«I shan't apologise to Nora», said Elizabeth sulkily. «I don't like her – interfering creature.»
«She's not», said Joan. «She's a good sort. Sometimes I think you are an awful baby, Elizabeth. Only a baby would talk like that.»
«Oh, so you think I'm a baby, do you?» cried Elizabeth, flaring up in a rage, and tossing her curls over her shoulder. «Well, I'll just show you!» Nora was coming into the bedroom at that very moment. She was astonished to find Elizabeth flinging herself almost on top of her, shouting loudly: «Nora! I'm sorry about those things you put in the box. I know how to count and I'll show you I can put six things on my chest-of-drawers.»
«Good gracious! Don't deafen me», said Nora. «All right – you can have them back.» Nora unlocked the box, took out all Elizabeth's things, and gave them to her. «You're an awful goose, you know», she said, half-scolding, half-kindly. She had been pleased to see that Elizabeth had really tried to make friends with someone at last.
Elizabeth proudly put her photographs on her chest, and showed them to Joan. The bell went for tea and they had to go downstairs before Elizabeth had finished saying all she wanted to. As they passed the hail letter-rack, Elizabeth glanced up to see if there were any letters for her.
«Goody! A letter from Mother – and one from Daddy too – and this looks like one from Granny!» said Elizabeth. She took them down. Joan had no letters at all.
«Hallo, Joan! Still glooming over the letter-rack as usual!» called Helen's voice. «I'm sure I don't know what you'd do if ever you did find a letter there one day! Jump through the roof, I should think!» Joan went red and turned away. Elizabeth saw that she was hurt, and she jumped round on Helen.
«I suppose you think you're funny!» she shouted. «Well, perhaps you'd like to know that Joan had four letters and a card this morning, and she didn't jump through the roof. She's not quite such a cuckoo as you are!»
Helen was so astonished to hear Elizabeth sticking up for anyone that she couldn't say a word. Elizabeth made a rude face at her, tucked her arm through Joan's, and walked off with her.
Joan turned to Elizabeth. «What an awful story you told!» she said. «I didn't have any letters today, and you know I didn't.»
«Yes, I know», said Elizabeth. «It was a story – but I really couldn't help it, Joan. You looked like a timid mouse that's been clawed at by a cat, and I felt like a dog that wanted to bark something horrid at the cat!»
Joan threw back her head and laughed. «You do say the funniest things, Elizabeth!» she said. «I never know what you will say or do next.»
Nobody ever did know what Elizabeth would take into her head to do or say. The days were slipping by now, and another week had almost gone. Elizabeth enjoyed her work, for she had a good brain and things came easily to her. She enjoyed the riding lessons, the gym, the painting, the walks, the concerts, and above all, her music lessons. She liked cricket, and she was getting quite good at tennis.
She had to keep reminding herself that she mustn't enjoy these things. She must really be naughty, or she wouldn't be sent home in disgrace. So every now and again she was very naughty indeed.
One morning she did every single thing wrong in her class. She wrote badly and spelt every word wrong. She got all her sums quite wrong. She spilt ink over her neat geography map. She whistled and hummed till she drove Miss Ranger quite mad.
Miss Ranger had been told to be patient with naughty Elizabeth, and she tried to be. But even the children became angry with her, although at first they giggled and laughed and thought she was funny.
«I shall report you at the Meeting tomorrow», said a boy at last. He was a monitor, and had the right to report anyone. «I'm sick of you. You disturb everyone.»
«And I shall report you too!» said Nora that afternoon. «Three times you've not gone to bed at the right time this week. Last night you even came up later than I did! And look at this – you've spilt ink over your blue bedside rug. That will have to be cleaned.»
«Well, I'm not going to clean it», said Elizabeth rudely. «I'll make it a bit worse, just for fun!» And the naughty little girl tipped up some more ink over another part of the rug.
Nora stared at her in disgust. «You're too silly for words», she said. «Well, you'll be sorry at the Meeting tomorrow!»
«Pooh! That's all you know!» said Elizabeth.
Chapter 11: The Meeting Punishes Elizabeth
The Meeting the next day was at the same time as before. All the children went, and once again the two Judges, Rita and William, sat at the big table, and the twelve monitors, the Jury, sat at the smaller table.
Other teachers were there too, this time, besides Miss Belle and Miss Best. They sometimes came to hear what was being done at the Meeting, although they never interfered. Rita hammered on the table for quiet. Elizabeth sat looking sulky. She knew quite well that she would be scolded and punished, and she kept telling herself that she didn't care. But one week at Whyteleafe School had made her see that it really was a splendid school and she couldn't help feeling rather ashamed of her behaviour.
«Well, it can't be helped. They won't send me home unless I behave badly», she kept saying to herself.
«Has anyone any more money to put into the Box?» asked William. He looked at a sheet of paper. «Jill Kenton and Harry Wills have received money this week and have already put it in. Has anyone else any?» Nobody had. «Nora, give out the two shillings to everyone, please», ordered William.
Nora began to give out the money. She even gave it to Elizabeth, who was most surprised. She had quite thought that, owing to her behaviour, she would get no money at all. She made up her mind to buy some peppermints and some toffee and share them with Joan. She whispered this to her friend, who was sitting beside her.
«Thank you», whispered back Joan. «I shall want most of my money to buy stamps this week, so I shall love to share your sweets!»
«Does anyone want extra money?» asked William. George got up and spoke.
«We need a new cricket ball for a practice game», he said. «We lost ours in the shrubbery.»
«You must look for it again before you get the money», said William. «Come to me tomorrow.»
George sat down. Queenie got up. «Could I have some money to buy a birthday present for somebody?» she asked. «It's my old nurse's birthday this week, and I'd like to send her something. Half a crown will do nicely.» Half a crown was given to Queenie.
«I'd like a new garden spade», said John Terry, standing up. «I'm afraid it will cost rather a lot, though.»
Mr. Warlow, the games master, got up and spoke for John. «I should just like to say that in my opinion John deserves a new spade», he said. «He is the best gardener in the school, and I believe the peas we had for dinner today were due to his hard work.» John's spade was passed at once. «Give him the money», said William. «How much is it, John?»
«I'm afraid it is twelve shillings and sixpence», said John. «I've asked at three shops and the price is the same in each.» Twelve shillings and sixpence was handed out. John sat down, blushing with pleasure.
Other things were asked for. Some were granted and some were refused. Then came the complaints and grumbles.
«Any reports or complaints?» asked Rita, knocking on the table for silence.
«I want to report Harry Dunn for cheating», said a monitor firmly.
There was a buzz at once. Everyone knew Harry Dunn, a sly-faced boy in the class above Elizabeth's. He sat on his form, looking red.
«Cheating is awful!» said William, shocked. «We haven't had a proper case of that here for three terms.»
«Don't give him any money to spend for the rest of the term!» called someone.
«No. That's a silly punishment for cheating», said William at once. «It wouldn't stop him and would only make him angry.» There was a loud discussion about Harry. Rita banged on the table with her hammer.
«Quiet!» she said. «I want to ask Harry something. Harry, what lesson do you ch
eat in?»
«Arithmetic», said Harry sulkily.
«Why?» asked William.
«Well, I missed five weeks last term, and I got behind in my arithmetic», said Harry. «My father doesn't like me to be bad at arithmetic, and I knew I'd be almost bottom if I didn't cheat. So I thought I'd better cheat, and copy Humphrey's sums. That's all.»
«Yes – he did miss five weeks last term», said a monitor. «He had mumps, I remember.»
«And his father does get wild if he isn't near the top in arithmetic», said another monitor.
«Well, it seems to me that we'd better ask Mr. Johns if he'd be good enough to give Harry extra help in arithmetic this term, so that he can catch up what be missed», said William. «Then he won't need to cheat. Mr. Johns, I can see you at the back this evening – do you think it would help Harry if you gave him extra time?»
«Rather!» said Mr. Johns. «I've already suggested it to Harry – and now that this has happened I think he'll be glad of extra help in arithmetic, won't you, Harry?»
«Yes, thank you, sir», said Harry.
But William hadn't finished with Harry. «We can't let you sit with the others in your class until we know you won't cheat again», he said. «You had better put your desk apart from the others until you have caught up with the arithmetic you've missed – and then you can go back, if you will come and tell me that you won't cheat again.»
«All right, William», said Harry. He hated the idea of being set apart because he was a cheat – and he made up his mind he would soon know as much as anyone else – and then he'd beat them with his own brains, and never cheat again.
«Cheating is only done by stupid or lazy people», said William. «Now – any more complaints?» Then it was Elizabeth's turn to go red and look sulky! Up got Nora at once.
«I have a serious complaint to make», she said. «It is about Elizabeth Allen again. I am the monitor in her bedroom, and I can't make her go to bed at the right time. Not only that – she is awfully rude and horrid. I don't think she cares how she behaves at all.»
«Anything else?» asked Rita, staring in disgust at Elizabeth.
«Yes – she has poured ink twice over her bedside rug, and refuses to clean it», said Nora.
«Well, we will send it to the cleaner's and Elizabeth can pay for it», said Rita. «It costs two shillings to get those rugs cleaned – so I am afraid you will have to give up your two shillings, Elizabeth.» Elizabeth really didn't like to be rude to Rita. So she meekly took out her two shillings and passed them back to Nora, who put them into the money-box.
«About the going late to bed», said William, «that's easily dealt with. In future Elizabeth's bedtime will be altered, and she will go at half past seven, instead of eight.»
«But I shall miss the concerts and the dancing», said Elizabeth in dismay.
«That's your own fault», said Rita sternly. «If you are sensible, we will alter your bedtime next week – but only if you are sensible.»
«And now about the rudeness and horridness», said William. «I'm not sure we can blame Elizabeth for that. You know, we've usually found that rude children are caused by silly parents, who spoil them and let them say and do what they like. I should think Elizabeth's parents are to blame for her present rude behaviour. They haven't taught her good manners.»
Elizabeth leapt up at once, her face full of anger. «Mummy and Daddy have taught me good manners!» she said. «They've beautiful manners themselves, and Mummy is never rude to anyone.»
«Well, we shall only believe that when we see that you are following their example!» said William. «Whenever you are rude this week we shall each say to ourselves: “Poor Elizabeth! She can't help it! She wasn't brought up properly!”»
«I'll show you I've got good manners!» shouted Elizabeth. «I'll just show you, you horrid boy!» Everyone began to laugh at the angry little girl.
William banged on the table with his hammer. «Silence! Elizabeth wants to show us that she has good manners. Go on, Elizabeth, shout a little more and call us names. Then we shall see exactly what your good manners are.»
Elizabeth sat down, boiling. So they thought her mother and father didn't know how to bring children up with good manners, did they? Well, nobody would be more polite than she would be, next week! They would have to say they were wrong!
Kenneth, the monitor in Elizabeth's class, got up next. «Please, William and Rita», he said, «could you do something about Elizabeth's behaviour in class? It is simply impossible. She spoils all our lessons, and we are getting very tired of it. I guess Miss Ranger is too.»
«This is really dreadful», said Rita. «I had no idea Elizabeth was so bad. I am very disappointed. Has nobody a good word to say for her?» No one spoke. No one said a word.
And then everyone got a surprise, for up got Joan Townsend, the Mouse! She was blushing red, for she hated to speak in public. «I – I – I should like to speak for Elizabeth», she said. «She can be very kind. She isn't really as horrid as she pretends to be.»
Joan sat down with a bump, as red as fire. Elizabeth looked at her gratefully. It was good to have a friend!
«Well, it's something to hear that!» said William. «But it isn't enough. What are Elizabeth's favourite lessons?»
«Music, painting, and riding», shouted Elizabeth's class.
«Well, Elizabeth, until you can behave in the lessons you don't seem to like, you must miss those you do like», said William, after consulting with Rita for a while. «You will miss riding, music, and painting this week, and you will not go down to the village at all. We hope there will be better reports next week, so that we can give you back the things you love. We simply can't let you spoil lessons for the rest of your class.»
Elizabeth could not stand the Meeting for one moment more. She stood up, pushed a chair aside, and rushed out. «Let her go», she heard Rita say, in a sorry sort of voice. «She's being awfully silly – but she's really not as bad as she makes out!» Poor Elizabeth! No money to spend – an early bedtime – no concerts, no dancing, no riding, painting, or music! The little girl sat on her bed and wept. She knew it was all her own fault, but it didn't make things any better. Oh when, when would she be able to leave this horrid school?
Chapter 12: Elizabeth Has a Bad Time
Joan went to find Elizabeth as soon as the Meeting was over. She guessed she would be in their bedroom. Elizabeth dried her eyes as soon as she heard Joan coming. She wasn't going to let anyone see her crying!
«Hallo!» said Joan. «Come down to the playroom. It's raining or we could go and have a game of tennis.»
«Joan, it was decent of you to speak up for me», said Elizabeth. «Thanks awfully. But don't do it again, because, you see, I want everyone to think I'm too bad for this school, so that I'll be sent home.»
«Oh, Elizabeth, do get that silly idea out of your head!» said Joan. «I'm quite sure that the school won't send you home, and you'll only go on getting yourself into more and more trouble. Do be sensible.»
«Do you really think they won't send me home, however badly I behave?» said Elizabeth in dismay. «But surely no school would want to keep a really bad child?»
«Whyteleafe School has never expelled anyone yet», said Joan. «So I don't expect they'll start on you. You'll just have a perfectly horrid time, instead of haying a lovely one. You'd have much more chance of going home if you went to Rita and said you'd be good if only she would do her best to get you home because you were so unhappy here.»
«Really?» said Elizabeth, astonished. «Well, I didn't think of that. Perhaps I'll go to Rita. I'll see. I am really getting a bit tired of remembering to be bad. There are so many nice things to do here, that I can't help enjoying myself sometimes.»
«I think you're a silly goose», said Joan. «Come on down. It will soon be seven o'clock, and you know you've got to go to bed directly after supper for a whole week, instead of at eight o'clock.»
Elizabeth frowned. «I've a good mind to go at eight o'clock, just t
o spite them!» she said.
«Oh, don't be foolish», said Joan. «Do you suppose the Meeting cares if you go to bed at seven or eight? You'll only be hurting yourself, not anyone else, if you're silly.»
«Oh», said Elizabeth, seeing for the first time that she was spoiling things for herself far more than she was spoiling them for other people. She sat and thought for a minute. «Listen, Joan», she said, «I'll do as I'm told this week. See? I'll obey the orders of the Meeting, and go to bed early, and miss all the things I love – and at the end I'll go to Rita and tell her I'm so unhappy that I simply must go home, and I'll see what she says. I'm sure she could tell Miss Belle and Miss Best and they could write to Mummy for me.»
«Well, you do that», said Joan, getting a bit tired of Elizabeth's curious ideas. «Now do come on – bother – there's the supper-bell, and we've wasted all this time!» They had supper – and then poor Elizabeth had to go straight upstairs to bed. Nora popped in to see that she had obeyed the orders of the Meeting and felt quite surprised to see Elizabeth under the sheets.
«Good gracious!» she said. «You are learning to be sensible at last! Now just you listen to me, Elizabeth – the Meeting hates punishing anyone as much as they have punished you this week – so be good and sensible and obedient, and you'll find that everything will be all right at the next Meeting. By the way, I'll take up your bedside rug – the cleaner comes tomorrow, and I'll see that it's put ready for him to take.»
«Thank you, Nora», said Elizabeth, in a very good voice.
The week that followed was not a pleasant one for Elizabeth. She had to see the others go out riding without her. She had to sit indoors and copy out sums instead of going out sketching with the painting class. Worst of all she had to tell Mr. Lewis that she couldn't have her music lessons that week.