CHAPTER V
Out of Bounds
Aldred had never been to school before, but she was so happy at theGrange that she was sure no other place in the United Kingdom could behalf so nice. Miss Drummond was certainly a delightful head mistress,and the model cottage was only one of her many original ideas. Followingher theory of training her pupils in useful home arts, she allowed themto do many little things in the house that do not always come within theprovince of schoolgirls. Each classroom was provided with vases, and itwas the monitresses' duty to keep these replenished, using leaves andberries when the garden supply failed. The prefects always arranged theflowers for the dinner-table, and the top girl in each Form had theprivilege of attending to those in the drawing-room and in MissDrummond's study. Those girls who gained ninety per cent in the monthlyexaminations were invited to the Principal's Wednesday afternoon "AtHome", and helped to pass cups and entertain visitors, the one with thehighest score being asked to pour out tea.
Miss Drummond encouraged the girls to talk to her, and tried to make thewhole atmosphere as homelike as possible, allowing a tolerable amount ofliberty, so long as it did not degenerate into licence. She woulddiscuss topics of the day, books, music, art, or any other subject withher pupils, trying to make them talk easily and naturally, and take anintelligent interest in what was going on in the world.
"Conversation is like a game of ball," she would sometimes say; "it mustbe thrown backwards and forwards from both sides. There is nothing soaggravating as to be obliged to talk to a person who will persist inonly answering with a negative or an affirmative. I have racked mybrains sometimes to think of fresh topics, when all my leading remarkshave been received with a 'Yes' or a 'No'. That is what I call droppingthe ball. When you see people are making an effort to entertain you, itis only fair to play your part as well. I know you plead shyness, butshyness can be conquered if we try to forget ourselves, and think onlyhow we can give pleasure to others. It is really a form ofself-consciousness, and ought to be fought against as well as any otherfault."
Games were not compulsory at The Grange, though Miss Drummond liked allto take part in the weekly matches. But she considered it wasinadvisable to train girls to care for nothing but cricket and hockey,and wished them to take up a number of small interests, such as theycould carry on afterwards at home. During recreation time she allowedspecially chosen recruits to help her in superintending the garden andgreenhouse, the poultry yard, and the bee-hives that were her particularhobby. These country occupations proved very popular, and to be one ofMiss Drummond's "outdoor helpers" was an honour much sought after andkeenly appreciated.
There was a large shed in the yard, where a joiner's bench had beenfitted up, and on wet days this was devoted to carpentry orchip-carving, some of the best efforts being reserved for a small annualbazaar, generally held in aid of the Missionary Societies.
Sewing and embroidery were much encouraged. Miss Gray, the art mistress,taught the girls to design their own patterns, and had obtained somepretty results in applique and Oriental work. She was an enthusiast inhandicrafts, and allowed many pleasant variations from the usual drawingcourse, thinking clay modelling, gesso, stencilling, wood-staining, andpyrography as important parts of an art training as line or brush work.The weekly afternoon spent in the studio was a revelation to Aldred,whose really artistic nature revelled in all these hitherto unknowndelights. She took to them like a duck to water, and was absolutelyhappy moulding clay, or stamping backgrounds with the poker-workapparatus. She would have spent her whole leisure in the studio if thathad been allowed, and would often beg a piece of clay, with which topractise modelling by herself.
Music, also, was not neglected at Birkwood. There were lessons in theoryand harmony, as well as in piano playing and class singing. Sometimesthe girls were taken to afternoon concerts, but these dissipations weregenerally reserved for winter, as there were so many other things insummer to fill up the days.
One Wednesday half-holiday, when she had been at The Grange for about amonth, Aldred was sitting on the steps of the sundial, in company withDora Maxwell, Myfanwy James, and Phoebe Stanhope The sundial was aplace of general rendezvous in the garden. Here, as a rule, the tennissets were arranged, sides chosen for croquet or basket ball, leaderselected, and disputes settled. It was as popular a spot as the marketcross in a country town, and during play-hours was the universal centrefor the whole school. The four girls had brought out books, and wereenjoying reading, with intervals of chatting. Mabel was having a musiclesson, so for once Aldred was apart from her almost inseparablecompanion.
"It will be so jolly when we begin hockey on half-holidays!" said Dora."It's really been too hot for it so far; I quite agree with MissDrummond in that."
"I'm always glad when the cold weather sets in, and we can settle downto all our ordinary winter arrangements," said Myfanwy. "I like the longevenings, when it's dark by tea-time, and we can sit round the fire andtalk; it's really far more fun than the summer term."
"I love the summer best," said Aldred. "I like the flowers, and theleaves on the trees, and the birds singing. Winter seems lonely withoutthem. I think it's so melancholy to have days and days without anysunshine!"
"I don't mind the evenings being dark, but I hate getting up before it'slight," said Phoebe. "It's miserable to have to turn out of bed atseven o'clock on chilly November and December mornings. I'm never likethe good boy in the story-books who gets up readily; it's always awrench for me."
"We've hard enough work to rouse you, certainly," admitted Dora. "If itweren't for us, you'd be sweetly slumbering when the breakfast bellrings. I can't imagine how you'd manage if you had a room to yourself,instead of being in No. 5. Who wakes first, Aldred, you or Mabel?"
"Both together, generally," replied Aldred. "I don't see how anybodycould sleep through such a fearful clatter as the bell makes. It givesme a horrible start every morning. It's worse than an alarm clock?"
"Oh, you'll get used to it in time!" declared Phoebe. "And thenperhaps you won't notice it any more than I do."
The conversation was interrupted at this point by Freda Martin andBlanche Nicholls, two of the prefects, who came past arm in arm.
"What are you four doing here?" asked Freda briskly. "Why aren't youplaying tennis with the others?"
"There isn't room," replied Phoebe. "The Fifth Form girls have got upa tournament, and they'll keep the courts all the afternoon."
"Can't you have a round at croquet, instead?"
"We don't feel inclined."
"Basket ball, then?" suggested Blanche.
Dora leaned back against the stone shaft of the sundial, and yawnedluxuriously.
"No, we're simply enjoying doing nothing," she confessed.
"You lazy little wretches, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves! Get upand take some exercise! Look here! if you care to run in and ask foryour exeats, you can come with us for a stroll to Chetbourne. There aretwo of you apiece for us, so it will be just right to make 'threesomes';only, quick's the word, and don't forget to bring your gloves!"
The members of the Lower School were not allowed outside the grounds ofthe Grange without a teacher, except in very special circumstances; butthe Sixth Form girls had the right of taking walks within certainbounds, if they went three together, and might occasionally extend theprivilege to some of the younger ones, on the understanding that theywere considered responsible for the latter. Each was only authorized,however, to give two such invitations in the course of a term, so thatthe lucky chance could fall to the lot of but a favoured few. In anycase, no girl might pass through the gate without an exeat or specialorder from the head mistress, who always entered in a book the names ofthose who thus had leave of absence.
Phoebe, Aldred, Dora and Myfanwy sprang up with an absolute howl ofjoy. They had never anticipated such a piece of good fortune. Theprospect of an outing was delightful, and they rushed at once into thehouse to secure the necessary permits from Miss Drummond, getting readyand returning
with such record speed that the two prefects could notcomplain of being kept waiting. It was a beautiful afternoon in themiddle of October, so warm and fine that it seemed more like the heightof summer than autumn. Dahlias and hollyhocks were still in full bloomin the garden, the trees had scarcely begun to change colour, and,though the swallows had left, an industrious sparrow, mistaking theseason, was flying with a piece of hay in her bill, as if actuallycontemplating another nest. The sun shone with an almost August glare asthe girls left the Grange and started for their walk over the downs; butthere was a pleasant breeze to temper the heat, and, as Freda declared,the dash of the waves always had a cool sound, at any rate. The road ranparallel with the cliffs, so that for the whole of the two miles theyhad an uninterrupted view of the sea, which lay calm and sparkling, witha gleaming sail here and there, or the smoke of a Channel steamer on thehorizon.
"I've never been to Chetbourne," announced Aldred. "I suppose it's veryjolly, with a promenade, and all that sort of thing?"
"It's the ordinary kind of seaside place," said Blanche Nicholls. "It'sgenerally very full in the summer."
"Are there any entertainments on the pier?"
"Oh, yes!--pierrots, and a band."
"Shall we have time to go and hear them?"
"We're not allowed. Our bounds stop just at the beginning of Chetbourne.We mayn't go into the town, nor along the promenade."
"Why, what a swindle!" exclaimed Aldred. "I thought we were going tohave some fun!"
"Isn't the walk enough for you?" asked Freda.
"It's very nice; but it would have been amusing to see a few niggers, orsome performing dogs."
"The post office is our limit," said Blanche. "We always call a haltthere. They have a splendid set of picture postcards, and some nice Gosschina. A good many of us are collecting Goss."
"Then mayn't we go the least little scrap farther?" pleaded Aldred.
"Not a step!" replied Freda decisively.
Aldred said no more, and the six walked on, chatting of other matters,until they reached the outskirts of the town. The post office was alarge shop, of a kind common at seaside resorts. A variety ofmiscellaneous articles were on sale--shell boxes, photograph frames,wicker baskets, cheap ornaments, and materials for fancy-work--and theyounger girls found their allowances burning holes in their pockets, andstayed so long choosing souvenirs that their elders waxed impatient.
"Haven't you finished yet?" said Freda. "You must have turned over everypostcard in the box. Blanche and I want to go to the bookseller's. Ithink we might leave you here for ten minutes. You'll be all right tillwe come back," and she departed with her fellow-prefect to a shopopposite.
The others finished their purchases and paid for them, then stoodwaiting until their escorts should return. The post office was a longbuilding, and had two glass doors, one of which opened on to the mainstreet, while the other led into a side road. To the latter door Aldredstrolled leisurely, and stood gazing out at the general prospect.
"Is that the beach down there?" she asked Phoebe. "I almost think Ican see bathing vans."
"Yes; this road leads directly to the parade. It's only about half aminute's walk."
"I should like immensely to take a look at the sea front."
"It's a beautiful promenade," said Dora. "It seems a shame you can't seeit."
"Couldn't we just run down to the end of the road, and have one peep?"
"What about Blanche and Freda? They'd never let us."
"They wouldn't see us go out at this door, and we should be back beforethey were."
"All right! I'm ready, if you are."
"There can't be any harm in walking a hundred yards," added Phoebe."Come along, Myfanwy!"
With one accord the four girls rushed out of the post office and toredown to the sea front. The promenade looked most inviting. The spell ofwarm weather had brought a number of autumn visitors to Chetbourne, sothat there was quite a revival of the season. Children were digging onthe sands, the seats and the shelters were full of people reading orchatting, and the constant stream of parasols, white flannels, and lightdresses passing up and down opposite the Marine Hotel again suggestedthe month of August, rather than October.
"I believe the niggers are still here!" exclaimed Myfanwy excitedly. "Orperhaps they went away, and have come back again. Don't you see them atthat corner by the tea-rooms?"
"There's certainly somebody with a banjo," said Phoebe. "I can't seefor the crowd. Oh! I caught a glimpse then of a tall white hat and ared-striped jacket."
"I wonder whether it's the niggers or the pierrots?" said Dora.
"Do let us go and see!" begged Aldred. "It's such a very little way, weshan't be two minutes."
She seized Dora by the arm, and began to urge her in the direction ofthe music. Dora did not need much persuasion, and, as Phoebe andMyfanwy offered no remonstrance, they all marched briskly along thepromenade. There was a spice of adventure in that, for they knew thatthey had no business to be there, and that if they were seen andrecognized they might be reported to Miss Drummond, and get a severepunishment for breaking bounds. In any case, there were the prefects tobe reckoned with. Blanche and Freda would be returning to the postoffice, and would be extremely angry to find that they had not waited.
"We'll manage to square them somehow," said Phoebe. "I don't thinkthey'll tell Miss Drummond, although they'll probably scold."
"Of course, we shan't really stay a moment," maintained Dora. "We'lljust rush straight there and back. They surely can't be very cross atthat."
Yet, when they actually arrived at the rather congested corner where thelight-hearted negro minstrels, with carefully blacked faces and stripedcollars, were making merry, they found it impossible not to stop andlisten to the songs and jokes. The leader of the troupe was a humorist,and above the average of such performers; he kept his audience wellamused, and it was not until he had sent round the inevitable hat, andbidden a polite adieu to the company, that the girls thought ofstirring. Even then, their attention was at once claimed, first by a manwith performing birds, and then by a Punch and Judy show. The poorlittle canaries were really clever, while the tragedy of wicked Mr.Punch is an ever-thrilling drama, and his squeaky voice has a peculiarfascination of its own. Time passed rapidly, and the four runaways begansuddenly to realize that not only had they been gone much longer than afew minutes, but that they had wandered almost the whole length of thepromenade.
"Why, we're nearly at the pier!" exclaimed Dora.
"We must turn back at once," said Phoebe.
"Let us buy a few chocolates before we go," suggested Aldred. "Isn'tthere a shop here, or an automatic machine?"
"There's a kiosk on the pier-head," replied Dora. "They sell the mostdelicious American popcorn there, in little boxes tied up with stripedribbons."
"Then we'll get some."
"It's a fairly long way to the end of the pier."
"Well, when we've been away so long already, I can't see that a fewextra minutes matter."
"'As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb'!" quoted Phoebe.
"Yes; Blanche and Freda will wait, and they'll scold in any case."
"You'll have to pay for me, then," said Myfanwy, "for I haven't anymoney left."
"All right; I have plenty," responded Aldred, putting down her pennieson the counter of the toll gate, and pushing hastily through theturnstile. "Now we can run, if you like. How jolly it is on theseboards! You can just see the water through the chinks."
The pier was even more interesting than the promenade. There were somany different kinds of automatic machines, which, by the magic of apenny in the slot, would set a team of miniature cricketers to work, andcause mimic soldiers to drill, or ships to sail across imitation oceans.There was a little chalet where cheap jewellery and the polished stonesof the neighbourhood were displayed; a fruit shop, and an emporium forsticks and fishing-rods. All these seemed to attract Aldred, and delayedher so much that the others were obliged to take her by the arms and tugher alon
g towards the confectionary kiosk. She had just made aninvestment in chocolates and popcorn, and the girls were turning tohasten back along the pier, when Dora had an idea.
"Look!" she said; "the steamer's just starting. It always stops at thejetty, and it will take us to the other end of the promenade far fasterthan we can walk. It's only a penny fare."
"Yes, it would save time," agreed Phoebe. "Come along!"
The bell was ringing, so without waiting to ask questions the four randown the steps and across the gangway on to the vessel. They were not asecond too soon, for she started directly they were on board. The deckwas rather crowded with passengers, but the four made their way to afairly quiet corner, and managed to find seats. Several little coastingsteamers ran between the pier, the jetty, the North End, and thelighthouse, and were much patronized by visitors in summer. It wouldonly take a few minutes, so the girls calculated, to reach the firstlanding-place, which was close to the post office. Blanche and Fredawould no doubt be waiting for them in a very irate frame of mind, butperhaps might be cajoled into not reporting the matter at head-quarters.
"Freda is particularly fond of popcorn, I know," said Myfanwy.
"We'll all cry _peccavi_, and say we're sorry," added Phoebe. "Wecertainly never intended to be away so long as this. It must have takenus half an hour."
"Perhaps they'll think we've started home," suggested Dora, "and imaginewe're waiting for them on the downs."
"Well, we shall very soon see; we're nearly at the jetty."
"I wonder why so many people are taking portmanteaux with them for thistiny, little voyage?" commented Aldred, looking round at the passengers,most of whom seemed to be encumbered with some impedimenta in the way ofluggage.
"How funny! I never saw them on one of these steamers before," repliedMyfanwy. "Perhaps the people are visitors going to stay at the NorthEnd."
"There's the jetty," announced Dora; "we shall be off directly. Hallo!Why aren't we stopping? Oh, Phoebe! Myfanwy! Aldred! Look: we'reactually going past it!"