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The New Girl
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3930
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:35 pm ]
Post subject:  The New Girl
Hilda Annersley sat back and stretched, she looked round at the other girls all seated in the Prefects’ Room. “Well? Is there any other business?”

Her friend Naomi Tasker, Games Prefect, looked across, “I’d like to start this term with a proper training schedule for hockey,” she said, “if we get started straight away we’ll be less likely to put up such a poor show as last term. Can you ask the Head if we can have some practice sessions after school, Hilda?”

Hilda nodded, “Of course, though I didn’t think the First Eleven did too badly last term.”

“Neither did I,” Mavis Carter, the First Eleven Goalkeeper put in, “we won nearly all of our matches. What more do you want, Naomi?”

Naomi laughed, “Oh it wasn’t the First Eleven I was worried about,” she said, “it was the Second Eleven - most of the Fifth Forms just don’t want to know, especially the Lower Fifth.”

“That might change this term,” her twin Ruth put in, “I was helping Miss Wesley coaching the Fifths yesterday - they’ve got a new girl, started this term, she seems to be waking them up a bit. She looks really useful in defence too.”

“Really?” Naomi looked surprised, “wish I’d been there. What’s her name?”

Ruth shook her head, “No idea, I only saw her from a distance, was coaching the Upper Fifth on the other pitch. She’s got reddish-brown hair though, and I think she’s quite tall. I’m sure Miss Wesley will know who you mean, there can‘t be that many new girls.”

“I’ll ask her,” Naomi replied.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: :shock: :shock:
Is this part of the 'punishment' for Vikki or are we being treated to an earlier part of Hilda's life which she will now be able to remember in RCS?? - or both :?

:lol: :lol:
Author:  linda [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
This looks interesting - who is the new girl??
Author:  Sugar [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
Intriguing. Thanks Lesley
Author:  Tara [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is a lovely surprise, Lesley!
I wonder ... no, it can't be ... can it? Will wait and see :wink:
Author:  LizzieC [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
I read the discription and found myself instantly thinking "ooh, Nell". I daresay I'm wrong though!
Author:  Liane [ Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I thought the exact same thing Lizzie
Thanks Lesley
Author:  Mona [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:08 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley, this looks interesting!
Author:  roversgirl [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:24 am ]
Post subject: 
thank you - this looks very itneresting :)
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:51 am ]
Post subject: 
LizzieC wrote:
I read the discription and found myself instantly thinking "ooh, Nell". I daresay I'm wrong though!


So did I :lol: I'm sure Lesley will manage to have all her usual twists and turns :lol: :wink:
Author:  JackieP [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Definitely not Vikki, not with the tall description... :lol:

*waits patiently...*

JackieP
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for an interesting start.
Author:  Vikki [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
JackieP wrote:
Definitely not Vikki, not with the tall description... :lol:

*waits patiently...*

JackieP



LOL!!!!

Just what I was thinking. :wink:

I'm very intrigued...
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Lesley. :D
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley. I'm also intruiged!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 5:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
intrigued too [I didn't know what Vikki looked like] . . . when do we , maybe, get a teensie bit more ? :hiding:

thanks, Lesley :lol:
Author:  brie [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
More please Lesley?!?
Author:  Sugar [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
abbeybufo wrote:
[I didn't know what Vikki looked like]


She's about 3ft 6" with a camera instead of a head!
:lol:

Any chance of any more Lesley?
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Later that week the Games Prefect had the chance to speak to the Form Prefect of the Lower Fifth,

“Oh yes, she is good, isn’t she?” Amanda Thomson smiled placidly, secure in the fact that the games Prefect would never ask her to play for a School Team, “pity she’s not going to be with us for long.”

“What do you mean?” Naomi asked.

“Well she’s only here for this term and the next,” Amanda replied, “her School was badly damaged in that dreadful storm just before Christmas - everyone has had to go to other Schools temporarily while repairs are made.”

“Well never mind,” Naomi, “at least I can use her for this term, so where is she?”

Amanda pointed.

Later Naomi returned to the Upper Sixth Common Room, “She’s a natural,” she enthused to her twin, “fast, accurate, fearless, one of the best hockey players I’ve ever seen.”

“Better than you?” Ruth asked, well aware that her sister was probably the best centre forward the School had ever had.

Naomi considered, “She’s not a goal scorer,” she said, “but she’s got far more energy than me.”

“So is she good enough for the Second Eleven?” Mavis called across.

“Better than that,” Naomi replied, knowing she was about to cause a sensation, “she’s good enough to make the First Eleven.”

There were a number of muffled exclamations, the loudest coming from Enid Wickes and Sarah Dillard, “I say, you’re not thinking of splitting us up, are you?”

Naomi shook her head, “Never, split up the best pair of backs we’ve ever had? No, I had something else in mind. This new girl is good in defence, true, but she’s also very fast and aggressive, she can run up and down the pitch forever. I want her to play for the First Eleven, but as Right Wing.”

There was a stunned silence after Naomi’s words then, with one accord, the rest of the Upper Sixth all turned to where Hilda Annersley was sitting next to the fire. The Head Girl noted all the expressions but simply looked across at her friend,

“Right Wing, Naomi?” she asked, “my position?”

Naomi swallowed sharply but nodded, “For the School, Hilda,” she said, “this new girl is that good. You’d be reserve, of course, and play for the Second Eleven - they’ll really be helped having someone of your skill with them.”

Hilda nodded slightly, “For the School,” she said quietly, she rose and gathered up her books, “I’ll see you all later,” she looked round at everyone in the Common Room, “I’m taking some of the Seconds for an English tutorial,” she left the room, closing the door quietly behind her - she was not quick enough, however, and the first part of Ruth Tasker’s exasperated tones reached her,

“Naomi Tasker where were you when they were handing out tact and sensitivity? Of all the lame brains, sister-mine you are the worst…”

Hilda walked, unseeingly, through the School corridors, surprised at just how much she cared about losing her position in the First Eleven. She reached the classroom very quickly and was suddenly aware of shrieks of laughter from within, pushing open the door she beheld the sight of the six ten year olds all gathered in a semi circle around another figure. This one seemed older and her reddish brown hair, said hair had fallen out of its normal pigtail and had fallen down around her face - probably because she was standing on her hands in a handstand against the wall.

“What’s going on here?”

At the question the girls all suddenly became aware that the Head Girl was in their midst and they all melted back into their seats. All except the one on her hands. She quickly came down from the wall and stood up again, she grinned across at the girl standing beside the Mistresses Desk,

“Hello, you must be the Sixth Former they’ve been waiting for - teaching them English, aren’t you?” Her face was open and friendly, her grey eyes warm.

“That is correct, yes,” Hilda replied stiffly, recognising that this must be the new girl, “may I ask what on Earth you were doing?”

“A handstand,” the reply came swiftly. Hilda waited but when nothing else was said she spoke again,

“Don’t you know that is against School rules?”

The grey eyes brightened with merriment, “Is it? You mean there’s actually a School rule that says that you’re not allowed to perform handstands in the classrooms?”

Normally Hilda might have reacted to the implied joke, however after hearing that she was going to lose her place in the First Eleven she instead became angry, “Don’t be cheeky, child,“ she said, and her tone brought an answering flush to the other girl’s cheeks, “don’t you know who I am?”

“No, who are you then?” the new girl asked somewhat belligerently.

“My name is Hilda Annersley,” Hilda replied.

“Never heard of you.”
Author:  Lottie [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
“Don’t be cheeky, child,“ she said, and her tone brought an answering flush to the other girl’s cheeks, “don’t you know who I am?”

“No, who are you then?” the new girl asked somewhat belligerently.

“My name is Hilda Annersley,” Hilda replied.

“Never heard of you.”

Not, I imagine, what Hilda is accustomed to hearing from her juniors! :lol:

Thanks, Lesley! :D
Author:  Fi [ Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm thinking it's Nell too, especially after the mention of grey eyes and the disregard of Hilda's authority.

Thank You Lesley this looks interesting.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:20 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley. I love how you are dragging out who this girl is. NOT!! :lol: :lol:
Author:  Elbee [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:37 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley, but hurry up and reveal who it is please :lol:
Author:  Sugar [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:38 am ]
Post subject: 
Fiona Mc wrote:
Thanks Lesley. I love how you are dragging out who this girl is. NOT!! :lol: :lol:


Don't encourage her Fiona - it only makes her worse!

Not interested in knowing in the slightest who it is. Not a bit! well it was worth a try
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
But of COURSE we all know who it is. Could anyone else rouse Hilda to fever pitch like this? :lol:

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Chair [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley. I have to admit that I don't know whom the new girl is and I'm looking forward to being surprised!
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, either most of us are guessing the new girl's identity correctly, or Lesley has a surprise in store for us - and knowing Lesley, I'm not hedging any bets on which is the right answer!!!
Author:  Fatima [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm mighty interested to see who she is, too!

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  roversgirl [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
adding to the pleas for more... thanks :)
Author:  Vikki [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sugar wrote:
abbeybufo wrote:
[I didn't know what Vikki looked like]


She's about 3ft 6" with a camera instead of a head!
:lol:



Just you wait til I see you again missy.....
*scowls at Sugar*


Any chance of some more soonish please Lesley?
Author:  Liane [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 6:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley!

Love the description Sugar! :lol:
Author:  Pat [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Liane wrote:
Thanks Lesley!

Love the description Sugar! :lol:


A pretty accurate one too! :twisted:
Author:  Vikki [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
*adds Pat to the list*

And there's a big difference between 3'6" and 4'11&1/2" :P
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
At the rejoinder Hilda swallowed, about to reply sharply she paused, suddenly remembering that the new girl had only just started, she nodded, “Well, for your information I am one of the Prefects, in fact I’m Head Girl.”

“Oh yes?” the other girl looked interested, “you’re the one that’s going to Oxford aren’t you? I’ve heard about you. No wonder you’re teaching the kids here,” she indicated the avidly watching Second Formers.

Hilda leapt upon the word, “Kids? I don’t believe there are any goats here, are there?”

The other girl sighed, “Alright, girls then, that satisfy you?”

“Barely,” Hilda replied, unable to explain just why it was that this new girl was annoying her so much, “you still haven’t explained exactly what you were doing in here?”

“I told you,” the girl replied, “I was performing a handstand…” she watched in some fascination as the Head Girl’s eyes appeared to change colour and darken from blue to grey then continued, “if you must know I was passing when I heard a number of the ki…the girls screaming. I thought someone had been hurt so I popped in to help. Seems the girls had discovered a really large spider climbing down the wall. They were trying to flatten it so I stopped them and just picked it up and dropped it out of the window.”

“You picked the spider up?”

“Of course, spiders can’t hurt you, at least, not in this country, the ones in South America can be pretty nasty - tarantulas, you know - though the worst place for spiders is Australia…”

“Enough about spiders,” Hilda said quickly, feeling her flesh start to creep, “so why the handstand?”

“Oh that,” the younger girl grinned, “some of the kids were a bit upset, so I was trying to make them laugh, that’s all.”

“I see,” Hilda was feeling slightly ashamed of herself for the way she had acted, it seemed that the girl had acted well, she overlooked the second ‘kids’ comment..

“Yes and,” the other girl continued blithely, “ I realised that you were late and thought someone should stay with them until you finally got here…”

“I was not late,” Hilda said, roused again to annoyance, especially as she realised that, actually, she was. She had been so interested in listening to Naomi Tasker that she had forgotten the time, “and even if I was,” she continued, “that’s nothing to do with you.”

“Of course it’s not,” the girl agreed.

“What do you mean by that?”

The girl shrugged, “Hey you’re Head Girl, you are always right.”

The girl said nothing more but those grey eyes glittered with amusement. Hilda raced to the attack once more, “What’s your name, anyway?”

“Nell, Nell Wilson,” Nell replied.

“Nell? That surely isn’t the name with which you were christened?”

“It might be,” Nell said with a smile, “there was a famous Nell during the Stuart era, you know,” she continued with a quick look toward the Second Formers, “she sold…”

“That’s enough!” Hilda cried quickly.

“She sold oranges,” Nell continued with a wicked twinkle.

Hilda took a deep breath, aware that the younger girl was laughing at her, “What’s your real name?”

“Helena Margaret Wilson,” Nell replied, “but everyone calls me Nell.”

“Not everyone,” Hilda replied quickly, “I disapprove of using contractions or nicknames, when I wish to attract your attention I shall call you Helena.”

The younger girl shrugged, “I won’t answer you,” she said quickly.

“What do you mean, you won’t answer me?”

“Just that,” Nell Wilson replied hotly, “I’ve told you my name, you’re not one of the Mistresses. If you choose to use my full name then I choose not to hear you.”

At the insolence Hilda felt her own temper, normally very well controlled, start to rise again, “You choose not to hear me?” she said in disbelief, “I‘ve already warned you not to be cheeky, you children think you can do anything - well I think you need to learn some manners, two hours detention tomorrow night.”

Nell shrugged, “Fine, if that’s what you want,” she sounded supremely unconcerned about the fact that the Head Girl had just handed out a stiff punishment.

Hilda swallowed quickly, aware that she was being unjust, “Well, perhaps I’ve…” she began, she was not allowed to finish.

“Who cares?” Nell interrupted, “see you tomorrow,” with that she strolled nonchalantly out of the room.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
OK - I lost!!! But oops - what a Nell!!!

Thanks, Lesley - I think!
Author:  Vikki [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:42 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh my!!! :lol:

Thank you Lesley, that was brilliant! :D
Author:  Miss Di [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Sorry Lesley, but what a horrible Hilda. More like Prunella!
Author:  Sugar [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:12 am ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm interesting dynamic. Wonder which way its going to go
Author:  Carolyn P [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh, how interesting....love Nell in this, and Hilda deserves an opponant like that!
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:29 am ]
Post subject: 
Miss Di wrote
Quote:
but what a horrible Hilda. More like Prunella!


My thoughts as well as I read Hilda's comment.

I think Nell will be good for Hilda.
Author:  Mona [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley! :D
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Author:  Billie [ Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Lesley. :D :D :D
Author:  Chair [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley. Hilda reminds me of Prunella as well in this drabble.
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
But she wasn't really horrid, because she knew she was being unjust - and Nell has the annoying ability to get a rise out of anyone! :twisted:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Even to herself Hilda had to admit that she did not really teach the Second Formers very well that afternoon. Normally she really enjoyed teaching the ten year olds basic English Literature, the course was overseen by Miss Cullen who, as well as being Headmistress was also English Mistress. It had been her idea to allow Hilda to spend her free afternoon teaching. Hilda intended to pursue a teaching career after Oxford and so had been very keen to use the time to gain experience. Normally the lessons went very well but not that afternoon. The Second Formers held the Head Girl in complete awe and had never before known her to be anything but patient. However this lesson Hilda was obviously in a bad temper and made her displeasure known to the six.

When the lesson had finished Hilda had walked across to the Lower Fifth Common Room intending to speak to the new girl again however she discovered that the Lower Fifth were all having a Games Lesson. After considering for a few minutes she walked across to the hockey pitches, she was just in time to see the new girl, Helena Wilson, take the ball off of an attacker from the other side, run the full length of the field and then make a simple pass so that one of her forwards could shoot for an easy goal. Amidst all the yells of triumph one voice rose above all the others,

“No wonder they want you for the First Eleven, Nell.”

The new girl grinned and replied with absolutely no false modesty but a great deal of truth, “I can’t help it if some in your Sixth Form are not good enough. I’m only here for the next two terms though, so you‘ll have to use me while I‘m available.”

Hilda had heard enough, her intention of speaking to the girl and rescinding the punishment forgotten she instead strode across to the School Office. Miss Cullen’s secretary looked up and smiled,

“Ah, Hilda, did you want to see Miss Cullen?”

“No Miss Clarke,” Hilda said quickly, “only give you the name of a girl who has detention tomorrow.”

Miss Clarke raised an eyebrow, “It’s unlike you to give detention, Hilda. Very well, what’s the girl’s name?”

“Helena Wilson.”

“The new girl in the Fifth? Oh yes, she can be a little cheeky at times,” Miss Clarke smiled, “she’s a very kind girl, however. Very well, Hilda, I’ll see she has a note to take home to her parents tonight.”

She dismissed the Head Girl who left the office feeling even more wretched. That feeling did not abate overnight and when Hilda appeared for registration the following morning her pale face and shadowed eyes told of her poor sleep. Prior to the start of lessons Miss Cullen visited the Sixth and asked that the essays she had set for prep be collected up as she had some free time before lunch, she smiled at the girls,

“I may even have them marked and be able to return them during our lesson this afternoon,” she smiled, before limping out to make her way to the Hall. Hilda and Naomi collected the essays and placed them in the Head’s office.

That afternoon most of the girls had their essays returned with appropriate comments, only Hilda’s was not returned, instead Miss Cullen asked that she remain behind when all the others had left. Once the door had closed behind the rest of the Sixth Miss Cullen sighed, she reached into her bag and withdrew an exercise book , she looked over at her Head Girl,

“Hilda I have taught you for some six years now,” she began, “is that correct?”

“Yes, Miss Cullen,” Hilda said, somewhat puzzled.

“In all that time, I cannot remember any occasion when I had to return your prep…until now,” she passed across the exercise book.

“A returned lesson?” Hilda paled.

Miss Cullen nodded, “Not only not up to your normally very high standards, not even close to the bare minimum required. The last time I read an essay that poor I was teaching the Thirds. You didn’t answer the question, you seem to have completely forgotten how to write legibly, the number of grammar and spelling mistakes was, frankly, appalling…Hilda, what’s wrong, child?”
Author:  Pat [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
:rofl: Nell has certainly got to her, hasn't she? Poor Hilda. What you put her through Lesley!
Author:  Sugar [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
I hope Miss Cullen can help and that Hilda's not to proud to tell her what's troubling her.

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  LizzieC [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay! I was right :D

Also, I hope Hilda manages to get over her dislike soon. It's clearly eating her up :(
Author:  Liane [ Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's good to see a young Hilda.
Thanks Lesley
Author:  roversgirl [ Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:32 am ]
Post subject: 
:shock: thanks! :)
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:59 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda. Hope she deals with her jealousy and pain of being replaced on the Hockey team soon.

It's nice to see her not being so perfect here :D
Author:  Vick [ Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just found this & enjoying it. Thanks Lesley. :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hilda's problems here must have given her insight into how girls act under stress and helped her in her future carear.
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nice to see young Hilda and to watch how the problems she faced at school made her into the adult and mentor she became.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:23 am ]
Post subject: 
“Wrong? There’s nothing wrong,” Hilda flushed slightly while saying this, well aware that she was lying.

“Nothing wrong at home?” Miss Cullen persisted, “Your Father and brothers are all well?”

“Yes, yes they are fine,” Hilda replied, thankful she could speak the truth here, “Father was tired just after Christmas but that’s normal, the season is always especially busy for him.”

The Head nodded, well aware that for Hilda’s father, the local Bishop, Christmas was always a tiring time, “Then it must be something here at School then,” she continued, “and something that has only occurred recently - you were perfectly well yesterday morning. What is it?”

Hilda sat with her head down, her cheeks flaming fiercely, she shook her head, she couldn’t say anything, say that she had allowed petty jealousy and temper get the better of her, and yet…

“There is something,” she said hesitantly, “more a potential problem, about teaching.”

“Oh?” Miss Cullen was not fooled but allowed Hilda to continue with her fiction.

“Yes,” Hilda paused then added, “have you ever made a mistake?”

Miss Cullen smiled, “Everyone makes mistakes, Hilda,” she said gently.

“No, I mean a mistake with one of the pupils…punished them when they didn’t deserve it.”

The Head thought swiftly then nodded, “Yes, I should imagine all teachers have done that on occasion.”

“And what do you do, to make amends?”

“Well firstly, as soon as you realise that a mistake has been made you should rescind the punishment,” Miss Cullen replied, “although, of course, that’s not always possible. However the most important thing you must do, Hilda, is apologise.”

“Apologise?” Hilda’s face had gone white.

“Of course,” the head smiled, “you’ve made a mistake and must make amends - and the simplest way to make amends is a full and genuine apology.”

Hilda took a couple of quick, deep breaths, “Even if you cannot rescind the punishment?”

“Especially if you can’t rescind the punishment,” Miss Cullen replied firmly, “it’s the only fair and just thing you can do.”

“I see,” Hilda said quietly, “thank you, Miss Cullen.”

The Head sat back and viewed her Head Girl; years of experience taught her not to attempt any further explanation for now, instead she pushed the exercise book across toward Hilda, “I expect the essay to be re-written,” she said quietly, “and handed in tomorrow morning.”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Hilda said just as quietly, she rose and walked toward the door but stopped as the Head spoke again.

“Oh and one other thing, could you please take detention for me tonight? I have a meeting that I’m certain will over-run. I’ll contact your father.”

Miss Cullen had not though it was possible for Hilda Annersley to go any whiter, however she managed it now, however she did not protest, merely nodded sharply and replied, “Yes Miss Cullen,” before leaving the classroom.

Left in the classroom Miss Cullen leant back in her chair, pondering the significance. Her mind’s eye went over the list of those assigned detention that evening and stopped beside one name, “I wonder,” she murmured to herself.
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:27 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda! I am enjoying this!
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:47 am ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda, i feel really sorry for her.
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 1:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ouch! Trouble piling on trouble! :cry:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Fi [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad Hilda talked to Miss Cullen, hopefully she will find a way to start to sort out her problems.

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Pat [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lookinng forward to seeing the change in their relationship, and what causes it. Thanks Lesley.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
This is great - lovely to see the beginning of their relationship :lol:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Chair [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley. I hope that Nell will accept Hilda's apology.
Author:  Vick [ Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Hilda. Hope she can make an apology to Nell.

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:31 am ]
Post subject: 
At least it will give her a chance to talk to Nell. Hope she sorts it out
Author:  Vikki [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 2:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley, this is brilliant.

*waiting with bated breath to see what happens in detention*
Author:  Nell [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:26 pm ]
Post subject: 
Managed not to find this until now but this is rather fun. Loving this take on the relationship!

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  Rosalin [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm loving your picture of the young Nell.

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
That afternoon, from Hilda’s point of view, seemed to speed past extremely quickly. When four pm arrived and the final bell went for the end of School Hilda gathered up her books and walked over to the Head’s secretary to collect the list before going across to the classroom set aside for detention. When she walked into the room the small amount of murmuring that had been going on all ceased and Hilda saw five pairs of eyes staring across at her. She looked down at her list, five Juniors, three from the Upper Second and two from the Lower Third, their crimes fairly mild, ranging from being cheeky to a member of Staff or Prefect, to not handing in their prep. Each of them had just one hour’s detention. Hilda quickly called out the names and each of the five answered, she enjoined them to get on with their work. While they did so Hilda quickly moved across to where the large coal fire burned in the corner of the room and bent to add some more coals to the fire. Seconds later there was the sound of running feet and the door was slammed back, the new girl, Nell Wilson, looked in,

“She not here yet? Good,” Nell grinned at the younger girls, “I heard Frosty Face Anners…” Nell’s voice suddenly trailed off as she caught sight of Hilda bent beside the fire, “Ah,” she said.

Hilda straightened up, “You’re late, Helena.”

Nell’s eyes flashed at this and she actually bit her tongue before replying, “I was kept back by Miss Godfrey, the Science Mistress.”

“I see,” Hilda said, “well take your seat, I’ll let you off those five minutes.”

“Gosh, thanks,” Nell said.

Hilda heard the sarcastic undertones and flushed however she did not say anything, merely returned to the Mistresses desk at the front of the classroom and sat down. She intended to re-write her essay for Miss Cullen and spent the next five minutes reading her previous attempt. Before she was even one third of the way through her cheeks were flaming that she had dared to hand this in to the Head.

Meanwhile, in her seat near the back of the classroom Nell Wilson stared at the ceiling, she then gazed into the fire and then out of a window into the dark early evening. When she changed position to again gaze at the ceiling she caught Hilda’s attention,

“Don’t you have any work to do?”

Nell looked surprised, “We can work during detention?”

“Of course you can,” Hilda said somewhat impatiently, “what do you think they are doing?”

Nell shrugged, “Dunno, I thought maybe they had lines or something. At my School if you were in detention you couldn’t do anything, just sit - I always had real problems with that.”

“I can imagine,” Hilda replied dryly, “I suppose you have had a large number of detentions?”

“Well, not recently, no,” Nell said after thinking for a moment, “but when I was their age,” she pointed to the juniors, “I had a few. Doesn’t everyone?”

“No, some people behave themselves,” Hilda retorted.

Nell’s expression grew sceptical, “You mean you’ve never been in trouble?”

“Never!” Hilda replied she then paused and flushed, remembering the occasion when she had almost been expelled, “that is…”

“Yes?” Nell Wilson’s expression was almost machiavellian.

“Well I…” Hilda suddenly awoke to what she was saying, she glared across at the girl opposite, “never you mind,” she said, “just get on with your work!”

Nell subsided and pulled from her bag a number of exercise books and some sheets of plain paper. There was silence for some time. Hilda wrote out a short plan of her essay and even managed to get the first paragraph written while, near the back of the classroom Nell finished her English homework very quickly (and badly) and then worked through some Maths questions with ease. She had just completed them when the clock struck five and Hilda looked up,

“Alright, you may all go,” she said quietly to the juniors, they all quickly packed up and left as quietly as possible.

Hilda looked across at the one girl left in the room, Nell Wilson was concentrating on drawing a map of the continent of Africa, Hilda swallowed sharply and then stood and walked over to stand beside the Fifth Former. Even to her eyes the map was exceptionally good, Nell had shaded in different areas indicated different types of vegetation and had arrows indicating climate and topography. Hilda stared at the map for sometime until Nell suddenly spoke,

“Something I can help you with?” Nell looked up, her grey eyes somewhat hard.

“You’re very good at Geography, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, so? That all you want to say?”

Hilda took a deep breath, “No, I-um, I wanted to apologise.”

“Oh yes?”

“Yes, for giving you detention. You didn’t deserve it.”

Nell considered for a few seconds, “Bit late to say that now, isn’t it?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, I suppose it is, but I felt I had to say I was sorry. We got off to a bad start - my fault, I know - but perhaps, when this is over we could start again?”

There was silence for some time, so long that Hilda, her shoulders slumped in defeat, moved to return to her seat, then Nell spoke again, “I suppose at least this way I get all my prep done on time,” she said with a grin, “alright Hilda, I accept your apology. Shake?” She thrust out a hand.

Hilda placed her fountain pen on Nell’s desk and clasped Nell’s hand, not even wincing when Nell’s handshake seemed to crush her hand. She smiled down at the younger girl, “I’d better get back to my essay,” she said with a tentative smile.”

Nell nodded, “Fine, and I’ll finish this map,” Hilda moved away but stopped as Nell called out, “don’t forget your pen.”

Hilda took the pen and returned to her essay, her heart feeling far lighter than it had since the previous afternoon. She would probably not have felt quite so relieved had she happened to catch a glimpse of Nell Wilson’s expression.
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear ... what's Nell got in mind??

And what on earth did Hilda do to have come close to being expelled??? :shock: :shock: :shock:
Author:  roversgirl [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
yes, thought it was all ok until that cliff!
Author:  Pat [ Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Travellers Joy wrote:
Oh dear ... what's Nell got in mind??

And what on earth did Hilda do to have come close to being expelled??? :shock: :shock: :shock:


You need to have read Lesley's book to find that out! :twisted:
Author:  Sugar [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:49 am ]
Post subject: 
Hope Nell isn't going to try and find out what Hilda did and use it.

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 9:36 am ]
Post subject: 
Pat wrote:
Travellers Joy wrote:
Oh dear ... what's Nell got in mind??

And what on earth did Hilda do to have come close to being expelled??? :shock: :shock: :shock:


You need to have read Lesley's book to find that out! :twisted:


Ah, okay. Thanks!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Am also wondering what Nell is up to. It shouldn't be Nell but the Games Prefect Naomi(?) she should be angry with
Author:  Chair [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad that Nell accepted Hilda's apology.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:16 pm ]
Post subject: 
I thought all was going to be well til I read the last lines!
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Feb 05, 2008 7:44 pm ]
Post subject: 
Frosty Face Annersley? :shock: Oh, Nell....

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
By six pm Hilda had just finished her essay while Nell was finishing the legend for her map. Hilda walked across to damp down the fire while Nell completed her work then the two packed up and walked together from the classroom. After collecting their outdoor coats, scarves, hats and gloves they walked together along the quiet corridor toward the exit ; Hilda looked across at the girl beside her,

“You can come out of the Front Door,” she said quietly.

“That’s not allowed,” Nell replied quickly.

Hilda swallowed, “It is for the Head Girl and Prefects,” she explained, “and we can allow others to accompany us, if we choose.”

Nell paused for a time then nodded, “Fine, I will then, it’s closer to the main road, thanks.”

They walked outside, both involuntarily shivering as the cold late January wind caught them, Hilda looked across at the girl beside her, “Do you live far from here, Nell?”

Nell caught the change in name and looked across sharply, Hilda flushed but did not turn away, Nell’s eyes softened slightly, “Not really,” she said, “about fifteen minutes walk,” she pointed, “that way.”

“Oh, near the hospital?”

“That’s right,” Nell nodded, “my parents are renting a house close to the hospital for now. So that they can visit easily.”

“Visit? Visit whom?” even as she spoke the words Hilda wondered if she had gone too far, after all it was none of her business. Luckily, however, the younger girl did not appear to take offence,

“My little sister,” she said quietly, “she’s not very well at the moment,” Nell smiled slightly though, in the light from the nearby windows, it was obvious that she was worried, “she’s a bit of a brat at times but still…”

“I’m sorry,” Hilda said quickly.

Nell smiled, “That’s why my parents were so pleased I could come here for the next two terms, meant I’d be close if Cherry needed me. Hopefully she should be well enough for us to return to our own house by the end of the school year.”

“Good, I hope everything goes well.”

Nell nodded, “Do you live near here?”

Hilda nodded, “Also near the hospital,” she said, “Father finds it useful for his work.”

“Is your Father a doctor?”

“No, he’s a Bishop,” Hilda smiled, “as you’ve only recently moved to the area and live nearby perhaps we’ll see your family at the service on Sunday?”

Nell shook her head, “Don’t think so,” she said with a grin, “we’ll be going to St Josephs.”

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “St Josephs? But that… ah…”

Nell took pity on the elder girl and spoke again, “So, just you and your parents at home? Do you have any brothers and sisters?”

Hilda’s expression closed off once more, “I have two brothers,” she said, “both older. One, Simon, is still living at home. But it’s just my Father. Mother died nearly four years ago.”

Nell’s grey eyes showed her distress, she reached across and placed a hand on Hilda’s arm, “I’m really sorry,” she said. Hilda nodded, biting her lip, but said nothing initially. Then, after regaining her composure she shook herself quickly,

“It’s really cold,” she said, changing the subject, “I wonder if any snow is on it’s way?”

Nell looked up into the sky, “Don’t think so,” she said, “though it’ll freeze tonight. Hope it clears for tomorrow though, I’ve got hockey practice after school tomorrow, it’ll be no fun if the pitch is frozen.”

“No it won’t,” Hilda said, expecting but not getting the stab of jealousy on hearing Nell casually mention hockey.

Nell looked over, “You’ll be there too, won’t you?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes, Naomi wants both the First and Second Eleven there, I expect she’ll arrange a practice match.”

Nell nodded, “Good,” the two girls had reached a fork in the road, “well I’m going down this road,” she pointed to the right hand fork, “you?”

“The left,” Hilda replied, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight Hilda.”
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, that was nice but I do wonder what will happen at hockey tomorrow...
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aaah, that's nice - they are beginning to reach common ground - and overcoming that unfortunate start :wink:
Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Elbee [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad they are being friendly now.

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Sugar [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley

Glad Nell was able to tell Hilda about Cherry and glad Hilda opened up too.
Author:  Liane [ Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad they're getting along.
Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:05 am ]
Post subject: 
I'm glad Hilda had the grace to apologise. Thanks Lesley!
Author:  Mona [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:13 am ]
Post subject: 
That was a lovely scene between them. Thanks Lesley!
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very tentative beginnings - but two or three years in age makes a big difference in one's teens, even apart from any other considerations.

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for this good to see the way it is developing
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to see them start being friends
Author:  Rosalin [ Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad they seem to be getting over that rocky start.

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:10 pm ]
Post subject: 
The following morning Hilda was surprised to find someone sitting in the low branches of a tree close to Hilda’s home.

“What do you think you’re doing up there, Nell Wilson?” Hilda’s tone were most definitely those of the Head Girl, yet she did not appear to be particularly angry.

Nell pursed her lips, obviously thinking, eventually she replied, “Waiting for a bus.”

There was a twinkle in the older girl’s eyes but she did not allow it to show in her voice, “Come down from there at once, and don’t be sarcastic, you know very well what I meant.” Nell scrambled down and landed lithely in front of the Head Girl, Hilda looked across, “I’ll ask again, what were you doing in that tree?”

Nell swallowed rapidly, “I was waiting for you,” she said, “I wasn’t absolutely sure where you lived, but knew you had to come down this road so…I waited.”

“And you couldn’t wait on the ground?”

“Well I could have,” Nell replied, “but I just wanted to climb.”

“How old are you?”

Nell flushed slightly, “I’m fifteen and a half.”

“Really? I would have said ten at the most,” Hilda said with an amused smile, the pair continued to walk to School.

“I suppose you’ve never climbed trees then?” Nell asked hotly.

“Never,” Hilda said definitely, she then paused and smiled slightly, “oh, wait…yes I have, at the age of about fourteen so I remember.”

“Well then,” Nell grinned, “you’ll understand I just felt I needed to climb.”

Hilda shook her head and muttered, “Baby,” a short time later she continued, “I must admit that it is good having a companion - not many of my classmates live in this part of town.”

“Mine neither,” Nell replied, “so, you’re alright with me joining you then? I mean it’s quite a drop for you, isn’t it? The Head Girl deigning to notice a mere member of the Fifth Form?”

“I’ll manage,” Hilda said dryly, “what of your own reputation though? Will you be able to cope with the damage done to it, walking with said Head Girl?”

Nell pondered for a time then, “Well, perhaps we could split up before we get to the School gates?”

“That might be for the best,” Hilda replied solemnly.
Author:  Mona [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol:
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks Lesley :lol: :lol:
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ah-ha - methinks I see the beginnings of their lifelong relationship emerging ever more clearly here. But I love the idea that they shouldn't arrive at the school together - so typical at this particular age and stage, with the age gap between them.

Thank you Lesley.
Author:  abbeygirl [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
love it Lesley - thanks!
Author:  roversgirl [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
brilliant - thanks :)
Author:  linda [ Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great image of Nell up a tree!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Loving this, thanks Lesley
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:49 am ]
Post subject: 
The two girls smiled rather tentatively at each other and walked on for some minutes in companionable silence, then Nell coughed rather obviously,

“Are you starting a cold or attempting to attract my attention?” Hilda sounded amused.

“Attract your attention,” Nell said quickly, she looked over at the girl next to her but did not continue.

Hilda stopped walking, “Well, you have it,” she said, “what’s the problem?”

Nell took a deep breath, “You have my pen, my fountain pen,” she said quietly, “you took it last night, thinking it was your own.”

Hilda frowned and searched in her bag, retrieving the pen she stared at it for a few seconds, “It looks very similar to mine,” she said eventually, “but I can see now that it is not. Do you have mine?” Nell nodded and the pair swapped pens. Hilda made to move on but realised that Nell was not moving, “Was there something else?”

Nell nodded, she seemed to be preparing herself for something, “That essay, the one you were writing last night. You have checked it, haven’t you?”

Hilda frowned slightly, “Of course.”

“And you didn’t mind? I mean that you had to re-write it?”

Hilda smiled slightly even though she could feel her cheeks flushing somewhat, “Well, it was hardly legible in its first attempt,” she said.

“No, I know,” Nell said quickly, “but, you didn’t mind that it was my fault you couldn’t read it?”

The Head Girl sighed slightly, “The first fault was mine, Nell,” she said quietly, “for the way I reacted two days ago. I fully deserved the extra work re-writing it.”

Nell’s worried expression eased, “That’s really decent of you,” she said, “and don’t worry, I won’t do it again.”

“I’m sure you won’t,” Hilda replied, “now we’d best hurry, we don’t want to be late.”

“Oh well it’s not a problem for me,” Nell said with a grin as the pair began walking quickly, “but the Head Girl cannot be in trouble - think of the scandal.”

Hilda laughed, “Oh, let’s avoid that at all costs,” she agreed.
Author:  Mona [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:02 am ]
Post subject: 
I really love the way you're developing the relationship between Hilda and Nell. Thanks Lesley!
Author:  linda [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 6:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's quite obvious that Hilda and Nell were destined to be life-long friends. I love the way their relationship is developing.

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  MaryR [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad to see Nell is not being quite so provoking now - but will that last? :lol:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Vick [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just caught up on this. I like the way they are starting to get along now.

Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks looking forward to the hockey practice.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:56 am ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Lesley. This is fascinating, and I love the way their characters are showing. :D

(For a senior moment, see Kathy thinking the New Girl was Vikki for the first post or so. Yes, confused with Advent.:roll: Confused and sadly behind.)
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:23 am ]
Post subject: 
Kathy_S wrote:
(For a senior moment, see Kathy thinking the New Girl was Vikki for the first post or so. Yes, confused with Advent.:roll: Confused and sadly behind.)


You're not the only one, Kathy! :oops:
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Think several of us got a bit confused there :lol:

Thanks Lesley - enjoying this a lot :D
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Halfway through the afternoon there was a message for Nell to see the Headmistress; concerned that Miss Cullen might have some news of her sister Nell disobeyed all rules and ran all the way. She burst in to Miss Cullen’s Office with scant regard for any ceremony, surprising the Head discussing something with Miss Clarke. Both women looked up, startled, at Nell’s entrance.

“What on Earth…?” Miss Clarke began.

“You wanted to see me, Miss Cullen,” Nell gasped, “is Cherry alright?”

Miss Cullen’s expression, which had been stern on first seeing Nell, softened as she realised the cause of Nell’s panic, she smiled, “Calm down, Nell, this has nothing to do with your sister. As far as I’m aware there has been no change. Your Mother will call if there is.”

Nell heaved a great sigh, “Thank goodness,” she said quickly, then suddenly awoke to her entrance, “oh, I’m sorry, Miss Cullen, I…”

“That’s alright, Nell, quite understandable, now sit down and catch your breath. Perhaps Miss Clarke…oh, thank you Miss Clarke, you have anticipated my request,” she smiled as the Secretary brought in a glass of water for Nell. Miss Clarke smiled across at the Head then, after giving Nell the water she withdrew, leaving the other two alone. Miss Cullen waited until Nell had drunk her water and stopped panting before speaking again, “Are you feeling well now, Nell?”

Nell nodded, “Yes Miss Cullen, I’m really sorry…”

Miss Cullen held up a hand, “No matter,” she said, “now, as to the reason why I wanted to see you,” she withdrew a sheet of paper from a file in front of her, “I have today received a letter from your father, a business letter, detailing information about your two terms with us. The contents do not matter other than this,” she pushed the letter across so Nell could see the final few lines and her father’s signature. “Do you know why this is interesting, Nell?”

Nell looked down at the signature with some perplexity, she shook her head.

“Then perhaps it will help if I also show you this,” Miss Cullen continued, “this is the permission slip signed by your Father giving permission for you to stay for two hours detention last night. Can you see anything important?”

Nell looked down at the second sheet of paper and suddenly flushed a dark red. She looked up to squarely face the Headmistress, “They are not the same signature,” she said clearly, "that’s because I wrote the permission slip.”

Miss Cullen nodded, liking that the Fifth Former had not attempted to prevaricate but had immediately confessed to the crime, “May I ask why?”

Nell took a deep breath, “Not because I didn’t want to get into trouble,” she said quickly, “because they would have thought they needed to be at home for me, make more time for me. I didn’t want that - they need to be with my sister - she needs them.”

“Where did you say you were, then?”

Nell shook her head, “I didn’t tell then - they don’t get back from the hospital until after seven anyway. I told our Housekeeper that I was staying late at the school but didn’t say why.”

“I see,” Miss Cullen said, “an attempt to reduce the worries upon your parents then, not an attempt to get out of trouble?”

“No Miss Cullen,” Nell sounded horrified at the thought that she would do such a thing, “I would have told them, as soon as we knew Cherry was better.”

“Very well,” the Head smiled, “in that case I think we can leave it there - but Nell I do not want a repeat of this incident, do you understand?”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Nell replied.

“Alright, return to your lessons.”

Nell rose at these words and turned to leave, as she did Miss Cullen’s telephone rang and, in reaching to answer it, Miss Cullen knocked against a pile of exercise books. Some of them fell to the ground and Nell reached down to retrieve them. Miss Cullen smiled her thanks and turned away slightly to speak to the caller. Nell picked up most of the books and reached for the last one that was lying open face up, she stared down at it for some seconds then reached out to flick the book over onto the front to see the name. Seconds later she was running out of the Head’s Office and along toward the Upper Sixth Common Room. Her frantic hammering on the door brought a quick response as Hilda Annersley appeared,

“Nell what is it, what’s wrong? You said Miss Cullen wants to see me?”

“Well, sort of,” Nell replied somewhat distractedly, “at least, she will soon. I just used that as an excuse because I had to talk to you.”

Hilda raised an eyebrow and looked more closely at the junior in front of her, recognising that the younger girl was obviously worried about something she did not comment other than to ask, “What is it?”

Nell licked her lips and swallowed nervously, “Hilda, your essay, the one that you wrote last night…you said that you’d checked it?”

Hilda looked puzzled, “Yes,” she said slowly, “I checked it last night, while you were finishing your map for Geography.”

“You mean you’ve not looked at it since?” Nell sounded really worried.

Hilda’s puzzlement grew, “Why would I need to look at it since? I handed it in first thing this morning.”

“But you said, this morning, that you knew about it not being legible, that you had to re-write it?” Nell’s expression had paled considerably at the response.

“Yes,” Hilda replied with some restraint, “I’d originally written the essay the night before last but had written it so badly that Miss Cullen had returned it,” Hilda paled at having to admit this to a junior, “I therefore took the opportunity of having to take detention last night and re-wrote the essay completely.”

“Oh, but…” Nell turned away, breathing fast.

Hilda reached across and placed a hand on the younger girl’s shoulder, “What is it, Nell?”

Nell turned a distressed face toward Hilda, “I’m sorry,” she began, “this morning, when I said…I thought you understood, that you’d accepted it…I didn’t realise…”

“Didn’t realise what, Nell?” Hilda was growing exasperated, “what is it?”

Nell took a couple of quick, deep breaths then, not lifting her face up but instead staring down at the floor she spoke, “When you took my pen from my desk, by mistake? It wasn’t a mistake, I did it deliberately. I was really angry at you, for giving me detention when I didn’t deserve it. I know we shook hands on it but I thought I’d just show you…Then this morning I thought I should tell you and you were alright about it and…”

“Nell what on Earth are you talking about?” Hilda’s tones finally seemed to penetrate and stop Nell’s headlong rush to explain., she took a deep breath and looked across directly into the blue-grey eyes of the Head Girl,

“When you took my pen last night,” she said clearly, “I’d prepared it just for you. It was full of invisible ink.”
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:27 pm ]
Post subject: 
Poor Nell, she certainly got her own back on Hilda, but as she has now made friends she is certainly hoist with her own petard!!!!

Thaks Lesley
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh poor Nell - and poor Hilda, when the blank pages are discovered! :shock:
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:48 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear, what a confusion!! But, having been 'present' at Nell's interview with Miss Cullen so recently, we know that her intrinsic honesty, combined with the growing friendship with Hilda will ensure she also makes certain that Hilda will not suffer for the prank played on her with that invisible ink.

I think Nell's next interview with Miss Cullen will be very telling - I do hope the nascent friendship between the two girls will not be jeopardised as a result of Nell's prank.

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  JackieP [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh, Nell... what are you like....

At least she's owned up, and she did think that Hilda knew already....

Thanks Lesley.

JackieP
Author:  Pat [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love that! Typical Nell! Looking forward to more of this Lesley.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
Invisible ink, forsooth! Trust Nell to have some of that.

Really enjoying this, Lesley :lol:
Author:  Mona [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 4:37 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley!
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
thanks! am looking forward to seeing the outcome of this one :)
Author:  Chair [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks, Lesley. I loved the part in a previous post about climbing trees. I wonder how Hilda will react over the pen.
Author:  abbeygirl [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
will be very interesting to see which one of them tries to take the blame the hardest!
Thanks Lesley - this just gets better and better!
Author:  Liane [ Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
:shock: well I never saw that coming!
Feel rather sorry for the pair of them.

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  linda [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:47 am ]
Post subject: 
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

The imp!!! But what an imagination - invisible ink, what next!!!!

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Miss Di [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:07 am ]
Post subject: 
Norty Nell. Bit of a fourth form trick wasn't it? :twisted:
Author:  Kathy_S [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:24 am ]
Post subject: 
Oh, Nell is evil. :rofl:
Honest, though. :D

(What does it say that one of my sisters gave me an invisible ink pen refill for Christmas?)
Author:  keren [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:11 am ]
Post subject: 
Kathy_S wrote:
Oh, Nell is evil. :rofl:
Honest, though. :D

(What does it say that one of my sisters gave me an invisible ink pen refill for Christmas?)

Or Lesley is!
Author:  Pat [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 1:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
keren wrote:
Kathy_S wrote:
Oh, Nell is evil. :rofl:
Honest, though. :D

Or Lesley is!


That's a given. :twisted: :twisted:
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you, Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
“Invisible ink?”

Nell swallowed quickly, “Yes, it looks just like normal ink but, an hour or so later, it fades away so you…”

“I am well aware of what invisible ink is, thank you,” Hilda interrupted, “my exclamation was because I could not believe someone who is supposed to be a Senior would even consider using it.”

Nell Wilson’s temper rose, “Oh, so it’s alright for the Head Girl to punish someone unfairly for nothing, but not for someone to try and repay them?”

“I apologised for that,” Hilda said quietly, “it seems I was wrong in attributing any form of maturity to you, doesn’t it?”

“That’s not fair, Hilda, I thought you knew,” Nell replied, her white face showing her distress, “this morning, when we spoke, I thought you had already seen it and re-written it.”

“And that was your only reason for being there this morning, wasn’t it?” Hilda said with insight, “not so that we could walk to school together, or talk, but so that you could assuage your conscience? Well that will be most suitable - I find I no longer require your company either. Go back to your lessons, child - I have to speak with the Head,” she stalked off down the corridor.

Nell looked after Hilda and shook her head, “It wasn’t,” she said quietly, “I really did want to talk to you again.”

She took a deep breath and straightened, as she did a bell rang out, signalling the start of lesson, Nell thought for a moment, knowing she was expected in History, then she shook her head and followed the Head Girl back to the Headmistress’ Office.
Author:  roversgirl [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
thank you - i hope their friendship gets back on track...
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:24 pm ]
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Nell certainly has character even if she is somewhat immature still. Here's hoping the Head doesn't flay her!
Author:  Gem [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:40 pm ]
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Oh dear! :S Poor Nell, and poor Hilda. Although Hilda's 'child' was completely unnecessary - she hasn't exactly been acting much more mature than Nell is!

Thank you Lesley :D
Author:  Pat [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:42 pm ]
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The strength of character is there already isn't it?
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 12, 2008 10:57 pm ]
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Ooo-er! It's going to take a while yet before they both understand each other, isn't it? :lol:
They both need to mature - but the seeds of the women they become are already there

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Mona [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 7:47 am ]
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Good to see Nell taking responsibility for what she's done and following Hilda to the Head's office. Thanks!
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 5:05 pm ]
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i am not sure who I feel most sorry for, but I think it might be the Head, who is going to need all the skills Hilda displays as Head.

However Hilda had to learn them from someone, and it was probably her own Head teacher so I should not worry. But I can not help it. :? :? :?
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
Nell looked after Hilda and shook her head, “It wasn’t,” she said quietly, “I really did want to talk to you again.”
.

Oh, Nell, you've really blown it! :cry: Hopefully you can undo the damage and get back into Hilda's good books. Then she might trust you again.

Miss Cullen's going to need the wisdom of Solomon.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:44 pm ]
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In the Head’s Office Miss Cullen had been surprised by the sudden appearance of her Head Girl and even more surprised by her request, “You wish your exercise book returned, Hilda?”

“Yes please, Miss Cullen,” Hilda said steadily, “I’ve just realised that I didn’t complete the essay.”

”Didn’t complete it? What do you mean?”

“Just that Miss Cullen,” Hilda replied, flushing slightly, “it isn’t complete. I can finish it this afternoon.”

Miss Cullen looked surprised at this and reached for the exercise book, “Just how much do you still have to…” she opened the book and gazed down at the writing. In Hilda’s tidy handwriting was half a page of plan for the essay, neatly crossed out, then one paragraph of the essay itself. Miss Cullen turned the page to ascertain if Hilda had, inadvertently, missed out a page, but could see no more of the essay. She looked up at the girl, “Somewhat more extensive that ‘not complete’ Hilda,” she said, “it’s barely started.”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Hilda said quietly.

“Why did you not complete your work last night?”

Hilda Annersley swallowed sharply then shook her head, “I have no explanation, Miss Cullen,” she said firmly.

Miss Cullen raised an eyebrow; “I beg your pardon, Hilda, but that is not a suitable response.”

Hilda Annersley licked her lips, “It is the only response I am able to give, Miss Cullen,” she replied, looking down at the floor while speaking.

At this the Headmistress looked concerned however anything more that she might have said was suddenly forgotten as, for the second time that afternoon, the door to her Office was flung back. Miss Cullen glared at the girl standing in the doorway, “Helena Wilson this is the second time today that you have entered so inappropriately. I hope you have good reason for interrupting?”

Nell gulped at the use of her full name but she quickly nodded, “Yes Miss Cullen, I’m here to say that Hilda’s essay? It was my fault.”

“What do you mean, it was your fault?”

“I mean that it’s my fault that Hilda didn’t finish the essay, although actually she did finish the essay, except that you can’t see that,” Nell explained, somewhat confusingly.

Miss Cullen said nothing rather eloquently, looking from one to the other of the girls. Hilda looked round then turned back to the Head,

“Nell is mistaken, Miss Cullen,” she said clearly, “it was my own fault that the essay isn’t complete, I...”

“No it’s not, Hilda,” Nell glared at the older girl, “you didn’t know...”

“Silence!” Miss Cullen had not even raised her voice yet the two girls instantly stopped talking, “Now, sit down, both of you,” she indicated the two chairs opposite her desk, “I mean to discover everything girls and neither of you will leave this Office until I do…”

It took some time and quite a lot of patience from the Headmistress, but eventually she felt that she had the entire story, she sat back in her chair, her face stern though her eyes, had the two but known it, were laughing, “Let me see if I have understood,” she began, “Hilda, on hearing from the Games Prefect that you had lost your place in the hockey team to another, proceeded to give that girl a two-hour detention knowing that such a punishment was wholly unjustified. Correct?”

Hilda flushed darkly and nodded, “Yes, Miss Cullen,” she whispered.

“And Nell, after accepting an apology for her behaviour from the Head Girl and after shaking her hand to signify your forgiveness, you then decided to play a rather nasty trick on her and ensure that she is now going to have to write this essay for a third time. Correct?”

Nell gulped and also nodded, “Yes Miss Cullen.”

Miss Cullen sat back and sighed, “Well I must admit to extreme disappointment in both of you,” she said, “Hilda, you are Head Girl, you are supposed to be the one person within the Upper Sixth who can set an example to the rest of the School. Yet instead I find that you sought to punish someone when, in fact, the person you should have been speaking to was the Games Prefect - it was she, after all, who made the decision. These are hardly the actions of a Head Girl, are they?”

It was impossible for Hilda to go any redder and her head dropped toward the floor, she shook her head slightly before speaking, “No Miss Cullen.”

“And Nell? I must admit to a similar disappointment in you - I had excellent references from your old headmistress. She praised your honesty and integrity, she considered your sense of fun to be admirable and your ambitions laudable. However it seems she was unaware of your tendency to hold a grudge and seek vengeance..”

“Oh but…” Nell’s voice faltered to a stop as Miss Cullen turned to glare at her.

Miss Cullen took a deep breath, “The only thing I find encouraging about this entire sorry business,” she said, “is the fact that both of you, here, in my presence, attempted to shield the other. It gives me hope that perhaps, one day, you will both grow up,” she stopped there, noting that both girls had looked across at each other with some surprise. She smiled, “For now, however, I require that essay to be written, Hilda, written today.”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Hilda replied, “I have a free lesson this afterno…”

“No,” the Head said firmly, “you will not write the essay during a free lesson,” she paused and firmly caught the girl’s eye, “You will write it during your two hour detention, this evening.”

Hilda went white, the Head Girl was never given detention, she could not speak but Nell could,

“With respect, Miss Cullen, that’ll mean Hilda misses hockey practice. That’s not fair on her.”

“I will decide on whether it is fair, Helena,” Miss Cullen said sharply, “and you are quite correct, she will miss the practice…and so will you. Two-hour detention for you as well - and for this detention you are to do nothing. Do you understand?”

…

A short time later the two girls were dismissed and walked out disconsolately, they walked in silence for a time before Nell spoke,

“Well I don’t ever want her to have to talk to me about my bad behaviour again. I though my Head was bad enough but Miss Cullen makes you want to break down in tears.”

Hilda smiled very slightly, “People sometimes think that, because she’s always so gentle and cannot move around too much, that she’s ineffective. She can make you feel about an inch high.”

Nell nodded, a little later she looked across again, “Sorry you have to write that essay again.”

Hilda nodded, “And I’m sorry you’ll not be at the practice this evening - I’m sure Naomi will still choose you for the next match though.”

“Hope so,” Nell said, she sighed, “two hours sitting doing nothing - I’ll go mad. Would you like me to write your essay for you? Anything rather than just sit there.”

Hilda’s smile grew rather mischievous, “That depends,” she said, “have a look at the title,” she opened her exercise book and showed Nell the title of the essay written in Hilda’s handwriting.

Discuss the extent to which the novels of Jane Eyre, Far From the Madding Crowd and Middlemarch are seen to construct their plots in terms of the changing nature of a more or less settled community.

Nell read it through a few times then looked across into laughing blue-grey eyes, “It might take me a while,” she confessed.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:49 pm ]
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
But how clever Miss Cullen is - her punishments certainly 'fit the crime' - and she is equally certainly a role model for the Hilda Annersley we all know and love :wink:
Author:  Miss Di [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:15 am ]
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Way to go Miss Cullen!
Author:  roversgirl [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:51 am ]
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Thank you - glad their friendship hasn't been spoiled.
Author:  keren [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:23 am ]
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Definitely a role model for Miss A when she grows up
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:31 am ]
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Mischief and wiliness all rolled into one! :lol: She certaily knew just what would hurt! That'll larn the pair of them!

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:31 am ]
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Thank you, now we know who Hilda's role model was.
Author:  Chair [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:44 am ]
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Thanks, Lesley. Hilda had a good role model.
Author:  JackieP [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:59 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley, they're certainly a pair... :lol:

JackieP
Author:  linda [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:49 pm ]
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PaulineS wrote:
Thank you, now we know who Hilda's role model was.


I so agree Pauline, she sounds just like Hilda. Definitely the judgement of Solomon!

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:02 pm ]
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We certainly do know who Hilda's role model is now, don't we? What a wonderful encounter between those three - but Miss Cullen certainly needed some of Hilda's famed patience to get the gist of the situation!

And I'll readily confess that I'd be in the same situation as Nell if I had to write that essay - I've only ever read 'Jane Eyre' out of that group, though I have read other books by both George Eliot and Hardy!!
Author:  leahbelle [ Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:02 pm ]
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She's a great role model for Hilda, definitely!
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:41 pm ]
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Walking in to detention that evening was a true ordeal for Hilda; standing just outside the room she could see that there were a number of Fourth Formers sitting there. Many of whom she had reprimanded for various misdemeanours in the last few years. As soon as she walked into the room and sat at one of the students’ desk they would know that the Head Girl was serving detention. She appreciated that this was the reason Miss Cullen had given her this punishment and, in some ways, fully endorsed the act – after all, she had fallen far short of the standard expected of a Head Girl. However, knowing that and walking in to that room were two totally different scenarios. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders…

“It won’t be so bad, you know,” the voice of Nell Wilson suddenly interrupted her, Hilda looked round,

“What won’t?”

Nell smiled, “Serving detention with a bunch of Forth Formers looking on.”

“You don’t think they’ll notice?”

“That the Head Girl has a two hour detention? Oh they’ll notice,” Nell said with certainty, “and they’ll gossip about it – it’ll be all round the School before Assembly tomorrow. Everyone will know of your shame.”

Hilda looked across, one eyebrow raised in question, “And that’s not so bad, then?”

“Well, not really,” Nell replied, “I mean you know why you’ve been given the detention, don’t you? It’s not something that happens every day, it wasn’t that bad.”

“Giving in to a fit of jealousy and temper and punishing someone unfairly wasn’t that bad?”

Nell considered, “Well, since you put it that way, yes, it was rather despicable, wasn’t it?”

Hilda looked over sharply to see a pair of grey eyes laughing at her, she smiled, “Some would say that I had significant provocation from the girl concerned.”

“Oh yes, I’d agree with that,” Nell replied, “that girl goes out of her way to be annoying,” she grinned and Hilda felt warmed by the comradeship, “look at it this way, Hilda,” Nell continued more seriously, “you didn’t lie, you didn’t steal, you didn’t try to hurt someone, you didn’t try to bully someone – those are the type of crimes that should be eliminated. And most important of all - you actually felt bad doing it, didn't you?"

Hilda smiled, “Looked on like that, it doesn’t seem so bad,” she admitted.

“Right,” Nell nodded, “and let’s face it, girls don’t tend to gossip about something for long – couple of weeks or so and they’ll have found some other scandal. I’m the one you should be feeling sorry for.”

“Oh? Why should I feel sorry for you?”

“Well, detention two nights running – do you have any idea of the reputation that will give me? I’ll be heroine to half the Fourth Forms for the rest of the year!”
Author:  roversgirl [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:46 pm ]
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That was nice - thank you :)
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 3:56 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. An interesting exchange between the two.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:25 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley :)
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:47 pm ]
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thank you Lesley, the forth formers are going to be suprised. I wonder who is taking the detention tonight?
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:48 pm ]
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Nice to see them supporting each other so well - but I wouldn't have liked to have faced their headmistress! :shock: And nice exchange between the two. :)
Author:  linda [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:06 pm ]
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Lovely exchange between Hilda and Nell. The fourth formers will have a field day!

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Pat [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:56 pm ]
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We know that Hilda has the grit and determination to do this, don't we. And now she's got Nell to support her too.
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:53 pm ]
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Thank you Lesley. I am enjoying this.
Author:  Mona [ Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:50 am ]
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Thanks Lesley!
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:45 pm ]
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Oh, I loved Nell's last words, Lesley. How very typical!! :lol:
Author:  Tara [ Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:12 pm ]
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Sorry I haven't been able to catch up with this until now, Lesley, but it's really great to see this budding of their friendship, and to see the characteristics we know so well in embryonic form. Hilda certainly gained in wisdom and self-control as she grew older, and Nell learned not to be quite so annoying! Hilda's honesty with herself and her strength of mind come through so clearly here, as do Nell's straighforward nature - and her love of mischief! It was so nice to see them taking the blame for each other, and Miss Cullen was very impressive.
I wonder what the immediate future holds for Cherry, and if Nell will be in need of Hilda's support before long.

Thank you, Lesley, really looking forward to further instalments.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:40 am ]
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Nell is particularly splendid here. :)

(...also still giggling over how many of those books she'd probably have to get through to write that essay. Possibly more than a two-hour job.)
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:33 pm ]
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It was not pleasant; Hilda was certain of that - when she walked into the detention room the Fourth Formers had all fallen silent, expecting her to sit at the Mistresses Desk to take the detention. When she had, instead, walked past that desk and toward the back of the classroom to sit at a desk there it was with the knowledge that all eyes were upon her. She pulled her exercise book and pens from her bag, ignoring the veritable explosion of noise from the younger girls - all of them eager to discuss why the Head Girl herself had been given detention. Normally this would have been a signal to Hilda that she immediately stop the noise - but on this occasion she could not say anything. She had no authority here and the Fourth Formers knew that and took advantage of that fact.

Trying to escape from the stares Hilda turned to reach down for her literature books, as she did she glanced across at Nell Wilson, sitting in the seat beside her. Nell grinned,

“Those idiots don’t realise that, come tomorrow, you’re back as Head Girl again.”

Hilda smiled slightly, “No they don’t, do they?” she said, suddenly realising the same thing.

“Bet you’ll enjoy reminding them of that fact.”

Hilda’s smiled widened as she thought about it, “I almost feel sorry for them,” she said blandly, causing Nell to splutter with laughter.

At that moment the door opened again and both Hilda and Nell rose on seeing the Headmistress enter. Miss Cullen walked across to the Mistresses desk and stood and waited for the rest of the girls to realise. The sudden silence and swift move to stand from all the fourteen year olds caused the Head the smile slightly, however all she said was that everyone should sit down and get on with their work.

Instantly the room was silent as almost everyone quickly retrieved books and equipment. Hilda began to re-write her essay but found she had other ideas about it’s content and found herself quickly scribbling them down. She felt that her essay was likely to be far better, of a far higher standard, and was kept busy checking through the three books for pertinent quotes to confirm her arguments.

Beside her Nell was not faring quite so well; never normally one to sit still and do nothing, she found the enforced stillness to be very difficult. It was not even possible for her to look out of the window as the curtains had been drawn. For some time she fidgeted, looking first at the ceiling, then the fire, then looking across at the essay Hilda was writing. Once she looked up to see Miss Cullen staring directly at her and coloured fiercely. Looking back down at her desk she became aware that Hilda had left one of her books open on the edge of her desk. She started to read the page, realising that it was the book Far From the Madding Crowd. Although not her choice of literature it was better than nothing and Nell was quite disappointed when she finished the first page. She looked over at the clock to see there was still another hour and ten minutes to go, she sighed, then looked back across at Hilda’s book to find that the page had been turned. She continued to read.

When the first hour was complete Miss Cullen spoke quietly to the Fourth Formers who all left the room. The Head continued marking essays at the front of the classroom and Hilda continued writing. Nell read the book, never able to actually catch Hilda when she turned the page, but grateful for it nonetheless. As Hilda was finishing her essay Miss Cullen looked over at the clock then stood,

“There are only another twenty minutes to go, girls,” she said, “I have some things to do in my Office so I’ll leave you here to serve the rest of your detention. Will you please ensure the fire is damped down and switch off the lights when you leave?”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Hilda said promptly. Nell nodded agreement, feeling slightly guilty that she had been reading, perhaps Miss Cullen was aware of that as, about to leave the classroom she turned back,

“Oh and, another time, Hilda, I think Nell might prefer a different book. Thomas Hardy is not one of her favourites,” the two pairs of astonished eyes, staring back at her, caused Miss Cullen to smile broadly before leaving the room.
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:47 pm ]
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Thank you for the up date. I love the idea that Nell was so bored she read Far from the madding Crowd. She has my sympathy I did not like Hardy at school.
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Mon Feb 18, 2008 10:47 pm ]
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Of course Miss Cullen knows what Nell was up to! Nice comback! :lol:
Author:  Elbee [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 8:55 am ]
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So Hilda has already started broadening Nell's taste in literature :lol:

Thanks, Lesley, I'm really enjoying this.
Author:  JackieP [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 12:59 pm ]
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They are certainly a pair, Lesley, and Miss Cullen is wonderful...

Thanks

JackieP
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:47 pm ]
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:lol: :lol: :lol:
Enjoyed all of that - from Nell's comment that the fourths would be reminded of Hilda's status the next day, to Miss Cullen's comment on Nell's taste in reading
Plain to see where H will get much of her 'headmistress-ness' from, and great to witness how the friendship between H & N is developing.
Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Elle [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:52 pm ]
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I have just found this and read it all they way through. I'm really enjoying it, thanks Lesley.
Author:  Vick [ Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:56 pm ]
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Just caught up on this. Love the fact that Miss Cullen knew everything that happened during detention.

Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:25 pm ]
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When the detention period was finished Hilda and Nell walked over to Miss Cullen’s Office so that Hilda could hand in her essay,

“Thank you my dear,” Miss Cullen smiled at both of them, “now, I won’t say that you should both forget about what has happened over the last few days - you need to remember and remember clearly so that you never repeat your mistakes.”

“Yes, Miss Cullen,” the two girls spoke the words together.

“Hilda, you should be aware that if you ever again give someone a punishment unjustly that you will lose your position as Head Girl.”

Hilda nodded, “It won’t happen again, Miss Cullen,” she said with determination.

“I hope not,” the Head said sternly, “and Nell? Should you ever again play such a nasty trick on someone, you will have an entire week of detention - with no helpful friend to stop the boredom by allowing you to read her book. Do you understand?”

“Yes Miss Cullen,” Nell said quickly.

“Very well then,” Miss Cullen smiled, “we’ll say no more, it’s over. Now wrap up warmly, it’s cold out. I will see you both tomorrow. Good night girls.”

Once outside and walking out of the School Grounds the two smiled rather tentatively at each other. Hilda was the first to speak, “Miss Cullen called us friends,” she said.

“I know,” Nell had obviously been thinking the same, she looked over at the older girl, “I wanted to be with you this morning, you know. I know you said I was only there so I could tell you about the pen but…”

“I was wrong,” Hilda interrupted, “I shouldn’t have said that. I enjoyed our talk as well, I hope you’ll be waiting for me tomorrow?”

Nell smiled, “I’ll be waiting. Thanks, by the way,” Hilda looked puzzled and Nell continued, “for having the book open, turning the pages.”

Hilda nodded, “You’re welcome, I’m just sorry it wasn’t a book you would normally enjoy.”

Nell laughed, “That’s alright, I don’t think any books we study for Literature are the type I would enjoy.”

Hilda turned a shocked look upon her friend, “What, none of them? What about Shakespeare? Chaucer? Or the more modern ones, Austen, Bronte don’t you like any of them?”

Nell shrugged, “I like watching Shakespeare, his plays are supposed to be watched, not read, aren‘t they?. My parents took Cherry and me to see Twelfth Night last year, that was excellent. Chaucer, I find him boring and neither Austen nor Bronte are really exciting enough.” She looked over at the Head Girl and smiled, “Sorry Hilda, I know it’s your subject and all but, I’m just not interested.”

Hilda shook her head, “There have to be some books that you would enjoy.”

“Oh there are,” Nell replied, “I like reading just…” she shrugged with an apologetic smile, “not anything you would consider a classic, that’s all. I think even Miss Cullen has almost given up finding something that I‘d be interested in - pity really, I’m sure I’m going to fail English.”

“Now that’s a challenge,” Hilda smiled, she thought for a while then, “I think some of Father’s books might interest you.”

Nell looked across, “I can’t see me being interested in religious books,” she said.

“Not all Father’s books are on theology, Nell,” Hilda said with amusement, “he is allowed some time off - for good behaviour if nothing else! Would you like to come home with me? Father will be in this evening, we could ask him.”

“That would be wonderful,” Nell replied, she looked up, seeing that they had reached the fork in the road where they would normally separate, “can you wait here? I’ll run home and tell Mrs Clegg, our housekeeper, that I’ll be late.”

Hilda nodded, “I’ll wait,” she said, “stay for Supper, Father won’t mind.”

Nell smiled, “Are you sure?” she asked, “I mean, you’re Head Girl and…”

“I think Miss Cullen was right, Nell,” Hilda said seriously, “I think we are friends. The fact that you are younger…it doesn’t matter, does it?”

Nell shook her head, “No, not at all, I’ll just go home and let Mrs Clegg know. Wait there, won’t you?”

Hilda smiled, “I’ll wait, hurry up though, it’s cold.”

Nell nodded and ran off.


Edited because my fingers were under the impression Austen was spelt with an i! :roll: Thanks Mary x.
Author:  Mona [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:42 pm ]
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Lovely to see their friendship developing. Thanks Lesley!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:49 pm ]
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It's lovely to see the two growing closer
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:56 pm ]
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Nice.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:45 pm ]
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Glad they have made friends. Hope Hilda can help Nell with her English, at School Certificate level I take it?
Author:  Fi [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:50 pm ]
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I'm starting to wonder what Hilda's father reads in his spare time.

Thanks Lesley, this was lovely.
Author:  MaryR [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 4:21 pm ]
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Detective novels, perhaps? Or Science Fiction - they did have some, even back then, didn't they? This would be towards the end of WW1, after all.

Two lovely posts, Lesley. Thank you.
Author:  leahbelle [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 5:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great to see their friendship develop.
Author:  Nell [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a great update - lovely to see the development of the friendship. Thank you Lesley!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:30 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley - can't really add to what's been said already :wink:
Author:  linda [ Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:40 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley, it is so nice to see the friendship developing.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:22 pm ]
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A little later saw both girls being let in to Hilda’s home by the Housekeeper. After first warming themselves by the fire in the sitting room Hilda showed Nell to her Father’s Study. After knocking on the door the two entered and Bishop Annersley, on seeing his daughter, rose to greet her, hugging her to him affectionately. Nell looked on, Hilda looked very like her father who was tall and slim with the same blue-grey eyes and serious expression, after returning his hug Hilda turned to introduce Nell,

“Father, this is Nell Wilson, she’s only started at the School this term. May she stay for supper?”

“Of course, my dear,” the Bishop turned to smile at Nell and held out a hand, “Welcome to our home, Nell.”

Nell Wilson found herself feeling unaccountably nervous, she swallowed quickly and touched the man’s hand while at the same time saying, “Thank you, My Lord.”

The Bishop’s eyes twinkled and his lips curved upward in a mischievous grin, “Strange,” he said, “I was unaware that I’d been promoted to the nobility.” Hilda reached across and whispered in his ear, “Ah, that explains it,” he smiled at the blushing Nell and spoke gently, “My thanks, my dear, but, although Roman Catholic Bishops are addressed as ‘My Lord’ for us poor Anglicans we have to manage with just Bishop - or Mr Annersley if you prefer,” his smile widened and Nell found herself responding.

“Yes Sir,” she said with a grin.

“Father, I asked Nell to supper so we could ask if you had any novels that she might be interested in reading,” Hilda explained, “at least, novels that are also considered classics.”

The Bishop looked over at the younger girl, “You are not interested in the books available at the School?”

Nell shook her head, “No Sir,” she said, “I enjoy watching Shakespeare’s plays but not reading them and most of the other books are just boring, or too, too soppy,” Nell reddened again.

Hilda’s Father nodded solemnly, “I quite agree, my dear, though I’m sure you can imagine just how much trouble that statement is going to cause me from my only daughter. Now, let me see,” he walked across to the far wall of his Study. On that wall were a series of shelves all filled with leather bound volumes, “What are your interests, Nell?”

“Erm,” Nell was rather surprised at the question but quickly rallied, “I enjoy sport, Sir,” she began, “and travel, especially to foreign countries.”

“Your favourite subject is Geography then?”

“Well, one of them,” Nell replied, “though I’m finding Science to be even more interesting.”

“Science, eh? Unusual in a girl, but there are precedents,” Bishop Annersley smiled across at the two girls, “Hilda recently reminded me about the Polish woman Marie Curie who won the Nobel prizes for Physics and Chemistry,” he reached out and retrieved a book, “you might find this interesting,” he placed a book into Nell’s hands, “and this, oh and perhaps this.”

Nell looked at the three books in her hands, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and War of the Worlds by HG Wells.
Author:  linda [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:38 pm ]
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Hilda's father sounds really nice, the way he welcomed Nell into their home.

I like his choice of books for Nell. She should find them more exciting and interesting to read. Much more in keeping with her character. I can certainly imagine her reading War of the Worlds.

Thank you Lesley
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:40 pm ]
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Oh my - Bishop Annersley doesn't exactly have lightweight tastes in reading, does he?! Mind you, I can see The War of the Worlds and Moby Dick appealing to Nell - though I'm not so sure about War and Peace. It will be interesting to see if she rises to the challenge.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:44 pm ]
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Well that should keep her quiet for a bit, shouldn't it? :wink:

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Mona [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:03 pm ]
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Early science-fiction should be just Nell's thing!

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  JackieP [ Thu Feb 21, 2008 8:48 pm ]
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Yes - I can see Nell enjoying Sci-Fi...

I must admit I thought Anglican Bishops were Your Grace, but I'm willing to stand corrected....

JackieP
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:51 am ]
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Not lightweight stuff for for a 16 year old, no matter how intelligent! :lol: They should keep her out of mischief! I can just see the twinkle in his eye! :lol:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  PaulineS [ Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:30 pm ]
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I think it is Angican Archbishops who are called "Your Grace". These days it is Bishp and Christian name, so our Bishop is known as Bishop David. I hope Neel enjoys those books. It is difficult for us to today to realise how restricted the reading would be for many young people before the war.
I expect she would like some of the John Buchan books like The Thirty Nine Steps and Island of sheep, which were my introduction to twenieth century literature and have enough interest in them for all ages and both gender.
Author:  JackieP [ Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
PaulineS wrote:
I think it is Angican Archbishops who are called "Your Grace". These days it is Bishp and Christian name, so our Bishop is known as Bishop David.


Thanks Pauline - I checked it up on Wiki, and really I should have known as we're always referring to Bishop Richard in the prayers...

Almost had an :oops: moment a few weeks ago when his name had been put on the wrong half of the sick & departed list though....

JackieP
Author:  meerium [ Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:51 pm ]
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JackieP wrote:
Almost had an :oops: moment a few weeks ago when his name had been put on the wrong half of the sick & departed list though....


Crumbs, I've had one of those moments too! When I worked for the Presbyterian church, we used to do a monthly newsletter for ministers, and at the back it used to have a list of ministers who had moved congregation, retired or died that was done by another department. I was midway through photocopying the letter one day, and suddenly realised that an extra line break had been put in, so there were people being listed as retired and dead who weren't!!! Mildly traumatic, and I was nearly gassed from the photocopier fumes by the end of the day, but we corrected it in time....
Author:  leahbelle [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:27 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. Those books should certainly kept Nell out of mischief for a while!
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:51 pm ]
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“You really look like your Father, Hilda,” the disembodied voice floated toward Hilda Annersley early the following day as she was walking to School. Hilda looked round, trying to see where Nell was hiding, “Up here!”

Hilda looked directly above her and saw Nell sat on a high branch, “How did you get up there?”

“Climbed up the wall,” Nell said nonchalantly, pointing to a crumbling stone wall running alongside the tree.

Hilda looked at the wall and at the distance the younger girl must have scrambled to get to where she now sat. She shivered, “Well you can just climb back down again,” she ordered quickly, “before you fall.”

Nell sighed loudly but did obey, swinging down to land just a few feet from where Hilda was standing, “Satisfied?”

“Barely, what were you doing up there - and don’t be sarcastic!”

Nell grinned, remembering her reply from the day before, “If you must know I was reading,” she said, she reached into her school bag and retrieved her book to show Hilda, “War of the Worlds, I’m up to chapter four now.”

“Oh, Father’s choice was a good one?”

“Well so far it is, the Martians have just started to attack London.”

Hilda paused for a moment, “And that’s bad, is it?”

“Well it is for anyone that lives in London,” Nell grinned. The two girls continued their journey to school, after a time Nell looked across, “You really do look like your Father, you know?”

Hilda smiled, “I know, we all do, Mother was rather vexed about it at times. Especially as Father would take great pleasure in quoting paragraphs from Darwin’s Origin of Species whenever she mentioned it - stating that his genes were being passed on.”

“Your Father accepted Darwin’s work?” Nell sounded surprised.

Hilda nodded, “Yes, he made a point of mentioning it to all of us, he and his teachers at Theology college never felt that Mr Darwin’s work detracted from God’s Glory - rather that it enhanced it. After all, who are we to state how God’s plan is enacted?”

“I’d never thought about it like that,” Nell said quietly. The two walked in silence for a few minutes then she spoke again, “Oh, by the way, my Father said to pass on his thanks to yours for loaning me those books. He’s already started reading War and Peace himself!”

Hilda smiled, “Has he not read it previously?”

Nell shook her head, “No, he doesn’t tend to read often in the evenings. Normally, if Cherry and I were at home, he and Mother would play - he’s quite a good cellist and Mother plays the piano. They both used to play in their Church orchestra when younger, it’s where they first met. Cherry looks as though she‘s going to be a musician as well - before she went into hospital she had just started learning to play the cello.”

“What about you?”

“The only musical thing I can do is appreciate others,” she said with a grin, “I love listening but…that’s as far as it goes.”

“I’m sure your parents enjoy having an appreciative audience.”
Author:  Mona [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:01 pm ]
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Really enjoying this, Lesley. Thanks!
Author:  vicki_theterror [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:01 pm ]
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Have just found this and am really enjoying it. It's great to see a younger Nell still getting the better of Hilda.

Vicki
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:11 pm ]
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:) :) :)
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:53 pm ]
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thank you glad that both Nell and her father are enjoying the books
Author:  BethC [ Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:49 pm ]
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Thank you, Lesley - this is really good.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:12 am ]
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Thank you, Lesley.

Might have guessed which book Nell would start first. :lol:
Author:  Sugar [ Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:43 am ]
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Thanks Lesley!
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:30 pm ]
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Bumptious young brat, really, isn't she? :lol: And I see her sarcasm is already well-developed. :twisted:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Vick [ Sun Feb 24, 2008 9:15 pm ]
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Lovely, thanks Lesley :D
Author:  Elle [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 12:05 am ]
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Thanks Lesley!


:D :D :D :D
Author:  Billie [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:08 pm ]
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Thank you for the update. :)
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:07 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. Really enjoying watching their relationship develop.
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:23 pm ]
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The two girls continued to walk toward their school; after a time Hilda looked across at the girl next to her, “So do you look more like your mother or father then?”

Nell shook her head, “I don’t, really,” she said, “oh my colouring is the same as Mother’s, but she is a tiny thing, not even five feet tall, I was taller than her on my eleventh birthday. Cherry is only small too, though part of that is her illness.”

“What of your Father, is he tall?”

“No, Father is quite a small man,” Nell replied, “though very powerful. I’m taller than him as well. He says his father, my grandfather, was very tall, perhaps I’ve inherited it from him.” As she finished speaking the two turned into the road where the school was situated Nell looked across to the Gate, “Uh oh, that could be trouble.”

Hilda frowned, “What is it?”

“Look who’s waiting at the gate, that’s a couple of the Fourth Formers who had detention last night, isn’t it?”

Hilda looked, “I do believe you’re right,” she said slowly, “and they appear to have an audience,” she was referring to the fact that fully half the Fourth Form appeared to be gathered nearby watching.

Nell looked across with some concern, “Do you know them, Hilda?”

“Yes I do,” Hilda replied softly, “the girl with blond hair? That’s Harriet Saunders, and the other girl is her best friend Florence Wright. I would estimate up to ninety percent of the trouble in the Fourth is due to those two,” Hilda looked over at her friend, “and, although I’ve not been able to catch them, I’m sure that they are responsible for bullying some of the others in their form.”

“Bullying?” Nell’s expression had darkened at the term, “The cowards.”

By this time the two girls had reached the gate and stopped when it became obvious that the two Fourth Formers were not moving out of the way. Hilda looked over calmly, though Nell was able to see that her new friend was worried,

“Did you wish to speak to me, Harriet, Florence?” Hilda’s voice was calm.

The two girls quickly looked at each other and then grinned round at the other girls watching, Harriet was the first to speak, “Yes we wanted to speak to you, Hilda,” and the lack of respect in her voice made some of those watching gasp in shock, “we know where you were last night. You were in detention, weren’t you?”

“Yes, that is correct,” Hilda replied.

“See,” Florence had turned to look at some of the other Fourth Formers, “we told you. And it wasn’t taking detention either, it was serving it, same as us.”

“Also correct, Florence,” Hilda said, “may I ask your interest in this?”

“Interest?” Harriet spat back, “Our interest, Hilda Annersley, is that you’re supposed to be Head Girl - well I don’t know about the rest of you,” she glanced round at the rest of her class, “but I’m not taking any notice of any Sixth Former that can’t even be bothered to follow the rules herself!” So saying both she and Florence climbed up on the gate in direct defiance of a School rule forbidding any girl to do such an action. They both sat on the top rung smiling insolently at everyone, secure in the knowledge that Hilda would do nothing.

The insolent expression was enough for Nell to lose her temper, enraged she shouted across at the two, “How dare you? You cheeky little…” Nell’s forward progress was stopped, however, when Hilda put out an arm, she looked over, “What are you doing?”

Hilda smiled, “Nell,” she explained, “if you start an argument with them, use bad language or physically attack them, I will have to give you detention. I’d really rather not have to do that.”

“But…but they’re attacking you,” Nell protested.

“I know and I will deal with it,” Hilda replied, “I am Head Girl, after all,” she paused then added, “and if I cannot deal with it then I don’t deserve the title, do I?”

Nell Wilson looked across with worried eyes but, eventually, nodded her head in agreement.
Author:  Elle [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:11 pm ]
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Oh dear, how is Hilda going to deal with them? Not behind closed doors I hope, I want to see what she does!

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley

I am glad your Hilda does not do things behind closed doors so we can see her response.

I like

Quote:

Hilda smiled, “Nell,” she explained, “if you start an argument with them, use bad language or physically attack them, I will have to give you detention. I’d really rather not have to do that.”

“But…but they’re attacking you,” Nell protested.

“I know and I will deal with it,” Hilda replied, “I am Head Girl, after all,”


I will await with interest the next installment
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
This gets better and better :D
Thanks, Lesley
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:35 pm ]
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That's right, Nell, look before you leap! :lol: But such loyalty already...

I'm quite sure Hilda has something to "daunten" those pesky fourths!

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oops!!!! But I'm sure that Hilda will be able to cope with these young pests - and they won't like what happens to them, either!

Thanks, Lesley - I, too, shall await the outcome with great interest.
Author:  Liane [ Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:00 pm ]
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Well I can't see how she'll deal with this but I'm sure she'll do it well.
Thanks Lesley
Author:  Ruth B [ Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:37 am ]
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Thanks Lesley, just caught up with this and am enjoying seeing their relationship and personalities develop.


PaulineS wrote:
I think it is Angican Archbishops who are called "Your Grace".


Thanks for that Pauline! ++Rowan came to church on Sunday. Sadly, I didn't get to talk to him but had a sudden crisis halfway through the service because I realised I had no idea how to address an archbishop!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:23 am ]
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I can't see those two girls being happy after Hilda has dealt with them
Author:  Vick [ Thu Feb 28, 2008 2:45 pm ]
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Intrigued to see what will happen to them....

Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:55 pm ]
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Just caught up on this, Lesley, and am really enjoying it! My thanks.
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 2:23 pm ]
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Hilda smiled slightly toward Nell Wilson then turned her attention back to the two rebellious Fourth Formers, she stepped forward slightly so that she had to look up to meet the girls’ eyes,

“Get down off of the gate immediately, both of you,” she ordered.

The two looked at each other and then around at the now silent Fourth Form, “You can’t order us about, Hilda Annersley,” Harriet said, “you’re just another girl.”

“Yeah, you’re no better than us,” Florence continued, though she flushed a dark red while doing so.

Hilda took a deep breath and Nell watched as, in the January morning, her eyes seemed to change from their normal blue-grey to a far duller and lifeless grey.

“Do I understand you correctly, Harriet?” Hilda’s voice betrayed none of the annoyance and anger that Nell Wilson was sure the Head Girl felt. “You are refusing to recognise my authority because you consider that, having made a mistake and served my punishment, I am no longer fit to hold my position?”

“That’s right,” Harriet’s voice sounded more secure.

“Yet Miss Cullen, the Headmistress, was the one who gave me the detention, Harriet,” Hilda said softly, “and she still considers me to be Head Girl.”

“Yes, well,” Florence spoke quickly, seeing that her friend had, momentarily been struck dumb, “Miss Cullen isn’t here, is she?”

“Not yet,” Hilda replied, her grey eyes boring into the two on the gate.

“Oh yes, you can blab to Miss Cullen,” Harriet spoke scornfully, “telling tales – and when she comes here we’ll obey her of course. But it still won’t mean we’ll do as you say.”

Nell looked across at the Head Girl, “Were you planning to ‘blab’ to the Head, Hilda?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, I was not,” she replied, “I was attempting to get these, these children to understand that I still had authority,” she sighed, “I did so want this to be resolved without any casualties.” She walked across to the end of the gate then looked across at Nell, “Would you please catch this, Nell?”

Nell looked puzzled but nodded, as she did Hilda released the brake and pushed hard on the gate. To the accompaniment of yells from the two sitting on the top, the gate quickly glided round to its closed position. Nell moved forward to secure it in place. She looked over at Hilda,

“Is it alright for me to climb the gate, Hilda?” she asked, a sudden grin on her face as she realised what the older girl had done.

“If you must, Nell,” Hilda replied, a slight lightening of her eyes showing her own amusement. She then addressed the two rebels who suddenly realised that they were now at an extreme disadvantage with their backs not only to the Head Girl but to the rest of their classmates, “Now girls, as you have decided to remain sat on the gate rather than obey me you will have an uncomfortable time. However at least, with the gate closed, there will be no likelihood of any accidents with any of the juniors running out during Break.”

“During Break?” Harriet yelped, “we’re not staying here until Break, we…”

“Ah, so you have decided to obey me, then?” Hilda asked quickly.

The two Fourth Formers suddenly realised the trap in which they had suddenly found themselves, they looked at each other in consternation, “You can’t do this,” Florence said quietly, “you can’t keep us here.”

Hilda shook her head, “I’m not keeping you anywhere, Florence,” she replied, and her voice, although quiet, had a ring of steel underlying it, “I have given you an order to come down from the gate - it is your choice to remain where you are.”

The two girls tried to twist round to glare at the Sixth Former but found it rather difficult as they were facing the wrong way. They also realised that they could no longer bolster their defiance by grinning across at others of their classmates.

“What about Registration?” Harriet said sulkily, “we’ll be late.”

Hilda pretended to consider, “Why yes, I suppose you will, that is what happens when little girls attempt to disobey,” the two girls both cringed at the contempt in Hilda’s voice when she said the phrase ‘little girls’.

“You’ll be late too,” Florence said with defiance.

“Why so I will,” Hilda said, she turned to her friend - Nell had just climbed over the gate and was standing just a few yards away enjoying the scene, “Nell? Would you be so good as to inform Miss Ingram that I have been unavoidably detained?”

“Of course, Hilda,” Nell replied, “do you want me to tell her now?”

“No, in ten minutes, when the First Bell rings.”

“What about us?” Florence asked.

“What do you mean, Florence?”

“Well tell her she’s got to let Miss Godfrey know too!”

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “I will do no such thing,” she said firmly, “and no-one else here will inform Miss Godfrey either,” her gaze swept round to encompass the rest of the Fourth Formers, cowing all of them.

“You don’t have to listen to her,” Harriet said, trying to turn and glare at her classmates with only limited success, “I told you, she can’t tell us what to do.”

“I think you’ll find, Harriet,” Hilda said grimly, “that I can.” She turned to the rest of the girls, all of whom were standing quietly watching the drama, “I think it’s about time the rest of you were making your way to the School,” she said, “you don’t want these two silly girls to get you into trouble, do you?”

There was a short pause and then, first one or two began moving, then more and then all the other girls were making their way to the school building, ignoring the shouts of indignation from the two on the gate. Hilda calmly walked across to a nearby tree stump and brushed off the leaves and dirt before sitting down.

Nell grinned and called across, “Would you like anything, Hilda? A hot drink, perhaps?”

Hilda looked up, “It is rather cold, isn’t it?” she said with a smile, “if you could bring me a cup of tea that would be wonderful, thank you.”

“That’s fine,” Nell replied, “I’ll have a word with the School Cook. See you later,” she walked slowly up to the School.

Sat on the tree stump Hilda reached into her bag and retrieved a book, she started reading. After a time Harriet spoke, “How long are you going to keep us here?”

Hilda looked up, “I’m not keeping you here, Harriet,” she replied, “your disobedience is keeping you here. As long as you refuse to obey my instruction to come down from the gate, you remain here.”

“Well what if we refuse to do as you say, then?”

Hilda shrugged, “In that case all three of us will be getting very cold,” she said, “because I will not be leaving here until you do.”
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 2:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very nicely done!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
Beautiful :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:20 pm ]
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As effective as Rosalie on the stairs, I imagine. :D

Thank you, Lesley.
Author:  Sandra [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:40 pm ]
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Hilda really does appear to have been born to be a headmistress.
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 4:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Kathy S said:

Quote:
As effective as Rosalie on the stairs, I imagine


That was exactly what I was thinking. Good for Hilda!

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Elbee [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 5:40 pm ]
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Nice one, Hilda :lol:

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  JackieP [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:19 pm ]
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Very nice Hilda, and Nell picking up on her plans as if they've known each other years...

Thanks Lesley.

JackieP
Author:  Sugar [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 8:52 pm ]
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Wonder how long those two ninnies will stay out there. Glad Nell thought to get Hilda a drink!
Thanks Lesley
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:01 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley. The fourth years are going to learn a difficult leason in an uncomfortable postion
Author:  Pat [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 9:25 pm ]
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It won't be easy for those 2 to climb down, but they have no option really do they? nice one!
Author:  Liane [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 10:52 pm ]
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Wonderfuly done Hilda!

And Lesley :oops:
Thank you.
Author:  M [ Sat Mar 01, 2008 11:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
A foretaste of how she will handle sinners in the future. Very well described Lesley.
Author:  Mona [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 4:12 pm ]
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An early taste of her steely yet gentle determination. Thanks Lesley!
Author:  BethC [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 5:55 pm ]
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Nice one!
Author:  Elle [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:20 pm ]
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Excellent! Thank you Lesley!
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:41 pm ]
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Oh clever Hilda! That was a brilliant way of tackling it.
Author:  Billie [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:30 pm ]
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Good old Hilda. Simple, straightforward - and effective.
Author:  linda [ Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:53 pm ]
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Brilliant!!!!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Thank you Lesley
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:53 pm ]
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It took some time; indeed it was more than an hour before the two girls finally gave in and climbed down from the gate. By this time they were both almost blue with cold and Hilda wasn’t a great deal better. When Nell had returned with the hot drink she had promised for Hilda she was able to take some instructions back to the School. Accordingly when, at almost ten o'clock, first Florence and then Harriet climbed down from the gate Hilda was able to immediately walk the two girls into the School and across to the small San. There they were both quickly examined by the School Nurse, dosed with a foul tasting concoction, wrapped in blankets and sat by the open fire. The Nurse was then able to report that they would both be fine.

Miss Cullen, to whom this report had been made, nodded and replied, “Well as soon as they have warmed up, send them along to my Study.”

Hilda was standing beside the Head and, on hearing this, she interrupted, “Please, Miss Cullen, could they instead be sent to me? I was the one they were refusing to recognise.”

Miss Cullen thought for a moment then nodded, “Very well, Hilda, I’ll leave their punishment to you,” she turned to leave then turned back and added quietly so that only Hilda could hear, “and well done, child. Very well done.”

Seconds later Nurse bustled up to check if Hilda was warm enough, “Well you seem to be regaining your colour, Hilda, are you feeling better?”

Hilda did not try to explain why her cheeks were suddenly flushed, instead she nodded, “I think so, Nurse, at least, I’m starting to be able to feel my fingers again.”

“Hmmm,” the Nurse drew a blanket around the Head Girl’s shoulders, “well I’m sure you don’t wish to stay with these two sinners at the moment. If you return to the Sixth Form Common Room will you promise to stay there until you’re completely warm again?”

Hilda nodded, “Yes Nurse, I promise. How long before Harriet and Florence…”

“Reap the reward for their conduct?” Nurse smiled, “I think, in about an hour, they will be fit. Shall I send them to you?”

“Yes please,” Hilda smiled at the Nurse then made her way over to collapse into a comfy chair near the fire in the empty Common Room. She had been there only a few minutes when she heard the door open and light footsteps. Before she had a chance to look round though she heard a voice,

“I don’t know - think I’ll get scalped? Daring to set foot inside hallowed ground?”

Although still hunched up and not wanting to move Hilda made the effort and looked across at the speaker, “Hallowed ground?” she asked with a smile.

Nell Wilson nodded, “Oh yes, Sixth Form Common Room, not for the likes of me, Guv’nor. Full of all them mifical beings, Head Girl, Prefects…and me a mere Fifth Former daring to enter. Scalping’s too good for ‘er, chop ‘er ‘ead orf!” Nell grinned whilst Hilda winced at the language,

“You’re lucky I’m too cold to think straight,” she said mock-sternly, “otherwise I’d set you the task of putting all of that into correct English - fifty times.”

Nell winced in turn, “Oh, ouch,” she said, “what about if I come bearing gifts?” she raised a tray with a large teapot, milk jug and cup.

Hilda shivered slightly, “Oh very well, I can forgive just about anything at the moment if it means me getting warm again - and I don’t think the Common Room will fall down - it’s far too robust!”

Nell smiled and placed the tray on a small table near Hilda; she poured out some tea for her friend then, seeing Hilda was still shivering, moved over to the fire and placed some more coals upon it. Hilda smiled, “Thanks,” she said, she then frowned and added, “but why are you here? It’s another twenty minutes before the end of the lesson?”

“Yes I know,” Nell replied, sitting herself in the chair opposite, “but it was only English, nothing important…” she paused to gauge her friend's reaction and then grinned “do you know something? I expect most people don’t realise when you get annoyed - because your expression doesn’t change. I can tell though - your eyes change.”

“Is that a fact?” Hilda asked, well aware she was being teased.

“Yep, noticed it earlier today with those two idiots,” Nell said, she then deigned to explain, “I’d seen you and the two Fourth Years walking in from the gate - gathered that you’d beaten them. Miss Cullen had gone out of our lesson, when she returned I asked if I could see you. Check you were alright.”

“Thank you,” Hilda replied softly.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh lovely! Just right :D
Thanks, Lesley
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Glad Nell thought to bring gifts of hot drinks. I think those fourth formers are going to wish themselves else where (including the heads office soon).

Well done Hilda.
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nice resolution - on so many levels.
Author:  Vick [ Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Good for Hilda! I'm sure she'll be making mincemeat of the rebels soon.

Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Great! Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:45 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well done Hilda
Author:  MaryR [ Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nell seems to be breaking rules left, right and centre!! :lol: Including teasing the Head Girl.

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Cryst [ Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:56 am ]
Post subject: 
This is lovely, thanks Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just over an hour later Hilda had moved to the Prefect’s Room - the small box room where the School Prefects held their meetings and discussed any School business. There was a subdued knock on the door, so slight that, had Hilda not been expecting it she might have missed the sound. However she heard and, with an inward smile, she called out, “Come in!”

The door slowly opened and two very subdued fourteen year olds stood there, “Nurse said you wanted to see us, Hilda,” Harriet said, her face turned toward to floor.

“Yes I did,” Hilda replied, “come in, girls, close the door behind you.”

The two filed in and stood at the end of the table used by the prefects for their meetings. Hilda, sitting at the head of the table, looked across at them, not saying anything. The silence continued for some seconds and Hilda could see that both girls were growing increasingly uncomfortable. Eventually she took pity on them,

“Tell me girls,” she began, “exactly how did you think I was going to react this morning?” Both girls looked across at her uncomprehendingly and Hilda continued, “Did you really think that I would just accept your disobedience and rudeness?”

Hilda’s question was asked gently, without any hint of anger or even annoyance; perhaps the girls felt somewhat comforted because they both looked across toward the older girl. Harriet was the first to speak,

“Yes but, it’s not fair, is it?” she began, “Yesterday you had detention, same as us - worse than us really ‘cos you had two hours but we only had one. Then, next day, it’s as if nothing happened. You expecting all of us to treat you as Head Girl…”

“But I am Head Girl,” Hilda interrupted quickly, her voice a shade cooler, Harriet reddened and swallowed quickly, unable to respond. Instead Florence spoke,

“Well yes,” she said, “but why should you be Head Girl? When you’ve been just as wrong as us?”

Hilda shook her head, “That is not your decision to make, girls,” she said gently, “Miss Cullen is the one who would make that decision, it’s not for you to question her,” she paused, seeing the two were still looking mutinous and tried to explain, “there will always be those in authority over you, girls - while you are at school and when you leave. There are policemen and politicians, clergymen and councillors. All of them will have authority over you - but none of them are above the law - even King George himself is not above the law. Should any of those men break the law then they will be punished - but that will not mean that they automatically stop having that authority.”

“You mean even if they were to do something really bad?” Harriet asked.

Hilda shook her head, “No, if they did something really bad then they would lose that authority, however if their crime was only mild then, after their punishment, they would be able to return to their former station.”

The two Fourth Formers thought about that for a while then Florence looked over, “Does that mean your crime was only mild then, Hilda?”

Hilda smiled, “Yes it was,” she replied, “and no, I’m not going to tell you the nature of my ‘crime’…” Both the girls looked disappointed and Hilda’s eyes twinkled. She waited for a few seconds and then,

“I’m sorry, Hilda,” Harriet said quietly, “now you’ve explained it I can see we shouldn’t have disobeyed.”

“Thank you Harriet,” Hilda said gravely, she turned to look at Florence,

“I..I’m sorry too,” Florence said, stuttering slightly, “now you ‘splained it’s all simple. You should have said this when we were on the gate - we would have come down then.”

Hilda shook her head, “No, Florence, I couldn’t do that - you had deliberately refused to obey me, you didn’t deserve any explanation at that time.” The two girls nodded, accepting the reason, Hilda continued, “We’ll say no more about it, girls, I will tell Miss Cullen that you’ve apologised and will not disobey again.”

The two smiled slightly, “Can we go now, Hilda?” Harriet asked.

Hilda raised an eyebrow, “I think you mean ‘May we go now’ don’t you?”

Harriet nodded, “Yes, sorry, may we go now?”

Hilda shook her head, “Not yet, girls,” she said with a smile, “there’s still the question of your punishment,” her smile widened as the two girls turned horror-struck expressions upon her, “you didn’t think there would be none, now did you?”

Florence shook her head, “No, but…more detention?”

Hilda shook her head, “No, your silliness was aimed toward the Prefects and head Girl, therefore it is to them that you will make amends. For the next week I want you to report to the Sixth Form Common Room at eight o’clock, at Break and after you’ve eaten your Lunch and when school finishes at four.”

The two girls gaped at her, “Please Hilda, what are we to do?” Harriet asked.

“Light the fire, tidy up, make drinks,” Hilda listed, “anything that anyone in the Sixth ask, within reason. We’ve never had a tradition of the junior forms doing errands for the seniors before - I’m sure my classmates will find things for you to do,” she looked over at the two younger girls with a smile, “starting today at lunchtime, girls, see you then.”
Author:  Pat [ Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:23 pm ]
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Nice one. Glad they could see her point!
Author:  roversgirl [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:03 pm ]
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thanks for this! i've been away for two weeks and have only just had the chance to catch up on 3 or 4 posts - really enjoyed that whole episode and I love the way their relationship is developing :)
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 6:55 pm ]
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I, too, am glad that Harriet and Florence could see Hilda's point and had the grace to apologise for their earlier behaviour.

An interesting choice of punishment for them, too - if nothing else, it's likely to teach them respect for their elders and betters without any staff members having to be involved.
Author:  Billie [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:48 pm ]
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I see Hilda's already picking up on misuse of "can" for "may." :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:41 pm ]
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Billie wrote

Quote:
I see Hilda's already picking up on misuse of "can" for "may."


As so many of her future characteristics
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  Sugar [ Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:55 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley
We used to have prefect detentions like that, they were grim but by time our year was LVI it was stopped. Not that I ever had detention cos I was a good girl obviously.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:00 am ]
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Thanks. Hilda was pretty understanding
Author:  Elle [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 7:36 am ]
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Nice punishment!
Author:  brie [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:59 pm ]
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Loving this! Thanks Lesley.
Author:  leahbelle [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:43 pm ]
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That's an original punishment!
Author:  MaryR [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 5:40 pm ]
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I'm surprised they were old enough to see her rather subtle point! But then her powers of communication are greater than most!! :lol:

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Fri Mar 07, 2008 10:40 pm ]
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Well done, Hilda. Convincing, isn't she?
Hope the punishment doesn't last TOO long, though.

Thank you, Lesley.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:35 pm ]
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There was no further trouble from the Fourth Formers; the two girls followed Hilda’s instructions and dutifully performed all the tasks the Sixth set them over the rest of that week. The following week, after the two girls had served three days of their week of punishment, Hilda saw them again and told them that the rest of the week was cancelled. Later that day Hilda was walking past the main School notice boards when she saw a vast melee of girls, mainly from the upper forms. She moved across to quiet them and, on seeing her most of the girls moved away quickly. Near the notice board, reading out the names to those at the back, was Nell Wilson - she looked over as Hilda appeared,

“Hello Hilda, come to quieten the riot?”

“Something like that,” Hilda replied with a smile, “what is so important that half the upper school is trying to read it?”

“Oh only the team lists,” Nell replied, “The First and Third Elevens have matches this Saturday.”

“I see,” Hilda moved closer to read the names for the First Eleven, her glance moved past most of the names but stopped on reaching one. There in black and white - in the Games Prefect’s neat hand -

RIGHT WING - H. WILSON

and at the bottom of the list,

FIRST RESERVE - H. ANNERSLEY

Hilda looked across to see that Nell was watching her, “Congratulations Nell,” she murmured with a smile and turned to walk away. She had only taken a few steps when Nell caught up with her,

“Hilda, don’t go,” she said catching the Head Girl’s arm, “I’m sorry.”

Hilda shook her head, “No need to apologise, Nell,” she replied, “you deserve it. It will just take me a while to accept, that’s all. Don‘t worry about it.”

“But I do worry about it,” Nell replied, “I mean it’s because of me that you’ve been left out of the team, isn’t it?”

Hilda shrugged, “You’re better than I, Nell,” she said, “you’re stronger, faster, of course Naomi would choose you.”

The younger girl swallowed sharply, “Well then, I’ll tell her I can’t make it, I can’t play, then she’ll choose you instead.”

“You will not!” Hilda retorted, “You’re playing Nell Wilson, I’ll be there to watch - and I expect you to make at least a dozen goals.”

Nell smiled, “A dozen? That’s quite a lot you know?”

“We have to beat the opposition,” Hilda replied, “they were one of only two schools who beat us last term. Maybe having you there in place of me will be enough to beat them.”

Nell bit her lip, “I’m sorry, Hilda.”

Hilda smiled, “Don’t be, it’s just me being rather childish, I’ll recover.” She turned and walked on to her next lesson.

At the end of the day, when School was finished, Hilda was slightly delayed due to a meeting with Miss Cullen. As she let herself out of the Front Door she did not expect to see any of the other girls. It was therefore a surprise when she came across a figure sitting on the top of the gate waiting for her.

She shook her head, smiling, “Nell, what are you doing, sitting on that gate? No, wait, don’t answer, you’re going to say ‘waiting for a bus’ again, aren’t you?”

Nell pretended to consider, “Well actually I was going to say waiting for a train this time - just for a bit of originality, you know?” She grinned.

Hilda shook her head, “Get down from there immediately, before I set you to clearing up after the Prefects - supposing any of the Fourth saw you?”

Nell jumped down from the gate and shrugged, “If they had I might have been in trouble - but they didn’t so don’t worry about it.”

Hilda shook her head again then looked over at the Fifth Former, “Walk with me?” she asked rather shyly.

Nell pretended to think about it for all of two seconds then, “Oh, alright then, since you asked,” she fell in step beside the Head Girl. The two walked in silence for a time then Nell spoke again, “My parents wondered if you would like to come to dinner, tomorrow night?”

Hilda looked across, “I’d love to,” she replied, “but won’t they be visiting Cherry?”

Nell shook her head, smiling, “No, I had a message from Miss Cullen today, Cherry is getting better, Mother said that you could come tomorrow because Cherry won’t need them so late. They want to meet you - seem surprised that you could be a friend of mine.”

“What do they expect from a friend of yours then?”

“Oh, someone more like me, I think,” Nell replied, “when I said you were going to study English they both laughed, and when I said you were Head Girl, Mother wanted to take my temperature!”

Hilda laughed.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:43 pm ]
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Thanks for the update Lesley! :)
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:14 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Sugar [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:17 pm ]
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Lovely, do feel sorry for H though as N has taken her place on the team. Loved the reaction of Nell's parents though!
Author:  linda [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:41 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley, I am really enjoying the development of the friendship between Hilda and Nell.
Author:  Mona [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:45 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley, I really am enjoying seeing their friendship grow!
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:09 pm ]
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She's unsquashable, isn't she? :lol: But sensitive, for all that....

Loved the remark about the temeprature. Can just picture Nell's face.

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:40 pm ]
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Love the sound of Nell's parents
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Mar 09, 2008 11:21 pm ]
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Quote:
“What do they expect from a friend of yours then?”

“Oh, someone more like me, I think,” Nell replied, “when I said you were going to study English they both laughed, and when I said you were Head Girl, Mother wanted to take my temperature!”

Hilda laughed.


Love this inter-change between Hilda and Nell, so much of their adult friendship is forshadowed here.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:49 pm ]
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Poor Hilda! Not easy to lose her place to a younger girl, even Nell.

It'll be interesting to meet Nell's parents. Realistic about their daughter, aren't they. :lol: But loving, or it seems so.

Thank you, Lesley.
Author:  leahbelle [ Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:01 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. I'm really enjoying watching their relationship grow.
Author:  Vick [ Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:32 pm ]
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Lovely, thanks Lesley :D
Author:  brie [ Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:15 am ]
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Lovely thanks.... more please?!
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Sat Mar 15, 2008 12:18 pm ]
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I like the way their understanding - and acceptance - of each other is developing.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 2:26 pm ]
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The following evening saw Hilda joining the Wilson family for dinner; Mr and Mrs Wilson had welcomed Hilda warmly into their home and had not allowed Hilda to feel shy for even one second. They seemed intrigued that their daughter could be friends with someone so different in character yet, Hilda sensed, this was not because they felt Nell to be a disappointment or wished her to be different - indeed they were very proud of her and keen for her to do well. They were interested in Hilda's plans for the future…

“You are going to continue your studies at Oxford University, Hilda?” Nell’s Father, a short dark man with the same engaging grin as his eldest daughter, asked.

“I am,” Hilda replied, “I have recently received notification of provisional acceptance to Lady Margaret Hall, a college of the university. I will be studying English Literature and Language.”

“I understand Oxford University accepts women as full members of the university now? And women are awarded degrees?” Mrs Wilson asked with interest, she did indeed have the same colouring as Nell and her grey eyes were also full of humour.

“Yes Mrs Wilson, they began awarding degrees for women only a few years ago - it was one of the reasons I chose Oxford rather than Cambridge. At Cambridge although women have the same tutorials, have the same classes and sit the same exams they are only awarded a ‘titular degree’.”

“What do you hope to do after completing your studies?”

Hilda smiled, “I wish to teach,” she replied rather shyly.

“She’d be good at it too,” Nell put in, “can’t see any of the kids being cheeky to her - not twice anyway!”

She proceeded to tell her parents about the incident the previous week with the two Fourth Formers, making Hilda appear, at least as far as Hilda herself was concerned, far more confident than was actually the case. Both adults found the episode very amusing and congratulated Hilda on her resolution. Unfortunately, for both Hilda and Nell, Mr Wilson was curious about why the Fourth Formers had thought they could behave in that way. His questioning of both girls eventually caused them to relate the entire tale to him. He sat back in his chair and considered, staring across at the two girls, both of whom were sat with flushed faces.

“I see,” he said slowly, “so all of this began, Hilda, when Nell was given your place in the team?”

Hilda swallowed quickly, “Y-yes Mr Wilson.”

“And you, Nell, proceeded to make a bad situation infinitely worse, did you?”

“Yes Sir,” Nell said, so quietly that she could barely be heard.

“Joseph,” Nell’s Mother spoke quietly and, when Mr Wilson turned toward his wife she shook her head very slightly. Mr Wilson sighed,

“Miss Cullen appears to have dealt with you both very faithfully,” he said with a smile, “so I’ll say no more.”

“Thank you Sir,” Nell said quickly.

Hilda nodded her own thanks as well.

Mr Wilson sat back, his eyes twinkling, “So, after such a start can either of you tell me why you are now friends?”

Hilda and Nell looked at each other in some confusion, Hilda spoke hesitantly, “It just appeared to be the right thing, Mr Wilson,” she said with some confusion, “I don’t think either of us actually planned it.”

“As the best friendships should be then,” Mrs Wilson said with a smile.

“So Nell has taken your place in the First Eleven, Hilda?” Mr Wilson asked.

Hilda nodded, “Yes, but she deserves it, she is stronger and faster than I.”

“Hilda is First Reserve though,” Nell put in, “she’ll probably get a game on Saturday as well.

Mr Wilson nodded, “Well we will be there to watch,” he said, indicating his wife and himself, “will your Father be there, Hilda?”

Hilda shook her head, “I’m afraid not, Mr Wilson,” she said, “he has a conference over this weekend.”

“Well then we’ll have two to cheer, won’t we?” Mrs Wilson said with a smile.
Author:  MaryR [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 4:20 pm ]
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How nice for Hilda to finally have someone to support her at the matches. Such good people....

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Mona [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:49 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley. I love your depiction of Nell's parents!
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:18 pm ]
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Love the response of Nell's parents to the girls start of friendship.
Author:  brie [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:42 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:52 pm ]
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It's probably good that they've talked through the whole thing -- and are still friends. :) Special thanks to Mrs. Wilson for the sign language. (And to Lesley, of course.)
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:19 pm ]
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Nell's parents are lovely and a great response to the situation too. thanks :)
Author:  Vick [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:15 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:59 pm ]
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I love Nell's parent. it just seems sad that we know they're all going to die in the next few years
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:07 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. I like Nell's parents a lot.
Author:  Lesley [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:29 pm ]
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Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny but very cold. A brisk February wind lowering an already low temperature. Hilda Annersley reflected that, in many ways, being First Reserve for a hockey match was possibly the worst position to be in - spectators could at least dress warmly and, if they had brought flasks with them, have hot drinks, whilst the players themselves would be running around soon and therefore keep warm. However for Hilda and the other two reserves, they had to remain sitting on the bench, awaiting a very unlikely call to play. The only concession to the cold being that they could keep their jumpers on. The thought of remaining in a warm bed for a lie-in was becoming more and more popular…

“Hilda, you look frozen - here place this around your knees,” the voice suddenly jolted Hilda from her musing and she looked round,

“Oh, Mrs Wilson, how lovely to see you,” she smiled across at Nell’s mother who was holding out a warm blanket. She quickly wrapped the blanket around her legs, sighing as the thick woollen blanket immediately stopped the shrill wind whipping around her legs. Mrs Wilson smiled in return and handed across more blankets to the other two Reserves. Seconds later Mr Wilson appeared,

“Good grief it’s even colder than yesterday, Margaret do you have that flask?”

Mrs Wilson searched in her bag and retrieved a large thermos flask and a couple of mugs. Mr Wilson quickly poured out a couple of mugs of hot black coffee, handed one to his wife and sipped the second, he smiled down at where Hilda was sitting, “Have they started the match, yet?”

Hilda shook her head, “Not yet, they are just warming up, at the moment.”

“Most sensible of them,” another voice replied and Hilda turned to see that the Headmistress, Miss Cullen, was walking over to join the group on the touchline. Miss Cullen waved a hand toward where the three girls had immediately risen, “Sit down girls, do, no ceremony here.” She shivered slightly, “Let’s hope the weather warms up soon, though,2 she looked across at the two adults, “Mr and Mrs Wilson, how lovely to see you. How is Cherry?”

Mrs Wilson smiled, her entire face relaxing, “Doing well at the moment, Miss Cullen, thank you. The Doctors seem to feel she will be well enough to come home in two or three weeks. They even said she could come out for a half-day trip but we felt it was far too cold,” Mrs Wilson‘s face bore a rueful smile, “Cherry was not happy about that - she wanted to see Nell playing in the match.”

Miss Cullen shivered again, “I think you were wise, Mrs Wilson, she may well have experienced a relapse in this cold.”

Mr Wilson frowned slightly then walked across, “Miss Cullen, I insist that you wear this,” he took his heavy woollen overcoat off and draped it around the Head’s shoulders.

“That’s very kind of you, Mr Wilson,” she replied, “but are you not cold?”

“Me?” Mr Wilson affected a surprised expression and suppressed a shiver, “Never!”

Miss Cullen was obviously not convinced, she bit her lip, “Tell me, Mr Wilson, were you aware of just how similar Nell’s character is, to your own?”

“Really?”

Miss Cullen nodded, a distinct twinkle in her eyes, “She may not resemble you physically,” she replied, “but in character there is a very strong resemblance,” she smiled at the man’s obvious pride at this information.

Hilda moved along the bench to make room for the Headmistress to sit down, “Are you here to watch the entire match, Miss Cullen?”

Miss Cullen smiled her thanks as she sat beside her Head Girl, “I am,” she said, “and there will be lunch provided at the School afterwards for everyone - I think they will need something to warm them..oh thank you Mrs Wilson,” this last as Nell’s Mother had handed her a cup of coffee.

Mr Wilson had set up two deck chairs and Mrs Wilson sat in one next to the Head, she looked across, “Is Nell doing well at School, Miss Cullen?”

Miss Cullen nodded, “Very well,” she smiled, “she is a credit to you both. I will be sorry to lose her when you return to your own home. I understand that you will be leaving in the Summer?”

Mrs Wilson nodded, “We will,” she replied, “her original School will have finished it’s rebuilding by then and we will be returning home once Cherry is well enough. Nell will go back to being a boarder once Cherry is better.”
Author:  Mona [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:32 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley! Miss Cullen is right, Nell really does take after her father. :D
Author:  roversgirl [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:37 pm ]
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Thanks for an update! what lovely parents :)
Author:  abbeybufo [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:14 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:18 pm ]
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Lovely parents, both of them!
Author:  PaulineS [ Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:48 pm ]
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Thank you Lesley the characters in this come alive and make me wish I had known them.
Author:  Lesley [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:27 pm ]
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“A great pity, from our point of view,” Miss Cullen said rather sadly, “I could see a very great future ahead for Nell had she remained here. And, in two years time, when she entered the top form…”

“You would have made her a Prefect?” Mrs Wilson sounded pleased.

“No Mrs Wilson,” Miss Cullen replied, “I would have made her Head Girl,” she smiled at the silence her comment engendered from Nell’s parents and turned to watch the match.

The hockey match was very closely fought; the other team were strong and their girls all seemed to be very fit. To begin with this meant they surged ahead scoring three goals in quick succession. Miss Wesley, who was umpiring, looked very bleak and Naomi Tasker, the Games Prefect, mirrored her expression. She took the time to have a very quick team talk before lining up for the ‘bully-off’ - in particular speaking with the two Wings. When the game re-started the talk appeared to have been successful as both Wings seemed to be galvanised, appearing in defence to help out then, when the situation warranted, taking the ball and driving to the attack. So fast did Nell Wilson go into attack that she left almost everyone else behind, only Naomi Tasker remaining with her as they flew toward the opposition goal. Two of the backs tried to stop Nell but, at the last minute, she jinked around them both and fired a shot - not toward goal, where everyone was expecting, but directly in front of Naomi. The Games Prefect barely had to do anything more than gently tap the ball into an empty net as even the goalkeeper had been pulled out of position by the speed with which Nell had attacked.

The surrounding spectators went wild with delight and it was only the presence of the Headmistress herself that stopped Hilda from joining them. This restraint was called upon twice more as Nell and Naomi seemed to have found a chink in the opposition armour. Another two goals were scored in quick succession levelling the match. The spectators could see that the left back was getting very frustrated at just how easily Nell seemed to be able to dance past her and, then next time Nell surged on the attack, tried something different, swinging her stick, not at the ball, but a little over a foot above the ground. The thud as the stick hit Nell on the right knee could be heard across the other side of the pitch.

The match came to a halt as Nell collapsed to the ground clutching her knee. The Nurse, watching on the other side of the pitch, immediately ran on with her first aid supplies while Miss Wesley blew her whistle and presented the Left Back with a five minute suspension and awarded a penalty stroke. It took some time before the Nurse pronounced that Nell was fit to play and, with a heavily strapped right knee, she rejoined her team-mates in time to take the penalty stroke. After some seconds merely standing staring at the goal, Nell quickly took the stroke and scored. The Home Team were ahead 4-3! At that point the Half-Time whistle blew.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:31 pm ]
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Ouch!! :twisted:
Author:  Kathy_S [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:13 am ]
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Poor Nell!

Nice to see her appreciated by Miss Cullen :) -- but I hate to think of her losing such parents!

*thinks someone should send up to the school for more blankets*

Thank you, Lesley.
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:16 am ]
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Lovely to see what a good impression Nell has made - hope they win! :)
Author:  Sarah J [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:07 am ]
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Just caught up with a large chunk of this. I am really enjoying it - thanks so much Lesley.
Author:  MaryR [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:32 pm ]
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Is Hilda now going to get her own chance to play and score? Or does she have to sit there and ponder *if only...* :lol:

Miss Cullen is a delightful creature - as are the Wilsons.

Thank you, Lesley
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:21 pm ]
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Oh, I do like Nell's parents - poor her, to lose them so young!

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Sugar [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 5:33 pm ]
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Owwwwwwww! Poor Nell!
Her parents are lovely though.
Author:  Vikki [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 6:42 pm ]
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Thanks Lesley.

You've given Nell lovely parents there, although it's quite hard to read them knowing what's going to happen in a few years time.

(and I hope the knee bashing girl on the other team gets suitably punished!)
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:48 pm ]
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The teams immediately moved over to where their Reserves were sitting and where drinks and lemon slices were waiting. Miss Wesley, the Games Mistress moved with them,

“Well done, everyone, a shaky start but you came back extremely well,” she turned to Naomi, “I’m not allowed to say anything that might be considered as coaching so I’ll just say that was an inspired move of yours. You and Nell in particular have played well.”

“Thank you Miss Wesley,” Naomi smiled, “though I must admit I was worried when I saw Nell injured.”

“Yes that was a nasty knock,” Miss Wesley agreed, she turned to look across at where Nell was limping over to join them, “will you be alright to play the second half?”

Nell grimaced, “I’m not sure, Miss Wesley,” she said, “there’s a lot of bruising and pain.

“Well decide before the second half starts in,” she looked at her watch, “five minutes,” she nodded toward them then ran over to speak to the Games Mistress of the other School who was umpiring for the Third Eleven.

Naomi looked over worriedly, “You will be alright, won’t you, Nell?”

Nell shook her head, “Don’t think so,” she replied, “it’s starting to stiffen up now, I’m finding it hard to bend.”

“It was just bruising,” Nurse put in, “but rather deep and extensive bruising, I can’t say I’m surprised.”

Naomi looked disappointed but then nodded, she looked round, “Hilda? You’re on - warm up quickly, you’ll need it. We’ll need to speak about strategy.”

Hilda looked surprised but obediently rose and started exercising to warm up her muscles. Nell smiled over at her and whispered ’Good Luck’ before limping across to the bench. Once there she had congratulatory hugs from her parents and whispers of ‘Well done’ from them both.

“Cherry not here?” Nell asked with some disappointment.

“No darling,” Mrs Wilson replied with an extra hug, “it’s far too cold for her - but we’ll be going across to see her this afternoon - you can tell her all about the match and show her your war wound.”

As Mrs Wilson released her daughter, Nell found herself enveloped in a bear-hug from her father, “Wonderful game, kid,” he said with enthusiasm, “proud of you - made three goals and scored the fourth. Let’s hope Hilda can manage to hold onto the lead.”

“Hope so,” Nell said, watching as the two teams readied themselves for the bully-off. Mrs Wilson drew a blanket around her daughter’s shoulders while the Nurse lifted Nell’s injured leg up to rest on a stool.

Those on the bench watched as the second half restarted. To begin with the other School were playing with only ten players as the Left Back was having to sit out for five minutes on suspension. The Home side used the advantage of the extra person to push for another goal however the opposition brought all their players back into their own half and just defended. Once the Left Back returned though they reverted to a more attacking style and immediately set out to level the match once more, scoring quickly so that the match was tied at 4-4. The Home side then spent the rest of the match in defence, trying to stop the other side scoring again and occasionally breaking out of defence for goal. However, it was obvious that, although a good player, Hilda did not have Nell’s bursts of speed, nor did she have the strength to be able to force her way through defence players intent on stopping her. Although she was agile enough to be able to take the ball from attacking players and run down the line, she couldn’t get past the defenders and a number of promising attacks came to nothing. Naomi’s expression became more and more bleak as she attempted different strategies but her own Left Wing was even less successful and attempting to run down the middle just meant all defenders were there to stop her.

As the minutes ticked by it looked as though the match was going to end in a draw; all the players were tired now with only Hilda having enough energy to mount more runs. A foul gave the Home side a free hit just outside their goal circle and Naomi spent a few second speaking to the team prior to indicating to the Centre-Half to take the hit. As the spectators watched the girl immediately hit the ball toward Hilda out on the Right Wing and Hilda took off, she had more than half the length of the pitch to run and little support as all the other players had been behind the ball. Cries from the on-lookers told Hilda that opposition players were carching up and, with a superhuman effort, she managed to draw slightly ahead.

“No good,” Mr Wilson groaned, “she’s got three of them in front of her, and the goalkeeper.”

“Why isn’t Naomi moving faster?” Nell looked round at the Second Reserve, a girl in the Lower Sixth who had asked that question then looked back at the game, after a few seconds she smiled,

“I know why,” she said quietly so that only those sitting nearby could hear, they all looked at her,

“Why?” Miss Cullen asked.

For reply Nell pointed toward where Hilda was standing, waiting for the defenders to come to her. They watched as the girls all seemed to stop in confusion then look round, even from the other side of the pitch the spectators could clearly hear one of them say, ‘She’s not got the ball, we’ve been tricked!’ They turned to intercept Naomi who was moving with deceptive speed toward the almost empty goal, but they were too late. A cheer rang out as Naomi reached the circle and shot, the ball passed the goalkeeper’s desperate lunge and trickled into the back of the net. With the score standing at 5-4 to the home side there was barely time to restart the match before Miss Wesley blew for full time.
Author:  Pat [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:53 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sneaky!!! Loved it though! :lol: :lol:
Author:  PaulineS [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:06 pm ]
Post subject: 
What a lovely way to end the game. Well done Hilda and Naomi.
Author:  Sugar [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ohh very clever. :lol:

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Love the play and love the fact Nell could pick up on it all. Very sneaky
Author:  linda [ Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Very sneaky!!! Hope Nell is not too badly hurt, but she, Hilda and Naomi between them have won the day.

Thanks Lesley
Author:  keren [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:06 am ]
Post subject: 
I think Nell is not too badly hurt, but used the opportunity to let Hilda play too
Author:  roversgirl [ Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:34 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks - glad Hilda got a chance - suspect Nell was giving her a chance too.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:38 am ]
Post subject: 
The team seems very well trained. :)
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
Perhaps the greatest surprise, as far as Hilda was concerned, was that, among all the many calls of congratulations, the many pats on her back and all those who whispered well done, there was one voice that rose above all of them, she looked across to where the tall figure of her father stood, a little behind the group seated on the touchline,

“Father? But you’re attending a conference in London.”

Bishop Annersley moved across to hug his daughter, “Postponed, pipes had frozen and split so there were no facilities. I hurried home and managed to get here just in time to see you fool everyone with that performance. Are you sure you shouldn’t be considering a career on the stage?”

Hilda blushed, “I know it was rather dishonest, Father,” she began, “but it was the only way we could…”

“Dishonest? Rubbish,” the Bishop said with a smile and another hug, “perfectly legitimate tactic - used something similar when playing rugger for College myself, more years ago than I care to remember. But why were you playing, Hilda? I thought you told me your friend Nell was Right Wing?”

“She was,” Hilda replied, “but she injured her knee just before the end of the first half,” she turned her father round to face the spectators sat on the touch-line.

There were a number of greetings and introductions made, Miss Cullen, of course, was well known to the Bishop, however he had not met Nell’s parents before. After speaking with them for some seconds he then moved to commiserate with Nell herself. Eventually Miss Cullen decided that it was time for everyone to move inside where it was warm, she looked across at the Wilsons and Bishop Annersley, inviting all of them to lunch. All those girls who had played in the matches were sent to the showers to quickly wash and get changed into their warm school uniform. Leaving her Father with the Wilsons’ Hilda helped her friend to the showers, supporting Nell when she limped on her bad knee. In the showers although the water was warm the cubicles were not therefore everyone was very quick. Nell was the last having to remove her support bandage first, after drying then dressing she merely held the bandage, remarking that Nurse was far better at applying the thing. Hilda had smiled and proffered an arm for support once more.

As they made their way, slowly back toward the Dining Hall Hilda had to reprimand a number of Fourth Formers who had taken the opportunity of their being only a few Staff about to attempt to jump an entire staircase without touching any of the stairs. It was a regular game for most Fourth Years during their School career but Hilda, knowing that someone in her own year had managed to break their arm when attempting it, two or three years previously, was very short with them, sending them scuttling off to the Dining Room rueing the day they had attempted such a thing when the Head Girl was nearby.

Hilda shook her head, “Those Fourth Formers have no sense whatsoever,” she said crossly to Nell, “it doesn’t seem to have occurred to them that they could injure themselves.”

Nell considered for a few seconds, “Well, I agree with you up to a point, Hilda,” she said slowly, “and I appreciate that they’ve got be told about taking care and not damaging furniture and themselves. But you must admit that particular flight of stairs is just crying out to be jumped, isn’t it? I mean it’s only a half flight, really, you get the chance to run up for some twenty yards beforehand and there’s even a soft carpet to land on at the other end. It’s not surprising the kids want to try.”

“Yes but they can’t jump it, can they?” Hilda returned, “and all that happens is they injure themselves trying. I think I’ll suggest to Miss Cullen that she might want to look at it - perhaps she can order some builder to adapt the stairs so it’s no longer possible to attempt the jump.”

“Oh don’t do that,” Nell replied, “think about what a sense of achievement it’ll give any of them should they manage it.”

“That’s my point, Nell, it’s not possible - none of them have ever managed it.”

“Then they’ve not tried hard enough then,” Nell said adamantly, “I could do it.”

Hilda shook her head, “I don’t think so, Nell,” she said with a slight smile.

“No? Just watch me then,” and, without considering the consequences, Nell wrenched her arm from her friend’s and moved back a few paces. Before Hilda even had a chance to react Nell was running swiftly past her and, as she reached the top of the flight of stairs, she leapt high into the air. Hilda watched in shock as Nell soared into the space above the stairs and travelled all the way to the carpet at the base. She landed, not with a clatter, but into a perfectly executed forward roll before pushing herself up into a exultant star jump, “Yeeesss!”

Nell turned a triumphant expression back toward where the Head Girl was standing at the top of the stairs, “See? I told you it could be done, I…” she suddenly paused as she realised what she had done, she swallowed sharply.

Hilda slowly walked down the stairs to stand just a few feet from the Fifth Former, she looked pointedly at Nell’s injured right knee, “There doesn’t seem to be a great deal wrong with your knee now, Nell,” she said softly, “surprising how much it’s improved since half-time at the match - you couldn’t even bend it then, could you?”
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh dear - I hope this evidence of Nell's 'tactic' doesn't cause a quarrel :shock:
*wibbles*
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nell you should have let Hilda say you can not do it with your injured leg and then you could have tried another day without letting Hilda know what you have done.

Thanks Lesley. Glad Hilda's father saw her play.
Author:  Pat [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:28 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oops!!! :lol: :lol:
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oops. Sprung bad Nell!! :lol:
Author:  Mona [ Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
Naughty Nell! But how lovely of her to give Hilda the chance to play!
Author:  Lesley [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:59 pm ]
Post subject: 
Nell swallowed hard again, “I can explain, Hilda,” she began.

“Can you Nell? And what is your explanation?” Hilda’s eyes seemed to have turned silver grey and her expression was one of disappointment, “What possible reason can you have for lying about your injury, for ensuring that our school didn’t field it’s strongest team?”

Nell looked down at the floor and murmured, “You, Hilda.”

“What?”

The younger girl took a deep breath and lifted her head, staring directly into her friend’s eyes she repeated, “You, Hilda, you were my reason.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I knew how much playing for the First Eleven meant to you, Hilda,” Nell replied, “and I felt so dreadful that, just because I had come here you wouldn’t be in the team. You wouldn’t let me just step down so, when I was injured I thought this is the perfect chance,” she looked down at the carpeted floor once more before continuing, “I really have injured it, you know? I mean the bruising is real and it is painful but I just…exaggerated things a little.”

Hilda’s expression softened slightly, “You did this for me?”

Nell nodded.

“But, what of the School? Suppose, by you not being there, we’d lost the match?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter? How can you say that?” Hilda looked shocked.

“Easily,” Nell shrugged, “if we’d lost - well, it’s only a game, it’s not that important - oh I know, we’re all supposed to see winning the match as the most important thing in our lives - but it’s not. Friends are important…you’re important,” there was a long pause and then she added, “and you wanted to play.”

“I wanted to play?” Hilda repeated quietly, “and suppose in doing so, we had lost that match? What then?”

Nell shrugged, “It’s only a game. The important thing was the playing, not the winner.”

“I see,” Hilda nodded, and she appeared to have something in her eye as she rubbed them fiercely. There was a long pause.

“Are you going to tell them?” Nell was referring to the people all gathered in the Dining Hall.

“Tell them what?” Hilda asked softly, she crooked her arm and moved next to Nell, “Here, lean on me and try to remember to limp, won’t you?”

“Yes Hilda.”

“And no more jumping down stairs.”

“No Hilda.”

Another long pause as the two girls slowly made their way to the Dining Hall then, “And you know you’re an idiot, don’t you?”

“Yes Hilda.”
Author:  Elbee [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aww, lovely, a sign of the close friendship to come.

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
Lovely resolution Lesley, thanks :D
Author:  Fi [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was so lovely Lesley, thank you.
Author:  Pat [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hilda always had her priorities right, didn't she? :lol: :lol:
Author:  Vikki [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:51 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was lovely Lesley!!

and that final, meek 'Yes Hilda' from Nell is wonderful!!!!
Author:  Chelsea [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
I love Nell pretending to me meek at the end with her "Yes, Hilda" and "No, Hilda".

I'm glad that Hilda took that in the right spirit.

Am I the only one seeing them as just shrunken versions of Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson? As in, not actually looking as children? :oops:
Author:  Caroline OSullivan [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thank you Lesley :D :D
Somehow, I'd completely missed this and have just read it. Fantastic :D
Author:  PaulineS [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
“Easily,” Nell shrugged, “if we’d lost - well, it’s only a game, it’s not that important - oh I know, we’re all supposed to see winning the match as the most important thing in our lives - but it’s not. Friends are important…you’re important,”
Nell shrugged, “It’s only a game. The important thing was the playing, not the winner.”


No wonder they set such a strong example of friendship and fair play at the chalet School.


Double post deleted - Elle wearing her lovely Mod hat with a pom pom
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Awww, Lesley, that is so lovely
Author:  Sugar [ Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:19 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic - just caught those posts together. The relationship btween them is wonderful. Thanks Lesley
Author:  Mona [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley! A lovely scene between them.
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:58 am ]
Post subject: 
Lovely - thank you :)
Author:  Travellers Joy [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:04 am ]
Post subject: 
Loved Nell and the stairs!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Author:  keren [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:07 am ]
Post subject: 
this was lovely:
"Nell swallowed hard again, “I can explain, Hilda,” she began.

“Can you Nell? And what is your explanation?” Hilda’s eyes seemed to have turned silver grey and her expression was one of disappointment"
Author:  Vick [ Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:46 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely, thanks Lesley :D
Author:  MaryR [ Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Chelsea wrote:
Am I the only one seeing them as just shrunken versions of Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson? As in, not actually looking as children? :oops:

Well, I suppose they had to hone their skills somewhere, Chelsea! :twisted:

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  linda [ Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
That was a lovely scene. I love the way the friendship is growing between Hilda and Nell.

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Mrs Redboots [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just caught up on this. Thanks, Lesley.

Mind you, they were very lucky to have showers after matches in the 1920s - we certainly didn't in the 1960s! Actually, they did install them in the "new" cloakroom, but nobody ever used them - nudity was unknown among us, even in the dormitory (one dressed and undressed under one's nightie), and nobody could be bothered to go and find a swimming-costume to wear while showering!
Author:  Kathy_S [ Tue Apr 01, 2008 10:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
Didn't think before she leapt, did she. :roll:

Lovely interaction there.
Author:  Lesley [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
The cold February weather merged into a just as cold March. A number of hockey matches were arranged and the Games Mistress and Naomi were extremely pleased to see that all of them were won – undoubtedly due, in part, to their new strategy of playing Nell Wilson on Right Wing for one half then, just as the opposition had started to become accustomed to her style of play, substitute her for Hilda in the second half. It meant that Nell could put all her energy into the first half, knowing she did not have to keep anything in reserve for the second. By the time the last match had been played the School were at the top of the local schoolgirls’ league, worthy champions.

The friendship between Hilda and Nell continued. The girls had friends of their own within their own year but they both seemed to feel that they still needed the other. Hilda’s Father had bonded well with Nell’s parents, visiting them at the hospital and taking the time to speak with Cherry whenever he happened to be in the Children’s Ward. Hilda too had been in to see Nell’s eight-year-old sister and had seen just how much she adored her big sister and how much Nell reciprocated that adoration. When Cherry had finally been released from hospital Hilda had spent time with the little girl at her home - revelling in having a younger ‘sister’. Cherry Wilson, as Nell had mentioned, was very small - partly because she did seem to have inherited a small frame from her parents, but also because of her illness. She also, to Hilda’s non-expert eyes, still looked very unwell. However it was obvious that the Wilson family thought she had improved greatly.

At School Hilda was working hard; she had a number of exams to pass to ensure that Lady Margaret Hall would confirm her acceptance, mainly the exams were related to the study of English, or to Hilda’s secondary studies of foreign languages and theology. However, shortly before the start of the Easter holidays, Miss Cullen received a letter from the college and asked her Head Girl to join her,

“Hilda I needed to check something with you, my dear,” Miss Cullen said as soon as Hilda had sat down.

“Yes, Miss Cullen?”

“I’ve received a letter from the Admissions Office at Lady Margaret Hall. There have been an unprecedented number of applicants this year and they are having to make some very stringent decisions on those hoping for admission. They want evidence, not just of those subjects that you are hoping to study, but of a well rounded education.”

“Oh,” Hilda frowned, “then is there a problem?”

The Head nodded, “There is, because one of the subjects that they wish their undergraduates to have is that of Science - and I don’t believe that you have ever studied Science Hilda, have you?”

Hilda shook her head, “No Miss Cullen, it is only in the last year or two that we have had a Science Mistress - I didn’t think it was necessary.”

“Normally it would not be,” the Head replied grimly, “however they insist that a certain competence must be shown.”

“Do they want me to pass exams, Miss Cullen?” Hilda asked with some concern, “only I’m certain I’ll not have the time.”

“Exams are not required, only that we can confirm you have reached a certain competence,” she thought for a moment and shook her head, “I know Miss Godfrey does not have any spare time but…I wonder?” She looked across at the Head Girl, “Would you be willing to have some coaching from another girl?”

“Well yes, of course, Miss Cullen,” Hilda said, puzzled, “but I’m sure those of the Sixth will have a full schedule, they may not have any spare time.”

Miss Cullen smiled, “Ah, that will not be a problem,” she said.
Author:  MHE [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I wonder who Miss Cullen is thinking of as a coach??????? :lol:
Author:  Fi [ Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hmmm.... Let me think! :D

I'm glad Hilda got to play matches regularly and not just the once. Seems like a very effective tactic to me.
Thank you Lesley.
Author:  roversgirl [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 8:06 am ]
Post subject: 
I like the hockey tactics and looking forward to seeing Nell coach Hilda. Thanks :)
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Rovergirl said
Quote:
I like the hockey tactics and looking forward to seeing Nell coach Hilda. Thanks



I agree thanks for the uppdate,
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
Oh splendid! Nell teaching Hilda science :lol:

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
This will be fun seeing Nell coach Hilda with science :wink: :lol:
Author:  MaryR [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
One wonders the other schools never twigged such outrageous practices! :lol:

Good luck with the lessons, Hilda! :P

Thanks, Lesley.
Author:  Cryst [ Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
It's going too well. I've got a feeling the coaching will not be all sweetness and light!

Thank you Lesley.
Author:  Vick [ Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  Lesley [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:15 pm ]
Post subject: 
That afternoon, after school itself had finished, Hilda went along to one of the smaller classrooms to meet with her tutor. As she peered inside a voice from over near the fire spoke,

“You’re late!”

Hilda looked across at the speaker indignantly, “I was with Miss Cullen, and anyway it’s only a minute or so.”

The other person considered then replied, “Well in that case you are excused,” she said with some condescension, “only don’t let it happen again!”

Hilda glared at her tutor, “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Nell grinned, “Enjoying the fact that I’ve been asked to tutor the Head Girl in a subject? How can you possibly think that?”

Hilda glared harder, “It’s ridiculous - what need will I have of any knowledge of Science? And why does Miss Cullen think you can tutor me? You are two years below me at school.”

Nell shrugged, “Maybe, but I’ve been learning science since I was eleven - and the Science Mistress here, Miss Godfrey, told me near the beginning of term that I already knew the entire curriculum, not only for the Fifth Form but for the Sixth as well,” Nell said this almost apologetically with no hint of boasting. Hilda seemed to appreciate this suddenly as she smiled slightly,

“Sorry,” she said, “didn’t mean…you know?”

“Hilda, such English,” Nell’s eyes gleamed in delight, “and you a ‘soon-to-be-English-Degree-with Honours’ student.”

Hilda’s smile widened, “Yes well you seem to have that effect upon me Helena Wilson.”

Nell raised a hand, “If you call me Helena I’ll suddenly forget every scrap of science I’ve ever learnt,” she warned.

Hilda heaved a sigh, “Oh very well then, Nell - now shall we get started? I need to be able to prove I’ve some knowledge of science before the end of next month.”
Author:  roversgirl [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
This looks like being fun :)
Author:  MHE [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:30 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley - it's a good job that I'm alone in the office so there's no one to hear me laughing my head off at their comments !!!!
Author:  Mona [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley! Another lovely scene.
Author:  PaulineS [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think they are both going to enjoy this, and so will we.
Thanks for the updates.
Author:  abbeybufo [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lovely again Lesley, thanks :D
Author:  Billie [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Yay for more! :) Loving their interaction.
Author:  Sugar [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
Fantastic. I wonder how successful Nell will be at imparting her scientific knowledge to Hilda.
Author:  Fi [ Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
That is one tall order for Nell and Hilda - to become basically competent in general science in one month with no previous background knowledge :shock: :shock: :shock: .

This is going to be absolutely fantastic to read :D .

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Kathy_S [ Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:33 am ]
Post subject: 
Good luck to both of them!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:36 am ]
Post subject: 
:lol: :lol: This will be fun
Author:  Lesley [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:27 am ]
Post subject: 
“Yes, well, you’re not expecting me to teach you everything now, are you?”

“What do you mean?” Hilda looked confused, “I thought that was the idea?”

Nell sighed, “Hilda I can’t teach you more than five years of Science in just six weeks.”

“Oh,” Hilda considered, “well what can you teach me in six weeks then?”

“Well Miss Cullen said that the reason for this was to show the Admissions People at Oxford that you were flexible and determined, yes?”

“Of course,” Hilda said with a sigh, “it’s really because they are over-subscribed and want a way to reduce the numbers - I mean, it’s not as if I’m ever going to use any of it - what possible use would science be for someone wishing to study English?”

Nell thought for a few seconds, “It might allow you to understand certain books,” she said eventually, “especially the more modern ones, the ones written in the last twenty or thirty years. The information in War of the Worlds for example - Mr Wells was a scientist as well as a writer.”

“He was?”

“Yes, he earned a BSc in Zoology in eighteen-ninety. Plus, have you read any of Jules Verne’s work, he wrote Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea and Journey to the Centre of the Earth.”

“I have read some of the latter, in the original - it’s much better than the translations,” Hilda replied, “very well, there might be some need for me to know some science, but what?”

“Well Miss Godfrey said I should keep it pretty simple,” Nell began, she looked across at her friend and quickly added, “not because I think you are stupid, just that, when it’s all new, you need to understand the basics before you move on.”

“Yes,” Hilda said, her eyes easing back to their normal blue-grey from the silvery grey colour that had occurred when Nell mentioned ‘keeping things simple’, “that would seem logical.”

“So I thought we could look at certain things that would probably be most useful, like how matter is made up and catalogued, we can look at that from both a Chemical and Biological viewpoint - and look at one of the greatest Physicists that ever lived - Sir Isaac Newton.”

“Isaac Newton? Father has a copy of one of his works, An Historical Account of Two Notable Corruptions of Scripture, but that’s a theological work - you mean he was a scientist as well as a theologist?”

Nell Wilson stared across at the Head Girl with her jaw open, “Y-you’ve never heard of Sir Isaac Newton? Of the apple? He developed calculus, defined the laws of motion, defined the law of gravity…” she paused, seeing no recognition in her friend’s eyes, “this might take a while,” she said.
Author:  PaulineS [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:39 am ]
Post subject: 
Hilda;s education is very limited, as of course was many girls at the time. Nell's task is going to be touch, but I like the way she has made Hilda see the relevance of science
Author:  Mona [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:57 am ]
Post subject: 
Love Nell's shock at Hilda's ignorance. :D

Thanks Lesley!
Author:  abbeybufo [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
“this might take a while,”


And aren't we going to have fun reading about it :lol:

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Elbee [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think Nell's going to find it more difficult than she expects :lol:

Thanks Lesley.
Author:  Sugar [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
abbeybufo wrote:
Lesley wrote:
“this might take a while,”


And aren't we going to have fun reading about it :lol:

Thanks Lesley


I'm going to be watching this with interest!
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:07 pm ]
Post subject: 
This could be interesting! Thanks, lesley.
Author:  Smile :) [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just found this - its really interesting to see their friendship develop. Thanks Lesley.
Author:  roversgirl [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
"This might take a while"


:lol: I can see that this is going to be difficult for both girls! Thanks very much :)
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:41 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks. Love the Nell and Hilda interactions
Author:  Tara [ Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Just caught up on a load of this, and love it. Hilda and Nell are so much themselves, even in their youth. Can understand that Hilda would have very little scientific knowledge - I just hope she's going to give Nell poetry lessons in return! And 'flexible and determined' describes her rather well.
Thanks, Lesley, lovely stuff.
Author:  Vick [ Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:04 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks Lesley :D
Author:  linda [ Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:35 pm ]
Post subject: 
Lesley wrote:
Quote:
"This might take a while"


I'm looking forward to seeing how Nell tackles this.

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Fi [ Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:05 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think trying to relate the science to literature could be a good tactic for Hilda because it is an area she understands thoroughly and she will be able to relate to the ideas more easily. It also means that Hilda will be able to demonstrate some scientific understanding in her interview whilst sticking to a topic she is totally comfortable with.

Lesley wrote:
I mean, it’s not as if I’m ever going to use any of it - what possible use would science be for someone wishing to study English?”


Didn't Hilda also study theology at Oxford? I would have thought that an understanding of evolutionary theory would have come in useful when debating issues such as creationism vs. Darwinism.

*trys to understand how anyone could get to the age of 18 without knowing anything about gravity and Newton....even without a scientific education* :shock: :shock:

Thanks Lesley
Author:  Lesley [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 10:20 am ]
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Some two hours later Miss Cullen arrived at the classroom to find the two inhabitants deep in the middle of an argument…

“But that’s ridiculous, everyone knows that if something is heavy it will fall faster, you’ve only got to watch objects to see that.”

“No they won’t, all objects have the same acceleration applied due to gravity - that acceleration is the same regardless of the mass of any object.”

So you’re telling me that if I drop these two objects to the floor they will reach it at the same time? Well let’s see, shall we?” There was a thud, “There, told you, the heavier object reached the floor first.”

“The heavier one was my compass case, Hilda, it had better not be broken.”

“It’s not, see? But it reached the floor before the quill, didn’t it? And why do you have a quill pen in your case?”

“I was experimenting with writing with a quill, but the reason it took longer to reach the floor wasn’t because of gravity, it was because of air resistance.”

“Air resistance?”

“Yes, remember I said air was made up of gases? Well the gases provide resistance to any falling object, the lighter feathers of the quill pen provide more lift. If we could go somewhere without any air but with gravity then the two would reach the floor at the same time.”

“Oh yes? And where on Earth would such a place exist?”

“It wouldn’t, not on Earth - but it exists on the Moon.”

“On the Moon?”

“Yes, the Moon has gravity but no atmosphere, you could drop a…a hammer and a feather and they’d reach the ground at the same time.”

There was a long pause then, “Well, if man ever gets to the Moon I’ll watch for that experiment. But has anything been done that might prove it on Earth?”

“Galileo was supposed to have - he dropped two balls of the same material but different mass from the Tower of Pisa, they reached the floor at the same time.”

“Not your all-powerful Sir Isaac, then?”

“No, he came later, used Galileo’s work to formulate his theory of gravitation.”

“And his word is the law then?”

“Well…there has been some work done recently by a German physicist - name of Einstein - he seems to have adapted it.”

“No, not more theories!”

“Don’t worry, it was only published a few years ago, it won’t be expected in schools for years - your Admissions people will probably never have heard of it.”
Author:  abbeybufo [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:03 am ]
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:lol:

Thought there would be a considerable 'discussion' between these two

Thanks Lesley
Author:  roversgirl [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:23 am ]
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:lol: Thank you!
Author:  MaryR [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:26 pm ]
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Bet Miss Cullen had a good giggle! :lol:

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Sugar [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 5:52 pm ]
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Lesley wrote:
“Well…there has been some work done recently by a German physicist - name of Einstein - he seems to have adapted it.”

“No, not more theories!”

“Don’t worry, it was only published a few years ago, it won’t be expected in schools for years - your Admissions people will probably never have heard of it.”


Let's hope Hilda remembers Eistein and wows her Admission tutor then! Even if she hasn't a clue who why where or when!
Author:  LauraMcC [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:22 pm ]
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Thanks for this. :lol: Hilda's certainly got a lot to catch up on, although with a teacher like Nell, she will probably end up astonishing her admissions tutor with her brilliance!
Author:  Tara [ Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:09 pm ]
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It's very strange to think of all these things being so relatively (no pun intended!) new. Hilda's certainly not going to accept any new ideas without questioning them, good thing Nell knows what she's talking about. Agree with Mary about Miss Cullen's reaction.

Thanks, Lesley, I love this.
Author:  PaulineS [ Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:51 pm ]
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Thank you for the up date. I love their relationship.
Author:  leahbelle [ Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:15 pm ]
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Thanks, Lesley. It's fascinating to watch their relationship develop.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:38 pm ]
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leahbelle wrote:
Thanks, Lesley. It's fascinating to watch their relationship develop.


I agree. Thanks
Author:  Elder in Ontario [ Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:25 pm ]
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Loved that discussion - I can quite see that Nell is going to need all her patience to instil enough scientific knowledge into Hilda to satisfy the interviewers, especially given Hilda's insistence on questioning everything rather than simply accepting the facts as presented to her!!!

I agree with MaryR that Miss Cullen would have enjoyed what she was hearing!

Thanks, Lesley
Author:  Maeve [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:11 am ]
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Discovered this just a few days ago and am loving it! Hilda and Nel's exchanges are really fantastic.
Author:  Elle [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:13 pm ]
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I have just had a mamoth catch up, thanks Lesley!
Author:  Lisa_T [ Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:56 pm ]
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*giggling*

Quote:
“Yes, the Moon has gravity but no atmosphere, you could drop a…a hammer and a feather and they’d reach the ground at the same time.”

There was a long pause then, “Well, if man ever gets to the Moon I’ll watch for that experiment. But has anything been done that might prove it on Earth?”



Oh Lesley, please resurrect this argument in RCS!!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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