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Stories & Imaginings >> Cookies & Drabbles >> A Challenge for Matey 
(Message started by: Ianswythe on Aug 10^th, 2003, 10:53pm)

Title: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 10^th, 2003, 10:53pm

Posts regarding meals and milk made me start this one.

The first day at the Chalet School was mayhem as usual. Girls were running here, there and everywhere and their voices rang throughout the school. The staff were glad to finally sit down to the usual hearty lunch provided by Karen and her staff and to enjoy the knowledge that their charges were relatively quiet, all in the one room and tucking in with healthy schoolgirl appetites to the excellent food provided. All except one girl that is! At the table presided over by Len Maynard a very new middle was causing some trouble. The first course of vegetable soup had been finished and the plates removed, but when the second course of stuffed veal arrived a clear voice was heard to say "no thank you". Len looked down the table to a small girl of 14 with dark curly hair and large grey eyes. " It's Susie isn't it?" Len enquired, and receiving a nod of confirmation continued "well you are not allowed to refuse meals, except pudding at a push. So take your plate please and begin." with this Len noticed that the new girl had no milk in her glass, " take some milk as well please. Jack fill her glass for her please." As Jack Lambert picked up the jug to do as she was told Susie, covering her glass with her hand, turned a calm look on the senior and said in a self-assured voice " I don't like milk, so thank you but no. And as for the meal,I am a vegetarian so I don't eat meat."
"Cor, we have a strange one here" Jack exclaimed and promptly turned red at the glare Len turned on her. Len was in a quandry, what should she do, She couldn't force the wretched child to eat.
"Now what is going on here?" a small woman in a crisp nurses uniform bustled up to the table.
"Oh, Matron" Len was relieved to see this beloved tyrant, she would soon deal with the new girl.
With that the self-assured voice of Susie cut in "I was just explaining that I am vegetarian and I don't like milk".
By now the entire school was listening to the exchange going on. Not like milk! Never in all it's days had the school been faced with this quandry before. What would matron do?

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Sioned on Aug 10^th, 2003, 11:51pm

We'll have none of that sort of nonsense here" said Matey briskly. "Now be a good girl and pass over your glass to Jack so she can fill it, and eat up your meal; it's perfectly good and nutricious. ALL of you can carry on with your dinner thank you" This last remark was addressed to the whole table, as some of the juniors were looking gobsmacked and sittingopen mouthed with forks half way to their mouths.
"No thank you, I really can't" repeated Susie calmly. "I don't want to eat the meat - I shall eat the vegetables and last on those". With that the new girl picked up her fork and began nibbling a piece of broccoli.
After that mealtime, where Susie had flatly refused to eat a morsel of meat, and Matey had just stopped short of feeding her herself, some of the girls were chatting in the form room.
"I say," said one girl Tabitha Kirk, "That new girl was joly brave to take on Matron like that! I've never really liked the food here but I've never dared to say anything! But if she keeps on refusing like that they'll just have to give her special treatment! And if they can give her different food why not me? I'm going to say something tomorrow! I've decided I want to become a vegetarian."
At this some of her more empty headed friends nodded in agreement. "Me too!" replied Leonora Featherly. "I'llbecome one too!" However, not all her chu,ms were as easily led. "I think you're being ridiculous said Jennifer Simpson. "I'm having nothing to do with it." And with that she stalked off. But that didn't deter the others, and duly, the next day Matron was faced with fresh mutiny to go with Susie's. What on earth was she going to do?!

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Catherine_B on Aug 11^th, 2003, 7:56am

lol. please can you resolve this somehow in favour of vegetarians, so i can attend the CS?

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Sioned on Aug 11^th, 2003, 11:41am

I'm veggie too! But I don't like it when people say they are just to seem 'cool' (eg Leonora)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 5:25pm

The mutiny showed its first signs at breakfast the next day when two middles refused their milk and Kitty refused to eat her porridge. Matey had been called to the san to deal with a suspected flu case, so she was not on hand to deal with the rebels. Instead it was left to the table prefects to try and persuade the girls to eat. Neither prefects nor middles were over anxious to involve the head, as that good lady was in deep conversation with Rosalie Dene for the duration of the meal. Susie calmly made a good meal of rolls and honey refusing all offers of milky coffee and milk and gave no sign of noticing what was going on around her, but many a black look was sent her way by the frazzled prefects.
The real fireworks came at lunch when Susie, Tabitha and Leonora all refused their helpings of stew. Matron descended upon the table looking like a black thundercloud.
"Girls, you will not leave this table until you have each eaten a portion of stew and drunk one glass of milk" and with that Matron sent Len to another table and took her place herself. The meal proceeded in a heavy silence with first Tabitha and then Leonora meekly giving in and accepting their stew (but they were only trying to be cool!) and milk and clearing their plates. Susie however, after casting a speculative look at Matron, put her fork and knife neatly by her plate, folded her arms and sat staring straight ahead. Grace was finally said and the tables cleared in an unnatural silence, but still Susie sat. When the last girl had filed from the spiesalle, all casting curious looks at the defiant little girl, Matron cast the her most ferocious glare on Susie.
"Well Susan, are you going to eat your stew?"
"No. I am a vegetarian, therefore I don't eat meat." Susie bestowed a polite smile on her challenger and then continued her surveillance of the opposite wall.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 5:32pm

woohoo, hurrah and REJOICING for a vegetarian, non-milk-drinking CS girl!!!!!!!

*does little dance to emphasise her joy and elation*

Susie continued to stare fixedly at the wall, unmoved by Matron's ferocity. Just as it appeared that Matron was going to resort to force-feeding the girl, the doors to the Speisesaal flew open, and a tall slender woman errupted into the room and darted towards Matron. She stopped short, however, at the sight of the mutinous Susie sitting before a plateful of cold stew.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:16pm

'Ah, sorry Matey, i mean matron, i didn't realise you were in - discussion - with a middle, i shall leave you!' stammered Joey, shocked by the tense atmosphere and the obvious rebellion on the new girls face.
'Don't leave Mrs Maynard, i dare say you havn't met our latest naughty middle. This is Susan, Susan, i expect you know books like cecily holds the fort and nancy meets a nazi?' said the Matron grimly.
'By Josephine Bettany? I was given one a few Christamses ago, i don't care for them.' replied Susan coldly. Jo and Matey made a sharp intake of breath but Jo was the firts to recover, 'I'm sorry you don't like my stories Susan, but i wouod like to know what is going on here?!'

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:45pm

With a slight sigh, as, by this stage she was sick of explaining herself, Susan repeated her explanation that she was a vegetarian and disliked milk. Jo's eyes widened in amazement at this pronouncement, and (most reprehensibly) she gave vent to a low whistle.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by austriaamy on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:50pm

"My word, we've occassionally had picky eaters before but never a vegetarian!" exclaimed Jo. "What are we going to do with you?"

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by claire on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:53pm

Just to point out that did have a vegatarian there - but Emmerence caved in within a chapter and ate her bacon - major EBDism

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 8:55pm

Barely repressing an urge to roll her eyes at the idea of vegetarianism being akin to mere fussiness, Susan remained stonily silent. Matron, who looked remarkably as if she were about to start breathing flames at any moment interjected at this point with a sudden snort. "If she won't take it I'll put it into her myself!"

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by claire on Aug 11^th, 2003, 9:01pm

"You will stay there susan, until you have eaten all that bowl of stew!" Matey gave the new girl, her sternest glare, before filling Susie's glass to the brim with fresh milk.
An hour later, Joey was still stood at the door way to the room, stunned at Susie's calm assurance that she would never eat meat, as well as the calm disregard that she showed to that lady's books. Matron heavily sat in front of the middle at the long table.
"Are we going to have this problem at everymeal, Susan?" using the girl's full name in her annoynance.
Slowly Susie shook her head, reached forward and picked up a roll and bit into it, as she swallowed her mouthful she replied. "Providing there is no meat then the argument will have no need to occur, Matron. As for regards to the milk, I am not a strict vegan, however, as my mother informed you, I do have a lactose intolerance and the only milk I am compatible with is soya based"

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Catherine_B on Aug 11^th, 2003, 9:06pm

i *love* this! how on earth is matey going to back down? surely even she wouldn't force a lactose-intolerant girl to drink milk?!

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 11^th, 2003, 9:22pm

'Hmph! I've already had - words with your mother on the subject and i fail to believe such a condition exists.' said Matey angrily.
Susie looked up stonily at the Matron, picked up the glass of milk and drained it. 'There now, that wasn't so hard was it!' said the Matron triumphantly.
'It might be soon though, when you see the effects.' replied Susie, she had drunk the milk for she knew that she would be very ill in the not to distant future, she thought it would teach the tyrannical matron a lesson.

By bed time Susie was beginning to feel very sick indeed, her insides were squirming and the slightest movement made her gag, never the less Susie wanted to wait to see Matron until the peek of her reaction.In bed she lay the stomach cramps groing worse until she cried out and was sick all over her bed, the head of the dormy Frances Baker heard the crys and jumped out of bed to see what the matter was. She ran over to Susies cubical and saw a very sick little girl for her reaction was always a serious one. In her alarm she cried out in horror waking Jennifer and Tabitha at the same time. Frances soon gathered her facalties and hurried to wake Matron leaving the two less sensible girls to deal with the sickness.
Frances soon reached Matrons door,
'Matron, Matron, come quick, Susies really sick and groaning in an awful way!' the light sleeping Matron was soon in dressing gown and bedroom slippers but she paled when she heard the story, she could have kicked herself!
'Thankyou fran, kindly go and wake Miss Wilson will you i may need some help, hurry!' Frances did as she was bade and the Matron hurried off to deal with the now very sick girl.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 11^th, 2003, 10:43pm

Matron rolled Susie in a blanket and carried her off to the sick bay. She didn't like to admit it but she was rather worried about the girls condition and she also felt the stirrings of guilt that she was responsible for the illness.
"Susie," she said in a gentle voice, "do you normally take anything for the sickness?"
The pale faced girl shook her head, matron signalled for the nurse to take her place and went to phone for a doctor.

When Jack Maynard arrived 10 minutes later he took one look at the vomiting, shivering girl and promptly phoned for an ambulance. "She is going to have to go on a drip before she dehydrates and we end up with kidney damage." Jack took a look at Matrons pale face and realised that she was badly shaken. Right now however, his priorities lay with the dangerously ill girl and not with soothing Matrons.Instead he made a quick phone call ,by which time the ambulance had arrived to whisk him and Susie away to the san.

When the patient and Jack had left Matron sank into a chair and putting her head in her apron and wept hot tears of guilt. She didn't hear the soft footsteps approach but a cool, clean hankerchief was pressed into her hand and a comforting arm put round her shoulders and Joey's golden voice said.....

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 12^th, 2003, 10:42am

"It's all right Gwynneth, Susie will be fine. What an earth had she been eating to upset herself like that though?"

(sorry, I just wanted to rub it in a bit more... ooh, and the descriptions of the reaction have left e feeling a bit peely-wally myself - I am such a delicate flower ;))

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 12^th, 2003, 11:04am

"Oh Joey" sobbed Matron "I made her drink milk, even though she told me she was allergic to it! I could have killed her!"
(And now because I think it is time we upped the drama stakes here!)
"I think it is time to face the fact that I am too old to deal with modern schoolgirls. Tomorrow I am going to hand in my resignation to Hilda" and with that Matron rose and made her way to her own bedroom, a sad and broken woman.

(Is anyone out there prepared to save Matey from an ignominious departure from the Chalet School?)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 12^th, 2003, 11:12am

Joey sat down limply... she counted Matey as one of the foundation stones of the school, and to lose her like this was to be avoided at all costs. Suddenly Jo sprang to her feet, and tore off after Matron, full of the inspiration which had providentially struck her.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 12^th, 2003, 2:06pm

'Matey, i refuse to let you leave, you've nursed me through illnesses, you nursed my own babies through illnesses, you remember how ill my Margot was with that throat (when is this set?)?' Matron nodded, 'Right then you can't leave, i wont have another person looking after my children!' declared Joey soundly.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by xanthe on Aug 12^th, 2003, 2:15pm

"it's not as simple as that Jo," Matey said wearily. "I made a serious error, and as a result one of the girls is very ill. It would be irresponsible of me not to resign."
"Irresponsible!" Jo cried "You've always done your very best, M- Gwynneth, and saints couldn't do more! You're the best matron we could hope for!"

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Carolyn P on Aug 12^th, 2003, 5:01pm

"Joey, it is the only thing I can do. The girls mother told me about her being lactose intolerant and I choose to ignore her because of my own prejudices, and now that same girl is in danger of her life. What would you do in this situation, resigning is the only honourable option, I am not a spinless jellyfish and I am coming up to retirement anyway."

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 12^th, 2003, 6:51pm

"Oh Gwyneth please don't do anything rash. At least think it over for a couple of days." pleaded Joey.
" Jo it is 3 o'clock in the morning, go home to bed. I need to do what I feel is right." Matron looked tired and defeated so Jo bidding her goodnight, left to return to her interrupted slumber, hoping that daylight would bring fresh counsel.

The next morning matron had an interview with Miss Annersley before breakfast. The head looked grave when she heard what Matron had to say. " I understand how you feel Gwyneth, but really I feel you are over reacting. The wretched child should not have drunk the milk and she should not have behaved in such a defiant, headstrong manner. (True CS blame culture style - blame everyone in the room at the time and throw in a few others who weren't for good measure!) Isn't there anything I can say to change your mind?" Miss Annersley was alarmed at how much matey appeared to have aged in the night.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 13^th, 2003, 10:22am

'No Hilda, i cannot describe how guilty i feel, i would never feel confident in my own judgement again. I wil stay until you find my replacement but then i must bid you a humble farewell.' was Matey's speech, hilda was at a loss for words, matey was a strong capable women, seeing her as an almost elderly women, nearing retirment, not nearly as strong as she had been so many years before, it was difficult for the head.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Clare on Aug 13^th, 2003, 9:44pm

Miss Annersley collected herself together. "Right Matron, I want you to think very seriously about this business of resigning. I am warning you now, I will not tender your resignation until the end of the school year, and then only if the other powers that be agree with me."
Matey nodded. "I expected that" she said as she rose to leave.
"Matey," Miss Annersley said, checking her progress towards the door. "I want you to have this week off. Don't worry about anything, just have a few days to yourself. We had a call from the San this morning, Susie will be fine."
Matey raised a small smile, but slipped wordlessly out of the study and made for the school chapels which had been built as part of the school's coming of age celebrations. Once there, she prayed as she had never prayed before, thanking God that Susie would make a recovery. During her time off, Matey resolved to find out all about vegetarianism so that Susie could enjoy nourishing meals. After about forty minutes, Matey rose and light a candle. When she left the chapel, she headed straight to her room. She needed to sleep.

*Just an aside - I'm envisioning a true CS reconciliation here. Susie becomes dangerously ill again (maybe on a school trip) and Matey recognises the signs and can treat her there and then, thus establishing a life long friendship with Susie. Oh, and she withdraws her resignation* :D But I know this drabble will go its own sweet way....

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 13^th, 2003, 9:58pm

Quote:

I'm envisioning a true CS reconciliation here

When I started this I had the same idea. So anyone who wants Matey to suffer may I just take this oppotunity to remind you that Matey has no one left in the world to call her Gwyneth other than Jo, Jack and Hilda,that she has pulled countless girls, including Jo, through illness after illness, she works ceaselessly for the good of the school and the girls in her charge (Susie was a mistake and she now recognises this and is sorry) and that her bark is worse than her bite and she frequently tucks ill sinners up with a kiss. So please people don't leave the poor woman to die a lonely death as a sad, broken spinster in a single room in a boarding house smelling of cabbage and with no one to mourn her passing , alienated from the school she loved!

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by KB on Aug 13^th, 2003, 11:25pm

Darn it! Just what I was hoping for! ;D

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Lisa_T on Aug 14^th, 2003, 12:15am

goodness, Ianswythe! u must think we have awful minds. SURELY noone would DREAM of doing such a thing.. but your suggestions have probably set off those vicious plot bunnies again...

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Vikki on Aug 14^th, 2003, 3:51am

Hey, you don't want to mess with the bunnies.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................! ;)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 14^th, 2003, 8:11am

I bow to the all powerful plot bunnies and humbly accept whatever their bunny like antics thrust upon Matey! ::)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Rachael P on Aug 14^th, 2003, 9:36am

(Very, very funny Ianswythe!! But I agree - go gently with Gwynneth!)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Carolyn P on Aug 14^th, 2003, 10:37am

Maybe she insists on retireing but becomes a nanny for one of the Maynards?

edited to add She is getting old enough for retirement and it would be an easier life than matron to 400 girls.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 14^th, 2003, 11:30am

Got mugged by a plot bunny and this is the result!

Meanwhile over in Freudeshiem..

Jo collapsed onto a hard kitchen chair and stared at her faithful maid Anna with shocked eyes. “Married Anna! Gosh , I never expected this. Whatever am I going to do without you!” then realising that she was being unfair she leapt to her feet and gave the blushing Anna a warm embrace. “Oh I’m sorry, I’m being a pig. You deserve every happiness in the world. Georg Burnstein is a very lucky man indeed to have got you.”
“I am sorry meine dame, I will miss you and the good doctor and die kinder. But Georg is a good man and I am but 40 so the good Lord may yet bless me with babies of my own.” Anna felt tears well up in her eyes for she would truly miss the noisy, loving Maynard family, but she loved Georg and he her. When she agreed to be his wife she knew it would mean leaving her beloved mistress for Georg owned a large bakery in the city and Anna would have no need to work.
“I’m sure he will. You will be a wonderful mother Anna, you always cared so tenderly for my own children.” Jo gave her a final hug and left to break the news to her husband.
“But goodness knows how we are to manage now” she told him when she had told him Anna’s good news.

(By the way I added this because I like Anna and she deserves better than to be a maid all her life. )

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Lisa_T on Aug 14^th, 2003, 4:04pm

Jack grinned at her slowly. "W-ell, you could always try doing it yourself?" he suggested wickedly.
Joey looked even more shocked at the idea than she had been at Anna's annoucement. Then she gave a feeble laugh.
"Oh, Jack, how you do like to tease! As if I'd have the time between the babies (ed: any babies, you can read trips, quads, quins according to your mood) and my work!" She stopped and thought for a moment, and the anxiety faded from her face. "I wonder..."

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Ianswythe on Aug 14^th, 2003, 4:47pm

My little bit about Anna has turned into a complete story about her. Why do plot bunnies always strike at work?

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Esmeralda on Aug 14^th, 2003, 6:47pm

I am so glad that Anna has finally found lurve! But please let what I think is going to happen to Matey happen.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Vikki on Aug 14^th, 2003, 10:33pm

;DThose damn bunnies are everywhere, it's a population explosion!! ;D

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Carolyn P on Aug 15^th, 2003, 11:17am

on 08/14/03 at 16:04:04, Lisa_T wrote:

She stopped and thought for a moment, and the anxiety faded from her face. "I wonder..."

"You know Matey is still trying to insist that she retires at the end of term, how about asking her to come here and help with the children, she could have the suite of rooms that we decorated for Stacie and so would be quite private when she wanted to, and she would be a huge help with the babies, and her jam making skills are renown"
Jack pondered this, he was not sure that he wanted Matey living in the house with them, the suite of rooms Jo was talking about was not properly self contained, and Matey was, well Jack didn't like to say it, but rather out dated in some of her methods. He was not sure that she would be the best person to help Jo, especially as she was yet another connection with the school.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Esmeralda on Aug 15^th, 2003, 3:30pm

On the other hand, she had no home to return to and he had no wish to see her cast adrift from all her friends, trying to eke out a living from her meagre pension. Furthermore, Susie's illness had made her face up to the fact that there was much to learn about modern life. She had declared herself to be willing to find out about vegitarianism, if she could be persuaded to abandon some of her noxious lotions in favour of newer, more effective medicines, and become generally more open minded, it might possibly work out.

Sorry - I'm just trying to rescue matron, but ignore it if you really must!

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Carolyn P on Aug 15^th, 2003, 10:48pm

I'm happy either way, just didn't want it to be a foregone conclusion and thought it time Jack made a decision instead of Joey. :)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 16^th, 2003, 1:51pm

That evening Jack met Matey in the salon, Joey having been tied up with her children all day was tired and needed sleep, besides Jack wanted to talk to the Matron about her future.
'What do you want to do Gwyneth?' asked Jack first.
'I have handed in my resignation, at the end of the year i am going to move to England and perhaps get a little cottage in the New Forest or something.' replied the matron with certainty.
'I see, do you really want to leave the Chalet school? it has been your life for so long.'
'I must Jack, my methods are outdated, i know that now, i should have listend to the child.' said matron tearfully.
'That can be rectified though Gwyneth, simply come for a refresher course at the san, you can be taught about new medicines and new research.' Jack said, trying to read the womens body language, he had decided that the women was far to set in her ways and too brisk to live in is house.

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by edith on Aug 16^th, 2003, 4:27pm

"Really! I've always been interested in new things, but i never understood them. I never had the chance, the girls here are so lucky, perhaps thats why I'm a bit hard on them. They never knew the starvation of world war 1 or the ridicule I faced when I said I wanted to be a DOCTOR not a nurse!"

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Marianne on Aug 16^th, 2003, 7:09pm

Well my dear, replied Jack, almost amused by Matrons reply, 'I'm not sure we could make you a doctor you don't have the neccassary school qualifications but i certainly can make sure you are up to date on the nursing front.' finished Jack, obviously pleased to be of help.
'Thankyou Jack, in that case i shall come next week, every evening for a lesson or two.'

and she did...

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Lisa_T on Aug 16^th, 2003, 7:19pm

( How about we have Jack and Hilda trying to get Matey back to school, with Joey trying everything under the sun to get Matey to Freudesheim- Matey'd be stuck in the middle since she loves her work and she loves Jo!)

Title: Re: A Challenge for Matey
Post by Carolyn P on Aug 17^th, 2003, 9:50pm

Are you going to write it then...attack of the plot bunnies ;D