Naughtiest Girl 01 - The Naughtiest Girl in the School - Enid Blyton

8/2/2019 Naughtiest Girl 01 - The Naughtiest Girl in the School - Enid Blyton

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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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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!

Documents

Naughtiest Girl 01 - The Naughtiest Girl in the School - Enid Blyton