23 A Black Day for Gwen
Nobody ticked off the second-formers after all. The sixth agreed that they had had such a wonderful laugh that afternoon that it wasn’t really fair to row them. “It was just what I needed, after that nightmare week of exams,” said Darrell. “Poor Mam’zelle. She’s recovered now, but those wicked little second-formers hiss¹ whenever they walk behind her—and she runs like a hare.”
“They’re worse than we ever were,” said Alicia. “And I shouldn’t have thought that was possible!”
Now the term began to slide by very quickly indeed. Darrell could hardly catch at the days as they went by. Matches were played and won. Swimming tournaments were held—and won! Moira, Sally and Darrell played brilliantly and swam well—but the star was June, of course. She was in the second teams for swimming and tennis, the youngest that had ever played in them or swum.
Amanda, still hobbling about, was very proud of June. “You see! I picked her out, and I told you she was the most promising² girl in the school!” she said, exultantly³, to the sixth-formers. “She’ll pay for watching and training, that child. She’s marvellous!”
Sally and Darrell looked across at one another. What a different Amanda this was now. It had been decided⁴ that as she couldn’t possibly be allowed to train for any games or sports for at least a year, she should stay on at Malory Towers. And now that Amanda could no longer centre her attention on her own skill and prowess she was centring it on June, and other promising youngsters. Already she had made a great difference to the standard of games among them.
“I shall be able to keep an eye on June, and on one or two others,” went on Amanda, happily. “I’m sorry you’re all leaving, though. It’ll be queer without you. Won’t you be sorry to go?”
“Gwen’s the only one who will be glad to leave Malory Towers,” said Darrell. “None of the others will—even though we’ve got college to go to—and Belinda’s going to a school of art, and Irene to the Guildhall.”
“And Bill and I to our riding school,” said Clarissa, “and Moira . . .”
“Oh dear,” said Darrell, interrupting. “Let’s not talk about next term yet. Let’s have our last week or two still thinking we’re coming back next term. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs this term—now let’s enjoy ourselves.”

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