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NaughtiestGirl01-TheNaughtiestGirlintheSchoolByEnidBlyton
CHAPTER1.TheNaughtySpoiltGirl.
YOU'LLhavetogotoschool,Elizabeth!saidMrs.Allen.Ithinkyourgovernessisquiteright.Youarespoiltandnaughty,andalthoughDaddyand1weregoingtoleaveyouherewithMissScott,whenwewentaway,Ithinkitwouldbebetterforyoutogotoschool.Elizabethstaredathermotherindismay.What,leaveherhome?Andherponyandherdog?Goandbewithalotofchildrenshewouldhate!Ohno,shewouldn'tgo!I'llbegoodwithMissScott,shesaid.
You'vesaidthatbefore,saidhermother,MissScottsaysshecan'tstaywithyouanylonger.Elizabeth,isittruethatyouputearwigsinherbedlastnight?Elizabethgiggled.Yes,shesaid.MissScottissofrightenedofthem!It'ssillytobeafraidofearwigs,isn'tit?Itismuchsilliertoputthemintosomebody'sbed,saidMrs.Allensternly.Youhavebeenspoilt,andyouthinkyoucandowhatyoulike!Youareanonlychild,andweloveyousomuch,DaddyandI,thatIthinkwehavegivenyoutoomanylovelythings,andallowedyoutoomuchfreedom.Mummy,ifyousendmetoschool,Ishallbesonaughtytherethatthey'llsendmebackhomeagain,saidElizabeth,shakinghercurlsback.Shewasaprettygirtwithlaughingblueeyesanddarkbrowncurls.Allherlifeshehaddoneassheliked.Sixgovernesseshadcomeandgone,butnotoneofthemhadbeenabletomakeEliz
abethobedientorgoodmannered!Youcanbesuchanicelittlegirl!theyhadallsaidtoher,butallyouthinkofisgettingintomischiefandbeingrudeaboutit!Andnowwhenshesaidthatshewouldbesonaughtyatschoolthattheywouldhavetosendherhome,hermotherlookedatherindespair.ShelovedElizabethverymuch,andwantedhertobehappy-buthowcouldshebehappyifshedidnotlearntobeasotherchildrenwere?
Youhavebeenalonetoomuch,Elizabeth,shesaid.Youshouldhavehadotherchildrentoplaywithandtoworkwith.Idon'tlikeotherchildren!saidElizabethsulkily,Itwasquitetrue-shedidn'tlikeboysandgirlsatall!Theywereshockedathermischiefandrudeways,andwhentheysaidtheywouldn'tjoininhernaughtiness,shelaughedatthemandsaidtheywerebabies,Thentheytoldherwhattheythoughtofher,andElizabethdidn'tlikeit.
SonowthethoughtofgoingawaytoschoolandlivingwithotherboysandgirlsmadeElizabethfeeldreadful!Pleasedon'tsendme,shebegged.Ireallywillbegoodathome.No,Elizabeth,saidhermother.DaddyandImustgoawayforawholeyer,andasMissScottwon'tstay,andwecouldnotexpecttofindanothergovernessquicklybeforewego,itisbestyoushouldgotoschool,Youhaveagoodbrainandyoushouldbeabletodoyourworkwellandgettothetopoftheform.Thenweshallbeproudofyou.Ishan'tworkatall,saidElizabeth,pouting.Iwonworkabit,andthey'llthinkI'msostupidtheywon'tkeepme!Well,Elizabeth,ifyouwanttomakethingsdifficultforyourself,you'llhaveto,saidMother,gettingup.WehavewrittentoMissBelleandMissBest,whorunWhyteleafeSchool,andtheyarewillingtotakeyounextweek,whenthenewtermbegins.MissScottwillgetallyourthingsready.Pleasehelpherallyoucan.Elizabethwasver
yangryandupset.Shedidn'twanttogotoschool.Shehatedeverybody,especiallysillychildren!MissScottwashorridtosayshewouldn'tstay.SuddenlyElizabethwonderedifshewouldstay,ifsheaskedhervery,verynicely!Sherantofindhergoverness.MissScottwasbusysewingElizabeth'snameontoapileofbrownstockings.
Arethesenewstockings?askedElizabeth,insurprise.Idon'twearstockings!Iwearsocks!YouhavetowearstockingsatWhyteleafeSchool,saidMissScott.Elizabethstaredatthepile,andthenshesuddenlyputherarmsroundMissScott'sneck.
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MissScott!shesaid.Staywithme!IknowI'msometimesnaughty,butIdon'twantyoutogo.Whatyoureallymeanisthatyoudon'twanttogotoschool,saidMissScott.IsupposeMother'sbeentellingyou?Yes,shehas,saidElizabeth.MissScotIwon'tgotoschool!Well,ofcourse,ifyou'resuchababyastobeafraidofdoingwhatallotherchildrendo,thenI'venothingmoretosay,saidMissScott,beginningtosewanothernameonabrownstocking.
Elizabethstoodupatonceandstampedherfoot.Afraid!sheshouted.I'mnotafraid!WasIafraidwhenIfelloffmypony?WasIafraidwhenourcarcrashedintothebank?WasIafraidwhen-when---when-Don'tshoutatme,please,Elizabeth,saidMissScott.Ithinkyouareafraidtogotoschoolandmixwithobedient,well-mannered,hard-workingchildrenwhoarenotspoiltasyouare.Youknowquitewellthatyouwouldn'tgetyourownway,thatyouwouldhavetoshareeverything,insteadofhavingthingstoyourselfasyoudonow,andthatyouwouldhavetobepunctual,polite,andobedient.Andyouareafraidtogo!I'mnot,I'mnot,I'mnot!shoutedElizabeth.Ishallgo!ButIshallbesonaughtyandlazythattheywon'tkeepme,andthenI'llcomebackhome!Andyou'llhavetolookaftermeagain,sothere!MydearElizabeth,Ishan'tbehere,saidMissScott,takinganotherstocking.Iamgoingtoanotherfamily,whereIshallhavetwolittleboystoteach.1amgoingthedayyougotoschool,Soyoucan'tcomebackhomebecauseIshan'tbehere,yourfatherandmotherwillbeaway,andthehousewillbeshutup!Elizabethburstintotears.ShesobbedsoloudlythatMissScott,whowasreallyfondofthespoilt,naughtygirl,putherarmsroundherandcomfortedher.
Nowdon'tbesilly,shesaid.Mostchildrensimplyloveschool.It'sgreatfun.Youplaygames,yougoforwalks,alltogether,youhavethemostlovelylessons,andyouwillmakesuchalotoffriends.Youhavenofriendsnow,anditisadreadfulthingnottohaveasinglefriend.Youareverylucky.I'mnot,weptElizabeth.Nobodylovesme.I'mveryunhappy.Thetroubleisthatpeoplehavelovedyoutoomuch,saidMissScott.Youarepretty,andmerry,andrich,soyouhavebeenspoilt.Peoplelikethewayyoulook,thewayyousmile,andyourprettyclothes,sotheyfussyou,andpetyou,andspoilyou,insteadoftreatingyoulikeanordinarychild,Butitisn'tenoughtohaveaprettyfaceandamerrysmile-youmusthaveagoodhearttoo.NobodyhadspokentoElizabethlikethisbefore,andthelittlegirlwasastonished.Ihavegotagoodheart,shesaid,tossinghercurlsbackagain.
Well,youdon'tshowitmuch!saidMissScott,Nowrunaway,please,becauseI'vegottocountallthesestockings,andthenmarkyournewvestsandbodices.Elizabethlookedatthepileofstockings.Shehatedthem.Nastybrownthings!Shewouldn'twearthem!She'dtakehersockstoschoolandwearthoseifshewantedto!MissScottturnedtoachest-of-drawersandbegantotakeoutsomevests.Elizabethpickeduptwobrownstockingsandpinnedthemtoetotoe.ThenshetiptoedtoMissScottandneatlyandquietlypinnedthemtoherskirt!Sheskippedoutoftheroom,giggling.MissScottcarriedtheveststothetable.Shebegantocountthestockings.Thereshouldbesixpairs.
One-two-three-four-five,shecounted.Five,Dearme-where'sthesixth?Shelookedothefloor.Shelookedonthechair.Shewasreallyvexed.Shecountedthepile
again.ThenshewenttothedoorandlookedforElizabeth.Thelittlegirlwaspullingsomethingoutofacupboardonthelanding.
Elizabeth!calledMissScottsharply,haveyougotapairofyourbrownstockings?,MissScott,saidElizabeth,makinghereyeslookroundandsurprised.Why?Becausapairismissing,saidMissScott.Didyoutakethemoutofthisroom?No,reallyMissScott,saidElizabethtruthfully,tryingnottolaughasshecaughtsightofthestockingsswingingatMissScott'sback.I'msureallthestockingsareintheroom,MissScott,really!Thenperhapsyourmotherhasapair,saidMissScott.I'llgoandaskher.Offmarchedthegovernessdownthelanding,thepinnedbrown
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stockingstrailingbehindherlikeatail.Elizabethputherheadintothecupboardandsquealedwithlaughter.MissScottwentintohermother'sroom,Excuseme,Mrs.Allen,shesaid,buthaveyouoneofElizabeth'snewpairsofstockings?I'veonlyfivepairs.No,Igaveyouthemall,saidMrs.Allen,surprised.Theymustbetogether.Perhapsyouhavedroppedthemsomewhere.MissScottturnedtogo,andMrs.AllencaughtsightofthebrownstockingsfollowingMissScott.Shelookedattheminastonishment.
Waft,MissScott,shesaid.What'sthis!ShewenttoMissScott,andunpinnedtheockings.ThegovernesslookedatMrs.Allen,Elizabeth,ofcourse!shesaid.
Yes,Elizabeth!saidMrs.Allen,Alwaysinmis~chief.Ireallyneverknewsuchachildinmylife.Itishightimeshewenttoschool.Don'tyouagree,MissScott?Ido,saidMissScottheartily.Youwillseeadifferentandmuchnicerchildwheyoucomebackhomeagain,Mrs.Allen!Elizabethwaspassingby,andheardwhathermotherandhergovernessweresaying.Shehitthedoorwiththebookshewascarryingandshoutedangrily,Youwon'tseemeanydifferent,Mother,youwon't,youwon't!I'llbeworse!Youcouldn'tbe!saidMrs.Allenindespair.Youreallyculdn'tbeworse!
CHAPTER2.
ElizabethgoestoSchool.
FORtherestofhertimeathomeElizabethwasverynaughtyandalsoverygood.
I'lltrybeingvery,verygoodandobedientandpoliteandsweet,andseeifMotherchangeshermind,shethought.So,tothesurpriseofeveryone,shebecamethoughtful,sweet-tongued,good-mannered,andmostobedient.Butithadquitethewrongeffect,because,insteadofsayingthatshewouldkeepherathomenow,hermothersaidsomethingquitedifferent!Well,Elizabeth,nowthatIknowwhatareallynicegirlyoucanbe,I'mnotsoafraidofsendingyoutoschoolasIwas,shesaid.Ithoughtyouwouldgetintosuchtroubleandbesounhappy-butnowthatIseehowwellyoureallycanbehave,Iamsureyouwillgetonnicelyatschool.Iamverypleasedwithyourbehaviour!Andyoucanguesswhathappenedafterthat.Elizabethatoncebecamenaughtierthanshehadeverbeenbefore!IfbeinggoodmakesMotherfeellikethat,I'llseewhatbeingnaughtydoes!shethought.
Sosheemptiedtheink-bottleoverthecushionsinthedrawing-room.Shetoreaholeinoneofthenicestcurtains.SheputthreeblackbeetleintopoorMissScott'stoothbrushmug,andshesqueezedtheseccotineintotheendsofbothMissScott'sbrownshoes,sothathertoeswouldstickthere!Well,allthismakesitquitecertainthatElizabethneedstogotoschool!saidMissScottangrily,asshetriedtogetherfeetoutofherstickyshoes.I'mgladtoleaveher!Naughtylittlegirl!Andyetshecanbesosweetandnicewhenshelikes,Elizabeth'sthingswerepackedandready.Shehadaneatbrowntrunk,withE.Allenpaintedonitinblack.Shehadatuck-boxtoo,withabigcurrantcakeinside,aboxofchocolate,atinoftoffee,ajamsandwich,andatinofshortbread.
Youwillhavetosharethesethingswiththeothers,saidMissScott,asshepacke
dthethingsneatlyinside.
Well,Ishan't,then,saidElizabeth,Verywell,don't!saidMissScott.Ifyouwatoshoweveryonewhataselfishchildyouare,justtakethechance!ElizabethputontheoutdooruniformofWhyteleafeSchool.Itwasveryneat,andshelookedniceinit.ButthenElizabethlookedniceinanything!Theoutdooruniformwasadarkbluecoatwithayellowedgetothecollarandcuffs,adarkbluehatwithayellowribbonroundit,andtheschoolbadgeatthefront,Herstockingswerelongandbrown,andherlaceshoeswerebrowntoo.
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Mygoodness,youdolookarealschoolgirl!saidhermother,quiteproudly.Elizabethwouldn'tsmile.Shestoodthere,sulkyandangry.Ishan'tstayatschoollong,shesaid.They'llsoonsendmeback!Don'tbesilly,Elizabeth,saidhermotherhekissedthelittlegirlgood-byeandhuggedher,Iwillcomeandseeyouathalf-term,shesaid,No,Mother,youwon't,saidElizabeth.Ishallbehomelongbeforthat!Don'tmakemesad,Elizabeth!saidMrs.Alien.
ButElizabethwouldn'tsmileorsayshewassorry.Shegotintothecarthatwastotakehertothestation,andsatthere,verycrossandstraight.Shehadsaidgoodbyetoherpony.Shehadsaidgood-byetoTimmy,herdog.Shehadsaidgood-byetohercanary.Andtoeachofthemshehadwhisperedthesamething.
I'llsoonbeback!You'llsee-theywon'tkeepthenaughtiestgirlintheschoolforlong!MissScotttookhertothestationandthenuptoLondoninthetrain.ShewentwithElizabethtoabigstationwheretrainswhistledandchuffed,andpeopleranaboutinahurry.
Nowwemustfindtherightplatform,saidMissScott.hurryingtoo.Wehavetomeettheteacherthere,whoisinchargeofthegirlsgoingbythistrain.'Theycametotherightplatformandwentthroughtowhereabiggroupofgirlsstoodwithateacher.Theywerealldressedindarkbluecoatsandhats,withyellowhat-bandslikeElizabeth.Thegirlswereofallages,somebig,somesmall,andmostofthemwerechatteringhard.
Twoorthreestoodapart,lookingshy.Theywerethenewones,likeElizabeth.Theteacherspoketothemnowandagain,andtheysmiledgratefullyathetMissScottbustleduptotheteacher.Goodmorning,shesaid.IsthisMissThomas?ThisisElizabethAllen.I'mgladweareingoodtime!Goodmorning,saidMissThomas,smiling.SheheldoutherhandtoElizabeth.Well,dear,shesaid,soyouaregoingtojointhehappycrowdatWhyteleafeSchool!ElizabethputherhandbehindherbackandwouldnotshakehandswithMissThomas.Theteacherlookedsurprised.Theotherchildrenstared.MissScottblushedred,andspokesharplytoElizabeth.
Elizabeth!Shakehandsatonce!Elizabethturnedherbackandlookedatatrainpuffingnearby.I'msosorryshe'sbehavingsorudely,saidMissScott,reallyupset.ShespokeinalowvoicetoMissThomas,She'sanonlychild-very,veryspoilt-rich,pretty-andshedoesn'twanttocomeawaytoschool,Justleaveheralonef
orabitandIexpectshe'llbeallright.MissThomasnodded.Shewasamerry-lookingyoungwoman,andthegirlslikedher.Shewasjustgoingtosaysomethingwhenamancamehurryingupwithfourboys.
Goodmorning,MissThomas,hesaid.Hereismybatch!SorryIcan'tstop,I'veatraintocatch!Good-bye,boys!Good-bye,sir,saidthefourboys.
HowmanyboyshaveyouatWhyteleafethisterm?askedMissScott.Asmanyasgirls?otquite,saidMissThomas,Therearesomemoreboysoverthere,look,inchargeofMr.Johns.MissScottlikedthelookoftheboys,allindarkblueovercoatsandbluecapswithyellowbadgeinfront.Suchagoodidea,shesaid,toeducateboysandgirlstogether.ForachildlikeElizabeth,whohasnobrothers,andnotevenasister,itislikejoiningalargefamilyofbrothersandsistersandcousi
ns,togotoaschoollikeWhyteleafe!Oh,they'llsoonknockthecornersoffyourElizabeth,smiledMissThomas.Look-herecomesourtrain.Wehaveourcarriagesreservedforus,soImustfindthem.Theboyshavetwocarriagesandthegirlshavethree.Comealong,girls,here'sourtrain!Elizabethwassweptalongwiththeothers,Shewaspushedintoacarriagewithabiglabelonit,ReservedforWhyteleafeSchool.Good-bye,Elizabeth;good-bye,dear!criedMissScott.Doyourbestood-bye,saidElizabeth,suddenlyfeelingverysmallandlost,I'llsoonbeback!sheshouted,Gracious!saidatubbylittlegirlnexttoher,aterm'salongtime,youknow!Fancysayingyou'llsoonbeback!Well,Ishall,saidElizabeth,Shewassquashedinaheapbythetubbylittlegirlandanothergirlontheotherside,w
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howasratherbony.Shedidn'tlikeit.
Elizabethfeltsureshewouldnever,neverlearnwhoallthedifferentgirlswere.Shefeltalittleafraidofthebigones,andshewashorrifiedtothinktherewereboysatherschool!Boys!Nasty,roughcreatures-well.she'dshowthemthatagirlcouldberoughtoo!Thelittlegirlsatsilentlyasthetrainrattledonandon.Theotherschatteredandtalkedandofferedsweetsroundthecarriage.Elizabethshookherheadwhenthesweetswereofferedtoher,Oh,comeon,dohaveone!saidthetubblylittlegirl,whosesweetstheywere.Asweetwoulddoyougood-makeyoulookabitsweeterperhaps!Everybodylaughed.Elizabethwentredandhatedthetubbylittlegirl.
Ruth!Youdosaysomefunnythings!saidabiggirlopposite.Don'tteasethepoorlittlethingsShe'snew.Well,soisBelinda,nexttoyou,saidRuth,butshedoestleastsaysomethingwhenshe'sspokento!Thatwilldo,Ruth,saidMissThomas,seeinghowredElizabethhadgone.Ruthsaidnomore,butthenexttimesheofferedhersweetsroundshedidnotofferthemtoElizabeth.
Itwasalongjourney.Elizabethwastiredwhenatlastthetraindrewupinacountrystationandthegirlspouredoutofthecarriages.Theboyscametojointhem,andthechildrentalkedeagerlyofalltheybaddoneintheholidays..
Comealongnow,quickly,saidMr.Johns,pushingthemoutofthestationgate.Thecoachiswaiting.Therewasanenormouscoachoutsidethestation,labelledWhytel
eafeSchool,Thechildrentooktheirplaces.ElizabethfoundaplaceasfarawayaspossiblefromthetubbylittlegirlcalledRuth,Shedidn'tlikeheronebit.Shedidn'tlikeBelindaeither.Shedidn'tlikeanyone!Theyallstaredathertoomuch!Thecoachsetoffwithaloudclankandrumble.Roundthecorneritwent,downacountrylane,upasteephill-andtherewasWhyteleafeSchoolatthetop!Itwasabeautifulbuilding,likeanoldcountryhouse-which,indeed,itoncehadbeen.Itsdeepredwalls,greenwithcreeper,glowedintheAprilsun.Ithadabroadflightofstepsleadingfromthegreenlawnsuptotheschoolterrace.
GoodoldWhyteleafe!saidRuth,pleasedtoseeit.Thecoachsweptroundtotheothersideoftheschool,throughagreatarchway,anduptothefrontdoor.Thechildrenjumpeddownandranupthesteps,shoutingandlaughing.
ElizabethfoundherhandtakenbyMissThomas,WelcometoWhyteleafe,Elizabeth!saidtheteacherkindly,smilingdownatthesulkyface,Iamsureyouwilldowellhereandbeveryhappywithusall.Ishan't,saidnaughtyElizabeth,andshepulledherhandaway!Itwascertainlynotaverygoodbeginning.
CHAPTER3.
ElizabethmakesaBadBeginning.
ITwashalf-pastonebythetimethechildrenarrived~andtheywereallhungryfortheirdinner,Theyweretoldtowashtheirhandsquickly,andtidythemselvesandthengotothedining-hallfortheirdinner.
Eileen,pleaselookafterthethreenewgirls,saidMissThomas.Abiggirl,withakindlyfaceandamassoffaircurls,cameuptoBelinda,Elizabeth,andanothergirlcalledHelen,Shegavethemapushinthedirectionofthecloakrooms.
Hurry!shesaid.Sotheyhurried,andElizabethsoonfoundherselfinabigcloakroom,tiledingleamingwhite,withbasinsdownoneside,andmirrorshereandthere.
Shewashedquickly,feelingratherlostinsuchacrowdofchatteringgirls.Hel
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enandBelindahadmadefriends,andElizabethwishedtheywouldsaysomethingtoherinsteadofchatteringtooneanother,ButtheysaidnothingtoElizabeth,thinkingherrudeandqueer,Thentothedining-hallwentallthegirlsandtooktheirplaces.Theboysclatteredintoo.
Sitanywhereyouliketo-day,saidatallmistress,whosename,Elizabethfound,wasMissBelle.Sothechildrensatdownandbegantoeattheirdinnerhungrily.Therewashotsoupfirst,thenbeefcarrots,dumplings,onionsandpotatoes,andthenricepuddingandgoldensyrup.Elizabethwassohungrythatsheateeverythingputbeforeher,thoughathomeshewouldcertainlyhavepushedawaythericepudding.
Asitwasthefirstdaythechildrenwereallowedtotalkastheypleased,andtherewassuchanoiseastheytoldoneanotherwhattheyhaddoneintheholidays.
IhadapuppyforEaster,saidonegirlwithalaughingface.Doyouknow,myfatherboughtasimplyenormousEasteregg,andputthepuppyinside,andtieduptheeggwitharedribbon?Goodness,didn'tIlaughwhenIundidit!Everybodyelselaughedtoo,IhadanewbicycleformyEasterpresent,saidaround-facedboy.Butitwasn'tputintoanegg!WhatdidyouhaveforEaster?saidEileentoElizabethinakindlytone,Shewassittingopposite,andfeltsorryforthesilentnewgirl.BelindaandHelenweresittingtogether,tellingeachotheraboutthelastschooltheyhadbeento.OnlyElizabethhadnoonetotalktoher.
Ihadaguinea-pig,saidElizabeth,inaclearvoice,andithadafacejustlikeMissThomas.Therewasashockedsilence.Somebodygiggled.MissThomaslookedrathersurprised,butshesaidnothing.
Ifyouweren'tanewgirl,you'dbejollywellsatonforthat!saidagirlnearby,glaringatElizabeth.Rudecreature!Elizabethcouldn'thelpgoingred.Shehadmadeuphermindtobenaughtyandrude,andshewasgoingtobereallybad,butitwasratherdreadfultohavesomebodyspeakinglikethattoher,infrontofeveryone.Shewentonwithherricepudding.Soonthechildrenbegantotalktooneanotheragain,andElizabethwasforgotten.
Afterdinnertheboyswenttounpacktheirthingsintheirownbedrooms,andthe
girlswenttotheirs.
Whoseroomarethenewgirlsin,please,MissThomas?askedEileen,MissThomaslookedatherlist.
Letmesee,shesaid,yes-hereweare-ElizabethAllen,BelindaGreen,HelenMarsden-theyareallinRoomSix,Eileen,andwiththemareRuthJames,JoanLesley,andNoraO'Sullivan.AskNoratotakethenewgirlsthereandshowthemwhattodo.She'sheadofthatroom.Nora!Hie,Nora!calledEileen,asatall,dark-hairedgirl,withdeepblueeyes,wentby.TakethesekidstoRoomSix,willyou?They'reyours!You'reheadofthatroom.Iknow,saidNora,lookingatthethreenewgirls.Hallo,isthisthegirlwhowasrudetoMissThomas?Youjustmindwhatyousay,whatever-your-name-is.I'mnothavinganycheekfromyou!Ishallsayexactlywh
atIlike,saidElizabethboldly,Youcan'tstopme!Oho,can'tI?saidNora,hereIrisheyesglaringatElizabeth,That'sallyouknow!Getalongtothebedroomnow,andI'llshowyouallwhattodo,Theyallwentupawindingoakstaircaseandcametoawidelanding.Allarounditweredoors,markedwithnumbers,NoraopenedthedoorofNumberSixandwentin.
Thebedroomwaslong,high,andairy.Therewerewidewindows,allopentotheschoolgardensoutside.Thesunpouredinandmadetheroomlookverypleasantindeed.
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Theroomwasdividedintosixbybluecurtains,whichwerenowdrawnbacktothewalls,sothatsixlowwhitebedscouldbeseen,eachwithablueeiderdown.Besideeachbedstoodawidechest-of-drawers,withasmallmirrorontop.Thechestswerepaintedwhitewithbluewoodenhandles,andlookedverypretty.
Therewerethreewash-basinsintheroom,withhotandcoldwatertaps,tobesharedbythesixgirls.Therewasalsoatallwhitecupboardforeachgirl,andinthesetheyhungtheircoatsanddresses.
Eachbedhadabluerugbesideitonthepolishedbrownboards.Elizabethcouldn'thelpthinkingthatitalllookedratherexciting.ShehadonlysleptwithMissScottbefore-nowshewastosleepwithfiveothergirls!Yourtrunksandtuck-boxesarebesideyourbeds,saidNora.Youmusteachunpacknow,andputyourthingsawaytidily.AndwhenIsaytidilyIMEANtidily.Ishalllookatyourdrawersonceaweek.Onthetopofthechestyouareallowedtohavesixthings,notmore.Choosewhatyoulike-hairbrushes,orphotographs,orornaments-itdoesn'tmatter.Howsilly!thoughtElizabethscornfully,thinkingofherownuntidydressing-tableathome,IshallputasmanythingsoutasIlike!Theyallbeganunpacking.Elizabethhadneverpackedorunpackedanythinginherlife,andshefounditratherexciting.Sheputherthingsneatlyawayinherchest-of-drawers-thepilesofstockings,vests,bodices,blouses,everythingshehadbroughtwithher.Shehungupherschoolcoatandherdresses.
Theotherswerebusyunpackingtoo.Whilsttheyweredoingthistwomoregirlsd
ancedintotheroom,Hallo,Nora!saidone,ared-hairedgirlwithfrecklesalloverherface.I'minyourroomthisterm.Good!Hallo,Joan,saidNora.Getonwithurunpacking,there'salamb.Hallo,Ruth-I'vegotyouhereagain,haveI?Well,justseeyou'reabittidierthanlastterm!Ruthlaughed.Shewasthegirlwhohadhandedroundhersweetsinthetrain,andshewasplumpandclever.Sherantohertrunkandbegantoundoit.
NorabegantotellthenewgirlsalittleabouttheschooLTheylistenedastheybusilyputawaytheirthingsintheirdrawers.
WhyteleafeSchoolisn'taverylargeschool,beganNora,"butit'sajollyfineone.Theboyshavetheirlessonswithus,andweplaytennisandcricketwiththemandwehaveourownteamsofgirlsonly,too.Lastyearwebeattheboysatten
nis.We'llbeatthemthisyear,too,ifonlywecangetsomegoodplayers.
Anyofyounewgirlsplaytennis?"Belindadidbuttheothersdidn't.Norawentontalking,asshehungupherdresses.
Weallhavethesameamountofpocket-moneytospend,shesaid.Andit'splentytoo.Twoshillingsaweek.Ishallhavealotmorethanthat,saidBelinda,insurprise.
Ohno,youwon't,saidNora.Allth~moneywehaveisputintoabigbox,andweeachdrawtwoshillingsaweekfromit,unlesswe'vebeenfinedforsomething.Whatdoyoumean-fined?askedHelen.Whofinesus?MissBelleandMissBest?Ohno,saiora.Wehokiabigmeetingonceaweek-oftener,ifnecessary-andwehearcomplain
tsandgrumbles,andifanyonehasbeenbehavingbadlywefinethem.MissBelleorMissBestcometothemeetingtoo,ofcourse,buttheydon'tdecideanythingmuch.Theytrustustodecideforourselves.Elizabeththoughtthiswasverystrange.Shehadalwaysthoughtthattheteacherspunishedthechildren-butatWhyteleafeitseemedasifthechildrendidit!ShelistenedinastonishmenttoallthatNorawassaying.
Ifthere'sanymoneyover,itisuiventoanyonewhoparticularlywantstobuysomethingthatthemeetingapprovesof.wentonNora.Forinstance,supposeyoubrokeyourtennisracket,Belinda,andneededanewone,themeetingmightallowyou
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totakethemoneyfromtheboxtobuyone-especiallyiftheythoughtyouwereaverygoodplayer.Isee,saidBelinda.Itsoundsagoodidea,Look,Nora-herearehethingsoutofmytuck-boxWhatdoIdowiththem?Iwanttosharethemwitheverybody.Thanks,saidNora,Well,wekeepallourcakesandsweetsandthingsineplayroomdownstairs.There'sabigcupboardthere,andtinstoputcakesinto.I'llshowyouwhere.Elizabeth,areyourtuck-boxthingsready?Ifso,bringthemalong,andwe'llputthemintothecupboardtoshareattea-time.I'mnotgoingtoshare,saidElizabeth,rememberingthatshehadn'tbeennaughtyorhorridforsometime.Ishalleatthemallmyself.Therewasahorrifiedsilence.ThefivegirlsstaredatElizabethasiftheycouldn'tbelievetheirearsNotsharehercakesandsweets?Whateversortofagirlwasthis?
Well,saidNora,atlast,hermerryfacesuddenlyverydisgusted.Youcandowhatyoulike,ofcourse,withyourownthings.Ifthey'reashorridasyouseemtobe,nobodywouldwanttoeatthem!
CHAPTER4.
ElizabethgetsintoTrouble.
AsNorawasabouttoleadthewaydowntotheplayroom,sheglancedatthechests-of-drawerstoseethattheyweretidyonthetop.TohersurpriseshesawthatElizabethhadputaboutadozenthingsonherchest!Norastoppedandlookedatthem.Thereweretwohairbrushes,amirror,acomb,threephotographs,abottle
ofscent,twosmallvases,andaclothes-brush,Lookhere!°'saidNora,totheothers,thispoorchildcan'tcountuptosix!She'sgoteleventhingsonherchest.PoorElizabeth!Fancynotbeingabletocountsix,Ican,saidElizabethfiercely.One,two,three,four,five,six.Everybodysquealedwithlaughter.Shecancount!saidNora,Well,Elizabeth,countyourthings,andtakefiveaway-orcan'tyoudotaking-away?Thereareeleventhingsonyourchest-takeawayfive-anditwillleavesix-whichisthenumberItoldyoutohave.I'mnotgoingtotakeanyaway,"saidElizabethrudely.
Aren'tyou?saidNora,insurprise.Well,ifyouwon't-Iwill!TheangryIrishgirpickedupahairbrush,thethreephotographs,andthemirror,Shewenttoaboxunderthewindow,tookakeyfromherpocketandunlockedit.Sheputthefivethingsinsideandlockedthebox.
That'swhathappenswhenpeoplecan'tcount,shesaid.Elizabethstaredatherinarage.
Givememythingsback,shesaid.Iwantthosephotographsatonce!TheyareofMummyandDaddyandmyponytoo.Sorry,saidNora,puttingthekeyintoherpocket.Yocanhavethembackwhenyouapologise,aridtellmethatyouknowhowtocount.Ishan't,saidElizabeth,Justasyouplease,saidNora.Nowcomeon,everybody,andlet'staketheeatablesdowntotheplayroom.Idon'twanttobringmine,saidElizabeth,Iwanttoleavethemhere.Well,ifyoudo,they'llgointothatboxalongwiththephotographs,saidNorafirmly.Theruleisthatalleatablesgodownstairs.Elizabethstoodsulking,lookingathercake,herjamsandwich,herchocolate,toffee,andshortbread.Thenshepickeduphertuck-boxandfollowedtheothers
.Shedidnotwantthemtogointothatbox!ShehadseenenoughofNoratoknowthatthatyoungladywasverydetermined!Theyclattereddowntheoakstaircase.Atonesideofthehallwasanopendoor,leadingintoaverylargeroomlinedwithcupboardsandbookcases.Itwasfullofboysandgirls.
Someweretalking,somewereplayinggames,somewereputtingawaycakesintotins.Theywereallbusyandhappy,andcalledoutgreetingstoNoraasshecameintotheroom.
Therewasagramophonegoinginonecorner.Elizabethstoppedtolistentoit,f
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orshelovedmusic.Itwasplayingatunethathermotherplayedathome,andsuddenlythelittlegirlfeltasifshewantedhermotherbadly.
But,nevermind!shethoughttoherself.Ishan'tbeherelong!Idon'texpectthey'llkeepmemorethanaweekifIgoonbeingawfullynaughty.Herearesomeemptytins,saidNora,handingsomedownfromashelf.Catch,Helen.Catch,Elizabeth.Here'sabigoneforyou,Belinda,totakeinthatenormouscake!Soontheywereallputtingawaytheirthings.Noratookslipsofpaperfromapileandwrotetheirnameson.Stickyournameonyourtin,shesaid,lickinghersandstickingittothesideofhertin.
I'dliketoseetheclassrooms,saidBelinda.Ruthsaidshewouldshowherroundthewholeschool,andoffshewentwithBelindaandHelen.Elizabethfollowedalittlewaybehind,curioustoseewhataschoolwaslike,forshehadneverseeninsideonebefore,Thedining-hallshehadalreadyseen-agreathighroom,withbigwindows.Tablesrandownthemiddleofit.Itwasonlyusedformeals.
Thenthereweretheclassrooms,big,sunnyroomsallovertheplace,withneatdesksandchairs,andabiggerdeskfortheteacher.Therewereblackboardseverywhere,justliketheonethatMissScotthadusedforElizabeth,Thisisourclassroom,saidRuthtothenewgirls,Iexpectwe'llallbeinMissRanger'sclass.She'sprettystrict,Icantellyou!Nora'~inahigherclass,ofcourse.She'solder,She'sajollygoodsort,don'tyouthinkso?Yes,agreedHelenandBelindaatonce.ButElizabeththoughtdifferently.Shepurseduphermouthandsaidnothi
ng.
Thisisthegym,saidRuth,andthethreenewgirlslookedinwonderatthegreatroom,withitsropesandclimbing-ladders,andbarsandpoles.Elizabethsuddenlyfeltexcited.Shelovedclimbingandswingingandjumping.Shehopedshecoulddosomegymbeforesheleft.
Thereweremanyotherbedroomslikeherown,andthentherewasthepartofthehouseputasideforMissBelleandMissBestandtheotherteachers.
You'lleachhavetogoandseetheheadsaftertea,saidRuth.They'regoodsorts.ythetimethefourgirlshadgoneoverthelovelygroundsandhadseenthecricket-fields,thetenniscourts,andtheflower-filledgardens,itwastimefortea
,Abellrangloudly,andthegirlslookedcheerful,Good!Tea!saidRuth.Comeon.Washfirst,allofyou,anddoyourhairs.Yourslooksawful,Elizabeth.Elizabethdidnotlikeherdarkcurlsbeingcalledawful.Shewentuptoherbedroomanddidherhairneatly,andwashedherhands.Shewasveryhungry,andthoughtwithpleasureofhercurrantcakeandjamsandwich.
I'vegotthemostgorgeouschocolatecakeyoueversaw!saidBelindatotheothers.Itjustmeltsinyourmouth!Youmustallhaveapiece.AndI'vegotsomehome-madeshrimp-pastethat'stoodeliciousforwords,saidRuth.Youwaittillyoutasteit.Chocolatecakeandhome-madeshrimp-pasteseemedevenmoredelicioustoElizabeththancurrantcakeandjamsandwich,whichsuddenlyseemedratherordinary.SherandownstairswonderingifshewouldhavetwopiecesofBelinda'sgorgeouschocolatecake,Teawaslaidinthedining-room.Thelongtableswerespreadwi
thwhitecloths,andplateswithbigslicesofbrownbreadandbutterweresetallthewaydown.
Therewerealsosomelargeplaincakeshereandthere,andsomebigpotsofplumjam.
Thechildrenputtheirtuck-boxesonabaretable,andplacedonsomeemptyplatestherethecakeorsandwich,jamorpastetheymeanttoshareattea.
Theseplatestheytooktotheirowntable.
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Onceagaintheywereallowedtositwheretheyliked.
Elizabethputouthersandwichandhercurrantcakeandtookherplacetoo.Gracewassaidandthentheboysandgirlsbegantochatterquietly.
SuddenlyNorabangedonthetable.Shewasattheheadofit.Everyoneathertablestoppedspeaking.
Inearlyforgottosaysomething,saidNora.
ElizabethAllendoesnotwishtoshareherthingswithanyone,sodon'taskherforapieceofhercake,wifiyou?Shewantsitallherself.Allright!saidtheotherchildren,andtheystaredatElizabethinsurprise.Elizabethwentoneatingherbreadandbutter.NexttoherwasRuth,openingalargepotofshrimp-pastethatsmeltsimplydelicious.Shepasseditroundthetable-butdidnotofferElizabethany.
Nobodyofferedheranythingatall.Belindacountedhowmanytherewereatthetable-eleven-andthencuthercakeintotenbigpieces.Tenwasenough,becauseshemissedElizabethout!Elizabethwatchedtheothersmunchingthechocolatecake,whichlookedandsmeltmarvellousandlongedforapiece.
Shecuthercurrantcake.Itlookedquitenice.Shesuddenlyfeltthatshereall
ycouldn'teatitallbyherself,shemustofferittotheotherstoo.Shedidn'tmindbeingthoughtnaughty,butbeingthoughtmeanwasdifferent.
Wifiyouhaveapieceofmycake?sheaskedRuth,Ruthstaredatherinsurprise,Howyoudochangeyourmind!shesaid,Nothanks.I'vebadenough.ElizabethofferedhercaketoBelinda.Belindashookherhead.No,thankyou,shesaid.ElizabethheldoutherplatetoHelen,butHelensimplymadeafaceatherandturnedaway,NobodywouldhaveanyofElizabeth'scakeorofhersandwicheither.Everyoneelsehadeithercutuphalforalltheircakes,andhadfinisheduptheirpotsofjamorpaste.OnlyElizabeth'scakeandsandwichstoodalmostuntouchedontheirplates.
Abellrang.MissThomasstoodupandspoketothegirlsandboys,Youmaygoout
toplay,shesaid,butthenewchildrenmuststaybehindintheplayroom,andseetheheadmistresses.SoHelen,Elizabeth,andBelindawenttotheplayroom,andalsotwoboysnamedKennethandRonald.Theysetthegramophonegoing.Belindadidafunnydanceandmadethemalllaugh.
Thensomeonepokedherheadinatthedoorandcalledtothechildren.
MissBelleandMissBestarewaitingtoseeyou.Goandlineupoutsidethedrawing-roomdoor--andmindyoueachsayyou'regoingtodoyourbestforWhyteleafeSchool,andwillworkandplayhard!Thegirldisappeared.Thenewchildrenwenttolineupoutsidethedrawing-roomdoor.itopenedandMissBestappeared.Comein,shesaidtoBelinda,andinBelindawent.Thedoorshut.
Well,I'mnotgoingtosayIshallworkhardandplayhard,saidElizabethtoherself.I'mgoingjusttowarnthemthatIIwon'tstayhereandI'llbesobadthey'llhavetosendmeaway.Iwon'tstayatthishorridschool!ThedooropenedandBelindacameout,smiling.You'retogoinnext,Elizabeth,shesaid.Andforgoodness'sakebehaveyourself!
CHAPTER5.
ElizabethisNaughty.
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ELIZABBTHpushedopenthedoorandwentintothebigdrawing-room.Itwasalovelyroom,withafewbeautifulpicturesonthewalls,andglowingcushionsonthechairsandthecouches.Thetwomistressesweresittingonchairsnearthewindow,TheylookedupasElizabethcamem.
Well,Elizabeth!WeareverygladtoseeyouatWhyteleafeSchool,saidMissBelle,Shewasyoungandpretty,butMissBestwasolder,and,exceptwhenshesmiled,shehadratherasternface.
Sitdown,Elizabeth,saidMissBest,smilingherlovelysmile.Ihopeyouhavemadeafewfriendsalready.No,Ihaven't,saidElizabeth.Shesatdownonachair,MissBestlookedatherinsurprise,whensheansweredsoshortly.
Well,Iexpectyouwillsoonmakeplenty,saidtheheadmistress.Ihopeyouwillbeveryhappywithus,Elizabeth,Ishan'tbe,saidElizabethinarudevoice.
Whatafunnylittlegirl!saidMissBelle,andshelaughed.Cheerup,dear-you'llsoonfindthingsareveryjollyhere,andIamsureyouwilldoyourbesttoworkhard,andmakeusproudofyou.I'mnotgoingto,saidElizabeth,goingred,I'mgingtobeasbadandnaughtyandhorridasIcanpossiblybe,sothere!Idon'twanttogotoschool.IhateWhyteleafeSchool!I'llbesobadthatyou'llsendmehomenextweek!Thelittlegirlglaredatthetwomistressesasshesaidallthis,expectingthemtojumpupinanger.Insteadtheyboththrewbacktheirheadsandlaughedandlaughed!Oh,Elizabeth,whatanextraordinarychildyouare!sai
dMissBelle,wipingawaythetearsoflaughterthathadcomeintohereyes.Youlooksuchagood,prettylittlegirltoo-noonewouldthinkyouwantedtobesobadandnaughtyandhorrid!Idon'tcarehowyoupunishme,saidElizabeth,tearscomingintoherowneyes-buttearsofanger,notoflaughter.Youcandoallyoulike-Ijustshan'tcare!Weneverpunishanyone,Elizabeth,saidMissBest,suddenlylookingsternagain.Didn'tyouknowthat?No,Ididn't,saidElizabethinastonisment.Whatdoyoudowhenpeoplearenaughty,then?Oh,weleaveanynaughtypersontotherestofthechildrentodealwith,saidMissBest.Everyweektheschoolholdsameeting.youknow,andthechildrenthemselvesdecidewhatistobedonewithboysandgirlswhodon'tbehavethemselves,itwon'tbotherusifyouarenaughty-butyoumayperhapsfindthatyoumakethechildrenangry~Thatseemsfunnytome,saidElizabeth,Ithoughtitwasalwaystheteachersthatdidthepunishing.NotatWhyteleafeSchool,saidMissBelle.Well,Elizabeth,mydear,perhapsyou
dgonowandtellthenextchildtocomein,willyou?MaybeonedayWhyteleafeSchoolwillbeproudofyou,eventhoughyouarequitesureitwon't!Elizabethwentoutwithoutanotherword,Shecouldn'thelplikingthetwoheadmistresses,thoughshedidn'twanttoatall.Shewishedshehadbeenrudertothem.Whatafunnyschoolthiswas!ShespoketoHelenoutsidethedoor,You'retogoinnow,shesaid.TheBeautyandtheBeastarewaitingfor!Oh,younaughtygirl!saidHelenwithagiggle.MissBelleandMissBest--theBeautyandtheBeast!That'srathercleverofyoutothinkofthat,Elizabeth!Elizabethhadmeantittobeveryrude.Shedidnotknowenoughofotherchildrentoknowthattheyalwayslovednicknamesfortheirmastersandmistresses.ShewassurprisedthatHelenthoughtherclever-andsecretlyshewaspleased.
Butshestuckhernoseintheairandmarchedoff.Shewasn'tgoingtobeplease
dwithanythingoranybodyatWhyteleafeSchool!Shewanderedroundbyherselfuntilthesupper-bellwentatseveno'clock.Shefelthungryandwentintothedining-hall.Thechildrenwereoncemoreopeningtheirtinsofcakes,andalivelychatterwasgoingon.Italllookedveryjolly.
Therewerebigmugsonthetableandbigjugsofsteaminghotcocoahereandthere.Therewerepilesofbreadagain,butter,cheese,anddishesofstewedfruit.Thechildrensatdownandhelpedthemselves.
NobodytookanynoticeofElizabethatall,tillsuddenlyHelenrememberedwhat
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shehadcalledMissBelleandMissBest.Withagigglesherepeatedittoherneighbour,andsoontherewaslaughterallroundthetable.
TheBeautyandtheBeast,wentthewhisper,andchucklesechoedround.Elizabethheardthewhispersandwentred.NoraO'Sullivanlaughedloudly.
It'sajollygoodnickname!shesaid.BellemeansBeauty,andBestisverylikeBeast-andcertainlyMissBelleislovely,andMissBestisn't!Thatwasprettysmartofyou,Elizabeth.Elizabethsmiled!Shereallycouldn'thelpit.Shedidn'twantto-shewantedtobeashorridaspossible-butitwasreallyverypleasanttohaveeveryonelaughingatherjoke.
It'squeer,though,shethought.Imeanttobehorridandrude,andtheothersjustthinkit'sfunny.IguessMissBelleandMissBestwouldn'tthinkitwasfunny,though!NobodyofferedElizabethanyoftheirgoodies.andshedidnotliketoofferhers,forshefeltsureeveryonewouldsayno.Themealwentonuntilhalf-pastseven,andthenaftergracewassaidthechildrenallgotupandwenttotheplayroom.
When'syourbedtime?saidNoratoElizabeth,Iexpectit'seighto'clock.You'dbettersee.Thetimesareonthenotice-boardoverthere.Mybedtimeisathalf-pasteight,andwhenIcometobedIexpectalltherestofyoutobesafeinbed.Idon'twanttogotobedateighto'clock,saidElizabethindignantly.Igotobedmuchlaterthanthatathome.Well,youshouldn't,then,saidNora.Nowonderyou'r
suchacrosspatch!Mymothersaysthatlatehoursmakechildrenstupid,bad-tempered,andslow,Elizabethwenttoseethetimesforgoingtobed.Herswas,asNorahadsaid,ateighto'clock.Well,shewouldn'tgo!She'dbenaughty!Sosheslippedoutintothegardenandwenttowhereshehadseentwoorthreebigswings.Shegotontoaswingandbegantopushherselftoandfro,Itwaslovelythereintheeveningsunshine.Elizabethquiteforgotthatshewasatschool,andshesangalittlesongtoherself.
Aboycameintotheplacewheretheswingswere,andstaredatElizabeth.Whatareyoudoinghere?hesaid.Ibetit'syourbedtime!Mindyourownbusiness!saidEabethatonce.Well,whataboutyougoingofftobed,andmindingyours!saidtheboy.I'mamonitor,andit'smyjobtoseethatpeopledowhatthey'retold!Idon'tknowwhatamonitoris,andIdon'tcare,saidElizabethrudely.
Well,letmetellyouwhatamonitoris,saidtheboy,whowasjustaboutElizabeth'ssize.It'ssomebodyputinchargeofothersillykidsatWhyteleafe,toseetheydon'tgettoosilly!Ifyoudon'tbehaveyourselfIshallhavetoreportyouattheMeeting!Thenyou'llbepunished,Pooh!saidElizabeth,andsheswungherselfveryhardindeed,putoutherfootandkickedtheboysovigorouslythathefellrightover,Elizabethsquealedwithlaughter-butnotforlong!~'Theboyjumpedup,rantotheswingandshookElizabethoff.Hecaughtholdofherdarkcurlsandpulledthemsohardthatthelittlegirlyelledwithpain.
Theboygrinnedatherandsaid,Serveyouright!Youbecarefulhowyoutreatmenexttime,orI'llpullyournoseaswellasyourhair!Now-areyougoinginornot?Elizabethranawayfromhimandwentindoors,Shelookedattheclock-quart
er-pasteight!PerhapsshewouldhavetimetogotobedbeforethathorridNoracameupathalf-past.
SosheranupthestairsandwenttoBedroomNumber6.Ruth,Joan,Belinda,andHelenwerealreadytherehalfundressed.Theircurtainswerepulledaroundtheircubicles,buttheyweretalkinghardallthesame.ElizabethslippedintoherowncubicleYou'relate,Elizabeth,saidRuth.You'llgetintotroubleifyou'recaughtbyamonitor,Ihavebeen,saidElizabeth.But1didn'tcare!IwasontheswinandIputoutmyfootandkickedhimover!Well,you'reverysilly,saidRuth.YouwillgetintotroubleattheMeetingifyoudon'tlookout.Andthat'snotpleas
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ant.Idon'tcareforanysillyMeeting,saidElizabeth,jumpingintobed.SherememberedthatNorahadputherthreephotographsintothelockedbox,andshejumpedoutagain.Shewenttotheboxandtriedtoopenit--butitwasstilllocked.NoracameinatthatmomentandsawElizabeththere.
Hallo,kid,shesaid.Doyouwantyourthingsback?Well,apologiseandyoucanhavethem.ButElizabethwasnotgoingtosayshewassorry.
ShemadearudefaceatNora,andflungherselfintobed.
Well,youareasweetchild,aren'tyou!saidNoramockingly.Ihopeyougetoutattherightsideofyourbedto-morrow!ThentherewasacreakasNorasatonherbedtotakeoffherstockings.Aclockstruckhalf-pasteightdownstairs.Nomoretalkingnow,saidNora.Sleeptight,allofyou!
CHAPTER6.
ElizabethjoinsherClass.
ELIZABETHwonderedwhereshewaswhensheawokethenextmorning,butshesoonremembered.Shewasatthathorridschool!Abellrang.Norasatupinherbedandspoketotheothers.That'sthebellforgettingup,shesaid.Stiryourselves!You'vegothalfanhour.Elizabeththoughtshewouldn'tgetup.Shelaytherewarminherbed,andlookedupatthewhiteceiling.
Nora'svoicecamesharplytoher.
ElizabethAllen!Areyougettinguporareyounot?Not,saidElizabethcheekily.
Well,I'minchargeofyoufive,andit'smyjobtogetyoudowntobreakfastingoodtime,saidNora,pokinghernoseroundthecurtain,Getup,youlazycreature!Areyouamonitor?askedElizabeth,rememberingtheboyoftheeveningbefore.
Iam,saidNora.Comeon,getup,Elizabeth,anddon'tmakeyourselfsuchanuisance.Elizabethstilllaythere.NoranoddedtoplumpRuth,andthetwowentbesideElizabeth'sbedTogethertheystrippedalltheclothesoffthelazygirl,andthentippedupthemattress.Elizabethgaveashriekandslidontothefloor.She
wasveryangry.
SherushedatNora-butNorawasbigandstrong,andcaughtholdoftheangrygirl'sarmsatonce.Don'tbesillynow,shesaid.GetdressedandhurryuporI'llspankyouwithahairbrush!Monitorsdothatsometimes,youknow!Elizabethfeltthatshecouldn'tbeartobespankedbyNora.Shewashedverysulkily,dressed,cleanedherteethanddidherhair.ShewasjustgoingdownstairswhenNora,whohadgoneintoeveryone'scubicletoseeiftheyweretidy,calledherback.
Elizabeth!Comeandputyourchest-of-drawerstidy!Doyouwantmetoputtherestofyourthingsintothelockedbox?Elizabethwentbackandtidiedherthings.ItwasquickertodothatthanarguewithNora.ShewonderedifNorawouldnoticethatshehadputsocksoninsteadofthelongbrownstockings!ButNoradidn't
notice.Shewasintoobigahurrytogetdowntobreakfastintime,andbesides,shedidn'tdreamthatanyonewouldwearsocksinsteadofstockingsatWhyteleafeSchool!ButagreatmanyoftheotherchildrennoticedElizabeth'sbarelegsatonce,andgiggled.MissThomasnoticedthemtoo,andcalledtoElizabeth,You'veputthewrongthingson,Elizabeth.Youmustchangeyoursocksforstockingsafterwards,ButElizabethdidn't!Whenshewentuptomakeherbedafterwards,shedidn'tchangeatall.Norasawthatshehadn'tandspoketoher,Forgoodness'sakeputstockingson,Elizabeth.Really,Ishouldn'thavethoughtanyonecouldbequitesosillyasyouseemtobe!I'mnotsilly,saidElizabethIprefersocksStockingsmakemylegstoohot.AndI'mgoingtokeepmysockson.Ruthspoketo
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Nora.Nora,Elizabethisreallybabyish,shesaid.AndthebabiesatWhyteleafeareallowedtowearsocks,aren'tthey?I'veseenthemintheKindergarten,withtheirdearlittlebarelegs.Well,whynotletElizabethkeephersocks,toshowthatsheisreallyonlyababy,thoughshe'sgettingonforeleven?YoucaneasilyexplainthattoMissThomas.That'sagoodidea,saidNora,withalaugh.Allrigt,Elizabeth-keepyoursockson,andwe'llexplaintoeveryonethatwe'relettingyoubecauseyou'rereallynotmuchmorethanababy!Thegirlswentoutoftheroomlaughing.Elizabethputonherbedspreadandstoodthinking.Shedidn'tthinkshewantedtokeephersocksonnow!Ifonlytheyoungerchildrenworethem,becausetheywerethebabiesoftheschool,shedidn'twantto.Thebabieswouldlaughather,andsowouldtheothers.
Elizabethtoreoffhershoes,grabbedhersocksandpulledthemoffinatemper.Shetookoutherstockingsandpulledthemon.Bother,bother,bother!Nowshewouldhavetowearstockingsafterall!Sheflewdownstairstothegym,whereshehadbeentoldtogoaftermakingherbedandtidyinghercubicle,Alltheotherswerethere.Elizabethhadfeltsurethattheywouldallmakeremarksaboutherstockingsbeingonafterall-butnobodytookanynoticeofheratall.
Hymnsweresungandprayerssaid,MissBestreadpartofaBiblechapterinherrathersternvoice.Thenshecalledthenamesofallthegirlsandboystoseethattheywerethere.
Elizabethhadagoodlookround.Theboysandgirlswereinseparaterows.There
wereagoodmanymastersandmistresses.Thematronoftheschool,wholookedafterthechildrenwhentheywereill,stoodontheplatformwithsomeoftheothermistresses,afat,jolly-lookingperson,dressedlikeanurse,inapronandcap.Themusic-masterplayedthepianoforthesinging,andagainwhenthechildrenmarchedout.
Hemadeupafinemarchingtune,andElizabethlikeditverymuchforshelovedmusic.ShewonderedifshewassupposedtolearnmusicatWhyteleafe.MissScotthadtaughtherathome,butMissScottwasnotmusicalandElizabethhadnotenjoyedherlessonsatall.
Outmarchedthechildrentotheirclassrooms.YouareinMissRanger'sclass,saidRuth,pokingElizabethintheback.ComewithmeandI'llshowyou.Elizabethfol
lowedRuth.Shecametoabigsunnyclassroom,andintoitpouredsixboysandninegirls.allaboutElizabeth'sage.
BagsIthisdesk,squealedRuth.Iliketobebythewindow!Sheputherthingsintthedesk.Theotherchildrenchosetheirdeskstoo,butthenewonesweretoldtowaittillMissRangercame.RuthsprangtoholdthedooropenassoonassheheardMissRanger'sratherloudvoicedownthepassage.
IncameMissRanger.Goodmorning,children!Goodmorning,MissRanger,saideveryoebutElizabeth.
Alltheoldchildrencansit,butthenewonesmuststandwhilstIgivethemtheirplaces,saidMissRanger.ShegaveElizabethadeskattheback.Elizabethwas
glad.Itwouldbeagoodplacetobenaughtyin!Shemeanttobebadinclassthatverymorning,Thesoonerthateveryoneknewhownaughtyshemeanttobe,thesoonershewouldbesenthome,Booksweregivenout.Wewilltakeareadinglessonfirst,saidMissRanger,whowantedtomakesurethatthenewchildrencouldreadproperly.ThenDictation-thenArithmetic!Elizabethcouldreadbeautifully,spellwell,andshelikedarithmetic.Shecouldn'thelpfeelingthatitwasratherfuntodolessonswithalotofpeopleinsteadofbyherself!Whenherturncameshereadverynicelyindeed,thoughshehadagreatmanydifficultwordsinherpage.
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Verygood,Elizabeth,saidMissRanger."Next.please.Elizabethgotallherdictationright.Shethoughtitwasveryeasy.MissRangertookaredpencilandmarkedVERYGOODonElizabeth'spage.Elizabethlookedatitproudly-andthenshesuddenlyrememberedthatshehadmeanttobenaughty!Thiswon'tdo!shesaidtoherself.Ican'tgetVeryGoodslikethis-they'llneversendmehome.I'dbetterbenaughty.Shewonderedwhattodo.ShelookedatRuthbythewindow,andwonderedifshecouldflipherrubberatherandhither.Shetookherruler,fittedherrubberagainsttheendofit,bentitbackandletitgo.Whizzzzzz!TherubberflewacrosstheschoolroomandhitRuthontheleftear!Ooooh!"saidRuth,insurprise.ShelookedroundandsawElizabeth'sgrinningface.OthersbegantogigglewhentheysawRuth'sangrylook.
Elizabethgrewbolder.Shefoldedupabitofpaper.andflippeditatHelen,whosatmfront.ButHelenmovedherhead,andthepelletofpaperflewpastherandlandedonMissRanger'sdesk.Shelookedup.
Playtimeisforthingslikethis,shesaid.Notlesson-time.Whodidthat?Elizabetdidn'tanswer,MissRangerlookedupanddowntherows.WHODIDTHAT?shesaidagain.TheboynexttoElizabethpokedherbardwithhisruler.
Ownup!hewhispered.Ifyoudon'twe'llallbekeptin.SoElizabethownedup.Iit,shesaid.
Well,Elizabeth,perhapsyouwouldliketoknowthatIdon'tallowbehaviourlike
thatinmyclass,saidMissRanger.Don'tdoitagain.IshallifIwantto,saidizabeth.Everybodylookedatherinamazement.MissRangerwassurprised.
Youmustbeveryboredwiththeselessonstowanttoflippaperabout,shesaid.Gooutsidetheroomandstaytheretillyoufeelitwouldboreyoulesstocomebackthantostandoutside.Idon'tmindhowlongyoustandthere,butIdomindanybodybeingboredinmyclass.Now,children,getoutyourpaint-boxes,please.Therewasaclatterasthedeskswereopenedandpaint-boxesweretakenout.Elizabethlovedpaintingandwasverygoodatit.Shewantedtostay.Shesatoninherdeskanddidn'tmove,Elizabeth!Gooutside,please,saidMissRanger.
Therewasnohelpforitthen-upElizabethgotandwentoutsidethedoor.
Youmaycomebackwhenyouthinkyoucanreallybehaveyourself,andnotdisturbmyclass,saidMissRanger.
Itwasverydullstandingoutsidethedoor.Elizabethwonderedifsheshouldwanderawayandhaveaswing.No-shemightmeettheBeautyandtheBeast!Haha!Shewasbeingnaughtyallright!Butitwasdullstandingsolongoutsideadoorandhearinghappytalkingcomingfrominside,asthechildrenpaintedblueandpinklupinsthatMissRangerhadbroughtin.Elizabethcouldn'tbearitanylonger.Sheopenedthedoorandwentin.
Icanbehavemyselfnow,shesaid,inalowvoicetoMissRanger.MissRangernodded,withoutasmile.
Takeyourplace,shesaid.There'snotimeforyoutodoanypainting-youcandoafewmoresums!Sumsagain!thoughtElizabethangrily.Well-I'lljustbebadassooaseverIcanthinkofsomethingreallynaughtyagain!
CHAPTER7.
TheFirstSchoolMeeting.
THATevening,aftertea,thefirstMeetingwasheld.Thewholeschoolattendedit,andMissBelle,MissBest,andMr.Johnscametoo.Theysatatthebackandd
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idnotseemtobetakingagreatdealofnoticeofwhatwasgoingon.
Butallthesame,theynevermissaword!saidRuthtoBelinda.whowasfeelingjustalittlescaredofthisfirstimportantMeeting.
ThetwoHeadChildrenoftheschool,agrave-lookinggirlcalledRita,andamerry-eyedboycalledWilliam,satatalargetableinthegym,wheretheMeetingwasheld.TheyweretheJudges.Twelveotherchildren,sixboysandsixgirls,bigandsmall,satroundatablejustinfrontofthetwojudges.TheywerecalledtheJury.Alltheotherssatonformsaround.
AtfirstElizabethhadthoughtshewouldnotgototheMeeting.Thenshehadfeltrathercuriousaboutit,anddecidedtogojustthisonetime.Shehadseenanoticeonthenotice-boardthatsaid.Pleasebringallthemoneyyouhave,andshehadbroughthersinherpurse-thoughshewasquitedeterminednottogiveitupifshewereaskedtodoso.
AllthechildrenstoodupwhenthetwoJudgesandthetwomistressesandmastercameintotheroom-allbutElizabeth!HowevershegotupinagreathurrywhenshefeltRuth'shardfingersdiggingintoherbacktomakehermove!SheglaredroundatRuth,andwasjustgoingtospeakangrilytoherwhentherewasthesoundofahammerbeingrappedonatable,Sit,please,saidoneoftheJudges.Everyonesat.ElizabethsawthattherewasawoodenhammerormalletonthetableinfrontoftheJudges,andalsoalargenotebookandsomesheetsofpaper.Therewa
salargeboxaswell,likeabigmoney-box.Italllookedimportantandexciting.
Thetwelvechildrenroundthesmallertablearethemonitors,whisperedHelentoElizabeth.Theyarechosenbyusalleverymonth.ElizabethsawthatNorawasattheJurytable,andsowastheboyshehadkickedthedaybefore.Shedidn'tknowanyoftheothers,exceptEileen,thegirlwhohadbeenkindtoheryesterday.
ThegirlJudgeroseinherseatandspokeclearlytotheschool.ThisisourfirstMeetingthisterm,shesaid.Wehaveverylittletodoto-day,becauseschoolonlyopenedyesterday,butwemustjustmakeourRulescleartothenewchildren,andwemustalsotakeinthemoney.WedonotneedtochoosenewmonitorsbecauseweelectedthoseatthelastMeetingoftheEasterterm.YouseethemattheJ
urytable.TheywillremainmonitorsforonemonthunlessanyMeetingdecidestochooseothersinstead.Asyouknow,monitorsarechosenfortheircommonsense,theirloyaltytotheschoolanditsideas,andtheirgoodcharacter,Theymustbeobeyed,becauseyouyourselveshavechosenthem.ThegirlJudgestoppedandlookeddownatapapersheheld,onwhichshehadwrittennotestoremindherofwhatshewantedtosay.Shelookedroundatthelisteningchildren.
Wehaveveryfewrules,shesaid.Oneruleisthatweplaceallthemoneywegetintothisbox,andwedrawfromittwoshillingsaweekeach.Therestofthemoneyisusedtobuyanythingthatanyofyouespeciallywant-butyouhavetostateattheweeklyMeetingwhatyouneedthemoneyfor,andtheJurywilldecideifyoumayhaveit.Oneortwoofthechildrenclinkedtheirmoneyasiftheywouldliketoputitintotheboxatonce.TheJudgessmiled.You'llbeabletogiveyou
rmoneyinaminute,saidthegirlJudge."Now,togoonwithourRules.Thesecondruleisthatifwehaveanycomplaintatall,wemustbringittotheMeetingandannounceitthere,sothateveryonemayhearit,anddecidewhatistobedonewithit.
Anybullying,unkindness,untruthfulness,dis..obediencemaybebroughtbeforetheMeeting,andwewilldecidewhatpunishmentshallbegivenPleasebesureyouunderstandthedifferencebetweenarealcomplaintandtellingtales,becausetellingtalesisalsopunished.Ifyouarenotsureofthedifference,askyourmonitorbeforeyoubringyourcomplainttotheMeeting.ThegirlJudgesatdown.T
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heboyJudgegotup.andbeamedroundthelisteningcompany.Wewillnowtakethemoney,besaid.Afterthatwewillhandoutthetwoshillingstoeveryone,andthenseeifanybodywantsextrathisweek.Thomas,taketheboxround,please.Elizabethwasquitesureshewasnotgoingtogiveuphermoney.Shequicklypushedherpurseunderherandsatonithard.
Thomascameroundwiththebox,Moneyclinkedintoit-shillingsandsixpences,half-crownsandevenaten-shillingnoteortwowentintothebigbox.
TheboxcametoElizabeth.Shepasseditonwithoutputtinghermoneyintoit.ButThomasthemonitornoticeditatonce.Haven'tyouanymoneyatall?heasked.
Elizabethpretendednottohear.Thomassaidnomore,butwentontakingtheboxround.Elizabethwaspleased.IdidwhatIwantedtothemandtheycouldn'tstopme!shethought.
ThomastooktheboxuptotheJudge.Itwasveryheavynow.Heputitontheirtableandsaidsomethingtotheminalowvoice.
William,theboyJudge,rappedonhistablewiththehammer.Everyonestoppedchattering.
ElizabethAllendidnotputhermoneyintothebox,hesaid.Elizabeth,haveyounomoney?Yes,Ihave,answeredElizabethdefiantly.ButI'mgoingtokeepit.Stan
whenyouspeaktome,orderedtheJudge.ElizabethfeltRuth'shardfingerspokingheragainandshestoodup.Ruthsawthepurseontheform,andquicklypickeditup.
Whydoyouwanttokeepyourmoneytoyourself?askedWilliam.Areyousoveryselfish?No.saidElizabeth.ButIthinkit'sasillyidea.Listen,saidWilliampatInthisschoolwedon'tliketothinkthatsomeofushaveheapsofmoneytospendandothershavehardlyany.Weallgetthesame,andifyouwantanythingextrayoucanalwayshaveitiftheMeetingagrees.Well,I'mnotgoingtostayatthisschoolverylong,saidElizabeth,inarude.defiantvoice.And1shallwantsomemoneytogohomebytrain-soI'mnotgoingtogiveittoyou.Therewasabuzzofsurpriseandhorror.TheJudgesandtheJurystaredatElizabethasifshewassomethingveryqueerindeed.
ThetwoHeadmistressesandtheMasterlookedupwithgreatinterest,wonderingwhattheJudgeswouldsay.WilliamandRitaspoketogetherinlowvoices.Thentheybangedonthetablewiththehammer.Everyonewassilentatonce.
Williamspokeinagravevoice.WethinkElizabethiswrongandsilly,hesaid.Herparentsarepayingalotofmoneytokeepherinthisfineschool,andevenifshegoeshomeinashortwhile,herterm'sfeesstillhavetobepaid.AlsowethinksheisveryfeeblenottotryandseeifshelikesWhyteleafe.IfI'mnotsenthome,I'llrunaway,saidElizabeth,angryatbeingspokenoflikethis.
Thatcan'tbeallowed,saidWilliamatonce.Youwouldworryyourparentsandeveryonehere,justbecauseyouareaselfish,sillygirl.Ruth,isthatElizabeth's
moneyIseeyouwavingatme?Bringithere.Elizabethmadeasnatchathermoney,butitwastoolate.Ruthtookthebagtothetableandemptiedsixshillings,twohalf-crowns,andfivesixpencesintothemoney-box.ElizabethblinkedhereyesShewantedtocry,butshewasn'tgoingto.
Elizabeth,wecan'tallowyoutokeepyourmoneyincaseyouarefoolishenoughtouseitforrunningaway,saidRita,inakindbutsternvoice,OneoftheJurystoodup.ItwasatallboycalledMaurice.IshouldliketosaythattheJurythinkthatElizabethAllenmustnothaveanymoneyatalltospendthisweek,becauseofherbehaviour,hesaid.
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AlltheJuryputuptheirhandstoshowthattheyagreed.
Verywell,saidtheJudge.Now,Elizabeth,weshan'tsayanymoretoyouto-day,becauseyouareanewgirl,andmustbegivenachancetosettledown,Ihopeyouwillhaveagoodreportatnextweek'sMeeting.Weshallbeverypleasedifyoudo.Well,Ishan't,then,saidElizabeth,inafuriousvoice.YoujustwaitandseewhatI'lldo.Sitdown,saidWilliam,losinghispatiencewiththedefiantlittlegirl.We'vehadenoughofyouforonemeeting.Nora,giveoutthemoneytoeveryone,please.Noragavetwoshillingstoeverybody,exceptElizabeth.Thelittlegirlsatsulkingonherform,hatingeverybody.Howdaredtheytakehermoney?ShewouldpayRuthoutfortakingherpurselikethat!Wheneveryonehadtheirmoney,theJudgesknockedforsilenceagain.Doesanyonewantextramoneythisweekforanything?askedWilliam.
Asmallboystoodup.Ishouldlikesixpenceextra,hesaid.
Whatfor?askedWilliam.
I'vebeentoldImustgivesomemoneytotheSchoolClub,tohelptowardsanewgramophone,hesaid.
Well,takeitoutofyourtwoshillings,saidWilliam.Sitdown.Sixpenceextranotgranted.Theboysatdown.Agirlgotup.MayIhaveoneandninepenceextratop
ayforanelectriclightbulbIbrokebyaccidentintheplayroom?sheasked.
Who'syourmonitor?askedRita.OneoftheJurystoodup,agirlcalledWinnie.
Wasitaproperaccident,Winnie,orjustfoolingabout?askedRita.
Itwasaproperaccident,saidWinnie.Elsiewastryingtoopenatin,andtheopenerflewoutofherhandandbrokethelightbulb,Giveheroneandninepenceoutofthebox,then,orderedRita.Winnietookthemoneyandgaveittothegirl,whowasverypleased.
Anymorerequests?askedWilliam.Nobodysaidanything.Anycomplaintsorgrumbles?askedRita.
Elizabethfeltuncomfortable,WouldNoracomplainabouther?Wouldthatboyshehadkicked,whowasamonitor,complaintoo?Goodness,thisMeetingwaslastingmuchtoolong!
CHAPTER8.
TheFirstWeekatSchool.
NOBODYmadeanycomplaintsatall.Elizabethcouldn'thelpfeelingglad.Allthesame,they'llhaveplentyofcomplaintstomakeaboutmenextweek!shethought.I'lljustshowthemthatImeanwhatIsay!Somebodyhadagrumble.ItwasasmallboycalledWilfred.Hestoodup,lookingrathershy.
1haveagrumble,hesaid,Goon,then,saidWilliam,theJudge.
Please,hesaid,Ilearnmusic,andoneofthetimesputdownformypracticeishalfof,cricket-timeonTuesday.CouldIhaveitchanged,becauseIdobatemissingcricket.Certainly,saidWilliam.Mr.Johns,doyouthinkthatcouldbechangedllseetoit,saidMr.Johns,fromthebackoftheroom.I'llspeaktothemusic-masterandhaveitputrightforWilfred.Thankyou,saidWilliamandWilfredtogether.Therewerenomoregrumbles.Williamhammeredonthetable.
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TheMeetingisover,hesaid,Thenextwillbeheldatthesametimeonthesamedaynextweek,Everyonemustattend.Thechildrenjumpedup,talkingloudly,andwentouttotheirvarioustasks.Somehadlessonstoprepareforthenextday.Somehadpetstofeed.Somewantedtopractisecricketortennis.Everyoneseemedtohavesomethingtodo.
AllexceptElizabeth.Sheseemedtohavenoonetotalkto,noonetowalkwith.Sheknewitwasherownfault,butshedidn'tlikeit.Shewanderedoffbyherselfandcametoalittleroomwheresomeonewasplayingthepianosoftlyandbeautifully.
Elizabethlovedmusicwithallherheart.Shecreptintothelittlemusic-roomandsatdowntolisten.Mr.
Lewis,themusic-master,wasthere,playingtohimself.Whenhefinished,heturnedroundandsawElizabeth.
Hallo!hesaid.Didyoulikethat?Yes,Ilovedit,saidElizabeth.Itsoundedtkethesea.Itwassupposedtobetheseaonasummer'sday,saidMr.Lewis.Hewasanoldman,withgentleeyesandasmallgreybeard.Itwaswrittenbyamanwholovedtoputtheseaintohismusic.IwishIcouldlearntoplayit,saidElizabeth.IreallydowishIcould.AmIsupposedtobelearningmusicatthisschool,doyouknow?What'syourname?askedthemusic-master,takingoutasmallnotebookandopeningit.MineisMr.Lewis.MineisElizabethAllen,saidElizabeth,Yes-he
syourname,saidMr.Lewis.Youaredownformusiclessonswithme.That'sfine.Weshallgetonwelltogether,andperhapsbytheendofthetermyouwillbeabletoplaythissea-pieceyoulikesomuch.I'dlikethat,saidElizabeth,butIshn'tbeherelong.Ihateschool.Dearme,whatapity,saidMr.Lewis.Mostchildresimplyloveit-especiallyWhyteleafeSchool.Well,ifyouthinkyouwon'tbeherelongperhapsIhadbettercrossyournameoffmylist.Itseemsawasteoftimetohaveanymusiclessonsifyoumeantogo.Well-Imightaswellhaveoneortwolessons,saidElizabeth.IsupposeIcouldn'thaveonenow,couldI?Mr.Lewislookedathiswatch.Yes,hesaid.I'vegottwentyminutes.Fetchyourmusicandwe'llseewhatyoucando.Elizabethwashappyforthefirsttimewhenshesatdownatthepianowiththemusic-masterbyherside.Sheplayedoneofherfavouritepieces.Mr.Lewisjerkedhisfootintimetothemusicandnoddedhisheadwhenshehadfinished.
Yes,Elizabeth,hesaid,pleased.Youwillbeoneofmybestpupils.Imustaskyoutochangeyourmindaboutleavingussoon-itwillbeapleasuretometoteachyouthatsea-piece.Elizabethfeltpleasedandproud.Butsheshookherhead.I'mafraidIshan'tstay,shesaid,They'vetakenmymoneyawaysothatIcan'trunaway,butI'mgoingtobesohorridthatthey'llhavetosendmeaway!Whatapity!saidMr.Lewis.Helookedathiswatchagain.Playmesomethingelse,hesaid.I'vealittlemoretime.AttheendofthelessonMr.LewisshowedElizabeththenameofthesea-piecehehadplayed.Thereisamostbeautifulgramophonerecordofit,hesaid.
Whydon'tyouaskforsomemoneytobuyitatthenextMeeting?Everyonewouldlovetherecordintheplayroom,andIknowtheyhaven'tgotit.I'dlovetogetit,
saidElizabeth,ThenIcouldhearitwhenever1wantedto.But1knowtheMeetingwouldn'tgivemeanymoney!Why,they'veevennotletmehavethetwoshillingseveryoneelsehas.Deardear,saidMr.Lewis,smiling.Youmustreallybeaverybdlittlegirl-andyetyouplaymypianolikeanangel!DoIreally?saidElizabethindelight-butthemusic-masterhadgone,leavingElizabethtoputawayhermusicandshutthepiano.
ElizabethsoonfoundoutthatthereweremanypleasantthingsthatthechildrenofWhyteleafewereallowedtodo.Everyotherdaytheywereallowedtogodowntothevillageintwos,tobuysweets,toys,books,andanythingtheywanted.The
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ywerealsoallowedtogotothecinemaonceaweek,providedthattheypaidforthemselves.
Theycouldgoridingeveryday,andthisElizabethsimplyadored,fortherewererollinghillsandcommonsaroundtheschool,onwhichitwasperfectlylovelytogallop.Elizabethrodeverywellindeed,forshehadhadherownponyforyears.
Then,ontwoeveningsaweek,themusic-mastergavealittleconcerttothosechildrenwhoreallylovedmusic.Theconcertwasfromhalf-pastseventoeight,aftersupper,andMr.Lewisgatheredroundhimabouttwelveboysandgirlswholovedtohearthebeautifulmusichedrewfromhispiano.Sometimesheplayedtheviolintoo,andElizabethlongedtolearntoplayitwhensheheardMr.Lewisdrawingthebowacrossthestringsofhisfineviolin.
Onanothereveningtherewasasmalldance,beginningathalf-pastseven,foranhour.Elizabethloveddancingtoo,andwhenshesawthenoticeonthenotice-board,shewaspleased.
NowonderthechildrenwerehappyatWhyteleafe!Thereseemedalwayssomethinglovelytolookforwardto,somethingexcitingtodo.HelenandBelinda,theothernewgirls,soonsettleddownwell,madefirmfriendswithoneanother,andwereveryhappy.Thetwonewboysalsomadefriends,OnceJoantriedtomakefriendswithElizabeth,butthelittlegirlmadearudefaceandturnedaway.
Asthedayswenton,Elizabethkepttoherplan.Shetookeverychanceofbeingnaughtyandrude,tilleveryonewastiredofher.ShespentmostofthemorningsoutsidethedooroftheclassroombecauseMissRangercouldnothaveherintheroomasshedisturbedtheclasssomuch.
OnemorningshecaughttheschoolcatandputitinsideMissRanger'sdeskbeforeanyoneenteredtheroom.WhenMissRangeropenedthelid,thecatjumpedout,andMissRangersquealedinfright.Everyonegiggled.TheyknewitwasElizabeth,ofcourse.
AnothertimeElizabethputtheclassroomclocktenminutesfast,andMissRangerstoppedthelessontoosoon.WhenMissRangerfoundout,shewasangry.
Asyouallhavemissedtenminutesofyourarith~meticlesson,shesaid,Iamgoingtogiveyoutwoextrasumstodoforyourpreparationtimethisafter~noon.TheclasswasangrywithElizabeth.YouwaittillthenextMeeting!saidRuth.There'llbesomefinecomplaintsaboutyouthere!Idon'tcare,saidElizabeth.Andshedidn't.
OneafternoonafterteaElizabethwantedtogoandseethevillageofWhyteleafe.ShewenttoNora,hermonitor,andaskedherforpermissiontogoandlookattheshopsinthevillage.
Yes,youcango.saidNora.Butgetsomeonetogowithyou.Weareonlyallowedtogointwos,ElizabethwenttoRuth.Willyoucomewithmetothevillage?sheasked
.1wanttolookattheshops.Nothanks,saidRuth,Idon'twanttogowithanyonikeyou!Idon'tknowhowyoumightbehaveintheroad.Imightbeashamedofyou.Iknowhowtobehaveintheroad,saidElizabethcrossly.
Well,youdon'tknowhowtobehaveatschool!saidRuth,andwalkedaway.
ElizabethaskedBelinda.ButBelindashookherhead.Idon'twanttogo,shesaid.
Helenwouldn'tgoeither,norwouldJoan.Elizabethdidn'tliketoaskanyoftheboys,becausetheyalwayslaughedatherwhentheysawhercoming.
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Here'stheboldhadgirl!theysaidtooneanother.AndsoonpoorElizabethbegantobeknownastheBoldBadGirl!ElizabethwentbacktoNora.Nobodywillgowithme,shesaid.
Itservesyouright,saidNora.Youcan'tgoifnobodywillgowithyou.Wearenotallowedtogoalone.Well,I'mgoingalone!saidElizabethtoherself.Andsheslippedoutoftheschooldoor,downthesteps,roundtotheright,andthroughthebigarchway!Downthehillssherantoseethevillage.
Shehadalovelytimelookingintoalltheshops.Shelookedlonginglyintothesweet-shopandwishedshehadsomemoneytobuysometoffee.Shelookedintoamusic-shopandwonderediftheyhadthegramophonerecordofthesea-piecesheloved.Shelookedintothetoy-shop-andgoodgracious!ComingoutofitwasRita,theHeadGirlofWhyteleafeSchool!NowwhatwasnaughtyElizabethtodo?
CHAPTER9.
RitahasaJobforElizabeth.
ELIZABETHhadnotimetorunaway.Ritacameoutoftheshopalmostontopofher.Shesmiledatthelittlegirl-andthenshesawthatshewasalone.Hersmilefaded,andshelookedstern.
Surelysomebodyiswithyou?sheasked.
No,saidElizabeth.
But,Elizabeth,youknowbynowthatnooneisallowedinthevillagebyherself,saidRita.Youmustalwayscomewithsomebody.Whydidn'tyou?Becausenobodywouldcomewithme,saidEliza~beth.Ididaskawholelotofthem,Well,youhadbettecomewithmenow,saidRita.Iamalone,becausethegirlsofthetopclassareallowedtoshopbythemselves.Sowalkalongwithme.Elizabethwasjustgoingtosaythatshedidn'twantto,whenshesawwhatlovelykindeyesRitahad.Ritawaslookingather,andElizabeththoughtshewasthekindest-lookinggirlshehadeverseen-evennicerthanEileen.SoshewalkedalongbyRitainsilence.
Youknow,Elizabeth,itisstrangethatnoonewouldgowithyou,saidRita.Doesn'tanybodyatalllikeyou?No,saidElizabeth.Don'tyouremember,Rita,thatItolyouIwasgoingtobeashorridascouldbesothatIcouldgohome?Well,everybodythinksIamveryhorrid,sonobodywantstotalktomeorwalkwithme.Andareyoureallyhorrid?askedRita.
Elizabethlookedup.ShewassurprisedthatRitashouldtalktoherkindly,afterhavingfoundheroutindisobedience.ButRitadidnotlookangry,onlyveryunderstandingandwise.
Elizabeththoughtforamoment.Wasshereallyhorrid?Sherememberedallthegovernessesshehadhad.SherememberedthatMissScottwouldn'tstaywithher.Perhapsshereallyandtrulywasahorridgirl.
Idon'tknow,shesaidatlast.IbelieveIamhorridreally,Rita.ImakemyselfhorriderthanItrulyam-butallthesame.IbelieveIcan'tbeverynice.PoorlittleElizabeth!saidRita.Iwonderwhathasmadeyougrowsohorrid?Youlooksuchanicelittlegirl,andwhenyousmileyouarequitedifferent.Idofeelsorryforyou.AlumpsuddenlycameintoElizabeth'sthroat,andtearsintohereyes.Sheblinkedthetearsawayangrily.NowRitawouldthinkshewasababy!Don'tfeelsorryforrue,shesaid.Iwanttobehorrid,sothatIcangohome.Couldn'tyotrytobeniceforachange,andjustgiveyourselfachance?askedRita.
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No,saidElizabeth.Ishan'tbesenthomeifIamnice.IsimplymustbeasbadasIcanbe.Butyouwillmakeyourselfveryunhappy,saidRita.Andyouwillmakeothrpeopleunhappytoo.ShallI?saidElizabethinsurprise.Well,Idon'tmindmakinmyselfunhappy,ifIcangetwhatIwantintheend-butIdon'twanttomakeotherpeopleunhappy.IthinkIamahorridgirl,butRita,Iwishyou'dbelievemewhenIsaythatIreallydon'tmeantomaketheothersunhappy.Well,listen,Elizabeth.saidRita,walkingallthetimehacktowardstheschool,thereissomeoneinyourroomwhoisn'tveryhappy.Haveyounoticedit?Youmightatleastdowhatyoucantomakethingsnicerforher.Whoisit?askedElizabethinsurprise.
ItisJoan,saidRita."Shehasn'tahappyhome,andshecomesbacktoschoolverymiserableeachterm.Sheworriesaboutherfatherandmotherallthetime,becausetheydon'tseemtowantherortoloveher.
Theynevercometoseeherathalfterm.Oh,saidElizabeth,rememberingthatJoanusuallydidlookrathersad.Ididn'tknow.Nobodyknowsexceptme,saidRita.IlnearJoanathome,soIknow.Iamtellingyouthis,Elizabeth,becauseifyoureallydomeanwhatyousayaboutnotwantingtomakeotherpeopleunhappy,youcanjusttrytomakethingsbetterforJoan.Shehasn'tanyfriend,anymorethanyouhave-butforadifferentreason.Sheisafraidofmakingfriendsincaseanyoneaskshertostaywiththemfortheholidays-andsheknowshermotherwouldn'tbothertoaskanyfriendbacktostaywithJoan.AndJoanisveryproudandcan'tbeartotakekindnessesshecan'treturn.Now-~there'sajobforyoutodo!Canyoudoit?Ohyes,Rita,saidElizabethatonce.Althoughshewasspoilt,sh
ehadatenderheart,andwhenshesawthatsomeonewasintrouble,shewouldalwaysgotohelpthem.Thankyoufortellingme.Iwon'ttellanyoneelse.Iknowyouwon't,saidRita.Itissuchapitythatyoumeantobebad,Elizabeth,becauseIcanseeyouwouldbesplendidifyouwouldgiveyourselfachance.Elizabethfrowned.It'snogood,shesaid.I'mgoingtodowhatImeanttodo-getsenthomeassoonaseverIcan.AndIcan'tbesenthomeifI'mgood.Well,comeandtalktomeanytimeyouthinkyouwouldliketo,saidRita,astheywalkedinattheschoolgates.AndIsay,Elizabeth-don'tgoaloneintothevillageagain,willyou?Canyoupromisethat?"Elizabethwasjustgoingtosayno,shewouldn'tpromise,whenshethoughtofhowkindandgentleRitahadbeen-andshefeltshemustpromise.
Ipromise,Rita,shesaid,and-andthankyouforbeingsonice,Youmakeitrather
difficultformetobeashorridasIwanttobe.That'sagoodthing!saidRita,withalaugh,andthetallHeadGirlwalkedawaytoherownroom,NorametElizabethasshewalkedtotheplayroom.Didyougotothevillage?sheasked.
Yes,Idid,saidElizabeth,Whowentwithyou?askedNora.
Nobody,answeredElizabethdefiantly.
ThenIthai!reportyouatthenextMeeting,saidNoraangrily.
Reportmeallyoulike,saidElizabeth,inadon't-caretone./shan'tmind!You'lindallrightwhenthetimecomes,MissDon't-Care,saidNora.
Elizabethwenttotheplayroomandputarecordonthegramophone.Shelookedthroughthepileofrecordstoseeifthesea..p~ecewastherethatsheloved.Butitwasn't.ShewonderedhowmuchitwouldcostButwhatwastheuseofwonderingthat?Shewouldneverhaveanymoneynowtobuyanything!Thishorrid,horridschool!JoanTownsendcameintotheplayroom.Peoplewereusedtoherquietways,andnobodytookmuchnoticeofher.TheycalledhertheMouse,andoftenaskedherwhereshekeptherbitofcheese!Elizabethlookedub,andthoughtthatJoandidindeedlookverysad.Hastheafternoonpostcomeyet?askedJoan.
Yes,saidHelen,LongagoNothingforyou,Joan.Perhapsshehopedtohearfromhe
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otherorfather,thoughtElizabethIhearfromMummyoften,andMissScotthaswrittentwice-butIdon'trememberJoangettingasingleletter!ShewasjustgoingtosaysomethingtoJoanwhenthesupper-bellrang.Thechildrenalltroopedintothedining-hall.ElizabethtriedtositnexttoJoanbutshecouldn't.ShenoticedthatJoanhardlyateanything.
Aftersuppertherewasaconcertinthemusicmaster'sroom.ElizabethranuptoJoanandspoketoher.Joan!ComeandhearMr.Lewisplayingtonight.He'sgoingtoplayalovelythingtous-myMummyplaysitathome,andIknowitverywell.Nothanks,saidJoan.I'vegotalettertowrite,Elizabethstaredafterherasanwenttotheplayroom,Joanalwaysseemedtobewritingletters-butnoneevercameforher.ElizabethrantotellMr.Lewisshewascomingtohislittleconcert,andthensheranandpeepedinattheplayroom.Joanwastherealone-.-butshewasnotwritingletters,Shesatwithherpeninherhand,andtwobigtearsdroppedontothewriting-padonthedeskbelow.Elizabethwashorrified.Shehatedtoseeanyonecrying.Shesteppedintotheroom-butJoanturnedandsawhercoming.ShewipedhertearsawayatonceandspokefiercelytoElizabeth.
Whatareyouspyingonmefor,youhorridthing?Can'tyouleaveanybodyalone?You'realwaysmakinganuisanceofyourself.Joan,Ionlywantedto...Yes,Iknowwhatyouwanted!saidJoan,justasfiercely.Youwantedtoseemecrying,andthenlaughatmeandtellalltheothersI'mababy!Yousayyouwanttobeashorridandnastyasyoucan-butjustyoutrytellingtheothersyousawmecrying!Ohplease,Joan!Iwouldn'tdothat,Ireallywouldn't!saidElizabeth,fullofdism
aytothinkthatJoanshouldthinksuchathingofher.Joan,pleaselisten...I'mnotquiteashorridasImakemyselfbe.Oh,dopleaseletmebefriendswithyou.No,saidJoan,whowasalmostasobstinateasElizabeth,whenshewasunhappy.Goaway.DoyousupposeI'dletthenaughtiestgirlintheschoolbemyfriend?Idon'twantanyfriend.Goaway.Elizabethwent.Shefeltdreadful.HowcouldshehelpJoanifJoanwouldn'tbelievethatshewasnotquiteashorridasshepretendedtobe?ShethoughtofJoan'sunhappy,freckledface,andalthoughthemusic-masterplayedreallybeautifullythatevening,foronceElizabethdidnotlistenindelight-foronceshewasthinkingofsomebodyelse,andnotherself!IfonlyJoanwouldletmehelpher,thoughtElizabeth.Ritawouldn'thavetoldmeifshehadn'tthoughtIcoulddoit.IwishIcouldhaveachanceofshowingRitaIcanreallydosomethingforsomebody.Elizabeth'schancecamethatverynight.Whensheandtheotherfivegirlsinherroomwereinbed,andElizabethwasalmo
stasleep,sheheardasoundfromtheendbed,whereJoanslept.Joanwassobbingquietlyundertheclothes!Elizabethwasoutofbedatonce,althoughsheknewthattherulewasthatnoonewastoleaveherowncubicletillmorning.ButElizabethdidn'tcareforrules,anyhow-andshemeanttogotoJoan,evenifJoanpushedherawayasfiercelyasbefore!
CHAPTER10.
Joan'sSecret.
ELIZABETHslippedbyNora'sbed,andbyBelinda's.
ShecametoJoan's,attheendbesidethewall.Sheslippedinbetweenthecurta
insandwenttositonJoan'sbed.
Joanstoppedcryingatonceandlayquitestiffandstill,wonderingwhoitwasonherbed.Elizabethwhisperedtoher.
Joan!It'sme,Elizabeth.What'sthematter?Areyouunhappy?Goaway,saidJoaninafiercewhisper.
Ishan't,saidElizabeth.Itmakesmeunhappymyselftohearyoucryingallalone.Areyouhomesick?Goaway,saidJoan,beginningtocrysoftlyagain.
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ItellyouIshan't,saidElizabeth,Listen,Joan.I'munhappytoo.Iwassohadathomethatnogovernesseswouldstaywithme-----somymotherhadtosendmeawaytoschool.ButIlovemyMummy,andIcan'tbeartobesentawayfromhomelikethis.Iwantmydog-andmypony-andevenmycanary-soIdoknowhowyoufeelifyouarehomesick.Joanlistenedinsurprise,SothatwaswhyElizabethwassohorrid-partlybecauseshewasunhappytoo,andwantedtobeathome.
Now,Joan,tellmewhat'sthematterwithyou,beggedElizabeth.Pleasedo.Iwon'tlaugh,youknowthat.Ionlywanttohelpyou.There'snothingmuchthematter,saidJoan,wipinghereyes.It'sonlythat-Idon'tthinkmymotherandfatherloveme-andIdolovethemsomuch.Yousee-theyhardlyeverwritetome-andtheynevercometoseemeathalfterm-andit'smybirthdaythisterm,andeveryoneknowsit-andIshan'tgetapresentfromthemorabirthdaycakeoranything-IknowIshan't.Anditmakesmefeelsodreadful.Oh,Joan!saidElizabeth,andshetookthegirl'shandinhersandsqueezedit.Oh,Joan.That'sawfulWhenIthinkhowmyMummyspoiltme-andgavemeeverythingIwanted-andfussedme-andIwascrossandimpatientallthetime!Andhereareyou.justlongingforalittletinybitofeverythingIhad.Ifeelratherashamedofmyself.Well,soyououghttobe,saidJoan,sittingup.
Youdon'tknowhowluckyyouaretobelovedandfussed.Goodness!Ishouldbereallythrilledandfrightfullyhappyifmymotherwrotetomeevenonceinafortnight-andyourshassentyoucardsandlettersalmosteveryday.Itmakesmejea
lous.Don'tbejealous,saidElizabeth,beginningtocryherself.IwouldshareeveythingwithyouifIcould,Joan;Ireallywould.Well,youcan'tbequitesohorridaseveryonethinksyouare,then.saidJoan.
IthinkIamratherhorrid,butIdomakemyselfmuchworse,saidElizabeth.Yousee,Imeantobesentbackhomeassoonaspossible.Thatwillmakeyourmotherveryunhappy,saidJoan."Itisagreatdisgracetobeexpelledfromschool,sentawaynevertocomeback.Youareveryqueer-youloveyourmother,andshelovesyou,andyouwanttogobacktoher-andyetyouarewillingtomakeherveryunhappy.1don'tunderstandyou.I'ddoanythingintheworldformymother,andshedoesn'tlovemeatall.Itrytomakeherproudofme.IdoeverythingIcanforher,butshedoesn'tseemtobotheraboutme.
You'reasbadasyoucanbe,andIexpectyourmotherwillloveyouallthesame.Itisn'tfair.No-itdoesn'tseemfair,"saidElizabeth,thinkinghard.Shewasgladhermotherwasn'tlikeJoan'sShemadeuphermindtobeverynicetohermotherwhenshewentbackhome,tomakeupformakingherunhappybyherbehaviouratschool.
Yousee,Elizabeth,theothergirlsseemewaitingforletterseveryday,andtheylaughatmebehindmyback,andthinkmyparentsmustbeveryqueerpeople,saidJoan.AndIdohatethattoo.LasttermIsentsomeletterstomyself,justsothatIshouldhavesome-buttheothersfoundoutandteasedmedreadfully.It'sashame,saidElizabeth,Joan,don'tworryso.Perhapsthingswillcomeright,Couldn'twebefriends,please?JustwhilstI'mhere.Idon'tmeantobehereforlong,butitwouldbenicetohavesomebodyforafriendforalittlewhile.Allrig
ht,saidJoan,andshetookElizabeth'shand.Thankyouforcomingtometonight,I'msogladyou'renotashorridasIthought.Ithinkyou'reverynice.Elizabethslippedbacktoherownbed,herheartfeelingwarmandglad.Itwasgoodtohaveafriend.Itwaslovelytobethoughtverynice.NoboyorgirlhadeversaidthatofElizabethbeforeIwon'tlettheotherslaughatJoan!thoughtElizabethfiercely.She'smyfriendnow!Ishalllookafterher-she'sjustlikeatimidmouse.Totheastonishmentofeveryonethetwogirlssoonbecamefastfriends.Theywentdowntothevillagetogether.Joanspentsomeofhertwoshillingsonsweets,whichshesharedwithElizabeth,ElizabethhelpedJoanwithhersumsduringpreparationintheafternoon,forJoanwasbadatarithmeticandElizabethwasq
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uick.
JoanaskedElizabethmanyquestionsaboutherfatherandmother.Shewasnevertiredofhearinghowwonderfultheywere,andthepresentstheygaveElizabeth,andthefusstheymadeofher.
Whataretheyliketolookat?askedJoan.
Icouldshowyoutheirphotographs,butNoralockedthemupherbox,bythewindow,saidElizabeth.
Well,fancylettingthemstaythere,whenallyou'vegottodoistosayyou'resorryandthatyouknowhowtocount,saidJoan,rememberingwhathadhappened.Goodness-Iwouldn'tletmymother'spicturestayinthatdirtyoldbox!Ishan'tapologisetoNora,saidElizabethsulkily.Idon'tlikeher-interferingcreature.She'snot,saidJoan.She'sagoodsort.SometimesIthinkyouareanawfulbaby,Elizabeth.Onlyababywouldtalklikethat.Oh,soyouthinkI'mababy,doyou?criedEIizabeth,flaringupinarage,andtossinghercurlsoverhershoulder.Well,I'lljustshowyou!Norawascomingintothebedroomatthatverymoment.ShewasastonishedtofindElizabethflingingherselfalmostontopofher,shoutingloudly:Nora!I'msorryaboutthosethingsyouputinthebox.IknowhowtocountandI'llshowyouIcanputsixthingsonmychest-of-drawers.Goodgracious!Don'tdeafenme,saidNora.Allright-youcanhavethemback.Noraunlockedthebox,tookoutallElizabeth'sthings,andgavethemtoher.
You'reanawfulgoose,youknow,shesaid,half-scolding,half-kindly.ShehadbeenpleasedtoseethatElizabethhadreallytriedtomakefriendswithsomeoneatlast.
Elizabethproudlyputherphotographsonherchest,andshowedthemtoJoan.ThebellwentforteaandtheyhadtogodownstairsbeforeElizabethhadfinishedsayingallshewantedto.Astheypassedthehailletter-rack,Elizabethglanceduptoseeiftherewereanylettersforher.
Goody!AletterfromMother-andonefromDaddytoo-andthislookslikeonefromGranny!saidElizabeth.Shetookthemdown.Joanhadnolettersatall.
Hallo,Joan!Stillgloomingovertheletter-rackasusual!calledHelen'svoice,I'msureIdon'tknowwhatyou'ddoifeveryoudidfindaletterthereoneday!Jumpthroughtheroof,Ishouldthink!Joanwentredandturnedaway.Elizabethsawthatshewashurt,andshejumpedroundonHelen.
Isupposeyouthinkyou'refunny!sheshouted.
Well,perhapsyou'dliketoknowthatJoanhadfourlettersandacardthismorning,andshedidn'tjumpthroughtheroof,She'snotquitesuchacuckooasyouare!HelenwassoastonishedtohearElizabethstickingupforanyonethatshecouldn'tsayaword.Elizabethmadearudefaceather,tuckedherarmthroughJoan's,andwalkedoffwithher.
JoanturnedtoElizabeth,Whatanawfulstoryyoutold!shesaid.Ididn'thaveanylettersto-day,andyouknowIdidn't.Yes,Iknow,saidElizabeth,ItwasastorybutIreallycouldn'thelpit,Joan.Youlookedlikeatimidmousethat'sbeenclawedatbyacat,andIfeltlikeadogthatwantedtobarksomethinghorridatthecat!Joanthrewbackherheadandlaughed.Youdosaythefunniestthings,Elizabeth!shesaid.Ineverknowwhatyouwillsayordonext,NobodyeverdidknowwhatElizabethwouldtakeintoherheadtodoorsay.Thedayswereslippingbynow,andanotherweekhadalmostgone.Elizabethenjoyedherwork,forshehadagoodbrainandthingscameeasilytoher.Sheenjoyedtheridinglessons,thegym,thepainting,thewalks,theconcerts,andaboveall,hermusiclessons.She
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likedcricket,andshewasgettingquitegoodattennis.
Shehadtokeepremindingherselfthatshemustn'tenjoythesethings.Shemustreallybenaughty,orshewouldn'tbesenthomeindisgrace.Soeverynowandagainshewasverynaughtyindeed.
Onemorningshedideverysinglethingwronginherclass.Shewrotebadlyandspelteverywordwrong.Shegotallhersumsquitewrong.Shespiltinkoverherneatgeographymap.ShewhistledandhummedtillshedroveMissRangerquitemad.
MissRangerhadbeentoldtobepatientwithnaughtyElizabeth,andshetriedtobe.Buteventhechildrenbecameangrywithher,althoughatfirsttheygiggledandlaughedandthoughtshewasfunnyIshallreportyouattheMeetingto-morrow,saidaboyatlast.Hewasamonitor,andhadtherighttoreportanyone.I'msickofyou.Youdisturbeveryone.AndIshallreportyoutoo!saidNorathatafternoon.Threetimesyou'venotgonetobedattherighttimethisweek.LastnightyouevencameuplaterthanIdid!Andlookatthis-you'vespiltinkoveryourbluebedsiderug.Thatwillhavetobecleaned.Welt,I'mnotgoingtocleanit,saidElizabethrudely.I'llmakeitabitworse,justforfun!Andthenaughtylittlegirltippedupsomemoreinkoveranotherpartoftherug.
Norastaredatherindisgust.
You'retoosillyforwords,shesaid.Well,you'llbesorryattheMeetingtomorrow!Pooh!That'sallyouknow!saidElizabeth.
CHAPTER11.
TheMeetingPunishesElizabeth.
THEMeetingthenextdaywasatthesametimeasbefore.Allthechildrenwent,andonceagainthetwoJudges,RitaandWilliam,satatthebigtable,andthetwelvemonitors,theJury,satatthesmallertable.
Otherteachersweretheretoo,thistime,besidesMissBelleandMissBest.TheysometimescametohearwhatwasbeingdoneattheMeeting,althoughtheynever
interfered,Ritahammeredonthetableforquiet.Elizabethsatlookingsulky.Sheknewquitewellthatshewouldbescoldedandpunished,andshekepttellingherselfthatshedidn'tcare.ButoneweekatWhyteleafeSchoolhadmadeherseethatitreallywasasplendidschoolandshecouldn'thelpfeelingratherashamedofherbehaviour.
Well,itcan'tbehelped.Theywon'tsendmehomeunlessIbehavebadly,shekeptsayingtoherself,HasanyoneanymoremoneytoputintotheBox?askedWilliam.Helookedatasheetofpaper.JillKentonandHarryWillshavereceivedmoneythisweekandhavealreadyputitin.Hasanyoneelseany?Nobodyhad.Nora,giveoutthetwoshillingstoeveryone,please,orderedWilliam.
Norabegantogiveoutthemoney.SheevengaveittoElizabeth,whowasmostsu
rprised.Shehadquitethoughtthat,owingtoherbehaviour,shewouldgetnomoneyatall.ShemadeuphermindtobuysomepeppermintsandsometoffeeandsharethemwithJoan.Shewhisperedthistoherfriend,whowassittingbesideher.
Thankyou,whisperedbackJoan,Ishallwantmostofmymoneytobuystampsthisweek,soIshalllovetoshareyoursweets!Doesanyonewantextramoney?askedWilliam.Georgegotupandspoke.
Weneedanewcricketballforapracticegame,hesaid.Welostoursintheshrubbery.Youmustlookforitagainbeforeyougetthemoney,saidWilliam.Cometome
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o-morrow.Georgesatdown.Queeniegotup.CouldIhavesomemoneytobuyabirthdaypresentforsomebody?sheasked.It'smyoldnurse'sbirthdaythisweek,andI'dliketosendhersomething.Halfacrownwilldonicely.HalfacrownwasgiventoQueenie.
I'dlikeanewgardenspade,saidJohnTerry,standingup.I'mafraiditwillcostratheralot,though.Mr.Warlow,thegamesmaster,gotupandspokeforJohn,IshouldjustliketosaythatinmyopinionJohndeservesanewspade,hesaid.Heisthebestgardenerintheschool,andIbelievethepeaswehadfordinnerto-daywereduetohishardwork.John'sspadewaspassedatonce.Givehimthemoney,saidWilliam.Howmuchisit,John?I'mafraiditistwelveshillingsandsixpence,saidJohn.I'veaskedatthreeshopsandthepriceisthesameineach.Twelveshillingsandsixpencewashandedout.Johnsatdown,blushingwithpleasure.
Otherthingswereaskedfor.Someweregrantedandsomewererefused.Thencamethecomplaintsandgrumbles.
Anyreportsorcomplaints?askedRita,knockingonthetableforsilence.
IwanttoreportHarryDunnforcheating,saidamonitorfirmly.
Therewasabuzzatonce.EveryoneknewHarryDunn,asly-facedboyintheclassaboveElizabeth's.
Hesatonhisform,lookingred.
Cheatingisawful!saidWilliam,shocked.Wehaven'thadapropercaseofthathereforthreeterms.Don'tgivehimanymoneytospendfortherestoftheterm!calledsomeone.
No.That'sasillypunishmentforcheating,saidWilliamatonce.Itwouldn'tstophimandwouldonlymakehimangry.TherewasalouddiscussionaboutHarry.Ritabangedonthetablewithherhammer.
Quiet!shesaid."IwanttoaskHarrysomething.
Harry,whatlessondoyoucheatin?Arithmetic,"saidHarrysulkily.
Why?askedWilliam.
Well,Imissedfiveweekslastterm,andIgotbehindinmyarithmetic,saidHarry.Myfatherdoesn'tlikemetobebadatarithmetic,andIknewI'dbealmostbottomifIdidn'tcheat.SoIthoughtI'dbettercheat,andcopyHumphrey'ssums.That'sall.Yes-hedidmissfiveweekslastterm,saidamonitor.Hehadmumps,Irmember.Andhisfatherdoesgetwildifheisn'tnearthetopinarithmetic,saidanothermonitor.
Well,itseemstomethatwe'dbetteraskMr.Johnsifhe'dbegoodenoughtogiveHarryextrahelpinarithmeticthisterm,sothathecancatchupwhatbemissed,saidWilliam."Thenhewon'tneedtocheat.
Mr.Johns,Icanseeyouatthebackthisevening-doyouthinkitwouldhelpHarryifyougavehimextratime?Rather!saidMr.Johns,I'vealreadysuggestedittoHarry-andnowthatthishashappenedIthinkhe'llbegladofextrahelpinarithmetic,won'tyou,Harry?Yes,thankyou,sir,"saidHarry.
ButWilliamhadn'tfinishedwithHarry.
Wecan'tletyousitwiththeothersinyourclassuntilweknowyouwon'tcheatagain,hesaid.Youhadbetterputyourdeskapartfromtheothersuntilyouhave
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caughtupwiththearithmeticyou'vemissed-andthenyoucangoback,ifyouwillcomeandtellmethatyouwon'tcheatagain.Allright,William,saidHarry.Hehatedtheideaofbeingsetapartbecausehewasacheat-andhemadeuphismindhewouldsoonknowasmuchasanyoneelse-andthenhe'dbeatthemwithhisownbrains,andnevercheatagain.
Cheatingisonlydonebystupidorlazypeople,saidWilliam.Now-anymorecomplaints?ThenitwasElizabeth'sturntogoredandlooksulky!UpgotNoraatonce.
Ihaveaseriouscomplainttomake,shesaid.ItisaboutElizabethAllenagain.Iamthemonitorinherbedroom,andIcan'tmakehergotobedattherighttime.Notonlythat-sheisawfullyrudeandhorrid.Idon'tthinkshecareshowshebehavesatall.Anythingelse?askedRita,staringindisgustatElizabeth.
Yes-shehaspouredinktwiceoverherbedsiderug,andrefusestocleanit,saidNora.
Well,wewillsendittothecleaner'sandElizabethcanpayforit,saidRita,Itcoststwoshillingstogetthoserugscleaned-soIamafraidyouwillhavetogiveupyourtwoshillings,Elizabeth.Elizabethreallydidn'tliketoberudetoRita.SoshemeeklytookouthertwoshillingsandpassedthembacktoNora,whoputthemintothemoney-box.
Aboutthegoinglatetobed,saidWilliam,that'seasilydealtwith.InfutureEliz
abeth'sbedtimewillbealtered,andshewillgoathalf-pastseven,insteadofeight.ButIshallmisstheconcertsandthedancing,saidElizabethindismay.
That'syourownfault,saidRitasternly.Ifyouaresensible,wewillalteryourbedtimenextweek-butonlyifyouaresensible.Andnowabouttherudenessandhorridness,saidWilliam.I'mnotsurewecanblameElizabethforthat.Youknow,we'veusuallyfoundthatrudechildrenarecausedbysillyparents,whospoilthemandletthemsayanddowhattheylike.IshouldthinkElizabeth'sparentsaretoblameforherpresentrudebehaviour.Theyhaven'ttaughthergoodmanners.Elizabethleaptupatonce,herfacefullofanger.MummyandDaddyhavetaughtmegoodmanners!shesaid.They'vebeautifulmannersthemselves,andMummyisneverrudetoanyone.Well,weshallonlybelievethatwhenweseethatyouarefollowingtheirexample!saidWilliam.Wheneveryouarerudethisweekweshalleachsayto
ourselves:'PoorElizabeth!Shecan'thelpit!Shewasn'tbroughtupproperly!'i'llshow-youI'vegotgoodmanners!shoutedElizabeth.I'lljustshowyou,youhorridboy!Everyonebegantolaughattheangrylittlegirl.
Williambangedonthetablewithhishammer."Silence!Elizabethwantstoshowusthatshehasgoodmanners.
Goon,Elizabeth,shoutalittlemoreandcallusnames.
Thenweshallseeexactlywhatyourgoodmannersare.Elizabethsatdown,boiling.Sotheythoughthermotherandfatherdidn'tknowhowtobringchildrenupwithgoodmanners,didthey?Well,nobodywouldbemorepolitethanshewouldbe,nextweek!Theywouldhavetosaytheywerewrong!Kenneth,themonitorinElizab
eth'sclass,gotupnext.Please,WilliamandRita,hesaid,couldyoudosomethingaboutElizabeth'sbehaviourinclass?Itissimplyimpossible.Shespoilsallourlessons,andwearegettingverytiredofit.IguessMissRangeristoo.Thisisreallydreadful,saidRita.IhadnoideaElizabethwassobad.Iamverydisappointed.Hasnobodyagoodwordtosayforher?"Noonespoke.Noonesaidaword.Andthenevery74onegotasurprise,forupgotJoanTownsend,theMouse!Shewasblushingred,forshehatedtospeakinpublic.
I-I-IshouldliketospeakforElizabeth,shesaid.Shecanbeverykind.Sheisn'treallyashorridasshepretendstobe.Joansatdownwithabump,asredasfir
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e.Elizabethlookedathergratefully.Itwasgoodtohaveafriend!Well,it'ssomethingtohearthat!saidWilliam.Butitisn'tenough.WhatareElizabeth'sfavouritelessons?Music,painting,andriding,shoutedElizabeth'sclass,Well,Elizaeth,untilyoucanbehaveinthelessonsyoudon'tseemtolike,youmustmissthoseyoudolike,saidWilliam,afterconsultingwithRitaforawhile,Youwillmissriding,music,andpaintingthisweek,andyouwillnotgodowntothevillageatall.Wehopetherewillbebetterreportsnextweek,sothatwecangiveyoubackthethingsyoulove.Wesimplycan'tletyouspoillessonsfortherestofyourclass.ElizabethcouldnotstandtheMeetingforonemomentmore.Shestoodup,pushedachairaside,andrushedout.Lethergo,sheheardRitasay,inasorrysortofvoice.She'sbeingawfullysilly-butshe'sreallynotasbadasshemakesout!PoorElizabeth!Nomoneytospend-anearlybed~time-noconcerts,nodancing,noriding,painting,ormusic!Thelittlegirlsatonherbedandwept.Sheknewitwasallherownfault,butitdidn'tmakethingsanybetter.Ohwhen,whenwouldshebeabletoleavethishorridschool?
CHAPTER12.
ElizabethhasaBadTime.
JoanwenttofindElizabethassoonastheMeetingwasover.Sheguessedshewouldbeintheirbedroom.ElizabethdriedhereyesassoonassheheardJoancoming.Shewasn'tgoingtoletanyoneseehercrying!Hallo!saidJoan.Comedowntotheplayroom.It'srainingorwecouldgoandhaveagameoftennis.Joan,itwasde
centofyoutospeakupforme,saidElizabeth.Thanksawfully.Butdon'tdoitagain,because,yousee,IwanteveryonetothinkI'mtoobadforthisschool,sothatI'llbesenthome,Oh,Elizabeth,dogetthatsillyideaoutofyourhead!saidJoan.I'mquitesurethattheschoolwon'tsendyouhome,andyou'llonlygoongettingyourselfintomoreandmoretrouble.Dobesensible.Doyoureallythinktheywon'tsendmehome,howeverbadlyIbehave?saidElizabethindismay.Butsurelynoschoolwouldwanttokeepareallybadchild?WhyteleafeSchoolhasneverexpelledanyoneyet,saidJoan.SoIdon'texpectthey'llstartonyou.You'lljusthaveaperfectlyhorridtime,insteadofhayingalovelyone.You'dhavemuchmorechanceofgoinghomeifyouwenttoRitaandsaidyou'dbegoodifonlyshewoulddoherbesttogetyouhomebecauseyouweresounhappyhere,Really?saidElizabeth,astonished.Well,Ididn'tthinkofthat.PerhapsI'llgotoRita.I'llsee.Iamreallygettingabittiredofrememberingtobebad.Therearesomany
nicethingstodohere,that1can'thelpenjoyingmyselfsometimes.Ithinkyou'reasillygoose,saidJoan.Comeondown.Itwillsoonbeseveno'clock,andyouknowyou'vegottogotobeddirectlyaftersupperforawholeweek,insteadofateighto'clock.Elizabethfrowned.I'veagoodmindtogoateighto'clock,justtospitethem!shesaid.
Oh,don'tbefoolish,saidJoan.DoyousupposetheMeetingcaresifyougotobedatsevenoreight?You'llonlybehurtingyourself,notanyoneelse,ifyou'resilly.Oh,saidElizabeth,seeingforthefirsttimethatshewasspoilingthingsforherselffarmorethanshewasspoilingthemforotherpeople.Shesatandthoughtforaminute.
Listen,Joan,shesaid,I'lldoasI'mtoldthisweek,See?I'llobeytheordersof
theMeeting,andgotobedearly,andmissallthethingsIlove-andattheendI'llgotoRitaandtellherI'msounhappythatIsimplymustgohome,andI'llseewhatshesays.I'msureshecouldtellMissBelleandMissBestandtheycouldwritetoMummyforme.Well,youdothat,saidJoan,gettingabittiredofElizabeth'scuriousideas.Nowdocomeon-bother-there'sthesupper-bell,andwe'vewastedallthistime!Theyhadsupper-andthenpoorElizabethhadtogostraightupstairstobed.NorapoppedintoseethatshehadobeyedtheordersoftheMeetingandfeltquitesurprisedtoseeElizabethunderthesheets.
Goodgracious!shesaid.Youarelearningtobesensibleatlast!Nowjustyoulist
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entome,Elizabeth-theMeetinghatespunishinganyoneasmuchastheyhavepunishedyouthisweek-sobegoodandsensibleandobedient,andyou'llfindthateverythingwillbeallrightatthenextMeeting.Bytheway,I'lltakeupyourbedsiderug-thecleanercomesto-morrow,andI'llseethatit'sputreadyforhimtotake.Thankyou,Nora,saidElizabeth,inaverygoodvoice.
TheweekthatfollowedwasnotapleasantoneforElizabeth.Shehadtoseetheothersgooutridingwithouther.Shehadtositindoorsandcopyoutsumsinsteadofgoingoutsketchingwiththepaintingclass.WorstofallshehadtotellMr.Lewisthatshecouldn'thavehermusiclessonsthatweek.
Mr.Lewiswasdisappointed.Well,aren'tyoualittlesilly?hesaid,pattingherontheshoulder.
Whatapity!Andweweregoingtodosomethingratherexcitingthisweektoo-I'vegotRichardWatsontolearnaduet,andIthoughtyouandhecouldplayittogether.Duetsarefun.Ohdear,saidElizabethindismay."I'veneverplayedaduet,andI'vealwaysthoughtitwouldbefun,Couldyouwaittillnextweek,doyouthink,Mr.Lewis?
Imightgetallmypunishmentstakenoffbythattime.Ishouldhopeyouwould!"saidthemusic-master.
Now,Elizabeth,althoughyouaregoingtomissyourlessonswithmethisweek,th
ereisnoneedforyoutomissyourpractice.Takethisduetandtrytolearnyourpartbyyourself-andnextweekI'llhaveRichardalonetoo,andwe'llallhaveagoatit.Practiceyourotherpiecestoo,anddon'tforgetyourscales,Iwon'tforget,promisedElizabeth,andsheranoff.RichardWatsonwasabigboy,andElizabethcouldn'thelpfeelingratherproudtothinkthatMr.Lewishadchosenhertoplayaduetwithhim.SheknewthatRichardWatsonplayedthepianoandtheviolinbeautifully.
Elizabethturnedoveranewleafthatweek.NobodycouldhaveworkedharderinclassthanshedidSheonlygotonesumwrongthewholeoftheweek.Shedidn'tgetasinglemistakeindictation.EventheFrenchmistress,Mademoiselle,waspleasedwithherbecauseshelearnedaFrenchsongsoquickly.
Ah,butyouareacleverlittlegirl!shesaidtoElizabeth.WillyounothelpthispoorlittleJoantolearnherpiece?Alwaysshemakesmistakes,andisatthebottomofmyclass.Yes,I'llhelpJoan,saidElizabetheagerly.Icaneasilyteacherthesong.Youhaveagoodheart,saidMademoiselle.Elizabethwentredwithpleasure.Theotherchildrenstaredather.Theycouldn'tunderstandthisstrangegirlwhowassobadandhorridoneweek,andsogoodandhelpfulthenext!ElizabethhelpedJoantolearnthesong.SheandJoanwentofftoacornerofthegardenandElizabethsangeachlineofthesonginherclearvoice,andmadeJoansingitafterher.Itwasn'tlongbeforeJoanknewitperfectly.
Youareverydecenttome,Elizabeth,saidJoangratefully.IwishIwasgoingtohaveabirthdaycakeonmybirthday-I'dgiveyouthebiggestpieceofall!Whenisyourbirthday?askedElizabeth.
It'sintwoweeks'time,saidJoan.AndIdohateitso,becauseIknowIshan'tgetasinglecard,andmyparentsarecertainnottorememberit.Everyoneelseseemstohaveabigcake,andpresentsandcards.Ithinkit'sashame,saidElizabethwarmly.Ishallgiveyouapresent,anyhow-thatisifonlytheMeetingwillgivememytwoshillings!Ishan'tpourinkonmyrugagain,anyway-thatwasanawfulwasteoftwoshillings.Icouldhaveboughttoffeeswiththat.Ihaven'thadasweetforages!I'llbuysomethisafternoonandsharethemwithyou,saidJoan.wantmostofmymoneyforstamps,butIshallhaveafewpenceoverforsweets.It'sapityyoucan'tgodowntothevillagewithmeandchoosethesweets.It
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wouldbefuntogotogether.Itwould,agreedElizabeth.ButI'mnotgoingdowntilI'mallowedto.ForonethingIpromisedRitaIwouldn'tgoalone-andforanotherthing,I'mjollywellnotgoingtohavetheMeetingtakingawaymygoodtimesanymore!Theywentindoors.Onthewaytheymetthreeoftheboys,goingouttopractisebowling.
Hallo,BoldBadGirl!saidoneofthem.Elizabethwentred,andtriedtorushatthem.ButJoanheldherarmfirmly.
Don'ttakeanynotice,shesaid.Theyonlywanttoseeyougetangry-andafterall,youdodeservethename,youknow!Theboyswentofftothecricketfield,grinning.Elizabethfeltveryangry.Shestillhadnotgotusedtothegood-naturedteasingthatwentonallaroundher,Shewishedshecouldteaseback,orlaugh,astheotherchildrendid.
MissRangerwasdelightedwithElizabeththatweek,Thelittlegirlreallyhadafinebrain,andwasfondofajoke.ShecouldsaycleverthingsthatmadeMissRangerandtheclasslaughheartily.Shehadonlytolookatapageonceortwiceandsheknewitbyheart!Shelikedherworkanddideverythingwell,Elizabeth,youarealuckylittlegirl,saidMissRanger.Lessonscomeeasilytoyou,andyoushouldbeabletodosomethingfineintheworldwhenyougrowup.WhyteleafeSchoolandyourparentswillbeproudofyouoneday.WhyteleafeSchoolwon't,saidElizabethfirmly.
Ishan'tbeherelongenough.HalfatermisaslongasIshallstay,andImaygohomebeforethat.Well,we'llsee,saidMissRanger.Anyway,itisapleasantchagetoseetheothersideofyouthisweek,andnottheunpleasantrudenessoflastweek.Elizabethpractisedhardatthepianoalltheweek.ShewantedtoshowMr.LewisthatshecouldplaythatduetwithRichard!Overandoversheplayedthepagesofthemusic,tryingtogettherighttime,andloplaysoftlyandloudlyatthepropermoments.
Onemorningshegotaletterfromhermotherenclosingsomestamps.NowthatyouhavetobuyyourownstampsIthoughtperhapsitwouldhelpyouifIsentyousome,wrotehermother.Thenyoucanspendallyourmoneyonthethingsyoulike.Elizabethcountedthestamps.Thereweretwelvepennyonesandtwelveha'pennyones.ShedividedtheminhalfandwenttofindJoan.
Joan!Herearesomestampsforyou!Nowyouneedn'tspendallyourmoneyonthem,saidElizabeth.
Oh,thanks,saidJoan,delighted.Whatabitofluck!Yourmothermustbeadarlingtothinkofthingslikethat.I'llgostraightdownandbuysometoffee.Shedid-andthetwogirlssuckedithappilyafterteathatday,astheyw'anderedroundtheschoolgarden.TheycameacrossJohnTerrybusygardeningwithhisnewspade.Heshowedittothegirls,andtheyadmiredit.ElizabethtoldJohnaboutthegardenshehadathome.
Yousoundasifyouknewalotaboutgardening,saidJohn.Notmanygirlsdo.Isupposeyouwouldn'tliketocomeandhelpmesometime,wouldyou,Elizabeth?There
'salottodo,andinthesummer-timenotmanypeoplecomeandhelp.I'dloveto,saidElizabethproudly.FancycleverJohnTerryaskinghertohelphim!I'llcomewheneverIcan.Youdolookhappy,Elizabeth,saidJoan,staringatherfriend'sbrighteyes.Idon'tbelieveyouwanttoleaveWhyteleafeatall.Well,Ido,then,aidElizabeth,quitefiercely.Idon'tchangemymindasquicklyasallthat!You'llsoonsee.I'llaskRitatogetmesentbackhomebeforehalf-term!
CHAPTER13.
TheThirdMeeting.
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TimthirdMeetingcame.Everyonewenttothegymasbefore,andtooktheirplaces,Someoftheteacherssatatthebackasusual,RitaandWilliamcameinlastofallandthechildrenroseandstooduntiltheirtwoJudgessatdown.
JoanwassittingnexttoElizabeth.ShewashopingverymuchthatElizabethwouldnotsayanythingsilly,andsospoilherweek'sgoodworkandbehaviour.ElizabethwishedtheMeetingwasover.Shewasnotusedtohavingherbehaviourdiscussedanddealtwith,andshedidn'tlikeitatall.Butsheknewthateveryonewastreatedthesame,andshesawthatitwasquitefair,Moneywasputintothebox.Onegirl,Eileen,hadhadawholepoundsenttoherbyhergrandmother,andsheputitintotheboxveryproudly.Shewasgladtofeelthatshecouldaddsomuchtothespendingmoneyoftheschool.
Thetwoshillingsweregivenouttoeveryone.Elizabethtookhersgladly-nowshewouldbeabletobuysomesweetsforJoan.
Doesanyonewantanythingextrathisweek?askedWilliam,rattlingthemoney-box.
Eileenwantedashillingtogetherwatchmended,anditwasgrantedatonce,Nobodyelsesaidanything.
Nothingelse?askedRita,lookinground.
Elizabethsuddenlyfoundherselfstandingup.Idon'texpectyouwillletmehaveit,shesaid,butIwouldverymuchlikesomething-itisn'tonlyformyself,butitwouldbeniceforeveryoneelsetoo.Whatisityouwant?askedRita.
Well,there'salovelysea-piecethatMr.Lewisplays,saidElizabetheagerly.Hesaysthereisabeautifulgramophonerecordofit,andIwouldsomuchlikeit.I'msureeverybodywouldloveittoo.IknowIcouldbuyitwithmytwoshillings,butIoweJoanTownsendalotofsweets,andI'dliketobuyhersomethisweek.WilliamandRitalookedatthetwelvemonitorsbelowthematthesmalltable,Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?Ritaaskedthem.Youmightdiscussitforamoment,Thejurydiscusseditforafewminutes.ThenNorastoodup.
WethinkthemoneymightbegrantedtoElizabeth,saidNora.Wehaveheardherprac
tisinglikeanythingeverymorningthisweekbeforebreakfast,andwethinkshedeservesareward.Anextratwoshillingsisgranted,then,saidWilliam.GivetheoneytoElizabeth,Nora.Elizabethwasgivenanothertwoshillings.Shewasreallydelighted.Shethoughtthemonitorswereverydecenttohavegrantedherwish.Sheforgotthatshehadhatedthemalllastweek!TheMeetingpassedontocomplaintsandreports.Oneboy,Peter,wasreportedforscribblingoveroneofthecloakroomwalls.
Adisgustinghabit!saidWilliamseverely.Youwillspendyournexttwoplaytimescleaningoffthescribblewithsoapandhotwater,andthenyouwillbuysomeyellowdistemperfromtheschoolstoresoutofyourtwoshillings,andrepaintthatbitofwallyourself,Ishallcometoseeitattheendoftheweek.Petersatdown,veryred.Neveragaininhislifewouldhescribbleonwalls.Hewasnotan
gryathispunishmentforheknewthatitwasjust-hemustremovethemesshehadmade,andmakethewallgood.
Weallseethewalls,saidWilliam,andwecertainlydon'twanttoseeyoursillyscribblesonthem.ThentherewasareportonHarry,whohadcheatedtheweekbefore.Mr.JohnshadsentinawrittennotetoWilliamabouthim.WilliamreadittotheMeeting.
IhavetoreportthatHarryisrapidlycatchingupwiththerestofhisclassinarithmetic,wroteMr.Johns.Afteranotherweek,hewillbeasgoodastherest.A
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shewillthenhavenoreasontocheat,IproposethatatthenextMeetingHarryistoldhemaysitwiththeothersagain,andnotapart.WhataboutlettingHarrysitwiththerestofhisclassthisweek?askedoneofthemonitors.He'shadaweekofsittingapart,andit'snotverynice.No,saidWilliamfirmly,Hecheatedbforebecausehedidn'tknowasmuchastheothers-andifwelethimgobacktoosoon,he'llbetemptedtocheatagain.Wedon'twantittobecomeahabit.Harry,nextweekwehopetoputyoubackinyouroldseatwiththeothers.Yes,William,saidHarry.Hemadeuphismindtoworksohardathisarithmeticthathewouldbetopoftheclassbeforetheendoftheterm-thentheMeeting,andMr.Johns,wouldknowhehadnoreasontocheatatall!AndnowfortheBoldBadGirl,ElizabethAllen,saidWilliam.Everyonelaughed.Elizabethlaughedtoo.Itsoundedfunny,nothorrid,whenWilliamcalledherbythosenames.Nora,whatreporthaveyoutogive?Norastoodup.Anexcellentreport,shesaid.
Elizabethhasobeyedalltheordersoflastweek'sMeeting,andasfarasIknowhasobeyedthemcheerfullyandwell.Thankyou,saidRita,Norasatdown,Ritaopenedanote.ItwaswrittenbyMissRanger.
HereisareporttomefromMissRanger,saidRita.Thisiswhatshesays:'IthasbeenapleasuretohaveagirllikeElizabethinmyclassthisweek.Shehasworkedwell,couldeasilybetopofherclass,andhasbeenveryhelpfultootherswhocannotworkasquicklyasshecan.Shehasbeenasgoodthisweekasshewasbadlastweek!'Ritalookedup.ShesmiledherlovelysmileatElizabeth,andWilliamsmiledtoo.
Thisisverygood,Elizabeth,saidRita.Itoohavenoticedagreatdifferenceinyouthisweek.Haveyou?askedElizabeth,pleasedtothinkthatRitahadtakenanynoticeofher,Rita,didyounoticethatmymannerswerebetter?BecauseI'dlikeyoutothinkthatmymotherandfatherhavetaughtmegoodmannersandbroughtmeupproperly.Idon'tlikepeopletothinktheyhaven't.Well,wetakebackwhatwesaidaboutyourparentsbeingatfault,saidRita.Butyoureallymustsee,Elizabeth,thatifaboyorgirlisrudeorhorrid,itoftenmeansthattheirparentsaretoblamefornothavingtaughtthemanybetter.Idoseethat,saidElizabeth.Well,you'llseemyfatherandmotherathalf-term,andthenyou'llknowthattheycouldn'tpossiblybenicer.Oh-soyouhavemadeupyourmindtostaywithus,then?askedRita,withasuddensmileofamusement.Shecouldn'thelplikingElizabeth,forthelittlegirlsaidsuchfunnythings,andwassoseriousabouteve
rything.
Ohno,Ihaven't,saidElizabethatonce.ButIseenowthatyouwouldn'tletmegohomeifIbehavetoobadly-you'llonlybeangrywithmeandmakemestayjusttoshowmeIcan'tgetmyownway.But,Rita,ifIdotryhardtobegood,anddoeverythingIoughtto,willyoupleaseaskMissBelleandMissBesttoletmegohome?Theycanaskmyparentsathalf-termtotakemeaway.Mymotherwouldn'twantmetostayanywherewhereIwasunhappy.WilliamandRitalookedatElizabethinsurprise.verypuzzledtoknowwhattodowithsuchastrangelittlegirl.
RitaspoketoWilliam,andthejurydiscussedthingstogethertoo.Butnobodycoulddecideanythingatall./Ritahammeredontothetableandeveryonewasquiet.
Well,Elizabeth,saidRita,wesimplydon'tknowwhattosaytoyou.We'veneverbeenaskedsuchathingbefore.Wethinkwe'dbetteraskMissBelleandMissBesttohelpus.Please,MissBelleandMissBest,couldyouadviseuswhattodobestforElizabeth?Thetwoheadmistressescameuptotheplatform~andRitagotthemchairs.Mr.Johnscametoo,andsatwiththem.ItwasnotoftenthatthemastersandmistressescameontotheplatformattheweeklyMeetings,anditseemedtomakethingsmuchmoreimportantandserious.
Well,first,saidMissBelle,Ithinkweshouldalldiscussthisthingtogether--an
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dasitisnotverypleasanttodiscussapersonwhensheispresent,andElizabethmayfinditalittleawkwardtohearus,Isuggestthatsheshallbegiventhechancetoleavetheroomuntilwehavefinished,Whatdoyouthinkaboutit.Elizabeth?I'drathergooutofthegymandwaittillyousaywhat'sdecided,saidElizabeth,Butplease,MissBelle,Ishallbeawfullynaughtyagainif-Don'tsayanythingmore,Elizabeth,mydear,saidMissBesthurriedly.Shedidn'twantthechildrentofeelannoyedwithElizabeth.Sheknewitwasverydifficulttobefairifpeoplewerefeelingangry.
Elizabethwentoutofthegym.Shewenttoamusic-roomnearbyandbegantopractiseherpartoftheduet.
Shehopedthatshewouldbeabletohavehermusiclessonsthenextweek,thenshecouldplaythepianowithRichard.
TheMeetingbegantodiscussElizabethandwhattodowithher.Everyonehadasay,andeveryonewaslistenedto,Wedon'twanther,she'sanuisance,saidonegirl.Whynotlethergo?Wedowanther,saidMissBelle,Ithinkwecanhelpheraeatdeal.She'sbeenspoilt,saidWilliam.It'salwaysdifficultforspoilchildrentofitinanywhere.Theythinktheworld'smadeforthemandthemalone.Butyoucan'tthinkhowkindElizabethisreally,saidJoaneagerly.I'mheronlyfriend,andIknowmoreaboutherthananyone.Shereallyhasagoodheart,Mademoisellesaidshehadtoo.Thatisquitetrue,cameMademoiselle'svoicefromthebackofthegym.ThislittleElizabethisagoodchildatheart,andacleverone.Butshe
isso-o-o-oobstinate.EveryonelaughedatMademoiselle'slongso-o-o-o-o-It'ssoillytothinkthatElizabethcanbesimplysplendid,butmeanstobeawfulifwedon'tgiveherwhatshewants,saidWilliam.FancywantingtoleaveWhyteleafeSchool!I'venever,neverknownanyonewanttodothatbefore.Thediscussionwenton.NobodycouldimaginehowElizabethcouldwanttoleavesuchafineschoolasWhyteleafe,wherethechildrenweresohappy,andwheretheyruledthemselves.MissBelle,MissBest,andMr.JohnssmiledatoneanotherwhentheyheardtheexcitedchildrenblamingElizabethforwantingtoleaveWhyteleafe.
IthinkIcanseetheanswertoyourproblem,saidMissBelle,atlast.ShallwesaythistoElizabeth-thatshemaycertainlyleaveusafterthehalf-termifsheisreallyunhappy,andcansaysohonestlytotheMeeting?Shedoesnotneedtoberudeornaughtyordisobedientanymore,butmaybegood,hard-workingandenj
oyherselfallshelikes-becausewearequitewillingtolethergo,ifshereallywantsto,inafewweeks'time!Oh-Isee,saidRita,hereyesshining.YoumeanhatElizabethcan'tpossiblycomeandsaysheisunhappy,afterenjoyingherselfatWhyteleafetillhalf-term!Soshewon'twanttogoafterall-butwe'reofferingherwhatshewants,sosheneedn'tbebadanymore?That'sright,saidMissBelle.IfWhyteleafeSchoolisallyousayitis,and1amveryproudtohearit-thenIthinkwecansafelysaythatyouchildrenandtheschoolwillbeabletokeepElizabethhereofherownfreewill.WeshallseeElizabethatherbest-andwecanallhelphertobegoodandhappy.Everyonestampedtheirfeetandagreed.Itseemedcomicaltothem-theyweregoingtotellElizabethshecouldleavewhenshewantedto-butwhenthetimecametheyweresureshewouldn'twantto!Whatagoodidea!TheyallmadeuptheirmindstobeasniceaspossibletoElizabethsothatshesimplycouldn'tsayshewasunhappy,whenhalf-termcame!CallElizab
ethin,saidMissBest,We'lltellher,
CHAPTER14.
ALovelyWeek.
ELIZABETHwascalledbacktothegymbyNora.Shestoppedplayingthepianoandwentbacktoherplaceinthegym.
ShewonderedwhattheJudgesweregoingtosay.Theylookedserious,butnotang
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ry.Ritaknockedonthetable.
Quiet,sheordered.Elizabeth,wehavealldiscussedwhatyouwantustodo.AndwehavedecidedthatifyoucometousattheMeetingafterhalf-term,andtellushonestlythatyouareunhappyhere,andwanttogohome,MissBelleandMissBestwilladviseyourparentstotakeyouaway.Really!saidElizabethindelight.Ohthankyou,Rita.Iampleased.NowIdon'tneedtobehorridandrudeanymore.Icanwaittillhalf-term,butIwarnyouthatattheveryfirstMeetingafterthatIshallasktogohome.Ihatebeingatschool.Elizabethwonderedwhyeveryoneroaredwithlaughterwhenshesaidthat.Shelookedroundinsurprise.EvenJoanwaslaughing.
Well,Elizabeth,that'ssettled,then,saidRita.Pleasebeasniceasyouknowverywellbowtobeuntilhalf-term-andthen,ifyouwish,youcancertainlygohome,ifyourparentswilltakeyouaway.Iknowtheywill,ifI'munhappy,saidElizabeth.
Thankyou,Rita.Ipromisetobereallygoodnow.Verywell,saidWilliam.Allyouunishmentsareliftedfromnowon,yourbedtimewillbeasbefore,ateighto'clock.Youcantakeridingandpaintingandallyourfavouritelessons.Good!saidElizabeth,beaming.Shefeltverypleasedwithherself.Shehadgotwhatshewanted!Shecouldgohomeathalf-term!I'mgladit'snotbeforethen,thoughtthelittlegirl.IdowanttolearnthatduetwithRichard.AndIwanttogiveJoanapresentforherbirthday.AndIwanttodosomemoreriding-ohyes,andbuythatre
cordtoo!HoweveryonewilllovetohearitwhenIfirstputiton.Elizabethwasveryhappy.Shebeamedroundateveryone,notlisteningtoanythingelsethatwassaidattheMeeting.Therewasverylittleelsetodiscuss,anyway,andverysoonthegymwasempty,andthechildrenranofftotheirvarioustasksorhobbies.
Well,Elizabeth,I'vegotyoutillhalf-term,anyway!saidJoan.tuckingherarmintoElizabeth's.
That'ssomething.Well,makethemostofme!saidElizabethwithalaugh."Foryouon'thavemeafterwards.Ijollywellmeantogobackhometomypony,andmydog.
ImeantoshowmyparentsthatIjustwon'tbesentawaytoschool!"AlovelyweekbeganforElizabeththen.Aftersupperthatnighttherewasalittledance,andtheboysandgirlshadgreatfun.Wheneighto'clockstruckElizabethandtheothersofheragewentupstairstobed,leavingtheolderonestogoondancing.
ThenextdaysheandJoanwentdowntothevillagetobuysweets,andthegramophonerecordthatElizabethwanted.Themusic-shopdidn'thaveit,buttheysaidtheywouldsendforittothetownoverthehill,andgetitforElizabeth.Theywouldsendituptotheschoolforher.
Joanboughtsomechocolateandabook,Elizabethboughtsometoffee,andtwopacketsoflettuceseeds.Shehadn'tforgottenthatshewasgoingtohelpJohnTerr
ywithhisgardeningDearme,whatalotofthingsthereweretodo!Youcanhavethefirstlettucethatgrowsfromtheseseeds,shepromisedJoan.
Well,you'llhavetostaytilltheendofthetermthen,laughedJoan.Lettucesdon'tgrowquitesoquicklyasyouthink,Elizabeth.Oh,saidElizabeth,disappointed,Well-you'llhavetocutthefirstlettucethen,afterI'mgone.Haveatoffee?Itwasfuntoeattoffeesandtalktoafriend.ItwasfuntofeelthelettuceseedsrattlingintheirpacketsItwaslovelytothinkofgoingridingthatafternoonandhavingamusiclessonaftertea.PerhapsRichardwouldhethere,andtheywouldplaytheirduet.
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Theridinglessonwasglorious.Twelveboysandgirlsweretakenoutonthehillsbytheridingmaster.Elizabethhadbeenusedtoherponyandsherodewell,enjoyingthejog-jog-jog,andsniffingthefreshearlysummerbreezes,Thiswasmuchbetterfunthancantur~~ingalongonheroldponyathome,ThatafternoonthepostmanbroughtaparcelforElizabeth.Sheundidit-andinsideshefoundalargechocolatecake,senttoherbyherGranny!Oh,Isay!Lookatthis!criedElizabeth,Wecanallshareitattea-time~Myword,Elizabeth,you'reratherdifferentfromwhenyoufirstcame!saidNora,statingattheexcitedgirl,assheputhercakeintohertinintheplayroom.Youwouldn'tshareathingthen!Elizabethblushed.Don'tremindmeofthat,Nora,shebegged.I'mashamedofitnow.AllIhopeisthatyouwon'tallsaynowhenIofferyousomeofthiscake!Well,nobodydidsayno!Elizabethcountedthenumberofpeopleathertable-eleven.Shecutthecakeintotwelvepieces.Theywereverylarge.Elizabethofferedtheplateroundandsoontherewereonlytwopiecesleft.
Thanks,Elizabeth!Thanks,Elizabeth!saideveryone,takingapiece.Theyweredelightedtohaveit,becausebynoweveryone'stuck-boxwasempty,andnomoregoodieshadcomeyetfromtheirhomes,fornoonehadhadabirthday.
YourGrannymustbejollygenerous!saidNora.ThisisthefinestcakeI'veevertasted.Elizabethwasproudandpleased.ShetooktheplatetoMissRangerandofferedheroneofthetwopiecesthatremainedonit.MissRangertookitandnodded.
Thankyou,Elizabeth,shesaid.ThenElizabethhelpedherselftothelastpieceandsettleddownhappilytoeatit.Thiswasbetterthankeepingeverythingtoherself!Itwaslovelytoshare.Shelookedroundatallthecontentedfaces,andlikedtoseethegirlsandboyseatinghercake.
MissScottwouldbesurprisedatme,thoughtElizabethsuddenly.Shewouldn'tknowme!WhatahorridgirlImusthaveseemedtoher.AfterteaElizabethgothermusicandracedofftoMr.Lewis.Richardwastheretoo,abig,seriousboywithlongcleverfingers.Hemeanttobeamusicianwhenhegrewup.HelookedatElizabethanddidn'tsmile.
"Isupposehedoesn'tthinkgirlscanplayatall,'9thoughtElizabeth.Shewas
right.Richardwasdis.gustedtofindthathewasexpectedtoplayaduetwithagirl-andElizabethtoo,thatBoldbadone!Whatwouldsheknowofmusic?
Theybegan.Elizabethhadpractisedsohardthatsheknewherpartwonderfullywell.Shetookthelowerpart,thebass,andRichardhadthemoredifficultpart,thetreble,wherethehighernoteswere,Ishallcountthefirstfewbars,saidMr.Lewis.
"Now-onetwothreefour,onetwothreefour,onetwothreefour..
Hesoonstopped,forthetwochildrenfoundtheirowntime,andtheduetwentwithaswing.Mr.Lewisletthemplayitallthewaythroughandthenhesmiled.
Verygood,hesaid.Youhaveafeelingforeachother'splaying.Now,Richard,wasn'tIrightwhenIsaidIhadfoundsomeoneyouneednotbeafraidofplayingwith?ButRichardwasasobstinateinhiswayasElizabethwasinhers.Helookedatthelittlegirl'sflushedfaceanddidnotanswer.Elizabethwasdisappointed.
Mr.Lewislaughed.Thankyou,Richard,hesaid,Youmaygo-butcomebackinhalfanhour'stime,andIwillgiveyouyourlessonthen.IamgoingtogiveElizabethhersnow.Canyoutwomanagetopractisetogethersometimes?1supposeso,saidRichardungraciously.
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Well,don'tifyoudon'twantto!saidElizabeth,flaringup.Iplaymypartjustaswellasyouplayyours.Youmadetwomistakes.Andyoumadethree!saidRichard,owthiswon'tdo,saidMr.Lewis,pattingRichardontheback.Youcanchoosewhichyouwouldratherdo,Richard-playtheduetwithHarryorwithElizabeth.Icanfindsomeoneelseforher,youknow-butshe'sthebest,afteryou.Well-I'llhaveElizabeth,saidRichard.Harryplaysthepianoasifhisfingerswereabunchofbananas.Elizabethwentoffintoapealoflaughter.Ittickledhertothinkofabunchofbananasplayingthepiano.
Richardlaughedtoo.
I'llpractisewithElizabeth,sir,hesaidtoMr.Lewis.She'sreallyjollygood.Eizabethglowedwithpride,becauseRichardwasoneofthebiggerboys.Shesettleddowntohermusiclessonhappily.Mr.Lewismadeherplayovertheduetwithhim,andpointedoutplaceswhereshewentwrong.ElizabethusedtogetcrosswhenMissScottpointedouthermistakes.butwithMr.Lewisitwasdifferent.Shethoughthewasverycleverindeed,andshecouldlistenalldaylongtohisplaying!I'veorderedthatgramophonerecord,Mr.Lewis,shesaid.Theshopisgettingitforme.I'llcomeandhearitwhenitarrives,promisedMr.Lewis.Nowlet'sgeonwithtacklingthesea-pieceonourpiano,Elizabeth.Youwanttolearnit,don'tyou-butitwon'tbeeasy.Perhapsyoucouldplayitformeattheschoolconcertattheendoftheterm,ifyou'regoodenough.Oh,I'dloveto,saidElizabeth,pleased,andthenshestoppedandlookeddisappointed.Oh,butIcan't,Iforgot.Ishallbegoinghomeathalf-term.Really?saidMr.Lewis,whoknewallabout
it.StillbeingtheBoldBadGirl?Dear,dear,whatapity!Isn'tthereaconcertathalf-term?askedElizabeth,hervoicetrembling.
Afraidnot,saidMr.Lewis.Comealong-getonwithyourscalesnow.Don'tworryaboutnotbeingabletoplaythatsea-piece.Icaneasilygetsomeoneelsetolearnitforme.Letmelearnit,anyhow,saidElizabeth.EvenifIcan'tplayitforyoataconcert,Icanstilllearnitformyself,becauseIloveit.Good,saidMr.Lewis.Allright.I'llplayitforyounow,andyoumustlistenhard.SoElizabethlistenedandwashappy.Shewashappyalltheday,andshecouldn'thelpbeingsurprisedatherself.
Itisanuisance!thoughtfunnyElizabeth.Ireallycan'tgoaboutbeinghappylikethis-whatevershallIsaytotheMeetingathalf-term?
CHAPTER15.
TwoTrick's--andaQuarrel.
THEweekslippedbyquickly.Elizabethpractisedherpieces,andlovedhermusic-lessons.SheandRichardpractisedtheirduettogether,andhadsuchfunthattheyaskedMr.Lewisforanevenharderpiece.
I'mgladyouchosemetoplaywithyouinsteadofHarry,saidElizabethtoRichard.Idolovethewayyouplay,Richard.YouareasgoodasMr.Lewis,No,I'mnot,sidRichard.ButsomedayIshallbefar,farbetter,Elizabeth.SomedayyouwillcometoLondontohearmeplayatagreatbigconcert!Andsomedayyouwillhe
arthemusicImakeup,playedallovertheworld!Itdidn'tseemlikeboastingwhenRichardspokelikethis.Elizabethdidn'tmockathimorlaughathim.Shebelievedhim,andalthoughhewassometimesverymoodyandbad-temperedshegrewtolikehimverymuch.
Ialwayshatedboysbefore,thoughtElizabeth,surprisedatherself.Idoseemtobechanging.I'dbetterbecareful,orIwillbedifferentwhenIleavehere,justasMissScottsaid!So,toshowthatshereallydidstillhateboyssheplayedatrickonHarry.Sheknewthathewouldhavetogotothemusic-roomtofetchsomemusichehadleftbehind.Elizabethtookasponge,filleditsofullofwate
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rthatitdripped,andthen,climbingonachair,shebalancedthewetspongeonthetopofthedoor.
Shearrangedthespongesothatanyonewhoopenedthedoorwouldmovethesponge,whichwouldatoncedropdownontothesurprisedperson'shead!ThenElizabethhidinacupboardinthepassageoutside,andwaitedforHarry.Hesooncamealong,rushingtofetchhisforgottenmusicbeforethebellrang.Hepushedopenthedoor-anddownfellthespongeontopofhishead,squelch,squash!Oooh!saidHarry,inthegreatestastonishment,Whateverisit?Hesoonfoundout!Hetookthespongeoffhisneckandthrewitdownonthefloorinarage.NowI'vegottogoandchangemycoat!hesaid.Whodidthat?Nobodyanswered,ofcourse,ButasHarryknewquitewellthatpeoplewhosettrapsforothersusuallyliketohidesomewhereneartoseewhathappens,heguessedthatthejokerwasinthepassagecupboard!Hestoleuptothecupboard,andflungthedooropen.InsidewasElizabeth,tryingherbestnottolaughloudly.Herhandkerchiefwasstuffedintohermouthandtearsoflaughterweretricklingdownhercheeks.
Oh,it'syou,isit?saidHarry,haulingherout.It'stheBoldBadGirl!Well,I'lljuststuffthiswetspongedownyourneck,see!Buthedidn'thavetimeto,becausethebellrangandhehadtorun.I'llpayyououtforthat!heyelled.ButElizabethonlylaughedmockingly.
Ihateboys!sheshouted.They'resilly!Haha!Itrickedyouproperly.Harry!ButarrysoonpaidElizabethbackforhertrick.Hewaiteduntilthepaintingclass,
andthen,whenElizabethwasquitelostinherwork,bendingoverherpainting,hestoleupbehindher.Inhishandwasalargesheetofpaper.
HeneatlypinnedittoElizabeth'sback.Thelittlegirlfeltsomethingandshookherself-butthepaperwassafelyon,andshedidn'tknowit.Shewentonwithherpainting.
Harrywentbacktohisplace.giggling.Theclasswasnearlyover,andifMissChester,theartmistress,didnotnoticewhathehaddone,therewasagoodchanceofElizabethgoingaboutwiththepaperonherback.
Everyonesawthepaperandgiggled.Onitwasprint~edinbigletters:I'MTHEBOLDBADGIRL!BEWARE!IBARK!IBITE!IHATEEVERYBODY!Joanwasnotinthatpain
tingclassorshewouldhavetoldElizabethwhatHarryhaddone.Alltheothersthoughtitwasveryfunny,especiallyasElizabethwasknownastheBoldBadGirl.
Thebellrang.Everyonecleareduptheirthings.MissChesterbegantoprepareforthenextclass,anddidnotnoticeElizabeth'spaper.Thechildrenwentoutoftheart-room,andwenttotheirownclassrooms.
Onceinherclassroomalltheotherstheresawthepaper;theynudgedoneanotherandgiggled.JoanwasholdingthedoorforMissRangertocomein,anddidnotseewhateveryonewaslaughingat.SoonElizabethnoticedthattheclasswasgigglingather,andshegrewredWhatareyoualllaughingat?shedemandedangrily.Ismyhairuntidy?HaveIasmudgeonmynose?No,Elizabeth,answeredeveryonei
achorus.
ThenMissRangercamein,andtheclasssettleddowntowork.TheyworkedharduntilBreak,whentheschoolhadfifteenminutesplayout-of-doors,andcouldhavebiscuitsandmilkiftheywished.
HarrylookedtoseeifthepaperwasstillonElizabeth'sback.Itwas!Heranroundtoallhisfriends,pointingitout.AlltheboyskeptbehindElizabeth,readingthepaperandgiggling.
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She'stheBoldBadGirl,theywhispered.Lookatthenotice!EverytimethatpoorEizabethturnedroundshefoundsomebodybehindher,giggling.Shegrewsofuriousthatshecalledoutshewouldslapanyonewhogiggledbehindheragain.
Joancameoutatthatmoment,andElizabethcalledtoher.Joan!What'sthematterwitheveryoneto-day?Theykeepgoingbehindmybackandgiggling.Ihateit!JoanknewmoreofthewaysofchildrenthanElizabethdid.SheguessedatoncethatsomeonehadpinnedanoticetoElizabeth'sback.
Turnround,shesaid.Elizabethturnedround,andJoansawthenotice:I'MTHEBOLDBADGIRL!BEWARE!IBARK!IBITE!IHATEEVERYBODY!Joancouldn'thelpgigglingherself.Oh,Elizabeth!shesaid.Dolookwhatyou'vebeengoingroundwithallmorning!It'stoofunny!Nowondereveryonelaughed.SheunpinnedthepaperandshowedittoElizabeth.Thelittlegirl,whowasnotusedtobeingteased,wentredwithrage.Shetorethepaperintohalfandfacedthelaughingchildren.
Whopinnedthatonme?sheasked,1didn't,BoldBadGirl!shoutedsomeone.Everybdylaughed.Elizabethstampedherfoot.
Lookout!criedJohn.Shebarks!Shebites!She'llshowherteethnext!Isupposepersonwhopinnedthatonmedoesn'tdaretoownup!shoutedElizabeth.
Ohyes,Idare!grinnedHarry,nearby.Ipinneditonyou,mydeargirl-inreturnforthewetsponge!Don'tcallmeyourdeargirl!criedElizabethinarage.You're
hatefulboy,andacheat,cheat,cheat!Howdareyoupinanoticeonmelikethat!Takethat!ThefuriouslittlegirlslappedHarryhardintheface.Theboysteppedbackinsurprise.
Stopthat,commandedNora,comingupatthatminute.Elizabeth!Thatsortofbehaviourwon'tdo.ApologisetoHarry.He'stoomuchofagentlemantoslapyouback,asyoudeserve.Iwon'tapologise,criedElizabeth.Nora,IwantyoutoreportHaryatthenextMeeting-andifyoudon'tIshall!Comewithme,saidNoratoElizabeth.ShesawthatElizabethwasreallyupset,andneededtobequietened.Youcantellmeaboutitintheplayroom.There'snobodythere.HoldingthetornbitsofpaperinherhandElizabethfollowedNora,tremblingwithanger.Noramadehersitdownandtellherwhathadhappened.
ElizabethpiecedthebitsofpapertogetherandNorareadwhatHarryhadwritten.Shestoppedherselfsmiling,butshereallythoughtitwasveryfunny.
AndwhydidHarryplaythistrickonyou?askedNora,JustbecauseIplayedatrickonhim!saidElizabeth.Iputawetspongeonthemusic-roomdooranditfelldownonhishead!Andwhyshouldn'tHarryplayatrickonyou,then,ifyouplaytricksonhim?askedNora.Youknow,youwethiscoat,andhewaslateforhisclassbecausehehadtochangeit.Ifyouweren'tquitesosilly,Elizabeth,youwouldseethatthejokeheplayedonyouwasquiteasfunnyastheoneyouplayedonhim.Afterall,youknowthatwecallyoutheBoldBadGirl!You'renotto,saidElizabeth.
Well,wecertainlyshallifyougoonbehavingsofiercely,saidNora.
WillyoureportHarryattheMeeting?saidElizabeth.
Certainlynot,saidNora.Wedon'treportjokes!ThenIshallreporthim!saidElth.
Elizabeth,thatwouldbetellingtales,notreporting,saidNorafirmly.Youmustn'tdothat,Don'tspoilthisgoodweekofyoursbybeingsilly.And,youknow,Ireallyshouldreportyou!Why?askedElizabethdefiantly.
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BecauseIheardyoucallHarryacheat,andyouslappedhimhard,saidNora.Itisverymeantocallhimacheatwhenyouknowheisn'tnow.WetrytohelponeanotheratWhyteleafe,anditwashatefulofyoutoremindHarryandeveryoneelseofsomethinghe'sashamedof.Elizabethwentred.Yes,shesaid.Thatwashatefulome.IwishIhadn't.AndIwishIhadn'tslappedHarrynow.Iknewhewouldn'tslapmeback.Oh,Nora-Ireallyhavetriedtobehavedecently,andnowI'vespoiltitall!No,youhaven't,saidNora,gettingup,pleasedthatElizabeth'stemperhadgone.Littlethingslikethiscanalwaysbeputright.Harryisagood-temperedboy.Goandsayyou'resorryandhewon'tthinkanymoreaboutit.Idon'tlikesayingI'msorry,saidElizabeth.
Nobodydoes,saidNora.Butit'salittlethingthatmakesabigdifference.Goandtryit,andseeifI'mnotright!CHAPTER16.
AnApology--andanotherMeeting.
ELTZABETHwenttofindHarry,Shenoticedthateveryoneturnedawayasshecame,andshewassad.
Theywereallsofriendlytome,shethought.AndnowI'vebeensillyagain,andtheydon'tlikemeanymore.IdowishIdidn'tlostmytemper.Shedidn'twanttosayshewassorry.ShefeltsureHarrywouldsaysomethinghorrid,orwouldlaughather.Allthesame,ElizabethwastrulysorrythatshehadcalledHarryacheat.Itwasmostunfairwhentheboywasdoinghisbesttomakeupforhischeat
ing.
AndElizabethwasjustalittlegirl,althoughshedidsuchfunnythingswhenshewasinarage.
Ha7rywasplayingwithabouteightotherboysandgirlsinacornerofthegarden.Elizabethstoppedandlookedatthem.Theyturnedtheirbacksonher.Itwashorrid.
Harry!shecalled.
Idon'twanttospeaktoyou,saidHarry.
ButHarry,Iwanttosaysomethingtoyouinprivate,saidElizabeth,almostintears.
Sayitinpublic,then,infrontofeveryone,saidHarry.Itcan'tbeanythingimportant.Allright,then,saidElizabeth,goinguptothegroupofchildren.I'vecomtosayI'msorryforcallingyouacheat,whenIknowyou'renotnow-and-andI'msorryforslappingyou,Harry.Norahasexplainedthingstome,andIfeeldifferentnow.Thechildrenstaredather.Theyallknewhowharditwastoapologise,especiallyinfrontofothers,andtheyadmiredthelittlegirl.
Harrywentuptoher.That'sdecentofyou,hesaidwarmly,You'vegotanawfultemper,Elizabeth,butyou'reagoodsortallthesame.Everybodysmiled.EverybodywasfriendlyagainWhatadifferencealittleapologymade!Elizabethcouldhard
lybelieveit.Shesuddenlyfeltthateverythingwasperfectlyallright,andshewantedtoskipforjoy.
Comeandseemyrabbits,saidHarry,slippinghisarmthroughElizabeth's.I'vegottwo,calledBubbleandSqueak,andthey'vegotthreebabies.Wouldyoulikeone?Elizabethhadalwayslongedforarabbit.ShestaredatHarryindelight.Ohyes!shesaid.Letmebuyonefromyou.No,I'llgiveyouone,saidHarry,whowasaygenerousboy,andwaseagertomakeElizabethforgetallaboutthequarrel.I'vegotalittleoldhutchyoucanhaveforit.Itwillbereadytoleaveitsmotherabouthalf-term.Oh!saidElizabeth,disappointed.Ishan'tbehereafterthat.
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shallbegoinghome,youknow.Ican'thavetherabbit!Thebellrangforschoolagain,soshecouldn'tseethebabyrabbit.Shedidn'twantto,now,either,becauseshewouldn'tbeabletohaveit.Whatapityshecouldn'thaveitnowandgiveitbacktoHarryathalf-term!SheaskedHarryandRichardtocomeandlistentothenewgramophonerecordthatevening.Ithadcome,andwas,asMr.Lewissaid,verylovely.Thethreechildrensatandlistenedtoit.Theyplayeditfivetimes.
Theywereallfondofmusic,andHarryplayedquitewellalthoughhisfingerswere,asRichardhadsaid,ratherlikeabunchofbananas!Buthecouldn'thelpthat!Youknow,Elizabeth,wehaveamarvellousconcertattheendoftheterm,saidHarry,puttingtherecordonforthesixthtime,andlettingthesea-piecefloodtheroomagain.It'sapityyouwon'tbehereforit.Youcouldhaveplayedatit,andyourparentswouldhavebeenjollyproudofyou.Elizabethhadaquickpictureinhermindofherselfplayingthelovelygrandpianoattheconcert,andhermotherandfathersittingproudlytolistentoher.ForthefirsttimeshereallywishedshewasstayingonatWhyteleafeSchool,Butit'snogood,shesaidtoherselfquickly.I'vemadeupmymind,andthat'sthat!Ishan'tstayaminutelongerthanhalf-term.AftersupperthatnightMr.Lewisgaveoneofhislittleconcerts.Aboutninechildrenwereinthemusic-roomlistening,allmusic-lovers.Mr.LewishadaskedElizabethtobringhernewrecordforthemalltohear,andthelittlegirlproudlyputitonMr.Lewis'sfinegramophone.
Itwassuchfuntositaround,listening.WhentwoofthechildrenthankedEliza
bethforgettingtwoshillingstobuysuchafinerecord,Elizabethnearlyburstwithprideandpleasure.
Itreallyisfuntosharethings,shethought.Isimplylovedalltheotherslisteningtomyrecord.HowcouldIeverhavethoughtitwashorridtosharethings?Ididn'tknowmuch!Joanwasnotsuchamusic-loverasElizabethwas,butshecametotheconcertstobewithElizabeth.Joanwasmuchhappiernowthatshehadafriend-though,asshesaid.Itwasratherlikebeingfriendswithathunder-storm!YouneverquiteknewwhatElizabethwasgoingtodonext.
ElizabethlookedforwardtothenextSchoolMeeting.Sheknewnowthatitwasthemostimportantthingofthewholeschoolweek.Shewasbeginningtoseethateachchildwasoneofabiggathering,andthat.becauseitsbehaviourbroughtgo
odorilltotheschoolasawhole,eachchildmustlearntodoitsbestsothatthewholeschoolmightrunsmoothlyandhappily.
Thiswasadifficultthingforaspoiltonlychildtolearn-butElizabethwasnotstupid,andshesoonsawwhatafinethingitwasforthechildrentorulethemselvesandhelpeachother.Butshealsosawthattheywouldnotbeabletodothisaswellastheydid,iftheyhadnothadexcellentteachers,abletoteachandguidetheclassesinthebestway.
IseewhyeveryoneissoproudofWhyteleafeSchoolnow,saidElizabethtoherself.I'mbeginningtofeelproudofitmyself!ElizabethenjoyedthenextMeetingverymuch.Norahadsaidthatshehadnothingbadtoreportofher,andsoElizabethhadnothingtofear.Shesatlisteningtothereports,complaints,andgrumble
s,andbeamedwithdelightwhensheheardthatHarryhadbeensecondinhisclassinarithmetic,andwasnowtobeallowedtositwiththeothersagain.
Thankyou,saidHarrytoWilliam,Ishallneverinmylifecheatagain,William.G,saidWilliam.EveryoneknewthatHarrymeantwhathesaidandtheywereaspleasedaboutitasHarryhimself.Theboywasdifferenttolookatnow,too-hisslyfacehadgone,andhiseyeslookedstraightateveryone.Heandeveryoneelsehadseenandknownhisfault,andheandthewholeschoolhadconqueredit-therewasnothingtobeashamedofnow!TherewasareportthatPeterhadcarefullycleanedandnewlydistemperedthewallwhichhehadspoiltbyscribbling.
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Seethatyoudon'thavetowasteyourtwoshillingsonbuyingdistemperagain,saidWilliamtoPeter.
Icertainlywon't,saidPeterheartily.FIehadhadtogowithouthisweeklyvisittothecinema,andhadmissedallhissweetsforaweek.Hewasn'tgoingtoletthathappenagain!TherewasacomplaintaboutasmallgirlcalledDoris.Themonitorwhocomplainedofherwasveryangry.
Shestoodupandmadeherreport.Dorishastwoguinea-pigs,shesaid.Andontwodayslastweeksheforgottofeedthem.Ithinktheyoughttobetakenawayfromher,Ohno,pleasedon't,beggedDoris,almostcrying.Idolovethem,reallyIdoIcan'tthinkhowIcametoforget,Rita,I'veneverforgottenbefore.Hassheeverforgottenbefore?askedWilliam.
Idon'tthinkso,answeredthemonitor,whohadreportedDoris.
Thenitwasprobablyquiteamistake,whichwillneverhappenagain,saidWilliam.Doris,petstrustuscompletelyfortheirfoodandwater,anditisaterriblethingtoforgetaboutthem.Youmustwriteoutacardandpinitoveryourchest-of-drawerstoremindyou.Printonit:'Feedmyguinea-pigs.'Takeitdownafterthreeweeks,andseethatyourememberwithoutbeingreminded.Ifyouforgetagainyourguinea-pigswillbetakenawayandgiventosomeonewhowillrememberthem.I'llneverforgetagain,saidsmallDoris,whowasverymuchashamedthatever
yoneshouldknowshehadforgottenherbelovedguinea-pigs.
NorareportedthatElizabethwasbehavingwell,andsaidnomore.Anothermonitorcomplainedthatsomebodyhadbeenpickingandeatingthepeasoutoftheschoolgarden.
ButJohnTerryimmediatelygotupandsaidthattheboywhohadtakenthepeashadgonetohim,andhadapologisedandpaidhimashillingforthepeashehadeaten.
Thenwe'llsaynomoreaboutthat,saidWilliam.
WhentheMeetingwasover,ElizabethwentouttothegardentoseeHarry'srabbi
ts.Harrywasnotthereandthelittlegirllookedatthefurrybabiesrunningroundthebighutch,Asshewasstandingtherelooking,shesuddenlyrememberedsomething.ShehadmeanttoaskforextramoneyattheMeeting-andshehadforgotten!Andwhatwastheextramoneyfor?ItwastobuyJoananicebirthdaypresent!NowElizabethwouldhavetosavehertwoshillingsandbuyitwiththat.Shewascrosswithherself,forshehadmeanttoaskforhalfacrowntobuyJoanalittleredhandbagshehadseeninthedraper'sshop.
JoanhadsaidnothingtoanyonebutElizabethabouthercomingbirthday.Shehopednoonewouldnoticeit,becausesheknewshewouldhavenocaketosharewithherfriends,andnopresentsorcardstoshow.ShebecameatimidMouseoncemore,asherbirthdaycamenear,ashamedbecausenobodyeverrememberedher.
ButasurprisewascomingtoJoan!And,ofcourse,itwasthatBoldBadGirl,Elizabeth,whoplannedit!
CHAPTER17.
ElizabethhasaSecret.
DURINGthenextweek,aregisteredlettercameforElizabethfromherUncleRupert.Sheopenedit-andstaredindelight.Therewasapound-noteinside!Twentyshillings!saidElizabeth,insurprise.Twohundredandfortypence!Ooooh!Howkind
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ofUncleRupert!Shereadheruncle'sletter.Hesaidthathehadjustheardthatshehadgonetoschool,andhadsenthersomemoneytobuysomenicethingstoeat.
Awholepound!saidElizabeth,hardlybelievinghereyes.Icanbuyheapsofthingswiththat!IcanbuyJoanalovelypresent!Shewentofftoherbedroomtoputthemoneyintoherpurse.Plansbegantoforminhermind-wonderfulplans!Oh!saidElizabeth,sittingonherbed,asshethoughtoftheplans.Whatfun!Ishallgodowntothevillage--andorderafinebirthdaycakeforJoan!Shewillthinkitcomesfromhermother,andshewillbesopleased!Elizabethwentonthinking.AndIshallorderthenewbookthatJoanwants,andsendthatthroughtheposttoo-andI'llputacardin'WithlovefromMother!'ThenJoanwon'tbeunhappyanymore.Thelittlegirlthoughttheseweremarvellousplans.
Shedidn'tstoptothinkthatJoanwouldfindoutsoonerorlaterthatthecakeandthebookwerenotfromhermother.Shejustlongedtogiveherfriendafinesurprise.
Shecouldn'taskJoantocomedowntothevillagewithher,incaseJoanfoundoutwhatshewasdoing.SosheaskedBelinda.
Allright,saidBelinda,Iwanttobuysomestamps,soI'llgoafterteawithyou.Don'tspendyourtwoshillingsallatonce,Elizabeth!AllthatdayElizabeththoughtaboutthecakeandthepresentsforJoan.Shethoughtaboutthemsomuchin
theFrenchclass,thatMademoisellegotcrosswithher.
Elizabeth!ThreetimesIhaveaskedyouaquestion,andyousitthereandsmileandsaynothing!criedtheFrenchmistress,whowasveryshort-tempered.
Elizabethjumped.Shehadn'theardthequestionsatall,Whatwasityouaskedme,Mam'zelle?sheasked.
Thisgirl!Shethinksshewillmakemerepeatmyselfahundredtimes!criedMademoiselle,waggingherhandsaboutinthefunnywayshehad.Youwilllistentomeproperlyfortherestofthelesson,Elizabeth,orelseyouwillcometomeforanextrahalf-houraftertea.Gracious!thoughtElizabeth,rememberingthatshewantedtogoshoppingaftertea.I'dbetterstopdreamingandthinkoftheFrenchles
son,Sofortherestofthelessonshedidherbest,andMademoisellesmiledgraciouslyather.ShelikedElizabeth,andfoundherveryamusing,thoughshesometimeswantedtoshakeherwhenshesaid,Well,yousee,Mam'zelle,youneedn'tbotheraboutwhetherIshallbetoporbottominexams,becauseI'mnotstayingafterhalf-term.YouarethemostobstinatechildIhaveeverseen,Mademoisellewouldsay,andraploudlyonherdesk,halfangryandhalfsmiling.
AfterteaElizabethwenttogethermoneyandtofindBelinda,Helensaidshewouldcometoo,sothethreeofthemsetoff.
Whatareyougoingtobuy,Elizabeth?askedHelencuriously.
It'sasecret,saidElizabethatonce.Idon'twantyoutocomeintotheshopswith
me,ifyoudon'tmind,becauseIreallyhavegotsomesecretsto-day.It'stodowithsomebodyelse,that'swhyIcan'ttellyou.Allright,saidHelen.Well,weregoingtohavestrawberryice-creamsinthesweet-shop.Youcanjoinustherewhenyouhavefinishedyourshopping.Don'tbetoolong.HelenandBelindawentofftothesweet-shop,andsatdownatalittlemarble-toppedtabletheretoenjoytheirice-creams.Elizabethdisappearedintothebaker'sshop.
Thebaker'swifecametoseewhatshewanted.Please,doyoumakebirthdaycakes?askedElizabeth.
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Yes,miss,saidthewoman.Theyaretwoshillingsandsixpence,fiveshillings,or,foraverybigonewithcandleson,andthename,tenshillings.Wouldtheten-shillingonebebigenoughforheapsofchildren?askedElizabeth,feelingcertainthatJoanwouldliketosharethecakewitheveryone.
Itwouldbebigenoughforthewholeschool!answeredthewoman,smiling.It'sthesizepeopleoftenorderforWhyteleafeSchool.Oh,good,saidElizabeth,Well,willyoumakeacakelikethatforFriday?Putelevencandlesonit,alldifferentcolours-andput'AhappybirthdayformydarlingJoan'onit.Willtherebeenoughroomforallthat,doyouthink?Ohyes,saidthewoman.I'lldecorateitwithsugrflowers,andmakeitreallybeautiful,anditshallhavetwolayersofthickcreaminside.I'llpaynow,saidElizabeth,Oh,andwillyoupleasesendittoMissoanTownsend,WhyteleafeSchool,onFridaymorning,early?Anymessageinside,miss?askedthebaker'swife,writingdownthenameandaddress.
No,saidElizabeth,Shetookthepound-noteoutofherpurse,andwasjustgivingittotheshopwoman.whenNoracameintotheshop.ShesmiledatElizabeth.
Thenshelookedroundtheshop.Areyoualone?sheasked,Surelyyoudidn'tcomedowntothevillagebyyourself?Ohno,Nora,saidElizabeth,IcamewithHelenandBlinda,They'rewaitingformeattheice-creamshop.Thelittlegirlpaidforthecake,andreceivedtenshillingschange.Norastaredatthemoney,andlookedpuzzled.Elizabethwavedgood-byeandwentout,Shewenttothebook-shopandorderedthebooksheknewJoanwanted.Itwasabookallaboutbirdsandcostfive
shillings.Elizabethaskedtheshopmantosenditbypost,andtoputinsidealittlecardthatshegavehim.Onthecardshehadwritten:Withlove,fromMother.NowJoanwillthinkhermotherhassentherafinecakeandapresent!thoughtElizabeth,pleasedtothinkofJoan'ssurprise.I'llbuysomebirthdaycardsnow.Sheboughtthreeniceones.InoneshewroteWithlove,fromDaddy,inthesecondshewroteWithlove,fromMother,andinthelastshewroteWithlove,fromElizabeth,andaddedarowofkisses.Sheboughtstampsforthem,andputthemsafelyinherpocket,readytopostonThursday.
Thenshewenttobuythehandbagshehadseeninthedraper'sshop.Shehadfourshillingsleftbythattime,sosheboughttheredbag,paidforaredcombandaredhandkerchieftoputinside,andputthechangeintothelittlepursebelongingtothebag!Therewassixpencechange,andElizabeththoughtitwouldbef
untoputthatintoo.
Thenshewenttotheice-creamshop.HelenandBelindawerethere,tiredofwaitingforher,Youhavebeenatime,Elizabeth,said.Helen.Whateverhaveyoubeendoing?Youcan'tpossiblybesolongspendingonlytwoshillings!Andthen,forthefirsttime,Elizabethrememberedthatallmoneyhadtobeputintotheschoolmoney-box,andaskedfor!Andshehadspentawholepoundthatafternoon,andhadn'tevenputapennyintothebox.
Shefrowned.Goodness,nowwhatwasshetodo?Howcouldshehaveforgotten?
Well,perhapsit'sagoodthingIdidforget,saidElizabethtoherself.IfI'dputthemoneyintothebigmoney-box,andaskedforapoundtospendonsomebody's
birthday,I'msureRitaandWilliamwouldn'thavegivenmesomuch.Itisanawfullottospendallatonce-butIdidsowanttogiveJoanafinebirthday!Allthesame,Elizabethwasratherworriedaboutit.Shehadbrokenarule-butshecouldn'tmendthebrokenrulebecauseshehadspentallthemoney!Itwasnousesayinganythingaboutit.Thethingwasdone.AndanywayJoanwouldhavethefinestsurpriseofherlife!ButElizabethhadaverynastysurpriseonherwaybacktoschoolwithHelenandBelinda.Noraranuptothemandsaid,Elizabeth!Iwanttospeaktoyouforaminute.Helen,youandBelindacangoonbyyourselves.Elizabethwillcatchyouup.Whatisit,Nora?askedElizabethinsurprise.
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Elizabeth,wheredidyougetthatmoneyfromthatIsawyouspendinginthebaker'sshop?askedNora.
Myunclesentittome,saidElizabeth,herheartsinkingwhensheknewthatNorahadseenthemoney.
Well,youknewtherule,saidNora.Whydidn'tyouputitintothemoney-box?Youknewyoucouldhaveoutwhatyouwanted,ifyoureallyneededitforsomething.Iknow,Nora,saidElizabeth,inasmallvoice.ButIforgotallaboutthattillI'dspentthemoney.Really,Idid.Spentallthemoney!criedNorainhorror,What!Aholepound!Twentyshillings!Whateverdidyouspenditon?Elizabethdidn'tanswer,Noragrewangry.Elizabeth!Youmusttellme!Whatevercouldyouhavespentawholepoundoninsuchalittletime?It'sarealwasteofmoney.Itwasn't,saidElizabethsulkily,Pleasedon'taskmeanymore,Nora.Ican'ttellyouwhatIspentthemoneyon.It'sasecret.You'reaverynaughtygirl,saidNora,Youbreakarule-andspendallthatmoney-andthenwon'ttellmewhatyouspentiton.Well-youcantellthenextMeeting,ifyouwon'ttellme!Ishan'ttellthem,saidElizabeth.It'sasecret-'andasecretIcan'tpossiblytell.Ohdear!Ialwaysseemtobegettingintotrouble,andthistimeIreallydidn'tmeanto.Norawouldnotlistentoanymore.ShesentElizabethtocatchupHelenandBelinda.PoorElizabeth!Shesimplydidnotknowwhattodo.Shecouldn'ttellhersecret,becausethenshewouldhavetoownupthatshewasbuyingthingsforJoan,andpretendingthattheycamefromJoan'smother.AndtheMeetingwouldbeangrywithherjustwhenshewasbeinggoodandenjoyingherself!Well-nevermind-Joanwillhavea
goodbirthday,anyhow,saidElizabeth,thinkingofthecakeandthebook.Howsurprisedshewillbe!
CHAPTER18.
Joan'sWonderfulBirthday.
JOAN,youwillsoonbeeleven!Elizabethsaidatbreakfastthenextday,asshechoppedthetopoffherboiledegg.Gracious!Youaregettingold.Joanwentredandsaidnothing.Shehatedanyonetotalkaboutherbirthday,becausesheknewtherewouldbenocardsorpresentsorcakeforher.Shewassuchatimidlittlemousethatshehadnofriendsatall,exceptElizabeth-andJoanwasalwaysfeelingastonishedthattheboldElizabethshouldbeherfriend!Iwonderifyou'llhave
acake?wentonElizabeth,knowingperfectlywellthatJoanwasgoingto,becausesheherselfhadorderedit!Iwonderwhatitwillbelike?JoanscowledatElizabeth.Shereallyfeltangrywithher.HowsillyElizabethis,talkingaboutmybirthday,andifI'mgoingtohaveacake,whensheknowsquitewellthatIdon'twantanythingatallsaidaboutit,thoughtJoan.ShefrownedatElizabethandsignedtohertostop-butElizabethgailywent'ontalking.
Letmesee-it'sFridaythat'syourbirthday,isn'tit,Joan?Iwonderhowmanycardsyou'llhave?Joandidn'thaveasingleonelastyear,andshedidn'thaveacakeeither,saidKenneth.Idon'tbelieveshe'sgotafatherandmother.Well,Ihav,then,saidJoan,feelingquitedesperate.
Funnytheynevercomeandseeyou,notevenathalf-term,then,saidHilda,wholi
kedtoseeJoangettingred,Youbequiet,saidElizabethsuddenly,seeingthatthingsweregoingtoofar.WhatI'msurprisedatisthatyourparentsbothertocomeandseeagirllikeyou,Hilda!ifIhadadaughterlikeyou,I'dgototheendoftheworldandstaythere.That'senough,Elizabeth,saidNora,whopouncedonElizabethveryoftensincethelittlegirlhadrefusedtotellherhersecret.Elizabethsaidnomore.Shelongedtosayquitealot,butshewaslearningtocontrolhertonguenow.MissScottwouldindeednothaveknownher!NothingmorewassaidaboutJoan'sbirthdayjustthen,andafterbreakfast,asthegirlsweremakingtheirbeds,JoanwentuptoElizabeth.
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Please,Elizabeth,shesaid,forgoodness'sakedon'tsayanymoreaboutmybirthday.Youmakethingsmuchworseifyoudo-thinkhowIshallfeelwheneveryonewatchestoseewhatcardsandpresentscomeformebythepost,andIhaven'tany!Youarelucky-youhavetwoGrannies,andtwoGranpas,andUnclesandAunts--butIhaven'tasingleuncle,aunt,orgranny!Soit'snowonderIdon'tgetmanytreats.Youareunlucky,Joan,saidElizabeth,insurprise.Reallyyouare.Well-Iwo'tsayanymoreaboutyourbirthdaytotheothers,ifyoudon'tlikeit.Butshelongedto,allthesame,forshekepthuggingherdelicioussecret-Joanwouldhaveawonderfulcake,withelevencandleson,andcards,andpresentstoo!NorawasnotkindtoElizabeththatweek.ShedidnotsayanymoretoElizabethabouthersecret,butshehadquitemadeuphermindtoreportheratthenextMeeting.ShethoughtElizabethwasverydeceitfulandmeannottogiveuphermoneyaseveryoneelsedid,andnottotellherwhatshehadspentiton.
Afterall,wegaveherafinechancetobeasdecentaspossible,atthelastMeeting,saidNoratoherself.Wereallydid-andthefunnythingis,IfeltsurethatElizabethwouldbeworththatchance,andwoulddoherbesttokeepourrules,andhelptheschool,aswealltrytodo.ButIwaswrong.Idon'tfeelasifIlikeElizabethabitnow.WhenThursdaycameElizabethpostedthethreebirthdaycardsshehadbought.ShecouldhardlygotosleepthatnightforthinkingofJoan'spleasureinthemorning!Itreallywaslovelytogiveasurprisetosomeone.
Fridaycame.Elizabethleaptoutofbed,rantoJoan'sbed,huggedherandcried
,Manyhappyreturnsoftheday,Joan!Ihopeyou'llhavealovelybirthday!Here'salittlepresentforyoufromme!Joantooktheparcelandundidit.Whenshesawtheredhandbaginside,shewasdelighted-andshewasevenmorethrilledwhenshefoundthecomb,thehandkerchief,andthesixpence.SheflungherarmsroundElizabethandsqueezedhersohardthatElizabethalmostchoked!Oh,thankyou,Elizabeth!shecried.It'sperfectlylovely.Ididsobadlywantahandbag.Ionlyhadthatlittleoldpurse.Oh,howIshallloveusingit!It'sthenicestpresentIhaveeverhad.TherewasanothersurpriseforJoanbeforeshewentdowntobreakfast.Hildaslippedintothebedroomwithalace-edgedhandkerchiefforJoan.ShehadfeltratherashamedofherselfforteasingJoanthedaybefore,andhadtakenoneofherbesthankiestogiveforapresent.
Joanwasthrilled-infact,shewassothrilledthatabrightideacameintoEliz
abeth'shead.SheflewdowntotheplayroomtoseeifHarrywasthere.Hewasn't--'butshecouldhearhimpractisinginthemusic-room.
Harry!Harry!criedElizabeth,rushinguptohim,andstartlinghimsomuchthathismusicfelltothefloor.Willyoudosomethingforme?Dependswhatitis,saidarry,pickinguphismusic.
Harry,it'sJoanTownsend'sbirthday,saidElizabeth.Youknowyousaidyou'dgivemeoneofyourrabbits,don'tyou,andIsaiditwasn'tanygood,becauseIwasgoingathalf-term-well,wouldyoupleasegiveittoJoaninstead,becauseyoucan'tthinkhowpleasedsheistohavepresents!Well-saidHarry,notquitesureaboutit.
Goon,Harry,dosayyes-beasport!beggedElizabeth,herblueeyesshininglikestars.ItwasverydifficulttorefuseElizabethanythingwhenshelookedlikethat.Harrynodded.
Allright,besaid.WhatshallIdo-bringthebabyrabbitinatbreakfast-time?OosaidElizabeth,withasqueakofdelight.Yes!Do!Say,'Shutyoureyes,Joan,andfeelwhatI'vebroughtyou!'andthenputitintoherarms.Whatasurpriseforher!Well,I'llgoandgetitnow,saidHarry,puttinghismusicaway.Butshe'llhavetolookafteritherself,Elizabeth.Itwillbeherrabbit.I'lllookafteritforher,saidElizabeth,feelingdelightedatthethoughtofmotheringababyr
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abbiteachday.Hurry,Harry!Elizabethwentbacktothebedroom.Thebreakfastbellrangasshewastidyingherchest-of-drawers.SheslippedherarmthroughJoan's,andtheywentdownstairstogether.Theystoppedattheletter-rack.TherewasonecardforElizabethfromMrs.Allen-andinJoan'splacewerethreeenvelopes,inwhichwerethecardsthatElizabethhadbought!Joantookthemdown,goingredwithsurprise.Sheopenedthem,Shetookoutthefirstcardandreadit:Withlove,fromMother.SheturnedtoElizabeth,hereyesshining.
She'srememberedmybirthday!shesaidtoElizabeth,andhervoicewasveryhappy.ShewasevenmoresurprisedwhenshefoundacardmarkedWithlove,fromDaddy,andshewasdelightedwithElizabeth'scard.
Fancy!Threecards!saidJoan,sohappythatshedidn'tnoticethatthewritingontheenvelopeswasthesameforallthree.Shewentintobreakfast,quitedelighted.
Andonherchairwasanenormouscardboardboxfromthebaker,andasmallneatparcelfromthebook-shop;Joangaveacryofastonishment,Morepresents!Whofrom,Iwonder?Sheopenedthelittleparcelfirst,andwhenshesawthebookaboutbirds,andreadthelittlecard,hereyesfilledsuddenlywithtears,Sheturnedawaytohidethem.Look,shewhisperedtoElizabeth,it'sfrommymother.Isn'titlovelyofhertoremembermybirthday!Ididn'tthinkshewould!Joanwassohappytohavethebook,whichshethoughtcamefromhermother,thatshealmostforgottoundotheboxinwhichwastheenormousbirthdaycake.
Undothisbox,quickly,beggedElizabeth,Joancutthestring.Shetookoffthelid,andeveryonecrowdedroundtoseewhatwasinside.Whentheysawthebeautifulcake,theyshoutedindelight.
Joan!Whatafinecake!Oooh!Youarelucky!Joanwastooastonishedtosayaword.Sheliftedthecakeoutofthebox,onitssilverboard,andstooditonthebreakfast-table.Shestaredatitasifitwasadreamcake.Shecouldn'tbelieveitwasreallytrue.
Isay!saidNora.Whatacake!Lookatthecandles-andthesugarroses!Andlookatthemessageonit-'AhappybirthdayformydarlingJoan!'Yourmotherhasbeenjollygenerous,Joan-it'sthebiggestbirthdaycakeI'veseen.Joanstaredatthe
messageonthecake.Shecouldhardlybelieveit.Shefeltsohappythatshethoughtshewouldreallyhavetoburst,Itwasallsounexpectedandsosurprising.
Elizabethwasevenhappier-shelookedatherfriend'sdelightedface,andhuggedherselfforjoy.ShewasgladshehadspentallUncleRupert'spoundonJoan.Thiswasbetterthanhavingabirthdayherself-much,muchbetter.SomethingthatMissScotthadoftensaidtoherflashedintoherhead.
Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive,MissScotthadsaid,whenshehadtriedtomakeElizabethgivesomeofhertoystothepoorchildrenatChristmas-time.
AndMissScottwasquiteright!thoughtElizabeth,insurprise.I'mgettingmorefunoutofgivingthesethings,thanifIwasreceivingthemmyself!Everybodyintheschoolmustsharemybirthdaycake,saidJoaninahappy,importantvoice,andsheliftedherheadproudly,andsmiledaround.
Thanks,Joan!Manyhappyreturnsoftheday!shoutedeverybody.AndthenHarrycameinandcried,Joan!ShutyoureyesandfeelwhatI'vegotforyou!InamazementJoanshuthereyes-andthenextmomentthebabyrabbitwasinherarms.ShegaveascreamandopenedhereyesagainShewassosurprisedthatshedidn'tholdtherabbittightlyenough-anditleaptfromherarmsandscamperedtothedoor,th
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roughwhichtheteacherswerejustcomingtobreakfast,Therabbitranallroundthem,andthemastersandmistressesstoppedinastonishment.
IsthisarabbitIsee?criedMademoiselle,whowasafraidofallsmallanimals.Oh,thesechildren!Whatwilltheybringtobreakfastnext?I'msosorry,saidHarry,catchingtherabbit.Yousee,it'sJoan'sbirthday,andIwasgivingheroneotmyrabbits.Isee,saidMissBest,Well,takeitouttothehutchesnow,Harry,andJoancanhaveitagainafterbreakfast.Oh,Elizabeth!I'msohappy!whisperedJoan,astheysatdowntotheireggsandbacon.Ican'ttellyouhowhappyIam!Youneedn'ttellme,saidElizabeth,laughing.Icanseehowhappyyouare-andI'mglad!
CHAPTER19.
JoangetsaShock.
JOANhadawonderfulbirthday.Shelaughedandchatteredinawaythatnoonehadeverseenbefore.
Thelittlegirlbecamequiteprettywithhappiness,andwhenshecutherbirthdaycake,andgaveapiecetoeveryoneintheschool,herfacewasapicture!Nobodycouldpossiblylookhappier,thoughtElizabeth,eatingthedeliciouscake.Goodness!ThatbakercertainlydidmakeJoan'scakewell.It'sgorgeous!Thatevening,aftersupper,ElizabethaskedJoantocomeandhelpherplantthelettuceseedsshehadbought,butJoanshookherhead.
Ican't,shesaid.I'dloveto,Elizabeth-butI'vegotsomethingimportanttodo.tisit?askedElizabeth,rattlingtheseedsinherpackets.
Well-I'vegottowriteandthankmymotherandfatherfortheircards,andthelovelycakeandthebook,saidJoan.Imustdothatto-night.Oh,saidElizabethinmay.Sheturnedawaybitingherlipandfrowning.Goodgracious!shethought.Ididn'tthinkofJoanwritingtosaythankyou.WhateverwillhermotherthinkwhenshegetsJoan'sletter,thankingherforthingsshehasn'tsent?WillshewriteandtellJoanshedoesn'tknowanythingaboutthem-andwhatwillpoorJoandothen?Elizabethwentouttothegarden,thinkinghard.Nowshehadmadeamuddle!Whyhadn'tshethoughtofJoanwritingtohermother?Itwassillyofher.Joanwasgoingtobeveryunhappy-andperhapsangry-whenshefoundoutthetruth.
Perhapsitwasn'tsuchagoodideaafterall,saidElizabethtoherself.Bother!WhydoIdothingswithoutthinkingfirst?IwonderifJoan'smotherwillbeangrywithmeforpretendingthosecardsandthebookandthecakewerefromJoan'sparents.Idon'tfeelhappyaboutitanymore.Ifeeldreadful.ShewenttogiveJohnTerrytheseeds.Hewasdelighted.
Good!hesaid.JustwhatIwanted.Iplantanewrowoflettuceeveryweek,Elizabeth,andthenwehavenewlettucesgrowingindifferentsizes,sothateachweekIhaveafreshrowtopull.Didyoulikethelettuceswehadforteayesterday?Thosewereoutoftheframes.Iwasratherproudofthem.Theyweresimplylovely,John,saidElizabeth,stillbusythinkingaboutJoan.Shesimplycouldn'timaginewhatwouldhappenandshefeltworried.
Shehelpedtoplantthelettuceseeds,butJohnscoldedherbecauseshesowedthemsothickly.Ithoughtyouknewsomethingaboutgardening!hesaid.Doyouwantthelettucestocomeuplikeaforest?Sorry,John,saidElizabeth.Iwasthinkingaoutsomethingelse.Youhaven'tbeennaughty,Ihope?askedJohn,wholikedElizabeth,andwasalwayspleasedwhenshecametohelphiminhisgarden.Ihopeyouwon'tgettickedoffattheMeetingagain.You'vebadenoughofthat!I'mafraidIshallbe!saidElizabeth,sighing.Shewasworriedaboutthattoo-shewassureNorawouldreportherforspendingawholepound-andwhateverwouldshesayaboutit?Shewasn'tgoingtogiveawayhersecret,andleteveryoneknowthatitwass
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he,andnotJoan'sparents,whohadsentthecakeandthebook.
Thingsweresuddenlygettingverydifficult.
Joanwasveryhappyfortwodays-andthenshegotaletterfromhermotherthattookawayallherhappiness.
ElizabethwaswithJoanwhenshefoundtheletterattea-timeintheletter-rack.Oh!Motherhaswrittenveryquicklytoanswermyletter,saidJoanhappily,andshetooktheletterdown.Shetoreitopenandstoodreadingit.
Thensheturnedverypaleandlookedwithwide,miserableeyesatElizabeth,Mothersays-Mothersays-shedidn'tsendmeacard-sheforgot,saidJoaninatremblingvoice.
And-andshesaysshedidn'tsendmeacake-orthatbook-andshecan'tunderstandwhyI'mwritingtothankher.Oh,Elizabeth!Elizabethdidn'tknowwhattodoorsay.SheputherarmroundJoanandtookhertotheplayroom.Noonewasthere,foreveryonehadgoneintohavetea.Joansatdown,stillverywhite,andstaredatElizabeth.
Idon'tunderstandit,saidpoorJoan.Oh,Elizabeth-Iwassoveryhappy-andnowIfeeldreadful!Whocouldhavesentthosethings-ifitwasn'tmymother?StillElizabethcouldn'tsayaword.Howcouldshesayshehaddoneit?Herkindnessnow
seemedlikeacrueltrick.PoorJoan!Comeinandhavesometea,saidElizabethatlast,findinghervoice.Youlooksopale,Joan.Comeandhavesometea-itwilldoyougood.ButJoanshookherhead.I'mnothungry.Icouldn'teatanything,shesaid.Letmealone.Yougointoteawithoutme.Iwanttobealone-please,Elizabeth.Youarekindandsweettome,butIdon'twantanybodyjustnow.I'mgoingoutforawalk.I'llbebetterwhenIcomeback.Joanslippedoutoftheplayroom,Elizabethstaredafterher,unhappyandworried.Joanhadgoneoutalone-withoutanyone,whichwasn'tallowed.Elizabethsimplydidn'tknowwhattodo.Soshewentintotea,verylate,andwasscoldedbyNora.
You'relate,Elizabeth,snappedNora.You'llhavetogowithoutcaketo-day.Elizabthslippedintoherplaceandsaidnothing.Assheatehertea,shenoticedthattheroomwasgettingverydarkindeed.
There'sagoodoldstormblowingup,saidHarry.Mygoodness-lookatthatrain!Spdid!saidJohn.Ibadlyneeditformybroadbeansandpeas!ButElizabethdidnotthinkitwassplendid.ShewasthinkingofpoorJoan,outforawalkallaloneinthestorm.Arollofthundersounded,andlightningflashedacrossthewindow.
Joanhadn'tevengotahaton,saidElizabethtoherself.She'llbesoaked!IfonlyIknewwhichwayshehadgoneI'dgoandmeetherwithamackintosh.Ohdear,everything'sgoingwrong!Shecouldhardlyeatanytea.Whenthemealwasover,sherantotheplayroomandthentothebedroomtoseeifJoanwasback.Shewasn't.Elizabethlookedoutofthewindow,Shefeltveryashamedandguilty.
Imeanttobesokind-andallI'vedoneistogiveJoanadreadfulshock,makehe
rveryunhappy,andnowshe'soutinthisdreadfulthunderstorm!thoughtElizabeth.
ForawholehourElizabethwatchedforJoantocomeback,Thethundergraduallyrolleditselfawayandthelightningstopped.Buttheheavyrainwentonandon,lashingdownonthenewleavesofthetrees.andmakinganoiselikethewavesbreakingatsea.
AtlastJoancameback,Elizabethsawasmalldrippingfigurecominginthroughthegarden-door.SherushedtoJoanatonce.
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Joan!You'resimplysoakedthrough!Comeandchangeatonce.WaterdrippedoffJoan'sdress,fortherainhadbeentremendous.Thelittlegirlwassoakedthroughtotheskin.Shewasshiveringwithcold.
Oh,poorJoan,saidElizabeth,draggingherfriendupstairs.You'llcatchadreadfulcold.Comeon,youmustchangeintodrythingsstraightaway.Onthewayup,thetwogirlsmetthematronoftheschool,wholookedafterthemwhentheywereill,andwhobandagedtheirarmsandlegswhentheyhurtthemselves.Shewasafat,jollywoman,andeveryonelikedher,thoughshecouldbeverystrictwhensheliked.
ShestoppedwhenshesawJoan.
Goodgracious!shesaid.Whereverhaveyoubeentogetintothatstate,yousillychild?She'sbeenoutintherain,saidElizabeth,She'sawfullycold,Matron.She'sgoingtoputondrythings.I'vegotsomeofJoan'sthingsairinginmyhotcupboard,saidMatron.She'dbettercomealongwithme.Gracious,child,whatasightyoulook!JoanwentwithMatron,Shewashurriedlystrippedofhersoakingclothes,andMatronrubbedherdownwell,witharoughtowel.Joansaidnothingatall,butstoodlookingsosadandmiserablethatMatronwasworried.
IthinkI'dbettertakeyourtemperature,shesaid.
Youdon'tlookrighttome.Putthiswarmdressing-downroundyouforaminute.I'llgetthethermometer.ShesentElizabethaway.Thelittlegirlwentofftothemusic-roomtopractise,feelingveryupset.Shepractisedherscalessteadily,andsomehowitcomfortedher.ShewenttolookforJoanatsupper-time,butshewasnowheretobeseen.
Haven'tyouheard?saidBelinda.Joan'sill!She'dgotahightemperature,andshe'sinbedintheSan.TheSan.,orsanatorium,waswhereanyboyorgirlwasputwhentheywereill.Itwasacheerful,sunnyroom,builtapartfromtheschool.SoJoanwasthere,ill!Elizabeth'sheartsank.Shefeltthatitwasallherfault.
"Cheerup!She'llbeallrightto-morrow,Iexpect,'~saidBelinda,seeingEliza
beth'sdismayedface.
ButJoanwasn'tallright.Shewasworse!Thedoctorcameandwentwithagraveface.Itwasdreadful.
IknowwhatwouldmakeJoanbetter,thoughtElizabeth,indespair.Ifonlyhermothercouldcomeandseeher,andloveherabit-Joanwouldbequiteallright!Herchillwouldgo,andshe'dbehappyagain.Elizabethsatandwonderedwhatshecoulddo.Thenanideacameintoherhead,ShewouldwritetoJoan'smother!ShewouldtellherofthepresentsshehadgiventoJoanpretendingthattheywerefromJoan'smother.ShewouldtellherhowmuchJoanlovedhermother,andwantedhertothinkofherandrememberher-andshewouldbeghertocomeandseeJoanbecauseshewasill!Elizabethjumpedup.SherantoJoan'swriting-paper,which
shekeptonashelfintheplayroom.InitshefoundtheletterfromJoan'smother,andElizabethcopiedtheaddressforherself.Thensheslippedtheletterback.
NowI'llwritetoMrs.Townsend,saidthelittlegirl.ItwillbethemostdifficultletterI'veeverwritten-butit'sgottobedone.Ohdear-whatanawfullotoftroubleI'mgoingtogetinto!
CHAPTER20.
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MoreTrouble!ELIZABETHsatdowntowritetoJoan'smother.Shebittheendofherpen.Shebegantwiceandtorethepaperup.Itwasvery,verydifficult.
Ittookheralongtimetowritetheletter,butatlastitwasdone,andputintheboxtobeposted.ThisiswhatElizabethhadwritten:"DEARMRS.TOWNSEND,IamElizabethAllen,Joan'sfriend.IamveryfondofJoan,butIhavemadeherunhappy,andnowsheisill.IwilltellyouwhatIdid.
"Yousee,Joantoldmealotaboutyou,andhowshelovedyou,andshesaidshedidn'tthinkyoulovedherverymuchbecauseyouhardlyeverwrotetoher,andyoudidn'trememberherbirthdays.Itisawfulnottohaveyourbirthdayrememberedatschool,becausemostpeoplehavecardsandacake.Well,IhadapoundfrommyUncleRupert,andIthoughtofagoodidea.Atleast,Ithoughtitwasagoodidea,butitwasn't,IorderedabigbirthdaycakeforJoan,withalovingmessageonit-andIgotcardsandwroteinthem'Withlove,fromMother,'and'Withlove,fromDaddy,'andsentthem.AndIgotabookandpretendedthatwasfromyoutoo.
"Well,Joanwasawfullyhappyonherbirthdaybecauseshethoughtyouhadrememberedher.Youcan'tthinkhowhappyshewas.Thenshewrotetothankyouforthethings.Iquiteforgotshewoulddothat-andofcourseyouwrotebacktotellherthatyouhadn'tsentthem.Joangotadreadfulshock,andshewentoutforawalkbyherselfandathunderstormcame.Shewassoakedthrough,andnowsheisveryill.
"Iamveryunhappyaboutit,becauseIknowitisallmyfault.ButIdidreallymeantomakeJoanhappy.WhatIamwritingforistoaskyouifyoucouldcomeandseeJoan,andmakeafussofher,becausethenIthinkshewouldbesogladthatshewouldsoongetbetter.Iknowyouwillbeveryangrywithme,andIamverysorry.
ELIZABETHALLEN,ThatwasElizabeth'sletter,writtenwithmanysmudgesbecauseshehadtostopandthinkwhatshewantedtosay,andeachtimeshestoppedshesmudgedherletter.Shelicked-theenvelope,stampedit,andleftittobeposted.WhatwouldJoan'smothersay?IfonlyshewouldcomeandseeJoanandputthingsrightforher;itwouldbelovely-butgoodness,shewouldbevery,veryangrywithElizabeth!ElizabethmissedJoanverymuch,ThenextdayshewenttoaskMa
tronifshemightseeJoan,butMatronshookherhead.
No,shesaid.Thedoctorsaysnoonemustseeher.Sheisreallyill.ElizabethwentofindJohn.Hewasputtingsticksinforhispeastoclimbup.Everysparemomenthespentintheschoolgarden.ThatwasthenicepartofWhyteleafeSchool-ifyouhadaloveforsomething,youcouldmakeityourhobbyandeverythingwasdonetohelpyou.
John,saidElizabeth,Joanisill.Doyouthinkyoucouldsparemesomeflowersforher?Yes,saidJohn,standingupstraight.Youcanpicksomeofthosepinktulipsfyoulike.Oh,buttheyareyourbestones,John,saidElizabeth.Aren'tyoukeepigthemforsomethingspecial?Well,Joan'sbeingillissomethingspecial,saidJohn.Pickthemwithnicelongstalks.Slitthestalksattheendbeforeyouputthe
mintowater-thetulipswilllastalongtimethen.Elizabethjusthadtimetopickthetulips,findavase,andruntoMatronwithitbeforetheschoolbellwent.MatronpromisedtogivetheflowerstoJoan.Elizabethshotbacktotheclassroom,andwasonlyjustintime.
Don'tforgetit'stheSchoolMeetingto-night,BelindasaidtoElizabethattheendofschoolthatmorning.
Bother!saidElizabethindismay.Shehadforgottenallaboutit.Idon'tthinkI'llcome.IknowI'mgoingtogetintotrouble.Youmustcome!saidBelinda,shocked.
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Areyouafraidto?No,saidElizabethfiercely.I'mnotafraidto!I'llbethereshewas,sittingangrilyonaformbesideHarryandHelen,knowingperfectlywellthatNorawasgoingtoreportherassoonaspossible.
Well,ifshedoes,Ishan'tgiveJoan'ssecretaway,thoughtElizabeth.Theycanpunishmealltheylike-butiftheydoI'llstartbeingnaughtyagain!Worsethanever!OfcourseNorareportedElizabethalmostatonce.
ShestoodupandspokegravelytoRitaandWilliam,thetwoJudges.
Ihaveaseriousreporttomake,saidNora.ItisaboutElizabeth.Althoughwegavehereverychancetobegoodandhelpfullastweek,Iamsorrytosaythatshehasbeenmeananddeceitful.Shewentdowntothevillagethisweek,andtookwithherapound-notetospend,insteadofputtingitintothemoney-boxtoshareout.Shespentthewholepoundandwouldnottellmeanythingaboutit.EveryonestaredatElizabethinsurprise.
Apound!saidRita.Twentyshillings-spentinoneafternoon.Elizabeth,isthistrue?Quitetrue,saidElizabethsulkily.
Thenit'stoobad!criedEileen,WeallputourmoneyintotheboxandshareitoutandwegaveElizabethextramoneyforarecord-butsheputshermoneyintoherownpurse,themeanthing!Everybodythoughtthesame,Thechildrenbegantotalkangrily.Elizabethsatsilent,lookingredandsulky.
Ritahammeredonthetable.Quiet!shesaid.
Everyonewassilent.RitaturnedtoElizabeth.Standup,Elizabeth,shesaid,Pleasetellmewhatyouspentthepoundon-youcanatleastletusjudgewhetherornotyouspentthemoneywell.Ican'ttellyouwhatIspentiton,saidElizabeth,lookingpleadinglyatRita,Don'taskme,Rita.It'sasecret-andnotmyownsecret,really.Asamatteroffact,IquiteforgotthatIoughttoputmymoneyintothebox,andthenaskforwhatIwanted.Ireallydidforget.Doyouthinkwewouldhaveallowedyoutospendthemoneyonwhatyoubought?askedRita.
Idon'tknow,saidElizabeth,rathermiserably.AllIknowisthatIwishIhadn'tspentitonwhatIdid!Iwasquitewrong.RitafeltsorryforElizabeth,Well,she
said,youusedthemoneywronglyandyouknowit-ifyouhadonlykeptourrule,weshouldhaveknownwhetherornottoletyouhavethemoneytospendasyoudid.Don'tyouseewhatagoodideaourmoney-boxis,Elizabeth?Yes,Ireallydo,Rita,saidElizabeth,gladthatRitawasspeakingkindlytoher.
Well,nowlisten,Elizabeth,saidRita,aftertalkingwithWilliamforawhile,wewillbeasfairaswecanbetoyouaboutthis,butyoumusttrustusandtelluswhatyouwantedthemoneyfor,first.Ifwethinkitwasforaverygoodpurpose,weshallsaynomoreaboutit,butaskyoutoremembertheruleanothertime.That'sveryfairofyou,Rita,saidElizabeth,almostintears.ButIcan'ttellou.IknownowthatIdidsomethingwrongwiththemoney-butthere'ssomebodyelsemixedupinthesecret,andIsimplycan'tsayanymore.Whoistheotherpersoninthesecret?askedRita.Ican'ttellyouthat,either,saidpoorElizabeth,wh
ohadnowishtobringJoanin.Afterall,itwasn'tJoan'sfaultatall,thatthishadhappened.
Haveyoutoldanybodyaboutthissecret?askedRita.
Yes,oneperson,saidElizabeth.It'sagrown-up,Rita.Whatdidthegrown-upsaynyoutoldher?askedWilliam.
Shehasn'tsaidanythingyet,saidElizabeth.Itoldherthesecretinaletter,andshehasn'tansweredmyletteryet.Ionlywroteityesterday.William,Rita,an
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dthemonitorsspoketogetherforalittlewhile.Everyonewaspuzzledtoknowwhattodo.Itwasaveryseriousmatter,andsomehowithadtobedealtwith.
TheBeautyandtheBeastaren'theretonight,saidNora,lookingtowardsthebackoftheroom.TheyareworriedaboutJoanTownsendbeingill.OnlyMissRangerandMr.Johnsarehere.Iftheotherswereherewecouldaskthemforadviceagain-butsomehowIfeelI'dliketosettleitwithoutaskingMissRangerorMr.Johns.IthinkIknowwhatwe'lldo,saidWilliamatlast.We'llleavethematteruntillizabethhashadananswertoherletter.Good,saidRita.Shehammeredonthetable.Elizabeth,shesaid,wearegoingtoleavethematteruntilyouhavehadananswertoyourletter.Willyoupleasecometomeandtellmewhenyouhave?Yes,Rita,saidElizabethgratefully.IthinkthepersonIwrotetowillbevery,veryangrywithme,andIwishIcouldtellyouallaboutit,butIcan't.Well,itseemstomeasifElizabethisbeingpunishedquiteenoughwithoutussayinganythingmore,saidWilliam."We'llleaveitforadayortwo.
ThenpleasegotoRita,Elizabeth,andtellherwhatansweryouhavereceived."Elizabethsatdown,gladthatthingswerenotworse.Shethoughtthechildrenwereveryfairandjust.Shehadn'tevenbeenpunished!Whenthetwoshillingsweregivenouttoeveryone~Elizabethputhersbackintothebox.
Iwon'thaveitthisweek,shesaid.I'lldowithoutit.Goodgirl.saidWilliamewasanicerfeelingintheroomatonce.EveryonefeltthatElizabethhadtriedtomakeupabitforhermistake.
AftertheMeeting,ElizabethwenttoaskhowJoanwas.TheMatroncametothedooroftheSan.andshookherhead.
She'snotanybetter,shesaid.She'sworryingaboutsomething,thedoctorsays-andsheevensaysshedoesn'twanttoseehermother,thoughwehaveaskedherifshewouldlikeustosendforher!Oh,saidElizabeth,andranawayindismay.NowJoandidn'twanttoseehermother-andElizabethhadwrittentoaskhertocome!Ialwaysseemtodothewrongthing!saidElizabethtoherself.IwishIcouldgoandtellRitaeverything-thenperhapsshecouldhelpme-butIcan'tdothatwithoutgivingJoanaway.Shewouldhatetothinkthatanyoneknewhercakedidn'tcomefromhermotherafterall!Ohdear!Whateverisgoingtohappen?IwishMrs.Townsendwouldhurryupandwritetome.
CHAPTER21.
Joan'sMotherarrives.
TwodayslaterJoanwasseriouslyill,andtheMatronanddoctorwereveryworriedindeed.
Wemustsendforhermother,saidMissBelleatonce.
Thechildbegsusnottosendforher,saidMatroninapuzzledvoice.Itisverystrange.IhardlyknowwhetheritwouldbegoodforJoantoseeher-sheseemssomuchagainsthavinghermothersentfor.Well,saidMissBest,themotheroughtto
ome,forherownsake,ifnotforJoan's.Shewouldbeveryangryifwedidnotsendforher.WecantellherthatJoanisbehavingratherqueerlyabouther.Itmaybeherillnessthatismakingherthinkfunnythoughts.ButMrs.Townsendarrivedbeforeshewassentfor!ShehadreceivedElizabeth'squeerletter,andhadpackedabag,andtakenatraintoWhyteleafethesameday.
Elizabethsawthetaxicomingupthroughthearchwayoftheschoolwall,butshedidnotknowthatMrs.Townsendwasinsideit,Shedidnotseehergetout,paytheman,andringthebell.
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Mrs.Townsendwasshownintotheheadmistresses'drawing-roomatonce.MissBelleandMissBestweremostastonishedtoseeher.
I'vecomeaboutJoan,saidMrs.Townsend.Shewasasmall,sad-lookingwoman,beautifullydressed,andwithlargeeyesjustlikeJoan's.Howisshe?Notanybetter,I'mafraid,answeredMissBelle.Buthowdidyouknowshe'wasill?sheaskedinsurprise.
IhadaletterfromagirlcalledElizabethAllen,saidMrs.Townsend.Averyqueerletter-aboutJoan'sbirthday.Didshetellyouanythingaboutit?No,saidMissBelle,evenmoresurprised.Iknownothingaboutit.May'weseetheletter?Mrs.TownsendgavethetwomistressesElizabeth'ssmudgyletter.Theyreaditinsilence.
SothatiswhatElizabethwantedthemoneyfor!saidMissBest,herlovelysmileshowingforamoment.
Well!Childrenarealwayssurprising-butElizabethisthemostastonishingchildwehaveeverhad-sonaughtyandyetsogood-sodefiant,andyetsokindheartedandjust!IunderstandnowwhyJoankeepssayingthatshedoesn'twantyoutobesentfor,Mrs.Townsend,saidMissBelle.Sheisashamed,poorchild,becauseshethoughtyouhadsentherthosepresents-andnowshefindsyoudidn't-andsheisbewilderedandhurt.IthinkperhapsIoughttoexplainafewthingstoyou,saidMrs.Townsend.ImustexplainthemtoJoantoo.Yes,pleasetellusanythingthatwill
helpuswithJoan,saidMissBest.
Well,saidJoan'smother,Joanhadatwin,aboycalledMichael.Hewasthefinest,loveliestboyyoueversaw,MissBest.HisfatherandIcouldn'thelplovinghimmorethanwelovedJoan,becausewebothwantedaboy,andwedidn'tcaremuchforgirls.Hewasbraveandbonnyandalwayslaughing-butJoanwasalwaysratheracoward,andbesideMichaelsheseemedsulkyandselfish~Don'tyouthinkthatmighthavebeenbecauseyoumadesuchafussoftheboy,andperhapsratherleftJoanout?askedMissBelle.Shemayhavebeenjealous,andthatdoesqueerthingstoachild,Yes-youmayberight,saidMrs.Townsend."Well-whentheywerethree,bothchildrenfelli1l-~andMichaeldied.Andbecausewelovedhimsomuch,webothwishedthat-that..
ThatJoanhadbeentakenandMichaelhadbeenlefttoyou?saidMissBestgently.Yes,Iunderstand,Mrs.Townsend-butyoudidagreatwrongtopoorJoan.Youhaveneverforgivenherforbeingtheonlychildleft.DoesJoanknowshehadatwin?Shesoonforgot,saidMrs.Townsend,andwedidn'ttellherasshegrewolder.Ion'tthinksheknowsevennowthatsheeverhadabrother.Well,Mrs.Townsend,IthinkyoushouldtellJoanthis,saidMissBestfirmly.Shelovesyouverymuch,andismiserablebecauseshecan'tunderstandwhyyoudon'tseemtoloveher.Idoloveher,saidMrs.Townsend.ButsomehowitisdifficulttoshowittoJoan.WhenIgotthisqueerlittleletter,tellingmehowsomebodytriedtobuyJoanpresents,pretendingtobeme,Ifeltdreadful,IfeltImustcomeandseemypoorlittleJoanatonce.Comeandseehernow,saidMissBelle.Tellherwhatyouhavetodus.Joanwillunderstand,andoncesheissureofyourlove,shewillnotmindhowlittleyoushowit!Butitshouldn'tbedifficulttoloveachildlikeJoan
-sheissogentleandkind.AndwhataboutElizabeth?askedMrs.Townsend.Imustseaktoher.Ithinkshemustbeaverykindchild,totrytomakeJoanhappy.GoandseeJoanfirst,saidMissBest.SoMrs.
TownsendwastakentotheSan~SheopenedthedoorandMatronbeckonedherin,seeingatoncethatshewasJoan'smother.
She'sasleep,shewhispered.Comeoverhereandsitbythebedtillshewakes.MrsTownsendsatbesidethebed.ShelookedatJoan.Thelittlegirlwasthinandpale,andhersleepingfacewassounhappythathermothercouldn'tbearit,Shel
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eantoverJoanandkissedhergentlyonthecheek.
Joanawokeandstaredup.Herlargeeyesgrewlargerasshesawhermother,Shelookedatherforamomentandthenspoke,Areyoureallyhere?Wasityouwhokissedme?Ofcourse,saidMrs.Townsend,withtearsinhereyes.Poo~littleJoan!Iwassoverysorrytohearyouwereill.Joan'smotherputherarmsroundherlittlegirlandhuggedher.Joanflungherarmsroundhermother'sneckindelight.
Oh,Mother!Ididn'twantyoutocome!ButnowI'msohappy!I'msorryIdidn'trememberyourbirthday,darling,saidMrs.Townsend.Ithinkwe'vegotafewthingstosaytooneanother.Whydidn'tyouwantmetocome?Because-because-oh,becauseIdidn'tthinkyouwouldbepleasedthatsomebodypretendedtobeyouandsentmethings,saidJoan.Iwasafraidofseeingyou.Nowlisten,Joan;Iwanttotellyusomething,saidMrs.Townsend,sittingonthebedandcuddlingJoanbesideher.Andshebegantotellthelittlegirlofherlostbrother.Yousee,Igrievedsomuchforhim,thatIalmostforgotIhadalittledaughtertomakeupforhim,saidMrs.Townsendinatremblingvoice.Youhavealwaysbeensoquietandtimidtoo,Joan-.--youneveraskedforthings,neverpushedyourselffor'.ward.SoIneverknewthatyoumindedsomuch.Youdidn'tsayaword.Icouldn't,saidJoan,BtI'mveryhappynow,Mother.Thisisthebiggestsurpriseofmylife.Iunderstandthingsnow!Idowishyouhadtoldmebefore.Butitdoesn'tmatter.NothingmattersnowthatI'vegotyouclosebesideme,andIknowyoureallydoloveme,andwon'tforgetmeagain.Iwillneverforgetyou,saidMrs.Townsend.Ididn'thinkyoumindedatall-hutnowthat1knowwhatyouhavebeenthinking,Ishall
bethekindofmotheryouwant.Butyoumusthurryupandgetbetter,mustn'tyou?Oh,Ifeelmuch,muchbetteralready,saidJoan.Andindeedshelookedquitedifferent.WhenMatroncamein,shewassurprisedtoseesuchahappy-lookingchild.
Ishallwantlotsofdinnerto-day!saidJoan.BecauseMotherisgoingtohaveitwithme,Matron,andshewantstoseehowmuchIcaneat!AstheywereeatingtheirdinnertogethertheytalkedaboutElizabeth.IguessedthatitwasElizabethwhosentthosethings,whenyousaiditwasn'tyou,saidJoan.Itwasjustthesortofmad,kindthingshewoulddo!Youknow,Mother,she'sthefirstrealfriendI'vehad,andIthinkshe'ssplendid,thoughthefirstweeksshewashereshewasreallythenaughtiest,rudestgirlintheschool.Thesadthingis-she'smadeuphermindtogoathalf-term,soIshan'thaveherverymuchlonger.Iwanttose
eElizabeth,saidMrs.Townsend.Shewrotemesuchafunny,sadletter.Ifithadn'tbeenforherletter,andwhatshedidforyourbirthday,weshouldn'thavecometounderstandoneanotheraswenowdo,Joan!Andalthoughshethinksshedidaverywrongthing,somehoworotherithascomeright,becauseshereallydidmeantobekind.Matron!DoyouthinkElizabethmightcomeandseemewhilstmymotherishere?askedJoan,whenMatroncameintotakehertemperature.
We'llseewhatyourtemperatureisdoing,saidMatron,pleasedtoseetheemptyplates.SheslippedthethermometerintoJoan'smouth.Shewaitedaminuteandthentookitoutagain.
Goodgracious!Justbelownormal!shesaid.Youaregettingbetterquickly!Yes-IthinkElizabethmightcome.I'llsendforher.Elizabethwaspractisingherduetw
ithRichardwhenthemessagecame.Oneoftheschoolmaidsbroughtit.
Mrs.TownsendisintheSan.withJoanandsaysshewouldliketoseeyou,saidthemaid.Matronsaysyoucangofortwentyminutes.Elizabeth'sheartsank.SoMrs.Townsendhadcometotheschool!Shehadgotherletter-andnowshewashere,andwantedtoseeElizabeth!Idon'twanttogototheSan,saidElizabeth.Ohdear-isn'tthereanyexcuseIcanmake?ButIthoughtJoanwasyourfriend?saidRichardinsurprise.
Sheis,saidElizabeth,butyousee-ohdear,Ican'tpossiblyexplain.Thingshave
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justgonewrong,that'sall.Thelittlegirlputhermusicaway,lookingglum.Cheerup!saidRichard.Thingsaren'tsobadwhenyougoandfacethemproperly!Well,I'llfacethemallright,saidElizabeth,throwinghercurlsback.Iwonderwhat'sgoingtohappentomenow?
CHAPTER22.
RitatalkstoElizabeth.
ELIZABETHwenttotheSan.Matronwasjustcomingout,smiling.
HowisJoannow?askedElizabeth.Muchbetter!saidMatron,Weshallsoonhavehertandaboutagainnow.Oh,good,saidElizabeth,CanIgoin?Yes,saidMatron.stayfortwentyminutes,tillafternoonschool,Talkquietly,anddon'texciteJoanatall.Elizabethwentin.Sheshutthedoorquietlybehindher,Joanwaslyinginawhitebedunderabigsunnywindow,andMrs.Townsendwassittingbesideher.
AndisthisElizabeth?askedMrs.Townsendwithawelcomingsmile.Elizabethwentforwardandshookhands,thinkingthatMrs.Townsenddidn'tlookveryangryafterall.Shebentoverandkissedherfriend.
I'msogladyou'rebetter,Joan,shesaid.Idomissyou.Doyoureally?saidJoaeased.I'vemissedyoutoo.Comehere,Elizabeth,saidMrs.Townsend,drawingEliza
ethtoher.Iwanttothankyouforyourletter.Iwassosurprisedtogetit-andIknowitmusthavebeenhardtowrite.Yes,itwas,saidElizabeth,Iwasawfullyafraidyouwouldbeangrywithmewhenyougotit,Mrs.Townsend.ImeanttomakeJoansohappyonherbirthday-andIdidn'tthinkshe'dfindoutitwasn'tyouwhosentthethings!Iknowitwasasillythingtodo,now.Nevermind,saidJoan'smother.Ithasmadethingscomerightintheend!Havetheycomeright?askedEliabethinsurprise,lookingfromJoantohermother.
Veryright,saidMrs.Townsend,smiling.Joanwilltellyouallwehavesaid,oneday,andyouwillunderstandhowtheywentwrong.ButnowIwanttotellyouthatIamvery,verygladJoanhassuchakindlittlefriend.IknowshewillbemuchhappieratWhyEeleafenowthatshehasyou.Itissohorridtohavenofriendsatall.Oh,Elizabeth,IdosowishyouwerestayingonatWhyteleafe,sighedJoan
,takingherfriend'shand,Couldn'tyoupossibly,possiblystay?Don'taskmeto,Joan,saidElizabeth.YouknowI'vemadeupmymindtogo,andit'sfeebletochangeyourmindonceyou'vemadeitup!I'vesaidIshallgo,andiftheMeetingsaysIcan,Ishallgobackwithmyparentswhentheycometoseemeathalf-term.Doyouthinkyouwillbeabletocomeandseemeathalf-term?askedJoan,turningtohermother.
Yes,Iwill,answeredMrs.Townsend.Ihopebythenthatyouwillbeupandabout,andwewillgotothenexttown,andspendthedaythere,Joan.Oh,good,saidJoanhappily.Itwasthefirsttimehermotherhadevercometotakeheroutathalf-term,andthelittlegirlwasdelighted.Ishallgetbetterquicklynow,sothatIshallbereadyforyouathalfterm!Abellrangintheschool.Elizabethgotupquickly.
That'smybell,shesaid."Imustgo.Good-bye,Mrs.
Townsend,andthankyouforbeingsoniceaboutmyletter.Good-bye,Joan.I'msogladyou'rehappy.I'llcomeandseeyouagainifMatronwillletme.Sheranoff.Mrs.TownsendturnedtoJoan,She'saverynicechild,shesaid.Howfunnythatsheshouldhavebeensonaughtyatfirst-andwhatapityshewantstoleave!She'sjustthesortofgirlthatWhyteleafeSchoolwouldbeproudof.ElizabeththoughtofRitaasshesatinclassthatafternoon,doingherpainting.ItoldRitaIwouldgotoherassoonasIhadananswertomyletter,shethought,Well-Ihav
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en'texactlyhadananswer-andyetIdoknowtheanswer,becauseMrs.Townsendcameherselfandtoldme!"ShewonderedifsheshouldgotoRitaaftertea.Whatshouldshetellher?Shedidn'tknow!Sheneednothaveworriedherself.MissBelleandMissBesthadsentforRitathatday,andhadtoldheraboutElizabeth,andherqueerlettertoJoan'smother.
ShespentthemoneyherunclegaveheronbuyingthatbigbirthdaycakeforJoan,andotherpresentsandcards,saidMissBelle.Thatiswherethemoneywent,Rita!Butwhydidn'tElizabethsayso?askedRita,puzzled.
Becauseifsheexplainedthat,theschoolwouldknowJoan'sunhappinessatbeingforgottenbyhermother,saidMissBest.IfElizabethhadbeenlongeratWhyteleafeSchool,shewouldhavegonetoyou,Rita,ortooneofthemonitorsshetrusted,andwouldhaveaskedtheiradvice-butshehasbeenheresuch~shorttime,andissuchaheadstrong,independentchild,thatshetakesmattersintoherownhands-andgetsintotrouble!Allthesame,shehasthemakingsofaveryfinegirlmher,saidMissBelle,Sheisfearlessandbrave,kindandclever,andalthoughshehasbeenthenaughtiest,rudestgirlwehaveeverhad,thatonlylastedforalittlewhile.Yes,saidRita,Ilikedheralmostfromthebeginning,althoughsheasbeenverydifficult.ButshereallyisthesortofgirlwewantatWhyteleafe.I'mafraidnow,though,thatshewillgohome,forwehavepromisedthatsheshall,ifshewantsto.Youmustsendforherandhaveatalkwithher,Rita,saidMissBest.ShewassupposedtocomeandtellyouwhenshehadananswertoherlettertoMrs.Townsend,wasn'tshe?Well-weknowtheanswernow-anditisnotana
nswerthatcanbeexplainedfullytoaSchoolMeeting.HaveatalkwithElizabeth,andthendecidewhattodo.IthinkyouwillfeelthatalthoughElizabethdidwrong,thekindnessthatwasatthebottomofitmorethanmakesupfortheupsetshecaused!Yes,Ithinksotoo,agreedRita,whohadbeenveryinterestedinallthatMissBelleandMissBesthadtoldher.ShewasgladtoknowthatElizabethhadspentthepoundonsomebodyelse,gladthatitwasonlykindnessthathadcausedsuchadisturbance!ShewentouttolookforElizabeth.
Itwasaftertea.ElizabethwasrunningtoseeifMatronwouldlethersitwithJoanagain.ShebumpedintoRitaroundacorner.
Goodgracious!Whatahurricaneyouare!saidRita,herbreathbumpedoutofher.You'rejustthepersonIwanttosee,Cometomystudy.Ritahadalittleroomof
herown,astudyalltoherself,becauseshewasHeadGirl.Shewasveryproudofit,andhadmadeitasniceasshecould.Elizabethhadneverbeeninitbefore,andshelookedroundinpleasure.
Whatadearlittleroom!shesaid.Ilikethebluecarpet-andthebluetablecloth-andthepicturesandflowers.Isthisyourveryownroom?Yes,saidRita,Williamhaonetoo.Hisisjustasniceasmine.Heiscominghereinaminute.Haveasweet,Elizabeth?RitatookdownatinfromthesmallcupboardandofferedittoElizabeth,whoatoncetookatoffee.ElizabethwonderedwhatRitaandWilliamweregoingtosaytoher.Therewasaknockatthedoor,andWilliamstrolledin.
Hallo,hesaid,smilingatElizabeth.How'stheBoldBadGirl?Elizabethlaughed.SelikedWilliamcallingherthat,thoughshehadhatedthenamenotsoverylong
ago.
Elizabeth,WilliamandIknownowwhatyouspentthatpoundon,andwhyyoudidit,saidRita,Andwewanttosaythatwequiteseethatyoucouldn'ttelltheMeeting.Andweshan'ttelltheMeetingeither,saidWilliam,sittingdowninRita'scosyarm-chair.
Butwon'tyouhaveto?askedElizabethinsurprise.
No,saidWilliam.RitaandIarethejudgesofwhatcanbetoldtheMeeting,andwh
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atneednotbeexplained,ifwethinkbest.Weshallsimplysaythatwehavehadasatisfactoryanswerandexplanation,andthatthematterisnowfinished.Oh,thankyou,saidElizabeth.Itwasn'treallymyselfIwasthinkingof,youknow,itwasJoan.Weknowthatnow,saidRita,YoutriedtodoarightthinginawrongwayElizabeth!IfyouhadbeenatWhyteleafealittlelonger,youwouldhavedonethingsdifferently-butyouhaven'tbeenherelongenough.No,Ihaven't,saidElizabeth.IdoseethatIhavelearntalotalready,butIhaven'tlearntenough.IwishIwaswiselikeyouandWilliam.Well,whynotstayandlearntobe?saidWilliamwithalaugh.Youarejustthesortofgirlwewant,Elizabeth,Youwouldmakeafinemonitor,lateron.Me!Amonitor!criedElizabeth,mostastonished,Oh,I'dever,neverbeamonitor!Goodgracious!Itmaysoundfunnytoyounow,Elizabeth,saidWilliam.Butinatermortwoyouwouldbequiteresponsibleandsensibleenoughtobemadeone.I'dsimplylovetobeamonitor,andsitinthejury!saidElizabeth,WhateverwouldMummysay-andMissScott,myoldgoverness,wouldnever,neverbelieveit.ShesaidIwassospoiltIwouldneverdoanythingworthwhile!Youarespoilt!saidRita,smiling.Butyouwouldsoongetoverthat.Whataboutstayingon,Elizabeth,andseeingwhatyoucando?I'mbeginningtofeelitwouldbenice,saidElizabeth.ButIcan'tchangemymind,IsaidImeanttogohomeathalf-term,andI'mgoingto.It'sonlyfeeblepeoplethatchangetheirminds,andsayfirstonethingandthenanother.I'mnotgoingtobelikethat.Iwonderwhereyougotthatideafrom?saidWilliam,Imean,theideathatit'sfeebletochangeyourmindonceit'smadeup?That'sawrongidea,youknow,Wrong?saidElizabeth,insurprise.
Ofcourse,saidWilliam.Makeupyourmindaboutthings,byallmeans-butifsomethinghappenstoshowthatyouarewrong,thenitisfeeblenottochangeyourmind,Elizabeth.Onlythestrongestpeoplehavetheplucktochangetheirminds,andsayso,iftheyseetheyhavebeenwrongintheirideas,Ididn'tthinkofthat,saidElizabeth,feelingpuzzled,Well,don'tpuzzleyourheadtoomuchaboutthings,saidWilliam,gettingup.Imustgo.Thinkaboutwhatwehavesaid,Elizabeth.ThenextMeetingwillbeyourlastone,ifyouareleavingus-andweshallkeepourwordtoyouandletyougoifyouwantto.Youcantellyourparentswhentheycometoseeyouathalf-term,andMissBelleandMissBestwillexplaineverythingtothem.Butweshallbesorrytolosethenaughtiestgirlintheschool!Elizabethleftthestudy,herheadinawhirl.ShedidlikeWilliamandRitasomuch.Butshecouldn'tchangehermind-shewouldbesoashamedtoclimbdownandsayshehadbeenwrong!
CHAPTER23.
ElizabethfightswithHerself.
THEnextdayortwowereverypleasant.ElizabethwasallowedtoseeJoanwheneversheliked,andshetookhersomemoreflowersfromJohn.ShealsotookherajigsawpuzzlefromHelen,andabookfromNora.
Joanwaslookingveryprettyandveryhappy.Hermotherhadgone,leavingbehindherabigboxofvelvetypeaches,atinofbarleysugar,andsomebooks,ButbestofallshehadleftJoanapromisethatnever,neverwouldsheletJoanthinkshewasforgottenagain.
It'sallbecauseofyou,Elizabeth,saidJoan,offeringherfriendabarleysugartosuck.Oh,Elizabeth-dopleasestayonatWhyteleafe.Don'tmakemeunhappybyleaving,justasI'vegottoknowyou!Thereareplentyofotherpeopleforyoutomakefriendswith,saidElizabeth,suckingthebarleysugar,Idon'twantthem,saidJoan.Theywouldseemfeebleafteryou,Elizabeth.Isay-haveyoubeenlookingaftermyrabbitforme?Ofcourse,saidElizabeth.Oh,Joan,it'sthedearestlittethingyoueversaw!Reallyitis.Doyouknow,itknowsmenowwhenIgotofeedit,anditpressesitstinywofflynoseagainstthewiretowelcomeme!Andyesterdayitnuzzleditselfintothecrookofmyarmandstayedtherequitestill
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timetheschoolbellrangandIhadtogo.Harrycametoseemethismorningandhesaidhewishesyouwerenotleaving,becausehewantstogiveustwomorebabyrabbits,tolivewithmytinyone,saidJoan.Hesaidtheycouldbebetweenthetwoofus.Oh,saidElizabeth,longingforthetworabbits.Really,ifI'dknownwhtaniceplaceWhyteleafeSchoolwas,I'dneverhavemadeupmymindtoleaveit!Shehadtogothen,becauseitwastimeforhermusic-lesson.Sherushedtogethermusic.Richardwasinthemusic-room,waitingforherwithMr.Lewis.
Thetwoweregettingonwellwiththeirduets.RichardwaspleasedwithElizabethnow,forheknewthatshereallylovedmusic,ashedid,andwaswillingtoworkhardatit.TheyplayedtwoduetsverywellindeedforMr.Lewis.
Splendid!hesaid.Elizabeth,I'mpleasedwithyou.You'vepractisedwellsinceyourlastlesson,andgotthatdifficultpartperfectnow.Now-playRichardyoursea-piecethatyoulovesomuch.ElizabethwasproudtoplaytoRichard,forshethoughthimawonderfulplayer.Sheplayedherbest.Mr.LewisandRichardlistenedwithoutawordoramovementtillshehadfinished.
Sheoughttoplaythatattheschoolconcertattheendoftheterm,saidRichard,whenthepiecewasended.It'sfine!Elizabethglowedwithpleasure.ShelikedpraisefromRichardevenmorethanpraisefromthemusic-master.
That'swhatIsuggestedtoher,saidMr.Lewis,sittingdownatthepianoandplayingsomebeautifulchords.Butshedoesn'twantto.Idowantto!criedElizabethi
dignantly.It'sonlythatI'mleavingsoon.Oh-thatsillyoldstoryagain,saidRicardindisgust.Ithoughtbetterofyou,Elizabeth.Youcanstayhereifyouwantto-butyou'rejusttoojollyobstinateforwords.Yourmusicmaybegood-but1don'tthinkmuchofyourcommonsense.Hestalkedoffwithoutanotherword,hismusicrolledunderhisarm.Elizabethfelthalfangry,halftearful.ShehatedbeingspokentolikethatbyRichard.
IexpectRichardisdisappointedwithyoubecauseIknowhehopedthatyouandhewouldplaytheduetsintheconcertthisterm,explainedMr.Lewis.He'llhavetoplaythemwithHarrynow-andthoughHarrylikesmusic,he'snotagoodplayer.Elizabethfinishedhermusic-lessonwithoutsayingverymuch.Shewasthinkinghard.Shewasinamuddle.Shewantedtostay-andshewantedtogo,becauseherpridetoldhertokeepherwordtoherself,andleave.
Shewentouttodosomegardeningwhenherlessonwasover.SheandJohnhadbecomeveryfriendlyindeedoverthegarden.ElizabethdidnotmindworkinghardwithJohn,andhewaspleased.
Somanyoftheothersliketopicktheflowers,andtrimthehedgeswhentheyfeellikeit,hesaid,buthardlyanybodyreallyworkshard.Whenthetinyplantshavetobebeddedout,orthekitchengardenhastobehoed,whoistherethatofferstodoit?Nobody!Well,aren'tIsomebody?demandedElizabeth.
Don'tIcome?Ohyes-butwhat'stheuseofyou?saidJohn.
"You'releavingsoon,aren'tyou?Youcan'ttakearealinterestinagardentha
tyouwon'teverseeagain.
IfyouweregoingtostayIwouldmakeallmyplanswithyou-IbelieveMr.Johnswouldletyoutakepart-chargeofthegardenwithme.Itreallywouldbefun.Yes-itwould,saidElizabeth,lookingroundthegarden.Areyoutheheadofthegarden,John?Yes-underMr.Johns,saidJohn.Nobodyneedstogardenunlesstheylike,yuknow-butifit'sanyone'shobby,asitismine,theyareallowedtospendmostoftheirsparetimehere.I'vehadchargeofthegardenfortwoyearsnow,andit'sprettygood,don'tyouthinkso?Ohyes,Ido,saidElizabeth,lookingroundit,It'slovely.Icouldthinkoflovelythingsforittoo,John.Don'tyouthink
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arowofdoublepinkhollyhockswouldbenice,lookingoverthatwall?Fine!saidJohn,standingupfromhishoeing.Fine!Wecouldgettheseedsnowandplantthem-andwecouldsetoutthenewlittleplantsthisautumn,readytoflowernextsummer,Let'saskformoneyfortheseedsatthenextMeeting,shallwe?Well-youcan,ifyoulike,saidElizabeth.I'mafraiditwillbemylastMeeting,John.YournstMeeting!saidJohnscornfully,andhedughishoeintothehardgroundasifhewerediggingitintoaMeeting.'Whatafeeblegooseyouare,Elizabeth.Feeble!criedElizabethangrily.Ilikethat!JustbecauseI'mkeepingmywordandstickingtowhatIsaid,youcallmefeeble.Well,itisfeebletogiveupeverythingyoulikesomuchhere-yourgardening-yourriding-yourfriend-andyourmusic-justbecauseyou'retooproudtoclimbdownandchangeyourmind,saidJohn.I'mdisappointedinyou.Elizabethstampedoffinarage.Shehatedtobecalledfeeble.Itwastheonethingshehadalwaysthoughtthatshewasn't.
Shewenttotheswings.Therewasnooneelsethere.Elizabethsatonthehighestswingandbegantoswaytoandfro.Shethoughtveryhard.
Nowlet'sgetthingsclearinmyownmind,saidElizabethtoherself.Firstofall-ididn'twanttocomehere,andIvowedtomyself,toMummyandMissScottthatI'dgetsenthomeassoonaspossible.Well,IgottheMeetingtosayIcouldleaveathalf-term,andIwasjollypleased.I'dgotwhatIwanted!Elizabethswunghigh,andtheswingcreakedasitwenttoandfro.
Yes-I'dgotwhatIwanted,saidElizabeth.Ineedn'tevenstayatermatthishorri
d,hatefulschool.ThatwaswhatIcalledit.AndnowIfinditisn'thorridorhateful.Ican'thelpbeinghappyhere,TheothersseemtolikemenowthatI'vegivenupbeingsoawful.IhaveafriendwhoislongingformetostayandwillbeunhappywhenIgo.I'vedisappointedRichard,whowantstoplaywithmeattheconcert.I'vedisappointedMr.Lewis.JohnisangrywithmebecauseIdon'tlikehisgardenenoughtostay-thoughreallyIdolikeitawful~y.AndHarrywantstogivemethoselovelyrabbits.Sheswungevenhigherasherthoughtsspedalong.
AndwhyamIgoing?NowI'lljustbereallyhonestwithmyself.I'mnotgoingbecauseI'munhappy.I'mveryhappynow.I'mgoingsimplybecauseIcan'tbeartochangemymindandsayI'mwrong.I'mtooproudtosayI'llstay,whenI'vesaidi'llgo.I'mnotstrongenoughtochangemymind,andownupI'mwrong!Elizabeth
sloweddowntheswingandputherfeetontheground.Shefrownedandlookedatthegrass.
Shehadneverthoughtsohardinherlife.Shespoketoherselfsternly.
ElizabethAllen,you'refeeble!RichardisrightandHarryisright.You'refeeble!You'reacoward!Youdon'tdaretostandupatthenextMeetingandsayyou'retoohappytoleave!Youaren'tstrongenoughtochangeyourmind!You'reproudandsilly!ElizabethAllen,I'mashamedofyou!Elizabethspokethesewordstoherselfmoresternlythananyonehadeverspokentoher,Shestoppedforamoment,thinkingdeeply.
ButamIreallysosilly?AmIreallysofeeble?CanIreallyspoilmyhappiness
here,andJoan'stoo,bybeingsostupidandproud?No,Ican't!I'mstrongerthanIthought.Icanchangemymind!Iwillchangemymind!WhatdidWilliamsay?Hesaidthatonlythestrongestpeoplecouldchangetheirmindswhentheysawtheywerewrong-itwasthefeebleoneswhocouldn't!Shebegantoswingagain.Well,I'mstrong!shesang,assheswung.Icanchangemymind!IcansayI'mwrong!ElizabethAllen,you'renotsuchapoorthingasIthought!JustwaittillthenextMeeting-andI'llgivethemthebiggestsurprisethey'veeverhad!"Thelittlegirllaughedassheswung.Shefeltveryhappy.Shewasnolongerobstinateandproud,Shewasstrongenoughtochangehermind.
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IwishthenextMeetingwouldcomesoon!shesaidtoherself.WhatashockIshallgivethem!
CHAPTER24.
ASurprisefortheSchool.
THElastMeetingbeforehalf-termmetatthesametimeasusualinthegym.EveryonewasthereexceptJoan,whowasintheSan.rapidlygettingbetter.
Elizabethsatonherusualform,betweenHarryandBelinda,feelingratherexcited.Whatasurpriseshewasgoingtogiveeveryone!TheordinarybusinessoftheMeetingwentthroughasusual.Moneywastakenfromthebox,butnonewasputin.Mostofthechildrenwereexpectingmoneyfromtheirparentswhentheysawthemathalf-term,andthenextweektheboxwouldbeveryfullagain!Afewcomplaintsweremade,andoneortworeports.Doris,whoownedtheguinea-pigs,beamedwhenhermonitorreportedthatshehadnotforgottenherpetsonce.
And,saidthemonitor,theylookthefinestguinea-pigsI'veeverseennow.Good,Rita..Seethattheykeeplikethat.Doris!ThenElizabeth'sturncame,attheendofthereports.
Ritaknockedonthetablewiththemallet,andevery~onewassilent.
Ihaven'tmuchtosayaboutElizabethAllenthisweek,saidRita.ButImustjustsaythis-bothWilliamandIknownowwhyElizabethspentsomuchmoneyandwhatshespentiton.Wearequitesatisfiedaboutit,andwehopethatthejuryandtherestofyouwillacceptourwordwhenwesaythatwecanonlysaythatwearesatisfied,andnottellyouanymore.Elizabethwaswrongtodowhatshedid,butshewasrightnottotellusaboutit.Nowthematterhascomeright,andwehavenomoretosay.Wait,Rita,saidWilliam."Wehavemoretosay!ThisistheMeetingatwhichweweretoaskElizabethifshewantedtoleaveus-itisourhalf-termMeeting.
Well-wearekeepingourwordtoyou,Elizabeth.Ifyouwanttogo,andyouhavemadeupyourmindtodoso,wegiveyouourpermission.MissBelleandMissBestwilltellyourparents,andiftheyagree,youmaygobackwiththemwhenthey
seeyouto-morrow."Elizabethstoodup.Hercheekswereflamingred,andhervoicewasnotquitethesameasusual.
I'vegotsomethingtosay,shesaid.It'snotveryeasy-andIdon'tquiteknowhowtosayit.Butanyway,it'sthis-I'mnotgoing!Notgoing!criedeveryoneinsurprise,turningtolookatElizabeth.
Butwhynot?askedRita.Yousaidyouhad-madeupyourmindtogo,andthatyouneverchangedyourmind.Well,Williamsaidthatonlyfeeblepeopleneverchangetheirmindiftheyknowtheyarewrong,saidElizabeth.AndIknowIwaswrongnow.IonlymadeupmymindtobeasnaughtyaspossiblebecauseIwasangryatbeingsenttoschoolwhenIdidn'twanttogo,andIvowedI'dgobackhomeassoonaspossible,justtoshowI'dhavemyownway.Well,IlikeWhyteleafe.It'salov
elyschool.AndIwanttostay.SoI'vechangedmymind,andthoughyou'vesaidIcanhavewhatIwant,andit'sveryniceofyou,Idon'twantitnow!Iwanttostay-thatis,ifyou'llletmeafterallI've1Everyonebegantotalkatonce.HarrythumpedElizabethontheback.Hewasverypleased.Johnnoddedatherindelight.Nowshecouldhelphimwiththegarden!Richardactuallylefthisplaceandcametowhispertoher,You'reagoodsort,hesaid.Youcanplaythegameaswellasyouplaythepiano.Williambangedwiththemallet.Richard,gobacktoyourplace!Richardwentback,grinning.BelindaandHelensmiledatElizabeth,tryingtocatchhereye.Everyoneseemedaspleasedascouldbe,Elizabeth!saidWilliam,weareverypleasedwithyou.You'vemadealotofsillymistakes,butyou
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havemadeupforthemall-andweadmireyouforbeingabletochangeyourmind,admityouwerewrong,andsaysotousall!Youarethesortofpersonwewantatthisschool.Wehopeyouwillstayforyears,anddoyourverybest.Iwill,saidElizabeth,andshemeantit.Shesatdown,lookinghappyandexcited,Itwaslovelythateveryonewaspleased.Shewasn'ttheBoldBadGirlanymore-shewasElizabethAllen,thesortofpersonthatWhyteleafeSchool.wanted,Shewasproudandhappy.
TheMeetingendedsoonafterthat-andElizabethspedofftotheSan.tofindJoan.Joanwassittingupinachair,reading.
Halo!shesaid.WhathappenedattheMeeting?Anythingexciting?Well-theMeetingdIcouldgohomewithmyparentsto-morrow,saidElizabeth,SoIgotmyownway,yousee.Oh,Elizabeth-Ishallmissyouso!saidJoan.
Youwon't!saidElizabeth.Because,yousee,I'mnotgoing!I'mstayingon!I'vechangedmymind,Joan.IloveWhyteleafe,andIwon'tleaveitforyearsandyearsandyears!Oh,whatfunwe'llhavetogether!We'llbemonitorsoneday-thinkofthat!Shan'twebegrand?Goodgracious!saidJoan,sodelightedthatshehoppedoutofherchair,andflungherarmsroundherfriend.Ican'tbelieveit!Oh,Idofeelsoglad.MatroncameintotheroomandlookedhorrifiedtoseeJoanoutofherchair.
Whatareyoudoing?shesaidsternly.Ishan'tletElizabethcomeinhereifthat's
thewayyoubehave,Joan!But,Matron,IwassopleasedbecauseElizabethisstayingoninsteadofleaving,saidJoan,sinkingbackintoherchair.
Dearme!Fancybeingpleasedbecauseabadgirllikethisisstayingwithus!saidMatron,withatwinkleinhereye.
Thegirlslaughed.TheylikedMatron-shewascheerfulandfriendly,thoughstrict,ShegaveJoansomemedicine,andwentout.
Weshallhavealovelyhalf-termnow,saidJoan.
Mymother'scomingtotakemeout.Isyourscomingtoo?Yes,Ihadaletterthismorning,saidElizabeth.Oh,Joan-let'saskourmotherstotakeusouttogether!Tha
twouldbemuchmorefunthangoingalone.Yes,wewill,saidJoanhappily."IamsureIshallbewellenoughto-morrowtogetupproperly.
Nowyou'llhavetogo,Elizabeth.That'sthesupper-bell.Well,I'llseeyouto-morrow,"saidElizabeth.
Whatfunwe'llhave!Oh,IamgladI'mnotgoinghomewithmymotherto-morrow.Iwonderwhatshe'llsaywhenshehearsthatIwanttostayon.EveryletterI'vewrittentoherI'vetoldherthatIwanttoleave!Mrs.AllenwasverymuchastonishedwhenshesawElizabeththenextday.Thelittlegirllookedsobrightandhappy-hermouthwasnolongersulky,andtherewasnosignofafrownatall!Elizabethflungherselfintohermother'sarmsandhuggedher.
It'slovelytoseeyou,Mummy,shesaid.Docomeandseeeverything-theplayroom,andmyclassroom,andourbedroom-it'snumber6-andthegarden-andeverything!HermotherfollowedElizabethround,marvellingatthechangeinherlittlegirl.CouldthisreallybeElizabeth-thisgood-mannered,polite,happychild?Everyoneseemedtolikeher.Shehadlotsoffriends,especiallythegentleJoan,whoseemedtobeElizabeth'sspecialfriend.
Well,Elizabeth,you'requiteadifferentchild!saidhermotheratlast."Oh,look-thereisMissBest.
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Imustjusthaveawordwithher.Goodmorning,MissBest,"saidMrs.Allen.
Elizabethhasjustbeenshowingmeround-andreally,shedoesseemsohappyandjolly.Whatachangeyouhavemadeinher!Ifeelquiteproudofher!Shehasmadeachangeinherself,saidMissBest,smilingherlovelysmile.Youknow,Mrs.Allen-shewasthenaughtiestgirlintheschool-yes,shereallywas!Itwasdifficulttoknowwhattodowithher-butsheknewwhattodowithherself.Oneofthesedaysshewillbethebestgirlintheschool,andhowproudyouwillbeofherthen!Thenyouwanttostayon,Elizabeth?saidhermotherinastonishment.Well,amglad!Whatasurprise!Mrs.TownsendarrivedtoseeJoanatthatminute,andElizabethrantoseeifJoanwasready.Shehadbeenkeptinbedtobreakfast,butwastogetupafterwardsandallowedtogoinhermother'scar.Shewastremendouslyexcited.
It'sthefirsttimeI'veeverhadahalf-termtreatlikethis!shechatteredexcitedly,asElizabethhelpedhertodressquickly.Andit'sallbecauseofyou,Elizabeth!Oh,rubbish!saidElizabeth.Hurryup,Joan,Whatatimeyoutakewithyourtockings.We'regoingtohavelunchatahotel-fancythat!Ihopetherewillbestrawberryice-creams,don'tyou?Joanwasreadyatlast,andthetwogirlswenttofindtheirmothers,whohadalreadymadefriends,ThentheysettleddowninMrs.Townsend'scar,forshesaidshewoulddrivethemall.
Nowwe'reoffforourtreat!saidElizabethhappily,asthecarspedthroughthearchway.Shelookedbackatthebeautifulbuilding.
Good-byeforalittlewhile!shesaid.I'mcomingbacktoyou,andI'mgladit'snotgood-byeforever!Wemustsaygood-byetoo,thoughmaybewewillseeElizabethagain,andfollowherexcitingadventuresatWhyteleafeSchool.Good-bye,Elizabeth--naughtiestgirlintheschool!