"She's far cleverer really than I am," thought Winona. "Pity she's not at the Seaton High![Pg 159] She'd be the star of her form directly. I wish she could get a scholarship some day."
With her school experience in coaching juniors, Winona was able to give her family some drilling in the matter of cricket, though she did not find that younger brothers and sisters proved such docile7 pupils as the members of III.a. and III.b. It was the usual case of "a prophet is not without honor, save in his own country," and while to High School juniors she preserved the authority and dignity of a senior, to Letty, Mamie, Ernie, Godfrey, and Dorrie she was "only Winona." She practiced tennis with the Vicarage girls, and was surprised to find how much her play had improved. Last summer they had nearly always beaten her, now it was she who scored the victories.
"I've learnt how to play games at 'The High,' even if my report was only moderate," she said to herself.
To make up for the long holiday caused by the small-pox scare, school was to commence at the beginning of September. Aunt Harriet, who had not been well, and was taking a rest in Scotland, wrote that her house in Abbey Close was shut up for the present, but that she was making other arrangements for her great-niece until her return. This term a hostel8 was to be opened in connection with the High School, and Winona was to be a boarder there for a few weeks. She was uncertain whether she liked the prospect9 or not, but she nevertheless left home in good spirits.
The hostel was under the superintendence of Miss[Pg 160] Kelly. It was prettily10 furnished, and looked bright and pleasant. The girls had a common sitting-room11, where they could read, write, paint or play games, and the bedrooms were divided into cubicles12. So far there were only ten boarders, though there was accommodation for eighteen, but no doubt the numbers would be increased when the venture became better known.
The school seemed very strange without the familiar figures of Margaret Howell, Kirsty Paterson, Patricia Marshall and the other prefects. All of the Sixth had left except Linda Fletcher and Dorrie Pollock, and the members of V.a. were now promoted to the top form. Linda Fletcher was head of the school, the new prefects being Hilda Langley, Agatha James, Bessie Kirk, Grace Olliver, Evelyn Richards and Garnet Emerson. Linda, with her past year's experience, made an extremely suitable "Head." She understood thoroughly13 what ought to be done, and at once called a mass meeting of the whole school in the gymnasium. Everybody clapped as Linda stood up on the platform to open the proceedings14. She had been a favorite as a prefect, so she was welcomed in her new capacity of "General."
"Girls!" she began. "I felt it was better to lose no time in calling this meeting to settle the affairs of the coming school year. I am in a difficult position, because I have to follow such an extremely able and efficient 'Head.' I'm afraid I can't hope to rival Margaret Howell (cries of "Yes! Yes!" and "You'll do!" from the audience), but at least[Pg 161] I shall try to do my duty. During the past year we may fairly consider that the 'Seaton High' made enormous strides. Owing to the exertions15 of our former 'Head' and prefects a most excellent foundation has been laid. The Dramatic Society, the Debating Club, the Literary Association, the Photographic union and the Natural History League all accomplished16 very satisfactory work, and may be considered in a most flourishing condition. Perhaps, though, our greatest improvement is in the direction of games. This may not appear on the surface, for though we won five hockey matches, it was impossible, for reasons well known to you, to have fixtures17 for hockey and tennis. We feel, nevertheless, that in spite of our inability to test our skill against that of other schools we are conscious of the enormous all-round improvement that has taken place in our play. It was Kirsty Paterson's policy to train recruits for the games so that every girl in the school might be a possible champion. How well she succeeded I hope our next season's matches may testify. Let us all work together for the good of the school, and try to establish the reputation of the 'Seaton High.' I need not remind you that everything in the coming year will depend upon the energy and efficiency of the Games Captain. As soon as I knew that I was 'Head,' I wrote to Kirsty, who is staying in Cornwall, and asked for her opinion upon this most important point. I want to read you an extract from her reply, which I received this morning. She says:
"'You ask me who is to be the new Games Cap[Pg 162]tain. Well, of course it is a delicate matter to nominate my own successor, but from my knowledge of everybody's capacities I should most decidedly suggest Winona Woodward. She is a good all-round player herself, and has a particular aptitude20 for organization, which should prove invaluable21. She thoroughly appreciates the advantage of having reserves to fall back upon, and is most keen on keeping up the standard. I do hope the dear old "High" will have a splendid year. I shall be frantic22 to hear how you get on. Send me a p.c. with the result of the meeting.'
"Well," continued Linda, "you've heard Kirsty's opinion. It coincides entirely23 with mine. Will some one kindly24 propose that Winona Woodward shall be elected Games Captain?"
"I have much pleasure in making the proposal," said Bessie Kirk, standing25 up promptly26.
"And I have much pleasure in seconding it," murmured Grace Olliver.
"Will all who are in favor kindly hold up their hands? Carried unanimously! I'm extremely glad, as I'm sure Winona is 'the right man for the job,' and worthy27 to carry on Kirsty's traditions. I vote we give her three cheers!"
Winona flushed crimson28 as the hip-hip-hoorays rang forth29. She had never expected such a complete walk-over. She had known that her name was to be submitted for the captaincy, but she had thought that Bessie Kirk and Marjorie Kemp held equal chances, and that the voting would probably be fairly evenly divided. That Kirsty should have[Pg 163] written to nominate her was an immense gratification. Kirsty's praise at the time had been scant30, and Winona had no idea that her former chief held her in such esteem31. To Winona the occasion seemed the triumph of her life. She would rather be Games Captain than have any other honor that could possibly be offered to her. Glorious visions of successful matches, of shields or cups won, and a county reputation for the school swam before her eyes. And she—Winona Woodward—was to have the privilege of leading and directing all this! It was indeed a thrilling prospect. Her thoughts went back to the symposium32 of a year ago, when as a new and unknown girl, she had listened to Margaret Howell's inspiring speech. How unlikely it had seemed then that she would ever have a hand in making school history, but how her spirit had been stirred, and how she had longed to do her part! It was something to have realized her pet ambition.
"It was most awfully33 good of you to propose me," she said to Bessie Kirk afterwards. "You'd a splendid chance yourself."
"Not I!" returned Bessie lightly. "Kirsty's letter settled the whole business. I shouldn't have made nearly as good a Captain as you. I don't care to bother with the kids, and I'd hate all the business part of it, making the fixtures and that sort of thing, you know. You'll be A1, and we'll all play up no end. I believe we dare venture a fixture18 with Grant Park this season."
Winona fully34 realized the responsibilities of her important position, and began at once to pick up[Pg 164] the threads of her new duties. She took possession of the Games Register, with its records of past matches, and began to make plans for hockey fixtures. The term had begun so early that the other schools in the county had not yet re-opened; that, however, was really an advantage, as it gave her more time for consideration. At present the September weather was hot as summer, and tennis and cricket were still in full swing. In order to spur on enthusiasm Winona organized a school tennis tournament. The result was highly satisfactory. Several new and unsuspected stars swam into view, and she determined35 to keep her eye upon them as possible champions for next summer.
"You never know what a girl's capable of till you try her!" she confided36 to Garnet. "Who would ever have thought that that stupid-looking little Emily Cooper could beat Ethel March? I was simply astounded37. I've my plans for Emily, I can tell you! And I believe Bertha March is going to be a second Annie Hardy38. She serves in exactly the same way. Oh, I've hopes for next summer. Brilliant, glorious hopes."
The school took every opportunity of using the fine weather while it lasted. The Photographic union organized an outing to Linworth, a picturesque39 town six miles away, where an old castle, an Elizabethan mansion40, a river and many quaint41 streets made subjects for their cameras, and promised to provide materials for an exhibition later on, when films were developed and prints taken. The Natural History League had another delightful[Pg 165] ramble42 under Miss Lever's leadership, and secured additional specimens43 for the museum. On this occasion Winona and Garnet started in better time for the station, and did not get into the wrong train, as they had done on the expedition to Monkend Woods.
"Dollikins," as Miss Lever was affectionately nicknamed, was as great a favorite as ever among the girls. Owing to changes on the staff, she now had charge of IV.a. and taught mathematics throughout the junior forms, so that the seniors saw little of her in school hours. On a ramble she was as jolly as one of themselves.
The Sixth had a new mistress, Miss Goodson, who had only joined the staff this term. The form was rather uncertain whether to like her or not. It was rumored44 that she had been engaged specially4 to coach them for the matriculation. So far the High School had been laying foundations, and had not sent in any candidates for public examinations. This year, however, having a certain amount of promising45 material in the Sixth, Miss Bishop46 had decided19 that the time was ripe for trying to win the educational laurels47 towards which their training had been directed. Miss Goodson came from a High School in the north, and brought with her a reputation for successful coaching. She was well up in all her subjects, but she was a cold and not very inspiring person. She was apt to concentrate her energies on the clever members of her form, and leave the less brilliant to stumble along as best they could. Winona, who certainly belonged to the sec[Pg 166]ond category, did not like Miss Goodson, while Garnet was strongly in her favor.
In her new capacity of prefect, Garnet proved a success. She was as enthusiastic over the "bookish" side of the school as Winona over the athletic49 department. She was President of the Literary Association, a member of the Debating Club Committee, and head librarian. The school library had grown and prospered50 exceedingly since its installation by Margaret Howell. It now numbered nearly five hundred volumes, and its shelves almost filled the Prefects' Room. Garnet managed it systematically51. She had special hours at which books were issued, and assistants whose business it was to be on duty at the specified52 times.
Among other improvements in the school welcomed by the girls was the advent of a fresh drilling mistress, and some new apparatus53 for gymnastics. Under Miss Barbour, "Gym" became highly popular, and it was felt that an athletic display would probably be held at Christmas. This was something to work for, and every one seemed much keener than formerly54. Winona was naturally an enthusiast48, and tried to keep others up to the mark. She had once seen an "Assault-at-Arms" at Percy's college, and the memory of it made her long for the Seaton High School to have a similar opportunity of showing its prowess. She and a select circle of friends practiced whenever possible. Altogether among the various athletic activities of the school, Captain Winona promised herself a very enjoyable year in the Sixth Form.
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1
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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hostel
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| n.（学生）宿舍，招待所 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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cubicles
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| n.小卧室，斗室( cubicle的名词复数 ) | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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fixtures
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| （房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动 | |
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fixture
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| n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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symposium
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| n.讨论会，专题报告会；专题论文集 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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ramble
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| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
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specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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49
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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prospered
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| 成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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52
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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