Elinor M. Brent-Dyer - The School at the Chalet (The Chalet School)

The School at the Chlet

Chapter 1.

Madge Decides.

IF only I knew what to do with you girls! said Dick in worried tones.

Oh, you neednt worry about us! replied Madge.

Talk sense! Im the only man there is in the family-except Great-Uncle Wil iam; and hes not much use!

Jol y wel he isnt! Poor dear! Hes al gout and crutches. And Madge threw back her head with a merry laugh.

Wel then! I ask you!

She got up from her seat on the Chesterfield, and walked across the room to her brother. Dear old Dick!

You real y mustnt worry about Joey and me. We shal be al right!

He lifted his fair boyish head to look at her. Not pretty in the strict sense of the word, yet Madge Bettany was good to look at. She was slight to the verge of thinness, with a wel -poised head covered by a mop of curly dark-brown hair. Her eyes were dark brown too-the colour of old brown sherry-and were shaded by long, upcurling, black lashes. Dark eyes and hair presupposed an olive complexion, but there, Madge had deserted the tradition of the Bettany women, and her skin showed the wonderful Saxon fairness of her mothers family. Her mouth was wide, but with wel -cut lips, and her slender figure was as erect as a young poplar. There was enough likeness between her and Dick, despite the disparity of colouring, to proclaim them unmistakably brother and sister. Now she slipped a hand through his arm as she announced, Ive got a plan al ready for us.

Lets hear it, he commanded.

Wel , the best thing is to go over al the possibilities.

Oh, for Heavens sake, dont make a long story of it! he implored.

Al right. But I want you to see my point, so

That means its something you think I shan't approve of, he said shrewdly. Wel , get on and lets hear the worst.

You see, began his sister, balancing herself on her toes, whatever happens, Joey and I must keep together. We are al agreed on that point.

But-theres no money; or, at any rate, very little. You cant keep us on your pay; thats quite out of the question! So last night, I thought and thought after I had gone to bed; and, honestly, I think my plans the only one possible.

Oh, for Heavens sake, cut al that! groaned her brother. What do you want to do?

Start a school, was the sufficiently startling reply.

Start a school! He stared at her. My good girl, that sort of thing requires capital-which we havent got.

Yes, I know that as wel as you do! retorted his sister. At least, it does in England. But I wasnt thinking of England.

Then where were you thinking of? he demanded, not unreasonably. Ireland? Shouldnt advise that! You might wake up one morning to find yourself burnt out!

Of course not! Ive got some sense! And I do wish youd try to be a little more sympathetic! she returned rather heatedly.

But, my dear girl, its an awful undertaking to run a school. And you look such a kid! Who on earth would have you as Head? And anyway, you havent told me yet where you want your blessed school! he protested. You dont suggest coming out with me to India and starting there, do you?

No, of course not. Though, if there hadnt been Jo to consider, I might have done it. But we couldnt keep her there; and I wont leave her in England. So what Ive thought of is this. Dyou remember that little lake in the Austrian Tyrol where we spent the summer five years ago-Tiern See?

Rather! Topping little place, right up in the mountains, bout an hours train run from Innsbrck, wasnt it? You went up in a mountain railway from some rummy little town or other-I forget its name!

Sprtz, supplied his sister. Yes, thats the place. It was gorgeous air up there; and you could live for next to nothing.

Is that where you mean to have your school?

She nodded. Yes. There was a big Chlet there which would be topping. It was not too far from the lake; fairly near the steamer, and yet it was away from the paths. I shouldnt want a large number, not at first at any rate-about twelve at most, and counting Joey. I should want girls from twelve to fourteen or fifteen. I would teach English subjects; Mademoisel e La Pttre would come with us, and she would take the French and German-and the sewing too. Music we could get in Innsbrck.

She stopped and looked at Dick somewhat doubtful y at this juncture. A frown was robbing his face of half its boyishness. He knew very wel that Madge had set her heart on this project, and that he had neither the strength of wil nor the authority to turn her from her purpose. They were twins, and al their lives long she had been the one to plan for them both. If she had determined to start this school, nothing he could say or do could prevent her. Their only relatives besides Great-Uncle Wil iam, before mentioned, were two aunts, both married, and both with large families and smal means. Madge was not particularly likely to listen to anything they might say. She read his thoughts in his face.

Its no use appealing to the aunts, she said. Theyl have fits, of course; but it cant be helped. Just consider how we are situated. We are orphans, with a sister twelve years younger than ourselves to be responsible for. Our guardian got his affairs into a frantic muddle, and then conveniently-for him!-died, leaving us to face the music. Youre in the Forests, and your furlough is up in three weeks time; Joey is delicate and shouldnt live in a wet climate; and between us we seem to have some fairly decent furniture, this house, and three thousand pounds in East India Stock at four per cent.-or something over a hundred pounds a year.

Twenty over, interjected Dick.

We cant live on that in England, she went on, unheeding the interruption. Even if I did get a post in a school, it would mean school-fees for Jo.

But we could manage in Austria. Its healthy-Tiern See, and its a new idea. I know of one child I could have for the asking-Grizel Cochrane; and wed have to advertise for the others. I dont see why we shouldnt make it pay in time.

What about apparatus? suggested Dick, Youd want desks, and books, and so on, I suppose?

Get them in Innsbrck . My suggestion is that we sel most of the things here, keeping only what we absolutely need, and buy out there. I went over the Chlet while we were there, Dick. A fortnight ago I wrote to Frau Pfeifen. Her answer came this morning. I wanted to know if the Chlet was vacant, and, if it was not, if there was any other place she could recommend. It is vacant, and she thinks the owner-manager of the Kron Prinz Karl-that big hotel not far from the boat-landing-would let me have it al right.

If only I hadnt to go so soon, muttered Dick, as he rapidly scanned the letter she had given him.

I know! I wish you hadnt; but we shal have Mademoisel e.

I wouldnt have agreed to the idea if you had consulted me, he replied. As it is, I suppose I must say

yes. Youl do as you like, whether I agree or not. I know that! But youve got to promise me one thing.

Il see, returned his sister cautiously. What is it?

That youl cable me at once if anything goes wrong, and that youl write at least once a week-oftener if you can.

Al right. I agree to that. Now wil you go and fetch Joey, and wel tel her. I know shes a bit anxious about whats going to happen, but I couldnt say anything til Id discussed it with you first of al . Shes upstairs reading.

Jo reads entirely too much, he grumbled as he went to the door. Thats one thing I hope youl alter a little.

Shel have plenty to take her out of doors, replied his sister serenely. She real y needs other companions. Cal her, old thing.

His yel of Joey! resounded through the house a second later, and was answered by a shriek of Coming!