Shander wrote:
I know it says it's complete, but I would really like to know what happens to Margot next.
Would be an extremely interesting drabble.
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| No more chances (complete) http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5692 |
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| Author: | Emma A [ 11 Feb 2009, 19:16 ] |
| Post subject: | No more chances (complete) |
Another what-if? here... Text in italics is from Chalet School Triplets. “I see,” said the headmistress. There was a long pause during which Margot sat wondering what was going to happen now and the Head revolved many things in her mind. Margot'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 Margot'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?” Margot 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.” Margot 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.” Margot had nothing to say. Miss Annersley looked at her thoughtfully. Between the pain of her tooth and the shock of Betty's injury, she looked as though 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.” Margot was nearly in tears again. “None - of the others - were born - with such a temper as mine. I can't - help it!” she gasped. “That's nonsense. Len has quite as hot a temper as yours, but she manages to keep it under. Of course you can help it if you try. However, all this is beside the point. I tell you plainly, Margot, that if this is to go on I must ask your parents to remove you. I cannot undertake such a responsibility any longer. I must think of the other girls.” Margot jumped up. “ Not that - oh, please not that!” she cried. “Sit down and listen to what I have to say,” the Head returned, sternly. “No; I cannot decide now what to do with you. In the meantime, 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 and the dentist.” Considerably disturbed by Margot's story, Miss Annersley left the girl in her room, where, hopefully, she would reflect seriously about the lengths to which her temper had taken her. She found Matron to minister to Margot’s aching tooth, then made her way to her study and asked Rosalie to book an overseas call to England, for she must let the Landons know of Betty's injury. She did not anticipate this being a pleasant call. In the mean time, she thought seriously about what she should do about Margot. The youngest of the Maynard triplets had certainly a fiery temper, but they had all thought that was under control, after the indulgences of her youth. Margot was old enough to have better command of herself; one inch or so difference, and she might have had to live her life knowing that she had killed someone. She sighed. Must it come to expulsion? Joey and Jack would be so disappointed in their daughter. She picked up the telephone and asked for a call to St Mildred’s. When this was put through, she asked to speak to Miss Wilson. Luckily, Miss Wilson was not teaching, and came to the telephone promptly. “What’s up, Hilda?” she said, cheerfully. “This is perhaps not the best medium to discuss the matter, Nell. Something rather serious has occurred and I’d like your advice. Could you come here this afternoon?” “Let me see what I have to do...” There was a pause. “I could come straight after Mittagessen, and stay for an hour. Will that be sufficient, do you think?” “I hope so,” the Head said soberly. “Thank-you, Nell.” Feeling more reassured by the prospect of advice from her friend and colleague, Miss Annersley tackled the work she had to do, and was finished with it by the time Rosalie put through the call to Mrs. Landon. “Miss Annersley? Good morning. I do hope Betty isn’t ill,” said the other woman, anxiously. “Good morning, Mrs. Landon. No, Betty isn’t ill, but I’m afraid she has been hurt. It’s not a serious injury, I’m told – a gash to her head that has bled freely – but Dr Maynard thinks that there will be no lasting harm done. I’ve seen Betty, and she’s been bandaged and is in bed, but should be well enough to get up tomorrow or the day after.” “Thank-you for letting me know. How did it happen? Do you know?” Miss Annersley gritted her teeth. “I’m afraid one of the other girls threw something at her.” Mrs. Landon was rather stunned. “Threw something? At Betty? Why? She’s an impulsive girl, but not an aggressive one.” “I’m afraid the girl was in pain with bad toothache which she didn’t report to a matron – an irrational fear of the dentist, unfortunately – Betty said something, I gather, which sparked her temper. I’m not condoning her behaviour at all, Mrs. Landon,” she added, hearing a sound of indignation from the other end of the line, “far from it, merely explaining to you the circumstances.” “I see.” There was a long pause. “I shall have to discuss this with my husband. What measures are you planning to take against this uncontrolled hooligan you have in your midst?” “I have not yet decided,” the Head replied, wincing at the other woman’s justified sarcasm. “It is a serious matter and requires serious consideration.” “I’m glad to hear it. Do give Betty our love, Miss Annersley, and thank-you for letting us know.” Mrs. Landon rang off decisively, and the Head put down the receiver feeling scolded. Rightly so, she thought, wryly. Margot had had every chance; yet still she failed to justify their faith in her. Matron called for a tooth inspection, and a good many others, apart from Margot, were found to be in need of the dentist’s attention. So it was a large party which was taken to Berne that afternoon, lamenting their fate. After Mittagessen, Miss Wilson arrived, true to her word, wrapped up warmly and her cheeks scarlet with cold. Her friend welcomed her eagerly and they sat down together, after the Head instructed Rosalie to make sure there were no interruptions. “So, what’s the matter, Hilda? You made it sound pretty serious.” “It is,” Miss Annersley responded, and proceeded to tell the tale she had got from Len and Margot, and Jack Maynard. Having finished her story, she added, “I threatened expulsion, Nell, but I’ve no idea what to do about it.” “Hmm,” said Miss Wilson, thoughtfully. “Think of it this way. If it had been, say, Con Maynard who made the comment, and Francie Wilford who did the throwing, would you be agonising about whether or not to expel her?” “I think so, Nell. I’ve never expelled a pupil except under the worst of circumstances. Margot is contrite – expulsion would be a terrible thing for her to bear. It is not as if she had hurt Betty deliberately.” “No, but she let unbridled rage get the better of her. One could understand it if she was a child, Hilda, but Margot is sixteen, and ought to be able to keep her temper better than this. Betty may not have phrased her comment tactfully, but she did absolutely right – what if the other girls had heard her speaking to Len in that way? And the other girls ought not to have to take care of what they say in case Margot is upset by it. You have given her so many chances already.” “I know, and that is why I am so reluctant. I feel this could be the making of her.” “At the expense of another girl’s health,” said Miss Wilson unsympathetically. “Margot has a history of anger and disobedience, and this is only the latest incident. The Landons would be quite within their rights to remove Betty; and what if they told other parents?” “But what about Joey?” This was the crux of the matter, though the Head had never voiced it before. “I quite see the problem, my dear. If you decide to expel Margot, I will back you to the hilt with Joey and Lady Russell. You are acting in loco parentis to several hundred girls, and should, I think, consider their good as well as Margot’s.” The Head sighed. “I had so hoped it would not come to this.” * “What?” exclaimed Joey Maynard, incredulously, staring at the Headmistress. “I can’t believe that Margot would do such a thing! She’s sorry for it, isn’t she?” “Yes,” said Miss Annersley, wearily. “But it’s not enough, Joey. She’s sorry every time, and yet she still can’t control herself. Betty could have been killed. I didn’t want to do this, but I’m afraid we can’t allow Margot to stay here. She’ll be returning from Berne this afternoon – she’s been to the dentist – and I’d like you to take her straight home.” “You can’t just ask us to take her away. What about Len and Con?” “I’m so sorry, Joey. I don’t want to have to publicly expel her, but I will, if you leave me with no other choice. Matron will pack her things and I’ll have them delivered to Freudesheim tomorrow.” “What on earth will I tell Jack?” Joey wondered, aloud. “I’ve always tried to keep Margot’s temper from him. He’ll be so disappointed.” “Perhaps it will bring home to Margot that she must not lash out in this unprovoked manner. She has had chances that other girls would not have had, and nothing seems to have worked. I am convinced that this is the only thing I can do, for it’s clear to me that nothing I or the school can do will help her.” “Very well. I’ll come back here just before Abendessen, and collect my poor girl.” “Thank-you.” * Miss Annersley met the girls from the coach, and quietly asked Margot to come with her. They went to the study, and the Head asked Margot to sit down. “How is the tooth?” she asked. Margot was flushed and heavy-eyed, and evidently nervous. “Herr von Francius had to take it out,” she admitted. “I wish I had seen Matron earlier.” “Yes, I expect you wish you had done a lot of things. The horse-shoe nail, Margot, applies to us all. My dear, I am very sorry to do this, but I have considered it the only measure appropriate. Your mother will come to collect you before Abendessen, and you will not be returning to school.” “Not expelled!” said Margot, piteously. “Not publicly expelled, no. I will not tell the girls why you won’t be returning to us. But you must see why I can’t allow you back.” “I’ll apologise to Betty, Auntie Hilda, and I’m truly sorry. Won’t you give me another chance?” Margot pleaded, desperately. “I’ll convey your apologies to Betty, Margot, but I can’t give you another chance. You have had so many, that I think you need a sharp jolt, such that I can’t give you by any punishment which would let you remain at school.” Margot began to cry, thinking of the disappointment of her parents, her sisters, the shame of having to leave the school where she had had so many happy times. Miss Annersley patted her shoulder sympathetically, and let her cry for a while, until the tears began to sound hysterical and shaky. She made Margot sponge her face and lie down on the sofa, and there she remained until some minutes before Abendessen, when her mother was shown into the office. “Come along, Margot, sweetie,” said Joey, her heart aching to see her daughter looking so woebegone. “I’ve brought your coat. We’ll walk back together, and you can tell me all about it.” Margot nodded, shakily, and slid her arms into her school coat. Tears trickled down her face which she was unconscious of shedding, and Joey took her hand as though she was leading a much younger child. “Good night, Hilda,” she said. Margot could say nothing. After they had gone, Miss Annersley felt her own tears come. We have failed her, she thought, bitterly. God bless her. |
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| Author: | Fiona Mc [ 11 Feb 2009, 19:25 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Thanks Emma, Felt sorry for Hilda for having to make such a choice |
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| Author: | blue1 [ 11 Feb 2009, 19:42 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Thank you. Felt really sorry for Hilda there but the expulsion was justified. I always wish EBD had done so for real in the books, if it had been any other girl I believe she would have. ("What?” exclaimed Joey Maynard, incredulously, staring at the Headmistress. “I can’t believe that Margot would do such a thing! She’s sorry for it, isn’t she?”) That piece says it all about Joey really. Margot can do anything as long as she is sorry for it afterwards. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ 11 Feb 2009, 20:02 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
I thought Margot should have been expelled - and poor Hilda, thinking that it was her fault. |
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| Author: | Lesley [ 11 Feb 2009, 20:27 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Yes, how it should have been - thanks Emma. |
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| Author: | Elbee [ 11 Feb 2009, 22:37 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
A difficult choice, but that's how it should have happened. Margot needed a jolt, she'd run out of second chances. Thanks, Emma. |
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| Author: | Cath V-P [ 12 Feb 2009, 00:06 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
What a difficult decision, and yet it might be the only way to help Margot. I've always had a problem with the situation as EBD resolved it. |
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| Author: | Shander [ 12 Feb 2009, 03:05 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Thanks so much Emma. Very moving and very well written. I know it says it's complete, but I would really like to know what happens to Margot next. |
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| Author: | Chatelaine [ 12 Feb 2009, 12:40 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
This was lovely, and a far more sensible account of the aftermath than having Miss Annersley give out to Betty for being tactless! It's a long time since I read Triplets - did no-one tell the Landons what had happened to their daughter? |
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| Author: | Liz K [ 12 Feb 2009, 12:45 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Shander wrote: I know it says it's complete, but I would really like to know what happens to Margot next. Would be an extremely interesting drabble.
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| Author: | JS [ 12 Feb 2009, 14:50 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Joey took it remarkably calmly, all things considered. I'd also like to see more of this. |
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| Author: | Jennie [ 12 Feb 2009, 14:51 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Well done, Emma, the right thing at last. |
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| Author: | Cat C [ 12 Feb 2009, 15:49 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Shander wrote: I know it says it's complete, but I would really like to know what happens to Margot next. Me three! Would predict either Joey wangles lessons for Margot from the CS teaching staff, which given she lives net door would make a nonsense of the whole expulsion thing, or that Jack goes off the deep end despatches her to a strict convent school in England until she goes to Edinburgh. |
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| Author: | jacey [ 12 Feb 2009, 22:02 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
This is very convincing, and makes so much more sense than EBD's fudge. I also would like to see what happens next. |
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| Author: | Sarah J [ 12 Feb 2009, 23:13 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Definitely more appropriate than EBD's take on it all. |
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| Author: | Nightwing [ 12 Feb 2009, 23:22 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
JS wrote: Joey took it remarkably calmly, all things considered. I'd also like to see more of this. Perhaps she considered it a long time coming even if Margot is her own daughter (although I don't think she ever learned about the blackmailing incident, did she?) I liked this Emma - a very sympathetic take on a heart-breaking decision. |
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| Author: | JellySheep [ 13 Feb 2009, 12:28 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Perhaps a comparable incident to that of the bookend is Deira throwing the stone at Grizel in Head Girl[i]. She isn't expelled or obviously punished, so perhaps Hilda thinks that with this precedent she can't expel Margot either in [i]Triplets? Really good story, by the way! It would be interesting to see what happens next. |
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| Author: | Carolyn P [ 13 Feb 2009, 13:08 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
That is very good. You make us feel for Hilda. Joey's reaction is chilling...she looks like she sin't going to blame Margot, rather pet her. Wonder what Madge thought? |
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| Author: | jmc [ 14 Feb 2009, 09:17 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
I always thought that Margot got off rather lightly. Feel very sorry for Hilda though. It is always a difficult decision to expel someone but to have to expel the child of of friend would only make it even more so. Thanks Emma. |
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| Author: | andydaly [ 15 Feb 2009, 12:32 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Emma, that was excellent - and like the others, I would love to know what would have happened to Margot next! |
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| Author: | RroseSelavy [ 15 Feb 2009, 14:44 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
Thanks, Emma - that was perfect for a lunchtime drabble treat. Having to go to school elsewhere could be the making of Margot. |
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| Author: | hac61 [ 15 Feb 2009, 15:58 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
JellySheep wrote: Perhaps a comparable incident to that of the bookend is Deira throwing the stone at Grizel in Head
Girl[i]. She isn't expelled or obviously punished, so perhaps Hilda
thinks that with this precedent she can't expel Margot either in
[i]Triplets? Really good story, by the way! It would be interesting to see what happens next. But wasn't the stone being in Deira's snowball a complete accident? And it was flung at a time of great excitement in the middle of a snow fight not, to my reading, as an act of bad temper. hac |
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| Author: | JellySheep [ 19 Mar 2009, 15:03 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: No more chances (complete) |
As I remember, not quite. Not the exact words, but Deira grabs something (the stone) lying on the ground and throws it, so blinded by rage that she doesn't think properly. It wasn't in the snowball. |
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