9 Amanda Makes a Surprising Suggestion
Darrell was working hard for her exam, and so was Sally. But they played hard too, and somehow found some time to attend all the debates, the sing-songs, lectures and meetings that cropped up through the week. It was a happy, busy life, and one that Darrell enjoyed to the full.
She had now been six years at Malory Towers and had learnt to work really well, so the exam work did not seem as difficult as she expected. Miss Oakes was pleased with her.
“Already you can work by yourself, Darrell, with just a little guidance,” she said. “You are ready for college now. There, you will find that students can work as much or as little as they like. It is up to them! But you will always work well, and Sally too—you have the habit now.”
Privately¹ Miss Oakes thought that Darrell and Sally would do much better at college than Alicia or Betty, although these two had quicker brains and better memories than either Sally or Darrell.
“Being grown-up, and feeling free for the first time from bells and strict time-tables and endless classes, will go to Alicia’s head, and Betty’s too,” thought Miss Oakes. “They won’t do a scrap² of work at college! They’ll be out to dances and parties and meetings the whole time—and in the end sound little Darrell and solid little Sally will come away with the honours that Alicia and Betty should find it easy to get—but won’t!”
At that moment Darrell and Sally were drawing up lists for the first tennis match of the season. Moira was there, giving excellent advice in her rather domineering way. However, Sally put up with that for the sake of her help. Moira knew what she was talking about when it came to games.
Amanda came up and looked silently over their shoulders. The others ignored her. Moira turned her back on her even more pointedly³.
“I think for the third team we’ll put in Jeanie Smithers, from the third form,” said Sally. “She’s got a very fine serve, and she’s steady. She’ll make a good couple with Tessie Loman.”
“Tessie’s no good,” remarked Amanda. “Never will be. Not until she gets rid of her peculiar⁴ way of serving. She loses half her power, the way she swings her racket.”
“I bet you don’t even know which Tessie is!” said Sally.

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