01 The School at the Chalet Read Online Free PDF Page A

for each other.
    That one,’ coolly pointing, ‘tried to scratch the other, and he kicked him. I pulled them apart, and was just telling them not to scrap like girls, when you came!’
    The two little boys had been staring at her with horrid fascination. Now, as she reached the end of her explanation, they suddenly grabbed each other’s hands and, taking to their heels, fled.
    ‘You’ve scared them!’ laughed Grizel. ‘Oh, Joey, I think it’s lovely! I caught the ring five times, and the man said it was superb!’
    ‘Well, now let’s have déjeuner ‘ suggested Madge. ‘ I’m hungry, if you aren’t.’
    Déjeuner over, they strolled along to the Champs-Elysées, and joined in the merry throng round ‘Guignol,’
    which is a French version of Punch and Judy. After that, they met the old woman who sells toy balloons and zeppelins, and nothing would do but that they must each have one. Tea they had at a pâtisserie , where Grizel rejoiced once more in the delightful custom which ordains that each customer shall take a plate and fork to the counter and help himself to delicious sandwiches and cakes before settling down.
    ‘So much more sensible than English shops,’ she said.’ They always bring the things you don’t want–’
    ‘Like horrid spongy cakes with butter-icing!’ chimed in Jo. ‘I loathe them! Now éclairs, I could go on eating for ever!’
    ‘And beautifully sick you would be,’ said Madge firmly. ‘No, you don’t, Joey, my child! Remember, our train leaves at nine. Finished? Le comptoir, s’il vous plaît.’ This last to the pretty waitress who stood near.
    After that, they returned to their hotel to pack up and have dinner, and half-past eight saw them at the Gare de l’Est, climbing into the Paris-Wien train express.
    ‘Here start our Austrian adventures,’ observed Jo, as she curled herself up comfortably in a corner. ‘You can’t count Paris!’
    ‘Can’t you? I do!’ replied Grizel. ‘It’s all been absolutely thrilling, so far!’
    ‘Go to sleep and don’t talk,’ ordered Miss Bettany. ‘We shall be in Switzerland, I hope, when you wake tomorrow.’
    ‘Switzerland?’ Grizel sat bolt upright in her excitement.
    ‘Yes; we reach Basle about six in the morning. Now, be quiet!’
    And she refused to say another word or to let them talk, so they subsided, and before long all three were fast asleep, while the great train hurled onwards through the darkness.

    Chapter 4.
    Austria at Last!
    IT was half-past seven on the Wednesday evening when the Vienna express slackened speed before entering the Innsbrück Station. By this time Grizel was weary of the train, while Jo’s tongue had long ceased wagging, and she lay in her corner of the carriage gazing dreamily out at the darkening landscape.
    ‘We’re only an hour late,’ observed Madge, as she collected their belongings together. ‘We’ve missed the last train of the mountain railway, so we’ll have to go to an hotel somewhere for the night.’
    ‘I shan’t be sorry,’ replied Grizel decidedly. ‘Will Mr Bettany meet us, or shall we have to fish for ourselves?’
    ‘Dick will meet us all right,’ said Jo, rousing herself up to answer this question. ‘Where shall we put up, Madge-at the Europe?’
    ‘I suppose so,’ replied her sister. ‘Or there’s the Kreide, only it’s farther away.’
    ‘I hope it’s somewhere near,’ returned Jo wearily, ‘I should like to have a bath and go to bed! Hello, we’re slackening!’
    ‘There’s Dick!’ exclaimed Madge, as she hung out of the window. But Dick had seen her, and was already running along by the side of the carriage, shouting a cheery greeting to them.
    ‘Shove the cases through the window!’ he called, as the train stopped. ‘Bustle the kids out! I’ve got a porter here! Rooms booked at the Europe!’
    Under the influence of his suggestions Madge bundled out their belongings, and five minutes later they were all on the platform making for the exit,