soon and Matron had arrived first. She was fiercely hugged by Joey.”Oh Matey! It is good to see you again.” Joey cried “Now do not spoil my dress” said Matron curtly though in her heart she rejoiced. The girls would not have believed, but Matron was a very affectionate and demonstrative woman. She was a favorite of her nieces and nephews. Right since her childhood, she had dreamed of being a matron in a school. When this chance had come, she had grabbed it. There had been a period when she had to leave the school and take a job elsewhere as the school had to leave Austria. But when the school was started again, she had applied and was welcome with open arms. Since then she was a part of school and it was hard to imagine school without her. All the girls feared her. She was a martinet, insisting on immediate obedience from the Head on down, and was quite capable of cowing mistresses and old girls. Chatting amiably with Joey she followed Joey to the car. “You look tired Matey.” remarked Jo ”Speaking truthfully, I am tired.” replied Matron “Things have been difficult at my sister’s place” Joey ,the champion butter-in knew instinctly that she should not probe further. “I am taking you to my house for lunch and then you can go to the school. Your things will be dispatched to the school Do not worry. You cannot say no. Jack wants to talk to you about the new medicines he has brought for the school “ When put like that, Matron could not say no. Deep in her heart she knew that she needed rest. What she did not know was that she needed to unwind. As the head Matron, she had to put a brave front. She always had to be on her toes. She could not relax. She also had to keep her emotions under control Things were difficult in school also. Her room was in one corner of the building meant for San in school. So the girls rarely visited her. It had been different in the boy’s school where she had worked for a short time. The boys were always in the san either for dressing or a broken knee or arm or to give torn sheets or clothes and they all chatted with her. She missed those chats. Here the girls rarely came on their own to talk with her. For she was held in terror The rest of the staff who worked with her would also be busy in their respective houses. It was a lonely job. Mohini finished typing and looked around as if to see the spirit hovering near by. Then she submitted it. Next day, as usual, she visited the site eagerly to see what comments were there. And then there were none. No comments. Nothing at all Even her drabble had disappeared. “This is weird” she thought. ”Is it the TEM monster which had eaten up many drabbles some time ago?” She tried to recall what she had written There was nothing objectionable in that. Of course, to unwind she was thinking of making matron slide down the banister and play in the gym but those were her thoughts .She had not written them anywhere So how could the spirit of matron know? What could she do? With a sudden thought she started to type again.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 03 Jun 2009, 11:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Poor Matey Good luck to mohini fixing her drabble

Author:	Chris S [ 03 Jun 2009, 15:17 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
I found this a very strange drabble to begin with, but it's really growing on me now. I can't wait to see Matey letting her hair down and maybe getting caught

Author:	mohini [ 04 Jun 2009, 08:47 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Before submitting, Mohini decided to read what she had written A small woman got down from the train. She had grey hair and matching grey eyes. Her eyes were bright. They did not need glasses. She walked out briskly. She was greeted by a tall thin woman .The woman was not beautiful. Her hair was tied in earphone. She had black eyes. She had a golden voice. She was Joey Maynard aka Joey Bettany .She had been the most beloved head of the chalet school. She had come to welcome Matron Lloyd “Hello! How was the journey/” she said “Hello Joey. It was fine” Matey replied “I will drop you at the school/”Joey said “”Thank you !” “Can I send the girls to help you?” “Yes. They will be welcome.” Joey dropped Matey at the school .Joey went home. Joey was greeted by her triplets daughter. “Hello Mamma!” the girls said. “Hello” said Joey ”Will you go and help matron tomorrow?” “Yes we will, Mamma.” Replied the daughters obediently. Next day the girls arrived at the school. They knocked the door. The door was opened by Miggi. Miggi had a heavy tread “Gruss Gott Miggi!” the triplets chorused. “Gruss Gott” replied Miggi .Len was the eldest of the triplets. This gave her a sense of responsibility “Where is Matron?” asked Len responsibly. Miggi directed to the staff room. Matron was sitting there .Matron was surrounded by many lists. “Hello Matron! Did you have good holidays?” asked Len “No “replied Matron. “It was not good. My sister is ill” “Oh! I hope she gets better soon” replied Len .She had her mother’s understanding nature. “We have come to help you”, said Con. Con was the second of the triplets. She spoke without thinking. Margot nudged her with her arm. This was not the time to speak about work. Matron was talking about her sister. Matron changed the topic. She distributed the work among them. She asked Len to prepare the dormitory list. She asked Con to write down names for lockers and pegs in spalsharies. She took Margot with her. They checked the medicines in the medicine cupboard. This was in matron’s room. It was a wooded cupboard. “You have many medicines Matron” Margot said “Yes” matron replied. They went downstairs. “Are the lists over?’ Matron asked. “Yes.” Len and Con replied. “What are you typing, you silly girl?” The message appeared on the computer screen. Mohini jumped in her chair and in the process fell down. Hurriedly she got up and sat again and watched fascinated as she looked at the computer screen. The letters slowly appeared “Y o u c a l l y o u r s e l f a w r I t e r a n d c o m p a r e y o u r s e l f w I t h J o e y ? H o w d a r e y o u ? Y o u a r e n o m a t c h a g a I n s t h e r. S h e h a s t a k e n E n g l I s h l e s s o n s f r o m M a d a m e a n d M I s s A n n e r s e l y. Y o u r E n g l I s h i s b a d. D o n o t t r y t o c o p y m y J o e y“ “ Well really!“ thought Mohini. This was too much Who was matron to say she was good or not? It was not even Matron but the spirit of Matron Was she going to be suppressed by a spirit? She definitely had more spirit than matron The CBBErs were accepting her and not correcting her English They were also smiling and giggling at her stories. She had to do something. The question was what. She thought and thought. Was matron objecting to the word Matron? But what else could she call her?

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 04 Jun 2009, 09:17 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Oh, dear, is there any member of staff who doesn't automatically try and correct every speech you ever make? Thanks, mohini, this continues to be very interesting!

Author:	abbeybufo [ 04 Jun 2009, 11:17 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks Mohini

Author:	mohini [ 05 Jun 2009, 08:14 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Are the respective houses of Matrons given somewhere? Was St Clare's the staff house?

Author:	leahbelle [ 05 Jun 2009, 16:18 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks, Mohini. This is fantastic! I think St Hild's was the staff house?

Author:	trig [ 05 Jun 2009, 17:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
This is really good! Please continue! I love the responsible Len answering responsibly!

Author:	mohini [ 10 Jun 2009, 12:42 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini started to type again. Now there should be no problem “Matron, I seem to have 5 torn sheets. I need new ones These are beyond repair,“ said Barbara Henschell “Two of the mattresses have broken springs. I have asked Hans to get them repaired. Till then I will need 2 mattresses if the new dormitory is to be used” said Matron Bellenger who had joined the school as a house matron. Matron Duffin , house matron for St Clare. said “My house had no problems. Everything is ready. “ “I think you will have to come to St Hild’s to see for the damage in the rooms . The residents seemed to have played circus before the holidays” said Matron Wood. It was the beginning of the new term and the matrons of Chalet school had inspected their respective houses and reporting to Matron Lloyd who looked beleaguered. Now she turned to Matron Wood and said ”What do you mean? St Hild’s is Staff House. How can they play circus?” asked a harassed Matron . “Don’t be silly!” “Come on Matey. I was joking. Loosen up.” “I cannot. There is so much to be done before the girls arrive.” Matron quelled her staff with a look. A very capable person, she demanded instant obedience. Barbara ,the irrepressible suddenly gave a giggle. ”What’s the matter?” asked Matron. “I imagined the circus put by the staff. with Nancy and Bill as the clowns and the Abbess as the fat lady and Oh Oh …” she could not go further. All the matrons could not control their laughter and Matron Lloyd also collapsed as her sense of humor surfaced. As must be evident from the above conversation, there was a good comradeship between the staff of the chalet school. Though always on their dignity and formal in front of the girls, the staff were on first name basis amongst themselves. The matrons who were always busy usually hunted together as they could get no time to mingle with the staff in the staff room. The laughter cleared the air and with a new vigor they all started to work again. There was so much to do. They had to see that the rooms were opened and aired. Dust covers were to be removed. They had to check all the linen, and the medicines and other essentials needed in san and day to day life of school full of girls. After 2 days the rest of the staff would arrive. First would be Miss Annersely and Rosalie Dene, an old girl and the Head’s Secretary. They would give the list of girls. Then the matrons would be busy deciding which girl should be put in which dormitory and the bath list and put name tags on pegs and lockers. They would have to request Rosalie to type the names for them or they would type it themselves, if Rosalie was busy. They also had to prepare their duty lists. Yes there was a lot to do and they all went about doing their work moving silently {in case of Barbara humming for Barbara loved to sing} and swiftly. When their work was finished, they would go and help someone else. Matron Wood who loved to dance would be seen dancing a step or two with a chair or a broom. Keren and her satellites loved this period when the school had only the Matrons. . It was all very peaceful. Next day eagerly Mohini opened the site to see and what a surprise!!!. There was nothing. "Now what's the problem?" cried Mohini. "You typed in English" said Matron's spirit "So?" "Mondays and Thursdays are French Days and Tuesdays and Fridays are German days.Today is Tuesday and you should write in German." "But Ich kann keine Duetche screiben oder sprechen." sagt Mohini "What?After so many days on CBB you say you cannot write or talk German" "Nein" said Mohini You must practice" "Alright" said Mohini.Maron demanded instant obedience Mohini heaved a sigh so huge that Matron's spirit nearly flew away out of the window. That night when Mohini got up for a drink of water, she heard noises from the room where the computer was kept. She peeped in and saw that a spirited conversation was going on

Author:	mohini [ 10 Jun 2009, 13:20 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Sorry for spreeing .But had to stop writing to cope with some problem in lab. Mohini saw that a spirited conversation was going on. All the spirits of the Chalet school had gathered in the room. Miss Annerserley’s spirit was sedately floating in on eplace.The spirit which was moving about waving and gesturing would be none other than Joey’s spirit , realized Mohini with a thrill. Biddy’s spirit was saying “And will you be telling me why a girl who has been here for so many years can’t write in German? What’s happened to the CBB?’ “You can keep the German for all of me,’ Miss Slater spirit said bluntly. ‘I’m one of the people who only knew enough to pass exams. I’ve always hated it, and I wish to goodness it hadn’t occurred to Matron to renew it here. I can tell you, Mohini has all my sympathy.” “So you cannot speak or write German?” asked Joey spirit suddenly spying Mohini spying on them” “Ya. Das ist richtig.Ich kann keine Deutche sprechen oder screiben oder ..” “Then you have no right to write on CBB” said Matron’s spirit appearing suddenly “But Matey, please consider her position. She is not from our country and she has no experience in listening to people speak all around you” butted in Joey’s spirit “…oder gehen oder zahlen oder sagen oder einsteigen oder aussteigen oder ..” Mohini was chanting in the background. “What do you feel Hilda?” asked Joey “Really Joey! How can you?” Joey’s spirit turned a rosy color. It had forgotten that spirits cannot feel. Then taking pity on Joey, Hilda’s spirit replied “Let us hear Mohini” “Do you know anything about computers? There is no need for me to write in German or French.” “Oh! The computer automatically translates it” swirled Joey’s spirit knowingly “No. No. Nowadays computers are very advanced. You can write in any language and it will translate it in the language you want while reading. That means if I write No in English, I can read it as Nein in German when I want. There are some softwares available and you can use USB ports and cables and hard discs and pendrives and palm tops and applets.” By this time the whole spirits were so much confused that they all got mixed up with each other. But they gave her permission to write in any language she wanted. Mohini went back to her room to sleep muttering “…oder ist gegangen oder liegen oder sehen oder essen oder trinken oder heiraten oder …”

Author:	Lesley [ 10 Jun 2009, 13:25 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini I can't write French or German either - will that mean I have to stop writing? Love this - it's quite correct, you know, their spirits really are there nagging us! Thanks

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 10 Jun 2009, 16:32 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
I could write two characters having a basic conversation in Russian (not in the Cyrillic alphabet, sadly) does that count? I don't want to give up my writing! Thanks for the updates!

Author:	mohini [ 11 Jun 2009, 05:36 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
It was night and Matron Lloyd was sitting in her bedroom feeling tired. Lately she had been getting tired easily. Though she would not admit it even to herself, the truth was, she was getting bored with the routine. It had been exciting in the boy’s school where she had worked some time. One never knew what the students would come up with. There would be different kinds of wounds or bites and she always had to keep everything ready. Here the problems were mainly headache or an occasional sprain. She sighed and looked around. It was a plain clean room. The white walls were a contrast to the dark wooden floor. There were no flowers because the Nurse was allergic to pollen. The curtains were also plain and faded. Somehow it never entered anybody’s mind that she would have preferred a beautiful room like those of the other staff. In olden days when Matron Wilson was the matron, the Matron’s room used to be pretty. But then , Matron Besley’s choice of curtains and bed sheets was so jarring to the eyes and Matron Webb’s room of red and brown was so shocking, that Madame had decided not to let the Matrons choose the colors but had decided that it would be universal white and had called the rooms as san. She had meant to speak about it to Madame way back in England but somehow had been always busy with many things that this did not seem important enough to be discussed. But now she must do something about it, she thought. In today’s meeting with the other Matrons, she had come to know about many problems faced by the matrons. Basically they were being taken for granted. Not that anyone meant to trouble the matrons. Truth is, the staff and the prefects would have been horrified and mortified if that knew that they were the cause of matron’ problems. It was Matron Wood who had pointed out that the Prefect’s habit of punishing the juniors was to send them to the matron for darning or sewing. Though this was penalty for the culprits, it was a punishment for the matrons because they always were left out of the evening’s entertainment. She wondered whether the matrons had gone to sleep or not. The other matrons had gathered in Barbara’ s room was a cup of coffee. Her room was pretty with blue curtains and matching bedcover with small blue flowers. She looked round her room with a sigh. She loved this room. “Why is matey’s room so clinical?’ she asked suddenly “What do you mean by clinical?” “It is so ,so , white and plain and there is no color. It is more like a room in the Hospital than a Matron’s room. “ “I never thought of it that way. Yes .But you are correct. It is so plain. I wouldn’t like to live in such a room” said Matron Duffin thinking of her beautiful green room. “But you will have to when you become the head matron .” “What do you mean?” “Are you mad?” “Why me?” “Where is matron going?” Barbara was surrounded by questions. “Wait .Wait. See Matey will retire after some years. Then one of us will have to take her place. And Duffin being the eldest will be the natural choice as she has more experience.” “But have you known anyone to retire here in this school?” “Now you think of it, no one has retired from the staff. Madame left because she got married so did Simone and Marie and Gillian and Hilary. Some died or were asked to leave.” “The Head must be nearing retirement age.” All the Matrons looked worried as they tried to envision the future without Miss Annersely and Matey. “Let us not think about the future” said Barbara “ Did you realize that Matey does not have a single off day? What are we going to do about that?” “Girls why are you not yet in your beds?” asked Matey from the door. “We’re just going Matron. Good Night.” The matrons trained for instant obedience went straight to bed.

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 11 Jun 2009, 08:01 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Even other Matrons don't defy Matey!

Author:	Lesley [ 11 Jun 2009, 08:40 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Matey needs to think about her relationship with the other staff as well. Thanks Mohini - interesting about the room - not allowed to place her own individuality onto rooms where she's lived for years.

Author:	leahbelle [ 11 Jun 2009, 13:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Very interesting, Mohini! Thanks!

Author:	mohini [ 16 Jun 2009, 06:47 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini sat in front of the computer staring at the blank screen.Her ideas had suddenly dried up.What was she going to do? She had to update the story on Matron but could not think of anything. She sat tapping her fingers lightly on the keyboard. She twisted her mouth and tried to make faces. She stretched her body, scratched her head stroked her chin. No inspiration. She had to get into the spirit of matron. She started to write and the words flowed fluently and her fingers flew on the keyboard. "Miss Annersely, the matrons have invited you to their room for tea.You are requested to be at Matron's sitting room at teatime today" Hilda read the note with surprise. She had crossed the matrons at various times today while they went about doing their work but no one had given any indication of this. Why such a formal invitation? What was the problem? It was with a worried face Hilda entered the matron's sitting room."Please sit down" said Matron Lloyd. Hilda sat down and looked around. It was a plain room. She thought of her pretty sitting room and suddenly exclaimed. "The room looks so clean!!" "I am glad you noticed.That is the reason why we decided to invite you here. All our rooms are so plain and simple. We are matrons and have to wear uniform.But we too like pretty things and colors. We are not nuns" exclaimed Barbara." "But dear girl,why don't you change it and get nice curtains and pretty covers and beautiful table cloths?" The matrons looked at one another. "Because nobody asked us what we wanted" "Rosalie and other mistresses go to buy the curtains and we are sent to buy the other linen." Matron Duffin and Matron Wood answered simultaneously. "Matey ,why are you quiet?" asked the Head "I think they are correct." "This needs thinking.I never thought of this.I am so sorry.We have been taking you for granted" Miss Annersely looked agonized."Please let us sit and talk. You have any more problems about which we do not know?" "Yes!" "Matey never gets to rest.She has no off days" "We never get a chance to wear our frocks. We are always in uniform" "We miss many entertainments because the girls who are naughty are punished by sewing with us." "We cannot go to expedition as someone has to stay with the girls who cannot go due to some reason" "We always have to be on out toes" "I feel as if I am prying when I look at the drawers of the girls.They are entitled their privacy." "The girls are afraid of us" "Matrons! Matrons! Girls! Girls! I have only 2 ears. I did not know you had so many grievances. I am sorry. But I cannot make any decision today. I will have to talk to Joey and Madame about this. We have been treating you badly. I apologize on behalf of the school." "Oh no. Miss Annersely. We did not mean it that way. It is not your fault. That has been the tradition of the school and no one thought about it. But it sometimes hurts when we look at the pretty rooms of the other mistresses and come to our hospital rooms." But Hilda had been shaken to the core. She thought of herself as a just person and she herself was doing gross injustice. She hurried to her room with unseeing eyes.

Author:	shazwales [ 16 Jun 2009, 06:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Brilliant,it's about time someone thought of the matrons.

Author:	keren [ 16 Jun 2009, 09:11 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
lovely

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 16 Jun 2009, 09:48 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thankyou

Author:	leahbelle [ 16 Jun 2009, 13:10 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
I'm glad Hilda is going to do something to help the Matrons, but it's a shame she never thought of this herself. Thanks, Mohini. The Matrons really did get the rough end of the wedge.

Author:	PaulineS [ 16 Jun 2009, 18:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Glad the Matrons are acting together and Hilda realises they have a point.

Author:	Miss Di [ 17 Jun 2009, 04:00 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Poor matrons. They did have a point - well a number of them!

Author:	Lesley [ 17 Jun 2009, 05:53 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Glad Hilda sees that they have been treating the matrons unjustly. Why does she need to speak to Madge and Joey though? Is there a rule about the matrons that she needs to break? Thanks Mohini

Author:	mohini [ 17 Jun 2009, 09:07 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Mohini was typing. For many days matron's spirit was not interfering with her typing and she could post her drabble. Today she was typing the solution.Would the matron like it? When she had posted the problems she could feel the spirit hovering in approval.Maybe her use of complicated words of computer language had worked. Though it was good that Joey's spirit did not show interest in FORTRAN ,COBOL, ALGOL, C C++ JAVA etc. Knowing her interest in learning as many languages as possible , if she had insisted on learning any of these ,she(Mohini) would have had grey hairs at the end of 1 day.Mohini looked at pride at her black shiny hair with no grey in it.She continued to type. The staff was in conclave. Miss Annersely had called an urgent meeting. The problem with the matrons had to be resolved immediately. She realized how much they depended upon the matrons. The staff had gathered and were laughing and exchanging news. Keren came in and served coffee and biscuits. Miss Annersely rapped the table. The mistresses became quiet and turned to look at the Head with smiling faces which turned serious as they saw the expression on their Head’s face. “Why, what is the matter? Why are you so looking so solemn? Is everything alright?”, asked Nancy Wilmot. “Please be patient. I will tell you everything. We have a problem before us” answered the Head. Then succinctly she told them about her talk with the matrons. “Oh .But it is true. We have been taking them for granted “said Mlle de Lachennais “Poor matrons. How have we neglected them!” said Biddy with deep understanding in her black Irish eyes. “But how unchalet like” murmured Miss Burnett. “What do you mean Burnie?” turned Biddy at her “We are a big family. We are not supposed to complain and have grievances. We teach the girls to face facts and not be spineless jellies. Coming to think of it , I did never like the colour of my room nor did I like the fact that it faces north. But have I ever said anything? “ “In fact, the matrons have it easy. They do not have to teach a class everyday. It becomes so boring. All they have to do is to see if the girls have kept their drawers clean and their lockers closed and bathrooms dry. They do not have to keep a timetable” was Miss Armitage’s contribution. “And who has stopped them from having flowers and pretty things in their rooms?” asked Nancy. The meting seemed to be going out of control and instead of focusing on matrons problem the mistresses had started complaining about rooms and food and whatnot. In this confusion, there was a breathe of fresh air for the French windows opened and Jo stepped in. They all turned towards her in one accord and yelled “Joey.!” “Hello all! Say, I never knew I was so popular. What’s the problem Hilda?” All the ladies started speaking at once. Hilda held up her hand. There was sudden silence. While Matey quelled everyone with a look, Hilda could do the same with her hand. She again explained matron’s problem. She did not speak about the staff’s response. “So what do you think?” she asked as Joey sat silent with her chin in her hand. “What are their problems again?” asked Joey Problem - Matey never gets to rest. She has no off days Solution - Matron should definitely be given one day off. Sunday will be fine. Problem - They never get a chance to wear their frocks. They are always in uniform. Solution – They can wear frocks on their off days. But not in school. In school they have to be in uniform. ”But why not in school? “asked Biddy. “They have to appear as authority in school. If the girls see them in ordinary clothes, they will not be able to respect them. Why? Think Biddy. All the matrons are on short side. Because they are in Nurse’s uniform, they have an air of authority. Have you ever seen them in ordinary clothes? They fade in the background. Most of our girls tower over them.” “Regarding their missing entertainments and expeditions, don’t you think that they should remember that they are not here for fun and what they are doing is their job and missing things is part of the job?” Hilda followed the complicated statement and silently resolved to give Joey lessons in English construction again. “The rest of the problems are also job related . But we cannot allow the girls to be too friendly with matrons. We need instant obedience in emergencies and this will not be possible if there is familiarity between the girls and matrons.” Here Jo paused for a breath. “But we can give them pretty things for their rooms. Why was it not done in so many years I do not know. Their rooms need not be so clinical. “ “But what shall we do with all those covers and curtains? They will go waste” Miss Burnett asked “No they will not. We will turn them into bags and use them for our sale” said Joey the irrepressible.

Author:	jmc [ 17 Jun 2009, 09:19 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Poor Matrons. The staff don't seem to sympathise with them at all. And Jo....

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 17 Jun 2009, 09:24 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Is there anything that Joey can't solve? I do almost agree with some of the teachers here - all of this would, presumably, have been in the job description, and it's no less stressful than their jobs just in a different way. Thanks, mohini, I can't wait to see what happens!

Author:	abbeybufo [ 17 Jun 2009, 11:34 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Poor matrons - really enjoying this Mohini

Author:	shazwales [ 17 Jun 2009, 18:01 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks Mohini,really enjoying this. Would love to see Joey coping with the work that the matrons put in!

Author:	mohini [ 23 Jun 2009, 07:48 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
“No Joey. You cannot solve the problem without thinking. Yes. I do understand that missing expeditions is a part of their job if one of the girls is not well. But why should they miss it if a girl misbehaves and the Prefects punish her by sending her to Matron? We give a lot of freedom to our girls and they should not misuse those liberties. We want a happy staff and the complains made by the matrons are genuine.” “Well. It is true. I never thought of it that way. Poor matrons!” said Joey with deep sympathy in her black eyes. Hilda knowing how sensitive and delicate Joey was in spite of her years spent in the fine climate added “ I do not want the girl to be afraid of Matrons. How many teeth were removed because the girls were afraid of going to matron?” Joey blushed. “I wish the girls kept their lockers clean because it is right and not because they are terrified of matron or of any other mistress. As Chalet girls they should be clean, neat, tidy and punctual.” “But if they kept their lockers clean, matron can never make a surprise inspection and find banned items.” Quipped Biddy “Girls are not supposed to bring banned items in school and it is an invasion to their privacy. Sometimes girls carry things which have some sentimental value to them. If these are demonstrated by Matron, they will lose their dignity. Do not look confused. Will you be able to respect a senior if you find that she carries a teddy bear with her? Would you like it if your rooms are inspected by Matron?” Burnie who had a pet doll with her, emphatically agreed with the Head. So did Biddy who had a small teddy bear. Miss Armitage thought of the letters she had hidden nodded in agreement. Mlle de Lachennais remembered her special bottle of little something and kept quiet. The Matrons were then called and told about the decision. They all agreed and a crisis in chalet school was avoided. “After all” said Jo who had had to have the last word “It is Chalet school” Mohini finished typing and was about to submit it when she felt a spirit near her neck It was Matron’s spirit. “I had gone for a holiday which I could not take when I was alive. Let me see what you have written. Hmmm. Hmm Alright. Hmm. Okay. It seems a bit hurriedly written but I think you have done your best and saints can’t do better. A word of advice. Do not attempt to write again” Mohini brought up in instant obedience never wrote a word again. She always dictated her stories. THE END

Author:	ChubbyMonkey [ 23 Jun 2009, 08:13 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
at the ending! Thanks, mohini, pleased to see that it was all sorted in the end.

Author:	jmc [ 23 Jun 2009, 11:15 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks Mohini. Happy to see Jo put in her place by Hilda. Loved all the reason the various mistresses had for keeping quiet.

Author:	PaulineS [ 23 Jun 2009, 17:11 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks glad conditions are improved for the Matrons.

Author:	abbeybufo [ 23 Jun 2009, 17:57 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks Mohini - love the last line

Author:	shazwales [ 24 Jun 2009, 00:39 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Thanks Mohini i've really enjoyed this.

Author:	Lesley [ 24 Jun 2009, 06:38 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
Very satisfying! Loved the last line too! Thanks Mohini

Author:	Nightwing [ 24 Jun 2009, 21:38 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
mohini wrote: Mohini brought up in instant obedience never wrote a word again. She always dictated her stories.

Author:	leahbelle [ 25 Jun 2009, 13:06 ]
Post subject:	Re: Matron of the Chalet School
I love the last line, too! Thanks for a very enjoyable drabble.

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