17 Half-term at Last
Half-term came at last. It was a really lovely day, with bright sunshine and a nice breeze. The kitchen staff worked with a will to produce masses of good things for the grand School Tea. All the girls were excited about seeing their people.
Gwendoline had quite thought that Clarissa’s people were coming, and had planned to introduce them to her mother and father. Then she suddenly heard Bill and Clarissa planning a picnic together on the half-term Saturday!
“Two of my brothers have their half-term at the same time,” said Bill, “so they’re coming with Mother and Daddy. We’ll take our lunch up to the top of Langley Hill, shall we, and bathe in the cove¹ afterwards, before we come back to the Tennis Exhibition.”
Gwen listened in astonishment². “But what will Clarissa’s father and mother say to that?” she said. “Won’t they want Clarissa to themselves?”
“They can’t come on the Saturday, worse luck,” said Clarissa. “They may be able to come over on Sunday though—at least, Mother might be able to, even if Daddy can’t. They’re dreadfully busy people, you know.”
“So I’ve asked Clarissa to come with us,” said Bill. “My family will bring enough lunch for twice as many as we’ll be, so we’ll have a good time!”
Gwen was jealous. Why, she could have had Clarissa spend the day with her, if she’d known.
“Well! You might have told me your people couldn’t come on Saturday,” she said. “You know how much I should have liked you to spend your time with my people.”
Clarissa looked embarrassed. She had purposely not told Gwen, because she had so much wanted to go with Bill and her brothers—all nice horsy people! But she couldn’t explain that to Gwen. So, to make up for her remissness³ she was extra nice to her, and promised to go and speak to Gwen’s people when they arrived.
“You might just mention my heart to them,” said Gwendoline. “I don’t really like to make a fuss about it myself—but you could just say something, Clarissa.”
“Of course I will,” said Clarissa, who still believed in Gwen’s weak heart. “I think something ought to be done about it.”
So, on half-term Saturday, Clarissa was led up to Mrs. Lacy, Gwendoline’s mother, and Miss Winter, her gentle and scared-looking old governess. Her father was not there.

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