2 Arrivals Old and New
Darrell and Sally went up the steps, and into the big hall. “Let’s go up to our study,” said Darrell. “We can dump our things there and have a look round.”
They went up to the small, cosy¹ room they shared between them. The sixth-formers were allowed to have these studies, one to every two girls, and both Sally and Darrell loved their small room.
They had put down a gay rug that Mrs. Rivers had given them, and each had a favourite picture on the walls. There were some old cushions provided by both mothers, and a few ornaments² on the mantelpiece—mostly china or wooden horses and dogs.
“I wonder who’ll have this room next term,” said Darrell, going to the window and looking out. “It’s one of the nicest.”
“Quite the nicest,” said Sally, sinking down into one of the small arm-chairs. “I suppose one of the fifth-formers will have it. Lucky things!”
The sixth-formers had a common-room of their own, as well as studies. In the common-room was a wireless³, of course, a library, and various cupboards and shelves for the use of the girls. It looked out over the sea and was full of air and light and sun. The girls loved it.
“Better go down and report to Matron,” said Darrell, when they had unpacked⁴ their night-bags, and set out two clocks, three or four new ornaments, and Darrell had put a little gay table-cloth into a drawer, which she had brought back to use that term. It would look nice if they gave a tea-party, as they often did!
“Got your health certificate?” asked Sally. “I wonder if Irene has got hers. She has remembered it faithfully for the last three or four terms. I’d love her to forget it just this last time.”
Darrell laughed. Irene’s health certificate was a standing⁵ joke in the school. “I’ve got Felicity’s certificate with mine,” she said. “I’d better give it to her. Come on, let’s go down.”
They went down and found Matron, who was standing in the middle of a mob of girls. They were handing out health certificates to her, and, in the case of the lower-formers, handing over their term’s pocket-money too.

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