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Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5710
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 15 Feb 2009, 13:16 ]
Post subject:  Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
This like the Margot scene is a turnaround of characters. I thought it would be interesting to see what the difference would be if Len threw the bookend. This is the result. This scene takes place after the Jack and co got lost when out for a walk after deliberately hiding because they were angry with Len. My words are written in Italics

“WELL. I hope that after that last episode, we shall have a little peace!” Thus Miss Annersley to a select audience consisting of Mdlle de Lachennais, Rosalie Dene, and her friend and co-Head, Miss Wilson, known to the girls as “ Bill “ and to her friends and contemporaries as “ Nell ”. Joey Maynard made up the party, having come over for “a spot of chat and coffee” to quote herself.
At the Head's aspiration, she gave a deep chuckle. “Don't you believe it! Once things begin to happen. they tend to go on until there's a glorious smash-up. Everyone all round gets a violent shock that makes them pull themselves together. After that, you may begin to look for a little peace. Not,” she added, “that I believe you ever can get it for long in any school.”
“Well, that's a nice comforting statement, I must say!” cried Rosalie Dene, who was Joey's own con-temporary and never hesitated to express her unvarnished opinion to that lady. “Pipe down, Jo, and stop talking rot!”
“Just as you like. But you mark my words; that's all!” The oracle sat back and sipped her coffee with enjoyment.
She would not have been so unconcerned if she could really have seen into the future. As it was, when the subject changed, she joined in the talk and her earlier remarks were forgotten. Her husband came to collect her an hour or so later and she went off gaily with him, unaware of what was to come.
The first faint shadow appeared when Len Maynard started toothache the day after the seven were reinstated. It was a rare occurrence among the Maynard family, for their father insisted on regular visits to the dentist as well as toothbrush drill twice a day from the time they were old enough to wield a toothbrush. Sensible diet with not too many sweets helped and, as a result, even-one in the family could show a mouthful of white, even teeth. However, on this occasion Len ate Edinburgh rock, and later started with a nasty little twinge or two.
Like her mother before her, she had a horror of the dentist and all his works. She kept the trouble to her-self, even when the occasional twinges became a steady nagging which upset her nerves and made her edgy. For once, neither of her sisters realised it. Con was absorbed in a delightful secret which, out of school, filled her thoughts completely.
Margot was thinking and dreaming of her trip to Australia and of finally being reunited with her bosom friend Emmerence Hope. Besides which she was busy with her own schoolwork and was consequently working hard. So far as her sisters were concerned, silly Len was left to go her own way.
Matey would certainly have seen that something was wrong, but just at that time, the Juniors produced a spate of sniffley colds. The victims were isolated at once, but somehow the germ had got loose in the school and by the time San and one dormitory had been filled, she had as much as she could cope with.
The toothache was not violent - merely grumbling. Every now and then the pain eased and Len decided that it was just the weather which had brought it on. She coaxed oil of cloves out of Anna one Sunday when she and her sisters had gone over to seek some things needed by the St Mildred girls who were responsible for the pantomime given each year in the Easter term. Joey was out, as it happened, and Anna too busy to notice her nursling's shadowed eyes.
Len's contemporaries did notice that she always seemed out of sorts these days, but most of them remembered the big row she had once had with Prunella when she was coming down with the flu.
“I expect if she is coming down with a cold, then Matey will soon have her in with the rest who are in the San,” Betty Landon said wisely.
“But perhaps Matey would be better off knowing,” Alicia Leonard pointed out.
“I know. But, she won’t like it and nothing's gained by quarrelling with her. Better leave her alone. She'll snap out of it presently.” Said Betty
Alicia looked doubtful, but she said no more. She was a retiring girl, little given to broadcasting her views. All the same, she was not satisfied and when she happened to find Margot alone one day, she ventured to ask what was wrong with Len.
“Wrong with Len?” Margot repeated in some surprise. “Why? Isn't she well? I haven't seen a lot of her lately. I'm working pretty hard, you know, and we don't have many lessons together, now we're both specializing.”
“It's just that she seems to be - so touchy,” Alicia said hesitantly. “Betty thinks she could be brewing for something and there are those Juniors in the San with the sniffles.”
“Could be, of course.” Margot thought a moment, then shook her head. “No; I don't think it's that. I haven't a clue, but I'm sure that if she was feeling the least bit unwell she would tell Matey. You know how conscientious Len is. Thanks for telling me, Alicia. I'll try to keep an eye on her, though I can't butt in on her unless she asks me.”
They left it at that. Alicia had relieved her mind and Margot did her best to keep an eye on her oldest triplet. It wasn't easy, since they had so few lessons together nowadays, but she did note that Len wasn't looking quite herself.
Author:  Lesley [ 15 Feb 2009, 13:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Now this is interesting - swapping the two around brings in different dynamics and means that the final results cannot be easily forecast.


Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Alison H [ 15 Feb 2009, 14:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
I've got a horrible feeling that poor Betty might get all the blame as no-one would believe that Perfect Len would have done such a thing without severe provocation, but hope I'm wrong.
Author:  Elbee [ 15 Feb 2009, 22:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
This will be very interesting, looking forward to your version, Fiona!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 16 Feb 2009, 00:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Seizing a chance when they were out in the garden, she drew her sister aside. “Aren't you feeling fit, Len?” she asked. “You're looking tired. I know you're working like a steam-engine, but don't overdo it, will you?”
“I'm all right,” Len said shortly.
“That's O.K., then.” Seeing that her sister was inclined to be brusque, Margot said no more.
On the Saturday before half-term, Len roused after a wakeful night of pain. She felt that she couldn't go on like this. Best report to Matey and take what was coming to her via the dentist. Having come to it at last, it was a blow to learn that Matey had gone down to Interlaken by the early train. She could have gone to one of the other matrons, but the only one she liked was Barbara Henschell, who had been a prefect in the school when she was a Junior. Unfortunately, Barbara had been out of school all that week with the current cold. She was coming back that morning, but Len could not know that.
Of the other three matrons, she did not care for either Matron Wood or Matron Bellenger. As for Matron Duffin, who was in charge of St Clare's, the pair of them were at daggers drawn ever since the day when that lady, deputising for Matey who was having a free weekend, had seen fit to call Len over the coals for untidiness. Len had not been to blame in this instance, having been called to the study before she could finish her dormitory work, and she had replied with an assurance that came within an inch of down-right impertinence. Matron had considered it was impertinence and reported Len to the Head, who had called her to order. Ever since then, deep down, Len had loathed Matron Duffin.
“Oh, why must Matey be non est just when I really need her?” the girl thought as she went up to make her bed. “And I'd have gone to Barbara, but I don't suppose she'll be back before Monday. I'm not going to bother any of the others, anyhow. What about asking the Head?” She thought it over and decided that it was the best solution to her problem. As soon as she had finished making her bed and tidying, she would go to the study.
This settled, she got to work with rather more vim than before. She finished the bed and began to dust. Stooping suddenly to dust the legs of her chair made the tooth give an extra sharp stab and she only just muffled a cry of pain. The other five had finished, all but Betty and Alicia at the far end, but Margot had come to find her, bringing a letter from their cousin Peggy Winterton to show her, and heard her.
“Len, what's wrong?” she demanded.
“Toothache,” Len said shortly, blinking back tears of pain.
“Toothache? Oh, you poor dear! Have you let Matey know? She'd arrange to take you to Herr von Francius and he'd soon settle it.”
“Would he?” The pain had ceased for the moment, but Len's nerves were thoroughly jangled and her sister's sympathy made it worse.
“Of course he would. Let me go and tell her -- Oh, but she isn't here!”
“Exactly! So you can't tell her. Anyhow, I wish you'd let me alone. I've got a tongue in my head, haven't I?”
No one likes sympathy flung back in her face. Margot was no exception and only her sister's pale face and heavy eyes, kept her from retorting sharply. The bell gave her an excuse to leave Len and she turned, saying, “There's the bell. I must go.”
Len halted her. “Half a moment! You're to leave it alone! Do you hear, Margot? Don’t interfere with me and my affairs. I won't have it! If you report to anyone, I shall say there's nothing wrong and it's just you interfering.”
Margot flushed and her eyes looked angry. She had a hot temper, but after a nasty experience with Ted, had forced her to see, exactly where losing her temper could lead her; pushed her as nothing else had to make a concerted effort to control her temper. For a moment she was tempted to fling a cutting reply at her sister. Then a sudden remembrance at Len’s usual thoughtfulness intervened and saved her from having to blame herself for what followed.
“Very well,” she said quietly. “It's only because I don't want you to have any more pain if it can be helped.”
“Oh, shut up!” Len had reached the pitch where she felt it would be a real relief to let fly. “Don't try to come the good sister over me! I won't stand for it, not from you, Margot Maynard! Get out and stay out!”
The pair had forgotten that there was anyone else in the dormitory. Betty and Alicia had just finished and were about to go, but Len's furious tones reached them. Betty was a well-meaning girl, but tact was not in her composition. Len Maynard must have gone crackers to speak to Margot like that and it was time some-one told her where she got off. Without further thought, Betty dashed across to the cubicle and pulled the curtain aside.
“Len Maynard!” she exclaimed. “If you don't want half the kids next door to hear you, you'd better pipe down. I should think --- ”
She got no further. Almost blind with fury, Len snatched up the first thing that came to hand - a heavy bookend - and flung it straight at her head. Betty tried to dodge, but she was not quite quick enough. Margot had tried to catch her sister's arm, too, but all she did was to deflect her aim slightly so that the bookend struck Betty on the side of the head instead of full in the face, and she went down like a pole-axed ox.
Margot acted swiftly. She thrust Len back on to the bed with a sharp, “ Stay there!” before she knelt to examine Betty. A corner of the bookend had caught her and blood was streaming from a nasty cut. Pressing her handkerchief on the wound, Margot called out, “Anyone there? You, Alicia? Go quickly and tell Matron that Betty's cut her head! Be quick!”
Alicia scudded off on the word and Margot did her best to staunch the flow of blood. Len remained where she was, her anger completely drained away in the horror of the damage she had wrought. Margot spoke again.
“Len, go and soak a sponge at the cold-water tap!” Len got to her feet. For a moment she felt abso-lutely faint. Then she got hold of herself. Snatching the sponge from her spongebag, she fled to the nearest bathroom and soaked it, tearing back with it to Margot, who caught it and pressed it to the wound, merely saying, “Another! Hurry!”
Betty herself lay white and still, with shut eyes. When Margot changed the sponges, the blood seemed to Len to be pouring and she felt sick. What had that senseless rage of hers done? Had she killed Betty? Then Margot pressed the stained sponge into her hand and she had to run to the bathroom again.
By the time she got back, someone else was there. Matron Henschell had not been in to Frühstück, but she had met Alicia at the foot of the stairs, heard her story and come up to the dormitory as fast as her legs would carry her. She wasted no time on talk. Kneeling down, she took the sponge from Margot's hand and pushed her aside.
“I see,” she said after a long moment. “We must get her - Oh, San's full. Very well. We'll take her to my room for the moment.” She glanced round and saw Len with the fresh sponge and Alicia who had followed her. “Come along, girls! Stretcher drill! Alicia and Len, join hands under her feet. Margot, with me under her shoulders. Ready? Lift! Now forward to my room.”
Walking slowly and steadily, they carried the unconscious Betty to Matron's room where they laid her down on the divan and the girls stood back, waiting for further orders.
Author:  Alison H [ 16 Feb 2009, 00:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Margot did well there - will be very interested to see how Len reacts.
Author:  Lesley [ 16 Feb 2009, 06:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Yes, Margot reacted well - and seeing that it was Len actually brings home how unjustified the reaction was - Betty was simply warning her friend - nothing 'untactful' about it.


Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Emma A [ 16 Feb 2009, 11:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Part of Betty's justified warning was that Len was a prefect, and Margot was speaking to her in such a rude manner. Len doing the same to Margot isn't quite as heinous a crime, I think (at least in the CS ethos, anyway). Interesting to see more of this, Fiona.
Author:  Abi [ 16 Feb 2009, 22:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Somehow I found the whole incident more shocking when it was Len losing her temper - maybe because it's much more the sort of thing you'd expect Margot to do. I think Betty tactless, and I'd have been annoyed in Len/Margot's position, but the reaction was completely OTT.

Would also like to see more of this, Fiona. Thank you!
Author:  Carolyn P [ 17 Feb 2009, 16:42 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Interesting.

And Betty wasn't really that bad, she was there and they were arguing in a public place and she was right to remind them that Juniors might hear.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 19 Feb 2009, 08:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: An Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene
Matron bent over and sponged the blood away, but it kept on trickling, though even Len could see that it was not so bad as before. Margot had moved round to put an arm round her. Len was thankful for the support. Reaction had her in its grip. She was shaking all over and almost ready to cry. She bit her lips hard and controlled herself. Betty was the most important thing.
Matron had laid her down again and turned to get her First Aid box. “Margot, go to the office and ask Miss Dene to ring through for your father,” she said. “Alicia, go and bring me some hot water - as hot as possible. Len, hand me these things as I ask for them.”
Margot had gone already. Alicia followed at full speed and Len, her teeth clenched, her face nearly as white as Betty's, came to the little trolley Matron had set for with swift but unhurrying movements, and waited up orders.
“Scissors!” Matron said as she lifted the sponge she had replaced.
Len put them in her hand and after mopping away the trickle of blood, she began to clip the hair round the cut as closely as she could. When it was done and the area clear, a nasty jagged place was laid bare. Alicia had brought the water by this time and Matron directed her to pour some disinfectant into it, then she sponged the place carefully. Margot arrived a minute or two later. The doctor had been in San to take a look at the patients there and she had caught him as he left, and brought him straight to Matron's room.
He examined the cut carefully. “I see. Well, a couple of stitches are indicated, I think. And we'll spare these three now. Off you go, girls! Don't worry about Betty. She'll be all right shortly. She's only stunned and she's rousing from that already. Matron has certainly spoilt her beauty with her barbering, but the hair will soon grow and there's nothing deadly in any of this. Now be off!”
They went, Alicia struggling with tears of relief. She was very fond of Betty and it had been alarming to see her lying like that. Len was still shaking and Margot put an arm round her again.
“You go down, Alicia,” she said. “We've missed the walk, of course. By the way, don't say anything about all this until I've seen you, will you? Len, you come back to your dormy. It's been a shock and I'm going to tuck you up under your plumeau and then get you a hot drink from Karen.”
Alicia glanced at Len. What she saw in her white face made her say quickly, “I shan't say a word, Margot. It's not my business!” before she went off downstairs. Margot nearly carried her sister back to the dormitory, where she tucked her up under the plumeau before going off to the kitchens to beg a hot drink from Karen. Karen amiably produced a beaker of hot milk and Margot, having explained that there had been an accident to one of the other girls and Len had seen it and was upset, went back to coax her sister to sit up and sip it. She was rather afraid of what she might find. Len rarely lost her temper and this made her behaviour an incalculable quantity.
She was lying quietly, but her violet eyes had darkened till they looked nearly black and she was still very white. Margot slipped an arm under her shoulders and lifted her, holding the beaker to her lips.
“Drink this, Len. You'll feel better then.” Len sipped slowly. Gradually, the warmth of the milk spread through her, banishing the icy cold which had gripped her when Betty fell. Halfway through, she stopped and lifted piteous eyes to her sister's face.
“Margot! Betty-Betty --- ”
“Didn't you hear Papa? He said she'd be all right in a few days.”
Len was silent. Suddenly, she pulled herself away from Margot's hold, turned over and buried her face in her pillow as she burst into tears. Margot set the beaker aside and gave herself up to comforting her sister.
“Len! My poor Len! Don't cry like that, honey! It's truly all right. Papa even joked about Barbara spoiling Betty's beauty by cutting her hair. Didn't you hear him? Oh, don't cry like that!”
She got her arms round Len again and held her close. Len clung to her, sobbing and shaking, and Margot did her best to soothe her. How long they were there, neither could have told, but there came a light footstep. The curtains were drawn aside and the Head was with them. She had just come from hearing the doctor's report on Betty. He had assured her that an outsize in headaches, a very sore head for the next day or two, and the loss of her locks were the main part of the damage. He had left the girl sleeping quietly and expected she would awake much more herself. Miss Annersley saw him off, went to have a look at Betty for her own satisfaction and then, after a word or two with Matron, had come to ask why Len at least had not come to Prayers. What she saw as she drew back the curtains sent her straight to the bedside, to take Len from her sister and say, “You two have missed Prayers, but I'll hear your excuses later. Margot, go straight to your lesson. Now, Len, stop crying at once and tell me all about it.”
Author:  Alison H [ 19 Feb 2009, 08:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Len's getting a lot of sympathy there.
Author:  Emma A [ 19 Feb 2009, 10:21 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
This is very interesting seen from the opposite opint of view. We're told that Len has a bad temper, just that she keeps it under better control than Margot, but it never seems to ring true. I wonder how Miss Annersley will deal with it?

Thanks, Fiona.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 19 Feb 2009, 12:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
MATRON HENSCHELL had already told Miss Annersley which girls had helped her. When neither of the Maynards had appeared at Prayers, she guessed that one of them - and most probably Margot - had been badly upset. Barbara had very little information as to how the accident had happened. The Head had noticed that Alicia was paler than usual and looked as if she had been crying, so she decided to leave her until she had had time to recover. Len Maynard was the one most likely to be able to give her a clear story. Hence her arrival in Gentian. Having sent Margot off to classes, she turned her attention to the girl who had proved one of the most easiest the school had ever had to deal with. Miss Annersley was hiding her anxiety as to why Len was so upset.
Len had struggled into a sitting position and was mopping her eyes. The Head, with an eye to her face, all puffed and mottled with crying, realised that the girl had had a nasty shock. Knowing Len, she instantly jumped to the correct conclusion that she had had a good deal to do with the matter, for what else would have upset her to this point. The first thing was to get her calmed. Questions could come after.
Miss Annersley's first remark, therefore, was a minor shock. “Really, Len, there can't be any need to scrub your eyes like that. Get up and go and sponge your face thoroughly with cold water. You'll feel much better then. Run along; I'll wait here for you.”
She swung the chair round to the window and sat down while Len, her sobs partly checked by this matter-of-fact way of dealing with things, rolled off the bed and went to do as she was told. When she came back, apart from an occasional choke, she had stopped crying. The water had brought her face to something more like itself and her head, though still aching, felt better. As for the toothache, she had forgotten about it in the throes of her remorse.
“That's better,” Miss Annersley said, regarding her critically. “Tidy your hair and then come with me. Be quick! I'm teaching next period, so I can't waste any time.”
Len brushed out her ponytail, retied it and then turned. “I'm ready now, Miss Annersley.”
“Good! Then come along.”
She took the girl into her own quarters. If they went to the study, there might be half-a-dozen interruptions to cope with.
“Now, Len,” she said when they were in her private sitting room, “what have you to tell me?”
“That it was all my fault – I lost my beastly temper,” Len said in low tones.
“What was all your fault? Betty's accident!”
“How did you manage that, I wonder?” Miss Annersley kept her voice quietly conversational and it helped Len.
“I lost my temper with her -- no; I was in a temper to start with. I was rowing with Margot and Betty said something and - well, I just grabbed the first thing handy and chucked it at her.”
“I see. What did you throw? Try to keep from using so much slang.”
“I'm sorry; I forgot. It-it was one of my book-ends.” Len was crimson as she said this and she refused to meet the keen eyes contemplating her.
The Head was silent for a moment. Then she said, “Quite an unpleasant missile! And a most unpleasant confession from you. You are sixteen now and yet you behaved like one of the little girls in a rage. Really, Len!”
It was impossible for Len to go any redder. She shuffled her feet and said nothing. The Head watched her for a moment. When she spoke again her voice was so incisive that Len jumped.
“Look at me, Len!” Len raised her eyes and, even as Jack and Go had found, felt it impossible to look away. “This is most disappointing. I have never seen you lose your temper childishly before. What excuse have you?”
“I-it was toothache.”
“Toothache?”
“Yes!”
“Yours - or Betty's?”
“M-mine !”
“How long have you had it?”
“Since the beginning of the week - off and on.”
“Why did you not report to Matron at once? You know the rules!”
Len was tongue-tied. Miss Annersley sat gazing at her. An answer was clearly indicated, but how could she say, “I funked the dentist”? She couldn't. But those ice-cold eyes were compelling her to speak. Very like the little girl with whom she had been compared, she faltered out, “I-I didn't want to go to the dentist. I thought - it might go off.”
“Come to the window. Open your mouth and let me see.”
Len was a tall girl, but the Head was just a little taller. She stooped down and examined the mouth closely. What she saw nearly brought an exclamation from her, but she suppressed it in time. She no longer wondered that the girl was looking white with black shadows under her eyes. The tooth was in a bad way. Secretly, the Head doubted if even Herr von Francius could save it. She said nothing about that, however.
“Yes; that will do,” she said. “Come and sit down again. Now please tell me how long this has been going on.”
Len thought back. “Really, I suppose I felt it last week - Saturday afternoon. I was eating toffee and it stuck to my teeth. I had to get it clear with my finger and later, I felt a hole. It didn't begin to ache till Sunday, though, when I was eating Edinburgh rock.”
“I see.” There was a long pause during which Len sat wondering what was going to happen now and the Head revolved many things in her mind. Len's dread of the dentist was inherited. Joey Maynard had gone to ridiculous lengths in her own school days in her efforts to avoid him. At the same time it was absurd for a girl of Len's age to show such cowardice. She looked across at her and decided to speak.
“And so,” she said in measured tones, “because you are a coward, you have come near to killing another girl. If the blow had been less than half-an-inch nearer the temple Betty might be dead now. Do you realize that?”
Len stared at her in silence, her face as white as it had been red.
“Is-is that true ?” she at last asked tonelessly. “Absolutely true.”
Len flinched visibly. “I-I” she stopped. “You see,” said the Head, “to what lengths your unbridled rage might have led you. I am sure you never meant to hurt Betty, but you let your temper get the better of you.”
Len had nothing to say. Miss Annersley looked at her thoughtfully. Between the pain of her tooth and the shock of Betty's injury, she thought she had had nearly enough. She went on.
“You are almost sixteen-and-a-half, yet your own little sister Felicity, who is nine years younger, would be ashamed to behave as you have, done.”
Len was nearly in tears again. “I have such a hot temper. I can't - help it!” she gasped.
“That's nonsense. Margot has quite as hot a temper as yours, but she manages to keep it under control now she is older. Of course you can help it if you try. However, all this is beside the point. I tell you plainly, Len, I am seriously considering asking your parents to remove you. I cannot under-take such a responsibility of someone who can lose control the way you did. I must think of the other girls. As it is I certainly don’t think you could remain as a Prefect. However,” and here the Head softened. “You have always been an exemplarity pupil, so no, I won’t ask you to leave, but I do think you will have to step down as Prefect. Anyone who has showed so little self-control as you have done, should not be in charge of others.”
Len looked down, a sudden flash of light shone in her eyes. Not be a Prefect-oh if only the Head meant it. She had never wanted to be a Prefect in the first place!
Author:  Alison H [ 19 Feb 2009, 12:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Interesting twist at the end there.
Author:  Elbee [ 19 Feb 2009, 12:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Fiona Mc wrote:
Not be a Prefect-oh if only the Head meant it. She had never wanted to be a Prefect in the first place!

It doesn't excuse Len at all, but that feeling is very understandable when she had specifically asked not to have the responsibility of being a prefect.

Thanks Fiona, this is a very interesting different perspective.
Author:  leahbelle [ 19 Feb 2009, 14:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Thanks, Fiona. It was really interesting to read about that incident from such a different point of view.
Author:  Lesley [ 19 Feb 2009, 20:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Interesting, Len has actually been punished here when Margot was not -because Len's outburst was so out of character. Almost as though Margot was being rewarded for always having a bad temper. At least Len doesn't seem unhappy with the punishment - considering that she had asked not to be a prefect it seems to be a blessing.


Thanks Fiona
Author:  Cat C [ 20 Feb 2009, 22:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
Actually, what struck me reading it, was what an unsufferable character EBD had turned Len into by that point.

I can just about swallow Len saying something like:

Quote:
“Very well,” she said quietly. “It's only because I don't want you to have any more pain if it can be helped.”


But on Margot it's just about unbelievable - the kind of thing you'd expect from a sanctimonious maiden aunt. Gah!
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 21 Feb 2009, 01:51 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
I was struck with how very different it reads with Len losing her temper and not Margot, and yet I could see her doing it one day to push off the unbelieveable weight that was put on the poor girl. The next update after this becomes my own

Len looked up. “I understand!” she cried.
“Listen to what I have to say,” the Head returned, her tone softening a little. “I am hoping that the clear knowledge of what might have happened will help you to try harder and to keep on trying. You are to stay here this morning until I come to you again. Until then, I want you to think of what I have said and to pray to God that you may be given strength to fight this bosom enemy of yours. Believe me, child,” her voice was growing kinder, “it is the only way for any of us. Now I must go, but I'll ask Matron to come and see what she can do to relieve your pain until we can take you to Berne.”
“Th-thank you,” Len said shakily. “And - and I'll do - as you said.”
Miss Annersley had risen and the girl rose with her. The Head set her hands on the slim shoulders and looked down into the pale face. “Yes; I know that. And Len, don't despair. You'll win in the end if you really try.”
It was the old kind voice, the old kind glance. The Head left the room and Len was crying again, but quietly, and the worst of her mental pain had gone.
When Matron appeared, armed with basin, mug and lotion, she had pulled herself together considerably. The lotion tasted vile, but it certainly relieved the pain in her cheek. Matron produced another little bottle from her pocket, painted the gum round the bad tooth and tucked her patient up on the big settee with orders to try to sleep a little if she could. Worn out with all that had happened, Len did doze most of the morning.
Meanwhile Margot had gone to lessons with a sense of relief. At least the Head would know all about that tooth now and she would soon settle that part of the business. Betty was not nearly so badly hurt as she might have been and would soon be all right again.
“And,” thought Margot as she sat down after apologizing to the mistress for unpunctuality, “in one way it serves her right. If she'd let Len alone, it wouldn't have happened.” After which she gave it up and immersed herself in work until Break.
Con was the first to come to ask questions. “What on earth made you miss Prayers?” she demanded. “Anything wrong?”
“And where's Len?” Francie Wilford chimed in as she joined them.
“Len's got a vile toothache and the Head walked her off,” Margot replied.
“Oh, poor old Len!” Francie exclaimed. “That means a trip to Berne!”
“Didn't she report to Matey?” queried Maeve who had overheard. “The silly little ass! Why on earth didn't she? When did it begin?”
“I haven't a clue - some days ago, I imagine.”
“And she never reported? Matey will eat her!”
“Oh, well, you know how Len is. Mamma says she was just as bad and Len gets it from her.”
“That's why she's been so touchy, then,” Con commented. “She nearly bit my head off last night for nothing at all. Oh, well, it's the dentist now for her. Poor old Len!”
“It probably means the dentist for a lot more than Len,” Rosamund Lilley said ruefully. “Tooth inspection the moment Matey hears of it, mes amies! I hope you're all prepared for the worst!”
“I'm out of it, thank goodness,” Ted Grantley remarked with some complacency. “I had a thorough doing in the hols.”
“So did we,” Margot said, carefully running the tip of her tongue round her teeth, “but it hasn't saved Len from this last lot.”
“By the way,” Mary Murrell put in, “what's this yarn about Betty Landon banging her head and being concussed? I saw young Gillie in their common room and she and Jack Lambert were full of it. Someone had better jump on them, Maeve, or they'll make a regular penny dreadful out of it. According to Gillie streams of gore poured in every direction.”
“I'll streams of gore them!” Margot exclaimed, jumping up from her seat on the arm of the settee. “I was there and saw the whole thing. Betty fell when ---- ”
Alicia interrupted her. “You go and blanket down those kids, Margot. I was there, too, and can give any poke-nose the whole yarn.”
Margot went off to attend to the morals of the Junior Middles and Alicia told the rest the tale she had already thought out during French.
“All that happened was that Betty hit her head against something and cut it. It was rather a nasty knock and she was stunned at the time. Len and Margot and I were there and we got Matron Henschell and helped her to carry Betty along to her own room to have the place plastered up. As for streams of gore, what else do you expect from Junior Middles? Exaggeration is no word for the yarns that crowd can send round!”
“I suppose she slipped and there was nothing handy to hang on to,” Monica Garstin remarked. “I skidded yesterday myself and if old Mary hadn't been there, I’d have gone headlong. Someone ought to give Karen a hint to tell the maids not to polish quite so vigorously. I'm all for well-polished floors, but there are limits!”
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 21 Feb 2009, 02:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 19/2
The rest is in my own words!

Meanwhile, Len had woken up from her doze. She woke with a start and at first couldn’t work out where she was. She soon remembered and all that had brought her to the Head’s private quarters.
“I hope, I hope the Head meant it when she said I didn’t have to be a Prefect any more. Oh please let it be true,” said Len out aloud, please. She sat herself up and gently touched her cheek. “Thank goodness it didn’t hurt so much, any more.”
After all the pain of the past week, Len was more than ready to face the dentist. Her face darkened, if only it had not taken throwing a bookend at poor Betty. If only Miss Annersley had listened to her in the first place.
Miss Annersley knocked on the door and entered expecting to see a fully penitent Len in the room. She was fully prepared to forgive Len and allow her to remain a Prefect, if she were properly repentant. Len had never lost her temper like this before and she doubted she would again.
“Len, I hope your tooth is feeling much better,” she began.
“Yes thank you,” said Len properly, “but still with a dark look on her face.”
Hilda observed the dark look but ignored it, believing Len was merely upset about what she had done to Betty.
“I’m sure you will be glad to hear that Betty will be alright, you will of course apologize to her.”
Here Len gave an unintelligible sound which Miss Annersley took as acquiescence.
“As you are properly penitent I have decided to rescind my threat of removing your Prefectship,” continued Hilda. “You have always show exemplary behaviour and I expect you will again and we may put this sorry episode behind us.”
At this Len gave a derisive snort.
“Len, I believe you are forgetting who you are talking with,” said Hilda, her voice becoming flinty.
Len looked her Headmistress in the face, her eyes hard and cold and still said nothing, while Hilda looked at her expectantly.
“Helena, I believe you owe you owe me an apology,” and Hilda’s voice cracked like a whip, “you are being extremely rude and I will need to seriously reconsider my decision to rescind your loss of Prefectship.”
“Good,” said Len stormily. “I never wanted to be a Prefect. You made me one regardless of how I felt. I will never apologise, if it means I have to be a Prefect again!”
Hilda looked stunned. She never expected Len to behave or speak like this.
She stared at her and for once was at a loss to know what to say. She turned swiftly and quickly scribbled a note.
“Please take this to Matey and then do what she says. I don’t want to see or talk to you for the moment.”
Len took the note and with a steady look that conveyed her deep and visceral loathing, left the room.
Hilda sat down feeling strangely upset by what had transpired. What on earth had happened to upset Len Maynard like this? She was tempted to call Joey and let her to deal with this. Some deep instinct, Hilda had learned to trust told her not to, and so with a sigh, Hilda returned to her study.
Len Maynard made her way to the San and gave the note to Matey.
The note simply said, Len is not well, please keep her in the San for the next day or two.
Matey looked at Len sharply and seeing the dark look on her face lead her to her bed. “There is no other room because of all the sniffles going around,” she said shortly, “so you will be here with Betty.”
Len said nothing.
“She’s sleeping at the moment and you will need to remain quiet. Sleep is the best thing for her. I will go get your things and you will remain in bed for the rest of the day,” and Matey left the room, soon returning with Len’s things.
Len lay in bed staring at the ceiling and trying to sort out in her own mind exactly why she was feeling so angry about being a Prefect. Now that she was here alone, her temper died off as suddenly as it came.
“Len,” said a feeble voice, “what are you doing here?”
“Betty,” said Len turning somewhat guiltily, “how are you feeling? I’m so sorry for losing my temper like that. I don’t know what came over me.”
“That’s okay, said Betty easily, though you could have knocked me down with a feather to hear you talking like that.”
Len went scarlet. “I wish people would stop thinking I never do anything wrong, she said peevishly
Betty stared at her and then winced with sudden pain.
Len noticing the look of pain, was out of bed in a flash and kneeling beside her.
“I’m sorry Betty, it’s not your fault,” she said remorsefully, “how are you feeling?”
“My head aches a bit,” said Betty quietly, “I don’t think I could stand loud noises. Anyway, what on earth possessed you to lose your temper like that? Persisted Betty.
Len looked at Betty consideringly, unsure whether to share what she was thinking. She and Betty had never been close and though she liked her well enough, she certainly didn’t want her own thoughts broadcasted to all and sundry. And yet Betty had been so forgiving of what Len herself had done.
Author:  Lesley [ 21 Feb 2009, 08:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
Now that's interesting - the toothache and the fact she lost her temper have actually caused her to lose some of her inhibitions and actually say what she thinks.


Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Alison H [ 21 Feb 2009, 08:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
This is much more interesting than EBD's version!

Len shouldn't have been rude to Hilda, but it's good to see her not being so repressed for once.
Author:  MaryR [ 21 Feb 2009, 13:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
I never thought of Len in the books as repressed, just mature for her age and blessed of an equable temperament.

Hopefully Betty will be able to teach her something here.

Thanks, Fiona.
Author:  Cat C [ 21 Feb 2009, 19:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
As I implied in my previous post, I think by this stage in the series, Len had become pious beyond words - I'd guess Oxford, even a nice ladies college in the 1950s or early 1960s would have been a shock.

This is really interesting as a counter-factual version of what would have happened if she'd been given the chance just to concentrate on her own life at school for the last year or two.

(P.S. It's 'exemplary').
Author:  Abi [ 22 Feb 2009, 00:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
Ooh, an interesting development. Maybe Len will be able to develop into a normal person rather than a Perfect Prefect. It's just a shame, as she said herself, it took nearly killing someone to make it happen.

Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 22 Feb 2009, 02:39 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 20/2
Thanks Cat C for the correction-wasn't sure of the spelling and used spell check and took a punt with the options.

Betty eyed her curiously.
“I never wanted to be Prefect, at least not yet,” began Len in a small voice. “I asked Mamma to tell Miss Annersley that, over the summer. Mamma tried but Miss Annersley said I had to. She said I was a leader and the younger girls listened to me. She said it was selfish not to be a prefect because the school had done so much for me over the years and I should want to give something back to the school.”
Betty stared, “but that’s stupid,” she said finally, “you organized the chapel fund, you’ve kept scores of us out of trouble and helped Jack no end.”
“I know,” said Len in a small, tired voice, “but it doesn’t make any difference. No matter how much I do or how hard I try, it’s never enough.”
“When did you start feeling like this?” asked Betty in a gentle voice.
“The term Ted came. We three had a terrific bust up and Mary Lou told me that I had to let the others go and stop trying to interfere or look after them so much and yet my parents always expect me to. That summer holidays, Mike tried to climb down a cliff and got stuck. Mamma fainted, when Mike was finally safe again, and so I had to take of the others. Papa wouldn’t go near Mike, and so he was left to me for three days before Papa would come around, and Mamma was finally well enough to get up again. I wish Mamma was strong enough to look after everyone else in the family. I’m just so tired of looking after everyone all the time.”
“Why did you have to look after Mike?” asked Betty still in that gentle voice.
“Cos he came to me; they all do,” replied Len hopelessly. “It’s never mattered that Con and Margot are the same age, everyone still comes to me. Papa is always saying we have to look after Mamma. I just wish Mamma could cope with things. She always seems to fall into a heap and I’m left looking after everyone else cos Papa is busy with work.”
“Have you tried talking with you parents about this?” asked Betty.
Len nodded, resting her head on her arms. “I talked to Papa. He has helped cos he did get Con and Margot to help out more, but I’m starting to get angry with him that it even happened in the first place. And I’m even more angry with Mamma for not being more responsible. I mean I love Mamma and she’s a lot of fun, but she doesn’t seem to hold things together very well, and I’m left looking after everyone else.”
Betty reached out and held Len’s hand.
“It must be hard holding all that anger in,” she said with a crooked smile.
“It is. It’s been building up for awhile,” said Len near to tears. “Everyone says different things to me. Papa and Mamma both say I have to be careful how I behave cos everyone follows me. And then Miss Annersley says to stop feeling so ridiculously over responsible. But when I don’t want to be responsible, she tells me I’m being selfish and makes me a Prefect anyway. I can’t win. I just feel so angry and resentful all the time. I feel angry at my parents for putting all that responsibility on me; angry at Miss Annersley for not understanding; and now I feel angry at the ones I’m meant to help.”
“What do you mean?” asked Betty her voice quiet.
“I’m angry at Jack Lambert, for believing I wouldn’t keep my word.”
“What do you mean?” asked Betty
“I offered to take Jack and her friends for a walk with me. I couldn’t find anyone to ask for permission and they saw me walking with Maeve and decided to leave their walk and chase after me, but got lost instead. I blamed myself,” said Len tonelessly
“And that’s when Miss Annersley said to stop feeling ridiculously over responsible,” finished Betty with a faint grin.
“And I find I don’t like Jack much or want to help someone, whom no matter how much I’ve helped her in the past, still thinks I’ll be nasty anyway. Even she’s saying, she doesn’t think, I’m nice enough or good enough for her.”
Len sat back, hugging her knee, exhausted by her confession. She stared into space.
Betty gazed at Len thoughtfully. “Do you know, you remind me of Alicia. She’s exactly the same, fearfully responsible and too caught up with doing the right thing all the time. You also both, have a hard time standing up for yourselves! Everyone’s been taking advantage of you and you let them because you’re too nice to say no. You need to stand up for yourself more,” she announced.
“How?” asked Len with a slightly blank stare.
“Len,” continued Betty gently. You need to start being a little selfish. People shouldn’t think they can walk all over you and do what they want regardless of your feelings. And you shouldn’t let them.”
“But what if they need my help?” Asked Len close to tears. “I couldn’t, not help them! I feel so guilty.”
“Your father didn’t see anything wrong with you talking to him about how you feel and he did start getting Con and Margot to help out more, pointed out Betty.
“Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for someone is to let them face the consequences of their decisions and not shoulder half, or all of their burden, otherwise how else will they ever learn. Jack knows she can treat you any way she likes. She’ll never learn to have any kind of consideration for you or anyone else. And what kind of person will she turn into?”
Len stared and started. ‘Margot,’ she thought suddenly, ‘that was exactly what I did with Margot when she tried to interfere with my friendship with Ted.’
“And you won’t resent them as much for taking advantage of you or get angry,” said Betty, unconsciously feeling the bump on her head.
Len looked up. “Do you think I could really do that; that it would be alright?” she breathed.
“It’ll be hard,” said Betty slowly, “Alicia found it really difficult, until I let her practice on me,” she added with a grin. “Now she can stand up for herself. She’s still pretty understanding of others, but she also expects people to show her the same consideration for her that she shows them. You could too.”
Len nodded and smiled back. She could see and way out of all this, thanks to Betty. Suddenly, she could see why Alicia was so fond of Betty. She really was a good friend.
Author:  Chelsea [ 22 Feb 2009, 02:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 21/2
Betty was absolutely lovely there.

And poor, poor Len.
Author:  Alison H [ 22 Feb 2009, 09:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 21/2
Well done Betty.
Author:  Lesley [ 22 Feb 2009, 09:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 21/2
Seems Betty has a lot more to her than just a reputation for 'tactlessness' - she was wonderful there. Poor Len, feeling that she has to help everyone without anyone helping her. Hope she can get through to the Head that she meant what she said about not being a Prefect.


Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Abi [ 22 Feb 2009, 16:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 21/2
Good for Betty, she really hit the nail on the head with her advice to Len. Feeling very sorry for Len though. No wonder she was so angry. Hopefully she'll start to feel a bit more in control after this.

Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Fiona Mc [ 23 Feb 2009, 02:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The Chalet School Triplets-Len's Scene- 21/2
Later when Betty had fallen asleep, Len made up her mind. She would have to talk with Miss Annersley, and explain to her how she felt, regardless of how hard it would be.
Miss Annersley surprised her and listened to everything Len had to say.
“I am sorry Len,” she said, “for not listening or at least understanding your point of view. I think, your parents and I tend to forget exactly how much responsibility we put on you. I had no idea, you felt as responsible for everything, as much as you did.”
Len looked as stunned as she felt at Miss Annersley’s apology.
“I am sorry for how I spoke to you,” she said in a small voice, despite feeling, that if Miss Annersley had listened to her in the first place, she would never have spoken as she did to her. “I have apologized to Betty. She really helped me sort out how I felt.”
“Good, I’m glad,” said Miss Annersley smiling. “Now about being a Prefect. I’m not sure how to proceed. If you do stop being a Prefect, everyone will want to know why and you will get a lot of questions and looks regarding it. Most will see it as a demotion.”
“I know,” said Len troubled.
Miss Annersley looked at her keenly. “I could suggest that you stay as a Prefect. I won’t make you Head Girl when Maeve leaves as I had previously said to you when we discussed about you becoming a Prefect. In fact, I’ll hold off giving you any kind of Senior Prefect position. What do you think?”
Len pondered. She knew she would hate being talked about, as both she and Miss Annersley knew would happened, if she stepped down.
“All right,” she said at last.
“Thank you,” said Hilda. “Len, I do think Betty gave you some excellent advice. You do need to start standing up to people and Jack needs to start thinking more about others. You have always taken an interest in her and helped her considerably and we do appreciate it. Jack now needs to learn to stand on her own feet, and you need to learn to not let her take advantage of you. I think, in order to help you both, we will send her to a different dorm next term. And as a Prefect, it’s important you know more of the Middles than just Jack and her gang.”
“Thanks Miss Annersley,” said Len relieved. “She still felt a little annoyed with Miss Jack and wasn’t inclined to be sympathetic towards her.”
Len was allowed to return after Kaffee und Kuchen and was the recipient of many condolences when she appeared, paler than her wont and with one cheek swelled to such an extent that Ruey Richardson told her she looked lop-sided!
A good many folk had a strong fellow-feeling for her. Matey had duly carried out her tooth inspection that afternoon and seventeen unhappy beings had the melan-choly prospect of a dental visit on the Monday before them. Len remained very quiet all that week-end, but no one wondered at that. With a face like that, she must have a bad time coming to her.
As for Betty, as soon as she was well enough to think over things, she confessed her share in the matter to the Head when that lady came to visit her. She acknowledged that at least part of the blame for what had happened was hers and received a straight talking-to on the subject of tact that left her quite subdued.
“It’s not so much tactless but more, it probably would have been better not to be involved, though I am aware you did interfere with the best of intentions,” concluded Hilda Annersley. “I would also like to thank you for helping to get to the bottom of what was upsetting Len to the extent it did, and for the excellent advice you gave her. You certainly have been hiding your light under a bush. I know in another term or two I am going to have a difficult time choosing Prefects from your form.”
And Hilda left leaving a stunned and touched Betty behind her.Betty returned to school on the Wednesday but, though the rest commiserated her on the cut and the loss of her hair, no one was unduly excited. As Maeve Bettany remarked, for the moment the school thought half-term, talked half-term and even, dreamed half-term. No other topic had much chance with them, and it was only the fear of missing their share of the various treats that kept some of the wilder spirits among the Middles from letting anything so unimportant as school work worry them at all.
Author:  Lesley [ 23 Feb 2009, 06:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
Now that is a more satisfying result - love Len's surprise at receiving an apology from the Head - and her thought that she should have been listened to in the first place! :lol:


Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Alison H [ 23 Feb 2009, 08:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
I like this better than EBD's version!

Thanks Fiona.
Author:  Cath V-P [ 23 Feb 2009, 09:23 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
Len must have felt that she had no control over anything, so to have her point of view acknowledged is an huge step in itself.
Author:  Elbee [ 23 Feb 2009, 09:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
That was a really good alternative scenario!

Thanks, Fiona.
Author:  Emma A [ 23 Feb 2009, 10:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
I have liked both your alternative versions, Fiona - both Margot and Len seem to have gained something worthwhile from your re-casting of the same events. Thank-you very much.
Author:  Abi [ 23 Feb 2009, 21:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
That was a great ending for Len, though she's obviously not reached the end of the road. Still, at least she's actually been listened to now.

A great what-if, Fiona - thanks!
Author:  Chatelaine [ 24 Feb 2009, 12:26 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
This was really lovely, and so much more believable than EBD's account! I liked Betty in this, she reminded me a bit of Con as she's portrayed by other drabblers - more perceptive than most and able to get to the heart of things. It's nice to see her (and Con!) portrayed as being more than just the one defining characteristic.
Author:  MaryR [ 24 Feb 2009, 17:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Alternative to The CS Triplets-Len's Scene-finished
A lovely portrayal of Betty.

Thanks, Fiona.
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