Read 03 The Princess of the Chalet School for Free Online

thought you three would like to help me. Mademoiselle is busy with Matron, and Miss Carthew, Miss Maynard, and Miss Wilson are hard at work on the games time-table, so, if you can’t help me, I must do it alone.’
    ‘We’ll help, of course !’ exclaimed the three. And help they did.
    At seven o’clock the Robin trotted off to bed, but she refused Joey’s offer to come with her, as it was the last night. ‘No, Zoë; we might talk again,’ she said sorrowfully. ‘Matron would be cross if she heard us, and she doesn’t understand about holidays.’
    Madge heard, but took no notice. She was not going to interfere between Matron and the children more than she could help.
    Jo was half-inclined to go after all, but there her sister did interfere. ‘No, Joey. If the Robin doesn’t really want you, I should like you to stay and help me,’ she said. ‘Besides, I want to see you later on.’
    That settled it, of course; and Jo went to work with a will. When everything was done, the Head sent the girls to get their Abendessen , telling her sister to come back to her in the study when she had finished.
    Matron passed them in the passage, but she took no notice of them, and Jo hurried through her meal, and was in the study in record time. ‘I’m here, Madge,’ she said.
    Madge held out her hand. ‘Come and sit down beside me,’ she said.
    Jo collapsed down beside her on the floor, laying her black head against her sister’s knee. ‘Why do you want me, Madge?’
    Madge made no reply at first, but simply sat there, her hand on the silky hair. ‘Joey,’ she said at length, ‘I want to ask you to be very careful this term. It is going to be a little bit difficult, I’m afraid. You see, we shall have Elisaveta, who has never been accustomed to anyone like Matron. Then we have Matron herself. I know she does not quite understand us yet, but I hope she soon will, and you can do a lot towards helping her to do so.’
    Joey wriggled uneasily. ‘Madge, I don’t think so. Of course, I’ll do as I’m told, and I won’t say things before the little ones – if I can help it. But I – she doesn’t like me, and she thinks I take advantage ‘cos you’re my sister.’
    ‘Did she say so?’ asked Madge, startled.
    “I – I didn’t mean to say that,’ mumbled Joey. ‘Forget it, Madge; can’t you?’
    Madge nodded. ‘Yes. We know it isn’t true, and that’s all that really matters. Do your best, Joey. It’s going to be the hardest term we’ve had yet, and I shall want all you can do to help. Remember, I’ve always trusted you as if you were grown-up, and I shall go on doing so. Avoid trouble with Matron, and help Elisaveta to be happy.’
    ‘Righto!’ replied Joey. Then she suddenly wriggled to her knees. ‘Madge, whisper! Isn’t her voice horrid ?’
    ‘Hush, Joey! You mustn’t say things like that.’
    ‘I shan’t after to-night,’ replied Jo readily; ‘but unofficially , Madge, isn’t it?’

    Madge laughed. Then she gave in; it was safe enough with Jo. ‘Yes, Joey; it is trying. Whatever you do, don’t develop one like it! And now we’ll say no more about it. It is nearly nine o’clock, and there’s a hard day before us tomorrow, you know. Kiss me, and run off to bed.’
    Joey got to her feet, and, flinging her arms round her sister’s neck, bestowed on her a hug that completely disarranged the silky ripples of hair. ‘Good-night, Madge. You’re a dear, and I love you!’
    Then she went off, and fell asleep, making all sorts of good resolutions for the coming term.

Chapter 5
Elisaveta in Trouble
    The term was not three days old before Matron had succeeded in making herself the best-hated person in the Chalet School. The seniors all loathed her, and the middles ran whenever they saw her; the juniors, having next to nothing to do with her, were the best off, but even they fled round corners when they saw her in the distance. More and more Miss Bettany saw that she had made a bad