"Blyton, Enid - St Clare's 04 - The Second Form At St Clare's (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Blyton Enid)

mark where games are concerned, because I want to put St. Clare's right
on the map this winter, with lacrosse. We must win every match we play!
We've got some fine players for a school team, but I want every form to
supply players for the second and third match-teams too. So buck up, all
of you, and practise hard.' Alison groaned as Belinda went out of the
second form common room. ' Why do we have to play games?' she said. '
They just make us hot and untidy and tired.' ' You forget they do other
things as well,' said Janet. ' We have to learn to work together as a
team-each one for his side, helping the others, not each one for
himself. That sort of thing is especially good for you, my dear
Alison-you'd sit in a corner and look at yourself in the mirror all day
long if you could-and a fat lot of good that would do to you or anybody
else.' ' Oh, be quiet,' said Alison. ' You're always getting at me!' It
was fun to be back again, and to hear all the familiar school chatter,
to groan over prep., to eat enormous teas, to talk about lacrosse, to
laugh at somebody's joke, and to look forward to the class you liked the
best-painting, maybe, or music, or elocution-or even maths! There was a
surprise for the second form at the end of the first week. Another- new
girl appeared! She arrived at tea-time, with red eyes and a sulky mouth.
She looked defiantly at every one as she took her place at the second
form table. ' This is Mirabel Unwin,' said Miss Jenks. ' She has arrived
rather late for beginning of term-but still, better late than never,
Mirabel.' ' I didn't want to come at all,' said Mirabel, in a loud
voice. ' They tried to make me come on the right day but I wouldn't. I
only came now because my father promised I could leave at half-term if
I'd come now. I suppose he thought once he got me here I'd stay. But I
shan't.' That will do, Mirabel,' said Miss Jenks, soothingly. 'You are
tired and over-wrought. Don't say any more. You will soon settle down
and be happy.' ' No, I shan't,' said the surprising Mirabel. ' I shan't
settle down and I shan't be happy. I shan't try at anything, because
what's the use if I'm leaving at half-term?' ' Well, we'll see,' said
Miss Jenks. ' Be sensible now and eat some tea. You must be hungry.' The
girls stared at Mirabel. They were not used to people who shouted their
private affairs out in public. They thought Mirabel was rather
shocking-but rather exciting too. ' I thought she was another
Misery-girl at first, but I believe she's just spoilt and peevish,' said
Pat. ' I say- the second form is going to be quite an exciting place
this term!' 3 TWO HEAD-GIRLS AND TWO NEW GIRLS MISS JENKS made both the
old second-formers into joint head-girls of the form. She and Miss
Theobald, the Head Mistess, had had a talk about them, and had decided
that perhaps it would be the making of them. ' Elsie is a spiteful
type,' said Miss Jenks. ' She has never been popular, though she would
have liked to be -so she gets back at the others by being spiteful and
saying nasty things. And Anna is bone-lazy-won't do a thing if she can
help it!' ' Well, a little responsibility may be good for them,' said
Miss Theobald, thoughtfully. ' It will give Elsie a sense of importance,
and bring out any good in her- and Anna will have to bestir herself if
she wants to keep her position. Let them both try.* ' I don't know how
they will work together,' said Miss Jenks, doubtfully. ' They don't like
each other very much.' ' Let them try,' said Miss Theobald. ' Elsie is