|
||
|
Title: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 1st, 2003, 10:48pm I posted a query in the 'Inspire and Challenge' bit, under the CS & Shoshana (sp?). I don't know if anybody's seen it, but nobody has replied and I want, nay DEMAND a response :-) so I'll copy it in here! >>Oddly enough, having just discovered this thread, I have the first part of a story written about a pagan girl who goes to the CS (as that's my religion). I began it because I always wondered how the school would cope with something that was a) so different from anything they may have come across, and b) how would their Christianity view it. A lot of Christians see pagans in all and any form as being akin to the Witch of Endor and the sleeper of Babylon rolled into one. I think that they'd try to be accepting as they have a fairly broad view ("All roads lead to God"), but of course the girl would not attend prayers and face some kind of prejudice from some of the girls. Also what would she do during scripture and Divinity lessons? Let me know what you all think - I'd be interested to find out!>> *waiting for response, but scribbling madly!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 1st, 2003, 10:59pm Sounds intrigueing. I personally know next door to nothing about Pagans, but it could be interesting seeing how the CS would accomodate someone with such a different ethos to their own. BUT would the school actually accept her if she was unprepared to accept christianity? As it is a privately run school, they would be entitled to turn her down or not offer her a place, whatever, unless she would accept a christian teaching. I suppose you could get her in via the route of close relative goes to the San, nowhere else for her to go, Hilda agrees to accept her on a trial basis etc, but as christianity is a huge part of the CS make-up, I think it would be difficult your heroine to fit in. Good luck with it though - I shall watch this space with interest :) Rachel ~ with interest aroused. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Jennie on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:14am Paganism nowadays just means non-Christian, so the girl could be Muslim, Buddhist, Shinto or any other accepted religion. I've known girls of all these faiths when I was working in independent schools. Without exception, they had to attend Assembly/Chapel in the mornings, but did not have to go to church on Sundays. However, they had to spend church time in quiet (supervised) contemplation or reading from their own religious texts. Does this give you any help, I hope it does. Depending on the time when you set this story, you may find that the RK syllabus requires knowledge of other religions, so she would fit into the RK lessons perfectly well. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by PatW on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:22am on 09/02/03 at 09:14:33, Jennie wrote:
I always understood Paganism to be people like Druids and modern Witches (they prefer some other name, but I'm having a 'Senior Moment', and can't remember it!). Basically the people that go to Stonehenge for the solstice. I work with one, and he tries not to talk about it much 'cos he thinks he'll offend me!!! He's an idiot! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Jennie on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:35am It does also include these religions, you are right to say that. I believe that Wicca and Druidism should be accepted religions, as they are ancient and venerable in a lot of ways, I also think that it might be easier if Shoshana were to be one of the other world religions, I forgot to include Hinduism & Sikhism. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:49am I was just about to post when Pat got there first. Both Pat and Jennie are right. Any non-Christian religion is classed as Pagan, but Buddhists, Hindus etc wouldn't call themselves pagan. Those who do call themselves pagan are those who follow pantheons such as the old Greek, Norse, Celtic gods (and others, but this isn't a religion discussion so I'll be as brief as I can!) which does include Druids and Wiccans (modern day witches - but not all witches are Wiccan, just ot be confusing). It was somebody with these beliefs that I was going to use and see how it went. The plot bunny is being mean and not telling me the whole story yet, but it has set it just after Joey and Co in Tyrol, so both Miss A and the Maynards can be involved. Anyway, I'll try and post the first part of this story soon, just to see what you all think. It won't be immediately as I have to go to the shop for some bread and milk, and I need to eat today (if the Bunny will allow me!!!) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:49am Well, here's the first part. Let me know what you think! Miss Annersley looked up from her letters as there was a tap on the door and Jack Maynard strode into the room. ‘Morning Hilda,’ he said, brightly. ‘Good morning, Jack. What are you doing here; I thought you were at the Tiernsee? Hilda put her pen down and glanced at the clock. Half past ten. She stretched out a hand and rang the bell. ‘I was, but I had to come back for a couple of days. We’ve been expecting a new patient and she arrived the day before yesterday, and she’s rather worse than we thought.’ Jack looked serious, thinking about the woman who was lying at the San. ‘Is it bad?’ asked Hilda, gently. Jack nodded, and looked up as the study door opened again, ‘Coffee please, Miggi,’ said Hilda, to the young Swiss girl who stood there. Miggi nodded, curtsied and left the room. Jack looked up at his old friend. ‘I’m more worried about her daughter,’ he said, and suddenly grinned, ‘She’s one of triplets, believe it or not. Two boys and a girl! Anyway, the two boys are to live with an old uncle. I believe its Mrs. Arden’s uncle. Anyway, he’s refused point blank to have Lulie. Says he wouldn’t know what to do with a girl. I was wondering…’ ‘If we could have her here?’ finished Hilda, ‘Well, we have room. How old is she?’ ‘Fifteen, I believe. The same age as my triplets. She’s a very pleasant girl, they all are. I met the three of them this morning for a quick chat. They insisted that I tell them the worst! I think she’d fit in well, and she can speak French fluently, and some German, so there’s no problem there.’ ‘Isn’t that unusual? Most of our new girls come to us with very little other than their native tongue, apart from the daughters of old girls!’ ‘Well, Mrs Arden is Russian. Her family had to get out during the Revolution, and they went to France. I don’t know where the German came from, but Lulie can manage with the Swiss lay sisters in the San, so she should be fine here,’ ‘You’re keeping something back from me, Jack. Come on, what is it?’ Miss Annersley wasn’t Head of a large school for nothing, and she’d known Jack for a long time, long enough to know when he wasn’t telling her something. ‘Well,’ Jack looked rather hesitant, ‘There is one problem. It’s her religion.’ ‘Oh, and what’s wrong with it?’ A thought struck Hilda, ‘She’s not Russian Orthodox, is she?’ ‘Oh no, though that wouldn’t be so much of a problem. No, the whole family is Pagan’ ‘What?’ Hilda was shaken out of her habitual calm, ‘What’s that?’ ‘I’m not so sure. I did ask, but Lachie, he’s the eldest, seemed less than forthcoming with details. I gather it’s some kind of nature worship. Though you might get more out of the other two, they kept trying to speak, but Lachie wouldn’t let them.’ Jack grinned as he remembered the scene. ‘Perhaps I could go and have a chat with, what did you say her name was?’ ‘Lulie. They’re Lachlann, Leighton and Louisa Arden, known as Lachie, Lev and Lulie!’ ‘I should think so. That lot’s too much for everyday use,’ was Miss Annersley’s response. ‘Yes, perhaps I could go and visit Mrs Arden, when she’s able to have visitors, and see the children while I’m there.’ ‘Would you go and see the kids anyway, Hilda. They don’t say much, but they’re frightened. They might feel better for a freidnly face. The other people at the holtel are too wrapped up in their own problems to do too much with them. I’ve asked Biddy to go down and invite them to Kaffee and I’d appreciate it if you’d do the same. Do you still think you can take Lulie?’ ‘I don’t know, Jack. Religion is a main part of the girl’s education here, and I don’t know how we’d accommodate somebody who wasn’t Christian. I mean she can’t just miss Prayers every day, not just one pupil. I’ll talk it over with Nell and Matron, and the other staff, and see what they think.’ ‘Right you are, Hilda. It’s your decision, of course,’ Jack drained his cup and got up, ‘Anyway, I’ve got to go. I want to make sure everything’s all right. I promised Joey I’d get back to the Tiernsee tomorrow.’ Left alone, Hilda leant her elbows on the desk and put her chin in hands, thinking. Even though he hadn’t said anything, she knew Jack was disappointed that she hadn’t said yes straight away. What was she to do? It was clear that the girl had nowhere else to go, and if her mother was to be here for some time, she needed her education. But religion? Miss Annersley had never met anybody who wasn’t a Christian, and she’d never even heard of Paganism before. What on earth did they do. She was certain that she’d heard somewhere of a nature religion that danced naked in the moonlight. What if this girl was one of those people? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:54am Very good! You've done this very well for such a difficult subject to be introduced. I don't think I would be brave enough to tackle asubject like this - mainly because I'm with Miss Annersley in knowing nothing about Pagans! Rachel ~ assuming that they don't all dance around naked in the moonlight but not 100% certain ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:57am [quote author=Rachel link=board=drabble;num=1062452936;start=0#7 date=09/02/03 at 10:54:23Rachel ~ assuming that they don't all dance around naked in the moonlight but not 100% certain ;)[/quote] Thanks for the flowers. And no, they don't. In fact, very few do. I don't think we quite have the climate for such frivolities! *goes and has a hot bath and hot milk at the mere thought of dancing outside naked* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 2nd, 2003, 11:04am Definitely nicely handled - and definitely an interesting question. Looking forward to more Ray *giggling at the prospect of anyone dancing naked in England except during high summer!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Esmeralda on Sep 2nd, 2003, 11:25am A very interesting proposition, and one which could lead to a number of different reactions and potential storylines. I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 2nd, 2003, 11:39am A very interesting idea, especialy as an alternative rather than future story. It will be interesting to see how you develop it. I presume you will have a variety of the various possible reactions, from the interested and accepting to the condemnatory. It will be interesting to see how her presence makes the girls think about their own faith. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Marianne on Sep 2nd, 2003, 11:44am Looking forward to reading the rest, for once i wont add my own comments about Paganism since i know nothing! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Clare on Sep 2nd, 2003, 11:51am One of my closest friends is a Wicca - I'm really interested to see how you develop this. We've had a good few discussions about religion between us, and he assures me he's only ever gone skyclad twice. Looking forward to reactions from the CS girls. :D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sioned on Sep 2nd, 2003, 12:52pm I really really like this story and idea Lulie - please carry on! :) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 1:53pm *Not a very exciting installment, but it may be necessary for later.* Later that afternoon Miss Annersley decided that mulling over the problem hadn’t done her head any good. She was alone for the present, as the other staff were all away on holiday. Matron would be back in time for Kaffee und Kuchen, but that didn’t help her now. She decided to get the car out and drive over to the San, to see if she could find the triplets. It would do no harm to get to know them, even if Lulie didn’t come to the school. ‘It might even help me decide,’ mused Hilda, putting her hat on, ‘I can see if she really is our type of girl, though I’m sure Jack wouldn’t have asked if she could come here if she wasn’t.’ Hilda parked the school car outside the San and went to find Matron Graves, to ask after the Arden children. ‘I sent them outside,’ said Matron, ‘They won’t have gone far, the poor things are far too worried about their mother.’ ‘And how is Mrs Arden?’ asked Hilda, in a low voice. Matron shook her head, ‘Not so good. She was very ill when she arrived, and hasn’t responded very well to treatment yet. Jack wants to try something new on her, but has to build her strength up first. Go and find the children, Hilda, they may need all the friends they can get soon,’ Feeling troubled, Hilda went into the pretty gardens of the San. She didn’t have to go far before she heard voices close by. ‘It’s all right for you,’ came a girl’s voice, ‘you’re going to stay with Uncle Philip, but he doesn’t want me. Mama’s too ill to be worried, but what happens when the holidays are over? Where am I to go then?’ Hilda was struck by the tone of the voice, which she guessed to be Lulie speaking. It sounded so lost. ‘Don’t look like that, Lu,’ came another voice, one of the boys, ‘Lachie and me are going to write to Uncle Philip tonight and ask again if you can come too. Your school’s next to ours, and he’s got Mrs Butler to look after him. It’s not as if he lived totally alone,’ ‘Or there’s a school up here,’ added Lachie, ‘Dr Maynard told me so. He said his daughters went to it and it’s a boarding school. Maybe they’ll let you go there, and then you’ll be near Mama, which we won’t be when school starts again,’ ‘But they’ll think I’m strange. Everybody thinks we’re strange cos we don’t go to church and I hate it. Why can’t we be like everybody else?’ Lulie choked back a sob, and Hilda, unable to face such misery, took a step forward. She saw three young people, all obviously related they looked so alike. The girl was curled up in a heap on the floor, sobbing he heart out, while two rather uncomfortable looking boys were trying to comfort her. ‘Do you want to go to church then?’ one was asking, rather tactlessly. ‘No,’ sobbed Lulie,’ I just want to be seen as normal and not some kind of freak,’ she howled louder this time and the two boys looked helplessly at each other. Suddenly realising she was eavesdropping, Hilda stepped forward, knelt and put her arms around the sobbing girl, ‘Don’t cry, dear,’ she said, gently. Lulie gave a gulp and stared at Miss Annersley, ‘But…but…I want my mother to be well again,’ ‘I know, but crying like this isn’t going to help her. Come on, here’s my handkerchief. Dry your eyes, and try not to cry, or you’ll make yourself ill, and then your mother really will worry,’ Lulie scrubbed her eyes with the cool, clean handkerchief and glanced at the lady who was so kind. Her two brothers were also staring at Miss Annersley, though in rather an embarrassed way. ‘I’m Miss Annersley,’ said that lady, deciding to move things on, ‘I’m the headmistress of the Chalet School at the other end of the alm. And you, I know are the Ardens.’ Lulie smiled in response to the Head’s own smile and said rather shakily, ‘I’m Lulie, and these are my brothers Lev and Lachie,’ She held out a hot, sticky hand and Miss Annersley shook it. ‘Would you like some tea?’ asked Lev, rather suddenly, ‘We usually have ours at the hotel, and you’re welcome to join us,’ He deliberately ignored the glare he received from Lachie and turned a rather charming smile on the Head. ‘Thank you, but not today. I’m expecting somebody for tea,’ replied Miss Annersley, ‘But I’d like the three of you to join me for Kaffee und Kuchen tomorrow afternoon, if you have no other arrangements?’ The three looked cautiously at one another, and it was Lulie who spoke this time, ‘No, we have no plans. Is that at the school?’ ‘Yes,’ Miss Annersley got up and dusted down her skirt, ‘If you come at sixteen hours, I’d be very pleased to see you. Now, why don’t you three go and have your tea early, and Lulie, if you have a headache dear, have a lie down afterwards,’ ‘Yes, Miss Annersley, thank you Miss Annersley,’ replied Lulie, with a meekness that startled the other two. With a final smile, Hilda went back to the car and arrived at the school just in time to meet Matron coming down from unpacking her case. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 2nd, 2003, 1:59pm Nicely done :) Very good introduction to the triplets - it'll be interesting to see how things unfold. Ray *noting that without these bits, the exciting bits are meaningless* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 4:54pm ‘There you are, Hilda’ she exclaimed, ‘Miggi said you had gone to visit the San. There’s nobody there we know is there?’ ‘No, but Jack came to see me today, with a bit of a dilemma,’ replied Hilda, resisting the urge to hug Matron, she was so pleased to see her. ‘Let’s have Kaffee and I’ll tell you about it. I certainly need some advice, and what I saw when I was out certainly puts a different light on the matter,’ Looking bemused, but recognising that Hilda would not give anything away until she was ready, Matron followed her Head to her private sitting room, where she rang for Kaffee. Hilda kept the conversation on light topics, such as Matron’s holiday in Wales with her sister, until Miggi arrived with the coffee and some of Karen’s delicious Welsh cakes. Once they were both sitting comfortably with a cup of coffee and a cake, Matron said, ‘Now you can tell me what you are being so mysterious about. Why did you visit the San this afternoon and what has Jack been telling you?’ Sighing, Miss Annersley gave Matron a brief account of Jack’s visit that morning. ‘And are you going to take the girl?’ asked Matron, draining her cup and holding it out for a refill. ‘I don’t know. At first I was inclined to say no, our religion plays such an important role in the education of the girls and I don’t think that there is any way we can allow Lulie to miss prayers or church. But I went to see them this afternoon, and, oh Matron it was awful,’ Her eyes full of sympathy, Matron listened again as Miss Annersley told her of her meeting with the Arden triplets. ‘Poor souls,’ she said, ‘But feeling sorry for the child is no reason to take her when you have such misgivings otherwise.’ ‘I know, but it struck me that my inviting the three of them to Kaffee would be an excellent opportunity to find out more about the things that they believe, and if there was any way that we could accommodate Lulie in the school, then I’m willing to try it, for a term or two at least. From what Jack says, Mrs Arden isn’t likely to live much longer than that, and Lulie would probably go home to the rest of her family’ ‘Who don’t appear to want her,’ put in Matron, ‘What if their Uncle still refuses to have Lulie once her mother is dead. What happens then if we find we can’t keep her at the school?’ ‘I don’t know. Oh, I wish Joey were here. She knows girls so well, she could advise us, I’m sure,’ ‘But could she?’ Matron didn’t enjoy playing Devil’s Advocate, but in this case she felt she had to. Hilda was so soft hearted that she would allow this girl to come to the school, and perhaps not think through in the long term. ‘Joey’s religion is very important to her, Hilda, she may not see things as she usually does because of it,’ ‘But Jo is also very open-minded. I remember her saying more than once that there are many roads to God and people take the one that suits them the best,’ ‘Well, there’s not much we can do at present, as you’ve already invited them to Kaffee. Let’s see how tomorrow goes, and keep Joey’s maxim in mind. There may be something we can do. Do you want me to be there?’ ‘Initially, yes, but we can leave later to take care of itself. I’d like a second opinion, that’s certain.’ The next afternoon, promptly at sixteen hours, or four ‘o’ clock, the three Ardens knocked, rather nervously, at the front door of the Chalet School. ‘I’m beginning to wish we’d never said we’d come,’ whispered Lulie, wiping her hands down the front of her pretty lilac frock. ‘Well, you’re the one who said it. I wouldn’t, not to somebody I’d just met, and in that way too!’ hissed Lachie ‘Oh, shut up,’ retorted Lev, rudely, ‘I thought she seemed a nice lady. And it’s only tea; we won’t be here that long if it’s awful. Just cos Lulie made you put clean clothes on!’ As this was partly true, Lachie couldn’t respond. Also, Miggi opening the door prevented him from speaking. ‘Hello,’ said Lulie, in her best German, ‘We’ve come to see Fraulein Annersley, she’s expecting us,’ ‘Come in, who shall I say is calling?’ asked Miggi, standing back to allow them into the house. ‘Lulie, Lev and Lachie Arden,’ Miggi led them to Miss Annersley’s private sitting room, where she was awaiting her visitors. ‘Der Herren Arden und die Fraulein Arden,’ announced Miggi, stumbling over the unfamiliar name, and making it sound more like ‘Arten’. Lev choked and was given a sharp prod in the stomach by his sister, just before Miss Annersley rose to her feet to welcome them. *Please forgive me if I've made glaring mistakes in the German. It's ten years since I even thought about it, let alone wrote any!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 2nd, 2003, 5:12pm More very good stuff. More soon? Ray *just because patience is a virtue, impatience isn't a vice* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 6:41pm on 09/02/03 at 17:12:41, Ray wrote:
Keep practicing those vices! I'm typing as fast as I can (and as fast as the plot bunny will tell me the story). I've had to take a break to be a good Chalet girl and go and make a nourishing meal from some old cheese and one of Jack's undarned socks :P |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 7:39pm Taking her seat in the pretty sitting room, Lulie noticed another lady sitting in a chair by the unlit fireplace. ‘This is Matron Lloyd,’ said Miss Annersley, ‘She’s the head matron of the school. I hope you don’t mind her joining us, but she did want to meet you. Matron this is Lulie Arden and Lev and Lachie’ As Lev and Lachie were identical, and Miss Annersley didn’t know which was which, she merely waved her hand in their direction. Once the introductions were over, and everybody was served with milky coffee and one of Karen’s cakes, Matron began the conversation with a question about their mother. Once the initial shyness had worn off, the triplets chatted away cheerfully, Miss Annersley carefully avoiding any “sensitive” topics until they’d had a good meal. Finally she felt she could delay the moment no longer. Laying her cup and saucer on the little table next to her, Miss Annersley said, ‘Lulie, I don’t know how much Dr Maynard has spoken to you about your future, but he did come and see me about it yesterday,’ Lulie brightened at her words, ‘Nobody’s said anything to me, apart from Uncle Philip and he doesn’t want me,’ ‘Well, Dr Maynard came to see me yesterday morning to ask if there was space for you in the school, so you could be well looked after and near to your mother. From an educational point of view I have no problem with that, there is room for you. But you must realise that this is a boarding school and so we have to look at the pastoral side too,’ Lulie was looking a little puzzled at the new word, ‘That is, we take care of you in the same way as your parents would out of school. Now we have a very strong Christian ethos in this school and I understand from Dr Maynard that you and your family are…er…not Christians?’ ‘That is right, Miss Annersley,’ Lulie, indeed all three triplets were sitting very straight in their seats, with expressions of the utmost politeness on their faces. Had the situation not been so serious, both Matron and Miss Annersley would have found it funny. ‘I’m afraid it’s a religion that I know nothing about, so I was wondering if you would mind explaining something of your beliefs to me. You see, I do have reservations about taking you on as a pupil if there is no way we can accommodate your beliefs without compromising our own,’ ‘I quite see your point, Miss Annersley,’ said Lulie, politely, ignoring a glare from Lachie, ‘I know there was the same problem at my other school, in England, though that was a day school so there was only morning prayers and scripture lessons to consider,’ Matron was forced to bury her face in her cup for rather longer than was necessary. Lulie was so polite she sounded almost like a parody of a Society lady! Lev thought so too, as he was gazing at his feet, pulling the most peculiar faces in an effort not to laugh. Lachie was busy dividing his time glaring at first his brother, then his sister. Lulie, meanwhile, was ignoring everybody else in the room and, concentrating on Miss Annersley, did her best to explain paganism to the lady she hoped would become her headmistress. *Do you want me to write in the explanation? I don't want to bore you all to tears if its something you don't want to know about, and can easily copy&paste round it* *Lulie sets Phoebe the cat to chasing the Plot Bunny. Phoebe is more interested in birds - Bah, useless cat!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lesley on Sep 2nd, 2003, 8:12pm Yes please - think we should hear exactly what Hilda hears! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 2nd, 2003, 8:32pm Absolutely :) Don't skip the important descriptions ;) Ray *eagerly awaiting more* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 2nd, 2003, 8:46pm Since I have already owned up to being as ignorant as Hilda on the subject please provide the details! Rachel ~ ignorant but knows it :D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:13pm This is very very simplified, otherwise I could babble on for hours, and I'd confuse me, confuse you and confuse Hilda! Feel free to ask questions though, either here or PM me if you don't want clog up and go off topic. (as if we ever go off topic ;D :o ;D) ‘Well, it’s quite simple really,’ she began, rather hesitantly. Having had all too much experience in the past of prejudice, she was a little reluctant to court some more. ‘Instead of worshipping just a God, like you do, Pagans worship the divine in both a Goddess and a God. There’s lots of different ways of doing it, and different people have different names for them, depending on which God and Goddess they use. Some people think they’re the old Celtic gods, some the old Norse gods and some the old Greek gods, and there’s lots more but I’m sure you get the idea. Anyway, we see the God and Goddess actually as a part of nature, they didn’t create it, like you see your God doing, they are it. Am I making sense?’ ‘I think so,’ Miss Annersley was frowning slightly, trying to make sense of it all. ‘And instead of prayers, we hold rituals. Some people do that outdoors, but we do ours indoors, mainly because we live in a town and we don’t want to offend anybody. We draw an invisible circle round us and then ask the God and Goddess to be present in our working, then we ask for whatever we need help or advice with, then we always say thank you afterwards and close the circle down. And we also use things like a chalice to hold wine and an athame, which is like a ceremonial knife, and wands. Of course, we aren’t allowed to go to full blown rituals because you can’t go to them until you’re eighteen and old enough to decide for yourself which path you want to take, but Mama and us hold our own at home. She won’t let us have an athame or wine either, because we’re too young. Of course you can ask for things any time you like, without a ritual, but it’s all a matter of personal choice.’ ‘And we have different festivals to Christians,’ added Lev, ‘Our most important ones are at midsummer and midwinter, as well as others for spring and harvest, and at what you call Hallowe'en, but we call Samhain,’ ‘It can get more complicated that that,’ said Lulie, ‘but that’s the basics,’ ‘You forgot something,’ said Lachie, having noticed Matron and Miss Annersley exchanging looks, ‘we have a…a…rule, I suppose you’d call it. Like you have the Ten Commandments. Most pagans live by some form of it, but we say ‘An it harm none, do what thou wilt’ which basically means that you can do anything you like, but it has to harm nobody, including yourself. That prevents anybody from doing anything wrong, unless they’re a bit daft in the head,’ Both Matron and Miss Annersley bit their lips at this description and Lev did more facial contortions! Lulie gave Lachie a rather dirty look, but turned once more to Miss Annersley, ‘I think we’ve covered everything, Miss Annersley,’ ‘So what did they do at your other school?’ asked Miss Annersley, once Lulie had finished speaking. ‘I had to attend prayers, but the Head didn’t mind if I didn’t join in all the responses, as it would be hypocritical of me to do so. I used to sing the hymns, because I like singing, but I didn’t have to. Of course, it was a day school so we didn’t have to worry about church on a Sunday, but if there was any special service held during school time I didn’t have to go, I stayed at school instead and studied my pagan books, or sometimes I’d do a ritual in my head. Oh, and I didn’t go to scripture lessons, I had extra art one day and extra sewing the other, but I didn’t mind, they’re two of my favourite subjects,’ ‘I see,’ Miss Annersley looked thoughtful, ‘Well, Lulie, I’m afraid that I can’t say yay or nay to your coming here as a pupil in September, but I will certainly think about it and discuss it with Matron and my colleagues. Don’t look so disappointed, my dear. I haven’t said no yet! I have to see if we can make similar concessions to your other school without harming the other girls. We can’t change everything, just for one girl, I’m afraid or we’d have chaos on our hands.’ Miss Annersley waved her visitors off from the front door of the Chalet, and turned to go back inside when she saw Jack Maynard coming towards her from the path leading to Freudesheim. ‘Jack, what are you doing here? I thought you were going back to the Tiernsee today!’ ‘Change of plan,’ grinned Jack, ‘The ceiling’s come down over the Speisesaal and I must stay for another couple of days until it’s mended. I expect to go back to Joey on Monday. Was that the Arden kids I saw leaving?’ Miss Annersley’s smile vanished, ‘Yes, I’d invited them for tea and a theological discussion,’ ‘And?’ ‘I think it’s a yes, but I shall discuss it with Matron, who returned yesterday. Will you come?’ ‘Are you going to talk now? I can spare half an hour, and no more,’ The outcome of their discussion was that Lulie was to come to the Chalet School in the September. She was to stick to the same alternatives as she had had at her old school, to see how it fitted in with the rest of the girls. Lulie was ecstatic. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:18pm Nicely handled. So, how soon is September coming round in the drabble land? Hint hint :D Rachel ~ enjoying reading other peoples' drabbles and being able to chant for more |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:21pm Definitely nicely done - and very clearly explained too :) Good job. Ray *joining Rachel in chanting for more* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:29pm I wonder, with her missing scripture lessons, could this make the girls realise how little they know of other faiths and ask for religious studies lessons which L could attend as they are factual rather that faith based. I wonder what the staff reaction to that would be. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Nicola on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:36pm This is .... *goes to find the thesaurus to look up alternative superlative* ... pah! useless book! Nothing works! I often thought that for the time they were written, that the CS characters were remarkably open minded about religion, but it was always other forms of Christianity that they were being open minded about. It's really interesting to see how they might have handled a completely different faith. I would like to add my appreciation of the description of what exactly they believe/do, because not only is it interesting - like some of the others I knew little about it - but how they act later is probably going to hinge on it. Brilliantly written too. *goes off to hunt bunnies in the hope that one can teach how to write like this* ps. MORE PLEASE :) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 2nd, 2003, 9:41pm on 09/02/03 at 21:29:50, Carolyn P wrote:
WAIT AND SEE. Mwhahahahahahaha!!!!!!! P.S. I hope my plot bunny isn't whispering secrets in your ears. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:10pm So do I. I have enough trouble feeding my own plot bunnies. My little effort is at 28, 489 words so far, about 20,000 more than I had thought! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Esmeralda on Sep 3rd, 2003, 1:54am I can't wait for the beginning of term (and that's something I never, ever said in RL) I would also like to thank you for the background info; I like reading stories which teach me about subjects which I know nothing about. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 3rd, 2003, 9:34am September seemed to come round all too quickly for Lulie. Four days before the Chalet School began the Maynard boys, and the two Ardens went back to England, to the respective schools. Joey, as kind hearted as ever, immediately invited Lulie to stay at Freudesheim for the remainder of the holidays. Lulie amiably agreed, and soon settled down. The Maynard triplets agreed amongst themselves that Lulie was one of the most placid people that they had ever met. ‘It’s not that she lets people walk all over, or anything,’ Con said, ‘She is just so…so…’ ‘Calm?’ finished Len for her. Con grinned, ‘that’s it. But I bet that she can put her point across when she has to!’ On the last day of the holidays Con was sprawling in a chair in the garden, reading. Lulie had gone inside to help Joey bring out the Kaffee. She had struck up quite a friendship with Con, and the two girls had spent a lot of time together, when left to their own devices. Len and Margot came out for their afternoon meal, and sat on the grass next to their triplet. ‘What you reading, Con?’ asked Len, turning her head almost upside down to try and read the title of the book. ‘It’s a book Lulie lent me,’ replied Con, showing her, ‘I thought I’d try and find out what I can about pagans, so I can understand her a bit better, from that angle that is.’ Now, though Con had accepted Lulie for what she was, both Len and Margot had one or two more reservations, though they found Lulie pleasant enough otherwise. While Len merely looked displeased, it was left to Margot, as usual, to show the reaction. She jumped to her feet and exclaimed ‘Mary Constance Maynard! How could you read about that…heresy? It’s disgusting and I’m ashamed to think you’re my sister!’ Con stared at her in amazement, ‘Margot, I’m only reading,’ she said, biting back the angry retort that came first to her lips, ‘And I asked Mamma first, she doesn’t mind, and neither should you. After all, it’s only one of the roads to God, Mamma says. We may not agree with it, and from what I’ve read so far, it isn’t for me, so you needn’t worry on that score. But it is interesting.’ ‘It’s disgraceful,’ snapped Margot, ‘And I’m surprised at Auntie Hilda at letting somebody like that into the school.’ Con’s brown eyes were nearly black with anger, ‘How dare you speak like that. Auntie Hilda know exactly what she is doing and if she offers a place in the school to somebody then that girl is given the same chance as everybody else, whatever she is. I like Lulie, and I’m going to go on liking her, whether you say so or not. And if you start behaving badly over Lulie like you did last term about Ted, then I’m going straight to Miss Annersley about it, and I’m going to tell her why you’re behaving like this. If you’re ashamed of me being your sister, it’s nothing to what I feel about you being mine,’ ‘Margot, Con, listen,’ began Len, trying to pour oil on troubled waters. But she didn’t get any further. Lulie came marching down the steps from the house, head held high and her green eyes flashing fire. She banged her tray down onto the table, turned and marched back into the house, obviously having heard every word of the argument. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 3rd, 2003, 9:36am *oh dear I've just noticed, I've got an order mark. :'( I'd better go and write some more to redeem myself* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 3rd, 2003, 9:38am One word: Ouch! Another word: More! Ray *sensing things are just getting REALLY interesting :)* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Chloe on Sep 3rd, 2003, 10:50am this is soo good and an intresting idea as although my dad, sister and i are roman catholics, my brother lost intresting in catholicisum and became a wicca |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sindhu on Sep 3rd, 2003, 11:01am Just discovered this thread- and I don't have words to describe how utterly fantastic it is! I've always wondered about Lilamani's place in the religious part of things, although as we are told nothing to the contrary, I suppose she could well have been a christian. This really addresses all sorts of issues in the most gripping manner. MORE, PLEASE! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 3rd, 2003, 11:11am More is on its way, but I have to go to work for a pre-term meeting :( What am I going to do from next week, when I start work properly? I need a millionaire husband so I don't have to worry about work, i can stay home and write! Back as soon as I can. Hint - Joey's entered the fray!! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 3rd, 2003, 10:24pm Don't you hate it when a little one hour meeting takes all afternoon? Here's the next bit, such as it is. Joey was just behind with the tea trolley, and she watched Lulie’s stately progress in surprise. Then she turned to her daughters, ‘Girls, what’s going on?’ Con, not trusting herself to be rational, got to her feet, ‘I’m sorry, Mamma, I can’t explain right now. Maybe Len can, she wasn’t involved,’ with that, Con clutched her book to her chest and followed Lulie into the house. Joey looked at the two remaining girls, and noticed Margot’s flushed cheeks. Wisely leaving the youngest of the triplets to calm down, Joey beckoned Len back into the Saal and sat down. ‘Can you explain, Len?’ ‘I can tell you what happened, Mamma, but I don’t know if it will be of any use,’ replied Len, and as neutral as she could be, Len told Joey of the argument between Con and Margot. ‘Oh dear,’ said Joey, ‘And I hoped that none of this would happen,’ ‘But it’s bound to Mamma,’ said Len, ‘I mean you can’t just put somebody like Lulie into a school like the Chalet School and expect everybody to accept her.’ ‘But in some ways, Len darling, that is what should happen. How many times have I told you, and countless others, that it is you that counts every time, not who your parents are, or what country you come from, or even what your religion is,' ‘I know, but it isn’t always as easy as that. I like Lulie, she’s a really nice girl, but I don’t like or agree with her ideas on God. But I won’t say anything, and I’ll do my best to stop others saying things when we get to school,’ ‘I don’t think you need to worry about that, Con will probably beat you to it!’ said Joey, with a grin. She sobered down, ‘I wish it wasn’t one of my daughters that began all the shouting though. I know, you said that Margot didn’t intend Lulie to hear, but I’m afraid she did hear, and Margot won’t be the first to make that mistake. I’m also afraid that Lulie has a hard time of it ahead of her, both with this and her mother being so ill.’ ‘Is her mother really bad?’ ‘As far as I know. Papa and the other doctors are really worried about her,’ ‘Poor Lulie.’ ‘We’ll just have to be here for her if the worst happens, and she loses her mother. Well, I don’t know about you, but I want my tea. Are you coming to get some? I’ll take some to Con and Lulie first, if you’ll pour out for everybody else,’ Joey and Len returned to the tea trolley, where Margot had poured coffee for the three of them, and was looking rather ashamed of herself. Joey said nothing, but smiled at Margot, before pouring coffee for the other two and taking it away on a tray. She found Con in the kitchen, talking to Anna. Con didn’t know where Lulie was, so Joey went on a hunt for her. She finally found her on the other side of the house, near the front gate. ‘I’ve brought you some coffee,’ said Joey, for once unsure of what to say. She had never seen quite that look in somebody’s eyes before. Lulie took the cup from her, with a quiet thank you. ‘You know,’ began Joey, sitting beside Lulie and sending up a quick prayer for help, ‘you ought to expect some kind of reaction when you go to school. Miss Annersley did explain about the Christian ethos that we have, didn’t she?’ ‘Oh yes, that doesn’t bother me; I rather expect it to be honest. And I’m almost used to being regarded as some kind of freak, but I just didn’t expect Margot to be quite so… candid about it.’ ‘She didn’t intend you to hear,’ ‘I know,’ Lulie sighed, ‘I didn’t mean to listen, only I was carrying the tray out, like you’d asked, and her and Con were shouting rather. It’s more that Margot and Len have not said anything up until now. Really they’ve been so kind, that it made it more of a shock.’ ‘Yes, I see that. Judging by Margot’s face when I went to pour the coffee, she is rather ashamed of hurting your feelings the way she did. But still, it does give you some idea of what to expect at school, and perhaps you can think about how you’re going to react. You can’t just rush off, you know.’ ‘I know. I’ll think about it, Mrs Maynard, really I will. And don’t worry about the cup, I’ll bring it in when I’ve finished.’ Feeling rather as if she’d been dismissed, Joey got up and went to hear Margot’s stumbling apologies for upsetting Lulie in such a way. She carefully “forgot” to say that it really ought to be Lulie she was apologising to, and indeed said very little to the youngest triplet about the whole incident. As Lulie seemed quite willing to forget the whole incident, Margot could hardly do any differently. So it was a united set of girls that set off for the Chalet School the following morning. Most of the day was spent in unpacking their trunks, and helping various staff with the last little jobs that needed doing before the bulk of the school arrived that evening. Finally the staff and the “local” girls, who always came early, were assembled in the hall and on the stairs, waiting for the coaches to appear. After they did turn up, it was all rather a blur, as Lulie wrote to her brothers on the Sunday. She lost track of all the girls that she was introduced to in the short gap between arrival and Abendessen. Then came the part that Lulie was secretly dreading. Prayers. It had been arranged that Lulie attend with the Catholic girls, this having been arranged with Lulie’s uncle, though Lulie didn’t quite see the logic. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 3rd, 2003, 11:50pm I'm really enjoying this. It provides a very interesting new character and a fascinating new perspective on things. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 4th, 2003, 4:43pm The next morning saw Lulie, feeling rather breathless at the morning rush, sitting in Prayers next to Con. She had already received a few questioning looks from some of the other girls the night before, as she didn’t join in with the simple service, apart from the hymns. She received yet more looks that morning, but Lulie was very good at ignoring strange looks and there were too many mistresses about for anybody to whisper to a friend. The short time after Prayers and before lessons was an entirely different matter. The girls went to their classrooms and their tongues wagged. Naturally the Protestant girls knew nothing of events, but the Catholic girls soon brought them up to date. Equally naturally the girls were all too well bred to make remarks in the presence of the new girl, and the first Lulie heard of the interest she was arousing was when Ricki Fry approached her in the Va classroom, where she had been placed along with Len and Con, Margot being down in Vb on her own. ‘I hope you don’t think I’m being rude, Lulie,’ began Ricki, perching on Con’s desk, ‘But there are the oddest stories going the rounds.’ ‘Oh? What about?’ asked Lulie, with a sinking feeling in her stomach. Con looked up from her conversation with Odette, a slightly concerned expression on her face. ‘Well,’ Ricki looked distinctly uncomfortable, ‘About you, actually. People are saying that you didn’t take part in Prayers, and that you were…well, you were laughing at them and had to be escorted out by Clare Kennedy’ Lulie couldn’t help giggling. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, controlling herself, ‘but it did sound a bit mad. It’s true that I didn’t take part in Prayers, because I’m not a Christian, but I wouldn’t even dream of laughing at them, never in a million years. It’s rude for a start, even if I did found them funny, which I don’t.’ ‘What are you then?’ asked Ricki, curiously, ‘I’m a Quaker myself, which people thought a bit strange when I first came, but I go to the Protestant service and it does me fine.’ ‘I’m a Pagan,’ replied Lulie. Though she had spoken quietly enough, there was a sudden lull in the conversation and most of the form heard her. Ricki looked blank, ‘What are they?’ she asked. ‘I’ll tell you,’ Alicia Leonard cut across their conversation, ‘They’re evil witches that eat the flesh of babies and they deserve to burn on their own unholy fires!’ Lulie clapped a hand across her mouth to stop the giggle that was threatening to come out. She’d heard plenty of insults, but never anything so ridiculous in all her life! The rest of the class, meanwhile, were either agreeing with Alicia, arguing with her, or gaping at her in shock. Never had such an uproar been heard in a fifth form! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 4th, 2003, 4:47pm lolol - as if Joey would have allowed Lulie to stay in her house and eat her babies! How many babies does Joey have left? ;) Rachel ~ finding this entertaining AND informative! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachael P on Sep 4th, 2003, 4:51pm Question Quote:
Answer It depends which drabble you're in ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 4th, 2003, 11:43pm Joey has three babies - Cecil, Phil and Geoff (this is set during the same term as Ruey) ************************************* ‘Girls, what on earth is going on here?’ It was Miss Moore, their form mistress. They had been so intent on what was happening that nobody had heard her enter the room. She had stood there for a full five minutes before she had been forced to speak. The effect of her entrance was electric. Within three minutes every girl was sat properly at her desk. Miss Moore walked to the mistress’s desk and put her books on it. Then she proceeded to take the register, sending Len Maynard off to Miss Dene with it, when she had finished. While she was waiting for Len to return she sat at her desk in silence, gazing out of the window. More than one girl felt that she must scream before Len returned. When Len was in her seat once more, Miss Moore transferred her gaze from the gardens to her form. ‘Is there anybody in this room that is grown up enough to explain to me the dreadful scene that I saw just now?’ Each word fell from the mistress’s lips like a shard of ice, and the girls quaked inwardly. Nobody moved, none of them wanted to tell tales, and Alicia was recovering a little from her outburst and trying to find the courage to stand up. Finally there was the scrape of a chair and Lulie got to her feet. The form almost held its breath. Was the new girl going to tell tales on Alicia? ‘Yes, Louisa?’ said Miss Moore, still in those icy tones. ‘Please, Miss Moore, I think it was my fault,’ said Lulie, nervously. ‘And how was that?’ ‘I…er…I…said something that upset people,’ No more than the rest of her peers did Lulie want to tell tales. ‘Oh, and what was that?’ Ricki jumped to her feet at this point, ‘I suppose, Miss Moore, it was really me that began it,’ she said, ‘I was asking Lulie why she didn’t join in during Prayers, because there are all sorts of wild rumours flying about, and then Lulie said that she was a…a…’ Ricki glanced at Lulie, trying to remember the unfamiliar word. ‘A Pagan,’ said Lulie, ‘And some people had been mis-informed as to what this was and blurted out what they had been told, and…then you came in,’ ‘And who was the girl who was mis-informed?’ enquired Miss Moore, turning to the rest of the class, then back to Lulie, who replied with great dignity, ‘I’m sorry, Miss Moore, I cannot say,’ ‘I said things, Miss Moore,’ Alicia got to her feet, looking half angry, half ashamed, ‘I said that she was…’ ‘Thank you, Alicia, that will do,’ said Miss Moore, ‘I hope that you feel justly ashamed of yourself for causing such a tumult, especially as this is supposed to be a senior form. And can you please find out the correct facts before you open your mouth and upset people with what comes out of it. You can all take an order mark for your behaviour this morning, and be thankful that you have got off so lightly. Sit down, please, you three.’ Miss Moore then proceeded to act as if the whole incident hadn’t happened and moved on to form business. ‘This year the Form Prefect is Jo Scott, with Len Maynard as her second. We will have to vote for the form officials, which I’d like to do now if…ah, come in Josette,’ Josette Russell, the Head Girl, came to the desk and said ‘Matron is ready for all those who haven’t unpacked to go and do so, Miss Moore,’ ‘Thank you, Josette. Right, everybody, those girls who haven’t unpacked go with Josette, please.’ The time until Break was filled with all the necessary tasks that needed to be done at the beginning of the school year. Once everybody had unpacked, the form officials were voted for and four girls were sent to the stock room to collect the books needed for the coming year. They had just finished putting them away in their desks when the bell rang for Break and Miss Moore dismissed them. Con linked Lulie by the arm and escorted her to the Speisesaal for lemonade and biscuits. Once these had been disposed of they all rushed out into the garden, for the weather was still fine. Con joined her friends Ricki and Odette, along with her triplets and their particular friends. Only Margot, and another new girl, Ruey Richardson, hadn’t been there at that morning’s riot, as they were in a different form. But they were soon hearing all about it. ‘But I don’t even know what one of them is,’ said Ruey, plaintively. Lulie explained as succinctly as she could, and waited for the expected reaction. It didn’t come. Some of the crowd were like Len and Margot and didn’t agree with the beliefs, but they were too sensitive of Lulie’s feelings to say so there and then. Others wanted time to go away and think about it, as it was so alien to them. Only Con and Ricki really accepted it at face value. As the bell rang, they walked back one on either side of Lulie, almost as if they were protecting her. The atmosphere in the classroom was one of strain. Miss Moore had been called away to the telephone at the beginning of Break, and so hadn’t had a chance to go to the staffroom and report the events of the morning. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 4th, 2003, 11:44pm Nasty board. It said my message was too long >:( ************************** Thus the staff that took Va for the short lessons before Mittagessen were somewhat at a loss to explain it all. In fact, thanks to one thing and another, it wasn’t until after Abendessen that explanations could be made amongst the staff. ‘What was wrong with Va today?’ asked Miss Ferrars, as she brought her cup of coffee to a chair next to Miss Moore. Miss Moore groaned, ‘Don’t ask, Kathy. If it had been a Junior form I wouldn’t have been surprised, but Seniors…’ ‘What have they been doing now? It’s only the first day of term, that’s far too soon for trouble,’ laughed Kathy. ‘That’s what I’d always thought. It seems to have begun with Ricki Fry and that new child, Lulie Arden,’ Matron caught this sentence and brought her coffee over. ‘Room for a little one?’ she inquired. ‘Of course, Matey, any time!’ cried Kathy, and moved up to allow Matron onto the sofa. ‘What’s been going on with Lulie Arden?’ asked Matron ‘Well, when I arrived after Prayers there was a regular scrum going on,’ began Miss Moore, ‘ A good two thirds of the form were arguing with each other, and the rest were sitting with their mouths hanging open, looking as if they were catching flies! I instituted inquiries immediately, and Ricki Fry admitted that she’d asked Lulie why she didn’t join in with Prayers, as there were some wild rumours going round,’ ‘I’ve heard some odd things to that effect,’ interrupted Kathy, ‘I took no notice of course, in fact I wasn’t sure who they were talking about, but apparently there is somebody in the school who eats babies for supper. I just put it down to too much lurid reading in the holidays. Go on, Rosalind. Sorry, I interrupted.’ ‘That’s all right. Anyway, Lulie told Ricki, quite truthfully, why, and Alicia Leonard then admitted that she’d taken objection to this and appears to have told Lulie in no uncertain terms what she thought of her. I stopped her from telling me what she’d said, but I wish now that I had let her go on, if she’s going round telling people that Lulie eats babies.’ ‘Well, the girls ought to have more sense that to believe that,’ said Matron, scornfully, ‘And I’m sure their little chums will soon disabuse them of that idea. Con Maynard and Ricki seem to have adopted Lulie for one of their own, I’m glad to see. At least they’ve stuck by her all day,’ ‘Well somebody needs to, poor child. She’s going to need all the help she can get,’ ‘I’m going to keep my eye on that crowd,’ said Matron, ‘And I advise you to, Rosalind. I’m not having bullying. It’s never been a problem in this school, and it’s not about to start now. There’s the bell for the Middles bedtime, I’d better go. See if the two of you can think up some way of stopping these dreadful rumours, for Heaven’s sake, before it goes too far and Hilda has to take official notice.’ She bustled off, leaving the other two mistresses to look thoughtfully at each other. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 4th, 2003, 11:48pm And so the chanting begins once again... more more more more please? Rachel ~ working out how to use all the pretty colours while waiting for new postings ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:27am *joins in with chanting but is not so tasteless as to do it in multi-colours* More please :) This is excellent and I like the fact that Matey is coming out on Lulie's side. Ray *looking expectantly at the real Lulie* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:38am *****mortified to be accused of being tacky!***** Rachel ~ muttering that it would be nice to see a little more but choosing to do it distinctly piano this time |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:45am Nononono. Not tacky, tasteless. Tacky would have been if you'd used lime green. Ray *still awaiting more* *and shuddering as she recalls one of her clients uses lime green and his site needs updating* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:51am But Joey wears lime green, and I never heard anyone tell her she was tacky - even when she teams it with gold lame mini-skirts! ;) Rachel ~ still trying to find somewhere to buy that outfit - think Ianswythe is missing out on a goldmine mail order company here! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:52am More is on its way, Ladies. I'm so glad you are enjoying it, as I didn't know what kind of reception it would get and also there are so many great writers on this board that I wasn't sure if I could compare with them. *phew, you can breathe now after that long sentence* I have to go to the doctor first (and no, he isn't good looking, alas, or even 'great') to see why I have such a pain in my abdomen. He's running out of tests :'( and it hurts :'( :'( :'( Where's Matey when you really need her? **whinge over** But when I come home, I will write more. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 5th, 2003, 8:59am Oh no *hugs Lulie* Hope you're OK. Ray *hugging Lulie again* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 9:02am Awwwwwwww Lulie ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))) You're not in labour are you? I hope he finds out what's wrong soon! Rachel ~ deep sympathy tinged with the slightly selfish hope that it wont prevent Lulie writing some more |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:25am I'm back! I don't think I'm in labour, Rachel! Unless that dream of the handsome doctor that I had nine months ago wasn't a dream :P Apparently it could be a grumbling appendix. If it is, and I have to have it out, then I'll have to have time off work and rest, and LOTS of time for writing. Sadly I won't find out for a while as I have to "monitor the pain" and go back in a couple of months if it is no better. Bah >:( Anyway, here is the next installment. ********************************* In the scrum of the first weeks of term the fuss in Va seemed to die down, as far as the mistresses could see. Both Matron and Miss Moore kept a close eye on them, but as far as they could tell Lulie seemed to be settling down well. She worked as steadily as the rest of the form, and seemed well up to their level. She’d made a little chummery with Con Maynard and Ricki Fry, and joined Con in persuading Odette Mercier to join them whenever they could. She was very artistic and revelled in the extra coaching she received from Miss Yolland in art, and Mademoiselle Lachenais in embroidery, during the periods that the rest of the form had Scripture with Miss Annersley. Though both mistresses had been inclined to grumble in private about the loss of their free periods, they found that Lulie was well able to be left to get on with her work while they got on with their marking. It wasn’t all it seemed on the surface though. Lulie had had experience of being ‘different’ in school before, and had become something of an expert at hiding her unhappiness. Though most of the girls accepted her difference of religion, or kept quiet if they didn’t, there were a few who couldn’t resist making sly comments as they passed Lulie. Lulie became almost used to a whisper of ‘witch’ following her across the common room, as she went to look at a magazine, or ‘baby-eater,’ muttered in her ear at Kaffee. She would press her lips together, or quickly take a drink, knowing it was very difficult to cry and drink at the same time. At first it was only her own form that contained these nasty people, but soon some of those from Vb began to join in. The rumours persisted amongst the Middles, who would regard Lulie suspiciously whenever their paths crossed, and they even filtered down to the Juniors, some of whom ran away when they saw the elder girl. It was almost two weeks to half term and Matron was making her final rounds before she retired to bed. She went into each dormitory, to make sure the windows were open properly, and that things were as they ought to be. She was just closing the door of Violet dormitory when a noise caught her quick ear. Turning back, Matron listened carefully. Then she made an inspection of the cubicles. The girls should have been fast asleep, but when she parted the curtains of Lulie’s cubicle, the girl was lying on her back, desperately to control the sobs that were shaking her whole body. She started when she saw Matron. ‘What is it, Lulie? Don’t you feel well, dear?’ asked Matron, in a low voice. Lulie first nodded, then shook her head, unable to speak. Matron pursed her lips together for a second, and then acted. Picking up Lulie’s dressing down from its hook, she held it out. ‘Get into your slippers, and come with me,’ she said, ‘Ill or not, there’s something wrong,’ Like all members of the Chalet School, Lulie would have sooner thought of trying to land on the moon than argue with Matron, so she took the dressing gown, pushed her feet into her slippers and followed Matron, still choking back sobs and shaking violently. Matron took her to the San, which was free of patients at the moment, and sat Lulie in Nurse’s tiny office while she went to get some milk. When she returned, Lulie had given up all efforts at self-control and was slumped across Nurse’s desk, wailing heartbrokenly. Matron set the jug down and took the distraught girl in her arms, trying to soothe her. But Lulie was well away, and all Matron’s usual methods refused to work. Feeling suddenly helpless Matron simply held her. Lulie cried until the tears ran off her chin, until saliva dribbled out her mouth, until she hiccupped and finally until she was sick. Matron put the bowl to one side and helped Lulie into one of the beds. She went back into Nurse’s room, and soon returned with a hot water bottle and some hot milk, into which she had slipped something. ‘Just one question,’ she said, gently, ‘Have people been saying things to you?’ Lulie nodded, as she obediently drank the milk, though she couldn’t stand hot milk. Cuddling the hot bottle to her, Lulie lay down, and the dose soon sent her off to sleep. Matron drew the curtains back and opened the window, and went to wake Nurse, to inform her of the new patient, before she marched to Miss Annersley’s private quarters, her lips set in a thin line. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:40am Yeeeeeeeek! Both on the appendix count and on where the story is. Miss Annesley is bound to instigate enquiries...so is Matey. Eeeeep! Looking forward to more Ray *hugging Lulie yet again* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:58am Bullying at Chalet School! Excellent story, wonderful writing and I love your develpoment of Matey, please can we see more of her. I hope your tummy gets sorted out soon. Lots of hugs and best wishes from all of us. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Esmeralda on Sep 5th, 2003, 11:01am Poor Lulie - Hope you feel better soon. Really enjoying this story, and at last - a more realistic portrayal of crying, most people who cry in books seem to accomplish it so genteely, unlike RL. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 11:45am I hope your tummy is better soon too Lulie! Thank you so much for not making Matey go down the usuaal brisk, stop that before you make yourself sick line. I get fed up of seeing that line, and the girls making a heroic effort and getting themselves back under control every time. It just don't happen that way every time! I can't wait to see what punishments get dished out to the WHOLE school! Rachel ~ suffered bullying and very pleased when bullies get their just desserts in fiction! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 5th, 2003, 12:27pm Lulie, as long as you don't do a Julie Lucy and hide it until the grumbling appendix flares up, we won't nag you too much for more of this excellent story. However, if you give us anxious nights while we wait to see if you'll pull through following emergency surgery, we might be a little less forgiving! ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 12:33pm I suppose for the sake of life imitating art, Lulie really ought to hide her grumbling appendix though! What do you think Lulie? Do you want to try and hide your tummy pains from Matey for a while longer at least and lead to a dramatic middle of the night prayer session? No? Maybe it isn't such a good idea after all. I was always amazed that Julie Lucy was able to keep her pains secret from the "authorities" - although it did give me an interesting development for my Con story line ;) Rachel ~ truly hopes Lulie's tummy does get better! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 5th, 2003, 1:13pm Hear, hear! I hope you get your tummy sorted soon, Lulie. No peritonitis, *please!* But doctors can be annoying about stuff like that. I had to have three throat abcesses as well as every bug going before being referrred to get a tonsillectomy. But been better ever since! This is interesting. I don't know much about it either- except what I've picked up from reading Marion Zimmer Brdley's 'Avalon' series. More... more .,more! L. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 2:20pm Thank you for all your concern. I've had this pain since December 2002 and was hoping it would go away. Then in June Julie Lucy had a word with me and so I went to the Doc. I don't plan for peritonitis, and if the grumbles get any louder I shall be down that hospital before it has even opened its doors. And as we have a just opened state-of-the-art hospital, that is apparently the best in Europe, I'll be fine!!! If any of you feel the need to hold an all night prayer vigil for me, I won't be ungrateful, but I'd much rather you all got your beauty sleep :) And Lisa, I know what you mean about doctors. I had the most terrible trouble with my periods (yet another story!) and the doctor refused to try me on the pill, so the day I turned 18 I marched in that surgery and demanded it, HE wanted to know what my mother thought! It's the only time I've come close to being rude to a doctor!!!! *edited to say that I've already been tested for everything under the sun, and anything malignant has been ruled out. The appendix is the last thing. God knows what it is if not that!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 2:21pm The next morning the occupants in Violet dormitory were busy wondering where Lulie had got to when Matron entered the room. ‘Matron, Lulie isn’t here,’ said Con, pausing in brushing her hair. ‘I know Con, she’s in the San,’ replied Matron, shortly, going into Lulie’s cubicle and coming out again with her sponge bag and towels. ‘Oh no, she isn’t ill, is she?’ Con looked distressed, and Matron took pity on her, ‘She’s been sick, but is feeling a bit better this morning, Con,’ suddenly an idea occurred to her, ‘If you hurry you may be able to visit her before Fruhstuck,’ Con’s lips parted in surprise at this unheard of event, but she managed to thank Matron before scurrying to plait her hair and find her shoes. Nurse had just finished washing Lulie, and brushing her long, dark red curls, when Con arrived. ‘Come in, Con,’ said Nurse, with a smile, ‘Lulie’s just ready.’ Lulie still looked pale and drawn after the events of last night, and she leaned listlessly on her pillows, though she managed a weak smile at her friend. ‘What are you doing here?’ she asked, ‘I thought visiting wasn’t allowed until later on?’ ‘Matron said I could,’ replied Con, perching on the chair next to the bed, ‘you could have knocked me down with a feather when she said so! But never mind me, what’s been happening to you? You were fine at bedtime last night.’ ‘I…’ Lulie stopped, and gazed helplessly at Con, tears filling her eyes. Con was startled, but she leaned forward and took Lulie’s hands between her own, ‘What is it, Lulie? It’s nothing serious is it? It’s not your mother, is it?’ Lulie shook her head, ‘No, Mama’s all right, or as all right as she can be. And I’m not really ill. Matey brought me here last night.’ ‘But, why, if you’re not ill?’ Lulie took a deep breath and clutched at her courage, ‘She found me crying myself to sleep last night,’ Con was silent, but she squeezed Lulie’s hands in encouragement. Lulie squeezed back and tried to explain. ‘Some of the others are being really horrible to me, Con, cos of being a Pagan. They whisper things when I’m near, or when they’re passing me. And the Middles and Juniors are starting now. They stare at me and some of the little ones actually run away from me, as if I was going to do something disgusting to them. It’s horrible, Con. I’ve been used to some kind of teasing and people being nasty, but they’ve done it to my face, and somehow it’s easier to handle that way. I can fight back, as it were. And, well, I was more surprised because I thought that people were different here, that being nasty just wasn’t done, and it was enforced more than in other places,’ ‘It is,’ said Con, shortly, ‘who is it, Lulie?’ ‘I can’t tell, it would be telling tales,’ ‘Not to me, it wouldn’t,’ Con was persuasive, ‘Come on, Lu, I can guess, but I want to make sure,’ So Lulie told her the names, all of whom were from Va and Vb. ‘Don’t tell anybody, though,’ she begged, ‘It’ll only make it worse. Please Con, promise me,’ ‘I promise,’ said Con, ‘Anyway, I’d better go. I’ve still got that rep to look over, and it’s French Lit second lesson. Mlle would slay me if I were less than sure of it. I hope you’re back tomorrow, and don’t let them get to you, Lulie. You’ve got the rest of us to stick up for you, and now I know what’s going on, I can do so with a vengeance!’ She leaned over and gave Lulie a quick kiss on the cheek, then strode out of the room. Nurse, coming with Lulie’s breakfast, was astonished to see the look on her face. She had never seen Con look so angry before. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 2:31pm Go Con! Go Con! Go Con! Have they told you that you have IBS yet Lulie? They yanked my appendix out, examined it in pathology, told me there was nowt wrong with it and decided I had had IBS all along! The wonders of modern medicine! Rachel ~ glad that Con gets a fair do in these drabbles :D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Marianne on Sep 5th, 2003, 4:13pm Grrrrrr, hate bullys, but GO CON!!! WHAT DO I HAVE ON MY HEAD? >:( |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 5th, 2003, 9:59pm They've probably tested for this, but an ovarian cyst can feel like an infected appendix (experience talking). However, at least it's not a major operation, because they'll probably do a laparoscopy, which has you up and about two hours or so after you come around from the anaesthetic. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:11pm well, I don't think it's IBS (I could be wrong and am ready to be so). i have a slight wheat and lactose intolerance, and, as symptoms showed up at Christmas, I thought it was diet related and cut all sorts of things out - both obvious and not so obvious. It wasn't, and wasn't I glad when I could actually eat ;D And I've been scanned for cysts, and they came up clear. But WHY does nobody warn you of the sheer PAIN suffered when you have to hold 2 pints of water in your bladder >:( ;) NEVER have i been so glad to "be excused". And isn't it just amazing how much your body manages to tuck into a small space? (the scan lady let me look at the screen!) Anyway, after my warm and perfumed bath I'm going to write some more. Uppance is about to come, and I need to psyche myself up :) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:20pm Enjoy it, Lulie! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:30pm Haven't you finished yet Lulie? I didn't think a CS girl would need twenty minutes to take a bath! Rachel ~ thinking I ought to go to bed really as I have to catch a train at 5.20 tomorrow morning! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 10:56pm *flicks dirty bath water at Rachel* Beauty takes time, my dear child. It's a good job I'm young yet, plenty of time to beautify myself, as nothing's worked yet! :P *********************************** Con marched straight to the Va form room, where most of the form were getting their books ready for the morning’s lessons. She went straight up to the mistress’s platform and thumped on it with the board rubber to get their attention. They all looked up, and most of them looked twice to make sure it was really Con up there looking like a Fury. ‘Is everybody here?’ she demanded, in a voice that they only just recognised as Con’s. ‘Len and Odette are practising, and Lulie isn’t here,’ replied Jo, gathering her wits and having a quick look round. ‘That’s OK. I just want to say that Lulie is in the San, I’ve just come from visiting her.’ ‘The San! What’s wrong with her, Con?’ exclaimed Ricki, alarmed. ‘She’s spent half the night being sick. And do you know why she was sick? There are some people in this form who have been bullying her, yes,’ as an outcry arose from those innocent of this accusation, ‘they’ve been bullying. And Matron took her to San because she was so upset that she cried until she was sick. I’m not going to say any more, because I imagine that Matron isn’t going to ignore this. I don’t even want you to identify yourselves, because you know who you are, and so do I, and I don’t want to associate myself with such low down creatures as you. I hope you’re ashamed of yourselves.’ With that, Con stalked off the platform and made for the door, just as the bell rang for Fruhstuck. Shocked and ashamed, the rest of Va followed her to the Speisesaal, where they took their seats in silence. The whole school couldn’t help noticing that there was something wrong with Va. Con Maynard was very much on her dignity, while most of the rest of the form either looked ashamed or guilty. The only two to not know what was going on were Len and Odette, who hadn’t been present at Con’s outburst. When the meal was almost over, Miss Annersley rang her bell and rose to her feet. The school regarded her in silence. ‘When you have cleared the tables and completed your dormitory work, I would like to see both Fifth forms in the Senior common room. The rest of you are to go to your lessons as usual. Nobody is to speak to any member of the Fifth forms in that time. Thank you.’ The meal was finished in near silence, anybody who wanted to speak doing so in a whisper. It was the same when they streamed off to their dormitories to make their beds. Any room that had a member of the two Fifths in it completed their work in silence. Those who didn’t talked things over with vim, but nobody came to any conclusions as to Miss Annersley’s summons, though the suggestions grew wild in the extreme. The members of Va and Vb took their places in the common room anxiously. There were quite a few girls who were quaking inside; most of them though were thoroughly perplexed. Con still maintained that dignified presence, and wouldn’t even speak to her sisters, though both whispered questions to her. She merely shook her head and stared straight ahead, her cheeks still flushed and her eyes sparkling with anger. They didn’t have long to wait. Miss Annersley swept into the room, looking elegant in her M.A. gown, and Matron followed her, in spotlessly starched apron and angels’ wings cap as usual. There was a look on both their faces that made more than one person – guilty or not – think ‘Oh help, we’ve had it this time.’ Miss Annersley stood in front of the massed girls and waited until all the shufflings and coughs had finished before she spoke. And when she did, all the laughter had gone out of her voice. Nobody, not even the worst sinner in the two forms, had ever heard her use those icy disgusted tones in the whole of their school careers. One or two of the more emotional ones felt tears welling up and blinked hard. ‘It has come to the attention of Matron and myself that bullying has been going on in the school,’ began Miss Annersley ‘Bullying that has upset the victim so much that she has made herself ill through the pain and the anguish caused. You all know that this kind of thing is not condoned in this school. You are lucky that the girl concerned has so far refused to name the bullies to me. I am now hoping that your sense of honour is as strong as hers. I want every girl who has been involved directly to come to me by the end of Break today and own up to her sins. If no girl comes forward then I will have no choice but to assume that you all took equal part and punish you all accordingly. Matron and I will escort you to your lessons, and none of you shall speak until the end of Break, when you will all gather here once more and see what I have to say then. And for those of you who consider yourselves innocent, remember that none of you are blameless, as none of you took steps to prevent such a thing happening. That is all. Va, you will leave first.’ |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 5th, 2003, 11:03pm *gulp* Glad I'm not in the fifth! Rachel ~ feeling guilty by association! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 5th, 2003, 11:04pm ;) ;) Can't you tell I teach for half my living?? ;D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Susan on Sep 6th, 2003, 12:28am Well done Lulie - hope you are feeling a bit better. No pressure but I am looking forward to the next installment! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 6th, 2003, 2:10am on 09/05/03 at 23:04:59, LulieCat wrote:
Uh, just a little bit... |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sindhu on Sep 6th, 2003, 3:46am Wow Lulie! I'm waiting on the edge of my chair for the next instalment(s)! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Marianne on Sep 6th, 2003, 9:51am Glad i'm not in the fifth! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Jennie on Sep 6th, 2003, 11:47am Jennie is cowering under the desk in case the Abbess manages to come out of the screen and see the guilty look on her face. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 6th, 2003, 8:40pm :-[ I didn't think it was that frightening. ******************** The two Fifths had what Margot Maynard called ‘a horrid morning’. All the staff were rather cold with them, and to be unable to speak to one another was the crowning injustice. Those girls who had made nasty remarks to Lulie felt most uncomfortable inside, especially when they thought of having to go and report to Miss Annersley. It was a smaller group of girls that gathered together at the end of Break. The grinned rather nervously at one another and looked round the room to see who was missing. There were a few muted gasps when somebody realised that a friend wasn’t there, but other than that they kept to their imposed silence. It wasn’t long before Miss Annersley swept into the room, alone this time. She still looked grim, but the terrible tightness to her face had gone. ‘There has been a distressing amount of girls in my office this Break,’ she began, ‘And I am ashamed of the rest of you that you either didn’t or wouldn’t see that something so dreadful was going on under your very noses. However, those girls will be dealt with presently. The rest of you I will not punish, as I feel that this morning has been punishment enough for you. All I ask you to do is to examine your inner selves and look at what God asks you to do for your fellow men. Remember, ‘in for so much as you did for them, you did for me’. We in this school do not ask you to embrace other beliefs, or indeed compromise your own faith for that of somebody else, merely to tolerate these differences and to accept people for what they are. I know some of you are interested in the Pagan religion, as much as you may be interested in Jewish beliefs or the beliefs of Hindus, and I am pleased that you wish to broaden your education in such a manner. I also accept that not all of you are that way inclined, which is as you wish. I am very sorry that we have had bullies in this school, which up until now has been blessedly free of such things. You girls are all verging on adulthood, many of you will be going into the Sixth next year and be eligible for prefects. All I ask is that you learn a lesson from this, and keep your eyes and ears open in the future to prevent it from ever happening again, whatever the circumstances. Now, Con Maynard, Richenda Fry, Odette Mercier,’ The three girls named jumped and got to their feet, looking startled. Miss Annersley smiled, and immediately the atmosphere in the room relaxed, ‘When the bell rings for Kaffee und Kuchen, you three are to tidy and go to the San to have your afternoon meal with Lulie. She has been asking for you.’ They sat down again, beaming, and Miss Annersley turned to the rest of the room, ‘I’m afraid you’ve missed most of your first lesson. You may stay here for the five minutes or so until the bell, and then I want you all to go to your classrooms for your lessons. Prep for the missed lesson will be excused for this once. And, girls, please don’t forget what has happened this morning. It ought to be the making of many of you.’ *********************************** Bah! It isn't too long, it's this stupid Board!!!!! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 6th, 2003, 8:41pm ‘No, Miss Annersley,’ they chorused, still rather subdued. Miss Annersley smiled again, and left the room, to the unpleasant task of returning to those girls who had come to her at Break. Once the door had closed behind her more than one girl flumped into her seat again, with a huge sigh. There was a split second of silence, and then the girls began to discuss the matter amongst themselves. ‘I wish we’d noticed something, then we could have squashed it good and proper,’ said Len, leaning her chin in her hands, ‘poor Lulie,’ ‘It’s all very well saying that, but it’s not always easy to see something that’s done behind your back,’ replied Margot. ‘But we should have known that it was bound to happen, and been on the watch for it,’ said Con, ‘especially us three, because we knew Lulie before term started.’ ‘I did see some people give Lulie dirty looks when she passed them,’ admitted Ruey, rather shamefaced, ‘but she ignored them, and so did I. You can’t really go on looks, can you?’ ‘Not always,’ agreed Margot, soothingly, ‘Not when you don’t always know you’re giving them.’ ‘I bet they knew they were giving them, all right,’ said Con, fiercely, ‘And I wish I’d taken more notice of things, but I was probably in a dream, as usual. I’ll never learn, will I?’ ‘Do not blame yourself, Con,’ put in Odette, shyly, ‘it is our fault as much as yours. And we can take Lulie a gift when we go and see her, can we not? To say we are sorry for not being the friends we ought to have been.’ ‘Good idea, Odette,’ said Ricki, anxious to wipe the despairing look from Con’s face, ‘We could see what tuck we have and take her something, or see if we can find any flowers in the garden that we are allowed to have. Can’t we, Con?’ Con allowed herself to be cheered up, and smiled. ‘We can ask Matron after Mittagessen. I think I’ve got some of Anna’s cake in my tuck. I’m not sure about the flowers though, they’re all looking a bit sad now. But we can see.’ ‘I wonder what’s going to happen to the others?’ Margot enquired, as the bell rang and they got up to go to algebra and Latin. By Mittagessen the whole school knew. The fiat had gone forth and the eleven girls from Va and b were to be put into isolation. They were not to speak to any other members of the school, apart from staff. They were not to have any treats, their lessons and meals were to take place separate from the rest of the school and they were to go to bed at the same time as the Middles. This was to take place for a week. Also, the girls were to go to see Lulie, one by one, and apologise for their behaviour towards her. Lulie had protested when she heard this. ‘Oh no, Miss Annersley, please no,’ she had pleaded, ‘I don’t think I could bear it if they all did that, it would be horrible. Please don’t make them.’ ‘I’m sorry, Lulie, but it’s necessary, for their sake if not yours. They must be made to face you and to realise just what it is they have done, and how it can affect people. I know it will be just as hard for you, if not harder, but I know you are strong enough to bear it.’ Lulie looked rather sulky, but made no further comment, and Miss Annersley wisely left her. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 7th, 2003, 8:54pm But Con, Ricki and Odette heard all about it at Kaffee that afternoon. Matron had vetoed their idea of taking some cake to Lulie, but kindly managed a large bunch of flowers from Miss Annersley’s private garden. They all fully sympathised with her, agreeing that it was a terrible thing to have to sit through. ‘Isn’t there any way I can get out of it?’ implored Lulie, gazing round at them all, ‘they have to do it tomorrow, and I’m dreading it. It won’t do any good, they still won’t like me. Not that that bothers me, but I just want to lie low and get on with life.’ ‘You’re right,’ agreed Ricki, ‘It won’t do any good. If I were told to apologise to somebody that I’d been nasty to I’d really resent it. And knowing some of them they’ll have huge black dogs on their shoulders for the whole term.’ ‘I’ve got half an idea,’ said Con, slowly, ‘Give me a minute to think it out properly,’ She lapsed into silence, during which Nurse brought Kaffee for the three visitors and milk and some water biscuits for her patient. ‘What’s with that?’ asked Ricki, when Nurse had gone. Lulie glanced at her rations, ‘Oh, I was sick again after Mittagessen,’ she replied, as casually as if she were discussing the weather. Odette looked sympathetic, ‘Pauvre Lulie,’ she said. Lulie smiled, rather wanly, ‘Thanks, but I feel better now actually. I don’t think I could eat what you’re eating though!’ ‘Right,’ Con suddenly looked up, ‘I think I’ve got it. Listen a minute, you three,’ Con explained her idea, to the delight of Odette and Ricki. Lulie didn’t look too sure, ‘I don’t know,’ she said, doubtfully, ‘I mean, it’s better than Miss Annersley’s, but would it work? Would people listen?’ ‘They wouldn’t have a choice,’ said Con, ‘Is it five ‘o’ clock yet? We three can go and see her this evening, and she if she agrees,’ ‘It’s twenty to, and you haven’t had any Kaffee yet,’ said Ricki, sensibly. Con looked impatient, but drank the coffee and ate the fancy twists that Ricki put in front of her. As soon as they heard the clock strike five, the three visitors said their goodbyes and went down the stairs to the Head’s study, to put Con’s idea to her. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 7th, 2003, 9:10pm Oooh - good. Looking forward to more. Ray *holds breath**turns blue* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Nicola on Sep 7th, 2003, 9:10pm oooh! I can't wait to find out Con's idea. Keep it up Lulie, this is great! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 8th, 2003, 4:05am Ray, you have to stop doing that! One day you might find a story that will never be continued and you might not be able to breathe ever again! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 8th, 2003, 8:16am Lulie this is fantastic! ;D *hoping for more, and hoping that Lulie's tummy feels better soon* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 8th, 2003, 8:01pm Ow, ow, ow, how dreadful for the poor girl, receiving individual apologies from everyone. I do hope Con's idea is better (I'm sure it will be) and the Lulie tells us about it soon. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Aletea on Sep 8th, 2003, 8:13pm on 09/02/03 at 09:49:52, LulieCat wrote:
Sorry to disagree with you, but the claim that 'all non-Christian religions are classed as Pagan' simply isn't true. Paganism is an umbrella term for the types of religions and worshipping you've mentioned though. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Aletea on Sep 8th, 2003, 9:03pm And a brilliant, brilliant story! I love it - it's absolutely spiffy! And poor you about the stomach pain - I get an unkown abdomen pain too, they've been 'investigating' for about 7 years and so far they've come up with nothing. Only overdosing on codeine gets rid of it (and that's only becuase I'm unconscious!) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 8th, 2003, 9:32pm I'm so glad you're all enjoying this - or at least those of you who say you are ;D There has been an unmitigated disaster in the land of CS alternatives. Yes, Lulie has had to go back to work >:( and therefore has less time for writing >:( >:( Also the computers at work REFUSE to let me in >:( >:( >:( so I now have to pester the ILT support staff for the rest of the week until they realise I'm not a gormless woman and issue me with a new Id and password. >:( >:( >:( >:( I thank every deity that has ever been worshipped that the Chinese invented paper and some bright spark discovered graphite in the Lake District. I can still write when I get into work exceptionally early (I get a lift) and that my computer at home still loves me :) Con's plan is doing fine, and I'll post the next installment asap - hopefully tomorrow. xxxxx :-* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 8th, 2003, 9:43pm hurrah hurrah *can't wait for tomorrow* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 9th, 2003, 8:29am It's tomorrow! Where's the next installment? Don't tell me I have to wait for Lulie to finish work too? Rachel ~ needs to know what Con's plan is! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 9th, 2003, 11:43am *sends Rachel two penn'orth of patience!* ;) ;D :P |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 9th, 2003, 3:39pm on 09/09/03 at 11:43:46, Vikki wrote:
Like that's going to go far! :D Do I come across as impatient? Really? Are you sure? Positive certain? You're totally convinced? Surely not? You're wrong. Rachel ~ never one to accept false accusations lightly ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Jennie on Sep 9th, 2003, 3:46pm Ha hem, no, we wouldn't call you impatient, Rachel, just as we wouldn't call you pedantic. Jennie smiles as she speaks, but has fingers crossd behind her back. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by PatW on Sep 9th, 2003, 3:47pm A good CS girl learns to judge herslef accurately. :o :o Follow the example set by OOAOML ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 9th, 2003, 3:51pm No, no Rachel! You, impatient, never! Just like I never go off topic! ;) ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 9th, 2003, 4:01pm ***** Sarcasm Detector Enabled ***** ***** Scanning Commences ***** ***** Scanning Complete ***** ***** Results of Scan ***** ***** No Sarcasm Detected ***** So that's ok then! Rachel ~ patient, unpedantic, virtuous, sober, all round good girl ;D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by PatW on Sep 9th, 2003, 4:26pm self diagnosis enabled Scan completed Faults corrected Sarcasm detected Oh dear!!!! ??? ??? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lesley on Sep 9th, 2003, 8:15pm "Why are we waiting? Why are we waiting? Why are we waiting? Oh why, why, why?" (Not at all impatient!) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 9th, 2003, 8:23pm *joins the pleas for more!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 9th, 2003, 8:24pm *sighs deeply then joins in Lesley's song* I'm not impatient... just eager! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 9th, 2003, 9:44pm It is definatly evening now, 9:45 and I'm missing todays installment of this story. I'm sure that I NEED to know the details of Con's plan. Carolyn *joining Rachel in her not impatience* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 9th, 2003, 11:09pm well it's gone eleven now! I just hope Lulie is ok and hasn't decided to go in for emergency peritonitis after all! Rachel ~ wonders if she should start worrying or continue with the non-impatient chanting? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 10th, 2003, 12:12am We'll all send worry-worms in her direction, but keep chanting nonetheless... |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sugarplum on Sep 10th, 2003, 1:12am ;D Hi I'm new to posting on these boards. I discovered them at the weekend This story is great I'm addicted..... I like lots of them actually :) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 10th, 2003, 1:12am I agree. I hope nothing's *wrong* but you know, after days of exile I dont wanna be kept hanging on like this.. still. I'm sure I can do better at patience that Rachel and Co! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 10th, 2003, 1:32am on 09/10/03 at 01:12:33, Sugarplum wrote:
Welcome, Sugarplum. Enjoy the insanity! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 1:51am KB, what do you mean insanity? We're all perfectly sane around here! ::) ::) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:12am *sigh* Yes, dear. Now tell me, have you had any recurrence of those nasty flying purple pigs? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:25am Sorry KB, I think the purple flying pigs were Xanthe. I'm the levitating orange teddy bears! ::) ::) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:27am *shakes head* I think she's in denial, KB. If we're to have any hope of er sanitising her ( I don;'t mean that they way it sounds!!) we need to get her to admit it.. then again, who wants to?! Some of Vikki's posts have kept me giggling all day! ;D ;D |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:31am *frantically tries to remember what she's posted that might've had that effect on Lisa!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:34am I'm sure if you set your mind to it you can think of a few! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:40am Nope! All my posts are deadly serious, and very much in earnest! :P ::) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:43am D'you see that purple pig flying there? That's as likely as your serious stories! Now of course, if you or anyone else *do* see them- well that's SERIOUSLY worrying! ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:48am No I definitely don't see any flying purple pigs! *catches a levitating orange teddy, and gives him a cuddle* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 10:44am Flying purple pigs? Not me... Definitely not me. *hoping Lulie is okay, and not just cos she'd like to hear more of the story* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 10:53am *Joins the crossed fingers brigade, hoping that Lulie is okay.* *and distinctly remembers Xanthe mentioning the purple pigs!* :P |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 10:55am :'( mean-mean-mean :'( |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 10:59am Aw, Xanthe! I'm only teasing! *Offers Xanthe a hanky, and a levitating orange teddy to cuddle!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:01am *gratefully accepts both hanky and teddy* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:04am *hopes Xanthe will look after the teddy! (he likes honey sandwiches by the way!)* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:06am But of course... maybe you should send Lulie a teddy to keep her company and check she'd alright... |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:08am He's already on his way! (Did you know teddies could travel down an internet connection?) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:13am Amazing isn't it... sent someone a waffle my the same means the other day (was still hot when it arrived in Aberdeen)... |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:18am I tried doing that, but the maple syrup slid off and it took a couple of days to get the modem working properly again! ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:21am *giggles* whoops, the OT alert siren is sounding... *looks guilty* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 11:30am We're not really off topic, we were wondering if Lulie is okay, as she hasn't added to her story for a while, and were speculating about the logistics of sending her cyber-get-well-gifts if she is ill! ;) ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 10th, 2003, 12:08pm And I (very unselfishly) will lend you a Sanity Cow Xanthe. But I want it back! Rachel ~ attempting to keep control of said beast, but wondering if she is failing dismally |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lesley on Sep 10th, 2003, 12:11pm Rachel Do you think your Sanity Cow could have Mad Cow Disease? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 12:12pm Thank you Rachel ;D *wonders if anyone can control the sanity cow* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sugarplum on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:24pm ::) If sanity is Jo B in a gold lame mini and Felix Maynard becoming Aunt Susan (I love that story :)) then u lot are in sane .... is there room for a little one?? I wanna play too LOL |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 10th, 2003, 2:48pm on 09/10/03 at 12:12:10, xanthe wrote:
By judicious use of manacles and a gag (borrowed from the guerilla middles) I am gradually training my Sanity Cow wonderfully. She now knows to come when I call her, although we did have a little trouble in the beginning when she refused to acccept that her name really is that outrageously long string of expletives. However, we are now planning on getting her into the sme clinic where Madge went, so hopefully in a short space of time, we will have a whole flock (Sanity Cows come in flocks! Don't tell me you didn't know that?), a whole flock I say, of Sanity Cows available to purchase from all good shops. Book tokens accepted here. Rachel ~ calling to the cow to come very very quickly! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 10th, 2003, 3:02pm Mmm. tempting... ::) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 10th, 2003, 9:16pm Hey, all! Thanks for your concern, and your patience. I liked listening to your angelic voices singing protest songs. It quite reminded me of my Socialist upbringing ;D Luckily I wasn't ill with raging peritonitis, just the chaos of Entry Level students on induction. But I was whisked into a hot bath and dosed with Matron's (ooops, I mean Mother's) medicines before bed. And here is the next part that you have all been demanding so charmingly :P ********************************** Miss Annersley smiled at the three girls as they entered the room in response to her ‘Come in,’ ‘Hello, girls. What can I do for you?’ ‘We’ve got an idea to help Lulie,’ began Con, taking the chair indicated. ‘It’s Con’s idea really, but we all think it’s a good one,’ added Ricki. ‘Oh? And does Lulie think it’s a good idea?’ queried Miss Annersley, trying not to look too amused. ‘Oh, yes,’ Con cheerfully glossed over Lulie’s doubts, ‘we’ve just been discussing it with her,’ ‘I see. Well, go ahead. I’m eager to hear anything that will help Lulie settle properly into the school, after the unfortunate start she’s been forced to have,’ The three girls looked momentarily shamefaced, but Con forged ahead. ‘Well, what it is, Miss Annersley, I think that part of the reason why people have been saying such nasty things to Lulie is that they don’t understand what her religion is all about. They’ve only ever heard of the bad things that people say, which aren’t necessarily true. I’ve read a couple of books that Lulie has loaned me, just because I was interested and Mamma said it was all right, and there’s nothing in them at all that could even be mistaken for some of the things that people have been saying,’ Con paused for breath, and eyed her Headmistress expectantly. But Miss Annersley was simply leaning on her desk, listening with an interested expression on her face. ‘Go on, Con,’ she said ‘So what I thought was that instead of our Scripture classes, I mean instead of what we normally do, Lulie could tell us about Paganism, so at least people will understand what it is, even if they don’t accept it,’ Con thought regretfully of her own triplet sisters. ‘And maybe even people could come and tell us about other religions, from outside, I mean,’ put in Ricki, eagerly, ‘just so we’ve an idea of how other people worship God and then we can be more tolerant of them.’ Miss Annersley looked startled. This was something she had not thought of, and it wasn’t something she expected fifteen-year-old schoolgirls to think of either. However, it was clear that something must be done, and done quickly. Nurse has told her, strictly off the record, that Lulie was still being sick at the thought of all the girls coming to apologise to her. Miss Annersley was beginning to wonder if she’d made a mistake over that. Almost as if she’d read the Head’s thoughts, Odette suddenly spoke up. ‘Please, Mademoiselle, also if this talk happens, maybe the other girls will not have to say they are sorry to Lulie,’ The other two gaped at Odette, and then wished they’d thought of it themselves. Moss Annersley smiled at the French girl, ‘and why do you think that, Odette?’ Half regretting speaking, Odette swallowed the lump in her throat and blushed. ‘If the girls say they are sorry because they have to, then they may not mean it. IF they hear this talk, they will realise how wrong they have been and say they are sorry by themselves, and they will mean it then.’ Miss Annersley suddenly looked rather serious, mainly because she was dying to laugh. The astounded expressions on Con and Ricki’s faces were too funny for words. ‘I see your point, Odette, and it is certainly worth considering. However, I must discuss this with the other staff. I cannot make major changes to the curriculum alone.’ ‘Yes, Miss Annersley, we see that,’ Con got up and straightened her skirts. The other two followed, looking rather blue at the sudden end to the interview. ‘Thank you for listening to us,’ ‘That’s quite all right, girls. That is what I’m here for. Now you’d better hurry, you don’t want to be late for prep.’ The three girls bobbed their curtsies and made their way back to the Va form room. ‘D’you think she’ll do it?’ asked Ricki, as she got her books ready. ‘She said she’ll discuss it with the other mistresses and Miss Annersley does tend to keep her word,’ said Con, ‘I just hope they agree to it. Come on, the others will be here in a minute, lets get on.’ Before the bell rang for prep, Miss Annersley found time to pop into the staff room and tell the other staff that she was coming to coffee that evening, as there was something that she wanted to discuss with them. ‘I’ll bring biscuits,’ she added, laughing, before leaving them to go and find Matron. ********************************** Edited to ask: Why am I a disappointment to Miss A? ??? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 10th, 2003, 9:58pm I hate to think, Lulie. But if you don't get a move on and most more, you'll be a disappointment to all of us instead! And I doubt you'll get much mercy.... ;D ;) Really enjoying this! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 10th, 2003, 10:35pm Glad you're okay Lulie! You had us worried! (and impatient! ;)) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by KB on Sep 11th, 2003, 12:34am Lulie, perhaps you're a disappointment to Miss Annersley because she was waiting for the next part too! ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Sindhu on Sep 11th, 2003, 1:52am Lulie I like Con's idea- it was :Palmost ;) worth the wait! And I'll forgive you anything for actually getting Odette to speak up! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 11th, 2003, 8:27am ;D Thank you Lulie! ;D glad you're okay... *hoping for more SOON* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Domino on Sep 11th, 2003, 1:33pm Just found this and it is BRILLIANT!!! more more more more etc etc well done Lulie!!! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 12th, 2003, 3:05pm Love Con's idea - I'm now keenly awaiting what the rest of the staff think about it. Very pleased you're OK :) Ray *being patient* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 12th, 2003, 9:15pm Great, will the staff have a variety of opinions, what about consulting Madge, didn't the school have a board or somthing at that point? (Vague memories from New Mistress) It is great to see Odette not just speaking up, but being thoughtful as well. Keep up the good work, this is very interesting, does much of it reflect the reaction you have received yourself? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 14th, 2003, 8:30pm Sorry this is taking so long to write, but with term starting I'm finding my time appears to be taken up with work. How it happened, I don't know. Real CS mistresses seem to find time stretches for them. It must be a different clock they use :) Anyway, to add to that, I am having one or two difficulties getting the staff meeting to go how I want it to, so I keep having to rewrite >:( It's on it's way though :D And, Carolyn P, I'm lucky, the only reactions I seem to get are either an 'Oh, right,' a funny look or a completely blank one and a 'What's that?' I do have a lot of friends though who have suffered a lot of discrimination and nastiness from various quarters, including their families. I'm just glad you are all so tolerant on this board, I was worried that you were all going to burn me at the stake :( |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 14th, 2003, 9:20pm I always go with the bloke who said that he might disagree with everything you said but would defend to the death you right to say it. I feel that this stretches to belief. I believe that real life is only to be found in Jesus, but whilst I may long for people to see that I also accept that anyone has the right to believe what they want and to do so with full acceptance. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by crashbb on Sep 14th, 2003, 9:47pm Quote:
It was Voltaire. Or rather it has always been attributed to Voltaire. I remember reading somewhere that it was actually written in an article and used to describe Voltaire; as in "Voltaire is a man who might disagree ..." Either way, I always liked the sentiment, myself. Chelsea *struggling vainly to remember the french (and original) version of the quote* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Esmeralda on Sep 14th, 2003, 10:04pm This is very interesting Lulie, and I'm glasd that you haven't had to put up with this sort of behaviour yourself. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Sep 14th, 2003, 10:08pm You're absolutely right, Carolyn. I'm also from a strong Evangelical Christian background, but I don't think that anyone has the right to force their beliefs on others. After all, it's personal choice and any faith commitment made under duress is worthless if it's not sincere. I know my dad would probably be appalled at me for saying this, but that's what I think. I don't think anything is as important as tolerance and understanding when you're dealing with other people! *I aim to only be intolerant of intolerance- dunno how far I'm getting though..**Especially in Northern Ireland!!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Susan on Sep 17th, 2003, 3:35pm Carolyn and Lisa I agree completely. I have a big problem with 'door-knocking' evangelism and stuff like that. I am quite open to share my faith with anyone who asks or shows a need but I don't like trtying to force people. I think we can do a better job evangelising people by how we act, what we say and do in situations than knocking on people's doors and upsetting them while they are watching TV or having their meal. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 17th, 2003, 3:45pm Back on topic: Lulie? Are you OK? Hope work's not getting to be a real pain in the whassits. Ray *eager for more* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 17th, 2003, 3:56pm on 09/17/03 at 15:45:47, Ray wrote:
Ummmm, the thread history at the top of the page clearly states "Fiction". And can I also point out that there might be some Jehovah's Witnesses on the CBB who might at this point be feeling as if their beliefs are being ridiculed or that they personally are not being tolerated, which isn't exactly a nice thing on a drabble all about religious tolerance . . . Rachel ~ the pedantic one :) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 17th, 2003, 4:04pm Consider me 1) Extremely embarrassed 2) Extremely sorry and 3) Consider the link vanished. I honestly didn't think it was offensive. It certainly wasn't intended as offensive. Ray |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachel on Sep 17th, 2003, 4:10pm Ray I didn't think the link was offensive either, but felt it shouldn't be labelled as a true story :D And I wasn't getting at you personally or claiming that YOU are intolerant, just that in general the thread seemed to be in danger of turning into witness baashing ;D The CBB is such a nice place to be, somewhere we can be any size (huge in my case!), shape (lumpy!), colour (washed out peely-wally!) or creed (think I have one of those!), I just thought it worth mentioning that it would be nice to keep it that way. Rachel ~ hoping she hasn't offended anyone now :( |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 17th, 2003, 10:42pm Ray, work is total chaos ;D ;D ;D It makes first days of term at the CS look like a picnic on the Mondscheinspitze! And has somebody been planting student seeds in the Teesside area, because they've all come up. You can't move anywhere in the college, there are people everywhere. Anyway, the writing is coming along slowly, I'm afraid, thanks to life. Hopefully I'll get some time on Saturday to post some more, but unfortunately I can't promise. You lot are keeping me sane - KEEP WRITING PLEASE!!!!!!!! On the religion front, people who knock on doors, or who stand in town centres trying to convert people is one of my pet bugbears. I've never forgotten a man (who just happened to be a JW, as there was one of their Kingdom Halls at the top of my street at uni) trying to convert me at 8.00AM when I was on my way to a lecture that was exceedingly boring, when I had the hangover from hell, coupled with period pains. I don't think I was very nice to him :P But personally I don't give a toss what religion a person is, as long as they are a nice person. And a difference in religion gives friends something to discuss when the gossip flags! P.S. Ray, could you PM me with that link you posted. I was too late and you'd edited it before I could see it. No reason, other than I'm very nosy and want to see what I missed ;) |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Sep 19th, 2003, 7:50pm I've decided to post the bit I've written that I think is OK. I am still struggling with the exact details of the staff meeting, and hopefully I can persuade the plot bunny to be nice and tell me how it's all supposed to go. I know how I want it to turn out, but I suspect that it won't happen that way ;D ************************** ‘So what is this meeting about then?’ Nancy Wilmot asked Rosalie Dene later that evening. ‘I don’t know,’ replied Rosalie, sipping at her coffee, ‘I didn’t know we were having one until just before prep.’ Everybody was asking the same question as they received coffee from Jeanne de Lachenais and settled themselves round the large table usually set aside for staff meetings. They had had a meeting only two days before, to settle half term duties, and another so soon was unprecedented. The door opened just then to admit Matron, and to their surprise, Miss Wilson, Head of St. Mildred’s, the finishing branch. ‘Golly, this must be serious,’ muttered Miss Moore to her neighbour, as the two were welcomed. ‘Do you know what this is about then, Nell?’ asked Miss Wilmot, as Miss Wilson took the seat next to her. ‘I don’t, I’m as much in the dark as you are,’ laughed Miss Wilson, as she accepted a cup of coffee from Mlle de Lachenais, ‘Thank you, Jeanne.’ At this juncture the door opened and the Head walked in, accompanied by Jack Maynard. ‘Hello everybody,’ he said, with a grin at their cries of surprise, ‘Joey’s up to her ears in screaming babes, and as Hilda wanted one of us here, I came for the occasion!’ ‘Right,’ said Miss Annersley, as they all resettled themselves and turned towards her, ‘As you all know, I have recently had to deal with an outbreak of bullying in the school, resulting in the victim making herself ill through misery,’ ‘How is she?’ asked Miss Moore, who was Lulie’s form mistress. ‘Getting better,’ replied Matron ‘She should be back in school the day after tomorrow, all being well.’ ‘Why exactly were they bullying her?’ asked Miss Andrews, the junior mistress, who didn’t have much to do with the seniors. Miss Annersley explained briefly, ‘I wouldn’t have thought that would have turned our girls into something so vindictive,’ said Miss Yolland, ‘We generally advocate tolerance in this establishment.’ ‘Apparently somebody had been told that pagans sacrificed humans and all sorts of other rubbish, and were horrified when they met a real live one!’ put in Miss Moore, ‘They had a real argument over it one morning. I was ashamed at the way they behaved, but I soon put them right on that score,’ The others chuckled. Miss Moore was famed for her sarcastic tongue. ‘But in this day and age people ought to know that that sort of thing just isn’t possible. Nobody could get away with it for long, they’d soon be suspected by the police,’ protested Miss Ferrars, who was form mistress for Vb. ‘We know that, but would the girls think of it?’ ‘Some of them might, but we do have some featherheads who would simply follow the crowd,’ ‘So how do we try and help the girls to understand? We can’t just order them to, can we?’ asked Miss Ferrars, plaintively. ‘Well, that’s partly what this meeting’s about,’ said Miss Annersley, who had been sitting back and listening to her staff talk, ‘Con Maynard, Richenda Fry and Odette Mercier came to me today with an idea that they’ve cooked up between themselves. I think it sounds quite good, and would like to see how it goes, but I want to see what you all think before I go any further.’ Miss Annersley then proceeded to outline the plan as the three girls had told it to her, with one or two additions that she had thought of in the meantime. There was a deathly silence when she had finished. Miss Annersley waited for somebody to speak, her heart sinking. Had she done the right thing in taking this child into the school? She seemed to be causing such upheaval already, and it wasn’t even half term yet. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Ray on Sep 19th, 2003, 7:54pm It's looking good so far :) Great stuff. Good luck with the plot bunny :) Ray *prodding a few of her own* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Carolyn P on Sep 19th, 2003, 8:11pm Oh, good start to that scene. Looking forward to the rest when your plot bunny deigns to tell you what happened. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lesley on Sep 19th, 2003, 10:16pm Keep going! |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by xanthe on Sep 20th, 2003, 9:57am *hopping from foot to foot awaiting the next bit of the story!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Sep 20th, 2003, 9:41pm *Picks Xanthe up from the floor after she loses her balance!* *would also like more story please!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Nicola on Oct 2nd, 2003, 10:38am I've finally managed to get back to this (hurray!) Lulie - it's going great! I hope you are having some luck with those bunnies as I would love to see what happens next. And I hope that work has calmed down a bit too. (Nicola still swithering between wanting to go back to work and wanting to stay at home with the kiddies) Good luck with the rest. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Rachael P on Oct 2nd, 2003, 1:36pm I've just caught up with this and am really enjoying it - I really admire the way you're handling such a potentially explosive topic |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Oct 2nd, 2003, 10:27pm *wonders where Lulie is, and when we're going to get more story!!* |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Oct 12th, 2003, 10:24pm Well, just as you all though that this was another story that gets lost in time, here is the next instalment. The plot bunny got entangled in the chaos and politics of Riverside College, and I finally found him hiding in dread and fear in the disabled toilet, amongst the gloves and the baby wipes. Here’s the next bit, and hopefully more to come very soon, just as long as I can keep PB from doing risqué dances in plastic aprons and netty knickers…. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Finally Miss Wilson, sensing her friend’s feelings, was the first to speak, ‘And what do you think, Jack?’ Jack sighed, ‘I’m not sure, to be honest, Nell. I’m glad that one of my own girls is broad minded enough to broach such an idea, but with girls of this age things tend to be rather black and white. I don’t want Lulie to suffer any more, partly for her own sake, and partly because she may communicate some of that distress to her mother without knowing it, and Mrs Arden is in no fit state to worry about anything, let alone something like this.’ ‘Is she really that ill?’ ‘To be honest, Matron, I’m surprised that she’s still with us. She left things far too late to come here for anything other than a bit more time. That’s partly because she is so destitute when it comes to family. Just her uncle, and some distant relations in Nice. She’s holding on for her children, and so anything that affects them throws her back all over again.’ ‘So what are you saying, Jack?’ demanded Miss Annersley, rather shortly. She felt that there was no time to prevaricate over things. ‘Well, obviously this has to go through the Board, but I’ve spoken to Madge on the phone and she seems quite interested in the idea. I don’t know how we’ll manage the fine details. Of course we have Lulie here with us, and if she’s willing to give her classmates a talk, then Madge said to go ahead. We may find a Jew in Berne or one of the other big cities, but other religions may be a little more difficult. We simply cannot afford to pay the expenses of people of other countries to fly out to Switzerland merely to give talks to the girls, however educational.’ ‘There may be somebody in Switzerland who knows a lot about various religions, a professor or something. Perhaps we can advertise in the universities,’ suggested Miss Moore, eager to help the members of her form. ‘Good idea,’ added Miss Ferrars, who was personally interested in the idea, and secretly hoped it would be put into place. Jack nodded, ‘I’ll see what Madge says to that, but it’s certainly something I’d not thought of. She’ll be writing to you officially, of course, Hilda, but has said that if we want to go ahead sooner than when her letter arrives, then that’s fine by her. It really depends on how quickly Lulie is well again, and whether she definitely consents to doing as she is asked,’ ‘If Con has any say in the matter, she will,’ said Miss Annersley, with a grin, ‘She seemed most determined when she came to see me earlier,’ ‘Is this just for the fifths then, or does it extend to the whole school?’ asked Mlle Lachenais, ‘And how do we put it into place?’ |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by LulieCat on Oct 12th, 2003, 10:26pm Bah and Grrrr, it wasn't too long a message. Nasty CBB telling me what is and what isn't. Second time lucky! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ‘Well, I don’t really want to do anything unless you all agree to it, whether personally or as a mistress in this school. When I feel you are all behind me then I’ll go and see Lulie, and suggest that she carries out this plan of Con’s, just talking to the fifths, as they seem to be the main persecutors. If we can find people to invite in to give talks on other religions, then we can look again at asking Lulie to present something to other forms, as long as it won’t affect her own school work.’ The assembled mistresses looked at one another. All of them, apart from Miss Annersley and Matron, had absolutely no idea of what Paganism was all about, and there were many who were genuinely interested to find out about it from an academic point of view. There were also those who tended to distrust anything so different and so controversial, but who wanted to support their Head, and Madge Russell, founder of the School, both of whom commanded great love and respect from their staff. Miss Annersley saw their looks and made a quick decision. Draining her coffee cup she stood. ‘I know it may a difficult decision for some of you, and I don’t wish to rush you. I’ll call a staff meeting for two days time, and that will give you plenty of time to think about it. I ask you to let me know your decisions privately before that time, so as not to put anybody on the spot. As for now, I’d advise clearing away and going to bed, as it’s twenty two hours already.’ Looking rather thoughtful, the mistresses cleared the staff room, and attended to their usual before bed jobs, mainly in silence. Matron went to do her nightly rounds, and Miss Annersley escorted Jack and Miss Wilson to the door. ‘Don’t look so worried, Hilda,’ said Jack, ‘I’ve a feeling things will come out all right,’ ‘I can give you my decision now,’ added Miss Wilson, ‘Though I don’t agree personally with it, I’ll stand by you whatever you decide. I can’t stand by and watch a girl be persecuted as if it were the seventeenth century. There’s enough bitterness and intolerance in the world without it rearing it’s ugly head in the school as well,’ Feeling suddenly tearful, Miss Annersley squeezed Miss Wilson’s hand, ‘Thank you, Nell,’ was all she said, ‘Safe journey, and let me know you arrived home safely,’ She watched as Jack escorted Miss Wilson to his car, and went back to tidy her study and wait for the phone call from her closest friend. |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Lisa_T on Oct 12th, 2003, 11:26pm This is great, Lulie. When are you posting more? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Esmeralda on Oct 13th, 2003, 12:18am Please carry on Lulie, I really, really want to see what happens next. Will all the staff agree, or will there be dissenters? and if they do agree, how will Lulie get on when she gives her talk? |
||
|
Title: Re: A new idea for the Chalet School Post by Vikki on Oct 13th, 2003, 1:06am I'm so glad you've come back to this story Lulie!! Has your plot bunny recovered from his ordeal yet? ;) ;D |
||
|
The Chaletian Bulletin Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.1! YaBB © 2000-2002, Xnull. All Rights Reserved. |